Today: NCAA cracking down, March Madness bubble watch, Cincy sues Sorsby, and a White House roundtable.

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NCAA FOOTBALL

After years of rampant tampering, the NCAA promises 'significant penalties' for violators

18 months after the NCAA mostly paused enforcement of tampering, the association plans to reignite enforcement, perhaps as aggressively as ever before.

NCAA president Charlie Baker discussed the two-page memo sent to schools Monday from VP of Enforcement Jon Duncan. In the email, Duncan announced that the DI Board of Directors will "pursue significant penalties" for tampering violations, while also more publicly announcing cases, and told members that the NCAA staff is working with a new "infractions modernization task force" to expedite investigations and punishments for rule violators.

The industry's collective question is clear: Will they really do anything?

No one at NCAA headquarters is spelling out what "significant penalties" for tampering will entail, but the possibilities are serious. Coach suspensions, recruiting restrictions, and practice limitations are all on the table. Despite a previously discussed enforcement "pause," the NCAA claims it has processed about 95 tampering cases this year, though many have not been publicly announced.

Few believe that number reflects reality. Tampering is widely viewed as far more prevalent, but proving it is the challenge. Cases require cooperation from coaches, players, or administrators, along with tangible evidence such as texts or call logs. Without someone willing to talk, enforcement stalls.

Dabo Swinney's recent public accusations involving Ole Miss opened the door to more complaints reaching NCAA investigators. Yet once one school alleges tampering, others often counter with their own claims, creating a cycle of inquiries and counter-inquiries.

NCAA president Charlie Baker says a new infractions modernization task force is reviewing tampering rules and penalties to better address today's NIL-driven environment. Impermissible contact can qualify as a Level I violation, carrying penalties that include suspensions, fines, probation, and even vacated wins.

The lingering question is whether the NCAA will impose those penalties publicly and consistently enough to slow behavior many believe has already become widespread.

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MARCH MADNESS

2026 NCAA Tournament bubble watch features Big Ten rivals in opposite directions, more

Brad Brownell, Eric Musselman, Mick Cronin, Dennis Gates

The NCAA Tournament bubble shifted again this week as upsets and parity continue to define the season. With just a handful of games remaining, every result carries weight. Teams hovering around the 8- or 9-line are trending toward safety, while those below the cutline are running out of time to make a statement.

Here are this week's biggest movers.

📈 Stock up

Missouri: Mizzou continues to climb into the conversation after a statement win over Tennessee and a recent victory against Vanderbilt. Though the Tigers dropped a road game at Arkansas, their résumé now stacks up with teams just above the cutline. With Mississippi State, Oklahoma, and a rematch against Arkansas left, there is room to solidify their case, even if some analytics models remain lukewarm.

UCLA: UCLA looked lost a few weeks ago, but has revived its outlook with quality wins over Illinois and USC. The Bruins have avoided bad losses and steadied themselves in Big Ten play. A closing stretch that includes Minnesota, Nebraska, and another matchup with USC gives them a clear path to remove any lingering doubt.

UCF: UCF's season has been volatile, but a marquee win over BYU extended its streak to three and strengthened its résumé. Baylor, Oklahoma State, and West Virginia await, offering a favorable opportunity to enter the Big 12 Tournament with momentum and far less anxiety.

📉 Stock down

Clemson: A four-game skid has sent Clemson sliding. Losses to Virginia Tech and Florida State damaged its positioning, and upcoming games against Louisville and North Carolina provide little margin for error before the ACC Tournament.

San Diego State: Back-to-back losses to Grand Canyon and Colorado State pushed San Diego State below the cutline. With Utah State and New Mexico next, the Aztecs need urgency before turning to the Mountain West Tournament for salvation.

USC: USC's four-game losing streak, capped by a rivalry loss to UCLA, has severely dented its hopes. Nebraska, Washington, and another meeting with UCLA offer a narrow window to reverse course before postseason play begins.

See the Full Bracket

🚨Headlines

TRANSFER PORTAL

Cincinnati's lawsuit against former QB Brendan Sorsby is a necessary step for college football

After Brendan Sorsby transferred to Texas Tech for a reported $5-6 million deal, Cincinnati had no choice but to sue its former quarterback on Wednesday. The Bearcats claim Sorsby is on the hook for his $1 million buyout.

Cincinnati and all the other schools that have lost players who agreed to multi-year revenue share/NIL deals they didn't finish must do everything in their power to enforce the terms of those contracts. If they don't, the schools will have no recourse whatsoever when players want to move.

For the sake of itself and all the other schools, Cincinnati should fight for every penny. Here's why.

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NCAA FOOTBALL

President Donald Trump invites Nick Saban, Cody Campbell, Tim Tebow, others to White House roundtable

President Donald Trump is inviting multiple college sports figures to a roundtable at the White House next week, Ross Dellenger reported. The group includes former Alabama coach Nick Saban, former Florida star Tim Tebow, and Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell.

Trump has been vocal about his willingness to play a role in settling the college athletics landscape in the NIL and transfer portal era. Saban and Campbell were previously expected to spearhead a presidential commission on college sports, though those plans were later paused. The roundtable is expected to take place on March 6, Dellenger reported.

On3's Pete Nakos confirmed the power conference commissioners – the Big Ten's Tony Petitti, the SEC's Greg Sankey, the Big 12's Brett Yormark, and the ACC's Jim Phillips – are all set to receive invitations. The list of invitees also includes former Florida and Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, Notre Dame athletics director Pete Bevacqua, and Tennessee chancellor Donde Plowman.

Bevacqua's predecessor, Jack Swarbrick, was also invited, along with at least one athletics director from each Power Four conference. ADs from Wake Forest, Indiana, Iowa State, and Oklahoma are part of the group.

Other prominent figures from outside college sports were also invited, according to Dellenger. Golf legend Tiger Woods, two-time U.S. Open champion golfer Bryson DeChambeau, NBA commissioner Adam Silver, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also received invitations to the roundtable. Trump is expected to serve as chair alongside Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and New York Yankees president Randy Levine as vice chairs.

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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.

As a true freshman, I led all major college players in punt return average at 20.9 yards per return and scored five punt return touchdowns in one season.
I left UNC as the school's all-time leader in both receptions and receiving yards, and I set a single-season record with 96 catches as a senior.
I was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Cowboys and later played for Pittsburgh and Cleveland before moving into coaching.

Answer at the bottom.

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