Good morning, and welcome back to CFB Roundup from CFB Home – the first daily newsletter that’s all college football, all the time with no bias, no slant, and no fluff.

YESTERDAY’S RESULTS:

TODAY’S SCHEDULE:

Betting Information as of time of writing

Miami (OH) Takes Early Lead on NIU, Holds On To Win 20-9

Miami (OH) took a 17-0 lead before NIU kicked a field goal right before halftime to take a 17-3 lead into half time, and was able to hold on the rest of the way to maintain a lead.

NIU cut the lead to 8 after a touchdown, and got the ball back with about 8 minutes to go, but after getting close to midfield, NIU fumbled the ball, and with it, fumbled its chance to win.

Miami ran a few minutes of clock before kicking a field goal, making it a 2-possession game. NIU got the ball back and tried to kick a field goal with 17 seconds left to go back down 8, but the 42-yard kick was blocked.

Even though NIU had its chances and did outperform in certain areas, Miami was the more consistent team down-to-down area as the RedHawks finished with 324 total yards (6.23 yards/play) to NIU’s 242 (3.23 yards/play). NIU also turned the ball over twice (and had a kick blocked) compared to Miami’s one turnover. NIU did have 2 more first downs and was much, much better on conversion downs (11/20 vs 2/10).

Miami QB Brett Gabbert finished 14/23 with 207 yards and an interception with WR Javon Tracy scoring on a trick play, throwing for a 30 yard touchdown to Reggie Virgil, who led all receivers with 4/107/1. RB Keyon Mozee led all rushers with 14/91.

For NIU, QB Ethan Hampton finished 10/25 with 70 yards, an interception, and a fumble lost. Josh Holst also played, finishing 6/8 for 31 yards. At RB, Telly Johnson Jr. finished with a statline of 15/47/1, with Gavin Williams running for 6/45. Williams also went 4/12 in the receiving game as Andrew McElroy led all Huskies with 5/38.

With the win, Miami (OH) still only has one loss in the conference standings, which keeps the RedHawks alive, as Ohio and Bowling Green both only have one loss. Miami (OH) ends its season with a road game against Bowling Green next week.

Central Michigan Dominates Time of Possession In 2nd Half to Win 16-14

Central Michigan had the ball for more than 21 of 30 minutes in the 2nd half as Western Michigan’s offense never saw the field in the 3rd quarter.

What’s weirder about the 2nd half, is that there were only 6 total drives and 2 of them were 3-and-outs.

Looking at the team box score, Western Michigan got outgained 307-184, got out-converted on 3rd and 4th down (8/18 vs. 3/14), had fewer first downs (17-10), lost the yards per play battle (4.65 vs. 3.61), but did win the turnover battle 1-0 with a pick six in the 3rd quarter for its first score.

Looking at the individual player box score, it’s a little clearer to see why Central Michigan was able to keep the ball away from Western Michigan, as the Broncos ran the ball half of the time and averaged 2 yards per carry overall and for 3.28 yards per carry between its two main RBs (Jalen Buckley: 12/50/1; Jaden Nixon: 6/9). Western Michigan QB Hayden Wolff finished 13/23 for 126 yards, with Kenneth Womack (4/47) and Zahir Abdus-Salaam (3/35) as his two most productive receiving threats.

For Central Michigan, QB Jadyn Glasser was 8/17 with 140 yards and a pick-six, which was a so-so performance. But RBs Marion Lukes (15/93), Myles Bailey (11/51), and BJ Harris (15/41/1) all played their parts to buoy the offense. Solomon Davis (3/73) was the only non-RB to catch a pass, as Harris (2/47), Lukes (1/12), and Bailey (2/8) all also played their parts in the pass game, too.

With the loss, Western Michigan drops to 5-6 overall and 4-3 in MAC play, eliminating the Broncos’ longshot chance at the MAC championship. To get to bowl eligibility, Western Michigan will need to beat Eastern Michigan at home next Saturday.

Akron Beats Up on Winless Kent State 38-17

The good news for Kent State is it once again took a lead, as the Golden Flashes scored first to take a 7-0 lead. Akron proceeded to score 17 unanswered points and Kent State never got the lead closer to 7.

After a 21 point scoring streak from the Zips, it was 38-10 and it took a garbage time touchdown to get to our final mark of 38-17.

Akron had over 500 yards on offense, as the Zips ran for almost 300 yards and dominated time of possession with over 36 minutes. Akron defensively stifled Kent State, as well, as the Golden Flashes finished with just 9 first downs and held Kent State to 1/12 on conversion downs.

Highlighting Kent State’s most consistent performer last night, punter Josh Smith finished with 342 punting yards on 8 punts (42.75 yards per punt) with 4 of those punts landing inside the 20, none being touchbacks, none getting returned, and the long going for 55 yards.

Kent State QB Tommy Ulatowski finished 12/20 for 229 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. He was also sacked 3 times.

For Kent State, the leading rusher was Ky Thomas (13/52), and the leading receivers were Luke Floriea (3/103/1) and Chrishon McCray (3/93/1).

For Akron, QB Ben Finley did enough, going 14/29 with 250 yards and a touchdown. Akron got a lot of production spread between its three main ball carriers, between RBs Jordon Simmons (11/113) and Charles Kellom (19/104/1), as well as QB Tahj Bullock (10/35/2).

In the receiving game, Adrian Norton led the way in the game with 5/107, while Kellom also added 44 receiving yards to go with his 100+ yard rushing game. Jarvis Rush caught one pass, but it was the Zips’ lone touchdown pass – a 36-yarder.

Akron, at 3-8, is playing for little more than pride, but does finished the season next Tuesday against Toledo. Kent State has been the last winless team for a little bit now, and they look to avoid the dubious distinction of going winless with its final game of the season on the road against Buffalo next Tuesday night.

