The ancient rivals’ haggling over future matchups, and the eventual decision to cancel the 2026 game, forced the Trojans to find a 12th opponent. That, in turn, prompted a delay in the Big Ten’s schedule rollout by more than a month, to Tuesday — well after the SEC schedule was revealed in early December.

With the Indiana Hoosiers newly crowned as the kings of college football, recruits locked in, and the transfer portal calmed to a slow trickle, we can start to iron out who may be college football contenders for next year.

While college football's two power brokers are sparing over the CFP's future, the Big Ten is pulling away from the pack on the field

Picture the scene in “Shawshank Redemption” when Morgan Freeman’s character goes in front of the parole board, expecting to be rejected once again. He comments on the mockery of the proceeding and says bluntly, “You go on and stamp your forms ...

Manning looked sharp in a November win against Vanderbilt and again in the bowl win against Michigan. That’s a good sign. Manning and coach Steve Sarkisian must continue to embrace that Manning’s speed and agility rank among his top qualities. He’s a true dual threat, and he must be used accordingly.

Alabama's 2026 schedule features nine SEC games, as well as one of the toughest four-game stretches in college football next season.

By and large, SEC football fans are humbled. However, they’re not in a panic, based on the results of a reader survey by The Athletic.