So Ohio State went out Saturday and did what it was supposed to do by routing Minnesota, and suddenly, the Buckeyes are Indiana. 

All hat, no cattle. Thanks to our good friends at Texas.

A year after Indiana reached the College Football Playoff without a win of significance, Ohio State now finds itself in that same backwash.

Because if we’re being intellectually honest, what exactly has Ohio State done to deserve the No. 1 ranking? More important, what will Ohio State have done by the time the first College Football Playoff poll is released Nov. 4?

Struggled to beat a Texas team at home, the same Texas team that played at three-loss Florida and got drilled. And after that? Bupkis.

The next three games for the Buckeyes before the release of the poll: at Illinois (did you not see the Indiana game?), at Wisconsin (it’s only a matter of time before Luke Fickell is fired) and a home game against Penn State. 

Let’s not even talk Penn State, OK?

The rest of the schedule: at Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers and finally, fittingly, the death march to Ann Arbor. Michigan doesn’t count in this assessment, because Michigan could be 6-5 and still beat Ohio State. 

Like, you know, last season.

The only difference between Ohio State and Indiana, circa 2024: if the Buckeyes reach the Big Ten championship game, Oregon will be waiting.

A look at this week’s CFP projection:

1. Miami: The most complete team in the nation, with an easier road to the CFP than Ohio State. Next: bye week. 

2. Oregon: Still deserves plenty of credit for not blowing the Penn State game, which it dominated before having to save it in overtime. Next: Indiana.

3. Oklahoma: Injured QB John Mateer won’t play this week against Texas, and that should eliminate another SEC unbeaten. Next: Texas (in Dallas).

4. Ohio State: Quietly and confidently, QB Julian Sayin is becoming an efficient and dangerous thrower. Next: at Illinois.

5. Alabama: The offense is getting better with every series, and that’s not good for everyone in the SEC — even with a schedule that looks more difficult with each evolving week of the season. Next: at Missouri. 

6. Texas Tech: This program in years past would’ve lost the past two road games. Not because they were difficult, but because Texas Tech didn’t have the defense and moxie. Now it does. Next: Kansas.

8. Indiana: Best thing that could’ve happened to IU: a grinder of a win at Iowa last week, before two weeks to prepare for a statement moment. Next: at Oregon.

9. Georgia: It just looks clunky. All of it. The offense sputters, the defense isn’t the same dominating unit. With a dangerous game ahead. Next: at Auburn.

10. Texas A&M: I’m going to reserve on the Aggies because we’ve seen this show before. Next: vs. Florida. 

11. Michigan: If you think Ohio State has an easy path to the first CFP poll, check out the Wolverines’ dance card. Next: at USC.

12. South Florida: While we focus on the Power conferences, a significant game in the race for the Group of Five CFP bid is here. Next: at North Texas.

First round games

No.12 South Florida at No.5 Alabama

No.11 Michigan at No.6 Texas Tech

No.10 Texas A&M at No.7 Ole Miss

No.9 Georgia at No.8 Indiana

First round byes: Miami, Oregon, Oklahoma, Ohio State. 

This story was updated to change a video.

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.   

If you’re a ‘Game of Thrones’ fan, then you might like the new uniforms the Buffalo Bills will be wearing Sunday night. The look, not to mention the team’s social media promotion of the new threads, has quite the White Walkers vibe. And if ever there was a team that seems based north of the Wall − heck, the Bills even have a new stadium rising from the frost, much like Winterfell in the opening credits of ‘Thrones.’

The undefeated AFC East leaders are promoting a white-out environment − hopefully more effective than Penn State’s but as dangerous as northern Westernos − for a ‘Sunday Night Football’ battle with their longtime divisional foes, the New England Patriots. The Bills are encouraging fans to wear all white to Highmark Stadium.

And whether or not you’re a fan of HBO’s famed fantasy series, or even a member of Buffalo’s vaunted Mafia, you might appreciate Nike’s latest installment of its new ‘Rivalries’ uniforms − the Bills following the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins as the third team to wear them this season.

What’s new about the Bills’ ‘Rivalries’ uniforms?

Dubbed their ‘Cold Front’ uniforms, according to the Bills’ website, they are meant to symbolize ‘the city’s DNA stitched into fabric. When you think Buffalo Bills Football, you think ice in the air, grit in the soul, and a city that thrives in the cold. It’s not just iconic. It’s Buffalo.’

The red trim long associated with Buffalo’s unis is also absent. According to the Bills, ‘Every trace of red has been stripped away to unleash the heart of a Buffalo winter. Red means warmth — and there’s no warmth here. This uniform is forged from snow, ice, and the unforgiving cold. It doesn’t just represent winter… it is winter.’

It’s Oct. 5, but details, details.

Regardless, this getup is icy, the stripes on the helmets and pants evoking a frozen body of water. The numbers and helmet insignia are meant to appear frosty and metallic. The team’s legion of supporters should be thrilled to see “Bills Mafia” stitched inside the collar. But the coolest detail is the silvery, texturized charging buffalo logo on the sleeve.

What are NFL ‘Rivalries’ uniforms by Nike?

Think of them as the football version of the sports apparel company’s NBA ‘City Edition’ uniforms or Major League Baseball’s ‘City Connect’ jerseys. Signaled during the NFL draft and unveiled in August, Nike has strived to create something that further strengthens NFL teams’ bonds to their unique civic environments. And, as “rivalries” would suggest, all of them will be worn in intra-divisional matchups.

