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Senate Dems emboldened in shutdown strategy after election sweep

Senate Democrats are riding high after a wave of victories on Election Day and view Democratic candidates’ performances as an indicator that their shutdown strategy is working.

As the government shutdown officially entered record-breaking territory in its 36th day, Senate Democrats felt emboldened by the election results, and saw the blowout wins across the country as an indictment against President Donald Trump and Republicans, particularly on the matter of expiring Obamacare premium subsidies.

Still, some Senate Democrats are mulling an off-ramp from the shutdown and considering an offer from Republicans that would guarantee them a vote on the expiring subsidies in exchange for supporting the House-passed continuing resolution (CR).

But some warn that caving now for the promise of a vote would be the wrong move.

‘If they cave now and go forward with a meaningless vote, I think it will be a horrible policy decision, and I think politically, to the Democrats,’ Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said. ‘And you know, they’re going to come into the 2026 election. Some of you may have heard the expression, when we fight, we win. You ever hear that? Well, when you cave, you lose.’

Some Republicans fear that the election may have caused Senate Democrats to dig deeper into their position and remain united in their shutdown game plan.

President Donald Trump, during a breakfast at the White House with the Senate GOP Wednesday morning, contended that the ‘shutdown was a big factor, negative for the Republicans,’ on election night.

‘I think the Democrats, you know, may feel emboldened by it, but I think that people are going to get past election results fairly quickly and start remembering that they’ve just unilaterally decided to shut down the government,’ Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told Fox News Digital. ‘So I think it could be maybe a weak bump, but at the end of the day, we’re going to get back to the reality that we’ve got to fund the government.’

Republicans are also not budging from their shutdown strategy as the closure drags on. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., offered Senate Democrats a vote on the expiring subsidies and wants to jump-start the government funding process by tying a small package of spending bills to the CR.

‘Can this be over now? Have the American people suffered enough or do the Democrats need more?’ Thune said on the Senate floor.

Despite his and the GOP’s offer, and Trump’s offer to meet with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., after the shutdown ended on the expiring subsidies, Senate Democrats do want more.

‘Republicans shouldn’t ignore us anymore for their own good and the country’s good,’ Schumer said on the Senate floor. ‘So this morning, Leader Jeffries and I once again demanded a meeting with the president. It’s time to sit down and negotiate with Democrats to bring this Republican shutdown to an end.’

Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., whose home state elected Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill in a blowout double-digit win over Republican Jack Ciattarelli, contended that Trump ‘certainly feels weaker.’

‘This was a resounding defeat for Donald Trump,’ Kim said. ‘He should have woke up this morning and just immediately said, ‘I — we need to negotiate. We need to find an end to this shutdown.’’

And Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., agreed with Sanders’ outlook that Democrats should dig in and not cave.

But whether it strengthened Senate Democrats’ hand in trying to get Trump to the negotiating table, he was skeptical.

‘If you’re dealing with rational actors, yes, are we dealing with rational actors? I have no idea,’ Gallego told Fox News Digital. ‘This is a man that’s going across the country and redistricting the hell out of the country, and amid this redistricting to help save him from potentially dealing with a Democratic-controlled Congress, and now he’s basically going to assure a Democratic Congress by screwing up the one thing that is entirely under his control, which is making sure these premiums don’t go up.’

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Trump admin ramps up Sudan peace effort as civil war leaves tens of thousands dead

President Donald Trump’s global roller coaster of peace moves — led by him and his team to end wars around the world — is now picking up speed in Sudan, where a 30-month war has left tens of thousands dead, and some 14 million displaced from their homes.

‘Ending wars is a priority for President Trump, and the United States remains focused on working with our partners and other stakeholders to resolve the crisis in Sudan,’ a State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Wednesday, adding, ‘Engagement with all relevant stakeholders is essential to achieving this goal. Given the immediate urgency of de-escalating the violence, we will continue to engage with the belligerents to end the conflict.’

Talks to end the fighting between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, led by Gen. Muhammad Hamdan Dagalo Musa, known as Hemedti, and the Khartoum government’s Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), under the control of Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, began during the Biden administration but failed to make headway. They have since gained momentum under President Trump, with the U.S. forming a so-called international Quad in September with Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Since the weekend, the pace of peace talks has become positively frenetic. The White House’s senior advisor for Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, fresh from brokering a ceasefire in the 30-year war between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, held talks with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Cairo on Sunday.

On Monday, Boulos met with the Arab League, with the League stating that Trump’s envoy had briefed them on U.S. efforts to ‘halt the war, expedite aid delivery, and initiate a political process.’

The Sudan Tribune then quoted Boulos as saying later on Monday, ‘Both parties have agreed in principle, and we have not recorded any initial objection from either side. We are now focusing on the fine details.’

But the two sides are still fighting. On Tuesday, Sudan’s Defense Minister Hassan Kabroun talked to the country’s state television network, following a government council meeting in Khartoum, saying, ‘We thank the Trump administration for its efforts and proposals to achieve peace,’ but added: ‘Preparations for the Sudanese people’s battle are ongoing. Our preparations for war are a legitimate national right.’

Also on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt weighed in, telling reporters, ‘The United States is actively engaged in efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the terrible conflict in Sudan. We remain committed to working with our international partners, including Quad members — Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE — as well as others to lead a negotiated peace process that addresses both the immediate humanitarian crisis and the longer-term political challenges.’

Leavitt continued, ‘I actually spoke with Secretary Rubio about this, this morning, as, of course, there’s been, you know, kind of an uptick in recent reporting on the matter. And he assured me that the administration is very much engaged. We’re in pretty frequent communication with those Arab partners that I just mentioned. And we want to see this conflict come to a peaceful end, just as we have with so many others. But it’s — the reality is — it’s a very complicated situation on the ground right now.’

Analysts say last week’s fall of the Sudanese city of El-Fasher, and with it the Darfur region to RSF fighters, effectively cutting the country in two, may have spurred all parties into action. ‘The RSF’s full control of the Darfur region could have dangerous and worrying consequences in the future in terms of partition,’ Boulos told Al Jazeera.

