College sports reporter

Jon Wilner

Jon Wilner has been covering college sports for decades and is an AP top-25 football and basketball voter as well as a Heisman Trophy voter. He was named Beat Writer of the Year in 2013 by the Football Writers Association of America for his coverage of the Pac-12, won first place for feature writing in 2016 in the Associated Press Sports Editors writing contest and is a five-time APSE honoree.

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin might not have been the first choice to replace Steve Alford, but his approval rating among fans seems to be as high as any Bruins coach since Larry Brown. UCLA takes on Marquette on Saturday in Milwaukee. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Big Ten commissioner will evaluate schedules (in all sports) next spring

July 25, 2025 at 10:29 a.m.

The massive league needs to optimize the regular-season schedule for postseason access.

Oregon running back Jordan James (20) runs from Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley (6) during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

CFP, NCAA Tournament expansion momentum fades as Big Ten, SEC disagree

July 25, 2025 at 10:44 a.m.

The Big Ten's Tony Petitti and the ACC's Jim Phillips indicated Tuesday that expansion of the major postseason events might be delayed.

CFB recap: SEC media days, Trump's planned EO and Pac-12/MW mediation

July 19, 2025 at 8:21 p.m.

The future of the College Football Playoff seemingly depends on whether the SEC adds a ninth conference game to its schedule.

Mailbag: The contrarian case for the Pac-12 sticking with eight FB members

July 19, 2025 at 8:37 p.m.

Flexibility is essential as college football waits for the SEC and Big Ten to chart a course forward. With eight schools, the Pac-12 would have the option to play just...

FILE – Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) rns out of the pocket against Texas during the first half in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

How CFP format impacts Big 12 showdowns vs. SEC, Big Ten opponents

July 17, 2025 at 7:49 p.m.

In the interconnected world of Power Four football, the SEC's decision on its conference schedule could lead to the cancellation of non-conference matchups.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, left, and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman pose with the trophy after a news conference ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Atlanta. The game between Ohio State and Notre Dame will be played on Monday. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

CFP controversy: Washington AD Pat Chun offers context on the Big Ten’s radical proposal

July 16, 2025 at 1:18 p.m.

The Big Ten proposed a model in which it and the SEC would receive half of the 16 berths regardless of regular-season results.

Pac-12, Mountain West headed back to court after mediation goes nowhere

July 16, 2025 at 1:10 p.m.

The conferences were unable to resolve their differences with a mediator. The next step is a hearing on the Mountain West's motion to dismiss.

FILE – Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey speaks during SEC NCAA college football media days, July 15, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter, File)

SEC's Greg Sankey on CFP format, NCAAT expansion and talks with Big Ten

July 15, 2025 at 5:41 a.m.

Sankey addressed several hot-button issues during his state-of-the-conference address Monday at SEC media days in Atlanta.

CFP mailbag: 2026 format predictions, Big 12 strategy, Big Ten motivation

July 14, 2025 at 4:22 p.m.

The mailbag is all about the College Football Playoff controversy and whether the Big Ten or SEC will emerge with its preferred model.

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark addresses the media during the NCAA college Big 12 women’s basketball media day Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Big 12 commish Brett Yormark “doubles down” on 5+11 model for CFP

July 14, 2025 at 3:58 p.m.

The format Yormark believes is best for the sport stands in direct opposition to what the Big Ten has proposed.

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