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Takeaways from Week 7 of College Football: Indiana earns defining win, James Franklin on the hot seat

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Takeaways from Week 7 of College Football: Indiana earns defining win, James Franklin on the hot seat


College football is unpredictable and delightful, which is why we live for what happens on Saturdays. Week 7 certainly delivered, from a statement win by Indiana in Autzen Stadium to the biggest win for USC in years.

Each Sunday, I’ll publish my biggest takeaways from the college football weekend. I’ll highlight the most interesting storylines, track College Football Playoff contenders, and specifically shout out individual and team performances that deserve the spotlight.

1. Indiana just had its biggest win in program history.

I have seen all sorts of stats celebrating the Hoosiers’ win over then-No. 3 Oregon. Probably the most notable one is that it’s the first road win over an AP top-five opponent in Indiana football history. But let’s be real for a second. We don’t need qualifiers. This is the best and biggest win in program history, full stop. This is the losingest program in the history of college football! The high points have been few and far between. Last year’s 10 wins were the most in a single season. Indiana has only started a season 6-0 three times in its history … and two of them have come under Curt Cignetti (last year and this year). We are in uncharted territory here! And we might as well say as much!

I don’t know if Indiana is the best team in the country or if the Hoosiers are going to — gasp! — win a national title. But I do know it would be unwise to put any limits on this team.

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Indiana secures program-defining win over Oregon

Indiana showed that it can compete with the big boys by walking into Eugene and defeating Oregon.

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2. Steve Sarkisian finally found a winning formula for Texas.

The Longhorns’ second-half performance vs. Oklahoma had to be therapeutic for Texas fans. This was an offense that finally had some balance, which made everything easier — both for quarterback Arch Manning (who completed 21 of 27 passes) and play caller Steve Sarkisian, who could finally put his quarterback in positions to succeed thanks to a functional run game. Plus, the vaunted Texas defense returned to form after a rough outing against Florida, forcing three John Mateer interceptions and holding the Sooners to just 88 total yards of offense in the second half. Throw in a fourth-quarter punt-return touchdown, and you’ve got wins in all three phases. Boy, did Texas need a performance like that.

Manning encouraging in Texas’ win over Oklahoma

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Arch Manning and Texas got a desperately needed win by playing virtually mistake-free football against rival Oklahoma.

3. Texas A&M might be the best team in the SEC.

Every weekend, I attempt to figure out the pecking order in the SEC, and I often end up more confused than I was when I started. For a few weeks, I felt best about Alabama and Heisman hopeful Ty Simpson, believing I’d pick them on a neutral site against any other SEC opponent. But now I think I’m going to join the Aggies’ bandwagon — even knowing that Texas A&M has a history of late-season collapses. This team feels different, not just because I trust Mike Elko defenses. I like how explosive the pass game can be, with Mario Craver and KC Concepcion, and a fairly reliable rushing attack. I know that Marcel Reed doesn’t always dazzle, but when he’s on, he makes this offense one that can strike fear in opposing SEC defenses.

That, and Alabama’s offensive line continues to be a problem. And Ole Miss nearly lost to Washington State. So, that’s where I am for now.

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4. USC might be back.

Well, maybe. At the very least, Lincoln Riley earned the first signature win of his Trojans tenure so far. USC averaged 7.2 yards per play against one of the better defenses in the Big Ten in Michigan. Coming into the game, I thought it could be a huge opportunity for the Trojans to prove they can be tough and physical — that they could win a game at the line of scrimmage. And they did so despite injuries to their running backs. USC has spent the past two seasons trying to develop on the defensive side of the ball (both with coaching hires and personnel), and the Trojans limited a previously prolific rushing attack (that also dealt with injuries) to just 3.5 yards per carry.

But beyond the nuts and bolts of the win, it was just extremely impressive for a program that has had a history of close, painful losses. What better way to make a statement than by not letting Michigan stay close enough to have a chance late? Entering Saturday, Riley was 4-11 vs. ranked opponents at USC. The only way to start to change a narrative is to win a game like that.

