College Football Blitz recaps the most important developments from the day's top games and examin...

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CFB Blitz: Week 7 takeaways

<p><em>College Football Blitz recaps the most important developments from the day's top games and examines their significance moving forward.</em></p><h3>Miami wins state championship</h3><p>Miami's clearly established itself as the best the state of Florida has to offer this year, even with some trademark questionable clock management from Mario Cristobal down the stretch Saturday at Florida State. The final 28-22 score didn't tell the whole story - the Seminoles' final 17 points in the fourth quarter were a bit of a "lipstick on a pig" situation.</p><p>Sometimes it takes a deep dive to decipher what separated two teams, but it was crystal clear in this case: Florida State couldn't stop turning the ball over and Miami kept the stat sheet clean. Two Tommy Castellanos interceptions and an Ousmane Kromah fumble gave the Hurricanes quality field position throughout. As a result, Miami had to run just 59 plays all night, with four of those producing touchdown passes from Carson Beck. His preferred target was once again freshman Malachi Toney, who took in multiple long touchdowns.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">MALACHI TONEY RUNS IT IN AGAIN 😤 <br><br>Watch Miami-Florida State on ABC and the ESPN App <a href="https://t.co/DVDLKmQS6V">pic.twitter.com/DVDLKmQS6V</a></p>— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1974653057938952499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Hurricanes have now completed the Sunshine State trifecta with victories over Florida, South Florida, and Florida State. In a year already filled with upsets, Miami's looked like one of the most complete teams in the country.</p><p>There are now zero ranked teams left on the Hurricanes' schedule, giving them a seemingly comfortable path to both the ACC title game and the College Football Playoff. Of course, this is Cristobal's Miami, which fell short in the same situation last season - but this first month suggests "The U" might truly be back.</p><p>As for the Seminoles, their season-opening win over Alabama becomes more puzzling by the week. Back-to-back ACC losses drop them to 1-9 in their last 10 conference games.</p><h3>Ohio State's defense is ... better?</h3><p>With NFL pros littered across the field last season, Ohio State's defense led the country by allowing just 12.9 points per game en route to the national title. The offseason saw eight of 11 starters depart and coordinator Jim Knowles leave for rival Penn State ... and it hasn't mattered whatsoever. The Buckeyes' defense hasn't just maintained its elite level - it's elevated to a place we haven't seen in a long time.</p><p>Forget betting anytime touchdown scorers for Ohio State opponents - the Buckeyes are allowing five points per contest through five games. The latest victim is Minnesota, a team held below 100 yards passing and 75 yards rushing in a 38-point blowout. Outside of Caleb Downs, these Buckeyes names might not impress like last year's defensive roster, but it's the first week of October. Give it time and the likes of Sonny Styles, Caden Curry and Payton Pierce will get the respect they deserve.</p><h3>Nasty Texas A&amp;M is back</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804275/cropped_GettyImages-2239273453.jpg?ts=1759633338" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804275/w220xh124_GettyImages-2239273453.jpg?ts=1759633338 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804275/w320xh180_GettyImages-2239273453.jpg?ts=1759633338 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804275/w640xh360_GettyImages-2239273453.jpg?ts=1759633338 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804275/w768xh432_GettyImages-2239273453.jpg?ts=1759633338 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804275/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2239273453.jpg?ts=1759633338 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jack Gorman / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Texas A&amp;M was able to avoid defeat, but allowing 86 points across its opening three games was a surprise for a Mike Elko-coached team. The defensive wizard made his career on nasty, hard-nosed football, only to see the Aggies getting involved in weekly shootouts. Consider the nastiness back in College Station - just ask Auburn and Mississippi State.</p><p>Last week versus the Tigers, the Aggies rushed for 207 yards and allowed 177. Saturday, Texas A&amp;M racked up 300 yards on the ground against 219 total yards for the Bulldogs. It doesn't take an advanced degree in football to understand you'll probably win 99% of games where you outrush the opponent's entire offensive output.</p><h3>That's the Nico UCLA wanted</h3><p>There are 136 programs at the FBS level. Before Saturday, 135 of them had led at some point in a game this season. The only one that hadn't was a UCLA team that's already fired its head coach and offensive coordinator. Surely that state of affairs wouldn't change with No. 7 Penn State coming to town, right? Turns out, the secret to unlocking Nico Iamaleava and the Bruins' attack was 33-year-old Jerry Neuheisel - a man who had never served as an offensive coordinator before this game.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/mQc4pejrt1">pic.twitter.com/mQc4pejrt1</a></p>— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) <a href="https://twitter.com/nocontextcfb/status/1974597870038011993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Iamaleava dominated Penn State's defense, throwing for 166 yards and two touchdowns while running 16 times for 128 yards and three scores. The Bruins outgained Penn State 435 to 357 in yardage - a staggering number considering UCLA entered the game 120th in the country in offense. This is a Nittany Lions defense led by arguably the best coordinator in the country, Jim Knowles, who just got schooled by a man making his debut as play-caller.</p><p>If UCLA is going to get this kind of performance from Nico going forward, the Bruins are a threat to anyone left on their schedule. If not, they can still be happy about playing spoiler to a Penn State team that started the season No. 2 and is now 0-2 in Big Ten play.</p><h3>Wilson might save Napier's job</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804237/cropped_GettyImages-2239261809.jpg?ts=1759622110" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804237/w220xh124_GettyImages-2239261809.jpg?ts=1759622110 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804237/w320xh180_GettyImages-2239261809.jpg?ts=1759622110 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804237/w640xh360_GettyImages-2239261809.jpg?ts=1759622110 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804237/w768xh432_GettyImages-2239261809.jpg?ts=1759622110 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804237/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2239261809.jpg?ts=1759622110 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">James Gilbert / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Billy Napier's isn't going to get away with this again, is he? The Florida head coach's firing seemed inevitable last season before the Gators ripped off four straight wins - two against ranked opponents - to close the season and save his job. If he somehow dodges a pink slip this time, it'll likely be due to the performance of freshman receiver Dallas Wilson.</p><p>Wilson arrived on campus with tons of hype but had yet to play this season due to injury. Once he hit the field, the woeful Florida offense's fortunes shifted. Texas was powerless against Wilson, and DJ Lagway looked like a future NFL quarterback again. The nation's 116th-ranked offense was suddenly explosive, with Lagway hitting Wilson for six catches, 111 yards, and two scores. The Gators put up over 450 yards on the nation's second-ranked defense and held a double-digit lead for almost the entire second half.</p><p>Saving Napier's job is still borderline impossible: The Gators face five ranked opponents in their last seven games and need to run the table to have any shot at the playoff. Wilson's emergence offers Napier the slightest glimmer of hope. If nothing else, whoever takes over in Gainesville next season will have plenty of talent to work with on offense.</p><h3>2nd-half Alabama restored order</h3><p>Through the opening 30 minutes of action in Tuscaloosa, it looked as though Vanderbilt might do the unthinkable and take down Alabama for the second season in a row. The game was tied 14-14 and the Commodores were holding their own on the road against the Crimson Tide. But in the second half, Alabama reasserted its place above the plucky underdog and among the class of the SEC.</p><p>In the second frame, the Crimson Tide outscored the visitors 16-0, outgained them by over 100 yards, held them to 9 yards rushing, and kept the ball for 19 of the 30 minutes. That's just about the perfect script for salting away a home victory. Hopefully you got your Ty Simpson Heisman bet in weeks ago, because there's not much value left on the budding star passer for the Tide. With 340 more yards and two touchdowns, Simpson has topped the 1,400-yard mark this season with 13 scoring passes against one interception.</p><p>Last October's Vanderbilt upset was one of the most electric scenes of the year, but its main catalyst struggled to replicate the result on the road. Although Diego Pavia made plays early, two interceptions and a fumble doomed any chance the Commodores had.</p><p>This Tide win is the latest in a ridiculous stretch featuring six ranked opponents in seven games. If Simpson can keep dissecting defenses like he's done the past two weeks, they might just run the whole table.</p><h3>Polls were dead wrong</h3><p>The preseason AP poll ranked Texas and Penn State at No. 1 and 2, respectively. Even with one loss each, the most recent AP poll still considered them top-10 teams. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3355749" href="https://thescore.com/news/3355749">We kept both programs outside that threshold</a> earlier this week based solely on their mutual lack of power conference wins - and both teams proved we were right to be skeptical with Saturday's road losses as favorites.</p><p>Penn State's defeat at UCLA is by far the more egregious setback (see above). The Nittany Lions looked like the second-best team on the field the entire game and their passing attack once again failed to unlock explosive plays, with Drew Allar's 19 completions going for just 200 yards. We've heard for years that the Nittany Lions lack legit receiving options for Allar. We'll buy that against teams like Oregon, but given the way UCLA has played this year, the Nittany Lions should have been able to get production from their equipment managers out wide.</p><p>However, Penn State's real issue Saturday was coaching: An interim boss and a first-time play-caller seemed significantly more prepared than James Franklin and Knowles. An early Bruins touchdown and surprise onside kick immediately indicated this wouldn't be the soft matchup many expected. The end result was the first loss by a top-10 team to an 0-4 program in the last 40 years.</p><p>A loss in The Swamp is much more digestible regardless of how Florida looks, but Texas now heads into the Red River Rivalry without a power conference win. It's easy to go after Arch Manning for two more interceptions, but the Gators' defense lived in the Texas backfield all game. Six sacks, eight hurries, and seven tackles for loss ruined any offensive progress for the Longhorns.</p><p>With the 12-team playoff, both teams still control their own destiny if they win out. However, it's almost all power conference competition the rest of the way for Penn State and Texas. If the first six weeks of the season are any indication, that's bad news for both.</p><h3>Facing Belichick cures all offensive woes</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804239/cropped_GettyImages-2238811471.jpg?ts=1759622169" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804239/w220xh124_GettyImages-2238811471.jpg?ts=1759622169 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804239/w320xh180_GettyImages-2238811471.jpg?ts=1759622169 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804239/w640xh360_GettyImages-2238811471.jpg?ts=1759622169 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804239/w768xh432_GettyImages-2238811471.jpg?ts=1759622169 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/804239/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2238811471.jpg?ts=1759622169 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Struggling to score? Can't move the ball or generate explosive plays no matter what? Have no fear, there's a cure for all that ails your offense: a healthy dose of Bill Belichick's North Carolina defense.</p><p>Clemson's offense has been one of the nation's more disappointing units, failing to score 28 points in an entire game yet this season. That continued Saturday as the Tigers went up against arguably the greatest defensive mind in the history of football - just kidding! The Tigers hit the 28-point mark before the end of the first quarter in Chapel Hill, taking a 28-3 advantage after 15 minutes. The 28-3 scoreline might bring up fond memories from Belichick's NFL days, but Tom Brady ain't walking through that door - which might be the main reason the legendary coach has looked anything but since the quarterback left New England.</p><p>By halftime, Clemson piled up 367 yards of total offense and 14 first downs while averaging 10.2 yards per play and 14.8 yards per completion. Nobody summed up the Belichick experience thus far better than this student on the broadcast.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">ESPN shares an interview with a UNC student going into commercial, with Clemson leading 28-3.<br><br>"TCU was... I went to that game. And that was, that was one of the saddest feelings I've had in University so far. I've failed midterms before, so that's saying something." 🏈💀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFB</a> <a href="https://t.co/RekRjA0cAx">pic.twitter.com/RekRjA0cAx</a></p>— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) <a href="https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing/status/1974526243442933937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>North Carolina is arguably the worst power conference team, which is astonishing given the fanfare surrounding Belichick's hire. According to <a href="https://x.com/JoshDubowAP/status/1974562110110888159">Josh Dubow of the Associated Press</a>, Belichick's Tar Heels have been outscored by other power conference teams by 29 points per game - the second-worst margin among that cohort.</p><p>The Tigers and Tar Heels were both coming off bye weeks, an opportunity to turn things around after rough starts to the season. You'll never guess which head coach made headlines when he was spotted in Nantucket during that time and which one said he spent the week "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MsVkL_A4HU">self-scouting and evaluating everything</a>."</p><h3>46 straight completions?!</h3><p>This column doesn't usually touch on FCS football, but completing 46 straight passes in a single game deserves a mention. That's exactly what Western Carolina's Taron Dickens did in a 23-21 victory over Wofford on Saturday. That set the new NCAA record for most consecutive completions in a game - and likely the most at any level of football ever. Dickens finished 53-for-56 for 378 yards and three touchdowns. That stat line raises an obvious question: How did the offense only score 23 points?</p>

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CFB Blitz: Week 6 takeaways

Conference play is heating up across the country as the calendar flips to October, and Week 6 is ...

<p>Conference play is heating up across the country as the calendar flips to October, and Week 6 is already upon us.</p><p>With the AP poll dropping weekly, voters are often beholden to how they ranked teams in the preseason for the first month of the schedule. We are under no such restrictions, free to put teams wherever we like based solely on how they have played thus far.</p><p>Without further delay, here's how we see the rankings through the September portion of the 2025 calendar.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>1. Ohio State (4-0)</h3><p>The Buckeyes have played four games and allowed a total of two touchdowns. Julian Sayin looked like a seasoned veteran in his first road start and it appears a new standout running back has emerged in Bo Jackson. The rest of the nation should be afraid - very afraid.</p><h3>2. Oregon (5-0)</h3><p>The Ducks now have the best win of the season - on the road in front of over 100,000 screaming fans in the "White Out" at Penn State. Dante Moore appears to be a full-blown star, and Oregon's on a collision course with Ohio State in the Big Ten title game.</p><h3>3. Miami (4-0)</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801200/cropped_GettyImages-2235284418.jpg?ts=1757817237" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801200/w220xh124_GettyImages-2235284418.jpg?ts=1757817237 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801200/w320xh180_GettyImages-2235284418.jpg?ts=1757817237 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801200/w640xh360_GettyImages-2235284418.jpg?ts=1757817237 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801200/w768xh432_GettyImages-2235284418.jpg?ts=1757817237 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801200/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2235284418.jpg?ts=1757817237 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Carmen Mandato / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The season-opening win over Notre Dame looks better by the week for Miami, and the South Florida blowout should age well as the Bulls enter conference play. A major test awaits with the first road trip of the season taking the Hurricanes to Florida State on Saturday for a rivalry game.</p><h3>4. Ole Miss (5-0)</h3><p>The Lane train is rolling after an impressive home win over LSU on Saturday. That pushes the Rebels to 5-0 with three conference victories already on the resume. Trinidad Chambliss looks like a star in the making - something he will need to be for back-to-back road games at Georgia and Oklahoma in a few weeks.</p><h3>5. Texas A&amp;M (4-0)</h3><p>Will Texas A&amp;M be the fifth-best team in the country at the end of season? No, probably not. But that road win at Notre Dame carries a ton of weight as one of the best in the season's first month. The Aggies need to pile up the wins now with four of their last five SEC games on the road.</p><h3>6. Oklahoma (4-0)</h3><p>The uncertainty around John Mateer's injury keeps Oklahoma out of the top five for this set of rankings. However, even without Mateer in the lineup, a dominant defense gives the Sooners a chance against Texas in the Red River Rivalry two weeks from now.</p><h3>7. Alabama (3-1)</h3><p>Rumours of Alabama's demise may have been premature. The Crimson Tide rebounded in style from a season-opening loss at Florida State with back-to-back blowout victories before ending Georgia's 33-game home winning streak last weekend.</p><h3>8. Indiana (5-0)</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802164/cropped_GettyImages-2235992011.jpg?ts=1759284406" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802164/w220xh124_GettyImages-2235992011.jpg?ts=1759284406 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802164/w320xh180_GettyImages-2235992011.jpg?ts=1759284406 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802164/w640xh360_GettyImages-2235992011.jpg?ts=1759284406 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802164/w768xh432_GettyImages-2235992011.jpg?ts=1759284406 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802164/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2235992011.jpg?ts=1759284406 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Indiana almost got Iowa'd on Saturday, but Curt Cignetti's outfit is now 2-0 in Big Ten play with a 53-point win over ranked Illinois on the resume. The Hoosiers won't be here long, with a trip to Oregon waiting after their bye week. Win that one and they might just be No. 1.</p><h3>9. Florida State (3-1)</h3><p>Yes, Florida State is behind Alabama despite beating the Tide in Week 1 and holding the same record. However, Alabama just ended the nation's longest home winning streak with an impressive win at Georgia while the Seminoles fell to Virginia. That gives the nod to the Tide, but a home win over Miami this weekend could move Florida State back ahead.</p><h3>10. Georgia (3-1)</h3><p>The three-point loss at home to Alabama actually flattered Georgia, as the Crimson Tide dominated most of that contest. The Bulldogs still have the road win at Tennessee on their resume, enough to keep them in the No. 10 slot.</p><h3>11. LSU (4-1)</h3><p>LSU has a lights-out defense that is strong enough to win the SEC with an offense that remains a question mark weekly. The Clemson and Florida wins didn't prop up the Tigers' resume as we would've expected, but they remain much stronger victories than a number of teams on this list possess.</p><h3>12. Texas Tech (4-0)</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802080/cropped_GettyImages-2235966671.jpg?ts=1759284320" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802080/w220xh124_GettyImages-2235966671.jpg?ts=1759284320 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802080/w320xh180_GettyImages-2235966671.jpg?ts=1759284320 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802080/w640xh360_GettyImages-2235966671.jpg?ts=1759284320 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802080/w768xh432_GettyImages-2235966671.jpg?ts=1759284320 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802080/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2235966671.jpg?ts=1759284320 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Three home wins over teams outside the power conferences don't move the needle much for Texas Tech, but a 24-point victory on the road at Utah sure does. Don't look now, but there's a very real chance the Red Raiders end the season undefeated, with No. 23 BYU and No. 25 Arizona State the only ranked opponents remaining on their schedule.</p><h3>13. Vanderbilt (5-0)</h3><p>Vanderbilt ahead of Texas and Penn State? We have a rule in our rankings: Good losses don't outweigh zero power conference wins. The Longhorns and Nittany Lions have yet to beat a team in a major conference this season. The Commodores have two such wins and are 5-0 on the season with every victory by at least 20 points. All of this could change Saturday at Alabama, but right now, Vanderbilt's resume is worth the No. 13 slot.</p><h3>14. Texas (3-1)</h3><p>Have we reached the point where we feel comfortable about the Texas offense? No. Is the defense good enough on its own to make the playoff? Yes. The Longhorns face their toughest test since Week 1 with Florida this weekend. How Arch Manning and the offense produces will tell us if they are serious SEC contenders.</p><h3>15. Penn State (3-1)</h3><p>Penn State was highly ranked to start the season and will likely be there again at the end of the season. However, right now, it's a 3-1 team with zero wins over power conference opponents and an overtime home loss to Oregon. The Nittany Lions could have easily won that contest over the Ducks, but the loss drops them well back ... for now.</p>

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CFB rankings: September's top 15 teams

theScore provides insights and analysis from the final day of the Ryder Cup. (All times ET).  5:5...

