Wednesday War Room: The New Order of College Football

 

FOOTBALL NOTES:

After listening closely to the full remarks from both SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti during their respective Media Day press conferences, one thing became clear: the future of college football is being written in real time—and it’s being written by two men, standing atop two power conferences that now shape the sport. Their comments weren’t just ceremonial updates or self-congratulatory recaps. They were roadmaps. And as someone who covers Oregon football, these are the key takeaways that matter most for the Ducks and their place in the rapidly evolving college football landscape.

When the commissioners of the SEC and Big Ten took the stage at their respective Media Days this month, the messages were clear—even if wrapped in cordiality and conference pride. Beneath the mentions of Emmy wins, Las Vegas logistics, and heartfelt memorials, a unified theme emerged: college football is in the middle of a structural transformation, and the power to shape its future is increasingly consolidated in the hands of two leagues. For Oregon, now a proud member of the Big Ten, that theme carries monumental implications.

Shared Power, Shared Purpose

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey framed the present moment as a "marathon" of change, noting, “We’re in the middle of change, and in the middle of anything significant, it will get messy. That doesn’t mean you leave.” His Big Ten counterpart Tony Petitti echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that while there are growing pains in implementing the House settlement and the new College Football Playoff (CFP) structure, “everybody is committed to get there.”

At the center of that commitment? A shared authority over the CFP format, jointly held by the SEC and Big Ten. Sankey acknowledged, “Ultimately, if not, there’s a level of authority granted to the Big Ten and the SEC together.” Petitti was more direct: “It was agreed that the Big Ten and SEC would control changes to the CFP format and the selection committee process.”

This tandem stewardship means the future of college football—its postseason, its governance, its financial structure—is increasingly being crafted by two conferences. And for Oregon, it’s confirmation that its move from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten wasn’t just about TV deals or regional realignment. It was about finding a place in the future and not being left behind.

Oregon at the Table

Less than a year removed from capturing a Big Ten title in its inaugural season, Oregon is already making waves in its new home. Petitti singled out the Ducks while highlighting last year’s dominance: “During their historic first Big Ten season, USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon combined for 19 conference titles, including Oregon’s 2024 Big Ten football championship.”

That shoutout isn’t just ceremonial—it’s strategic. Oregon has gone from being a regional power in a dying league to an influential figure in a superconference shaping the sport’s future. As decisions about CFP expansion, revenue distribution, and eligibility standards unfold, Oregon now has a voice in the room through its conference’s elevated influence.

For Duck fans, that means more than better exposure and tougher schedules. It means being part of the conversation that defines who makes the Playoff, how athletes are compensated, and what the sport will look like in five years – and beyond.

Two Visions, One Debate

While Sankey and Petitti are aligned on collaboration and leadership, they diverge sharply on what playoff expansion should look like.

Sankey remains open to seeding based on selection committee rankings. “We brought teams into the National Championship conversation,” he said of the 12-team Playoff, arguing that the current format “worked well” and future expansion could be positive—if structured correctly. He supports a format where merit and strength of record matter, saying, “Understanding how the CFP will evaluate strength of schedule and even strength of record is critically important.”

Petitti, however, champions a different model. He favors “play-in games” determined by conference standings and direct results—reducing the role of subjective committee decisions. “We want to better connect the regular season and the post season,” he said. “Formats that increase the discretion and role of the CFP Selection Committee will have a difficult time getting support from the Big Ten.”

This philosophical rift matters for Oregon. The Ducks have historically been willing to play tough nonconference schedules and often peak late in the season. A system that overly rewards early-season perfection or subjectively-ranked resumes could be a disadvantage. On the other hand, a playoff that rewards conference performance and adds meaningful late-season matchups would play to Oregon’s strengths.

Structure and Stability in a Shifting Era

Both commissioners repeatedly referenced structure—specifically, the need for a sustainable framework amid the chaos of NIL, revenue sharing, and athlete eligibility.

Sankey framed it as an inevitability: “We are implementing a structure even with some bumps in the road. We need to commit to that structure. We need to be willing to make that structure work.” Petitti was more businesslike, noting that Big Ten schools are “consistently taking a market-based approach” to revenue sharing while supporting broad institutional flexibility.

For Oregon, this structural commitment is crucial. The Ducks have long operated with a progressive vision—blending innovation, resources, and player support into a winning formula. But in a landscape where NIL collectives can undercut that model with unchecked spending, a clearly defined system helps level the field. The House settlement, the creation of the College Sports Corporation, and centralized disbursement systems like the Big Ten’s Venmo partnership offer guardrails that benefit organized, forward-thinking programs like Oregon.

What It All Means for the Ducks

The broader takeaway from Media Days is this: Oregon is no longer on the outside looking in. They’re not chasing access to the Playoff or waiting on East Coast voters to validate their resume. They’re in the Big Ten. They’re in the CFP power structure. And they’re in a position to shape—not just participate in—the future of college football.

There are challenges ahead, of course. The SEC’s insistence on eight conference games could create strength-of-schedule debates. The lack of consensus on playoff expansion could lead to compromise formats. And the implementation of NIL and revenue sharing could expose fissures between programs with different philosophical approaches.

But Oregon is well-positioned. The Ducks are aligned with a commissioner who values structure over speculation, a playoff path that rewards actual competition, and a conference that’s no longer just a collection of schools—but a power broker shaping the next era of college football.

As Sankey said, “College athletics is not broken. It is under stress.” Petitti added, “We are committed to the new model.”

So is Oregon.

And they’re not just surviving this new era—they’re helping lead it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RECRUITING NOTES

2026 RECRUITING

The Ducks are set for a couple more big names to come off the board in ten days. Nothing I’ve heard suggests that anything has changed for Oregon and the duo of Davon Benjamin and Deuce Geralds. I still feel Oregon is the team to beat, and sources on all sides of both recruitments feel the same.

As for Tank Jones, some of the national analysts are starting to get the same feeling I’ve had for a while. The Ducks are definitely a team in his top three, but this one has always felt like Alabama would be the team to win his recruitment down the stretch. I don’t get the feeling from folks that he is simply a “highest bidder” recruit, so trying to get a bigger NIL deal may not matter for Oregon—unless they break the bank in a way that could disrupt some guys already on the roster.

With Richard Wesley reportedly shutting down his recruitment—where do the Ducks turn? That’s a good question. I don’t get the feeling right now that Zion Ellee is a flippable candidate, but I think that could change down the stretch if Maryland fails to gain traction or struggles through another losing season, and the hot seat under Mike Locksley gets even hotter.

Of the top 30 EDGE prospects in the nation, only Tank Jones and Jake Kreul remain uncommitted—so if the Ducks are going to land an EDGE to go along with Prince Tavizon, they are likely going to need to flip someone.

One name that continues to be overlooked is Derek Colman-Brusa. Is he flippable? That could become an important question if Jones picks someone other than Oregon. The Ducks loved him and put quite a bit of effort into recruiting him, so let’s see down the stretch if they can get back in the game with the standout from Kennedy Catholic in Seattle (WA).

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2027 RECRUITING

It may seem early, but the 2027 class is not as far away as we’d like to believe. Early Signing Day for 2026 is just four months away, and the Ducks are already working on the class of 2027. The most prominent name to keep an eye on right now is Jalen Brewster. The elite defensive tackle from Cedar Hill (TX) High School has visited Oregon and loved everything about the program.

There are some whispers he might reclassify to 2026, which would ramp up the timeline for his recruitment. Either way, the Ducks have set the pace early but will have to fend off the usual suspects that are all looking to add a five-star defensive tackle.

That’s all for now!