College Football Live - CFB LIVE - ULTIMATE CFB FANTASY ROSTERS

Episode Date: August 25, 2026

Join our crew Harry Lyles Jr., Sam Acho, and "Stanford" Steve Coughlin on today's episode of College Football Live as Week 0 approaches. Power 4 conferences are taking a stand against court rulings granting NFL players a 5th year of eligibility, and ESPN Senior Writer Dan Wetzel joins to explain the chaos. Head Coach Sonny Dykes is on to talk all things TCU, transfer QBs, and traveling to Dublin. Fantasy football is upon us... get the inside scoop on Sam and "Stanford" Steve's ultimate CFB Fantasy Rosters ahead of your draft - their picks might just surprise you! All this and more on College Football Live! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Out of the tunnel here on college football live. I'm your host, Terry Lyles Jr. We've got the latest for you on the LSU and Old Miss Saga, plus what Lane Kippen said earlier today. Also, we've got head coach from TCU's Sunny Dykes with us. He joins the show before they traveled to Dublin to face North Carolina and Bill Belichick's team. And also, it's ESPN Fantasy Marathon Day. So of course, Sam Macho and Stanford Steve are going to give you their best college football fantasy teams. It's got some names on there that you might not expect. You won't want to miss it. Tune in. It's the story that keeps on giving. The Big Ten passed a rule today that doesn't allow players to return from the NFL and play college football according to ESPN's P Thammel. Anyone who did not withdraw from the NFL draft appeared on a roster or signed a pro

contract becomes ineligible. Elsewhere in the SEC, they released a statement saying that individuals who choose to leave college athletics signed professional playing contracts. compete professionally should not be permitted to return to college competition. It added that allowing this to occur blurs the line between professional and college sports, creates competitive equity concerns, and reduces opportunities for high school athletes. It concludes that the current confusion around national eligibility emphasizes the need for the Protect College Sports Act.

And with that, we now welcome in ESPN senior writer Dan Wetzel. Dan, that's the big 10 in the SEC. Do you expect other conferences to take similar actions? It's expected that the ACC and the Big 12 will probably follow the Big Ten's lead. The SEC presidents and ADs are meeting today at a pre-scheduled meeting in Birmingham, and I've been told that this will be obviously front and center as a discussion point, and they could conceivably join a similar type rule. The problem is this rule would still be challengeable,

in the courts. And the plaintiff attorneys feel like they have a very good case that they can defeat these rules as much as they could any NCAA rules. So the conferences can put these things out, whether they stand legal challenge, that's going to be the question. Given that we are going to continue seeing these court cases go, whether it is these current rules that the Big Ten is trying to make, what you mentioned that the SEC is meeting on, what ultimately do you expect to stick? And I know that's a tough question, but just based on what you know. I think that the biggest thing that could happen to keep these players out of college football, if that's the goal, is to really try to peer pressure the schools to just say,

we're not going to bring those guys in. There's a lot of, there's a lot of programs that don't want to or due to admissions standards or the calendar of the academics can't. There's a ways to do it. That could be collusion. But, you know, it's going to be really interested to see whether any of a them play. Certainly at LSU and with Lane Kiffin, they say, hey, look, if this is the rule, they should go. There's certainly some compelling arguments and judges feel their compelling

arguments on why these guys should have that eligibility. But this is really rankled college sports and upset people across the board, this idea that guys are coming back from the NFL to play college football. It's unlike anything we've ever seen, Dan. We appreciate your time. And you mentioned Lane Kiffin. He spoke with Pat McAfee earlier today explaining his side of things. These players in all sports were supposed to get five for five. They did not. So judges have found that the NCAA wronged them and they should have five years to play. And so with that, they were allowed an entry into the portal so they could go somewhere.

