Heather Dinich

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NC State and Virginia will make history on Aug. 29, 2026, when they face each other in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the first college football game played in South America. Dubbed College Football Brasil, the game will be played at Nilton Santos Stadium (Engenhão) and televised by ESPN with additional streaming possibilities still being discussed.

Heather Dinich

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ESPN is expected to extend its deadline for the CFP to determine if it will make any changes to the playoff format for 2026 and beyond, sources told ESPN on Monday. With the initial deadline of Dec. 1 rapidly approaching and no decision in sight, the 10 FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua will be given more time to see if Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey can reach an agreement on the future format.

Heather Dinich

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The Power 4 commissioners met in CLT on Monday and talked about the Big Ten’s idea of a 24-team playoff field, but no changes to the current format are expected in 2026, multiple sources told ESPN. One CFP source said the 24-team idea “has some merit,” but there’s “a lot of work that needs to be done” and more meetings are expected in the coming weeks. The Big Ten and SEC have the bulk of control over the future format. Each P4 director of football also attended the Monday meeting.

Heather Dinich

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Colorado Athletic Director Rick George, who hired coach Deion Sanders and previously served on the CFP selection committee, will step away from his position as AD at the conclusion of the academic year. He will transition to a role as Special Advisor to the Chancellor and Director of Athletics Emeritus, the school announced on Thursday. Details about his replacement will be announced at a later date.

Heather Dinich

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The CFP management committee has formally approved Utah AD Mark Harlan to the selection committee and Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek as its new chair, a source confirmed to ESPN. The moves come after Baylor AD Mack Rhoades took a leave of absence from his job earlier today and will no longer serve on the committee or as its chair.

Heather Dinich

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Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek is being considered for CFP committee chair. He is currently on the committee. The CFP management committee has to approve it before it’s official.

Heather Dinich

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Utah athletic director Mark Harlan has been nominated to join the selection committee following the departure of Baylor AD Mack Rhoades, sources confirmed to ESPN. The CFP management committee has to approve this before it’s official. Harlan has served on the committee before.

Heather Dinich

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“Mack will step down from his role with the committee at this time for personal reasons,” CFP executive director Rich Clark told ESPN. The CFP will likely try to replace Rhoades and will work on naming a new chair as quickly as possible.

Heather Dinich

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Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades is taking a leave of absence for personal reasons, he told me today. “I initiated it.” He is also the chair of the CFP selection committee and is expected to step down from that role at this time.

Heather Dinich

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CFP selection committee member Randall McDaniel will not participate on the committee this year for personal reasons, sources told ESPN. He is expected to return next year. This is not unusual, as it will be the fourth time in the 12 years of the CFP that the group will operate without its full 13 members.
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