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Fox News Digital Sports' college football winners and losers: Week 10

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Fox News Digital Sports' college football winners and losers: Week 10

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The Oregon Ducks solidified themselves as the best team in the nation with a major victory over Michigan on Saturday.

The Ducks were rewarded with the unanimous No. 1 ranking in the latest Associated Press top 25 college football poll and Dillion Gabriel earned himself some Heisman Trophy talk with his performance. He had 294 passing yards and two total touchdowns.

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It wasn’t so easy for the rest of the nation. Georgia had to do its darndest to fend off Florida, Ohio State outscored Penn State 6-3 in the second half to win their matchup, while Houston delivered a devastating upset against Kansas State.

With that said, here’s some of the winners and losers from the 10th week of the college football season.

Winners

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel scrambles out of the pocket against Michigan in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Oregon: The Oregon Ducks showed the nation why they’re among the teams to beat this season. Dillon Gabriel is playing like a top quarterback, and they easily put Michigan away, 31-10. On Sunday, the Ducks were unanimously chosen as the No. 1 team in the AP top 25 poll.

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Colorado: Despite not playing on Saturday, Deion Sanders and the Buffs now have a path to the college football playoff. Thanks to Iowa State and Kansas State both losing on Saturday, this now opens up a race for the Big 12 title game. After being written off after the Nebraska loss, Colorado needs to win out and have Iowa State drop one more game, and they will play for a Big 12 title. Crazy how college football works.

South Carolina: How about those Gamecocks? The biggest upset of the day goes to South Carolina knocking off Texas A&M just one week after the Aggies shined against LSU. Shane Beamer once again pulls off some November magic, and the SEC is now wide open with every team in the conference having at least one loss. A massive weekend for South Carolina.

Vanderbilt: Once again, Diego Pavia put a beating on a team from the state of Alabama. Vanderbilt is now bowl eligible, picking up their sixth win, this time against Auburn. This is the second time in a year that Diego Pavia has beaten Auburn, with last year coming against New Mexico State. A very big day for the Commodores!

Ryan Day: That might have been Ryan Day’s biggest win since joining the Buckeyes. His Buckeyes have lost three straight years to Michigan, but this year’s Wolverines are far from years past, and this was the victory Day needed. Maybe Michigan fans will laugh at OSU that won’t have to get through a stout Wolverines team to make some noise, but if you’re the Buckeyes, who cares?

Cam Ward: Miami quarterback Cam Ward delivered in a big way in the Hurricanes’ 53-31 win over Duke. The Hurricanes ended the game on a 36-3 second-half run to win, led by Ward’s 400 yards passing with four touchdowns. Miami improves to 9-0 on the season, and with the way Ward is playing, he is likely to hear his name called early in the NFL Draft.

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Cam Ward throws

Miami quarterback Cam Ward throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Duke, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Iowa: Running back Kaleb Johnson is a serious All-America contender and a few more huge games away from sneaking into the Heisman conversation. Any NFL team that is interested in a potential star running back in the upcoming draft is surely paying close attention.

Jaxson Dart: Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart had a record-breaking performance in the Rebel’s blowout victory over Arkansas on Saturday. He threw four touchdown passes in the first half to give Ole Miss a 35-10 lead at halftime and finished up the game with 515 passing yards and six touchdowns to set the program’s single-game records for yards passing and passing touchdowns.

Indiana: The Hoosiers football team was able to overcome an early 10-0 deficit to ultimately defeat Michigan State in convincing fashion. Eight-ranked Indiana celebrated a 47-10 victory on Saturday and improved to 9-0 on the season. This is the first time in program history that the Hoosiers have recorded wins in all nine of the first games they played. Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke was efficient in his return from injury, finishing the day with 263 passing yards and four touchdowns. Indiana continues to exceed preseason expectations.

Losers

Dabo Swinney irate

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Clemson: Talk about a hot mess. Clemson went into their game against Louisville with a clear path to the ACC title game, and that has now disappeared. An embarrassing performance on Saturday night, along with SMU thrashing Pittsburgh, puts the Tigers in deep trouble for the ACC title game, and I’m not even discussing the College Football Playoff. A horrible day for Dabo Swinney.

Georgia: Yes, the Bulldogs defeated Florida, but they also look like a hot mess on offense right now, especially quarterback Carson Beck, who finished the day with three interceptions. The Dawgs were holding on for dear life in the fourth quarter against the Gators’ third-string QB. I don’t know what Kirby Smart has to do with this offense right now, but he better figure it out quick with a trip to Ole Miss coming up this week. It was an awkward day for those Bulldogs, and Lane Kiffin is waiting to pounce.

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James Franklin: Sure, this loss isn’t going to hurt Penn State’s chances of getting into the playoff – they have their cupcake schedule to thank for that one – but who could possibly have any sort of hope they would do anything in it? With Saturday’s loss, Franklin fell to 1-7 against top-10 teams at home, 6-10 against ranked teams at home, 1-9 against top-5 teams and 1-10 against Ohio State since he was hired at Penn State. What’s the definition of insanity?

