In a groundbreaking endeavor, the University of Utah athletics is entering into what could be a $500M+ equity partnership with Otro Capital featuring the creation and shared ownership of a for-profit entity to operate athletics, sources tell @YahooSports. t.co/yLhYp0liPI

Update: LSU executives and Lane Kiffin's reps held a call after the Tigers game at OU to continue solidifying the deal with travel plans: The university is sending two planes to Oxford on Sunday for Kiffin, his family & others, sources tell @YahooSports. t.co/rKDHmY8JwP

Ohio State did not issue a ban on Dave Portnoy, AD Ross Bjork tells @YahooSports. Bjork confirms that FOX decided Portnoy would not be on the main desk of Big Noon Kickoff and those not on the desk do not normally appear on the field. These are Fox decisions, he emphasized.

A newsy wrinkle from Bevacqua: As part of an MOU signed last spring, Notre Dame is assured of a CFP berth if it is ranked in the top 12 starting next year. If this year’s situation unfolds next year, the final at-large team (Miami) would have gotten bumped for No. 11 Notre Dame.

Meanwhile, back here in Oxford, there is a scramble. A postponement of the team meeting, to 1 pm, is related to the university’s attempt to retain staff for the CFP run. There is now doubt that Lane Kiffin will be in attendance as his scheduled travel to Louisiana overlaps.

The Protect College Sports Act passes the Senate Commerce Committee, 19-9, and now may head to the Senate floor.

Big 12 ADs tell @YahooSports they’ve had “serious” talks on not playing Texas Tech. One SEC AD says there should be conversations about not playing Tech “in any sports.” The Brendan Sorsby ruling has left an industry jarred. “It’s total f***** bullshit.” t.co/OjjQl7AlhW

The NCAA is exploring a significant change to its eligibility rule, sources tell @YahooSports. The proposal creates an age-based standard: Athletes would have 5 years of eligibility from their 19th birthday or HS graduation. No redshirts or waivers. t.co/8QEC4GNvZe

Kiffin has made clear to Ole Miss administrators that he is leaving for LSU, sources tell @YahooSports. LSU’s original proposal to Kiffin, as reported last Friday at Yahoo, was a seven-year deal at more than $90 million - making him near the top of salaries in the country.

As Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss met Friday, confidence brewed in Baton Rouge: LSU is finalizing a near $90M+ offer to the coach - blessed by the governor - and $25M+ in annual roster cash in its most serious push to gain his commit, sources tell @YahooSports t.co/TcySy1MUmg

The Big Ten has signaled to Michigan & USC that it plans to move forward with a $2.4B capital deal, sources tell @YahooSports. U-M & USC face a tentative deadline (Nov. 20) before it may vote to extend the GoR without all members - an unprecedented step t.co/3OTnEYJCH4

Greg Sankey says those advocating for pooling media rights have “no idea how hard those conversations will be. No idea.”

Penn State is in the final stages of negotiations to make Matt Campbell its new coach, sources tell @YahooSports. The Penn State search - spanning more than 50 days - may land on the Iowa State and former Toledo coach who’s heralded as one of the best leaders in the country.

Michigan board members and university officials held a call earlier today related to the situation with Sherrone Moore, sources tell @YahooSports. Despite reports to the contrary, Warde Manuel remains the athletic director as the school begins a search for its next coach.

In a meeting today in Charlotte, power conference commissioners saw a presentation from the Big Ten on a 24-team playoff format, sources tell @YahooSports. Officials agreed to keep further exploring formats beyond 12. SEC officials, as they have said publicly, support 16.