Category: Uncategorized

NCAAF

Tulane 31, Memphis 17

I was all set last night to watch Game 4 of the ALCS. The rain in Cleveland was heavy and constant, so as the night carried on, the odds of playing dwindled. Alas, we were left with just college football for our viewing pleasure.

Yesterday’s slate was solid, however, and it began with this contest. Tulane already has three losses, but none of them are anything for the Green Wave to hang their heads about. Memphis held all of the acclaim entering this contest, but the opportunistic Green Wave avoided a fourth defeat on the back of six takeaways.

West Florida transfer Marcus Stokes had been mostly good for Memphis this season, but last night was an abomination. The junior was responsible for five of the Tigers’ six turnovers, leaving his team with little chance of winning. Memphis outgained Tulane, 488-325, but the aforementioned mistakes were too much to overcome.

Tulane faces 5-1 UTSA next, while Memphis, with its playoff chances in peril, gets a solid East Carolina team at home.

NCAAF

Oklahoma 27, (1) Texas 24

The Red River Rivalry consistently has one of the best atmospheres in college football. It’s the rare neutral-site affair that has the juice and energy of a big game played on campus.

Oklahoma has been much maligned this season, mainly on offense. Not much changed on that end yesterday. John Mateer limped to an 18-of-26 for 155 yards line, but it was gusty, timely plays that lifted the Sooners.

In particular, a Peyton Bowen pick-six changed the energy of the contest, and a late Courtland Guillory interception set the stage for a game-winning 47-yard field goal by Tate Sandell.

The 3-2 Sooners still have tons of work to do, but a home game next week against ascendent Kentucky gives Brent Venables’ team an opportunity to get back into the mix.

Along with Bowen, Owen Heinecke starred for Oklahoma with nine tackles, including 2.5 for a loss.

Texas has oh so much to clean up. In addition to clamors from Steve Sarkisian, the school’s administration called for the team to grow up and cut back on its celebrations. The Longhorns were slightly better in that respect yesterday, but the output on the field wasn’t.

Arch Manning simply needs to be better. Texas needs him to be, as do NFL teams. It’s reasonable to expect the much-hyped signal-caller to return for another year in 2027, as he hasn’t taken the necessary steps forward this season.

Manning finished 19-of-31 for 260 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in this defeat. A solid portion of the junior’s yardage went to the talented Cam Coleman (110).

Despite the loss, I thought Texas’ defense played mostly well. Rasheem Biles was all over the place with 12 tackles, including two for a loss. Colin Simmons had two more sacks, as well. Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith should be the first overall pick in next April’s draft, even over any potential franchise quarterback. The same can be said for Simmons and second overall.

The talented edge rusher has 9.5 sacks this season and 30.5 for his career.

(2) Georgia 20, (6) Alabama 17

It always feels like there are regular calls for Georgia and Alabama to play more. After all, the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide are the two top programs in the SEC, and arguably the country. It’s reasonable for fans to want more matchups between the best teams.

The feeling hasn’t been accurate, however. Including last night’s tilt, the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide have played 10 times over the last decade, beginning with the 2017 national championship game. Alabama owned the series, both from an all-time and recent view. The tide, if you will, is turning, though.

Georgia has been the nation’s premiere program in the 2020s, and has now beaten the Crimson Tide twice in a row. Yesterday’s victory wasn’t the cleanest, but the Bulldogs regularly win tough, hard-fought games.

Gunner Stockton again led the way, going 18-of-22 for 249 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His QBR was 94.4, despite fumbling once. It’s fitting that the senior is arguably the best game manager in college football since Stetson Bennett.

Georgia and Alabama affairs are always hard-hitting and brutal. This battle was no different. Raylen Wilson and Chris Cole are simply a ridiculous linebacker duo for the Bulldogs, and they combined for 17 tackles and a sack last night. Cole’s NFL draft stock is rightfully skyrocketing.

The winner of this game was a sure bet to earn this week’s No. 1 ranking, but it obviously won’t be the Crimson Tide. Still, Alabama has a lot to feel good about.

Kalen DeBoer’s team arguably lost this game due to a lack of discipline — not talent. Dijon Lee needs to control his emotions better.

Keelon Russell’s Heisman campaign hit a speed bump last night, but his long-term outlook is still rosy. The electric sophomore went 16-of-30 for 185 yards and a touchdown, along with 41 yards on the ground. It’s fair for any young passer to struggle against Georgia.

Caleb Woodson (nine tackles) and Bray Hubbard (eight tackles and an interception) made large impacts for the Crimson Tide on defense.

Alabama faces another rivalry game next week in Knoxville. Tennessee’s offense is struggling mightily, so a bounce-back effort from Russell & Co. should result in enough points to topple the Volunteers.

(3) Notre Dame 58, Stanford 7

No Leonard Moore, no problem. The Fighting Irish were without the nation’s best cornerback, but his services weren’t needed against lowly Stanford. It’s no surprise, either, as no team has taken care of business better than Notre Dame through the first half of the regular season.

Of course, there’s a caveat. Notre Dame’s schedule has been awfully easy through six games, as the two toughest games were against Wisconsin on a neutral field and at North Carolina. The Badgers and Tar Heels are respectable opponents, but no match for the Fighting Irish.

Next week offers a loaded slate, and perhaps no game looms larger than Notre Dame at BYU. Both teams will be ranked in the top 10, and the atmosphere in Provo promises to be electric. Even still, I expect the Fighting Irish to leave Big 12 country with a resounding victory, setting the stage for another massive matchup on November 7th versus Miami.

CJ Carr wasn’t at his best in this win, though he still was 14-of-20 for 181 yards and three scores through the air. Jaden Greathouse was again moderately involved in the passing game — a good sign for Notre Dame moving forward. The junior recorded three receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, Notre Dame had its way with the Cardinal. Drayk Bowen had six tackles, Boubacar Traore had a sack and Jaiden Ausberry recovered a fumble. Again, if the Fighting Irish’s defense holds serve at BYU, Notre Dame should come away with a signature win and truly earn its eventual top-two ranking.

