Random Thoughts Week 4: Quarterback Play, Not A-OK

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Week 4 of the 2026 season had six ranked-on-ranked matchups – mostly because the SEC and to a lesser degree the Big Ten were fully immersed in conference play. One reporter mentioned that it was the most such competition in a college football Saturday since 2023. We’ll have to take his word for it. Meanwhile, Miami-FL was screwing around with Central Michigan and Notre Dame was toying with Purdue.

We witnessed some breakout performances, but more glaring was the poor quarterback play.

#1 Texas 20, #14 Tennessee 17 – It’s kind of amazing how the national press wants to look the other way when it comes to the Golden Boy Arch Manning. He is a decent quarterback but far from a polished elite first round prospect they all make him out to be. The anointed one completed 14 of 19 passes for a 201 yards and did not find the end zone with his arm or legs. He also recorded negative one rushing yard on 11 attempts as he was sacked half a dozen times. Texas manufactured 262 total yards and committed 11 penalties for 115 yards.

The real winner in this game was the Longhorns defense that dominated the line and recorded 10 sacks on Tennessee freshman Faizon Brandon. UT edge rusher Colin Simmons had five sacks on his own.

It wasn’t an easy win for the ‘Horns. After making it a three point game with 1:22 to play, the Vols recovered an onside kick and reached midfield but could not pull off the comeback.

#21 Florida 52, #4 Ole Miss 28 – The 4th ranked Rebs must have still been celebrating their Super Bowl win over LSU. The Gators manhandled the Black Shark Rebel Bears and never trailed. They led 10-0 before Trinidad Chambliss even threw a pass. OM could not stop the running duet of Jadan Baugh (29 rush, 142 yds, 3 TD) and Duke Clark (12-126-1).

Mississippi star running back Kewan Lacy did not play. The other three Ole Miss running backs tallied a collective 84 yards an no scores.

#10 LSU 35, #23 Texas A&M 6 – We’ve been telling you for years now: Marcel Reed is an erratic quarterback who cannot be trusted to lead a team. No more has that thought been on display then Saturday night in Baton Rouge. The A&M field general completed 10 of 26 pass attempts for 106 yards and added a pick. His sack-adjusted yards per attempt was an abysmal 2.5. Reed was sacked four times and had a net -13 rushing yards on 10 carries. LSU outgained the Aggs 506 to 197.

Despite the big win, Sam Leavitt (17 for 23, 312 yds, 2 TD) still managed to throw an interception. He has six picks as opposed to five touchdown passes and has thrown an INT in all four games this season.

Different coach, same ol’ Aggies. How many coaches will TAMU go through and still get the same disappointing results?

#24 Mississippi State 31, #19 Missouri 24 – MSU jumped out to a 14 point lead but Mizzou stormed back to take a 24-17 advantage in the 3rd quarter. In a tie game Kamario Taylor moved the Bullies 85 yards down the field on five plays to take a touchdown lead. The Ozark Tigers got down to the Missy State 11 yard line but turned the ball over on downs with 1:14 left. Clanga-clang had a frighteningly quick three-and-out due to Mizz having all their timeouts saved up, giving Austin Simmons one more shot. They got to the 38 but two straight incompletions ended the game.

#17 Iowa 20, #18 Michigan 19 – FINALLY some karma for the Wolvies. In a typical low-scoring game, Iowa drove 91 yards on 11 plays culminating in a 16 yard scoring strike as time expired. There is no way the B1G refs were overturning this one.

Michigan bros are all over social media claiming that Bryce Underwood “balled out.” On paper (17/28-276-2-1), his stats looked good. BUT HE GENERATED 19 POINTS! So, STFU and take your L!

#20 Oregon 41, #12 Southern Cal 27 – Last week, I pondered whether it was worth the millions that the Dux were paying Dylan Raiola to be a back-up QB. I suppose I got my answer. After Donta Moore was knocked out of the game on a vicious cheap shot (see below), Raiola entered the game and rallied the Quackers to a big win.