<p><em>theScore provides insights and analysis from the final day of the Ryder Cup. (All times ET).</em></p><p><strong>5:55 p.m. -</strong> And that's a wrap. The final match between Robert MacIntyre and Sam Burns ended in a draw to make the final margin 15-13 in favor of the Europeans. Nobody would have believed that the Europeans would win the Ryder Cup with only one singles victory Sunday, but that's exactly what happened, thanks to a dominant showing in the four team sessions. Next up is Adare Manor in Ireland in two years, an event that McIlroy and Lowry will certainly be circling on their calendars.</p><p><strong>5:40 p.m. -</strong> First, the Cup was retained, and now it's officially been won. Tyrrell Hatton supplied another half point for the visitors to push them to 14.5 total and secure the victory. The final day was certainly more dramatic - and stressful - than the Europeans hoped for, but they prevailed in the end. During the victory press conference in Rome two years ago, McIlroy declared that the Europeans would win again in New York. Turns out, he was right.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>5:15 p.m. -</strong> It's over! Shane Lowry came to the 18th needing to win the hole and secure a half point for Europe to retain the Cup, and that's exactly what he did. Lowry held the advantage after Henley found the fairway bunker off the tee, but the American hit an incredible shot to 10 feet to the delight of the raucous crowd. However, Lowry answered with a brilliant approach to six feet on the same line as Henley's putt. After the American came up short, Lowry poured his in the middle to set off the celebrations on the side of the 18th. The event marks the first road victory in the Ryder Cup since the Europeans won in 2012.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">SHANE LOWRY COMES UP CLUTCH TO RETAIN THE RYDER CUP! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamEurope?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamEurope</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OurTimeOurPlace?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OurTimeOurPlace</a> <a href="https://t.co/Q6LKpWr0aQ">pic.twitter.com/Q6LKpWr0aQ</a></p>— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyderCupEurope/status/1972411241345044715?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>4:45 p.m. -</strong> Scottie is on the board. After a stunning 0-4-0 start to the week at Bethpage, Scheffler finally grabbed that elusive first point with a 2-up win over McIlroy. Both players were clearly exhausted during the match after playing all five sessions, something that dampened the form in the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 singles match in Ryder Cup history. However, Scheffler showed enough of his all-world ability down the stretch to pull ahead and get the victory.</p><p><strong>4:35 p.m. -</strong> Europe is on the cusp with only a half-point needed in the final six matches to secure the win. Aberg gave the visitors their first win of the day with a 2&amp;1 victory over Cantlay while Fitzpatrick settled for a tie despite once holding a 5-up lead over DeChambeau. That's the good news for Europe. The bad news: The Americans lead in four of the final six matches with the other two currently tied. This is far from over.</p><p><strong>4:23 p.m. -</strong> We've got a Ryder Cup! Thomas pours in a 12-footer on the last to finally take down Fleetwood and win 1-up. Two straight birdies for the Americans on the final hole to deliver crucial wins have the crowd in a frenzy, and for the first time, the outcome is in legitimate question.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">JT FOR COUNTRY <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoUSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoUSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/YHIV8mByZv">pic.twitter.com/YHIV8mByZv</a></p>— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyderCupUSA/status/1972397700956967115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Thomas now improves to a perfect 4-0-0 in singles play at the Ryder Cup.</p><p><strong>4:10 p.m. -</strong> The comeback is on! Young lit the fuse in the first match of the day with an emphatic birdie on the final hole to keep a charging Justin Rose at bay and win 1-up. There's still plenty of work to be done to erase the massive deficit, but there's hope as cheers ring throughout Bethpage.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">CAMERON. YOUNG. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoUSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoUSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/nOwwjdNMiN">pic.twitter.com/nOwwjdNMiN</a></p>— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyderCupUSA/status/1972394313905590324?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>3:55 p.m. -</strong> Bryson's charge continues! DeChambeau added another win with a brilliant iron shot to the 15th, electrifying the crowd in the process. That makes three holes in a row for the American to cut the deficit to just one with three to play. It's crucial that the U.S. gets a full point from DeChambeau, so his work is far from done.</p><p><strong>3:40 p.m. -</strong> Bryson is doing his best to keep the crowd involved. DeChambeau looked like a shell of himself for much of the match, while Fitzpatrick raced out to a 5-up lead through seven holes. However, DeChambeau has battled back with two straight wins and is now 2-down with four holes to play. The crowd follows the beefy LIV Golf star wherever he goes, and he's playing to that energy with every putt he holes. Will he get the job done or will he run out of holes?</p><p><strong>3:20 p.m. -</strong> The oldest man in the event continues to be a thorn in the side of the American team. Rose, who was at the center of the most heated moment Saturday, once again found himself firmly in the mix, thanks to an outrageous recovery shot on No. 13. After a lengthy rules discussion that involved American captain Bradley, Rose dropped his ball in a precarious position at the par 5. The veteran wasn't bothered, hitting a ridiculous pitch for an ensuing birdie. He added another at the next hole to narrow Young's 3-up lead to just one.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"THAT'S A GOLF SHOT!" <br><br>Justin Rose, that's incredible 🤯<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamEurope?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamEurope</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OurTimeOurPlace?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OurTimeOurPlace</a> <a href="https://t.co/Nr4psuIj1v">pic.twitter.com/Nr4psuIj1v</a></p>— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyderCupEurope/status/1972379483765416142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>3:05 p.m. -</strong> Considering how Fleetwood has performed this week, taking him down would require a herculean effort. Thomas seems up to that task, pushing the pedal down with three straight wins to flip the match from a deficit to a 1-up advantage heading to No. 13. Thomas has long been the heartbeat of the American team. Seeing him best Fleetwood in the second match of the day would spark a glimmer of hope for the hosts.</p><p><strong>2:50 p.m. -</strong> McIlroy finally appears to be out of gas after playing four sessions under the immense pressure of match play and incessant heckling by the crowd. Sunday's marquee match versus Scheffler has largely been a pillow fight of sorts, with both players sitting 1-over for the day through 11 holes. McIlroy is 1-down after Scheffler claimed the 11th hole with a bogey.</p><p><strong>2:40 p.m. -</strong> Young is delivering on Captain Bradley's idea to put him out first in Sunday singles in a big way. With a clutch par putt from distance on No. 12, the New York native now has a 3-up edge on Rose. Young's been a breakout star in this Ryder Cup and could see a career bump like Scheffler as a result. Scheffler was the young standout talent on the the dominant U.S. team that won in a romp at Whistling Straits in 2021.</p><p><strong>2:20 p.m. -</strong> If you were simply listening to the NBC broadcast and not watching, you'd think the Americans were leading in the majority of the matches. They are certainly trying to keep the attention of the viewer, but the fact is the hosts are currently only leading in two matches of the 11 on course. A number are tied that could break their way, but the U.S. needs to win 9 of the 11 to complete the comeback. Over two hours into the action, that doesn't seem very likely.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803317/cropped_GettyImages-2237618150.jpg?ts=1759086160" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803317/w220xh124_GettyImages-2237618150.jpg?ts=1759086160 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803317/w320xh180_GettyImages-2237618150.jpg?ts=1759086160 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803317/w640xh360_GettyImages-2237618150.jpg?ts=1759086160 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803317/w768xh432_GettyImages-2237618150.jpg?ts=1759086160 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803317/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2237618150.jpg?ts=1759086160 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Scott Taetsch/PGA of America / PGA of America / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>1:55 p.m. -</strong> Perhaps no Ryder Cup member has flipped the sentiment around himself more than Matt Fitzpatrick. The Englishman entered the event with a dismal 1-7-0 record in his Ryder Cup career but has been one of the top players for Europe this time out. He looks determined to make a closing statement, taking it to DeChambeau early to build an incredible 5-up lead. The largest 18-hole singles win by a European in Ryder Cup history is 5&amp;4, according to <a href="https://x.com/JustinRayGolf/status/1972360526945755409">Justin Ray of Twenty First Group</a>. That might be something to keep an eye on.</p><p><strong>1:30 p.m. -</strong> Insert the "<a href="https://tenor.com/svNC1Ws1mY2.gif">Chris Paul hits a huge three to cut the lead to 42</a>" meme for Justin Thomas at Bethpage. Europe needs just two points to retain the Cup and currently leads in five of the eight matches on course, but Thomas' eagle hole-out from 79 yards at No. 6 at least supplied a moment of happiness for the U.S. fan base.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">JT from 79 yards out 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoUSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoUSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/6OuXCb6StP">pic.twitter.com/6OuXCb6StP</a></p>— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyderCupUSA/status/1972352904506880075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2025</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>1:10 p.m. -</strong> A five-minute stretch summed up the week for the Americans, as the top players on the team once again failed to deliver in the clutch. DeChambeau stiffed his tee shot on the par-3 third to 10 feet, while his opponent Fitzpatrick was in a greenside bunker. The Englishman got up-and-down with a nice bunker shot while DeChambeau promptly three-putted to lose the hole. At roughly the same time, Scheffler duffed a pitch shot that barely traveled 5 feet to go 1-down to McIlroy. That duo entered singles play 1-7 on the week, a throughly disappointing performance that's doomed the U.S. squad.</p><p><strong>12:45 p.m. -</strong> The marquee match of the day is on course with Scottie Scheffler facing Rory McIlroy. It's the first time in Ryder Cup history the top two golfers in the world rankings are facing off in singles. For all his dominance in stroke-play events, Scheffler's an entirely different golfer in the Ryder Cup. He's looking to avoid becoming the first man to go 0-5-0 in the event since the format changed in 1979.</p><p><strong>12:28 p.m. -</strong> The possibility of Bryson DeChambeau driving Bethpage's first green was a hot topic all week, but he's yet to accomplish that feat through the opening two days. While he didn't do so Sunday, he came about as close as possible, launching a 351-yard bomb just a few feet from the putting surface. In what's perhaps the perfect encapsulation of this week's action, DeChambeau scuffled the rest of the hole and lost to a Matt Fitzpatrick birdie despite outdriving him by some 50 yards.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803294/cropped_GettyImages-2237895563.jpg?ts=1759080030" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803294/w220xh124_GettyImages-2237895563.jpg?ts=1759080030 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803294/w320xh180_GettyImages-2237895563.jpg?ts=1759080030 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803294/w640xh360_GettyImages-2237895563.jpg?ts=1759080030 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803294/w768xh432_GettyImages-2237895563.jpg?ts=1759080030 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/803294/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2237895563.jpg?ts=1759080030 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Carl Recine / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>12:15 p.m. - </strong>Cam Young has undeniably been the best American this week and was rewarded with the honor of going off first in singles play. It took him less than 15 minutes to make an impact, pouring in a birdie at the first to grab an early 1-up lead on Justin Rose. There are plenty of questions about captain Keegan Bradley's strategy this week, but leaving Young on the bench for Friday morning foursomes might be the biggest error.</p><p><strong>12:02 p.m. -</strong> Europe inched closer to securing the Ryder Cup before a ball was even struck Sunday. The neck injury that kept Viktor Hovland out of Saturday afternoon's action remains an issue, and the Norwegian was forced to withdraw from his singles match versus Harris English. By rule, that match ends as a tie, giving each team a half-point. That means Europe needs just two points from the remaining 11 matches to retain the trophy.</p>

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Ryder Cup forecaddie: Analysis from Day 3 at Bethpage

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CFB Blitz: Week 5 takeaways

SEATTLE (AP) — Ohio State tied a school record back in April when a whopping 14 players, eight of...

<p>SEATTLE (AP) — Ohio State tied a school record back in April when a whopping 14 players, eight of them on the defensive side, were selected in the NFL draft.</p><p>The losses of key contributors from the national championship-winning team like tackle Tyleik Williams, end JT Tuimoloau and others were expected to hurt the Buckeyes’ vaunted defense, if only a little bit. Same goes for the loss of former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who accepted the same job at Penn State.</p><p>It would have been difficult to gather as much based on the defensive dominance that was on display Saturday as No. 1 Ohio State beat Washington 24-6 on Saturday in the Big Ten opener for both teams.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Buckeyes (4-0) limited the Huskies (3-1) to 234 total yards in front of 72,845 fans at Husky Stadium, Washington’s largest crowd since Sept. 28, 2010, against Nebraska. In the process, Ohio State had its 22-game home winning streak broken, one that dated back to 2021.</p><p>“I think it’s a great reference point to come into a stadium like this,” coach Ryan Day said. “This is a great environment. I thought that the fans on their end were loud and showed up in a big way.”</p><p>Ditto for Ohio State’s Caden Curry, who set career highs with three sacks, five tackles for loss and 11 total tackles. The Buckeyes brought down Washington’s dual-threat quarterback Demond Williams Jr. three other times, and the Huskies converted just one of 11 third-down attempts.</p><p>Curry said Ohio State knew that containing Williams would be a key to victory, and that in turn brought out the best in the defense.</p><p>“You love to see the pressure put on you as a defensive line,” Curry said. “I feel like our defensive line this year’s just a bunch of no-names. We just go out there, we just try to ball, we try to play as hard as we can.”</p><p>The Buckeyes’ offense, meanwhile, slowly but surely grinded down the Huskies’ defense, especially in the second half. Julian Sayin completed 22 of 28 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns, the latter of which was an 18-yard strike to CJ Donaldson to give Ohio State a commanding 24-6 lead.</p><p>With 1:08 left in the first half, Sayin also found Jeremiah Smith for an 18-yard touchdown pass that gave Ohio State a 7-3 lead it would not relinquish. On third-and-11, Sayin avoided a seven-man blitz to locate Smith.</p><p>“Down 3-0, that was a huge play for the offense …” Sayin said. “We really needed that, and I think the whole offense executed that very well.”</p><p>It was the Buckeyes’ defense, though, that truly impressed, just as it has a third of the way through the regular season under first-year defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Including two field goals by Grady Gross on Saturday, Ohio State’s defense has yielded just 22 points this season, and only two touchdowns.</p><p>For as stellar as the Buckeyes’ defense was in 2024, it continues to demonstrate on a weekly basis why it could be as good — if not better — in 2025.</p><p>“I’m not surprised, but it’s exciting,” Day said. “It’s exciting to see the capability, the potential. And I think if we can all stick together as a team, we’ll have a chance.”</p><p><strong>Savvy Sayin</strong></p><p>Sayin passed his first road test without a turnover. The true sophomore entered the contest as the most accurate quarterback in the country, and demonstrated his success through the air can translate on the road, too.</p><p>Throughout the week leading up to the game, Saying said that Day preached to the team to embrace all aspects of playing in a loud, road environment. Sayin’s play proved he was up to the task.</p><p>“Our mindset was just keep swinging,” Sayin said. “Things aren’t going to go our way the whole time, there’s going to be momentum shifts, so we just got to keep swinging.”</p><p><strong>Troublesome without Tacario</strong></p><p>Though Washington’s defense mostly held up against Ohio State offense that had scored at least 37 points in back-to-back weeks, it had to operate without Tacario Davis. Arguably the Huskies’ top defensive back, Davis sat out their 59-24 win against Washington State in the Apple Cup, and was sidelined Saturday despite practicing Thursday and participating in Friday’s team walk-through, per coach Jedd Fisch.</p><p>“I am optimistic about next week based upon how he progressed this past week,” Fisch said. “The doctors will make that final call.”</p><p><strong>The takeaway</strong></p><p>Ohio State: The Buckeyes were the first team this season to rush for over 100 yards in a game against the Huskies, who entered the contest giving up just 62 yards per game on the ground. Bo Jackson led Ohio State with 80 yards on 17 carries.</p><p>Washington: Freshman receiver Dezmen Roebuck continues to assert himself as a solid No. 2 receiving option for Williams. Roebuck had four catches for 58 yards.</p><p><strong>Up next</strong></p><p>Ohio State: Hosts Minnesota on Oct. 4.</p><p>Washington: At Maryland on Oct. 4.</p><p>___</p><p>Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/ap-newsletters">here</a> (AP News mobile app). AP college football: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">https://apnews.com/hub/college-football</a></p><p> </p>

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

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Ohio State pulls away for comfortable win vs. Washington

theScore provides insights and analysis from Day 1 of the Ryder Cup.  6:15 p.m. - There was no el...