And so when that happened, that allowed coaches around the country to recruit these players. And a lot of us did. An injunction in Baton Rouge where a court order was issued. you to allow these players. There's court orders in South Carolina, Georgia, California, Kentucky, all over the country issuing the same thing for these kids. We followed those, as many coaches did. Like I said, I told our staff, whoever the kid chooses, the first kid chooses will be the poster child school, not the first to recruit. There's all kinds of schools that recruited him, including our conference and including his previous school. But he chose us. And so I said,

hey, when he decided to choose us, I said, just get ready, guys. This is going to come. This will be Lane Kiff in LSU, you know, doing something that nobody else is doing. What a time we are living in Sam Acho and Stanford, Steve, joining me right now. Steve, I'm going to start with you. The Big Ten coming down with their ruling, the SEC and their statement. You heard Lane Kiff in there. Just with everything going on, what are your thoughts on where we stand today? Well, I can't really comprehend it much, Harry, because. it feels like a total legal battle. And I am not an expert in law at all.

But when I read into this, it just keeps sounding like the SEC is stuck because Louisiana has a state law that's going to override any kind of decision or rule that the SEC comes in with. So it just sounds like a total legal battle. And I don't think Lane Kiffin's going to get involved if he doesn't think he's going to win. So the head of LSU is basically the governor, Jeff Landry. So it's as messy as it was a week ago, it seems he's a messier now. I would just like to know who's on the field in week one when we get to Baton Rouge.

I mean, I think Dayquhar Wright is going to be on the field. I just want to talk to, you know, the rational side of things. Because even if you, as you listen to Lane Kiffin, what he's saying is very reasonable and rational. From 20, from this year on, every single collegiate athlete gets five years to play their college season. Before 2020, I.E. 2020, 2021. right during that COVID year, all these players got five years or more to play their college seasons. There's some players in college right now who are going on year eight, some going on year seven, some going on year six. Dequan Wright only played four years in college and everyone

else in front of him, everyone else behind him is getting that fifth year. And so no, this is not a widespread issue amongst thousands of players in the NFL that want to come back to college. There's a select few that were left out, Dayquan Wright being one of them, and now he's taking that advantage and opportunity to go and continuous play. And last thing I'll say is everyone talks about professional sports versus collegiate sports. Collegiate sports is basically professional now. The players are getting paid to do a job and oftentimes players are getting, for lack of better terms, they're not getting cut, but they're getting kicked off of teams in order to bring in new recruits or to bring in transfers. And so I think there's this kind of fake outrage about the Dayquan

right situation that it's a bigger thing than it is. It's just a select few players who are getting the right that they missed out on. If nothing, else. This is a uniquely college football story which it wouldn't be a college football story without some wrinkles, one of which being between Ole Miss and LSU, whether or not Ole Miss had the feds do a sweep.

Any bowl game playoff system, obviously you're going to up security. I'm not sure that there was a hiring process of here we go with the FBI. I do think we probably have a current player whose dad just so happens to work for the FBI that lives in town that

from that standpoint, there was no measure to go, oh my gosh, here it would come in from that standpoint. But no, obviously, anytime you get in that playoff system and you had guys from this building go to other places, you want to make sure it's secure for your players. Nothing from our standpoint, but the video access and everything else and all those things that you're doing regardless where you're at. I mean, that's no different when, you know, the semis and the quarters, regardless where you're at, for the hotels that you're staying in. You've got to up the security.

People are in and out, and you're sweeping trash cans. I mean, that's been done for the history of ball. So no, there was no hiring process of, hey, let's get the FBI in here. Holy cow, they started looking around. No, it wasn't anything like that. I mean, this is just fantastic. There is no shortage of storylines or animosity between LSU and Old Miss here. And obviously, Sam, these two teams putting the ball down on the field on September 19th.

