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The initial College Football Playoff rankings brought several immediate surprises, setting off intense debate across college football. Meanwhile, injury troubles in the NFL have forced the Baltimore Ravens to turn to an undrafted rookie quarterback for Week 9 action, highlighting a busy week across major sports leagues.
CFP Rankings Debut Brings Immediate Controversy
The selection committee revealed its inaugural top 25 rankings, sparking controversy regarding team positions. Notre Dame unexpectedly debuted at No. 11, while Alabama secured the No. 5 spot. The SEC received favorable positioning, whereas Ohio State and UCLA appeared to be penalized for losing their starting quarterbacks. Under the current inaugural rankings, Ohio State would miss out on the playoff field.
Ravens Start Undrafted Rookie Joe Fagnano in Week 9
In the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens are facing a severe quarterback shortage. With Lamar Jackson sidelined for thumb surgery and backup Tyler Huntley dealing with turf toe, undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano is set to make his first career start in Week 9. Fagnano had previously served as the emergency third-string quarterback. To bolster depth, Baltimore acquired another undrafted signal-caller, Kedon Slovis, off the Green Bay Packers practice squad.
Mariners Appoint Jason Kanzler as Head Coach
In Major League Baseball, the Seattle Mariners hired Chicago Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler as their new manager. Kanzler, 36, becomes the second-youngest manager in MLB despite having no prior managerial experience. He replaces Dan Wilson following a disappointing 2026 campaign, beating out former Houston Astros manager Joe Espada for the job.
Manchester United Rally in Champions League
In European soccer, UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 saw Manchester United overcome a two-goal deficit to defeat Roma at Old Trafford. The Red Devils scored three second-half goals to secure the win for manager Michael Carrick. Elsewhere in the tournament, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain earned routine victories, while Manchester City prepared to face RB Leipzig.
NFL Power Rankings and Fantasy Football Targets
According to CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco, the Pittsburgh Steelers rose five spots to No. 10 in the NFL Power Rankings following their win over the Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh leads the league with 26 sacks and ranks fourth in scoring defense, allowing 18.0 points per game. Other notable climbs in the rankings included the Jacksonville Jaguars moving up to No. 3, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers climbing to No. 16, and the Arizona Cardinals reaching No. 21.
For fantasy football managers, Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. emerged as the top waiver-wire target of the week after earning an increased workload over Ashton Jeanty. CBS Sports fantasy writer Dave Richard highlighted trade values for managers considering trading Jeanty, while quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix were named top quarterback additions.
NBA Playoff Outlook and Injury Impacts
Early-season NBA action has provided an initial picture of potential playoff contenders. CBS Sports writer John Gonzalez projected the New York Knicks to finish fourth in the Eastern Conference despite an 0-3 start, citing the strength of their starting lineup. Early injury developments are impacting several teams, with projected seeds placing the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 3 in the West, the Toronto Raptors at No. 5 in the East, the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 7 in the West, and the Orlando Magic at No. 9 in the East.
Additional News Across Sports
In other developments, the WNBA’s New York Liberty parted ways with head coach Chris DeMarco after one season. In boxing, Canelo Alvarez re-entered the top 10 pound-for-pound rankings after regaining the super middleweight title. In baseball news, MLB suggested delaying the introduction of a salary cap as teams brace for a potential December 1 lockout, while the Miami Marlins agreed to a contract with 16-year-old prospect Robinson Canó Jr. In the NFL, the Buffalo Bills released C.J. Gardner-Johnson following a suspension for spitting at an opponent, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love landed on injured reserve due to an ankle sprain.
