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Hunter Yurachek explains why Notre Dame was left out of 10 in new committee rankings
Notre Dame, sitting at 7‑1 and No. 4 in the AP poll, drops to No. 11 in the inaugural College Football Playoff rankings, according to CFP chair Hunter Yurachek. Yurachek cites the Irish’s weak resume—only one win against a .500+ opponent and a 28‑24 loss to BYU—as the reason they missed the top ten. With a 35‑13 win over Navy, Notre Dame now faces a pivotal primetime home game against No. 1 Miami, the sole remaining ranked opponent on their schedule, to improve their playoff chances.
Former NFL star Russell Wilson reportedly interviews for NC State job
Former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, now a CBS pregame analyst, has reportedly interviewed for the head‑coaching vacancy at NC State, his alma mater where he played from 2007‑2010. ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirms Wilson’s interview alongside former Wolfpack star Philip Rivers, who is also a leading candidate. Wilson finished his college career with 8,545 passing yards, 76 touchdowns and 1,089 rushing yards, but lacks coaching experience. The Wolfpack aims to hire a former player as they evaluate candidates for the open job.
Danny Kanell blasts CFP committee rankings: ‘Made AP voters look like geniuses’
Former Florida State quarterback and CBS analyst Danny Kanell erupts on X after the CFP committee releases its first Top 25, lambasting Alabama’s No. 5 spot, calling the rankings “the worst, most non‑sensical” yet. He mocks the committee’s use of stats, accuses “SEC propaganda,” and ridicules Wake Forest’s No. 16 placement, even questioning Nick Saban’s tenure at Alabama. Kanell highlights Alabama’s 16‑point loss to Tennessee as evidence of the committee’s misstep, promising more heated commentary before the Dec. 6 selection day.
10 SEC teams crack initial College Football Playoff rankings after Week
The inaugural 2026 College Football Playoff rankings feature a record ten SEC programs in the Top 25, underscoring the conference’s resurgence after its last national title in 2022. Georgia leads the SEC at No. 2 behind Miami, while Alabama surprisingly lands at No. 5 despite two losses. Kentucky jumps to No. 6 under first‑year coach Will Stein, and Texas sits at No. 7 after back‑to‑back home wins. LSU, Ole Miss, Missouri, South Carolina and Florida round out the SEC presence at Nos. 13, 14, 18, 21 and 24. Week 10 matchups—Georgia vs. Ole Miss, Alabama at LSU, Kentucky at Tennessee—promise high‑stakes battles.
Hunter Yurachek explains why Alabama is ranked 8 spots above Tennessee
Chair of the College Football Playoff committee Hunter Yurchek defends Alabama’s No. 5 ranking, eight spots above Tennessee, despite the Vols’ 26‑10 win on Oct. 17. Yurchek cites Alabama’s road victories over Kentucky (ranked sixth), South Carolina and Mississippi State as “quality wins” that outweigh Tennessee’s lack of comparable successes. He acknowledges Tennessee’s head‑to‑head win but says the Volunteers haven’t accumulated enough high‑profile victories to justify a higher spot. The explanation sparked a social‑media firestorm after the Tuesday rankings were released.
College football fans, media furious with Alabama’s top-5 placement in initial CFP rankings
The 2026 College Football Playoff committee drops Alabama at No. 5 in its inaugural rankings, sparking a firestorm on social media. After a 5‑0 start, the Tide slipped to 6‑2 with a 20‑17 loss to Georgia and a 26‑10 defeat by Tennessee, yet still outranked teams like Tennessee (No. 13) and Kentucky (No. 6). Critics question the committee’s logic, citing the coaching change from Nick Saban and the Tide’s recent setbacks. Alabama’s remaining slate includes road games at LSU (No. 14), Vanderbilt, an FCS matchup, and the Iron Bowl versus Auburn before the Dec. 6 selection day.
Here’s what the College Football Playoff bracket would like based on the rankings after Week 9
After Week 9, the College Football Playoff rankings set the top four—Miami, Georgia, Utah and Indiana—to skip the opening round and advance straight to the quarterfinals. In the projected first round, No. 5 Alabama hosts Ohio State, with the winner meeting Indiana. Kentucky (6) faces Notre Doe (11), and the victor takes on Utah. Texas (7) battles Ole Miss (10) for a spot against Georgia, while UCLA (8) hosts BYU (9) for the chance to play Miami. The bracket snapshot, shared by ESPN, highlights the stakes for each team as the CFP race heats up.
College Football Playoff rankings, Nov. 3: Miami atop initial CFP rankings of 2026
The College Football Playoff releases its first 2026 rankings, placing Miami at No. 1 with an 8‑0 record before a showdown with Notre Dame in South Bend. Georgia follows at No. 2 after beating Florida, while Utah, Indiana and Alabama round out the top five. Notre Dame sits at No. 11, earning an automatic bid, and Boise State leads the Group of Six at No. 12. The article also outlines a projected 12‑team playoff field, noting the possible shift to a 24‑team format in 2027.
