When a place as storied as Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is overflowing with fans rushing the field to celebrate with their team, you know it’s a wacky college football day.

That was the scene after No. 13 LSU trounced No. 2 Georgia 36-16 in the afternoon to set the tone for a day that would see four of the AP’s Top Eight teams go down. 

Yes, this is about the time of year that we get a patented Shake-up Saturday, and the Week 7 slate didn’t disappoint. The parity beyond No. 1 Alabama is evident.

The Crimson Tide continued to roll in a 39-10 win over Missouri, but they were banged up in the process. Heisman Trophy front-runner Tua Tagovailoa left with a leg injury, and receiver Henry Ruggs III rolled his right ankle. In addition, defensive lineman Raekwon Davis somehow avoided an ejection after throwing punches.

It’s college football, after all, and this season continues to be wild. What’s next? It’ll be something that surprises us all, but let’s take a look at the rankings since the smoke’s cleared. All we know is we don’t know much.

Bleacher Report’s panel of experts—Matt Hayes, David Kenyon, Adam Kramer, Kerry Miller, Brad Shepard and Ian Wharton—tried to sort everything once again. A first-place vote is worth 25 points, followed by 24 points for second, 23 for third, etc.

Here is our Week 8 poll:

1. Alabama (last week: 1)

2. Clemson (4)

3. Ohio State (3)

4. Notre Dame (5)

5. LSU (13)

6. Georgia (2)

7. Michigan (14)

8. Texas (10)

9. Oklahoma (11)

10. UCF (8)

11. Oregon (19)

12. Florida (12)

13. West Virginia (6)

14. Kentucky (18)

15. NC State (20)

16. Penn State (7)

17. Texas A&M (21)

18. Washington (9)

19. Cincinnati (22)

20. Colorado (16)

21. Wisconsin (15)

22. Iowa (25)

23. South Florida (24)

24. Stanford (NR)

25. Appalachian State (NR)

Others receiving votes: Washington State, Mississippi State, San Diego State, Houston, Utah State, Miami, Texas Tech, Duke, Michigan State

Who’s Hot: Michigan Wolverines

It’s not easy to upstage Central Florida’s 19-game winning streak, but after the Knights’ dicey 31-30 win over rival Memphis on Saturday, college football’s biggest style points go to the Michigan Wolverines.

How about Jim Harbaugh’s team?

After that season-opening clunker against Notre Dame, the Wolverines have reeled off six consecutive wins. Other than a narrow road escape against Northwestern two weeks ago, they’ve looked brilliant doing it, too.

They hosted No. 15 Wisconsin in the Big House on Saturday night and dominated them 38-13, continuing their mastery of Badgers quarterback Alex Hornibrook, who would probably love nothing more than to forget his career against Michigan.

He entered the game having thrown four picks in two starts against the Wolverines, and their sterling defense got him twice more in by far the worst game of his career. UM quarterback Shea Patterson and running back Karan Higdon had great outings, but the Wolverines defense was the story.

By the time backup quarterback Dylan McCaffrey channeled his brother, Christian, and raced 44 yards for a score to help make it 38-7, it was a laugher. But Michigan’s form is no joking matter to the rest of the Big Ten.

After losing to the Irish, the Wolverines won 49-3 over Western Michigan, 45-20 over SMU, 56-10 over Nebraska, 20-17 over Northwestern and 42-21 over Maryland. Then came Saturday’s lopsided win.

Next weekend, the stakes will get higher against rival Michigan State. Then, following a bye week, they’ll host Penn State. It’ll continue to be tested, but Harbaugh’s team is playing at a high level.

Who’s Not: Top 10 teams

The afternoon wave of games gave us yet another exciting slate of upsets in a season that is shaping up to be wackier than usual.

In the span of a few moments, No. 2 Georgia, No. 7 Washington and No. 8 Penn State all lost.

Iowa State walloped No. 6 West Virginia late to complete the day’s forgettable (or memorable, depending on who you are) slate of games.

The Bulldogs went to Death Valley and saw their offense die a slow, painful death with quarterback Jake Fromm at the helm in a thorough 36-16 loss to LSU a week after the Tigers flopped at Florida.

A week after his best game of the year against Vanderbilt, Fromm struggled mightily against LSU, completing just 16 of 34 passes for 209 yards, one score and two interceptions.

