College Football Playoff Rankings, Lane Kiffin’s Future, Atlanta Falcons Struggles
The college football world is buzzing—maybe even a little on edge—as the latest playoff rankings just dropped. This week’s reveal is a win for SEC fans, but for everyone else? There’s a lot to chew on.
The playoff committee’s choices have set up some wild matchups. And honestly, the ripple effects for the rest of the season feel huge.
Meanwhile, the Lane Kiffin coaching saga keeps adding drama to an already unpredictable year. It’s hard to look away.
Let’s dig into what’s new in college football and check in on the Atlanta Falcons’ ongoing struggles, plus a few moments from the NBA and WNBA that caught my eye.
Contents
College Football Playoff Rankings: SEC Dominance and Key Matchups
The playoff committee just dropped its third set of rankings for the 2025 season—and wow, the SEC is everywhere. Five SEC teams landed in the top 10. Greg Sankey, the SEC Commissioner, must be grinning ear to ear.
If the playoffs started now, it’d be a record for the conference. Here’s how the current matchups would look:
- 12. Tulane at 5. Texas Tech
- 11. Miami at 6. Ole Miss
- 10. Alabama at 7. Oregon
- 9. Notre Dame at 8. Oklahoma
That means 1. THE Ohio State, 2. Indiana, 3. Texas A&M, and 4. Georgia would get a week off to start.
Key Takeaways
A few things stand out from these rankings:
- Tulane is sitting in the Group of 5 hot seat now.
- Notre Dame actually controls its own playoff destiny.
- Miami is in for now but needs some help to make the ACC title game.
- Vanderbilt needs to win out and cross their fingers for Alabama and Miami to stumble.
Want the deep dive? The full breakdown’s here.
Lane Kiffin’s Coaching Saga: Stay or Go?
Lane Kiffin’s name is everywhere—rumors are swirling about LSU and Florida. He’s said that Ole Miss hasn’t given him any ultimatums, and he sounds like he wants to stay in Oxford.
But let’s be honest: the timing of any move is tricky. The recruiting calendar and that portal window opening on January 2 make everything more complicated.
If Kiffin leaves while Ole Miss is making a playoff push, the fallout could be wild. Fans wouldn’t forget it anytime soon.
The Bigger Picture
It’s tough not to wonder—should coaches be allowed to leave during these crucial stretches? It’s a little like when players opt out of bowl games, and the calendar probably needs a rethink.
Kiffin’s public flirtations with other jobs might be as disruptive as any star player’s sudden departure. The whole system feels overdue for a shakeup.
The Atlanta Falcons: A Franchise in Turmoil
The Atlanta Falcons are in rough shape. Sitting at 3-7, it’s hard to see a way out.
They gave Kirk Cousins $160 million, then drafted Michael Penix Jr.—who’s now on IR. Draft picks wasted, momentum lost. It’s a mess.
Another top-10 pick seems likely, but will that even help?
Key Issues
What’s gone wrong? Here’s a quick list:
- The Cousins signing, then drafting Penix Jr. right after.
- Injuries to key guys like Drake London, and the Kyle Pitts experiment just hasn’t worked.
- The coaching staff and front office keep shuffling.
At some point, you have to ask: what’s actually happening in Arthur Blank’s front office? For a closer look, check out the full article here.
Other Sports News: NBA, WNBA, and More
LeBron James is back for his 23rd NBA season. That’s wild—he’s still finding new milestones.
If LeBron can stay healthy and doesn’t mind letting Luka Doncic take the lead, the Lakers could be dangerous. It’s a big “if,” but you never know.
WNBA Labor Dispute
The WNBA’s in the middle of a labor standoff. The league just offered to bump the minimum salary above the current max and raise the max to $1.1 million.
The players have some leverage, but let’s be real: NBA-level salaries just aren’t happening with the current revenue. Not yet, anyway.
College Basketball
UK’s upset loss to Michigan State has fans in Lexington worried. With a $22 million roster, head coach Mark Pope’s feeling the pressure to fix things—fast.
Today’s Questions: Which Way Wednesday
Here are a few questions that have been rattling around in my head lately:
- Which is more likely: the SEC gets five teams in the playoff, or the Big 12 gets two?
- Which NFL team is a bigger mess than the Falcons?
- Which of your favorite teams have caused you the most angst?
On this day in history, the Mayflower reached Cape Cod in 1620. Lewis and Clark finally hit the Pacific in 1805.
Also, Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address in 1863. A few notable birthdays: Ted Turner, Meg Ryan, Jodie Foster, and Adam Driver.
Does Four score and seven years ago make the Rushmore of best first lines of famous speeches? I’m honestly not sure, but I’d love to hear what you think. Drop your thoughts and answers in the comments!
