Ollie Gordon II on his Big 12 pro day performance
Oklahoma State Cowboy running back Ollie Gordon II talks with NFL Network's Bucky Brooks on his Big 12 pro day performance.
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Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Who benefits from College Football Playoff expansion to 16 teams?
When Oregon State went 9-3 during the 2022 regular season – its best season in 16 years – the Beavers earned a trip to the Las Vegas Bowl. If a 16-team College Football Playoff had been in place that season, the Beavers would have qualified. Conference commissioners are debating the playoff's future format for 2026 and beyond, and momentum swells behind growing the playoff from 12 to 16 teams. Advertisement If the playoff indeed expands by four teams, it will become a more attainable destination for three-loss teams from coast to coast. No two-loss team ever qualified for the playoff until the playoff grew from four to 12 teams. No three-loss team has ever qualified, but my analysis of the 11-year playoff era shows that at least two three-loss teams would have made the playoff each year if a 5+11 playoff format had been in place during those seasons. That 5+11 model is the favored format by the Big 12 and ACC, and it's gaining support within the SEC, too. In that model, the top five conference champions would gain automatic bids, and the remaining 11 spots would be filled via at-large selection. The Big Ten favors a different 16-team model in which most qualifiers would gain entry via an auto-bid process. For the purposes of my analysis, I used the 5+11 framework. South Carolina linebacker Bam Martin-Scott (22) pursues Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) as he carries the ball during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The analysis became tricky, because so many teams changed conferences in the past 11 years. I counted teams in the conferences that they'll call home in 2026. So, a bid for Texas counted toward the SEC, a bid for Oregon counted for the Big Ten, and so on. In some years when Texas or Oklahoma, now in the SEC, won the Big 12, I awarded an automatic bid to the Big 12's runner-up. Other years, I assigned the Big 12's auto bid to Central Florida or Cincinnati – those schools are now in the Big 12 – when those schools were highly ranked and won conference championships. Assigning the Group of Six's automatic qualifier became a chore in certain years, too, because of conference realignment. Advertisement You could conduct this analysis in slightly different ways, but it wouldn't change the upshot that a 16-team playoff would have been a boon for three-loss teams these past 11 years. FALL FROM GRACE: SEC explanations shows its no longer top playoff dog NO CUPCAKES: If SEC wants playoff respect, it needs tougher games Last season, a trio of three-loss SEC teams – Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina – would have qualified. The SEC and Big Ten would have benefited most from the four extra at-large spots, as compared to a 12-team playoff, but teams from the Big 12, ACC, the reconstructed Pac-12 and Notre Dame also would have grabbed last-four-in spots in some years. Advertisement In 2014, a whopping seven teams with three losses scattered across each of the Power Four conferences would have qualified for a 16-team playoff using the 5+11 format. Oh, and how about this: The playoff would have featured its first four-loss teams. Auburn (2016), Stanford (2017) and Texas (2018) were four-loss teams ranked high enough to crack a 16-team playoff. In other words, once the playoff hits 16 teams, it's no longer a destination reserved for the elite. Kentucky, Northwestern could have made 16-team playoff Based off past results during the playoff era, the four extra at-large bids would have helped teams ranging from Northwestern, Kentucky, UCLA, Washington State and Georgia Tech to blue bloods like Alabama and Michigan. Advertisement 'Sixteen teams, you'd get more people excited about it, more people in play,' said Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin, a proponent of a 16-team playoff. Beyond the 16 teams that qualify would be many more remaining in playoff contention into November. The 12-team playoff "created a lot of interest," Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said during a call with reporters. "Going to 16 teams, I think, there's more of that.' The four-team playoff became an exclusive party reserved for top-perch programs like Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Clemson. A 16-team playoff would broaden avenues of access to the middle class and even traditionally lower-tier teams within power conferences that could align the stars and crack the bracket with a 9-3 record. Advertisement Blue-blooded Alabama twice would have been among the last-four-in in a 5+11 playoff format. That's also true of fellow blue bloods like Michigan and Notre Dame. Also, though, Northwestern twice would have qualified in the last-four-in. Three times in the past 11 years, Ole Miss would have been in the last-four-in of a 5+11 playoff, ranking the Rebels as the biggest beneficiary of the playoff expanding by four teams. Is it any wonder Kiffin wants 16 teams? Expanded College Football Playoff would help blue bloods, too Here are some other findings from my analysis applying the 5+11 format to the past 11 seasons: Advertisement ∎ Alabama and Ohio State never would have missed the playoff. Georgia would have qualified in nine of 11 seasons, and Clemson would have qualified eight times. ∎ Notre Dame is among the programs that would have qualified seven times. ∎ The Big Ten would have led with 53 bids, followed by the SEC's 51, meaning each conference would have averaged more than four bids per year. The Big 12 and ACC would have averaged more than two bids per year. ∎ Fourteen of the SEC's 16 programs would have qualified at least once, with Arkansas and Vanderbilt as the only exceptions. ∎ Twelve of the Big Ten's 18 programs would have qualified at least once. The non-qualifiers would have been Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Purdue and Rutgers. Advertisement ∎ The Big Ten would have peaked at six bids but never qualified fewer than four teams. ∎ The SEC's bid total would have bottomed out at three bids but peaked with seven bids in 2018 and again in 2023. ∎ Thirty-one programs would have qualified as a last-four-in team at least once throughout the 11 years. No wonder the 16-team playoff concept gains steam. The four extra spots would help a wide range of programs gain playoff access. College football accelerates away from an era that demanded an undefeated or one-loss record to make an elitist playoff, and toward a terrain in which 9-3 equals a playoff berth instead of a mid-tier bowl bid. Advertisement Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@ and follow him on X @btoppmeyer. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College Football Playoff expansion to 16 teams. Who benefits most?
USA Today
9 hours ago
- USA Today
Who is sitting out mandatory minicamp? Trey Hendrickson, list of NFL players
Who is sitting out mandatory minicamp? Trey Hendrickson, list of NFL players Show Caption Hide Caption Five NFL games we can't wait to watch in the 2025 season The NFL schedule for the 2025-2026 season has been released. Here are a few games on our must-watch list. Most NFL players have been on vacation since their seasons ended in early January, but it's almost time to get back to work. Unsurprisingly, that is hard to come to terms with, especially when a contract dispute is hanging over your head. Trey Hendrickson knows the feeling all too well. He's been angling for a new contract for over a year. Still, the Cincinnati Bengals haven't rewarded the star edge rusher with a new deal. When it comes to getting new contracts, players are fairly powerless. They can make a lot of noise and sit out, but the ball is still in the team's court. Fines and other penalties can be levied against players by teams. However, their success can be hit or miss. Every year, it seems there are a select few who make headlines when minicamps become mandatory. As the last step in the offseason before training camp, these three days are a chance to make a statement. Here are the players who have decided to sit out minicamps in 2025, along with the penalties they will face for doing so. NFL players sitting out mandatory minicamp Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals Hendrickson's feud with the Bengals is well-documented by now, with the All-Pro still seeking a new contract. He is set to be a free agent after the 2025 season and carries a $18.6 million cap hit into the upcoming campaign, according to Spotrac. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that there has been no progress on a new deal for Hendrickson, leading to his absence. The 30-year-old has posted 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons, taking care of business quietly in Cincinnati. The gloves came off this offseason as Hendrickson has gone public with his frustration. It remains to be seen whether he'll be awarded a new contract, but Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins got theirs. Now the defensive star wants his as both sides dig their heels in. T.J. Watt, EDGE, Pittsburgh Steelers The Steelers just got over the Aaron Rodgers saga and now find themselves staring down another contract issue after Watt skipped organized team activities (OTAs). Both sides have been working towards a new long-term deal, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said Tuesday that there has been no progress on that front. Watt is entering the final season of a four-year, $112 million extension and has remained one of the best defensive players in the league since debuting in 2017. The 30-year-old is a four-time All-Pro and was the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year. With double-digit sack totals in six of his eight seasons, Watt is a game-wrecker. He'll almost certainly be paid like one in his next contract, whenever that comes. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders McLaurin has been a model NFL citizen during his career despite playing in mostly less-than-ideal circumstances for most of it. During six seasons in Washington, the Commanders have trotted out 11 different quarterbacks. Playoff appearances have been few and far between, leaving McLaurin as one of the game's better but more underrated receivers. He is entering the final year of a three-year, $68.4 million deal and the 29-year-old is looking to cash in. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that McLaurin is frustrated with the lack of progress on a long-term deal and is now the official reason for his absence. As the Commanders eye a Super Bowl run in 2025, getting the contract done is something they'll want to check off the list. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Miami Dolphins Ramsey will not attend Dolphins' minicamp, according to head coach Mike McDaniel, which was to be expected. Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, both sides agreed to seek a trade that would send the star cornerback out of Miami, but that hasn't materialized yet. Ramsey still has four years left on his contract, which includes the three-year, $72.3 million extension he signed before the 2024 season. It makes sense for both sides to keep Ramsey away from the field, ensuring he remains healthy before moving on. Miami hasn't indicated if they would release the cornerback should a trade fail to happen. At the very least, it does seem clear that both sides are headed for a split before the 2025 regular season kicks off in September. Jonnu Smith, TE, Miami Dolphins Smith has joined Ramsey in sitting out minicamp in Miami. The tight end has been looking for a new contract and is another Dolphins player hearing his name in trade rumors. Miami previously held talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a trade that would send Smith to the Steel City. It remains to be seen if the two sides can reengage and finalize a deal. For now, Smith will remain away in the hopes that the contract situation can be resolved, one way or another. What is the penalty for sitting out NFL mandatory minicamp? Players are subjected to fines if they don't report to mandatory minicamp without receiving an excused absence. Those fines increase each year, according to the NFL's collective bargaining agreement. Here are the fines for the 2025 season:
USA Today
10 hours ago
- USA Today
2026 Women's College World Series way too early predictions
2026 Women's College World Series way too early predictions The Women's College World Series wrapped after a hotly contested couple of weeks that culminated in the Texas Longhorns winning their first national title. It was also a year of firsts for Texas Tech as NiJaree Canady led them to their first trip to Oklahoma City in program history. For the first time since 2018, the Sooners didn't reach the championship series since 2018, only the second time in the last decade that Oklahoma failed to reach the finals. All but two games were decided by three or fewer runs in Oklahoma City. It was marked by incredible pitching performances and clutch hits, giving us everything we've come to expect from the Women's College World Series. Looking ahead to 2026, you can bet the Women's College World Series field will be full of familiar faces from the teams that made the trip to Oklahoma City in 2025. Here's a look at the eight teams we're projecting to make the Women's College World Series field in 2026. Texas Longhorns Texas will lose Joley Mitchell, Mia Scott, and Mac Morgan, but they bring back a talented group of players led by Teagan Kavan and Reese Atwood. 2025 Finish: National Champions Texas Tech Red Raiders The Red Raiders will bring back NiJaree Canady and are bringing in power-hitting catcher Jasmyn Burns from Ohio State. Texas Tech will be the favorite to win the Big 12 and be a threat to make it to Oklahoma City once again. 2025 Finish: WCWS Runner-Up Tennessee Volunteers Karlyn Pickens returns to lead a Tennessee team that took two of three from the Sooners during the regular season and was an out away from sending Oklahoma to the loser's bracket in the WCWS. 2025 Finish: WCWS Semifinalist Oklahoma Sooners You can bet Patty Gasso and a team that was one of the youngest in softball will be on a mission in 2025. The addition of Sydney Berzon gives them a frontline starter to go along with a really talented lineup. Oklahoma also adds the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, featuring the top position player, Kai Minor, and the No. 1 pitcher Allyssa Parker. 2025 Finish: WCWS Semifinalist Oregon Ducks The defending Big Ten champions will bring back ace Lindsey Grein and Riley McCoy who led the Ducks with 19 home runs this season. 2025 Finish: Made WCWS Texas A&M Aggies Sure, they underachieved in 2025, becoming the first No. 1 seed in the history of the NCAA softball tournament to lose in the regional. But they were a really talented team in 2025 and they'll bring back stars from last years team, like Mya Perez and K.K. Dement. 2025 Finish: Lost in College Station Regional Nebraska Cornhuskers Jordy Bahl will be back. Need I say more? It may be tough to expect Bahl to carry the Cornhuskers to Oklahoma City, but she's as good as it gets in college softball. If Nebraska can find her some help, they'll be in the Women's College World Series. 2025 Finish: Lost in Super Regional to Tennessee Florida State Seminoles Florida State has been a mainstay at the top of the sport for a long time. They're a team that is well-coached and recruits top talent. Lonni Alymedas will return the corps of a team that had a good season but couldn't solve NiJaree Canady in the Super Regionals. 2025 Finish: Lost in Super Regional to Texas Tech Missing the Cut UCLA, who has been a blue blood, is facing a lot of turnover this offseason. They've lost their top two pitchers to the transfer portal, Kaitlyn Terry and Addisen Fisher, a pair of players that were named Freshmen of the Year over the last two years. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
