The Weekender: RIP Kyle Busch, Tony Petitti Teases a 10-Game B1G Schedule, and Dabo Swinney Accuses Ole Miss of Tampering

By George Eisner on May 24, 2026 at 2:35 pm
Late NASCAR champion Kyle Busch
Nadia Zomorodian, News-Journal — USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what's next.

RIP Kyle Busch (1985-2026)

One of the sensitivities I have had to implement into my workflow as my career in news media has evolved remains the distinctions in communication styles around certain American holidays. I have observed many United States citizens make the error of embracing Memorial Day in the same way one does Independence Day. It's an understandable lack of distinction given both occasions invoke a sense of national pride and offer time away from professional obligations — unless you're working a weekend shift writing about your alma mater.

Unfortunately, that sort of segmentation, though performed admirably and out of obligatory respect to our military, can lead to a difficult predicament such as the one the American culture finds itself in this weekend. During a time reserved for immortalizing the heroes that have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our country, another type of inspiration also merits grieving in wake of sudden tragedy.

I am no NASCAR enthusiast. However, even I can recognize this week witnessed probably the most tragic and untimely passing of an American sports star since Kobe Bryant. For Ohio State fans charmed by motorsports, it certainly must conjure up similar feelings of Dwayne Haskins Jr.

Kyle Busch was the American Dream. His father was a Ford dealership mechanic that also raced stock cars on the side at a local quarter-mile track near Las Vegas, NV. Elder Busch began teaching little Busch how to drive go-karts at six years old before Kyle could reach the throttle himself. Busch loved the exposure to motorsports his father provided him so much that by age 10, he was already serving as a dwarf car crew chief on behalf of his older brother, Kurt.

Big brother went on to win the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series when little brother was just shy of 20 years old. Then little brother went on to become one of the greatest drivers America has ever seen.

Busch knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life from a very young age. He worked every day from then on to put himself in the best position possible to succeed, not merely within every race he drove. That's all we can ask for as Americans striving for greatness: vindication that determination and hard work will bring forth the realization of our ambitions alongside generational prosperity for our families.

The tragedy of competition persists in that not everyone that deserves such an outcome experiences that peace. Busch would not have that dream denied. When he captured it, he rode it all the way to one of the most decorated careers in American auto racing history. He adored his haters because he savored every moment of success he knew he earned across 35 years of driving.

That interview happened last weekend. Always a winner. He even won over one of his greatest adversaries.

Take another bow, Busch.

As much of the nation prepares for a coveted day off from work tomorrow, lead your Memorial Day reflections with our military heroes in your hearts. However, don't neglect also remembering the potential those sacrifices permit for U.S. citizens. Stories such as that of Busch offer civilians the inspiration to achieve their lofty American Dreams, a ceiling reinforced by the pillars of strength personified in our fallen service members.

RIP to all of our U.S. military personnel that gave their lives for the freedoms we continue to enjoy. RIP to Kyle Busch and condolences to the Busch family. Celebrate Memorial Day safely and responsibly — our heroes will thank you.

Tony Petitti Teases 10-Game Big Ten Football Schedule

Restructuring of the college football schedule is the hot topic of the offseason at the moment. Look no further than the load page carousel of this website currently featuring perspectives from both Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti and Ohio State head coach Ryan Day on the College Football Playoff expanding to 24 teams.

But one of the more intriguing angles of commentary Petitti offered during Big Ten spring meetings last week as relayed by College Football Enquirer of Yahoo Sports pertains to discussion of B1G schools considering a shift to a 10-game conference slate. The show offers up the consideration that as non-conference games continue to see gradual de-emphasis given TV networks' displeasure with early season product, commissioners angling to fill the CFP with as many of its teams as possible will want more control over a greater share of their schedules.

"At Big Ten meetings, they talked about playing 10 conference games. I think there are going be some other leagues talking about 10 conference games too because it just increases the value. If you are going to not schedule good nonconference games, force your league members to go ahead and play 10 conference games." — Andy Staples, Ross Dellenger, and Steven Godfrey on College Football Enquirer

The hour-long podcast published last Thursday afternoon offers additional insight on Petitti's comments from B1G spring meetings concerning overall CFP expansion and the College Sports Commission. SEC spring meetings will begin next week in Destin, FL.

NCAA Confirms Investigation of Dabo Swinney's Tampering Allegation Against Ole Miss

You just love to see two anti-Ohio State camps eating each other. Sure, it would prove a much more delicious experience for Buckeye fans if the SEC school involved were one OSU has actually played at least once in football, but who doesn't love a bare minimum of watching Dabo Swinney squirm?

Swinney originally went after Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding earlier this year on January 23rd in a press conference during which he accused Golding of tampering with the recruitment of former UC Berkeley linebacker Luke Ferrelli — now with the Rebels. Clemson submitted a formal complaint to the NCAA about the situation a week earlier on January 16th.

Until last Friday, it remained unclear how much action the NCAA felt compelled to take based on Swinney's public accusations. The revelation that the enforcement staff acknowledged the complaint on the same day Swinney spoke to the media about it and confirmed the initiation of an investigation makes this a situation worth monitoring as the offseason progresses.

ICYMI

John Mobley Jr. Back for Year Three

After dipping his foot into the NBA Draft process, John Mobley Jr. has elected to return to Ohio State for his junior season under Jake Diebler. The Buckeyes' three-point shooting ace figures to serve as the key veteran leader on next season's unit.

No Respect for JSN?

After comedian Druski made light of Jaxon Smith-Njigba's last name at the NFL Honors ceremonies earlier in 2026, the league's newest Offensive Player of the Year continues to endure disrespect across the sport. JSN revealed last week that the trophy he received for his honor included multiple typos — even inexplicably referring to him as a "defensive" player.

"Sentient Marlboro Red Returns Home"

Chase Brown's description of Ed Orgeron joining forces with Lane Kiffin at LSU might be better than any Skull Session headline he's ever written.

What’s Next

  • Women's Golf: NCAA Championships, Today through Wednesday, May 27th
  • Men's and Women's Track & Field: NCAA Championships, East First Round; Wednesday, May 27th - Saturday, May 30th
  • OSU Football Returns: vs. Ball State, Saturday, September 5th
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