NFL

Cowboys sign G Tyler Smith to four-year, $96 million contract extension

This agreement is the largest for a guard in NFL history, surpassing the deal the Chiefs gave Trey Smith earlier this year.

Smith, 24, is already one of the best guards in the NFL, so it was expected that the Cowboys would ink him to a long-term pact. However, the value of this extension is exceedingly high and a bit rich for a player that falls short of elite status.

In lieu of paying Micah Parsons, Dallas has opted to instead reward two very good, but not elite players in Smith and DaRon Bland.

Grade: C+

Patriots receive:
2027 sixth-round pick

Saints receive:
WR Ja’Lynn Polk
2028 seventh-round pick

Based on the picks involved, this deal effectively results in the the Patriots handing Polk over to the Saints. As a 2024 second-round selection, that’s an awfully ominous indicator for the rest of Polk’s career. In a perfect world, spending this season rehabbing will lead to a new and improved version of Polk in 2026.

For the Saints, this is a no-risk bet on a failed former second rounder. New Orleans won’t be contending anytime soon, so giving Polk reps next season shouldn’t hinder any organizational goals.

From the Patriots’ perspective, this is simply the team dumping a sunk cost. Polk was terribly inefficient as a rookie, posting just 12 receptions on 33 targets. The Washington product was overdrafted at pick No. 37, but I didn’t foresee him struggling so much from the start.

Patriots Grade: C-

Saints Grade: B

NCAAF

(1) Ohio State 37, Ohio 9

This game was shockingly close early in the third quarter, as Ohio State led just 13-9 after a long Ohio touchdown pass. However, the score throughout this contest never indicated how much the Buckeyes dominated from the start, Outgaining the Bobcats 572-181, top-ranked Ohio State struggled with sharpness and closing drives, not their MAC opponent.

Julian Sayin’s passes were as crisp and tight as ever yesterday, but he made a few errors that hampered the Buckeyes. Most notably, the sophomore released an ugly fourth-quarter interception as opposed to eating the ball and taking a sack. Ryan Day will surely use that play as a teaching moment ahead of a Week 5 trip to Washington.

Sayin went 25-of-32 for 347 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. His QBR was 77.8.

On offense, Ohio State’s talent advantage stood out most with its starting wide receivers. Jeremiah Smith was his usual self, tallying nine receptions for 153 yards and a score, but Carnell Tate was also heavily involved. The junior joined Smith in catching a deep touchdown, ending with 101 yards through the air.

The Buckeyes’ defense outshined their offense in this win, as the Bobcats never really earned much with the ball, aside from the aforementioned long score.

Arvell Reese, after a season of sporadic playing time, has emerged as a star. His breakout came against Texas in the season opener, but he hasn’t slowed down. The linebacker posted seven tackles and a sack in this victory.

Ohio never had much of a chance last night, but Parker Navarro suffering a wrist injury in the first quarter didn’t help matters. The quarterback returned after halftime, finishing 6-of-13 for 94 yards and a touchdown. His dual-threat capabilities were thwarted by the Buckeyes, as he rushed for just three yards on five attempts.

(2) Penn State 52, Villanova 6

I keep waiting for Penn State to look the part of a top-ranked team, but I suppose I’ll have to twiddle my thumbs for another two weeks. Then, the Nittany Lions host Oregon. I’m guessing that Penn State will be a slight favorite in that contest, but I’m not confident in its chances.

Drew Allar playing well would certainly jumpstart Penn State as a whole, but that level of play has mostly eluded the senior this season. Again, the matchup versus Oregon will smack Penn State in the face if the ship isn’t righted.

Allar went 16-of-29 for 209 yards, a touchdown and an interception yesterday.

From the non-struggle department, Amare Campbell and Tony Rojas starred for the Nittany Lions. The linebackers combined for 12 tackles and three sacks.

(3) LSU 20, Florida 10

Saturday night on ABC and all, this was billed as a big-time SEC matchup. However, the performance on the field was anything but, and the ranking of LSU in the top three continues to look silly. (Don’t tell Heather Dinich that Clemson lost yesterday.)

LSU, to its credit, looked much better than Florida in this tilt, for whatever that’s worth. Garrett Nussmeier had his worst game of the season, going just 15-of-27 for 220 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Fortunately, the signal-caller gets a reprieve next Saturday when SE Louisiana travels to Baton Rouge.

While Nussmeier has that to look forward to, DJ Lagway has a week’s worth of hard coaching ahead of him. Decision making has been an issue for the sophomore, and his faults were exacerbated in this defeat. Lagway tossed five interceptions, with each one seemingly worse and less defensible than the previous. As this tilt dragged on, each pass released by Lagway felt like it would be picked off. The signal-caller has a lot of confidence to restore.

Lagway finished 33-of-49 for 287 yards, a touchdown and the five interceptions.

Billy Napier placed the faith of the Florida program — and his job — into Lagway, and the returns so far haven’t been good. The Gators are now 1-2 and face a trip to Miami next week. (Don’t worry. After that, Florida only has games against Texas and Texas A&M. Things will be fine.)

(4) Oregon 34, Northwestern 14

One of the hardest things to accomplish in college football is blowing out Northwestern on the road. To Oregon’s credit, the Ducks just about did it, but the Wildcats added two late touchdowns. The infamous eye test is a faulty way — especially early in the season — to evaluate teams, but few squads look more promising than Oregon.

Dante Moore is a major reason why. The passer, in a season of uncertainty at the position, has vaulted himself into discussions surrounding top quarterbacks. He has staying power, too, as a former blue-chip recruit playing in an explosive offense.

Moore went 16-of-20 for 178 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

One of the quarterback’s biggest advantage is the weapons around him. Moore has a trio of talented pass catchers, including Malik Benson, Dakorien Moore and Kenyon Sadiq. Sadiq, in particular, has caught the eye of NFL scouts, and it’s easy to see why.

The tight end posted two receptions for 35 yards and a score yesterday.

Northwestern’s odds of stealing this game were diminished from the start, but Preston Stone’s struggles sealed the deal for the Wildcats. The quarterback was nonchalant with the football all afternoon, going 11-of-21 for 135 yards and two interceptions.