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Join Yahoo Sports' Nick Bromberg and Graham Watson to debate the College Football Rankings once again. We also wonder if North Carolina cracks the top 10, muse about LSU and the Les Miles rumors and also throw out the idea that Texas could ruin the Big 12's playoff chances.

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Texas could be without its leading rusher when it takes on Texas Tech on Thanksgiving.

Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong told reporters Wednesday that D’Onta Foreman is scheduled to have surgery on his right pinkie, leaving his status up in the air moving forward.

Foreman injured the finger in the second half of Texas’ loss to West Virginia last weekend. The sophomore has 681 yards and five touchdowns on only 95 carries – good for a 7.2 yard average.

On top of that, Longhorns senior Johnathan Gray was also injured in the West Virginia game. Gray, the team’s third-leading rusher with 489 yards and three scores, suffered a foot injury and is considered day-to-day.

Texas dropped to 4-6 with the loss at WVU with games against Texas Tech and Baylor left on the schedule.

For more Texas news, visit Orangebloods.com.

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No. 13 Utah will reportedly be without its best offensive player for the rest of the regular season.

According to ESPN700 and the Salt Lake Tribune, Utes running back Devontae Booker is scheduled to undergo meniscus surgery Thursday on his injured knee.

According to the Tribune, the surgery means Booker will miss Saturday’s game against UCLA and the season finale against Colorado. He could, however, potentially return for a bowl game.

Booker, a senior, was injured in the Utes’ loss to Arizona last week. Even with the injury, Booker managed to rush for 145 yards and a score against the Wildcats.

Through 10 games, Booker is 11th in the country and second in the Pac-12 with 1,261 yards and leads the conference with 11 touchdowns. Booker also has 37 catches for 318 yards this season.

He told reporters earlier in the week that he expected to play Saturday against the Bruins.

“I’m not banged up at all, really – just something that I’ve got to get treated and get better before the game,” Booker said, per The Deseret News. “If it’s my call I’m going. If it isn’t I’ve just got to respect it and go with it from there.”

With Booker out of the lineup, backup Joe Williams is likely to see an increased workload. Williams has just 78 yards on 19 carries and five catches for 31 yards this season.

Utah, now 8-2 (5-2 Pac-12), needs to beat UCLA to stay alive in the Pac-12 South race. The Utes’ loss to Arizona, plus their loss to USC earlier in the season, means the 24th-ranked Trojans control their own destiny in the division heading into their Saturday game at Oregon.

For more Utah news, visit Utezone.com.

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Ole Miss linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche has officially been ruled out for Saturday’s game against LSU and will remain hospitalized.

In a statement released Thursday via Ole Miss athletics, Nkemdiche’s parents and Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze said that Nkemdiche’s condition is “not life-threatening.”

“Denzel’s condition has improved as of today, and he will remain in the hospital,” the statement says. “His well-being is all that matters right now, and we are making sure he receives the highest level of medical care. While his condition is not life-threatening, he will not play this weekend. We thank the Ole Miss family for their concern and encouragement, and we appreciate everyone respecting the family’s privacy during this time.”

According to a Wednesday report from RebelGrove.com, Nkemdiche has been hospitalized since Monday for undisclosed reasons. The report says Nkemdiche “did hot report with his teammates Sunday” when the team “reconvened from an open date to begin preparations” for Saturday’s game against LSU. He was then “found on Monday and taken to the hospital.”

Freeze said Wednesday that Nkemdiche was dealing with a “personal matter.”

"We are going to walk through it with him," Freeze said. "When issues come up that you need to get through that involve one of our players and anything with their family, we just want to support them and help them through it.”

Before the statement was released, Nkemdiche’s father, Dr. Sunday Nkemdiche, told the Associated Press that Denzel was “up and talking” and he expected Denzel to be released on Thursday.

Nkemdiche leads the Rebels with 53 tackles this season. He is the older brother of standout defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche. 

For more Ole Miss news, visit RebelGrove.com.

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Baylor quarterback Jarrett Stidham is questionable for Saturday’s game against Oklahoma State while still recovering from a back injury he suffered in last week’s loss to Oklahoma.

The injury occurred during the first half of the game, but Stidham did play through it and finished the contest. It was clear, however, he was in tremendous pain every time he was hit by the Oklahoma defense.

“Honestly, not as far along as what I’d like for him to be,” head coach Art Briles said Wednesday. “We’ll see in the next day or two.”

Briles did note Monday that Stidham did not have any structural damage and that he would be able to play. Stidham also said he'd be ready to play against the Cowboys.