‘The 2025 Rivalries uniforms will celebrate storied local traditions and unite fan communities with designs unique to select cities and teams,” Nike announced during the rollout.

‘The designs are rooted extensively in the legacies and inspirations true to each team, serving as authentic, competitive expressions of community pride while giving athletes and fans an opportunity to connect like never before.’

Which NFL teams have ‘Rivalries’ uniforms?

Eventually all of them. But for 2025, each team in the AFC East and NFC West is scheduled to wear its “Rivalries” unis one time this season. Two additional divisions will be added to the rotation in each of the next three seasons, and the “Rivalries” option then becomes part of a team’s closet for the following three years.

When will NFL teams wear ‘Rivalries’ uniforms in 2025?

 Los Angeles Rams: Nov. 16 vs. Seattle Seahawks

 New England Patriots: Nov. 13 vs. New York Jets

 New York Jets: Dec. 7 vs. Miami Dolphins

 San Francisco 49ers: Jan. 4, 2026 vs. Seattle Seahawks

 Seattle Seahawks: Dec. 18 vs. Los Angeles Rams

There was no shortage of candidates for the Week 6 Flop 10 as two preseason Playoff teams went down, and folks are learning Super Bowl rings don’t mean squat on campus.

Here’s some of the lowlights from Week 6 of college football:

Bill Belichick

It opened with a trick play for a Clemson TD and the laughs just kept coming Saturday. Things aren’t going well for Chapel Bill. The Tar Heels trailed Clemson 28-3 at the end of the first quarter, and UNC students had seen enough, heading for the exits — probably to He’s Not Here (I’m wondering how many Heels fans wished that about Sir Hoodie). Clemson scored four touchdowns on its first 16 plays. Maybe hiring your son to run your defense wasn’t the best move… North Carolina lost 38-10 (it wasn’t that close) and is 0-3 vs. Power Four opponents, having been outscored 120-33. On to Cal? More like on to basketball season.

Boston College

If you thought UNC’s first half was bad, Boston College said, ‘Hold my beer.’ Maybe Bill O’Brien was trying to take some of the stink off his old Patriots boss. The Golden Eagles trailed 31-0 at the break to Pitt, who handed a true freshman QB his first career start. And just look at some of these first half stats:

• Yards: Pitt, 331; BC: 69
• First downs: Pitt, 20; BC: 2
• Time of possession: Pitt, 21:12; BC: 8:48
• Rushing yards: BC had negative-9 yards on eight carries.

It finished 48-7. ‘We did a terrible job,’ O’Brien said postgame. ‘… I did a bad job. Did not have the team ready to play. I take full responsibility for what happened on that field.’

The Eagles are 1-4 and are propping up the ACC standings at 0-3 in league play.

Penn State

Maybe James Franklin thought because the game was in the Rose Bowl it was a big game. Or maybe the Nittany Lions were still reeling from last week’s loss to Oregon. Or maybe they saw 0-4 UCLA on the schedule, and figured the trip to L.A. would be like a stroll on the Santa Monica Pier. Whatever the reason (and I guess you can give credit to the Bruins and Nico Iamaleava if you must), Penn State completely fell on its face in a 42-37 loss Saturday. For the second week in a row, ‘Fire James Franklin’ chants were audible — even on the road. From College Football Playoff favorite to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Not really the White Out Nittany Lions fans were expecting.

Texas

Hey, how about another CFP favorite biting the dust? We thought Florida’s defense would give the Longhorns some trouble, and it’s not like a Manning hasn’t struggled in The Swamp before. This was a chance for Arch to quiet the haters. And he didn’t. Now, this loss isn’t all on Manning. He got very little help. He accounted for 37 of Texas’ 52 rushing yards. It really came down to the under-fire Billy Napier out-coaching Steve Sarkisian, which is perhaps even more concerning.

Tennessee fans

The Vols didn’t play, but that doesn’t mean Tennessee fans took the day off. Undoubtedly they settled in for that nationally televised Penn State-UCLA game looking to sharpen their knives and fire off plenty of tweets during a nice hate-watch. But Nico Iamaleava, who left Knoxville for L.A. in a high-profile transfer, and the Bruins sprung the surprise of the season in a 42-37 win. And Nico balled. He completed 17-of-24 passes for 166 yards and two TDs and rushed for 128 yards and three more scores. At least Vanderbilt lost.

Diego Pavia’s Heisman candidacy

About those Commodores… Pavia ran his mouth quite a bit in the build-up to Saturday’s game vs. Alabama. After beating the Crimson Tide last year, why not feel a little confident? But Pavia had two red zone turnovers and Ty Simpson (340 passing yards) was clearly the best quarterback in Alabama’s 30-14 win. And Tide players and fans let Pavia hear about it on his way off the field.

Maryland

The undefeated Terrapins led Washington 20-0 with four minutes left in the third quarter, in front of rare sold-out crowd, and on their way to a potential Top 25 ranking. That’s quite the turnaround for a team with a freshman QB and a coach who admitted to losing his locker room last season. But despite a 97.2% win probability, the wheels fell off as the Huskies ran off 24 straight points, which included fourth-quarter touchdown drives of 74, 75 and 80 yards. ‘I think what I have to do is focus on evaluating what happened, why it happened and how I can get it fixed,’ Terps coach Mike Locksley said postgame. ‘… I’m going to be defined by how we move forward, not by the history of what we’ve done.’

