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SEC QB Power Rankings, Week 11
Saturday Down South releases its Week 11 SEC quarterback power rankings, noting the toughest slate yet and a significant shuffle in the top five. The article details the drop of Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed to 16th after a 17‑9 loss to South Carolina, where he finished 25‑43 for 251 yards with no touchdowns. Mississippi State’s AJ Swann slips to 15th despite a 254‑yard, two‑TD effort marred by a costly interception. Arkansas’s KJ Jackson falls to 14th after a sub‑50% performance that helped Auburn rally. Florida’s Tramell Jones Jr. plummets to 12th after a 10‑for‑22 outing in a 23‑7 loss, leaving Coach Jon Sumrall undecided on his Week 11 starter. The rankings highlight a volatile middle tier and a looming battle for the conference’s elite QBs.
Hunter Yurachek explains why Alabama outranks Tennessee in latest CFP top 25
College Football Playoff Week 11 rankings place Alabama at No. 3 and Tennessee at No. 8 despite the Volunteers' head‑to‑head win in October. Both teams are 7‑2 and beat No. 10 Kentucky, but Alabama’s stronger résumé—wins over LSU and Mississippi State and a tougher schedule—kept it in the committee’s “first pool.” CFP Chair Hunter Yurachek explained to Rece Davis that Tennessee’s three quality wins don’t outweigh Alabama’s overall schedule strength. With three games left, Tennessee heads to Texas A&M while Alabama travels to Vanderbilt.
College football fans, media react to Indiana’s big drop in CFP rankings
Indiana fell from No. 4 to No. 9 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings despite a 23‑16 win over Minnesota and a week off before facing USC. The five‑spot drop on a bye week sparks outrage on Twitter, with fans and analysts questioning the committee’s logic and comparing the move to other teams’ smaller shifts. Critics cite the Hoosiers’ idle week and recent comments from coach Curt Cignetti, while the article notes Indiana’s upcoming games at Washington and Purdue as potential motivation.
College Football Playoff rankings, Nov. 10: Georgia takes No. 1 spot from Miami
The College Football Playoff committee lifts Georgia to the No. 1 spot after its dominant win over Ole Miss, overtaking Miami. Utah remains No. 2, with Alabama at No. 3 after a second‑straight victory over LSU. The Top 25 features nine SEC teams, and five—Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee and Kentucky—are projected to make the playoff if the season ended today. Projected playoff field includes automatic bids for Georgia, Utah, Miami, Indiana, Notre Dame and Boise State, plus at‑large spots for Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, UCLA and BYU.
Arion Carter brings in trio of awards after massive performance vs. Kentucky
Senior linebacker Arion Carter dominated the Vols’ 34-6 win over Kentucky on Nov. 10, tallying 13 tackles, a career‑best four tackles for loss and two sacks. His play earned him three national honors—Walter Camp Football Foundation National Defensive Player of the Week, Bednarik Award Defensive Player of the Week, and Nagurski Trophy Defensive Player of the Week. Carter also sits on the semifinal lists for the Butkus Award and the William V. Campbell Trophy as Tennessee looks to finish the regular season with a three‑game winning streak and a CFP at‑large bid.
Florida outlasts Florida State behind Thomas Haugh’s 21-point double-double
Thomas Haugh powers the Florida Gators to a 81-72 win over rival Florida State, keeping the Gators unbeaten at 3-0 to start the 2026-27 season. The SEC Preseason Player of the Year logged his second straight double‑double with 21 points (4‑of‑8 shooting, 3‑for‑6 from three) and 10 rebounds, while Florida out‑rebounded the Seminoles 41‑29. Florida State’s transfer Sebastian Rancik led his team with 23 points, but Florida guards Boogie Fland (14) and Urban Klavzar (10) also hit double figures. The Gators now turn their attention to Merrimack on Nov. 13.
Joel Klatt explains why he thinks ‘the national championship…goes through Georgia’
FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt declares Georgia the definitive contender for this season’s College Football Playoff title. Citing the Bulldogs’ 42‑7 rout of Ole Miss in Week 11—where they amassed 481 total yards, including 300 on the ground—Klatt highlights Georgia’s dominant defense and powerful rushing attack, featuring Nate Frazier’s 107 yards and the combined 108 yards from Dwight Phillips Jr. and Bo Walker. He predicts a No. 1 CFP ranking after Miami’s loss to Notre Dame and stresses that any team aiming for the national championship must first beat Georgia, which hosts Mizzou, then travels to South Carolina before its finale against Georgia Tech.
Ole Miss receives 2029 commitment from elite in-state wide receiver
Ole Miss has secured a 2029 commitment from elite in‑state wide receiver Matthew Fletcher, a Clinton, Miss., product who already fielded 15 offers, including five from SEC schools. The Rebels, still scouting 2028 and 2029 talent, added Fletcher after extending an offer in February. He joins safety Jordan Husband, who verbally committed earlier this month. Coach Pete Golding’s 2027 class is currently ranked No. 13 nationally, highlighted by defensive lineman Mitchell Turner, the nation’s No. 49 recruit. The addition of Fletcher bolsters Ole Miss’s long‑term recruiting pipeline.
