That’s according to college football analyst Josh Pate, who joined ESPN’s Get Up on Thursday morning to discuss what is at stake for No. 20 LSU on Saturday. Kelly is not coaching for his job, Pate said, but he will be coaching to avoid some conversations he’d otherwise not want to have.

“I would say this weekend if they don’t get the job done, there’s a meeting in that building Sunday where some changes on his offensive staff are demanded,” Pate said. “And then the question becomes, ‘Does Brian Kelly look around and say I don’t have to answer to anyone, this is my offensive staff, you do what you feel like you need to do?'”

The Tigers had high hopes entering the 2025 season, ranking as the No. 9 team in the nation and climbing as high as No. 3. However, their ranking has declined, along with the team’s performance.

When Kelly was hired in 2022, he was expected to bring championship expectations and a winning culture to LSU. While he has maintained consistent winning seasons, recent struggles, such as a loss to Vanderbilt, have led to fan frustration and questions about his performance.

The Tigers’ offense in particular has struggled this season, ranking 64th nationally in yards per play and 86th in scoring.

Pate suggested that offensive coaching changes would need to be made rather than firing Kelly.

“They’ve been woeful offensively down there, unlike some of the changes on the other side of the ball that were probably made organizationally. He is responsible for the current offensive coordinator there, and it hasn’t worked out,” Pate said.

Saturday’s game against the Aggies is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

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According to Vanderbilt athletic director Candice Storey Lee, ESPN initially hoped to host the show off campus, ideally on Broadway or in Centennial Park in Nashville. Vanderbilt officials advocated strongly for the university, arguing that Vanderbilt’s campus deserved the spotlight.

“Well, quite frankly, when the ESPN GameDay Crew came, I think it’s okay to say the initial interest was in [hosting it on] Broadway. We hit at least three different spots on campus; there was talk of Broadway and there was talk of Centennial as an option [as well],” Lee said during a wide-ranging interview with the Vanderbilt Hustler.

“Knowing that they have a pretty decent footprint, our team showed them Wyatt [Lawn] and we spent quite a bit of time making the case for why. It’s their decision, but we, in spending time with them, made an impassioned plea as to why it needed to be on campus because we deserve it.”

The Commodores have achieved significant milestones since the 2024 season. In 2024, they ended a 23-game losing streak by defeating then-No. 1 Alabama, marking their first-ever win over an AP top-5 opponent. That win contributed to a 6-6 regular-season record, earning them a spot in the Birmingham Bowl, where they defeated Georgia Tech to secure their first winning season and bowl win since 2013. 

The 2025 season has been even more impressive.

The team started Week 6 with a 5-0 record for the first time since 2008, including a 1-0 start in SEC play. Their current Top 10 ranking is their highest since 1947, and their 6-1 record has already made them bowl eligible.

With Vanderbilt’s recent success and the return of College GameDay after nearly 17 years, it’s easy to understand why the school felt hosting from the heart of campus was the right move.

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Miller, the Crimson Tide’s leading rusher, was listed as questionable for Saturday’s Third Saturday in October rivalry game against Tennessee on the team’s initial report submitted to the conference on Wednesday.

Coach Kalen DeBoer seemed optimistic about Miller’s potential return during ‘Hey Coach,’ on Wednesday.

“Jam’s making good progress,” DeBoer said. “We’re not sure yet where that stands, but we’re going to think optimistically. But also, that there’s steps again. And so, it can go a lot of different directions.”

Thursday night’s availability report suggests a positive direction for Miller’s recovery from a concussion sustained in Week 7 during Alabama‘s win against Missouri.

Miller has appeared in only 4 games this season, all in SEC play. He began the season recovering from a collarbone injury suffered during an August scrimmage. Since his return, he has established his footing; in those 4 games, Miller has amassed 267 yards and one touchdown on 58 carries.

Miller has been a member of Alabama since the 2022 season, recording 1,359 total yards, 11 touchdowns, and 277 carries in his career. As a veteran who has played against Tennessee 3 times, his presence for Saturday’s matchup against the Vols would be crucial for a Crimson Tide team looking to continue building on their 5-1 record.

Another SEC availability report will go out Friday night an 90 minutes before kickoff. Miller’s status could either change or stay the same between now and then.

Alabama also upgraded wide receiver Jaylen Mbakwe to probable. Tight end Danny Lewis was added to the report and listed as questionable.

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“I frankly think this is a terrible move by Indiana,” Finebaum said during his show on Thursday. “I know that the college football cognoscenti will disagree with me, but there is no way in the world Curt Cignetti should be the third-highest-paid coach in the country. He is not in Kirby Smart’s league, he is not in Ryan Day’s league.”

Finebaum acknowledged Cignetti’s recent success — including a road win over Oregon in Week 7 and a likely return to the College Football Playoff — but said that doesn’t justify the massive contract extension.

“He has a big win on the road against Oregon. I realize he may end up winning the National Championship, but this is not how you make sound decisions; this is how you take your university to the ledge, and at some point, end up paying for it.”

Finebaum continued to question whether Indiana could sustain the move long-term, pointing out the coach’s age and the potential financial strain the deal could cause.

“I was asked, ‘Is it sustainable?’ Well, he went to the Playoff last year. Today it looks like he’s going back to the Playoff because he’s got literally nobody on his schedule,” Finebaum said. “He’s 64 years old, so he’s got a runway of 6 to 10 years, but you just mortgage your university to an astronomical contract based on what? He didn’t beat anybody last year.”

Finebaum went on to compare the decision Indiana made to other high-profile deals that ended poorly, hinting that the same could occur between Cignetti and Indiana.

“I know I’m going to be excoriated for sounding like ‘that guy’ against Curt Cignetti, but I’m just being realistic. It’s too bad somebody didn’t say the same thing I’m saying about Jimbo Fisher and Mel Tucker. That’s a great day for Curt Cignetti, but I’ll make a prediction that athletic director probably gets run out of there in about five years because they’re not going to be able to sustain this,” Finebaum said.

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The first-year Alabama starting quarterback has delivered several Heisman-worthy moments already this season, with his most notable performances including snapping Georgia’s 33-game home winning streak and Missouri’s 15-game home winning streak.

On Thursday, ESPN named Simpson the leader in the clubhouse for the Heisman Trophy at the midpoint of the 2025 season.

Here’s what ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg wrote on Simpson’s play through 6 games:

You know it’s a wild Heisman race when a quarterback who lost his first career start to a now-floundering Florida State team sits atop the list. But Simpson and the Tide have bounced back nicely from their struggles in Tallahassee. Simpson is completing 70.9% of his passes for 1,678 yards with 16 touchdowns and only one interception. He’s one of only four FBS quarterbacks to record multiple passing touchdowns in every game he has played, and has 200 or more passing yards in all six.

Simpson completed all 17 of his attempts against UL Monroe and had only five incompletions the following week against Wisconsin. He showed toughness in a road win against Georgia, and then outplayed fellow Heisman candidate Diego Pavia the following week. Simpson has endured one of the tougher first-half schedules, especially for a first-time starter, and has spread the ball around nicely to his targets while showing strong leadership skills.

Simpson ranks second in the SEC in passing yards, trailing Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar by 2 yards, with 1,680. Each week, Simpson has been recognized as one of the top quarterbacks in college football, ranking 16th in Total QBR, with an 81.5 rating.

He’ll look to build on his candidacy against the Vols on Saturday.

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Asked on Thursday during the Mike Keith Show if Tennessee changes any part of its prep for a game like the one that will be played on Saturday, head coach Josh Heupel said no.

“I think you’ve got to be careful about changing who you are from day to day and week to week,” Heupel said. “I think the consistency of your preparation matters. You’re playing a lot of big football games in the scope of this league and I think that matters, but certainly this game matters.”

