MARK KEENUM

No. 24 Mississippi State knows it is playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Illinois on Jan. 2 in Tampa, Florida. Leach’s death came as his Bulldogs (8-4) look to follow up their most successful season during his tenure with a victory in the bowl game. Defensive coordinator Zach Arnett will run the team for now, but Mississippi State is facing a potential search for a new coach with the annual signing day for recruits coming up next week and the possibility that some of its players will join the many already in the transfer portal.

Mississippi State coach Mike Leach was taken to a hospital Sunday after what the university called “a personal health issue” that happened at his home in Starkville. Leach, 61, was taken by ambulance to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, which is about 125 miles (200 kilometers) away from Mississippi State, the university said in a statement. The school said it would have no further comment on Leach's condition, adding “that the thoughts and prayers of the university are with Mike and (wife) Sharon and their family.”

CFP expansion will help grow the sport nationally while placing emphasis on conference rivalries and bringing parity to college football.

The university presidents who oversee the College Football Playoff voted to expand the postseason model for determining a national champion from four teams no later than the 2026 season.

University presidents unanimously approved a 12-team proposal that calls for the six highest-ranked conference champions and six at-large picks, as determined by a selection committee, to make the playoff.

The College Football Playoff that determines the national champion is expanding from four teams to 12.

The university presidents who oversee the College Football Playoff are scheduled to meet Friday to discuss expanding the four-team format.

The university leaders who oversee the College Football Playoff want the next format for determining a champion settled by this time next year.

College Football Playoff expansion talks remain stalled and the possibility of implementing a new format by the 2024 season dimmed after three days of meetings failed to produce an agreement.

The 11 university presidents and chancellors who oversee the College Football Playoff have authorized the continued evaluation of a proposed 12-team playoff.