Colorado announced Monday that it sold out of season tickets for 2024, marking the second-straight year the Buffaloes have done so. It’s also the 10th time in program history Colorado has sold out of season tickets.

READ: Former UNLV DB Ricky Johnson transfers to Michigan

Sanders and the Buffaloes sold out Folsom Field for the first time in 2023 since 1996 when Colorado’s seven-year stretch of doing so during the 1990-96 seasons also included a national championship in 1990.

“Selling out of season tickets for the second year in a row shows how strong our fan base is and the continued impact of and trust in Coach Prime,” Colorado athletics director Rick George stated in a release. “We are ready for an exciting 2024 season and expect a full house for every game for the second straight season.”

READ: Reports: Auburn’s Brian Battie injured during shooting in Sarasota on Saturday

READ: EA Sports College Football 25 features, gameplay shared in full reveal

The lone other season Colorado sold out its season tickets was in 1972 following a 1971 campaign in which the Buffaloes went 10-2 finishing the year ranked No. 3 and including wins over LSU and Ohio State.

According to a release, Colorado’s season ticket renewal rate finished above 98% for a second-straight year. Both the 2023 and 2024 seasons are “two of a few” that totaled over 90% renewal rates.

Colorado will return this season to the Big 12 Conference since it departed in 2010 for the Pac-12 Conference. Among the Buffaloes’ anticipated home matchups include the opener Aug. 29 against North Dakota State, which won nine Football Championship Subdivision national championships from 2011-21, and Homecoming on Sept. 21 against Baylor, which will “also be the Big 12 Homecoming game with several league activations on campus along with traditional homecoming activities,” according to a release, during the Bears’ first visit to Boulder since 2010.

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Set to launch worldwide on July 19, a full reveal of the modes and features of EA Sports College Football 25 was announced on Friday.

Dynasty and Road To Glory modes will be available in College Football 25, according to a release. Those two modes will allow players “to construct their own powerhouse program as a created coach or vie for the Heisman as a player” in what the video game introduces as CampusIQ, which will be “a suite of features that brings to life the true depth of college football through wide open, fast-paced gameplay across all 134 FBS schools in all areas of the game.”

READ: ESPN, FOX and Warner Bros. Discovery introduce Venu Sports streaming service

Over 10,000 players have opted into College Football 25, it was announced in March. Any student-athlete who opts in and has their name, image and likeness used will receive $600 and a copy of the video game.

College Football 25 will also offer “the all-new Road to the College Football Playoff and College Football Ultimate Team” that will “bring fresh online experiences and ways to play.”

“EA SPORTS College Football is BACK! We’ve felt the passion and anticipation of college football fans every step of the way since we first announced this game, and we’re ecstatic to finally be able to show everyone what we’ve been building,” EA Sports SVP and Group GM Daryl Holt stated in a release. “College Football 25 is built with authenticity at its core, inspired by experiences our fans have loved from our games, and fully evolved to reflect modern college football – all of which will immerse them in the sights, sounds, and true-to-life gameplay of the sport they love.”

READ: Northwestern announces 2024 schedule, will play 2 games at Wrigley Field

READ: ABC, ESPN unveil Weeks 0-1 broadcast schedule

EA Sports unveiled the cover of College Football 25 on Thursday, showcasing Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Colorado defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter. They will star on the covers of the Standard and Deluxe editions.

“Donovan, Quinn and Travis are extraordinary talents who impressed and entertained millions of college football fans on the field last season and are poised to do so again this year,” Holt stated in a release. “We’re proud to be able to incorporate thousands of current athletes in College Football 25, and featuring this trio of playmakers and their iconic college programs on the cover is a perfect fit as we usher in a new era for EA SPORTS and college football. I can’t wait for the world to learn more about the game tomorrow.”

ESPN broadcasters such as Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will “call marquee matchups,” along with other broadcast teams such as Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer and David Pollack will comprise the virtual booth and “take the mic for all other games.”

Among the gameplay features include Homefield Advantage, which will allow players to “through distractions like screen shaking, missing pre-play icons, and moving play art.” Additional features consist of Pre-Snap Recognition and the Wear & Tear System, which means virtual player stamina is affected by more play so it will be important to “manage your players’ health, limit fatigue, assess risk of injury, and avoid on-field mistakes by using strategic substitutions to ensure your players are at their best when it counts the most.”

