The national football championship on Monday between the Wolverines and Washington Huskies comes at a time of dramatic upheaval for a uniquely American enterprise.
The four teams in the College Football Playoff used cash payments from fan “collectives” in unique ways to build their rosters, showing how much an influx of money has changed college sports.
Stanford, Rutgers and U.C.L.A. were among those being looked into as accusations of hateful rhetoric on campuses have led to a spike in inquiries by the agency.
In sports, the best team doesn’t always win a championship, but it almost always gets an opportunity to try. Tell that to the 13-0 Florida State Seminoles.
The Big Ten booms to 18 schools with the move, powered by TV money, and the once-great Pac-12 dwindles to four after three more schools leave for the Big 12.