Today: Chambliss v. NCAA, bubble watch, top college baseball prospects, and the state of blue blood matchups.

~10 minute read (2,124 words)

If this email was forwarded to you, please subscribe.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Why the Trinidad Chambliss v. NCAA ruling won't open the floodgates

The most important moment of Thursday's injunction hearing in the Trinidad Chambliss v. NCAA case had nothing to do with swollen tonsils, though there was plenty of discussion about those. It came as NCAA attorney Doug Minor delivered his closing argument to Mississippi judge Robert Whitwell.

Minor urged Whitwell to consider the floodgates. Even if the law wasn't on the NCAA's side, granting Chambliss an injunction to play quarterback for Ole Miss in 2026 could trigger a wave of state-court lawsuits from other athletes seeking extra eligibility.

To make his point, Minor cited the recent case of Alabama's Charles Bediako (and Diego Pavia). A Tuscaloosa judge denied Bediako's request to return despite signing multiple NBA contracts and playing in the G League, noting he didn't want to create a pathway for former pros to run back to college through the courthouse.

Whitwell quickly separated the cases.

"Was that the guy that played pro for about six months or a year and came back to Alabama and they put him on the team?" Whitwell asked.

When Minor confirmed, Whitwell quipped that it was "a totally factually different case."

Minor pressed forward anyway, arguing that anytime a judge rules contrary to NCAA rules, it encourages other athletes to challenge them. The message was clear: one injunction could snowball.

But as Whitwell indicated, Chambliss' case is materially different. He didn't leave for professional football and attempt a return. His argument centered on documented medical issues in 2022 — infections and tonsillitis that allegedly affected his breathing, conditioning, and sleep. Medical records supported that claim, and his treating physician testified.

You can believe he didn't dress because he wasn't good enough to play. That is what NCAA staff concluded when denying his waiver. But eligibility decisions often hinge on nuance, and similarly situated players have received extra years. This week, Montana linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu was granted a ninth season after injuries limited him to just three years of action.

Chambliss' case also differs from Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar's situation, which centers on junior college participation in 2019 and 2020 rather than injury claims. Lumping them together oversimplifies the landscape.

The ruling reverberated immediately. Ole Miss released a statement shortly after the decision, celebrating the return of a quarterback who led the Rebels to the College Football Playoff national semifinal. The hearing ended with tension as NCAA attorneys left before the verdict, and they could now be held in contempt (Chambliss's lawyer ripped the move from the NCAA).

The NCAA can appeal, but as On3's Pete Nakos has reported, the preliminary injunction prevents the association from stopping Chambliss from playing in 2026 while the case is litigated.

Minor hoped Whitwell would follow another SEC judge's lead. But beyond geography, the cases share little. Unless there are dozens of star players who couldn't sniff the field their first two seasons before blossoming later, it's unlikely this ruling reshapes eligibility law nationwide.

Whitwell's ruling probably will make the Rebels much better on the football field in 2026, but that's probably about as far as it will reach.

Read the full story from Andy Staples.

MARCH MADNESS

2026 NCAA Tournament bubble watch takes new turn as teams look for breakthrough

Jai Lucas, Darian DeVries, Johnny Dawkins, Eric Olen

The NCAA Tournament bubble remains in constant motion, even if there have not been dramatic swings on either side of the cutline. Teams continue searching for résumé-defining wins that can elevate them into a safer tier, and while some have made progress, every position remains fluid. A team that feels secure today could find itself in a bubble discussion after one poor week. At the same time, those hovering near the cutline are often just a strong stretch away from feeling much better about their standing.

For now, programs projected on the 8-line or better are generally considered safe. Those sitting on the 9-line are likely in the field but cannot relax. Teams below the Next Four Out still have significant work to do.

📈 Stock up

Miami: Miami makes a quick leap from Stock Down to Stock Up after responding with a pair of vital wins that could keep it on the right side of the bubble. The Hurricanes added victories over Boston College and North Carolina, with the Tar Heels fresh off a win over Duke. Miami must continue capitalizing on ACC opportunities to maximize its seeding. Upcoming games against NC State and Virginia Tech present another chance to build momentum.