The traditions within college football that make it one of a kind will be immersed in College Football 25. Along with team mascots and fight songs, the video game will include “unique team run-outs, rivalry rituals, synchronized crowd-chants, loudness meters as well as real game-day audio.”

READ: Colorado-Nebraska primetime kickoff announced for Week 2 matchup on NBC

Dynasty and Road To Glory modes are also offered in the video game alongside Road to the College Football Playoff, where players will “experience a new way to play competitively across consoles” and “earn rank by upsetting the toughest opponents and securing the votes you need to progress and level up divisions,” as well as College Football Ultimate Team.

College Football Ultimate Team will allow players to “build your dream team of college football stars and legends” in Solo Challenges or H2H seasons, and they can test their skill across consoles “in more competitive formats like College Football Ultimate Team Champs and Champs Gauntlet.”

EA Sports College Football 25 is available for pre-order now. According to Matt Brown of Extra Points, the video game will not be available for PC at launch. EA Sports is also offering an MVP bundle on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S that will include deluxe editions of College Football 25 and Madden NFL 25 “with 3-day early access and unlocks a multitude of benefits across both titles.”

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EA Sports announced Monday on social media that “10,000+” student-athletes “are in the game.” It was announced in February that any player who opts in and has their name, image and likeness used in the game will receive at least $600 and a copy of “College Football 25.”

READ: 5 takeaways from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine 

“10k and counting… pretty pretttyyy good,” @EASPORTSCollege posted on X.

All 134 Football Bowl Subdivision schools will be available to play in the new video game.

READ: Texas WR Xavier Worthy breaks 40-yard dash record with 4.21 time at NFL Combine

ESPN broadcasters such as Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit will make up “the voices” of “College Football 25.”

If a player doesn’t opt into the “College Football 25” video game, then “a generic avatar based on the traditional strength or weakness of a position over the past decade for that school” will be created by EA Sports, according to ESPN.

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College football players around the country shared on social media Thursday their participation in the upcoming EA Sports video game “College Football 25.”

EA Sports confirmed Thursday that all 134 Football Bowl Subdivision teams will be available to play in the new game.

READ: Reports: CFP discusses 14-team Playoff possibilities

More information about the game will be available in May, according to a release.

Players such as Michigan’s Will Johnson and Ohio State transfer Quinshon Judkins posted on X a graphic designed in their team’s colors promoting the video game.

ESPN broadcasters such as Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit shared posts confirming they’ll also appear as “one of the voices” of the game. Herbstreit posted “I’m so excited to FINALLY announce that I’m part of @EASPORTSCollege. I’m proud to be a partner and one of the voices of the game once again – my 14th year in that role.”

According to Michael Rothstein of ESPN, any player who opts in and has their name, image and likeness used in the game will receive at least $600 and a copy of “College Football 25.”

Additional opportunities such as advertisements, promotion, social media posts and other avenues will be available for players to have a chance to make more, according to ESPN.

READ: Alabama announces JaMarcus Shephard, Nick Sheridan join offensive coaching staff

No Football Championship Subdivision school will be available to play when the game launches, according to ESPN.

If a player doesn’t opt into the “College Football 25” video game, then “a generic avatar based on the traditional strength or weakness of a position over the past decade for that school” will be created by EA Sports, according to ESPN.

According to Ryan Kryska of The Associated Press, users who could create and add players of real-life college football players who did not opt into the “College Football 25” video game will be blocked from doing so.

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The NFL announced Tuesday that 321 players were invited to the Combine taking place Feb. 26-March 4.

READ: UCLA names DeShaun Foster next head coach

Seventy-nine teams will be represented at the Combine this year.

Michigan had a Combine-record 18 players invited this year. Among the Wolverines who were invited include quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Corum and defensive lineman Kris Jenkins.

Heisman Trophy-winning LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels will be among the gunslingers taking part in drills. Fellow Heisman finalists Marvin Harrison Jr., Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. will also be in attendance at the Combine, as well as 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams.

READ: Full List: Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers college football alumni in Super Bowl LVIII

Here is the full list of 321 college football players invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine sorted by position.