Iowa State: The Cyclones entered their matchup with Texas Tech with a perfect 7-0 record and a top-10 ranking. Iowa State narrowly escape last week’s game against Central Florida to secure their seventh win of the season, but they were still considered the favorites this past Saturday against the Red Raiders. The 23-22 loss to Texas Tech was two-fold. It represented Iowa State’s first defeat of 2024, but it also tightened the race for a spot in December’s Big 12 championship game. BYU and the Deion Sanders-led Colorado Buffaloes have both dropped just one game in conference play and are legit contenders for the Big 12 title.

James Franklin looks on

Penn State head coach James Franklin reacts during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Texas A&M: A single blowout loss seems to have all but shattered the Aggies’ SEC title hopes. They have a chance to continue their mission as one of the best stories of the season and contend for an expanded playoff spot. But if their recent loss is indicative of who they really are, fuggetaboutit.

Florida State: The 1-8 Seminoles are on a five-game slide after their latest loss to North Carolina over the weekend where they scored a season-low 11 points. Head coach Mike Norvell called the loss “disappointing” after Florida State’s offense managed just 201 offensive yards. UNC running back Omarion Hampton cruised past the Seminoles’ defense with four touchdown runs and a 49-yard touchdown reception in the 35-11 victory.

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The Fox News Digital Sports college football winners and losers were compiled by the Fox News Digital Sports staff and the OutKick.com staff.

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It’s time to blow up the Browns. Miserable season should lead to an active trade deadline

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It’s time to blow up the Browns. Miserable season should lead to an active trade deadline

CLEVELAND — Blow it up. Blow it all up. Set fire to the wreckage, tip it into Lake Erie and let it float to Pelee Island or Buffalo or any point in between. The NFL’s most expensive roster belongs next to the other famous shipwrecks at the bottom, only accessible with flippers and oxygen tanks.

Trade Za’Darius Smith, Dalvin Tomlinson and Jed Wills. Cold call contenders searching for a backup quarterback and send them Jameis Winston for market value (it won’t be much). Elijah Moore can go with him.

I’m not sure anyone here is ready to have the Nick Chubb conversation, but I also don’t believe he’d return much in value anyway.

The larger point is any player who isn’t under contract beyond this season is free to go because this thing is going to get so corrosive by January that no one will survive.

GO DEEPER

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Browns snap back to reality after being outclassed by Chargers from start to finish

The NFL’s trade deadline is Tuesday. This roster should look much different by Wednesday when general manager Andrew Berry has what is sure to be an awkward conversation with reporters over the bye week.

This is about to be the Cleveland Browns’ version of a Presidents Day mattress sale. Buy now, pay later. Zero percent financing with approved credit.

A few players left the locker room after Sunday’s 27-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers with that zombie stare, unsure of how they got here or what happens next.

“I’ve never been in this situation,” one veteran said on his way out of the locker room. “I’ve never been in a spot where the season is over before the bye week.”

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There is never a bad time for a week off in the NFL, but the Browns enter their time off needing to get away from each other and cleanse. Exfoliate. Maybe get a nice foot scrub.

The Browns have invested $337 million in cash spending on this roster, $15 million more than any other team in the league. It’s not only the most expensive roster, it’s the most expensive roster in NFL history.

They have two wins.

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They blew up an offense and an offensive coaching staff that fought through incredible injuries and adversity last year to reach the playoffs.

They have two wins.

Firing Alex Van Pelt as offensive coordinator was clearly a huge mistake. It may have cost them Bill Callahan, too. The design and installation of whatever this is has been a disaster.

The Deshaun Watson trade wrecked the franchise. There’s no other way to frame it. At the time of the deal, off-field baggage aside, Watson appeared to be the better quarterback. But it hasn’t worked out that way. The money they’ve paid him, the future cap hits still looming, the trade capital they sent to Houston and Watson’s inability to perform and stay healthy have slammed shut a contention window that barely ever opened.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

NFL Week 9 takeaways: Is Eagles’ game management a big problem? Who’s the AFC’s second-best team?

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The Browns tanked for two full seasons in 2016 and 2017 to win one playoff game in the seven years that followed. And now it’s over.

Joel Bitonio has a year left on his contract but just turned 33. Why would he want to return to this? Myles Garrett has two years left. At what point does he walk upstairs and ask out?

Chubb is in the last year of his deal. How much does he honestly have left? How much patience does he have left for an organization that squandered the career of one of the best running backs in team history?

The entire offensive line might need to be rebuilt. Those who will be shipped off by Tuesday will need to be replaced.

And all of it must be done despite Watson’s strangling cap hits, which still total more than $170 million. If there is a worse combination of roster forecast and future cap sheets anywhere in sports, I can’t find it.

