Heisman Winners and Legendary Players Highlight 2026 Hall of Fame Ballot Choices

Mark Ingram made history as Alabama’s first Heisman winner in 2009 after a standout season with 1,658 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Cam Newton followed in 2010, becoming just the third FBS player to record 20 passing and 20 rushing touchdowns in a season.

Robert Griffin III, the 2011 winner, led the nation in points responsible for and ranked second in total offense. Ndamukong Suh, a dominant defensive lineman for Nebraska in 2009, was the first defensive lineman finalist for the Heisman in 15 years and earned AP National Player of the Year honors.

The ballot also includes notable players like Iowa’s Brad Banks, Pittsburgh’s Aaron Donald, California’s Marshawn Lynch, and Oklahoma’s Josh Heupel. On the coaching side, candidates include Larry Coker, Gary Patterson, and Chris Petersen, each with impressive records.

Coker led Miami to a national title in his rookie season, Patterson is TCU’s all-time wins leader, and Petersen has the most wins in Boise State history, along with leading Washington to the 2016 College Football Playoff.

Lowering Coaching Eligibility Percentage Opens Door for More Candidates, Including Mike Leach

Starting in 2027, the National Football Foundation will slightly lower the minimum winning percentage for coaching eligibility from .600 to .595. This change will open the door for more coaches to be considered for the Hall of Fame, reflecting the evolving standards in college football.

One notable beneficiary of this adjustment is the late Mike Leach, who passed away in 2022. Leach had a career record of 158-107 with a .596 winning percentage, just shy of the previous threshold. Renowned for his innovative offensive schemes and ability to pull off upsets, Leach won 18 games against Top 25 teams when his squads were unranked, cementing his legacy as a coach worthy of Hall of Fame consideration.

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This reputation has become even more prominent with the rise of name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities, which have led to increased investments in football and other high-profile sports across the nation.

NIL Spending Soars as Texas Denies Reported $40 Million Football Roster Cost

Programs nationwide, such as Ohio State, have significantly increased their financial commitments in the NIL era, with reports indicating the Buckeyes spent over $20 million to assemble a championship-caliber roster. In this fiercely competitive environment, Texas was rumored to have matched or even surpassed that amount. However, the accuracy of claims suggesting a $40 million expenditure by the Longhorns was quickly called into question.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian denied the widely circulated claim that the Longhorns’ roster cost $40 million. Referring to a Houston Chronicle report, Sarkisian pointed out that the team’s expenses—including NIL collective payouts and revenue-sharing funds—were closer to $25 million. He criticized the $40 million figure as a product of “irresponsible reporting” and emphasized that only one anonymous source had made that claim.

High Spending Becomes the Norm as Texas Competes in a Financially Driven Era

Sarkisian acknowledged the current financial state of college football, noting that major programs across the country are pouring significant resources into acquiring top players. He recognized that high spending has become a standard practice in the sport and described it as an unavoidable part of today’s game. His comments showed an understanding of both Texas’ role and the overall competitive nature of college football.

Despite the speculation about its spending, Texas has backed its financial investments with strong performances on the field. The Longhorns reached the College Football Playoff in the past two seasons, advancing past Clemson and Arizona State before falling to Ohio State in the semifinals of the latest campaign. Sarkisian joked that an extra $15 million might have helped them go further, underscoring both the competitiveness of elite programs and the growing importance of financial resources in college football success.

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Under the new system, the four highest-ranked teams overall, not just conference champions, will receive first-round byes, addressing issues raised in the inaugural 12-team playoff season, where inconsistencies between rankings and seedings led to early heavyweight matchups.

Confusing Bye Rules Hurt Fairness, But Financial Commitments Remain Intact

Last year’s format created confusion and imbalance by granting opening-round byes to lower-ranked conference champions like Arizona State (ranked 12th) and Boise State (ranked 9th), which pushed more deserving teams into tougher early matchups.

This approach effectively decoupled the rankings from the bracket, undermining the intent of fair competition. A notable example was top-ranked Oregon facing eventual national champion Ohio State in the quarterfinals, a clash many felt came too early due to the distorted seeding system.

Financial compensation remains unchanged for top conference champions under the new format. The four highest-ranked champions will still earn $8 million for their leagues—$4 million for reaching the playoffs and another $4 million for advancing to the quarterfinals.

This arrangement was part of the commissioners’ effort to uphold prior financial commitments despite the structural change. While the Southeastern Conference (SEC) pushed for the revision, commissioners from smaller conferences agreed in part because it preserved financial parity, at least for this season, ahead of more substantial negotiations likely to follow.

Playoff System Evolves Again Amid Expansion Talks and Calls for Greater Fairness

This adjustment marks the third different playoff structure in as many years, reflecting the evolving nature of college football’s postseason. From a four-team playoff to last year’s 12-team model and now the revised seeding approach, the CFP continues to evolve.

Future changes are already being discussed, including a potential 14-team expansion and further guaranteed spots for select conferences. The SEC and Big Ten are expected to play leading roles in shaping these decisions, signaling an ongoing power shift in college football governance.

Had the new system been in place last year, several first-round matchups would have looked very different. Clemson, ranked 16th by the committee, still would have made the playoff due to their conference title, but would have faced a much tougher opponent in No. 5 Notre Dame.

Arizona State, instead of receiving a bye, would have battled No. 6 Ohio State. Boise State and SMU also would have had more challenging paths. The top four teams—Oregon, Georgia, Texas, and Penn State—would have received byes based purely on ranking, possibly altering the playoff trajectory significantly. This retrospective emphasizes the importance of aligning seeding with performance to ensure a more balanced and competitive playoff system.

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For Harvard, the challenge was even steeper: they needed to beat Syracuse four times in one game to keep their season alive. They succeeded thrice — with a regular season win, a dominant first half, and a dramatic regulation-equalizer with just six seconds left — but Syracuse found a way to take it back.

Syracuse’s Resilience and Balanced Effort Lead to Dramatic Comeback and Overtime Victory

Syracuse showcased their hallmark resilience by scoring five goals in a blistering 1:39 stretch to erase Harvard’s lead. In overtime, despite Harvard’s momentum, Syracuse face-off specialist John Mullen secured possession, and Owen Hiltz, who had gone scoreless in regulation, delivered the game-winner. Hiltz’s cut through traffic and tough finish sealed the 13-12 victory in front of a raucous home crowd.

The Orange’s victory was fueled by a balanced team effort, led by junior midfielder Luke Rhoa’s four goals. Spallina and Hiltz contributed both goals and assists, while Deere, Thomson, and Leo also made an impact. Syracuse coach Gary Gait praised his team’s determination, emphasizing their belief in each other and refusal to give up, qualities that proved crucial in their comeback.

Mullen’s Face-off Dominance and Harvard’s Penalty Struggles Lead to Syracuse’s Victory

John Mullen was the game’s unsung hero, winning 24 of 28 face-offs and helping Syracuse dominate possession. The Orange also capitalized on Harvard’s penalties, scoring four extra-man goals — including three from a single non-releasable crosscheck. These moments proved pivotal in both sustaining and regaining momentum during the final stretch of the game.

Despite the loss, Harvard’s offense was impressively efficient, converting over 41% of their possessions. Jack Speidell, Teddy Malone, Logan Ip, and Sam King led the scoring, and goalie Graham Stevens made 11 saves. But a late-game collapse — triggered by face-off struggles and failed penalty kills — unraveled their hard-earned lead. With the heartbreaking defeat, Harvard’s season ends at 10-5, while Syracuse moves on to face Princeton in the next round.

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Since leaving coaching, Saban has been actively working with Republican lawmakers to push for stricter regulations on NIL, aligning himself with those seeking to curb the growing autonomy and earning power of student-athletes.

Saban and Trump Face Scrutiny Over Controversial NIL Reform Involvement and Motives

Saban’s participation in a Senate hearing as a guest of Sen. Ted Cruz in 2023 underscored his stance. He claimed NIL policies diminished players’ resilience and cited concerns from NFL coaches and his wife about players’ attitudes.

However, many viewed his statements as hypocritical, considering his status as the highest-paid college football coach at the time of his retirement. Critics argue that his complaints reflect a desire to maintain control over athletes rather than promote fairness or development.

The notion of involving Donald Trump in such a complex and evolving issue has raised eyebrows. Sports analyst Spencer Hall and commentator Bomani Jones expressed skepticism about Trump’s ability to meaningfully contribute to NIL reform, especially given his past failures in professional football, such as his role in the downfall of the USFL. While acknowledging that NIL rules might benefit from refinement, critics doubt Trump’s qualifications to spearhead such efforts.

Critics Slam Political Interference Threatening Progress in College Athletes’ NIL Freedoms

Jemele Hill, another prominent sports commentator, took to social media to mock the situation, warning college athletes about political interference in their newfound financial independence.

She highlighted the NCAA’s lobbying efforts and emphasized how out-of-touch such political maneuvers might be with the needs and interests of modern athletes. Hill’s message implied that efforts to curtail NIL freedoms are rooted in preserving outdated power dynamics.

Legal experts, such as those at Hagens Berman law firm, which previously secured a major antitrust settlement against the NCAA, criticized Saban’s involvement. They pointed out the contradiction in his push for athlete pay restrictions while having personally profited immensely from the old system.

According to the firm, Saban and Trump’s attempts at last-minute policy changes are unnecessary and detrimental. They argue that college athletes are now leading transformative changes and that interference from former power brokers only threatens to stall progress.

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Lea, alongside Athletic Director Candice Storey Lee, has aimed to rebrand Vanderbilt as a serious competitor, challenging the perception that the school lacked commitment to athletics. Both alumni of the university, Lea and Lee have worked in tandem since the COVID-19 era to overhaul the culture and foster belief in long-term success, beyond just occasional flashes.

The 2024 season marked a broader athletic renaissance at Vanderbilt, with the football, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball teams all ranked nationally—a first for the school. Despite past struggles, including a 2-10 season in 2023, the football program turned a major corner by winning seven games and notching historic victories.

Lea’s Resilience, Staff Overhaul, and $300M Vision Fuel Vanderbilt’s Ongoing Football Rebuild

Lea faced immense pressure during the program’s downturn but leaned on persistence and internal belief. While fans and boosters questioned the direction, he stuck to his principles, knowing that growth wasn’t linear. Lee compared the rebuild to recovering from knee surgery—full of setbacks but ultimately rewarding.

The “Vandy United” campaign has driven a massive $300 million investment into athletics, including upgrades to FirstBank Stadium. Yet, challenges remain, with outdated football facilities still behind SEC standards. Lea emphasizes that while flashy perks aren’t essential, facilities that reflect a commitment to football are crucial for legitimacy.

Lea rebuilt his coaching staff with proven leaders, including Jerry Kill, Bob Shoop, Tim Beck, and Robert Stiner. Their experience, along with a fresh philosophy, brought credibility and developmental rigor. The changes reflect Lea’s evolving approach and willingness to delegate, with Steve Gregory set to call defensive plays in 2025.

Pavia’s Playmaking, Culture Shift, and Underdog Mentality Drive Vanderbilt’s Gritty Football Revival

Quarterback Diego Pavia played a transformative role in the team’s turnaround. The New Mexico State transfer combined explosive play with leadership, accounting for 28 touchdowns. His gritty style and belief in Lea’s vision resonated deeply within the locker room, helping build a culture centered on accountability and pride.

The return of key players and minimal transfer losses signify a program built on strong foundations. Senior linebacker Langston Patterson underscored that previous Vanderbilt teams lacked cohesion. Now, with talent supported by culture, the team feels it can contend—though Lea reminds them that they’re as close to 2-10 as they are to 10-2.

Vanderbilt’s success wasn’t based on overpowering talent but on playing methodically—winning the turnover battle, dominating special teams, and controlling time of possession. Offensive coordinator Tim Beck stressed playing “complementary football” rather than engaging in shootouts, knowing Vanderbilt can’t match SEC powerhouses man-for-man just yet.

Lea and his players thrive on skepticism, turning doubt into motivation. They know that sustaining success is the next, harder step. Vanderbilt hasn’t had back-to-back winning seasons since 2012–2013. But for Lea and Pavia, the underdog mentality is a badge of honor. They’re driven not just to prove people wrong—but to redefine what Vanderbilt football can be.

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Miles, a dynamic 5-foot-10 senior, brings elite talent to a TCU program coming off its best season ever. Averaging 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, she’s expected to make an immediate impact.

NIL Earnings Outshine WNBA Rookie Salaries, Shaping New Decisions for Top Players

What makes Miles’ move even more significant is what she chose to delay: entering the WNBA Draft. Projected as a top lottery pick—possibly second only to UConn’s Paige Bueckers—Miles surprised many by opting to stay in college. In the past, passing up a high draft selection was almost unheard of, but Miles’ decision reflects a changing tide in women’s basketball.

A key factor influencing Miles and others is the earning potential through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Players like LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson and Paige Bueckers reportedly earn $1.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively, in NIL valuations—far surpassing rookie salaries in the WNBA.

Top draft picks earn around $78,831 annually, with rookie contracts totaling roughly $348,198 over four years. For elite college stars, staying on campus can be the more lucrative route.

Staying in School Becomes Smart Business Move for Women’s College Basketball Stars

Olivia Miles is already capitalizing on her personal brand, with endorsements from companies like Hello Gorgeous! and Stackwell Capital. Her move to TCU could further boost her visibility and marketability, especially as other stars like Bueckers and Hailey Van Lith head to the WNBA. Remaining in the college spotlight provides athletes more opportunities to grow their brands while competing at a high level.