Quarterbacks

Jayden Daniels, LSU

Sam Hartman, Notre Dame

Devin Leary, Kentucky

Drake Maye, North Carolina

J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

Joe Milton III, Tennessee

Bo Nix, Oregon

Michael Penix Jr., Washington

Michael Pratt, Tulane

Spencer Rattler, South Carolina

Austin Reed, Western Kentucky

Kedon Slovis, BYU

Jordan Travis, Florida State

Caleb Williams, USC

Running backs

Rasheen Ali, Marshall

Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

Emani Bailey, TCU

Trey Benson, Florida State

Jonathon Brooks, Texas

Blake Corum, Michigan

Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State

Ray Davis, Kentucky

Daijun Edwards, Georgia

Audric Estimé, Notre Dame

Frank Gore Jr., Southern Mississippi

Isaac Guerendo, Louisville

George Holani, Boise State

Bucky Irving, Oregon

Dillon Johnson, Washington

Jawhar Jordan, Louisville

Dylan Laube, New Hampshire

MarShawn Lloyd, USC

Jase McClellan, Alabama

Kendall Milton, Georgia

Keilan Robinson, Texas

Cody Schrader, Missouri

Will Shipley, Clemson

Jaden Shirden, Monmouth

Tyrone Tracy Jr., Purdue

Kimani Vidal, Troy

Michael Wiley, Arizona

Miyan Williams, Ohio State

Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

Wide receivers

Javon Baker, UCF

Jermaine Burton, Alabama

Jalen Coker, Holy Cross

Keon Coleman, Florida State

Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky

Jacob Cowing, Arizona

Ryan Flournoy, Southeast Missouri State

Troy Franklin, Oregon

Anthony Gould, Oregon State

Lideatrick Griffin, Mississippi State

Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Jha’Quan Jackson, Tulane

Cornelius Johnson, Michigan

Xavier Legette, South Carolina

Luke McCaffrey, Rice

Ladd McConkey, Georgia

Jalen McMillan, Washington

Bub Means, Pittsburgh

Adonai Mitchell, Texas

Malik Nabers, LSU

Rome Odunze, Washington

Ricky Pearsall, Florida

Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington

Brenden Rice, USC

Tayvion Robinson, Kentucky

Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Georgia

Ainias Smith, Texas A&M

Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

Jamari Thrash, Louisville

Devaughn Vele, Utah

Devontez Walker, North Carolina

Malik Washington, Virginia

Tahj Washington, USC

Xavier Weaver, Colorado

Jordan Whittington, Texas

Isaiah Williams, Illinois

Johnny Wilson, Florida State

Roman Wilson, Michigan

Xavier Worthy, Texas

Tight ends

Erick All, Iowa

AJ Barner, Michigan

Jaheim Bell, Florida State

Brock Bowers, Georgia

Devin Culp, Washington

Dallin Holker, Colorado State

Theo Johnson, Penn State

Trey Knox, South Carolina

Tanner McLachlan, Arizona

Tip Reiman, Illinois

Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas

Ben Sinnott, Kansas State

Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota

Cade Stover, Ohio State

Jack Westover, Washington

Jared Wiley, TCU

Offensive linemen

Isaiah Adams, Illinois

Joe Alt, Notre Dame

Kiran Amegadjie, Yale

Gottlieb Ayedze, Maryland

Karsen Barnhart, Michigan

Graham Barton, Duke

Cooper Beebe, Kansas State

Keaton Bills, Utah

Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin

Javion Cohen, Miami

Andrew Coker, TCU

Brandon Coleman, TCU

Frank Crum, Wyoming

Anim Dankwah, Howard

Ethan Driskell, Marshall

Kingsley Eguakun, Florida

Josiah Ezirim, Eastern Kentucky

Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State

Troy Fautanu, Washington

Blake Fisher, Notre Dame

Jeremy Flax, Kentucky

Javon Foster, Missouri

Zach Frazier, West Virginia

Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

X’Zauvea Gadlin, Liberty

Nick Gargiulo, South Carolina

Delmar Glaze, Maryland

Matt Goncalves, Pittsburgh

Tylan Grable, UCF

Garret Greenfield, South Dakota State

Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

C.J. Hanson, Holy Cross

Christian Haynes, Connecticut

LaDarius Henderson, Michigan

Christian Jones, Texas

Matthew Jones, Ohio State

Trente Jones, Michigan

Trevor Keegan, Michigan

Jarrett Kingston, USC

Brady Latham, Arkansas

JC Latham, Alabama

Sataoa Laumea, Utah

Matt Lee, Miami

KT Leveston Jr., Kansas State

Beaux Limmer, Arkansas

Christian Mahogany, Boston College

Mason McCormick, South Dakota State

Dylan McMahon, N.C. State

