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SEC announces kickoff times, TV info for Week 10
The SEC releases its Week 10 kickoff slate on Oct. 26, 2026, confirming times and TV partners. Prime‑time matchups feature Kentucky vs Tennessee at 6:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and Georgia vs Ole Miss at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC, the latter a potential top‑10 showdown. Other games include Texas at Missouri (Noon, ABC/ESPN), Arkansas at Auburn (12:45 p.m., SEC Network), Texas A&M at South Carolina (3 p.m., ESPN), Alabama at LSU (3:30 p.m., ABC), Vanderbilt at Miss State (4:15 p.m., SEC Network), and Oklahoma at Florida (7:45 p.m., SEC Network). Disney will finalize the Texas‑Mizzou broadcast after Week 9, and College GameDay may head to Oxford for the primetime slot.
CBS Sports names SEC Coach of the Week for Week 8
CBS Sports has named South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer SEC Coach of the Week for Week 8 after his Gamecocks upset No. 11 Tennessee 27‑24, marking their second straight win over a ranked opponent. The honor comes as Beamer rebounds from recent losses to Alabama and Kentucky and works to keep his job amid a challenging SEC schedule. South Carolina (4‑3, 2‑3 SEC) now prepares to face No. 3 Georgia next, with a chance to finish above .500 in conference play during the inaugural nine‑game SEC season.
Sam Leavitt headlines SEC’s Players of the Week for Week 8
LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt silences critics with a 38‑17 road win over Auburn, throwing for 387 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions while adding a rushing TD. His 95.9 QBR earns him the SEC Offensive Player of the Week honor for Week 8. Leavitt improves to 2,163 passing yards and 17 TDs in eight games, breaking his interception streak. The SEC also names co‑defensive players Rasheem Biles (Texas) and Owen Heinecke (Oklahoma), among others, as weekly standouts.
Josh Pate argues that Kentucky deserves to be ranked ahead of Notre Dame
On his Saturday Down South show, analyst Josh Pate argues Kentucky should rank ahead of Notre Dame in the Week 8 AP poll, citing the Wildcats’ superior resume and top position in ESPN’s strength‑of‑record metric. He dismisses neutral‑field win‑probability arguments, claiming a blind resume test would favor Kentucky ten‑to‑one. Kentucky sits alone atop the SEC, is on a bye week, and prepares to travel to Tennessee on Nov. 7, while Notre Dame remains ahead in the poll despite Pate’s criticism.
Kalen DeBoer comments on Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.’s status following suspension
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer confirms defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. is currently not with the program after violating team standards, speaking at the Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club on Oct. 26, 2026. DeBoer said details are still emerging but the breach is serious enough to warrant a suspension, following a similar indefinite ban in 2025. Kirkpatrick, a reserve with 17 tackles in three seasons, missed the Texas A&M game—Alabama won 31‑20—and the Tide are idle in Week 10.
Alabama lands 2027 commitment from in-state OL
After a dramatic Week 8 comeback win over Texas A&M, No. 10 Alabama secures its 16th 2027 class commitment: in‑state center Xavier Endicott. The 6‑foot‑4, 280‑pound 3‑star recruit, ranked 84th in Alabama, visited the campus this weekend and touted his love for the coaches and “standard” in Tuscaloosa. Endicott’s pledge brings the Tide’s 2027 class to No. 34 nationally and No. 14 in the SEC, with early signing day just a month away and more recruits expected.
Cole Cubelic shares takeaways for every SEC team after Week 8
SEC Network analyst Cole Cubedal breaks down each SEC team's Week 8 performances, highlighting Alabama’s 31‑20 comeback over Texas A&M, Tennessee’s 27‑24 upset loss to South Carolina, and South Carolina’s "electric" win. He also praises LSU’s road win at Auburn, Texas’ 34‑27 victory over Ole Miss, and Kentucky’s patient, creative run game. Cubedal’s full social‑media recap includes notes on quarterbacks, offensive line play, and key defensive moments, while a Kalshi poll shows Georgia leading the SEC championship odds at 43%.
SEC head coach expects Arch Manning to return for 2027, transfer to another SEC school, David Pollack reveals
SEC insiders hint that Texas quarterback Arch Manning will leave Austin after a disappointing 2026 season. Former All‑American David Pollack cites an unnamed SEC head coach who expects Manning to transfer to Georgia for the 2027 season, reuniting with coach Kirby Smart, who heavily pursued him out of high school. The speculation follows Manning’s accuracy woes and turnover problems that have raised NFL draft doubts. If true, the move would be a major shake‑up ahead of the Longhorns’ playoff push.
Alabama moves back into top 10 of ESPN’s power rankings after Week 8
Alabama climbs back into ESPN’s top‑10, landing at No. 10 after a 31‑20 win over Texas A&M on Oct. 26. The Crimson Tide erased a fourth‑quarter deficit despite missing key starters like receiver Ryan Coleman‑Williams and center Racin Delgatty, snapping a two‑game losing streak to improve to 6‑2. ESPN’s Alex Scarborough notes the run game faltered with just 68 yards, but the victory buys Alabama a bye week and keeps CFP hopes alive. Coach Kalen DeBoer hopes injured players return for the pivotal LSU showdown on Nov. 7 in Baton Rouge.