Trailing 7-3 with ten minute remaining in the second quarter, Moore dropped back to pass but then saw nothing but green grass ahead of him. After gaining a first down, he went into a slide and So Cal linebacker Desman Stephens launched himself at the sliding quarterback and put him out of the game. Moore laid on the field turn for quite awhile and had to leave on a cart.

Raiola and some pisst off Ducks would build a ten point lead, but the Trojans would tie it at 27 early in the 4th quarter. Oregon would score the final two touchdowns and clamp down on the So-So Cals. Raiola finished 19/25-289-2-0. Moore is in the concussion protocol. The Ducks have a bye week, so it’ll be awhile before we find out who starts against UCLA in October 10th.

Alabama 49 South Carolina 18 – The Crimson Tide outmuscled and outworked the Gamecocks to cruise to their 4th win. Keelon Russell was phenomenal completing 21 of 27 passes for 365 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also ran for 35 yards and a score, and has learned how to slide.

SC quarterback LaNorris Sellers had trouble getting going (18/30-185-1-1) but running back Matt Fuller tallied 112 yards and score on the ground.

Georgia 41 Oklahoma 13 – Sooners quarterback John Mateer was in full meltdown mode as he turned the ball over three times in the second quarter. It was 28-0 after 30 minutes and the game was basically over at that point. Dwags QB Gunner Stockton did not have to do much and didn’t. He was rather blah to be honest (14/25-171-1-1). UGA compiled only 12 first downs and had a pick and lost a fumble. They only converted 3 of 12 3rd downs. Field position worked in their favor as Georgia had only two drives more than 55 yards.

Auburn 21 Vanderbilt 15 – Aub QB Byrum Brown threw and ran for a touchdown. The War Tigers also blocked punt and returned it for a score. Aubie totaled 15 first downs and only 279 yards. Despite all the hand-wringing, Auburn is 3-1. Vanderbilt is also 3-1 but had a miracle win and two triumphs over bad FCS teams.

OTHER ESS-EE-SEE

Arkansas 34 Tulsa 6 – The Razorbacks have not quit yet. After beatdowns by Utah and UGA, Arky faced the upstart Golden Hurricane (3-1) and snapped a 12-game losing streak against FBS opponents. The Hogs led 16-0 at the break and kept on churning. KJ Jackson completed 24 of 36 passes for 309 yards with a touchdown and an interception and he ran for two scores. Tulsa was held to 241 yards.

OTHER STUFF

Indiana 29 Northwestern 23 – The big bad Hoos had a big ol’ home struggle against the midwest nerds. Indy QB Josh Hoover was rather blah: 19/29-201-1-0. The defending national champs are at Rutgers and at Nebraska before anOhio State comes to Bloomington. I’m taking the Buckys.

Clemson 24 Cal 10 – Somehow, someway Clemson is 3-1. Miami-FL is next.

Wake Forest 30 Louisville 27 – On any given Saturday, any ACC team can beat any other ACC team or so the paraphrased saying goes. The ‘Ville was looking pretty good after going toe-to-toe with Ole Miss and then clobbering SMU. Wake had previously lost to Miami-FL 33-20 but it was much closer than that score shows. On Saturday, they won on the road on a blocked field goal with seconds to go.

Oklahoma State 41 West Virginia 24 – The Cowpokes (3-1) seemed to have righted the ship after their shocking loss to Tulsa to open the season. WVU (3-1) was coming off an emotional 11-point win over previously ranked Virginia and laid a big old second half egg against THE OSU. After trailing most of the game, Okie Lite reeled off 20 unanswered points in Morgantown.

Wisconsin 24 Penn State 20 – Wisky coach Luke Fickell might just save his job after winning this road thriller. The Badgers (3-1) came back from down 17-0 and stopped Rocco Becht’s attempted comeback (down below somewhere).

Stanford 34 Georgia Tech 27 – What the heck has happened to the Yeller Jackets (1-3)? Just when we thought GT had turned the corner, they are putting up L’s left and right. A big reason is probably because Florida swiped their OC, Buster Faulkner.

