LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Reigning Big 12 champion Texas Tech has open slots on its 2027 football schedule after the cancellations of two nonconference games. The school said Friday that North Carolina State cited changes in Atlantic Coast Conference scheduling when utilizing a buyout clause in the home-and-home agreement between the schools. The Wolfpack were supposed to play in Lubbock in 2027 after beating the Red Raiders at home in 2022. Texas Tech then canceled its scheduled 2027 game at North Texas. The Mean Green will instead play at TCU, another Big 12 school. TCU had an open slot then after Stanford, also citing ACC schedule changes, canceled its contract to play the Horned Frogs.
UNDATED (AP) — When it comes to producing players for the NFL, it’s not surprising that the top-performing colleges are the most prolific. Where it gets more interesting is looking at how different schools excel at producing players at different positions. Oklahoma has thrived with quarterbacks over the past decade thanks to Lincoln Riley’s tenure as an offensive coordinator and head coach there. Stanford and Iowa have had fierce debates about which school should get the moniker Tight End U. Notre Dame punches above its weight at offensive line, while schools like Ohio State and LSU vie for top billing at receiver.
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Minnesota clinched the program’s first NCAA finals appearance in women’s gymnastics, joining top three seeds Oklahoma, Florida and LSU to battle for the national title. No. 13-seed Minnesota became the lowest seed to reach the final since the NCAA began seeding in 2014. Defending champion Oklahoma led throughout the second semifinal and notched the highest-overall score of the day at 198.3000. The Sooners will go for their fourth NCAA championship in five years on Saturday. No. 3 seed Florida won the first semifinal for an opportunity to clinch the program’s fifth national championship. LSU reached the championship for the 11th time in program history
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An NCAA committee is recommending that Football Bowl Subdivision teams play a 12-game schedule over 14 weeks beginning in 2027 with the season starting on the Thursday of what is now designated Week Zero and ending the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The Division I FBS Oversight Committee made the recommendation. The Division I Cabinet would have to approve it. A 14-week regular season would provide each team with two open dates. Making room for two open dates will allow more rest for players, which has been a concern for teams advancing in the CFP.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA confirmed it is exploring a move to an age-based eligibility model that would give athletes a window of five years for Division I competition starting immediately after their high school graduation or 19th birthday, whichever comes first. The Division I Cabinet discussed the possibility during meetings that concluded Wednesday but did not take a formal position on it. The Cabinet supports having NCAA staff continue to discuss the idea with other stakeholders to gather feedback. Currently, athletes generally are allowed four seasons of competition over five years with no age restrictions.