Jon Sumrall offers timeline for decision on Florida starting QB against Georgia
Florida’s No. 17 Gators face Georgia’s No. 3 Bulldogs Saturday, and head coach Jon Sumrall still hasn’t named a starter at quarterback. Junior Aaron Philo, who missed Week 7 with a shoulder injury, returns from the bye, while sophomore Tramell Jones Jr., who sparked a comeback win at Texas, also practiced and is available. Sumrall says he’ll decide by mid‑week but won’t make a big announcement. Both QBs must be ready for Georgia’s elite defense in Atlanta.
Joel Klatt shares updated top 10 after Week 8, including 3 SEC teams
After Week 8 chaos rattles the AP Poll—six of the top‑16 lose, including No. 2 BYU’s upset by unranked UCF—Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt releases his updated College Football Top 10 on his podcast. He crowns undefeated Miami (FL) at No. 1, followed by Ohio State, Indiana, Notre Dame, and Georgia. The lower half features UCLA, Utah, Texas, Kentucky and BYU at No. 10. Klatt notes Week 9’s high‑profile matchups could prompt another shuffle, especially with three SEC teams now in his rankings.
SEC teams terrorized by ‘Parity’ in latest SEC Shorts
Saturday Down South reports that SEC Shorts has dropped a new horror‑movie‑style parody titled “Parity: An SEC Horror Story,” riffing on Week 8’s upset‑filled slate. The skit spots teams like Texas A&M—still reeling from a Week 3 loss to Kentucky—as victims of a mysterious killer, while a Saban‑era Alabama cameo warns that the long‑awaited end of the dynasty has delivered chaotic parity. The trailer lampoons recent surprise results and even pokes fun at the expanded College Football Playoff, delivering the usual SEC Shorts blend of humor and timely commentary.
5 college football ideas I’m buying or selling after Week 8
After Week 8, the author discards the notion that 2026 mirrors the chaos of the 2007 season, noting that upsets involving unranked teams are occurring at roughly half the 2007 rate (13% vs 24%). However, losses by No. 1 and No. 2 teams are already at half the historic total. On the buying side, New Mexico’s 21‑16 win over North Dakota State earns a playoff bet, with a 31% Kalshi odds edge over Boise State. Conversely, LSU’s two losses and a brutal stretch against Alabama, Texas and Tennessee lead the author to sell on any CFP hopes. These five narratives help gauge the shifting playoff landscape as the season reaches its midpoint.
College football winners and losers from Week 8
Week 8’s winners and losers recap highlights LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt’s dramatic turnaround, as he throws for 441 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-17 win over Auburn, lifting LSU to 5-2 and keeping CFP hopes alive. Tennessee falls to South Carolina 27-24 after a costly 4th‑down gamble and questionable penalties, dropping the Vols to 6-2 heading into a bye. Utah snaps a Big 12 slump, beating Houston 21-13 behind Devon Dampier’s 150 rushing yards and two scores, remaining the conference’s sole unbeaten team. The column underscores the volatility of college football and the stakes each team faces as the season heads into November.
Bo Bryan, 2027 QB and son of country star Luke Bryan, commits to SEC program
Georgia lands 2027 quarterback prospect Bo Bryan, a 3‑star recruit and son of country star Luke Bryan. The 6‑foot, 195‑pound senior from Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, Tenn., ranks No. 141 nationally and No. 70 in Tennessee. Bryan, a lifelong UGA fan, declared his commitment via a Rivals interview, saying “I bleed red and black, I’m home.” His signing brings Georgia’s 2027 class to 24 players, now ranked No. 9 by 247Sports.
Lane Kiffin accuses Auburn of dangerous tackling tactic on Trey’Dez Green
After LSU’s 38-17 win at Auburn, coach Lane Kiffan alleges the Tigers employed illegal “hip‑drop” tackles on returning tight end Trey’Dez Green. Green, back from a lower‑body injury, posted five catches for 50 yards and a 15‑yard TD, but Kiffan says the dangerous angles scared him, limiting his snap count late in the blowout. The NFL has banned such tackles for safety. LSU eyes a SEC title as it heads into a bye week, with prediction markets giving the Tigers a 13% chance to clinch the conference.
Coaches Poll makes bizarre ranking decisions for Mizzou, Florida after bye week
The latest Coaches Poll, released Sunday after Week 8, shocked SEC fans as both Florida and Missouri (Mizzou) were idle on a bye week yet saw opposite moves. The Gators jumped from No. 24 to No. 20—a four‑spot rise—while the Tigers slipped from No. 21 to No. 23, losing two spots. The AP poll mirrored the trend, lifting Florida to No. 17 and dropping Mizzou to No. 23. Commentators like Calum McAndrew humorously noted the “better bye week” perception. With both teams now eyeing the SEC title, the article also links to current prediction‑market odds for the 2026 championship.
