Today: Reacting to the CFP rankings, Auburn coaching search intel, the CFP committee's big miss, and order restored at LSU.

~8 minute read (1,942 words)

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NCAA FOOTBALL

Using the eye test to react to the first CFP rankings

Julian Sayin, Curt Cignetti, Marcel Reed, Ty Simpson, Gunner Stockton, Lane Kiffin

With the first College Football Playoff rankings revealed, a clearer picture is emerging of the sport's top contenders. Each of these teams has made its case through talent, depth, and balance on both sides of the ball. Now that the first rankings are out, Chris Low offered his eye test on the top teams in the rankings.

1. Ohio State

Ohio State's dominance has been unmistakable. The Buckeyes overwhelmed Penn State 38-14 last week and possess perhaps six of the top 20 players in the country. Quarterback Julian Sayin has been nearly flawless, completing more than 80 percent of his passes with 23 touchdowns and only three interceptions. His poise and precision have powered an offense that features star receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, who form the best tandem in college football. Linebacker Arvell Reese and safety Caleb Downs anchor a defense that has surrendered only six touchdowns in eight games.

2. Indiana

Indiana's defensive front has established itself as one of the nation's most disruptive. The Hoosiers held Oregon to 267 total yards and one offensive touchdown and have controlled the line of scrimmage all season. Linebackers Aiden Fisher, Rolijah Hardy, and Isaiah Jones have combined for 34.5 tackles for loss, and senior lineman Stephen Daley has emerged since transferring from Kent State. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza has provided steady leadership with 25 touchdown passes and just four interceptions, while the running game and receiving corps give Indiana strong balance on offense.

3. Texas A&M

Mike Elko's Texas A&M team has developed into a tough, physical group that thrives on versatility. The Aggies' 41-40 win at Notre Dame set the tone for a season defined by offensive growth. Quarterback Marcel Reed has become a dual-threat centerpiece, while four running backs have contributed during Le'Veon Moss's injury absence. Transfers KC Concepcion and Mario Craver have added explosiveness, helping the Aggies average nearly six yards per rush over the past two games.

4. Alabama

After a rocky opener against Florida State, Alabama has rebounded with wins over Georgia and Vanderbilt. The defense has tightened, allowing only five fourth-quarter touchdowns in its last seven games. Quarterback Ty Simpson continues to progress, showing leadership and poise in close contests. Despite struggles in the running game, the Crimson Tide remain battle-tested and resilient under Kalen DeBoer.

5. Georgia

Georgia's roster may not match the depth of its back-to-back championship teams, but it remains dangerous. Quarterback Gunner Stockton has excelled in clutch moments, accounting for 19 total touchdowns. The Bulldogs have shown vulnerability on defense yet continue to win tough games and face one of the nation's most demanding schedules.

6. Ole Miss

Ole Miss has rediscovered its edge. Transfer quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has stabilized the offense while Kewan Lacy's 13 rushing touchdowns lead a balanced attack. The Rebels have a favorable closing schedule and a clear path to a playoff berth if they win out. Lane Kiffin's focus and the team's maturity have helped turn last year's near misses into consistent, hard-fought victories.

Read Chris Low's full thoughts on the CFP rankings.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Auburn coaching search: Names to know, timelines to watch

Four consecutive Sundays now, a major Power Four job has opened up. Auburn's decision to part ways with Hugh Freeze over the weekend did not come as a shock to the system; however, it opens up an attractive opening in the SEC.

Auburn fans want the Tigers to produce a consistent winning team on the field. For context, the last winning record was 6-5 in 2020. The last bowl game win was in 2018, and the most recent SEC championship game appearance came in 2017. Auburn has never made the College Football Playoff.

Auburn has the resources to compete at the top level in the SEC. Here is what you need to know about the Auburn coaching search.

Hiring timeline

In his first comments Monday after firing Freeze, AD John Cohen said he would be the committee to hire Auburn's next head coach. Sources have told On3 that executive deputy athletic director Jared Benko will play a role in helping vet a wide swath of candidates before Cohen is ready to start sit-down interviews. The ideal timeline is making a hire the last weekend of November, before National Signing Day on Dec. 3, and well before the transfer portal begins. But sources have told On3 that a range of candidates are pushing off interviews until their seasons end.

Candidate criteria

Auburn will target proven Power Four or top Group of Six head coaches who recruit and develop talent at an elite level. More importantly, having a plan to turn around the Tigers' offense quickly will be critical. Defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin has his unit allowing only 309.8 yards per game, while Auburn's offense is only scoring 22.3 points per game.

Freeze's struggles managing the quarterback position will be a point of emphasis moving forward. And sources have told On3 that Cohen wants to make a hire who is all in on building a winning culture.

Money matters

Having the money to put together a competitive SEC roster has not been a problem at Auburn. WRs Eric Singleton and Cam Coleman are both making over $1 million this season. That comes after paying top dollar to land Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold, who was benched this past week for Ashton Daniels.

The 2025 season was going to be critical for Freeze's future, and Auburn spent to put together the roster necessary, spending well over $15 million. Freeze made roughly $6.73 million this season, which ranked in the top 40 in the nation. Auburn will likely have to boost that salary to land a sitting Power Four head coach.

