UNDATED (AP) — It will be a reunion of sorts on Saturday at Ole Miss, where the No. 9 Rebels play No. 13 Missouri in a crucial Southeastern Conference matchup. Tigers quarterback Austin Simmons and wide receiver Cayden Lee both played for Ole Miss last season. Simmons was the Rebels' starting QB before getting hurt, losing the job to Trinidad Chambliss and then never getting back. There is no animosity on either side, though. Both coaching staffs and their players appreciated the way the transfer process played out, and they are happy that it left everyone involved with only positive memories.
UNDATED (AP) — LSU coach Will Wade remains confident in his team despite lingering eligibility questions as the Tigers prepare for the upcoming season. RJ Luis, who previously signed contracts with NBA teams, has not been rostered or traveled to the team’s exhibition against McNeese despite receiving clearance to play from a Louisiana court. LSU spent much of the offseason with just four players on its roster before expanding to 10 ahead of the Oct. 8 exhibition. Wade said he has a good sense of who will be available and believes the Tigers can compete in most games with a full roster.
UNDATED (AP) — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has signed an executive order allowing the state's colleges and universities to let athletes who graduated high school in 2022 play a fifth year. This move defies the NCAA's new five-year eligibility rule. DeWine emphasizes fairness, stating Ohio athletes should have the same opportunities as those in other states. The order permits public and private universities in Ohio to allow athletes to play, even if they've already played four seasons. The NCAA has not yet responded. This decision could mirror California's past action on name, image, and likeness compensation, which influenced other states.
UNDATED (AP) — The NFL says former Mississippi defensive lineman Zxavian Harris is eligible to sign with teams this season after a failed attempt to return to college football and play for LSU. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday, the league reversed its Sept. 16 ruling making Harris ineligible to be signed during the 2026 season. It said the defensive tackle didn't participate in an official practice or game with LSU, clearing the way for him to be signed by an NFL team. Harris and Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright had tryouts in the NFL this summer after going undrafted.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Special teams have become a problem for no-longer-top-ranked Texas. In the last two weeks, the punt team has given up critical touchdowns with a long return and a blocked kick in the end zone. Kickoffs have flown out of bounds. Return teams have made critical penalties and fumbled away an onside kick. But after Saturday's loss to Oklahoma that was punctuated by special teams breakdowns, coach Steve Sarkisian says he has no plans to make major changes or take any duties away from special teams coordinator Jeff Banks. The Longhorns are now ranked No. 7 in the AP Top 25.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — No. 6 Alabama is preparing to play without leading wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams at 14th-ranked Tennessee on Saturday. Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer says Coleman-Williams is doubtful for the rivalry known as “The Third Saturday in October.” The team captain is dealing with multiple injuries, including a concussion. Coleman-Williams left Alabama’s 20-17 loss to then-No. 2 Georgia twice Saturday night. He landed awkwardly on his left leg in the second quarter and left the game for good early in the fourth after Georgia safety KJ Bolden delivered a blow to his head.
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn will be without standout linebacker Xavier Atkins, the team’s second-leading tackler, against top-ranked Georgia on Saturday. Coach Alex Golesh made the announcement and declined to revealed why Atkins won’t make the trip to Athens, Georgia, for the Southeastern Conference game known as “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.” Golesh says he will “keep it in house in terms of anything beyond that.” Atkins has been one of Auburn’s most productive defensive players this season. He has 37 tackles, including 7 1/2 for loss.
