College football is becoming increasingly difficult to predict, and Week 8 of the 2026 season only reinforced that reality.
Texas handed Ole Miss its second loss of the season, UCF stunned No. 2 BYU in double overtime, Cincinnati knocked off Texas Tech and Wisconsin dominated USC. Meanwhile, Indiana survived Michigan in overtime, Alabama bounced back against Texas A&M and Utah continued making its case as the Big 12’s best team.
On a new Game Runs Deep with Sudu Upadhyay, presented by Club Country, Sudu examines what these results mean for the College Football Playoff race before looking ahead to a pivotal Week 9 slate.
Ole Miss’ Loss to Texas Exposes Bigger Problems
Ole Miss showed resilience in rallying from a 24-3 halftime deficit against Texas, but the Rebels ultimately fell 34-27 in Austin.
For Upadhyay, the defeat raised more significant concerns than the Rebels’ earlier loss to Florida.
The biggest issue starts with the offense and first-year coordinator John David Baker.
Ole Miss has struggled to execute its scripted opening possessions throughout the season. Against Texas, the Rebels managed zero yards on their first three plays, continuing a trend that has repeatedly forced the offense to play from behind.
Upadhyay questioned Baker’s early play-calling, the receivers’ inability to create separation and the overall offensive preparation against elite competition.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss also endured one of his most difficult performances at Ole Miss, throwing three interceptions while struggling with pressure, miscommunication and missed opportunities.
Another concern is Chambliss’ declining rushing production. After rushing for 323 yards through seven games last season, he has managed just 134 yards on 41 attempts through seven games in 2026.
The Rebels also face significant questions at running back. Kewan Lacy will miss the Auburn game with a shoulder injury, leaving Makhi Frazier and the rest of the backfield responsible for replacing his production.
Defensively, Ole Miss struggled to maintain gap integrity as Texas leaned on its rushing attack in the fourth quarter. Upadhyay also questioned whether the Rebels possess the same level of defensive speed, pass-rushing talent and depth that helped fuel last season’s playoff run.
With two losses already on the résumé, Ole Miss faces a difficult path that includes Auburn, Georgia and Oklahoma.
Should Pete Golding Give Up Defensive Play-Calling?
One of the episode’s biggest discussions centered on Pete Golding’s responsibilities as head coach.
Upadhyay believes Golding remains an excellent defensive mind but questioned whether continuing to serve as the team’s primary defensive play-caller is preventing him from fully embracing the broader responsibilities of leading the program.
Game management, personnel decisions, staff development and maintaining the team’s emotional intensity all require attention beyond defensive strategy.
Upadhyay suggested that Golding should consider hiring a dedicated defensive coordinator, specifically identifying Baylor’s Joe Klanderman as an intriguing candidate.
Klanderman’s work at Kansas State and his early impact on Baylor’s defense make him an appealing option as Ole Miss considers how to strengthen its staff.
The discussion also touched on former Baylor head coach Dave Aranda, whose defensive background has made him a popular name among fans.
BYU Falls, Texas Tech Struggles and Utah Emerges in the Big 12
The Big 12 race became considerably more interesting following Week 8.
UCF handed BYU its first loss of the season with a 39-31 double-overtime victory, exposing the Cougars’ difficulties running the football without injured star LJ Martin.
Upadhyay praised Scott Frost’s offensive game plan and questioned whether BYU can remain a serious playoff contender without its most important running back.
Texas Tech also suffered a damaging defeat, falling 37-24 at Cincinnati.
The Red Raiders’ offensive struggles and defensive breakdowns have Upadhyay questioning their postseason ceiling, particularly with No. 22 Arizona visiting Lubbock in Week 9.
Utah, meanwhile, strengthened its position with a 21-13 victory over Houston.
Quarterback Devon Dampier produced 204 passing yards and 150 rushing yards, helping the Utes overcome a difficult first half.
With BYU and Texas Tech stumbling, Utah appears to be the Big 12’s most reliable contender. But Cincinnati’s recent performance makes their upcoming meeting particularly compelling.
