Huffman Sports Wire News Break · NCAAF · Reporting · Published · Huffman Sports Wire
Texas finishes September atop the Associated Press poll after beating Ohio State and Tennessee. Georgia sits one place behind the Longhorns, but earned a different distinction Wednesday when On3’s Chris Low selected the Bulldogs as the month’s best team.
The opening month also leaves recruiting decisions and injury updates to follow as October approaches. Wisconsin is drawing favorable forecasts for Jalanie George, Indiana is evaluating Turbo Richard, and Notre Dame has an ACC road game ahead. In Washington, a college-sports bill has cleared the Senate and faces an uncertain House path.
Texas owns the top ranking; Georgia wins Low’s September assessment
The AP rankings carried by NCAA.com, through games played September 26, place Texas first, Georgia second and Notre Dame third. Each entered the new week at 4–0.
In his September review for On3, Chris Low chose Georgia as the month’s best team. His assessment emphasized the Bulldogs’ defensive depth, offensive line and running game, while acknowledging that their harder schedule tests are still ahead.
Low also highlighted Texas’ comeback win over Ohio State and its victory against Tennessee. At the other end of his assessment, he identified Texas A&M as the month’s biggest disappointment after consecutive double-digit losses to LSU and Kentucky. The Aggies had opened the season eighth in the AP poll.
Sources: NCAA.com / Associated Press · On3 / Chris Low
Wisconsin gains forecasts ahead of George’s October 1 decision
Recruiting projections have moved toward Wisconsin for Jalanie George, the 2028 edge prospect from Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona. Sports Illustrated’s Badgers coverage reported September 25 that Rivals analysts Steve Wiltfong and Brandon Huffman changed their predictions from Washington to Wisconsin.
George is scheduled to announce his choice October 1. Wisconsin, Washington, Miami and Auburn make up his final four, according to the same outlet’s earlier report. The forecasts give the Badgers momentum heading into that announcement; George’s own decision will determine where he commits.
Sources: Sports Illustrated / Seamus Rohrer · Sports Illustrated / Seamus Rohrer
Oregon pairs national awards with a new uniform reveal
Oregon announced Tuesday that Dierre Hill Jr. earned the Paul Hornung Award National Player of the Week honor following the Ducks’ win at USC. Tight end Jamari Johnson received the John Mackey Award’s weekly recognition as well.
The school also unveiled its “Origin of Speed” uniform Tuesday. Oregon plans to wear it against UCLA at Autzen Stadium on October 10. The design draws on Hayward Field and the university’s track history, including wing graphics and details inspired by its early running-shoe designs.
Sources: Oregon Athletics · Oregon Athletics / Rob Moseley
Richard’s potential return adds a reunion to Indiana–Rutgers
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti has described Turbo Richard as day-to-day after the running back injured his leg against Northwestern. Indiana’s September 29 notebook and Wednesday’s Associated Press preview both reported Cignetti’s optimism that Richard could play at Rutgers.
The matchup would reunite Richard with Rutgers quarterback Dylan Lonergan, his former Boston College teammate. The defending national champion Hoosiers, ranked sixth in the AP poll, will be playing their first road game of the season.
Sources: Indiana Athletics · Associated Press / Hindustan Times · NCAA.com / Associated Press
Notre Dame takes its unbeaten start to Chapel Hill
No. 3 Notre Dame visits North Carolina on Saturday, October 3, with kickoff scheduled for noon ET on ESPN. The Irish enter the game unbeaten, while the Tar Heels have had an open weekend since their loss at Clemson.
For Marcus Freeman’s team, the trip is its first ACC road game of the season. Bill Belichick’s North Carolina team will try to turn that extra preparation time into a response at home.
Sources: On3 / Blue and Gold · NCAA.com / Associated Press
The Senate advances a college-sports framework; House action remains ahead
The Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act on Monday, September 28, by a 77–22 vote, according to Congress.gov. The legislation proposes national requirements for athlete name, image and likeness agreements and a limited antitrust exemption for pooled college-sports media rights.
NPR reported that the measure moves to the House, which is on recess until after the November midterm elections. Its prospects there remain uncertain, with supporters and opponents divided over how the proposed framework would affect athletes and schools.
Sources: Congress.gov · NPR
Sources
- NCAA.com / Associated Press — AP Top 25 through September 26 games · Checked
- On3 / Chris Low — September team superlatives and analysis · Source dated
- Sports Illustrated / Seamus Rohrer — Wiltfong and Huffman’s Wisconsin forecasts · Source dated
- Sports Illustrated / Seamus Rohrer — George’s final four and October 1 announcement · Source dated
- Oregon Athletics — Hill and Johnson’s national weekly honors · Source dated
- Oregon Athletics / Rob Moseley — Origin of Speed design and planned UCLA debut · Source dated
- Indiana Athletics — Cignetti’s day-to-day injury assessment · Source dated
- Associated Press / Hindustan Times — Richard–Lonergan reunion and Indiana’s road opener · Checked
- On3 / Blue and Gold — Notre Dame–North Carolina kickoff and game context · Source dated
- Congress.gov — S.4668 status, Senate vote and legislative summary · Checked
- NPR — Senate passage and the measure’s House outlook · Source dated