Week 8 of the college football season erupts with four top‑11 AP teams losing, deepening the playoff scramble. Black Shoe Diaries’ bracketology now lists Miami, Georgia, Ohio State and Utah as the P4 champions, with Boise State leading the G6 race. At‑large contenders include Indiana, Notre Dame, UCLA, BYU, Kentucky, Alabama and Texas, while teams like Ole Miss and LSU hover on the outside. Notable shifts: James Madison slips in the G6 race after a loss; Kentucky climbs three spots after beating Vanderbilt; BYU’s 39‑31 defeat at UCF hurts its margin, though its win over Notre Dame remains crucial. The Big Ten sits in chaos, and Wake Forest quietly emerges as a potential at‑large.
ESPN’s College GameDay will broadcast from Bloomington, Indiana on Saturday, October 26, 2026, for the matchup between the defending national champion Hoosiers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. It’s the third GameDay visit to Bloomington and the first since Indiana’s 2025 title run. Despite the Gophers being 20‑point underdogs and the game airing on CBS at 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN chooses the site to honor Indiana’s historic season, marking the second Big Ten stop this year after Ohio State‑Iowa and the third straight week away from an SEC venue.
Michigan drops two spots in ESPN's FPI rankings, slipping to 34th nationally with an Index score of 11.1 after a 24‑October loss to No. 6 Indiana. Despite a strong defensive showing, the offense faltered, leaving the Wolverines facing a tough road ahead against No. 1 Ohio State, No. 11 Oregon and No. 31 UCLA. The FPI projects Michigan to finish with 6.5 wins and a mere 0.2% chance of reaching the College Football Playoff, underscoring the season’s uncertainty.
Ohio State takes a bye, but college football erupts. Cole and Joey reveal their midseason Buckeye awards—including MVP, offensive and defensive players of the year—sparking debate. The week’s chaos sees No. 2 BYU lose to UCF in double OT, No. 8 Texas Tech fall at Cincinnati, and Wisconsin rout No. 16 USC, Ohio State’s next foe. Iowa and Tennessee drop on walk‑off kicks, while No. 6 Utah and No. 4 Indiana survive. Heisman odds keep Jeremiah Smith (+120) on top, but Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney close in for the top three. In the Big Ten, Ohio State and UCLA remain unbeaten, and the hosts share their CFP Top 10, differing on the No. 1 pick.
Week 8 of the Big Ten delivered low‑scoring defensive battles, highlighted by Illinois upsetting No. 2 Oregon 21‑10 and Indiana edging Michigan State 13‑6 in OT. UCLA, now unbeaten at 7‑0, beat Michigan State 28‑10 despite using a backup quarterback, while Ohio State rests on a bye. Northwestern cruised past Rutgers 42‑14, and Wisconsin shut out USC 24‑7. Minnesota claimed all three rivalry trophies with a 13‑10 win over Iowa, and Purdue hopes to rebound after a bye. The rankings shuffle shows UCLA climbing, Oregon falling out of the poll, and the league’s top teams preparing for crucial matchups against USC, Indiana, and Ohio State.
Georgia climbs to #3 in the AP Poll despite a bye week, setting up a #3 vs. #17 showdown with Florida in the upcoming ‘Cocktail Party.’ The week’s rankings also introduce #25 Wisconsin while dropping #15 Iowa. Notable matchups include #22 Arizona at #13 Texas Tech, and Oregon, still favorite despite firing its OC, faces Northwestern in a potential upset. The poll list highlights powerhouses like Miami, Ohio State, and Alabama, giving fans a quick snapshot of week‑9 college football stakes.
Ohio State jumps to No. 2 in both the AP and Coaches polls after a wild weekend that sees three Big Ten teams crack the top 10. Indiana sits at No. 4, UCLA at No. 7, while Northwestern, Iowa, USC and Wisconsin also remain in the rankings. The latest poll shift follows a heated USC‑Wisconsin matchup at Camp Randall, where coach Lincoln Riley argued with an official. Penn State’s next test arrives on Halloween at 4:15 p.m. against Purdue on BTN.