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Ryder Cup forecaddie: Analysis from Day 1 at Bethpage

After what seemed like the world's longest buildup to a golf tournament, the 2025 Ryder Cup is fi...

<p>After what seemed like the world's longest buildup to a golf tournament, the 2025 Ryder Cup is finally upon us at Bethpage Black just outside New York City.</p><p>Luke Donald returns to captain the European team as it looks to retain the cup and become the first visitors to win since 2012. Outside of a swap of the Hojgaard twins, Donald is essentially bringing the same group that won in Rome.</p><p>Keegan Bradley was an inspired - albeit odd - choice to captain the Americans, but after deciding not to play, he's fully thrown himself into leading the home squad.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Here's how the golfers taking part in this year's event rank from 1 to 24, with no surprise who's leading the way.</p><p><strong>24. Rasmus Hojgaard</strong></p><p>In quite a twist, Hojgaard is on the team largely because he <strong><em>didn't play well</em></strong> enough to make the FedEx Cup Playoffs. The Dane missed the postseason by 17 slots on the rankings list, so he headed to Europe and posted two runner-up finishes and a 13th-place result across three August events. That late surge secured an automatic spot for Hojgaard, who steps in for his twin brother Nicolai as the only player change from the 2023 winning European team.</p><p><strong>23. Matt Fitzpatrick</strong></p><p>An absolutely dismal 1-7 record in the Ryder Cup hasn't exactly distinguished Fitzpatrick as a force to be reckoned with in team play. However, starting with an eighth-place showing at the PGA Championship, Fitzpatrick has finished inside the top 10 in eight of his last 13 events. He's heading into Bethpage trending in the right direction.</p><p><strong>22. Sepp Straka</strong></p><p>If Fitzpatrick is trending, Straka is doing the opposite. Since a third-place result at The Memorial in early June, Straka has just one top-15 showing. The Europeans will be hoping he regains his early-season form that saw him win twice before the calendar hit June.</p><p><strong>21. Ben Griffin</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801062/cropped_GettyImages-2235067881.jpg?ts=1757719475" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801062/w220xh124_GettyImages-2235067881.jpg?ts=1757719475 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801062/w320xh180_GettyImages-2235067881.jpg?ts=1757719475 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801062/w640xh360_GettyImages-2235067881.jpg?ts=1757719475 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801062/w768xh432_GettyImages-2235067881.jpg?ts=1757719475 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801062/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2235067881.jpg?ts=1757719475 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The Ryder Cup rookie gets his place after a career season in which he was consistently in contention. Griffin could form quite the pairing with DeChambeau. That duo would be a dream for social media with both players active on multiple channels.</p><p><strong>20. Shane Lowry</strong></p><p>Rory McIlroy's bodyguard returns as arguably the most energetic member of the European team. Lowry's Ryder Cup play didn't exactly dazzle in his previous two appearances, and his most memorable moment in Italy might have been pulling McIlroy into the car as he got in a shouting match with multiple American caddies.</p><p><strong>19. Collin Morikawa</strong></p><p>The Arnold Palmer Invitational is a staple on the PGA TOUR schedule, traditionally marking the start of March. It's also the last time Morikawa had a top-five finish. This season was by far the worst of the two-time major champion's career, raising legitimate questions about whether the U.S. team would even pick him. Maybe his elite iron ability returns and he becomes a star at Bethpage, but we've seen nothing to suggest that's about to happen.</p><p><strong>18. Sam Burns</strong></p><p>Burns is among the best putters in the world and has just the perfect amount of attitude that could infuriate the Europeans. Will he team with his good friend Scottie Scheffler, or will captain Bradley utilize him in a different pairing?</p><p><strong>17. Robert MacIntyre</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797951/cropped_GettyImages-1714936906.jpg?ts=1755533279" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797951/w220xh124_GettyImages-1714936906.jpg?ts=1755533279 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797951/w320xh180_GettyImages-1714936906.jpg?ts=1755533279 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797951/w640xh360_GettyImages-1714936906.jpg?ts=1755533279 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797951/w768xh432_GettyImages-1714936906.jpg?ts=1755533279 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/797951/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1714936906.jpg?ts=1755533279 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mondadori Portfolio / Mondadori Portfolio / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>MacIntyre was thought to be somewhat of a liability at the last Ryder Cup, but he formed a solid team with Justin Rose to deliver crucial points. He has greatly improved as a golfer since then, scoring wins in Canada and Scotland. MacIntyre's fiery style could make him a target for the raucous New York crowds, something he'll have to monitor throughout.</p><p><strong>16. Harris English</strong></p><p>English was one of the only Americans with a losing record in the 19-9 romp at the 2021 Ryder Cup, but was a lock for this squad thanks to solid play. Although English doesn't have the highest ceiling, he's as steady as they come - that should be a weapon in foursomes play.</p><p><strong>15. Justin Rose</strong></p><p>One of the lasting memories at the 2023 Ryder Cup was Rose pouring in putt after putt to break the Americans. The elder statesman is back, and he's in fine form after winning in Memphis in the playoffs. Rose continues to age like fine wine and is exactly the type of experienced veteran who decides Ryder Cups.</p><p><strong>14. Russell Henley</strong></p><p>Henley's likely the shortest player on the American team - not exactly a great skill set to have at beefy, brawny Bethpage. However, he has the type of game that wears down opponents, as evidenced by his 3-1-0 mark in his U.S. debut at last year's Presidents Cup.</p><p><strong>13. J.J. Spaun</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790631/cropped_GettyImages-2220316438.jpg?ts=1750031718" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790631/w220xh124_GettyImages-2220316438.jpg?ts=1750031718 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790631/w320xh180_GettyImages-2220316438.jpg?ts=1750031718 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790631/w640xh360_GettyImages-2220316438.jpg?ts=1750031718 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790631/w768xh432_GettyImages-2220316438.jpg?ts=1750031718 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/790631/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2220316438.jpg?ts=1750031718 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Andrew Redington / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Spaun's career renaissance has earned him his first appearance for the Americans at this year's Ryder Cup. He's not the longest player, but his ability to beat down flagsticks with his iron play can make him an extremely tough out in match play.</p><p><strong>12. Ludvig Aberg</strong></p><p>Aberg went from Texas Tech to the 2023 Ryder Cup in the span of months, turning in a brilliant performance in Europe's victory. Bethpage suits his tee-to-green game perfectly, and he's poised to team up with Hovland as one of the duos the Europeans can lean on again.</p><p><strong>11. Cameron Young</strong></p><p>New York's finest gets a home game at a place he's highly familiar with. After finally notching that elusive first PGA TOUR win, Young now pairs a steady putter with his elite ball-striking ability. Don't be shocked if he's a breakout star this week.</p><p><strong>10. Justin Thomas</strong></p><p>The main antagonist on the U.S. team is 7-4-2 in Ryder Cup play and no longer has to shepherd a lost Jordan Spieth around the course. Win, lose, or draw, you can be sure Thomas will make noise at Bethpage in some capacity.</p><p><strong>9. Xander Schauffele</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/593307/cropped_GettyImages-1235527790.jpg?ts=1695690200" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/593307/w220xh124_GettyImages-1235527790.jpg?ts=1695690200 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/593307/w320xh180_GettyImages-1235527790.jpg?ts=1695690200 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/593307/w640xh360_GettyImages-1235527790.jpg?ts=1695690200 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/593307/w768xh432_GettyImages-1235527790.jpg?ts=1695690200 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/593307/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1235527790.jpg?ts=1695690200 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Darren Carroll/PGA of America / PGA of America / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Good luck trying to figure out what version of Schauffele you're getting at Bethpage. After winning two majors in 2024, Schauffele never really got going this year following an early rib injury. He failed to qualify for the TOUR Championship and hasn't teed it up in over a month. Maybe the opportunity to play with a teammate will mark the return of cigar-smoking Schauffele.</p><p><strong>8. Viktor Hovland</strong></p><p>The start of the season was bleak, but Hovland hasn't missed a cut since the Players Championship in March. He pulled 3.5 points from five matches in Italy two years ago, and he supplied one of the more memorable moments when he made a brilliant chip-in birdie on the event's first hole. Hovland is almost certain to partner again with Aberg to form a superstar Scandinavian tandem capable of just about anything - ask Scheffler.</p><p><strong>7. Tyrrell Hatton</strong></p><p>Still one of the world's best after his move to LIV, Hatton boasts a very respectable 5-4-2 record over three Ryder Cups. The Englishman won the Dubai Desert Classic in January and finished inside the top 20 in three of the four majors this season. His antics should also draw plenty of reaction from the raucous American crowd.</p><p><strong>6. Patrick Cantlay</strong></p><p>No-hat Pat has arguably been the best American over the past two Ryder Cups. While his 5-2-1 record speaks for itself, his late Saturday finish in Italy to steal a point from McIlroy was the type of stuff that builds legends. Now that we've covered the good, let's address the elephant in the room: Cantlay has kind of stunk the past calendar year. He missed the cut in the last three majors of the season and has five top-10s in 2025.</p><p><strong>5. Bryson DeChambeau</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/633145/cropped_GettyImages-2157880510.jpg?ts=1718581135" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/633145/w220xh124_GettyImages-2157880510.jpg?ts=1718581135 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/633145/w320xh180_GettyImages-2157880510.jpg?ts=1718581135 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/633145/w640xh360_GettyImages-2157880510.jpg?ts=1718581135 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/633145/w768xh432_GettyImages-2157880510.jpg?ts=1718581135 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/633145/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2157880510.jpg?ts=1718581135 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Andrew Redington / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Yes, DeChambeau is just 2-3-1 in his Ryder Cup career, and his playing style and golf ball choice make him a difficult player to partner with. Still, this version of DeChambeau appears made for a Ryder Cup at Bethpage. His monstrous drives promise to bring the lengthy course to its knees, and his ability to fire up a crowd is second-to-none on the American team. If the U.S. wins, we'll likely point to big, bad Bryson as one of the main reasons.</p><p><strong>4. Jon Rahm</strong></p><p>Rahm has shown time and again he's a man for the moment at the Ryder Cup - best shown with two eagles over his final three holes on Saturday in 2023 to earn a tie in his match. He's never lost a foursomes session in the Ryder Cup and comes to Bethpage after winning the season-long LIV points race. Rahm and fellow LIV teammate Hatton feel like a natural pairing to give the American team fits this week.</p><p><strong>3. Tommy Fleetwood</strong></p><p>Sign me up for a massive week out of Fleetwood for the Europeans. He owns a sparkling 7-3-2 record in the Ryder Cup,<strong><em> and </em></strong>he's coming to Bethpage off his first career PGA TOUR win in the TOUR Championship at East Lake. With his brilliant demeanor and all-world approach game, the Englishman is just about the perfect partner in any team setting.</p><p><strong>2. Rory McIlroy</strong></p><p>McIlroy has been on a pretty good run since telling the media in the winners' press conference at the 2023 Ryder Cup that the Europeans would be victorious at Bethpage, too. The 36-year-old has completed the career grand slam, won a signature event at Pebble Beach, captured the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, and thrilled crowds at the Irish Open with an electric eagle on the 72nd hole en route to claiming the title. McIlroy will need to be at his absolute peak if the Europeans are going to deliver on his bold promise.</p><p><strong>1. Scottie Scheffler</strong></p><p>One of the last times we saw Scheffler in Ryder Cup action, he was getting waxed 9&amp;7 alongside Brooks Koepka by Aberg and Hovland. That also happens to be the last time Scheffler looked like a human playing golf instead of an alien sent to destroy the PGA TOUR competition. The undisputed World No. 1 has won an absurd 16 times since the last edition of the Ryder Cup - more than the career totals of Jordan Spieth, Fred Couples, Adam Scott, or David Duval. This is a different Scheffler than the one at the previous Ryder Cup, and you can expect the U.S. to ride him for all five sessions at Bethpage.</p>

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Ryder Cup breakdown: Ranking all 24 players at Bethpage

"Tiger King" wasn't a documentary on the Clemson football team, but the former Netflix hit and th...

<p>"Tiger King" wasn't a documentary on the Clemson football team, but the former Netflix hit and the Tigers do have something in common: 2020 was the last time they were at the top of their game.</p><p>While Clemson's descent from the national picture has been significantly slower than that of infamous zookeeper Joe Exotic, Saturday's performance against Syracuse served the latest reminder that Dabo Swinney's Tigers are a ways past their peak.</p><p>The most talented Clemson team of the past five years entered the season as the ACC favorite and No. 4 in the preseason AP Poll. It leaves the first month of play with a 1-3 mark for the first time under Swinney.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The season-opening loss to LSU at home stung, but the result was acceptable given the similar talent level. Clemson certainly didn't cover itself in glory in a Week 2 win over Troy either, but it's college football. Win your clunkers and get to next week, right? However, what if the clunker ended up being the norm?</p><p>Georgia Tech didn't seem too bothered by the Tigers last week in Atlanta, as the Yellow Jackets physically bested their opponent in the upset win. That set off alarm bells for just about everyone - except Swinney, of course.</p><p>"All we've done is win," Swinney said last Tuesday during a fiery press conference, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/46284559/clemson-coach-dabo-swinney-defends-program-slow-start">ESPN's Andrea Adelson</a>. "We've won this league eight out of the last 10 years. Is that not good? I'm just asking. Is that good? To win your league eight out of 10 years, to go to the playoffs seven out of 10 years, be in four national championships, win it twice. Yeah, we're a little down right now. Take your shots. I've got a long memory. We'll be all right. We'll bounce back."</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801138/cropped_GettyImages-2235252429.jpg?ts=1757795949" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801138/w220xh124_GettyImages-2235252429.jpg?ts=1757795949 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801138/w320xh180_GettyImages-2235252429.jpg?ts=1757795949 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801138/w640xh360_GettyImages-2235252429.jpg?ts=1757795949 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801138/w768xh432_GettyImages-2235252429.jpg?ts=1757795949 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/801138/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2235252429.jpg?ts=1757795949 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>"All we've done is win" is an interesting choice of words, considering Swinney is now 3-6 in his last nine games against power conference competition. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised he played the hits since he likely wishes the college football world could rewind a decade.</p><p>Swinney famously went viral in 2014 for speaking out about players unionizing, stating he would "<a href="https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/acc/clemson-university/article252502683.html">go do something else because there's enough entitlement in this world as it is</a>." He's since clarified that statement, but it's safe to say he wasn't exactly at the forefront of paying players.</p><p>He's also resisted the transfer portal, a tool that the last four national champions have used extensively to supplement their rosters. He relented and added transfers this season, but his prior reluctance is akin to an NFL team skipping free agency and choosing to build through the draft alone.</p><p>Maybe Clemson's struggles aren't so complicated and can simply be explained by its lack of a Heisman-worthy quarterback. The Tigers' national title runs were largely led by future first-round picks Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence.</p><p>From 2016-20, Clemson's average offensive ranking was 11th in the country. That standing has dropped to 58th in the five seasons since Lawrence left, including this year's unit, which sat 110th nationally entering Saturday.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799087/cropped_GettyImages-2184466160.jpg?ts=1756320658" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799087/w220xh124_GettyImages-2184466160.jpg?ts=1756320658 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799087/w320xh180_GettyImages-2184466160.jpg?ts=1756320658 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799087/w640xh360_GettyImages-2184466160.jpg?ts=1756320658 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799087/w768xh432_GettyImages-2184466160.jpg?ts=1756320658 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799087/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2184466160.jpg?ts=1756320658 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Justin Berl / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Cade Klubnik is a fine college quarterback, but it will be a surprise if he eventually plays on Sundays. The Tigers' play-calling suggests that they still believe there's a future pro throwing passes.</p><p>Klubnik had an eye-popping 60 passing attempts versus Syracuse. While the game script may have called for more passing, Clemson was only down 10 points at halftime, hardly in need of a panicked air-it-out offensive approach. Klubnik completed just 22 of his last 41 passes and struggled to keep the offense on the field with a dismal 4-for-18 showing on third and fourth downs.</p><p>Swinney and the Tigers snuck into the playoff last year, thanks to a surprising win in the ACC title game. They promptly lost to Texas by two touchdowns, a second defeat in the final three games of the season.</p><p>That opportunity won't be available this time around with a much-improved ACC led by resurgent Miami and Florida State. It won't matter though, because nothing we saw Saturday suggests this version of Clemson is even a lock to go bowling, let alone make the playoff.</p><p>So where does Clemson go now? Swinney ain't leaving, nor should he. He's the best coach in program history and still delivers double-digit win seasons on the regular. Most of the country would sign up for that production tomorrow.</p><p>However, Dabo has spent years selling us on Clemson being a national powerhouse with a rightful place in the championship conversation. That simply isn't true anymore, and until we see a change on the field, these Tigers are far from the king of the jungle.</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/32516650/related

Tiger King no more: Clemson's elite status is gone

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown, Marty Brown ru...