Stidham has started the last two games after former starter Seth Russell was lost for the season with broken bones in his neck. If he can’t go, the Bears will turn to Chris Johnson, who was moved to wide receiver during fall camp and then back to quarterback when Russell was injured.

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For more Baylor news, visit SicEmSports.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday

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Houston is poised to make Tom Herman a very rich man — if he stays at Houston.

The University of Houston Board of Regents on Thursday approved a deal that would nearly double Herman’s salary to $3 million.

The raise would make Herman the highest paid coach from a Group of Five school and the 32^nd-highest paid coach in the country. Herman is currently making $1.35 million this season, which already is the highest for a coach in school history.

“This board is 100 percent committed to Coach Herman, and our actions today reflect our desire to retain him,” UH System Chairman Tilman Fertitta said in a statement. “The board will help raise these funds and much of it has already been raised.”

Herman has become one of the hottest names among up-and-coming coaches because in his first season, he’s led the Cougars to a 10-0 start and a No. 13 ranking. Speculation already has Herman linked to South Carolina, Maryland, Miami, Missouri and Southern Cal.

Herman originally signed a five-year deal in December worth at least $6.75 million.

The release from the school did not say whether Herman had agreed to the deal nor did it note a change in his buyout, which is $2.25 million if Herman leaves for another job before Feb. 28, 2018.

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For more Houston news, visit CougarsDen.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday

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Colorado athletic director Rick George put to rest rumors that he’s leaving Boulder, Colo., to take the open athletic director position at Illinois.

“There has been a lot of speculation out there that I will be considered for the athletic director position at the University of Illinois,” George said in a statement released by the school. “While it is flattering that my name has been connected to the Illinois job, I believe it is due to Illinois being my alma mater and others pushing my name publicly.

“Should Illinois contact me, again that would be both humbling and flattering, but I would gracefully decline because Colorado and Boulder is my home for the foreseeable future.”

The athletic director position at Illinois opened on Nov. 9 when Mike Thomas was fired following the release of a report that detailed verbal abuse by former head coach Tim Beckman.

Following that firing, George’s name immediately surfaced because he was a four-year letterman at cornerback for the Illini and worked for the athletic department as a director of player personnel and later recruiting coordinator for the football team.

George took over at Colorado in July 2013 after former AD Mike Bohn was relieved of his duties. Since George’s arrival, Colorado has increased its academic and on-field performance. He’s also overseen the construction of the Champions Center, which is considered one of the most advanced athletic facilities in the country.

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For more Colorado news, visit BuffStampede.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday

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Marcus Lattimore will be carrying a football inside Williams-Brice Stadium on Friday.

The former South Carolina running back is participating in the "Game Ball Run" hosted by the Sigma Nu fraternities at Clemson and South Carolina every year. The run is a ceremonial relay that begins at the visiting team's campus and ends at the stadium of the home team before the two teams play each other.

Lattimore will be part of the last leg with interim South Carolina coach Shawn Elliott. According to The State, they'll hand the ball to South Carolina officials at the George Rogers statue.

“It’ll be awesome,” Lattimore told the State. “I can do pretty much anything I want training-wise, so it’ll be great to have that football running into Williams-Brice Stadium. Lot of good memories there.”

Lattimore ran for nearly 1,200 yards as a freshman in 2010 for the Gamecocks. He suffered a knee injury that cut his sophomore season short and suffered a brutal knee injury in 2012. The knee injury he suffered as a junior was gruesome. It included multiple ligament tears and a dislocation.

And it essentially ended Lattimore's football career. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2013 NFL draft but never played. He retired in 2014.

The run benefits Lattimore's foundation as well as Clemson coach Dabo Swinney's. Swinney and his wife started the relay on Thursday. Lattimore and Elliott will hand the ball off on Friday even though the two teams don't play for another week.

Once the ball gets to the Sigma Nu house at USC’s Greek Village, the entire chapter, led by Lattimore and Elliott, will run the last leg. While it’s still a week before the rivalry game, the event was planned for this week due to students being away for Thanksgiving next week.

For more South Carolina news, visit GamecockCentral.com.

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Missouri defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. will miss the rest of the 2015 season after suffering a torn ACL and MCL among other things in his right knee against BYU.

Mizzou revealed the news about Beckner on Friday. The Tigers play Tennessee and Arkansas to finish the regular season.

Missouri updates Terry Beckner Jr's kinee injury: torn ACL & MCL along with meniscus damage and bone bruise

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 20, 2015

Beckner Jr. will undergo surgery in 2-3 weeks. MU confident he'll be 100 percent no later than start of 2016 preseason camp

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) November 20, 2015

Beckner was injured on the first play of the game against the Cougars. He was hit on a cut block and didn't return to the game. The freshman was one of the top recruits in the country and emerged quickly as a key member of Missouri's defensive line. The Tigers defense has been one of the best in the SEC while the offense has been one of the worst offenses in the country.