2-4 Stanford hosts Elon next week — a nice reprieve for Tavita Pritchard’s struggling team.

(5) Ohio State 45, Maryland 16

One-loss Ohio State has a brutal stretch ahead. The Buckeyes travel to Indiana next week and then, following a bye, to USC. After that, Ohio State hosts Oregon. The three-game run doesn’t threaten like the gauntlet it appeared to be before the season, but it’ll still test the Buckeyes heavily.

Ryan Day’s program can afford one loss over that stretch, but anything less than 3-0 would create some discomfort in Columbus. If yesterday’s performance was any indication, the three games will be challenging.

The good news, however, is that the play in this win over Maryland probably won’t carry over.

Julian Sayin was abnormally poor in this outing, going 13-of-21 for 242 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. The counting stats were good for the junior, but he fumbled twice and made several bad decisions under duress.

Fortunately for Sayin, he was backed by an effective running game. The Buckeyes tallied 207 yards on the ground, including 107 from Bo Jackson. Austin Siereveld, arguably Ohio State’s best offensive lineman, didn’t play, either. The Buckeyes might need him back against the Hoosiers, and that should be the case.

It probably shouldn’t have taken me this long to talk about Jeremiah Smith. The all-world wide receiver had his worst statistical game of the year, but he again wowed with big plays. The junior posted four catches for 93 yards and two scores, both coming from huge runs after the catch.

Ohio State surrendered 16 points, though it wasn’t from an inability to stop Maryland. The Terrapins averaged under three yards per play, and were consistently off kilter through the air.

Jaylen McClain flies around in the Buckeyes’ defensive backfield, and he helped limit Malik Washington to 64 yards and 12 completions on 25 attempts. The Maryland signal-caller has received high acclaim over the course of his two-year tenure, but his play must improve moving forward.

Freshman Zion Elee posted a sack for Maryland, but also picked up an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

The Terrapins’ schedule softens up with Rutgers, Illinois and Purdue ahead.

NCAAF

Jacksonville State 27, Kennesaw State 26

I relegated this contest to TV3 for the night, as postseason baseball took precedence. As such, I caught a few plays here and there, but wasn’t immersed into the flow of the game.

Jacksonville State lost a close battle to Kennesaw State in the Conference USA championship game last season, but the tables have turned this time around. Caden Creel is a better all-around quarterback this year. He’s been equally effective as a runner, but his passing has elevated the Gamecocks’ attack.

Creel finished 26-of-44 for 311 yards with a touchdown and interception.

The Owls are in a tailspin. KSU opened the year with a smashing of West Georgia, but have dropped four straight since. I believe in Jerry Mack as a head coach, but Kennesaw State has already matched its loss total from 2025.

NFL

Colts 30, Commanders 13

This was the first of several NFL games played in Europe this season. The idea is more radical than the league would care to admit, but the 9:30 a.m. ET kickoffs at least fill a morning void that would normally be occupied by pre-game shows and fantasy football lineup decisions.

London games have developed a reputation for being ugly and poorly played. This contest fulfilled that notion, as the Commanders played nearly the entire game with third-string quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. In the end, there were more points scored than I expected, but it wasn’t high-quality NFL play.

The Colts are, in a way, all-in on this year. Indianapolis dealt two first-round picks and Adonai Mitchell for Sauce Gardner in 2025, signaling a potential rise to contention. The franchise then doubled down, signing Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce to lucrative deals. The decisions were questionable at the time and look even worse now. Gardner, after this victory, has only two wins with the Colts.

Since storming out of the gates last season, Jones has struggled mightily with turnovers and ineffective play. Yesterday, he committed two more giveaways, while completing just 19-of-34 passes for 143 yards. It was enough to beat the depleted Commanders. It probably won’t be enough to win in Pittsburgh next week.

Facing a bottom-of-the-depth-chart signal-caller makes life easy for a defense, but Indianapolis’ stop unit still had a field day. DeForest Buckner wrecked Washington’s game plan with four tackles and three quarterback hits, while Laiatu Latu recorded 0.5 sacks and four quarterback hits. Athan Kaliakmanis had no chance.

To his credit, the seventh-round rookie was fearless, attempting several deep balls — some successful, some not. Kaliakmanis finished 15-of-33 for 186 yards, one touchdown and one pick.

The Commanders were forced to roll with Kaliakmanis after Marcus Mariota suffered a knee injury, reportedly the same malady he had with the Falcons a few years back. Jayden Daniels is dealing with a dislocated left elbow, but 1-3 Washington might need him back next week.

In what’s shaping up to potentially be another lost season in the nation’s capital, the Commanders have found a sensational rookie. Sonny Styles fell into Washington’s lap at No. 7 overall, and he’s been a perfect fit next to Frankie Luvu in Daronte Jones’ defense. Letting Bobby Wagner walk was the right decision.

Styles recorded eight tackles, one week after being named NFC Defensive Player of the Week, while Luvu made five stops.

The Commanders host the 3-1 Giants next week. Suffice to say, it’s a must-win game for Dan Quinn & Co.

NCAAF

(2) Georgia 38, Vanderbilt 14

Entering the season, this matchup was billed as a much bigger tilt than it actually was. Vanderbilt was coming off a program-defining 10-3 season, giving it enough momentum to flip hometown five-star quarterback Jared Curtis from Georgia. Between the Commodores’ rise, Curtis’ situation and Georgia being, well, Georgia, this game was circled on a few calendars.

A lot can change over the course of September, however. Vanderbilt dropped a close game at Auburn last week, softening the appeal of this affair. To make matters worse, Curtis didn’t even play yesterday due to an undisclosed short-term injury. I’m sure the former top-ranked recruit desperately wanted to suit up.

The Bulldogs haven’t yet faced the meat of their schedule. As such, I haven’t seen a ton of them this season. Next week’s battle in Tuscaloosa will certainly alter that. I can’t wait.