<p>MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown, Marty Brown rushed for a pair of scores and No. 4 Miami struggled at times before beating Florida 26-7 on Saturday night.</p><p>Brown had a 2-yard rush to cap the first drive of the game for Miami (4-0), then had a 1-yard plunge with 4:08 left to seal what became the Hurricanes' ninth win over the Gators in the teams' last 11 meetings.</p><p>Fletcher scored from 1 yard out with 1:57 left.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Jadan Baugh had a 7-yard touchdown run for Florida (1-3), off to its worst start since 1986. The loss sent embattled coach Billy Napier's record with the Gators to 20-22, and came on a night where Florida had its fewest total yards in a game in more than 25 years.</p><p>The Gators were outgained 344-141 and quarterback D.J. Lagway completed 12 of 23 passes for only 61 yards. It was Florida's lowest yardage since managing only 119 against Alabama on Dec. 4, 1999.</p><p>Miami quarterback Carson Beck completed 17 of 30 passes for 160 yards and an interception. Beck improved to 3-0 all-time against Florida; in the last 25 years, only fellow former Georgia quarterbacks Jake Fromm and Aaron Murray also had three wins over the Gators as starters.</p><p>The Hurricanes were fuming after a play early in the third quarter where it appeared Brown — on fourth-and-1 from the Florida 48 — bounced off a pile, kept his legs moving and broke free for what would have been a touchdown and a 19-0 Miami lead with an extra point pending.</p><p>Southeastern Conference referee David Smith said Brown's forward progress was stopped, taking the score off the board, and Miami punted four plays later. The Gators scored on the ensuing drive, and a game where the Hurricanes thought they had gone up by three touchdowns was suddenly a 13-7 contest.</p><p>Beck got picked off on the next Miami drive, but the Hurricanes snuffed out that Florida possession by getting a fourth-down stop on the first play of the fourth quarter and holding on to the six-point lead. Florida never got any closer.</p><p><strong>The takeaway</strong></p><p>Florida: The Gators had 32 yards of offense on their first six drives, before going 80 yards on the third-quarter possession capped by Baugh's touchdown run. That extended Florida's NCAA-record scoring streak, which now is up to 465 games dating back to 1988.</p><p>Miami: Even on an off night for the offense, the Hurricanes' defense showed up yet again. Miami improved to 10-0 at home since the start of last season and has now won seven consecutive games against in-state opponents.</p><p><strong>Up next</strong></p><p>Florida: Host Texas on Oct. 4.</p><p>Miami: Visit Florida State on Oct. 4.</p><p>___</p><p>Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up <a href="https://www.apnews.com/newsletters">here</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/ap-newsletters">here</a> (AP News mobile app). AP college football: <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll">https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll</a> and <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/college-football">https://apnews.com/hub/college-football</a></p>

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 20: DJ Lagway #2 of the Florida Gators is sacked by Jakobe Thomas #8 of the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/32495986/related

Miami adds to Florida's misery with dominant defensive showing

College Football Blitz recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines ...

<p><em>College Football Blitz recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.</em></p><h3>Fortress Indiana is a house of horrors</h3><p>Indiana doesn't fly off the tongue when talking about the toughest places in the country to play, but Curt Cignetti has made Bloomington a fortress in his brief time with the Hoosiers. Insert the iconic "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ6wSei-NJU">Stop, stop, he's already dead</a>" clip from "The Simpsons" here, because that's essentially what Cignetti's team is doing to everyone who steps foot on the field. Indiana has posted an outrageous 594-124 combined scoreline in 12 home games under their current coach's watch. The latest blowout was a 63-10 thrashing of No. 9 Illinois that made history for the emphatic margin of victory.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">No. 19 Indiana's 63-10 win over No. 9 Illinois is the most lopsided win ever by a team outside the top 10 against a top 10 team per <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportradar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sportradar</a>. The previous high was No. 22 Kansas State's 48-0 win over No. 9 Oklahoma State 10/29/2022</p>— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshDubowAP/status/1969601661086941205?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>It was as close to perfect on offense as you can get for the Hoosiers, with Fernando Mendoza completing 21 of 23 passes for 267 yards and five touchdowns. However, the running game was where the discrepancy between the teams was truly evident. Indiana outgained Illinois 312-2 on the ground. That's not a typo: the Illini had a total of two rushing yards.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Some of the faces may have changed for Indiana, but this is still the same wagon that Cignetti fielded last year. The Hoosiers are coming for everyone and won't let up, no matter how you may feel about them. The real test on the schedule is whether they can bring that attitude to the road. Trips to Oregon and Penn State await on the schedule - two venues that rank among the toughest.</p><h3>Florida HAS to make a change</h3><p>Miami asserted its dominance over Florida for the second straight season Saturday and should be considered a real playoff contender. However, this section will primarily focus on the Gators, as there's likely little need to discuss them moving forward this season.</p><p>For the third straight game - and loss - Florida looked absolutely hopeless on offense under Billy Napier's play-calling. The Gators managed just 141 yards for the entire game, with DJ Lagway completing 12 passes for 61 yards through the air. Clearly, the offense isn't working under Napier's watch, and immediate change is needed. The coach already received a vote of confidence for the campaign, but someone in the administration needs to walk into his office and take away the clipboard. Things can't get worse with someone else making the calls.</p><p>Florida's offense is littered with talent all over the field, but you wouldn't know it watching the unit in action. The Gators put up 32 yards of total offense and one first down in the opening half. There's not a defense on the planet that could overcome that level of offensive ineptitude, although Florida's doing its best to try.</p><p>The Gators' 1-3 record is their worst start since 1986, and Napier's departure seems almost inevitable at some point this year. That can be a conversation for another day. As Florida enters the bye, it's clear Napier can no longer be the man calling the offense moving forward.</p><h3>Not even Dabo can spin this Clemson start</h3><p>After dropping to 1-2 following last week's loss at Georgia Tech, Dabo Swinney took to the podium and delivered an impassioned defense of his coaching.</p><p>"All we've done is win," Swinney said Tuesday, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/46284559/clemson-coach-dabo-swinney-defends-program-slow-start">Andrea Adelson of ESPN</a>. "We've won this league eight out of the last 10 years. Is that not good? I'm just asking. Is that good? To win your league eight out of 10 years, to go to the playoffs seven out of 10 years, be in four national championships, win it twice. Yeah, we're a little down right now. Take your shots. I've got a long memory. We'll be all right. We'll bounce back."</p><p>Swinney might prefer a short memory, as in one that can immediately erase what he saw Saturday afternoon at home versus Syracuse. The Orange stormed into Death Valley and ran it up on the Tigers, walking off with a 34-21 win to drop Clemson to 1-3 for the first time under Swinney.</p><p>The LSU and Georgia Tech losses came down to a few plays, but there was no question as to which team was the better one Saturday. Prior to leaving due to injury, Steve Angeli lit up the formerly stout Clemson defense for 13 yards per completion as Syracuse scored on its first four drives - another first for the Tigers under Swinney.</p><p>While the defensive struggles were certainly a surprise, the Tigers' offensive issues are unfortunately par for the course. Yes, Cade Klubnik had 365 yards passing, but it took him an outrageous 60 attempts to get there. Clemson's offense was a laughable 3-for-13 on third down and 1-for-5 on fourth down. That inability to keep the offense on the field essentially decided the game's outcome.</p><h3>Michigan-Nebraska was extremely on brand</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802108/cropped_GettyImages-2235984531.jpg?ts=1758412042" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802108/w220xh124_GettyImages-2235984531.jpg?ts=1758412042 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802108/w320xh180_GettyImages-2235984531.jpg?ts=1758412042 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802108/w640xh360_GettyImages-2235984531.jpg?ts=1758412042 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802108/w768xh432_GettyImages-2235984531.jpg?ts=1758412042 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802108/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2235984531.jpg?ts=1758412042 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Trying to predict what a group of 18- to 22-year-olds will do under the immense pressure of college football is borderline impossible on a week-to-week basis. Unless, of course, it's Michigan playing under an interim coach or Nebraska facing off against a ranked team. Then, there's no point in watching the game because history tells us exactly how it'll turn out. That held true again Saturday, as the Wolverines improved to a perfect 8-0 under an interim coach, while the Cornhuskers dropped a <strong><em>28th straight contest</em></strong> to a ranked opponent.</p><p>The story Saturday came down to line play, with Michigan operating in a different stratosphere. The Wolverines bowled over an overmatched Nebraska defensive line for an absurd 286 yards rushing, averaging 9.1 per carry outside of sack yardage. On the other side, Michigan's defensive front was equally dominant, sacking Dylan Raiola seven times and holding the Cornhuskers under 50 yards rushing.</p><p>Raiola posted an impressive 308 yards and three touchdowns, but a classic Big Ten contest will almost always come down to the trenches. That's where Michigan excels, whether it be Biff Poggi as the head coach or Sherrone Moore. Poggi ends his tenure 2-0 as the frontman, with Moore allowed to return next week. Regardless of who's coaching, the Wolverines' brilliance on both the offensive and defensive lines should make them a serious threat in the Big Ten.</p><p>As for Nebraska, the scoreline likely flattered the Cornhuskers, who trailed by 10 before a late score cut it to three. While the continued development of Raiola is encouraging, that defensive line will likely hold the team back from making any serious strides in the Big Ten this year.</p><h3>Beware Oklahoma's defense</h3><p>Jackson Arnold might as well still be at Oklahoma for the amount of time he spent with his former teammates Saturday. The Sooners celebrated their former quarterback's return to Norman with a sack party, taking him down a team record 10 times in an outrageous defensive performance versus Auburn. Jayden Jackson led the way with 2.5 sacks, while pass-rush specialist Mason Thomas got two of his own despite only playing the second half. His second sack was the record setter for the Sooners, as he dropped Arnold in the end zone for a clinching safety.</p><p>Oklahoma has now faced two high-quality opponents this season in Michigan and Auburn and emerged victorious in both. John Mateer has rightly received plenty of attention for his brilliant quarterback play, but it's the defense that sets the tone for the Sooners. Brent Venables promised that side of the ball would dominate when he took over as Oklahoma head coach, and that's certainly the case thus far in 2025. Those sack numbers are sure to grow in a major way after next week's bye with Kent State on deck. The Golden Flashes entered Saturday having allowed the ninth-most sacks in the nation this season.</p><h3>Different games for famous last names</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802141/cropped_GettyImages-2236497244.jpg?ts=1758422548" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802141/w220xh124_GettyImages-2236497244.jpg?ts=1758422548 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802141/w320xh180_GettyImages-2236497244.jpg?ts=1758422548 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802141/w640xh360_GettyImages-2236497244.jpg?ts=1758422548 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802141/w768xh432_GettyImages-2236497244.jpg?ts=1758422548 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802141/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2236497244.jpg?ts=1758422548 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The two current most famous last names in college football, Manning and Belichick, delivered very different results Saturday. Arch Manning finally showed why he received more preseason Heisman bets than any other player in the country, lighting up Sam Houston State with his best showing of the season. Manning finished with 320 yards of total offense, throwing three touchdowns and adding two rushing scores before sitting out most of the second half. Yes, the competition was nowhere near an elite level, but we'll take any sign of progress with Manning at this point.</p><p>Bill Belichick again walked off a college field on the losing end after North Carolina got steamrolled by UCF 34-9. The Tar Heels looked noncompetitive for most of the contest - the second time that's happened this season against power conference competition. Belichick's counterpart on the other sideline, Scott Frost, has now won 16 straight games with UCF dating back to his perfect 13-0 season in 2017. So, you tell me who's the greatest coach of all time.</p><h3>Complete Texas Tech is Big 12's best</h3><p>If you've watched college football over the past 25 years, then you'd likely describe Texas Tech as a program with an explosive passing attack paired with a defense that has struggled to keep pace. Well, times have changed in Lubbock, and the Red Raiders are now one of the most complete teams in the country. After an extremely comfortable schedule to begin the season, Texas Tech aced its first big test with a stunning 34-10 road victory at Utah.</p><p>The first thing of note was the defense's dominance. A unit that ranked 123rd in the nation last year has suddenly morphed into the 2001 Baltimore Ravens with timely additions from the transfer portal. The Red Raiders forced a whopping four turnovers, including two interceptions by Devon Dampier, and held Utah to 3.8 yards per play on offense after the Utes had averaged 7 yards per play across their previous games.</p><p>A refreshing change for Texas Tech on offense was some incredible balance in the attack. The Red Raiders rushed for 173 yards while throwing for 311. Will Hammond tossed 169 of those air yards after stepping in for the injured Behren Morton. Hammond was nearly flawless in relief, missing just three passes and fitting numerous throws into extremely tight windows in a tough road environment.</p><p>Defense, balance on offense, and great depth at quarterback? Saturday's performance should put Texas Tech firmly at the top of Big 12 title favorites and in the driver's seat for the playoff.</p><h3>Maryland has a dude at QB</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802077/cropped_GettyImages-2235957162.jpg?ts=1758404608" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802077/w220xh124_GettyImages-2235957162.jpg?ts=1758404608 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802077/w320xh180_GettyImages-2235957162.jpg?ts=1758404608 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802077/w640xh360_GettyImages-2235957162.jpg?ts=1758404608 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802077/w768xh432_GettyImages-2235957162.jpg?ts=1758404608 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/802077/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2235957162.jpg?ts=1758404608 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Forget the Bryce Underwood love, the Big Ten just might be Malik Washington's playground. Underwood isn't the only true freshman quarterback to start immediately, as Washington continued his brilliant play for Maryland Saturday at Wisconsin. The nation's third-ranked dual-threat passer in the 2025 class again topped the 250-yard passing mark, making him the second true freshman quarterback in the last 20 years to hit that total in each of his first four games of the season.</p><h3>Another Fickell flop at Wisconsin</h3><p>You had to dig pretty deep to find someone criticizing Wisconsin's hire of Luke Fickell. After all, he had just guided Cincinnati to the playoffs, making them the first Group of 5 program to reach the postseason. If Fickell could do it with the Bearcats, he could certainly repeat that with the Badgers, right? Turns out, the answer is a resounding no. The latest debacle in Fickell's tumultuous tenure with Wisconsin came Saturday in a home blowout at the hands of Maryland.</p><p>Perhaps most damning to Fickell's time in Madison is the loss of the Badgers' long-standing identity. Wisconsin used to send offensive linemen and running backs to the NFL on an annual basis. Now, they struggle to get back to the line of scrimmage on any running play. Even taking away Maryland's six sacks, the Badgers barely topped 3 yards per carry Saturday. Say what you want about quarterback injuries, and there's plenty, but it's borderline unfathomable that a Wisconsin team can't run the ball on a program like Maryland.</p><p>Fickell was exceptional at identifying coordinators while at Cincinnati, bringing in future Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman and Irish offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock to his staff. That hasn't translated at Wisconsin, and the program is somehow going backward under his watch. The question is whether Fickell gets the chance to turn things around. His buyout is steep at $25 million, but Saturday's showing might have the state of Wisconsin checking for spare change in the mattress to make that happen.</p><h3>McAlister cooks SMU in Iron Skillet</h3><p>You can forgive SMU for not focusing the entire defensive game plan on Eric McAlister. The TCU receiver entered Saturday's contest with five catches on the season for 66 total yards - nothing to sneer at, but not exactly "stop this man at all costs" production. It's safe to say that future Horned Frogs opponents might need to adopt that approach. McAlister absolutely torched the Mustangs for an outrageous 254 yards on eight catches with three touchdowns.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">TO. THE. 🏠. <a href="https://t.co/KBiCtuLX9i">pic.twitter.com/KBiCtuLX9i</a></p>— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/TCUFootball/status/1969479537420337354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Unfortunately, SMU may have to wait a lengthy period to exact revenge, with Saturday marking the last scheduled meeting in the Iron Skillet rivalry.</p>

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CFB Blitz: Takeaways from Week 4