What are you expecting to see when that game finally comes around? Well, I was on the call for Ole Misses game, their first round playoff game, versus Tulane. Also was at the game when Ole Miss played Georgia at the Sugar Bowl, so I got a chance to chat with Pete Golding and this staff. No other man, I'd have been a hiring process formally, but man, if you best believe if you got a teammate or a player whose dad is in the FBI, he definitely went about

and reached out to that guy and said, hey, sweep, sweep this whole building so we can find out and make sure that things are where they need to be at. This is, I'm not saying that FBI people getting hired is rampant in college football. No, but there's such a high level of, I won't use the word, fear, but just of angst and, man, who's stealing this information and that information. And especially when it comes to this game and these two teams facing off against each other in week three, many of the players at Ole Miss who didn't leave with Lane Kiffin, they were, they were very, they were very much like, hey, man, we don't need Lane Kiffin.

And so the anger will be high on both sides. I can't wait to watch that matchup. But man, don't let Pete Golden tell you he's not happy that he got some FBI to sweep the building. He's very glad about that. I also am pointing out that Lane Kiffin on the Pat McAfee show today, said that. quote was dug up from a Walker Jones interview five months ago. So we also have to realize what people are needling around the bush to in this game. The only thing I'll say about this game is these two teams have a monster game week one. With Ole Miss playing Louisville and LSU

inviting Clemson, you've got to think with the ACC success against the SEC, those teams are going to be motivated. So they better be focused on taking care of business week one. Tell you what, if both of these teams are able to get to this matchup, undefeated, it is only going to be just a little bit more fuel to the fire, and I don't think anybody is going to be upset about that. Up next, we catch up with TCU head coach Sonny Dykes before his team makes the trip out to Dublin, including his thoughts on players returning to college football. Mysteries unravel and stunning truths are revealed when 2020 investigates.

Follow the clue. the evidence, the breaking new details. ABC's 2020 means true murder mystery. Shocking. If you follow true crime in 2020, then you've got to listen to this. Subscribe now to 2020 True Crime Plus. Add free exclusive true crime content. Search 2020 True Crime Plus on Apple Podcasts and start for free trial.

Terms apply. Sunny Dykes has made a winning a constant TCU. The Horn Frogs have posted back-to-back nine win seasons for the first. in over a decade. And their 36 wins under Coach Dikes are the most by a TCU head coach in their first four seasons since Francis Schmidt won 37 from 1929 to 1932. Let's catch up with a man at the helm. Coach Sonny Dikes are joining us here. Coach, you guys open up the season in Dublin. What is the preparation been like for a game overseas? Well, it's interesting for sure. Yeah, we got to start about a week earlier than everybody else. So, um, it,

But it's been good. We've had a great fall camp. We're preparing to leave tomorrow night. We'll leave. We'll practice tomorrow, leave about 8 p.m. on Wednesday and fly overnight should get there around 10.30 a.m. Thursday morning. Go to practice, try to get our guys acclimated. So our fall camp really hasn't been that much different until right down here toward the end.

Now that we're trying to get our guys adjusted the best we can to traveling and, you know, time in Dublin. You got a new play caller this year, Jaden Craig, a Harvard transfer. What made him the right guy to be your quarterback for this year's team? Well, you know, we started looking at his tape and just loved what we saw. You know, he was a pro-stock quarterback. He's a big kid. He's about six, three, two hundred and thirty pounds. You know, he's a Harvard graduate.

He's obviously a really smart guy. When we got on the phone with him and started talking to him, I think our values align. He wanted to go someplace where, you know, he could be developed, and they did a great job with him at Harvard, but he wanted to play against the best competition. And so, you know, those values aligned. What we're doing offensively, I think, really fits his skill set. And we're excited about him.