On Tuesday U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan. Speaking on the sidelines of a conference in Qatar, Guterres said the war was ‘spiraling out of control.’

‘The fall of El-Fasher to the RSF is a defining moment in Sudan’s brutal civil war’, Mariam Wahba, research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), told Fox News Digital. Wahba continued: ‘It marks the militia’s full control of the Darfur region and leaves Sudan effectively split in two.’

The human cost is staggering. On Monday, the U.N. reported that ‘over 21 million people across Sudan are facing high levels of acute food insecurity — the largest such crisis in the world.’ The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) found that famine is ongoing in the now-captured El-Fasher and in Kadugli, South Kordofan, with families trapped and surviving on leaves, animal feed and grass.

The Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab released satellite images taken over El-Fasher over the last week, stating Tuesday, ‘Evidence of body disposal activities include at least two earth disturbances consistent with mass graves at a mosque and the former Children’s Hospital; there is one new instance of removal of objects consistent with bodies. This activity appears consistent with RSF conducting cleanup of their alleged mass atrocities.’

Sources say intense negotiations led by the U.S. team are continuing. Details of what’s on offer have not been revealed, but it’s understood an agreement would start with a three-month humanitarian truce, to allow aid delivery in, followed by a permanent ceasefire and a civilian-led transition.

‘For Washington, the stakes in Sudan are rising by the day,’ the FDD’s Wahba told Fox News Digital, adding, ‘The more time the RSF has to cement its control over Darfur and push toward Khartoum again, the harder it will become to prevent the country’s permanent collapse. What happens next in Sudan will shape the balance of power across the Horn of Africa and signal to America’s adversaries whether the United States still has the will to confront instability before it spreads in this critical region of the world.’

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The transfer portal defines women’s basketball’s senior class

The transfer portal — adjusted by the NCAA in 2021 to allow for a one-time transfer without sitting out a season — has changed college sports in massive ways.

Look no further than this season’s women’s basketball senior class. Seventeen of the top 25 recruits in the Class of 2022 have transferred from the school in which they started their basketball career.

Lauren Betts, who played her first season at Stanford, leads the list. She has been highly successful since leaving the Cardinal for UCLA in 2023. The Bruins made it to the Final Four last season. Four players from the Class of 2022 play for UCLA. Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez have been there for four years while Betts and Timea Gardiner (Oregon State) transferred in.

UCLA also lost two players — forward Janiah Barker transferred to Tennessee and guard Londynn Jones to USC — after the 2025 season. The Bruins’ entire freshman class also entered the portal at the end of their Final Four season.

Three players out of the Class of 2022 are not playing basketball this season. Maya Nnajii, the No. 9 recruit, played at Arizona before quitting basketball to focus on becoming a doctor. Ashlyn Watkins, who played three seasons at South Carolina, is sitting out this season after an ACL tear in January. Ruby Whitehorn was dismissed from the Tennessee basketball team last week after two arrests in three months.

Here’s a look at the Class of 2022, how their careers have gone thus far and where they will playing this season:

1. Lauren Betts, C, UCLA

Played at Stanford for one season, transferred to UCLA

After playing less than 10 minutes a game her freshman season at Stanford, Betts entered the transfer portal and landed at UCLA. Betts averaged 20 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in leading the Bruins to the Final Four last season. She was named Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-America. Betts returned for her senior season, in part, to play alongside her sister, Sienna. 

2. Kiki Rice, G, UCLA

Never transferred

Rice came to UCLA with a goal in mind. She wanted to help the Bruins make it to the Final Four for the first time. Rice, who averaged 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists, did that last season. She returns for her senior year in hopes of winning a national title.

3. Janiah Barker, F, Tennessee

Played at Texas A&M for two seasons, UCLA for one, transferred to Tennessee

Barker left Texas A&M after two seasons for UCLA because she wanted to win. She sacrificed a starting job and played nine minutes less per game but won Big Ten Sixth Person of the Year as a junior. ‘You have to accept the role for the sake of the team,’ Barker said. This season, she will bring the experience of advancing to the Final Four with the Bruins to the Lady Vols.

4. Ayanna Patterson, F, UConn

Never transferred

Patterson is listed as a redshirt sophomore even though she’s been in the UConn program since 2022. She played 30 games as freshman before back-to-back season-ending injuries. She missed the 2023-24 season after surgery on her left knee and 2024-25 after surgery to repair a dislocated left shoulder. When Patterson played vs. Boston College on Oct. 13, 933 days had passed since her last game action.

5. Ice Brady, F, UConn 

Never transferred

Brady missed her freshman season after suffering a dislocated patella in her right knee. She is listed as a redshirt junior for the Huskies. Brady told a local newspaper she knew she wanted to play at UConn when she was 10 years old. She signed with the Huskies as a sophomore in high school and pitched in 3.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 16 minutes a game during last season’s championship run.

6. Timea Gardiner, F, UCLA

Played at Oregon State for two seasons, transferred to UCLA

Gardiner was the highest-rated recruit in Oregon State history and averaged 10.7 points and 5.9 rebounds a game over two seasons. After the disintegration of the Pac-12 Conference, she was one of eight players from the Beavers’ Elite Eight team to enter the transfer portal after the 2023-24 season. Gardiner helped the Bruins to a Final Four appearance last season, averaging 7.6 points and 3.4 rebounds in just over 18 minutes a game.

7. Chance Gray, G, Ohio State

Played at Oregon for two seasons, transferred to Ohio State

Gray played at Oregon her first two seasons, averaging 13.9 points in 31 games during her sophomore year. She transferred to Ohio State, in part, because she grew up in the Cincinnati area and wanted to get closer to home. She averaged 12 points as a starter for the Buckeyes last season and led the team in 3-pointers with 70.

8. Aaliyah Gayles, G, Utah State

Played at USC for three seasons, transferred to Utah State

Gayles was shot multiple times at a house party in April 2022 and was unable to walk, let alone play basketball, when she signed her letter of intent to play at USC. She took 2022-23 as a redshirt year to rehab and recover. Gayles played in 22 games over two seasons for the Trojans, averaging five minutes off the bench. This spring she announced she would transfer to Utah State with two years of eligibility remaining.