Purdue WR Michael Jackson II

The Boilermakers receiver may have trouble looking at the man in the mirror. Purdue hadn’t fumbled in its first four games this season. Jackson fumbled twice Saturday. And they were back-breakers. On the first play after Jackson’s first fumble, Illinois QB Luke Altmyer hit Hank Beatty for a 62-yard touchdown. Then with Purdue trailing 30-21 midway through the third quarter, the Boilermakers forced a key stop, only to have Jackson fumble a punt at his own 8-yard line. The Boilermakers’ defense held Illinois to a field goal, but it was a key play in the Illini’s 43-27 win. Now, to Jackson’s credit, he did have a team-high 14 catches for 94 yards, but those fumbles were game-changers.

Kent State

The Golden Flashes finished the guarantee-game potion of its schedule with a 44-0 loss at Oklahoma. Kent State received a combined $4.2 million from OU, Florida State and Texas Tech; They lost those three games by a combined 172-24 score. Hey, as long as the checks clear.

Wofford’s pass defense

Western Carolina’s Taron Dickens set an NCAA record completing his first 46 passes Saturday. Yup, FORTY-SIX straight completions. He finished 53-of-56 for 378 yards and three touchdowns in the Catamounts’ 23-21 win. I don’t care if every pass is a screen or dump off, have some pride Terriers!

This story was updated to change a video.

• Texas is lighting money on fire with an underachieving roster. That includes quarterback Arch Manning.
• Nico Iamaleava delivered a masterpiece in UCLA’s upset of Penn State. Will he transfer to a better team after the season?

Most of us peasants will never know what it’s like to light tens of millions of dollars on fire, but if you choose to live vicariously, watch Texas.

The Longhorns are torching money, as they squander one of the nation’s most-expensive rosters.

Texas has revealed itself to be the biggest fraud in the land, which is saying something, because this is a land that also includes Penn State.

For Texas, the problems start at quarterback. They don’t end there, but they start there.

If Arch Manning had any other surname stitched to the back of his jersey, we’d say he belonged at Rice more than he belongs at Texas. Manning threw two interceptions in this latest loss, a 29-21 takedown by Florida, and he’s fortunate it wasn’t four interceptions.

“Don’t question his heart at all,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said.

Question his arm. Question his mechanics.

When Manning throws a deep shot and we call it a wounded duck, that’s offensive to wounded ducks. He’s a good runner. He’s a fitful passer, as shown again with a 16-of-29 stat line against Florida.

One of Texas’ best completions against Florida came when backup Matthew Caldwell zipped a 26-yard connection in the fourth quarter.

This doesn’t need to be a quarterback controversy. It needs to be a quarterback swap. Caldwell, a former starter at Troy, offers an experienced hand. Maybe, he could salvage something of this season.

Once the offseason arrives, Sarkisian needs to go quarterback shopping. With any luck, the transfer portal will include UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava. If you’re laughing, you didn’t see what Iamaleava did to Penn State. He delivered a masterpiece in a 42-37 upset. Go watch Iamaleava’s 43-yard deep strike to Kwazi Gilmer. He pinpointed the throw. Tell me Manning could make that toss.

When Iamaleava took off on daring runs against Penn State, juking and stiff-arming and spinning, he looked like a lithe Vince Young.

“I’m glad he’s on my team,” UCLA interim coach Tim Skipper said after Iamaleava rushed for 128 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 166 yards and two more scores.

Iamaleava’s got two seasons of eligibility remaining, and his talents are being wasted at UCLA. Texas could afford Iamaleava’s price tag, and the Longhorns need a quarterback. That much should be obvious.

Five-star prospect Dia Bell is committed to the 2026 recruiting class. How soon can he get ready?

In the meantime, the Longhorns lack an offensive identity. They mounted no run game against a Florida team that played like it must want embattled coach Billy Napier to receive a contract extension instead of a pink slip. Texas’ best wide receiver is Parker Livingstone. A former three-star recruit, he’s one of the few Texas players over-performing his billing.

Texas’ defense looked helpless to stop a Gators offense that suddenly turned explosive after a feeble September.

“We just didn’t play great,” Sarkisian said.

The final margin could have been worse, too. Twice in the second half, the Gators led by two touchdowns before the Longhorns countered.

“Most people thought we were probably dead and gone, and we fought all the way back,” Sarkisian said.

That’s what the season has come to for Texas. The Longhorns are fighting to make losses more respectable, left treading water until the transfer portal opens this winter.

Then, Texas must go shopping. There’s a quarterback out in California who’s already taken one SEC team to the College Football Playoff, a destination that looks so, so far away for the Longhorns while Manning tosses interceptions, overthrows and wobblers.

Until the Longhorns get a cure to what ails them, they’re just lighting money on fire.

This story was updated to change a video.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

The Minnesota Vikings took a late lead to down the Cleveland Browns in Week 5, moving Minnesota to 3-2 on the season and Cleveland to 1-4.

An injury scare in the second quarter sent Wentz – currently filling in for an injured J.J. McCarthy – to the locker room and then the x-ray room with a shoulder injury. He would return in the second half.

A third quarter filled with punts lead to a fourth quarter for the ages, with Wentz and the Vikings offense taking the lead late courtesy of a Wentz to Jordan Addison touchdown with 25 seconds remaining.

