Indiana football notches a second straight overtime win, beating Minnesota 31‑28 to improve to 8‑1. Starting quarterback Josh Hoover exits mid‑game after a hit and multiple interceptions, and backup Grant Wilson steps in. Coach Curt Cignetti confirms Hoover was injured but offers no details, leaving his future role uncertain. The Hoosiers, still reshaping a once‑championship squad, next face USC on Nov. 14 after a bye week.
Illinois Fighting Illini sit at 5-3 with four winnable games left, positioning them for another nine‑win season—the first three‑peat in program history. After a stunning upset of Oregon and a road win at Maryland, the offense is clicking: Aidan Laughery leads the ground game (560 yards, 6.3 avg), Collin Dixon boasts 781 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, and backup backs Jordan Anderson and Javari Barnett add depth. The defense is improving, highlighted by Matthew Bailey’s tackle leadership and a recent surge of forced fumbles and sacks. The final slate includes home vs. Nebraska (75% win odds), away at UCLA, home vs. Iowa, and an away clash with Northwestern, each offering a shot at reaching eight regular‑season wins and a bowl victory for nine total.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud publicly supports UCLA's injured quarterback Nico Iamaleava after the latter announced on Instagram that he will return for the 2027 college season despite a season‑ending leg injury suffered Oct. 11 against Oregon. Iamaleava, a former Tennessee transfer, posted a heartfelt message, and Stroud replied, “Keep going lil bro! Romans 8:28.” The article notes Iamaleava’s 982 yards, four TDs and a 62.1% completion rate in five starts, while the Texans sit 2‑5 heading into a Week 9 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Packers running back Josh Jacobs returns to action after a six‑week exempt list stint, but new physical‑abuse allegations surface. Video of his October 28 arrest—released by the Hobart‑Lawrence Police Department and shared by NBC 26—shows the three‑time Pro Bowler being led to a squad car following a disturbance complaint. Jacobs, who has posted 75 rushing yards, a rushing TD, 68 receiving yards and two receiving TDs in Weeks 7‑8, says he’s remorseful. The NFL’s personal‑conduct investigation remains open, potentially affecting his standing with Green Bay.
Notre Dame's men's basketball team traveled all the way to Rome and to get its first win of the season.
Ohio State’s 30-18 loss to USC on Nov. 1, 2026 exposes deep flaws beyond quarterback Julian Sayin’s injury. Ranked No. 2 heading into the game, the Buckeyes failed to score a touchdown until the final minutes despite out‑gaining USC 464‑338 yards and dominating time of possession. Freshman replacement Luke Fahey threw for 260 yards, but the offense settled for four field goals, while USC’s freshman Trent Mosley and tight end Mark Bowman produced explosive scores. The defeat raises serious questions about Ryan Day’s ability to adapt, the team’s execution, and whether Ohio State can still contend for a national championship before facing Oregon in Columbus.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart explained how he believes the NIL era has impacted the drive of college football players after the No. 3 Bulldogs secured a 27-8 win over No. 17 Florida on Saturday.
Georgia heads to Oxford to take on the Rebels in conference play. Get all the information you need about tickets, parking, stadium policies, and much more with our Gameday Central page.
Michigan rebounds with a 28-21 win over Rutgers but quickly turns its attention to the “dirty” rivalry with Michigan State next Saturday at the Big House. Both teams, led by first‑year head coaches, are struggling—MSU sits 2‑6 while Michigan has under‑performed expectations. Quarterback Tommy Carr, whose grandfather once coached Michigan, emphasizes the game’s significance, and freshman running back Savion Hiter calls it a “dirty game” after past tunnel and on‑field altercations. New Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham, fresh from Utah, downplays the rivalry but acknowledges its importance, setting the stage for a pivotal Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Trophy.
