A Ruling That Rattles College Football
A Texas court has issued a temporary injunction that permits quarterback Brendan Sorsby to suit up for Texas Tech’s season opener, overturning an NCAA ruling that would have barred him permanently.
Judge Ken Curry explained that Sorsby would suffer irreparable harm if kept off the field, while also ordering him to continue treatment for a diagnosed gambling addiction and to submit monthly compliance reports.
The quarterback, who has wagered roughly $90,000 on more than 9,000 bets over his college career, has admitted to the betting but insists he never placed a bet on a game he played in or tried to influence outcomes.
Analyst Chris Branch noted that the case spotlights the NCAA’s uneasy balance between enforcing eligibility rules and addressing players’ mental‑health concerns.
NCAA spokesperson Josh Brooks confirmed that the association will file an expedited appeal, arguing that the decision threatens the integrity of collegiate sports.
Mike Florio of NBC Sports warned that a potential boycott by other Big 12 schools would create a cascade of ticket refunds and television‑rights complications.
The legal dispute is expected to linger, with the full case not slated for trial until 2027, leaving the immediate eligibility question unresolved beyond the first two games.