Sunday Morning QB – 9/20/2026
The playoffs in college football don’t officially start until the season is over in November. The reality is the playoffs start in week 1. Texas A&M who was ranked 9th in the coach’s poll and lost to unranked Kentucky. LSU which blew out Clemson in their opener lost to Ole Miss on the road. While neither team is officially eliminated from the playoffs both teams would most likely have to run the table to make the playoffs. That is going to be difficult as LSU and Texas A&M both play each other next week which is basically a knock out game. LSU wins next week they still have at Kentucky, Mississippi State, at Auburn, Alabama, Texas and at Tennessee. The odds of them winning out or even finishing with only two losses is not likely. The Aggies can’t afford to lose another loss. Lose next week and they will be playing in a meaningless bowl game in December.
So let’s talk about Ole Miss vs. LSU. I said at the time when LSU destroyed Clemson to be careful in judging the Tigers off one game. This may be Clemson worst team in 20 years. The media jumped all over LSU and was ready to crown them National Champs. Two weeks later and LSU is heading into a must win game this week.
Props to Ole Miss…they lose their head coach and jump out to a 24-7 lead against the Tigers. They could have folded. Instead they pull out the win. Pete Golding got a big win. Lose that game and the fans may have asked for his head.
Kentucky – Wow, they had Alabama on the ropes a week ago and this week they upset top ten ranked Texas A&M. Will Stein has officially gotten on the hot board or any team who is considering firing their coach this off-season. If you don’t think he is the goods….Look at what Oregon offense looks like without him.
Jon Sumrall…LOL at Gator fans. They wanted Kiffin. The reality is they most likely got the better coach. They got the real deal in Sumrall. The Gators had talent but underachieved the past couple of seasons. He is going to turn that program around and the Gators will return to the top of the conference soon.
Alabama – Oh Boy – how many Tide fans were ready to fire Kalen Deboer after one of the lightning delays. FSU two years in a row were the more physical team. I would not have wanted to be DeBoer if they had lost that game. For his sake they won and got a stay of execution. Things would have gotten ugly if the tide lost.
Indiana is #1 ranked in the county until they get beaten. While they are not playing any great teams they are dominating them. That is what good teams do.
Miami – Had Miami #1 last week, dropped them down to 2nd or 3rd this week? They need to close out games. They had dominated Wake and got uninterested. That lull during the 2nd half almost made a game they had in the bag way more interesting than it should have been. Mensah is the best QB in college football this year. Yes, I said it.
Mississippi State – Jeff Lebby….He found the best QB in the country. Don’t be surprised when Mississippi State knocks off some of the big boys. When you have a QB that well – PLAYOFFS….To quote Jim More – PLAYOFFS. Yes, Mississippi State needs to be in the discussion. They have the 2nd best QB In the country.
USC – Lincoln Riley has a very good offense. One fake punt and what was a good start of the season gave Rutgers hope of winning a game they were 22 point underdogs. Coach Schiano had his team ready to play. While Jeremiah Smith and Malachi Toney get all the pub…Rutgers KJ Duff is right there with them as one of the best in college football. His name will be called in round 1 of the 2027 NFL Draft. Take that to the bank.
Iowa – Holly cow…I know they played Northern Iowa but they are scoring points this year. They always have one of the best offenses. They play Michigan next week. I really feel that Iowa could pull the upset.
USF – They are 3-0. The Bulls are a legit threat to win the American Conference. It will probably come down to USF vs. Memphis for the title in that Conference.
Manny Diaz and Duke are 3-0. The Blue Devils are actually good in football. They are a title contender once again in the ACC. Yes – they are once again a title contender in the ACC for football.
James Franklin – VT is 3-0. They got an impressive win over Maryland. Franklin is going to be able to recruit that state and land big time talent. It won’t take long for Franklin to establish himself as one of the best coaches in the conference.
BYU – This could be the year that BYU finally gets it done. They have a QB. Their defense is always going to be good. They are in a conference that teams will beat each other up. Can they survive and move on. I expect them to be in the playoff race till the end.
UCLA- Bob Chesney. If schools could choose a difference coach in the last coaching cycle would Chesney be hire up the list? He has turned UCLA around in one season. They are a team others in the Big 10 will not want to face.
North Dakota – 4-0 – Better start talking about it. PLAYOFFS. They may make it in – year 1. That is impressive.
Heisman Leader – Darian Mensah – University of Miami- Dark horse –Kamario Taylor – QB – Mississippi State.
Playoff Rankings –
- Indiana
- Miami
- Georgia
- Texas
5)Notre Dame vs. 12) North Dakota State
6)Ohio State vs. 11) Boise State
7)BYU vs. 10) Alabama
8) USC vs. 9) USC
In conversation – LSU, Mississippi State, UF, Missouri, Vandy, Tennessee, UCLA, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State, Washington, Texas Tech, ASU, Cincinnati, Kansas State, Utah, West Virginia, Duke, Pittsburgh, USF