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/32399929/related

CFB Blitz: Week 3 takeaways

<p><em>College Football Blitz recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.</em></p><h3>Don't talk about Oregon's NIL budget</h3><p>A word of advice to Oregon's future opponents: Do not, under any circumstances, talk about the Ducks' NIL budget. Mike Gundy learned that the hard way Saturday after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3336809" href="https://thescore.com/news/3336809">suggesting</a> earlier in the week that the defending Big Ten champs have spent nearly $40 million on their roster. Clearly Dan Lanning took it personally on a Michael Jordan-level of disgust, as Oregon laid a beatdown for the ages on Gundy and Oklahoma State in response - and celebrated accordingly.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Playing over the Autzen Stadium sound system: Moneytalks by AC/DC.</p>— Tyson Alger (@tysonalger) <a href="https://twitter.com/tysonalger/status/1964467237043241405?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2025</a>
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<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Ducks set the tone with two touchdowns on the first three plays from scrimmage, and by the time the dust cleared, the scoreboard read 69-3. The result marked the worst loss for the Cowboys since 1907, and it might have Oklahoma State's athletic director preparing a fresh job posting for the head coaching position.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Oregon was relentless throughout, a team on a mission on both sides of the ball. The offensive efficiency was a sight to behold, with the Ducks' first punt of the season not coming until the 10-minute mark of the fourth quarter. Dante Moore has taken over at quarterback without issue and has already stated that any national title conversation should involve Oregon.</p><p>There are two more contests to play first, but it's impossible not to circle the Week 5 matchup at Penn State as arguably the most anticipated on the calendar.</p><h3>Wake Billy up when September ends</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800289/cropped_GettyImages-2234068772.jpg?ts=1757204937" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800289/w220xh124_GettyImages-2234068772.jpg?ts=1757204937 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800289/w320xh180_GettyImages-2234068772.jpg?ts=1757204937 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800289/w640xh360_GettyImages-2234068772.jpg?ts=1757204937 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800289/w768xh432_GettyImages-2234068772.jpg?ts=1757204937 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800289/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2234068772.jpg?ts=1757204937 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">James Gilbert / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>There's no coach in the country happier to see Oct. 1 on the calendar than Billy Napier. The Florida frontman's teams once again blew a tire during the first month of the season on Saturday, falling at home to South Florida as 17-point favorites. The loss dropped Napier to an astonishing 5-7 overall against FBS competition before October begins and puts his job security in Gainesville on shaky ground moving forward.</p><p>There's plenty of blame to go around for the Gators' latest loss, including a personal foul for spitting to kick-start the Bulls' eventual winning drive. Still, this one largely falls on Napier. The Gators held a one-point lead with under three minutes to play, but they opted to throw the ball twice instead of running the clock out. Both passes fell incomplete, leading to a 27-second three-and-out series that gifted the ball back to South Florida for the winning drive.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Florida's win probability was above 80 percent when Gators got the ball back with less than three minutes to play. <a href="https://t.co/Byfg4fj0JN">https://t.co/Byfg4fj0JN</a> <a href="https://t.co/gMOW28iz2L">pic.twitter.com/gMOW28iz2L</a></p>— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisVannini/status/1964480693347766579?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>It's likely a make-or-break year for Napier in Florida, as the fourth-year coach has largely underwhelmed. However, his relationship with highly touted quarterback DJ Lagway was what many pointed to as a reason to hold onto hope. Even that might not be enough to see Napier make it through the month with road games at LSU and Miami before the calendar hits October.</p><h3>South Florida holds nation's top resume</h3><p>Miami knocked off Notre Dame, and Florida State stunned Alabama before piling up 77 points on FCS competition in Week 2, but the top resume in both the state of Florida and the entire country belongs to South Florida. The Bulls opened with a blowout of Boise State, running up a 34-7 scoreline on last year's CFP participant. The encore was even better with the program's first win ever over the Gators. South Florida entered the season without a ranked win since 2016, and it now has two in the span of 10 days.</p><p>Saturday's victory is the latest feather in the cap for coach Alex Golesh, the former Tennessee offensive coordinator who's turned the team around in short order. It's only Week 2, but the Bulls have to be thinking postseason run with the 12-team playoff. Although Golesh's offensive background and star quarterback Byrum Brown usually get the headlines, the defense has allowed just 23 points to start the campaign. South Florida won't have to wait long for the chance to take down another ranked squad, with No. 5 Miami on the slate next week.</p><h3>Mississippi State got more cowbell</h3><p>The Mississippi State fans wanted more cowbell, and, my god, did Blake Shapen ever give it to them. The Bulldogs quarterback connected with Brenen Thompson on an electric 58-yard touchdown pass in the final minute to send Davis Wade Stadium into a frenzy with cowbells ringing throughout the entire state. A quick defensive stop later, and the uprights were down with the party fully on in Starkville. And with good reason, as the victory marked Mississippi State's first home non-conference ranked win since 1991.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">BRENEN THOMPSON FROM DEEP <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HailState?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HailState</a> || 📺: ESPN2 <a href="https://t.co/fiZ9TLW2qe">pic.twitter.com/fiZ9TLW2qe</a></p>— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/HailStateFB/status/1964525322185195594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The game was a tale of two halves. The Bulldogs raced out to a 17-0 lead, only to see Kenny Dillingham's Sun Devils turn to a power running attack after the break. Arizona State dominated the second half and faced a goal-to-go at the 1-yard line late. However, Mississippi State's defense rose to the occasion, forcing a field goal and setting the stage for Shapen's late heroics.</p><p>With Alcorn State and Northern Illinois next on the slate, the Bulldogs should be 4-0 when Tennessee comes to Stark Vegas at the end of September.</p><p>The lack of passing attack should be particularly concerning for Arizona State, with standout quarterback Sam Leavitt finishing with just 82 yards through the air and two picks. That output won't be good enough to get the Sun Devils back to the CFP for a second straight year.</p><h3>Heisman Mateer wasn't an overreaction</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800306/cropped_GettyImages-2234080327.jpg?ts=1757212997" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800306/w220xh124_GettyImages-2234080327.jpg?ts=1757212997 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800306/w320xh180_GettyImages-2234080327.jpg?ts=1757212997 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800306/w640xh360_GettyImages-2234080327.jpg?ts=1757212997 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800306/w768xh432_GettyImages-2234080327.jpg?ts=1757212997 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800306/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2234080327.jpg?ts=1757212997 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>We highlighted John Mateer as a Heisman Trophy contender in our Week 1 overreactions just seven days ago after he broke the record for most passing yards in a Sooners debut. It turns out that might have actually been a very rational take. The Washington State transfer had something special planned for Week 2, running it up on the mighty Michigan defense to deliver a much-needed big-game victory for coach Brent Venables.</p><p>While Mateer's arm strength was on full display with three completions of 30-plus yards, it was his running ability that time and again exposed the Wolverines. The 21-year-old moves like a bigger Johnny Manziel, but with the power of a running back to finish his runs.</p><p>Mateer's now over the 300-yard mark in both his games with Oklahoma, and he appears capable of repeating his gaudy Washington State numbers with coordinator Ben Arbuckle by his side. That should make the Sooners a serious SEC threat with Venables' lockdown defense in full flight in Norman.</p><h3>Alabama cleanses itself with 73-point barrage</h3><p>It doesn't take the stink off the Florida State performance, but it was nice to see Alabama respond to last week's debacle with a strong showing Saturday. The Crimson Tide absolutely throttled Louisiana-Monroe - a lesser opponent, but not one without the ability to beat the Crimson Tide; just ask Nick Saban. The final score of 73-0 was just the type of offensive output that should cool the temperature ever-so slightly in Tuscaloosa.</p><p>Ty Simpson's going to enjoy the film review of Saturday's game, because the quarterback was perfect with a 17-for-17 stat line. He finished with three touchdown passes as the Tide outgained their opponent 583-148 in total yardage.</p><p>The test grows slightly with Wisconsin on deck next week, followed by a bye before a clash with Georgia to end September.</p><h3>Arch rebounds in style ... sort of</h3><p>So, is Arch good again?</p><p>If you're a card-carrying member of the Manning fan club, Saturday was a great day for you. Arch rebounded from his Week 1 struggles at Ohio State with four touchdown passes and an electrifying scoring run against San Jose State. A glimpse at the box score suggests all is good again for the Texas quarterback.</p><p>Manning's dual-threat talents were on full display at times. An 83-yard touchdown pass popped off the screen early, and his weaving, 20-yard rushing score cemented the Longhorns' big lead late in the third quarter. Those moments reminded us why Manning was so highly touted entering the season and not solely because of his last name.</p><p>However, if you were one of those declaring the first-time starter a bust after the loss at Ohio State, there's still plenty of fuel left in that tank despite the blowout win. Manning missed multiple throws, and a poor decision just before halftime led to an interception in the red zone. Take away the 83-yard touchdown - a play that included about 60 yards after the catch - and Manning completed 18 of 29 passes for 212 yards. Respectable numbers but not exactly a line that lights the world on fire. After all, this is someone who was featured in three separate national commercials during last week's opener. It's okay to have high expectations.</p><p>The Longhorns are clearly making it a point to build Manning's comfort, as the redshirt sophomore continued throwing in the 4th quarter with a 38-7 lead.</p><p>Saturday was definitely a marked improvement from last week and a step in the right direction for Manning and the Texas offense. However, it might still be a little early to cash those Heisman tickets - at least until next week when we'll probably debate this again.</p><h3>Playoff Illinois might be a thing</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800274/cropped_GettyImages-2234046618.jpg?ts=1757198747" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800274/w220xh124_GettyImages-2234046618.jpg?ts=1757198747 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800274/w320xh180_GettyImages-2234046618.jpg?ts=1757198747 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800274/w640xh360_GettyImages-2234046618.jpg?ts=1757198747 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800274/w768xh432_GettyImages-2234046618.jpg?ts=1757198747 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800274/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2234046618.jpg?ts=1757198747 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Alex Halloway / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Memo to the College Football Playoff committee: It's time to get familiar with Illinois, especially if its opponents are going to lend a helping hand like Duke did Saturday. The Illini damn near crashed the party last year and showed in Week 2 that they don't plan on missing out again in 2025. Illinois used a 31-6 run in the second half to blow past the Blue Devils on the road with a 45-19 final score.</p><p>The defense forced - and recovered - a whopping four fumbles by Duke and intercepted star quarterback Darian Mensah in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, the Illinois offense clearly has identified a new No. 1 wideout in Hank Beatty, as the transfer piled up 138 receiving yards on eight catches in the win.</p><p>Perhaps the biggest reason we're on the Illini for the playoff is their schedule. It's tough to find a more manageable slate in the Big Ten this season. Ohio State visits Champaign in October, and the Illini avoid playing Oregon, Penn State, and Michigan during the regular season.</p><h3>Beau knows winning </h3><p>New Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula had a surprising admission before this week's Border War rivalry against Kansas.</p><p>"I had no idea about the whole Civil War history," the Penn State transfer said, <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/46157908/college-football-week-2-preview-connelly-michigan-oklahoma-kansas-missour-iowa">according to Bill Connelly of ESPN</a>. "I thought it was just a sports rivalry, but I guess it goes beyond that. So I thought that was pretty cool."</p><p>OK, so Pribula may not know a ton about history. However, he showed Saturday that he knows plenty when it comes to winning football games. Pribula made his name at Penn State as a running threat, but he beat Kansas time and again with his arm in a thrilling comeback at home. Pribula finished with a whopping 334 yards passing and three touchdowns while also converting four of his five attempts on fourth down. That's exactly the type of performance Eli Drinkwitz was hoping for when he grabbed Pribula from the portal.</p><h3>Iowa QB curse continues</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800303/cropped_GettyImages-2233406611.jpg?ts=1757212690" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800303/w220xh124_GettyImages-2233406611.jpg?ts=1757212690 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800303/w320xh180_GettyImages-2233406611.jpg?ts=1757212690 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800303/w640xh360_GettyImages-2233406611.jpg?ts=1757212690 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800303/w768xh432_GettyImages-2233406611.jpg?ts=1757212690 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/800303/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2233406611.jpg?ts=1757212690 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">David Purdy / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>One of the trademarks of a Kirk Ferentz-coached Iowa team is its ability to shut down the quarterback. Unfortunately, that's both a positive and a negative, as it includes the opposition's signal-caller and whoever's throwing passes for the Hawkeyes. For what feels like the 25th straight season, Iowa is again entering games firing blanks from the quarterback position. While we've grown accustomed to that, this season was supposed to be different with the high-profile transfer of Mark Gronowski. The FCS star claimed the Walter Payton Trophy (that division's version of the Heisman) and was a two-time national champion at South Dakota State. It's safe to say that the learning curve has been a bit steep for Gronowski in the transition to the next level.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski has broken the record for fewest passing yards (127) by a Big Ten QB through the first two games of a season (minimum 35 attempts, since 1995). Kain Colter previously held the record with 177 yards through two games in 2012.</p>— Arbitrary Analytics (@arbitanalytics) <a href="https://twitter.com/arbitanalytics/status/1964414523219104085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2025</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The Hawkeyes kept the rivalry game with Iowa State close Saturday - in typical Ferentz fashion - before eventually losing on a last-minute field goal. The defense and running game are likely strong enough to ensure another winning season, but it appears not even peak-Patrick Mahomes could get the pass game cooking in Iowa City.</p><h3>Sawyer Robertson has arrived</h3><p>The most electric game of the early window was undoubtedly Baylor's stunning double-overtime victory at SMU, with the Bears erasing a 14-point deficit in the final six minutes to force the extra session. The win takes a fire extinguisher to Dave Aranda's red-hot seat for now, but the main takeaway might be Sawyer Robertson's continued emergence as one of the best quarterbacks in the country.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Baylor's Sawyer Robertson is 3rd QB since 2000 to have 850+ yards passing, 7+ TD passes and 0 INTs thru 2 games in a season. Also:<br>Nic Shimonek, Texas Tech, 2017<br>Cody Hodges, Texas Tech, 2005</p>— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshDubowAP/status/1964420827807695255?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2025</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Robertson's 440-yard, four-touchdown performance Saturday almost single-handedly flipped the early season narrative in Waco, with 1-1 looking significantly better than 0-2. Thanks to Robertson, the Bears have the offense to compete for a Big 12 title. Unfortunately, they're going to need it. Aranda taking over the defensive play-calling duties hasn't changed the disastrous results that unit produced last year.</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/32310277/related

CFB Blitz: Takeaways from Week 2's top games

"They don't have Nick Saban to save them."  Oh, did we laugh when Tommy Castellanos dropped that ...

<p>"They don't have Nick Saban to save them."</p><p>Oh, did we laugh when Tommy Castellanos <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3303354" href="https://thescore.com/news/3303354">dropped that quote</a> about Alabama in June. A Boston College transfer on a Florida State team that went 2-10 last year seemed far down the list of candidates in position to poke the bear.</p><p>However, by 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Tallahassee, the joke was on Alabama. Castellanos and the Seminoles had just served the latest reminder that Saint Nick is long gone and ain't nobody scared of Kalen DeBoer's Crimson Tide.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 31-17 blowout - a result that somehow still flattered the visitors - was Alabama's first season-opening loss since 2001. Show some sympathy if you know one of the 30,000-plus undergrads on the Tuscaloosa campus. An 0-1 start hasn't happened in their lifetime.</p><p>Saturday's setback was DeBoer's third loss in four games dating back to last season. Zoom out further and it's his fifth in 14 games since taking over for Saban - with four coming to unranked teams. That's the same number of unranked losses Saban had <em>in his entire Alabama tenure</em>.</p><p>Look, the defeats certainly cause anger, but the manner in which they're unfolding is what's enraging the passionate fan base.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799794/cropped_GettyImages-2232956877.jpg?ts=1756842417" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799794/w220xh124_GettyImages-2232956877.jpg?ts=1756842417 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799794/w320xh180_GettyImages-2232956877.jpg?ts=1756842417 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799794/w640xh360_GettyImages-2232956877.jpg?ts=1756842417 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799794/w768xh432_GettyImages-2232956877.jpg?ts=1756842417 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799794/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2232956877.jpg?ts=1756842417 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Don Juan Moore / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Saban once famously cautioned his team about lacking focus in advance of a 2015 game against FCS Charleston Southern, recalling a 2011 contest in which Alabama allowed Georgia Southern to rack up 302 rushing yards, albeit in a 45-21 victory.</p><p>"They ran through our ass like shit through a tin horn, and we could not stop them," a fiery Saban <a href="https://youtu.be/2bEa5MI3WwQ?si=XzBdppIoA7D2dTnr">proclaimed</a>.</p><p>The tin horn seems to have taken up residence under DeBoer. The once-stout Crimson Tide defense is allowing an average of more than 200 rushing yards per game over the last three losses - the Seminoles' 233-yard performance being the latest.</p><p>Castellanos' 152 passing yards Saturday were the most by an opposing quarterback in those losses, with Oklahoma and Michigan not topping the 100-yard mark.</p><p>Overcoming Alabama used to require a Johnny Manziel freak show. In this era, you simply need to avoid turnovers and run the dang ball.</p><p>So, the defense isn't exactly on fire, but DeBoer made his mark as an offensive genius. Surely that side of the ball is thriving, right?</p><p>That might be the most puzzling part of the whole debacle: Since taking the field at Oklahoma in November, Alabama has averaged just 15 points per game.</p><p>Gone are the days of Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Bryce Young airing it out to an assortment of future NFL wideouts. Scoreboard operators used to call for backup when Alabama came to town. Now, they're planning bathroom breaks around when the Tide have the football.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799796/cropped_GettyImages-2232337289.jpg?ts=1756842548" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799796/w220xh124_GettyImages-2232337289.jpg?ts=1756842548 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799796/w320xh180_GettyImages-2232337289.jpg?ts=1756842548 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799796/w640xh360_GettyImages-2232337289.jpg?ts=1756842548 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799796/w768xh432_GettyImages-2232337289.jpg?ts=1756842548 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799796/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2232337289.jpg?ts=1756842548 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Butch Dill / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Two running backs have won the Heisman Trophy in the last 20 years. Both played at Alabama under Saban. These days, you could total the yards of every back on the roster and still fail to get an invite to New York. The Crimson Tide have averaged 75 rushing yards over the last three losses and have failed to register a 100-yard rusher in any loss under DeBoer.</p><p>The recipe to stop Alabama's offense seems simple: Limit the run game and you'll be rewarded with an epic field storm when the clock hits zero.</p><p>The fascinating part begins now. DeBoer has a buyout north of $60 million, and there's no Texas A&amp;M oil money flowing in the state of Alabama. He's going to have some runway to fix things and get the Tide pointed back in the right direction. After all, this is a loaded roster filled with high-end recruits who beat mighty Georgia last year.</p><p>Whether DeBoer can do it or not is arguably the biggest storyline in college football. He's been a smashing success at every prior coaching stop, but the pressure cooker in Tuscaloosa is a different beast than Washington or Fresno State. It's safe to assume nobody in Seattle was calling into radio programs questioning DeBoer's sideline attire with the Huskies.</p><p>Under Saban, the fear factor of Alabama gave the team a de facto 14-0 lead just walking off the bus. That's how the legendary coach once piled up 100 straight wins over unranked opponents.</p><p>Now, Goliath has fallen, the bully's been popped in the mouth, and the pressure is on DeBoer to avoid being the latest example of never wanting to be the guy to replace The Guy.</p>

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Nobody fears Saban-less Alabama

The first full week of the college football season doubles as the only time every team's fan base...