Miles isn’t the only player opting to return to school. Standouts like Flau’jae Johnson, Ta’Niya Latson (now at South Carolina), and UCLA’s Lauren Betts are also delaying professional careers. These decisions provide not only another year of athletic development but also a chance to expand financial and marketing opportunities.

If this pattern continues, it could mark a new era in women’s college basketball—where staying in school becomes the smart move for top-tier talent.

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What began as a simple opportunity to try something new quickly turned into a passion for the game when he won the MVP award for the team. That experience marked the beginning of his love for football and set him on the path to becoming a player.

Key Career Moments and Future Goals Fueling Collier’s Drive for Success and Legacy

Collier has had several incredible moments throughout his football career. One of the highlights is winning a National Championship, which stands out as the most significant achievement for him. Other notable moments include being named an All-American and tying for first in kickoff return touchdowns across the country.

However, the most special moment for Collier was scoring his first college touchdown on his very first catch against a rival team, marking a memorable milestone in his football journey.

Looking forward, Collier has big goals for his football career. His ultimate aim is to go professional, but he also wants to leave a lasting legacy beyond just statistics and accolades.

Collier’s focus is on becoming a role model for players who may not have started in a Division I or II program but still aspire to reach the highest levels of football. By setting an example of hard work and perseverance, he hopes to inspire others to push through challenges and make their dreams a reality.

Family Resilience and Integrity Shaping Collier’s Football Journey and Life

Collier draws much of his inspiration from his family, particularly his mother. As a single mother raising two boys who played every sport, Collier’s mom exemplified strength and determination, qualities that deeply impacted him.

Her resilience in managing the challenges of single motherhood and supporting her children’s athletic ambitions serves as a constant source of motivation for him. This foundation of strength from his family has played a significant role in shaping Collier both as a player and as a person.

While football is a major part of Collier’s life, it is far from the only aspect that defines him. He values integrity, hard work, and making a positive impact both on and off the field. He takes pride in being a leader and a teammate who motivates those around him.

Collier believes in continual personal growth, constantly striving to be better in all areas of his life. Football, for him, is not just a sport—it’s a platform to inspire others and develop meaningful relationships that last a lifetime.

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The 6-foot-6, 464-pound prospect somehow avoided detection from team personnel and media members after his workout in front of NFL scouts on Thursday.

Watson’s teammates and coaches spoke on his behalf, all praising his performance and trying to convince someone to make him the heaviest draft pick in NFL history next month.

“He moves way better than anybody thought he would at his size,” said fellow defensive tackle Joey Slackman. “I don’t see why a team wouldn’t give him a chance. He’s a football player through and through; I would want that guy on my team.”

Watson pressed 225 pounds an impressive 36 times, beating any bench-press performance at this year’s NFL combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.93 seconds and recorded a 25-inch vertical jump.

He looked winded during position drills, not surprising since Florida only had four defensive linemen in the rotation. But his size and strength, particularly his weight, were evident during what could be the most important day of his career.

“Dez, obviously, he’s a unicorn,” said Gators coach Billy Napier. “You’ll go the rest of your career and never meet a guy like him. And then you get to know Dez. He’s extremely intelligent. He’s got a great sense of humor. He was a great teammate.

“He showed up in good shape today, so he’ll get his shot, and I’m hoping he’ll make the most of it.”

Watson’s weight was as surprising as his bench press. He was listed at 449 pounds last season, up from 435 pounds as a junior and 415 pounds as a sophomore. He’s had to manage his weight since he first arrived at Florida in 2021 when then-coach Dan Mullen described him as “a 385-pound athlete.”

“He’s had numerous nutritionists, numerous position coaches, numerous strength coaches, and I think this past year we probably executed the best we have,” Napier said. “And I thought he played his best football of his career. In general, I think he’s learned a lot about habit-building, self-discipline.

“The guy’s frame would indicate that he’s going to be huge — that number’s always going to be pretty big. He’s 6-foot-6, and just the density, the bone structure. It’s just a big man.”

Watson never missed a game during his four years at Florida. His highlights were rare, but he had a few standout moments, like tossing South Florida running back Brian Battie in 2022 and forcing a fumble against South Carolina, which he later returned for a score, possibly even a touchdown if not for a missed open-field tackle by quarterback Spencer Rattler.

Watson, the ultimate space-eater, ended his college career with 63 tackles and 1½ sacks. He also ran for a 1-yard gain and even played fullback for a few plays against Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl in December.

“Dez is a really talented, athletic guy,” said Florida defensive back Trikweze Bridges. “We all know that. We all see it.”

But will it be enough for an NFL team to draft him? The heaviest players ever selected in the NFL draft weighed 380 pounds: offensive linemen Trent Brown (Florida, 2015) and Daniel Faalele (Minnesota, 2022). Watson exceeds them by nearly 100 pounds.

“Dez came out here and really shocked a lot of scouts, especially when he ran his 40,” said defensive tackle Cam Jackson. “I feel like he shocked a lot of people. A lot of big guys can’t move the way Dez can move.

“He’s working to get the weight down. I feel like a team is going to take a shot on him. If I was them, I would. You don’t find too many nose tackles moving like him. Dez is a big, disruptive guy, and he puts in the work.”

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“If a couple programs choose to explore this, I think it’s going to be something that could have some real legs to it,” Bohl told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders recently suggested that a school should be allowed to host a team from another school for a few days of joint practices before they play an exhibition game. This could possibly replace the traditional intrasquad spring game. In response to Sanders, Syracuse coach Fran Brown posted on social media that he would be willing to take his team to Colorado for a three-day visit.

When asked if Colorado had requested a waiver for this, CU athletics spokesman Steve Hulbert texted to the AP, “We are working with the NCAA and the Big 12 Conference. There are currently no updates.”

Bohl mentioned that “there is quite a bit of appetite” among coaches to hold intersquad practices and scrimmages, even as soon as this spring. The motivation comes from the 105-man roster limit, which is expected to be officially approved next month when the settlement of the House vs. NCAA antitrust lawsuit is finalized.

The average FBS roster was 128 players last year, and coaches are looking for ways to manage the reduced number of players. Bohl explained that intersquad practices between teams from different conferences, who won’t play each other during the season, would help with this. This issue is especially important for teams competing for the College Football Playoff.

One concern Bohl raised is that participating in intersquad practices could lead to players being scouted by personnel directors from the other team, which might result in tampering.

“Do I really want to expose my guys?” Bohl said a coach asked him. “They’re going to have their general manager out there taking notes on what kind of ability a certain player has. How you get that worked out, I don’t know.”

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule explained that he canceled the Cornhuskers’ traditional televised spring game, partly because of the risk of other teams scouting his players and possibly attempting to recruit them through the transfer portal.

Rhule, who took part in intersquad practices when he was the coach of the Carolina Panthers, said he would support the Huskers practicing for a few days with another team. However, he expressed doubts that a rule change would happen soon.

“If anybody can do it, coach Sanders can,” he said, adding that Syracuse’s Brown could also be convincing. “If that happened, I would certainly look into all that has to offer.”

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said he would be open to bringing the Bedlam series back with Oklahoma in the spring if the rules changed. He imagined two practices against the Sooners each year or one per year in a home-and-home setup, replacing the spring game, with the two programs splitting the ticket gate for name, image, and likeness money.

“We’re moving toward the NFL, why not do that?” Gundy said. “So I think it’d be a great idea.”

This could attract attention since Oklahoma left the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference last year, bringing a historic rivalry that had lasted over a century to an end.

Gundy suggested how it might work if the rule were in place this year. He said the Cowboys could practice at Oklahoma on April 12, the same day Oklahoma had planned an event to replace its traditional spring game. He also suggested that Oklahoma could visit Oklahoma State the following week, replacing the Cowboys’ spring game.

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Luck may be the perfect person to combine the demands of high-level football with the values of a prestigious university like Stanford. This makes him the right choice to help guide the Stanford football program into the current era of college football.

“This amazing place that has, like any institution, its own sort of quirks and culture,” Luck said last week. “Part of why I’m here is because, I understand a lot of it and lived it as an undergrad and grad student and love it. It holds deep, deep meaning for me.”

Luck’s task won’t be simple. The Cardinal have just finished their fourth consecutive 3-9 season and are far from the success they had when Luck played from 2009 to 2011 and during the years right after when Stanford was one of the top teams on the West Coast.

The program has struggled in recent years and now must face the challenges of competing in the ACC while receiving a smaller share of the revenue after Stanford nearly lost its conference spot due to recent realignment.

Now, there are questions about the head coach position after ESPN reported last week that Troy Taylor has been investigated twice since taking over before the 2023 season, following allegations of hostile and aggressive behavior, as well as personal attacks against female staff members.

Luck spoke to reporters last week, before those details were made public, and expressed support for Taylor. However, he has not commented since the report was released.

These are the challenges Luck must address in his new role, including raising funds and attracting talent to help the Cardinal return to the success they had under coach Jim Harbaugh and early in coach David Shaw’s time.

“I certainly want to believe I sell this place as good as anybody around football,” Luck said. “I lived it, and I know it’s authentic when I talk about Stanford and what this place can be for the development of a young man, of a football player academically, socially. I certainly believe deeply in this place.”

Luck was hired last fall by new school President Jonathan Levin as general manager of the football program

Luck reports directly to Levin rather than the athletic director. The Cardinal is also looking for a new athletic director after Bernard Muir announced his decision to step down earlier this month.

Luck has returned to a public role for the first time since his sudden retirement from the Indianapolis Colts just weeks before the 2019 season. He moved back to the Stanford area in 2022 with his wife, Nicole, earned a Master’s degree, and volunteered as a coach at nearby Palo Alto High School.

Luck has been in his new role for less than four months and is working to balance the different tasks of promoting the program, raising funds, motivating the student body, and helping bring in top players to support coach Troy Taylor in his third season.

“I don’t know what that balance is right now,” Luck said. “It’s a little bit of whack-a-mole in some senses, which is to be sort of expected in any new job, especially entering a new job with an incredible sea of change.”

Stanford was slow to adapt to the new era of college football, with unlimited transfers and players being able to earn money through NIL deals. Luck said Levin’s commitment to change is why he was willing to take on the challenge.

The Cardinal added 12 transfers during the winter portal period and are committed to participating in revenue sharing with players if a court settlement is approved next month.

Previous Stanford administrations haven’t always been fully committed to big-time athletics, but Luck noticed a clear shift under Levin, who became president last year.

“We are wading into a new era of college sports, which means things have to change,” he said. “It can’t be a toe dip and test the waters out. There’s a level of commitment. And that’s what I felt from President Levin.”

Luck said the immediate goal for the program is to make a bowl game for the first time since 2018 and win it. Luck pointed to the NFL, where more than 30 players who ended their college careers at Stanford played in a game last season, as evidence that the program has the potential to succeed.

“That’s a number more on par with more traditional powers like USC, Miami, Florida State, and Texas A&M than a three-win program,” he said. He wants to bring in players who value top-notch education but also have aspirations to play in the NFL, like former players such as himself, Christian McCaffrey, Richard Sherman, and Zach Ertz.

“We are still different, especially with our academic integrity and the values associated with it,” Luck said. “I know that there are incredibly bright kids out there that are also really good football players and that this is the school for them.”

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The investigations, which concluded in February and July of 2024, uncovered allegations of inappropriate behavior by Taylor, putting Luck in a difficult position as he navigates the leadership of the football program.

Allegations of Misconduct Raise Concerns About Taylor’s Leadership and Workplace Culture

According to ESPN, Taylor allegedly bullied female athletic staff members, made inappropriate comments about a woman’s appearance and attempted to have an NCAA compliance officer removed after she warned him about rule violations.

A source described Taylor as an “equal opportunity asshole,” suggesting that while his behavior was generally abrasive, women were disproportionately affected. These revelations raise concerns about the work environment within Stanford’s athletics department and the broader implications for the football program.

In response to the investigations, Taylor issued a statement acknowledging the findings and expressing a willingness to learn from the situation. He stated that he complied with the investigations, accepted the recommended corrective measures, and committed to improving his leadership and interactions with others.

Stanford also released a statement emphasizing its commitment to maintaining high workplace standards. The university affirmed that appropriate actions had been taken and that Taylor had received coaching to foster a more respectful environment.

Luck’s Leadership Tested Amid Taylor’s Controversy and Stanford’s On-Field Struggles

As Taylor’s direct supervisor, Andrew Luck now faces the challenge of ensuring that the head coach adheres to the university’s expectations. Having been involved in the hiring of Taylor in 2022, Luck’s credibility as a leader is at stake.

If Taylor fails to meet the behavioral standards set by the university, it will fall on Luck to initiate the process for his dismissal. This situation places significant pressure on Luck to assert his authority early in his tenure and demonstrate his ability to manage crises effectively.

Beyond the off-field controversy, Taylor’s performance as a coach has also been under scrutiny. Stanford has posted back-to-back 3-9 seasons under his leadership, raising concerns about the football program’s direction.

The combination of poor performance and workplace misconduct allegations puts added pressure on Taylor to deliver results. If the team continues to struggle, Luck may have little choice but to make a leadership change to ensure the program’s long-term success.

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The Philadelphia Eagles defensive back has lifted spirits in Odebolt, Iowa, a town with a population of just 920 people, which was once known as the Popcorn Capital of the World.

Residents say he has also inspired children in the four towns that make up the local school district in this remote area of Western Iowa, where he played quarterback in stadiums made out of cornfields.

On Sunday, they will gather in the Odebolt Community Building for a Super Bowl watch party they are calling the “Cooper Bowl.” Many people plan to wear special Eagles green T-shirts printed for the occasion, featuring DeJean’s No. 33. It’s also a birthday celebration for DeJean, who turns 22 on Super Bowl Sunday.