With both teams in the AP Top 25 — Alabama at No. 6 and Tennessee at No. 11 — and both holding a 5-1 record, the stakes are high. The winner will take a major step toward the SEC Championship Game and gain some extra security in the hunt for a College Football Playoff spot.

But Heupel also said his team acknowledges those stakes exist.

“You look at it historically, it’s had a huge impact on where people stand inside the scope of this league and nationally,” he said. “But also this is a game where legends are made and fan bases remember players because of things that happen specifically in this game.”

Since ending Alabama’s 17-game winning streak in the series with a 52-49 win in Knoxville in 2022, the Vols have won 2 of the last 3 matchups.

This Saturday, Tennessee faces Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium, where Alabama currently boasts a 15-game home winning streak. This record shows the challenge Tennessee faces and highlights the need for preparation.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

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Connelly ranks Heisman-worthy performances each week at ESPN, and through 7 games, no one has earned more points via Connelly’s system than Simpson. Here’s an excerpt of Connelly’s analysis on Simpson’s first half of the season:

Things are obviously still pretty uncertain. But Simpson’s consistently steady performances have put him in front in the points race. The second half of the season always carries far more weight than the first when it comes to awards and whatnot, but Bama needed Simpson to raise his game after the trip to Tallahassee, and he has very much done so.

Simpson’s turnaround from Alabama’s Week 1 loss against Florida State has been remarkable. Through five games, Simpson has thrown for 1,678 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just one interception, ranking second in the SEC in passing yards.

After patiently waiting behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe, Simpson has seized control in his first season as Alabama’s starting quarterback. His impressive performances have propelled him into the Heisman Trophy conversation and established him as one of the nation’s top college quarterbacks.

Alabama currently holds a 5-1 record, with significant road wins against Georgia and Missouri. In both games, Simpson posted 200 or more passing yards, contributing to the end of Georgia’s 33-game home winning streak and Missouri’s 15-game home winning streak.

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During warmups before the Indianapolis Colts faced off against the Arizona Cardinals, Richardson suffered an orbital fracture due to an elastic band “malfunction” during routine warmups. According to head coach Shane Steichen, Richardson remained at the hospital for the entire game.

The former No. 4 overall pick out of Florida has not had the best of luck in his NFL career. Richardson has been limited by many injuries, including a concussion in Week 2 of his rookie season and a season-ending AC joint sprain to his right shoulder in Week 5 of the 2023 season. In 2024, he suffered back, foot, and hip injuries. The 2025 season has seen him sidelined with a finger injury, an eye injury, along with recurring shoulder issues that date back to his college days in Gainesville.

During the offseason, the Colts decided to add quarterback Daniel Jones to the roster, and Jones was named the starter after winning the job with Richardson as the backup.

This season, Richardson has only seen action in two games: one appearance in the Colts’ 41-20 victory over the Tennessee Titans on September 21 and another in the Colts’ 40-6 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on October 5. On the season, Richardson has amassed four rushing yards and nine passing yards with one completion in two attempts.

It’s unclear how much additional time — if any — Richardson will miss due to this injury.

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With 4:21 remaining in the third quarter, the Buccaneers trailed by one point until Mayfield avoided a sack, scrambled, and broke multiple tackles to gain a first down. This effort kept the Buccaneers on the field and later set up a 45-yard touchdown pass from Mayfield to rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson, advancing the Buccaneers to a 27-19 lead.

Here’s a clip from Mayfield’s remarkable scramble:

Here’s a clip of Mayfield’s big touchdown pass to Johnson later in the series:

The Oklahoma product is off to an incredible start this season, leading the Bucs’ on multiple game-winning drives en route to their 4-1 start. As of publication, Mayfield is one of the favorites to win the NFL MVP Award this season. DraftKings currently prices at +400 to win that award.

The Buccaneers currently boast a 4-1 record on the season and are determined to make the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

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With Week 7 in the rearview mirror, ESPN analyst Heather Dinich provided her updated projection for the College Football Playoff bracket.

Here’s a look at her top 12:

1. Ohio State
2. Miami
3. Indiana
4. Texas A&M
5. Alabama
6. Ole Miss
7. Georgia
8. Oregon
9. Texas Tech
10. Oklahoma
11. LSU
12. South Florida

At number one is the Ohio State Buckeyes, the most consistent college football team. The Buckeyes have also maintained the No. 1 national rank week by week. With star players like wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and quarterback Julian Sayin boosting the offense and featuring defensive safety Caleb Downs, this Buckeyes team has been a challenge for many as the defending champs look to mirror their 2024 campaign.

At number two is the Miami Hurricanes, led by veteran quarterback Carson Beck. Beck has been phenomenal in a new offensive system and has led the Hurricanes to a 5-0 record, filling the shoes of 2025 NFL Draft pick No. 1, Cam Ward, with ease. 

Tennessee just missed out on a spot in this week’s rankings. The Vols clocked in at No. 12 per Dinich’s rankings, but don’t quite qualify for the CFP because 5 conference champions must be included in the field. In this scenario, South Florida gets the nod for the final Playoff berth.

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Chambliss began the 2025 season as the backup to Austin Simmons. However, after Simmons suffered an ankle injury, Chambliss took over the QB1 role against Arkansas and has remained the starter since. He has led the Rebels to achieving a 5-0 record, the No. 1 spot in the SEC, and the No. 4 ranking in the AP Top 25.

A Division II transfer, Chambliss has posted impressive stats in his senior season; his 5 touchdowns for 1,033 yards with only 1 interception have bolstered his resume and included him in the Heisman conversation. The Rebels have 7 games remaining, and 2 of them will be against AP Top 25 opponents.

If the Rebels can remain unbeaten and secure wins over their ranked opponents with Chambliss’s help, it will be undeniable that he will make a strong case for the Heisman Trophy award that will be awarded in December.

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James was a part of the Tigers from 1999-2002 and was one of the most outstanding student-athletes in program history. In 2002, he earned First Team All-American honors, as well as being named a National Scholar-Athlete by the National Football Foundation. Additionally, he ranked second in LSU history in career tackles with 418, including 32 tackles for loss.

James set the LSU single-season tackle record with 154 in 2002, breaking the mark of 150 set by Al Richardson in 1981. He played in 46 games, with 34 starts at linebacker. James was also a two-time First Team All-SEC pick, as well as a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2001. In 2002, he became a team captain and moved to Mike linebacker in his final season after playing his first three seasons at Will linebacker.

James was drafted as the No. 103 overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He played eight seasons with the Cowboys and his final NFL season with the Houston Texans in 2012, amassing 823 total tackles and 16 sacks in his NFL tenure.

Phillips was a member of the Tigers from 2017-2019. Over his three seasons, he was a two-year starter at linebacker. In 2019, he led the Tigers in tackles and finished second on the team behind first-round draft pick Devin White in 2018.

Phillips established himself as a leader on the LSU defense as a junior, playing in 39 games with 26 starts, including all 15 games in 2019. He amassed 218 career tackles with 13.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. After his tenure with the Tigers, he was selected No. 97 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns and is now a member of the Indianapolis Colts.

Jackson was a member of the Tigers from 2005-2009, playing in 39 games with one start during his career at LSU. He originally signed as a running back but moved to wide receiver as a redshirt freshman in 2006. He caught 12 passes for 140 yards during his career and excelled on special teams.

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According to USA TODAY, five college football coaches are currently considered overpaid: Lincoln Riley of USC, earning $11.5 million; Bill Belichick of UNC, at $10.1 million; Luke Fickell of Wisconsin, with $7.7 million; Billy Napier of Florida, making $7.4 million; and Hugh Freeze of Auburn, who earns $6.7 million.