9. Maya Nnajii, F, N/A

Played at Arizona for two seasons

Nnaji was the highest-rated recruit in Wildcat women’s basketball history. She decided to quit playing basketball during her sophomore season, stating on Instagram: “In light of recent events, it has become clear to me that I need to reprioritize my main goal and true life’s purpose: becoming a physician. With the support of my family and guidance from Above, I am stepping away from basketball to start a new chapter of my life.”

10. Raegan Beers, C, Oklahoma

Played at Oregon State for two seasons, transferred to Oklahoma

Beers was an all-Pac-12 selection for Oregon State after averaging 17.5 points and 10.6 rebounds as a sophomore. After the disintegration of the conference, she was one of eight players from the Beavers’ Elite Eight team to enter the transfer portal after the 2023-24 season. ‘I want to go to a place where I’m going to develop and be challenged,’ Beers said when she signed with Oklahoma. Beers helped the Sooners to a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament, averaging a team-high 17.3 points and 9.4 rebounds.

11. Justine Pissott, G, Vanderbilt

Played at Tennessee for one season, transferred to Vanderbilt

After averaging seven minutes a game in her freshman season with the Lady Vols, Pissott entered the transfer portal and landed at in-state rival Vanderbilt. She started 28 games in her sophomore season with the Commodores, averaging 6.8 points and 2.2 rebounds. Pissott came off the bench for head coach Shea Ralph last season.

12. Ashlyn Watkins, F, N/A

Played at South Carolina for three seasons

Watkins was averaging 7.2 points and 1.9 blocks in 19 minutes a game off the bench for South Carolina last season before tearing the ACL in her left knee on Jan. 5. Watkins announced in July she would not play for South Carolina during the 2025-26 season, and coach Dawn Staley confirmed that she’s not enrolled in school. Watkins has one season of eligibility remaining. ‘It’s pretty brave of her to do something like this, I think she’ll come back,’ Staley said ‘… as much as we can see her, we see her.’

13. Grace VanSlooten, F, Michigan State

Played at Oregon for two seasons, transferred to Michigan State 

VanSlooten started 62 of 63 games for Oregon in two seasons but entered the transfer portal in April 2024. Within a week, she visited and committed to the Spartans and moved closer to her Toledo, Ohio, home. VanSlooten averaged 15.5 points and 7.3 rebounds as a junior and was named second-team All-Big Ten.

14. Ta’Niya Latson, G, South Carolina

Played at Florida State for three seasons, transferred to South Carolina 

Latson averaged 25.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists as a junior at Florida State. The first-team All-ACC guard led the nation in scoring. Hoping to compete for a national championship, Latson entered the transfer portal and chose South Carolina without even visiting. “She just said this is where she wants to be,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley told Sports Illustrated. “It doesn’t happen like that very often — for us or anybody else. It happens that way for people who have clarity on what they want.”

15. Ruby Whitehorn, G, N/A

Played at Clemson for two seasons, transferred to Tennessee 

Whitehorn started 62 of 66 games at Clemson before entering the transfer portal after her sophomore season and signing with Tennessee in May 2024. She averaged 11.6 points, 4 rebounds and 1.7 assists last season. Whitehorn was suspended from the team on Aug. 8 following an arrest on two felony charges of aggravated burglary and domestic assault. Those charges were downgraded to misdemeanors — vandalism and aggravated criminal trespass — and she was reinstated Sept. 8. Whitehorn was charged with a misdemeanor for simple possession after a traffic stop on Oct. 30. She was dismissed from the Tennessee basketball team Nov. 2.

16. Ashlon Jackson, G, Duke

Never transferred

Jackson has started 70 games for the Blue Devils the past two seasons, averaging 29 minutes a game. She averaged 12.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season. Jackson led Duke with 87 3-pointers as it advanced to the Elite Eight in 2025. She has evolved as a player at Duke, scoring from all three levels and working to improve her rebounding and defense.

17. Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, F, Baylor

Never transferred

Littlepage-Buggs was named unanimous Big 12 Freshman of the Year in her first season at the school and has not looked back. She averaged a double-double last season, with 13.8 points and 10 rebounds a game. Littlepage-Buggs was named first-team All-Big 12 as the Bears were eliminated in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

18. Talaysia Cooper, G, Tennessee

Played at South Carolina for one season, transferred to Tennessee

After playing an average of just over eight minutes in 24 games for South Carolina her freshman year, Cooper transferred. But because she did it outside of the transfer window, she had to sit out a season when she arrived at Tennessee. Last season, her sophomore year of eligibility, she started 27 of 34 games and averaged 16.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 3.1 steals.

19. Gabriela Jaquez, G, UCLA

Never transferred

Jaquez started 33 of 36 games for the Bruins last season, averaging career-bests in both field goal (52%) and 3-point percentage (35%). She averaged 9.6 points and 5.3 rebounds a game. Jaquez finished the year with 34 turnovers, less than one per game. She has been named to the 2026 Cheryl Miller Award preseason top 20 watch list; the award is given to the top small forward in Division I college basketball.

20. Indya Nivar, G, North Carolina

Played for Stanford for one season, transferred to North Carolina

Nivar played in 35 games her freshman year for the Cardinal and averaged 3.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 12.6 minutes per game. She entered the transfer portal and returned to her home state of North Carolina. Nivar started 34 games for the Tar Heels last season, averaging 8.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals a game.

21. Paris Clark, G, Virginia

Played at Arizona for one season, transferred to Virginia 

Clark was injured early in her freshman season and averaged 3.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 13.2 minutes over 24 games for the Wildcats. She was one of six players to transfer away from Arizona in 2023. Clark landed at Virginia and has struggled with injuries, having undergone three surgeries during her career. She averaged 10.3 points and 1.9 steals last season. Virginia has not been to the NCAA tournament since 2018.

22. Londynn Jones, G, USC

Played at UCLA for three seasons, transferred to USC

Jones was an All-Big Ten honorable mention pick, averaging 8.5 points per game with a team-high 72 3-pointers, last season for the Bruins. After entering the portal in April, she joined crosstown rival USC. Jones started 60 games over two seasons at UCLA and is a 3-point threat with 206 in her career to date.

