Former NBA player Ben McLemore has been sentenced to 100 months (eight years, four months) in Oregon state prison after being found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman at a house party in Lake Oswego on Oct. 3, 2021.

The ruling from the jury came on Thursday, July 3 after an 11-day trial. Sentencing was Wednesday, July 9.

McLemore, 32, was charged with first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration and second-degree sexual abuse. McLemore had pleaded not guilty to all charges.

What brought the charges?

Prosecutors say the assault occurred at Robert Covington’s Lake Oswego house in October 2021. Covington and McLemore were teammates on the Portland Trail Blazers at the time.

Did Ben McLemore make a statement after the sentencing?

He did not.

McLemore’s attorney told ESPN: ‘We hope the Oregon Legislature will adopt a ‘second look’ process that would evaluate whether he should serve the entire 100 month sentence or whether, beyond the short alcohol-influenced encounter that led to this conviction, he is a considerate and humble person who has lived an honorable, community-focused life.’

What did the victim say?

“This has been the longest almost four years of my life. I never imagined that reporting this back in 2021 would lead to such an incredibly difficult and long journey,” she said in a press release. “These last few years have often felt like a weight that I’ve had to drag behind me, a constant reminder of the trauma that I haven’t been able to fully work through because there was no ending in sight.

“At the time of the assault, I had no idea who Mr. McLemore was. When I found out … I questioned whether I should really move forward and report what had happened, especially given his status.

“I came forward to hold him accountable for the harm he caused, to ensure that what happened to me never happens to anyone else.

“No one is above the law, no matter who they are or what position they hold.’

Who is Ben McLemore?

McLemore last played in the NBA in 2022. He was drafted seventh overall in 2013 and played for five teams over nine seasons. Most recently, he played professional basketball internationally in China and Europe.

This story has been updated with new information.

If you have a spare $223 lying around, you might be able get in the building for Cooper Flagg’s summer league debut against Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers — but you’ll have to move quickly.

According to ticket marketplace Vivid Seats, that’s the average price for the Thursday night’s Dallas Mavericks-Los Angeles Lakers summer league game in Las Vegas, as of Wednesday afternoon. It’s a hefty price for an exhibition and the most expensive summer league ticket in two years.

It trails the average cost ($297) of the summer league debut of Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama which took place Friday, July 7, 2023.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the cheapest get-in ticket, including fees, is listed at $66.89 for general admission. The most expensive ticket is $3,072.30 for a courtside deck seat below one of the baskets. There’s another ticket in the same section for $2,373.72.

According to Vivid Seats, there are fewer than 1% of tickets left.

Flagg, the No. 1 overall selection in the NBA draft, will be making his NBA debut, while James is expected to play in his third summer league game, after he played a pair of California Classic contests over the past week.

Summer league tickets are sold by the day, as opposed to an individual game, meaning that a ticket provides access to other games taking place.

Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. ET at the Thomas & Mack Center.

If the price is a little too steep, and if you don’t happen to be in Vegas, you could always catch it for much cheaper on your couch: ESPN will broadcast the game.

FRISCO, Texas − Colorado football coach Deion Sanders is finally back, looking svelte in a gray suit and acting just as flamboyant as ever.

He returned to the spotlight for the first time since April, but declined to reveal the health issue that kept him away.

“God is good,” Sanders said after taking the main stage here Wednesday, July 9 at the annual Big 12 Conference preseason media days event at The Star north of Dallas.

He was accompanied to the event by longtime friend Michael Irvin, the former Dallas Cowboys receiver. Sanders deflected when asked about his health.

“I’m not here to talk about my health,” Sanders said. “I’m here to talk about my team.”

He said fellow Big 12 coaches had been checking in on him and praised them but said he wanted to beat all of them. He also made a plea of sorts. He wants to add some coaches to his staff: former NFL quarterback Byron Leftwich and former NFL head coach Mike Zimmer. But he indicated they haven’t been hired yet. Sanders said he’s “praying” they are hired and added to his staff.

He also expressed gratitude in general.

‘First of all, I trust God with all my mind, all my soul and with everything I have, ‘Sanders said. ‘I never waver. I never say, `Why me?’ regardless of what’s ahead of me or what I see. Like Lord, just use me. If you could use anything, you could use me. So I’m truly thankful. I’m truly a go-getter. I want to win at all costs. I want to win the right way. I want to set the right standards, and I want to prepare these young men for life, not just football.’

What happened with Deion Sanders this summer?