Realistic names to watch

Jon Sumrall (Tulane): The Alabama native has been tied to Auburn for weeks. His deep recruiting ties in the state and track record of winning, including two conference titles at Troy, make him a logical fit.
D.J. Durkin (Auburn interim): After leading one of the SEC's top defenses, Durkin will have a chance to make his case over Auburn's final three games. He is a familiar face who could bring continuity and stability.
Charles Kelly (Jacksonville State): The former Auburn co-defensive coordinator is 5-3 in his first season leading Jacksonville State and remains well connected on The Plains.
Kenny Dillingham (Arizona State): A rising offensive mind who served as Auburn's offensive coordinator in 2019, when the Tigers went 9-4. His past success developing Bo Nix could appeal to an administration seeking an offensive reboot.

Read the latest on the Auburn search from Pete Nakos.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

Wasserman: Notre Dame's No. 10 CFP ranking shows the committee is leaning more on feelings than data

The College Football Playoff Committee is supposed to be the rational room. The group that watches the games, interprets results, and dives deeper into data than any fan or reporter ever could. Watching football and ranking teams is their one job.

That's why the CFP Rankings often differ from the AP Poll. The rankings are not supposed to be emotional. They are supposed to be about results and data.

Which is why Notre Dame landing at No. 10 might be the most misplaced ranking of the CFP era.

The Irish began the season with back-to-back losses to Texas A&M and Miami but have since won six straight. Quarterback CJ Carr looks like a budding star, and running back Jeremiyah Love has been one of the best players in the country. The problem: Notre Dame is ranked ahead of Texas, Oklahoma, and Miami, all with similar records and stronger résumés. Miami, of course, beat Notre Dame in the season opener.

It seems like feelings may have crept into the room. So what did the Committee see?

"I think it starts with two losses of a total of four points against two very, very good teams. Six straight wins... Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love, probably the best backfield in the country when you think about 1-2 punch. ... When we look at the tape, we think Notre Dame is a really solid football team on both sides of the ball." —Mack Rhoades, CFP Committee Chair

What stands out about that quote? More feeling, less data.

The data tells another story. Texas ranks No. 9 in strength of record, Oklahoma No. 11, and Miami No. 18. Notre Dame is No. 23. Texas and Oklahoma each have two ranked wins, and Miami has the head-to-head victory. Notre Dame's lone quality win is over No. 19 USC.

So again: why is Notre Dame higher? Feelings? Are we doing feelings now?

The Irish might still make another playoff run. They are talented and well-coached. But the results have to matter, and the rankings should mirror what the data shows.

On balancing the data alongside the eye test, Rhoades later said "We refer to it as art and science." Art and science. Got it.

This year's CFP Committee feels different. There was more talk of feelings than data during its first reveal in years. What a ride this could be.

Read the full column from Ari Wasserman.

🚨Headlines

NCAA FOOTBALL

After a week of chaos, LSU finds stability overnight

After a rocky stretch that saw the governor publicly criticize LSU's leadership and athletics director Scott Woodward shown the door, the Tigers appear to have found stability. In one day, LSU named Wade Rousse its new president and elevated Verge Ausberry from interim to full-time athletics director, bringing long-needed alignment to the top of the university.

Ausberry has spent more than three decades at LSU, starting as a compliance intern in 1991 and working his way up to executive deputy athletics director. A former LSU linebacker with deep political and coaching industry connections, he now leads the search for the Tigers' next head football coach alongside Rousse, select board members, and major donors.

Ausberry made clear what he expects from the program. "Our next chapter is to hire a football coach. Hire the best football coach there is. LSU has to be in the playoffs every year in football. No substitute."

That message resonated across Baton Rouge, where the program's direction had felt uncertain. Even women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey, who was hired by Woodward, voiced support for the move. She called the news bittersweet but said she was happy for Ausberry, praising his Louisiana roots and belief in the university.

Amid the coaching search, Ausberry also addressed one of the wilder rumors circulating online about whether Nick Saban might come out of retirement to return to LSU. He quickly put that talk to rest.

"No way he's coming back to football, okay? Miss Terry's not gonna let him," Ausberry said on ESPN Baton Rouge, laughing that if Saban ever changed his mind, he would "go drive and pick him up right now."

For now, Ausberry and Rousse are focused on leading the search. LSU will consider coaches involved in the playoff and is willing to wait until January if necessary. After a week of turmoil, the Tigers seem back in sync and ready to move forward.

Get the latest on the LSU search here.

TRIVIA

Now here's a guy...

Below, you'll find 3 facts about a random college football player. You'll try to guess who the player is based on the facts. Let's go.

I declared for the 2005 NBA Draft, but was a five-star recruit and top-10 player in that year's football recruiting class, ultimately teaming up with my brother at Texas A&M.
As a freshman, I caught 18 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns. I also suited up for Billy Gillispie's basketball team and became the first Aggie since 1969 to letter in both sports.
I finished my A&M career with 105 receptions, tying the school record for a tight end, before declaring early for the NFL Draft. Years later, I won a Super Bowl ring and launched a creative studio focused on children's storytelling.

Answer at the bottom.

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