“The whole town is just ecstatic,” said Cory Duff, who owns The Bolt Drive-In, a local restaurant.

“I would say it has brought a renewed energy back to the community,” he said. “It has definitely uplifted everybody around here.”

Duff, a lifelong Denver Broncos fan, mentioned, “I even bought his jersey.”

“Everybody around here has their own team, but whenever the Eagles are playing, everyone’s watching,” Duff added.

DeJean’s father, Jason, was moved by a video that school employees made, featuring dozens of children and teachers wishing his son the best in the Super Bowl.

“They all got on the playground and spelled out ‘Cooper,’” Jason DeJean said. The nearly 5-minute video includes scenes of elementary students mimicking birds as they sing the Eagles’ fight song, “Fly Eagles Fly.”

Since DeJean began his football career at the University of Iowa, “the support around this community has been just crazy,” Jason DeJean said. “Now you see Eagle jerseys and 33 and all that stuff. It’s great to see, and you couldn’t ask for any more support than what this community gives.”

After winning back-to-back state football championships in his final two years of high school, DeJean went on to a successful career at the University of Iowa, where he was named an All-American. In the 2024 NFL draft, the Eagles selected him in the second round.

Only a few athletes from the small towns in the Western Valley Activities Conference go on to compete at major universities, making DeJean’s journey from Odebolt to the Iowa Hawkeyes and now the Philadelphia Eagles one of the most remarkable paths in this part of Western Iowa.

“It’s not very often a kid from a town of less than 1,000 people gets to go to the Super Bowl,” Duff said.

DeJean’s hard work is a common link that connects him to other legendary athletes from Iowa, such as former Iowa Hawkeye and WNBA star Caitlin Clark from West Des Moines and Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner from Burlington, who played high school football in Cedar Rapids.

DeJean’s journey to the Super Bowl has brought attention to Odebolt, but it was the ground he played on that helped put the town and its surrounding farmlands on the map.

A two-lane highway leads from the Loess Hills on Iowa’s western edge, passing giant wind turbines and fields of corn and soybeans to Odebolt.

A 20-mile stretch of the road, Iowa Highway 175, connects the towns that send students to DeJean’s old high school: Battle Creek, Ida Grove, Odebolt, and tiny Arthur, with a population of 222.

In this vast area, farm animals greatly outnumber the people. The county that includes Odebolt is home to around 46,000 cattle — more than four times the human population of 9,800, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The rich soil surrounding Odebolt was once ideal for growing popcorn, and Chicago’s Cracker Jack Co. chose it to supply popcorn for their snacks.

In 1938, Cracker Jack Co. Executive Vice President E.R. Shields praised the early settlers of Odebolt, calling them shining examples of strength, fortitude, and foresight, which made the town “The Popcorn Center of the World.”

People who know DeJean say they see the same strength and fortitude in him. They admire not just his work ethic in sports but also his character in life.

“The kid is insanely humble, and he’s not going to forget where he comes from,” Duff said.

The post In Iowa’s rural towns, communities unite to support a local hero in football’s biggest showdown appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

In an interview, Manning discussed a variety of topics ahead of his first season as the starting quarterback for Texas. The former five-star recruit was a backup to Quinn Ewers in 2024 and is set to be the No. 1 QB in 2025 after Ewers moves on to the NFL.

When asked about the attention he gets because of his famous family — being the nephew of Super Bowl winners Peyton and Eli Manning and the grandson of Archie Manning — he was quick to respond.

“I think a lot of undeserved attention,” Manning said. “But hopefully it gets more deserving in the next few months.”

Manning went on to say, “I don’t think I’ve done enough yet to be taking a lot of pictures at restaurants and signing autographs. But maybe that will come eventually.”

Manning joined Texas and coach Steve Sarkisian ahead of the 2023 season as the top high school recruit in the country. When Manning arrived in Austin, Ewers was already the starter after transferring from Ohio State.

Manning started the 2023 season as the No. 3 QB, but became the primary backup when Ewers got hurt with a shoulder injury. Manning also played in the College Football Playoff when the No. 2 QB, Maalik Murphy, transferred.

Manning got his first real playing time in 2024 when Ewers hurt his oblique in September. Manning replaced Ewers against UTSA, then started games against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State before Ewers returned for the Texas vs. Oklahoma game.

Manning scored five touchdowns in the UTSA game but had only eight more over the next nine games he played. He finished the season with 63 completions on 95 attempts for 969 yards, nine passing touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Now, with Ewers headed to the NFL, Manning will have a full off season as the expected starter. The Texas offense will likely change a lot in 2025.

Manning, who believes his game most resembles that of his grandfather Archie Manning, also rushed for four touchdowns in 2024. He is more of a rushing threat than Ewers, and while Manning may not run a lot in 2025, his ability to move the ball with his legs will be a key part of the offense.

“I think he fits his offense and his play-calling to his players,” Manning said about Sarkisian. “That’s what I like most about him. He’s smart and he’s innovative and he wants to win. He’s a competitive guy. He works really hard, prepares and he gets us in the right position to win games.”

The post Arch Manning, in Austin, Texas, says, “I don’t feel like I’ve done enough yet to be taking photos at restaurants or signing autographs.” appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

“Once again, we’ve got just an outstanding young man who had an unbelievable year in Miami,” football legend Archie Manning said. “Their offense just lit up throughout the year. And now he’s preparing for the NFL draft where he’s going to be in a great position.”

Three of the 11 quarterbacks with at least 25 touchdown passes in the NFL this season — Washington’s Jayden Daniels (2023), Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow (2019), and Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield (2017) — were recent winners of the Manning Award.

“I think it’s going to help me in a tremendous way,” Ward said. “If you look at the past winners, specifically last year and Jayden Daniels and the rookie season that he’s had, it’s helped him a lot. And just being able to connect with the Mannings at all times — they’re only a phone call away from me — I just think this award is going to just help me just in the long run.”

Ward is the 20th player to win the award and the first quarterback from Miami to receive it. The Manning Award, created by the Sugar Bowl, honors the college football achievements of Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning. The Mannings, along with a panel of reporters, vote for the winner.

Ward ended his college career with a Division I (FBS and FCS level) record of 158 touchdown passes. His total of 18,189 passing yards — 6,908 at Incarnate Word, 6,968 at Washington State, and 4,313 at Miami — ranks third in NCAA history behind only Case Keenum and Dillon Gabriel.

During his single season at Miami in 2024, Ward set multiple school records, including single-season records for yards, completions (305), touchdown passes (39), and completion percentage, both for the season and in his career at 67.2%.

“I’m sure looking back on it now, Cam will admit, another year of college football just prepares you for that big transition to the NFL,” Archie Manning said. “Cam, he’s done it right and I think he’s got a great future.”

Ward was a zero-star recruit when he started college and worked his way up to become a Heisman Trophy finalist, an All-American, and now a likely top NFL draft pick.

“Hard work can do it, no matter what your journey is,” Ward said. “You’ve got to work. You’ve got to work hard, put one foot in front of the other, then just try to go make plays when you get on the field.”

Despite spending only 11 months with the Miami program, Ward leaves as a legend. As an All-American, his name will be featured on a banner in the Miami indoor practice facility.

The Hurricanes finished 10-3, missing out on the College Football Playoff and the Atlantic Coast Conference title game by just one win.

“I wish I had more time in Miami to be able to win a championship, whether it’s ACC or national,” Ward said. “At the end of the day, I believe everything happens for a reason.

And the teammates that I was surrounded by this year are the best group of teammates I’ve had, off the field more than on the field. The camaraderie we had, whether it was in the hotel or the locker room, that’s the thing I’m going to miss the most.”

The post Miami’s Cam Ward earns the Manning Award as the top college QB, believing it will aid his NFL preparation appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

In some ways, these two events were closely linked. College sports, politics, and the legal system are increasingly intertwined, with the connections becoming clearer each day.

Trump’s second term could have long-lasting effects on college athletics, which is currently going through a period of significant change.

The national championship game, which Ohio State won, represents the peak of college sports, where there is a strong focus on money for schools, coaches, sponsors, and top athletes.

However, college sports are facing uncertain times, making this year especially important.

Some of the challenges ahead will be linked directly to Trump and a Congress controlled by Republicans, but lawsuits in the industry are also ongoing. This means the foundation of college sports could be shaken from multiple directions.

Below is a look at the most recent developments and how they could affect the future of college athletics. If you prefer simple answers to complex questions, be aware that some of these issues are still unresolved.

Department of Education

Just days before Joe Biden took office, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released a long-anticipated memo explaining how Title IX could apply to the name, image, and likeness (NIL) money that schools pay to their athletes.

Why is this important now? If the House v. NCAA antitrust case is settled in April, schools may begin sharing revenue with athletes by July.

According to the proposed settlement, schools could initially have up to $20.5 million to distribute if they choose to take part in the new system.

So far, most major programs plan to direct most of that pool to football and men’s basketball players.

.However, the OCR’s Title IX guidance stated that NIL payments are considered financial aid, meaning schools must ensure they treat male and female athletes fairly and proportionally. In a follow-up letter to Rep.

Lori Trahan (D-Massachusetts), the OCR emphasized that schools should offer financial assistance in proportion to the number of male and female athletes.

Does this bring us closer to a clear answer about how Title IX will impact revenue sharing? Not yet. The memo was just guidance, not an official law or regulation. The Department of Education under Trump could change or even cancel this guidance altogether. Sen.

Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a leading Republican on college sports policy, quickly criticized the memo, stating, “I predict this scheme will die on January 20th.”

As one athletic director from a major conference said (who wished to remain anonymous because their school doesn’t allow them to discuss federal policy): “We’re still at square one. We’re just even more confused now.”

Employment

Soon, Trump might appoint a new member to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), giving Republicans control over the federal agency that protects workers’ rights in the private sector. As a result, several groups recently dropped their efforts to have college athletes classified as employees.

This includes the Dartmouth men’s basketball team, an advocacy group that had filed an unfair labor practice charge against USC, the Pac-12, and the NCAA, and another group that argued Notre Dame, Northwestern, Dartmouth, the Ivy League, and the NCAA were wrongly classifying athletes.

These groups chose to pause their efforts before the new NLRB could make decisions that might slow down or block future pushes for athlete employment.

The debate over employment status is still being discussed in federal court. For the next four years, anyone wanting to pursue this fight will have to go through the courts, not the NLRB.

Player movement

A lot has been happening with linebacker Xavier Lucas, who recently transferred from Wisconsin to Miami. Wisconsin didn’t allow Lucas to enter the transfer portal after he signed a two-year revenue-sharing agreement. Despite this, Lucas moved to Miami.

Wisconsin then issued a strong statement accusing Miami of breaking NCAA rules and the law by contacting Lucas when he wasn’t in the transfer portal. With support from the Big Ten, Wisconsin is prepared to take legal action if necessary, though they didn’t explicitly say so.

Lucas is represented by lawyer Darren Heitner, who spent part of the weekend publicly challenging Wisconsin’s statement on social media. This situation is one to watch closely, as a legal battle could influence future rules on player transfers.

If athletes are allowed to change schools without entering the portal, as the NCAA suggested in a recent statement, college free agency could become even more chaotic. (NCAA rules still prevent an athlete from playing for two different schools in the same season.)

The post The College Football Season Has Wrapped Up, But The Sports Madness In College Continues appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Borland will be replaced by DK McDonald, who joined Kansas in 2023 as the Co-Defensive Coordinator and Cornerbacks coach.

“I have been fortunate to work with Brian for more than 18 years, he is the ultimate professional, selfless coworker and I am grateful for his commitment and impact that he has made on so many throughout his career,” Leipold said.

“Brian and I had discussions weeks prior to our last regular season game, and we are very appreciative of all that he has done for Kansas. We wish him, his wife, Gayle, and his entire family the best going forward.”

Borland spent four seasons coordinating the defense at Kansas after six seasons at Buffalo alongside Leipold. During his time at Kansas, Borland coached 17 All-Big 12 selections, one Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year, and two NFL Draft picks.

Under his leadership, the Jayhawks qualified for a bowl game for the first time since 2008 in 2022, reached back-to-back bowl games for only the second time in program history (2022-23), and returned to the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2009.

Borland worked with Leipold for 18 seasons, including at Wisconsin-Whitewater (2007-14), Buffalo (2015-20), and Kansas (2021-24). In 2013, he was named Division III Coordinator of the Year by Footballscoop.com after helping the Warhawks win the NCAA Division III national championship.

“After 40 seasons and nearly 500 games coached, I am announcing my retirement from coaching, a decision I conveyed to Lance a few weeks ago,” Borland said. “I am extremely thankful for all the experiences granted over the course of my career. I’m a most fortunate man.

I owe a particular debt of gratitude to Lance Leipold, who has demonstrated tremendous loyalty and trust in me over the years.

I did my best to serve him, the student-athletes, fellow coaches, and this profession well in return. I absolutely loved my time at the University of Kansas. It’s a special place well positioned for big things in the near future.

I’m now the football program’s biggest fan and supporter as the baton is carried to the finish line by capable hands.”

Leipold didn’t have to search far for Borland’s replacement. McDonald, a coach with more than 20 years of experience, finished his first season at Kansas in 2024. That year, McDonald coached two cornerbacks, Mello Dotson and Cobee Bryant, who both earned All-Big 12 First Team honors. Bryant became the first Kansas player to earn All-Big 12 First Team honors for three straight seasons.