The debut for rookie passer Dillon Gabriel was respectable: The passer finished the matchup 19-of-33 passing for 190 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

The third international matchup of the 2025 season was a doozy. USA TODAY Sports provided highlights and more from the game below.

Vikings vs. Browns takeaways

• All credit to Kevin O’Connell: Few head coaches have made such an immediate and also lasting impact as the Vikings head coach. O’Connell has been dealt a terrible hand with quarterback luck but has managed to make the most of it, and he did once again on Sunday, getting a respectable and heroic performance out of Carson Wentz.
• Browns get OK performance from Gabriel: It was an uneven day for the rookie passer, but he ultimately didn’t put the Cleveland offense in disadvantageous positions.
• Expect a ton of Quinshon: As long as Gabriel is starting, expect the Browns to continue to lean on their rookie running back, Quinshon Judkins. Judkins finished the game with 23 rushes for 110 yards and one reception for 18 yards. The back looked explosive and found holes throughout the afternoon.

Browns vs. Vikings highlights

Browns come up short, Vikings take the win

Instead of opting for a Hail Mary, Dillon Gabriel found Jamari Thrash for a deep corner route with seven seconds left. However, Thrash couldn’t get out of bounds in time, and the clock expired, giving the Vikings the win.

Browns vs. Vikings score: Carson Wentz finds Jordan Addison for go-ahead score

From the locker room to the top step of the podium, Carson Wentz and the Vikings engineered a scoring drive to take the lead with 25 seconds left in the game. The Browns defense couldn’t get a stop, leading to a Wentz touchdown strike to Addison to take the lead late.

Vikings 21, Browns 17

Browns drive stalls out, Vikings get another crack at it

The Browns drive ultimately went nowhere, with a third-and-11 Dillon Gabriel pass falling incomplete. Little time came out the clock, and the Vikings have 3:05 to work with with one timeout and the 2-minute warning left.

Carson Wentz sacked again, Browns take over with 3:27 left

Carson Wentz has been under duress throughout the second half, with the quarterback’s latest sack ending a drive deep in Vikings territory. The Browns take over with 3:27 left and a chance to ice the game or extend their lead late.

Browns vs. Vikings score: Will Reichard misses kick, Browns keep lead

A Will Reichard 51-yarder sailed wide right of the uprights, allowed the Browns to retain their slim, three-point lead with under 10 minutes left in the game.

Browns 17, Vikings 14

Zavier Scott fumbles, Browns recover

The Vikings had an opportunity to cut into the Browns lead after a short punt led the Vikings into plus territory. But a Zavier Scott fumble gives the Browns the ball back on their own 30-yard line with just under 14 minutes left in regulation.

Browns vs. Vikings score: Browns lead by a field goal heading to fourth quarter

The Vikings offense hasn’t produced since its score earlier in the third, and the Browns retook the lead on a Dillon Gabriel touchdown. Cleveland is driving to start the fourth quarter.

Dillon Gabriel stats today

In his starting debut vs. a tough Vikings defense, Gabriel has performed well:

• 16 of 25 passing
• 135 passing yards
• 2 touchdowns
• No sacks, no turnovers

Browns vs. Vikings score: Dillon Gabriel finds David Njoku for TD

The rookie has his second touchdown on the day, fitting in a touchdown pass in a tight window to put the Browns back in the lead. While Njoku finished it off, it was a healthy dose of Quinshon Judkins on the drive, with his critical fourth-down conversion setting up the touchdown.

Quinshon Judkins stats

Judkins has 11 rushes for 78 yards on the day, good for 6.8 yards per carry. He also has one reception for 18 yards.

Browns vs. Vikings score: Jordan Mason hits pay dirt for score

After a punt-filled second quarter, the Vikings refound the end zone with a Jordan Mason touchdown run. That’s Mason’s third rushing score of the year, getting the workload with Aaron Jones injured.

Carson Wentz injury update: Vikings QB returns after injury scare

The Vikings back-up QB returned to the field to start the second half with a little bit of protective gear on his left shoulder.

Carson Wentz injury update: Vikings QB getting X-ray on shoulder

The Vikings passer headed to the locker room ahead of halftime, and the NFL Network broadcast reports that he was set for an X-ray. Max Brosmer would be the next man up in that case.

Browns vs. Vikings score: Cleveland takes lead ahead of half

The Browns were threatening to score a touchdown, but several incompletions and no timeouts led to a chip shot Andre Szmyt field goal to give the Browns the 10-7 lead ahead of halftime. The Vikings would take a knee to run out the remainder of the clock in the first half.

Browns 10, Vikings 7

Who is the Vikings backup QB?

The third quarterback on the Vikings depth chart is rookie Max Brosmer. Brosmer was signed as an undrafted free agent this offseason.

Kevin O’Connell challenges Jerry Jeudy catch, call overturned

The Vikings head coach made his first coach’s challenge of the 2025 season, and it was successful. A pass intended for Jerry Jeudy slipped between his arms, resulting in an incompletion, reversing the call on the field. The overturned call results in a fourth down for the Browns, forcing yet another punt.

Browns defensive coordinator

The Browns DC is Jim Schwartz, who is in his third year in the job. Schwartz is a one-time head coach, having coached the Detroit Lions between 2009 and 2013.

