Kansas landed Javon Bardwell, a five-star forward in the 2027 class, with a potential reclassification to 2026 that would quicken KU’s 2026-27 rebuild. Kinney and Perry follow in 2026, bolstering a rising backcourt and wing core as Self continues to upgrade depth.

Exhibitions with Louisville and Fort Hays State and a season opener vs Green Bay set the stage for a roster built around Bardwell, Kinney, Darryn Peterson and Flory Bidunga, aiming for sustained Big 12 momentum.

Colleges eye jersey patches as a fresh revenue stream, with Louisville and Kentucky among early candidates to add sponsor logos to uniforms as soon as next season. Patch deals could yield 4-10 million per school, helping cover costs tied to new player compensation and budget shortfalls. The move hinges on apparel contracts and potential regulatory changes, as pro leagues already capitalize on patches across NBA, MLB, and NHL.

Legislation and conference rules could shape patch proliferation, balancing brand control with lucrative sponsorships. If approved, patch income would join existing revenue-sharing caps and could reshape college athletics finances, making sponsorships a bigger piece of the funding puzzle for Kentucky schools and beyond.

Week 6 brings chaos on the gridiron with undefeateds clashing and power-conference favorites on notice. Louisville hosts Virginia as one of the ACC’s last remaining unbeatens; Kentucky faces a stern trip to Georgia; Western Kentucky travels to Delaware behind Maverick McIvor; Miami and Florida State renew their statewide rivalry; Vanderbilt aims to upset Alabama after a six-game win streak. The slate features straight-up predictions, injury chatter, and plenty of fantasy angles as teams chase big performances and breakout players.

Lines lean into favorites—Louisville by 7.5, Georgia by 20.5, Miami by 4.5, Alabama by 10.5—while the narrative centers on how injuries and game scripts could reshape workloads. With ACC parity and rivalry fire, fantasy managers should monitor quarterback efficiency, backfield committees, and the emergence of secondary weapons who could surge in shootouts or grind-out wins.