Tech led this game 20-10 at the half. The Trees scored the next 24. The YJ’s scored a 4th quarter touchdown, but turned the ball over on their final two possessions.

Baylor 23 Colorado 13 – DJ Lagway was not great (19/39-221-2-1) but was good enough to top Deion’s spiraling Buffs.

Boise 32 Western Michigan 7 – The potato-eaters dominated the Bronco Bowl. Blue Broncos QB Maddux Madsen now has nine touchdowns and no interceptions on the season.

BOREFEST

Virginia Tech 21 Boston College 15 – This game had 14 drives end in a punt. The Eagles led 7-6 after three quarters. Bleh!

GOAL LINE STAND OF THE WEEK

LUCKIEST CATCH OF THE WEEK

DEEPEST THROWN LAME DUCK YOU’LL EVER SEE

43 yards.

PUNT RETURN OF THE WEEK

GREASED UP PIG OF THE WEEK

DEJA VU OF THE WEEK

MAKING LEMONADE OUT OF LEMONS

While Utah was kicking Iowa State’s arses, these Iowa kids figured they’d find better use of their time.

ZOOM OF THE WEEK

LACK OF AWARENESS OF THE WEEK

Now in his fourth season as a college quarterback, Arch did this TWICE.

WEIRDEST TURNOVERS OF THE WEEK

The ruling was that the UConn quarterback fumbled the ball forward. A Miami player picks the ball up (recovery) and then hands it (fumble) to a Huskies player (recovery). Play to the whistle, boys.

FAN OF THE WEEK

RESPECT.

WEIRDEST COACH OF THE WEEK

Congrats on the win in Seattle but that is bizarre.

#NeverFleck

DERPS (PLURAL) OF THE WEEK

DUMBEST CONFERENCE EXPANSION

APPROPRIATE REACTION OF THE WEEK

Just like he drew it up.

BEST AVOIDANCE OF THE PIGSKIN OF THE WEEK

After the Michigan-WMU officiating snafu, there was no way the Badgers defenders were touching that football. LOL

WORST OMEN OF THE WEEK

The Horned Frogs fell to Center Florida 21-13.

LITTLE DUDE OF THE WEEK

TROLL OF THE WEEK

SOMEONE’S ON THE TAKE

CHILD ABUSE OF THE WEEK

CHOOSIN’… FLORIDA?

MATEER STILL GOT PAID WHEN YOU BOUGHT IT

DOES CENTER FLORIDA HAVE ANY FEMALE STUDENTS?

OOPSIE OF THE WEEK

That is surprising. Usually the SEC officials save the oopsies for when Alabama goes to Knoxville.

I’D LIKE TO REPORT A MURDER

The Trojans have suspended linebacker Desman Stephens one game against Washington following his unnecessary blasting of Donta Moore and his reaction after the hit. Stephens was seen dancing around the field celebrating the hit and continued to do so with teammates even after he was called for targeting and ejected. All the while, Moore was still being attended to on the field.

COLDEST TAKE OF THE WEEK

Here’s a hot take for you: Chris Sims was more overrated than Arch Manning at Texas.

WORST TIMING FOR A PEE BREAK OF THE WEEK

I love how he goes “what’d I do?”

FUNNIEST PENALTY ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WEEK

CATCH OF THE WEEK

Sorry, Josh Ford. 😁

BIG TEN SILLINESS OF THE WEEK

Now that they are in the meathead conference, this incident should be no shocker. That is what they do.

ODDEST DOINK OF THE WEEK

This kick hit the stands railing and bounced back into the field of play confusing viewers and people in the crowd alike.

WHEN THE BOUNCER WON’T LET HIS 20-YEAR OLD GIRLFRIEND IN THE BAR

NAME OF THE WEEK

His full name is Mohammed Ali Quisiah Bility. No word on his sisters Ellija and Prahba.

