Here we are in Week 9. The first College Football Playoff rankings come out next week.
But for now, we've got important stuff to handle. It's Halloweentime and Minnesota mascot Goldy the Gopher celebrated accordingly, posting nine (!) different costumes from the sidelines of the Gophers' 38-31 win over Indiana on Friday night.
We can't pick the playoff teams. But dagnabbit, we can be the selection committee for Goldy's best looks. So this is where you -- the dear fan -- rank 'em.
Have at it:
Beware of players in full uniform in the woods
Uniform "reveals" for color combinations have become a thing, and now we're really getting thematic.
South Carolina created a Halloween-themed trailer -- hurdling folks in a cornfield and all -- for their all-black unis for Saturday night's game against Tennessee.
Battle Armor 🔥 pic.twitter.com/99O7aRrgKj
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) October 25, 2018
Syracuse is goin' all Michael Myers for their game against No. 22 NC State (7, ESPN2).
Embrace the darkness.
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) October 26, 2018
Seize the opportunity. pic.twitter.com/bsRko6287M
Missouri is wearing all black against No. 12 Kentucky (4, SEC Network).
Everything you've heard is true...
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) October 26, 2018
All ⚫ Saturday at #TheZou pic.twitter.com/DptckG2QhE
And Ohio State has a bye, but they announced an all-black look for Nebraska next weekend.
⬛️ XI.III.XVIII ⬛️#GoBucks #WinTheMoment pic.twitter.com/ntgp4wEVx6
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 26, 2018
More to love
It's been a big day for the big guys.
Vanderbilt d-lineman Lous Vecchio made an amazing snag.
🚨 BIG MAN INTERCEPTION 🚨@VandyFootball's Louis Vecchio ... WOW. 😮 pic.twitter.com/R9cGWPOXTW
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 27, 2018
Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins scored against Florida State and in front of some sad, sad, sparkly men.
(•_•)
— ESPN (@espn) October 27, 2018
<) )╯BIG
/ \
\(•_•)
( (> MAN
/ \
(•_•)
<) )> TOUCHDOWN
/ \ pic.twitter.com/PbQcxgjDZv
On a fake field goal, punter Colten Rastetter lobbed a pass and defensive lineman Sam Brinks reeled in the over-the-shoulder grab.
Sam Brincks, a 6-5 and 275 pound defensive end, made the catch of the year. pic.twitter.com/I4cnQRICOy
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) October 27, 2018
When in Nebraska, do as the Nebraskans do
A Bethune-Cookman coach, who just happened to be in town to play the Cornhuskers, bought a Runza -- a local delicacy (78 locations in Nebraska!) made of bread filled with ground beef, cabbage and onions -- on the sideline. During the game.
Bryson Nemecek, who took the photo, wrote, "The vendor kid was so confused!"
Here is the shot of Bethune-Cookman's coach buying a Runza. Better questions is does that $5 come out of the $800,000? #Huskers https://t.co/VJOBw9XfUc
— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) October 27, 2018
How high is Kentucky's ceiling?
Clearly not high enough. The Wildcats are 7-1 after coming from behind to beat Missouri with a touchdown on an untimed down at the end of the game. The locker room celebration included Mark Stoops crowdsurfing through his players, who hoisted him right through the ceiling.
We're all @UKCoachStoops right now.#GetUp😼🏈 pic.twitter.com/4g2DQAsula
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 28, 2018
Catch of the Year of the Day
HOW!? pic.twitter.com/vRPe3JrLcw
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) October 28, 2018
Boiling over in Louisiana
It has been a week since LSU All-American linebacker Devin White was called for a controversial targeting penalty in the fourth quarter against Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. The Tigers have a bye this week and No. 1 Alabama next week, and the second-half penalty means White, probably the Tigers' best player, will miss the first half against the hated Crimson Tide. With an extra week to stew on it, they seem to be taking things in stride down in Louisiana.
For instance, the governor, John Bel Edwards, weighed in.
Someone is going to have to explain the definition of "targeting" to me. From what I know, that wasn't it. #GeauxTigers
— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) October 21, 2018
The Ragin' Cajun, political strategist and commentator James Carville, wrote an op-ed calling it "collusion" between the SEC and Alabama and saying the league "has an opportunity to take a stand for fairness and democracy" by righting this wrong.
There is clear evidence of collusion and of course it's between @SEC and @AlabamaFTBL . I won't stand for it. Read my latest in @theadvocatebr tonight. #GeauxTigers https://t.co/cOY2cweauT
— James Carville (@JamesCarville) October 22, 2018
A crowdfunding campaign raised enough money to put 13 billboards in Birmingham, Alabama, home of the SEC offices, with even more spotted in Baton Rouge.
UPDATE: The #FreeDevinWhite gofundme campaign, combined with an end of October special, raised enough money to fund 13 billboards. They'll be going live around Birmingham any moment now. pic.twitter.com/j53CeRlWVp
— Bradford (@LSUbradford) October 23, 2018
And on Saturday, things escalated even further as the campaign took to the skies, with banners flying in Jacksonville, site of the Florida-Georgia game and College GameDay.
#FreeDevinWhite banners flying in Jacksonville.
— TigerDroppings (@TigerDroppings) October 27, 2018
Posted on the Tiger Rant: https://t.co/uMBdGaLWEz #LSU pic.twitter.com/ctk94wF2YB
Honoring a legend
In Stillwater, Oklahoma State is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Barry Sanders' monster 1988 season, in which he rushed for 2,850 yards, scored 44 touchdowns, broke 34 NCAA records and won the Heisman.
In addition to wearing throwback uniforms for their game against Texas (including a 30th anniversary patch), Sanders and his offensive line -- known as the War Pigs -- were grand marshals of OSU's homecoming celebration and the Sea of Orange Parade on Saturday morning.
Respect the 🐐.
— Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) October 22, 2018
📸 https://t.co/yEBdNF1M5d #okstate #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/8spaeNf4TZ
Read more on the wild stories behind Sanders' insane season.
Let's check in on Florida
The Gators are upping the ante in creepy.
Taking the Gator Chomp to the next level 🐊 pic.twitter.com/6RULhFmJMq
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 27, 2018
The Florida State football team is promoting literacy.
There's never a bad time for a book. pic.twitter.com/7OOJIv99Gw
— ESPN CollegeFootball (@ESPNCFB) October 27, 2018
Staying grounded
On the road at Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech started Tobias Oliver, a redshirt freshman, at quarterback. He didn't complete a single pass, although he only attempted one. Instead, he carried the ball 40 times -- mostly simple quarterback sweeps -- as the Yellowjackets beat the Hokies 49-28.
"We ran, like, four or five [plays]," Georgia Tech running back Jordan Mason told the Roanoke Times. "They couldn't stop it. So we didn't have to bring out as many plays."
Speaking of running quarterbacks, Mississippi State's Nick Fitzgerald also got it done with his legs against Texas A&M. His 76-yard touchdown was the highlight of his big day