Overview
- Steve Sarkisian, speaking at SEC Media Days on Thursday, said he does not yet know whether Texas will honor a scheduled 2028–29 home-and-home with Notre Dame and tied that uncertainty to how the CFP rates strength of schedule.
- Sarkisian pointed to last season’s 9-3 finish and a loss at Ohio State that, together with defeats to Florida and Georgia, kept Texas out of the playoff despite three Top-10 wins.
- Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua has told reporters he expects the series to be played and no games have been canceled as of the latest reporting.
- Conference officials and athletic directors are weighing scheduling formats and the risk of high-profile nonconference games, and discussions about expanding the CFP to 16 or 24 teams could reduce the penalty for early losses.
- Next steps to watch are whether the CFP selection committee offers clearer guidance this season and whether that guidance changes how schools sign or keep future marquee matchups, which will affect fans, TV contracts, and team preparations.