Weekly Syllabus: PCSA misses summer cut-off, possible CFP expansion and more

Heather Dinich added that the Big Ten "hasn't budged from 24," making it unclear how seriously a 20-team field is being contemplated.

Even if the 12-team format is adequate, playoff expansion is inevitable, whether it be to 16, 20 or 24 teams. But with a Dec. 1 deadline to grow the field for 2027, we may be saved the unnecessary growth for another year.

LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt talks health entering season

Leavitt was arguably the top quarterback in this past offseason's transfer portal, but after a foot injury limited him to seven games for the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2025, he arrived in Baton Rouge with concerns.

The 2024 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year assuaged those concerns with comments to the media following training camp practice Monday, however, sharing that he's "been 100 percent [healthy] for the past few months."

Entering its first season under head coach Lane Kiffin, LSU needs a big season from Leavitt to live up to the high expectations. With his foot no longer an issue, he may be able to carry the burden.

Players begin to take advantage of eligibility rules

Forward Darrion Williams, who played for the NC State Wolfpack in 2025-26, is returning to Texas Tech, where he played as a sophomore and junior, after the recent court ruling expanding the NCAA's recent eligibility changes to the class of 2022. The two-time All-Big 12 selection averaged 13.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game on 46 percent shooting for the Red Raiders, who reached the Elite Eight in his most recent season with the program.

The Arizona Wildcats football program is also set to benefit from the judgment — barring an NCAA appeal — with running back Ismail Mahdi and Max Harris set to return. Mahdi has 3,181 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns over the past three seasons — two at Texas State (2023-24) and one at Arizona (2025) — while Harris ranked third on the Wildcats in tackles (78) a year ago, further bolstering a team coming off a 9-4 season. 

Preseason coaches' college football poll revealed

Last Tuesday, USA Today shared the preseason coaches poll, and the Big Ten and SEC dominated with eight of the country's top 10 teams. Overall, the two mega conferences hold over two-thirds of the top 25.

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Oregon Ducks own the top two spots, while the defending champion Indiana Hoosiers arrived in sixth. Five SEC programs (Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns, Texas A&M Aggies, Oklahoma Sooners, Ole Miss Rebels) also populate the top 10. 

Next Monday, the AP releases its preseason top 25, and while there may be minor differences, we anticipate the same overarching theme to emerge. It's the Big Ten and SEC, then everyone else.