Amarius Mims, Georgia

Jacob Monk, Duke

Jordan Morgan, Arizona

Hunter Nourzad, Penn State

Drake Nugent, Michigan

Patrick Paul, Houston

Julian Pearl, Illinois

Prince Pines, Tulane

Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

Dominick Puni, Kansas

Andrew Raym, Oklahoma

Layden Robinson, Texas A&M

Roger Rosengarten, Washington

Walter Rouse, Oklahoma

Nick Samac, Michigan State

Kingsley Suamataia, BYU

Jalen Sundell, North Dakota State

Nathan Thomas, Louisiana

Charles Turner III, LSU

Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Georgia

Caedan Wallace, Penn State

Zak Zinter, Michigan

Defensive linemen

Austin Booker, Kansas

Solomon Byrd, USC

DeWayne Carter, Duke

Nelson Ceaser, Houston

Myles Cole, Texas Tech

Jaden Crumedy, Mississippi State

Tyler Davis, Clemson

Brandon Dorlus, Oregon

Justin Eboigbe, Alabama

Jonah Elliss, Utah

Braden Fiske, Florida State

Gabe Hall, Baylor

Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State

Jaylen Harrell, Michigan

Marcus Harris, Auburn

Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian

Adisa Isaac, Penn State

Brennan Jackson, Washington State

McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M

Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Notre Dame

Trajan Jeffcoat, Arkansas

Jordan Jefferson, LSU

Kris Jenkins, Michigan

Cedric Johnson, Mississippi

Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State

Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan

Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Logan Lee, Iowa

Zion Logue, Georgia

Fabien Lovett Sr., Florida State

Braiden McGregor, Michigan

Byron Murphy II, Texas

Myles Murphy, North Carolina

Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

Eyabi Okie-Anoma, Charlotte

Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson

Keith Randolph Jr., Illinois

Chop Robinson, Penn State

Darius Robinson, Missouri

Justin Rogers, Auburn

Maason Smith, LSU

Javon Solomon, Troy

T’Vondre Sweat, Texas

Leonard Taylor III, Miami

Xavier Thomas, Clemson

Bralen Trice, Washington

David Ugwoegbu, Houston

Jared Verse, Florida State

Eric Watts, Connecticut

Mekhi Wingo, LSU

Linebackers

Michael Barrett, Michigan

JD Bertrand, Notre Dame

Tatum Bethune, Florida State

Chris Braswell, Alabama

Aaron Casey, Indiana

Steele Chambers, Ohio State

Junior Colson, Michigan

Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M

Kalen DeLoach, Florida State

Khalid Duke, Kansas State

Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State

Jaylan Ford, Texas

Easton Gibbs, Wyoming

Cedric Gray, North Carolina

Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri

Jontrey Hunter, Georgia State

Curtis Jacobs, Penn State

Tyrice Knight, UTEP

Marist Liufau, Notre Dame

Jordan Magee, Temple

Darius Muasau, UCLA

Gabriel Murphy, UCLA

Maema Njongmeta, Wisconsin

Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson

Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington

Dallas Turner, Alabama

Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington

Trevin Wallace, Kentucky

Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State

Payton Wilson, N.C. State

Defensive backs

Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri

Daijahn Anthony, Mississippi

Terrion Arnold, Alabama

Cole Bishop, Utah

Beau Brade, Maryland

Millard Bradford, TCU

Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Louisville

Javon Bullard, Georgia

Calen Bullock, USC

Jaylon Carlies, Missouri

Caelen Carson, Wake Forest

Ryan Cooper Jr., Oregon State

Cooper DeJean, Iowa

M.J. Devonshire, Pittsburgh

Marcellas Dial, South Carolina

Johnny Dixon, Penn State

Willie Drew, Virginia State

Renardo Green, Florida State

Kamal Hadden, Tennessee

Dominique Hampton, Washington

Myles Harden, South Dakota

Daequan Hardy, Penn State

Cam Hart, Notre Dame

Jaden Hicks, Washington State

Khyree Jackson, Oregon

DJ James, Auburn

Carlton Johnson, Fresno State

Isaiah Johnson, Syracuse

Elijah Jones, Boston College

Jarrian Jones, Florida State

Jaylen Key, Alabama

Kamren Kinchens, Miami

Kalen King, Penn State

Kamari Lassiter, Georgia

Dwight McGlothern, Arkansas

Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

Patrick McMorris, Cal