Beckner was a four-star recruit in the class of 2015 and the No. 5 defensive tackle in the country according to Rivals. He has 27 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks this season.

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It’s hard to believe there are just two weeks remaining before championship week and so many divisional races are still up in there air.

That’s good for us, high pressure for the teams still in the race.

Once again, this weekend is packed full of important and entertaining games that will clear up some of the confusion as we head into the Thanksgiving holiday.

Here’s what to watch in Week 12:

Game of the week:
No. 9 Michigan State at No. 3 Ohio State, 3:30 p.m. ET
This game has been circled on the calendar for quite some time. And though a little of the luster was wiped away with Michigan State’s loss to Nebraska and inconsistent play by both teams most of the season, this is still a game that could determine the Big Ten’s standing in the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State has won 23 consecutive games, but this season, it’s rarely faced a credible challenge and it’s struggled with consistency from the quarterback position. J.T. Barrett appeared to be the answer a few weeks ago, but after sitting out a week because of team discipline, he returned to lead another stagnant performance against a woeful Illinois team.

The only consistent offense for the Buckeyes has been running back Ezekiel Elliott, who has a chance to punch his ticket to New York for the Heisman with a strong performance. Elliott has rushed for at least 100 yards in every contest this season.

Michigan State will be dealing with its own offensive issues, especially if quarterback Connor Cook is hampered by the shoulder injury he suffered during last week’s win against Maryland. Cook has kept the Michigan State offense rolling, throwing for at least 300 yards in every game until suffering the injury last week. Ohio State’s defense will be looking to shut Cook down. The Buckeyes passing offense ranks eighth in the country allowing 171.6 yards per game and has 10 interceptions this year.

The winner of this game likely will represent the Big Ten East in the conference title game and could find itself in the College Football Playoff.

Game to Watch:
No. 24 USC at No. 23 Oregon, 3:30 p.m. ET
This was supposed to be a preview of the Pac-12 title game and at least one of these teams has a chance to end up in that contest.

USC controls its own destiny after Utah lost to Arizona last week. If the Trojans win out, they will play in the Pac-12 championship. However, Saturday’s game against the Ducks presents a much tougher challenge than maybe it seemed at the beginning of the month.

Few teams are playing better than the Ducks right now. Since quarterback Vernon Adams returned from a fractured finger, the Oregon offense has been performing the way many expected it to at the beginning of the season. In the past four games — all wins — the Ducks are averaging 42.3 points and 538.5 total yards. Adams has posted a 178.6 quarterback rating and has thrown for 12 touchdowns during that span.

"We're definitely a different team than at the beginning of the season," Adams said. "We're playing a lot faster and I'm a lot more confident in the offense."

USC’s offense has been good this season, but it’s still trying to find that spark than had it averaging more than 40 points per game through the first three games of the season. Quarterback Cody Kessler and receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster are one of the best quarterback-receiver duos in the country, and have the potential for a great performance against an Oregon defense that has allowed 317.7 yards per game and 31 touchdowns through the air.

Also check out…
No. 10 Baylor at No. 6 Oklahoma State, 7:30 p.m. ET
Oklahoma State’s path to the College Football Playoff appears clear — win and it’s in.

That’s going to be easier said than done with an angry Baylor team rolling into town. The Bears are fresh off a loss to Oklahoma and while they're sitting at No. 10 in the CFP rankings, they haven’t abandoned their dreams of a coveted playoff spot.

However, no one has figured out a way to stop Oklahoma State so far this season.

Quarterback Mason Rudolph has averaged 317.3 yards per game and thrown nine interceptions to just one interception in his past four games.

However, the Oklahoma State defense hasn’t exactly been stellar in the past few weeks, allowing an average of 37.6 points against Texas Tech, TCU and Iowa State — and TCU had the lowest of those totals.

That could be an opening for a Baylor offense that struggled against a tough Oklahoma defense last week. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who is questionable after suffering a back injury in that loss, will throw early and often and has a lot of speed weapons from which to choose, but the Bears have to get something out of their running game, which has been paltry since quarterback Seth Russell was lost for the season.

Oddly, the last time these two teams met in Stillwater, Baylor was the undefeated team and Oklahoma State demolished the Bears 49-17 and ruined any BCS title hopes.

