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5 college football ideas I’m buying or selling after Week 8
After Week 8, the author discards the notion that 2026 mirrors the chaos of the 2007 season, noting that upsets involving unranked teams are occurring at roughly half the 2007 rate (13% vs 24%). However, losses by No. 1 and No. 2 teams are already at half the historic total. On the buying side, New Mexico’s 21‑16 win over North Dakota State earns a playoff bet, with a 31% Kalshi odds edge over Boise State. Conversely, LSU’s two losses and a brutal stretch against Alabama, Texas and Tennessee lead the author to sell on any CFP hopes. These five narratives help gauge the shifting playoff landscape as the season reaches its midpoint.
College football winners and losers from Week 8
Week 8’s winners and losers recap highlights LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt’s dramatic turnaround, as he throws for 441 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-17 win over Auburn, lifting LSU to 5-2 and keeping CFP hopes alive. Tennessee falls to South Carolina 27-24 after a costly 4th‑down gamble and questionable penalties, dropping the Vols to 6-2 heading into a bye. Utah snaps a Big 12 slump, beating Houston 21-13 behind Devon Dampier’s 150 rushing yards and two scores, remaining the conference’s sole unbeaten team. The column underscores the volatility of college football and the stakes each team faces as the season heads into November.
Bo Bryan, 2027 QB and son of country star Luke Bryan, commits to SEC program
Georgia lands 2027 quarterback prospect Bo Bryan, a 3‑star recruit and son of country star Luke Bryan. The 6‑foot, 195‑pound senior from Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, Tenn., ranks No. 141 nationally and No. 70 in Tennessee. Bryan, a lifelong UGA fan, declared his commitment via a Rivals interview, saying “I bleed red and black, I’m home.” His signing brings Georgia’s 2027 class to 24 players, now ranked No. 9 by 247Sports.
Lane Kiffin accuses Auburn of dangerous tackling tactic on Trey’Dez Green
After LSU’s 38-17 win at Auburn, coach Lane Kiffan alleges the Tigers employed illegal “hip‑drop” tackles on returning tight end Trey’Dez Green. Green, back from a lower‑body injury, posted five catches for 50 yards and a 15‑yard TD, but Kiffan says the dangerous angles scared him, limiting his snap count late in the blowout. The NFL has banned such tackles for safety. LSU eyes a SEC title as it heads into a bye week, with prediction markets giving the Tigers a 13% chance to clinch the conference.
Coaches Poll makes bizarre ranking decisions for Mizzou, Florida after bye week
The latest Coaches Poll, released Sunday after Week 8, shocked SEC fans as both Florida and Missouri (Mizzou) were idle on a bye week yet saw opposite moves. The Gators jumped from No. 24 to No. 20—a four‑spot rise—while the Tigers slipped from No. 21 to No. 23, losing two spots. The AP poll mirrored the trend, lifting Florida to No. 17 and dropping Mizzou to No. 23. Commentators like Calum McAndrew humorously noted the “better bye week” perception. With both teams now eyeing the SEC title, the article also links to current prediction‑market odds for the 2026 championship.
Matthew Stafford becomes only QB to hold all-time TD record with multiple franchises
Matthew Stafford becomes the NFL’s only quarterback to own the all‑time passing‑touchdown record for two teams. He posted 282 TDs with the Detroit Lions (2009‑2020) and added a record‑breaking 155th TD for the Los Angeles Rams in a Week 7 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, cementing his place in league history. The 38‑year‑old also boasts a Super Bowl LVI title, three Pro Bowl selections, and the 2025 MVP award as he pushes the Rams toward an NFC West comeback.
Ole Miss opens as big favorite at home against Auburn in Week 9
Ole Miss hosts Auburn in Week 9 after both teams staggered from Week 8 losses. The Rebels, now 5-2 (3-2 SEC) and fresh off a 34-27 comeback fall to Texas that dropped them from No. 7 to No. 12, enter as 13.5-point favorites on the Circa Sports line (over/under 56). Auburn, 4-3 (2-3 SEC) tries to rebound from a home blowout by LSU following a win at Georgia. The rivalry, historically 35-12 in Auburn's favor, has seen Ole Miss win the last two meetings. Prediction markets show an 82% confidence swing toward the Rebels.
Kentucky leads nation in FPI’s strength-of-record metric after Week 8
Kentucky’s Wildcats surge to a 5-1 SEC record after a 21‑10 win over Vanderbilt, propelling them to No. 9 in the AP Poll—their highest ranking since 2022. The team now leads the nation in ESPN’s FPI strength‑of‑record metric, indicating an elite schedule performance. With four games left against ranked foes (No. 16 Tennessee, No. 17 Florida, No. 23 Mizzou, and Louisville), Kentucky eyes its first SEC Championship berth and a potential inaugural College Football Playoff spot, plus a double‑digit win season for the first time since 2021.
