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Best of Week 9: Rank Goldy the Gopher's nine Halloween costumes

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Barry Sanders' epic 1988 season (0:58)

Barry Sanders set 34 NCAA records and won the Heisman in 1988 for Oklahoma State, a season considered by most as the greatest by a college RB ever. (0:58)

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.

Syracuse is goin' all Michael Myers for their game against No. 22 NC State (7, ESPN2).

Missouri is wearing all black against No. 12 Kentucky (4, SEC Network).

And Ohio State has a bye, but they announced an all-black look for Nebraska next weekend.


More to love

It's been a big day for the big guys.

Vanderbilt d-lineman Lous Vecchio made an amazing snag.

Clemson defensive tackle Christian Wilkins scored against Florida State and in front of some sad, sad, sparkly men.

On a fake field goal, punter Colten Rastetter lobbed a pass and defensive lineman Sam Brinks reeled in the over-the-shoulder grab.


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!"


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.


Catch of the Year of the Day


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.

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.

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.

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.



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.

Read more on the wild stories behind Sanders' insane season.


Let's check in on Florida

The Gators are upping the ante in creepy.

The Florida State football team is promoting literacy.


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