Channel surf through…

No. 18 TCU at No. 7 Oklahoma, 8 ET: This game would have been among our top to watch this week if TCU wasn’t on a bit of a slide and without receiver Josh Doctson and possibly quarterback Trevonne Boykin. With that said, this is a chance for Oklahoma to really impress the College Football Playoff committee with strong play on both sides of the ball. Both of these teams need to win out for a shot at the playoff, but it’s fair to say that Oklahoma, which is No. 7 and has a Heisman candidate in quarterback Baker Mayfield, has a lot more to lose.

Boston College at No. 4 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. ET: Yes, Notre Dame has a whole host of teams breathing down its neck waiting for it to screw up, but that’s not necessarily why this game is worth watching. It’s worth watching because it’s being played at Fenway Park and that’s freakin’ cool. Boston College’s defense might give Notre Dame’s offense fits early, but with little offense, the Eagles won’t have the stamina to keep quarterback DeShone Kizer or receiver Will Fuller quiet for long.

UCLA at No. 13 Utah, 3:30 ET: Both of these teams are still contending for the Pac-12 South title, but Utah will do it without its best offensive weapon, running back Devontae Booker, who suffered a knee injury last week. That’s a big blow to an offense that has been stagnant outside of its running game. UCLA has been the opposite. Quarterback Josh Rosen has seemingly settled in and despite last week’s loss to Washington State, UCLA has looked sharp during the second half of the season. Both teams need to win out to win the division.

Cal at No. 11 Stanford, 10:30 ET: Pac-12 after dark is always entertaining and this game should be no exception. With a win, Stanford could clinch its division and a spot in the Pac-12 title game. A Cal win would give the Bears their first victory against their rival since 2009. Cal already earned its first bowl eligibility since 2011 with last week’s win against Oregon State and win against the Cardinal (while dampening their conference title hopes) would be a bonus.

Want to hear all of Dr. Saturday's thoughts on Week 12? Check out the Dr. Saturday Podcast:

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Texas won't be making a coaching change of its own volition according to interim athletic director Mike Perrin.

Perrin was on 104.9 FM in Austin on Friday morning and said Strong had his support. Miami is looking for a coach after firing Al Golden and Strong has been mentioned as a candidate. Reports have surfaced that Miami officials believe Strong would be interested in the job.

Strong, in his second season at Texas, has publicly denied he has any interest. When asked on Wednesday, Strong said the Miami talk was just a rumor and "we're here to build a program, that's why I came here, still have a ways to go."

Strong's Longhorns are currently 4-6 and are off this week. Texas finishes the season with games against Texas Tech and Baylor and must win both to be bowl eligible.

Will Perrin's comments calm down the conversation about Strong and Miami? We'll see. The discussion may not fully stop until Miami makes a hire.

For more Texas news, visit Orangebloods.com.

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.500 again. So we're at 54-50-6. Blah.

North Carolina (-6) at Virginia Tech, Noon ET: Will Frank Beamer's final home game provide the Hokies a boost? North Carolina needs to keep winning and winning big to earn the respect of the College Football Playoff committee. And, let's be honest, the ACC wants UNC to keep winning too. A stronger UNC helps Clemson if the two are to meet in the ACC Championship Game. UNC's offense is rolling right now, and we're not confident that the Virginia Tech defense will stop it enough to give the offense a chance.

Iowa State at Kansas State (-6), Noon ET: There's a chance that the Sunflower Showdown between Kansas and Kansas State will happen next weekend with neither team having a conference loss. OK, it's not a big chance, but it's a chance. And we don't think it's a chance that will be fulfilled. It's hard to see Bill Snyder's team not having at least two wins in the conference this season. And with ISU and KU to finish the season, it's the perfect two games to win.

Michigan (-3.5) at Penn State, Noon ET: The Wolverines have played some close games over the past few weeks. Will it change in Happy Valley? The over/under on this game is at 41.5, so don't expect too much scoring. The Wolverines should stifle Christian Hackenberg and the Penn State passing attack. And if Jake Rudock continues to find Jehu Chesson, Michigan shouldn't have much trouble.

Georgia Tech at Miami (+2.5), 12:30 p.m. ET: Oh, who the hell knows in this game. Miami has been haphazard over the past month and you never know what you're going to get with Georgia Tech too. The Canes are 3 games better than the Yellow Jackets on the season and yet is somehow a home underdog. That's the oddness of this college football season for you.

LSU (+4.5) at Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m. ET: This is just a wild guess. You can make a convincing case for either team in this game, both to win it with a dominating performance and to also lose it in a haphazard way. If LSU loses this game, the rumors surrounding coach Les Miles will undoubtedly intensify. But Miles has a habit of surprising us. And the hunch here goes with LSU.