As for now, if the Heisman is truly a quarterback-centric honor, Gunner Stockton merits consideration. The senior has been terrific all season, and went 25-of-32 for 295 yards and three touchdowns in this win.

The Bulldogs lack an elite offensive weapon for their signal-caller, but they’re stacked with interesting playmakers. Late in the second quarter, I caught tight end Jaden Reddell taking a sweep Georgia used to call for Brock Bowers in for a score.

Vanderbilt’s schedule is a gauntlet, so leaving Athens won’t give it much of a reprieve. The Commodores take on Ole Miss next week, and later finish the year with four-straight ranked opponents.

Junior Sherrill (107 receiving yards) and CJ Heard (nine tackles and one sack) shined for the Commodores yesterday.

(3) Notre Dame 37, North Carolina 26

This game started about as well as it possibly could have for North Carolina. Notre Dame’s punt after its opening drive was nearly — and probably should have been — blocked. Then, the Tar Heels drove right down the field for a score. If Bill Belichick’s team was going to pull off a massive upset, it had the start it needed.

The weather was there for some surprises, too. Special teams suffered in the second half, as both teams had at least one mishap. In the end, though, North Carolina couldn’t stop Notre Dame on the ground when it mattered.

Jonaz Walton was heavily featured in the backfield for the Fighting Irish yesterday, and he took advantage of the opportunity. Running for 120 yards on 23 carries, he and the Notre Dame offensive line kept Billy Edwards & Co. off the field.

CJ Carr was expectedly great too, as he finished 21-of-29 for 234 yards and four scores in the aforementioned rain. The Notre Dame passer is fourth in QBR at 90.4.

This wasn’t Notre Dame’s best game by any means. Even if a late Tar Heels touchdown is ignored, the Fighting Irish let North Carolina hang around a little too closely. Stanford won’t punish Marcus Freeman’s team next week for it, but BYU could two weeks from now in Provo.

Boubacar Traore had six tackles, and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa led the way on defense for the Fighting Irish with three tackles and an interception.

North Carolina travels to Pittsburgh next week, the Panthers’ first game without injured passer Mason Heintschel.

NCAAF

(23) Missouri 38, Kansas 21

The Border War is one of the most underrated rivalries in college sports. It means the world to Missouri and Kansas fans, but it hasn’t consistently captivated the attention of the nation. The 2007 rendition, which ruined Kansas’ undefeated season, was one for the ages. Chase Daniel and Danario Alexander tortured the Jayhawks that night in Kansas City.

Yesterday’s contest wasn’t nearly as meaningful, though plenty of early-season momentum and bragging rights were at stake.

Austin Simmons had another good game for the Tigers, finishing 19-of-29 for 292 yards and three scores. Kansas could have a difficult time getting stops this year, but it was nonetheless a solid performance by Missouri — particularly in the second stanza.

Missouri faces Troy next, while Kansas faces Arizona State. The Jayhawks may be staring down a 1-2 start, especially if the Sun Devils challenge Texas A&M today.

NFL

Seahawks 13, Patriots 10

The NFL is back! Some people complained about the season starting on a Wednesday, but I didn’t mind. I’ll take real football whenever I can get it.

The Seahawks’ championship defense started off with a whimper, as Sam Darnold suffered a hip injury after attempting just two passes. The early prognosis is solid, but an MRI will tell the full story.

Drew Lock filled in for Darnold, and played well after a rocky start. Seattle struggled getting plays off in the red zone with Lock and new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, but it didn’t stop the Seahawks from roaring back. Still, the scoring unit’s performance under Fleury will be scrutinized until the results meet the standard achieved with Klint Kubiak.

Lock finished 16-of-22 for 187 yards and one touchdown.

Lock’s top target was, of course, Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year has a solid case as the best wide receiver in the NFL, and he only furthered that notion yesterday. The 24-year-old functions as the heartbeat — arguably the only heartbeat — of Seattle’s aerial offense, producing hefty numbers despite enormous amounts of attention paid to him. Smith-Njigba recorded eight receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown last night.

Smith-Njigba wasn’t the only Seahawk to excel in the win, as Seattle again outplayed New England at the line of scrimmage. Penalties were an issue for Mike Macdonald’s club, but the Seahawks should be able to hold their own without Darnold — if he misses time. Next week’s contest in Arizona could certainly be won without him.

The Patriots’ struggles weren’t limited to the lines. A conservative game plan prevented New England from building upon its 10-0 lead, allowing Seattle back into the game. Three interceptions — two of them ugly — from Drake Maye obviously didn’t help, either. Maye went 23-of-33 for 178 yards and a score aside from the picks. He also picked up 47 yards on the ground.

The Patriots couldn’t get much going running the ball outside of Maye. Perhaps the issue will be rectified once TreVeyon Henderson returns. Without the second-year back, Rhamondre Stevenson tallied only 51 yards on 18 attempts.

Besides the blown victory, the biggest story for the Patriots was A.J. Brown. The franchises’ big-ticket acquisition was mostly quiet, save for a drawn pass interference flag. Unfortunately, Brown exited the game in the second half with an ankle injury. The testing results loom large for New England, especially given Romeo Doubs’ struggles in his first game with the team.

Brown recorded 26 yards, while Doubs was shut out.

On the defensive side of the ball, rookie Gabe Jacas flashed for New England, posting a sack and two tackles for loss.

The Patriots host Pittsburgh next week, presenting a bounce-back opportunity for Mike Vrabel’s club.

MLB

Guardians 9, Orioles 5

This was one of the most important games yesterday. Yes, the AL wild-card race is feeble, but the Guardians and Orioles each had the opportunity to improve their positioning.

Advantage: Cleveland. The Guardians, thanks in part to a three-run homer by Travis Bazzana in the second inning, stormed ahead of Baltimore and never looked back. The teams will meet again this evening at Camden Yards, but it’s looking bleak for the O’s, now four games behind the Guardians.