Max Melton, Rutgers

Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest

Josh Newton, TCU

Tyler Nubin, Minnesota

Kitan Oladapo, Oregon State

Tyler Owens, Texas Tech

Andru Phillips, Kentucky

Deantre Prince, Mississippi

Nehemiah Pritchett, Auburn

Josh Proctor, Ohio State

Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri

Decamerion Richardson, Mississippi State

Demani Richardson, Texas A&M

Christian Roland-Wallace, USC

Mike Sainristil, Michigan

Andre’ Sam, LSU

Jaylin Simpson, Auburn

Tykee Smith, Georgia

Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State

Tarheeb Still, Maryland

T.J. Tampa, Iowa State

Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas Tech

Ro Torrence, Arizona State

Sione Vaki, Utah

Josh Wallace, Michigan

Ryan Watts, Texas

Nate Wiggins, Clemson

Evan Williams, Oregon

James Williams, Miami

Specialists

Joshua Karty, K, Stanford

Cam Little, K, Arkansas

Harrison Mevis, K, Missouri

Ryan Rehkow, P, BYU

Will Reichard, K, Alabama

Tory Taylor, P, Iowa

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According to a release, Manuel will replace NC State athletics director Boo Corrigan who served in the role the past two years.

READ: Reports: Colorado hires Cincinnati Bengals’ Robert Livingston as DC

“My first two years on the committee have been a great experience,” Manuel stated in a release. “I have so much respect for the time and effort each committee member puts in each week because of their commitment to the game. I’m honored to be asked to serve as committee chair.”

Manuel will begin his term at the start of the 12-team Playoff beginning next season. The CFP will expand and include 12 teams with the top four seeds receiving first round byes to the quarterfinal round. 

The CFP also announced the Management Committee “has appointed Patrick Chun, athletics director at Washington State University; Randall McDaniel, former All-American defensive lineman from Arizona State University; Gary Pinkel, longtime head coach at the University of Toledo and University of Missouri; Mack Rhoades, athletics director at Baylor University; Carla Williams, athletics director at the University of Virginia; and Hunter Yurachek, athletics director at the University of Arkansas, to the CFP Selection Committee.”

READ: Nick Saban joins ESPN College GameDay

The six new members will start three-year terms “starting this spring,” according to a release. They’ll replace since-expired term members Mitch Barnhart, Mark Harlan, Gene Taylor, Joe Taylor, Rod West and Corrigan.

Additionally, the CFP announced it has “extended the term” of former Nebraska All-American lineman Will Shields for a year.

“The additions of Pat, Randall, Gary, Mack, Carla and Hunter will bring some great new voices to the selection committee as we enter our 11th season,” Executive Director of the CFP Bill Hancock stated in a release. “Their knowledge, passion and character, along with their understanding of college football, will allow them to make the transition seamlessly with the returning members. And it is great to have Will returning. His understanding and wisdom will be a real benefit. We are delighted that Warde will serve as chair. He has been a valuable member of the committee last two years and that experience will serve him well in leading the group. As a former student-athlete, he will also be a good spokesperson to let fans know how the committee reached its rankings.”

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Barnes took over for injured Cameron Rising, who’s dealt with a knee injury that’s kept him sidelined since last season’s Rose Bowl. Head coach Kyle Whittingham decided to shut down Rising for the remainder of the season, and that has allowed Barnes a chance to play his own way. 

“I just think the way just he’s operating now, he never was not confident but he seems very sure of himself and very confident in what he’s doing,” Whittingham said. “Really taking charge, just running the team like a quarterback should run it. That ‘it factor’ of being a leader on the field is really starting to manifest for him. And obviously, getting the full allotment of the No. 1 reps now that we know the situation helped him last week as well. So a combination of those things.” 