Riley has been the Trojans’ head coach since November 2021, officially starting with the 2022 season. Over four seasons, he has a 26-14 record, including one New Year’s Six Bowl appearance but no playoff berths.

While the program initially seemed promising–highlighted by quarterback Caleb Williams winning the Heisman Trophy– Riley’s offense broke six USC records, such as most games scoring 30+ points (12), most yards passing in a single season (4,696), and most touchdown passes in a single season (43). The Trojans also reached the Pac-12 Championship Game following an 11-1 regular season, a major improvement from the team’s 4-8 record, and Williams became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, the team’s performance declined in subsequent seasons, with an 8-5 overall record (5-4 in the Pac-12) in 2023 and a 7-6 overall (4-5 in the Big Ten) in 2024. The down has led some to believe Riley is overpaid.

Belichick, renowned for his 24 seasons and six Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots, was hired by UNC to revitalize its football program. However, the Tar Heels have had a rough start, with a 2-3 record and 0-1 in conference play. Their losses have been particularly stark, with opponents consistently scoring over 30 points while limiting UNC to 14 or fewer. Given the team’s struggles under Belichick, questions about whether he is overpaid have arisen.

Fickell began at Wisconsin in 2023, achieving a 7-6 record in his first season, capped by a ReliaQuest Bowl appearance, and secured a contract extension through 2031. Through his first two seasons, his record stands at 12-13. After the 2023 season, the Badgers regressed, finishing 5-7 in 2024 without a bowl game. In 2025, they are 2-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play, placing them last in the B1G.

Napier’s tenure as Florida’s head coach began in December 2021, following a successful period at Louisiana, where he achieved a 40-12 record. However, his time with the Gators has not yet yielded similar results.

Over Napier’s first three seasons (2022–2024), Florida posted a 19-19 overall record, including an 8-5 showing in 2024. As of the 2025 season, their record stands at 2-3 overall and 1-1 in SEC play. Many feel Florida’s on-field performance under Napier does not justify the financial commitment of his salary.

Freeze’s record at Auburn is 14-16 overall across three seasons (2023, 2024, and 2025). He led the team to a 6-7 record in 2023, a 5-7 record in 2024, and a 3-2 record as of Week 7 in the 2025 season. To date, he has guided the Tigers to one bowl game appearance, but no Playoff or SEC Championship Game appearances. Although their ranking in Week 3 of the Top 25 AP Poll marked the Tigers’ first appearance since 2021, they were unable to sustain that ranking.

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This outstanding stat line has propelled him into the conversation for the Heisman Trophy, and recently, Brian Jones of CBS Sports included Hardy in his top three, with Dante Moore of Oregon listed at No. 1, Hardy at No. 2, and Carson Beck of Miami at No. 3.

“This dude is a load to bring down; he’s this year’s version of Ashton Jeanty,” Jones said on Inside College Football.

The Heisman race heats up week by week, with numerous college football players adding to their resumes and pushing their names to be among the final four in New York in December during the ceremony where the winner will be revealed.

If Hardy can maintain momentum and continue to have explosive games, he could solidify his status as a strong finalist. Hardy has averaged 100 or more yards in every game this season; his most impressive outing came during the Tigers’ 52-10 win over the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns on Sept. 13.

Hardy has been the main factor in Mizzou‘s run game, contributing to their 5-0 start to the season —a feat they last achieved in 2012.

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Home-field advantage hasn’t been much of a factor for the Gators this season. Billy Napier‘s squad is just 1-1 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, and Saturday’s clash with the Longhorns will mark their toughest home test yet. Florida faces a pivotal moment in its season: Find a spark against a top-10 opponent or risk falling into a deeper hole.

On Thursday, FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt broke down the game, which he thinks will highlight the defensive strengths of both programs.

“Texas at Florida, classic trap game. Got to love this. Two really good defenses in this one,” said Klatt. “Texas’s defense has only allowed 4 touchdowns total on the year, while Florida’s defense has only allowed 5.”

The difference-maker in the game will be which team can score the most points and possibly jump out earlier than the other. Both teams have struggled to find consistency, and Klatt emphasized that whichever offense establishes itself early will dictate the game.

“My question would be, which offense is going to get going?” Klatt said. “Even though both of these offenses have struggled, I would say that the one that I think can break out would be Texas. I think there [are] elements they can lean on. I do think Arch [Manning] can play better. Remember, this is going to be his second road environment that he’s faced this season. I’ll just put it this way: Florida’s defense is not better than Ohio State’s defense.”

Ultimately, Klatt predicted a low-scoring contest, with the Longhorns pulling away with the win.

“If they [Texas] score 3 touchdowns, Florida doesn’t really have a chance,” said Klatt. “I get it, they’re at home, but that’s alright. South Florida went in there and won. Texas is going to cover the 6.5 [points]. I’ve got them winning this game 21-12.”

Kickoff between the 2 sides is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The 6.5-point spread Klatt mentioned was an earlier number from during the week. At the time of publication, Texas was down to a 4.5-point favorite, per DraftKings.

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Contrary to expectations, the Tigers put the Aggies to the test on their home field, maintaining a tight contest. The Aggies’ narrow 16-10 victory highlighted the effectiveness of the Tigers’ defense, which restricted the Aggies to their lowest scoring output of the season.

On Thursday, head coach Mike Elko reflected on the reaction to the game.

“I’ve chuckled at this for years… when we win 41-40 it’s a ‘great win,’ when we win 16-10 it’s ‘ugly,'” Elko said during an interview on College Sports on SiriusXM.

Elko openly discussed the contrasting performances, pinpointing the disparities that influenced each win. He emphasized the importance of being able to win with a solid defense, just as with a high-powered offense. “

The reality of both of those games is one side of the ball played well, and the other didn’t play well as you would have hoped,” Elko said. “That’s part of it. Part of it is just being okay winning a defensive game as you are an offensive game. The second part is winning in the SEC is hard. I think we and society today so quickly want to diminish what just happened.”

Elko credited the Tigers for their competitiveness, expressing confidence in their potential success in the season ahead. The Tigers currently boast a 3-2 record and were, at one point this season, ranked No. 22 in the AP poll.

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On Wednesday, Hyatt shared with media members that he and Nabers had a lengthy discussion after Nabers suffered the injury over the weekend, and Nabers provided him with some advice.

“He’s one of my best friends on this team. He’s been in my corner, he’s kind of seen the adversity I’ve been through,” Hyatt said. “He just told me it’s my chance, this is the time for me to do what I’ve got to do.

“So I’m going to be ready. I just can’t wait to go out, play Sunday, play with Jaxson, and get a win.”

Hyatt spent 3 seasons at Tennessee. He began his college career as a freshman in 2020, playing in 10 games with one as a starter. In the 2021 season, he became a full-time starter and finished the season third on the team in catches with 21 for 226 yards and two scores. His best season came in 2022, when he caught 67 balls for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns to win the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best receiver.

His impressive versatility and skills earned him an invite to the 2023 NFL Combine, where he impressed with a vertical jump that ranked 15th overall among all positions that year. He posted the third-fastest 40-yard dash among wide receivers (4.40). Additionally, Hyatt’s 40-yard dash time was tied for 12th-best among all participants at the event, and his 10-yard split of 1.50 seconds ranked fourth among receivers.

He was selected with the 73rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Hyatt recorded 23 receptions for 373 yards in 17 appearances with 7 starts. In his second season, his role saw a decline, only achieving 8 receptions for 62 yards in 16 appearances with just 3 starts. He has only played in 2 games so far this season and has yet to be targeted.

However, with Nabers on the shelf, that might soon change.