Cleveland’s early offensive output was huge for Tanner Bibee, who struggled through 4.1 innings. The right-hander allowed five earned runs, which normally would’ve doomed him this season. Instead, he received meaningful run support, helping him avoid what would’ve been a league-leading 16th loss.

The Orioles needed a strong Brandon Young outing to keep their faint postseason hopes alive. It didn’t happen. The righty surrendered six earned runs across just 3.2 innings, raising his ERA to 3.71.

NCAAF

(7) Miami 45, Stanford 6

It’s still strange that this is an ACC game. Conference realignment — where few win besides TV executives.

Speaking of the ACC, stopping the Darian Mensah to Malachi Toney connection this season will be akin to torture for the rest of its members. Mensah’s exit from Duke was sloppy at best, but he’s a Hurricane now. His presence alone gives Miami a real chance to avenge last year’s national championship game loss and raise the trophy. The junior finished 27-of-30 for 401 yards and five touchdowns last night.

As great as Mensah was, Malachi Toney was even better. Comparison is the thief of joy, so I’m going to steer clear of measuring him against Jeremiah Smith, but Toney is one of one as an explosive weapon. In this victory, the sophomore’s route running stood out much more than last season, as Stanford was helpless covering him on nearly every route. Future contests likely won’t be as easy for Toney, but I think we’ll be hearing his name in Heisman conversations all year long.

Toney recorded 12 receptions for 234 yards and three touchdowns yesterday. He did the bulk of his damage in the first half, one Miami fans will likely remember for quite some time.

The Hurricanes, led by Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor boasted a terrifying defensive front last season. That duo is now in the NFL, landing as first-round selections, but Miami’s line still looked strong in this win. Armondo Blount and Marquise Lightfoot, in particular, were excellent. Blount posted a sack and Lightfoot tallied nine tackles.

Miami’s offensive line paled in comparison to its defensive counterpart, causing at least minor concern. Mark Fletcher only mustered 40 yards on 13 carries behind it.

The Hurricanes will receive a bit of a break until an early October trip to Clemson. Miami’s next three games are versus Florida A&M, at Wake Forest and versus Central Michigan. Yawn.

Stanford’s defense struggled mightily yesterday, but I don’t think Tavita Pritchard’s first game as the program’s head coach was all bad. Despite going just 21-of-41, Davis Warren held his own and looked much better than he did as Michigan’s signal-caller in 2024.

The Cardinal are off next week and then head to Duke. The Blue Devils will be a more fair test for where Stanford stands.

(10) Oklahoma 51, UTEP 0

I only caught some of the second half of this contest. Last night offered a few more competitive games, so I was focused on those. Also, with this game landing on SECN+, it only made it onto TV3 for me. I’ll obviously catch a ton more of the Sooners next week when they trek to Michigan.

It was easy to notice how dominant Oklahoma’s defense was in this tilt. Brent Venables finally has the stop unit he needs in Norman, led by Peyton Bowen, Jayden Jackson and Reggie Powers. Let’s hope John Mateer stays healthy to effectively quarterback the offense.

Mateer finished 11-of-17 for 225 yards and three touchdowns. He wisely didn’t utilize his legs much, recording just three carries for seven yards.

(14) USC 39, Fresno State 0

I was planning on viewing a fair amount of this tilt, but USC’s dominance prevented that. After a shaky showing in Week 0 against San Jose State, the Trojans ramped up the intensity.

Jayden Maiava was unbelievable, going 23-of-25 for 349 yards and three scores. His top two pass catchers were freshmen Trent Mosley and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, as each tallied over 100 receiving yards.

As great as USC’s passing attack was, its defense was even better, holding Fresno State to just 116 total yards. Kennedy Urlacher led the way, posting three tackles and two sacks.

USC versus Oregon looms at the end of the month. I’m getting excited.

Fresno State has plenty of work to do after this demolition. Sacramento State is up next. That should be a win for the Bulldogs.

San Jose State 27, Eastern Michigan 21

In a way, this was the game of the night. I didn’t expect it to be, but with the battle starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, it gave me an opportunity to watch before other action began.

The Spartans and Eagles played tight for the duration of the evening, with the main separator being quarterback play.

Luke Weaver vastly outplayed Noah Kim, who’s somehow still in college. Weaver finished 23-of-39 for 316 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Kim was just 24-of-43 for 174 yards, one score and one pick. The Eastern Michigan passer’s QBR was an abysmal 22.5.

My only complaint about this game was the ESPN+ broadcast. The announcers were fine, but there was no blue line for the line of scrimmage and no yellow line for first downs. Maybe I’m just a simple guy, but I would’ve preferred for them to be there.

Joey Chestnut, noted San Jose State alum, was at the game, so I suppose that makes up for it.

NCAAF

(21) Utah 66, Idaho 14

The post-Kyle Whittingham era started for Utah in last season’s Las Vegas Bowl, but it began in earnest last night. Despite the loss of the longtime head coach, expectations are still high in Salt Lake City.

Yesterday wasn’t much of a test of that optimism, however. The FCS’s Idaho is a far cry from the Utes’ next opponent, Arkansas. There’s some belief that the Razorbacks will earn a road victory, but I highly doubt it. Remember when Florida confidently strolled into Utah in 2023 and lost 24-11? I sure do.

Devon Dampier has an outside shot at being one of the best quarterbacks in the country this year, and he did nothing to dissuade that notion in this game. The senior finished 13-of-18 for 176 yards and three touchdowns, good for a 93.6 QBR.

While I maintain that Utah won’t have a ton of trouble with Arkansas next week, it’ll be a massive step up in weight class. The Razorbacks’ performance against North Alabama tomorrow almost certainly won’t tell us much.

(25) Missouri 54, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 14

There was minor consternation over Missouri’s No. 25 ranking after the preseason AP poll was released. Was the middle of the big bad SEC being propped up by voters, or was Missouri actually worthy of being ranked?