Class of 2027 three-star running back Jordan Hall has committed to Penn State, On3’s Hayes Fawcett reported Saturday evening. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native chose the Nittany Lions over Ohio State and Missouri, giving head coach Matt Campbell another promising addition to his recruiting class. Hall previously pledged to Miami (Ohio) after receiving an offer from […]
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Indiana’s Hoosiers head to Ann Arbor on Saturday for a showdown at Michigan’s Big House after a 19‑15 loss to Ohio State. The preview highlights three bold predictions: veteran WR Nick Marsh will spark a comeback against his home‑state opponent, the Hoosiers will revive a sputtering rushing attack that has averaged under 3 yards per carry this season, and defensive back Bryant Haines will pressure Michigan’s rookie quarterback Tommy Carr into costly mistakes. Success in these areas could keep Indiana’s season alive and prevent a second straight defeat.
Ohio State remains a playoff contender despite losing starting quarterback Julian Sayin to injury. Sayin, a recent Heisman finalist, left the game against Indiana after throwing for 1,800 yards, 17 touchdowns and a 71% completion rate. Coach Ryan Day now leans on freshmen Luke Fahey—who saw limited action but will start versus USC—and sophomore Tavien St. Clair. Regardless of who takes snaps, the Buckeyes' offense hinges on star receiver Jeremiah Smith, who leads the nation in receptions (52) and ranks second in yards (984) and touchdowns (12). With a bye week to prep, Ohio State aims to keep Smith involved and secure a CFP spot.
Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker discusses the Hoosiers' recent loss to Ohio State and looks ahead to the upcoming road game at Michigan's Big House. In the interview he talks about facing Michigan's defense, his growing role in Indiana’s offense, and a post‑game chat with Ohio State coach Ryan Day. The piece includes a full video of Becker’s press conference ahead of the October 21 matchup.
Week 7’s chaotic college football roundup highlights three potential picks for Washington’s Commanders. Senior QB Ashton Daniels (Florida State) throws a pro‑level 298 yards, four TDs and one pick in an OT loss to Miami, offering size (6’2”, 225 lb) and NFL‑worthy accuracy but needs better decision‑making. RB DeSean Bishop (Tennessee) powers 159 yards and two scores on 32 carries against Alabama, excelling at tough, tackle‑beating yards despite modest speed. WR Amare Thomas (Houston) posts 127 yards and two TDs versus Oklahoma State, showcasing quick‑twitch route running, strong hands and post‑catch balance. Each could fill the Commanders’ depth needs after McLaurin’s injury.
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti warns his Hoosiers that they’re heading “into the fire” as they prepare for a showdown with Michigan on Oct. 24. After a 19-15 loss to No. 4 Ohio State—marred by two early‑third‑quarter fumbles and missed field goals by kicker Nico Radicic—Cignetti stresses ball security and a stronger ground game. quarterback Josh Hoover posted 296 yards but also a costly fumble. Michigan, fresh off a 21-18 win over Penn State, boasts a fast, tenacious defense and a quarterback dilemma between Bryce Underwood and true freshman Tommy Carr. The Hoosiders, now 6‑1, aim to tighten up mistakes and protect the ball to stay competitive in Ann Arbor.
Urban Meyer warns Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian that a third consecutive loss could put his job in the same jeopardy as Ohio State’s Ryan Day, calling the upcoming game the "Rubicon" for Sarkisian. After the Longhorns fell to Oklahoma 27-24 and then to Florida 27-24, critics question the hefty $24.4 million payroll and NIL‑funded transfers. Meyer also doubts Ohio State’s quarterback choices, noting Julian Sayin’s injury and the possible promotion of freshman Luke Fahey. With Texas now 4‑3 overall and 1‑3 in the SEC, a loss to the SEC’s Florida Gators could trigger calls for Sarkisian’s $36‑50 million buyout and end their playoff hopes.