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Cook showcased his versatility throughout the month of September, racking up big plays both on the ground and through the air. He has consistently provided balance for the Bills’ offensive attack, posting multiple 100-yard rushing games and delivering key catches in critical moments.

His production has not only lifted the Bills’ offense but also highlighted his development into one of the AFC’s premier playmakers. With Cook hitting his stride, the Bills look poised to keep momentum rolling as the season moves deeper into the fall.

Cook currently boasts 401 rushing yards for 5 touchdowns on 75 attempts and 89 receiving yards on 12 receptions. His most impressive game this season was on Sept. 14, when he recorded 132 yards for 2 touchdowns to help the Bills achieve a 30-10 victory over the New York Jets. 

At the start of October, Cook ranks second in the NFL in rushing, trailing only Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. Cook’s 5 rushing touchdowns lead all NFL players.

The Bills (4-0) face the New England Patriots on Sunday. The Bills are an 8-point favorite, per BetMGM. Fans can bet on Cook’s rushing props using this BetMGM bonus code.

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Steven Pearl, who took over the reins of the Tigers following his father Bruce Pearl’s retirement, announced the news publicly after Pro Day. “All the guys we had here this summer are going to be putting on Auburn jerseys this season,” Pearl said.

Hall, is known for his versatile scoring ability and size on the perimeter. He was a consistent contributor during his time with the UCF Knights, averaging 18.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists a game. He emerged as one of the Knights’ most reliable offensive weapons. After one season with the Knights, he decided to enter the transfer portal and begin his career at his fourth collegiate basketball program.

Pettiford was a true freshman and a dynamic guard with elite quickness who showed flashes of star potential during the 2024 season. Pettiford averaged 11.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists last season. The young star had the potential of being drafted to the NBA with just one year of college experience under his belt but ultimately decided to return to college.

Both are expected to take on an even larger role with the absence of Johni Broome and Chad Baker-Mazara. Their returns provide Auburn with veteran experience and depth at a time of transition. With the program shifting into a new era under Pearl, retaining proven talent is critical to maintaining continuity and competing in a loaded SEC.

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Proctor played every snap in the battle “between the hedges,” grading out at a team-best 89 percent while anchoring an offensive line that set the tone early in SEC play. He allowed no sacks or quarterback pressures, giving quarterback Ty Simpson time to operate the field and distribute the ball effectively.

Proctors most memorable moment came late in the second quarter, when Simpson delivered a pass to the 6-foot-7, 359-pound lineman. Proctor rumbled ahead for 11 yards on one of the game’s most unconventional – yet effective – plays, a key contribution to snapping Georgia’s 33-game home winning streak.

According to Pro Football Focus, Proctor logged 43 pass-blocking snaps, surrendered 0 pressures, and earned an 80.9 pass-block grade. His protection helped the Crimson Tide rack up 397 total yards, 25 first downs, and a 13-for-19 conversion rate on third down, while controlling possession for 35:36 against one of the nation’s most troubling defenses.

Proctor’s efforts earned him not only national recognition but also SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week.

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Despite flashes of competitiveness, his five-year run closed with a 32-34 overall record. Since 2021, however, Arkansas managed to stay slightly above .500 at 29-27, showing some progress but not enough to satisfy program expectations in the highly competitive SEC. Ultimately, inconsistent results and mounting pressure led to Pittman’s dismissal.

In the wake of his firing, the program turned to a familiar face. Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, who previously served as Arkansas’ head coach from 2008 to 2011, was named interim head coach. With his return to the leadership role, Petrino immediately took on one of the biggest challenges in college football: keeping a roster intact during a potential turbulent transition period.

Under NCAA rules, players are granted a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal following a head coaching change. That reality often sparks roster moves and the uncertainty of some athletes. Petrino addressed that concern during the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday.

“We had everybody in the weight room all day yesterday lifting, and everybody was out on the practice field. Everybody attended meetings on time. I think they all understand, and that was one of the things I tried to address with them right off the bat, there’s actually no benefit of going into the transfer portal right now,” Petrino said. “The only thing it can hurt is you, financially, and no ability to go in and play right away and no video on tape to make your transition if you’re going to transfer somewhere marketable. There’s really no reason for anyone to go into the transfer portal and I think once I laid it out that way for the players, they understood it,”

For now, Arkansas can look to regroup under Petrino’s leadership as the Razorbacks try to salvage the remainder of their season after starting the 2025 season 2-3.

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Many who aren’t fans of either team are rooting for the Commodores to stun the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, probably because the Crimson Tide climbed back from their Week 1 loss against Florida State by beating the then-No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs on the road in Week 5.

On Wednesday, SEC Network’s Cole Cubelic was interviewed by Andy Staples of On3Sports, and he posed the following question: Who should Auburn fans root for on Saturday?

“Unless Alabama is playing Iraq, you don’t root for Alabama,” Cubelic said.

This upcoming showdown marks a significant moment in college football history. Alabama and Vanderbilt have met 86 times in history, with the Crimson Tide leading the series 63-19-4. This will only be the second time they will compete as Top 20 teams. The last time this instance occurred was on November 25, 1937, when No. 4 Alabama defeated No. 12 Vanderbilt in Nashville, 9-7.

Despite the Crimson Tide’s dominance in the series, Vanderbilt ended a 23-game losing streak last season in Nashville when they upset No. 1 Alabama 40-35 as an unranked team. Vanderbilt heads into Tuscaloosa with confidence from last year’s upset. With quarterback Diego Pavia leading the charge, their 5-0 start to the 2025 season marks their first since 2008, giving them a major confidence boost.

“Vanderbilt’s a better football team than they were last year. There are facets of their team that are just flat out better than a season ago. I actually do think they can surprise them [Alabama] to an extent. So much of what they do contains options, reads, and different ways that a play can be successful,” Cubelic said when asked if Vanderbilt can still compete with Alabama and possibly surprise them.

The last time Vanderbilt beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa was on September 29, 1984, when they won 30-21.

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On Wednesday, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation added 11 receivers to the Biletnikoff Watch List. The award recognizes the most outstanding FBS receiver, regardless of position. Among the additions were 2 SEC standouts: Chris Brazzell II of Tennessee and Mario Craver of Texas A&M.

Brazzell, a redshirt junior, has become a solid addition to the Volunteers’ offense since 2023. So far in the 2025 season, he has 31 receptions for 531 yards and 7 touchdowns. Brazzell currently leads the SEC in receiving yards, touchdowns, and receptions of 10+ yards (21). Nationally, he’s tied for the FBS lead in touchdowns and ranks 2nd in yards. His 7 touchdown receptions are the most by a Volunteer in the first five games in program history, helping this newly quarterback led offense to a great start to the 2025 season.

Craver, a sophomore, has merged as a top competitor in his sophomore campaign. He leads the SEC in receiving yards per game and ranks 2nd nationally, averaging 119.3 yards. He also leads the Aggies with 24 catches for 477 yards and 4 touchdowns. His per-catch average of 19.9 yards leads the nation among players with at least 20 receptions.

Craver has already had some big moments this season, recording 3 100-yard receiving games in his first 4 contests. This included the program’s first 200-yard performance in a Week 3 road win against then-No. 8 Notre Dame. His 207 receiving yards and 86-yard touchdown catch against the Fighting Irish remain FBS bests against an AP Top 25 opponent.

The Biletnikoff Award process includes the announcement of semifinalists on November 17, 3 finalists on November 25, and the award recipient on December 11 during The Home Depot College Football Awards.

The winner is chosen by the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of 600 prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, Biletnikoff Award winners, and other former receivers.

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Simpson is represented by QB Reps, and currently has an NIL Valuation of $948,000, according to On3. Other NIL partnerships include Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Hugo Bond, Innisfree Irish Pub, CVS Pharmacy, and the Alabama-focused collective Yea Alabama.