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Barnes first started the season against Florida and went 12-of-18 for 159 passing yards and a touchdown. It was enough of a performance to set the tone going forward. 

He followed with a subliminal performance at Baylor, throwing an interception and completing just 31.6% of his passes. 

But after not playing against Weber State and getting back in the groove of things against Cal — he threw for 128 yards in the win against the Golden Bears — Barnes is taking the reins of starting quarterback well. 

“Big step forward. He seems to get better each week,” Whittingham said. “He completed over 60% of his balls (last week). He did have the one pick-six and I know he would’ve wanted it back but did a very nice job of running the offense and taking care of the ball except for the one play. And he just seems to continue to grow and develop which is a good thing that obviously is a big positive for us.” 

Barnes threw for a career-high 235 yards and three touchdowns last week against USC. It helped the Utes pick up a quality win on the road, and among Barnes’ few blemishes included a pick-six. 

Utah has dealt with a number of injuries to its current roster. Tight end Brant Kuithe had surgery to repair a torn right ACL and meniscus a year after catching three touchdowns and into his captaincy this season. 

Whittingham said players like Rising and Kuithe can and will remain with the team and travel, and he wishes them well as they recover from injury. 

“We certainly wish they could have been with us. I mean, they’re really good players,” Whittingham said. “They’re two guys that really add to what we’re doing and two of the best players in the Pac 12. But the uncertainty, I don’t want to say it was distraction, but things are settled now and more of a settled feeling and knowing exactly going forward that they’re not going to be available helps us operate and plan in a little different way.” 

READ:

The Utes will be the center of the college football world this week in their ranked matchup with No. 8 Oregon. 

Whittingham said he’ll “have a heavier load in some things” when it comes to game planning. He has his starting quarterback in Barnes behind him, and now the Utes will look to continue their winning ways against a high-powered Ducks offense that leads the Pac-12 in scoring offense. 

“We try to keep the players in as normal of a routine and not break that,” Whittingham said. “There’s going to be a guy or two that’s going to have a little bit extra on his plate but it’s great for the team as far as knowing that, ‘Hey, we’re the center of the college football universe this week,’ I guess. And it’s a very it’s a positive thing for them and a reward of sorts, I guess you could say. For the community, it’s awesome. The university, I mean, bring exposure to our brand and just the university community in general. So I think it’s a win all across the board.” 

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Baylor scored 26 points in the fourth quarter and 29 unanswered to finish its largest comeback in program history by way of a 36-35 victory at UCF on Saturday. 

PODCAST: What Should Decide Who the Best Teams in America Are?

The Bears entered the fourth quarter trailing 35-10, and they faced a deficit as large as 28 points in the second half.

A 5-yard touchdown pass by quarterback Blake Shapen and a 6-yard scoring run by Dawson Pendergrass on back-to-back drives positioned Baylor down 35-26 with less than 10 minutes left to play. 

READ: Williams throws 6 TDs, No. 8 USC outslugs Colorado 48-41

Then, a muffed snap and a loose football left cornerback Caden Jenkins with green grass. Jenkins scooped up the ball and returned it 72 yards to bring the score within 35-33, still in favor of the Knights. 

Baylor forced a three-and-out on UCF’s next possession, then took a nine-play, 61-yard drive into field goal range. Kicker Isaiah Hankins booted a 25-yard field goal with 1:21 left on the clock, and it sealed the Bears’ comeback win.

READ: Davis, Kentucky run past No. 22 Florida 33-14

Shapen completed 62% of his passes and tallied 293 passing yards, including 150 to receiver Monaray Baldwin. Running back Richard Reese had 100 rushing yards on 16 carries. 

UCF raced out to a hot start thanks to three touchdowns in the first quarter. Knights quarterback Timmy McClain finished with 234 passing yards and two touchdowns, running back Johnny Richardson had 105 rushing yards and a touchdown and receiver Javon Baker had 113 receiving yards and a score.

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No. 12 Utah allowed a 4-yard touchdown rush by Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson with 3:23 left in the second quarter, and it trailed up until the final two minutes of the second half. 

Utah grinded out a 15-play, 88-yard drive to tie the game at 13 points with 1:59 left to play in the fourth quarter. The Utes gained possession when 10:01 remained on the clock, and returned the football back to the Bears with less than two minutes to play thanks to a 7-yard touchdown rush by redshirt freshman Nate Johnson. 