Sanders, 57, has been away from his day job since April as he tried to recuperate at his estate in Canton, Texas, about 80 miles away from where Big 12 media days are being held this week north of Dallas. He didn’t miss much on campus, since it’s usually a low-key time of year for college football coaches. But he did miss CU’s annual youth and high school football camps in June, even though operating such camps is listed as one of the official duties in his employment contract. He also cancelled a public speaking appearance in Florida June 8 and was unable to attend the wedding of his former player, Travis Hunter, on May 24.

He instead made occasional appearances on social media but never revealed the specific nature of his health issue, instead saying he was OK and would provide an update at a later date.

Asked what an average day on his ranch in Texas looked like, Sanders responded, ‘Average day, I’m looking good. I’m living lovely. God has truly blessed me. Not a care in the world, not a want or desire in the world.’

He has a history of blood clots in his legs, which previously led to the amputation of two of his toes. In 2023, he also canceled his appearance at a Pac-12 Conference preseason media event because of another blood-clot surgery. But it’s not clear if that’s related to his recent health situation.

Unlike other Big 12 coaches, Sanders left the event Wednesday without attending another group interview that was scheduled for him in the afternoon.

FOLLOW ALONG: Live updates from Big 12 media days

What did Deion Sanders say about his team this year?

This time he dealt with health concerns without his two youngest sons at his side – quarterback Shedeur and safety Shilo. His eldest son Deion Jr. stayed with him, but the other two brothers are now pursuing NFL careers in Cleveland and Tampa after playing for him the previous two seasons at Colorado.

What kind of coach will Sanders be without those sons and Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner last year?

That’s a big question this season in Year 3 under Sanders in Boulder.

“We want to win,” Sanders said.  “We want to win at all costs.”

Two quarterbacks appear poised to replace Shedeur Sanders at quarterback: freshman Julian Lewis or Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter. Both came with Sanders to the Big 12 event along with offensive lineman Jordan Seaton, defensive back DJ McKinney and kicker Alejandro Mata.

Sanders told a story about how Seaton called him recently to ask about where to get his hair braided in the Dallas area.

‘The moral of the story is I’m happy that my players can call me about getting their hair braided,’ Sanders said.

Colorado opens the season at home against Georgia Tech on Aug. 29. The Buffaloes finished 9-4 last year after posting a 4-8 record in Sanders’ first season in Boulder in 2023.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a civil lawsuit against the California Department of Education, alleging that the state is violating anti-discrimination laws by allowing transgender athletes to compete in school sports.

The complaint, filed July 9 in federal court in Los Angeles, alleges that California’s current policies ‘eviscerate equal athletic opportunities for girls’ by forcing them to ‘compete against boys’ in state athletic events. 

A spokesperson for California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state is following a 2013 law and that no court has accepted the legal theory cited by the Trump administration in the suit.

In May, President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funds to the state if it did not comply with an executive order he signed Feb. 5. The California Interscholastic Federation sought to strike a compromise at the state high school track and field championships by enacting a rule change that allowed athletes assigned female at birth to receive medals based on where they would have finished if a transgender athlete had not competed.

That resulted in the awarding of two titles in the girls’ high jump and long jump — events in which transgender athlete AB Hernandez finished first.

The Trump administration filed a similar lawsuit in May against the state of Maine, alleging similar Title IX violations.

More than half the states have passed laws preventing transgender athletes from competing on female school sports teams, saying they are trying to prevent competitive advantages. However, the laws don’t take into account someone’s athletic ability or how far they are in transitioning to another gender.

Last week, the University of Pennsylvania agreed to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports and strip the record of former swimmer Lia Thomas as part of an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Supreme Court has announced it will weigh in on the issue. The court plans to review Idaho’s and West Virginia’s bans on transgender athletes joining female sports teams this fall, with a ruling likely coming next year.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are back in action on the road against the New England Revolution on Wednesday, July 9.

And it’s a chance for Inter Miami to make up some ground in the MLS standings after participating in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Messi will start the match, Inter Miami confirmed when it announced its starting lineup an hour before the match.

Messi is coming off one of his best games of the season, in which he scored two goals with an assist in a 4-1 win against CF Montreal on Saturday, July 5.

“In Leo’s case, if Leo is fine and doesn’t have any problems, obviously my idea is always to let him play, because we know that if there’s anyone who knows how to manage himself on the pitch and knows his body, it’s him,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said a day before the New England match.

