Author: nfltalk

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Big 12 will continue to grow. That is, if you believe the possibilities going forward regarding automatic qualifiers in the College Football Playoff.

That’s a reference to possibly more Big 12 games, not more Big 12 teams as the format and structure of the CFP begin to take shape for the 2026 season when the new six-year deal with ESPN begins. 

Some are almost resigned to the fact there will be automatic qualifiers in the field at the urging of the Big Ten and SEC. Their proposed model of 4-4-2-2-1-1 means four AQs each for the Big Ten and SEC, two each for the ACC and Big 12, one at-large spot and one for the highest-ranked Group of Five conference champion. 

After making the rounds this week at the Big 12 Tournament, it’s clear the conference has begun to consider its place in that new world. Commissioner Brett Yormark has not publicly committed to the AQ model for his conference, but it’s fair to say every league has at least considered the concept of play-in games for those AQ spots.

“Let me ask you something,” Yormark replied to a questioner Tuesday at a tournament kickoff press conference, “do you think I’m shy or no?”

CBS Sports reported on the details of play-in games in December. While the possibilities are preliminary — and almost endless — at this point, there are at least two models to consider to determine those two Big 12 automatic qualifiers. 

1) The top four regular-season teams qualify with the No. 1 seed playing the No. 4 seed and No. 2 playing No. 3. The two winners on that championship weekend in December would advance to the CFP. 

Using last year’s standings, these would be the matchups:

2) The 16-team league could split into two divisions, looking a lot like the old Big 12. One…

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The Oklahoma Sooners are in the midst of spring football as they prepare for the 2025 season. Year 4 under head coach Brent Venables and Year 2 in the SEC is crucial for this program. OU is looking to rebound from their second losing season under Brent Venables, the only losing seasons they’ve had since 1998.

The first season in the SEC provided a glimpse at just how far Oklahoma is from the top of the world of college football. At key spots on the coaching staff, at quarterback, and along the offensive line, OU was not nearly good enough in 2024.

The offensive line is still a big question mark. CBS Sports Will Backus believes the Sooners’ offensive line is the biggest question for OU in 2025.

Oklahoma allowed an FBS-worst 50 sacks last season, as the Sooners’ offense sputtered in their third year under coach Brent Venables. The offensive line has been a fairly consistent issue throughout Venables’ tenure, despite the presence of veteran OL coach Bill Bedenbaugh. Oklahoma isn’t going to take a step toward SEC contention if it can’t upgrade in the trenches. Starting left tackle Logan Howland is back as a good starting point. He played better as the 2024 season went on. The Sooners also earned the pledge of four-star offensive line transfer Derek Simmons (Western Carolina) and signed Michael Fasusi, the top offensive tackle in the 2025 recruiting class. Fasusi has a college-ready frame and could see plenty of snaps early. Oklahoma is hoping those new faces are enough to upgrade the level of play. – Backus, CBS Sports

The offensive line during their 10-3 season in 2023 was pretty good, but the bottom fell out as Oklahoma had to replace all five starters in 2024. Venables and Bedenbaugh missed on portal additions, and injuries certainly didn’t help up front. The rest of the SEC showed the Sooners how far off they were…

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UNLV athletic director Erick Harper admitted that the school can only afford to pay the first two years of new football coach Dan Mullen’s five-year, $17.5 million contract.

Harper made the admission at a Board of Regents meeting last week, telling the group that the athletic department is in at least $26 million worth of debt and could only afford the first two years of a contract that pays the former Florida coach $3.5 million annually.

“We have the funds to pay the coach over the next two years,” Harper said. “We have been working with our donors to assist with philanthropic dollars. We have one that has already paid their commitment, and that money is in an unrestricted line and that will be utilized in the future to help with the salaries.”

UNLV hired Mullen in December to replace Barry Odom, who left for Purdue. The Big Ten school will pay UNLV $3 million to buy out Odom’s contract, slated to arrive in two $1.5 million payments paid over the next two years. Mullen hadn’t coached since 2021, instead working as an analyst for ESPN, after a four-year stint at Florida where he finished with a 34-15 record that included three top-15 finishes. 

Mullen’s contract also calls for an annual $100,000 retention bonus starting in 2027 and bonuses ranging from $25,000 for playing in the Mountain West championship game to $100,000 for participating in the College Football Playoff. Making any bowl game comes with a $75,000 bonus. 

2025 college football coaching carousel grades: Rich Rodriguez’s return to West Virginia earns perfect mark

Dennis Dodd

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Walking off the field after Alabama football’s first practice of the spring, Kalen DeBoer instantly turned the conversation to what he feels is most important heading into 2025: the players who decided to return, the voices he expects to be strongest in the locker room even without those clear, commanding, “over-the-top” voices that defined his first Crimson Tide season a year ago.

“I think all of them working together and just kind of picking each other up on top of themselves, I think it’s in a good spot,” DeBoer said.

Experience is something Alabama will need, especially with a high-profile road matchup against a Florida State team looking for vengeance to kick off 2025. But then again, experience isn’t the end all, be all.

Freshmen were on the field in high-profile moments in 2024: Ryan Williams and Zabien Brown, both first-year players who rarely left the field.

The same could be said about certain members of Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class and its share of highly-touted freshmen, including three five starts who are already generating buzz after one week on the spring practice field.

Who could Alabama see in those Williams and Brown roles next fall? DeBoer, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb seemingly gave a preview.

Keelon Russell trending in right direction for Alabama football

Mar 5, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Quarterback Keelon Russell (12) works a drill during Spring Practice for the Crimson Tide.

Both things can be true: Keelon Russell is one of the most talented freshman quarterbacks DeBoer has ever seen. And that he has a long way to go.

It’s how DeBoer said Russell looks at it too, that he hasn’t arrived, but plans to continue to grow through spring as a strong-looking, all-around athlete of a quarterback who has already taken advantage of the offseason weight program, gaining…

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