<p><em>The first full week of the college football season doubles as the only time every team's fan base is allowed to feel positive. It's important to remember that it's a long season and we shouldn't read too much into results from the first week - especially with 12 teams making the playoff. Just kidding! Let's completely overreact to what we have witnessed thus far. </em></p><h3>Book LSU's spot in the national title game</h3><p>Three things have been constants for Brian Kelly during his tenure at LSU: losing the season opener, underwhelming defensive performances, and turning bright red on the sideline. His face looks the same, but the defense shone as Kelly finally won the first game of the season with the Tigers. Their victim was Clemson as LSU's impressive road win launched a likely run at the SEC title.</p><p>The 89th-ranked defense from last year was nowhere to be seen, with LSU swarming the Clemson attack throughout the contest. Harold Perkins Jr. once again looked like the star he was in his freshman year. Now a senior, Perkins finished with a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a crucial QB hurry on Clemson's final offensive play of the game to seal the victory.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>LSU's offense was always talented enough to win the SEC, but this defense makes the Tigers a real national championship threat.</p><h3>New year, same Clemson</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799520/cropped_GettyImages-2232365305.jpg?ts=1756611451" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799520/w220xh124_GettyImages-2232365305.jpg?ts=1756611451 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799520/w320xh180_GettyImages-2232365305.jpg?ts=1756611451 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799520/w640xh360_GettyImages-2232365305.jpg?ts=1756611451 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799520/w768xh432_GettyImages-2232365305.jpg?ts=1756611451 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799520/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2232365305.jpg?ts=1756611451 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Gus Stark/LSU / University Images / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>It's a new year but the same story for Clemson when the big, bad SEC stands on the other side of the field. The Tigers were winless against three SEC opponents last year, falling by a combined scoreline of 89-41. Cade Klubnik's final stats in the playoff loss at Texas looked impressive, but he put up most of that production while trailing 31-10. The Clemson quarterback showed yet again Saturday that he - and the offense in general - simply can't get comfortable against SEC defensive units. With absolutely no help from the running game, Klubnik completed just half of his 38 passes and threw one interception.</p><p>Clemson essentially played five strong opponents last year, with a three-point comeback over SMU in the ACC title game its lone win against those five teams. That booked the Tigers an unlikely playoff spot. Let's not fall for the same trick in 2025. The defense is as elite as advertised, but unless their offense drastically improves against top competition, they aren't serious title contenders.</p><h3>Alabama is ordinary without Saban</h3><p>Turns out Thomas Castellanos was right: The Crimson Tide <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3303354" href="https://thescore.com/news/3303354">"don't have Nick Saban to save them."</a> The Florida State quarterback's offseason comments made headlines, and the Seminoles backed them up Saturday as they pounded Alabama at home, running over the visitors for 230 yards on the ground. Kalen DeBoer's Crimson Tide have now lost three of their last four games outright despite being double-digit favorites in each. That's the same number of losses DeBoer suffered in two full seasons with Washington.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Record vs unranked teams as Alabama coach:<br>Nick Saban 124-4<br>Kalen DeBoer 6-4</p>— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshDubowAP/status/1961930181230338062?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2025</a>
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<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>It's the first time Alabama has lost its season opener since 2001 and serves as a stark reminder of why you never want to be the guy who takes a college job after a legend leaves.</p><h3>Powerhouse Florida State is back</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799486/cropped_GettyImages-2232301117.jpg?ts=1756596718" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799486/w220xh124_GettyImages-2232301117.jpg?ts=1756596718 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799486/w320xh180_GettyImages-2232301117.jpg?ts=1756596718 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799486/w640xh360_GettyImages-2232301117.jpg?ts=1756596718 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799486/w768xh432_GettyImages-2232301117.jpg?ts=1756596718 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799486/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2232301117.jpg?ts=1756596718 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Butch Dill / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Through Week 1, Florida State adding Gus Malzahn as offensive coordinator is the hire of the offseason. The former longtime Auburn head coach remains a thorn in Alabama's side. His offense torched the Crimson Tide with the kind of big-play barrage that was severely lacking last year in Tallahassee. After winning just one FBS game last season, Florida State looked competent and dangerous throughout, running wild on the once-vaunted Alabama defense. Castellanos backed up his offseason boasting with 152 yards passing and 78 yards on the ground.</p><p>The last few years have been a roller coaster for Mike Norvell with Florida State, as the coach followed up a 13-1 season with a dismal 2-10 campaign last year. Saturday suggests this version of the Seminoles will touch double-digit wins once again.</p><h3>Arch was a media creation </h3><p>He's a quarterback and his last name is Manning, so he must be exceptional, right? That's what we heard about Arch Manning for three years, but Ohio State apparently wasn't listening. The Buckeyes' defense made Texas fans long for Quinn Ewers, holding Arch to 38 yards passing through the opening three quarters. The final stat line flatters Manning slightly, with Ohio State backing off due to a late 14-0 lead, but those who watched the whole game know what they saw. Steve Sarkisian preached patience afterward, saying this was just <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3334794" href="https://thescore.com/news/3334794">"chapter one"</a> in the book of Manning, but the Longhorns head coach didn't have to write an overreaction column after Week 1. We do. Until further notice, we're walking back any "Manning for Heisman" takes.</p><h3>John Mateer for Heisman</h3><p>Weighed down by poor quarterback play in 2024, Oklahoma raided Washington State for both coordinator Ben Arbuckle and passer John Mateer to fix the issue. All they did in their debut was set a new Sooners record. Mateer torched Illinois State for 392 yards and three touchdowns Saturday to break Baker Mayfield's school mark for a quarterback in their first game. Forget the level of competition - that puts Mateer ahead of elite names like Caleb Williams, Kyler Murray, Mayfield, Sam Bradford, and Jason White, all of whom won the Heisman Trophy at some point. Is it an overreaction to make this call after a win over an FCS opponent? Maybe. But if Mateer shines versus Michigan next week, we'll be the first to say "I told you so."</p><h3>Jackson Arnold is Cam Newton 2.0</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799469/cropped_GettyImages-2232073451.jpg?ts=1756604622" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799469/w220xh124_GettyImages-2232073451.jpg?ts=1756604622 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799469/w320xh180_GettyImages-2232073451.jpg?ts=1756604622 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799469/w640xh360_GettyImages-2232073451.jpg?ts=1756604622 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799469/w768xh432_GettyImages-2232073451.jpg?ts=1756604622 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799469/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2232073451.jpg?ts=1756604622 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>This isn't even our own overreaction: Arnold's performance in his Auburn debut somehow led the broadcast booth to make a Newton comparison. Is it a bit insane to compare the Oklahoma transfer to the most dominant quarterback in the last 25 years? Absolutely. Was Arnold's 245 yards of total offense with two touchdowns and - most importantly - zero turnovers a massive relief for a fan base that's recently been plagued by quarterback error? Definitely. Arnold will need to show more growth as a passer after putting up just 108 yards through the air, but he flashed the dual-threat ability that will give the Tigers an enormous upgrade at quarterback this year.</p><h3>Penn State's got elite receivers</h3><p>Consider the receiver problem at Penn State officially solved. Sure, Nevada isn't exactly the 1985 Chicago Bears, but the Nittany Lions appear to have cashed in with their transfer portal additions out wide. Trebor Pena and Kyron Hudson combined for 163 yards receiving on 13 catches and one score as Drew Allar threw just four incompletions Saturday. The Nittany Lions' offense with legit threats outside makes them serious title contenders and more than worthy of their No. 2 ranking.</p><p>(Of course, Penn State's top two receivers had seven catches for 172 yards in last year's season-opening win, only to finish with zero catches in the playoff loss to Notre Dame, but let's not get stuck in the past.)</p><h3>Nico was holding Tennessee back</h3><p>Nico Iamaleava provided one of the offseason's biggest stories, likely marking the first time a collegiate player took part in a contract holdout. The quarterback wanted more money, Tennessee said, "Thanks for your service," and the California native went off to UCLA. Early returns suggest the Volunteers will be just fine without him. Joey Aguilar - who came the other way from the Bruins - shone for Tennessee with 247 yards passing and three touchdowns. Iamaleava only topped 247 yards through the air three times last season.</p>

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CFB Blitz: Week 1 overreactions

The venue was different, the stakes were lower, and many of the names had changed, but once again...

<p>The venue was different, the stakes were lower, and many of the names had changed, but once again Saturday it was Ohio State that walked off the field victorious over Texas.</p><p>Although the Week 1 showdown didn't have the same pop as January's national semifinal, the result still gives us plenty to talk about - most notably, Arch Manning's struggles in his first road start.</p><p>Here are three takeaways from the Buckeyes' victory at home.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Arch Madness fizzles</h3><p>Manning headlined the discussion entering the game, and Ohio State's defense wanted no part of showing up on the quarterback's highlight tape. He underwhelmed on his biggest stage to date, throwing for just 38 yards in the opening three quarters. He looked uncomfortable throughout, and it quickly became evident that Steve Sarkisian would be very conservative in his play-calling for the third-year passer. That might have worked against a tiny directional school, but not the defending national champions.</p><p>Manning's interception didn't flatter him either, but this pass on a failed fourth-down conversion in the final quarter shows just how much he was struggling to find his targets.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">STOPPED ON 4TH DOWN AGAIN 🤯<br><br>THE <a href="https://twitter.com/OhioStateFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OHIOSTATEFB</a> DEFENSE IS UNREAL TODAY <a href="https://t.co/2DAgdyzSvQ">pic.twitter.com/2DAgdyzSvQ</a></p>— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1961865862933282874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2025</a>
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<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Although Manning piled up some yards late and threw an outstanding touchdown pass, his overall performance was highly concerning. The betting markets took note: The preseason Heisman favorite is no longer No. 1 on the board after his odds tumbled throughout the contest.</p><p>There's no question Manning possesses elite talent, and he will likely flourish as the schedule gets easier. However, Saturday should quiet the Heisman chatter and title talk until we see him come through against a top team. Three games against Group of 5 opponents loom before a date with No. 15 Florida on Oct. 4.</p><h3>Patricia was a great hire</h3><p>Jim Knowles, we hardly knew ye.</p><p>Despite the champions' defensive coordinator leaving for Penn State - and a number of top defenders departing for the NFL - the Buckeyes dominated Texas on that side of the ball. Most of the players on the field weren't born the last time Matt Patricia had a college job, but the longtime NFL coach thrived in his first game as coordinator for Ohio State.</p><p>Texas ran 26 plays in the opening half for 79 yards and converted 1 of 7 third-down chances. Patricia's defense held the Longhorns scoreless in that time, making them the first preseason No. 1 to be shut out in the first half of the season opener since 1988. The secondary was particularly effective, with Caleb Downs, Davison Igbinosun, and Lorenzo Styles Jr. combining for 22 tackles and an interception.</p><p>Ohio State replaced eight of 11 starters from last year's top-ranked defense, but it looks like business as usual in Columbus. That'll be important because ...</p><h3>Ohio State's offense needs work</h3><p>Julian Sayin made some nice throws, avoided any turnovers, and walked off the field with a win over the top-ranked team in his first collegiate start. That counts as an excellent showing for the former five-star recruit. However, the Buckeyes' offense is far from the dominant unit we saw last year, especially when it comes to explosive plays from running backs.</p><p>TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins are off to the NFL, with CJ Donaldson and James Peoples forming the backfield duo this year. The pair combined for just 87 yards on 29 carries Saturday. A strong running game is a young quarterback's best friend, but Sayin was handcuffed by the Buckeyes' struggles to move the ball on the ground.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ohio State's 203 yards of offense were their fewest in any win since they had 184 in a 31-13 win vs Wisconsin on 10/10/2009 with Jim Tressel  as coach</p>— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshDubowAP/status/1961902022636261773?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2025</a>
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<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Sayin will need some reps to truly get cooking in the passing game, even with the ridiculous receiving talent at his disposal. Carnell Tate's incredible 40-yard touchdown aside, Sayin had just 86 yards passing on 19 attempts. Jeremiah Smith had two drops in the first quarter versus Texas - more than he had all of last season.</p><p>Sayin showed enough flashes to indicate he has the talent to shine for Ohio State. However, patience will be needed as the entire offense takes some time to get up to speed.</p>

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3 takeaways from Ohio State's win over Texas

Schools and conferences have made a concerted effort in recent years to fill the Week 1 slate wit...

<p>Schools and conferences have made a concerted effort in recent years to fill the Week 1 slate with blockbuster matchups. Even so, my God, did the schedule-maker cook this time.</p><p>This weekend's main dish is a national semifinal rematch in Columbus between No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State. It's one of the most anticipated season openers we can recall as the Longhorns look to hand the Buckeyes their second home-opener loss since 1978.</p><p>Here are four things to watch when the teams face off Saturday.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Arch Manning on the big stage</h3><p>The latest prodigy from the royal family of quarterbacking got his feet wet last year with multiple starts during Quinn Ewers' injury absence. However, playing on the road against the defending national champions might as well be a different sport than facing Louisiana Monroe and Mississippi State at home.</p><p>Sure, the Buckeyes lost a number of key defenders from last year, but the Ohio State recruiting machine will just spit out more five-star prospects to fill those roles. There's no tougher test in the country to start a season than the one facing Manning and Texas. However, his demeanor suggests he's far from fazed. Perhaps that's the benefit of getting a tip or two from his uncles about hostile road environments.</p><p>Manning might have to live up to the hype immediately if the Longhorns are going to get this road win. While he's a polished passer, what sets Arch apart from his uncles is his ability to run when things break down. He'll need it with four new starters on the offensive line Saturday.</p><h3>Wait, who's Ohio State's DC?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799184/cropped_GettyImages-2205941838.jpg?ts=1756397373" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799184/w220xh124_GettyImages-2205941838.jpg?ts=1756397373 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799184/w320xh180_GettyImages-2205941838.jpg?ts=1756397373 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799184/w640xh360_GettyImages-2205941838.jpg?ts=1756397373 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799184/w768xh432_GettyImages-2205941838.jpg?ts=1756397373 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799184/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2205941838.jpg?ts=1756397373 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jason Mowry / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Hint: He traditionally has a pencil behind his ear on the sidelines even if his play sheet is laminated. That's right, former Detroit Lions coach and longtime Patriots assistant Matt Patricia is the new defensive coordinator for Ohio State after Jim Knowles left for Penn State. It's a bit of a curious choice by the Buckeyes considering Arch Manning hadn't been born the last time Patricia had a college job. However, a 20-plus-year career in the NFL - mostly spent alongside Bill Belichick - has given Patricia an extensive knowledge base.</p><p>He doesn't have the luxury of easing into things at the collegiate level, as arguably the nation's top offensive play-caller will be on the other sideline. How Steve Sarkisian attempts to attack Patricia - and a defense that lost 8 of 11 starters from last season - will be a fascinating chess match.</p><h3>Sayin's 1st start</h3><p>With all the attention on Arch heading into Saturday, it's somehow flown under the radar that the defending national champions have a new quarterback making his first career start. It's Julian Sayin time in Columbus as the former five-star recruit takes over for Will Howard. The talent is there - you don't get signed by Alabama and transfer to Ohio State without it - but Sayin faces a steep learning curve against a ferocious Texas defense.</p><p>But Sayin isn't exactly bringing a knife to a gun fight; he's got the best weapon in college football in star wideout Jeremiah Smith. Add proven pass-catchers Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss to the mix and Sayin has every reason to feel confident against the Longhorns' defense.</p><h3>Future pros matching up</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799185/cropped_GettyImages-2192672106.jpg?ts=1756397570" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799185/w220xh124_GettyImages-2192672106.jpg?ts=1756397570 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799185/w320xh180_GettyImages-2192672106.jpg?ts=1756397570 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799185/w640xh360_GettyImages-2192672106.jpg?ts=1756397570 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799185/w768xh432_GettyImages-2192672106.jpg?ts=1756397570 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/799185/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2192672106.jpg?ts=1756397570 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Football isn't strictly about one-on-one battles, but some eye-popping matchups between a number of future pros could take shape Saturday.</p><p>Arch versus brilliant All-American safety Caleb Downs immediately jumps off the page. While Downs isn't "guarding" Manning, he reads the field as well as anybody in the country and could jump a route or two on the inexperienced quarterback for a game-altering pick.</p><p>Jahdae Barron is gone from the Texas secondary, so it's up to Malik Muhammad and Jaylon Guilbeau to slow down Smith and Tate in the passing attack. On the other side, breakout Longhorns receiver Ryan Wingo likely lines up against Davison Igbinosun.</p><p>In the trenches, star edge rusher Colin Simmons will look to expose a new Ohio State offensive line and make Sayin's life miserable, while the Buckeyes' host of running backs will try to avoid middle linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. all afternoon.</p>

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Blockbuster breakdown: 4 things to watch in Texas-Ohio State

The start of the college football season always brings great hope across the country, as each tea...