STATS OF THE WEEK

• Through 58 games at Southern Cal, Lincoln Riley has the exact same overall record as his predecessor, Clay Helton. Both coaches sit at 39-19 through the same number of games. However, against ranked opponents through those 58 games, Helton went 10-16 compared to Riley’s 5-15.
• Oklahoma State snapped an 18-game conference losing streak in their win over West Virginny.
• The state of Florida’s FBS teams went a perfect 7-0 on Saturday with Florida, Miami-FL, FSU, UCF, FAU, USF, and FIU all winning. It’s just the second time ever that they all won on the same day (October 5th, 2013).
• Jeremiah Smith torched the Illinois secondary for 12 receptions, 217 yards, and 4 touchdowns.
• Texas (262) and Tennessee (221) combined for 483 total yards.
• Qua Russaw and James Smith both have one solo tackle and four assists on the season for anOhio State. #HaHaWasRight

THE WACKY WORLD OF CORSO SABAN

College GameDay was in Knoxville for UT-UT.

Saban came out firing! And we all remember that bogus “one win” that the Vowls were gifted by a way-late phantom PI flag.

Johnny Knoxville was guest picker. He showed up in full pads and a Volunteers uniform. He tackled an ESPN employee and tried to sarcastically bribe a referee.

All hi-jinx aside, he did have a good crack at Pat McAfee’s expense.

The ESPN brass bent to the rage mob who whine about everything being about the ESS-EE-SEE and head to Iowa City for Ohio State-Iowa. Exciting stuff. Right? No reason to head to Starkville.

Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff was in Columbus, OH for yet another yawner… anOhio State-Illinoise. It’s Michigan-Minnesota this Saturday.

SEC Nation was in Gainesville for OM-Fla. Tebow was in his element but strangely nobody asked him about the Life Surge scam.

ADOPT-A-TEAM

• Western Michigan (2-2*) took one on the chin against Boise 32-7. Starting Saturday, WMU has eight straight MAC games.
• Memphis (3-1), who also lost to the Smurfs, had a the weekend off.
• Tulsa Kings (3-1) generously handed Arkansas a 34-6 win.

COUSINS

• South Alabama (2-2) – The Jags hung with Kentucky for 30 minutes and then reality sunk in. The Wildcats ran away with it, 45-21. Winless UL-Monroe is next for USA.
• Jacksonville State (3-2) – The Gamecocks topped Middling Middle Tennessee State 23-13. A journey to Kennesaw is on tap.
• Troy (2-2) – The Trojans had the road blues as they were outscored 14-0 in the second half en route to a 21-10 defeat to Utah State. Southern Miss (1-3) enters the fray.
• West Alabama (4-1) – Scott Cochran’s Tigers topped Barton College 17-7. Barton sounds like some made up name from a 1990s raunchy sex comedy movie.

THAT ANNOYING GUY WHO SAYS HIS SCHOOL NEEDS A FOOTBALL TEAM BUT DOESN’T EVER ATTEND THE GAMES

• UAB (2-2) – A 4th quarter touchdown was the only score of the quarter but it was the game-winner for the Dragons over Navy 24-20. A sure win against visiting Samford should move Bham U over .500.

SALUTE TO OUR TROOPS

I am afraid the military academies are not very good this season. After a couple of years of big successes, Army and Navy are rather blah. Air Force, who has been in the doldrums of late, might be the best of the trio.

• Air Force (2-1) – The Falcons barely slipped by Nevada in double overtime 36-33. Next is Round 1 of the Commander-in-Chief Trophy against Navy in Colorado Springs.
• Navy (1-2) – The Midshipmen fumbled twice and turned the ball over on downs in the 4th quarter en route to a loss to UAB.
• Army (2-1) – The Black Knights scored a late touchdown and then stopped Temple on a 4th & 2 at the Army 23 to escape with a 21-17 victory. It’s a win, but an ugly win. La Tech (1-2) comes to town.

ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION

Eliminated: Cal, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Stanford, Colorado, Kansas, TCU, Maryland, Michigan State, Rutgers, Purdue, Arkansas, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas A&M

In Danger: Boston College, Clemson, FSU, Louisville, North Carolina, NC State, SMU, Virginia, Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Center Florida, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Oregon, Penn State, Southern Cal, Washington, Wisconsin, Auburn, Kentucky

Still Alive: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas, Notre Dame, BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, Kansas State, Texa$ Tech, Utah, West Virginia, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio State, UCLA, Duke, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Clinched Playoff Birth: Miami-FL (due to lame-ass schedule)

A way WAY WAY too early look at the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture

POWER 2

• SEC – UGA and Texas are likely in the playoff. Alabama, LSU, Florida, and Ole Miss all look to be in the mix. MSU has Bama, @LSU and @Texas in three out of the next four games. That is a tall order.
• Big Ten – Oregon has looked shaky, but a new QB might be the medicine. Ohio State is probably in. Indiana looks vulnerable but their schedule is a joke. Southern Cal and Michigan are struggling. UCLA, Nebraska, and Iowa are all 4-0.

SECOND 2

• Big 12 – Utah, BYU, Texa$ Tech, and surprising Cincinnati are all unbeaten. Despite the opening season loss to Tulsa, Oklahoma State is looking dangerous.
• ACC – Miami-FL, Duke, Virginia Tech and Pitt are the last remaining undefeated teams.

AT LARGE

• Indies – Notre Dame is at UNC this weekend. Hopefully, Bella Belichick can give the Irish some fight.

PARTICIPATION TROPHY

• Boise (3-1) is looking like the top Participation Trophy candidate. In addition to taking Oregon down to the final whistle, they have defeated the other two early darlings in Western Michigan and Memphis.
• WMU can still win the MAC, but they are probably not getting the green ribbon.
• South Florida (4-0) might have actually improved their coaching situation by replacing now-Auburn coach Alex Golesh with former anOhio State OC Brian Hartline.
• I am still hanging onto the dark horse possibility of North Dakota State (4-0). A trip to surprising New Mexico (3-1) on October 24 might be the only roadblock for the Bison.
• Billy Napier’s James Madison should run the table on their weak schedule that has no Power opponents or even one from the AAC. An October 22 game at App State might be their only obstacle.

RANK ‘EM IF YOU GOT ‘EM

The top three have reclaimed their same spots in the AP poll. Ole Miss only fell from 4 to 9 which is a little surprising they didn’t fall further. Flawduh jumped all the way up 13 spots to 8.

Indiana dropped one spot but some random bleached-teeth dolt named Bob Ballou of CBS Austin still has the Hoosiers at No. 1. Either he is trolling the local UT fans or he doesn’t like the rat poison or he is just plain stupid. His top 5: Indy, Miami-FL, UGA, Texas, anOSU. He also has Bama at No. 10.

Brenna Greene of KOIN-TV in Portland, Oregon – who graduated from non-football Gonzaga and looks like she is not old enough to remember who was Alabama’s coach before Nick Saban – placed the Crimson Tide at No. 12. She has Texas Tech and BYU ahead of Alabama. Oregon is two spots behind Bama.

Boise makes an appearance. They are the first and only non-Power 4 team ranked thus far in 2026.

1. Texas (62)
2. Georgia (6)
3. Notre Dame
4. Miami (1)
5. anOhio State
6. Indiana (1)
7. Alabama
8. Florida
9. Ole Miss
10. BYU
11. LSU
12. Texas Tech
13. Utah
14. Iowa
15. Oregon
16. Mississippi State
17. Tennessee
18. Southern Cal
19. Oklahoma State
20. Houston
21. SMU
22. Boise
23. UCLA
24. Kentucky
25. Missouri

LET’S GO BOWLING!

• After four weeks, only 22 teams remain undefeated.
• 21 programs stand at 4-0 including UMass, while BYU is 3-0.
• Southern Cal is the only other team with four wins at 4-1.

LET’S GO BLOWING!

• Charlotte, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, and ULM have the dubious distinction of being 0-4.
• Bowling Green is averaging a pathetic 8.3 points per game. The Falcons have gone over double digits only once thus far in a humiliating 20-13 defeat to FCS Tarleton State to open the season.

