ATLANTA — As anticipation builds for the next national championship, Ohio State has emerged as the early favorite among bettors for the title. Yet, one pressing question looms: what form will the sport take when teams return to action in seven months?
The Buckeyes, who previously captured the championship by investing around $20 million and expertly leveraging the transfer portal—highlighted by standouts like quarterback Will Howard and running back Quinshon Judkins—are among many navigating an evolving landscape in college football, where forthcoming changes in rules remain uncertain.
Set to take effect in the new academic year is a significant legal settlement that enables educational institutions to compensate players directly while simultaneously downsizing team rosters, all the while allowing for an increase in scholarship numbers. This shift raises questions about how Title IX regulations will interact with these changes. Additionally, the community is preparing to address growing concerns over the transfer portal, which many stakeholders believe has spiraled out of control. Discussions are also underway regarding whether the newly implemented 12-team playoff format will be retained in its current iteration or adjusted slightly.
“There are so many unknowns,” remarked Gloria Nevarez, the Mountain West Conference commissioner. “We’re attempting to monitor everything closely to provide solutions. However, we need to determine what ‘it’ is to understand how it impacts us.”
Ohio State’s playoff ambitions align with the expansion of the postseason format, flipping the narrative on unfortunate losses. Even after a disappointing defeat to Michigan last November that eliminated them from the Big Ten title race, the Buckeyes found themselves ranked sixth by the College Football Playoff selection committee and secured a position in the playoffs as the eighth seed, thanks to the new system allowing conference champions to bypass other teams.
A change to the seeding process would necessitate a unanimous vote from ten conference leaders and the athletic director of Notre Dame, Pete Bevacqua. “I foresee there being an open and sincere dialogue about potential adjustments from this year to the next to improve a system that has already performed remarkably well,” Bevacqua stated over the weekend. “Whether any changes will occur remains uncertain. I’m just one voice.”
Another evolving aspect surrounds the compensation of athletes, particularly concerning name, image, and likeness (NIL) payments. The settlement allows educational institutions to directly pay athletes by allocating up to $20.5 million in earnings. Early expectations suggest that the majority of this financial support may be directed toward players from revenue-generating sports, chiefly football and basketball for both men and women. Nevertheless, uncertainty remains after a recent government memo indicated that disproportionately favoring male athletes might violate Title IX regulations.
The newly inaugurated administration may alter the situation, but time is running out. The agreement is set to receive approval by April 7, with rules slated to take effect before the start of the new academic year. “It’s been a constant adjustment over the past five years, with every day presenting new challenges,” reflected Grant House, an Arizona State swimmer and the lead plaintiff behind the lawsuit driving these changes. “Currently, solutions are being sought, but no one possesses all the answers.”
Suggestions have emerged advocating for a commissioner to navigate the myriad issues plaguing college football—from playoff formats to athlete compensation and the bustling transfer portal filled with players seeking better opportunities. ESPN’s Chris Fowler expressed that such leadership could enhance the overall spectator experience. “Centralized scheduling is crucial, along with creating a more equitable playing environment. Effective enforcement will be essential as we transition to revenue sharing, which presents new possibilities for rule violations,” Fowler noted.
Despite the transfer portal’s influx of players and the financial shifts within programs—such as the $8 million quarterback at Duke and legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick’s influence at North Carolina—the frontrunners for the upcoming season largely represent college football’s elite programs.
– LSU is acknowledged for capturing one of the finest cohorts from the transfer portal.
– Texas is poised to kick off the season featuring Arch Manning, grandson of football legend Archie.
– At Georgia, Gunner Stockton is anticipated to take over for Carson Beck, who has committed to Miami.
– Miami also secured defensive back Xavier Lucas from Wisconsin, who raised additional questions about tampering as he never formally entered the transfer portal.
The reigning champions will look towards Julian Sayin, a five-star prospect who transferred from Alabama before even participating in college gameplay, as they search for a successor to the departing Howard. Following a season marred by tension, coach Ryan Day, whose job security hung in the balance after the loss to Michigan, will have little time to celebrate. In anticipation of next season’s opening game against Texas on August 30, Day remarked, “Just wait until you lose that first game, especially at Ohio State. Let’s see how things pan out.”
