Who’s up and who’s down in NCAA fall sports

The GIST: As preseason hype gives way to IRL results, let’s take a gut check on how NCAA athletes and teams are faring. Here’s who’s hot and who’s cold after a few weeks of fall sports action.

🔥 Cam Ward, Miami football: The Hurricanes’ QB leapt caught fire during his team’s huge road win over in-state rival Florida on Saturday. The now–No. 12 ’Canes were rewarded with a seven-point bump in yesterday’s rankings, and Ward suddenly finds himself atop Heisman Trophy watchlists.

❄️ Florida State women’s soccer: The hits keep coming for the no-luck ’Noles: After last week’s disappointing draw with now-unranked Georgia, FSU’s women’s soccer squad fell from the poll’s top spot for the first time in 11 months. Tough week for football and fútbol in Tallahassee.

❓ QR codes on helmets: This week, the NCAA banned Oklahoma State football from adding QR codes linking to the school’s NIL collective to their helmets, but public opinion on the fundraising move remains mixed. Tacky, or creative? Tell us your take by replying to this email.