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ESPN staff
College football is never short of drama, and just this week we got more action on the conference realignment side of things with FAU, Rice, Charlotte, North Texas, UTSA and UAB set to join the American Athletic Conference. So if we got a bit of a shake-up early in the week, there’s no telling what else will be shaken up on Saturday.
Check out all the results, reaction and revelry from throughout the land.
Game of the moment: No. 2 Cincinnati at Navy (12 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN App)
It would take a mammoth upset for a top-two team to lose for a third straight week, but any chance to watch the take-no-prisoners Bearcats in action is worthwhile.
Read more from Bill Connelly’s Week 8 preview (ESPN+).
Full schedule: All teams | Top 25
GameDay antics
Bill Walton was the guest picker this Saturday, and you know with him there’s always a guaranteed golden gif or meme like this one.
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) October 23, 2021
How about Bill Walton shows up every week?
“Have you ever seen a bear fight a duck?”
Bill Walton brought it on GameDay 😂 pic.twitter.com/2UEXpFnZ8T
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 23, 2021
And Lee Corso’s pick is …
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Lee Corso makes his headgear pick for the Pac-12 matchup between No. 10 Oregon and UCLA.
Next Manning up
Ole Miss will retire Eli Manning’s No. 10 on Saturday, and in tribute it painted the end zones with “Manning” instead of “Rebels.” Surely that has nothing to do with the fact that the nation’s most sought-after recruit is Eli’s nephew, class of 2023 QB Arch Manning. Arch will be on hand for Saturday’s game as Lane Kiffin & Co. make a pitch for a third-generation Manning quarterback to go to Oxford.
For more on the life of Arch, check out this piece by Mark Schlabach. And Tom VanHaaren has you covered with the latest updates on his recruitment.
𝗠 𝗔 𝗡 𝗡 𝗜 𝗡 𝗚 pic.twitter.com/e3INJ1mYTe
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) October 22, 2021
Scene in the stands
We’re definitely hyped for the Space Game.
Space Game = peak @nocontextcfb content pic.twitter.com/FXe99sW3Vk
— UCF Knights (@UCFKnights) October 23, 2021
Did Arkansas State win? No. So sadly, these fans will definitely need to show up like this again next weekend.
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) October 21, 2021
Maybe someone was out just a little past their bedtime.
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) October 22, 2021
Nothing to see here … quite literally.
“Timeout on the field. Everything is off.” 😂
Oklahoma-Kansas was paused due to a power outage. pic.twitter.com/eDd4T4ePdJ
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 23, 2021
It’s all fun and games
And sometimes it’s work and parental duty. But hey, Nick Saban didn’t seem to mind the slight interruption to his news conference.
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Alabama coach Nick Saban shares an adorable moment with a reporter who is holding his baby while posing his question.
Battle of the Bones!
With UAB moving to the AAC soon, one of the greatest rivalry trophies to exist is making a comeback for any future UAB-Memphis games on the horizon.
Ok, we can finally say it…
The Battle of the Bones is COMING BACK!
(And so is the best trophy…ever). pic.twitter.com/wk8vG18J5G
— UAB Football 🏆 (@UAB_FB) October 21, 2021
Mascot check-in
Rice, Temple and FAU, all backed by the mighty owls, will soon all be in the AAC, and sure, three might be a crowd, but it looks like a fun party anyway.
Heard there were some Owls around. How’s it going @TempleUniv @FloridaAtlantic ? pic.twitter.com/rynZc7Zood
— The Roost (@AtTheRoost) October 21, 2021
Uniform updates
Walking on eggshells it seems, huh, Oregon?
It is our nature to innovate.
Presenting @OregonFootball‘s Eggshell uniform combo for Game 7. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/Pq1fAF6NKJ— GoDucks (@GoDucks) October 22, 2021
So long as this thing stays upright, sure, we’ll ride with Oklahoma.
You riding with us?#BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/XY3PnLRbwz
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) October 22, 2021
Yes, Coastal Carolina lost, but the Chants went out in style, at least.
Coastal Carolina brought out the teal helmets for the first time ever 😍
(via @CoastalFootball) pic.twitter.com/XUwxO8b03N
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 21, 2021
For more on the best uniforms, check this out.
More must-see
App State took down No. 14 Coastal Carolina on Wednesday, and the fans couldn’t wait to celebrate.
0:31
After Appalachian State notches a game-winning field goal, fans storm the field to celebrate a close 30-27 win over Coastal Carolina.