Indiana: Indiana rebounded swiftly from a loss to USC, collecting an overtime win against Wisconsin, a fellow Big Ten bubble contender, before handling Oregon. Those two victories created meaningful cushion from the cutline and pushed the Hoosiers further up the board. A massive week looms, with road games against Illinois and Purdue offering a chance to move out of the bubble conversation entirely.

VCU: VCU remains firmly in the NCAA Tournament discussion despite not holding the projected Atlantic 10 automatic bid. The Rams have benefited from losses around them and strengthened their case with a blowout win over Dayton. As they continue climbing, they could help the A-10 secure multiple bids, depending on the conference tournament and St. Louis' finish. Next up are La Salle and Richmond.

📉 Stock down

UCF: After appearing in Stock Up last week, UCF slides back following losses to Houston and Cincinnati. The defeat against Houston carries less weight, but the loss to Cincinnati reopens debate about the Knights' standing among fringe teams. Home games against West Virginia and TCU now loom large.

Seton Hall: A difficult week saw Seton Hall drop Big East games to Villanova and Creighton, missing résumé-building opportunities. Already below the cutline, the Pirates face urgency entering matchups with Providence and Butler.

New Mexico: In a pivotal week for the Mountain West race, New Mexico fell at home to Utah State and Boise State. Those losses hurt both conference positioning and bubble standing. The Lobos still have opportunities ahead, beginning with a road trip to Grand Canyon before hosting Air Force.

See the full tournament projections by conference.

NCAA BASEBALL

MLB Pipeline reveals 2026 College Baseball All-Prospect team

Roch Cholowsky, Justin Lebron, Derek Curiel, Ace Reese

Opening Day is here. College baseball is back today, and with MLB spring training underway, draft season is already part of the conversation. MLB Pipeline released its preseason College All-Prospect team, spotlighting the top college prospect at each position entering 2026.

It's not a mock draft, but it offers a look at the best player at every position in college baseball (at least in the eyes of MLB Draft scouts). The SEC leads with five on the list, and the 2026 MLB Draft is set for July 12-13 in Philadelphia, where the Chicago White Sox hold the No. 1 overall pick.

Here are six names who will shape the draft conversation this spring (the full roster can be seen here).

2B: Chris Rembert, Auburn

Chris Rembert enters the season as a draft-eligible sophomore and the top second baseman in the class. As a freshman in 2025, he hit .344 with 10 home runs, 46 RBI, and a 1.022 OPS, striking out 36 times against 37 walks. He also added four steals. Primarily a second baseman, Rembert logged time in the outfield as well, and his combination of bat control, power, and versatility makes him one of the most complete infield prospects in the country.

3B: Ace Reese, Mississippi State

Ace Reese made a major leap after transferring from Houston to Mississippi State. In 2025, he hit .352 with 21 home runs, 66 RBI, and a 1.140 OPS, emerging as one of the top power bats in college baseball. He struck out 52 times against 26 walks, but the production speaks for itself. Reese enters the spring as a middle-of-the-order force whose impact power keeps him firmly in first-round discussions.

SS: Roch Cholowsky, UCLA

Roch Cholowsky is widely viewed as the consensus top overall prospect in the 2026 draft. Last season, he hit .353 with 23 home runs, 74 RBI, and a 1.190 OPS while walking 45 times against just 30 strikeouts. Through two seasons, he owns a .333 average with 31 home runs. His offensive polish paired with premium defensive value at shortstop keeps him squarely in the No. 1 overall conversation.

OF: Derek Curiel, LSU

Derek Curiel, another draft-eligible sophomore, brings significant upside to the outfield class. As a freshman in 2025, he hit .345 with seven home runs, 55 RBI and 29 extra-base hits across 62 starts in left field. He is expected to see time in center field this season, which could further boost his stock. Curiel's hit tool and positional flexibility make him one of the more intriguing bats in the class.

DH: Justin Lebron, Alabama

Justin Lebron followed a strong freshman campaign with an even bigger sophomore season in 2025. He hit .316 with 18 home runs, 72 RBI and a 1.058 OPS while adding 17 stolen bases. The 68 strikeouts against 35 walks remain an area to monitor, but his overall production and athleticism stand out. Lebron enters the year as a projected top-five pick and one of the most dynamic hitters in the draft.