23. Cotie McMahon, F, Ole Miss

Played at Ohio State for three seasons, transferred to Ole Miss

McMahon was named first-team All-Big Ten as a sophomore and junior and started all 97 games in which she played for the Buckeyes. She averaged 16.5 points and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 44.4% last season. The Dayton, Ohio, native said of leaving the Buckeyes: ‘I felt confident in my decision, especially with the coaching staff that we have here. Speaking of (Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin), she made it very comfortable for me.’

24. Tonie Morgan, G, Kentucky

Played at Georgia Tech for three seasons, transferred to Kentucky

Morgan started 95 games for the Yellow Jackets and averaged 13.7 points, 5.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds last season while shooting 49% from the field. Projected to go in the top 10 of the WNBA draft, Morgan transferred to Kentucky because of coach Kenny Brooks’ ability to develop point guards, including Georgia Amoore. ‘I saw a vision, a vision (Brooks) had for me and this team. I knew that’s something that I wanted to be a part of, so I knew this was the place for me,’ Morgan said during the SEC media day. 

25. Kyla Oldacre, C, Texas

Played at Miami for two seasons, transferred to Texas

A 6-foot-6 center, Oldacre started 21 of 31 games her sophomore season for the Hurricanes and averaged 5.0 points and 4.4 rebounds. She improved her averages to 8.8 points and 5.9 rebounds as a junior for the Longhorns, who advanced to the Final Four. Oldacre had an ankle injury over the summer but has been cleared to play.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez suspended for Game 3 in MLS Cup playoffs

Inter Miami striker Luis Suárez has been suspended for the club’s pivotal Game 3 against Nashville SC in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Suárez was also issued an undisclosed fine after kicking Nashville’s Andy Najar in the 71st minute during an off-ball sequence in Game 2 at Nashville on Nov. 1.

While there was no foul or card issued on the play by a referee during the match, the MLS Disciplinary Committee determined Wednesday that Suarez should have issued a red card and ejection for the sequence.

Inter Miami defender Ian Fray was also fined for embellishing being kicked in the face by a Nashville player early in of Game 2.

Inter Miami and Nashville are tied 1-1 in their best-of-three series. Inter Miami won 3-1 in Game 1 at home on Oct. 24, while they fell 2-1 at Nashville in Game 2.

Game 3 begins at 8 p.m. ET at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium.

It’s the second time Suárez has been disciplined for an incident this season.

Suárez was suspended three games by MLS and issued a six-game ban by the Leagues Cup tournament committee after spitting on a Seattle Sounders staffer following the Leagues Cup final on Aug. 31.

Suárez, 38, has 17 goals and 17 assists in 48 matches across all competitions with Inter Miami in 2025.

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House Dem crashes Mike Johnson press event as tensions erupt over shutdown

House GOP leaders’ daily government shutdown press conference briefly descended into chaos on Wednesday when a Democratic lawmaker interrupted the event.

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., a moderate Democrat, shared a heated exchange with Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., after crashing his remarks outside the U.S. Capitol while demanding he meet with her caucus to end the shutdown.

Johnson told her, ‘You should respect free speech,’ to which Houlahan responded, ‘You should respect free speech.’

‘I’m asking a question if you’re ready to have a conversation with the other side,’ Houlahan shouted from where reporters were gathered at the press conference. ‘You represent all of us. You are the speaker for all of us, sir.’

Johnson attempted to take a question from a reporter but told them, ‘I can’t hear you because we have someone who doesn’t respect the rights of their colleagues.’

Meanwhile, Houlahan kept shouting over the speaker even as he tried to call order.

‘You have an obligation not just to speak lies to the American people, you have an obligation to call the leadership of both parties and bring us together, and solve this problem together,’ she yelled.

House GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain, R-Mich., erupted back, ‘You have an obligation!’

‘We did that before the shutdown began. I went to the White House. We went and sat in front of the Resolute Desk. We brought [House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.] in and we had a discussion,’ Johnson responded. 

‘The president said, ‘Please don’t shut the government down, it would all this pain to the American people.’ This has never happened before. It is a clean, non-partisan CR that every Democrat, including you, voted no on,’ he said.

Houlahan shot back, ‘You are absolutely misrepresenting history, sir, and you know that you are, and you’re dividing the American people unnecessarily.’

The two continued to speak over each other, with Johnson accusing Houlahan of having ‘regret’ for her vote.

‘No, sir, I do not regret anything. It’s important that we work together and that we unify,’ she responded.

Johnson said, ‘I appreciate your input. Now somebody give me a question that’s real.’

‘I appreciate you too,’ she finished.

Tensions are running high on Day 36 of the government shutdown, now the longest such standoff in U.S. history.

It was Johnson’s first shutdown press conference after Tuesday night’s sweeping victories for Democrats during elections in Virginia, New Jersey and New York City.

Republicans had anticipated Democrats’ resolve was weakening amid a lack of funding for food aid programs and paychecks for air traffic controllers, but Tuesday night’s wins appear to have emboldened some on the left as well.

The House passed a short-term federal funding bill on Sept. 19 aimed at giving lawmakers until Nov. 21 to strike a deal on fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending levels.

But at least some Democrats are needed to advance the legislation in the Senate, where it’s failed 14 times over the left’s demand that any funding deal be paired with an extension of COVID-19 pandemic-era Obamacare subsidies that are set to expire at the end of this year.

Republicans have contended that federal funding and healthcare are issues that must be considered separately.

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Protecting kids from AI chatbots: What the GUARD Act means

A new bipartisan bill introduced by Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., would bar minors (under 18) from interacting with certain AI chatbots. It taps into growing alarm about children using ‘AI companions’ and the risks these systems may pose.

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What’s the deal with the proposed GUARD Act?

Here are some of the key features of the proposed Guard Act:

AI companies would be required to verify user age with ‘reasonable age-verification measures’ (for example, a government ID) rather than simply asking for a birthdate.
If a user is found to be under 18, a company must prohibit them from accessing an ‘AI companion.’
The bill also mandates that chatbots clearly disclose they are not human and do not hold professional credentials (therapy, medical, legal) in every conversation.
It creates new criminal and civil penalties for companies that knowingly provide chatbots to minors that solicit or facilitate sexual content, self-harm or violence.