The pair combined for nine interceptions in 2024, with Dotson tying for the Big 12 lead with five interceptions and leading the nation with two interceptions returned for a touchdown. Bryant ranked third in the Big 12 with four interceptions and tied a school record with three interceptions in Kansas’ 24-14 win over Houston on Oct. 19. Both finished in the top five for career interceptions in Kansas history.

“I’m excited to take this next step as the defensive coordinator at Kansas,” McDonald said.

“I am grateful to have been able to work with Brian and the defensive staff over this past year, and I look forward to continuing to mentor and guide our student-athletes. I am very appreciative to Coach Leipold for this opportunity.”

McDonald returned to college coaching in February 2024 after three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

He was an assistant defensive backs coach for two seasons, including the 2022 season when the Eagles went to Super Bowl LVII. McDonald was then promoted to defensive backs coach for the 2023 season.

Before working with the Eagles, McDonald spent five seasons at Iowa State, where he worked as the pass game coordinator, coaching safeties in 2019-20 and cornerbacks from 2016-18. McDonald played a key role in Iowa State’s success, including four straight bowl game appearances.

He also previously coached cornerbacks at Toledo (2012-15), defensive backs at William & Mary (2011), and the secondary at Indiana PA (2006-10) and Edinboro (2003-05).

The post Kansas Football Named A New Defensive Coordinator For The 2025 Season appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

That changed when Freeman spoke about the continued investments Notre Dame has been making in him and the football program.

On Sunday, the decision-makers at Notre Dame made another important investment—this time in Freeman himself.

Inside ND Sports confirmed reports from NBC and ESPN that Freeman signed a four-year contract extension, making him one of the highest-paid college coaches. With the two years left on his initial contract, Freeman is now signed through the 2030 season.

Freeman expressed his gratitude for the support of the people at Notre Dame, including the Board of Trustees, President Fr. Bob Dowd, C.S.C., and Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua. In a statement, he said,

“The investment they continue to pour into our program is invaluable to our student-athletes and staff. This commitment goes well beyond myself, as they are dedicated to ensuring all aspects of our program are competitive within the upper echelon of college football.”

The exact terms of the financial details were not revealed.

Freeman, who is an Ohio State graduate and turns 39 next month, has a record of 30-9 as Notre Dame’s head coach since taking over as defensive coordinator in December 2021, following Brian Kelly.

The Irish, with an 11-1 record, are ranked fifth and seeded seventh, and they are hosting the 10th-seeded Indiana (11-1) on Friday night for a College Football Playoff first-round game.

Freeman has often mentioned the various aspects of support that make the Notre Dame job so appealing.

One of these is the Jack and Kathy Shields Family Hall, a 150,000-square-foot football support facility that was announced in April. It is under construction and will open in the fall of 2026.

There are other factors, too, such as Notre Dame’s ability to compete in the NIL space, thanks to a media rights deal negotiated this year.

This deal ensures that Notre Dame can compete financially with programs in the Big Ten and SEC when it comes to hiring assistant coaches and building facilities.

The university has also invested in keeping Freeman as head coach, as well as in retaining two of the best coordinators in college football: Mike Denbrock (offensive coordinator) and Al Golden (defensive coordinator), both of whom were kept on staff last winter.

Additionally, Notre Dame has found ways to balance its admissions and transfer portal policies, giving Freeman and his staff more flexibility in pursuing recruits while still maintaining the school’s academic standards.

Freeman’s main motivation continues to be his players, both current and former. He stated at a press conference on December 6, 2021, “My current and former players, you are my ‘why.’ You are my motivation.

You are the reason I get up every day and work as hard as I can to see you all reach your goals. To see you all set a goal and live out a dream is what gives me my inspiration every day to do what I do.”

In the same press conference, super-senior nose guard Kurt Hinish shared that Freeman’s care for his players is what made him stand out. Hinish said that Freeman cares more about his players as people than as athletes. He added that in the coaching industry, that level of care is rare.

Hinish, one of the Irish captains, even told then-athletic director Jack Swarbrick not to “screw up” the coaching search when Freeman was being considered for the role.

The post Notre Dame Has Renewed Its Head Coach’s Contract Until 2030 In South Bend appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

The 2025 Ohio State football roster will look quite different. After winning the national championship, the Buckeyes had to work hard to keep their roster and coaching staff intact.

However, many seniors who returned to the program to achieve their goals will now be moving on. Ohio State can still add players to the roster before the season, but they must wait until the 10-day window after spring practice, between April 16 and 25.

Here is a breakdown of the players entering and leaving the program, and a preview of the 2025 roster.

NFL Draft Entrants and Seniors

Ohio State will need to find a new starting quarterback, as fifth-year transfer Will Howard is entering the NFL Draft. The Buckeyes will also replace their entire starting defensive line.

Defensive ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau, along with defensive tackles Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton, are all seniors and will move on to the next level.

Several other seniors will depart, including defensive backs Lathan Ransom, Denzel Burke, and Jordan Hancock, linebacker Cody Simon, offensive tackles Donovan Jackson and Josh Fryar, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back TreVeyon Henderson, and tight end Gee Scott Jr.

Junior offensive lineman Josh Simmons, who had his season cut short due to a knee injury, has also declared for the draft.

Running back Quinshon Judkins, who spent just one season at Ohio State, will forgo his senior season to declare for the NFL Draft. Transfer center Seth McLaughlin, a Rimington Trophy winner, will also enter the draft.

Transferred Out of Ohio State

With a strong quarterback group last season, it’s no surprise that two scholarship quarterbacks entered the transfer portal. Devin Brown, who stayed with the team through the postseason, is transferring to Cal, while Air Noland is moving to South Carolina.

Offensive lineman George Fitzpatrick is transferring to Kansas State, and Zen Michalski, who had notable playing time last season, will move to Indiana within the Big Ten.

Several other players have entered the transfer portal, including safety Jaden Bonsu (to Pitt), linebacker Gabe Powers (to Kansas State), cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt (to Baylor), and defensive lineman Mitchell Melton (to Virginia). After three seasons at Ohio State, defensive tackle Hero Kanu has entered the portal.

Wide receiver Jayden Ballard is transferring to Wisconsin, while Kojo Antwi will join Colorado State. Running back Sam Williams-Dixon has entered the portal without announcing his next destination, and tight end Patrick Gurd is also in the portal.

Transfer Portal Additions

Ohio State is adding Max Klare, a tight end from Purdue, to their already talented tight end group. Klare was the best tight end available in the portal, catching 51 passes for 685 yards and four touchdowns last season.

With only one scholarship running back returning from the 2024-25 roster, James Peoples, Ohio State has added West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson, who is expected to be a leader in the backfield alongside Peoples.

The Buckeyes have also picked up offensive tackle Phillip Daniels from Minnesota, offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa from Rice, linebacker Ty Howard from Duquesne, and defensive end Logan George from Idaho.

Notable Returning Players

Two important junior defensive players had decisions to make about the NFL Draft and both decided to return for another year with the Buckeyes.

Cornerback Davison Igbinosun will stay for his senior season, providing a significant boost to the secondary. Last season, Igbinosun recorded 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups.

Junior linebacker Sonny Styles has also announced his return for his senior year. He finished the season with 100 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, five pass breakups, and one forced fumble.

With defensive coordinator Jim Knowles likely moving to Penn State next season, Ohio State will need to find new leadership. However, they will retain key veteran players in safety Caleb Downs, cornerback Igbinosun, and linebacker Styles.

There were rumors about NIL offers to wide receivers Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith, but both players reassured fans on Twitter that they would remain with Ohio State.

The post Who’s Staying and Who’s Going – Ohio State Roster Updates After NFL Departures and Transfer Portal Moves appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

In his first season with the Crimson Tide, Alabama ended up with the fourth-best recruiting class in the country according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

By signing players like quarterback Keelon Russell, offensive lineman Michael Carroll, and cornerback Dijon Lee, Alabama achieved the third-highest average recruit rating nationally for the 2025 class.

As Alabama focuses on building the 2026 class, how does the 2025 class compare to the rest of the SEC and to past Alabama classes?

SEC 2025 Recruiting Rankings: Where did Alabama football rank?

In DeBoer’s first season, Alabama put together one of the top recruiting classes in the SEC.

The Crimson Tide finished with the third-ranked class in the conference, behind Texas and Georgia. Alabama had the second-highest average player rating in the SEC, only behind Texas, and was one of three schools in the conference with multiple five-star recruits, along with Texas and Georgia.

Here’s how the SEC 2025 recruiting rankings look according to the 247Sports composite:

1. Texas
2. Georgia
3. Alabama
4. Auburn
5. Texas A&M
6. LSU
7. Florida
8. Tennessee
9. Ole Miss
10. Oklahoma
11. South Carolina
12. Missouri
13. Mississippi State
14. Arkansas
15. Kentucky
16. Vanderbilt

How did Alabama recruit compared to other first-year head coaches?

In his first season with Alabama, DeBoer still managed to put together one of the top recruiting classes in the nation.

Alabama was one of three teams with new head coaches that finished with top-10 recruiting classes, joining Mike Elko at Texas A&M (No. 7) and Sherrone Moore at Michigan (No. 8).

Here’s how DeBoer compared to other first-year college football coaches in 2024:

• Alabama (Kalen DeBoer): No. 4, 93.00 average player rating
• Texas A&M (Mike Elko): No. 7, 91.52 average player rating
• Michigan (Sherrone Moore): No. 8, 91.86 average player rating
• Washington (Jedd Fisch): No. 23, 87.96 average player rating
• Mississippi State (Jeff Lebby): No. 26, 87.57 average player rating
• Duke (Manny Diaz): No. 33, 86.72 average player rating
• Syracuse (Fran Brown): No. 39, 86.12 average player rating
• Indiana (Curt Cignetti): No. 44, 86.60 average player rating
• UCLA (DeShaun Foster): No. 45, 87.04 average player rating
• Houston (Willie Fritz): No. 52, 86.70 average player rating
• Boston College (Bill O’Brien): No. 53, 85.90 average player rating
• Arizona (Brent Brennan): No. 55, 86.21 average player rating
• Michigan State (Johnathan Smith): No. 58, 86.78 average player rating
• Northwestern (David Braun): No. 60, 85.89 average player rating
• Oregon State (Trent Bray): No. 64, 85.62 average player rating

Alabama Football Recruiting History

Since 2010, Alabama has had 10 recruiting classes ranked No. 1 nationally. Alabama’s last No. 1 ranked class was in 2023.

The lowest-ranked class for Alabama since 2010 was in 2018 when they secured the fifth-overall class, ranked second-best in the SEC.

Here are the rankings of Alabama’s recruiting classes since 2010:

• 2010: No. 4 overall, No. 2 SEC — 89.95 average player rating
• 2011: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SEC — 92.19 average player rating
• 2012: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SEC — 93.40 average player rating
• 2013: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SEC — 93.25 average player rating
• 2014: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SEC — 93.65 average player rating
• 2015: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SEC — 93.73 average player rating
• 2016: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SEC — 92.54 average player rating
• 2017: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SEC — 93.76 average player rating
• 2018: No. 5 overall, No. 2 SEC — 91.94 average player rating
• 2019: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SEC — 94.42 average player rating
• 2020: No. 2 overall, No. 2 SEC — 93.66 average player rating
• 2021: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SEC — 95.07 average player rating
• 2022: No. 2 overall, No. 2 SEC — 95.27 average player rating
• 2023: No. 1 overall, No. 2 SEC — 94.79 average player rating
• 2024: No. 2 overall, No. 2 SEC — 93.12 average player rating
• 2025: No. 4 overall, No. 3 SEC — 93.00 average player rating

Alabama Football 2025 Recruiting Class

• P Alex Asparuhov (Fresno, California)
• WR Lotzeir Brooks (Millville, New Jersey)
• OL Michael Carroll (Bradenton, Florida)
• RB AK Dear (Quitman, Mississippi)
• OT Micah DeBose (Theodore, Alabama)
• TE Kaleb Edwards (El Dorado Hills, California)
• DL Kevonte Henry (Lawndale, California)
• LB Justin Hill (Cincinnati, Ohio)
• LB Duke Johnson (Eastman, Georgia)
• CB Dijon Lee (Mission Viejo, California)
• OT Jackson Lloyd (Carmel, California)
• DL Steve Bolo Mboumoua (Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec)
• CB Chuck McDonald (Santa Ana, California)
• WR Derek Meadows (Las Vegas)
• LB Luke Metz (Hoschton, Georgia)
• TE Marshall Pritchett (Rabun, Georgia)
• QB Keelon Russell (Duncanville, Texas)
• LB Abduall Sanders Jr. (Santa Ana, California)
• DL London Simmons (Flowood, Mississippi)
• SAF Ivan Taylor (Winter Garden, Florida)
• OT Mal Waldrep (Phenix City, Alabama)

The post Where Does Alabama’s 2025 Football Recruiting Class Stand Ahead Of National Signing Day In Tuscaloosa? appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Alabama’s High-Powered Offense Leads the Nation in Scoring Per Game

Alabama’s offense has been explosive, averaging 90.9 points per game, the highest in the country. In their 103-87 win over Vanderbilt, they surpassed the 100-point mark for the sixth time this season. Aden Holloway and Mouhamed Dioubate led the way with 22 points each, while Mark Sears added 21 points. Dioubate also recorded 10 rebounds, showcasing his all-around performance. Despite their offensive fireworks, Oats noted that the team’s defense must improve for their championship goals to be realized.

While Alabama’s offense has been exceptional, their defense remains a concern. In the win over Vanderbilt, the Tide allowed 56 points in the second half, a defensive lapse that Oats described as disappointing. The team needs to show greater consistency on defense, as giving up large point totals could hurt their chances in the SEC and national tournament. Oats emphasized that Alabama must improve defensively to reach the next level in their championship pursuit.