Matthew Stafford becomes only QB to hold all-time TD record with multiple franchises
Matthew Stafford becomes the NFL’s only quarterback to own the all‑time passing‑touchdown record for two teams. He posted 282 TDs with the Detroit Lions (2009‑2020) and added a record‑breaking 155th TD for the Los Angeles Rams in a Week 7 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, cementing his place in league history. The 38‑year‑old also boasts a Super Bowl LVI title, three Pro Bowl selections, and the 2025 MVP award as he pushes the Rams toward an NFC West comeback.
Ole Miss opens as big favorite at home against Auburn in Week 9
Ole Miss hosts Auburn in Week 9 after both teams staggered from Week 8 losses. The Rebels, now 5-2 (3-2 SEC) and fresh off a 34-27 comeback fall to Texas that dropped them from No. 7 to No. 12, enter as 13.5-point favorites on the Circa Sports line (over/under 56). Auburn, 4-3 (2-3 SEC) tries to rebound from a home blowout by LSU following a win at Georgia. The rivalry, historically 35-12 in Auburn's favor, has seen Ole Miss win the last two meetings. Prediction markets show an 82% confidence swing toward the Rebels.
Kentucky leads nation in FPI’s strength-of-record metric after Week 8
Kentucky’s Wildcats surge to a 5-1 SEC record after a 21‑10 win over Vanderbilt, propelling them to No. 9 in the AP Poll—their highest ranking since 2022. The team now leads the nation in ESPN’s FPI strength‑of‑record metric, indicating an elite schedule performance. With four games left against ranked foes (No. 16 Tennessee, No. 17 Florida, No. 23 Mizzou, and Louisville), Kentucky eyes its first SEC Championship berth and a potential inaugural College Football Playoff spot, plus a double‑digit win season for the first time since 2021.
Ahmad Hardy returning to practice ‘this week’, per Eli Drinkwitz
Mizzou star running back Ahmad Hardy will resume practice this week, announced head coach Eli Drinkwitz on Oct. 25, 2026. Hardy, who suffered a gunshot wound to his upper leg in May, is not expected to suit up for the Week 9 clash with Arkansas but is making the first major step toward a full comeback. The former Louisiana‑Monroe transfer rushed for 1,649 yards in 2025, led the SEC, and was a Heisman hope and potential 2027 first‑round NFL pick. In his absence, Jamal Roberts has carried the Tigers with 867 yards, second in the SEC.
ESPN experts update College Football Playoff picks after Week 8
After Week 8, ESPN’s 12‑person panel all name Miami the top seed in a projected 12‑team College Football Playoff. The Hurricanes stay unbeaten with a blowout of Pittsburgh and eye a Nov. 7 clash with Notre Dame, who also appears in every expert’s list. Georgia, Ohio State and Indiana round out the consensus core, while surprise inclusions include Kentucky (unanimous) and Texas (7 of 12). Alabama makes only three ballots despite another loss‑laden season. The article details each expert’s full ranking and shows Kalshi market odds, where Miami leads at 93% followed by Indiana and Georgia at 88% each.
Bijan Robinson matches mark set by Falcons legend with performance vs. 49ers
Bijan Robinson helped the Atlanta Falcons snap a potential second straight loss by beating the 6-0 San Francisco 49ers 29-20 on Oct. 25, 2026. Though his rushing dip to 63 yards on 20 carries (3.2 yd/carry) marks a season low, Robinson’s five receptions for 59 yards push him past the 700‑yard mark (704 yards) in just seven games – a feat not seen since Falcons legend Warrick Dunn in 2005. He now ranks sixth and seventh in franchise history for single‑season rushing totals. The Falcons head to Tampa Bay on Nov. 1 for Week 8.
Texas star suffers season-ending injury, per report
Texas offensive tackle Trevor Goosby suffers a season‑ending knee injury, ending his 2026 campaign after missing most of the win over Ole Miss on Oct. 24. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports the Longhorns lost a top NFL prospect—ranked No. 8 by Field Yates in the 2027 mock draft. With Goosby sidelined, Texas must rely on inexperienced Andre Cojoe, who struggled with a 35.9 PFF pass‑blocking grade against Ole Miss. The Longhorns, already dealing with injuries to Cam Coleman and Hollywood Smothers, now face Mississippi State in Week 9.
Miami remains atop FWAA-Super 16 poll after Week 8; three B1G teams make Top 5
The FWAA‑Super 16 poll after Week 8 keeps Miami at No. 1 following its 52‑23 rout of Pitt, but the Big Ten dominates the Top 5 with Ohio State (2), Georgia (3), and Indiana (4). UCLA jumps to No. 5 after a 28‑10 win over Michigan State, while Utah climbs to No. 7 and BYU falls to No. 8 after an upset loss at UCF. Texas drops to No. 14 after a loss to Cincinnati, and Texas, LSU, and Wake Forest break into the rankings at No. 11, 12, and 15 respectively. The full poll list is provided in the article.
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