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

Eastern Michigan Makes Comeback Bid that Buffalo Fights Against to Win 37-20

Buffalo got out to a quick start, taking a 17-0 lead into the half. However, Eastern Michigan cut the lead to 23-20 early in the 4th quarter before Buffalo would go on to pull away with a one-play touchdown on the ensuing drive, plus a pick-six to ice the game late for the final score of 37-20.

Eastern Michigan actually outgained Buffalo by nearly 50 yards (445-398), but lost the turnover battle 3-0 and lost the conversion battle (6/17 vs. 8/19).

Buffalo QB CJ Ogbonna had a strong showing, finishing 18/28 with 260 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also added 42 yards rushing on 10 attempts, while Al-Jay Henderson led all rushers in this game with 86 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. Henderson was also the one to catch the 75-yard touchdown after EMU cut the lead to 23-20.

JJ Jenkins led all Bulls with 5/120/1, with Victor Snow catching the other touchdown (4/13/1).

For Eastern Michigan, QB Cole Snyder finished 24/33 for 351 yards with 3 touchdowns but 2 interceptions. WRs Markus Allen (9/187/1) and Terry Lockett Jr. (8/122/2) were the two main receiving options for the Eagles, as over 300 yards were thrown to the pair.

Buffalo LB Shaun Dolac finished the game with two interceptions, including the late pick-six that stretched Buffalo’s lead to 17, effectively ending any chance for Eastern Michigan. Buffalo’s Dion Crawford also had a strong day defensively, finishing with 10 tackles and 3 sacks.

For Eastern Michigan’s defense, LB James Djonkam had himself a day, finishing with an astonishing 22 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss.

Ohio Capitalizes on Toledo’s 2nd Half Struggles to Win 24-7

Toledo had a 7-0 lead going into half after a first half where Ohio punted on all 6 of its drives. But in the second half, Toledo was the offense which could not get out of its way as the Bobcats pounced on this opportunity and played a clean second half to win 24-7.

Toledo’s second half drive chart was as follows: 3-and-out, fumble, fumble, 3-and-out, turnover on downs, and fumble. All the while, Ohio’s was interception, touchdown, touchdown, touchdown, field goal, end of game.

Ohio outgained the Rockets 367 to 215 and won the turnover battle 3-1.

At QB, Parker Navarro finished 11/19 for 129 yards and an interception for the Bobcats. Navarro also ran for 104 yards and 2 touchdowns on 18 rush attempts. Leading all rushers in this one, though, was Ohio RB Anthony Tyus III, who finished with 125 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries. The leading receiver in this one was Caleb Gossett, who finished with 86 yards on 6 catches.

For Toledo, QB Tucker Gleason started the game before John Alan Richter had to fill in following an injury to Gleason. The two combined to go 14/26 for 173 yards and a touchdown. Willie Shaw III was the leading rusher with just 30 yards on 6 carries. Jerjuan Newton led all Rockets’ receivers with 45 yards on 4 catches.

Even though it was in a losing effort, credit to Toledo’s Maxen Hook – the safety finished with a game high 16 tackles (next highest in the game was 9) and an interception.

Lane Kiffin: SEC Coaches Less Interested in 9 Game Conference Schedule Due to CFP

Lane Kiffin has not been afraid to share what SEC coaches are thinking this season, and he has once again given an insight into how the SEC coaches are feeling about the state of the SEC and its schedule.

Some coaches in the SEC previously were in favor of bumping up the SEC schedule from 8 games to 9, however, many coaches are now rethinking that stance.

Said Coach Kiffin: “From the ones I talk to, I think that (they would like to remain at 8 SEC games). I think that’s changed, maybe, years ago people were okay with it, going to nine. But I think because of the playoffs and knocking each other out and seeing how these other conferences, seeing who they get to play – I think most coaches would feel that way about staying at eight.”

North Carolina’s Mack Brown Planning on Remaining at North Carolina Beyond 2024

North Carolina’s Mack Brown is telling recruits that he plans on remaining at North Carolina beyond 2024, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

Brown is 73 years old, which has naturally led to plenty of rumors and speculation that he is potenitally going to retire in the near future.

North Carolina sits at 6-4 on the season, and the Tar Heels are 44-31 in Coach Brown’s second stint with North Carolina.

This report also comes after Coach Brown hinted at not being ready to retire during an appearance in a SiriusXM interview: “I also promised – Sally and I talked about this hard before I got back in – that there’ll be a day I wake up and say, ‘You know what? Somebody else needs to be doing this. I’m not excited about going out recruiting.’ And I haven’t gotten to that yet.”