The leading quarterback for the Crimson Tide is off to a strong start to his tenure as a starter at Alabama. He currently boasts 862 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Prior to Alabama’s bye week, he put up impressive numbers in Weeks 2 and 3, completing 100% of his passes for 262 yards and 3 touchdowns in Week 2 during the Crimson Tide’s win over UL-Monroe. He almost mirrored the same completion result in Alabama’s Week 3 win over Wisconsin, completing 24 of his 29 attempts for 382 yards and 4 touchdowns.

He’s up for another big test this week, though. After struggling against Florida State’s defense in Week 1, how will he respond against Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs defense in Athens? Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 7:30 p.m. on ABC.

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Williams sustained an injury during the matchup versus Notre Dame after intercepting a tipped pass late in the second quarter. He did not rerun to that game. Before the injury, Williams has recorded 5 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception this season.

Prior to transferring to Texas A&M, Williams played for Florida across 3 seasons, accumulating 70 tackles in 25 games. In 2023 (at Florida), he had 52 tackles and contributed 5 quarterback hurries, as well as 2 forced fumbles and 1 sack.

The veteran linebacker will continue to be evaluated prior to the matchup, and according to Aggies’ head coach Mike Elko, Williams is day-to-day. Williams will definitely be a much-needed piece to the Aggies’ defense as they face a previously top-25 opponent who are looking to get back in the rankings.

Williams was not a part of last year’s chaotic ending in the matchup between the Aggies and Tigers that saw the Tigers defeat the Aggies 43-41 in overtime. Based on last year’s performance, this upcoming matchup could be another drama-packed game that will need all hands on deck.

Since the 2024 season, SEC football teams release 4 availability reports per week leading up to a conference game. This schedule is mandatory only for conference matchups. The reporting schedule for a Saturday SEC football game is as follows: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 90 minutes before kickoff. 

Given Williams’ appearance on Wednesday’s release, he will likely appear on all subsequent reports, including the one released 90 minutes before kickoff

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Greene, a 6-foot-4, 320-pound lineman, is currently classified as a redshirt junior on Georgia’s roster. In prior seasons, he has been a key player for the Bulldogs. In 2024, he appeared in 11 games and made 9 starts. In 2023, he started at left tackle in all 14 games, helping Georgia’s offensive line achieve one of the lowest sack rates in the SEC (0.93 sacks allowed per game, according to the teams website).

With an impactful player like Greene likely out, this is a potentially huge loss for the Bulldogs ahead of a top 25 matchup against Alabama, who currently leads Georgia in the all-time series (44-26-4). If Greene is unable to play, Georgia will have to reshuffle its offensive front against a formidable Alabama defensive front–a matchup that already promises to be physical – especially considering the right side of Georgia’s offensive line has already struggle this season.

Since the 2024 season, SEC football teams release four availability reports per week leading up to a conference game. This schedule is mandatory only for conference matchups. The reporting schedule for a Saturday SEC football game is as follows: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 90 minutes before kickoff.

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Alabama is currently 0-1 on the road this season and 2-5 overall under Year 2 head coach Kalen Deboer. The Crimson Tide won’t have an easy path ahead for their second chance of redemption on the road. The Bulldogs currently hold the longest active home winning streak in college football with 33 consecutive wins. The last time the Bulldogs lost at home was in double overtime to South Carolina on October 14, 2019. 

On Wednesday, DeBoer previewed the matchup during the “Hey Coach Show,” and he expressed that the Alabama staff has done everything they can to prepare the team for the loud environment and that communication will play a huge role if the Crimson Tide want to be successful.

“Communication in an environment like we’re going to be in is certainly a challenge. But we couldn’t get it any louder than we had it today, I promise you that. You couldn’t hear the person right next to you,” said DeBoer. 

Alabama leads Georgia 44-26-4 in the all-time series between the 2 powerhouses. The last time the Crimson Tide traveled to Athens was during the 2015 season, when Alabama won 38-10.

Kickoff between Alabama and Georgia is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on ABC .

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For Tennessee, this is their first SEC road test of the 2025 season. Coming off of a home loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, the Volunteers can’t afford a slip-up in Starkville if they’re serious about competing in the tougher half of their schedule.

As for Mississippi State, they are currently on a roll. The Bulldogs have quietly improved under Jeff Lebby, and they’re looking to break their long SEC losing streak. Home-field advantage, the Starkville crowd, and cowbell noise will be in play. 

This will be the Volunteers’ first trip to Starkville since 2012 – a rare road visit in the series. The Volunteers lead the all-time series 30-16-1 and beat the Bulldogs last season in Knoxville. 

ESPN’S FPI gives the Volunteers a 73.7% chance to win the matchup. In the week-by-week modeling, FPI sees the Volunteers favored by 7.5 to 8.5 points over the Bulldogs. While Tennessee is favored – reliably so – the prediction is not a blowout, according to ESPN.

Kickoff between the Volunteers and Bulldogs is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. ET and will be televised by SEC Network.

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Unfortunately, Mateer suffered a right-hand injury in Week 4 against the Auburn Tigers. Mateer underwent surgery on Wednesday according to ESPN and will be out for possibly 3 or more weeks with the hope to return this season. 

With Mateer out, backup quarterback Michael Hawkins will take over in his absence, but some may not be buying that Hawkins and the Sooners can get the job done without Mateer. During Wednesday’s edition of “Contender or Pretender” presented by FOX Sports, Joel Klatt called the Sooners “pretenders.” 

“They’re not going to win without John Mateer, and the back end of their schedule is atrocious. I could see them losing 3-4 games,” said Klatt.

The No. 7 Sooners will not have an easy road with their star quarterback absent. The remainder of their schedule features 6 ranked opponents out of the remaining 8, and they will be on the road for 3 of those ranked matchups.

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On Wednesday’s edition of the Paul Finebaum Show, Finebaum featured star Aggies running back Le’Veon Moss to recap the 41-40 victory the Aggies achieved at Notre Dame Stadium. Moss expressed that the experience on Saturday night in South Bend was just another place to play, mentioning, “It was pretty cool, it ain’t nothing like Kyle Field though. It got pretty loud, but it’s not like Kyle Field; their [Notre Dame] fans aren’t like ours.”

Moss had a star-studded performance during the matchup against Notre Dame. He recorded 20 carries for 81 yards and 3 touchdowns to help his team pull off the narrow win on the road, one that will pay dividends at the end of the season. The Aggies, currently led by Heisman-contending quarterback Marcel Reed, are currently ranked as the 9th team in the nation and remain undefeated through three weeks of college football.

Looking ahead, the Aggies aim to maintain their momentum as they navigate a challenging schedule. With key players like Moss and Reed, Texas A&M hopes to solidify its position as a top contender in college football. The team’s ability to sustain its high level of performance will be crucial in the coming weeks as they face tough competition in their pursuit of making the playoffs.

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According to the report, Sequence Equity has approached schools with the argument that the current playoff system is undervalued. By moving to a privatized model, schools could extract more revenue from their event, especially at a time when athletic departments are exploring fresh streams of income to prepare for the financial demands due to the revenue-sharing with student-athletes.

The FCS playoffs, run by the NCAA, currently crowns a national championship each January and has been a hallmark of the subdivision’s competitive landscape. However, with increased attention on the economics of college sports – and growing pressure on schools to maximize every asset – outside investment could reshape the way postseason is staged, funded, and monetized.

If approved, the move would mark a rare shift of NCAA-controlled postseason property into private hands, opening the door to expanded media rights, sponsorship opportunities, and potential format changes. Still, questions remain about how privatization would impact competitive balance, governance, and long-term traditions of the FCS playoff system.

