The first College Football Playoff rankings sparked debate with Notre Dame placed at No. 11 and Alabama at No. 5, while Ohio State would miss the playoff if the season ended today. The SEC appeared to receive preferential treatment, and UCLA and Ohio State were seemingly penalized for losing their starting quarterbacks.
In the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens will start undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano at quarterback in Week 9 after Lamar Jackson underwent thumb surgery and backup Tyler Huntley is sidelined with turf toe. The team also signed Kedon Slovis off Green Bay's practice squad for depth.
The Seattle Mariners hired Jason Kanzler, 36, as their new manager, replacing Dan Wilson. Kanzler, previously the Cubs' director of player development, becomes the second-youngest manager in MLB. Joe Espada was the other reported finalist.
UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 saw Manchester United overturn a two-goal deficit to beat Roma at Old Trafford, while Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain secured comfortable wins. Manchester City face RB Leipzig in a matchup of contrasting form.
Fantasy football waiver-wire targets for Week 9 include Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr., quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix, and wide receivers Makai Lemon and Antonio Williams. In NBA Bracketology, the defending champion Knicks are projected as the East's fourth seed despite an 0-3 start, while injuries affect seeding for the Thunder, Raptors, Timberwolves, and Magic. Pete Prisco's NFL Power Rankings have the Steelers rising to No. 10, with the Jaguars, Buccaneers, and Cardinals also climbing sharply.