LSU’s Offensive and Defensive Struggles Highlighted in Loss to Texas A&M

LSU enters their game against Alabama after suffering a 68-57 loss to Texas A&M, where they faced significant offensive and defensive challenges. The Tigers struggled with shooting, finishing the game with just 36.2% from the field and 24.1% from three-point range. They also committed 18 turnovers, which resulted in 19 points for Texas A&M. Head coach Matt McMahon expressed frustration with the turnovers, which derailed LSU’s chances of competing. The Tigers will need to improve in these areas to have any chance against Alabama.

Turnovers and shooting inefficiencies were major issues for LSU in their loss to Texas A&M. The Tigers committed 18 turnovers, and 11 of those came in the second half, leading to missed opportunities and a scoring deficit. They also struggled to match Texas A&M’s offense, which took 14 more shots than LSU. With their shooting percentages low and turnovers high, LSU will need to drastically improve in both categories to keep up with Alabama’s fast-paced, high-scoring game.

The post Alabama Targets SEC Title and National Championship as Offensive Power Meets Defensive Challenge appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Porter reflects on the team’s struggles in 2024, emphasizing that the club had reached the end of a cycle. The Revolution was inconsistent after a successful 2021 season, leading to the decision to refresh the roster. Porter’s primary goal for the new season is to build a team that better suits his “game model,” focusing on proactive, attacking soccer and pressing opponents when out of possession. However, last year’s efforts to implement these strategies were marred by poor defense and lackluster attacking play, resulting in a disappointing 2024 campaign.

The Team’s Struggles in 2024

The Revolution’s defensive woes in 2024 were severe, with the team conceding 74 goals—the second most in MLS. Coupled with an ineffective attack that scored the fewest goals in the league, New England’s 2024 season was one to forget. With 21 losses, the Revolution matched a club record for the most defeats in a season. This underperformance highlighted the need for significant changes to both the defense and the attacking lineup.

The Revolution’s offseason began with the departure of several key players. The club declined the options for international players like Xavier Arreaga and Dylan Borrero, along with veterans such as Tommy McNamara and Bobby Wood. Several other players, including club captain Carles Gil’s brother, Nacho, were also let go. Additionally, the club traded away several players, including Mark-Anthony Kaye, Dave Romney, and Ian Harkes, to San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for General Allocation Money (GAM) and an international roster slot. Other notable departures include Esmir Bajraktarevic, who was transferred to Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, and Giacomo Vrioni, the team’s leading scorer in 2024, who was traded to Montreal.

In response to these departures, New England added several new players to strengthen the team. The most high-profile addition is striker Leonardo Campana, acquired from Inter Miami for a record $2.5 million in GAM. Campana is expected to provide more consistency and build-up play in the attacking third. Along with Campana, the team added Costa Rican winger Luis Diaz, forward Ignatius Ganago (on loan from FC Nantes), and Argentine Maximiliano Urruti. Midfielder Jackson Yueill was signed as a free agent, and the defense saw improvements with the arrivals of Mamadou Fofana and Brayan Ceballos. These new signings were aimed at both improving the team’s defense and enhancing its attacking options.

The New Revolution: Key Additions

The list of new arrivals is extensive and includes a mix of experienced and promising players. These signings reflect Porter’s desire to implement a more dynamic and attacking style of play. The additions are expected to provide depth and competition for places, especially in the attacking and defensive areas. Campana, Diaz, Ganago, and Urruti will be crucial to the team’s goal-scoring efforts, while Fofana and Ceballos are expected to bolster the defense and provide more athleticism and passing ability.

Team Formation and Strategy

Under Porter, the Revolution will likely play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a system designed to maximize attacking potential while maintaining defensive solidity. Carles Gil will continue to be a central figure in the team’s attack, providing creativity and vision. However, Porter’s preference for a faster, more up-tempo game could challenge Gil’s more measured playstyle. On the wings, players like Luca Langoni, Luis Diaz, and Ignatius Ganago will offer speed and width, enabling Gil to stretch defenses and create opportunities. The midfield will feature more dynamic and box-to-box players, such as Alhassan Yusuf and potentially Matt Polster or Jackson Yueill.

The defense remains one of the Revolution’s most significant areas of concern. The departures of Romney and Arreaga have led to the arrivals of Mamadou Fofana and Brayan Ceballos, who are expected to offer more athleticism and passing ability in central defense. The team will also rely on 17-year-old Peyton Miller at left back and Brandon Bye on the right. Slovenian goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic is likely to retain his starting role after a solid performance in 2024. The overall defensive unit has potential, but its success will depend on how quickly the new players can gel and adapt to Porter’s system.

After one of the most dramatic roster rebuilds in team history, the Revolution is poised for a fresh start in 2025. With an influx of new talent and a clear strategic vision from head coach Caleb Porter, the team will look to put last year’s struggles behind them. Whether the Revolution can return to winning ways will depend on the quick adaptation of their new players and the effectiveness of Porter’s system. As the season begins, all eyes will be on how well the team transitions into this new era and whether they can achieve the consistency and success that has eluded them in recent years.

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Commitment to Local Talent and Player Development

Chicago Fire FC Director of Football and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter expressed pride in signing Turdean, highlighting his impressive growth within the club’s Academy. Berhalter emphasized the importance of Turdean’s decision to stay with the Fire over offers from major European clubs, underscoring the environment the team is building and its commitment to nurturing local talent. The club looks forward to supporting Turdean’s continued development as he transitions into professional soccer.

In his statement, Robert Turdean shared his excitement about signing his first professional contract with the Fire, describing it as a “dream come true.” He expressed gratitude for the support he has received from his family, coaches, and teammates throughout his journey. Turdean is eager to contribute to the club’s success and grow both on and off the field, aiming to make the city of Chicago proud.

A Rising Star in the Academy and National Team

Turdean, now the 26th Homegrown Player in the club’s history, has a standout record with the Chicago Fire Academy. He played a pivotal role in the team’s 2024 U-15 MLS NEXT Cup Championship, helping secure the club’s second national title in MLS NEXT. Turdean also contributed significantly in the championship game, scoring two goals in a 3-1 victory over LA Galaxy Academy. In the 2024-25 season, he has already registered 11 goals and three assists for the U-16 and U-18 teams. Additionally, Turdean has represented the U.S. U-15 Men’s Youth National Team.

Chicago Fire Academy Technical Director Gary Lewis praised Turdean’s ability to adapt quickly to the higher levels of competition and his creativity on the field. Turdean’s unconventional approach to solving challenges on the pitch has impressed his coaches, and they are excited to see him continue his professional journey with the Fire. The club is confident that Turdean will evolve into a key player for the team in the coming years.

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Nick Dawson, ESPN’s vice president of college sports programming and acquisitions, said the first season was successful from their perspective. He mentioned that they are now looking at possible improvements for the next season.

“A lot of unknowns doing something for the first time, so you’ll always sort of assess after the fact, learn and potentially look at tweaks or adjustments we might consider for the future,” Dawson said.

The 11 College Football Playoff games averaged 15.6 million viewers according to Nielsen, with viewership increasing in each round. ESPN reported that viewers watched nearly 36 billion minutes of live coverage, which is a 63% increase from the previous year’s seven-game lineup, including the CFP title game and New Year’s six bowl games.

The four first-round games averaged 10.6 million viewers, while the quarterfinals had 16.9 million. The semifinals reached 19.2 million, and Ohio State’s 34-23 win over Notre Dame in the national championship game had 22.1 million viewers.

“Obviously there were a few more games, but to see that kind of jump in just overall consumption of the product is hopefully something we can build on moving forward,” Dawson said.

However, there were challenges with the current format. The audience for the semifinal games dropped by 17% from the previous year, mostly because these games were played on Jan. 1, 2024, rather than on Thursday and Friday nights.

Notre Dame’s 27-24 win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9 averaged 17.8 million viewers. For comparison, the most-watched “Thursday Night Football” game on Amazon Prime Video this season had 17.29 million viewers for the Green Bay vs. Detroit game on Dec. 2.

The Jan. 10 Cotton Bowl, where Ohio State beat Texas 28-24, averaged 20.6 million viewers, making it the most-watched Friday telecast across all networks in four years.

Next year’s semifinals will help determine if the Thursday/Friday format will continue to be effective.

Ohio State’s win over Notre Dame saw a 12% drop in viewers compared to the 25 million who watched the 2024 Michigan-Washington title game.

CFP games ended up being nine of the 10 most-watched this season, with three games having over 20 million viewers. The Jan. 1 Rose Bowl, which always draws a big audience, was the other top game.

Dawson and ESPN are hoping for more competitive championship games. Since Alabama’s 26-23 overtime win over Georgia in 2018, the last seven title games have had an average margin of victory of 25.4 points. The three least-watched title games in the CFP era have occurred in the past five years.

Monday’s national championship game peaked at 26.1 million viewers during the second quarter (8:30-8:45 p.m. EST) when the score was tied at 7-7. The audience started to drop when Ohio State went up 21-7 at halftime and dropped significantly when they extended their lead to 31-7 midway through the third quarter.

Although Notre Dame made a comeback and got within one possession with five minutes left, the viewership remained lower.

The 2015 title game, where Ohio State defeated Oregon 42-20, is still the most-watched college football game in the CFP era with 33.9 million viewers.

Dawson Remarks

“You always hope for, from a TV perspective, for a tight game to the finish. Right. That’s one of the biggest factors driving the ultimate viewership but it’s also not something that you can control. So you’re going to have ebbs and flows,” Dawson said.

“You hope that this new structure and format as it continues forward, that you’re ultimately creating an even better chance that you’re getting the two best teams in the country at the end matched up in the championship game, which again, you hope that that results in a great game on the field.

“Blowouts are not a college football thing. That occurs in every sport and every playoff from time to time. So you sort of have to accept that’s going to be a reality once in a while.”

One thing that could improve ratings in the future is that the title game will be shown on both ABC and ESPN starting in the 2027 season.

ESPN has the rights to the College Football Playoff until the 2031 season after agreeing to a $7.8 billion deal last March. TNT will air two first-round games again next season under a sublicense with ESPN, and this will expand to two first-round and two quarterfinal games starting in 2026.

There has been some debate over how the top four seeds and first-round byes should be determined, but Dawson said that the decision is up to the CFP committee.

Some people criticized having the title game on Jan. 20, during the NFL playoffs, but Dawson pointed out that there will always be competition with the NFL during December and January.

“I think for us, it’s a process of continuing to assess and evaluate how each year goes and work with the CFP to figure out if there are slight adjustments that we think we could make to put ourselves in an even more advantageous position. But I don’t really see a wholesale change that would eliminate that risk or situation,” he said.

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ESPN reported on Wednesday that the Buckeyes’ second national championship in the CFP era averaged 22.1 million viewers. While it was the most-watched non-NFL sporting event of the past year, it marked a 12% decline from the 25 million viewers who watched Michigan’s 34-13 victory over Washington in 2024.

This year’s game ranked as the third-lowest in audience size across the 11 CFP title games, with the last three title games all experiencing lower viewership. The peak audience reached 26.1 million viewers during the second quarter (8:30-8:45 p.m. EST), when the game was tied at 7-7.

Since Alabama’s 26-23 overtime win over Georgia in 2018, the last seven title games have featured an average victory margin of 25.4 points. Ohio State led 31-7 midway through the third quarter before Notre Dame made a strong comeback, cutting the deficit to one possession with five minutes left in the game.

Previous Title Game Viewership

Georgia’s dominant 65-7 victory over TCU in 2023 holds the record for the least-viewed title game with 17.2 million viewers, followed by Alabama’s 52-24 win over Ohio State in 2021, which had 18.7 million viewers. The first title game in 2015, where Ohio State defeated Oregon 42-20, remains the most-watched college football game in the CFP era, with 33.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

This was the first year of the 12-team CFP format. The first round averaged 10.6 million viewers, while the quarterfinals saw 16.9 million. The semifinals averaged 19.2 million viewers, reflecting a 17% decline from the previous year. Despite this, Michigan’s overtime win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl outpaced the title game with 27.7 million viewers.

The CFP games dominated viewership, with nine of the top 10 most-watched sporting events of the season being CFP-related. Georgia’s overtime victory over Texas in the SEC Championship, aired on ABC/ESPN, ranked sixth with 16.6 million viewers.

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Morrison made his announcement on social media Thursday, saying, “This is not just the end of one chapter — it’s the beginning of another. I’ll carry the lessons, memories, and love from Notre Dame every step of the way.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Morrison ranked as the No. 23 overall prospect and the No. 3 cornerback for the draft.

In addition to Morrison’s departure, Notre Dame is seeing several players enter the transfer portal after their loss to Ohio State in the CFP national championship. Starting offensive linemen Rocco Spindler and Pat Coogan, along with backup Sam Pendleton, have entered the portal, with Pendleton listed as “do not contact.”

Wide receivers Jayden Thomas and Deion Colzie are also in the portal.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Morrison had six interceptions as a true freshman in 2022, tying for third in the country and earning All-America honors from ESPN and other outlets. His six interceptions were the most by a Notre Dame player since linebacker Manti Te’o had seven in 2012.

In 2023, Morrison recorded three interceptions and led the team with 10 pass breakups. He was a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award and was named a preseason All-America selection. He started the first six games of the 2023 season before suffering the hip injury on October 12 against Stanford, which required season-ending surgery.

Morrison finished his Notre Dame career with 9 interceptions, 27 passes defended, and 84 tackles. He is the son of former NFL safety Darryl Morrison, who played for Washington from 1993 to 1996.

