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 DETROIT -- J.J. McCarthy was hailed by teammates in a jubilant locker room after leading the Minnesota Vikings to a much-needed, 27-24 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. "It was awesome," McCarthy said, choking up. "When you're hurt, being on IR last year, and being out for five weeks, it absolutely kills me not being out there with those guys because I love every single one of them. "I know they got my back -- and I've got theirs -- the rest of the way." The Vikings (4-4) suddenly have some more hope for this season after losing two straight and three of four, bouncing back behind their second-year quarterback after a high-ankle sprain that stunted his season. McCarthy didn't play as a rookie because of a knee injury. McCarthy threw two touchdown passes, ran for a score and sealed the victory by throwing a 16-yard pass to Jalen Nailor on third-and-5 from the Minnesota 28, a play that allowed the Vikings to run out the clock. "J.J. made one...

 Entering Week 8 of the college football season, eight AP Top 25 teams fell this past Saturday, causing more shakeup in this week's poll. Ohio State continued to roll, unchallenged as the No. 1 team in the country, beating then-ranked No. 17 Illinois, 34-16, on the road. Miami (Fla.) stayed at No. 2 off a bye week. Yet again, a top 3 team suffered an upset when Oregon lost to Indiana in a top 10 conference matchup. After snapping the Ducks' 22-game home win streak, the Hoosiers moved into the nation's top 3. The win was just Indiana's second-ever over a top-five opponent and its first since 1967. Texas A&M moved up one spot to No. 4 after defeating Florida, 34-17. The Aggies jumped Ole Miss, which dropped to No. 5 after barely sneaking by Washington State at home by a field goal. Alabama rose past its preseason ranking to No. 6. The Crimson Tide dealt Missouri its first loss, beating the Tigers 27-24. Texas Tech remained unbeaten, dismantling Kansas by 25 points, an...