Max Olson

Covering national college football & transfer portal for @espn

[Heather Dinich @CFBHeather]

Sat down with Mike Locksley today, a day after he was dismissed… he’s not mad, and he doesn’t expect to get another HC job in college … but he’s also not done yet …

https://t.co/oazcea87Xw

[Dave Wilson @dwil]

A Denton, Texas judge explains how he and his old 1980s frat bros on a group trip stumbled across a Colorado playbook in a Boulder hotel, with his guy VivaTerlingua trying to stir it up amid his fears of a Mike Leach-style “lost” playbook scheme.
https://t.co/cKOY13Tv4p

[Max Olson @max_olson]

Mike Locksley is out at Maryland and carousel season has officially begun. @ESPNRittenberg and I break down potential candidates for the job + the key players and recruits to retain for 2027: https://t.co/smKm6DZGwV

[Pete Thamel @PeteThamel]

Sources: Maryland coach Mike Locksley has been dismissed. Maryland dropped to 2-5 on Saturday after a last-second loss to Rutgers. Locksley is 39-54 overall at Maryland, including his interim stint in 2015. Maryland is on a bye this week.

[Pete Thamel @PeteThamel]

Sources: Auburn has dismissed star linebacker Xavier Atkins. He was suspended for win over No. 1 Georgia on Saturday, and his status had been uncertain. He earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2025, leading the league with 17.0 TFLs.

[Max Olson @max_olson]

👀

[Pete Thamel @PeteThamel]

Sources: Texas is expected to give an up-tick in first-team quarterback reps to redshirt freshman KJ Lacey Jr. this week in practice. Arch Manning still projects as the Texas starter. The uptick in Lacey’s reps is a signal that Texas could replace Manning if he continues to struggle.

[Dan Wetzel @DanWetzel]

🚨🏈@CollegeGameDay podcast with @ReceDavis and @max_olson

Overreacting to one of the wildest days in years - the upsets, the officials, the rising contenders and falling powers.

https://t.co/VDkqvZotvg

[Max Olson @max_olson]

Michigan benches Bryce Underwood after 2 INTs and a scoreless first half vs. Penn State. Tommy Carr flipping the Wolverines' fortunes so far with a 14-3 lead: https://t.co/creSYsxFh5

[Max Olson @max_olson]

Texas Tech is looking like the squad that dominated the Big 12 in 2025 so far today.

Most points (43) and total yards (404) in a half vs. a Big 12 opponent in the Joey McGuire era.

[Jake Trotter @Jake_Trotter]

QB Julian Sayin will be out several weeks, according to Ohio State coach Ryan Day

[Max Olson @max_olson]

Great call, great throw, just barely out. Unreal finish in Bloomington!

[ESPN College Football @ESPNCFB]

Julian Sayin has come back out to the field with his arm in a sling.

Freshman Luke Fahey is in at QB for the Buckeyes.

[Max Olson @max_olson]

Really good job by Florida QB Tramell Jones Jr. in his first career start: 155 passing yards, 41 rushing yards, 2 TDs, led a 24-0 run from down double digits, delivering the game-clinching 3rd-down conversion.

[ESPN @espn]

FLORIDA STUNS NO. 7 TEXAS IN AUSTIN! 🤯

The Gators erase a 17-3 deficit by scoring 24 straight points, handing Texas its second straight loss!

[Max Olson @max_olson]

No reason to be concerned about Texas right now, still think they’re safely in the CFP as a No. 22 or 23 seed.

[Max Olson @max_olson]

Programs that would've had the most 8-win teams make it into a 24-team CFP since 2014:

LSU (2014, 2015, 2016)
Mississippi State (2017, 2018, 2022)
Tennessee (2016, 2023)
USC (2015, 2019)

[Pete Thamel @PeteThamel]

Sources Iowa State is hiring Jared Benko as the school’s next athletic director. Benko is Auburn’s Executive Deputy Athletic Director and the former athletic director at Georgia Southern.

[Pete Thamel @PeteThamel]

Sources: The College Football Playoff is nearing a deal to expand to 24 teams, per sources. The new format will start in 2027 and is expected to come together in the near future, pending final approvals.

[Max Olson @max_olson]

Oregon QB Dante Moore has been ruled out again this week vs. Nebraska

[Pete Thamel @PeteThamel]

Sources: Boston College football GM Kenyatta Watson is no longer with the school after a “mutual decision” to part. He’d been the GM there since December of 2025.

[Pete Thamel @PeteThamel]

Two top Division III players are entering the NCAA transfer portal. Johns Hopkins WR Cole Crotty caught 14 TDs and had 1,414 receiving yards in 2025. He has 3,260 career yards. Mount St. Joseph LB Luke Paff had 99 tackles last year and six interceptions in 2024.