Last year, coach Kirby Smart turned to Fromm when Jacob Eason hurt his knee in Week 1, and you have to wonder if the clamoring for a longer look at dual-threat freshman Justin Fields is coming.

For all the fiery comments Penn State coach James Franklin had about becoming an “elite team” following the Nittany Lions’ close loss to Ohio State a few weeks back, they didn’t even look like a good one against Michigan State.

The Spartans pulled off perhaps the day’s most shocking upset with a 21-17 win. Brian Lewerke found Felton Davis III for a 25-yard touchdown with 19 seconds left to stun the Nittany Lions and end their chances of making the College Football Playoff.

Speaking of the playoff, Oregon perhaps stifled an entire conference’s chances with its 30-27 overtime upset of Washington. The No. 8 Huskies had been playing as well defensively as anybody in the nation, but the Ducks solved it throughout.

Running back CJ Verdell’s six-yard scoring rush capped a 111-yard performance, and UO celebrated on the field. The Pac-12 is done—at least regarding the playoff.

Fun Fact: Alabama’s quick-start offense is incredible

As if the facts that Tua Tagovailoa was flinging darts all over the field, the stable of running backs was embarrassing defenses left and right and the Crimson Tide were winning games by an average of more than 40 points per game entering the weekend weren’t enough, check this out.

It took 23 seconds for Tagovailoa to hit receiver Jerry Jeudy for an 81-yard touchdown Saturday night to help give Alabama a 7-0 lead over Missouri in a game the Tide eventually dominated 39-10.

It was the sophomore quarterback’s 19th touchdown pass of the year. At the time, he had just 26 incompletions the entire season.

Just how incredible has Alabama’s offense been? The numbers are staggering, but it starts as quickly as possible, too. In all seven of the Tide’s games, they’ve scored a touchdown on the opening drive. 

Those drives are averaging 1 minute, 41 seconds. In other words, almost before you blink, you’re beat.

Jeudy got matched up with a safety while facing Mizzou’s struggling secondary, and things escalated quickly. That’s been the norm against the quick-strike Tide, who have trailed for just 70 seconds all season.

What to Watch For: More Upsets?

Why not? It’s been college football’s M.O. the past two years, hasn’t it?

Let’s look at three possibilities and two other big battles.

Possible upsets

Michigan at Michigan State

You can always count on coach Mark Dantonio’s Spartans to pull off some ridiculous upsets, even when you think they’re left for dead. It happened Saturday when they scored late to topple Penn State, and everybody knows that wasn’t even the game they had circled on their calendars.

That one comes next week when they host Michigan. Can they do it twice in a row? Of course they can.

NC State at Clemson

It’ll be tough to beat Clemson when it’s coming off a bye week, but the good news for the Wolfpack is they are, too. Coach Dave Doeren’s team is a surprising 5-0, and this game will be for control of the ACC Atlantic Division. Is it likely NC State wins? Nah, but when has the “likely” happened in college football?

Ohio State at Purdue

Quarterback David Blough has the Boilermakers as hot as anybody in the Big Ten, and Ohio State hasn’t been blowing out opponents the past few weeks. This one has danger zone written all over it in West Lafayette, Indiana. OSU had better be on upset alert, because the Buckeyes will have to score some points to pull this one off.

Others worth watching

Colorado at Washington

The Buffalo magic ended in Los Angeles on Saturday night with a loss to USC, but Colorado is still a good team with a lot of playmakers. Washington suffered its own disappointing defeat in an overtime setback to Oregon. The loser of this game will see its Pac-12 title game hopes dwindle, so it’s important.

We’ll see which team responds to adversity.

Mississippi State at LSU

If you’re having a difficult time pinpointing LSU, join the club. The Tigers were sluggish in a road loss to Florida for their first setback of the year Oct. 6 and followed it by destroying No. 2 Georgia. 

Coach Ed Orgeron’s team is good, but how good? We will know a little more when a fellow Jekyll and Hyde SEC squad travels to Baton Rouge next week. Mississippi State beat Auburn to get back on track, and then had a bye week. Coach Joe Moorhead’s team is capable of pulling off the upset, but LSU is playing at a high level.

The Houston Astros now hold home-field advantage in the ALCS.

The Astros stole Game 1 on the road, dominating the Boston Red Sox 7-2 behind Justin Verlander‘s six innings of two-run ball. George Springer was excellent, knocking in two runs and getting on base three times, while Carlos Correa’s RBI single in the top of the sixth was the game-winning hit.