Week 9 of the 2026 Mountain West saw all favorites win and only two of five games decided by a single score, making for a low‑drama slate. Air Force beat UConn 35-26, relying on a dominant ground game—74 rushes for 366 yards and five TDs—while Kemper Hodges posts 200 rushing yards. North Dakota State crushes UTEP 31-7 after an early scare, finishing with a strong defensive showing and a 7‑2 record. Nevada tops San Jose State 28-13, highlighted by a celebratory lock‑arm by Dylan LaBarbera and Tanner Vaughan. The recap notes upcoming matchups for Air Force, UTEP and Hawaii.
The Big 12 has acknowledged a replay error that incorrectly awarded BYU a touchdown in its 27‑20 win over Arizona State. A fumble by quarterback Bear Bachmeier was recovered by Sione Moa, but the replay ruling should have marked the ball dead, placing the ball at the 2‑yard line instead of a TD. This marks the third straight BYU game marred by officiating mistakes, following disputed calls against Notre Dame and UCF. The Cougars now head into the Holy War against Utah on Nov. 7 with the controversy still fresh.
Freshman WR R.J. Mosley (No. 2) is carted off with a left‑leg injury during Arizona’s Oct. 31 loss to Texas Tech. The 6‑foot‑3, 197‑lb recruit limped after a third‑and‑18 play, where a short pass from QB Noah Fifita turned into an eight‑yard gain before Texas Tech corner Amier Boyd’s tackle. Mosley received on‑field treatment, a cast was applied and he was taken off on a cart; no diagnosis or timeline has been released. The injury compounds Arizona’s receiver woes after senior Tré Spivey’s season‑ending broken foot, as the Wildcats fell 34‑26, dropping to 6‑2 overall.
Miami remains unbeaten at 8-0 after a 38-35 thriller over North Carolina, but a surprised edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot just learned the next opponent is Notre Dame. Coach Mario Cristobal praised the win despite defensive lapses and warned the Hurricanes must tighten up before the November 7 showdown with a Notre Dame team looking to avoid a second loss. Both squads eye a College Football Playoff berth, making the matchup a pivotal test for Miami’s CFP aspirations.
2026 Week 9 FWAA-NFF Super 16 Rankings
Florida State officials are convening to decide the fate of head coach Mike Norfrey after the Seminoles slipped to 3-5 with a 36-24 home defeat by a 3‑loss Clemson squad. The loss jeopardizes bowl eligibility, requiring three more wins in the final four games. Norfrey’s tenure has seen a steep decline: 2-10 in 2024, 5-7 last season, and a 4-17 ACC record since 2023, despite a 12-0 regular season and ACC title that year. With athletic director Michael Alford dismissed and the AD search ongoing, a “Fire Norvell” banner even flew over the stadium, underscoring the pressure.
Penn State snaps a losing streak with a 31-17 win over Purdue on Oct. 31, 2026, earning its first conference victory of the season. Freshman running back Cam Wallace leads an explosive ground attack, while the offense, coached by Rocco Becht, clicks despite missing its two top playmakers. Coordinators’ gameplans pay off, and head coach Matt Campbell praises the squad’s effort in a post‑game press conference. The win, highlighted by a first‑quarter TD from Purdue’s Xavier Townsend, restores optimism in Happy Valley.
Before the season began, we ranked the 25 best passers in the country. How have they lived up to the hype so far? Let's hand out some grades.
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule addresses fans after a 17-10 loss to Washington in the Blackout Game, marking the Huskers' third consecutive fourth‑quarter collapse. The defeat drops Nebraska from a 5‑0 start to 5‑3, with the three losses totaling just 13 points. Rhule blamed three turnovers and a missed 36‑yard field goal, reiterating his earlier warning that the team must improve its fourth‑quarter performance. He pledged to refocus before Saturday’s matchup against Illinois. Key moments included a 24‑yard pass to Chris Lawson that set up the go‑ahead touchdown with 1:30 left, and a pick‑six by Alex McLaughlin.