RHP: Cameron Flukey, Coastal Carolina

Cameron Flukey is viewed as the top right-handed pitcher in the class entering the season. After a 5.73 ERA as a freshman in 2024, he took a significant step forward in 2025, posting a 3.19 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP over 17 starts. He struck out 118 batters while walking just 24 and played a key role in Coastal Carolina's run to Omaha. His swing-and-miss stuff gives him top-of-the-draft upside.

See the full All-Prospect team here.

🚨Headlines

NCAA FOOTBALL

Wasserman: Blue Bloods shouldn't back out: If Alabama cancels Ohio State series, college football loses

While appearing on 97.1 The Fan in Columbus, ESPN personality Paul Finebaum cast doubt on whether the scheduled home-and-home series between Ohio State and Alabama will actually be played.

"I sincerely doubt the Alabama game is going to happen based on what I've heard from Alabama's AD," Finebaum said to an Ohio State audience. "He's got a shaky situation there anyway with a coach who is in trouble. … I really don't think we're going to go too far and see those games."

He added that while athletic directors such as Ohio State's Ross Bjork and Texas' Chris Del Conte have spoken publicly about scheduling philosophy, "the reality is that ninth SEC game is going to be very costly for a lot of teams."

Here we go again.

Ohio State is slated to host Alabama in 2027 and travel to Tuscaloosa in 2028. There has been no official indication that the series is in jeopardy, but Finebaum is well-connected in the South. If the idea has been floated, the reaction is clear: It feels soft. And shortsighted. College football is an entertainment product, and few things are more compelling than two elite programs meeting in a marquee nonconference game. Those matchups also provide the College Football Playoff Committee with valuable data when it faces difficult decisions in December.

That calculation is at the heart of the concern. With the SEC now playing nine conference games, administrators have been vocal about the cost-benefit analysis of adding another heavyweight opponent. Texas became the latest example last season. The Longhorns posted wins over Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt but finished with three losses, including a season-opening defeat at Ohio State. Had Texas scheduled a lighter opponent instead of the Buckeyes, it likely would have been 10-2 and safely in the CFP.

Steve Sarkisian made his case after beating Texas A&M, arguing it would be a disservice if a team willing to schedule aggressively were penalized. He had a point, but that argument is meant for Selection Sunday, not for backing away from big games before they're played. Texas, notably, is honoring its return trip to Columbus in 2026.

If programs celebrate expanded playoff access and the promise of more compelling matchups, they cannot turn around and cheer when early-season blockbusters disappear. Yes, losses matter. But so do wins. What if you win that massive nonconference game? Who you beat often matters more than who you lost to.

Why would Alabama — one of the premier programs in college football, looking to get back into the elite place former coach Nick Saban had it in — even consider avoiding Ohio State? What message would that send?

You're afraid.

Is Alabama afraid? Let's hope not. Let's hope Finebaum was just sharing his perception of the situation, not what's actually bound to happen. Let's hope coach Kalen DeBoer is invigorated by playing the Buckeyes and that the Crimson Tide plan to step on the Buckeyes' necks on the way back to college football's elite.

But if Finebaum is right and Alabama ducks the game? College football fans who spend their hard-earned money have one less entertaining game to look forward to, and the CFP Committee has less context in making a decision that people will assuredly be outraged by.

It's football. It's competition. It's a fight for supremacy.

Play the freaking games.

Read the full column from Ari Wasserman.

TRIVIA

Now here's a guy...

Below, you'll find 3 facts about a random college football player. You'll try to guess who the player is based on the facts. Let's go.

I starred at Cal, led the Pac-10 in rushing in 2008, and set a school record with 311 rushing yards in a single game.
During my sophomore season, I rushed for 1,580 yards at 8.1 yards per carry, set the record for single-season all-purpose yards with 2,247, and became Cal's seventh straight 1,000-yard rusher.
I was a first-round NFL Draft pick by the Detroit Lions in 2010 and later competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics as a sprinter representing Saint Lucia.

Answer at the bottom.

SHAREWORTHY