Vikings get ball right back after forcing punt

The Vikings defense holds the Browns deep in their own territory, forcing another punt. They take over on their own 14-yard line.

Browns force another punt

Some Carson Wentz incompletions give the Browns another shot with under 12 minutes left in the second quarter. It’s a fun back-and-forth affair in London through one quarter-plus.

Where are the Vikings and Browns playing?

The latest installment in the NFL international series returns to a familiar locale: The Week 5 matchup kicked off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Quinshon Judkins TD run called back

Quinshon Judkins exploded for a 50-plus yard touchdown run – but he may have had some help via holds. A pair of Browns holding calls nullified the run.

Browns vs. Vikings score: Cam Akers throws TD

Yes, you read that correctly: Lining up behind center, the Vikings running back took the snap and found Josh Oliver for a touchdown pass. A Will Reichard extra point ties this game up at 7.

Browns 7, Vikings 7

Carson Wentz finding Justin Jefferson early and often

Fantasy managers needing a big day from Justin Jefferson may be in luck: Jefferson already has three receptions for 38 yards with 3:49 left in the first quarter. That could portend a big day.

Browns vs. Vikings score: Dillon Gabriel throws first career TD

It’s a rookie-to-rookie connection: Dillon Gabriel finds Harold Fannin Jr. for a one-yard touchdown. It’s Cleveland early, 7-0.

Browns 7, Vikings 0

Quinshon Judkins stats

The Browns running back has looked promising since his 2025 debut. He entered the game with 237 yards on the season across 49 attempts, good for 4.9 yards per carry. He has two touchdowns on the season.

Jordan Mason fumbles, Browns recover

The Browns pick up their first turnover of the day, recovering a Jordan Mason fumble, ending a promising Vikings drive. Cleveland gets its second bite at the apple early.

Browns punt, Jordan Mason takes first carry for 9 yards

After the Browns drive stalls out, the Vikings take over deep in their own territory. Jordan Mason took his first snap for nine yards up the gut.

Browns, Vikings kick off in London

The Vikings finish their stay in the United Kingdom with a Week 5 matchup vs. the Browns. The Browns start their first drive from their own 40-yard line.

What time does Browns vs Vikings NFL London game start?

• Kickoff: 9:30 a.m. ET

The Browns and Vikings game will start at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 5.

What channel is Browns vs Vikings NFL London game today?

It’s another NFL Network exclusive game for the national audience hoping to find the Browns and Vikings action on their television screens.

For fans in the Minnesota and Cleveland markets, you can catch the contest on your local broadcast networks:

• TV channel: NFL Network
• Local: (Minnesota market): KMSP – Fox 9
• Local: (Cleveland market): WEWS – ABC 5

The NFL on Fox broadcasters will handle the game in London with Kenny Albert on the play-by-play duties. Jonathan Vilma joins him in the booth to provide analysis and NFL Network’s Sara Walsh reports from the sidelines. Mike Pereira serves as the rules analyst.

Is Shedeur Sanders playing today?

Sanders is set to be the Browns’ emergency third quarterback for a fifth straight week. With Gabriel taking over the starting duties, Flacco has been relegated to the backup role behind him.

Vikings vs. Browns injury report

Vikings record

The Vikings enter their Week 5 matchup vs. the Browns with a 2-2 record. They have wins over the Bengals and Bears with losses to the Steelers and Falcons.

Vikings schedule 2025

Cleveland Browns schedule 2025

Vikings inactives vs. Browns

Minnesota will be without tackle Brian O’Neill, who was injured in Week 4 vs. the Steelers in Dublin. J.J. McCarthy continues to work back from an ankle injury.

Browns inactives vs. Vikings

No real surprises for the Browns inactive list vs. the Vikings in London, with Shedeur Sanders operating as the emergency third QB.

Browns vs. Vikings prediction

The Vikings are on upset alert this week. Backup quarterback Carson Wentz has played OK in relief of J.J. McCarthy, but diminishing returns last week vs. the Steelers means he may be in for a tough day at the office again. The Browns may get a spark in rookie Dillon Gabriel taking snaps, and leaning on the running game may be a recipe for success.

Prediction: Browns 21, Vikings 14

Where to stream Browns vs Vikings NFL London game

• Live stream:Fubo

Fans who prefer to stream the game can find it on NFL+ or Fubo, which comes with a free trial. Fubo carries NFL Network, as well as CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you’ll be able to catch NFL games all season long.

Watch 2025 NFL action with Fubo (free trial)

AI-assisted summary
• Ohio State and Miami are emerging as the nation’s most complete college football teams.
• Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is a top contender for the Heisman Trophy.
• Alabama is showing signs of improvement and could contend for the SEC Championship.

Are dynasties dead? Ryan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes might like a word.

While Texas burns cash with a roster going bust, Ohio State keeps getting return on investment.

We focused on the wrong five-star quarterback in that Week 1 game in Columbus, Ohio. Arch Manning’s uncorking interceptions and wobblers. Julian Sayin’s slinging completions.

Dominant though No. 1 Ohio State remains, let’s hold off on crowning them repeat champions. Miami’s got something brewing behind Carson Beck.

Julian Sayin for Heisman? He’s a contender

Everything’s breaking Miami’s way, except that a twin monster is forming at Ohio State.

Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin threw 27 passes in a 42-3 rout of Minnesota. Twenty-three found their mark. If you hold a Heisman Trophy betting slip with Sayin’s name on it, you’re fantasizing about that Caribbean vacation you might finally be able to afford.