Georgia Tech’s football woes hit a new low as the Yellow Jackets fall 27-11 to Pittsburgh, slipping to a 2-6 record. Despite a promising running back corps and a new defensive coordinator, the team struggles with injuries and historically poor defensive metrics, ranking worst ever in EPA per play and 120th in rush defense. Head coach Brent Key faces a bleak outlook, needing improbable wins over Wake Forest and an unlikely opponent to reach bowl eligibility. The article breaks down the injury impact, defensive breakdowns, and coaching accountability behind the season’s collapse.
Arizona (6-2) heads into a Friday night clash with TCU (4-4) as a 7.5‑point favorite at Casino Del Sol Stadium. The Wildcats, fresh off a 34-26 loss to Texas Tech, sit in a four‑way tie for third in the Big 12 and must win to stay in the championship race. Both teams are 3-5 against the spread, with Arizona 2-2 ATS at home. TCU’s defense leads the conference, allowing just 14.1 points, while its offense averages 23.3 points and is driven by senior QB Jaden Craig’s 2,207 passing yards. The over/under sits at 44.5 points, and the game airs on ESPN at 8:15 p.m. MST.
Rutgers heads to Madison on Nov. 7 as 15.5‑point underdogs against Wisconsin, with the over/under set at 45.5 points (FanDuel). The Scarlet Knights, fresh off a 28‑21 loss to Michigan, hope a return of QB Dylan Lonergan can spark a comeback. Wisconsin, now 5‑3 after a 30‑0 defeat by Iowa, relies on dual‑threat QB Colton Joseph (1,346 passing yards, 11 TDs, 371 rush yards) and a run‑heavy backfield featuring Abu Sama III and Darion Dupree. Their defense, anchored by LB Sebastian Cheeks, has allowed 21+ points only twice and boasts 14 sacks, seven picks and six forced fumbles. Kickoff is 4:15 p.m. EST, live on the Big Ten Network.
Miami stays unbeaten at 8-0 after a 38-35 win over North Carolina, but head coach Mario Cristobal admits the defense was “atrocious,” yielding 407 yards. He praised a timely turnover and stressed the need to fix defensive lapses while acknowledging the team’s resilience in close games. Cristobal warned that the Hurricanes must improve to avoid future tight escapes as they prepare for a showdown with Notre Dame on Nov. 7, a key matchup for College Football Playoff hopes.
The Big 12 announced on Nov. 1 that its replay officials incorrectly awarded BYU a first‑quarter touchdown in the Cougars’ 27‑20 win over Arizona State. On a second‑and‑goal play, quarterback Bear Bachmeier fumbling near the goal line was ruled down, but replay showed the ball was out before forward progress stopped, leading to a misapplied Rule 12‑3‑3‑d‑2 that gave Sione Moa a touchdown. The conference says the correct call should have been a third‑and‑goal from the 2‑yard line, meaning the points technically stood in a game Arizona State lost by exactly seven. The admission follows previous officiating errors involving BYU, highlighting a pattern of contested calls in the conference.
The Gamecocks stun the Oklahoma Sooners 42-25 at Norman, marking their third straight SEC win after a 2-3 start. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers throws for 301 yards and three TDs while running for 96 yards, propelling South Carolina to 521 total yards despite three turnovers. Coach Shane Beamer lauds the back‑to‑back road victories, saying no other SEC team has achieved consecutive big wins following a major upset. The win improves the Gamecocks to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in conference play, bolstering their standing in the SEC.
Ohio State fell 30-18 to USC on Oct. 31, sparking frustration over every phase of the game. New starter quarterback Luke Fahey, thrust into the spotlight after Julian Sayin’s injury, struggled under early pressure and a failed two‑point try that forced an onside kick. Coach Ryan Day’s play‑calling and post‑game comments drew criticism, especially after the Buckeyes racked up 11 penalties for 71 yards. Defensive lapses—poor tackling and the loss of key players like Caleb Downs and Jay Timmons—allowed USC to explode for a 69‑yard touchdown early and dominate the rest of the contest. With the loss, Ohio State now faces a playoff‑binding stretch of four games.