I lean towards the latter. The Tigers have a new quarterback in Austin Simmons, and while Arkansas-Pine Bluff is a cream puff of an opponent, Missouri’s offense passed the eye test yesterday. In the blowout win, the Ole Miss transfer went 17-of-19 for 252 yards and four touchdowns.

Missouri will be tested significantly more in next week’s Border War against Kansas. I think the Tigers will leave Lawrence victorious. The Jayhawks are going to miss Jalon Daniels dearly.

Massachusetts 37, Rutgers 21

I was in Europe for Week 0, rendering me unable to place bets for the season’s opening slate. Thus, my first wager of the season was on this contest. I want it back. Without a ton of thought, I took Rutgers -29.5, expecting the Scarlet Knights to trounce the Minutemen. After all, Massachusetts entered yesterday with a 16-game losing streak. Surely Rutgers was going to roll to victory.

Nope. The Scarlet Knights stormed down the field on the opening drive of the night, featuring star wide receiver KJ Duff time after time. The series predictably resulted in a touchdown for the junior, the first of three.

The fun stopped there for Rutgers. Massachusetts then proceeded to score the game’s next 30 points. Throughout Greg Schiano’s two tenures in Piscataway, it’s been fair to expect mostly stout defense. That obviously wasn’t at all the case last night, and now the veteran head coach finds himself on the hot seat.

Schiano, despite swiftly feeling the heat, entered the year with ample job security. There’s plenty of time for him to turn things around, but I don’t love the odds. Rutgers has a tricky next two games: at Boston College and versus USC. The Scarlet Knights could easily start 0-3.

Duff was the lone bright spot for the team, grabbing nine receptions for 196 yards and the aforementioned three scores. It might’ve been the wrong decision, but I commend his loyalty for not transferring from Rutgers last offseason when he surely had the opportunity.

Massachusetts, on the other hand, was flush with bright spots. All roads led back to Pop Watson, however. The senior tallied minimal experience the past three years with Virginia Tech, attempting just 62 passes. A downgrade in competition was sensible and potentially necessary.

Maybe all Watson needed was a chance. Rutgers couldn’t handle his legs, but the senior mostly led the way as a passer, going 19-of-22 for 197 yards and three touchdowns. It was a shockingly awesome performance.

Massachusetts should absolutely start 3-0, with upcoming tilts against Scared Heart and Stonehill.

UCF 73, Bethune-Cookman 6

This contest was projected to be a massive mismatch. Those predictions proved accurate almost immediately, as the Knights shellacked the Wildcats from the start. Besides a season-opening victory, I’m not sure what UCF gained from this game. We’ll find out more about Scott Frost’s team next week in Pittsburgh.

New signal-caller Alonza Barnett finished 11-of-18 for 158 yards, a touchdown and an interception for UCF.

Wake Forest 38, Akron 16

Honestly, I wanted to see more from Wake Forest. Akron is making strides under Joe Moorhead, going 5-7 a year ago, but the Demon Deacons should’ve made easier work of the Zips.

Akron looked lost trying to tackle in this battle, allowing Wake Forest to tally 559 yards. It’s a minor mystery as to how all those yards resulted in only 38 points. To be fair, the Demon Deacons posted 28 points before halftime.

I’m not a believer in Gio Lopez. After a solid season starting for South Alabama in 2024, Lopez transferred up to North Carolina. Last year couldn’t have gone much worse for him, as he only tossed 10 touchdowns amid a 4-8 campaign for the Tar Heels. It’s surprising that Wake Forest targeted him to be its top signal-caller.

Last night was a step in the right direction for the junior, however. Lopez finished 21-of-32 for 350 yards and three touchdowns. He also picked up 39 yards on the ground.

Wake Forest heads to Purdue next week for a battle of two lesser Power 4 teams.

I’m a bit intrigued by Akron’s Cibastian Broughton. The freshman passer didn’t do much yesterday, recording just 111 yards on 26 throwing attempts, but he should fare much better versus MAC competition.

Akron recently offered one of the better promotions I’ve seen in sports. Season ticket holders for the Zips were entered into a contest to help call plays during the team’s opening drive against Robert Morris next week.

Sure, importing a fan into game planning is unconventional, but for a team like Akron looking to attract eyeballs, it’s brilliant. Due to other — and better — games on at the same time next week, I won’t be tuning in, but I nonetheless commend the Zips. It’s even cooler that the program awarded a longtime season ticket holder. Sports are awesome.

NFL

Patriots sign TE Hunter Henry to two-year, $16 million contract extension

The average NFL career lasts just three seasons. For those lucky players that sign a second contract, regression normally hits before the age of 30. Even if doesn’t, those select few don’t typically improve after reaching the wrong side of 30.

Henry, to this point, has bucked every single one of those trends. The tight end, 31, is coming off his best season, one in which he posted 60 receptions for for 768 yards and seven touchdowns.

It’ll prove challenging for the veteran to match or exceed those numbers this year, especially with A.J. Brown in town. Those expectations aren’t reality for the Patriots, however. New England simply needs Henry to be serviceable, a level he’s cleared in each of his 10 professional seasons.

There’s a bit of pressure on Henry to perform. The terms of this deal aren’t a major reason, though, as this agreement is a bargain for New England. The burden on Henry is more because of who’s behind him. His projected top backup is rookie third-rounder Eli Raridon, while CJ Dippre also lurks.

The Patriots are in trouble if they lose Henry. Therefore, necessity alone makes this a good signing. The value of the extension is just a cherry on top.

NFL

Titans sign G Peter Skoronski to four-year, $100 million contract extension

Extensions are being signed across the NFL everywhere you look. I suppose I was wrong one week ago ago when I suggested that contract talks across the league would cool after Matthew Bergeron, another guard, inked his deal.

Skoronski is another player that’s earned his keep. A 2023 first-round selection, the left guard was simply average over his first two pro seasons. Something changed last year, as Skoronski performed like one of the best guards in the sport. His pass blocking, in particular, was exemplary, which makes sense considering the Northwestern product played left tackle in Evanston.