Too bad an entire unit can’t win the Heisman, because Ohio State’s defense is allowing five points per game. Through five games, no opponent has reached double digits against the Buckeyes.

Lane Kiffin told ESPN recently he thinks “dynasties are over” in this era of NIL and transfer free agency. Clarification: SEC dynasties are a thing of the past, but a budding dynasty takes shape in Columbus.  

Only Miami looks as complete as Ohio State.

Miami’s a beast

If you only looked at the Miami-Florida State box score, you might think you missed an instant classic. You didn’t. Miami routed the Seminoles until Florida State rallied with a barrage of fourth-quarter scores.

Folks, Miami possesses the total package. Carson Beck is slinging touchdown passes. The wide receivers are speedy. The defense is the best of Mario Cristobal’s tenure.

Miami keeps making a pitch that it’s the nation’s most-complete team, or at least the best total package south of Columbus, Ohio.

The Hurricanes don’t have any ranked opponents left on their schedule. They’re set up to waltz into the College Football Playoff as either a No. 1 or No. 2 seed. Once in the postseason, they could play two-thirds of their games at Hard Rock Stadium. The Orange Bowl will host a quarterfinal game, and Hard Rock will host the national championship.

Alabama playing more like a playoff contender

The Crimson Tide beat Vanderbilt 30-14, and the margin could have been worse. Alabama dominated the Commodores and their yappy quarterback, Diego Pavia, and that makes two impressive wins in a row for Kalen DeBoer, who’s turning down the heat after a Week 1 debacle.

The SEC race remains a delightful mess. The conference is filled with a bunch of pretty good teams, a few underachieving teams and no great teams.

Alabama has four games left against ranked opponents, but the Tide retain as good of a chance as any of making the SEC Championship.

Unlike the quarterback in Austin, Texas, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson keeps sharpening. He’s gone from question mark in Week 1 to asset by midseason.

Next, Alabama hits the road against Missouri for a chance at three consecutive ranked wins. Win at Faurot Field, and Alabama will show it possesses what last year’s team sorely lacked: consistency.

Revisiting Texas

I mentioned it in this column, and I’m not kidding about Steve Sarkisian needing to strongly consider handing the offense to backup QB Matthew Caldwell, but the timing is tough. Next up is Oklahoma, and no matter who plays quarterback for Texas, the Longhorns are on the ropes.

The Sooners will start their own backup, Michael Hawkins Jr., while John Mateer recovers from hand surgery. A loss to a second-string quarterback would cripple Texas’ playoff aspirations.

Three and out

1. There’s a possibility shaping up the SEC could lead all conferences in playoff qualifiers, but not advance a team to the CFP semifinals. The SEC is the nation’s deepest league, and it doesn’t include many bad teams. I’m also not seeing an elite team, though, like I see in the Big Ten and in the ACC.

2. Penn State and Notre Dame join Texas to make three preseason darlings with two losses apiece. They’re on the verge of playoff elimination. The Irish have the best chance from that trio of making the playoff, for two reasons. CJ Carr gives Notre Dame a better quarterback than Texas has in Manning or Penn State has in Drew Allar, and the Irish’s schedule, filled with mediocre opponents, plays nicely into a playoff pursuit.

3. Mark Stoops told reporters after Kentucky’s 21-point loss to Georgia that there’s “zero chance” he’s “walking away” from this job. Translation: There’s zero chance he’s walking away without a massive pile of severance cash. Stoops’ buyout before the season started checked in at about $40 million. At Texas, that’s enough to buy an underachieving roster.

This story was updated to change a video.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

AI-assisted summary
• Penn State coach James Franklin faces more criticism after his team was upset by previously winless UCLA.
• UCLA’s interim play caller Jerry Neuheisel led his team to a surprising victory, making his father emotional on TV.
• Purdue’s loss to Illinois continued a strange trend that involves Taylor Swift.

Just when you think you know James Franklin, he surprises you in the worst way.

A coach known for losing the big games but winning the insignificant ones fell right on his hand when his supposed national championship caliber team was completely outplayed by UCLA. The Bruins, who have been a mess in 2025, looked far superior than the Nittany Lions. You wouldn’t have guessed the winless team was a near 30-point underdog.

It’s easy to poke fun at Franklin every year − even though he does deserve some credit of success − but it’s effortless when you consider coming off a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance, he proclaimed at the beginning of the season this was his best team yet at Happy Valley.

Now after the most embarassing loss of his tenure and 0-2 in the Big Ten, he’s very much deflecting his bold statement after he was asked if he still believes it.

‘How am I supposed to answer that when we lose the last two games?’ Franklin said. ‘Then obviously, that’s all that matters, we didn’t win the last two games. Obviously, I felt that way or I wouldn’t have said that, but after two losses it’s hard for me to answer that question and say that that’s the case.”

Week 6 was a reminder that despite all of the talk, the games need to be played, and you better be ready to face the music when you fall flat. Franklin disappoints in the worst way, and he leads the best and worst things from Week 6 of college football.

Best: Proud father and son

While Franklin was drowning in misery in Pasadena, there was one coach basking in glory.

As the son of former UCLA quarterback and coach Rick Neuheisel, Jerry Neuheisel is a born Bruin. He was a backup quarterback during his college days and has spent most of his young coaching career at his alma mater. With things not working out, interim coach Tim Skipper opted to give Neuheisel the chance to call plays in the biggest game of the season.