He's had a great fall camp, and I think he's going to end up being one of the better quarterbacks in the country this season. You signed an extension this offseason. You guys have the most wins among Big 12 schools since 2022. You have the conferences only CFP. P win. What does the next step for this program look like for you guys? Well, you know, we've had back-to-back nine-win seasons, you know, that most places I think

that's not bad. We just feel like we haven't reached our potential, lost some games that we feel like we probably could have won. And so, you know, for us, it's to continue to build a program. We've got to recruit the high level. We've got to develop our players. We've got to hold on our guys in the transfer portal. But we want to try to get back to the playoff. You know, year one, we went one 13 games and played for a national championship and we got a taste for what that's like. And our fan base got a taste for what that's like. And everybody wants to get back to the, to the show and have a chance to compete for a conference championship and a national championship. Coach, the biggest story in our sport this week has been about guys that have been on

NFL rosters that are coming back to play college football. I'm largely curious, what has been your reaction to what we have been watching unfold? And has it been a discussion among you and your staff as to how you guys would handle something like that. Yeah, you know, that's not really something that I don't think we're interested in. You know, we've got our players here. We've got our 105 players that we've certified and, you know, guys that have been with us. And so, you know, I don't think any of us are comfortable bringing in somebody new and telling somebody that's, you know, been here and working with us that they're going to have to move on.

So that's our approach. You know, I'm not sure that it's great for college football, but honestly, I haven't spent a whole lot of time. thinking about it or talking about it. I don't think that it's necessarily the right thing for our program. You know, I do think at some point there's got to be some kind of leadership that puts a stop to these kinds of things. I just don't know that it's good for college football, the impact it could have on current rosters, high school recruiting, all the different things.

I think all these things are things that need to be considered before, you know, we start going down that road. And so anyway, we don't think it's the right thing for us, but it's obviously something that's garnered a lot of attention. Garnered a lot of attention in an unprecedented time, although it feels like we've been in unprecedented times for at least the last seven years. Coach, we appreciate your time and safe travels as you get over to Dublin.

Now, thanks so much. Look forward to seeing you guys on Saturday and should be a heck of a ballgame. Yes, sir. College football goes international for Week Zero. Tune in for a triple header on Saturday, starting with North Carolina versus TCU in Dublin at noon eastern. Then NC State visits Virginia, followed by Alabama A&M versus Howard in Atlanta at 730 Eastern on ABC.

All three games are also available on the ESPN app. To you a couple of Power 4 games there. Another Power 4 team will be seen this weekend is USC who's taking on San Jose State in Los Angeles. The Trojans are looking to build off of last year's 9 and 4 campaign. So Sam, I'm going to start with you. What are your expectations here for USC and Lincoln Riley? in year five. I expect USC's defense

to be significantly better with the addition of Gary Patterson as their defensive coordinator. Gary Patterson is a two-time coach of the year in five separate occasions. His defense was the number one defense in all of college football back when he was a TCU. Three straight years in a row.

And oh, by the way, more recently, back in 2022, he was a special assistant to the head coach at Texas. Texas year over year from 21 to 22 improved their points allowed per game by double digits, number one, number two. They also were top 20 when it came two yards allowed per play. I got a chance to chat with Gary Patterson.

This probably was three or four years ago and watch the way that he worked even as a special assistant. So I can't wait to watch the improvement on the defensive side of the ball, which, for lack of better terms, has really been the Achilles heel for USC for the majority part of Lincoln Riley's tenure. Yeah, listening to Lincoln Riley at Big Ten Media Day. I was just excited to hear him say this is the best team I've had. And I think it's because of the depth.

But everybody's going to talk about what you lost, right? And you hear about the NFL receivers in Mackay Lemon and Jacoby Lane going and doing their thing in the pros. One thing I'm never going to worry about is what SC has to replace at wide receiver. Because you know they're always going to bring guys in. They got five stars in Caden Dixon Wyatt. They also have another five star in Ethan Beechster. They have NC State's best receiver and Terrell Anderson. So I'm excited to see what it is.

I expect a long day for San Jose State. I expect that fight song to be playing a lot during the course of that game. But USC's up against it this year, man. If they want to get to the playoff, they're going to have to prove it. You see the tests they have with Oregon and Washington going in, and then road trips to Penn State, sneaky spot to Wisconsin. They get Ohio State in Indiana with a buy in between. So it's all or nothing for USC.

