Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Texas Tech football program is at the center of controversy after the Brendan Sorsby eligibility decision. Critics of that decision are demanding repercussions.
Some have called for this College Football Playoff intervention. In theory, there is a way around the court’s ruling against the NCAA.
The CFP is not governed or sanctioned by the NCAA. It is the only championship event with this distinction. It can operate outside certain limitations.
The playoff will instead be administered by CFP Administration, LLC. It has a selection committee and a board of directors of eleven people.
That board has the ability to use the Red Raiders. Will this be so?
Media Demands College Football Playoff Ban for Texas Tech .
Matt Hayes from USA today is the most notable of that bunch. He wrote one part on Tuesday suggesting that the CFP should refuse games in which Brendan Sorsby plays next year.
Sorsby is, of course, the Red Raiders’ expected starting quarterback. He signed with the school for more than $5 million in the offseason before entering a drug rehabilitation program for his gambling addiction.
Sorsby reportedly bet $90,000 over four college seasons. His activity violated both the NCAA and state law. It was also an integrity issue like him deployed on his own team. Still, he got one temporary injunction allowing him to play after a two-match suspension.
That decision took power away from the NCAA. It couldn’t take away Sorsby’s eligibility.
While the NCAA is now powerless, the College Football Playoff is not. This is what Hayes wrote in his recent article.
There is a possible resolution to the Sorsby ruling – even with the judge’s mandate that the NCAA cannot enforce its ‘Rule of Restitution’ for the 2026 college football season.
According to the ruling, the NCAA cannot proactively punish member institutions before the case has been adjudicated. But the NCAA won’t penalize Texas Tech (in this scenario), the CFP will.
Hayes notes that the Sorsby case was against the NCAA and did not involve Texas Tech. He also pointed out that if another lawsuit were filed over a playoff ban, it would implicate the university and the CFP.
That separation would seemingly protect the College Football Playoff from violating the Sorsby order.
Is there any way Texas Tech can stop this?
The president of Red Raiders is on the board.
Lawrence Schovanec is part of the 11-person team. That makes the situation all the more difficult.
The members would have to formulate a plan to smear Texas Tech and convince the majority to vote in favor of the decision, while Schovanec would be in the chamber.
For obvious reasons, a unanimous vote is off the table. Hayes emphasizes that a majority vote is enough to move forward with government action.
That said, conferences and administrators have already expressed their disdain for the situation. Some have gone that far remove the Red Raiders from future schedules – in all sports.
It wouldn’t be hard to find six board members in favor of banning Texas Tech from the College Football Playoff.
Schovanec can do anything he can to lobby for his school and convince others to join his cause. He may not be able to stop the move entirely.
If this fails in this proposed scenario, lawsuits will certainly follow.
Hayes says these discussions are already happening. It will be interesting to see if there is a sequel.
Leave a Reply