Neuheisel said he only had two days to get a gameplan in, but it looked perfect against Penn State. UCLA scored 42 points, had 435 yards and never trailed against the Nittany Lions after it didn’t have a single lead in the first four games. It absolutely called for a celebration, and the team made sure to cheer on the lifelong Bruin by raising him up following the win.

Even better, dad was in the CBS studio to watch his son cook up a masterful gameplan. Normally you hate seeing analysts pick a side, but Rick couldn’t help but be a proud dad, and it’s a moment that will touch everyone’s hearts.

Worst: Snapping back to reality

Vanderbilt’s 2024 win over Alabama did wonders for the Diego Pavia bandwagon, as he certanily has ridden that into talking a big game and coming off as an SEC contender. He was finally presented a chance to back it up with an encore on the road against the Crimson Tide. Instead, Vanderbilt looked like the Vanderbilt of old.

Worse, Pavia really struggled to duplicate any sucesss that catapulted him to headlines. He threw for just 198 yards and turned it over twice as the Commodores were shut out in the second half. Pavia is certainly a good quarterback and Vanderbilt is a better team that it’s typically been, but the hype train and talk will have to stop after this one.

Even worse, Johnny Manziel was in attendance sporting a Pavia jersey.

Best: breaking NCAA records

An NCAA record was shattered with Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens getting the most consecutive passes completed in a single game with 46 in a row against Wofford. Even better, he threw for 325 yards and three touchdowns during that immaculate stretch.

Dickens finished the day 53-for-56 with 378 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Catamounts to a 23-21 win. An impressive mark that’s extremely hard to do, and taste even better with victory.

Worst: The Taylor Swift curse

Millions of Americans were thrilled to see Taylor Swift’s latest album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ get release. But you know who wasn’t? Purdue.

In a stat you won’t believe, turns out Purdue has never won a game after a Swift album was released. That means 10 losses for the Boilermakers after Swifties got their hands on something new. With the odds severely against them, Purdue had to play Illinois in its first post-album game, and you guessed it, lost 43-27.

Make that 0-11 after a Swift album release, and Purdue Pete is probably praying Swift retires soon.

Best: A great one-eyed pup

Dog content always wins, especially when it’s a spectacular puppy. The college football world got blessed when one-eyed Reveille.

Back in July, Texas A&M said Reveille X had her right eye removed after veterinarians diagnosed her with glaucoma. She needed some time to recover, but she was at Kyle Field for the Aggies’ matchup against Mississippi State. She’s already a beauty, but she sported an eye patch that just really made her the star of the show.

16/10 would run out onto the field for her.

Worst: Getting rejected on live TV

Theo Von is quite the character, and during his appearance on ‘College GameDay,’ he tried to smooth talk his way with ESPN’s Jess Sims with a ‘will I see you again?’

Sims quickly responded ‘I hope not.’ Ouch.

Best: Snow games

Is it still the fall? Not in Laramie, Wyoming.

The Cowboys hosted UNLV and snow made its way to War Memorial Stadium for one of the best scenes in football: a snow covered field.

It made for a great scene as UNLV overcame the conditions for a 31-17 road victory. A great sign that cold weather is around the corner, even when it was in the 80s in most parts of the country.

Worst: Epic fail leads to loss

A great game transpired in Buffalo with the Bulls and Eastern Michigan playing into overtime. After Buffalo opened the extra period with a touchdown, Eastern Michigan responded with their own score in the end zone. However, the Eagles wanted to go for two and the win.

So, Eastern Michigan tried some trickery with a pitch play. Instead, it ended in complete disaster, and the Eagles now at 1-5 on the season.

Want the best college football coverage? Sign up for our ‘Path to Playoff’ newsletter.

There were some shocking upsets in Week 6 of the college football season.

Top-10 teams Texas and Penn State went on the road and were taken out by unranked teams, with both programs suffering their second loss of the season, respectively. The preseason Nos. 1- and 3-ranked teams, respectively, both have their College Football Playoff hopes hanging in the balance heading into Week 7.

Elsewhere, No. 12 Iowa State also suffered a road loss to an unranked team. Cincinnati downed the favorite for the Big 12 title, giving the Cyclones their first loss of 2025. Texas Tech now looks like the clear-cut leader of the conference so far.

College football is always set for surprises, especially when fans are least expecting it. Here’s a recap of the most notable upsets of Week 6 in college football:

College football upsets yesterday

UCLA 42, No. 6 Penn State 37

Easily the most shocking upset of the season so far, UCLA hosted Penn State without its head coach and both coordinators after firing all three this season.

The Bruins entered the game winless, and looked like one of the worst teams in FBS so far. UCLA fell to New Mexico 35-10 at home earlier this season, which resulted in the firing of former head coach DeShaun Foster.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a former five-star recruit who transferred from Tennessee in the offseason, had been a disappointment — until he torched Penn State. Iamaleava threw for 166 yards with two touchdowns while rushing for 128 yards and three scores.

UCLA interim coach Tim Skipper deserves a lot of credit, but it was interim offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel (yes, Ken Neuheisel’s son) who stole the show against the Nittany Lions after the Bruins’ offensive explosion. It was Neuheisel’s first-ever game calling an offense.

