Football

1/23/2026 |  NFL divisional playoffs average 39.2 million viewers, 2nd-highest on record (Associated Press (AP)) Last weekend’s NFL divisional round playoff games averaged 39.2 million viewers according to Nielsen, the second-most watched since audience average numbers started being tracked in 1988.
It was just off the record of 40 million, which happened two years ago. The four games were up 5% from last year.

1/23/2026 |  200 FBS quarterbacks went into portal, and the best ones came out with promises of big paychecks (Associated Press (AP)) About 200 Football Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks entered the transfer portal by last week’s deadline. That doesn’t mean it’s a buyer’s market.
The top programs in the power conferences are paying a premium for players at the most important position on the field. Experienced starters commanded financial packages worth north of $3 million, according to media reports.

1/23/2026 |  2026 Big 12 football schedule features Notre Dame-BYU, 2 games in Europe and 9 league games per team (Associated Press (AP))

The 2026 Big 12 Conference football schedule released Wednesday includes all 16 programs playing nine conference games and 13 non-conference games against Power Four opponents and Notre Dame.

BYU will host Notre Dame in Week 7. Both teams barely missed reaching the College Football Playoff this past season.

 

1/23/2026 |  Judge grants Duke’s bid to block QB Darian Mensah’s transfer until Feb. 2 hearing in contract fight (Associated Press (AP)) A judge has granted Duke’s request for a temporary restraining order blocking quarterback Darian Mensah from enrolling to play football at another school until a court hearing set for early February.
The school filed a lawsuit Monday in Durham County Superior Court against Mensah seeking to block his efforts to transfer and reach a contract with another school to play elsewhere next season. The complaint came three days after Mensah reversed his previously announced plan to return to the Blue Devils after leading them to the Atlantic Coast Conference title.

1/23/2026 |  ndiana’s CFP victory over Miami averages 33.9 million viewers, most-watched game in 11 years (Associated Press (AP))

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — Top-seeded Indiana’s victory over Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday night was the most watched college football game in 11 years.
The Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over the 10th seeded Hurricanes for their first football national title averaged 30.1 million viewers, according to Nielsen. It also is the second-most watched CFP title game and cable telecast on record. Ohio State’s win over Oregon in January 2015, still has the record at 33.9 million.