Today: Lane Kiffin intel, Week 12 Heisman Poll, CFP bracketology, and true freshman standouts.

~8 minute read (1,980 words)

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COACHING CAROUSEL

Latest intel on Lane Kiffin as Florida, LSU pursue Ole Miss head coach

The Lane Kiffin coaching carousel saga has officially reached a fever pitch. Ole Miss is trying to make the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, and yet questions are swirling around their coaches' future. Inside the building, Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter has put a contract extension on Kiffin's desk and wants an answer by the Nov. 28 Egg Bowl.

The drama increased on Monday when Kiffin's family members reportedly took not one but two recruiting-style city tours in 24 hours. According to On3's Chris Low, Brett McMurphy, and Pete Nakos, the family spent Sunday in Gainesville before flying into Baton Rouge on Monday. That trip became the defining moment of the day thanks to one message board poster.

Enter user AllThingsGeaux22, who was camped at the airport and posted grainy photos of the plane landing in Baton Rouge on The Bengal Tiger message board. The pictures showed a private jet touching down and passengers stepping out, and had multiple fan bases captivated.

By Monday afternoon, LSU outlets confirmed that Kiffin's family did in fact tour the city, giving the poster accidental folk hero status.

Meanwhile, LSU's coaching search committee kept moving at full speed. LSU remains locked in on Kiffin as its top target, and with good reason. Aside from Brian Kelly, the last three LSU head coaches each won national titles, the program sits on a mountain of NIL firepower, and the Tigers want a coach who can return them to their 2019 heights. Kiffin has made it clear that salary is not a factor in his decision, but LSU's roster talent and NIL structure could be. However, two other names emerged Monday as potential alternatives if Kiffin passes on the Tigers.

The tension now shifts back to Oxford, where Ole Miss is preparing for the Egg Bowl while waiting for clarity from its coach. Kiffin says he loves what is being built at Ole Miss. Carter wants a firm answer. LSU and Florida are waiting patiently. And somewhere out there, AllThingsGeaux22 is reveling in his newfound fame.

Read the latest on the Kiffin saga.

NCAA FOOTBALL

On3 Heisman Trophy Poll: Ranking the contenders after Week 12

Indiana star Fernando Mendoza took over the Heisman Trophy poll last week, and nothing he did on Saturday suggested any change is coming. Mendoza delivered another electric performance and continues to set the pace for college football's top award.

On3 polls its national analysts every week to gauge where the Heisman race stands. Voting in this poll are Andy Staples, Ari Wasserman, Chris Low, Brett McMurphy, Pete Nakos, JD PicKell, and Charles Power. Each expert submits a top ten ballot, and players earn points based on placement on those ballots. A first-place vote is worth 10 points, second-place is worth nine, and so on. Here is how the rankings look after Week 12.

QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana – 67 points

Weekend stats: 22 of 24 for 299 yards, 4 TD

Mendoza was nearly flawless against a Wisconsin team that had started to find some rhythm. Indiana cruised to 11-0, and Mendoza continues to pair efficiency with production at the highest level. He now sits at 2,641 passing yards with 30 touchdowns and only five interceptions, plus 216 rushing yards and five scores. Complete control of the offense.

2. QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State – 52

Weekend stats: 23 of 31 for 184 yards, 1 TD

Sayin's Heisman case is complicated by Ohio State's dominance. He has played extremely well, but few games have required him to deliver signature moments. Even so, 2,675 passing yards and 25 touchdowns should keep him in the finalist conversation. The consistency is undeniable.

3. RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame – 43

Weekend stats: 23 carries for 147 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches for 20 yards

Love keeps stacking productive weeks. He has topped 100 yards in three of the last four games and has scored in every game but the opener. Notre Dame leans on him heavily, and no running back in the country has been more valuable to his team.

4. QB Marcel Reed, Texas A&M – 42

Weekend stats: 22 of 39 for 439 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT; 7 carries for 13 yards

Reed's day started poorly with two interceptions as Texas A&M fell behind 30-3. Then he went to work. Reed posted a season-high 439 passing yards and led a comeback that flipped the entire game. Wild performance, wild result.

5. QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt – 37

Weekend stats: BYE

Pavia rested this week after shredding Auburn for 377 passing yards and 112 rushing yards in an overtime win. He remains the engine of Vanderbilt's late-season push and keeps the Commodores firmly in the playoff picture.

Read the full voting breakdown for the top 15 players.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

Andy Staples' CFP bracketology: Oklahoma shakes up the bracket

Oklahoma looked finished a few weeks ago after losing at home to Ole Miss. The schedule was too brutal, the path too narrow, and the Sooners looked like a team destined to drift out of the playoff picture. Then they went to Tuscaloosa and toppled the biggest obstacle left on their slate. Their 23-21 win at Alabama pushed them back into the projected bracket and nudged the Crimson Tide down, but not far. Alabama's resume still carries weight, with the win at Georgia serving as the most valuable piece.

