The GIST: NCAA football chose chaos in Week 1: One powerhouse plummeted in the rankings, another program faces conference expulsion, and the postseason could be expanding…again. It’s been a minute since we went back to school, but has it always been this dramatic?
〽️ Michigan falls out of AP Top-25: The Wolverines started the season at No. 16, but the perennial contenders are on the outside looking in after needing a second-chance Hail Mary to beat Western Michigan in a 13–12 slogfest (more on that later).The freefall marks the first time since 2008 a top-25 program dropped out of the rankings after a victory.
- Back to that Saturday stunner, the Mid-American Conference (home to WMU) is officially appealing the result. The game seemingly ended in a 12–7 Broncos upset W, but Big Ten officials added one second to the clock after review, giving Michigan another shot. Hmmm.
👀 SEC files to expel LSU: The pros-returning-to-college saga gained another plot twist after the conference requested permission via an amendment to an already-filed lawsuit to boot the Tigers. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin had been open about his desire to ink former pros but reportedly filled his last two roster spots last night, ending speculation that two ex-NFLers would don the Tigers’ purple and gold this year.
- It’s TBD how that decision will impact tomorrow’s meeting as conference leaders decide the program’s fate. And it’s not just football’s SEC status at stake: It’d be an all-encompassing decision, removing all LSU sports from the juggernaut conference if approved.