For now, Sequence Equity’s pitch underscores a larger reality: every corner of college sports is being re-evaluated for financial upside – and even the FCS postseason isn’t off limits.

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Since arriving in Gainesville in 2021, Napier’s tenure has been a rollercoaster. His overall record is 20-22, with an SEC record of 10-15 as of September 2025. This year, the Gators have struggled early against competition like Miami and South Florida and sit at 3-1 through 4 weeks. At this point in his tenure, this product from Billy Napier is simply unacceptable for much, if not most of Gator nation.

And now, former Gators HC Urban Meyer has weighed in. He argued on The Triple Option podcast that he doesn’t see Napier being fired after this season, mainly because the $21 million buyout looming over Florida could insulate Napier from being ousted prematurely.

““I don’t see them making the change right now with $21 million… Where you getting that money from?” said Meyer.

The Gators are currently 1-3 and have one of the most difficult schedules the remainder of the 2025 season. Six of their remaining matchups come against top 25 opponents. Many analysts and fans alike are questioning if Napier can lead the Gators to success on this tough road ahead. Their playoff chances seem to have disappeared, but they still have a chance at least to compete in a bowl game at the end of the season if they can secure 6 or more wins.

Florida is back in action next week after observing a bye in Week 5. The Gators will face a Texas team led by Arch Manning, who will be looking to prove himself after a rough start to the year.

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Notably, quarterback Ty Simpson has been an efficient passer in the Crimson Tide’s last 2 wins. In Alabama’s 73-0 win over UL-Monroe in Week 2, Simpson completed 100% of his passes (17-of-17), throwing for 226 yards and 4 touchdowns with no interceptions. Simpson almost mirrored the same results in Alabama’s Week 3 win over Wisconsin, completing 24 of his 29 attempts for 382 yards, 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions.

These outstanding numbers have not gone unnoticed, and on Thursday, FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt weighed in on Simpson’s recent performances.

“He has played some of the best football in the country the last two weeks,” Klatt said during an appearance on The Next Round podcast.

“I don’t want to play Alabama right now. If Ty Simpson is protected, he will carve you up. The whole issue with Florida State is their [Alabama’s] offensive line played absolutely bootleg, and now they’re protecting Simpson. When he’s protected without pressure, he’s almost 80% – I think he’s 76% – throwing the football, and it looks really good,” Klatt said.

Simpson is currently one of the top 5 passers in the SEC with 862 yards through the first 3 weeks of the season. He’s behind John Mateer of Oklahoma (944), Joey Aguilar from Tennessee (906), Marcel Reed from Texas A&M (869), and Taylen Green from Arkansas (866).

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Reports on Thursday stated that the league will be announcing the full 2026 schedule, as well as each school’s protected games, next Tuesday. This announcement will be a key moment, setting the stage for future rivalries and competitive balance within the conference.

Ahead of the official reveal, Richard West, a prominent reporter in Knoxville, reported that the 3 permanent SEC opponents for Tennessee will be Alabama, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky.

Through the 2024 season, Tennessee and Alabama have faced off 107 times, with Alabama leading the series 60-40-7. The Third Saturday in October is one of college football’s best rivalries.

Tennessee holds the advantage over Vanderbilt with an 81-32-5 record in 118 meetings. The 2 in-state foes have met on the gridiron every year since 1945.

The Vols also lead the all-time series with Kentucky 85-26-9 in 120 meetings. The Vols have won 8 of the last 10 matchups with the Wildcats.

With the SEC’s schedule change, Tennessee could see its annual meeting with Florida interrupted. The Vols have faced the Gators every season dating back to 1990. Tennessee has also played Georgia every year since 1992.

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The Aggies were a member of the Big 12 for 16 seasons before joining the SEC in 2012. As a Big 12 member, the Aggies posted an all-time overall record of 113-86, with a conference play record of 68 wins and 61 conference losses.

After joining the SEC in 2012, the Aggies won 11 games — including a historic upset of Alabama — and showed they could contend with the big boys. The upset of the Crimson Tide, then ranked No. 1 in the country, was led by quarterback Johnny Manziel, who won the Heisman Trophy that same year.

Since joining the SEC, the Aggies have gone 105-59 (through the end of the 2024 season), but they have yet to win an SEC Championship or make the College Football Playoff.

Meyer went so far as to say the Aggies have been irrelevant.

The former Ohio State and Florida head coach expressed that the Aggies have all the keys to succeed, and he doesn’t understand why they haven’t won more.

“That’s one of the programs, to me, that’s always been an enigma. Why can’t you win? They were very competitive in the Big 12, … the Southwest Conference, and then they move to the SEC, and they’ve been relatively irrelevant,” Meyer said. “They have not been the player they should be. Best facilities, incredible budget, great high school football within a 3-hour radius, and here you go, a trophy case that’s empty. I don’t understand that.”

Despite Meyer’s views of the Aggies, he did acknowledge that there’s a possibility the Aggies could be successful with their current coach.

“They’ve got a heck of a coach now,” Meyer said of Mike Elko. “All the excuses of places that can’t win, Texas A&M has zero. Why you can’t win there, they have it, a trophy case that’s empty, but maybe this coach can do it.”

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On Thursday, Jesse Palmer joined David Pollack on his podcast, See Ball, Get Ball, to give his take on Manning’s start to the season. Jesse believes Manning’s mechanics are the cause of his inconsistent playing ability.

“There are throws that you watch and you go ‘Okay, that’s a future first-round pick talent, right?’ Even though the competition wasn’t as good as they [Longhorns] would face coming into this year, and a lot of people have talked about this, mechanics have been pretty poor up to this point,” Palmer said.

Through the first 3 weeks of the season, Manning has posted 579 passing yards with 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Manning’s performances have been a mixed bag. While he has, at times, racked up yards and touchdowns, decision-making and accuracy issues have persisted.

“I asked [coach Steve Sarkisian] about that and Sark said there’s times when Arch drops back to pass and his eyes are in the wrong place,” Palmer said. “As a thrower, your eyes lead your feet, which leads your arm. It all has to be together. There are times when he’s [Arch] looking over here to make a throw, and really he should be looking this way, and when it’s too late after he realizes the safety rotated that side, ‘I’m supposed to be over here,’ now he’s got to get his shoulders turned around, going the opposite way, and his feet aligned. He can’t get it there as fast.

“So his mechanism to speed up is he just stays open, and he sidearms everything, and he tips his shoulder and kind of wings it, and that’s when the ball, and a lot of his misses, torpedo into the ground. I think it starts with his eyes and just his mechanism to try and catch up everything, but it’s not all right, right now.”

Manning and the Longhorns are back in action on Saturday when they host Sam Houston (0-3). Texas (2-1) is a 39.5-point favorite in the game, per DraftKings.

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“The Simpsonville Parks and Recreation Department and City of Simpsonville have Mr. Shaw and his family in our thoughts and prayers and wish Mr. Shaw a full and speedy recovery,” a release from the city said, per the Associated Press.

Shaw was coaching his son’s flag football team on Wednesday in Simpsonville at Gracely Park when he collapsed just 15 minutes into the game. He was rushed to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Shaw, 33, was a member of the Gamecocks from 2011 to 2013. During his time, he passed for 6,074 yards and ran for 1,693 yards while compiling a 27-5 career record. He was inducted into the school’s athletics hall of fame in 2021.

After his collegiate career, Shaw signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns in 2014. He played as an NFL quarterback from 2014-2018 with the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears. In 2020, Shaw returned to his alma mater to serve as the Director of Player Development, focusing on career development, leadership habits, and life skills.

