With kickoff for the 2026 college football season right around the corner, USA TODAY Sports assembled an expert panel to power rank the top 15 quarterbacks in the country. Between elite returning starters and high-profile transfer portal additions, the quarterback landscape is as stacked as ever. From Oregon's Dante Moore and Ohio State's Julian Sayin leading the board to Notre Dame's CJ Carr, Ole Miss's Trinidad Chambliss, and Texas's Arch Manning anchoring the top tier, we break down every signal-caller's outlook and quotes. Check out our full 15-QB power rankings.

USA TODAY's Top 15 College Football Quarterbacks Going Into Week 9

Following dramatic Week 8 shakeups across the 2026 college football season, we analyze the ESPN Playoff Predictor to project the 12 teams most likely to make the College Football Playoff. Highlighted by Miami commanding the top spot at 97%, Ohio State surging to 91%, Indiana leaping to 89% after their historic win at Michigan, Morgan Scalley's 7-0 Utah Utes climbing to 60%, and new entries for Texas, Will Stein's Kentucky, UCLA, and Boise State, we break down every contender's odds. Check out the full computer-projected field.

ESPN's Playoff Predictor Projects 12-Team College Football Playoff Field Going Into Week 9

ESPN Predicts the Final Record For All 16 SEC Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 9

Tonight at 10:15 PM ET, BYU looks to adopt a run-heavy strategy against Iowa State, due to being plagued by injuries. Joe and Craig give their betting picks.

BYU vs. Iowa State Game Analysis & Predictions Tonight

Friday night’s college football slate takes us out west, with Iowa visiting Washington as both teams try to bounce back from losses. The Hawkeyes’ defense gives them a chance to leave Seattle with a win, while the Huskies are still searching for their first Big Ten victory.Then, Iowa State heads to Provo to face an unbeaten BYU team coming off a defensive battle against TCU. With the Cougars missing LJ Martin and presenting a tough matchup for Iowa State’s rushing attack, points could be difficult to come by.For all of your college football betting picks, here are today’s TST Best Bets, brought to you by BetOnline.ag. Click here to join. All new players receive a 50% welcome bonus and up to $250 in free bets.

TST Best Bets: October 9, 2026

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Iowa is favored by 14 points over Iowa State in the Cy-Hawk game, putting pressure on the Cyclones&#039; QB. Kevin Walsh and David Bearman give their picks.

Iowa vs. Iowa State Cyhawk Rivalry Clash 2026 Preview

ESPN Power Ranks Every College Football Power 4 Team Ahead of 2026 Season: 1-68

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College Football Week 9 Previews: Miami, USC & Georgia

Lincoln Riley faces mounting pressure at USC as Ohio State visits the Coliseum, with critics arguing the fifth-year coach may be fighting to keep his job.

Lincoln Riley Faces Must-Win USC Showdown With Ohio State

Jeremiah Smith tops a Heisman ballot featuring Miami stars Malachi Tony and Darian Mensah, Notre Dame&#039;s CJ Carr, and Oregon State&#039;s Jesse Legree this year.

Heisman Trophy Top Five: Jeremiah Smith Leads the Race

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View the profile of Iowa State Cyclones LB Alec Cook on SportsGrid. Get the latest news, stats, player prop picks, related players, and more on SportsGrid.com.

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Alec Cook is a LB for the Iowa State Cyclones in the NCAAF.

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Alec Cook

#45 · ISU · LB

HT/WT

6’3”, 240 lbs

Birthplace

Omaha, NE, USA

Class

Sophomore

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