Tennessee has invested a fair bit in its offensive line to protect young signal-caller Cam Ward. Skoronski is the best of the bunch, and it’ll be on tackles Dan Moore and JC Latham to hold up their ends of the bargain. If they do, the Titans could sport a decent offense this season.

Bills sign G O’Cyrus Torrence to four-year, $78.4 million contract extension

Friday was a big day for fourth-year guards to cash in. Torrence’s deal was actually signed before Skoronski’s, perhaps setting a benchmark for the Titans blocker to (easily) eclipse.

In reality, Skoronski should’ve blown Torrence’s pact even more out of the water. The Bills right guard is unquestionably a solid starter, though he’s never been a difference maker on the line. At 26, it’s not unreasonable for Torrence to level up, but he probably is who he is at this point.

Buffalo clearly believes in him, however, making the Florida product one of the 10 highest-paid players at his position. It’s quite a reach, as Torrence has been made to look better than he actually is by blocking for Josh Allen and James Cook.

The Bills are guaranteeing Torrence $46 million, which the franchise could may come to regret. In the meantime, they’ll bank on further progression from the 2023 second-round pick.

MLB

Angels 4, Orioles 1

There was speculation over whether the Angels would trade Zach Neto at the deadline. Los Angeles, sitting at 44-71, is all but eliminated from AL postseason race, and the idea that the club would benefit from exchanging its young shortstop for highly-rated prospects was floated. The notion never made a lot of sense, however.

Neto, one of the Angels’ best players, is just 25 and controllable through 2029. The trade haul for the shortstop would’ve had to have been monumental for me to move him. In the end, common sense prevailed, and Neto is still with Los Angeles.

Of course, there’s no guarantee his stay lasts forever. The Angels seem to be in a deep rebuild, and as Neto inches toward free agency, his calculus could and likely will change.

As for yesterday, the Angels are surely thrilled they kept him. Neto finished 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs, the difference in the game.

This was a defeat the Orioles couldn’t really afford, especially with Brandon Young on the bump. The right-hander limped through 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs.

Young is now 8-3 with a 3.43 ERA.

Reds 6, Athletics 5

I’m in awe of Sal Stewart. The rookie slugger has continued to rake at a high level, thus forcing the issue in the NL Rookie of the Year race. JJ Wetherholt has been the favorite for much of the season, but Stewart has evened the odds in the recent days.

If you favor WAR, Wetherholt is the obvious choice. The Cardinals second baseman has been worth 4.5 wins this year, far exceeding Stewart’s 1.9 mark. However, Stewart wins out in the counting stats, boasting a .257 batting average, 25 home runs and 87 RBIs. This race could come down to who hits the rookie wall and who doesn’t. Stay tuned.

Stewart went 2-for-4 with a homer yesterday.

Remember when the Athletics were in the thick of the playoff race? I barely do, but the A’s were 38-38 on June 20th, alive and well with hopes of grabbing an unexpected postseason berth.

As time has gone on, talent — and inexperience — has won out, and the Athletics are 45-70. An important offseason awaits in Sacramento as the franchise’s relocation to Las Vegas looms.

MLB

Blue Jays 5, Astros 4

This game was rambling towards an obvious outcome. Entering the sixth inning, the Astros led 3-0 on the back of a no-hitter by Hunter Brown. Alas, Toronto roared to a three-run frame, thanks in part to a Jesus Sanchez home run.

On a day in which both the Rangers and Mariners won, it was a painful defeat for Houston. The Astros still hold a 1.5 game lead in the paltry AL West, but the division is up for grabs with about seven and a half weeks remaining in the regular season. The longer the race lasts, the more I like Seattle’s chances to capture the title.

The Blue Jays, coming off a World Series appearance, are nowhere to be found in the AL East race. I was a bit bewildered by the club’s moves at the trade deadline, particularly the return for Kevin Gausman from the Cubs and the package sent out for Jose Soriano to the Angels. Clearly, Toronto is aiming to contend in 2027 — should there be a season. That, I can’t fault the Jays for.

Cubs 7, Dodgers 6

What. A. Game. The Cubs building a large lead and the Dodgers mounting a strong comeback was exciting in and of itself, but the story was the performances by Pete Crow-Armstrong and Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani started the show with a leadoff homer, finishing 3-for-5 with two longballs and three RBIs. Those exploits could’ve only been exceeded by Crow-Armstrong. Serving as a designated hitter for the first time this season, the Cubs MVP candidate went 3-for-5 with two home runs and four RBIs. Suffice to say, it was a magnificent showing by both stars.

The NL MVP race should be one for the ages down the stretch. As of this morning, Crow-Armstrong and Ohtani are basically neck and neck in odds to win the award. If the Dodgers slugger doesn’t return to the mound this year, the honor is probably Crow-Armstrong’s to lose, provided he doesn’t enter a slump. Regardless, we’re in for a show from two of the game’s best.

Rangers 6, Giants 0

The Giants are in a sad state. It’s been a lost year for San Francisco in Tony Vitello’s and that was all but confirmed at the trade deadline. The 48-67 Giants made a flurry of moves, sending out six big-league players.

San Francisco was lost, so I can’t fault the club for moving on from a stable of veterans. The returns will tell the tale of the future, but the present is likely to be ugly.

In this game, the Giants had Buddy Kennedy, Grant McCray, Eddys Leonard and Drew Cavanaugh in the lineup. Honestly, I’m not privy to any of those players or their profiles, but they’re probably not MLB-caliber talents at this juncture. It’s not a bad idea for the Giants to get a look at their younger players the rest of the way, however.

NFL

Falcons sign RB Bijan Robinson to three-year, $75 million contract extension

This agreement felt inevitable, as Robinson has been a hold-in since the beginning of Falcons camp. Now, the star running back can get back to work and build on two straight phenomenal seasons.