<p>The start of the college football season always brings great hope across the country, as each team sets out on its quest, whether chasing a title, aiming for bowl eligibility, or just seeking bragging rights in a rivalry game.</p><p>However, with that hope also comes a high level of uncertainty, and this season has raised that to a level we haven't seen in recent years, with plenty of questions across the nation.</p><p>We identified five to think about heading into Week 1.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Should we be worried about 1st-year starting QBs?</h3><p>The early AP Top 25 taught us that sports writers across the country don't care about quarterback experience. There are six teams in the top 15 of the preseason rankings set to start a quarterback with less than 100 career collegiate pass attempts on their resume, with the heralded Arch Manning headlining the list.</p><p><strong>No. 1 Texas:</strong> Arch Manning<br><strong>No. 3 Ohio State:</strong> Julian Sayin<br><strong>No. 5 Georgia:</strong> Gunner Stockton<br><strong>No. 6 Notre Dame:</strong> CJ Carr<br><strong>No. 8 Alabama:</strong> Ty Simpson<br><strong>No. 14 Michigan: </strong>Bryce Underwood</p><p>Manning and Stockton likely belong in a different class than the rest. Both saw significant snaps last season, and Stockton notably took the field in the playoffs with Georgia. However, there could still be plenty of growing pains as both take the mantle as permanent QB1.</p><p>The rest of the list is littered with top recruits who now get the chance to cash in on that potential. Sayin is likely in the best situation given Ohio State's embarrassment of riches in the receiver room, but the initial test is fierce with Texas coming to Columbus in Week 1.</p><p>If these talented prospects hit their ceiling, any of these six teams could be a serious contender for the national title. If they go through understandable challenges in adjusting to a starting role, these programs could be in a fight for the playoffs.</p><h3>If not now, when for Franklin?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/795344/cropped_GettyImages-2193202185.jpg?ts=1753302520" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/795344/w220xh124_GettyImages-2193202185.jpg?ts=1753302520 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/795344/w320xh180_GettyImages-2193202185.jpg?ts=1753302520 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/795344/w640xh360_GettyImages-2193202185.jpg?ts=1753302520 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/795344/w768xh432_GettyImages-2193202185.jpg?ts=1753302520 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/795344/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2193202185.jpg?ts=1753302520 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Somehow, Penn State won 13 contests, made a playoff run to the national semifinals ... and James Franklin still hasn't shattered the "can't win big games" narrative.</p><p>First, the good. Since Franklin's hire, the Nittany Lions have compiled 101 wins - the 10th most at the FBS level during that time. They are unquestionably one of the top teams in the Big Ten and have become something of an NFL factory. So what's the problem? Franklin's squads consistently fail to rise to the occasion and take down a top program when given the chance. Penn State is 1-15 against top-five teams under Franklin, with a slight improvement to 4-20 against the top 10.</p><p>Sure, Penn State made the national semis last year, but the path couldn't have broken down in a more ideal scenario. Despite losing the Big Ten title game to Oregon, it was the Ducks who had to face the eventual champion, Ohio State, in the playoff opener. The Nittany Lions' "reward" for losing was a first-round home playoff game against SMU and a neutral-site contest with Boise State in the quarterfinals. They got through both unfazed, but once again couldn't beat a top team, losing to Notre Dame in the semis.</p><p>Is this the year Franklin finally flips the script? It's likely the best chance of his career. Ohio State and Oregon both had major roster turnover after last season and are starting new quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Penn State returns a number of top players, led by quarterback Drew Allar and star rushers Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Oh, and the schedule? With a weak non-conference slate, two games will essentially decide the Nittany Lions' fate: at home versus Oregon and on the road at Ohio State.</p><p>If that doesn't all add up to a title-game shot for Franklin, when will he ever get there?</p><h3>What's going on at Auburn?</h3><p>If we had to guess, our bet would be that Hugh Freeze's favorite number is three. That would make Auburn's strategy for its opener against Baylor a lot easier to digest. If you haven't been paying attention, the Tigers plan to use three different play-callers<em><strong> AND</strong></em> three different quarterbacks in the road game in Waco. Huh?</p><p>Five-star freshman Deuce Knight and ex-Stanford starter Ashton Daniels are talented players, but Auburn splashed the cash in the transfer portal to bring in former five-star recruit Jackson Arnold from Oklahoma. The fact that Arnold hasn't separated himself from the other two passers should set off the alarm bells on the plains.</p><p>However, if you wanted to take the glass-half-full approach, the quarterback play could hardly be worse than what the Tigers suffered through last year. Also, their talented roster should thrive with even average play at the position from one of the three names.</p><p>With Auburn jumping straight into the fire on the road against Baylor, it won't take long to see if Freeze's strategy pays off or if an underachieving outfit again rankles the fan base. If it's the latter, Freeze might have plenty of time to work on his golf game come football season next year.</p><h3>Will there be more chaos in the Big 12?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757608/cropped_GettyImages-2184392524.jpg?ts=1732733720" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757608/w220xh124_GettyImages-2184392524.jpg?ts=1732733720 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757608/w320xh180_GettyImages-2184392524.jpg?ts=1732733720 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757608/w640xh360_GettyImages-2184392524.jpg?ts=1732733720 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757608/w768xh432_GettyImages-2184392524.jpg?ts=1732733720 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/757608/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2184392524.jpg?ts=1732733720 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Bruce Yeung / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Some people resort to extreme activities, such as skydiving or mountain climbing, to satisfy their need for a rush of adrenaline. Our suggestion? Save the money and watch Big 12 football, the most chaotic conference in America. Over 40% of conference games ended within one score in 2024, and the school picked to finish dead last in the preseason, Arizona State, won the whole damn thing and made the playoffs. The top five teams in the same preseason poll went 26-35 overall and 13-32 in conference play.</p><p>The Big 12 is off to another roaring start in 2025, with Iowa State claiming the first win of the college football season over the weekend by a narrow three points over Kansas State in Ireland.</p><p>What's the reason for the randomness in the conference? The departure of Oklahoma and Texas leveled the playing field to a certain extent, with most programs operating in the same space in terms of budget and recruiting talent. Texas Tech will look to change that this year after spending a boatload on transfers in the offseason.</p><p>Although Arizona State <strong><em>should </em></strong>still be the class of the conference with quarterback Sam Leavitt and a host of key players returning, it seems silly to bank on anything normal happening in the Big 12. Look for the Red Raiders, Baylor, Iowa State, TCU, and Kansas State to challenge, as well as a Utah team that finally has a quarterback in transfer Devon Dampier.</p><p>Oh, and Scott Frost is back at UCF, Rich Rod returns to West Virginia, Jalon Daniels is still quarterbacking Kansas in what feels like his 10th season, Coach Prime begins life without Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter at Colorado, and Mike Gundy might actually be on the hot seat at Oklahoma State.</p><p>Are you not entertained?</p><h3>Will Clemson keep Belichick from being ACC's biggest story?</h3><p>Look, it's going to take something special - or particularly wild - to keep 73-year-old Bill Belichick from being the biggest story in the ACC this season. Arguably the greatest NFL coach of all time, Belichick has dipped into the college ranks with North Carolina after being shunned by the league he once dominated for an extended period. Every game for his Tar Heels will be must-watch TV, scrutinized on a play-by-play basis. So what could match the scene in Chapel Hill to grab some attention for the ACC? A return to the national title picture for Clemson.</p><p>It doesn't seem far off that the Tigers and Dabo Swinney were the kings of the sport, but Trevor Lawrence is long gone, and he apparently took Clemson's relevance in the title race with him. However, Cade Klubnik's late-season brilliance at quarterback has reignited the Tigers' hopes for a national championship.</p><p>Clemson returns a ton of top talent on both sides of the ball, and Klubnik should thrive again in Garrett Riley's offensive system. The Tigers are clearly the class of the ACC. But what does that really mean in today's college football landscape dominated by the SEC and Big Ten? Clemson essentially played five strong teams last season, beating SMU by three points and losing to Georgia, Louisville, South Carolina, and Texas by a combined score of 122-62.</p><p>Are the Tigers for real this year, or did lesser opponents prop them up in 2024? We won't have to wait long to find out with a Week 1 matchup against No. 9 LSU on the slate.</p>

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5 burning questions entering 2025 CFB season

The always buzzing transfer portal and the constant talk about conference realignment and playoff...

<p>The always buzzing transfer portal and the constant talk about conference realignment and playoff expansion have made following college football a year-round activity. However, there's a different vibe come the last week of August with a fresh season of games ahead and so much new chaos about to unfold.</p><p>This campaign promises to be electric from the jump with a blockbuster matchup between Texas and Ohio State headlining Week 1. Here's all you need to know to get set for the 2025 season.</p><h2>Featured analysis ✍️</h2><p><strong>25 most important names for 2025 season</strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762898/cropped_GettyImages-2190353550.jpg?ts=1735651952" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762898/w220xh124_GettyImages-2190353550.jpg?ts=1735651952 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762898/w320xh180_GettyImages-2190353550.jpg?ts=1735651952 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762898/w640xh360_GettyImages-2190353550.jpg?ts=1735651952 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762898/w768xh432_GettyImages-2190353550.jpg?ts=1735651952 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/762898/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2190353550.jpg?ts=1735651952 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>With the new year comes a cast of new characters. While there are a number of key players returning - notably Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith - the biggest addition to the sport is Bill Belichick at North Carolina. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3324028" href="https://thescore.com/news/3324028">Read more ...</a></p><p><strong>Burning questions to be answered this season</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/764223/cropped_GettyImages-2190967029.jpg?ts=1736317142" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/764223/w220xh124_GettyImages-2190967029.jpg?ts=1736317142 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/764223/w320xh180_GettyImages-2190967029.jpg?ts=1736317142 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/764223/w640xh360_GettyImages-2190967029.jpg?ts=1736317142 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/764223/w768xh432_GettyImages-2190967029.jpg?ts=1736317142 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/764223/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2190967029.jpg?ts=1736317142 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Another year, another chance for James Franklin to wreck the narrative that he can't win the big games with Penn State. Franklin enters the season 4-20 against top 10 opponents during his tenure in State College. This is perhaps Franklin's best chance to flip the script, with many pundits picking the veteran Nittany Lions to win the Big Ten. Is this the year Penn State finally gets it done, or will it be more disappointment? While Franklin has title aspirations, Hugh Freeze is looking to do anything to win some games at Auburn, including running an offensive system with three different play-callers. Will it work? <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3328450" href="https://thescore.com/news/3328450">Read more ...</a></p><p><strong>How can Arch Manning possibly live up to the hype?</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746292/cropped_GettyImages-2173626580.jpg?ts=1726982983" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746292/w220xh124_GettyImages-2173626580.jpg?ts=1726982983 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746292/w320xh180_GettyImages-2173626580.jpg?ts=1726982983 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746292/w640xh360_GettyImages-2173626580.jpg?ts=1726982983 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746292/w768xh432_GettyImages-2173626580.jpg?ts=1726982983 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746292/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2173626580.jpg?ts=1726982983 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The latest product from the Manning quarterback factory finally gets the starting job at Texas after two years with the program. He's wowed in limited action over that span and looks ready to take over the sport. And that's essentially what he'll have to do to meet the sky-high expectations for Eli and Peyton's nephew. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3324456" href="https://thescore.com/news/3324456">Read more ...</a></p><p><strong>CFB hot seats: Coaches facing the most pressure in 2025</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746736/cropped_GettyImages-1753455502.jpg?ts=1727207235" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746736/w220xh124_GettyImages-1753455502.jpg?ts=1727207235 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746736/w320xh180_GettyImages-1753455502.jpg?ts=1727207235 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746736/w640xh360_GettyImages-1753455502.jpg?ts=1727207235 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746736/w768xh432_GettyImages-1753455502.jpg?ts=1727207235 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746736/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1753455502.jpg?ts=1727207235 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The volume of head coaching moves at the Power 4 level dipped considerably this past offseason, but that could change in 2025 with a number of decorated names in need of strong showings. USC didn't expect to be battling for bowl eligibility with Lincoln Riley at the helm, and his replacement at Oklahoma, Brent Venables, has fallen short of the standard in Norman. Add the always scorching seat at Auburn and this season could leave a number of major jobs open. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3324217" href="https://thescore.com/news/3324217">Read more ...</a></p><h2>Power 4 previews 🍿</h2><p><strong>SEC tries to regain title form following 2-year drought</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755811/cropped_GettyImages-2185171824.jpg?ts=1731819328" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755811/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185171824.jpg?ts=1731819328 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755811/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185171824.jpg?ts=1731819328 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755811/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185171824.jpg?ts=1731819328 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755811/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185171824.jpg?ts=1731819328 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755811/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185171824.jpg?ts=1731819328 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Todd Kirkland / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The SEC was long the undisputed king of college football, but in the last two years, the Big Ten rose to the top with back-to-back national champions. A host of top programs are ready to bring the title back to the South, with No. 1 Texas leading a six-pack of SEC teams in the preseason AP Top 25. Which one has the best chance to end the Big Ten's reign? <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3325088" href="https://thescore.com/news/3325088">Read more ...</a></p><p><strong>Experience makes Clemson the ACC favorite. Can anyone challenge?</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749615/cropped_GettyImages-2178131992.jpg?ts=1728764729" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749615/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178131992.jpg?ts=1728764729 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749615/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178131992.jpg?ts=1728764729 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749615/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178131992.jpg?ts=1728764729 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749615/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178131992.jpg?ts=1728764729 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749615/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178131992.jpg?ts=1728764729 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Clemson got real used to competing for national titles under Dabo Swinney, so despite the Tigers' solid results of late, their absence from the big stage has been notable. That might change in 2025 with Cade Klubnik back to build on his strong finish to last season and give Swinney the kind of elite quarterback play he enjoyed with Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence. The ACC seems like Clemson's to lose, but a host of possible spoilers could rise up. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3324449" href="https://thescore.com/news/3324449">Read more ...</a></p><p><strong>Penn State looks to hold off Ohio State, Oregon for elusive Big Ten title</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743307/cropped_GettyImages-2168832717.jpg?ts=1725144755" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743307/w220xh124_GettyImages-2168832717.jpg?ts=1725144755 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743307/w320xh180_GettyImages-2168832717.jpg?ts=1725144755 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743307/w640xh360_GettyImages-2168832717.jpg?ts=1725144755 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743307/w768xh432_GettyImages-2168832717.jpg?ts=1725144755 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743307/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2168832717.jpg?ts=1725144755 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>If there was ever a season for James Franklin to dispel the narrative that he can't win the big game, this is it. Penn State returns a significant number of key performers from last year's semifinal squad, led by star quarterback Drew Allar and the running back duo of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Add in the fact that Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan are all breaking in new quarterbacks and this feels like it's finally the Nittany Lions' year. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3324007" href="https://thescore.com/news/3324007">Read more ...</a></p><p><strong>Arizona State eyes 2nd Big 12 title to follow shocking CFP run</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758170/cropped_GettyImages-2187610203.jpg?ts=1733011271" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758170/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187610203.jpg?ts=1733011271 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758170/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187610203.jpg?ts=1733011271 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758170/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187610203.jpg?ts=1733011271 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758170/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187610203.jpg?ts=1733011271 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758170/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187610203.jpg?ts=1733011271 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Kelsey Grant / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Even Kenny Dillingham might admit he was surprised by Arizona State's debut season in the Big 12. Preseason polls picked the Sun Devils to finish 16th of 16 teams in the revamped conference, yet Dillingham's bunch shocked the world, won the league, and made the playoff. Can Sam Leavitt and the defending champions return to the CFP, or will the sport's most chaotic conference produce another shocking winner? <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3325291" href="https://thescore.com/news/3325291">Read more ...</a></p><h2>Betting tips 💵</h2><p><strong>CFB national title betting: Presenting a case for the top 6 contenders</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798837/cropped_Arch__1_.jpg?ts=1756140022" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798837/w220xh124_Arch__1_.jpg?ts=1756140022 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798837/w320xh180_Arch__1_.jpg?ts=1756140022 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798837/w640xh360_Arch__1_.jpg?ts=1756140022 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798837/w768xh432_Arch__1_.jpg?ts=1756140022 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798837/w1080xh607_Arch__1_.jpg?ts=1756140022 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Manning's Longhorns are co-favorites with the Buckeyes to win the National Championship, but four other teams trail closely behind. We laid out our case for and against the top six contenders, and discussed a few programs that can be considered national title sleepers. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3330454" href="https://thescore.com/news/3330454">Read more ...</a></p><p><strong>Heisman Trophy odds: Should Nussmeier be in same tier as Manning, Klubnik?</strong><strong> </strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754492/cropped_GettyImages-2183916372.jpg?ts=1731199009" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754492/w220xh124_GettyImages-2183916372.jpg?ts=1731199009 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754492/w320xh180_GettyImages-2183916372.jpg?ts=1731199009 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754492/w640xh360_GettyImages-2183916372.jpg?ts=1731199009 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754492/w768xh432_GettyImages-2183916372.jpg?ts=1731199009 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754492/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2183916372.jpg?ts=1731199009 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Aric Becker/ISI Photos / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The name Manning is synonymous with quarterback brilliance, so it's no surprise that Arch Manning is one of the Heisman favorites despite the fact he's just beginning his first season as starter at Texas. However, he's got company at the top of the oddsboard with the experienced Cade Klubnik at Clemson. Those two lead a host of quarterbacks - including LSU's Garrett Nussmeier - that dominate the Heisman oddsboard heading into the preseason, with one freakishly talented receiver from Ohio State the only non-QB in the top 12. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3324014" href="https://thescore.com/news/3324014">Read more ...</a></p><p><strong>CFB betting: Who will make, miss College Football Playoff?</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761617/cropped_GettyImages-2190868654.jpg?ts=1734737729" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761617/w220xh124_GettyImages-2190868654.jpg?ts=1734737729 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761617/w320xh180_GettyImages-2190868654.jpg?ts=1734737729 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761617/w640xh360_GettyImages-2190868654.jpg?ts=1734737729 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761617/w768xh432_GettyImages-2190868654.jpg?ts=1734737729 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761617/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2190868654.jpg?ts=1734737729 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Julio Aguilar / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The playoff field may have expanded to 12, but as we learned last year, that won't end the debates about who deserves to get in and who is left on the outside. Some of last season's top programs experienced major roster turnover, so we could see a shakeup in playoff participants. Can DJ Lagway stay healthy and get Florida to the playoff after years of middling SEC performance? Is this the year Brian Kelly finally gets LSU over the hump? See who we like to make the CFP in 2025 and who we think might be a surprise omission. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3327886" href="https://thescore.com/news/3327886">Read more ... </a></p><p><strong>CFB betting: Picking winners for each of the 4 major conferences</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779383/cropped_GettyImages-2191971957.jpg?ts=1744070088" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779383/w220xh124_GettyImages-2191971957.jpg?ts=1744070088 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779383/w320xh180_GettyImages-2191971957.jpg?ts=1744070088 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779383/w640xh360_GettyImages-2191971957.jpg?ts=1744070088 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779383/w768xh432_GettyImages-2191971957.jpg?ts=1744070088 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779383/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2191971957.jpg?ts=1744070088 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Douglas P. DeFelice / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>With 12 teams now making the playoff, the need to win your conference is slightly less urgent. However, the guaranteed bye for the four highest-rated conference champions is still enough of a carrot to entice teams to go all-out. Did Kalen DeBoer learn enough in his first season with Alabama to get the Crimson Tide back on top in the SEC and surprise Texas and Georgia? Is this finally Penn State's year to take down the likes of Ohio State and Oregon and raise a Big Ten banner? Who is worth a dart throw in the chaotic Big 12? <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3327194" href="https://thescore.com/news/3327194">Read more ... </a></p><p><strong>Odds to win national title (via theScore Bet and ESPN BET)</strong></p><ul>
<li>Ohio State +550</li>
<li>Texas +550</li>
<li>Penn State +650</li>
<li>Georgia +800</li>
<li>Alabama +900</li>
<li>Clemson +900</li>
<li>Notre Dame +1100</li>
<li>LSU +1500</li>
<li>Oregon +1500</li>
<li>Michigan +3500</li>
<li>Florida +4000</li>
<li>Miami +4000</li>
</ul>