They are more than capable. As you pointed out with the defense, Sam, this is the team that has to do it. They just got to prove it and break through. That buy between the Ohio State and Indiana games that it feels helpful, but boy, is that a mountain? But it is exciting to hear Lincoln Riley say that this is the best team that they have had at USC since he's been there. Up next on College Football Live. These guys are not exempt from ESPN's fantasy football marathon. We get Sam and Steve's ultimate college fantasy football rosters.

Up next. ESPN fantasy football is now the official fantasy game of the NFL and new this season, knockout leagues, where each week the lowest scoring team is eliminated until only one is left standing. Download the ESPN Fantasy app for free today and sign up to play the number one fantasy game. All right, guys, we had you come up with your ultimate college football fantasy roster. Sam, we're going to start off with you. I'm really excited about this. Let's throw up Sam's roster here and take a look.

You've got Dante Morris's quarterback, running back Cam Cook, a transfer from Jacksonville State, a workhorse there. Malachi, Tony. and Indiana's defense as well. Sam, what do you got for us here? Well, I'm in it to win it. I'm going to start with Cam Cook, running back transferred from Jacksonville State,

led the FBS in rushing yards last year, and no running back was on the field more than him, had more touches, more plays outside of Kiwan Lacey. This guy's nearly 2,000 all-purpose yards, and he's going to an offense in West Virginia that was top 15 last year in Russia attempts. They ran the ball over 40 times a game. He takes care of his body.

He's locked in. Oh, by the way, West Virginia has a fullback. If that doesn't tell me points, I don't know what does. All right, now my flex, give me Wayne Knight. Transfer from James Madison. This guy can do it all. Not the biggest guy, about five, six, seven, right? But he's just very dynamic, great in space.

He was top five in total yards, all-purpose yards, and also top five in rushing yards. So Wayne Knight transfer from James Madison to UCLA. I am in it to win it. A couple of transfer guys, Cam Cook and Wayne Knight. I really do think the production is going to be there. Now, Steve, you got into your bag on your list. I mean, there were guys on here.

I don't know some of you all at home. We're looking at Brad Jackson here from Texas State. L.J. Martin, the running back from BYU. KJ. Duff, the wider seer from Rutgers. You got DJ Vonami from Iowa, excuse me. Jaden Ball from Florida. And Oklahoma is your defense, Steve. Talk to me here.

What do we got? Well, yeah, there's still an Iowa quarterback. you know, competition going. I would just say throw it to the guy that's always open in 81 in DJ Vonamy. Listen, former walk-on. I always had a great run of tight ends. This guy's just a game wrecker. Let his team in catches, let him in touchdowns, throw the ball to 81. He's going to have a monster year. I love what his game is. And I want a tight end that puts his hand in the dirt. You know, I love Sam's pick with Cam Cook, but it's really hard to make the number 13 look good. And that's what Jadenbaugh does. Awesome story.

You know, Coach Summerall called him about one of the Fav Five guys. He wanted to come back to Florida. It was a process. They got him back. The offensive line with Coach Troutween, I expect them to be better. Jadenball has a monster season for the Gators. I got to tell you, I mean, both great rosters. When I see, though, Sam, your top three, Dante Moore,

Camp Cook, Malachi, Tony, I'm sold there. But then when Steve starts getting into the G6 bag, you know, it looks great to me. Indiana defense. You know what? Indiana on defense? I'm going to hype up his list, not my list. Let's see who really wins. I'm not hurt or anything. I'm not sensitive. I promise. It's a fantasy league. Sam's team isn't going to be playing in the second half of games. I mean, Sam's team does have some 20-22 guys.

We're going to put too many points in the first half. We don't need to play in the second half. Zubin will be back tomorrow. It was a joy having you guys. We'll see you then.