The Astros added four insurance runs in the top of the ninth on Josh Reddick’s solo home run and Yuli Gurriel’s three-run shot.

Unlike Verlander, Red Sox starter Chris Sale struggled, throwing 86 pitches in four innings while giving up two runs, four walks and a hit. It was a poor performance from Boston’s ace, forcing manager Alex Cora—who was later ejected in the bottom of the fifth for arguing balls and strikes—to turn to his bullpen early.  

It was the Astros bullpen that locked down the contest, however, pitching three scoreless innings to close Game 1.

Chris Sale’s Struggles Could Have Ripple Effect Throughout Series

Sale did not have his best stuff Saturday night, and it was apparent early: 

The fact that he got through four innings while only allowing two runs made it seem like the Red Sox dodged a bullet. But Boston had to turn to its bullpen for the next five innings in a game it likely expected its ace to go deep. That could be a concern for the rest of the series, especially if Boston’s other starters struggle. 

The last thing the Red Sox want is a taxed bullpen while facing Houston’s dangerous lineup.

Sale’s struggles mean David Price must come up big in Game 2 on Sunday night. That has not been Price’s postseason calling card, however. In 18 appearances (10 starts), Price is 2-9 with a 5.28 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 68 strikeouts across 75 innings.

More concerning is the fact that Price only lasted 1.2 frames in his ALDS Game 2 loss against the New York Yankees, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks. And it’s not as though the Red Sox can let him weather any storms, as opposing starter Gerrit Cole is coming off an excellent season and is likely to make life difficult for the Red Sox bats.

If Price struggles early, he’ll almost assuredly be given a quick hook. And that would mean another long night for the bullpen. 

Should the Red Sox go down 2-0 in this series while facing a trip to Houston, they’d be in trouble. It wouldn’t be fair to call the matchup over—the Red Sox won 108 games, after all, and boast baseball’s scariest lineup. They could dig out of that hole.

But it’s not a hole they’d choose, especially considering the Astros seem to have Sale’s number.

Houston’s beaten Sale three times in the past two postseasons, and the Boston ace hasn’t gotten past the fifth inning in any of those starts, giving up a total of 11 runs in the three losses.  

Add it all up, and Sale’s Game 1 effort does not bode well for the Red Sox. 

Houston’s Bullpen Remains Its Biggest ALCS Advantage

Houston’s starting rotation often gets most of the attention when the team’s pitching is mentioned, and for good reason: The trio of Verlander, Cole and Dallas Keuchel is superb. Verlander, in particular, has been historically good in the postseason.

But Saturday night, Houston’s bullpen was dominant, proving it remains the team’s major advantage over Boston. 

During the regular season, Houston led baseball in bullpen ERA. In 12.2 innings of postseason ball, they’ve given up one run. The Red Sox managed just one hit against Ryan Pressly, Lance McCullers Jr. and Collin McHugh on Saturday night.

Boston, meanwhile, was forced to cycle through five relievers over five innings, and that group gave up five runs, including the two ninth-inning dingers.

This series has been billed as the matchup of the unstoppable force (Boston’s lineup) against the immovable object (Houston’s pitching staff). But Boston has solid options in the starting rotation, even if Sale struggled on Saturday night, and the Astros have dangerous bats. The “unstoppable force vs. the immovable object” storyline is a bit reductive.

Look more closely, and it’s clear the bullpens could decide this series. In that regard, the Astros appear to have the advantage. 

Red Sox Need Mookie Betts to Get Hot

Mookie Betts, the front-runner to win the AL MVP, only hit .188 against the New York Yankees in the ALDS. No matter. The rest of the Red Sox offense showed up, pushing 27 runs across the board in four games.

But Betts had a limited impact once again Saturday night, managing just one hit without any runs scored or knocked in. And against Houston’s superior pitching staff, the rest of the Red Sox weren’t up to the task either, only posting three hits.

In fact, Boston’s two runs came off a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch by Verlander. It was an ugly night for the Red Sox at the plate.

And it’s been an ugly postseason for Betts, who hit .346 with 32 homers, 80 RBI, 129 runs and 30 stolen bases during the regular season. He was a major factor in every conceivable way for the Red Sox. He’s been much less so in the postseason.