Krazy Kristi’s “SHUT UP!” of the Week goes to the officials allowing rehearsed celebrations. Yeah, yeah, I know what you are going to say. Why not let them have fun blah blah blah. Well, get the hell off my lawn. Keep that B.S. for the NFL. I don’t mind a quick celebration in the moment, but this was something the players planned ahead of time. Shoulda been a flag. It’s about what you would expect from a Lane Kiffin team.

HEISMAN HYPE

Is anyone having a little deja vu here? Remember that time when Mississippi State was ranked No. 1 behind some new Heisman favorite quarterback named Dak? They were the media darlings casting SEC foes aside until they ran into a Crimson-colored wall.

Odds per FanDuel:

1. WR Jeremiah Smith (anOhio State) +300 – Abused the Illinois secondary.
2. QB Darian Mensah (Miami-FL) +350 – Beating up on soup cans.
3. QB Kamario Taylor (Miss. State) +800 – Still No. 3 but odds have increased.
4. QB Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss) +1100 – Last week’s No. 1.
5. (tie) QB Keelon Russell (Alabama) +1200
5. (tie) RB Jadan Baugh (Florida) +1200
5. (tie) QB CJ Carr (Notre Dame) +1200
8. (tie) QB Arch Manning (Texas) +2500
8. (tie) QB Julian Sayin (anOhio State) +2500 – Game manager with a “Mike Evans”.
8. (tie) WR Malachi Toney (Mia) +2500
8. (tie) QB Gunner Stockton (Georgia) +2500 – “I like them French fried potaters, mm-hm.”

QB Josh Hoover (Indiana) +5000
QB Bryce Underwood (Michigan) +22500

THE SICK REPORT

• Running back HollywoodSmothers did not play for Texas against Tennessee as he battles the dreaded “undisclosed injury.”
• LSU linebacker and team captain Whit Weeks is becoming a regular in this feature. He sustained a fracture in his lower right leg during a win over Texas A&M on Saturday. The injury isn’t believed to be season-ending but he will be out for a good while.
• Penn State leading wide receiver Koby Howard will miss extended time following an undisclosed injury. Coach Matt Campbell said last Wednesday that Howard’s injury is “not season-ending,” but it is likely to keep him sidelined for a good while. Howard was seventh in the nation in receiving yards at the time of his injury and tops in yards per reception (28.7) among players with more than 10 catches. His absence was glaring in PSU’s loss to Wisconsin.
• Louisville linebacker/safety Antonio Watts will miss the rest of the season with an injured knee.
• Indiana starting running back Turbo Richard left Friday’s game against Northwestern with a right lower-leg injury in the first half and did not return. He is questionable.
• Texa$ Tech star TE Terrance Carter missed the game against Sam Houston State, as he’s battles an AC joint issue. No refunds.

DRAMARAMA

• LSU athletics projects $26 million deficit after $44 million deficit last year. The school’s president says the program must “stop that bleeding”. Gee. I wonder how that happened.

• South Carolina star edge rusher Dylan Stewart has been suspended one game by USC and the SEC after he threw a punch at Alabama tight end Josh Ford and argued with coaches during Saturday night’s loss to the Crimson Tide. The fact that the SEC jumped in there is a clear signal that the officials should have tossed him from the game. Once thought to be a top 10 pick in the next NFL Draft, Stewart is sure to tumble his way out of the first round.
• Colorado removed several players for what coach Deion Sanders is calling “conduct detrimental to the team.” Sanders and the team did not specify who has been dismissed only noting that the dismissals when asked last Tuesday about his displeasure with several players laughing after the previous Saturday’s 41-7 loss at Northwestern. If you read Random Thoughts last week, you may recall a Tweet regarding the Buffys scoffing at the Wildcats temporary stadium. Safety Ben Finneseth appeared at Sanders’ news conference last Tuesday and apologized for comments captured on that Tweet as he prepared to take the field at Northwestern.

SCHEDULING

• Georgia and Clemson mutually agreed to cancel home-and-home series spanning 2029-32. Ya know. ‘Cuz Georgia Tech is already tough enough.