5. It’s hard to imagine James Franklin remaining the head coach at Penn State.

I don’t know how soon James Franklin and Penn State will part ways, but it feels impossible to imagine him on the sideline in Nittany Lions’ gear next season. Does Penn State just find frustrated donors to pony up and pay a buyout of more than $50 million? Or does athletic director Pat Kraft get with Franklin to negotiate down the buyout, knowing that Franklin deep down doesn’t want to stay in an environment (and fan base) that has grown so toxic?

Last week, I argued that Franklin should be the one to leave — that he should find one of the Power 4 jobs that open this season and get a fresh start. But at this point, after two inexcusable losses to two of the worst teams in the Big Ten (with a season-ending injury to quarterback Drew Allar to make things even worse), I don’t know that it will be his choice after all. Penn State cannot move forward with him; the situation feels far too untenable.

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‘No way forward’ for Franklin at Penn State

With three consecutive Big Ten losses and Drew Allar out for the season, Nicole Auerbach and Joshua Perry have a hard time seeing James Franklin at Penn State moving forward.

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Indiana gambling case, Bears schedule and McDonald’s Park | Week in Review

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Indiana gambling case, Bears schedule and McDonald’s Park | Week in Review


On this episode of “Week in Review,” we cover the Indiana gambling case, the Bears’ 2026 schedule release and the Bulls landing the No. 4 draft pick. We also look at Jim’s Original moving after 85 years and Chicago Fire FC’s new McDonald’s Park stadium name. Plus, Cole Kmet joins Cop on a Rooftop, a White Sox phenom goes one on one and more top stories from around Chicago.



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Indiana law enforcement takes up donations for Special Olympics

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Indiana law enforcement takes up donations for Special Olympics


FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — More than 50 Indiana law enforcement agencies are taking to the roof to help local athletes. 

Police and safety officers will be stationed around various Dunkin’ Donuts, taking up donations for the Special Olympics. People who monetarily donate will receive a coupon for a free donut. Those who donate $10 or more will receive a coupon for a free medium hot coffee. 

“Supporting the Special Olympics isn’t just an event for us — it’s a commitment to people who inspire us every day,” Sergeant Wes Rowlader said. “These athletes show what determination, courage, and community truly look like. Every dollar we raise helps transform that spirit into training, competition, and lifelong confidence.” 

More than 20,000 Hoosier athletes train and compete for free within the Special Olympics. To date, Cop on a Rooftop has raised more than $125,000 for Special Olympics Indiana. 

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The Indiana State Police will be at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 9821 Lima Road in Fort Wayne from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday.



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Man shot by security guard in hospital emergency room waiting area in Gary, Indiana

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Man shot by security guard in hospital emergency room waiting area in Gary, Indiana


A man’s family is demanding answers after he was shot by a security guard inside a hospital emergency room waiting area on Tuesday night in Gary, Indiana.

Methodist Northlake Hospital officials said, around midnight Tuesday night, its security staff responded quickly after a patient took out a gun. The hospital said he’d threatened to shoot himself or others.

The hospital commended the security guard who shot the man for “neutralizing the threat and helping ensure the safety of our patients and employees.”

Family members identified the man who was shot as Otis Brown. They said he is a kind father to a 12-year-old boy.

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“Just a great person, a happy-go-lucky, always out there trying to do the right thing,” said his fiancée, Stacey Taylor.

Taylor said she was on a business trip when she got a call that Brown had been shot multiple times.

“Scared, uncertainty; you know, what story is right? You know, what happened?” she said.

After he was shot, Brown was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment.

Taylor said she had no idea why Brown went to Methodist Northlake Hospital in the first place. His family said he was trying to leave the hospital when the shooting happened, claiming that the hospital gave him his gun back after he was cleared to leave.

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“We just want to get answers, just want to know what happened, particularly when people are defaming his name,” Taylor said.

She and Brown’s family hope the hospital has surveillance video footage that can help provide answers.

Gary police have not provided any details on the shooting. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department said it is investigating the shooting at the request of Gary police, but did not provide any further information.



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