New CFP Committee Rankings

The College Football Playoff Committee got together once again to rank its Top 25 teams at the FBS level. And much like all of its other rankings, everyone agrees with them and thinks everyone is exactly where they are supposed to be. The full top 25 (and change compared to last week) is here:

1. Oregon

2. Ohio State

3. Texas

4. Penn State

5. Indiana

6. Notre Dame (+2)

7. Alabama (+3)

8. Miami (+1)

9. Ole Miss (+2)

10. Georgia (+2)

11. Tennessee (-4)

12. Boise State (+1)

13. SMU (+1)

14. BYU (-8)

15. Texas A&M

16. Colorado (+1)

17. Clemson (+3)

18. South Carolina (+3)

19. Army (+5)

20. Tulane (+5)

21. Arizona State (NEW)

22. Iowa State (NEW)

23. Missouri

24. UNLV (NEW)

25. Illinois (NEW)

Dropped: Kansas State (16), Washington State (18), Louisville (19), LSU (22)

Mike Gundy Not Thinking About Possible Oklahoma State Staff Changes Yet

Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy will wait until the end of the season to make a decision on changes to staff.

When asked about if he will make any changes to the staff, Coach Gundy shared that he hasn’t thought about it: “you have the uncertainty of what the portal will bring you or take away from you in December. So, you can have some broad thought but to get into real detail now would be a little uncertain from the standpoint of we really don’t know. We just have to wait and see what happens. I’m guessing there’ll be a lot of clarity on Dec. 4-6.”

Historically speaking, Coach Mike Gundy is not one to fire assistants quickly or early, but historically speaking, the Cowboys are not usually at the bottom of the Big 12 standings and eliminated from bowl contention so early.

Iowa Expected to Start Jackson Stratton at QB After Brendan Sullivan Injury

Jackson Stratton is expected to start for Iowa at QB after Brendan Sullivan has been ruled out for the season.

Sullivan took over for Cade McNamara a few weeks back, and McNamara could possibly play, as Coach Kirk Ferentz shared that Sullivan is the only player ruled out for the week. However, Coach Ferentz also shared that he expected Stratton to be the starter this weekend against Maryland.

Stratton has not played much in his career, with a career statline in the last 3 years of 7/23 for 106 yards, a touchdown, and 2 picks.

Coach Ferentz also shared that throughout the course of the season, Stratton’s performance in practice has made Coach Ferentz much more comfortable with his ability to lead the offense.

Sam Pittman on Making a Bowl: It’d Be Better Than Not

Sam Pittman and Arkansas currently sit at a 5-5 record with 2 games yet to play, and Coach Pittman was clear in his emphasis and the importance of making a bowl game:

“It would mean something to the team. That’d be four out of five, and yeah. It’d be a lot better than not. I think our kids still enjoy going to the postseason. There was several years when they didn’t [go to a bowl game]. So four out of five opportunities or invites, that’s be good.”

Arkansas ends the season with a home game against Louisiana Tech and then a road game against Missouri to try and get to six (or, possibly, seven) wins.

Alabama LB and Former Blue Chip Recruit Keanu Koht Plans to Enter the Transfer Portal

Alabama LB Keanu Koht has filed the paperwork to enter the transfer portal according to Koht’s agents at A&P Sports.

Koht has been with Alabama for four seasons, only putting up 9 tackles and a half sack, with 5 of those tackles and the half sack coming this season. Koht was a high 4-star recruit in the 2021 recruiting class, with some services rating him a 5-star.

In Alabama’s 2021 class, that included names like JC Latham, Dallas Turner, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Terrion Arnold, Keanu Koht was the 8th ranked player in that class of 27 that ranked first nationally and was one of the best classes of all-time.

3-Star OT Spencer Dowland Decommits from Auburn

3-Star OT Spencer Dowland decommitted from Auburn yesterday after committing all the way back in September of 2023.

Dowland is already being projected to Mississippi State, as the Bulldogs have been heavily recruiting the offensive tackle.

Dowland ranks 903rd nationally and 50th at his position according to the On3 industry composite.

Auburn still has 27 commitments for the 2025 class, with 17 of them Blue Chips, for a 2025 class which ranks 6th nationally and 5th in the SEC.

3-Star IOL Daniel Pierre Louis Flips from Florida State to Florida

3-Star IOL Daniel Pierre Louis flipped his commitment from Florida State to Florida yesterday after committing to the Seminoles on October 15th.

Former OC Alex Atkins was a big part of Pierre Louis’ original commitment to the Seminoles, but with Atkins’ firing, Pierre Louis happened to visit Florida for the Gators’ upset win over LSU.

Pierre Louis is ranked 949th nationally and 77th at his position according to the On3 industry composite.

Florida’s 2025 class now has 15 commitments and is ranked 24th nationally and 13th in the SEC, while Florida State’s 2025 class is now down to 12 commitments for a class which ranks 30th nationally and just fell behind SMU to be ranked 5th in the ACC.

Other Commitments/Decommitments

3-Star (85) LB Joel Lowenberg flips from Middle Tennessee to Wake Forest

3-Star (85) DL Amari Wilson flips from East Carolina to Georgia Southern

3-Star (85) WR Kingston Jones decommits from Louisiana Tech

3-Star (85) S Karvon Jefferson decommits from Ball State

3-Star (84) WR Shamar Fowles decommits from Coastal Carolina

3-Star (84) S Jussiah Williams-West commits to Youngstown State

3-Star (80) Brunno Reus flips from USF to Florida State

Unrated LB Zachary Davis commits to Georgia State

Colorado LB Johnny Chaney Jr. enters transfer portal

Penn K Albert Jangs enters transfer portal