For his career, Betts is hitting .239 with no homers, two RBI and six runs scored in 46 postseason at-bats over the past three years (12 games). His October struggles are a worry, especially given Boston’s issues with solving Houston’s pitchers Saturday night. 

The Astros’ stars, meanwhile, mostly factored into the Game 1 result. In a series between teams this talented, the Red Sox have to get something from their best player. If Betts doesn’t work his way out of this October slump, his team is in trouble.

Alabama quarterback and Heisman Trophy front-runner Tua Tagovailoa reinjured his right knee during Saturday’s game against the Missouri Tigers, BamaOnline247’s Charlie Potter reported.

Jim Dunaway of WJOX 94.5 FM in Birmingham, Alabama, showed Tagovailoa getting medical treatment in Alabama’s sideline tent:

“Tua’s OK,” head coach Nick Saban said after the game, per Creg Stephenson of AL.com. “He’s got the same injury he had before. We just didn’t put him back in. Jalen did a nice job.”

Injury concerns with the sophomore first cropped up in the spring when it was revealed he broke a bone in his (left) throwing hand. However, Tagovailoa recovered in time to win the Crimson Tide’s starting job over incumbent Jalen Hurts. 

Saban later revealed Oct. 10 that Tagovailoa had been diagnosed with a sprained knee, although it didn’t prevent him from practicing. 

Bumps, bruises and all, Tagovailoa has been a game-changer for a Crimson Tide offense that used to lack an explosive aerial dimension. Six starts into his first full season under center, Tagovailoa completed 75.2 percent of his passes for 1,495 yards, 18 touchdowns and zero interceptions. 

He also tallied 23 carries for 122 yards and two scores. 

If there’s a silver lining, it’s that Alabama has arguably the best contingency plan around in Hurts. 

Now a junior, Hurts captained the Crimson Tide’s offense en route to back-to-back national title game appearances in 2016 and 2017. He’s also looked more comfortable under center this season when subbing in for Tagovailoa. 

Hurts has completed 71.4 percent of his passes for 453 yards, five touchdowns and an interception this year.

Golden State Warriors restricted free-agent guard Patrick McCaw has reportedly ignored several of his veteran teammates who have reached out to him during a holdout that has extended through training camp and the preseason, according to a report from Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic:

“A few Warriors players talked to him before camp, advising him on what to do. But as his holdout has continued, he has not responded to several players checking in on him. Veterans, champions—the kind of men McCaw should be listening to—are being shut out.

“‘You can’t do this after two years,’ one player said. ‘You’ve got to get the clout first. He doesn’t have the leverage.’”

McCaw turned down his $1.7 million qualifying offer. Per Thompson’s report, the Warriors offered him a two-year, $5.2 million contract, with a team option for the second season, but McCaw has abstained from signing the deal and remains a restricted free agent.

The Warriors retain the right to match any offer McCaw receives and will keep his rights even if he sits out the 2018-19 season, leaving the team with the better hand in this contract dispute. McCaw has responded by staying away from the club and reportedly not communicating with his teammates, a decision that has surprised many of them.

“He’s a man, and I support his decision to handle his business how he sees fit,” one of the team’s young players told Thompson. “I don’t know what he’s doing. I don’t understand. But I don’t take it as personal. He has to do what’s best for him. It’s just weird.”

Another long-term veteran said the Warriors will still support McCaw if he returns to the team, however.

“He’s lucky that way,” he said. “He has a team of good dudes who support him and will embrace him. That’s our brother.”

The Warriors could use McCaw’s services. The team is short on wing depth, as rookie Jacob Evans and Alfonzo McKinnie hold the bench slots behind Klay Thompson. While the 22-year-old McCaw has his limitations—for his career, he’s shot just 29.6 percent from three—he’s familiar with Golden State’s system and has the length and athleticism at 6’7″ to be a solid role player capable of making a leap in his third year.

For his career, he’s averaging 4.0 points and 1.2 assists in 15.9 minutes per game in primarily a bench role. 

Those aren’t the sort of numbers expected from a player in a holdout, especially a one who’s only entering his third year and who would have a clear role with the team were he to sign the offer on the table. So both his holdout and his recent unwillingness to communicate with teammates has some Warriors wondering if something else is troubling McCaw.

“There has to be something else going on,” one player told Thompson. “Has to be. I hope he’s all right.”