FAU Sources Dismiss Rumor that Ray Lewis Linked to Coach Opening

According to Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, FAU has denied any sort of link to Ray Lewis for its coaching search: “pretty blunt intel from the folks involved in the coaching search at FAU about the ESPN report that Ray Lewis is a candidate for coach: ‘it is not happening.’”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter originally reported that Lewis had emerged as a candidate for the job, though Schefter did not specify if the Hall of Famer spoke with the school or if Lewis was either a favorite or longshot for the job.

Central Michigan Coach Jim McElwain Retiring at End of 2024 Season

Central Michigan Head Coach Jim McElwain is retiring at the end of the 2024 season, as reported by ESPN’s Chris Low.

McElwain is 33-35 through six seasons with Central Michigan, and finishes the season this Saturday against Northern Illinois.

Including his 3 years at Colorado State (22-16) and most of 3 years at Florida (22-12), McElwain is 77-63 across 12 seasons of coaching.

McElwain is also currently the subject of an NCAA investigation for potentially being involved in the Connor Stalions debacle, as someone who might look like Stalions was seen on CMU’s sidelines during its game against Michigan State. The NCAA is investigating to see if McElwain played a role in Stalions being on the sideline.

McElwain has denied being aware of Stalions being on the sidelines.

4-Star EDGE Chase Linton Commits to Georgia, Georgia’s Class Now #1

Consensus 4-Star EDGE Chase Linton committed to Georgia yesterday after decommmitting from Rutgers in mid August after his June commitment to the Scarlet Knights.

Linton said that he committed to Georgia because of the people, specifically Coach Uzo-Diribe and Coach Smart. Linton said that the way they talk to him and how they consider his future stood out to him.

Linton is ranked the highest, by far, by 247, which ranks him 45th nationally and 4th at the pivotally important position. According to the On3 industry composite, however, Linton ranks 107th nationally and 10th at the EDGE position.

Georgia’s class is now the #1 class according to On3 as Linton is Georgia’s 25th Blue Chip commitment and 26th commitment overall.

4-Star CB Elijah Dotson Flips Commitment from Pitt to Michigan

Consensus 4-Star CB Elijah Dotson flipped his commitment from Pitt to Michigan yesterday after committing to Pitt back in May.

Dotson described the process, stating that Michigan was originally his top school until the previous staff left, and Pitt looked to be a great option for him. However, Michigan stayed on him, he took his official visit to Ann Arbor in Michigan, and since then, Michigan has been recruiting him harder and harder and that persistence paid off.

247 ranks Dotson highest, as he ranks 118th nationally and 10th at the CB position according to them, but the On3 industry composite places Dotson 158th nationally and 20th at the CB position.

For Michigan, the Wolverines are up to 11 Blue Chip commitments and 18 commitments overall for a 2025 class which now ranks 11th nationally and 3rd in the Big Ten. Pitt, on the other hand, loses its only Blue Chip commitment for the time being, as the 2025 class is now down to 22 commitments of all 3-stars. Pitt’s class ranks 50th nationally and 11th in the ACC.

4-Star OT Carde Smith Decommits from USC

4-Star OT Carde Smith decommitted from USC yesterday after committing to the Trojans back in early August.

Smith was also committed to Auburn at some point before decommitting in June, but Colorado is now the school to watch in his recruitment.

Smith ranks as high as 140th nationally and 12th at his position according to On3’s rankings, but the On3 industry composite ranks Smith 227th nationally and 20th at his position.

With Smith’s decommitment, USC is now down to 10 Blue Chip commitments and 21 commitments overall for a class that ranks 14th nationally and 4th in the Big Ten.

4-Star DL Jaylen Williams Flips from Michigan to Wisconsin

4-Star DL Jaylen Williams has flipped his commitment from Michigan to Wisconsin after Williams visited Wisconsin for the Oregon game this past weekend.

The atmosphere of Madison is what really stuck out to Williams, describing it as “just amazing,” and calling the staff and coaches as “some of the best people you’ll ever meet.”

Williams is ranked 245th nationally and 21st at his position according to the On3 industry composite.

This is Wisconsin’s 6th 4-star commitment and 24th commitment overall for a 2025 class which ranks 24th nationally and 8th in the Big Ten.

Other Commitments/Decommitments

3-Star (88) TE Isaiah Butler-Tanner commits to UTSA

3-Star (87) Derrion Horsley decommits from Mississippi State

3-Star (86) LB Seth McFarland decommits from Houston

3-Star (86) WR Cameron Sapp commits to FAU

3-Star (86) LB Lance Walker decommits from Arkansas State

3-Star (85) WR Xylan Williams decommits from Temple

3-Star (85) LB Nigel Nelson commits to Arkansas State

3-Star (85) S Jonathan Carter commits to Eastern Michigan

3-Star (80) LB Andre Farrow decommited from Georgia State

Unrated IOL Rain Banick commits to FAU

Wisconsin QB Cole LaCrue entered the transfer portal

Iowa DL Jeff Bowie entered the transfer portal