Michigan State (+13) at Ohio State, 3:30 p.m. ET: Is this line proof of the school of thought that Ohio State can simply start playing well when it wants to? And that since it's time to start obliterating opponents, the Buckeyes will do so? Michigan State doesn't get blown out that often. And the Buckeyes haven't been blowing people out that often this year. Sure, OSU can play a hell of a lot better than it has. But we're skeptical this is the game that is the one.

Tennessee at Missouri (+7), 7:15 p.m. ET: Like Beamer, Saturday night is Missouri coach Gary Pinkel's final home game. Missouri's offense turned a corner -- almost literally with the way the Tigers rolled the pocket with Drew Lock -- against BYU on Saturday. And Missouri has beaten Tennessee in all three of the school's SEC matchups. We're not sure four is going to happen, but this will be a close game.

Boston College (+16.5) at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. ET: The Eagles' defense is one of the best in the country. And while BC is technically on the road, the game is at Fenway Park (Notre Dame sacrificed a home game to move the game to the Red Sox' home). Boston College won't pull the upset, but this game should be low scoring and fairly close. Only one of BC's losses has been by more than 16.5 (a 17-point loss to Clemson).

Baylor at Oklahoma State (UNDER 77.5), 7:30 p.m. ET: This line is too high. Both teams' defenses can be very good, well, good enough to prevent a point total from creeping near 80. Will Mason Rudolph outduel an ailing Jarrett Stidham? Will a Baylor win throw the Big 12 into even more CFP chaos without an undefeated team? No matter what, first team to 35 wins.

Colorado at Washington State (-15), 10:45 p.m. ET: Without Sefo Liufau, Colorado is in trouble. The Cougars have been playing great football over the past few weeks and are probably the most improved team in college football over the course of the season. A win on Saturday would be No. 8 for Washington State and the first 8-or-more win season since Bill Doba's team went 10-3 in 2003.

LOCKS OF THE WEEK

Nick Bromberg (4-7) UCLA (+3) at Utah, 3:30 p.m. ET: The Utes are without star RB Devontae Booker, who had meniscus surgery. Booker has accounted for a lot of Utah's yards. A lot. He as 1,261 of the team's 1,840 rushing yards and 318 of the team's 3,051 receiving yards. Homefield advantage helps the Utes, but it's not enough without one of the best players in the conference.

Sam Cooper (3-7-1) Northwestern (+10) at Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. ET: Northwestern and Wisconsin are pretty evenly matched teams, right? So why are the Badgers favored by 10 points? It doesn’t quite add up, so I’m riding with the Wildcats to cover here. Badgers quarterback Joel Stave is still completely mediocre and the status of RB Corey Clement is up in the air. The Wildcats should, at the very least, keep this one close. My picks seem to be cursed, though, so Wisconsin will probably win by three touchdowns

Graham Watson (3-7-1) USC at Oregon (-5), 3:30 p.m. ET: Ever since quarterback Vernon Adams returned from a fractured finger, Oregon has looked like the team many expected to see at the beginning of the season. The Ducks still have a chance to play for the Pac-12 title, but they have to win out and hope for a Stanford loss. USC has been good this season, but it’s also had some close calls. I don’t think it can keep up with this Oregon offense and the Ducks win easily.

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Some things are bigger than football.

When Michigan State and Ohio State square off in a critical game Saturday in Columbus, both teams will honor a member of the University of Michigan family. According to the Detroit News, both teams will pay tribute to Chad Carr – the five-year old grandson of longtime Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr – by wearing special helmet decals during Saturday’s game.

Chad is battling an inoperable brain tumor and recently entered hospice care. The decals – scarlet and grey for Ohio State, green and white for Michigan State – have a boy flexing his muscles and the sayings “ChadToughFDN” (for the ChadTough.org foundation) and “#ChadTough.”

Michigan athletic director Jim Hackett told the Detroit News that the idea to honor Chad came from OSU athletic director Gene Smith and MSU athletic director Mark Hollis.

From the Detroit News:

Michigan interim athletic director Jim Hackett received a call from Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith informing him of the decals and the fact he and MSU athletic director Mark Hollis wanted to not only pay tribute to Chad Carr but also to Lloyd Carr.

“He made it clear to me their respect for Lloyd is what radiates in all of this,” Hackett told The Detroit News on Friday. “They have great respect for him. I called and told Lloyd, and he was touched all the way around.

“For me that’s what makes college sports so much better. It is wonderful being able to stand for that.”

The Michigan football team dedicated last weekend’s win over Indiana to Chad and wrote "ChadTough" on the back of their helmets.

A day after the win, Michigan team captains Joe Bolden and Joe Kerridge delivered Chad the game ball.

Chad and his family were also guests of Michigan for the season opener against Oregon State, where they joined the team on the field for the coin toss.

Chad was first diagnosed last September and doctors said he had somewhere around nine to 12 months to live.