Here’s everything you need to know about New England vs. Inter Miami:

When is the New England Revolution vs. Inter Miami match?

The match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina).

How to watch New England Revolution vs. Inter Miami match live stream?

The match will be available to live stream on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

Is Messi playing tonight?

Yes, Messi is in the Inter Miami announces its starting lineup.

New England Revolution vs. Inter Miami betting odds

Here are the betting odds, according to BETMGM.

• New England Revolution: +185
• Draw: +280
• Inter Miami: +115
• Over/under: 3.5 goals

Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule in July

• July 9: New England vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET
• July 12: Inter Miami vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m. ET
• July 16: FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET
• July 19: New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET
• July 26: Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati, 7 p.m. ET
• July 30: Inter Miami vs. Atlas, 7:30 p.m. ET (Leagues Cup)

Will Messi leave MLS? Breaking down rumors surrounding soccer’s GOAT

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are in continued negotiations to keep the Argentine World Cup champion and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in Miami, according to a person familiar with the talks.

The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity due to the ongoing nature of contract negotiations.

Paris Saint-Germain will have a chance to lift another trophy during its historic 2024-2025 season.

PSG dominated Real Madrid, 4-0, during a FIFA Club World Cup semifinal match on Wednesday, July 9, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

PSG scored three goals in the first 24 minutes: Fabián Ruiz fueled the blowout with a brace (6’ and 24’), and Ousmane Dembélé boosted his Ballon d’Or campaign with a goal (9’).

Gonçalo Ramos added another in the final minutes (88’) as PSG will face English side Chelsea in the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 13.

 PSG won the French league, the French Cup, and the UEFA Champions League in 2025 under coach Luis Enrique, who also led Lionel Messi and Barcelona to the European treble in 2025.

Real Madrid, the 2024 UEFA Champions League winners, simply ran into a buzzsaw and had no response. It was a sour result for Kylian Mbappe, playing in his first match against his former club roughly a year after joining the Spanish giants.

Real Madrid also played the match without two new defenders, who helped them reach the semifinal. New coach Xabi Alonso missed Dean Huijsen (red card against Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (practice injury before PSG match).

Watch FIFA Club World Cup matches for free on DAZN

Check out the highlights from the PSG vs. Real Madrid match in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals:

PSG vs. Real Madrid highlights

PSG 4, Real Madrid 0: Gonçalo Ramos scores goal in a Club World Cup rout

PSG 3, Real Madrid 0: Luka Modric enters final match with Real Madrid

Former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric has come on in the 64^th minute for his final appearance for Real Madrid after 13 seasons.

PSG 3, Real Madrid 0: Désiré Doué goal negated after offside

Ousmane Dembélé is caught offside after Désiré Doué appeared to score in the 48^th minute. PSG is still pursuing its fourth goal of the match.

PSG 3, Real Madrid 0: Why is Real Madrid losing so badly?

One reason: Real Madrid is playing without two new defenders. Dean Huijsen is suspended after he received a straight red card in the closing minutes of their 3-1 win against Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals. Trent Alexander-Arnold is also sidelined after reportedly suffering an injury during a practice session before the PSG match.

Another Reason: Real Madrid has been a club on the fly this Club World Cup. Xabi Alonso’s first games as the new coach have come during this tournament.

Meanwhile, PSG has remained a well-oiled machine since their Champions League win at the end of May. They appear primed to reach the Club World Cup final against Chelsea.

PSG 3, Real Madrid 0: Luis Enrique, PSG coaches celebrate early lead

Just check out this goal celebration by the PSG bench during this early landslide.

PSG 3, Real Madrid 0: Fabián Ruiz scores second goal

Dominance. There’s no other way to put it. Fabián Ruiz already has a brace after his second goal in the 24^th minute, and PSG has taken a commanding, 3-0 lead against Real Madrid.

PSG 2, Real Madrid 0: Xabi Alonso tells Real Madrid players to stay calm

The first-year Real Madrid coach trying his best to manage the early onslaught by PSG to open this semifinal.

PSG 2, Real Madrid 0: Ousmane Dembélé scores goal

PSG is off to a flying start against Real Madrid with Ballon d’Or frontrunner Ousmane Dembélé scoring a goal in the 9^th minute.

PSG 1, Real Madrid 0: Fabián Ruiz scores goal

The reigning Champions League winners have struck early behind a goal from Fabián Ruiz (6’). PSG started the match with several attempts on goal, and one has already seen the back of the net.

