College Football Season Begins Amid Changes

As college football kicks off its season, major narratives emerge from conference realignments, including the implications of the new 12-team College Football Playoff format. Notably, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz faces a one-game suspension as teams adapt to these changes. Additionally, the NWSL has reached a new collective bargaining agreement that enhances player salaries and ties the salary cap to league revenue, while also eliminating entry and expansion drafts. Meanwhile, Oklahoma's special teams are under new leadership with Doug Deakin, who has been praised for his impactful coaching style, following disappointing performance rankings last season. The recent NCAA rule changes now allow analysts like Deakin to actively coach players, fostering a more engaged and effective special teams unit. Head coach Brent Venables emphasizes this shift as crucial for improving efficiency in critical game situations.