Utah junior safety Cole Bishop came up with a critical interception at the Baylor 29-yard line with 1:35 left to play in the fourth quarter and effectively flipped the field for the Utes.

Jaylon Glover and Ja’Quinden Jackson ran the football just as Utah needed, as the pair rushed for 32 yards enough to reach the end zone for the former, finding the end zone to thrust the Utes ahead for the first time in the game. 

Robertson connected on a 47-yard pass to put Baylor at Utah’s 22-yard line with less than 20 left in the game’s final drive. It was too little too late for the Bears who ran out of time and ran out of options to pull off an upset at home. 

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According to Jason Scheer of WildcatAuthority.com, Big 12 Conference commissioner Brett Yormark met with media and said that expansion among the conference “is over for now.” 

The Big 12, in the past four weeks, has added Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah from the Pac-12 Conference. The Pac-12 has been left with four member programs: Cal, Oregon State, Stanford and Washington State. 

The additions to the Big 12 will bring the conference to 16 member schools in 2024. Yormark told reporters that the conference has “reached their goal,” according to Scheer. 

Among the next focus and steps taken for Yormark and the Big 12 will be “integrating the new schools” and “figuring out scheduling,” according to Scheer. 

The Big 12 reportedly had discussions and determined it wouldn’t add also Oregon State or San Diego State of the Mountain West Conference. 

The Pac-12, on the other hand, is left searching for options. Yormark and Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff reportedly met over the phone where the former told the latter he was sorry that the Big 12’s “gain is your loss.” 

One pathway that the Mountain West is reportedly “receptive” to is a possible merger between the two conferences. 

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Arizona is expected to soon finalize its decision to join the Big 12 Conference, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. Thamel and ESPN also reported that Big 12 presidents and CEOs met Thursday to approve Arizona’s joining in the conference. 

If Arizona does jump from the Pac-12 to the Big 12, it will be the second program to do so in less than one month. Colorado announced on July 27 that it will join the Big 12 beginning in 2024. 

Arizona State and Utah have shown interest in following their conference counterparts to join the Big 12, according to Brett McMurphy of Action Network. 

Arizona appears most likely to move to the Big 12 at this point in time. The university must next decide where it will position itself among major college conferences, and the Big 12 is preparing for a move. 

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The topics ranged from expansion, NIL, depth charts, and a whole bunch more. Here are the most interesting things each of the seven head coaches who spoke on Wednesday had to say.

Dave Aranda – Baylor

On the recent passing of his father Paul: “I went and saw my dad when I first heard that he had cancer, and my dad and I have always – it’s always been a great relationship. He was never really someone that would say openly, ‘I love you.’ I always knew that he did, though.

“I remember when he called me and told me that he had pancreatic cancer and it was stage 4, I told him that I loved him and he didn’t say it back. I don’t know if he heard me. So I wanted to go and say it to him face to face. I was able to do that. He gave me a big hug. I don’t know, when you’re hugging and everything, you feel like, hey, this is a good hug, and he wouldn’t let me go, and he kept [holding] really strong and he told me that he loved me. I’m so glad that we had that moment because I know a lot of folks don’t have that.”

Kalani Sitake – BYU

On the adjustment of moving to a conference from being an Independent: “I mean, I’ve been through this before, and so have our offensive coordinator and our defensive coordinator when we were at Utah. So we went through that transition from Mountain West Conference team to the Pac-12, and I’ve also seen other teams that have made the transition. Like you look at TCU and what they’ve done.

“There’s information and things that you can see that are out there that people that have done it before, and what you try to do is you try to do what they did well and then lean on the experiences. I know we’re at BYU so it’s a little bit different and unique, but I need to find ways to turn that uniqueness into a strength for us and make sure it’s a competitive advantage when we get on the field.”

Dana Holgorsen – Houston

On the current quarterback battle between Texas Tech transfer Donovan Smith and sophomore Lucas Coley: “Yeah, it’s funny, I was talking with Case Keenum the other day, and I asked him about competition. Back when we were here in 2008, Blake Joseph and Case Keenum were battling back and forth. I asked him the importance of when you name a starter, and he goes, ‘I wouldn’t. Just let them compete, because if they compete, it makes them better, and then it should take care of itself.’