Cole Cubelic raves about Austin Simmons after performance vs. Arkansas
On SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic praised Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons after his standout performance versus Arkansas, noting his accuracy, arm strength and ball placement. The former Ole Miss starter, who transferred this offseason, has seamlessly led the Tigers’ explosive offense and complemented a top‑ranked rushing duo of Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts. Cubelic predicts that a big game against Texas in Week 10 could finally earn Simmons the recognition he deserves as the SEC playoff race heats up.
College GameDay boasts near all-time high ratings in Week 9
College GameDay drew near‑record viewership during Week 9, averaging 2.5 million viewers and peaking at 3.2 million for its final hour—its second‑highest‑rated Week 9 episode ever. ESPN reports a 4% year‑over‑year rise in overall ratings. The broadcast took place in Bloomington for the Hoosiers’ 23‑16 win over Minnesota, marking Indiana’s third GameDay visit (previously 2024 and 2017). Next week the crew heads to South Bend for No. 4 Notre Dame vs. No. 1 Miami, tying Indiana’s host count with Florida and Tennessee for sixth‑most trips.
David Pollack lays out South Carolina’s College Football Playoff path
College Football Playoff analyst David Pollack says South Carolina can still reach the CFP if it “runs the table.” After falling to 2-3, the Gamecocks have rallied under Shane Beamer, highlighted by a dominant win over Oklahoma and strong play from quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Their schedule features a crucial home matchup against Georgia and the next game against a struggling Texas A&M on Nov. 3 at 3 p.m. ET. Pollack warns that parity and weekly upsets keep a three‑loss team’s CFP hopes alive, putting the Gamecocks on the fringe of a big November run.
Brian Kelly comments on Florida State head coaching vacancy
Brian Kelly signals interest in the vacant Florida State head‑coaching job, stating it would be “an honor” to return to a program where he has history. The Seminoles, who fired Mike Norvell after a 10‑22 stretch post‑2023 CFP miss, are the ACC’s most high‑profile opening. Kelly, fresh off a 29‑10 record in his first three seasons at LSU and seven double‑digit win campaigns at Notre Dame, sees the ACC as a more navigable path to the College Football Playoff. Florida State faces Boston College in Week 10.
Mizzou AD releases statement after Illini cancel series, replace Tigers with Notre Dame
Missouri athletic director Laird Veatch voices disappointment after Illinois pulls the plug on a home‑and‑home football series slated for 2027‑28, opting instead to face Notre Dame. The cancellation leaves Mizzou scrambling for a Power 4 opponent to satisfy the new 10‑game requirement introduced with the 24‑team playoff in 2027‑28, forcing the Tigers to reconsider games against Illinois State, San Diego State, or Florida Atlantic. Purdue, originally slated to meet Notre Dame, quickly fills its schedule with West Virginia.
Kentucky announces ‘ice cold’ uniform combo vs. Tennessee
Kentucky unveils an all‑white ‘ice‑cold’ uniform—white jersey, pants and metallic helmet—against Tennessee’s all‑black ‘Dark Mode’ gear for their SEC showdown on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. ET. The clash carries big playoff implications: Kentucky (7‑1, 5‑1 SEC) holds a 52.1% FPI chance to reach the College Football Playoff, while Tennessee (6‑2, 3‑2 SEC) sits at 21.1%. Both teams eye CFP spots, with Tennessee needing wins over Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and LSU, and Kentucky looking to stay atop the standings with a win in Knoxville. The game streams on ESPN.
Eli Drinkwitz discusses plan for Ahmad Hardy after return against Arkansas
Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz outlines the next phase of star running back Ahmad Hardy’s comeback after his limited two‑carry, five‑yard showing in the Tigers’ 34‑10 win over Arkansas. Hardy, returning from an offseason gunshot wound, will have his role defined without disrupting Jamal Roberts, who posted 138 yards and a TD against the Razorbacks. Drinkwitz hints at a rotating backfield heading into the Texas game, the first of three top‑10 matchups that could keep Mizzou’s CFP hopes alive. Missouri (6‑2, 3‑2 SEC) now eyes Texas, Georgia and Kentucky to secure a playoff bid.
Brian Kelly shares his top 12 teams ahead of initial CFP top 25
Former LSU and Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly reveals his personal Top 12 college football teams ahead of the CFP committee’s first poll. He crowns Miami (FL) as No. 1, places Georgia at No. 2 and Utah third, while ranking UCLA seventh behind two‑loss Ole Miss. Kelly includes five SEC schools (including Ole Miss, LSU, Texas, Kentucky and Indiana is omitted) and three Big 12 teams (Utah, BYU, Texas Tech), with Ohio State as his sole Big Ten pick. The official CFP Top 25 drops tonight at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
LaNorris Sellers collects multiple National Player of the Week honors
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers rockets back to elite form, earning three national Player of the Week awards after a spectacular Week 9 performance. He threw for 301 yards, ran for 96 yards and accounted for five touchdowns in South Carolina’s 42‑25 victory at Oklahoma, snagging Walter Camp, AP and Maxwell Football Club honors. Over his last four games Sellers is 80‑127 for 1,016 passing yards, 10 TDs, three picks and adds 359 rushing yards with five scores, boosting the Gamecocks to 5‑3 (3‑3 SEC) and reviving his NFL Draft stock. The team now eyes wins over Texas A&M, Arkansas, Georgia and Clemson for a possible CFP splash.
