UNDATED (AP) — Florida made a massive jump in The Associated Press Top 25 and landed in the top 10 for the first time in five years. The Gators’ 24-point win over Mississippi on Saturday earned them a 13-rung promotion to No. 8. That's their highest ranking since 2020 and first top-10 appearance since 2021. Texas, Georgia and Notre Dame continued to hold the top three spots, Miami was a season-high No. 4 and Ohio State moved up two spots to No. 5. Indiana, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and BYU completed the top 10. The Longhorns received 62 of 70 first-place votes.
UNDATED (AP) — Florida not only would be on the 12-team College Football Playoff bracket for the first time based on The Associated Press Top 25, the Gators would host a first-round game. First-year coach Jon Sumrall’s team zoomed up 13 spots to No. 8 in the poll. That would give the Gators the last home-field spot and the Southeastern Conference a total of six teams in the field. Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame and Miami would be the top four seeds and Ohio State, Indiana, Alabama and Florida would host first-round games.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oregon quarterback Dante Moore left the Coliseum field in an ambulance and wearing a neck brace after the Heisman Trophy candidate was hit roughly by Southern California linebacker Desman Stephens during a slide in the second quarter. Stephens’ hit resulted in his ejection and sparked a melee on the field while Moore was receiving immediate medical attention. The Ducks quarterback is an expected high pick in the next NFL draft. Oregon beat USC 41-27, and the Ducks were thrilled about an important win while also concerned about Moore and furious at Stephens.
UNDATED (AP) — Oregon says that quarterback Dante Moore sustained a concussion in a late hit by linebacker Desman Stephens during the second quarter of the Ducks’ victory over Southern California on Saturday. Stephens was suspended for one game by USC earlier Sunday for the hit and his celebration afterward. Stephens was ejected for targeting in the second quarter of the Trojans' 41-27 loss to the Ducks after he dived in to hit a sliding Moore, who left the field in an ambulance. Stephens incurred online wrath for celebrating the hit before his ejection, and for returning to the Trojans' sideline in the second half. Stephens says he is “deeply sorry to Dante, his family and everyone who saw my reaction.”
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — IIllinois defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck has parted ways with the program four games into his first season. Coach Bret Bielema had hired the former Montana head coach last February to replace Aaron Henry, who left to be co-defensive coordinator at Notre Dame. The Illini lost 42-19 at Ohio State on Saturday and enter this week 100th nationally in scoring defense, 111th in total defense and 119th in pass defense. Bielema did not announce a successor to Hauck.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan’s luck ran out. And, Iowa rubbed it in. Hank Brown connected with Reece Vander Zee on a 16-yard touchdown pass to give the 17th-ranked Hawkeyes a 20-19 win over the 18th-ranked Wolverines. Iowa had 2 seconds on the clock for the final snap of a 91-yard, game-winning drive. The Hawkeyes took advantage of the time, three weeks after Michigan was given a second to attempt a second Hail Mary to beat Western Michigan in a controversial finish in the same stadium.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Jeremiah Smith has made history for Ohio State with a standout performance against Illinois. The wide receiver became the first in Buckeyes' history to have double-digit receptions for at least 200 yards and score four touchdowns. On Saturday, Smith caught 12 passes for 217 yards, and his four TDs tied a school record. Coach Ryan Day praised Smith's improvement, especially in yards after the catch. Smith's performance has put him among the national leaders, with 33 catches for 617 yards and seven touchdowns. He's emerging as a Heisman Trophy contender.
SEATTLE (AP) — Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck’s intensity was on full-display after his team’s road win against Washington. In the aftermath of the 27-24 win, linebacker Maverick Baranowski — who said he was hit by a cleat on the last play of the game — was bleeding from his mouth. After the two embraced, Fleck grabbed the senior linebacker’s head with two hands then aggressively wiped the blood from Baranowski’s mouth, and brushed it on his own left cheek.