CBS Sports analysts predict winner of key LSU-Texas Week 11 matchup
CBS Sports analysts largely back LSU to beat Texas in the Week 11 showdown at Tiger Stadium. After a narrow loss to Alabama despite outgaining the Crimson Tide, LSU hopes to capitalize on a strong passing game from Sam Leavitt. Texas, coming off three straight wins, faces criticism for its 27 sacks allowed and a low rushing average (128 yards per game, 14th in the SEC). Brian Kelly, Aaron Taylor and Brian Jones all favor LSU, citing Texas’s protection and rushing woes, while only Rick Neuheisel backs the Longhorns. A LSU win would keep the Tigers alive, while a Texas victory could secure a CFP at‑large spot.
Eli Drinkwitz addresses conference championship games ending with Playoff expansion
Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz says the 2027 College Football Playoff expansion to 24 teams could spell the end of conference championship games, including the SEC’s long‑standing title clash in Atlanta. He questioned whether conferences will remain relevant if teams only chase a spot in a larger playoff, noting the travel and scheduling implications. Drinkwitz voiced his unique perspective during a Tuesday press conference ahead of Mizzou’s Saturday game against Georgia at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Joe Lunardi has 12 SEC men’s teams making NCAA Tournament in first in-season bracketology
ESPN’s bracketology guru Joe Lunardi predicts 12 SEC men’s teams will earn spots in the 76‑team NCAA Tournament in his first in‑season update. Only South Carolina and Mississippi State miss the cut, while Oklahoma and Ole Miss sit as the First Four and Next Four outs. Lunardi assigns seeds ranging from a No. 1 seed for Florida (East) to No. 11 seeds for Georgia and LSU, outlining each SEC squad’s projected region. The outlook suggests another strong SEC showing as the season unfolds.
Tennessee suffers 2027 decommitment from Georgia defensive back
Tennessee’s No. 25 ranked 2027 recruiting class loses Georgia defensive back Dylan Haley, who decommitted on Nov. 10 after a June official visit. Haley, a 4‑star, No. 61 player in Georgia, cited family and faith in an X post and will reopen his recruitment, leaving the Vols with 18 pledges. He still has offers from SEC powers Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, LSU and Ole Miss. Tennessee’s class remains anchored by five‑star running back David Gabriel Georges, the nation’s No. 2 RB and top state recruit.
ESPN places LSU on CFP bubble watch after Week 10 loss
After a 28‑20 defeat to top‑5 Alabama in Week 10, LSU falls onto ESPN analyst Heather Dinich’s College Football Playoff bubble watch for the first time this season. Despite outgaining the Tide by almost 200 yards, the Tigers’ loss drops them to 3‑3 and gives them no margin for error. Dinich notes LSU still has a 50% chance in each of its remaining games—Texas, Tennessee, and Arkansas—and ranks No. 5 in overall efficiency with the ninth‑toughest schedule left. A win over Texas and subsequent victories are now essential for any CFP hopes.
CBS Sports analyst predicts CFP top 12 ahead of Tuesday reveal
CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford has released his projected CFP top‑12 ahead of the committee’s Tuesday rankings. He crowns Georgia at No. 1, followed by Utah, Indiana and Notre Dame, with Alabama holding steady at No. 5. The forecast places BYU at No. 11, Miami at No. 6, Kentucky and Texas at No. 10 and No. 7, UCLA at No. 8, Tennessee at No. 9, and Boise State as the lone Group of 6 team at No. 12. With Miami’s recent 31‑24 loss to Notre Dame shaking the standings, the true rankings could still surprise.
Jimbo Fisher reportedly pushing hard for FSU job, talking to potential assistants
After a 36-24 defeat to Clemson on Halloween weekend, Florida State fired Mike Norvell, opening the Seminoles' head‑coach slot for the first time since 2019. Insider John Brice reports that former FSU boss Jimbo Fisher is aggressively pursuing the job, even contacting potential assistants to build a staff. Fisher, who led FSU to an undefeated national championship in 2013 before leaving for Texas A&M in 2017, has spent recent years as an ESPN analyst. The report suggests he wants to return to Tallahassee and is “pushing hard” to reclaim the helm.
SEC team identified as needing to add Power 4 opponent to 2027 schedule under new CFP guidelines
The 2027 College Football Playoff overhaul will require Power 4 teams to face at least 10 Power 4 opponents. While most SEC schools already meet this mark, CBS analyst Robby Kalland flags Missouri as the lone exception. The Tigers’ 2026 schedule lists Illinois State, San Diego State and FAU as non‑Power 4 games, meaning they must drop one and add a Power 4 foe—potentially Indiana, Oregon, USC, Texas Tech, Nebraska or TCU—to stay playoff‑eligible. Missouri’s scheduling dilemma highlights the broader ripple effects of the new CFP rules.