Robinson, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 draft, was held back slightly as a rookie. His receiving exploits were immediately evident, as the Texas product tallied 58 receptions for 487 yards in Year 1. On the ground, however, Robinson was limited to 214 carries for 976 yards and four touchdowns. It’ll require a serious injury for the talented runner to dip below 1,000 yards over the next several campaigns.

Robinson broke out in 2024, posting 1,456 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns, earning him his first Pro Bowl berth. His performance last season wasn’t far behind, as the 24-year-old recorded 1,478 yards and seven scores. Those accolades led to Robinson making his first All-Pro team.

It’s fair to assume much of the same for Robinson over the remainder of his rookie deal. He’s arguably the best back in the NFL, surrounded by a decent offensive ecosystem. Even solid quarterback play for Atlanta would go a long way towards Robinson’s production exploding further.

Looking beyond Robinson’s rookie contract, this pact ties him to the Falcons through 2030. It guarantees him $51 million, too, and will clearly be used by the Lions and Jahmyr Gibbs as the two parties work on an extension for Robinson’s 2023 draft cohort. It’ll be interesting to see whether Gibbs’ new deal falls beneath Robinson’s. It should, but sometimes it’s better to sign after another player at the position resets the market. In short, Gibbs could eclipse $25 million per season, though it’s important to note that Robinson’s deal pays him up to that amount per year.

The Falcons, with a new front office and head coach, are in a state of transition. A fresh leadership team hasn’t stopped the franchise from doubling down on its offensive core, however. This offseason, Atlanta has extended Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Matthew Bergeron. Those are worthwhile investments in good players, but it feels like Atlanta is still figuring its situation out on the fly.

This season will tell us plenty about where the Falcons are at. In a paltry NFC South, that might just be the postseason.

MLB

Angels receive:
SS Arjun Nimmala
RF Eddie Micheletti
SP Angel Rivero

Blue Jays receive:
SP Jose Soriano

In recent seasons, we’ve seen clubs thread the needle of buying and selling around the trade deadline. The Blue Jays are doing just that, as Toronto recently shipped out Kevin Gausman and is now bringing in Soriano. The difference between the two hurlers, of course, is team control. Gausman’s deal expires at the end of the year, while Soriano is controllable via arbitration through 2028.

It’s still nonetheless an interesting pivot by Toronto. Soriano, aided by a strong start to the campaign, is having a solid season. He’s pitched to a 9-6 record and 3.29 ERA, anchoring an otherwise shaky Los Angeles staff. The right-hander will again be asked to be a headliner north of the border.

The Angels are receiving a nice haul for Soriano, even if it’s top heavy. Shortstop Arjun Nimmala, baseball’s No. 39 prospect, is the headliner. Los Angeles has elevated promising prospects quickly in the past, so it wouldn’t be stunning if Nimmala made his big-league debut as soon as 2027.

The other two players heading to the Angels, Micheletti and Rivero, were unranked in Toronto’s system, though neither can be written off as a future contributor.

Giants receive:
SP Ramon Marquez
RP Marty Gair

Phillies receive:
2B Luis Arraez
RP Caleb Kilian

Arraez lingered on the free agent wire for much the winter, left without myriad suitors due to his unique profile. The infielder is among the game’s best at generating contact at the plate. This season has been no different for Arraez, as he’s hitting .324. His power has still been muted, with just four homers. The issue entering this year, however, was the 29-year-old’s defense.

Arraez struggled at second base towards the end of his tenure with the Marlins, prompting a move to first base with the Padres. His defense was passable there, though his power wasn’t. As such, he was an odd fit for presumptive suitors in free agent.

The veteran finally inked a one-year, $12 million contract with San Francisco before the season, which gave him a runway to move back to second base. Arraez has more than thrived in his return to the position, making him a prime trade candidate.

In the end, he lands with Philadelphia, which boasts a lineup that Arraez theoretically fits perfectly into at the top. He’s joined by Kilian, a passable right-handed reliever, in the package.

Kilian holds a 4.26 ERA this season.

Marquez is the headliner going back to San Francisco. The righty was ranked fourth in the Phillies’ system, and at just 20, possesses a pitch mix good enough to serve as an MLB starter in the future.

Gair holds some value, too, though he’s more of a long-shot bet by the Giants.

Mariners receive:
LF Taylor Ward

Orioles receive:
RP Alex Hoppe
RP Brock Moore
SP Harrison Kreiling

The Mariners, like the Blue Jays, are towing the line of buying and selling. It makes more sense for Seattle, as it’s in the hunt for the division and wild card.

The M’s have struggled to hit all season, so adding Ward, an established slugger, fits all the right motives. The price is reasonable, too, as none of Hoppe, Moore and Kreiling are high-ceiling prospects.

The Orioles are in similar position as the Mariners, though Baltimore is all but eliminated from the AL East race. Still, I would’ve expected the O’s to land a better return for Ward.

The left fielder is batting .246 with seven home runs and 30 RBIs this season. His on-base percentage is a career-best .383.

Mets receive:
SP Gabe Davis
RP Zach Franklin

White Sox receive:
RP Huascar Brazoban

This trade deadline has been about adding pitching for the White Sox. Chicago swung a fairly significant deal for Luis Castillo on Saturday, inserting a veteran arm to its young rotation. In Brazoban, the South Siders are augmenting a bullpen that could use some work as fall approaches.

The price for Brazoban, controllable through 2029, is surprisingly low. The Mets are committed sellers, but all the White Sox are relinquishing are Davis, the franchise’s No. 18 prospect, and Franklin, a 27-year-old minor-league reliever. For a player that could pitch key innings in October, it’s a modest return at best for New York.

Brazoban has a 2.56 ERA — a career best — over 52.2 innings this season for the Mets.

NFL

Falcons sign G Matthew Bergeron to four-year, $96 million contract extension

Training camps are off and running. The reality of live-action football naturally cools the spirit of contract negotiations. As such, we may see fewer and fewer extensions reached as the regular season approaches.