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Winston threw interceptions to all corners of the field Sunday, the secondary can’t do simple things like communicate coverages properly, and the special teams are a special disaster. Blocked kicks allowed. Big returns surrendered.

The Browns were leaning toward Dorian Thompson-Robinson a few weeks ago. His promotion from scout-team quarterback to backup — even though no one bothered to tell him — was supposed to be for more than one week. Then Thompson-Robinson hurt his finger and the Browns probably figured they owed it to the veterans to play Winston.

Well, there’s nothing left to play for now. Garrett said the Browns could still win out and go 10-7, which is the kind of thing leaders are supposed to say from the lectern. The season is over, and the players all know it.

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Thompson-Robinson likely isn’t the answer. He’s too small and can’t stay healthy. But coming out of the bye week, whether Winston is still here or not, is the perfect time to start him on the road against an equally lousy New Orleans Saints roster.

Either DTR surprises everyone, or more likely, the Browns will be bad enough to draft another quarterback in March and start this miserable process all over again.

As for the fate of the front office and coaching staff, anything is possible at this point. Nobody is safe. I thought last year tested the mettle of Kevin Stefanski and his ability to hold the team together through a storm of injuries. He thrived in the moment. This is a completely different challenge. Guys have nothing left to play for except their tape and next contract.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

NFL trade deadline predictions: Who’s staying put and who’s moving on?

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As the defense was introduced individually before the game, Smith jogged out of the tunnel in his No. 99 jersey blowing kisses to the crowd. If this was his last day in a Browns uniform, that was his goodbye.

Who else will join him?

(Photo of Jameis Winston: Jason Miller / Getty Images)

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Spurs' Gregg Popovich out indefinitely after missing game with illness: report

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Spurs' Gregg Popovich out indefinitely after missing game with illness: report

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich will reportedly be sidelined indefinitely after he missed Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with an undisclosed illness.

Spurs assistant coach Mitch Johnson took over for Popovich on the bench. He said at the time he was informed about two and a half hours before tipoff that the legendary coach was going to miss the game.

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich reacts after a call by an official during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

“He’s not feeling well,” Johnson said Saturday night. “This has happened before. I think everybody’s just always got to be ready for the next man up. We’ve had it with injuries and sometimes people get sick or don’t feel well or things come up in life. He’s just not feeling well.”

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ESPN reported Monday that Popovich will be sidelined for a while. The team told the outlet that Popovich did not travel with the team for road games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets.

Popovich, 75, is the NBA’s career leader in wins with 1,390 victories. He is in his 29th season with the Spurs and has five NBA championships on his resume.

BUCKS’ BOBBY PORTIS REVEALS HOME WAS BURGLARIZED DURING GAME VS CAVALIERS

Gregg Popovich vs the Thunder

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gives instructions to his players during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

The Spurs won the game Saturday with Johnson guiding the team.

Keldon Johnson scored 25 points, and Chris Paul had 15 points and 13 assists.

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“Mitch did a great job, man,” Paul said, via ESPN. “I think our whole coaching staff [did]. Things happen within this league all the time and just like with the players, it’s next man. So, shoutout to Mitch; he did a great job tonight.”

Chris Paul and Gregg Popovich

San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul, left, has a word with Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024 in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Egan)

The Spurs are 3-3 to start the year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Steve Garvey might not be elected to the Senate. How about the Baseball Hall of Fame?

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Steve Garvey might not be elected to the Senate. How about the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Steve Garvey is on the ballot Tuesday — and again next month.

On the Election Day ballot: Garvey, the longtime Dodgers star, against Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) for a U.S. Senate seat representing California.

Garvey is expected to lose handily. He spent one of the final days of the campaign attending the Dodgers’ World Series championship celebration.

However, Garvey will be up for election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in December.

The Hall announced Monday that Garvey and former Dodgers teammate Tommy John are two of eight candidates selected for this year’s Classic Baseball Era ballot.

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Candidates must get 75% of the vote from a committee appointed by the Hall, with any winners announced Dec. 8 and inducted into Cooperstown next July. The Baseball Writers Association of America votes on more recently retired players; those results will be announced in January and any winners also would be inducted next July.

Joining Garvey and John on the committee ballot: Dick Allen, Ken Boyer, Dave Parker, Luis Tiant and Negro League standouts John Donaldson and Vic Harris.

The Hall affords a second chance to players not elected in BBWAA voting, with committees evaluating players based on the era in which they made their greatest contribution.

The Classic Baseball committee considers players that starred primarily before 1980. The Contemporary Baseball committee considers players that starred primarily after 1980, such as Fernando Valenzuela. That committee next makes its selections in 2025.

The committee last met in 2023 to consider this ballot: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Albert Belle, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Dale Murphy, Rafael Palmeiro and Curt Schilling. The committee that year was comprised largely of Hall of Famers and executives of major league teams.

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Bonds, the only seven-time most valuable player in major league history, and Clemens, the only seven-time Cy Young winner, both were linked to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The only player elected by that committee: McGriff.

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