Ahmad Hardy returning to practice ‘this week’, per Eli Drinkwitz
Mizzou star running back Ahmad Hardy will resume practice this week, announced head coach Eli Drinkwitz on Oct. 25, 2026. Hardy, who suffered a gunshot wound to his upper leg in May, is not expected to suit up for the Week 9 clash with Arkansas but is making the first major step toward a full comeback. The former Louisiana‑Monroe transfer rushed for 1,649 yards in 2025, led the SEC, and was a Heisman hope and potential 2027 first‑round NFL pick. In his absence, Jamal Roberts has carried the Tigers with 867 yards, second in the SEC.
ESPN experts update College Football Playoff picks after Week 8
After Week 8, ESPN’s 12‑person panel all name Miami the top seed in a projected 12‑team College Football Playoff. The Hurricanes stay unbeaten with a blowout of Pittsburgh and eye a Nov. 7 clash with Notre Dame, who also appears in every expert’s list. Georgia, Ohio State and Indiana round out the consensus core, while surprise inclusions include Kentucky (unanimous) and Texas (7 of 12). Alabama makes only three ballots despite another loss‑laden season. The article details each expert’s full ranking and shows Kalshi market odds, where Miami leads at 93% followed by Indiana and Georgia at 88% each.
Bijan Robinson matches mark set by Falcons legend with performance vs. 49ers
Bijan Robinson helped the Atlanta Falcons snap a potential second straight loss by beating the 6-0 San Francisco 49ers 29-20 on Oct. 25, 2026. Though his rushing dip to 63 yards on 20 carries (3.2 yd/carry) marks a season low, Robinson’s five receptions for 59 yards push him past the 700‑yard mark (704 yards) in just seven games – a feat not seen since Falcons legend Warrick Dunn in 2005. He now ranks sixth and seventh in franchise history for single‑season rushing totals. The Falcons head to Tampa Bay on Nov. 1 for Week 8.
Texas star suffers season-ending injury, per report
Texas offensive tackle Trevor Goosby suffers a season‑ending knee injury, ending his 2026 campaign after missing most of the win over Ole Miss on Oct. 24. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports the Longhorns lost a top NFL prospect—ranked No. 8 by Field Yates in the 2027 mock draft. With Goosby sidelined, Texas must rely on inexperienced Andre Cojoe, who struggled with a 35.9 PFF pass‑blocking grade against Ole Miss. The Longhorns, already dealing with injuries to Cam Coleman and Hollywood Smothers, now face Mississippi State in Week 9.
Miami remains atop FWAA-Super 16 poll after Week 8; three B1G teams make Top 5
The FWAA‑Super 16 poll after Week 8 keeps Miami at No. 1 following its 52‑23 rout of Pitt, but the Big Ten dominates the Top 5 with Ohio State (2), Georgia (3), and Indiana (4). UCLA jumps to No. 5 after a 28‑10 win over Michigan State, while Utah climbs to No. 7 and BYU falls to No. 8 after an upset loss at UCF. Texas drops to No. 14 after a loss to Cincinnati, and Texas, LSU, and Wake Forest break into the rankings at No. 11, 12, and 15 respectively. The full poll list is provided in the article.
Former Alabama OC linked to NC State opening by CFB insider
Former Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, now the Atlanta Falcons OC, is linked to the vacant NC State head‑coaching job after Dave Doeren’s dismissal. Rees, a 34‑year‑old former Notre Dame quarterback, led Alabama’s offense in 2023, a season that fell just two wins short of a national title. The NC State board, amid a 3‑4 start, is considering Rees alongside other candidates like Philip Rivers. Rees’s NFL experience and previous college stints at Notre Dame and Alabama fuel speculation about a return to the college ranks.
CBS Sports analyst explains what LSU-Alabama game could mean for each team’s Playoff hopes
CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford says the Week 10 showdown between LSU and Alabama on Nov. 7 could be a de‑facto College Football Playoff elimination game. Both teams sit at 2‑2, and Crawford predicts the loser will finish 9‑3 and miss the 12‑team CFP field. He notes LSU lacks a strong résumé after losses to Ole Miss and Kentucky and only an unranked win over Mississippi State, while Alabama’s sole ranked victory also came early against Kentucky. With LSU’s only remaining ranked foes being Texas and Tennessee, the stakes are sky‑high.
Steve Sarkisian raves about atmosphere for Ole Miss game, ribs Texas fans who sold tickets
Texas snaps a 4‑2 slump with a 34‑27 win over Ole Miss on Oct. 25, 2026, sparking a raucous scene at DKR‑Texas Memorial Stadium. Head coach Steve Sarkisian praised the "amazing atmosphere" but jabbed at fans who sold their tickets, saying they missed a "hell of a game." Those resale tickets went to Ole Miss supporters, highlighting lingering fan frustration. The victory aims to curb future ticket‑selling and sets the stage for upcoming home games against Mississippi State and Arkansas, with Texas favored heavily in the next matchup.
SEC fines South Carolina for rushing the field after win over Tennessee
The SEC hits South Carolina with a $500,000 fine after Gamecock fans stormed Williams‑Brice Stadium following the Gamecocks’ 38‑31 win over Tennessee on Oct. 24. Under SEC policy, any spectator access to the field incurs a half‑million penalty, which in this case will be paid to Tennessee—who themselves faced a $500,000 fine after their recent Alabama victory. The league emphasizes that only players, coaches, officials and credentialed personnel may enter the competition area before, during, or after a game.
