Run the North | Golden Gophers football

[ShireNiner]

BREAKING NEWS: Conner Wiegman, QB, Texas Tech, named 2026 Heisman Award Winner | Notre Dame fire Marcus Freeman after missing the playoffs | Curt Cignetti steps down


CFB Week 15: Road to Vegas, Heisman announced, and Big Name Coaches on the Move

By: Bruce Felderman | December 22, 2026
Senior Writer, CFB

We’ve seen some wild coaching carousels in the last two decades, but the 2026 cycle just hit a level of turbulence that’s hard to fathom. We are talking about true "blue blood" programs hitting the reset button all at once. When you see names like Marcus Freeman, James Franklin, and Brent Venables all looking for work in the same week, you know the seismic plates of the sport have shifted.

The pressure of the 12-team playoff era has officially claimed its first major victims.

The most stunning move comes out of South Bend. Marcus Freeman is out at Notre Dame after a 49-20 run. Freeman did a lot of things right—he recruited at a high level and went 17-10 against Top 25 opponents—but at a place like ND, the standard isn't "good," it's "National Championship or bust." After missing the playoffs this season and massively underperforming, the Irish decided now is the time to move on.

In State College, the James Franklin era comes to an end after 13 years. Franklin won 114 games at Penn State, but a 20-41 record against the Top 25 eventually became a weight he couldn't lift. A move that should have happened a year ago has finally happened, and now one of the biggest programs in the country is in the market. Meanwhile, Oklahoma has cut ties with Brent Venables (37-27) as the Sooners struggle to find their footing in the shark-infested waters of the SEC.

On a quieter but equally significant note, Curt Cignetti is stepping away from Indiana. After a 46-16 run that completely changed the DNA of Hoosier football, Cignetti is retiring on his own terms—a rarity in this business.

Shifting to positive news around the nation, Conner Weigman is your 2026 Maxwell, Walter Camp, and Davey O’Brien winner. He’s the engine of a program that has become the gold standard under Joey McGuire, who took home the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year honors.

The Red Raiders also boast the Broyles Award winner in DC Shiel Wood, who has turned Tech into a defensive powerhouse to match that explosive offense. Texas Tech still has plenty to play for. After having a bye week to start the playoffs, the Red Raiders will face Minnesota in the second round.

Other awards:
Maxwell Award - Conner Weigman, QB
Walter Camp Award - Conner Weigman, QB
Bear Bryant COTY - Joey McGuire, HC
Davey O'Brien - Conner Weigman, QB
Chuck Bedaril - Rasheem Biles, SAM
Bronko Nagurski Trophy - Rasheem Biles, SAM
Jim Thorpe Award - Jaden Mickey, CB
Doak Walker - AJ Turner, HB
Fred Biletnikoff - Ja'kobi Lane, WR
Lombardi Award - Wesley Williams, REDG
Unitas Golden Arm - Conner Weigman, QB
Edge Rusher of the Year - Wesley Williams, REDG
Outland Trophy - Brady Small, C
John Mackey - Preston Howard, TE
Broyles Award - Shiel Wood, DC
Dick Butkus Award - Rasheem Biles, SAM
Rimington Trophy - Brady Small, C
Lou Groza Award - Towns McGough, K
Ray Guy Award - Kolten Bartles, P
Jet Award - Cam Wallace, HB
Shaun Alexander - Julian Lews, QB

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Bruce Felderman is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering NCAA Football. Bruce previously wrote for ESPN, The Telegraph and The Athletic before we paid way more money and he came to us.

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Comments

[ShireNiner]

Red Raiders and Heisman winner Conner Weigman take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers (ShireNiner PS5 images.)
CFP Quarterfinal Preview: No. 7 Minnesota vs. No. 2 Texas Tech (Peach Bowl)

By: Bruce Felderman
Senior Writer, CFB

When: Friday, January 1, 2027
Time: 12:00 pm EST
Broadcast:
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA


Atlanta, GA— The road to the national championship passes through Mercedes-Benz Stadium on New Year’s Day, as the Minnesota Golden Gophers meets the high-octane juggernaut of the Texas Tech Red Raiders. This isn't just a clash for a spot in the next round, this is a battle of two completely different styles.

In one corner, Texas Tech led by Heisman winner, Conner Weigman. The Red Raiders are first in points per game (48.5), total offense (504.5) and seventh in passing yards (320.2) and rushing yards (184.2) per game. But the Red Raiders are not just an offensive juggaraunt like in past years, this season, they have added a defensive unit. Ranking first in the country in points allowed (15.7), second in yards allowed (289.9), first in rush defense (76.5) and 10th in passing yards allowed (213.4).