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Memphis knows Justin Fuente will be a hot commodity on the coaching market, so the school is doing all it can to keep him.

According to the Commercial Appeal, Memphis offered Fuente a deal that “would have made him the highest-paid football coach outside the Power Five conferences at the time.” Fuente confirmed that he was extended an offer, but would not provide any details about the financial aspect of the contract.

"I was sincerely humbled by the university's offer to step up," Fuente told the paper. "In addition, this administration realizes how important the staff is to me and is trying to step up substantially for our coaching staff."

Memphis athletic director Tom Bowen confirmed the offer, but also declined to provide specific financial details.

“I love coach Fuente and we’ve been working tirelessly to make sure we can keep him,” Bowen told the Appeal. “We made him an extraordinary offer to make sure he’s going to be the coach of the University of Memphis for a very long time.”

Fuente, citing his focus on the current season – the Tigers are currently 8-2 and ranked No. 21 in the College Football Playoff rankings – said he has not responded to the offer, which was reportedly extended before the Tigers beat Ole Miss in October.

From the Appeal:

“My representatives have been in contact since this offer several times with the administration," said Fuente. "We haven't signed it yet, but we're honored to get it.

"I've been incredibly focused on the football program and our kids, and trying to put them in the best position to be successful. Opportunities may come along, and we'll vet those as they come, but we have an incredible amount of sweat equity invested here, our university has made a generous offer to keep our staff here, and when the time comes we'll evaluate all that and try to make the best decision possible.”

Fuente, who is in his fourth season at Memphis, signed a contract extension last November that pays him $1.4 million per year. At a $2.2 million annual salary, Cincinnati’s Tommy Tuberville is currently the highest-paid coach among Group of Five schools.

Earlier this week, Houston’s Board of Regents agreed to offer a raise to Tom Herman, another hot coaching commodity, which would pay him $3 million per year. The offer to Fuente reportedly more lucrative than Herman's.

There are currently 12 head coach openings at the FBS level: Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana-Monroe, Maryland, Miami, Minnesota, Missouri, North Texas, South Carolina, UCF, USC, and Virginia Tech.

For more Memphis news, TigerSportsReport.com.

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Florida quarterback Will Grier cannot return to the field until the seventh game of the 2016 season.

Grier was issued a 12-month NCAA suspension in October for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Grier appealed the suspension in an effort to shorten the suspension, but the appeal was denied.

Grier hoped the NCAA would allow him to return following the conclusion of this season. Instead, he cannot return to the field until Florida’s Oct. 15 home game against Missouri.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Grier’s attorney presented Grier’s case to the NCAA during a Monday conference call.

When news of the positive test emerged, Grier, a redshirt freshman, told reporters that he took an “over-the-counter supplement.”

“I did not check with the medical staff before taking it,” Grier said through tears. “I really hope that people can learn from this, learn from my mistake. I’m really, really sorry to everyone.”

Despite the contriteness from Grier, the NCAA does not consider a player’s character as a part of the appeal process.

From the Sentinel:

The NCAA’s drug policy states the appeal committee will not consider, “the type or amount of banned substance detected through the drug test; evidence of the student-athlete's good character; the degree of remorse demonstrated by the student-athlete; family hardship or history of family dysfunction; and the degree to which the banned substance may or may not affect athletic performance.”

The policy states the NCAA will only consider an argument the school's drug education program was inadequate and hindered Grier's judgment or he was unable to discern he was using a banned substance due to circumstances beyond his control.

Grier emerged as the Gators’ primary quarterback prior to the suspension and threw for 1,204 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 65.8 percent of his passes.

With Grier out, Treon Harris, who split time with Grier early in the season, has moved into the starting role for the eighth-ranked Gators. Harris, a sophomore, has thrown for 1,109 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. He also has 172 yards rushing.

Florida (9-1, 7-1 SEC) has already clinched the SEC east and a spot in the conference title game. The Gators host Florida Atlantic on Saturday before finishing out the season at home against in-state rivals Florida State on Nov. 28.

For more Florida news, visit InsideTheGators.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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A tough season for South Carolina got a whole lot worse on Saturday as the Gamecocks were upset by The Citadel at home.

The Citadel running back Tyler Renew scored the winning touchdown on a 56-yard scamper late in the fourth quarter to give the FCS Bulldogs a 23-22 win. The Gamecocks had two more chances to retake the lead, but turned it over on downs both times, including a fourth-and-one stop in Citadel territory.

The Gamecocks dropped to a miserable 3-8 on the season and lost to an FCS opponent for the first time in 25 years. For the Bulldogs, the win was the first over an FBS team since they beat Army 15-14 in 1992.