PSG 0, Real Madrid 0: Two saves by Courtois in opening minutes

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has made two impressive saves already in the first five minutes, saving shots against PSG’s Fabián Ruiz and Nuno Mendes.

Michael Buffer performs ‘Let’s get ready to rumble’ before Club World Cup match

How to watch PSG vs. Real Madrid: TV channel, live stream link

The PSG-Real Madrid match is available to live stream for free on DAZN.

What time is PSG vs. Real Madrid?

The match begins at 3 p.m. ET (9 p.m. in Paris and Madrid).

Mbappé in Real Madrid starting lineup vs. PSG

Kylian Mbappé is in the starting lineup against his old club, playing alongside Gonzalo García, the 21-year-old who scored four goals in five Club World Cup matches for Real Madrid.

Paris Saint-Germain starting lineup vs. Real Madrid

PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé, a Ballon d’Or favorite, is in the starting lineup against Real Madrid.

Where is the PSG vs. Real Madrid match?

The match is being played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

PSG vs. Real Madrid Club World Cup predictions

Real Madrid 3, PSG 2: Kylian Mbappé scores a brace, Gonzalo García adds another Club World Cup goal and Real Madrid topples PSG in added time in a thriller. I’ll even say Mbappé scores the game-winner against his former club. I’m just here for the drama. –Safid Deen

PSG 2, Real Madrid 1: Young Désiré Doué leads PSG into another final, starring for the Parisians as Real Madrid comes up short again after their shock Champions League exit earlier in the spring, with Kylian Mbappé struggling to do damage against his former team. – Jesse Yomtov

PSG vs. Real Madrid betting odds

Here are the betting odds, through regular time, from BETMGM:

• PSG: +135
• Draw: +250
• Real Madrid: +190
• Over/under: 3.5 goals

Is Kylian Mbappé playing today?

Yes, Mbappé is listed as a starter for Real Madrid against his former club PSG. It is his first start during this Club World Cup, after coming off the bench in Real Madrid’s last two Club World Cup matches since returning from a stomach flu.

Is Ousmane Dembélé playing today?

Yes, Dembélé is listed as a starter for PSG against Real Madrid. Dembélé recently recovered from a quadriceps injury, and has worked his way back as a substitute off the bench like he has for PSG’s last two Club World Cup matches.

PSG coach dodges Mbappé talk

PSG coach Luis Enrique refused to be drawn into comparisons between his Champions League-winning squad and the team that previously featured Kylian Mbappé, ahead of Wednesday’s Club World Cup semi-final clash with his former star’s new club Real Madrid.

‘This is a question about the past and I’m not here to talk about the past, I’m only thinking about the future,’ Luis Enrique told a press conference when asked if his PSG are a better team now without Mbappe than when they had the France captain in their squad before his free transfer to Real Madrid last year.

The Spanish coach did acknowledge that facing his former player adds spice to the encounter, saying that ‘playing against the most successful team in the world’ is ‘definitely extra motivation’. – Reuters

Club World Cup weather continues to be a story

PSG will again have to contend with brutal conditions in New Jersey, with an afternoon kickoff in scorching heat after temperatures in Tuesday’s semi-final between Chelsea and Fluminense soared past 95 degrees with over 54% humidity, prompting a National Weather Service warning.

‘We’re getting used to it. Playing in these conditions, because that’s been the norm during the World Cup. It’ll be business as usual,’ Luis Enrique said. ‘It’s not good for the spectacle because it’s difficult to play in that position. It’s the same for both teams.’

Despite the challenging circumstances, the former Barcelona boss is relishing the high-stakes encounter.

‘Playing against Real Madrid will be a special match, no doubt about it. At the same time, we like playing these kinds of games because it means you’ve done your job well and you’re in a position to play in a semi-final,’ he said. – Reuters

Which club does PSG-Real Madrid winner face in Club World Cup final?

The winner of the PSG-Real Madrid match will face Chelsea, from the English Premier League, in the Club World Cup final.

When is the FIFA Club World Cup final?

The Club World Cup final is on Sunday, July 13, at MetLife Stadium.

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The former New York Giants quarterback told CNBC Wednesday that there are multiple reasons why he’s backing out of negotiations to become a minority owner of Big Blue. First and foremost, the price.

‘Basically, it’s too expensive for me,’ Manning said. ‘I mean, these numbers are getting very big.’

‘Even a 1% stake?’ the interviewer asked.

‘Yeah, a 1% stake of something valued at $10 billion, it turns into a very big number.’

