Latest blog entries about College Football
College GameDay made its seventh visit to the University of Utah on Saturday, and the No. 10 Utes followed it by beating No. 14 Houston 21-13 to move to 7-0. Two days later, Pat McAfee opened “The Pat McAfee Show” by saying he hopes never to go back, and the university answered him before Monday […] The post University of Utah responds after Pat McAfee says he hopes never to return appeared first on Gridiron Heroics .
Mike Norvell had already called Gary Patterson, the ACC’s supervisor of football officials, by the time he met reporters on Oct. 19 for his first press conference after Florida State’s 43-35 double-overtime loss at Miami. He was still waiting on Patterson’s final review of a holding penalty that wiped out a late touchdown, and of […] The post Florida State HC Mike Norvell addresses ACC feedback with Clemson game looming appeared first on Gridiron Heroics .
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti previewed the upcoming home game against Minnesota after the Hoosiers’ overtime win at Michigan. He said quarterback Josh Hoover should be fully recovered from his arm injury, highlighted transfer defender Tobi Osunsanmi’s 19 solo tackles, nine sacks and leadership, and praised freshman linebacker Jacob Savage for earning early confidence alongside veterans Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy. With four of the last five games decided in the fourth quarter and ESPN’s College Gameday on site, Cignetti emphasized the need for late‑game execution as the team prepares for the Golden Gophers.
Former five‑star recruit and ex‑Buffaloes tight end Sav’ell Smalls, who medically retired last season after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis, publicly called out Colorado fans still defending head coach Deion Sanders amid a five‑game losing streak. Smalls, a 2023 transfer from Washington, posted on X questioning why supporters “kneel” for Sanders despite the Buffs’ 2‑5 record (0‑4 Big 12) and recent 57‑24 loss to Oklahoma State. His critique adds to growing frustration among former players as Colorado, winless in the league since Oct 2025, fights for bowl eligibility.
Purdue (3‑4, 2‑2 Big Ten) heads to State College on Halloween to face winless Penn State (3‑4, 0‑4). Despite the Nittany Lions’ tough slate—Wisconsin, Northwestern, USC and Michigan—the Boilermakers hold a modest edge, with opening odds favoring Purdue by 7.5 points. The 4:15 p.m. kickoff on the Big Ten Network could clash with trick‑or‑treat plans, but the game promises a pivotal conference showdown as Purdue looks to extend its two wins and Penn State seeks its first conference victory.
It has been six months since Michigan cut down the nets, ending one of the biggest chalk-fests in NCAA Tournament […]
College football’s 2026 season is defined by nonstop upsets, leaving only Miami, Utah and UCLA unbeaten as traditional power‑houses tumble. Amid the chaos, Oregon State’s freshman wideout Jesse Legree shines, posting 46 catches for 1,040 yards and 14 touchdowns in seven games despite the Beavers’ drop to the revamped, non‑Power‑4 Pac‑12. Head coach JaMarcus Shephard, earning $1.6 M, faces poaching risks while the program fights for resources. Meanwhile, dwindling stadium attendance sparks concern over the sport’s in‑game experience.
Four of my top seven teams lost this week. One of them still hasn't played anyone, and the other two […]
Clemson’s home struggles bring an uncomfortable comparison to the Tommy West days
Every Tuesday morning throughout the 2026 college football season, we will be grading the performance of the top 20 quarterbacks in the nation, then re-ranking a new top 20 for next week's report card assignment.
The Maize n Brew piece blasts Michigan OC Jason Beck for the Wolverines’ offensive missteps in a 27‑24 loss to Indiana on Oct. 26, 2026. The author argues Beck’s playcalling failed a true‑freshman quarterback and a shaky O‑line, citing confusing formations, lack of "bread‑and‑butter" runs, and an ill‑timed two‑yard‑line third‑down call. While praising Beck’s past success at Utah and earlier Michigan games, the column claims his over‑analysis left the team “aggressively outmatched” against one of college football’s top defenses. The article details specific personnel choices and critiques the absence of a solid run game, suggesting the playcalling was the key factor in the defeat.
Clemson’s defense generated havoc, but its offense sputtered against Virginia Tech, whose possession advantage and late‑game scoring secured the win. Clemson’s pass protection outperformed its run blocking, yet a 42% success rate, 29% third‑down conversion and 33% red‑zone efficiency left the offense in the 19th percentile EPA. Virginia Tech logged 13 tackles for loss, 15 negative plays and held a 4‑minute time‑of‑possession edge, wearing down a fatigued Clemson defense. Both teams posted identical havoc totals (15), but VT’s sustained drives and better rushing efficiency (3.71 YPC) contrasted with Clemson’s neutralized ground game in Q2 and Q4. The data underscores Clemson’s inability to protect the ball and VT’s strategic control of tempo.