“I’m not concerned with it right now. They’ve been 50/50, and we knew they were going to be 50/50, and they’re going to continue to be 50/50 until one just makes it clear. So I think that’s going to naturally take care of itself. I’m a big proponent of letting kids compete.”

Lance Leipold – Kansas

On starting quarterback Jalon Daniels and his gradual return to full health and what he brings to the program: “He’s making all the throws, everything that we need him to be. I think the one thing we sometimes forget about Jalon and everything he brings to our program, he’s an Academic All-American. What we put on his plate and what we ask him to do and whether it be just things in our offense, retaining the information, verbalizing it back to others, getting others lined up, I think he does an outstanding job.

“As we know, everybody has had a chance to see when he’s healthy what he does as a dual-threat quarterback. I think the other thing is his leadership abilities, his charisma. He’s a guy that doesn’t get too high or too low. Again, I’ve said it from the start when he burned his redshirt our first year, he’s a special man and a special individual.”

Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State

On if he would entertain playing Oklahoma in a non-conference game when the Sooners leave the Big XII after this season: “No. We have nine conference games scheduled, and then we have, I think, through 15 years, we’re scheduled all the way up, and we’re full for the most part, and we have Power Five teams. I’m going to go back to what I said earlier. Oklahoma State is not going to change what we do because Oklahoma chose to go to the SEC. They need to change what they do because they’re the ones that made their mind up to go to the SEC.

“So with all the talk from administration and people saying that Oklahoma State needs to do this and that, all Oklahoma had to do was not go to the SEC. So it is what it is. We can cut right to the chase. For me, I want to listen to the board. I’ll listen to the president. I’ll listen to the AD if that’s something they want to do. I’m good. But I don’t think it’s going to happen based on the way the scheduling is. Everybody needs to realize, it didn’t have to happen if they didn’t change leagues.”

Sonny Dykes – TCU

On the process of hiring Kendall Briles as TCU’s offensive coordinator and the due diligence he did regarding the decision: “You know, you go back and you look at kind of what happened at Baylor. I was a young head coach when those things were happening, and so I followed it.

“I had worked with Art prior at Texas Tech as an assistant and knew him a long time as a high school coach. The thing that I always try to do is learn from situations. So when all that happened at Baylor, the thing I tried to do was, okay, let’s make sure this never happens in my program, and how can I go about doing that, how can I learn from mistakes that were made. I think that we all want to do that.

“I think that colleges across the board, whether it’s Title IX, reporting, everything has gotten better because of what occurred there. I did a lot of homework in that, and I talked to a lot of people that were directly involved in that situation to learn from it, and that was a number of years ago, and then had a chance to see guys move on from there and see how they did, if they had any issues that plagued them moving forward. Certainly all of those things were things I considered when I hired Kendall.

“I knew it was going to be an unpopular hire in some ways because of some things that had happened, but at the same time, I was very confident from knowing Kendall from the time he was 13 years old and just talking to people that were directly involved in that situation. There was a tremendous amount of due diligence. A number of years ago when I was at SMU I did a lot of due diligence, as well, talked to a lot of people that were directly involved at Baylor and saw it and tried to learn from those mistakes, and then obviously as we got down the road hiring him. I feel really good about the hire.”

Steve Sarkisian – Texas

How does this team compare to his first team now that he is in Year Three with a couple of his own recruiting classes on the roster: “Yeah, something that in my opinion we’ve got now going into year three is I think we’ve got really quality competitive depth on our roster across the board. That our players know when they go to practice every day, the guy in the same line as them, whether he’s behind them or in front of them, is probably as equally talented as him, if not better.

“So now how do I continue to work to strive to be motivated to continue to get better, because I think when you’re surrounded by like-minded people, that’s what pushes you to become even better. Then ultimately when you go to practice, that the guy lining up across from you is a quality player and a quality opponent, and so again, that’s pushing you to be the best that you can be but that you do it out of respect.

“I was talking to the team earlier today about how proud I am of the culture they’ve developed. It’s one thing for me to come in and have an idea of a culture and what I want it to look like and for them to buy into it. It’s another to not just buy into it but to elevate it. I think that’s what they’ve done. This team is different. They have a different look in their eye. They look different on the hoof.”

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