COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ja’Kobi Jackson is making an impact at Ohio State, despite arriving without much fanfare in January. The Florida transfer is second on the team in carries and rushing yards after three games. He leads the seventh-ranked team in yards per carry and touchdown runs. Jackson says this is what he envisioned and hopes his role continues to grow. Ohio State takes on Illinois this week in the Big Ten opener for both teams.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — As Rocco Becht waited for his surgically repaired shoulder to heal during winter workouts, the quarterback’s eyes were often glued to his new teammate wearing No. 6. It didn’t take long for Becht to strike up a friendship with James Franklin era holdover Koby Howard. Once Becht could start throwing again, the veteran found immediate chemistry with the shifty speedster who played sparingly for the Nittany Lions as a freshman. Howard has proved his worth with a team-leading 12 catches for 344 yards through three games.
UNDATED (AP) — Mississippi has moved into the top five of the AP Top 25 college football poll with its win over LSU. The Tigers remain in the top 10, and Florida and Mississippi State joined the rankings, giving the SEC 10 teams in the latest poll. The Rebels jumped to No. 4 after defeating LSU 32-24. LSU slipped to No. 10. Texas holds the top spot for the second week, followed by Georgia, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, and Indiana. Louisville made the biggest gain, rising to No. 16. Texas A&M fell to No. 23 after losing to Kentucky.
UNDATED (AP) — The Big 12 has three teams in the top 15 of The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time this season and four ranked in all. No. 9 BYU has its highest ranking since it popped into the top 10 for one week late last season. No. 11 Texas Tech and No. 15 Utah also have their highest rankings of the season. Houston is No. 23 and four other Big 12 teams are receiving votes. The Big 12 is shooting for two teams in the College Football Playoff for the first time.
UNDATED (AP) — Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover’s statistics speak for themselves. He’s completing more than 72% of his passes, has 10 touchdown passes, no interceptions and a passing efficiency rating that ranks second in the Football Bowl Subdivision. So on Monday, coach Curt Cigentti defended his quarterback against anyone who thinks Hoover hasn’t done enough in his first three games as the successor to Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. Cignetti said he thinks Hoover has been subjected to “unfair scrutiny” and that he's glad Hoover is the quarterback for the fifth-ranked and still unbeaten Hoosiers.
UNDATED (AP) — Three of the top four seeds in the College Football Playoff would be from the Southeastern Conference and two Big 12 teams would be on the bracket based on The Associated Press Top 25 poll. Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame and Mississippi would be the top four seeds. Based on the AP rankings, the CFP would open with No. 9 seed BYU at No. 8 seed Alabama, No. 12 seed Boise State at No. 5 seed Indiana, No. 10 seed LSU at No. 7 seed Ohio State and No. 11 seed Texas Tech at No. 6 seed Miami.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Jeremiah Smith has set Ohio State's career receiving yardage record in just 33 games. During Saturday's 59-3 victory over Kent State, Smith surpassed Michael Jenkins with a 23-yard reception. He now has 2,958 yards and is focused on breaking more records. Smith needs 27 catches to surpass Emeka Egbuka's 205 and six touchdowns to pass Chris Olave's 35. Coach Ryan Day praised Smith's mindset and achievements. Smith aims to become the first Ohio State receiver to reach 3,000 career yards. He's also eyeing the Heisman, competing with Miami's Malachi Toney for attention.