The motivation: lawmakers cite testimony of parents, child welfare experts and growing lawsuits alleging that some chatbots manipulated minors, encouraged self-harm or worse. The basic framework of the GUARD Act is clear, but the details reveal how extensive its reach could be for tech companies and families alike.

Why is this such a big deal?

This bill is more than another piece of tech regulation. It sits at the center of a growing debate over how far artificial intelligence should reach into children’s lives.

Rapid AI growth + child safety concerns

AI chatbots are no longer toys. Many kids are using them. Hawley cited more than 70 percent of American children engaging with these products. These chatbots can provide human-like responses, emotional mimicry and sometimes invite ongoing conversations. For minors, these interactions can blur boundaries between machine and human, and they may seek guidance or emotional connection from an algorithm rather than a real person.

Legal, ethical and technological stakes

If this bill passes, it could reshape how the AI industry manages minors, age verification, disclosures and liability. It shows that Congress is ready to move away from voluntary self-regulation and toward firm guardrails when children are involved. The proposal may also open the door for similar laws in other high-risk areas, such as mental health bots and educational assistants. Overall, it marks a shift from waiting to see how AI develops to acting now to protect young users.

Industry pushback and innovation concerns

Some tech companies argue that such regulation could stifle innovation, limit beneficial uses of conversational AI (education, mental-health support for older teens) or impose heavy compliance burdens. This tension between safety and innovation is at the heart of the debate.

What the GUARD Act requires from AI companies

If passed, the GUARD Act would impose strict federal standards on how AI companies design, verify and manage their chatbots, especially when minors are involved. The bill outlines several key obligations aimed at protecting children and holding companies accountable for harmful interactions.

The first major requirement centers on age verification. Companies must use reliable methods such as government-issued identification or other proven tools to confirm that a user is at least 18 years old. Simply asking for a birthdate is no longer enough.
The second rule involves clear disclosures. Every chatbot must tell users at the start of each conversation, and at regular intervals, that it is an artificial intelligence system, not a human being. The chatbot must also clarify that it does not hold professional credentials such as medical, legal or therapeutic licenses.
Another provision establishes an access ban for minors. If a user is verified as under 18, the company must block access to any ‘AI companion’ feature that simulates friendship, therapy or emotional communication.
The bill also introduces civil and criminal penalties for companies that violate these rules. Any chatbot that encourages or engages in sexually explicit conversations with minors, promotes self-harm or incites violence could trigger significant fines or legal consequences.
Finally, the GUARD Act defines an AI companion as a system designed to foster interpersonal or emotional interaction with users, such as friendship or therapeutic dialogue. This definition makes it clear that the law targets chatbots capable of forming human-like connections, not limited-purpose assistants.

How to stay safe in the meantime

Technology often moves faster than laws, which means families, schools and caregivers must take the lead in protecting young users right now. These steps can help create safer online habits while lawmakers debate how to regulate AI chatbots.

1) Know which bots your kids use

Start by finding out which chatbots your kids talk to and what those bots are designed for. Some are made for entertainment or education, while others focus on emotional support or companionship. Understanding each bot’s purpose helps you spot when a tool crosses from harmless fun into something more personal or manipulative.

2) Set clear rules about interaction

Even if a chatbot is labeled safe, decide together when and how it can be used. Encourage open communication by asking your child to show you their chats and explain what they like about them. Framing this as curiosity, not control, builds trust and keeps the conversation ongoing.

3) Use parental controls and age filters

Take advantage of built-in safety features whenever possible. Turn on parental controls, activate kid-friendly modes and block apps that allow private or unmonitored chats. Small settings changes can make a big difference in reducing exposure to harmful or suggestive content.

4) Teach children that bots are not humans

Remind kids that even the most advanced chatbot is still software. It can mimic empathy, but does not understand or care in a human sense. Help them recognize that advice about mental health, relationships or safety should always come from trusted adults, not from an algorithm.

5) Watch for warning signs

Stay alert for changes in behavior that could signal a problem. If a child becomes withdrawn, spends long hours chatting privately with a bot or repeats harmful ideas, step in early. Talk openly about what is happening, and if necessary, seek professional help.

6) Stay informed as the laws evolve

Regulations such as the GUARD Act and new state measures, including California’s SB 243, are still taking shape. Keep up with updates so you know what protections exist and which questions to ask app developers or schools. Awareness is the first line of defense in a fast-moving digital world.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways

The GUARD Act represents a bold step toward regulating the intersection of minors and AI chatbots. It reflects growing concern that unmoderated AI companionship might harm vulnerable users, especially children. Of course, regulation alone won’t solve all problems, industry practices, platform design, parental involvement and education all matter. But this bill signals that the era of ‘build it and see what happens’ for conversational AI may be ending when children are involved. As technology continues to evolve, our laws and our personal practices must evolve too. For now, staying informed, setting boundaries and treating chatbot interactions with the same scrutiny we treat human ones can make a real difference.

If a law like the GUARD Act becomes reality, should we expect similar regulation for all emotional AI tools aimed at kids (tutors, virtual friends, games) or are chatbots fundamentally different? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter. 

Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved. 

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Fox New Voter Poll: How Spanberger won Virginia governor

Democrat Abigail Spanberger defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears to win the Virginia governor’s race, tallying significant leads among reliable Democratic groups while capitalizing on economic worries and the deep unpopularity of President Donald Trump in the state.

Spanberger will be the first woman to hold the office in the Old Dominion State.

The former Virginia congresswoman replaces term-limited Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who was the first Republican to win a statewide election in Virginia in 12 years when he was elected in 2021. That race surprised many in that it was much closer than the 2020 presidential race the year before, when Joe Biden defeated Trump by 10 points. This year it was the other way around, with Spanberger well exceeding the 2024 presidential margin that saw Harris over Trump by only six points.

