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March Madness is back! Before tipoff, we have another bracket to fill out by Saturday…
Best stadium in CFB?
Bracket challenge until Saturday
Happy March! We know that over the next few weeks, you'll likely be engrossed in your college studies and will be consuming all your time (and possibly money, depending on your bracket bets).
So Until Saturday decided to create our own bracket challenge. What is the best stadium for college football? We'll find out soon. The parentheses are:
As you can see, we prioritized stadiums with maximum capacity. However, to ensure parity between conferences and regions, some smaller stadiums also qualified.
Voting criteria: Atmosphere on the day of the match? Scene of the kick? The loudest? What's your best name (or nickname)? It's all up to you.
Click here to vote for the Round of 32. We will announce the Sweet 16 on Thursday.
heroes and villains
Which coach do you support or oppose?
last week, The Athletic's Ari Wasserman took on the challenge of identifying the biggest villains and heroes among current college football head coaches based on random fan opinions.
His list of villains starts with Colorado's Deion Sanders. This is hardly surprising. Mr. Sanders' extraordinary aura will either make you love him or hate him. Either way, you have his opinion…and that's the perfect recipe.
But after all the hype, Sanders' first-year Colorado team fell to a lackluster 4-8 record. Is it too harsh to root for someone who is barely winning anyway? I suspect his controversial method of creating a roster doesn't really resonate with the public.
On the other hand, the list of heroes could have included only clearly good people. But what about controversial choices? Ole Miss Lane Kiffin?
The ultimate social media coach. Kiffin is interesting. Villains don't. That's why he's here in the heroes section. Consider yesterday's motivational Monday post as evidence.
A great Monday star!! ๐ง๐ฅ
๐ซ๐๐ช๐ฝ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/5QGfvZQLZMโ Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) March 18, 2024
Still, just as Dion has many supporters across the country, Kiffin also worries many people. That's the beauty of sports, where big personalities come together.
Listen to more of this discussion on the Until Saturday podcast.
Playoff debate ends…
โฆat least for now
Last week, the nine FBS conferences and the University of Notre Dame agreed to extend the College Football Playoff through the 2031 season. His current contract with CFP ends after the 2025-26 season.
A key detail of the new framework is a new revenue-sharing model in which the Big Ten and SEC receive a larger share than other conferences. Several people briefed on the revenue model confirmed the new breakdown as follows.
- Big Ten, SEC: Approximately 29% per year (more than $21 million per school)
- ACC: 17% (approximately $13 million each)
- Big 12: 15 percent ($12 million each)
- Group of 5: 9% (approximately $1.8 million per school)
- The rest is as follows independentincluding over $12 million notre dame cathedral and F.C.S.
The new agreement is also expected to include a look-in clause in 2028, which could allow the parties to reshape the agreement based on performance or meeting arrangements.
Another important detail: Reports of expanding the CFP field to 14 teams have been postponed.
quick snap
Is there a hero coach on my list? Lance Leipold of Kansas, who revitalized Kansas football. Leipold joined the โUntil Saturdayโ podcast to talk about the rebuild at KU. Listen here.
After AD Trev Alberts leaves nebraska in the same role Texas A&M, the Huskers' leadership is in shambles. 2nd year coach matt rule The university's next AD said he must act with “incredible urgency” to continue moving the school forward in the college sports world.
michigan snatched Ohio Last week, running back coach Tony Alford left the Buckeyes to become running back coach and run game coordinator for the Wolverines. Michigan State writer Austin Meek and Ohio State writer Cameron Teague-Robinson have reset their positions in their rivalry after an offseason full of movement.
can Luke Fickell obtain wisconsin Are you getting your recruiting speed back up to speed? Read more about our exclusive interview with Mr. Fickell here.
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(Neyland Stadium top photo: Donald Page/Getty Images)