UNDATED (AP) — LSU jumped back into the top 10 in the first Associated Press Top 25 college football poll of the regular season. Oregon slipped out of the top five and Michigan fell out of the rankings altogether after it needed a second-chance Hail Mary try at home to beat Western Michigan. Ohio State remained No. 1 by a wide margin entering its showdown with No. 4 Texas on Saturday. The Buckeyes received 46 first-place votes from the voting panel of 69 writers and broadcasters. The other 23 first-place votes were divided among six teams; two of those votes went to Texas.
IRVING, Texas (AP) — The College Football Playoff is discussing expanding its tournament to 24 teams with ESPN. The CFP announced Tuesday that this move is not a commitment but a step to gather more information. The playoff expanded from four to 12 teams in 2024. Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey supports 16 teams, while others prefer 24. The current ESPN deal is worth $7.8 billion over six seasons. A 24-team playoff would eliminate automatic qualifiers and make conference title games less significant. Supporters argue it would provide more programs access to the playoff.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Jeremiah Smith has terrorized opposing defenses in big games over the past two-plus seasons. The only one Ohio State’s All-America wide receiver hasn't done it against is Texas. As the top-ranked Buckeyes and No. 4 Longhorns meet Saturday for the third straight season, Smith will be looking to reach the end zone for the first time against Texas. Ohio State won the past two meetings but Smith was a nonfactor. He had one catch for 3 yards in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl and six receptions for 43 yards in last year’s season opener in Columbus.
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — The Mid-American Conference wants Western Michigan recognized as the winner over Michigan after a controversial game. The NCAA said Tuesday the result stands, citing no protocol for overturning outcomes. Michigan won 13-12 on a Hail Mary pass after officials added a second to the clock. The MAC argues the prescribed replay protocol wasn't followed, which led to Michigan's win. The NCAA's rules state the team with the most points at the end is the winner. The controversy has sparked debate in college football circles.
BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) — Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky says he agrees with his lawyers’ decision not to go forward with testimony from an accuser who wants to recant allegations that Sandusky sexually abused him years ago. Sandusky appeared in court remotely Tuesday in his latest bid to secure a new trial. The 82-year-old Sandusky has been serving a decades-long prison sentence since he was convicted of 45 counts of sexual abuse in 2012, after eight young men testified. Sandusky’s lawyer, Jerry Russo, told reporters that courts frown on granting new trials based on a witness recantation. Instead, Russo says he plans to take Sandusky’s broader claims for a new trial to federal court.
UNDATED (AP) — Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney is The Associated Press national college football player of the week. Toney caught 12 passes for a school-record 234 yards and three touchdowns in the Hurricanes’ 45-6 win at Stanford. Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Heintschel was runner-up. The second-year QB threw seven touchdown passes in a 59-14 win over Miami (Ohio) to set the Atlantic Coast Conference record and tie the school record.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Rutgers coach Greg Schiano is still feeling the effects of his team’s stunning season-opening loss to UMass. The Minutemen, 29 1/2-point underdogs, beat Rutgers 37-21 Thursday night. The Scarlet Knights were outplayed in every facet against the Minutemen. UMass piled up 397 yards and gave up just 30 yards rushing. Rutgers led 7-0 before UMass reeled off 30 straight points. Because of an injury to Dylan Lonergan, last week's starter at quarterback, Schiano says AJ Surace will get the start against Boston College this week.