Trump was undoubtedly a factor in the race, even though he wasn’t on the ballot. Close to six in 10 Virginia voters disapproved of the job he is doing, while more than half said they strongly disapprove. The vast majority of these voters backed Spanberger.

Two-thirds of Spanberger supporters said their vote was expressly to show opposition to the president. That compares to about one-third of those backing current Lt. Governor Earle-Sears who said theirs was to show support.

Aside from those sending a signal of opposition to Trump, Spanberger’s strong appeal to Black voters, college graduates and the young was more than enough to offset Earle-Sears’ strength among White men, White evangelicals and those with no college degree, according to near-final data from the Fox News Voter Poll, a survey of more than 4,000 Virginia voters.

Not even the prospect of voting for the first Black woman governor of any state seemed to move Black voters, who backed Spanberger by about a nine to one margin.

Spanberger also benefited from a significant gender gap. Indeed, 65% of women backed her compared to 35% for Earle-Sears, a 30-point advantage; and men supported Earle-Sears by 4 points (48% for Spanberger, 52% Earle-Sears) – leaving a gender gap of 34 points, one of the largest in recent memory.

Neither party is very popular in the state, half of voters said they have an unfavorable opinion of Democrats, and more than half felt that way about Republicans.

Between the two candidates, however, Spanberger garnered a net-positive rating – more than half had a favorable opinion of her – compared to Sears, and more than half viewed her unfavorably.

Voters continue to be happy with Youngkin. More than half approved of the job he is doing as governor.

The top characteristic Virginia voters wanted in a candidate was someone who shares their values, followed by someone who is honest and trustworthy.

Values voters broke for Earle-Sears while Spanberger carried those looking for honesty.

Spanberger focused heavily on the economy during the campaign, specifically banging home the deleterious effects that Trump administration efforts to upend government in D.C. are having on Virginia, home to a large number of federal workers.

More than six in 10 of those federal employees backed Spanberger.

The economy was by far the top issue for Virginia voters – with close to half ranking it as the most important. Those voters broke significantly for Spanberger.

Healthcare was the second most important concern – another issue Spanberger hit hard in the wake of the federal government shutdown and people facing the possible loss of health benefits.

Those voters who said healthcare was their number one issue went overwhelmingly for Spanberger – by about four to one.

Overall, Virginia voters – about six in 10 – think the economy is doing pretty well. Those voters backed Earle-Sears.

But when it comes to their own family’s finances, most said they were either holding steady or falling behind. Both of those groups went for Spanberger.

And of the six in 10 voters who said the federal budget cuts had affected their family finances, they backed Spanberger as well.

Two issues that got significant attention from Earle-Sears in the campaign were controversies about trans rights, and the disclosure of violent texts from the Democratic candidate for attorney general.

Fewer than half of voters found the texts sent by Democrat Jay Jones, threatening a fellow lawmaker, disqualifying from the job of attorney general. Those who did broke strongly for Earle-Sears.

The rest, though – who said the texts were concerning but not disqualifying, were not a concern, or who simply didn’t know enough – went strongly for Spanberger.

It was suspected that some voters might split their votes, backing Spanberger for governor but Republican Jason Miyares for attorney general. That did not happen. Those Democrats defecting to Miyares remained in the single digits, and Jones was declared the winner.

On transgender rights, voters have mixed views. Half said support has gone too far – the position Earle-Sears took, with special emphasis on its effect on schools and girls’ sports. The other half, however, said support has not gone far enough, or it’s been about right.

Those who said it’d gone too far backed Earle-Sears by almost four to one, while those who disagreed went hard for Spanberger.

In the end, the headwinds of Trump’s unpopularity and the ire of the vast number of federal workers in the state was too much for Earle-Sears to overcome.

Only about a third of Virginia voters are happy with the direction the country is going, and while these voters overwhelmingly backed Earle-Sears, the other two-thirds went big for Spanberger. Of the four in 10 who are actually angry about how things are going, almost all of them – more than nine in 10 – backed Spanberger.

Asked about Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts, more than half say it has gone too far, and, perhaps not surprisingly, most of these voters backed Spanberger.

Almost all Democrats voted for Spanberger, as did a few Republicans. Earle-Sears was unable to generate any sort of crossover appeal, while winning most Republicans. The small group of independents favored Spanberger.

The Fox News Voter Poll is based on a survey conducted by SSRS with Virginia registered voters. This survey was conducted October 22 to November 4, 2025, concluding at the end of voting on Election Day. The poll combines data collected from registered voters online and by telephone with data collected in-person from Election Day voters at 30 precincts per state/city. In the final step, all the pre-election survey respondents and Election Day exit poll respondents are combined by adjusting the share of voting mode (absentee, early-in-person, and Election Day) based on the estimated composition of the state/city’s final electorate. Once votes are counted, the survey results are also weighted to match the overall results in each state. Results among more than 4,500 Virginia voters interviewed have an estimated margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.1 percentage points, including the design effects. The error margin is larger among subgroups.

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NFL trade deadline winners, losers: Jets stock up for next rebuild

The New York Jets traded Pro Bowl players Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams for multiple high-round draft picks.
The Philadelphia Eagles added several players, including OLB Jaelan Phillips, to bolster their roster for a playoff run.
Both the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals land as winners and losers for their respective trade deadline moves.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall at 1 Jets Drive. Or The Star. Or even Cincinnati’s Eastern Bloc facilities.

What was shaping up as a very quiet NFL trade deadline turned out to be anything but Tuesday, as the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts engaging in some serious blockbustering. The Bengals made a move, too, if not the one they really needed to. There was also a fair amount of secondary activity as well, with some contenders loading up for playoff runs while several pretenders embraced their reality and began laying the groundwork for what they hope are brighter days ahead.

Who made out like bandits? Who might wind up with buyer’s remorse? Without further ado, your winners and losers as this year’s trade market officially closes its doors:

WINNERS

New York Jets

Wow. Just wow. A 1-7 team just jettisoned Pro Bowl-caliber players Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams in return for three first-round picks, a Round 2 selection and castoffs Adonai Mitchell and Mazi Smith – once highly regarded draft prospects who failed to reach their potential in Indy and Dallas, respectively, but should have opportunities to fill positions of need in Gotham. But this is obviously about the future, the NYJ now set up to largely influence the 2026 and ’27 drafts in what will be their latest hard reset.