For Penn State, the loss marked its second consecutive dropped game after falling to Oregon at home in double overtime on Sept. 28. The Nittany Lions were viewed as one of the top national championship contenders in the preseason, but haven’t lived up to that hype yet.

But give credit to UCLA, whose makeshift coaching staff (and roster, for that matter) came together with an impressive game plan for its first win of 2025.

Florida 29, No. 7 Texas 21

Texas’ road game against Florida in Week 6 had been viewed as a potential trap game since the Gators’ skid that started in Week 2. It was also going to be a tough matchup for Texas, especially with the game being on the road in a hostile environment and the Longhorns looking ahead, potentially, to their Red River Rivalry game vs. Oklahoma.

Texas’ offense continued to struggle, as former five-star recruit Arch Manning completed 16 of 29 passes for 263 yards with two touchdowns to two interceptions, which both came in costly moments in the fourth quarter. He also rushed for 37 yards.

Florida was coming off consecutive losses to South Florida, LSU and Miami. Its offense had also struggled mightily this season. True freshman receiver Dallas Wilson had a magnificent debut, catching six passes for 111 yards with two touchdowns. Running back Jadan Baugh also rushed for 107 yards and a score against the Texas defense.

Florida coach Billy Napier might still be on the hot seat, but the Gators head coach continues to add impressive wins to his resume when college football least expects him to.

Cincinnati 38, No. 14 Iowa State 30

Cincinnati was actually favored in this game by 1.5 points, per BetMGM. However, the ranking disparity warrants an ‘upset.’

The Bearcats jumped out to a huge lead early, leaving the first quarter with a 17-0 lead. Iowa State fought back late, but it was too little too late, as Cincinnati held on for a 38-30 win to move to 4-1 this season.

Quarterback Brendan Sorsby has been one of the most underrated signal-callers in the country this season, and threw for 214 yards with two touchdowns while rushing for 64 yards and another score. The Bearcats had 264 yards on the ground on only 33 carries, good for 8 yards per carry.

Cincinnati might just be a sleeper contender in the Big 12, although the conference still has a lot to be figured out throughout conference play.

Fox NFL analyst Mark Sanchez, 38, was hospitalized in stable condition after being stabbed early on Saturday, Oct. 4 in Indianapolis, and police said he has been arrested and charged with three misdemeanors for his alleged role in the incident.

Sanchez, a former NFL quarterback, was in the city to cover the Raiders-Colts game on Fox this Sunday.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said Sanchez was arrested at the hospital for ‘battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication, all which are misdemeanors. All involved parties have been identified and no further individuals are being sought by detectives.’

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office announced Sunday that Sanchez has been charged.

‘What began as a disagreement between a 38-year-old former professional athlete and a 69-year-old man should not have escalated into violence or left anyone seriously injured,’ prosecutor Ryan Mears said in a statement.

The Indianapolis Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, cited court documents and reported that the fight began over Sanchez being upset that the older man parked his work box truck at a loading dock to collect used cooking oil.

The 69-year-old told police that during the altercation, he reached into his pocket and pulled out pepper spray and sprayed Sanchez, who wiped it away.

The man thought, ‘This guy is trying to kill me,’ so he pulled out his knife, and when Sanchez came at him, the man struck him two or three times with the knife, he told police.

Sanchez was set to announce the game with play-by-play announcer Chris Myers and sideline reporter Kristina Pink. He joined Fox Sports in 2021 and previously worked for ESPN/ABC for two years.

Brady Quinn will now be the analyst for the Raiders-Colts game, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.

‘Friday night in Indianapolis, one of our team members, Mark Sanchez, was involved in an incident that we’re still trying to wrap our heads around,’ Fox Sports’ Charissa Thompson said during pregame coverage. ‘At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, his family, and all of those involved.’

Sanchez was a quarterback in the NFL for 10 seasons after being drafted fifth overall by the New York Jets in 2009. He played with the Jets (2009-13), Philadelphia Eagles (2014-15), Dallas Cowboys (2016), Chicago Bears (2017) and Washington (2018) before retiring in 2019.

‘Sending our thoughts and love to Mark Sanchez and his family,’ the Jets posted on social media Saturday. ‘Hoping for a speedy recovery, 6.’

This story has been updated with new information and to add a video and a gallery.

The Minnesota Vikings are in dire straits at the quarterback position.

In the second quarter of the Week 5 matchup between the Vikings and the Cleveland Browns in London, stand-in starter Carson Wentz was injured after a scramble.

The passer attempted to pick up a first down with his legs when he was crunched by a pair of Browns defenders.

Wentz was seen stretching out his left arm, and the NFL Network broadcast noted that he entered the blue medical tent. He would later be seen making his way to the locker room with minutes left in the first half.

Carson Wentz injury update

Wentz returned in the second half vs. the Browns, with a little bit of protective gear on his left shoulder.

He was originally listed as questionable to return with a left shoulder injury. That is Wentz’s non-throwing shoulder.

The NFL Network broadcast reports that Wentz entered the X-ray room after exiting the locker room.

Vikings QB depth chart

With injuries to J.J. McCarthy and also Carson Wentz, the Vikings have one healthy QB dressed for Sunday:

• J.J. McCarthy (injured)
• Carson Wentz
• Max Brosmer

Brosmer was signed as an undrafted free agent this offseason. He attempted four passes in Week 3 vs. the Bengals, completing two of them for 29 yards.

This story will be updated.