Biggest surprises from initial — This is an 🤨 Five things to know Wednesday • The first batch of CFP Rankings is puzzling. There are five weeks for everything to shake out, and this edition of the selection committee's top 25 will be long gone by then. But if the rest of the rankings are as controversial as these ones, it is going to be a long road to the playoff.

Key Developments and Main Event

Notre Dame stunningly checks in all the way down at No. 11 in the debut rankings, while Alabama is, for some reason, riding high at No. The SEC appeared to get preferential treatment while UCLA and Ohio State were seemingly docked for losing their starting quarterbacks. The Buckeyes, by the way, would be out of the playoff if the season ended today.

• Joe Fagnano will start for the Ravens in Week 9. The injury situation in Baltimore's quarterback room is rough with Lamar Jackson out as he undergoes thumb surgery and Tyler Huntley on the shelf with turf toe. Fagnano, an undrafted rookie, was the emergency third QB on Sunday and is now suddenly thrust into the starting lineup for the first time.

Core Facts and Essential Highlights

For depth behind him, the Ravens added another undrafted signal-caller in Kedon Slovis off the Packers' practice squad. As this team attempts to stay afloat during Jackson's prolonged absence, it could be one to watch ahead of the trade deadline. Landing a premier backup like Tyson Bagent would come at a hefty price, though.

• The Mariners hired a skipper with no managerial experience. It's a bold strategy for a club that aims to get over the hump and win its first World Series. Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler is the choice for the job and will replace Dan Wilson, who left the team after he oversaw the most disappointing 2026 season of any team in MLB.

Broader Context and Market Implications

At 36, Kanzler is the second-youngest manager in baseball. Former Astros manager Joe Espada was reportedly the other finalist. • UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 featured a stunning comeback. While Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain all cruised to victories, Manchester United had to work a little harder for their win.

The Red Devils overcame a two-goal deficit and deafening jeers from the supporters at Old Trafford with three scores in the second half to stun Roma. The panic meter cooled a bit for highly scrutinized manager Michael Carrick and United, but tough tests still lie ahead in Champions League play, not to mention in the Premier League.

Today's action includes a clash between Manchester City and RB Leipzig, whose seasons have started in opposite directions. Our experts predict a one-sided affair. • Mike Washington Jr. is this week's top fantasy football waiver-wire target.

The Raiders running back enjoyed a massive uptick in carries over Ashton Jeanty on Sunday and is worth rostering in case this workload trend continues. Week 9 is a big one for running backs on the waiver wire, and Washington is an even higher priority than fellow flex options Tyler Allgeier and Devin Singletary.

Fantasy managers looking to offload Jeanty should check out Dave Richard's Week 9 Trade Chart to determine his value. Meanwhile, J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix are the top quarterback adds of the week, Makai Lemon and Antonio Williams are priorities at wide receiver and Eli Raridon and Dalton Schultz are options at tight end.

🏀 Do not miss this: NBA Bracketology The NBA season is still less than 10% complete, so some of the takeaways from the first two weeks will eventually prove to be overreactions.