Indianapolis Colts

Surrendering two first-round picks for Gardner is a bold and expensive move to be sure. It’s also one that tells the locker room of the AFC-leading squad that there’s belief this team is ready to compete for a championship. Now. GM Chris Ballard doesn’t lightly part with his beloved draft picks, yet this is the kind of gamble that could further galvanize his team and fan base.

Howie Roseman

Quite an eventful bye week for the mastermind of the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, the club’s wily personnel guru adding OLB Jaelan Phillips and CBs Michael Carter II and Jaire Alexander in recent days. Seems like a pretty good haul, if not really a cost-prohibitive one, for a team that needed secondary depth and more pass rush off the edge – and it arrives at a time when the idle Eagles just got pushed back atop the NFC standings.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Currently on pace to be the first 2,000-yard receiver in league history, the budding Seattle Seahawks superstar will now be teamed with newly acquired WR Rashid Shaheed – a deep threat who wasn’t previously in Seattle’s arsenal, and a guy who can not only stretch defenses but should also open more space underneath for JSN and even (currently injured) Cooper Kupp.

Mickey Loomis and John Spytek

The New Orleans Saints’ Loomis, the league’s longest-tenured general manager, and the Las Vegas Raiders’ Spytek, who’s in his first year on the job, did nice jobs serving their organizations at a time when neither is particularly competitive. Loomis got a fourth- and fifth-rounder for Shaheed, who’s on an expiring contract. He also unloaded OL Trevor Penning, who wasn’t in the Saints’ long-term plans, to the Los Angeles Chargers. Spytek got a similar return (picks in Rounds 4 and 6) for WR Jakobi Meyers, who repeatedly stated he wanted out of Sin City even though his deal is also set to run out. It may not seem like much, but picking up some mid-rounders for players likely to be half-season rentals amounts to a good day’s work for both men.

Logan Wilson

An off-ball linebacker who was benched by the league’s worst defense statistically (Cincinnati) now gets a chance to start for the league’s second-worst defense – and maybe a former Wyoming Cowboy will thrive anew as a Dallas Cowboy. Coordinator Matt Eberflus’ scheme, which doesn’t utilize much blitzing, is heavily reliant on second-level players thriving in space, so this is a big opportunity for Wilson to sink or swim on a unit that was badly in need of a life raft.

Cincinnati Bengals

A team that’s been historically reluctant to engage in trade talks has been laudably active this year, especially so given how the franchise remains in the clutches of a highly frustrating season. The proactive acquisition for temporary QB Joe Flacco last month was the right move to try and salvage the season. Yet offloading Wilson, who was no longer a part of Cincy’s future (or current lineup) is a cagey stroke, especially since the team clears out his base salaries of at least $6 million apiece in 2026 and ’27 – and at a position where most teams are reluctant to spend that much.

LOSERS

Cincinnati Bengals

They purged Wilson and his money but decided to consign Pro Bowl DE Trey Hendrickson to two more months in football purgatory when he could have been a highly valuable commodity to leverage for the needed rebuild of Cincy’s own defense. But the Bengals could apparently deviate from their tendencies only so much. Now it’s up to Hendrickson and Flacco – and maybe injured Joe Burrow eventually? – to help this team win enough 41-38 games to somehow get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

Jerry Jones

You’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt. Or maybe you don’t. But in the past two months, he’s gotten rid of (possibly) generational DE Micah Parsons, watched his team field a laughingstock of a defense on the way to a 3-5-1 start and 11th place standing overall in the NFC, two games out of the final wild-card spot. Then Jones turns around and effectively spends a chunk of his Parsons’ windfall for Williams, a 27-year-old three-time Pro Bowler … if not a player who was ever able to transcend his circumstances in another dysfunctional organization. Williams is locked up through the 2027 campaign, which is a plus. Conversely, neither he nor Wilson is a pass rusher, so hard to envision these moves putting Dallas over the top – certainly not this year and maybe not in the next few.

New England Patriots

They have more available cap space – by far – than any team in the league and had recently accumulated extra mid-level draft picks by trading backups Keion White and Kyle Dugger last week. But the first-place Pats either couldn’t or wouldn’t extend their resources to bring in another stud. And maybe that’s OK given the alleged rebuild under first-year coach Mike Vrabel seems to be going swimmingly. Yet maybe they’ll rue not doing more to fend off the charge that seems likely to come from the perennial AFC East champion Buffalo Bills.

James Gladstone

It’s exceedingly early, but the bold deal the Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookie GM did in April to get Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter with the draft’s No. 2 pick hasn’t produced many early returns. Now, with Hunter and WR1 Brian Thomas sidelined by injuries, Gladstone forked over two more future picks for Meyers, who’s averaged all of 31 receiving yards over the past four weeks and now must quickly internalize Liam Coen’s offense. That’s a hefty mortgage for one position – and one that doesn’t have a whole lot of curbside appeal at this moment.

Kyler Murray

This isn’t to suggest he was on the block. But the timing couldn’t be more coincidental. Murray was in street clothes Monday night, when his Arizona Cardinals clobbered the Cowboys – and subsequently invited another round of questions as to whether journeyman Jacoby Brissett should be anointed the club’s permanent starter given how much better the offense has looked with him at the controls. Murray was never going to be traded this year. But with his contractual guarantees set to run out after the 2026 campaign, it’s worth wondering – especially if the Cards continue jelling with him on the sideline – if Murray might be on the move a few months from now.

New York Jets

They basically seem like they’re down to one foundational piece, WR Garrett Wilson, unless their recent first-round blockers (Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou) live up to their advance billing. But moving on from Gardner and Williams says a lot about how rookie coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey regarded their roster and culture … and maybe how those departed players felt, too. But apparently they presented owner Woody Johnson with a plan – if one that’s likely going to require several more years to attempt to bring this woebegone franchise, one that’s league-long streak of missing the playoffs (dating to 2010) will extend, back to relevance.