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This Saturday’s matchup brings another level of chaos; throughout the 2025 season, both Miami quarterback Carson Beck and Florida quarterback DJ Lagway have been in the Heisman Trophy conversation. However, over the past 3 weeks, Beck’s numbers in the race have increased, while Lagway’s numbers have declined due to a decline in his recent performances.

Last Saturday, Lagway threw 5 interceptions in the 20-10 loss against the LSU Tigers, and the performance has received questions from fans and analysts alike. The most notable was David Pollack of Family Goals Podcast.

On Wednesday, Pollack detailed what he has seen from Lagway so far this season. “When I watch DJ Lagway, there’s a couple of issues that I really got. I’m watching him throw interceptions, and here’s the problem, I’m watching him throw interceptions and it’s not with pressure. It’s not like he’s pressured all the time,” said Pollack during the Always College Football Show.

Pollack believes the mistakes Lagway has shown are due to horrible decision making, “Right now, it’s horrible decision making. They’ve got to get that fixed, they’ve got to run the football better, guys got to win on the outside more too,” said Pollack.

Since the start of the college football season, the Hurricanes’ defense has held teams to 24 or fewer points, and after defeating USF, their defense received an 80.4 PFF defensive grade, which is considered a strong “A” mark. Pollack believes because of the Hurricanes’ defense, it will be hard to be successful against them, and they may display more pressure than Lagway has seen this season. “You can’t be successful against Miami and that pass rush is coming and there will be a lot more pressure than there’s been,” said Pollack.

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Among the talented corps is senior transfer wide receiver Noah Thomas, who previously was a member of the Texas A&M Aggies. Thomas led the Aggies in receptions (39), receiving yards (574), and touchdowns (8) in the 2024 season, and was expected to make an immediate impact for the Bulldogs with his skillset at receiver.

However, that has not been the case, and Thomas has not been a significant factor in the Bulldogs’ passing game. He has only been targeted five times this season, with just 3 receptions for 24 yards. These stats through three weeks of college football have raised questions, but Kirby Smart remains optimistic about Thomas.

“It’s really been unfortunate because there’s been some times that his shot or his number was called, and we didn’t necessarily protect it well or something happened or something came in the way,” Smart said. “He has not been phased by it — at least he’s not shown it to us. He works hard. He buys into the team morale and concept.”

Thomas struggled during spring practice, according to offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, but was able to ease in by fall camp.
“He’s light-years ahead of where he was in the spring,” Bobo said on Aug. 6, via 247Sports. “He gives you another big, big body outside that can catch those balls that are contested.”

Thomas has not been able to make an impact just yet, but with practice and patience, the senior could begin to see some upside to his game, especially with the Bulldogs entering the tougher and more competitive part of their schedule.

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Sanders, ranked as the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2025 class according to 247Sports composite, was on track to start at right tackle for the Volunteers. However, he has been sidelined since Tennessee’s season-opener against Syracuse and has struggled to return.

“I don’t know (what Sanders’ return timetable looks like). We’ll see. I talked about that on Monday. It’s something where he’s not necessarily in control of it,” Heupel said. “And when I say that, it’s a unique situation. He’s chomping at the bit. He’s been a great teammate through the adversity. It’s another thing that, in particular, our young guys have to learn or navigate. At some point in this game, everyone gets nicked up. He’s done a great job of mentally staying engaged. As soon as our medical staff clears him, he’ll be ready to go play.”

The challenge is compound by nature of the injury. As an offensive lineman, shoulder strength and stability are crucial to play effectively, making Sanders’ recovery particularly difficult. Heupel best described the injury as “unique and unpredictable.”

“Mentally, I think anytime anybody in this game gets injured and isn’t clear to play, it’s a tough battle, mentally,” Heupel continued. “You grow, you compete, you strive to get yourself prepared to go play, and he has certainly done that. A unique injury that the doctors are uncertain, that’s why he’s been day-to-day for a while here.”

For now, there is no clear indication for Sanders’ return. He remains listed as day-to-day, leaving uncertainty around when the highly touted lineman will finally be healthy enough to play in his first collegiate game.

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On Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference, Kiffin was asked about Sumrall being linked to potential openings in the SEC. Kiffin was amused by the question, revealing it wouldn’t surprise him if Sumrall lands an SEC gig.

“It’s funny you bring that up,” Kiffin said. “I told my staff yesterday, I said, ‘I feel like I’m going to be in head coach’s meetings in the conference’ — I think our first one is in January — ‘with Coach Sumrall.’ So, it’s funny you bring that up.”

Sumrall has built an impressive resume, entering this game with a 12-4 record as the Green Wave’s head coach since taking the job in 2024. Sumrall’s resume prior to Tulane is notable as well. He posted a 23-4 overall record as the head coach at Troy for two seasons and led the Trojans to back-to-back Sun Belt championships in 2022 and 2023.

His rapid rise has not gone unnoticed. Sumrall has already been linked to potential SEC openings, notably when Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops was connected to the Texas A&M opening last year. Sumrall’s SEC connections run deep as he played at Kentucky, coached there as an assistant, and even had a one-year stint at Ole Miss as a linebackers coach.

Kiffin isn’t alone in his forecast. Last week, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg mentioned Sumrall for a potential SEC gig.

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On Friday, Saban detailed what he believes are some problems that affect the Tigers.

“In my opinion the major issue that Clemson has had is their offensive line hasn’t performed very well,” said Saban during the Pat McAfee Show. “They need to fix that because Cade Klubnik has been under a lot of pressure.”

The Tigers are led by senior quarterback Cade Klubnik, who guided the Tigers to the inaugural 12-team college football playoffs in the 2024 season. The Tigers have been predicted to return to the playoffs by many analysts, but one thing could put a strain on them this season and continue to be a long-term problem, according to Saban the Tigers’ offensive line has not performed well.

“Their offensive line has not performed very well. The quarterback has been under duress the whole season, in the LSU game this guy [Klubnik] was running for his life and it affected him,” Saban added.

The Tigers and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are set to play on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET.

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“The amazing thing is nobody except us said Derrick Henry could play running back,” Saban claimed during the Pat McAfee show on Friday.

Here’s a clip of Saban’s comments:

Henry was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and was considered one of the nation’s top players. However, Saban said he was recruited as a defensive player by most programs.

Henry originally committed to play at Georgia during his junior year of school, but ultimately decided to play as a running back for Saban at Alabama by his senior year. “

I told him we’re recruiting you as a running back and you can do whatever you wanna do,” Saban added.

During three seasons at Alabama, Henry rushed for 3, 591 yards and 42 touchdowns on 603 carries. His time with the Crimson Tide culminated in 2015 with a Heisman Trophy and national championship. After college, Henry was selected No. 45 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.

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According to the Associated Press, Dublin would continue hosting an annual college football game through 2037. The plan is currently awaiting a formal approval in the Irish Capital, per the AP’s report. John Anthony, co-founder of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, spoke with the AP about this development.

“The biggest brands in college football are interested in this,” Anthony said. “They text me, they ask me about it, ‘What years are open?”

During this year’s College Football Classic in Dublin, around 22,900 fans made the trip from the United States to see Iowa and Kansas State showdown in a narrow 24-21 victory for the Cyclones.

Next year’s game will feature a rematch between TCU and North Carolina, marking the the fifth college football matchup in the original five-game agreement that has already added two more years, with the 2027 matchup being Pittsburgh vs. Wisconsin.

“The extension through 2037 we would expect will be all signed off on next month,” Anthony told the AP.

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The Gamecocks have named junior tight end Maurice Brown II, redshirt junior offensive lineman Cason Henry, redshirt sophomore quarterback LaNorris Sellers, and senior defensive back DQ Smith as team captains for this significant matchup.