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CFB cheat sheet: All you need for kickoff to 2025 season

After another offseason filled with chatter around college football playoff expansion, conference...

<p>After another offseason filled with chatter around college football playoff expansion, conference realignment, and TV contracts, it's finally time to get back to the actual games.</p><p>With a number of top programs trotting out first-time starters at quarterback, the 2025 campaign promises to be volatile as a whole host of squads make a run toward the 12-team playoff.</p><p>To get you primed for kickoff, here are 25 of the most important names to know for this season.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Arch Manning</h3><p>You can't get five seconds into a college football conversation without Manning's name entering the picture. The most talked about college player since Johnny Manziel finally gets his full shot as QB1 for Texas with Quinn Ewers now gone. He flashed plenty of moxie and talent in his limited action last year, throwing nine touchdowns against two interceptions. He was also a major threat on the ground, running for four touchdowns and shocking everyone that a quarterback named Manning could move. Steve Sarkisian's brilliant offensive game-planning can produce a successful signal-caller from just about anybody with a functioning arm. Add someone with Manning's talent to that, and Texas might need to add space for a Heisman in the trophy case.</p><h3>Caleb Downs</h3><p>Two key returning players will ensure Ohio State is just fine in 2025 despite a mass exodus following its national championship run. The first is Downs, an all-world defender who can also ruin games with his return abilities (just <a href="https://youtu.be/1LDuEjHdEtA?si=OLP4vjMaBjHqlBP3">ask Indiana</a>). Opposing teams have to account for Downs like NFL offenses did for Ed Reed, and it would be stunning if he weren't a top-10 pick in next year's draft.</p><h3>Jeremiah Smith</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766047/cropped_GettyImages-2192436626.jpg?ts=1737225328" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766047/w220xh124_GettyImages-2192436626.jpg?ts=1737225328 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766047/w320xh180_GettyImages-2192436626.jpg?ts=1737225328 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766047/w640xh360_GettyImages-2192436626.jpg?ts=1737225328 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766047/w768xh432_GettyImages-2192436626.jpg?ts=1737225328 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/766047/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2192436626.jpg?ts=1737225328 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The second Ohio State star needs no introduction after torching anybody in his way during an outrageous freshman season with the Buckeyes. It seems criminal that Smith has to play not one, but two more years of college football when he's already arguably the most dominant player in the sport. However, Ohio State fans won't mind, as Smith gets two more campaigns to dominate in Columbus before becoming the next - and probably best - Buckeyes wide receiver to be a first-round pick.</p><h3>Kalen DeBoer</h3><p>The last time we saw DeBoer's Alabama on the field, the Crimson Tide were getting worked by a Michigan team filled with mostly backups. The honeymoon in Tuscaloosa is over, and the pressure is firmly on DeBoer to get the program back to the Saban standard. To help with that, DeBoer reunited with Ryan Grubb, his former offensive coordinator at Washington, who spent last year in the NFL. Grubb will look to turn around an Alabama attack that sputtered down the stretch, averaging 14 points per game over the final three contests. With road trips to Florida State and Georgia before the end of September, you can bet the radio call-in shows will be buzzing early one way or another in Tuscaloosa.</p><h3>Lincoln Riley</h3><p>Year 1 in Los Angeles was a Hollywood dream for Riley with an 11-3 record in his first campaign at USC. It's been a horror movie since, with the Trojans stumbling to a mediocre 15-11 mark across the past two seasons. While that's still above .500, USC didn't give Riley over $100 million to be in the mid-tier of the Big Ten. But there's a new face on campus to help Riley's 87th-ranked defense in the form of Rob Ryan ... yes, that Rob Ryan. Hopefully, that pays dividends, because another middling defense dragging this team down won't be good for Riley's long-term future.</p><h3>Harold Perkins Jr.</h3><p>Perkins was an absolute menace as a freshman, but two turbulent seasons featuring a position change and a torn ACL have all but ended the hype around the LSU defender. He'll look to change that in his final collegiate season, reminding NFL scouts about why his skill set initially had them drooling while trying to right the ship of last season's 89th-ranked defense in the nation.</p><h3>Garrett Nussmeier</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754492/cropped_GettyImages-2183916372.jpg?ts=1731199009" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754492/w220xh124_GettyImages-2183916372.jpg?ts=1731199009 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754492/w320xh180_GettyImages-2183916372.jpg?ts=1731199009 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754492/w640xh360_GettyImages-2183916372.jpg?ts=1731199009 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754492/w768xh432_GettyImages-2183916372.jpg?ts=1731199009 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754492/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2183916372.jpg?ts=1731199009 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Aric Becker/ISI Photos / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>There isn't a throw in the world that Nussmeier won't try. That mindset produces plenty of "wow" highlights, but it also sprinkles in the odd "WTF" moments. Nussmeier's arm talent is elite, and he's poised to put up outrageous numbers and be a Heisman favorite in LSU's pass-happy offense. It also might land him another quarterbacking job in Louisiana, as the New Orleans Saints are expected to have a high pick in next year's draft.</p><h3>Jeremiyah Love</h3><p>Love might be the most electrifying player in the nation who isn't named Jeremiah Smith. The Notre Dame speedster <em><strong>averaged</strong> </em>6.9 yards per carry last year and scored 17 touchdowns on the ground. And all that was on just 10 carries per game. Add a much bigger role this time around, and it's scary to think what Love could accomplish in South Bend.</p><h3>Kyron Hudson, Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross</h3><p>What was your favorite catch by a Penn State wide receiver in last year's playoff loss to Notre Dame? Trick question: there wasn't one. Drew Allar completed just 12 of 23 passes in the contest: six to tight end Tyler Warren and six more to a combination of running backs and backup tight ends. That's not all on Allar, as his wideout group proved time and again last year that they weren't on a championship level. With Warren now in the NFL, it's this trio of transfer receivers who will attempt to finally get Penn State over the hump. Hudson and Pena have especially impressed in fall camp and will be vital in both Allar's development and the Nittany Lions' title hopes.</p><h3>Cade Klubnik</h3><p>It seems so long ago that disgruntled Clemson fans were calling for Klubnik to be benched. Dabo Swinney stood by his quarterback and got rewarded in a big way. Klubnik starred down the stretch last season, with his improved decision-making under pressure standing out most. He threw just six interceptions against 37 touchdown passes, a strong indication of his growing poise and command. Expect more of that in 2025.</p><h3>LaNorris Sellers</h3><p>With a blend of electric playmaking ability and raw talent, Sellers might be the most fun quarterback in the country to watch. That is, unless, of course, you're the Clemson defense.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Oxh1E_00Ubc?si=tGizSZAp8dknYB2J" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>NFL scouts have already taken notice, and another season developing as a passer should have him flying up draft boards.</p><h3>Deion Sanders</h3><p>It's must-watch TV whenever there's a microphone around Coach Prime. The gregarious Sanders appears to be back in good health after receiving treatment for bladder cancer in the offseason. He now enters a season at Colorado without the all-world talents of his son Shedeur and the electric Travis Hunter for the first time. How he navigates that situation will again turn plenty of eyes toward Boulder.</p><h3>David Bailey Jr.</h3><p>Can money take a middle-tier Big 12 program to the national spotlight in college football? Texas Tech seems hell-bent on finding out. The Red Raiders splashed a boatload of cash this offseason to procure a number of transfers - none more impactful than David Bailey from Stanford. The pass-rusher has 14.5 sacks in his career and led the ACC in pressure rate last season. He'll be a major help to a program that ranked 92nd in sacks in 2024. If Texas Tech is going to make a playoff push, it'll likely be based heavily on Bailey hounding opposing quarterbacks.</p><h3>Nico Iamaleava</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798146/cropped_GettyImages-2212718378.jpg?ts=1755658191" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798146/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212718378.jpg?ts=1755658191 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798146/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212718378.jpg?ts=1755658191 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798146/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212718378.jpg?ts=1755658191 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798146/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212718378.jpg?ts=1755658191 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/798146/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212718378.jpg?ts=1755658191 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Ric Tapia / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The face of one of college sports' first contract disputes has returned home to California and will be the highly scrutinized quarterback at UCLA. Iamaleava decided - or had it decided for him - that he was worth more to Tennessee than the NIL dollars he was being paid. The Volunteers disagreed, so he packed up and returned to the friendly setting of Los Angeles. One party will emerge from the 2025 season looking silly for how the whole saga unfolded. Will it be Tennessee for allowing a future first-round QB to leave over money, or will it be Iamaleava for thinking he was a significantly different level of player than the Volunteers saw?</p><h3>Corey Hetherman</h3><p>How does a team that leads the country in scoring at 44 points per game and has the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft fail to make the playoffs? Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to the 2024 Miami defensive unit. The Hurricanes allowed at least 30 points in six of their last nine games to fall agonizingly short of a playoff bid. With Carson Beck now under center, the offense is surely set to thrive again. However, it's the new man running the defense who will likely decide the fate of Miami. Mario Cristobal brought in Hetherman from Minnesota in the offseason to fix that side of the ball.</p><h3>Koi Perich</h3><p>Goodbye, Travis Hunter, hello ... Koi Perich? Fresh off an incredible freshman season in which the Minnesota safety led the Big Ten in interceptions, both Perich and coach PJ Fleck have hinted at a dual-threat role in Year 2. Perich did just about everything on a football field in his elite high school career, and his performance as a freshman suggests he can repeat that at this level as well. Whether it's as a runner, passer, or receiver, Minnesota's potential plan for Perich makes them a must-watch program this year.</p><h3>Bill Belichick</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784792/cropped_GettyImages-2198457470.jpg?ts=1746797459" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784792/w220xh124_GettyImages-2198457470.jpg?ts=1746797459 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784792/w320xh180_GettyImages-2198457470.jpg?ts=1746797459 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784792/w640xh360_GettyImages-2198457470.jpg?ts=1746797459 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784792/w768xh432_GettyImages-2198457470.jpg?ts=1746797459 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784792/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2198457470.jpg?ts=1746797459 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mike Coppola / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Do we really need to explain this one? Arguably the greatest NFL coach of all time is stepping into the college ranks at the age of 73 to try to tame the ACC with North Carolina. Oh, and he has his 24-year-old girlfriend in tow to handle his personal business side of things. If that's not enough to draw your interest to Chapel Hill, maybe college football isn't for you.</p><h3>John Mateer</h3><p>You can bet on Mateer being a huge upgrade at the quarterback position from the debacle at that spot for Oklahoma last year. The Washington State star followed his coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, to Norman, with head coach Brent Venables in desperate need of a strong season to calm the fervor surrounding his job status. If Mateer hits, Oklahoma could be a sneaky SEC title contender. If he fails to elevate the offense, Venables could be seeing a pink slip before the end of the season.</p><h3>Bryce Underwood</h3><p>The only teams worse than Michigan at passing the ball last year were Army, Navy, and Air Force - three service academies that purposely avoid throwing on offense. The Wolverines' solution to that issue comes in the form of highly touted freshman Bryce Underwood, a five-star local prospect who flipped his commitment from LSU in part due to significant financial support from Oracle founder Larry Ellison. Underwood looks poised to earn the rare distinction of being a starting quarterback as a true freshman, as the Wolverines aim to build on their stunning season-ending wins over Ohio State and Alabama.</p><h3>Zachariah Branch, Noah Thomas</h3><p>The Carson Beck era is officially over at Georgia, and it's Gunner Stockton who will try to lead the Bulldogs back to the national title game. To assist his new starting quarterback, Kirby Smart prioritized finding players who can catch the ball. After Georgia led the nation in drops last season, the program brought in the electric Zachariah Branch from USC and Noah Thomas from Texas A&amp;M to make life easy for Stockton. While it's doubtful Smart will let Stockton cut loose from the pocket, the fresh weapons should give the Bulldogs plenty of bite in the passing attack.</p><h3>Sam Leavitt</h3><p>Leavitt shone as the starting quarterback on college football's biggest surprise last season. Nobody saw the Arizona State playoff charge coming, but Leavitt's dual-threat capabilities were a major reason for the Sun Devils' shocking success. The job this time out is made much tougher with the departure of perhaps 2024's most dangerous offensive weapon - the incredible Cam Skattebo. However, head coach Kenny Dillingham has proven his game-calling skills over the years and should have Leavitt primed for another outstanding season as the best quarterback in the Big 12.</p><h3>Will Stein</h3><p>Stein's a perfect 2-for-2 at Oregon in sending quarterbacks to the Heisman ceremony, with Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel getting invites to New York. If he pulls that off for a third straight year, it's safe to assume the coach won't be at Oregon come 2026. However, the task is tall this year with Dante Moore under center - a highly touted passer who started as a freshman at UCLA before transferring to the Ducks prior to last season. If Stein can get Moore anywhere near the level Nix and Gabriel played, Oregon's a legit national title threat in the Big Ten.</p>

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CFB 25: The most important names to know for the season

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/dane-belbeck/content_cards