Kyle Pitts joins exclusive NFL club with milestone reception vs. 49ers
Kyle Pitts hits the 300-reception milestone in the Falcons' Week 7 win over the San Francisco 49ers, becoming the sixth‑youngest tight end in NFL history to do so. The catch arrives with 3:52 left in the second quarter, adding to his career high of 88 receptions in 2025 after modest seasons in 2023‑24 and a 2022 injury. Only Hall of Famers Tony Gonzalez and Kellen Winslow, plus Jason Witten, Rob Gronkowski, and Trey McBride, have reached the mark younger, underscoring Pitts' elite trajectory.
CBS Sports analysts weigh in on whether Texas has to win out to make CFP
CBS Sports analysts Richard Johnson and Bryant McFadden spar over whether Texas can reach the 2026‑27 College Football Playoff with a 9‑3 record. Johnson argues a three‑loss Longhorns team needs the right losses to stay viable, while McFadden points to Texas’s strong SEC résumé and recent win over Ole Miss as a plus. The discussion reflects broader chaos in college football, where other SEC powers like LSU, Alabama and Ole Miss also face the three‑loss question. No consensus yet emerges on the Longhorns’ playoff chances.
KC Concepcion’s explosive first half helps Browns take halftime lead vs. Titans after 14-point deficit
Rookie wide receiver KC Concepcion, the Browns' 24th‑overall pick from Texas A&M, ignites Cleveland’s comeback against the Tennessee Titans. After falling behind 14‑0 early, Concepcion catches eight passes for 129 yards in the first half, including a 23‑yard score and two big grabs of 32 and 21 yards that help tie the game at 14‑14 before halftime. The performance caps a surge for a Browns team that, under first‑year head coach Todd Monken, improves to 4‑2 after a 4‑1 stretch. Concepcion enters the game with just 186 career receiving yards, making his breakout night a key storyline.
Dan Lanning fires Oregon OC who replaced Will Stein
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning fires offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer after a 4-3 start (2-2 Big Ten) and a 21-10 loss to Illinois. Mehringer, promoted from co‑OC/Tight Ends coach when Will Stein left for Kentucky, could not revive a sputtering offense that ranks 5th in yards (423.1), 6th in points (33.1) and 10th in rushing in the conference. Quarterback issues, including Dylan Raiola's stagnant development and Dante Moore’s concussion, compounded the woes. The move underscores Oregon’s slide from playoff contention and Lanning’s push for a turnaround.
Lincoln Riley suggested as candidate for open Power 4 job
Baylor fired Dave Aranda after a 1‑point loss to Kansas, reopening its head‑coach slot amid a Power 4 carousel that also includes Maryland and NC State. ESPN cites USC’s Lincoln Riley as a top candidate despite his 24‑7 defeat to Wisconsin that left him 6‑2. Riley, 43, could leave USC for Baylor, bringing a proven offensive pedigree and a record of four straight Big 12 titles at Oklahoma (2017‑2020) and a 37‑7 league record. If hired, he could reshape Baylor into a Big‑12/CFP contender.
LaNorris Sellers on facing tough Tennessee defense: ‘We found a way’
South Carolina upset Tennessee 27-24 on Oct. 25, 2026, with quarterback LaNorris Sellers delivering a career‑boosting performance: 210 passing yards, one passing TD, plus 96 rushing yards and a rushing TD. Sellers credited the Gamecocks’ offense for finding a way against one of the SEC’s top defenses, noting the win felt “not pretty” but earned. The victory follows a rocky 2‑3 start, a key player suspension, and recent wins over Florida and Tennessee. The Gamecocks now head to Norman for a road game against Oklahoma.
AP Top 25, Week 9: Miami retains top spot, 9 SEC teams ranked in latest poll
The Week 9 AP Top 25 poll drops on October 25, 2026, keeping Miami at No. 1 after its dominant win over Pitt and setting up a Week 10 showdown with Notre Dame. The SEC makes a historic showing with nine teams in the Top 25, led by Georgia at No. 3 despite a bye week, followed by Kentucky (9), Alabama (10), Texas (11), Ole Miss (12), LSU (15), Tennessee (16), Florida (17) and Mizzou (23). Auburn and Oklahoma receive votes, while the full Top 25 list features Ohio State, Indiana, Utah and others. Prediction markets also favor Miami, Indiana and Georgia as playoff contenders.
South Carolina flips commitment of 4-star Auburn DL pledge
Four-star defensive tackle Nate Kamba, a 6‑foot‑4, 312‑pound recruit from Charlotte, NC, flips his commitment from Auburn to South Carolina after Auburn’s loss to LSU and South Carolina’s win over Tennessee on Oct. 24, 2026. Kamba, who originally pledged to Auburn in June and also has offers from Georgia, Florida, Ohio State, Texas and USC, announced the change on Sunday, saying “I’m finally home.” The reversal follows South Carolina’s second straight ranked victory under Shane Beamer, suggesting the Gamecocks’ recent momentum swayed his decision.
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