KOACHES KORNER

HOT SEAT

• Greg Schiano. Rutgers (1-3) finally picked up a win, taking down big bad Howard. However, they did so in front of a generously announced crowd of 34,466 (above). Their stadium has a capacity of 52,454. Looks more like 17,000.
• Shane Beamer has lost his South Carolina (2-2) team. SC has UK, @Fla, and Tenn up next – likely L, L, L..
• Mike Norvell. Florida State (2-2) defeated Central Arkansas 34-7. Next three are UVa, @Lou, @Mia, Clem.
• Barry Odom. Notre Dame throttled Purdue (1-3) to the tune of 49-10. Terrible hire.
• Mike Locksley (sad face emoticon). UCLA beat the snot out of the Terps 54-3 in a game played in Maryland (2-2). The next two opponents (@Nebr, @anOSU) are 8-0. Oof.
• Lincoln Riley? Empty stadiums and a 5-14 record against ranked teams were not what the Southern Cal brass was expecting when they dumped a truckload of cash at Riley’s doorstep.

• Dan Lanning is one smug S.O.B. Try beating Oklahoma State before you start talking s**t.
• Illinois head coach Bert Bielema has fired defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck a mere seven months after he was hired. The move came a day after the Illini were thumped by anOhio State 42-19.
• Alabama has extended Athletic Director Greg Byrne two more years, which would bring him through the 2032-33 season. He is 54 years old.
• Big-breasted Bill Belichick recently brought his gold-digger girlfriend Jordon Hussy Hudson on a recruiting trip this past weekend. It’s not a recruiting violation that I know of, but what are they trying to sell there?
• Urban Meyer‘s mama is so ugly, she made a happy meal cry.
• Fat F*** Phil Fulmer had to stop wearing golf spikes at his local course because he kept punching holes in the sewer lines.

TEEVEE

Where ya at Big Ten?

THIS WEEK

Below is just a sampling highlight of games of interest this week. If you REALLY MUST know about the BIG Toledo-Ball State brouhaha, click here.

Thursday, October 1

Western Kentucky at New Mexico State 7pm/8pm CBSSN – This might be the worst FBS game of the year.
North Texas at Tulsa 8pm/9pm ESPN

Friday, October 2

Pitt at Virginia Tech 6pm/7pm ESPN – rivalry game
Liberty at Delaware 6pm/7pm CBSSN
Penn State at Northwestern 7pm/8pm FOX

Saturday, October 3

SEC

Vanderbilt at Georgia 11:45/12:45 SECN – This one will be ugly.
Auburn at Tennessee 2:30/3:30 ESPN – Meteor game.
Florida at Missouri 2:30/3:30 ABC – Don’t get cocky, Fla.
Kentucky at South Carolina 3:15/4:15 SECN – SC is actually favored in this one.
Arkansas at Texas A&M 6pm/7pm ESPN2
McNeese at LSU 6:45/7:45 SECN – GO (checks notes) COWBOYS!

OTHERS

Michigan at Minnesota 11am/noon FOX – The Gophers just topped Washington in Seattle. Can they keep the momentum going?
Notre Dame at North Carolina 11am/noon ESPN
Ohio State at Iowa 2:30/3:30 CBS – Can the Hawkeyes pull off another upset?
Miami-FL at Clemson 6:30/7:30 ABC

Cincinnati at Arizona 10pm/11pm FOX – #B12AfterDark.

#ALABAMA – THE RETURN OF THE KING GUMP

Mark Ingram II was recognized for his College Football Hall of Fame induction during a timeout of the Alabama-South Carolina game. Nick Saban was there to celebrate him.

• Noah Rogers made his first appearance of the season and hauled in a big 36 yard gainer.
• AK Dear also made his 2026 debut. He had one carry for one yard.
• Three different Tide tight ends caught a pass on Saturday (Kaleb Edwards ×4, Marshall Pritchett ×2, Josh Ford ×1). I can’t recall the last time that has happened for Bama in an SEC affair.
• Alabama is now fourth in the nation in scoring at 48.0 points per game. They trail only Georgia, Florida, and Miami-FL.
• The Crimson Tide is 19 of 19 in the Red Zone. The scores are compiled of 15 touchdowns and four field goals.