The Citadel held the lead until a Brandon Wilds touchdown put the Gamecocks up 16-14 midway through the third quarter. The Citadel went back in front with a field goal, and then the Gamecocks jumped back in front on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Perry Orth to Pharoh Cooper with 8:40 to go.

When South Carolina’s defense needed to hold down the Bulldogs’ triple option attack, Renew broke off a 56-yard run on third-and-one to put The Citadel up for good. Renew, a Columbia, S.C., native, finished with 174 yards and two touchdowns.

The win improves The Citadel’s record to 8-3 as it inches toward a berth in the FCS playoffs.

The loss is a disastrous one for Gamecocks interim head coach Shawn Elliott in his quest to drop the interim title and become the Steve Spurrier’s successor moving forward.

On top of that, South Carolina’s continuing struggles affect the College Football Playoff hopes of North Carolina. The Tar Heels improved to 10-1 and clinched the ACC Coastal with a win over Virginia Tech on Saturday, but their only loss – a Week 1 defeat to the Gamecocks – keeps looking worse.

For more South Carolina news, visit GamecockCentral.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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North Carolina is heading to its first ACC championship game.

The Tar Heels, 10-1, clinched the ACC Coastal Division with a 30-27 overtime win against Virginia Tech. The win not only got North Carolina to uncharted territory, but it spoiled the final home game for Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer, who is retiring at the end of the season.

Virginia Tech took the lead with a 41-yard field goal to start overtime. After UNC got the ball, Marquise Williams found Quinshad Davis for the winning score on third and goal.

The Tar Heels nearly squandered the game, however. UNC was up 14 points with less than five minutes to go. A touchdown pass for the Hokies cut the lead to seven with just under three minutes to go and UNC gave the ball right back to Virginia Tech after the Hokies kicked off.

Marquise Williams fumbled for the third time in the game with 2:24 left. Virginia Tech quickly got inside the UNC 20 and quarterback Michael Brewer hit Isaiah Ford on fourth down for the tying touchdown. Ford appeared to have made a touchdown catch a play earlier but lost the ball as he hit the ground.

Williams' three fumbles were more than North Carolina had in the first 10 games of the season. The Tar Heels had fumbled just twice in those 10 games. And another UNC blunder could have given Virginia Tech a chance to win the game in regulation. After a third-down run with the game tied at 24-24, UNC coach Larry Fedora was apparently confused and called timeout after the play. The timeout stopped the clock with 32 seconds left and North Carolina forced to punt. But after getting the punt back, Beamer unsurprisingly had his team kneel on the ball for overtime.

The win also gives North Carolina its first 10-win season since the team went 11-1 in 1997. The coach of the 1997 Tar Heels? Mack Brown. UNC will meet College Football Playoff No. 1 Clemson in the ACC title game on December 5, though the game may not be a win-and-in playoff scenario for UNC. At No. 17, the Tar Heels are being penalized for playing two FCS schools in non-conference play. And it doesn't help that South Carolina, the team that beat UNC in Week 1, lost to The Citadel on Saturday.

Beamer, the winningest active coach in FBS, entered the stadium to a special celebratory version of "Enter Sandman." The traditional Hokies entrance song was redone by Metallica for the occasion. Despite the loss, he was carried off the field by his team after the game.

Beamer has taken the Hokies to a bowl game in every season since 1993. With his team now at 5-6, he'll need to win against Virginia in the final week of the season to prevent the streak from ending in his final season. It's a scenario quite similar to last year, as Virginia Tech had to beat Virginia in 2014 to get to a bowl game. Can Beamer's team do it twice in a row to give him a fitting sendoff?

For more North Carolina news, visit TarHeelIllustrated.com.

For more Virginia Tech news, visit HokieHaven.com.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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Ohio State’s 23-game winning streak has come to an end.

On a rainy, miserable day in Columbus, No. 9 Michigan State knocked No. 3 Ohio State from the ranks of the unbeaten when Michael Geiger hit a 41-yard field goal as time expired to give the Spartans a 17-14 win.

The Spartans, playing without star quarterback Connor Cook, used a combination of two inexperienced quarterbacks – Tyler O’Connor and Damion Terry – to rack up 203 yards on the ground. On the other side, the stout Spartans defense limited the defending national champions to only 132 total yards.

The win does two things for the Spartans: it gives them control of the Big Ten East and also vaults them back into College Football Playoff contention. And for the Buckeyes, the loss could be the one that knocks them from the four-team playoff.

It certainly wasn’t pretty, but it sure was effective.

With Cook sidelined with a shoulder injury, the Spartans had trouble moving the ball early on. Fortunately, their defense swarmed J.T. Barrett, Ezekiel Elliott and the OSU offense, and the game was still scoreless after one quarter.