State of The U’s ACC Power Rankings for Week 9 highlight Miami (7‑0, 5‑0 ACC) as the top contender, riding a 52‑23 win over Pittsburgh and eyeing a showdown with North Carolina on Halloween night. Wake Forest (6‑1, 4‑1) follows, poised for an at‑large CFP bid and a possible ACC title game, with Virginia next on the schedule. SMU (6‑1, 4‑1) bursts back after a 59‑20 rout of California, aiming to maintain momentum against Syracuse. Virginia Tech (6‑2) stays in the mix despite two close losses, while Duke (5‑2) relies on stout defense after a narrow win at Virginia. The rankings set the stage for a dramatic late‑season ACC battle.
During Michigan State's bye week, fans are invited to step into Coach Fitzgerald's shoes and choose the Spartans' starting quarterback in a weekly survey. The poll follows the Spartans' recent game at the Rose Bowl, where Kayd Coffman #10 helped the team face UCLA on Oct. 24, 2026. Participation requires a TOC account, and sign‑ups grant extra site features and app access.
We don't have any FCS opponents to pick on again this week. We also have to compensate for the powerful […]
Malachi Toney holds FLEX2 after a record 16-catch day, while Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz debuts at QB1 against a Stanford defense allowing 39.6 points per game.
The SEC has set the Mizzou Tigers vs. Texas Longhorns football kickoff for Saturday, Nov. 7 at 11:00 a.m. CST in Columbia, with national broadcast on ESPN or ABC pending this weekend’s results. Missouri sits No. 23 in the AP Top 25 after a bye, while Texas climbs to No. 11 after a 34‑27 win over Ole Miss. The announcement rounds out a busy weekend that also features a Mizzou‑SLU basketball game and updates on Tigers volleyball, tennis and basketball.
Monmouth, Southeast Missouri and UC Davis are consistent winners and FCS playoff programs, but they haven't received a spotlight in 2026. The post Even Out in Plain Sight, These FCS Teams Are Flying Under the Radar appeared first on Opta Analyst .
Georgia and Ole Miss clash on Nov. 7 in Oxford, now the marquee 7:30 p.m. ET game on ABC after a tumultuous SEC week that saw Georgia stumble against Auburn and Ole Miss lose to Florida. Coach Kirby Smart praised Florida OC Buster Faulkner, while UF’s Jon Sumrall remains tight‑lipped on the starting QB—whether it’s the dual‑threat Aaron Philo or veteran Trammel Jones. Ole Miss will also be without RB Kewan Lacy, sidelined with a shoulder dislocation, and Florida’s top receiver Vernon Brown III returns after a three‑game absence, posing a fresh challenge for the Bulldogs’ defense. The preview weighs the impact of these variables on a game that has regained early‑season intrigue.
Ohio State, now 6‑1 after a bye week, is battling injuries and scouting for new talent ahead of a road game at USC. Quarterback depth is improving as Luke Fahey steps in for Julian Sayin, while the coaching staff hit the recruiting trail. The Buckeyes lost four‑star RB Jordan Hall to Penn State and three‑star RB Tranard Roberts to North Carolina, leaving the 2027 backfield short. However, they extended a surprise offer to 4‑star Illinois WR Bennett Konkey, who logged 70 catches for 1,397 yards and 20 TDs this senior season. Konkey, a top‑55 receiver nationally, could flip schools after a campus visit.
Donald Trump is betting on college football to help Republicans win the 2026 midterm elections. With November 3 approaching, the president is recruiting some of Texas’ biggest football names to reach young male voters who helped him win in 2024 but might not turn out when he isn’t on the ballot. According to an October […] The post Donald Trump Brings Johnny Manziel and Two Other Football Greats on Texas Campaign Trail to Win Over Young Voters appeared first on EssentiallySports .
Week 9 is Big 12-heavy, with Arizona at Texas Tech and Utah at Cincinnati. Miami, Ohio State, and Georgia go on the road. Here's the schedule with game times and TV.
Notre Dame, now 6-1 and ranked No. 5, faces Navy for the 99th time on Saturday, Oct. 31 at noon EST at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. The Irish lead the series 84‑13‑1 and are 30.5‑point favorites, with an over/under of 54.5 per FanDuel. The game airs on ABC, offering a marquee showdown as Notre Dame eyes its final five regular‑season games, including a clash with No. 1 Miami.
Former Heisman winner Robert Griffin III is reportedly in talks with Baylor about the head‑coach vacancy left by Dave Aranda, who was dismissed after a 4‑3 start and a loss to Kansas. Griffin, who led Baylor to a 10‑3 season and a 2011 Alamo Bowl win, says he’d be “100 percent” interested in returning to help the Bears regain national relevance. The school also eyes candidates like embattled USC coach Lincoln Riley as it completes its schedule against UCF, Iowa State, BYU, Texas Tech and Houston.
Who will the Wildcats and Sun Devils face in their respective bowl game predictions?