In addition, Manning pointed to the conflicts of interest he would face as a broadcaster with ESPN – much like what fellow former quarterback, broadcaster and Raiders minority owner Tom Brady has had to deal with.

On top of that, Manning coaches in the Pro Bowl and hosts the annual Manning Passing Academy for high schoolers, an event that college quarterbacks also attend.

Ultimately, all of those factors convinced the two-time Super Bowl MVP to pull out of a deal to become a partial owner. But Manning also said that the decision won’t stop him from staying involved with the team in other capacities, as he has in the six years since his retirement.

Eli Manning career earnings

Manning made $252.3 million in his 16-year playing career, according to Spotrac, all of it from the Giants.

That money only includes what he received from his contracts and not the extra money he has earned from endorsements or in his other post-playing career ventures.

New York Giants team valuation

The New Orleans Saints unveiled a new alternate helmet for the 2025 season this morning. The franchise is going to add an all-white helmet for head coach Kellen Moore’s first season at the helm.

The San Francisco 49ers use their alternate uniforms to harken back to the team’s last Super Bowl championship in 1994, a year when the team wore throwbacks to the team’s 1950s look. Since 2023, the Atlanta Falcons’ alternate jerseys have used a red helmet and throwback logo that references the team’s original uniform from the late 1960s.

The Saints’ update is a welcome sight for New Orleans fans. It’s a clean look that other teams should take a hint from as some could use a refreshed look with their alternate helmets in 2025.

There’s still time as teams continue to unveil their new looks ahead of the regular season. Here are five teams we think could use an update to their alternate helmets as the Saints have done.

NFL alternate helmets that should change

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts introduced black helmets with blue horseshoe logos in 2023 and we can’t say we’re a fan. Indianapolis has one of the most traditional looks in the NFL; the blue and white jerseys are iconic and adding a black helmet is an awkward fit.

We have two potential solutions. One would be to switch the helmets from black to white and add a nod to the team’s roots in Baltimore with the ‘Bucking Horse’ logo in speed blue. That logo’s already being used by the franchise in throwback campaigns.

Our second solution would be to use the team’s current throwback uniform helmet but invert the colors. Instead of speed blue horseshoes on a white helmet, it’d be the other way around.

Carolina Panthers

Carolina follows the popular trope of an all-black look with the process blue logo and stripes for the alternate helmet design. The team has yet to unveil any changes to its alternate uniforms for the 2025 season and it’s been the alternate in place since 2022.

The blue logo on a black helmet looks good in renderings, but we’re not sold on it practically. Instead, we’d opt for a silver logo instead of blue to make it pop more against the black helmet.

Detroit Lions

This pops better under the lights of Ford Field, but we think the team could make a change that would work in all environments. Instead of Honolulu blue with a black logo, a black helmet with either a silver or Honolulu blue logo could be a clean look to complement the black jerseys in all lighting.

Chicago Bears

As one of the oldest franchises in the NFL, the Bears have a lot of inspiration to draw on for their uniforms. They’ve stayed much the same since the 1930s with a mix of navy blue, orange and white.

Since 2022, the team’s used orange as the primary color for both the jerseys and helmets in their alternate uniform. The combination of orange helmet and a navy logo with a white outline could be improved.

Three options come to mind: make the helmet navy with a white logo (a nod to the franchise’s first helmet with a logo in 1962), keep the orange helmet but make the logo all-white or make the helmet navy with the team’s alternate logo in orange.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns are one of the oldest names in the NFL. You could pull up a photo of the 1964 NFL championship squad and know which team it was pretty easily thanks to the uniforms. They haven’t changed much at all over the last six decades.

In 2023, the team made a change not seen since 1951: white helmets. The Browns used those white helmets with orange and brown striping in their alternate uniforms.

Now that fans have stomached that first change, we’d like to introduce a second change that acknowledges the team’s rich history. Keep the white helmet but add the Browns’ primary logo from the last time they won an NFL championship in 1964.

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At least Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti dropped any pretense that his vision for the future format of the College Football Playoff would be a boon for anyone other than his conference.

Petitti, as he plainly stated in a recent interview with Joel Klatt of Fox Sports, works at the behest of one conference.

‘Representing the Big Ten,’ Petitti said, ‘that’s my job.’

If Petitti’s playoff plan seems rigged in favor of the Big Ten, that’s only because it is.

Petitti wants a playoff format that’s all upside, no risk, for the Big Ten. Shocking, right?

