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Glad Halloween! Nothing is spookier than hacked helmet comms …
Helmet Comms Flaw?
New tools may want a repair
Let’s break down what’s occurring with CFB’s new helmet communication and a possible flaw with it.
What occurred? The brand new coach-to-player communication won’t be as safe as we initially thought. The Athletic reported yesterday that Energy 4 conferences notified their colleges that their helmet communication tools wanted to be up to date to deal with safety issues. It was found in the course of the Texas A&M-Arkansas recreation final month that it was attainable — though not simple — for the radio frequency of the helmet comm to be accessed with a scanner by somebody not licensed. On the time, personnel from all P4 conferences had been made conscious, however ADs throughout a number of conferences advised The Athletic that phrase hadn’t made it to them till this week.
What’s subsequent? The SEC mentioned in a press release yesterday that it hadn’t discovered any cases of communications being compromised. The Huge 12 on Thursday introduced the identical factor. A Huge Ten spokesperson mentioned the league has not had any points. So whereas P4 directors had been stunned on the findings, it’s unlikely this results in any juicy dishonest scandal or controversy.
Learn extra right here.
Week 10 Schedule
Friday night time lights
🚨 Earlier than we get into the weekend’s schedule … we’ve a bizarre rating alert. Sam Houston (7-2, 4-1 CUSA) beat Louisiana Tech (3-5, 2-3) on Tuesday 9-3 — the bottom scoring output in an FBS recreation this season. The Bearkats did it with a first-quarter security and third-quarter TD. Ought to this end result maintain because the lowest-scoring recreation of the season, Sam Houston will probably be 2-for-2 in being concerned within the lowest-scoring recreation of the 12 months as an FBS member (the Bearkats’ 10-7 win over FIU was the bottom of 2023).
Now … on to Friday’s recreation to observe (all recreation instances in ET):
Saturday Slate
Right here’s the schedule of each ranked matchup on Saturday. You’ll discover that the schedule strategically didn’t make the most of this weekend’s additional hour and has no marquee late video games. As all the time, the darker the spotlight = the upper the intrigue.
Early
Most necessary recreation: No. 4 Ohio State (6-1, 3-1 Huge Ten) at No. 3 Penn State (7-0, 4-0). Penn State hasn’t overwhelmed Ohio State since 2016 because the Nittany Lions have been constantly outlined by their incapacity to point out up in massive video games. But mockingly, Ohio State’s Ryan Day may be underneath extra stress to win this one. With a loss to Oregon already, the Buckeyes primarily could be knocked from Huge Ten title rivalry in the event that they don’t win. Regardless that their CFP potential would stay alive, Ohio State didn’t construct this roster to slip by. Oh, and for those who’re mad this recreation’s at midday, nicely that’s simply the best way CFB goes.
Most underrated recreation: Minnesota (3-2, 5-3 Huge Ten) at No. 24 Illinois (6-2, 3-2). Bret Bielema’s squad stays within the Prime 25 regardless of getting blown out by Oregon final week 38-9. After a end result like that, I can see this weekend going one in all two methods for the Illini: getting revenge and wreaking havoc on Minnesota or … spiraling. The Golden Gophers have received three straight, together with an Oct. 5 contest towards USC. Minnesota QB Max Brosmer has thrown 12 TDs and solely 4 INTs this season, together with a 4-to-0 ratio in a drubbing of Maryland final week. Bielema is 10-0 all-time towards the Gophers, however Minnesota enters this one on a roll.
Afternoon
Most necessary recreation: Florida (4-3, 2-2 SEC) vs. No. 2 Georgia (6-1, 4-1). The Gators are in higher form than many anticipated them to be and have received three of their final 4 video games. However now comes the true gauntlet: Georgia, at Texas, vs. LSU and vs. Ole Miss earlier than a visit to Florida State to shut the season. Billy Napier’s seat continues to be scorching and will begin burning if Florida is uncompetitive down the stretch. In the meantime, the Dawgs, coming off a bye week, hope to get Trevor Etienne rolling towards his former workforce.
Most underrated recreation: No. 12 Indiana (8-0, 5-0 Huge Ten) at Michigan State (4-4, 2-3). I’ll be sincere, the afternoon window felt missing in underrated video games, so I’m slotting in America’s workforce right here. The Hoosiers proceed to legitimize themselves as actual contenders. They need to preserve that up this week towards a Spartans workforce that had loads of life sucked out of it in shedding to Michigan. It seems like Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke needs to be again from his thumb harm, too.
Night time
Most necessary recreation: No. 18 Pitt (7-0, 3-0 ACC) at No. 20 SMU (7-1, 4-0). Whereas Miami and Clemson have dominated a lot of the speak on the prime of the ACC, Pitt and SMU have loomed within the shadows with undefeated convention slates. It’s time we begin taking the Panthers extra critically after they picked off Syracuse QB Kyle McCord 5 instances in a 41-13 win final week. A win right here for Pat Narduzzi’s squad — assuming it holds off Virginia subsequent week — would arrange a defining second towards Clemson on Nov. 16.
Most underrated recreation: No. 10 Texas A&M (7-1, 5-0 SEC) at South Carolina (4-3, 2-3). There are a couple of underrated video games on this window, so I picked the one I see essentially the most upset potential in. The Aggies took sole possession of first place within the SEC with a win towards LSU, however they’ll have to maneuver on from that emotion shortly for a highway recreation in Columbia. Texas A&M’s swap to Marcel Reed at QB sparked the offense final week, however the Gamecocks protection (fourth within the SEC in yards allowed) will probably be a troublesome check. The SEC has given us among the season’s finest upsets. Why not proceed that this weekend?
Take a look at the whole Week 10 schedule.
Want tickets? Go right here. Stream the video games on Fubo free of charge.
Fast Snaps
The primary Playoff rankings reveal is simply days away. Take part in The Athletic’s school soccer bracket problem right here.
Penn State wanted to nail its offensive coordinator rent final offseason to capitalize on its potential. So, James Franklin turned to Andy Kotelnicki to snag essentially the most inventive thoughts within the sport.
Oregon’s final go to to Michigan marked the casual launch of the Geese’ nationwide energy potential. Now, No. 1 Oregon makes its method again to the Huge Home with that standing secured.
For Week 10 picks, take heed to the “Till Saturday” podcast.
You should purchase tickets to each school soccer recreation right here.
For streaming data on Fubo, click on right here.
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(Prime photograph: Steven Branscombe / Getty Pictures)