For now, teams and agents continue to hammer out deals. Bergeron is the latest player rewarded for his efforts.

The 39th overall selection in 2023, Bergeron has started every game he’s played for Atlanta, anchoring an offensive line that’s undergone some turmoil. To his credit, the Syracuse product has been a steadying force, particularly in the running game. He’ll have to level up further to live up to this contract, though that’s not out of question given his age (26).

NFL

Browns sign S Grant Delpit to three-year, $48 million contract extension

It’s been a busy week of business for the Browns’ front office. Training camp is underway, but that hasn’t stopped Cleveland from securing two stalwart defensive backs.

First, it was Denzel Ward. The Browns made him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history earlier this week with a two-year, $62.2 million extension. Now, Delpit cashes in, albeit at a lesser amount.

The agreements will help stabilize a subpar Cleveland roster. After trading Myles Garrett to the Rams, the Browns need all the talent they can get. However, the franchise overpaid — both for Ward and Delpit.

Delpit has been a fine starter since his rookie season. He has 451 career tackles in five years to go along with seven interceptions. The LSU product has never quite hit the high ceiling his status as a former Jim Thorpe Award winner would suggest, though. The Browns would’ve been better off going younger at safety, as the team has drafted well in recent years.

Delpit posted 89 tackles and one interception in 2025.

NFL

Eagles sign DT Jalen Carter to four-year, $152 million contract extension

The Eagles are resetting the defensive tackle market with this extension. $106 million of the total package is fully guaranteed, making Carter the highest-paid player ever at his position in that respect, too.

This is an odd gamble by the normally shrewd Eagles. Carter is entering his fourth pro season, so Philadelphia had another year, maybe more, to evaluate whether to pay the 25-year-old. Additional time could’ve benefited the franchise, as the uber-talented Carter has had an up-and-down first three years.

The Georgia product was dominant as a rookie, registering six sacks and two forced fumbles. His play in 2024 was of similar caliber, though his sack total dwindled to 4.5. Carter was slightly worse last season, as he played in only 12 games and was less disruptive.

That said, the arrow isn’t pointing downward for the defensive tackle. Carter’s aging curve suggests he’s just entering his prime, and Philadelphia should benefit from his elite play over the next several seasons. The issue, however, is that the Eagles are paying a premium for Carter’s services before they need to. Natural ability will need to win out for this agreement to bear fruit. With the erratic Carter, that’s no guarantee.

Carter posted 33 tackles and three sacks in 2025.

Vikings sign OT Brian O’Neill to four-year, $96 million contract extension

O’Neill had one season remaining on his original contract. The right tackle is now signed through 2030.

O’Neill has been consistently good for the Vikings, making two Pro Bowls over the course of his first eight years. At 30, slight regression is possible as soon as this season, though there’ve been no signs of that yet. It’s reasonable to assume that O’Neill will continue to serve as a very good bookend to Christian Darrisaw.

Whether it be Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy, whomever starts at quarterback will need strong blocking.

NBA

Warriors sign PF Draymond Green to one-year, $27.7 million contract

Around one month ago, Green opted out of this exact deal. In doing so, the four-time All-Star was creating flexibility for the Warriors in case larger moves were to be made. Alas, it’s been a quiet summer for Golden State, perhaps culminating with Green’s predictable return.

The careerlong Warrior toiled on the free-agent market for much of the summer, but there was never any doubt where he would be playing this season. Green no longer offers much of anything as a scorer, instead focusing on serving as a hub and screener. That still works for Golden State, as the 36-year-old’s always-elite defense continues to make him a solid starter. For at least one more year, that’ll continue to be his role for Steve Kerr’s Warriors.

Beyond that, it’s hard to get a grasp on the franchise’s plan. Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the front office struck out on numerous star-fetching attempts this offseason, leaving the roster eerily similar to the 37-45 outfit it was last year. Golden State landed Yaxel Lendeborg in the late lottery, but he’s unlikely to shift the team’s calculus significantly as a rookie.

Therefore, the Warriors are, in essence, running it back this season — one year older and one year less durable. Jimmy Butler’s return at some point will help, but Stephen Curry, Green & Co. could have less assistance than ever.

Golden State is a big swing or rebuild away from making sense.

Green averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game last season.

NFL

Dolphins sign LB Jordyn Brooks to three-year, $51.3 million contract extension

The mantra for rebuilding organizations is to get younger, cheaper and, in many cases, worse. Over the course of the past year, the Dolphins have checked all three boxes. Miami should be dreadful this season.

While charting a long-term strategy, the Dolphins have prioritized keeping three franchise pillars — three veterans — around. Miami previously inked talented running back De’Von Achane and stalwart center Aaron Brewer to big-money extensions, signaling a commitment to the team’s very best players.

Now, the Dolphins are showing the same loyalty to Brooks. The 28-year-old posted a whopping 183 tackles last year, which somehow wasn’t even a career best for the linebacker. Last season, however, was Brooks’ best season, as his anchoring of Miami’s defense earned him first-team All-Pro honors.

Under head coach Jeff Hafley, Brooks will be adjusting to a new scheme, though he’s no stranger to change. The veteran played his first four seasons with the Seahawks prior to breaking out with the Dolphins. Entering year seven, Brooks should still have plenty left in the tank. Given this agreement, Miami sure thinks so.

Along with his 183 tackles, Brooks recorded 3.5 sacks in 2025.

MLB

Dodgers 2, Phillies 1

Was this showdown a potential NLCS preview? That remains to be seen — the Brewers would have something to say about it — but for July standards, it’s a series worth getting excited for.

After two shaky seasons to begin his career, Justin Wrobleski has been nothing short of brilliant this year for the Dodgers. Going toe-to-toe with Zack Wheeler, the left-hander outdueled the Phillies’ ace, tossing 6.1 innings of one-run ball. If Los Angeles can count on Wrobleski to make strong starts in the postseason, it makes the club even bigger favorites to three-peat.