Indiana Survives, USC Stumbles and Northwestern Gains Momentum
Indiana escaped Michigan with a 13-6 overtime victory, but its offensive performance raised questions about the Hoosiers’ ability to defend their national championship.
Upadhyay was particularly critical of quarterback Josh Hoover and the offense’s inability to generate consistent production against elite defenses.
Michigan’s defense deserves credit for another strong performance, but Indiana will need more from its offense to remain among the nation’s championship favorites.
USC faces even greater concerns after losing 24-7 at Wisconsin.
The Trojans finished with negative rushing yardage, and Upadhyay questioned whether Lincoln Riley can reverse the program’s trajectory with Ohio State coming to Los Angeles.
Elsewhere in the Big Ten, UCLA remains undefeated under first-year coach Bob Chesney. Upadhyay praised the Bruins’ defense and suggested their remaining schedule offers a realistic opportunity to finish the regular season unbeaten.
Northwestern is another team gaining attention. With Chip Kelly directing the offense, the Wildcats have emerged as a legitimate threat and now travel to Oregon for an important Week 9 matchup.
Alabama Responds, South Carolina Surges and LSU Dominates Auburn
Alabama rallied to beat Texas A&M 31-20 behind 311 passing yards and three touchdowns from Keelon Russell.
While Russell’s performance was encouraging, Alabama’s inability to consistently run the football remains a significant concern heading into the final stretch of SEC play.
South Carolina continued its turnaround with a 27-24 victory over Tennessee.
LaNorris Sellers delivered another impressive performance, while the Gamecocks’ defense held Tennessee to just three second-half points.
Upadhyay discussed whether consecutive wins over ranked Florida and Tennessee have changed the outlook for Shane Beamer’s future in Columbia.
LSU also delivered one of the weekend’s strongest performances, defeating Auburn 38-17.
Jackson Harris emerged as a major receiving threat, recording nine catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns. LSU’s defense also limited Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown’s rushing production, an important development ahead of the Tigers’ remaining SEC schedule.
Week 9 Preview: Auburn–Ole Miss, Florida–Georgia and More
Week 9 features several matchups with major conference championship and playoff implications.
Auburn at No. 12 Ole Miss: The Rebels must respond to their Texas loss without Kewan Lacy. Upadhyay expects Ole Miss to win at home but believes Byrum Brown’s physical rushing ability could create problems for the Rebels’ defense.
No. 17 Florida vs. No. 3 Georgia: With the rivalry temporarily moving to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Upadhyay believes Georgia’s secondary could be vulnerable to Florida’s passing attack. Still, he expects the Bulldogs to respond positively after their bye week.
No. 20 Northwestern at Oregon: Upadhyay likes the Wildcats to take advantage of an Oregon team struggling offensively.
No. 6 Utah at Cincinnati: The Utes face another major test against a Cincinnati team fresh off its upset of Texas Tech. Upadhyay favors Utah but acknowledges the Bearcats’ ability to shake up the Big 12 race.
No. 2 Ohio State at USC: Quarterback uncertainty surrounding Ohio State adds intrigue, but Upadhyay remains skeptical of USC’s ability to respond against elite competition.
The episode also previews Arizona at Texas Tech, Wisconsin at Iowa and South Carolina at Oklahoma.
The Graeme $cheme: Week 9 Picks
Graeme Farrell returns with four selections for Week 9:
- Texas Tech -3.5 vs. Arizona
- Georgia vs. Florida
- Miami vs. North Carolina: Over 52.5
- USC +6.5 vs. Ohio State
Farrell believes Texas Tech is positioned for a bounce-back performance, Georgia will benefit from its bye week and USC can keep its matchup with Ohio State within a touchdown.
Skye’s Tailgate: Halloween Pumpkin Cookie Dough Bites
With Halloween falling on Saturday, Skye Estroff brings a seasonal twist to the weekly tailgate segment.
This week’s recipe features edible pumpkin cookie dough bites made with almond flour, pumpkin puree, sugar, butter, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice.
The dough is rolled into bite-sized pumpkins, coated in cinnamon sugar and decorated with chocolate chips for stems.
It’s a simple, festive dessert for college football fans looking to add something sweet to their Halloween tailgate.
