Cowboys Hit the Eject Button in Stillwater

College football decided that “nine ACC games, CFP limbo, and a $25K flop fine” was totally normal. Welcome back, fourth-down calculators and transfer-portal refreshers.

This week gave us Gundy’s exit interview, Syracuse’s performative cramping, and Oklahoma’s QB surgery while the playoff bosses practiced the art of the punt. If you believed early polls or last week’s picks…same, friend. Embrace the chaos; it’s undefeated.

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📰 Two-Minute Drill

ACC locks in nine league games starting in 2026
The ACC approved a nine-game conference schedule with a 10th power opponent target, lining up with the rest of the Power Four and juicing strength-of-schedule math. Translation, more real games, fewer buy wins, and some ADs reaching for aspirin.
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CFP bigwigs meet, decide to keep not deciding
Commissioners gathered, talked formats, then punted again on anything beyond this year’s 12-team setup. Seeding, auto bids, and brackets remain a choose-your-own-adventure that nobody wants to author just yet.
📎 Read More

Syracuse fined 25K for faking injuries at Clemson
The ACC said the Orange violated the new anti-flopping rule and hit them with a public reprimand plus a $25,000 bill. Coaches everywhere are updating their “cramp” playbook, compliance offices are updating the Venmo.
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Oklahoma State fires Mike Gundy
Two decades, a lot of wins, and one legendary “I’m a man” later, the Gundy era in Stillwater is over. The search starts now, and so do the buyout autopsies.
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Oklahoma QB John Mateer undergoes hand surgery, out about a month
The Sooners’ breakout quarterback is sidelined after a broken hand against Auburn, with surgery in Los Angeles by Dr. Steven Shin. Betting lines, Heisman chatter, and OU’s ceiling all take a hit while QB2 warms up.
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🍿 The Popcorn Games

No. 6 Oregon @ No. 3 Penn State
📍 West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA
🕒 Saturday, 7:30 PM ET on NBC/Peacock
Whiteout game, playoff-caliber stakes, and a Big Ten title rematch vibe. Dan Lanning’s track-meet offense runs into a top-3 Penn State team under the lights with College GameDay in town, which turns this into a three-and-a-half hour adrenaline test for both secondaries. If Oregon hits explosives early, Happy Valley’s noise becomes the variable. If Penn State’s fronts control tempo, the Ducks get dragged into a four-quarter fistfight.

No. 17 Alabama @ No. 5 Georgia
📍 Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
🕒 Saturday, 7:30 PM ET on ABC
Blue-blood measuring stick with real SEC pecking-order juice. Kalen DeBoer takes his first Tide team Between the Hedges, where Georgia’s defense loves to turn primetime into a pressure cooker. Win it, and Alabama flips the national conversation. Lose it, and Georgia pockets a premium resume chip before October.

No. 1 Ohio State @ Washington
📍 Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA
🕒 Saturday, 3:30 PM ET on CBS/Paramount+
Top-ranked Buckeyes take their show to the dock, and Husky Stadium’s decibel meter always travels. Ohio State brings the heavier run game and a nasty back seven, but Washington’s speed and home crowd make this a legit upset watch if the Buckeyes get stuck behind the chains. Win here and OSU keeps the inside lane on a top seed.

No. 21 USC @ No. 23 Illinois
📍 Gies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL
🕒 Saturday, 12:00 PM ET on FOX
Coast-to-cornfields contrast with serious intrigue. It’s Illinois Homecoming, USC’s first trip to Champaign since the 90s, and the first meeting since the 2008 Rose Bowl. If the Illini turn it into a trench grind, the noon crowd gets loud fast. If USC’s receivers win early, scoreboard bulbs are working overtime. Either way, Big Ten laddering and ranked-vs-ranked bragging rights are on the line.

🎯 Start. Sit. Cut. – Fantasy Player Movement

Start - Chandler Morris – QB, Virginia

Across the opening weeks, Morris has paired steady volume with timely rushing, stacking multiple usable fantasy outings rather than a one-week spike. He’s operating as a clear focal point in Virginia’s offense, pushing the ball vertically while adding enough on the ground to raise his floor—exactly what you want from a QB2 in 2-QB formats. The role looks stable, the usage is consistent, and the trajectory is up—roll him out.

