Today: Unfiltered Week 10 reaction, Heisman Trophy poll, CFP bracketology, and true freshman standouts.

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NCAA FOOTBALL

Ari Wasserman's unfiltered takes after Week 10: Hugh Freeze, Lane Kiffin, Texas, and more

A lot happens on college football Saturdays. It's hard to keep up with everything. Each week, Ari Wasserman brings you rapid-fire thoughts from across the sport, connecting what just happened with what's coming next.

Hugh Freeze

Auburn's 10-3 loss to Kentucky basically summed up the entire Hugh Freeze experience on The Plains. Tough defense good enough to win any SEC game? Check. Offense rough enough to make your eyes bleed? Check. Quarterback shuffle? Check. Freeze elevated Auburn's talent, but the on-field product was nowhere near acceptable. The Tigers finally pulled the plug Sunday, ending a tenure that never delivered on his "we're close" refrain.

Coveted coaches

Many of the trendy coaching names tied to the nation's open jobs, including Houston's Willie Fritz, Tulane's Jon Sumrall, Georgia Tech's Brent Key, Vanderbilt's Clark Lea, Iowa State's Matt Campbell, Syracuse's Fran Brown, and Tennessee's Josh Heupel, all lost this weekend. It is not about one bad result, but it is worth asking if coaches and teams are distracted once those names start popping up on hot boards.

But not Lane Kiffin. It would be easy to envision how Ole Miss could get thrown off its very promising season as everyone worries about his next move, but he has remained grounded and focused on this year's team. That is exactly what you want in a head coach, someone committed to his players and his program.

Julian Sayin

In Ohio State's 38-10 win over Penn State, Julian Sayin officially morphed from a talented freshman into a bona fide star. He threw for 316 yards and four touchdowns, more scores than incompletions, displaying poise, accuracy, and command well beyond his years. Sayin now belongs in the Heisman race, which is terrifying for everyone else.

Texas

Texas keeps finding ways to win, silencing the mockery that followed Arch Manning's slow start. The Longhorns' four-game streak includes two top-10 wins, and at 7-2 with just one SEC loss, they are suddenly right back in the CFP picture. Beat Georgia in two weeks, and Texas could still make the Playoff even with a late stumble.

Was it a catch?

Florida WR J. Michael Sturdivant's diving grab against Georgia looked like a catch to everyone but the replay official. The ruling of incomplete stood because there was not indisputable evidence to overturn. Right call? Probably. But if it had been ruled complete on the field, that would have stood too.

Miami

A month ago, Miami looked like a national title contender. Now the Hurricanes are collapsing. Saturday's loss to SMU showcased every Cristobal-era flaw, including turnovers, clock issues, and playing down to opponents. Firing him would be foolish, but it is fair to wonder if he is the one to take Miami from relevant again to elite.

The Big 12

Do not expect two CFP bids here. Saturday's Texas Tech vs. BYU matchup suddenly looms large after Cincinnati and Houston both lost. This league is chaos, but whoever survives that game becomes the clear Big 12 favorite and the conference's best hope for a Playoff spot.

Read all 20 of Wasserman's takes here.

NCAA FOOTBALL

On3 Heisman Trophy Poll: Ranking the contenders after Week 10

The Heisman Trophy race is tightening, but the familiar names continue to sit atop the leaderboard. With statement performances across the country and a few off weeks for some contenders, the top of the order is starting to separate from the pack.

On3 polled its national analysts, including Andy Staples, Ari Wasserman, Chris Low, Brett McMurphy, Pete Nakos, JD PicKell, and Charles Power, to rank the Heisman race. Each submitted a top-10 ballot, with points awarded on a 10-to-1 scale. Here is how the rankings unfolded after Week 10.

1. QB Ty Simpson, Alabama – 66 points

Weekend stats: BYE

Simpson was idle this week but remains in firm control of the race. Over his past three games, he has thrown seven touchdowns without an interception and has Alabama positioned for another Playoff run. For the year, he has totaled 2,184 passing yards and 20 touchdowns with only one interception.

2. QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State – 62

Weekend stats: 20-of-23 for 316 yards, 4 TD

Sayin's performance in a 38-10 win over Penn State was his Heisman breakout. He had more touchdowns than incompletions, showing elite poise and accuracy for his age. With 23 touchdowns to three interceptions on the season, Sayin is closing fast on Simpson's lead.

3. QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana – 52

Weekend stats: 14-of-21 for 201 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT | 4 carries for 24 yards, 1 TD

Indiana keeps rolling behind Mendoza's steady play. Even when he is not lighting up the stat sheet, the Hoosiers keep winning. He is up to 2,124 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and four rushing scores.

4. QB Marcel Reed, Texas A&M – 48

Weekend stats: BYE

Reed's off week followed a statement win over LSU in which he accounted for five touchdowns. He remains one of the nation's most dynamic dual threats with 1,972 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and six more scores on the ground.

5. QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss – 28

Weekend stats: 12-of-21 for 159 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT | 15 carries for 59 yards, 1 TD

Chambliss was not flashy but was efficient and in control as Ole Miss continued its Playoff push. His rushing ability remains a key weapon in Lane Kiffin's offense.

See the full top 17 player rankings.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

Andy Staples' CFP bracketology: ACC shake-up & Notre Dame's Miami problem

Miami's loss to SMU on Saturday was the worst possible outcome for Notre Dame, short of a loss by the Irish themselves. Why? Because as long as Miami and Notre Dame share the same record, the Hurricanes have to stay above them in any ranking.

