Texas: Yes, quarterback

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“I do feel like one of the weaknesses of the system is still the scheduling inequities,” Riley said. “I think the gaps right now in scheduling and college football have never been bigger. You’ve sacrificed some of these nonconference games and then the Big Ten and SEC have added all of these really good teams and are now a long ways ahead of these other leagues. They just are. It is what it is. I’m not saying there aren’t good teams in the other leagues — there are — but it’s more different than it’s ever been.

“Something’s got to give,” Riley added. “Our group has been proactive about finding solutions. Some groups sit there and say no and try to find something wrong and don’t really provide any kinds of solutions for things that need to be fixed. I’m glad that we’re being active.”

Although the Big Ten’s push for 24 teams remains on hold for now, decision-makers in every conference have become more open to the idea. The question is if enough SEC leaders will latch on.

“Let’s see how this season plays out,” one SEC source said. “There may be a change in our attitude depending on how this plays out, that we may be more amenable to 24 than we are at this time right now. I think you’ll have some schools in our conference that are going to say, ‘We think 24 will be good.’ I think some coaches in our conference would like that because most of our teams, if you have a decent year, you’re going to be in the top 24.”