Start - Leshon Williams – RB, Kansas

Williams has delivered repeatable production built on early-down volume plus just enough receiving to stay game-script proof. He owns a reliable share of the backfield touches and has viable red-zone paths, which keeps his weekly floor healthy in PPR while preserving touchdown upside. In deeper formats, that combination of steady workload and multi-week signal makes him a confident RB3/FLEX start.

Sit - Cameron Dickey – RB, Texas Tech

Dickey profiles as a contingent, change-of-pace back right now—fine to stash, but risky to start. His usage has leaned situational (not feature-back volume), with limited pass-game work and a shaky path to red-zone touches. In a deeper Big 12 rotation, that combo usually means a TD-or-bust line. Until his snaps and targets stabilize, bench him for a back with a clearer weekly role.

Sit - Vandrevius Jacobs – WR, South Carolina

Jacobs has flashed, but the week-to-week target share hasn’t settled at a starter level against SEC competition. He’s seeing perimeter, matchup-sensitive routes that can disappear when the offense funnels elsewhere, making his fantasy floor fragile. In PPR, prioritize steadier volume—slot/possession WRs with consistent routes—while you wait for Jacobs’ role (and red-zone usage) to firm up.

Cut - Parker Livingstone – WR, Texas

Livingstone’s week-to-week role hasn’t stabilized in a deep Texas receiver room. The route share and targets fluctuate, leaving him touchdown-or-bust in most formats. With more reliable volume options available on waivers, he’s a clear drop to free up a roster spot for a player on a real usage upswing.

Cut - Rodney Fields Jr. – RB, Oklahoma State

Fields Jr. profiles as contingent depth in a crowded backfield—limited touches, thin pass-game involvement, and a shaky path to red-zone looks. Without a defined weekly role, he’s below replacement in typical PPR scoring. Move on and prioritize backs with bankable workloads or emerging receiving usage.

🩼 The Walking Boot – Injury Update

LaNorris Sellers, QB – South Carolina

The Gamecocks' Heisman Trophy candidate was cleared to play after suffering a concussion from a helmet-to-helmet hit against Vanderbilt on September 14. Fantasy managers can confidently start Sellers for Saturday's crucial SEC road test at Missouri, as the dual-threat sophomore remains essential with 476 total yards and three touchdowns through three games.

Behren Morton, QB – Texas Tech

Texas Tech's senior quarterback was ruled out against Utah after taking a brutal shot to the head during a third-quarter scramble, marking his second exit of the game. Fantasy managers should consider Morton questionable for the Red Raiders' next outing, though the team's bye week provides extra recovery time for their record-setting signal-caller.

Isaac Brown, RB – Louisville

Louisville's ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year was limited by an undisclosed injury against Bowling Green, with coach Jeff Brohm remaining "hopeful" about his availability for Saturday's ACC opener at Pittsburgh. Fantasy managers should have backup plans ready, as Brown's explosive ability (230 yards, three touchdowns on 18 carries through two games) makes his uncertain status a serious lineup concern.

Eric Singleton Jr., WR – Auburn

Auburn's standout receiver is listed as questionable for Saturday's blockbuster ranked matchup against Oklahoma, creating uncertainty for quarterback Jackson Arnold facing his former team. Fantasy managers should monitor his availability closely and have contingency plans ready, as Singleton's absence would significantly impact Auburn's offensive ceiling in this defensive battle.

💥 Dumpster Fire 5 – Pain Rankings

Think of the Dumpster Fire 5 as a weekly pain index, not a power ranking. It tracks programs actively melting on live TV, judged by bad losses, collapsing game plans, coaching heat, injury chaos, and vibes that smell like burnt rubber.

1. Florida
   Record: 1-3, SEC preseason rank: No. 7
   Florida looked like a program in trouble before the season, and the USF game was a dumpster sparkle. USF stunned the Gators 18-16 on a walk-off FG, and the loss could not have looked more avoidable. Senseless penalties, sloppy execution, and a defensive lineman, Brendan Bett, ejected for spitting with about two minutes left, which directly set up the Bulls’ game-winning drive. Since then Miami smothered them 26-7, and the hot seat under Billy Napier is making its own noises. Preseason optimism had Florida in the SEC’s top half, but reality has not gotten the memo.

2. Oklahoma State
   Record: 1-2, Big 12 preseason rank: No. 14
   OXO where the smell of failure is coming up. OSU got embarrassed 69-3 by No. 6 Oregon, the biggest loss of the Mike Gundy era, then lost at home to Tulsa. That combination pushed the button no one wanted to touch, and the school fired Gundy. Offensive face-plant, defensive meltdown, historic margin, all inside three weeks. Preseason vibes already had the Cowboys in the bottom tier of the Big 12, which sadly looks generous.

