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The Texas Tech football program is at the center of controversy following the Brendan Sorsby eligibility ruling. Critics of that decision demand repercussions.
Some have called for College Football Playoff intervention. In theory, there is a way around the court ruling against the NCAA.
The CFP is not governed or sanctioned by the NCAA. It is the only championship event with that distinction. It can operate outside of certain restraints.
The playoff is, instead, run by CFP Administration, LLC. It boasts a selection committee and 11-person board of managers.
That board has the ability to blackball the Red Raiders. Will it do so?
Media demands College Football Playoff ban for Texas Tech.
Matt Hayes of USA Today is the most notable of that bunch. He wrote a piece on Tuesday suggesting the CFP should refuse to recognize games in which Brendan Sorsby plays next year.
Sorsby, of course, is the Red Raiders’ projected starting quarterback. He signed with the school for upwards of $5 million in the offseason before entering a rehab program for his gambling addiction.
Sorsby bet a reported $90,000 across four college seasons. His activity broke both NCAA and state law. It was also an integrity issue as he wagered on his own team. Still, he was awarded a temporary injunction that allows him to play following a two-game suspension.
That decision took power away from the NCAA. It could not remove Sorsby’s eligibility.
While the NCAA is now powerless, the College Football Playoff is not. Here’s what Hayes wrote in his recent article.
There’s a potential workaround on the Sorsby ruling — even with the judge’s mandate that the NCAA cannot enforce its “Rule of Restitution” for the 2026 college football season.
Per the ruling, the NCAA can’t proactively penalize member institutions before the case is adjudicated. But the NCAA won’t be penalizing 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 should another lawsuit be brought about by a playoff ban, it would involve the university and the CFP.
That separation would seemingly shield the College Football Playoff from violating the Sorsby injunction.
Is there any way for Texas Tech to stop it?
Red Raiders president is on the board.
Lawrence Schovanec is part of the 11-person team. That makes the situation all the stickier.
Members would have to lay out a plan to blackball Texas Tech and convince the majority to rule in favor of the decision all while having Schovanec in the room.
For obvious reasons, a unanimous vote is off the table. Hayes insists that a majority vote is enough to move forward with passing government action.
With that being said, conferences and administrators have already voiced their disdain of the situation. Some have gone as far as to remove the Red Raiders from future schedules – in all sports.
It may not be difficult to find six board members in favor of banning Texas Tech from the College Football Playoff.
Schovanec can do everything in his power to lobby for his school and convince others to join his cause. He may not be able to block the move altogether.
If unable to do so in this proposed scenario, litigation is sure to follow.
Hayes says that these discussions are already being had. It will be interesting to see if there is any follow-through.