Thomas, a wide receiver, started 12 games over the 2022 and 2023 seasons and accumulated 43 receptions for 838 yards and seven touchdowns with Notre Dame.

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Before the 2024 college football season, Hancock wasn’t seen as one of Ohio State’s top draft candidates. Most of the attention went to fellow cornerback Denzel Ward.

However, Hancock had a standout season, recording 48 tackles, an interception, a couple of forced fumbles, and eight passes defended.

The 21-year-old also had a strong performance in the College Football Playoff, especially in the Cotton Bowl against Texas, where he made six tackles and defended one pass.

Standing at 6-foot-1, Hancock has the right size for the NFL and can play several roles in the defense. While he may not be picked in the first round, his draft stock has risen recently, and it will be interesting to see where he gets selected in April.

As the passing game becomes more important in the NFL, tall and physical cornerbacks like Hancock are in high demand.

Ohio State will be losing many defenders to the NFL Draft, so they will need to fill these gaps for the 2025 season.

Fortunately, the Buckeyes have a strong recruiting class coming in, so they should be able to recover quickly.

Ohio State just won its first national championship in ten years, with a major part of their success being their top-ranked defense.

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Despite being 72 years old, Belichick hesitated to finalize the agreement, fueling widespread speculation about the possibility of reuniting with Tom Brady and potentially leading the head coach-less Las Vegas Raiders.

All such rumors were put to rest this week when Belichick officially signed his contract with the University of North Carolina, signaling a fresh chapter in Chapel Hill’s football program.

The agreement spans five years, though it guarantees only the first three. Additionally, the contract includes a $10 million buyout clause if Belichick chooses to leave before June, which drops to $1 million afterward.

Performance-Driven Incentives

Once the deal was finalized, specifics of Belichick’s contract were revealed, highlighting unique financial incentives tied to his performance.

Beyond his $10 million annual salary, Belichick stands to earn substantial bonuses if he transforms UNC into a college football powerhouse.

Achieving eight regular-season victories would secure him a $150,000 bonus, with each additional win beyond that adding $50,000 more.

A berth in the 12-team College Football Playoff would further reward Belichick with a $750,000 bonus, underscoring UNC’s confidence in his ability to raise their program to new heights.

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With billions of dollars circulating in the industry, a portion of this revenue now directly benefits the players.

As a result of this new financial approach, programs are increasingly turning to external investors to bolster their rosters. These investors, in turn, seek transparency regarding the value of their contributions.

To address this demand, CNBC collaborated with Athletic Director U, a development program for future athletic directors, to create a list ranking the most valuable college football programs, offering some expected and unexpected outcomes.

Top Programs and Surprising Trends

The top ten programs, according to their research, are:

1. Ohio State – $1.318 billion

2. Texas – $1.281 billion

3. Texas A&M – $1.264 billion

4. Michigan – $1.062 billion

5. Alabama – $978 million

6. Notre Dame – $969 million

7. Georgia – $950 million

8. Nebraska – $943 million

9. Tennessee – $940 million

10 Oklahoma – $928 million

The inclusion of powerhouses like Ohio State, Texas, Alabama, and Georgia comes as no surprise. These programs boast consistent success, multiple championships, and passionate fan bases.

Notre Dame remains a financial giant thanks to its storied history and a loyal following, even without recent major bowl victories.

However, Nebraska and Texas A&M stand out as unusual entries due to their lack of recent on-field success. Nebraska’s dominance in the 1990s and its status as the state’s primary sports focus continue to pay dividends.

Similarly, Texas A&M benefits from an exceptionally devoted fan base and robust NIL funding, despite struggles with coaching hires and inconsistent results.

For programs like Nebraska and Texas A&M, fan dedication and strong attendance can outweigh performance.

Meanwhile, schools like USC, located in competitive markets like Los Angeles, struggle to keep pace due to high ticket prices, inconsistent performances since the Pete Carroll era, and regional distractions.

College sports, however, can experience rapid moves. Alabama, for instance, endured a decade of mediocrity before Nick Saban’s arrival transformed it into a powerhouse.

Winning is often the catalyst for increased revenue, though Nebraska and Texas A&M demonstrate that fan loyalty and strategic investments can sustain value even during lean years.

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Associate head coach Tony Jasick will take over as interim head coach for the rest of the season.

Keller’s Achievements and Challenges at SFA

Keller had a significant impact on the program during his nine seasons with the Lumberjacks. He was hired in 2016 to replace Brad Underwood and helped the team achieve three 20-win seasons. Under his leadership, SFA won the Southland Conference title in 2018, going 28-7, and made it to the NCAA tournament, although they were eliminated in the first round.

In the following season, the Lumberjacks made history by beating No. 1-ranked Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium with a buzzer-beater in overtime, ending Duke’s 150-game home win streak against non-conference teams.

Keller finished his tenure with a 171-95 record. He was named Southland Coach of the Year during the 2019-20 season after guiding the team to a 28-3 record. However, their NCAA tournament appearance was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This season, the Lumberjacks struggled with an 8-11 record, including a tough 1-7 start in conference play. They have lost three straight games and five of their last six as they prepare for Saturday’s match against Northwestern State.

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Labor Day Game a Tradition in College Football

The Labor Day prime-time game has become a key part of college football’s opening weekend. Last year, Boston College beat Florida State in this game. Clemson was featured in the Monday night opener in 2022 and 2023.

The Tar Heels will play another game on Sept. 6 at Charlotte. They will also face Richmond and UCF before starting ACC play. The ACC will announce its full conference schedule on Monday.

Bill Belichick’s College Coaching Dream

Belichick, 72, took the Tar Heels job in December after a long career in the NFL. He has said that coaching in college is a “dream come true.”

UNC shared Belichick’s signed contract on Thursday. His salary is $10 million per year, and he could earn a $1.75 million bonus if he wins a national championship. The contract includes performance bonuses, such as $150,000 for an eight-win regular season, $350,000 for 12 regular-season wins, and $200,000 for making it to the ACC championship game.

Other ACC Teams in Week 0 and Week 1

Only one other ACC team, Stanford, plays in Week 0 this season. Stanford will open in Hawaii on Aug. 23.

Full ACC Week 1 Schedule

Thursday, Aug. 28

• East Carolina at NC State

Friday, Aug. 29

• Kennesaw State at Wake Forest

Saturday, Aug. 30

• Fordham at Boston College
• Oregon State at Cal
• LSU at Clemson
• Elon at Duke
• Alabama at Florida State
• Georgia Tech at Colorado
• Eastern Kentucky at Louisville
• Duquesne at Pittsburgh
• East Texas A&M at SMU
• Syracuse vs. Tennessee (in Atlanta)
• Coastal Carolina at Virginia

Sunday, Aug. 31

• Notre Dame at Miami (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
• Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina (in Atlanta)

Monday, Sept. 1

• TCU at North Carolina (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

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In a separate announcement, Las Vegas has been chosen as the host city for the 2027 College Football Playoff national championship game.

Upcoming Championship Game Details

The CFP confirmed on Friday that this prestigious title match will take place on Monday, January 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium, marking an exciting event for the city.

To celebrate this announcement, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority released a video featuring Strip performer Shin Lim executing an attractive illusion at the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign.

In a creative twist, Lim altered the sign to reveal a warm message welcoming the College Football Playoff National Championship to the city.

“Las Vegas has demonstrated its incredible venues and unmatched energy to host an event like the College Football Playoff national championship in spectacular fashion,” remarked Rich Clark, the executive director of the CFP.

Las Vegas as a Prime Host City

With this upcoming event, “Sin City” will become the third location in the Pacific time zone to host the title game, following the Bay Area in 2019 and Los Angeles in 2023.

Reflecting on the city’s capacity to host major events, Las Vegas Bowl executive director John Saccenti stated last month, “We hosted a Super Bowl (in 2024), and every sponsor, every team executive, every league executive, everybody under the sun said, ‘Hands down, the best city that’s ever hosted a Super Bowl.’ Our city is built for it.

We have 165,000 hotel rooms. Every one of them has massive convention space, so everybody can do their parties, every sponsor can do their thing. We have nine Las Vegas Strip properties within walking distance to the stadium.”

He emphasized the accessibility of the city, saying, “You can get non-stop flights from anywhere into here, restaurant options galore. We can do it better than anybody. It’s an absolute no-brainer.”

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The game’s momentum shifted dramatically as Notre Dame made a fierce late-game push. Trailing 31-7, the Irish scored two touchdowns and two two-point conversions, narrowing the gap to a one-score game. Ohio State, however, thwarted the comeback when Howard threw the perfect pass to Smith. Despite Notre Dame’s fierce defense and efforts, including a clutch stop and timeouts, Smith outran his defender, setting up a field goal that clinched the win.

Ohio State’s Struggles and Resilience

Just seven weeks earlier, Ohio State’s future seemed uncertain after a devastating 13-10 loss to Michigan. The defeat led to questions about coach Ryan Day’s job security and doubts over the team’s championship potential. However, Day’s leadership turned the season around. His words echoed the heart of the team’s performance: resilience in the face of adversity. Despite being written off by many, the Buckeyes fought back and eventually achieved a victory that felt improbable only months prior.

A major factor in Ohio State’s success was its strategic use of the transfer portal. Will Howard, a transfer from Kansas State, was instrumental in their playoff run, throwing for 231 yards and two touchdowns. In particular, the 56-yard pass to Smith demonstrated Howard’s clutch playmaking ability. Running back Quinshon Judkins, another transfer, added to the Buckeyes’ offensive success, rushing for 100 yards and scoring three touchdowns, including a game-changing 70-yard run that extended Ohio State’s lead to 28-7.

Critical Errors and Missed Opportunities for Notre Dame

While Ohio State dominated much of the game, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman faced tough decisions. A failed fake punt in the third quarter allowed Ohio State to extend its lead, while a missed field goal attempt while trailing by two scores further complicated Notre Dame’s comeback efforts. Freeman’s decision to take a short field goal with less than ideal odds left some questioning the strategy. Despite these missteps, Freeman’s leadership of Notre Dame remains admirable, although the loss left lingering questions about critical moments in the game.

Ohio State’s championship run not only solidified their dominance in college football but also marked a major redemption for head coach Ryan Day. The team overcame significant doubts following their loss to Michigan and proved themselves in the expanded playoff format. The win also ended a decade-long title drought for the Buckeyes, joining a storied list of championship-winning coaches, including Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, and Woody Hayes. The victory also placed the Big Ten back on top for consecutive titles, a first since 1942, following Michigan’s championship last year.

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Turner’s Background and Role at Georgia Southern

Before joining Florida State, Turner was a key leader at Georgia Southern, where he managed human resources and supervised volleyball and baseball programs. He was also deeply involved in the university’s athletic budgeting processes and financial reporting.

In addition, Turner played a significant role in developing the athletics strategic plan and facilities master plan, contributing to the department’s growth and success. His work at Georgia Southern provided him with extensive experience in athletics administration and financial management.

Key Experience at Miami and Other Roles

Turner’s previous role at the University of Miami involved managing a $164 million operating budget, the largest in Miami Athletics history. He also handled multi-million-dollar capital budgets for facility upgrades. His experience in overseeing such large budgets and working closely with the football program was instrumental in ensuring Miami’s athletic success. Prior to this, Turner worked with IMG Academy and the Tampa Bay Rays, further enriching his understanding of sports administration from both collegiate and professional perspectives.

Turner’s hiring represents a significant shift in Florida State’s athletic department. As athletic director Michael Alford reorganizes the leadership team, Turner’s experience in financial management, human resources, and strategic planning will help strengthen FSU’s athletic programs. His leadership is expected to support Florida State’s continued growth and success in the competitive landscape of collegiate sports.

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However, that relief didn’t last long. When asked on Tuesday if his 34-23 victory over Notre Dame in the national championship game would reduce the pressure on him for the 2025 season, Day made it clear he still felt the weight of expectations.

“Try losing the first game and see how that goes at Ohio State,” Day replied.

The Buckeyes’ national title was redemption for Day, who faced significant criticism after Ohio State’s fourth straight loss to Michigan in November. That defeat had led to doubts about his ability to win big games. Day acknowledged the achievement and credited his players for making history. He called them one of the greatest teams in Ohio State history.

Quarterback Will Howard, who wore a “National Champs” cap, and linebacker Cody Simon joined Day for Tuesday’s College Football Playoff champions news conference.

“I’m proud of these guys,” Day said. “And again, we’ll go down in history and cement themselves as champions.”

Though Day didn’t claim he deserved to be listed among the great Ohio State coaches who won national championships, such as Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, Woody Hayes, and Paul Brown, he did say it was an honor to be the head coach at the university.

“It’s an honor,” Day remarked when asked about joining that group of legendary coaches. “It’s an honor to be the head coach at Ohio State. I’d probably say that this job is not for everybody.”

Day’s victory earned him his place in Ohio State history, despite some unexpected moments, like when the golf cart transporting him to Monday night’s postgame news conference collided with a wall. The driver misjudged the cart’s turning radius, causing Day to jolt forward in his seat, much to the amusement of Howard, who was in the back row.

“Obviously, the golf cart incident was pretty funny,” Howard said. “Coach Day, I hope you’re all right. He got jolted a little bit.”

Day jokingly replied, “Send the medical bills to the CFP.”

But Day’s financial reward was much more than a medical bill. His $500,000 bonus for winning the national championship was added to the $500,000 bonuses he had already earned, bringing his total compensation, including his $10 million base salary, to a generous sum.

Day’s success came after a season full of challenges, including the College Football Playoff’s first-ever 12-team format. Ohio State was ranked No. 1 in the final AP Top 25, ahead of Notre Dame.