3. Virginia Tech
   Record: 1-3, ACC preseason rank: No. 11
   From promising halftime vs. Vanderbilt to getting steamrolled in the second half. The Hokies led 20-10 at the break, then gave up 34 unanswered and 8.4 yards per rush to Vandy. That is how confidence bleeds out of Lane Stadium in real time. They did stop the skid against Wofford, but the ACC ramp is coming and the margin for error is thin. Preseason media slotted Tech squarely mid-pack. Right now they look like a team that can play one good half, then forget which sideline they are on.

4. UCLA
   Record: 0-3, Big Ten preseason rank: No. 13
   The Bruins were supposed to be better. Instead, they are committing penalties like tax evasion, turning it over, and watching the QB they snagged in the offseason struggle in clutch moments. Nico Iamaleava had flashes, but could not finish the drive with a chance to tie at UNLV after getting blown out by Utah. The preseason Big Ten slot had them in the mushy middle. Three games in, the mush is doing most of the heavy lifting.

5. Clemson
   Record: 1-3, ACC preseason rank: No. 1
   Picked to win the league, wearing the preseason crown, and already staring at a season that needs a damage-control plan. The Tigers opened with a 17-10 loss to LSU, scraped by Troy, then face-planted in ACC play with losses to Georgia Tech and Syracuse. Cade Klubnik was the ACC’s preseason Player of the Year pick, but the offense keeps stalling in high-leverage spots. Clemson piled up yards against Syracuse and still watched the game slip, which is how you end up 0-2 in the ACC when you were supposed to cruise. The blueprint was clean in July, the execution is mud in September, and the margin for error is gone.

   🎲 The Spread Option – Week 3 Picks

The college football slate is a chaos buffet, and last week we loaded up on all the wrong trays. Consider this our public apology to bankrolls everywhere. We are tightening up, riding Tier 1 factors only, and banning vibes-only plays until further notice. The goal this week is simple, fewer fireworks, more closing line value, and zero charity donations to the sportsbook.

Record Last Week: 0-5
Season Total: 4-13-1 (the sportsbook sent a fruit basket)

🔥 REVENGE GAME
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Washington Huskies (-8.5)

This is the “First Real Road Test” special. Ohio State finally leaves the couch for Seattle, where Husky Stadium gets loud and the wind thinks it’s on payroll. Washington’s QB legs add chaos to a defense that hates chaos. Buckeyes are cleaner on paper, but this number feels a tick high for a hostile trip.

Pick: Washington +8.5

🎯 TRAP GAME
Baylor Bears vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (+21.5)

Welcome to the “Are We Sure?” Bowl. Yes, Stillwater has been a circus, but three touchdowns and change at Boone Pickens is a mountain. Baylor has the better everything right now, but this is a desperation spot with a home crowd that still knows how to howl. Grab the altitude and hope the turnovers show up wearing green.

Pick: Baylor Bears -21.5

🎭 HIGH-SCORING AFFAIR
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Arkansas Razorbacks, O/U 64.5

High noon in Fayetteville, also known as “defensive coordinators’ nap time.” Notre Dame can score in bunches, Arkansas can trade haymakers, and both teams live for explosives. Noon kick means weird things happen, usually to tackling. Points, not principles.

Pick: Over 64.5

🌟 SLEEPER PICK
Army Black Knights vs. East Carolina Pirates (-5.5)

Option on a short week is the college equivalent of pop quizzes. ECU’s run fits have mood swings, Army will make them take the same test 60 times. If the Pirates don’t get early chunk plays, this turns into a field-position grind with live-dog potential.

Pick: Army +5.5

🎪 HOMECOMING SPECIAL
Indiana Hoosiers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (+8.5)

The “Bring Earplugs” game. Kinnick turns solid teams into question marks, and Indiana’s offense finally runs into a defense that tackles. Iowa’s offense is still a trust fall, but catching more than a touchdown at home with that noise tax is the angle.

Pick: Iowa +8.5

Time to close the laptop and pre-schedule those waiver claims before you talk yourself into a one-game mirage. Just remember: never trust a tidy depth chart after Thursday practice, and always assume the weather is on the under.

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