Week 7 of the 2026 CFB season will go down in history as one of the greatest, and craziest, of all-time and there was no way that week 8 could even live up to THAT kind of hype. But, in terms of CRAZY ball games, no game this year will take the mantle from BYU-UCF, a WILD Big 12 ending with a massive upset as a result. So, let’s review week 8 and then prepare for a gargantuan Halloween weekend week nine.
Week 8 Look Back
Team that made the biggest statement - Wisconsin - Badgers head coach Luke Fickell has been under the microscope for the past few years at Wisconsin. But, the school stayed with him for 2026 and that was the right move. I’m a huge Fickell fan and he had his Badgers ready to rock against USC. On a night when the World Series captivated the state of Wisconsin, Fickell’s Badgers gave the proud state something else to be proud of as his they systematically dismantled #16 USC 24-7. Former USC RB Bryan Jackson got a small measure of revenge against his former team with a rushing TD and that was enough scoring really as USC’s offense was stifled all night long.
Players that showed out…
Cincinnati’s QB/RB duo JC French IV and Cole Tabb - French IV threw four touchdown passes in the Bearcats upset of #8 Texas Tech, while Tabb ran for 173 yards on 16 carries, one TD. This one was supposed to be personal, but Cincinnati flipped the script at Nippert, thanks to the two stars’ performances on Saturday.
…then there’s HIM
Miami WR Malachi Toney - I mean, I’m watching four games at a time on Saturday afternoon and every time I look over at Pitt trying to cover Toney, it’s a major failure. Toney, a true Heisman candidate, caught 16 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns. It was a magical masterpiece with plenty of the great 2001 Hurricanes in the building to observe the new blood. He put on a show just as he has since he arrived in Coral Gables in 2025.
Best Game of the Weekend - UCF - 39 vs. BYU - 31
This game kept me in my car watching on my phone for 25 minutes before I could go in. I thought it might be over so I took off for the store, then madness ensued before the game eventually went to overtime. In the second OT, UCF QB Keyone Jenkins threw a TD and a two point conversion to put UCF out front. The Knights defense got a stop to end the madness as UCF upset the #2 team in the nation…the second time in as many weeks that the nation’s #2 team went down on a Saturday (Notre Dame in week seven to BYU, ironically, and then BYU to UCF in week eight)
Like the Draft? Here’s your guy that showed out - LSU Trey’Dez Green - He looks like a small forward, but has hands, toughness and run after the catch ability. His return coincided with LSU’s best offensive performance in weeks. That’s no coincidence, honestly.
“John’s Crush Roster” Member i.e Player I’m still crushing on - LSU WR Jackson Harris - There’s so much talent at WR in this draft class, but you better start getting to know this cat. He tore up Auburn’s secondary. Tough as heck. Great hands. PLUS speed. With all of the transfers to LSU this offseason, he really was overshadowed, but he’s one heck of an NFL Draft prospect.
Week 9 Look Ahead
Team that can make the biggest statement - USC - The #2 Ohio State Buckeyes are coming to Los Angeles without one of the best QBs in the nation. The Buckeyes are ripe for the upset with upheaval at QB after the Julian Sayin injury. Then, there’s the southern California factor for midwest teams. But, USC was not good last week. So, it’s a chance to rebound and make one heck of a statement against the #2 team in the country and a backup QB.
Player(s) to Watch - North Carolina WR Jordan Shipp - It’s really easy to be mesmerized by the talent at WR for the Miami Hurricanes. But, keep an eye on #1. Strong hands. Excellent route runner. Toughness and ability after the catch. He doesn’t have the magnetism of Malachi Toney or the production of Cooper Barkate on the Miami side, but Shipp’s a baller and a half.
Best Game of the Weekend - #17 Florida v. #3 Georgia in Jacksonville - The World’s largest cocktail party as it used to be known is one of the greatest rivalries in the history of college football. I’ve been to it a half dozen times and it always, ALWAYS has a surprise or three in store for each side. When both teams are ranked, it makes it THAT much more fun…and wild.
John’s Top 3 - Best NFL Draft QB prospects, currently - Each week I’ll give a quick top 3 on any topic. Last week, it was the three best games of the 2026 college season…thus far, of course. But, this week, it’s deep into the draft with the three best NFL Draft QB prospects
3. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss - Whip of an arm, intangibles off the charts.
2. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State - Said it last week, Josh Allen-vibes.
1. Darian Mensah, Miami, FL - Smooth, smart, arm acumen, toughness, leader
The Big 12 Pulse - Who’s rising, who’s slipping, who to watch
A made field goal is all that stood between Baylor being 5-2 and near the top of the Big 12, but Kansas’ ST unit blocked the kick…and it cost Dave Aranda his job. At 5-2, they would’ve been near the top of the conference, but the loss seemingly forced the administration’s hand, firing Aranda the next morning.
The SEC Pulse - Who’s rising, who’s slipping, who to watch
The Texas A&M fall from grace has been swift and destructive. On Friday morning November 28, 2025, the Aggies were 11-0 and ready to face off with Texas for a shot at the SEC Championship game. Since that morning, the Aggies are 4-6 since, including last week’s collapse at Alabama. Ahead 20-17 with the ball, the Aggies were just short of a first down. So, they lined up to seemingly go for it on fourth down. There was a miscommunication between a three year starting center and his three year starting QB that led to a fumble. Alabama took the lead four plays later and nine plays later added another TD to win 31-20. Suffice to say, it’s not been good in College Station.
Top 5 to Watch - This will give you an idea of where my eyes will be this weekend
5. The Fifita Brothers - Texas Tech will be primed for a bounceback, but Arizona QB Noah Fifita and his diminutive pass rushing LB brother Dash are fun as heck to watch.
4. I don’t drink but… - I’m a huge Florida-Georgia rivalry fan and it was always fun to take in the game right there on the St. John’s River.
3. Is Texas BACK?!? - There were moments last week against Ole Miss in which the Horns looked dominant and then others in which they let Ole Miss right back in the game. A Magnolia State (Miss. State this week) sweep would do everyone in Austin some good.
2. Who is Luke Fahey? - Heisman candidate and Ohio State starting QB Julian Sayin could be out for the rest of the season. So, the Buckeyes will turn to a young Californian, returning home to southern California, to start against USC. This should be exciting, to say the least.
1. Another week of watching Jeremiah Smith and Malachi Toney - Smith was on a bye last week, so Toney went off against Pitt. This week, both are back on the field and that’s freakin’ awesome.