Week 7 delivers unprecedented SEC upheaval as five of the nation’s top‑seven teams lose on a single Saturday, a first in AP Poll history. Tennessee stuns Alabama 26‑10, while Auburn edges Georgia 27‑24 after a late‑game turnover and a disputed roughing‑the‑passer call. BYU survives a contentious finish to beat Notre Dame 28‑24 amid a non‑called pass‑interference play. Florida rallies past Texas 27‑24, and Ohio State edges Indiana 19‑15 in a gritty Big Ten clash. The roundup highlights chaotic outcomes, questionable officiating, and key injuries, including a possible concussion to Keelon Russell and Julian Sayin’s arm trouble.
Joel Klatt was on the call for Indiana and Ohio State, but the end of the BYU-Notre Dame game had him angry when breaking down the week.
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Indiana took a loss on Saturday, falling to Ohio State 19-15. This upcoming week, they will visit Michigan, which is coming off a win over Penn State. In the victory, Michigan benched quarterback Bryce Underwood, replacing him with Tommy Carr. Michigan is not naming a starting quarterback for Saturday, but that does not matter to […]
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Week 7 sees Ohio State leap to No. 1 in the Big Ten Power Rankings after a gritty 19‑15 win over Indiana, despite missing quarterback Julian Sayin. Indiana remains second after a narrow loss, while Northwestern moves to #6 thanks to a buzzer‑beating comeback versus Michigan State. UCLA climbs to #3, unbeaten at 6‑0, and Iowa holds steady at #4. Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska slip amid recent defeats, and the rest of the conference falls below the top ten. The poll reflects Ohio State’s resilient defense and the volatile nature of non‑Big Ten matchups this season.
Lane Kiffin is backing a 24-team College Football Playoff, but the Big Ten could pay a brutal price. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that a deal for the 2027 expansion is nearing completion, pending final approval. And Dan Wetzel believes the fallout could hit the conference where it hurts most, with Ohio State and Michigan potentially […]
The post Lane Kiffin Makes Stance Clear on 24-Team CFP as Ohio State, Michigan Could be Forced to Leave Big Ten: Report appeared first on EssentiallySports .
The College Football Playoff race watched Ohio State football strengthen its chances Saturday, especially in a tight Big Ten Conference race. But one insider brought up a bold idea moving forward involving OSU, Michigan and Penn State. It involves going the independent route before the postseason field increases to 24 teams. College football insider and […]
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BYU catapults from No. 8 to No. 2 in the AP poll after a landmark 27‑17 victory over No. 4 Notre Dame, marking the Cougars' highest ranking since their 1984 No. 1 finish. Miami leads the poll with 40 first‑place votes, while Ohio State sits at No. 3. BYU joins four other Big 12 teams in the top 25, including Texas Tech (8) and Utah (10). The Cougars now travel two time zones to face UCF on Saturday at 3:30 ET on FOX, aiming to avoid a letdown loss.
Week 7 of college football erupts in upsets as No. 1 Georgia falls to Auburn after two interceptions and a costly roughing‑the‑passer penalty, while Alabama suffers its first back‑to‑back loss since 2007, dropping to Tennessee where DeSean Bishop rushes for 159 yards and two TDs. Notre Dame is knocked out by BYU and Florida surprises Texas with backup QB Tramell Jones Jr. delivering a stellar performance. Ohio State barely escapes Indiana for a pivotal Big Ten win. The shockwaves shake national championship hopes, opening the SEC and CFP races to several contenders.
A whirlwind weekend reshapes college football rankings, keeping seven Big Ten programs in the AP and Coaches polls. Ohio State lands at No. 2 in the Coaches poll and No. 3 in AP, while Indiana holds No. 6 despite a close loss to Ohio State. UCLA sits at No. 9 (AP) and No. 10 (Coaches), Iowa at No. 14/15, USC at No. 15/16, Northwestern at No. 23/24, and Oregon at No. 25 in the Coaches poll. Meanwhile, Penn State enjoys a bye before its Halloween matchup with Purdue.
The 2026 college football scores and results roundup covers matchups across the country, including Auburn's 27-24 victory over Georgia and Ohio State's 19-15 win against Indiana.
A 24-team College Football Playoff is all but confirmed, and while it’s already attracting critics for all the obvious concerns, there will undoubtedly be plenty of unintended consequences, too. Dan Wetzel of ESPN has a prediction on one of them. The Big Ten and the SEC have been the driving forces behind the College Football…