NCAAF

• UAB 24, Miami (Ohio) 20
  • This was UAB’s last game before the Trent Dilfer era begins. Dilfer should do well in Birmingham. He has a tremendous football background, and UAB rests in a fertile recruiting area. As for this game, UAB did what it was expected to do.
  • Miami is in a bit of a rut as a program. The team hasn’t improved much since 2016, when the RedHawks leapt from three to six wins. Is Chuck Martin on the hot seat? I’m not sure, but he needs to get the offense on par with the defense in Oxford.
• Troy 18, UTSA 12
  • What a year for Troy. Going 12-2 is an excellent accomplishment — not too mention the Trojans didn’t receive great quarterback play this season, either. For the most part, this was a well-rounded football team that may actually have some staying power in the Sun Belt.
  • UTSA, unlike Troy, did extract solid play at the quarterback position this season. Frank Harris, who struggled yesterday, was responsible for that, but the Roadrunners will have to replace him in 2023. Luckily for UTSA, key contributors Kevorian Barnes and Trey Moore are just freshman, so the future remains bright.

MLB

• White Sox sign LF Andrew Benintendi to five-year, $75M contract
  • This is a solid deal for the White Sox. Benintendi is never going to hit 40 homers in a season, but he’s a talented, all-around player that should be of help in Chicago. I’m a bit surprised his market wasn’t hotter.
    Grade: B+
• Twins sign LF Joey Gallo to one-year, $11M contract
  • Gallo is a unique player, as he fares better in the field than one would expect, and he hits for very poor average, but with tons of power. If the Twins consider his batting average palatable, then Gallo should be a nice fit in Minnesota.
    Grade: B-