Day’s record of 68-10 in six seasons at Ohio State is impressive, but his impressive win rate seemed to be overshadowed by his team’s loss to Michigan and their failure to reach the Big Ten championship game.

“None of us ever doubted for a second that he was the right guy to lead this team,” Howard said. “We stuck together and we said we want to do it for each other, we want to do it for our coach, and let’s do this thing, man. I’m really glad that we were able to finish it the right way.”

Simon echoed that sentiment, adding, “No one ever on our team lost any type of faith.”

He explained that after the loss to Michigan, he realized there was “noise all over the world” doubting the team. But Simon said he trusted Day because he saw how hard the coach worked every day.

“You think you’re getting work done and you go and walk past the head coach’s office and he’s already there,” Simon said. “He’s been watching film. His eyes are bloodshot. He puts that extra time in that no one in the world is really putting in.”

When the final seconds ticked off the clock Monday night, Day threw his headset into the air. When asked if he felt happiness or relief, Day admitted he felt both.

“I don’t know if it’s a spectrum. All of the above. Yeah, all of the above,” he said. “There’s a mix of emotions there. It’s hard to really put into words.”

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One of the biggest changes involves a legal settlement that will allow schools to pay players directly while also reducing roster sizes but increasing the number of available scholarships. This will be in place for next season, but schools first need to figure out how it will work, especially in relation to Title IX rules.

There are also questions surrounding the transfer portal, which many believe is out of control, and whether the 12-team playoff system that debuted this season will stay the same or undergo changes.

“There are so many unknowns,” said Gloria Nevarez, commissioner of the Mountain West Conference. “We’re trying to track it all to the best we can and offer solutions. But we’ve got to see what the ‘it’ is so that we can determine how it affects us.”

For Ohio State, their most fortunate turn of events this season was not related to roster planning but to the expansion of the college playoff from four to 12 teams. A crushing loss to Michigan in November had knocked them out of the Big Ten title race, and in previous years, it would have been the end of their season.

But this time, they got another shot, finishing as the sixth-ranked team and receiving an eighth seed thanks to the playoff system.

It’s possible that the College Football Playoff seeding system could change. “I think there will be a good, honest conversation, are there any changes that we ought to make from this year to next year to make something that’s worked really well work even better,” said Pete Bevacqua, Notre Dame’s athletic director.

Another area where changes are expected is how schools will pay players. The recent settlement allows schools to share up to $20.5 million in revenue with players, though it’s unclear how the funds will be divided, particularly between men’s and women’s sports.

A government memo raised concerns that paying a larger share to men’s sports could violate Title IX, which ensures gender equality. This issue will likely be addressed by the new administration, with the settlement set to take effect in April.

“It’s been five years of every day being different than the day before it, and adapting and adjusting and being malleable,” said Grant House, an Arizona State swimmer who is a lead plaintiff in the lawsuit causing these changes. “No one has all the answers right now, but we’re looking for solutions.”

As college football faces these many challenges, the idea of appointing a commissioner to oversee the sport has been suggested. This individual would handle issues like scheduling, player pay, the transfer portal, and enforcing new rules. ESPN’s Chris Fowler believes a commissioner could improve the game for fans. “You need some centralized scheduling, you need a more level playing field. You need better enforcement,” he said.

Despite these issues, many of college football’s top programs are expected to remain strong next season. LSU is considered to have had the best transfer portal haul, while Texas will begin the season with quarterback Arch Manning, the grandson of Archie Manning.

At Georgia, Gunner Stockton is expected to replace Carson Beck, who committed to Miami. The Miami Hurricanes also added a defensive back from Wisconsin, Xavier Lucas, who never officially entered the portal, leading to concerns about tampering.

For Ohio State, coach Ryan Day is looking forward to next season after securing a national title, but the pressure will remain high. He faces the challenge of replacing QB Will Howard, who transferred to the NFL. Julian Sayin, a five-star recruit who transferred from Alabama to Ohio State, is expected to step in. The Buckeyes will face Texas in their season opener on August 30.

“Try losing the first game and see how that goes at Ohio State,” Day said. “We’ll see about that.”

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His performance in Ohio State’s 34-23 victory over Notre Dame on Monday night was especially impressive in the first half and at the game’s end. Howard completed his first 13 passes, setting a record for consecutive completions in a CFP title game. When Notre Dame had pulled within eight points, Howard threw a crucial 56-yard pass to Jeremiah Smith on third-and-11, all but sealing the victory.

“I give this guy a lot of credit right here,” said Buckeyes coach Ryan Day, as Howard sat next to him. “I think he ran the ball 16 times, and we knew it was going to be that way. It was the last game of the season, and we were going to use all our bullets. He really put the team on his back.”

Howard entered the game in Atlanta with great momentum, and Notre Dame didn’t slow him down early. He distributed the ball to six different receivers, frequently opting for short passes that allowed his receivers to gain yards after the catch.

He tied the record for consecutive completions late in the second quarter, hitting Carnell Tate for 20 yards on third-and-7. Howard broke the record with a 15-yard pass to Smith on the following play. The streak ended when Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts broke up a pass intended for TreVeyon Henderson near the goal line.

“Coming into the season, one thing Coach Day emphasized was taking completions,” Howard explained. “Maybe I had to check it down or it wasn’t perfectly drawn up. You just want to keep the ball moving and stay on schedule.”

Alabama’s Mac Jones held the previous record, with 12 consecutive completions in the 2021 title game against Ohio State.

Howard finished the game 17 of 21 for 231 yards and was named the offensive MVP. He threw two touchdown passes: one for 8 yards to Smith and another for 6 yards to Quinshon Judkins in the first half.

Throughout the four playoff games, Howard completed 75.2% of his passes (82 out of 109) for 1,150 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions.

“It can be a lot,” Howard said about the pressure of playoff games. “The lights are bright. It’s a spectacle. The TV timeouts are long; everything’s a show a little bit. You have to block that out and eliminate all the distractions. It’s about whoever has the poise in the noise and overcomes adversity.”

In addition to his passing, Howard’s running ability played a key role in the win. He gained first downs on five of his first six designed runs or scrambles, and late in the game, his 8-yard run gave Ohio State a vital first down. Howard ended with a career-high 16 carries for 57 yards.

“It may not always be pretty and sometimes you have to pick it up with your legs,” Howard said.

Before coming to Ohio State, Howard spent his first four years at Kansas State, where he struggled with injuries and lost a quarterback competition in 2022.

However, when the starting quarterback was injured, Howard led the Wildcats to a Big 12 championship. He was named second-team All-Big 12 in 2023. Ohio State’s Ryan Day saw potential in Howard and brought him in through the transfer portal.

Howard’s decision to play at Ohio State allowed him to work with some of the best offensive talent in the country, which improved his game and positioned him to be a potential middle- or late-round pick in the NFL draft.

“I saw something in him, a football IQ intelligence,” Day said. “I saw him play on film at Kansas State and win championships and big games. He was able to make an impact with his feet but also throw with accuracy, and those are hard things to find.”

Reflecting on his journey, Howard said, “It’s crazy to look back at all that’s happened during my career — going from playing as a freshman at Kansas State and not really knowing what I’m doing, then going into my junior year, not thinking I’d be playing, and winning a Big 12 championship. I’m just so unbelievably thankful that I got a chance to be a Buckeye, even if it was just one year.”

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However, Leonard would need more support from his teammates. His two touchdown passes to Jaden Greathouse in the second half showed the Fighting Irish’s resilience, but their comeback effort came too late. Greathouse’s first touchdown catch came late in the third quarter of Ohio State’s 34-23 victory on Monday night.

Leonard contributed three touchdowns, passing for 255 yards with two touchdowns and running for 40 yards and another touchdown on 17 carries.

He was the star of a long, 18-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to open the game, where Leonard had nine carries for 34 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown run. This drive lasted 9 minutes and 45 seconds.

Nine carries in one drive? That was half of Leonard’s season high for carries in a full game. His previous record was 18 carries for 34 yards and a touchdown in Notre Dame’s 27-24 Orange Bowl victory over Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

Leonard had no complaints about coach Marcus Freeman’s game plan. “If coach wants to call my number and have me run the ball every single time, I’ve got no problem with it,” Leonard said.

However, Freeman knew they couldn’t keep asking Leonard to handle so many carries.

“We couldn’t run Riley every play,” Freeman said. “It’s not right for Riley and it’s not going to sustain the success we needed offensively.”

After the touchdown run to cap the opening drive, Leonard pointed to the Bible verse “Matthew 23:12” on his wristband. The verse reads: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Leonard may have been signaling that it was time for Notre Dame to be praised. Instead, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard and running back Quinshon Judkins proved difficult to stop.

Without more help from his teammates, Leonard and Notre Dame couldn’t keep up with Ohio State. The Buckeyes led 21-7 at halftime, while Leonard’s teammates only managed eight yards on six carries. Leonard himself passed for just 46 yards in the first half.

When Judkins ran for 70 yards to set up a 1-yard touchdown run, Ohio State took a 28-7 lead, and Leonard realized the deficit couldn’t be overcome with more quarterback runs alone.

The three-touchdown gap put Notre Dame in a tough spot. An incomplete pass on a fake punt early in the second half gave Ohio State the ball at Notre Dame’s 33-yard line, which made things worse.

The Fighting Irish were behind 31-7 before they finally scored again on a 34-yard touchdown catch by Greathouse from Leonard with 3:03 left in the third quarter. Greathouse later added a 30-yard touchdown catch, and a successful two-point conversion brought Notre Dame within eight points. But Howard’s 57-yard pass to Jeremiah Smith with two minutes left ended Notre Dame’s comeback hopes.

Leonard took responsibility for not completing the comeback.

“Everything was just clicking,” Leonard said about the drives that led to touchdown passes to Greathouse. “The next couple of drives maybe I got relaxed a little bit and I can’t let that happen.”

Notre Dame’s 14-2 record ended with a loss, and their 13-game winning streak was snapped. The Fighting Irish are still searching for their first national championship since 1988. Coach Marcus Freeman’s attempt to make history as the first African American head coach to win a national title also fell short.

Charles Jagusah started in place of left tackle Anthonie Knapp, who was out with a high ankle sprain. Jagusah was making only his second career start, having missed the regular season due to a torn right pectoralis muscle, but returned for the postseason.

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Please stay, Ryan Day, because right now, you’re too good for Ohio State. This isn’t a jab at the harsh critics who wanted you out 7½ weeks ago after the loss to Michigan; it’s just the truth. After leading Ohio State to a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame for the Buckeyes’ ninth championship and first in 10 years, you’ve proven yourself.

You’re set for life in Ohio now. You won’t have to buy a drink again, whether it’s in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, or anywhere Buckeye fans are.

You’re now a legend in the Buckeyes’ history, or you should be. With a win percentage of .875, you rank second only to Knute Rockne among FBS coaches with at least 50 games. Knute. Rockne.

Now, the power is in your hands. If you’re thinking about moving up, Ryan – and you should be at this point – there’s only one place left for you after Monday’s victory. It’s where you came from, after being recruited by your mentor Chip Kelly to be Urban Meyer’s offensive coordinator seven years ago.

That place is the NFL. It’s where you made your name as an up-and-coming coach. It’s the same place that helped bring you to Ohio State. Now, you can return to the NFL and write your own ticket.

Maybe not immediately. Your son, RJ, still has two years of high school left. The Jags, Cowboys, Jets, Saints, and Raiders are still looking for coaches, but it’s unclear if those would be the best fits. Day is a loyal Patriots fan, but this time the stars didn’t align for a New England job, especially after they hired former Buckeye Mike Vrabel.

However, Day’s future in the NFL seems likely, as the rest of the country recognizes what some of your home-state critics forget: you’re an excellent coach, especially when it comes to offense.

If you’re that made man, then Chip Kelly is practically your right-hand man. Just like in the movies, they made the bold decision to go for it with that deep pass to Jeremiah Smith on third down, a high-risk, high-reward play that paid off.

In another symbolic moment, with seconds left in the first half, LeBron James was shown on the video board, watching from a suite, proudly wearing Scarlet and Gray. Feeling the excitement, LeBron took off his hat and waved it to the crowd, almost like he was part of the coronation. By halftime, the Buckeyes were champions.

Ryan Day had been underappreciated for a while, but this championship proved his worth. In today’s playoff format, you don’t have to win your conference to win the title, and at Ohio State, you don’t even have to beat Michigan.

Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, especially since Day and the Buckeyes have lost four straight to Michigan, the “Team Up North.”

But Ryan Day’s legacy as Urban Meyer’s successor looks better every day. He’s 70-10 after his sixth season, making him the winningest active coach. Woody Hayes was 57-19-3 through 80 games. Urban Meyer, the last coach to win a national title, was an incredible 72-8. Jim Tressel was 66-14.

Eighty games is more than just a small snapshot; it’s a solid foundation. And for Ryan Day, it’s just the beginning if Ohio State can keep him. Just last month, Ohio State’s AD, Ross Bjork, said Day would “absolutely” be back in 2025 as the coach, despite some questioning whether Day’s job was safe after the Michigan loss.

Now, it’s up to Ryan Day to confirm that he’ll return in the fall. He’s earned that right. The ball is in his court.

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For Ohio State fans, this moment will always be a topic of debate.

When the teardrop throw from Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard on third-and-11 finally landed softly in the hands of receiver Jeremiah Smith late in the fourth quarter on Monday, Ohio State had secured a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame, earning its sixth national title and its first in ten years.

That 56-yard pass sealed Notre Dame’s comeback attempt and made Ohio State the champion of college football’s first 12-team playoff, just as they had been champions in the first four-team tournament a decade ago.