Herein lies the persistent problem in determining a playoff format for 2026 and beyond. It’s not that the conference commissioners who shape the playoff lack ideas. It’s that their ideas are so self-serving.

With no overarching commissioner looking out for the good of the game or its postseason, the individual conferences hit an impasse in their playoff format negotiations.

Big Ten wants to reduce role of playoff selection committee

Petitti, in his interview with Klatt, outlined the Big Ten’s preference for a 4+4+2+2+1 playoff format. In this 16-team playoff plan, 13 of the 16 spots would be dispersed via automatic bids. The Big Ten and SEC would be assigned four automatic bids apiece. Two apiece would go to the ACC and Big 12, with another auto bid going to the next-best conference champion, leaving just three at-large bids for a selection committee to determine.

‘We’re not asking to be handed anything,’ Petitti said.

Actually, you are. You’re asking to be handed 25% of the playoff spots before the season begins.

Why should the Big Ten and SEC start with twice as many bids as the ACC and Big 12? Well, because ‘of historic strength and where we think programs are,’ Petitti explained.

If history is our guide, how about a bid for 18-time national champion Yale?

I’m kidding, of course. Yale shouldn’t receive a bid based on history, no more than the Big Ten should be guaranteed twice as many auto bids as the ACC, which has produced as many national champions as the Big Ten since the start of the Bowl Championship Series era.

The ACC and Big 12 quickly balked at Petitti’s stacked-deck plan, and the SEC later soured on the idea. It’s not that the SEC felt sorry for the ACC and Big 12. It’s more that the SEC worries the auto-bid plan would not reward it enough. The SEC recast its desires toward a 16-team playoff featuring 11 at-large bids, and the SEC is campaigning for the selection committee to more heavily weight strength of schedule metrics, which tend to reflect well on SEC teams.

And, so, here we stand, with no approved playoff format past this season, with each conference angling for a plan they think serves them best.

Tony Petitti playoff plan all upside, no risk for Big Ten

While I dislike any idea, like Petitti’s plan, that would stack the deck and award bids based on a conference’s preseason clout, I acknowledge the 4+4+2+2+1 format must look pretty good from where the Big Ten commissioner sits. It would achieve Petitti’s objectives on how to reshape college football.

Petitti wants to:

∎ Reduce the role of the selection committee. As Petitti puts it: ‘Let them focus on seeding. Let them focus on the last three at-larges.’ In other words, he wants to reduce the subjectivity of the selection process at the end of the season, in favor of a stacked deck that awards bids based on conference affiliation and conference standings. But, his plan won’t succeed in curtailing controversy, because debates will rage about the committee’s last-three-in and how they seed the field.

∎ Encourage Big Ten teams to play tougher non-conference games. In Petitti’s plan, most bids would be awarded based on conference performance, so, teams could schedule tough non-conference matchups without worrying about the effect of a loss. ‘You’ve got to have a postseason format that makes the regular season better,’ Petitti said. The problem with that line of thinking: If playoff access is based mostly on conference standings, then non-conference games would become glorified exhibitions.

∎ Install play-in games. If Petitti’s playoff plan got approved, the Big Ten could earmark two auto bids for its top two teams, and decide its two remaining auto bids with play-in games: No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5. I never thought I’d hear someone argue that the lack of play-in games is holding back college football, but here we are.

∎ Prop up mediocre Big Ten teams. The Big Ten’s eighth-place team would be in the playoff hunt entering November in the 4+4+2+2+1 plan. If that team could climb into sixth place, it would reach a play-in game. Win that, and it’s playoff bound. To hear Petitti tell it, that’s a plus: ‘We’ve done some modeling that you could have somewhere between 40 and 50 teams after Week 13 that are’ still alive for the playoff. Sorry, but if you’re college football’s 50th-best team after 13 weeks, you probably shouldn’t be alive for the playoff.

True, allowing a selection committee to pick most of the qualifiers and seed the bracket produces uncomfortable decisions, but a dose of drama, a plateful of debate, and a dash of controversy are good for business.

Petitti, though, views this through the Big Ten lens. If he achieved his playoff vision, his conference could strengthen its schedule and enhance its television inventory, while avoiding risk to its postseason prospects. If the Big Ten got trounced in non-conference matchups, no big deal. It still would be guaranteed at least four playoff bids in Petitti’s model.

From Petitti’s perch, why not try to stack the deck and rig the playoff to favor his league? As a conference commissioner, he must view that as part of his job.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.