Brent Venables shares what he’s looking for in next Oklahoma OC
After parting ways with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, Oklahoma relies on tight ends coach Jason Witten to call plays while head coach Brent Venables outlines his blueprint for the next OC. Venables insists the new hire must prioritize touchdown production, explosiveness, balance and efficiency—running when needed, passing when needed, and driving the nation’s top turnover margin. The Sooners currently rank near the bottom in SEC yards (336.9) and points (22.0) and look to spark the offense in Saturday’s game against Florida in Gainesville. Venables’ clear criteria set the stage for a strategic overhaul.
Predicting every SEC team’s final record after Week 9
Saturday Down South projects the SEC regular‑season outcomes after Week 9. Georgia, riding a 7‑1 start, is slated for an 11‑1 finish despite three straight ranked matchups. Alabama (6‑2) can reach 10‑2 with a win at LSU, but a loss likely ends its CFP hopes. Kentucky (7‑1) eyes a 9‑3 finish unless it beats Tennessee, which could push it toward 11‑1. LSU, also 6‑2, is predicted to finish 9‑3, while Florida (5‑3) settles at 8‑4 after a Georgia loss. Auburn, Mississippi State and Arkansas are expected to land around .500, and Oklahoma is headed for a 5‑7 bowl‑miss. The preview maps each team’s path to the postseason.
Eli Drinkwitz shoots down FSU rumors: ‘I’m not a candidate at Florida State’
Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz dismisses speculation that he’s eyeing the Florida State job, insisting his focus is on the Tigers’ upcoming game against Texas. Drinkwitz, who has led Mizzou to two 10‑win seasons and six straight bowl appearances, says he’s “not a candidate at Florida State” and wants to eliminate distractions. Missouri (6‑2, 3‑2 SEC) sits with a 9.3% CFP chance per ESPN’s FPI and faces Texas, Georgia and Kentucky in the next three weeks. The press conference underscores his commitment to Missouri’s season.
Lane Kiffin says it’s ‘sad’ that LSU won’t play Alabama in 2027 regular season
Lane Kiffan warns that the SEC’s 2027 scheduling overhaul—eliminating the annual Alabama‑LSU clash—marks a "sad" shift driven by TV money and realignments. The rivalry, often a de‑facto College Football Playoff showdown, has seen LSU’s coach still 0‑5 against the Crimson Tide, though his squad enters Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. ET game as the first LSU team favored to win. Kiffan laments the loss of traditional matchups as the conference prioritizes contracts over rivalry heritage.
CBS Sports analyst shares his ‘eye-test rankings’ ahead of CFP top 25 reveal
CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford unveils his personal “eye‑test” top‑10 ahead of Tuesday’s first CFP rankings. Crawford crowns Miami as No. 1, slots Notre Dame at No. 3, and lists five SEC schools—Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, LSU and Alabama—among his favorites. He declares the Big Ten’s four‑peat chase over and names USC as the league’s biggest CFP threat, while asserting only two non‑SEC teams can win it all. UCLA is the lone Big Ten representative, with Utah and BYU rounding out the Big 12 presence. With three matchups between his listed teams in Week 10, the rankings are set to shift quickly.
Florida State star wide receiver to miss remainder of 2026 season, per report
Florida State will be without star wide receiver Duve Robinson for the rest of the 2026 season after he tore his ACL in the loss to Clemson. Robinson, who leads the Seminoles with 483 receiving yards and four touchdowns in eight games, had transferred from USC in 2025 and was the team’s top target last year with 1,081 yards. His injury comes as the Noles prepare to face Boston College, their first game without head coach Mike Norvell since 2020. Unless he receives an NCAA waiver, Robinson’s college career likely ends with this injury.
CFB insider: ‘Continued momentum’ toward NC State hiring Philip Rivers as next head coach
College football’s coaching carousel heats up as NC State, fresh off firing Dave Doeren, intensifies talks with former Wolfpack star Philip Rivers for its head‑coach vacancy. CBS Sports insider Matt Zenitz reports “continued momentum” and upcoming communication between the two sides. Rivers, NC State’s all‑time leading passer (13,484 yards, 95 TDs) and former ACC Player of the Year, brings eight NFL Pro Bowl selections but only high‑school coaching experience. The hire would be a bold, risk‑laden gamble for the program.
Marcus Spears gets emotional watching son Marcus Spears Jr. arrive for 1st Texas basketball game
The Texas Longhorns opened their 2026-27 season with a 109-59 rout of Chicago State, highlighted by five‑star freshman Marcus Spears Jr. scoring 11 points, pulling down five rebounds and blocking four shots off the bench. The son of former LSU/NFL defensive lineman Marcus Spears, Spears Jr. — the No. 8 overall recruit and No. 2 power forward in the class — entered the arena amid an emotional moment captured by ESPN as his dad watched him walk through the Moody Center tunnel. The debut marks the start of a promising Texas career for the 6‑foot‑9 rookie, following his sister Macaria’s volleyball path under coach Sean Miller.
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