On the other side, the Golden Gophers of Minnesota. AJ Turner, the main player all season will be limited in action due to injuries. For the second week in a row, the offense will fall on AJ Brand, the freshman quarterback who rushed for two scores in the first round. Minnesota's numbers are not nearly as impressive as the Red Raiders but the Gophers have continued to find a way all season.

22nd in offense (33.6), 10th in yards (452.8), 129th in passing (190.9) and 1st in rushing (262.0). For any chance of a win, the Gophers will have to rely on the run game to control possesion, a tall task without Turner but as Brand showed last week, he can use his legs when needed to keep possession and run the clock.

If the game turns into a shoot-out, do not look for Minnesota's defense to step up. Ranking 70th overall, 128th in passing defense and 7th in rush defense, the only hope of defensive stops will be for the Gopher front four to continue getting sacks (1st in the country).


Team Leaders
Passing
AJ Brand, FR, QB - 235/377, 62%, 2,348 yds, 18 TDs, 10 INTs
Conner Weigman, SR, QB - 322/449, 71%, 4,164 yds, 46 TDs, 4 INT

Rushing
Fame Ijeboi, SO, RB - 174 atts, 929 yds, 5.3 avg, 5 TDs, 5 20+ yd runs
AJ Turner, SR, RB - 307 atts, 2,005 yds, 6.5 avg, 21 TDs, 14 20+ yd runs
Quinten Joyner, SO, RB - 214 atts, 1,085 yds, 5.1 avg, 18 TDs, 10 20+ yard runs

Receiving
Kenric Lanier II, JR, WR - 48 rec, 540 yds, 6 TDs
Jalen Smith, FR, WR - 33 rec, 491 yds, 3 TDs
Talyn Shettron, SR, WR - 73 rec, 1,156 yds, 22 TDs
Coy Eakin, SR, WR - 73 rec, 1,079 yds, 9 TDs

Defense
Aidan Gousby, SR, MIKE - 99 tkls, 20 TFL, 3 sacks, 3 INTs
Kerry Brown, JR, SS - 94 tkls, 12 TFL, 1 sack, 3 INTs
Emmanual Karmo, SO, LEDG - 43 tkls, 21 TFL, 12.5 sacks
Mitch Horan, FR, WILL - 79 tkls, 25 TFL, 8.5 sacks, 1 INT
Ben Roberts, SR, MIKE - 82 tkls, 7 TFL, 5 sacks, 4 INT
Jaray Bledsoe, SR, DT - 43 tkls, 16 TFL, 10 sacks
Bravion Rogers, SR, CB - 71 tkls, 2 INT
David Santiago, SR, REDG - 28 tkls, 6 sacks

What did you think of this story?

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Bruce Felderman is a writer for ShireNiner Nation covering NCAA Football. Bruce previously wrote for ESPN, The Telegraph and The Athletic before we paid way more money and he came to us.

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Comments

[Captain Canada]

Might have to ride with Texas Tech on this one without Turner. Would definitely take Minnesota on the spread, I think you guys can keep it close.

[toysoldier00]

It’s been a great season for the Gophers. It’s all cherrys on top from here.

[ShireNiner]

Might have to ride with Texas Tech on this one without Turner. Would definitely take Minnesota on the spread, I think you guys can keep it close.

If we can run, we can keep it close I think. If they have a lot of possessions, we are in trouble.

It’s been a great season for the Gophers. It’s all cherrys on top from here.

Agreed. Winning a play-off game in our second season is a good enough start.

[redsox907]

I'd love to pick you guys. But without Turner to control the clock and keep their offense off the field, this might get ugly

godspeed

[ShireNiner]

I'd love to pick you guys. But without Turner to control the clock and keep their offense off the field, this might get ugly

godspeed

I thought we were closer than this. I thought I could count on you at least.

[Caesar]

I got faith in Ijeboi to carry the team in Turner's absence.

[Deuce2223]

It's time for Fame Ijeboi, to live up to his name.. Despite Turner's 2000 yd season he has still managed to put together a year that most teams would be pretty happy to have from their #1 back. I am rolling against everyone else on this one and think that the Gophers come away with a victory..

[ShireNiner]

I got faith in Ijeboi to carry the team in Turner's absence.

:myman:
I knew you knew ball.

It's time for Fame Ijeboi, to live up to his name.. Despite Turner's 2000 yd season he has still managed to put together a year that most teams would be pretty happy to have from their #1 back. I am rolling against everyone else on this one and think that the Gophers come away with a victory..

thank you, nice to have some confidence in the fan base here.