Ohio State finally broke the scoring drought after a play from its defense. Sam Hubbard came off the edge and strip-sacked Terry, giving the Buckeyes great field position at the MSU 32. Soon after, Elliott was able to score from a yard out on fourth-and-goal to open the scoring.

But the pesky Spartans responded quickly. O’Connor found Aaron Burbridge for gains of 14 and 36 yards and later hit fullback Trevon Pendleton out of the backfield to tie the game 7-7. Pendleton caught the ball near the left sideline at the three and was able to reach for the pylon as he fell out of bounds for an impressive 12-yard score.

After the Spartans tied it, neither offense could get anything going for the rest of the second quarter and much of the third. It wasn't until Michigan State’s Macgarrett Kings Jr. muffed a punt late in the third to set up OSU’s second score – a six-yard TD pass from Barrett to Jalin Marshall.

Again trailing by a touchdown, the Spartans found a way to respond. This time, MSU’s offensive line went to work, paving the way for a 13-play, 75-yard drive that featured 12 – yes, 12 – running plays. Gerald Holmes did most of the work, but O’Connor also picked up two crucial first downs on option keepers. Holmes then finished it off from two yards out to tie the score at 14 with 12:03 to go.

From then on out, the two offense ate up big chunks off the clock, but traded punts – including a beauty from MSU’s Jake Hartbarger to pin the Buckeyes inside their own 10. OSU started at its own seven, but quickly went three-and-out, setting up Michigan State’s game-winning drive.

The Spartans didn’t have far to go to get into Geiger’s range as they started at the OSU 48. An O’Connor completion to Burbridge and five L.J. Scott rushes moved MSU to the 23, and Geiger, from his more comfortable right hashmark, drilled the game-winner. 

Not to overlook Geiger’s clutch kick, but this win falls completely on the back of Michigan State’s defense. Elliott, OSU's Heisman Trophy candidate, was rendered completely ineffective, gaining only 33 yards on 12 carries. Meanwhile, the dangerous Barrett looked overmatched from the start. He threw for only 46 yards and rushed for fewer – just 44 on 15 carries.

Now the Spartans have only a home game against an average Penn State between it and a berth in the Big Ten title game against unbeaten Iowa. A win over the defending national champions also puts the Spartans back into the conversation for playoff contention, though their loss to Nebraska earlier in the month will undoubtedly have them on the outside looking in for now.

Ohio State really hasn’t looked like a national title contender for much of the season (narrow wins over teams like Northern Illinois and Indiana come to mind). With a loss finally under its belt, a playoff spot looks like a long shot, even if OSU beats rival Michigan in Ann Arbor next Saturday.

For more Michigan State news, visit SpartanMag.com.

For more Ohio State news, visit BuckeyeGrove.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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Houston is undefeated no more.

The Cougars are now 10-1 after losing 20-17 to UConn on Saturday. The Huskies never trailed and held on thanks to an interception with 55 seconds to go.

The pick came courtesy of Houston quarterback Greg Ward, who didn't start the game because of an ankle injury. But Ward was pressed into duty for a few plays late in the game thanks to injuries to backup quarterback Kyle Postma, who started against UConn.

Postma first had to leave the game for two plays after he was hit in the shoulder and then left the field grabbing his right knee on Houston's final drive. Ward stepped in and was looking deep down the sideline when he threw an interception to Jamar Summers.

The interception was Houston's fourth turnover of the game. Postma threw a pick as well and the Cougars turned the ball over four times. Houston came into the game averaging over 500 yards of total offense. The UConn defense held the Cougars to 318 total yards.

The Huskies took a 20-10 lead in the fourth quarter thanks to a 44-yard wide receiver pass from Garrett Anderson to Noel Thomas for a touchdown. But the lead lasted mere seconds after Houston returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown.

UConn was also without the services of its starting quarterback for most of the game. Bryant Sherriffs was knocked out of the game early and was replaced by Tim Boyle, who finished the game 12-of-22 passing for 110 yards. Running back Arkeel Newsome had 114 yards on 32 carries.

While Houston falls from the ranks of the undefeated – and means the AAC definitely doesn't have a shot at the College Football Playoff – the loss doesn't hurt the Cougars too much in the conference. Houston is now 6-1 in conference and plays Navy in a de-facto AAC East title game next Saturday. The winner of the game will likely face Temple in the AAC title game.

The AAC championship will also probably serve as a play-in game for a New Year's Six bowl berth. With two more wins, Houston is still in the same circumstances it would have been in had it gone undefeated. But being unblemished would have been a little more fun.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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