• Luke Metz was all over the field. He had 2 solo tackles, 11 assists, a fumble recovery, and was laying some serious wood on poor unsuspecting Gamecocks. He and fellow linebacker Caleb Woodson (4 solo-8 asst) have turned a questionable preseason position into a regular season asset.

• Red Morgan (5-3, 1 TFL) returned an interception 23 yards to the house. It is the third defensive score of the season for the Crimson Tide. Three non-offensive touchdowns matches the total from last season (Zabien Brown ×2, DaShawn Jones ×1). Alabama had none in 2024 and two in 2023. Morgan has quietly turned into a solid defender who should be playing on Sundays in the near future.
• The Tide has recorded six interceptions on the season – tied for fifth most. [ED.NOTE: Amazingly, New Mexico leads the nation with 9.]
• It was a big win for the Tide but not all was rosy. Dijon Lee was not as bad as he was against FSU, but had some issues while working against Nyck Harbor.
• The running game was not great. Take EJ Crowell‘s 39-yard dash out of the equation and that leaves the running back corps with 50 yards for the game.
• After leading 35-10 at the break, the Crimson Tide came out a little flat in the second half. Alabama had two first downs in three possessions of the third quarter. However, they turned it back up in the 4th with two touchdowns and a kneel down.
• RT Jayvin James went down with 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. He was able to walk off the field under his own power. After some time in the medical tent on the sideline, He emerged with a medical boot on his left foot. He went to the locker room and didn’t return. Tyrell Miller took his place and was decent in 14 snaps. James is questionable for MSU for now.
• LG William Sanders (upper-body) also left the late in the game. He missed a significant amount of time over the off-season, being affected by an oblique injury. Mal Waldrep stepped in for Sanders against SC and reportedly played 26 snaps. Sanders is probable for Saturday.
• On Monday, Kalen DeBoer said Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu will continue to miss time as they recover from “lower-extremity” injuries. Umeozulu will be out “a little further into the season” than Hill.
• 64 Bama players saw game action against SC including three walk-ons and seven true freshmen.
• It should be a surprise to nobody that the Alabama-Georgia game will have a 6:30/7:30 start (though kickoff will probably be 15 minutes later) and air on ABC.

GAME 5: Saturday, October 3, 2026

Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0) at Mississippi State (4-0)

Starkville, MS ~ 11am/noon ABC

• Coach: Jeff Lebby (11-18, SEC 3-15 in his 3rd season as a head coach)
• 2026MSU: After a blowout of La-Monroe, the Bullies beat the tar out of Minnesota in the Gophers’ home stadium. The road warriors took down South Carolina in Columbia and then Mizzou at home to move to 4-0 on the season.
• Series: The MSU and Bama series has been a lopsided one with the Crimson Tide holding an 88-17-3 record against the Bulldogs. Missy State has not defeated Alabama since the miserable 2007 UA campaign. Since that game, the Tide have won 16 straight from 2008 to 2023.
• Editorial: MSU has progressively improved under Lebby from 2-10 to 5-8 and now has his squad undefeated and ranked heading into October. QB Kamario Taylor is a star in the making who will need to be contained. The Bullies have a top 10 offense, but the other side of the ball is a little sketchy, especially the secondary who is giving up 249.0 ypg – 114th in the nation. It’s been a long time since the Starkvillains have had something to clang about.
• Weather: As of now, the forecast is calling for thunderstorms, but that could change. Highs are expected in the lower 80s.
• TV Announcers: Again, it’s the team of Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy and Katie George.
• Radio: Chris Stewart & Tyler Watts on Alabama Radio.
• Vegas: The FanDuel point spread is up one digit with Alabama as a 5.5 point favorite. Over/Under is now 60.5. It sounds like folks have been hammering the Overs.

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