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.
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke has been cleared to return to the Sooners for another season. Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman granted Heinecke a preliminary injunction against the NCAA that gives him immediate relief and allows him to rejoin his team days before Oklahoma's annual spring game. Balkman said the NCAA “failed to consider the totality of the case” while announcing his ruling in court. Heinecke called Sooners coach Brent Venable after the decision and said, “Let’s go coach!” Heinecke played three games of lacrosse at Ohio State in February 2022, costing him a year of eligibility.
UNDATED (AP) — Bryson Tiller is leaving Kansas for bitter rival Missouri. Tiller was a regular in the starting lineup last season, averaging 7.9 points and 6.1 rebounds. He had one of his best games for Kansas against the Tigers, when he had 13 points, five rebounds and five blocks in an 80-60 rout at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The Tigers have been active in the transfer portal, landing Tennessee forward Jaylen Carey and Providence forward Jamier Jones. Kansas already lost another big man, Flory Bidunga, who decided to transfer to Louisville.
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.