Florida cancels home-and-home series with Notre Dame, per report
The Florida Gators have officially canceled their upcoming home‑and‑home series with Notre Dame, a deal originally set in 2021 for games in 2031 and 2032. The Gators invoked a contract clause to exit without penalty, ending what would have been only their second meeting since the 1992 Sugar Bowl. With the SEC now mandating nine conference games and Florida already locked into an annual Florida State matchup, the school says the Notre Dame slate no longer fits its schedule.
Kirk Cousins traded to NFL playoff contender, per report
The Vikings trade their 2027 third‑round pick to the Raiders for quarterback Kirk Cousins, sending the veteran back to Minnesota ahead of the playoffs. Cousins reunites with star receiver Justin Jefferson and head coach Kevin O’Connell after Carson Wentz’s poor performance. Minnesota, sitting 6‑2 in a tough NFC North, adds stability after Kyler Murray’s hamstring injury, while Las Vegas flips the pick to acquire first‑overall 2026 draftee Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.
Auburn lands 2027 commitment from elite in-state OL
Auburn secures a major boost for its 2027 recruiting class as elite interior offensive lineman Jatori Williams, the No. 5 interior OL and No. 97 overall prospect, commits to the Tigers. The Penix City, Alabama native reopened his recruitment after initially signing with Miami and visited Alabama and Florida State before choosing Auburn, citing the family-like coaching staff. His addition brings Auburn’s 2027 class to 23 commitments, ranking No. 11 nationally and No. 6 in the SEC, signaling a strong push to rebuild under first‑year head coach Alex Golesh.
Eli Drinkwitz says Mizzou won’t take victim mentality after loss to Texas
After a 31‑28 loss to Texas that featured a controversial fumble by Arch Manning, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz rejects the idea of a victim mindset. He stresses that the Tigers must own their performance, noting they had chances to win despite the officiating debate that even SEC commissioner Greg Sankey addressed. Sitting at 6‑3 (3‑3 SEC), Mizzou still has a CFP‑hopping chance with a showdown against top‑ranked Georgia on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
CBS Sports names SEC Head Coaches of the Week for Week 10
CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz names Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer and Tennessee’s Josh Heupel as SEC Coaches of the Week for Week 10 of the 2026 season. Both 7‑2 teams delivered dominant wins—Alabama crushed LSU 31‑13 in Baton Rouge, sealing a CFP berth, while Tennessee routed Kentucky 34‑6 after feeling snubbed by the CFP rankings. The victories boost the Crimson Tide and Volunteers in the playoff race as they head to road games next week (Alabama vs. Vanderbilt, Tennessee vs. Texas A&M).
Jake Dickert questions need for conferences with elimination of conference championship games
Wake Forest head coach Jake Dickert questions the purpose of college football conferences now that the expanded 24‑team College Football Playoff eliminates conference championship games. In a November 9 interview, Dickert mused, “If we’re not naming conference champions, why do we have conferences?” while acknowledging the move could both help and hurt teams like Wake Forest (8‑1, 5‑1 ACC). He admits personal dislike for the change but sees its strategic implications. The Demon Deacons, ACC’s top CFP hopeful, prepare to face SMU Saturday at noon ET on ESPN.
ESPN experts share post-Week 10 Playoff predictions
After Week 10, ESPN’s 12 College Football Playoff experts largely agree on the SEC’s fate: every bracket (except Kyle Bonagura’s) features Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, with most also including Texas. No analyst picks Kentucky, despite its No. 6 CFP ranking. The consensus places Georgia at the top, followed by Utah, UCLA and Notre Dame, while teams like Indiana, Miami, Texas and Boise State round out the predicted field. The article lists each writer’s full 12‑team ranking, highlighting the narrow variance among the predictions.
ESPN places Ole Miss on CFP bubble watch after Week 10 loss
After a crushing 42-7 home defeat to Georgia, Ole Miss (6-3) falls to sixth in the SEC and lands on ESPN’s College Football Playoff bubble watch. The Allstate Playoff predictor now gives the Rebels a 37.3% chance to make the CFP, but ESPN warns their remaining schedule—Oklahoma, Wofford, Mississippi State—offers little resume‑boosting opportunity. Ole Miss stays the SEC’s first team out thanks to a head‑to‑head win over 3‑loss LSU and a season‑opening victory over No. 24 Louisville. The Rebels face Oklahoma Saturday at 4:15 p.m. ET on SEC Network, holding a 3‑0 all‑time edge over the Sooners.
Former Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar signs with new NFL team, per report
Former Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar, who led the SEC with 274.2 passing yards per game in 2025, signs with the Arizona Cardinals' active roster after a stint on the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad. The move follows Gardner Minshew’s season‑ending UCL tear and the Cardinals' recent trade of Jacoby Brissett. With rookie Carson Beck poised to start against the Rams, the 3‑6 Cardinals, coached by Mike LaFleur, are building for the future despite a slim chance of a late‑season surge. Aguilar’s addition adds depth to a quarterback‑scarce roster.
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