Quincy Williams

Tough to see your brother shipped out − i.e., Quinnen Williams is literally Quincy Williams’ brother. Come on, Jerry, no package deal? Especially when you were obviously looking for help at linebacker?

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Infantino to present first FIFA Peace Prize award at World Cup draw

The award – which aims to be FIFA’s version of a Nobel Peace Prize – will be presented on an annual basis to an individual or group of individuals who have helped unite people in peace through unwavering commitment and special actions.

“In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it’s fundamental to recognize the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a Wednesday, Nov. 5 statement.

Infantino added the award “will recognize the enormous efforts of those individuals who unite people, bringing hope for future generations.”  

The announcement comes before Infantino will appear at the America Business Forum in Miami on Wednesday, Nov. 5, where U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine World Cup champion Lionel Messi are among speakers at the event.

Infantino has attended several events in the past few weeks to promote the World Cup and the sport’s ability to provide peace and unity globally.

Infantino joined Trump at the Summit for Peace in Egypt on Oct. 13, and attended the Future Investment Initiative in Saudi Arabia on Oct. 28.

Infantino also accepted an Atlantic Council Global Citizen award in New York on Sept. 24, where he reiterated the World Cup will resemble 104 Super Bowls – likening the soccer tournament to the popular NFL championship game for American sports fans not keen on the sport.

Infantino added the World Cup will have 7 million people in attendance, and 6 billion people watching worldwide.

The World Cup “will be not just the biggest sporting event, but the biggest social event the world has ever seen,” Infantino said in his acceptance speech.

“We need to have occasions to unite the world, to bring everyone together, to bring people together so that they can meet, they can exchange, they can know each other, and they can all learn from each other. This is what the FIFA World Cup is about.”

Trump announced the World Cup draw would be held at the Kennedy Center in late August. The draw will set the schedule for all 104 matches of next summer’s tournament co-hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The World Cup begins on June 11, 2026, and the final will be on July 19, 2026.

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CFP has a Michigan problem, which could become an Oklahoma problem

I don’t want to be the guy who has to point this out, but the good, well-intended folks on the College Football Playoff selection committee have a Michigan problem. 

Check that, an Ohio State and Michigan problem after the first week of the CFP rankings. 

Because the Buckeyes haven’t beaten Michigan since 2019, and frankly, Ohio State looks lost in the bitter rivalry. The Buckeyes, though, are only a secondary part of the problem — and only because of their part in the process. 

The whopper of a problem is Michigan, currently ranked No. 21 with three games to play. Two of those games are against two of the lower-tier of the Big Ten (at Northwestern, at Maryland) and the last is against You Know Who. 

Again, I hate to be the guy who has to say this, but what in blue blazes happens if Michigan wins out and reaches the Big Ten championship game — and then loses to Indiana?

We could have quite the dicey situation of 10-3 Michigan vs. 9-3 Oklahoma for a CFP spot. And Oklahoma beat Michigan by 11 in September.

I don’t need to tell you a win over No. 1 Ohio State would trump all, including an 11-point win head-to-head. Why? Because, well, who the hell really knows? 

But you better believe it will.

When you’ve got the head of the selection committee talking about how fortunate it is to have three former coaches — Chris Ault, Mark Dantonio, Mike Riley — within the 13-member committee, you can see where this is headed. 

Mack Rhoades, athletic director at Baylor and the guy tasked with herding the cats, was talking about “lines of scrimmage” when explaining the difference between Ohio State and Indiana and Texas A&M. I literally laughed out loud. 

Why do I have this vision of Dantonio, one of the toughest dudes in the coaching fraternity, pounding his fist about the lines of scrimmage while staring down all? But I digress. 

It’s only Week 1. How bad could it get?

The fortunate

No. 1 Ohio State

The defense sure looks elite, but has faced these quarterbacks: Arch Manning (in the first road start of his career), C’zavian Teasett, Parker Navarro, Desmond Williams, Drake Lindsey, Luke Altmyer, Hunter Simmons and Ethan Grunkemeyer. 

Riveting. And you could make an argument November gets easier.

But, you know, lines of scrimmage.

No. 7 BYU

The classic “they’re unbeaten, so what else are we going to do’ choice. The schedule: Portland State, Stanford, ECU, Colorado, West Virginia, Arizona, Utah, Iowa State.

Let’s see what Kalani Sitake’s group has for Texas Tech this weekend. Deal with the tortillas — and the Red Raiders’ lines of scrimmage — and then I’m a believer. 

No. 10 Notre Dame

If this were Iowa State playing this schedule, the Cyclones would be ranked in the 20s. 

The Irish blew a late lead at home to Texas A&M, and never really threatened Miami in the season opener — despite the one possession game. Outside of that, there are these six wins:

Purdue hasn’t won a Big Ten game, Arkansas hasn’t won an SEC game, Boston College hasn’t won an ACC game, and home wins against USC, NC State and Boise State.

I’m gonna puke.

The frantic

No. 2 Indiana

It’s clear the committee was using eye test for Ohio State (lines of scrimmage!), yet the far and away eye test team of the field is Indiana. 

The Hoosiers blew the doors off Illinois and physically manhandled Oregon in their two ranked games, and then annihilated everyone else (with the exception of Phil Parker’s defense at Iowa). Like Ohio State, Indiana is ranked in the top five in the nation in scoring offense and defense ― against a more difficult schedule.

Eye, meet test.

No. 6 Ole Miss

No matter what the Rebels do, they’re not moving ahead of Georgia (where they lost and blew a two possession lead in the fourth quarter) and Alabama (which beat Georgia). Unless, of course, Georgia or Alabama lose. 

If Georgia and Alabama continue winning, the Ole Miss ceiling is more than likely No. 5 — and a spot in the first round playing host to dangerous South Florida (of course the Bulls are beating Memphis in Round 2). 

No. 18 Miami

Barring a collapse in front of them, the Canes are done. That win over Notre Dame in the season opener? Means nothing.

The Canes could win out (including a difficult roadie at Pitt), finish 10-2 and still be behind the Irish. As long as the Irish keep winning, there’s no chance Miami is making up ground. 

I mean, unless their lines of scrimmage start dominating games.  

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

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