Notre Dame put itself in a bind by opening the season with losses to Miami and Texas A&M. The rest of the schedule offers few opportunities to climb, which makes those early defeats an anchor. For weeks, the Irish's best path back into the Playoff conversation was if both Miami and Texas A&M stayed among the elite. That scenario is fading.

Now, after a second Miami loss in three weeks, both teams sit at 6-2. Notre Dame's best win is against USC. Miami's best win is against Notre Dame. Head-to-head results have to matter when everything else is equal. Otherwise, why play the games?

That's why neither team is in this week's projected bracket. If one spot came down to them, Miami would still hold the edge. That will not change unless the Hurricanes lose again. Given the final stretch, that could happen. Miami finishes at Pittsburgh, which has quietly won five straight since turning to freshman Mason Heintschel at quarterback. The Panthers are 7-2 and chasing a Playoff berth of their own. But before Pitt can solve Notre Dame's Miami problem, the Irish must avoid a Pittsburgh problem of their own when they visit on Nov. 15.

The top four

Ohio State stays at No. 1 after smashing Penn State, with Julian Sayin continuing to look like one of the best quarterbacks in the country. At No. 2 is Indiana, who remains unbeaten after rolling 55-10 over Maryland, while Texas A&M holds steady at No. 3 following a bye and a looming trip to Missouri. Alabama rounds out the top four as it prepares to face LSU in Tuscaloosa after a much-needed off week.

Seeds 5-12

5. Georgia: Survived Florida in Jacksonville and still looks capable of a deep run, though Texas and Georgia Tech both pose real threats down the stretch.

6. Ole Miss: Beat South Carolina 30-14 and owns the SEC's softest remaining schedule with The Citadel, Florida and Mississippi State still ahead.

7. Oregon: Coming off a bye, the Ducks visit Iowa in one of the toughest road tests left for any contender. They still have USC and Washington on the slate.

8. Texas Tech: With quarterback Behren Morton back, the Red Raiders topped Kansas State 43-30. Next up is BYU in Lubbock with College GameDay in town.

9. BYU: Idle in Week 10, the Cougars now travel to Lubbock for a matchup that could determine control of the Big 12 race.

10. Virginia: The Cavaliers remain unbeaten in ACC play and control their path to the conference title game, but Wake Forest and Duke could complicate that.

11. Louisville: The Cardinals' lone loss came in overtime against Virginia. With Cal, Clemson, and Louisville left, Jeff Brohm's team could play its way into the ACC title game.

12. Memphis: Routed Rice on Friday and now faces a pivotal American clash with Tulane. A win would put the Tigers in firm control of the league race.

Read Staples' full breakdown.

🚨Headlines

NCAA FOOTBALL

True freshman standouts from Week 10 of college football

Caleb Hawkins, Scotty Fox, Michael Fasusi

As the regular season hits the home stretch, true freshmen across the country continue to deliver in high-stakes conference matchups. Week 10 featured several first-year players stepping into key roles, with some producing career-best performances that carried postseason weight. From powerful backs in statement wins to defensive playmakers turning takeaways into touchdowns, the 2025 class continues to show it is ready for the college stage.

True Freshman of the Week: RB Caleb Hawkins – North Texas

Caleb Hawkins dominated the biggest Group of Five game of the weekend, rushing for 197 yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries in North Texas' 31-17 win over previously unbeaten Navy. The Shawnee (Okla.) North Rock Creek product forced 11 missed tackles and gained 114 yards after contact, according to Pro Football Focus. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Hawkins combines size, burst, and power that make him a nightmare for defenders. Through ten weeks, the On3 Midseason True Freshman All-American has rushed for 744 yards and 11 touchdowns, ranking tied for fifth nationally.

QB Scotty Fox – West Virginia

Scotty Fox guided West Virginia to a 45-35 upset of No. 22 Houston, completing 13 of 22 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown while adding 59 rushing yards and two more scores. His dual-threat ability and toughness have energized the Mountaineer offense, giving Rich Rodriguez's team a spark down the stretch.

RB Demon June – North Carolina

Demon June led North Carolina in both rushing and receiving in a 27-10 win at Syracuse, totaling 182 yards of offense and two touchdowns. The Jacksonville (N.C.) native broke the game open with a 72-yard screen-pass score, then added a five-yard rushing touchdown to seal Bill Belichick's first Power Four victory.

OT Michael Fasusi – Oklahoma

Michael Fasusi was nearly perfect in protection during Oklahoma's 33-27 win at Tennessee, allowing just one pressure on 37 pass-blocking snaps. The former Five-Star Plus+ prospect continues to anchor the Sooners' offensive line as they prepare for Alabama.

CB Shawn Lee Jr. – Pittsburgh

Shawn Lee Jr. intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown in Pittsburgh's 35-20 win at Stanford. The Harrisburg (Pa.) native allowed zero completions on three targets and continues to emerge as one of the nation's top first-year cornerbacks.

Read the full breakdown from Charles Power.

TRIVIA

Now here's a guy...

Below, you'll find 3 facts about a random college football player. You'll try to guess who the player is based on the facts. Let's go.

As a freshman, I set Michigan's rushing record with 1,455 yards and went on to become the program's all-time leader in rushing yards.
In my junior season, I ran for more than 1,500 yards, finished fifth in Heisman voting, and shared team MVP honors with a future NFL linebacker.
I won my only game as Michigan's interim head coach in the wake of Jim Harbaugh's three-game suspension to open the 2023 season.

Answer at the bottom.

SHAREWORTHY