With the Commodores looking to threaten the Gamecocks and seek revenge after losing 28-7 last year at their home stadium, these players are expected to lead their team and set the tone for their teammates as they kick off SEC play. The selection of captains highlight their leadership qualities, which are crucial for guiding the team in a competitive conference game.

South Carolina is just a 3.5-point favorite in the matchup, per ESPN Bet. That’s down from the opening line of South Carolina -5.5. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Gamecocks a 65.1% chance to win the game.

Shane Beamer and Co. are coming off a 38-10 win over South Carolina State in Week 2. The Gamecocks defeated Virginia Tech 24-11 on a neutral site to open the season.

Vanderbilt beat that same Virginia Tech team in Blacksburg a week ago, outscoring the Hokies 34-0 in the second half to win 44-20.

Kickoff between the ‘Dores and the Gamecocks is set for 7:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

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Georgia and Tennessee have developed one of the SEC’s most intense rivalries over the years, with the Bulldogs holding a 29-23-2 all-time edge over the Volunteers. However, the Bulldogs have won 8 games in a row in this series, including the last 4 with Josh Heupel at the helm in Knoxville.

ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit sees an edge for Georgia with Kirby Smart matched up against Heupel.

“Josh Heupel’s offenses are tough for most people to stop, but Kirby Smart and Georgia is like the kryptonite to Josh Heupel over these last four and five years,” Herbstreit said. [Georgia] have been able to really completely diffuse that offense and their firepower, and it’s because they’re typically so good at the deafen line spot. Will that play out in this one? We’ll have to wait and see.”

Under head coach Josh Heupel, the Volunteers have struggled mightily in this series, averaging 4.43 yards per play and 14.3 points per game in their last four meetings with the Bulldogs. By comparison, Tennessee has posted 6.4 yards per play and 31.9 points per game across all SEC matchups during Heupel’s tenure.

Both teams enters this year’s meeting in a transition. Each has new quarterbacks at the helm and has been forced to rebuild after losing several key contributors to the 2025 NFL Draft. For Tennessee, however, the challenge has been especially steep against Georgia.

Tennessee is an underdog in this matchup against the Bulldogs, per the latest betting odds:

Georgia and Tennessee will kick off at Neyland Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and broadcast on ESPN.

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That’s per Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68, who shared that news on Friday afternoon. The decision comes less than 2 months before the start of the 2025-26 season.

Perry, who had been part of the Terriers’ staff since 2019, was officially promoted to full-time head coach on March 21, 2023, after serving as interim coach for the latter half of the 2022-23 season. His hiring came with optimism, as he had helped steady the program during a transitional period.

During his time leading the Terriers, Perry had a record of 48-43 overall record with a 28-26 mark in Southern Conference play. His three seasons broke down as follows:

• 2022-23 (Interim): Went 17-16 overall and 8-10 in SoCon play, leading Wofford to a semifinal appearance in the conference tournament.
• 2023-24 (First Full Season): Finished 17-15 and 10-8 in league action, showing steady improvement.
• 2024-25 (Second Full Season): Achieved his greatest success, guiding the Terriers to 19-16 record and 10-8 in conference play. Wofford won Southern Conference Tournament and earned its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2019, ultimately falling in the first round.

Given Perry’s success, the timing of his firing is surprising. Perry had just delivered Wofford back to March Madness and seemed to have the program heading in the right direction.

Perry is also a former Kentucky basketball player. He played in 19 games for the Wildcats from 2006-09.

As of now, no information has been provided as to why Wofford made the decision to fire Perry.

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This weekend, the Gators enter unranked while No. 3 LSU looks to stay on track as a College Football Playoff contender.

Former Florida head coach Urban Meyer, who knows this rivalry well, recently shared his thoughts on the upcoming matchup, noting just how intense it can get.

“I told you this one pains me, man. (LSU) was where the old lady flipped me off as I was coming into a night game. She put the walker down, didn’t throw it away because she couldn’t walk, and then double birded me,” said Meyer during The Triple Option podcast.

“And you hear things hitting the bus as it goes in there and one guy threw that stuff on me. So that is a nasty, rugged (venue). So, what time is the game? It’s a night one. We won one game at night down there. We were 1-2 or 1-3 down there.”

Meyer led the Gators from 2005 to 2010, winning two national and SEC championships (2006, 2008), and coaching a Heisman Trophy winner in Tim Tebow. During his tenure, he battled LSU in some of the most memorable games in the rivals’ history.

Despite being a Gator through and through, and even having success during his tenure as head a coach, Meyer believes Saturday’s game won’t be successful for the Gators, who are currently led by Billy Napier.

“It’s a rugged place and they just don’t lose. I think Brian Kelly has got it going. I’m a Gator and I am a Gator fan and don’t want to do this, but I’m picking LSU,” Meyer said in the podcast’s picks segment.

Meyer’s words echo what many in college football already know: Death Valley at night is one of the toughest environments in sports. LSU has built a reputation for defending its home turf under the lights, and Meyer acknowledged just how daunting that challenge is.

The Gators and Tigers are set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET for a game that will be broadcast on ABC. The Gators will look to gain their first win versus a ranked opponent on the season, while the Tigers will try to defend their spot at No. 3. This matchup promises a showdown and an anticipated nail-biter for fans and analysts alike.

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Alabama‘s blueprint under former head coach Nick Saban has long emphasized not only winning championships but also developing players into NFL-ready talents. The numbers speak for themselves: Alabama has placed the most active NFL players on season-opening rosters nearly every year for the past decade. That includes 2018 (44), 2019 (56), 2020 (53), 2021 (54), 2022 (58), 2023 (57), 2024 (61), and now 2025 with 60. Even in 2017, when Alabama tied for the lead with 39, it was clear the Crimson Tide were setting the standard.

The most impressive thing to note about these numbers is the consistency. Alabama hasn’t just had a few standout draft classes-they’ve created a pipeline of NFL-ready athletes across every position group. From quarterbacks like Bryce Young, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Jalen Hurts, to wideouts such as DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, to defensive game-changers like Will Anderson Jr., Patrick Surtain II and Jihaad Campbell, and an electric kicker like Will Reichard, the Crimson Tide have left their mark at every level of the league.

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Many media outlets, analysts, and fans alike voice their opinions as the season unfolds, debating which players have the resume to earn the 45-pound trophy.

On Thursday, former college and NFL quarterback-and current FOX Sports analyst-Robert Griffin III revealed his updated Heisman Trophy rankings. Griffin, who won the award himself in 2011 while starring at Baylor University, offered a unique perspective as someone who understands firsthand what it takes to stand out from the rest on the field.

His rankings featured nine quarterbacks. Here is Griffin’s top nine in order: Byrum Brown, South Florida; Tommy Catsellanos, Florida State; Carson Beck, Miami; Sawyer Robertson, Baylor; Garret Nussmeier, LSU; Jackson Arnold, Auburn; Taylor Green, Arkansas; Marcel Reed, Texas A&M; Behren Morton, Texas Tech.

Each of these quarterbacks has had phenomenal performances since the start of the 2025 season. Some have led their teams to wins over ranked opponents, while others have gone toe-to-toe with tough competition and emerged victorious. Griffin’s list reflects not just his evaluation of talent, but also which quarterbacks are leading their teams effectively and producing at a high level early in the season. With Griffin’s background as a former Heisman winner, his perspective carries additional weight, as he can identify the blend of statistical dominance, leadership qualities, and “Heisman moments” that separate true contenders from the rest.

Heisman Rankings through Week 2 are here!

Do you agree with @RGIII?

Read more on the FOX Sports App or https://t.co/eTD1EK1wxx. pic.twitter.com/l3j9AlQ70n

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 11, 2025

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