Here is how the Sooners' second win in two seasons against the Tide shook up this week's projected College Football Playoff bracket.

The top four

Ohio State holds the top spot after drilling UCLA 48-10 without injured receiver Carnell Tate. Julian Sayin appeared to hurt his ankle but told reporters he would be fine. Indiana moves back to No. 2 after cruising past Wisconsin, while Texas A&M needed a historic second half to survive South Carolina. The Aggies remain at No. 3, but the first half raised concerns about their ability to withstand playoff opponents. Georgia stays at No. 4 after pulling away from Texas and showing that Ohio State might not be as far ahead of the pack as it seems. The Bulldogs could also reach the quarterfinals without playing in the SEC title game if results elsewhere fall their way.

Seeds 5-12

5. Texas Tech: The Red Raiders dismantled UCF and continue to look like the class of the Big 12. Their only loss came without Behren Morton, which strengthens the argument that this team is on a different level when he plays.

6. Ole Miss: The Rebels survived Florida, and their road win at Oklahoma is carrying significant weight. Beat Mississippi State on Black Friday, and they are in great position to host a CFP game.

7. Oklahoma: The Sooners roared back into contention with the win at Alabama. Missouri and LSU now stand between them and a playoff berth.

8. Alabama: The Tide have the best win of anyone on this list, and also the worst loss. Their strong victories keep them ahead of Oregon for now.

9. Oregon: The Ducks are secure as long as they avoid a second loss. Beating USC on Saturday would give them a needed resume boost before Washington.

10. Notre Dame: The path is clear. Syracuse and Stanford should not pose threats. The committee seems comfortable with Notre Dame landing in this range.

11. Georgia Tech: Beat Pittsburgh and reach the ACC title game. Steal a win against Georgia and the door to the CFP opens even wider.

12. Tulane: The Green Wave lead a crowded American race and remain the favorite, though James Madison is lurking if it can finish 12-1.

Read Andy Staples' full breakdown.

🚨Headlines

NCAA FOOTBALL

True Freshman Standouts from Week 12 of College Football

Bear Bachmeier, Andrew Marsh, Byrd Ficklin

Week 12 brought another impressive set of true freshman performances, highlighted by players who delivered in high-pressure moments with conference races and postseason stakes in play. Explosive quarterbacks, productive running backs, and disruptive defenders shaped the weekend as members of the 2025 class continued to leave their mark on the national landscape.

True Freshman of the Week: WR Andrew Marsh, Michigan

Marsh stepped up when Michigan needed him most in a narrow 24-22 win over Northwestern at Wrigley Field. The true freshman posted 12 catches for 189 yards, emerging as Bryce Underwood's go-to option and repeatedly delivering in critical situations. Marsh opened the day with a spectacular diving grab in the second quarter and later kept the game-winning drive alive with a toe-dragging third down catch along the sideline. His strong hands, toughness, and ability to find space against coverage gave Michigan a reliable playmaker throughout the afternoon and offered another sign of his steady growth.

QB Bear Bachmeier, BYU

Bachmeier led No. 12 BYU to a 44-13 rebound win over TCU by operating the offense with poise and control. He completed 23 of 33 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown while showing quick processing, efficient decision-making, and comfort in an expansive scheme. Bachmeier added 59 rushing yards and a touchdown and showed improved pocket feel in a performance that steadied BYU as it looks to stay in the Big 12 title hunt.

QB Byrd Ficklin, Utah

Ficklin sparked Utah's offense and kept the Utes in the College Football Playoff picture with a 55-28 win over Baylor. Ficklin flashed game-breaking speed with touchdown runs of 67 and 74 yards, finishing with 166 rushing yards and two scores on six carries. He added two completions for 23 yards and delivered the kind of dynamic production that gives Utah a promising long-term option at quarterback.

RB Caleb Hawkins, North Texas

Hawkins continued his breakout season by rushing for 189 yards and five touchdowns in a 53-24 win over UAB. He racked up 134 yards after contact and surpassed 200 total yards, anchoring a physical run game that has pushed North Texas toward a potential American title chase.

DL Elijah Griffin, Georgia

Griffin dominated in Georgia's 35-10 win over Texas, recording five pressures on 35 snaps and batting down a pass. The former top three prospect showed the athletic traits and motor that suggest he could become Georgia's next star interior defender.

Read the full breakdown.

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.

I was the No. 1 player in the entire country in my recruiting class and arrived at USC as one of the most decorated quarterback prospects of the modern era.
I went on to break multiple single-game school records, including for completions, passing yards, and touchdown passes, and I finished one season with 39 touchdowns, which set a Pac-12 record at the time.
Entering what would have been my draft year, I was widely projected as a future No. 1 overall pick, but I shocked the sport by returning to school after announcing "one more year."

Answer at the bottom.

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