“They were running man coverage and I said, ‘Hey, I’m gonna let this loose and let him make a play on it,’” Howard said about the play, which felt far removed from Ohio State’s old-style, run-heavy offense.

This victory seemed impossible just seven weeks ago, on November 30, when a 13-10 loss to Michigan led to a near-riot on the field and raised questions about whether coach Ryan Day would keep his job heading into the next season.

“It’s a great story about a bunch of guys who have just overcome some really tough situations,” Day said. “At the point where there’s a lot of people that counted us out, they just kept swinging and kept fighting.”

The victory might have felt even sweeter due to how it unfolded in front of a packed stadium in the middle of SEC territory, filled with fans wearing Ohio State’s red on one side and Notre Dame’s green on the other.

With Ohio State leading 31-7, Notre Dame made a dramatic comeback, scoring two touchdowns and two 2-point conversions to close the gap to just one score late in the fourth quarter. The camera caught legendary Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz in his luxury box, giving a thumbs-up to his team despite the loud boos from Ohio State fans.

However, Notre Dame ran out of time. After stopping Ohio State on their first two plays and using up their timeouts, the Irish placed Christian Gray — who had secured the interception that helped Notre Dame win its semifinal against Penn State — in single coverage on Smith.

Smith got behind Gray on the right sideline, and Howard threw his best pass of the season into Smith’s hands.

That play set up a field goal and began the celebration, securing Ohio State’s victory and also helping the team cover the 8 1/2-point spread at BetMGM Sportsbook.

“It was do or die, it was that type of down,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said. “He’s a heck of a player. He’s difficult to cover.”

Howard, a transfer from Kansas State, threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns, but the game-changing play was his throw to Smith when the game was on the line.

Smith, who had been quiet for most of the game after being limited by Texas in the semifinals, finally broke free for the kind of play that had made him a standout all season. He finished with five catches for 88 yards.

“We felt at the end we wanted to give Jeremiah that shot,” Day said. “We really hadn’t thrown it all night, but I thought, ‘You know what, let’s be aggressive, let’s do this and lay it on the line.’”

Before that pass, Ohio State seemed to have the game under control, having scored touchdowns on its first four possessions and adding a field goal on the fifth.

When Quinshon Judkins, a transfer from Mississippi, ran for 100 yards on 11 carries, including a 70-yard run that set up a score to make it 28-7, the game appeared to be over.

But Notre Dame wasn’t done yet, and now Freeman faces tough questions. One is about the failed fake punt in the third quarter, which led to a field goal and a 31-7 Ohio State lead. Another concerns the decision to send Mitch Jeter in for a short field goal attempt while down 16 points and facing fourth-and-goal from the 9-yard line. It could have worked, but Jeter’s kick hit the left upright.

“I know it’s still a two-score game, but you have a better probability of getting 14 points than you do 16 points,” Freeman said.

Ohio State controlled much of the game and the entire playoff series. The Buckeyes were clearly the better team, outgaining Notre Dame by 445 yards to 308. Quarterback Will Howard completed his first 13 passes and was hardly ever stopped. Ohio State punted just once during the entire game.

The Buckeyes powered through the new expanded playoff format, which added more teams this year, with an average score of 36-21 across their four games. Despite being seeded eighth, the seedings didn’t really matter. In every quarterfinal and semifinal game, the lower seed won, and Ohio State dominated in this final showdown between the No. 7 and No. 8 teams.

This victory ended any lingering frustration from the previous November’s 13-10 loss to Michigan, which had been Ohio State’s fourth straight defeat to their rivals. That game had ended in a brawl after Michigan players tried to plant their flag at midfield.

Many wondered if coach Ryan Day, in his sixth season, had reached the end of his time at Ohio State, especially with no national titles in the past ten years.

But now, Ohio State can celebrate its national title. The Ohio State marching band will proudly dot the “I” with the national-title trophy, and Day will join a prestigious list of coaches who have won titles for the Buckeyes, including Urban Meyer (2014), Jim Tressel (2002), Woody Hayes, known for his “Three yards and a cloud of dust” style, and Paul Brown, the coach who later became the namesake of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.

Day’s impressive .873 winning percentage coming into the game was the third-best among coaches with 50 or more games, trailing only Knute Rockne of Notre Dame, who is a legend in college football history.

The loss for Notre Dame also meant that college football still hasn’t had a Black coach win the national title. Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame’s coach, was trying to become the first, but it wasn’t meant to be this year.

However, another kind of history was made. This was the first time the Big Ten Conference won back-to-back national titles since 1942. Michigan, last year’s champion, watched the game from home but still played an important role in Ohio State’s redemption story, which no one really saw coming.

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Howard built on an impressive first half, finishing the game by completing 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. His performance helped the Buckeyes secure a 34-23 win over Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff championship game in Atlanta.

The turning point came with just 2:38 left in the game, when Howard made a 56-yard pass to Jeremiah Smith. At that moment, reality seemed to set in for Howard, who took a moment to celebrate by throwing his arms up as he ran down the field. Ohio State coach Ryan Day jumped in excitement on the sideline, while Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James celebrated from the box seats.

This kind of moment was always Howard’s dream. A transfer from Kansas State, he had always hoped for a chance to perform on college football’s biggest stage.

“If you were to ask a 19-year-old or 18-year-old Will Howard if he’d be at Ohio State playing in the national championship, I think he’d probably say, ‘You’re crazy, man,’” Howard said earlier this week.

Now, Howard is a champion, and his teammates believe this is just the start for the 23-year-old quarterback.

“Just the type of quarterback he is, in my eyes he’s a first-round draft pick,” Smith said. “Will’s just a great leader — on and off the field.”

Howard made history in the championship game by completing his first 13 passes. By halftime, he had completed 14 of 15 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State scored a touchdown on all three of its first-half drives, leading 21-7 at the break.

Notre Dame fought back but couldn’t find a way to get past Howard and the Buckeyes. After the game, Howard was named Offensive MVP.

“They’ve changed my life in more ways than I can say, man,” Howard told ESPN, talking about the impact of Coach Day and his teammates. “Coach Day and these guys here have completely, completely changed my life. … I can’t believe God gave me the chance to be a Buckeye.”

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USC’s Recruiting Success and Myles’ Priorities

USC’s coaching staff played a crucial role in securing Myles’ commitment, with wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons leading the charge. Myles valued Simmons’ experience developing NFL talent and felt a strong connection with him during recruitment. He also emphasized the benefits of life in Southern California, citing opportunities beyond football as a significant factor in his decision. USC’s culture and history of producing top-tier wide receivers solidified their advantage over other schools like Texas A&M and Utah.

Texas A&M’s efforts to sway Myles are bolstered by his relationship with his current high school quarterback, Helaman Casuga, who has committed to the Aggies’ class of 2026. This connection offers a compelling prospect of reuniting at the collegiate level. Myles has already visited Texas A&M earlier in the season and is set to attend another game as the early national signing period nears. The upcoming visit represents a significant opportunity for the Aggies to strengthen their position in the recruitment battle.

Myles’ Talent and Potential Impact on Texas A&M

Jerome Myles is widely regarded as one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the 2025 class. Charles Power of On3 highlighted his unique blend of size, speed, and skill, praising his physicality and playmaking ability after the catch. Myles’ addition would significantly bolster Texas A&M’s recruiting class of 2025, which is currently ranked No. 11 nationally. With two wide receivers already committed, securing Myles would provide a critical boost to the Aggies’ offensive lineup and future aspirations.

Both USC and Texas A&M face high stakes as they compete for Myles’ commitment. USC’s 2025 class, ranked No. 14 nationally, has experienced recent challenges with recruit losses, though the Trojans managed to flip five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet from Texas A&M. Meanwhile, the Aggies have built a strong case to lure Myles, who could push their class into a more competitive position nationally. With the final recruiting weekend approaching, Myles’ decision will carry significant implications for both programs moving forward.

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Offensive Shortcomings Limit Team’s Potential

While the Gators’ season-ending winning streak highlights defensive improvements and Lagway’s individual brilliance, their offensive performance leaves much to be desired. Ranked 66th nationally, the offense struggles with predictability and lacks the creativity needed to thrive against top competition. Napier’s reliance on simplistic schemes, such as 12 personnel and short-range passing concepts, restricts the team’s ability to exploit its athletic roster. The current offensive approach is falling short of championship expectations, necessitating change for sustained success.

Billy Napier’s offensive system has faced criticism for its inability to harness the full capabilities of Florida’s talented players. The lack of imaginative play designs and poor situational decision-making have been key factors in the offense’s underperformance. To compete at the highest levels, Napier must acknowledge these weaknesses and hire an offensive coordinator with a fresh perspective. A skilled coordinator could bring new ideas, increase unpredictability, and ensure the team’s playmakers are used to their maximum potential.

Unleashing Talent Through a Dynamic System

The Gators have a roster brimming with talent, from Lagway’s pinpoint passing to receivers like Dallas Wilson, Tre Wilson, and Aidan Mizell, who possess the speed and skill to challenge any defense. Florida also benefits from a strong offensive line anchored by All-American Jake Slaughter. This group has the tools to thrive in a more dynamic system, such as an Air Raid offense or a modified spread attack. To fully utilize these assets, the team needs an offensive scheme that pushes the boundaries of creativity and play-calling.

For Florida to achieve its championship aspirations, it must prioritize hiring an innovative offensive coordinator. This decision will require financial commitment and a shift in mindset from finding reasons to fail to embrace solutions. While securing a top-tier coordinator may not come cheaply, it is a necessary investment for long-term success. By taking this step, Napier can position the Gators to compete with the nation’s best and reestablish Florida as a perennial powerhouse in college football.

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Competing for Championships Without Conference Ties

Remaining independent means Notre Dame faces a tougher road to national championships, as they lack the advantage of automatic playoff bids granted to conference champions. Despite this, the Fighting Irish consistently prove their competitiveness. For example, after a single loss to Northern Illinois in a recent season, they won every remaining game and secured a top-10 ranking in the College Football Playoff as an at-large team.

One of Notre Dame’s primary motivations for staying independent is financial control. Unlike teams in conferences that split College Football Playoff earnings with their league, Notre Dame keeps all its postseason revenue. This unique setup maximizes the program’s financial gains while allowing it to remain a major competitor on the national stage. Independence, in this sense, ensures both financial and athletic success.

Exclusive Television Deal Provides Flexibility

Notre Dame’s broadcasting agreement with NBC is another critical reason for its independence. This deal not only provides significant revenue but also gives the program full control over its media rights. Moreover, their independence allows them to design their schedule without constraints. Unlike teams tied to conference schedules, Notre Dame can arrange matchups that strengthen their reputation and avoid criticism over weak opponents.

While many programs seek stability through conferences, Notre Dame thrives by charting its own course. Their approach combines financial autonomy, competitive scheduling, and postseason opportunities without the limitations of conference membership. Notre Dame’s strategy highlights that independence, when managed effectively, can be a successful alternative in the evolving world of college football.

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Dabo Swinney’s Historic Achievements

Swinney’s tenure at Clemson has been marked by exceptional success. Taking over as head coach in 2008, he has led the Tigers to a 170-44 record, capturing eight ACC Championships and two national championships.

These achievements have solidified his legacy as the winningest coach in Clemson history and justified the lucrative contract he was awarded. However, the team’s recent struggles, including a 34-3 season-opening loss to Georgia in 2024, have raised questions about whether his performance can meet current expectations.

Struggles with Modern College Football Strategies

Swinney has faced criticism for his resistance to adopting newer methods of team building. Unlike many of his peers, he has avoided relying on the transfer portal to bolster his roster, a move that could leave Clemson at a disadvantage in future seasons. With the Tigers failing to reach the College Football Playoff since 2020, the pressure is mounting for the program to adjust its approach. The blowout loss to Georgia only amplifies concerns about whether Swinney can keep pace with evolving competitive demands.

Despite these issues, moving on from Swinney presents significant obstacles. His history of success and the massive financial implications of his buyout make such a decision both challenging and costly. While Clemson must find ways to improve its performance, Swinney’s track record and the financial stakes involved ensure that any consideration of his departure will be a complex and heavily scrutinized process.

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Jared Curtis: A Rising Star in the 2026 Recruiting Class

Jared Curtis, a five-star quarterback from Nashville Christian School in Tennessee, has emerged as a top target for Ohio State. Ranked as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 4 overall player in the 2026 class by On3 Sports, Curtis is a highly sought-after prospect. Initially committed to Georgia, Curtis has since reopened his recruitment, capturing the attention of several elite programs, including Ohio State. His decommitment marks a major opportunity for teams looking to secure one of the nation’s most talented young quarterbacks.

Curtis recently narrowed his options to six schools: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State, South Carolina, and Oregon. This announcement, shared by Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports, places the Buckeyes firmly in the race for the dynamic quarterback. Standing at 6’4” and weighing 220 pounds, Curtis possesses the size and skill to excel at the collegiate level. His inclusion of Ohio State among his finalists underscores the program’s continued appeal to top-tier recruits.

Ryan Day’s Recruiting Prowess: A Proven Track Record

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has consistently excelled in recruiting elite talent, particularly at quarterback. Landing Curtis would add another accolade to his impressive recruiting resume and further solidify the Buckeyes’ quarterback depth for years to come. However, competition remains fierce, as Curtis’ other finalists are formidable programs with their own recruiting strengths. Day’s ability to secure Curtis’ commitment could significantly impact Ohio State’s future success.

Securing Curtis’ commitment is far from guaranteed, as he has not indicated a decision timeline. The Buckeyes’ inclusion in his top six is a promising step, but continued efforts will be essential to win his favor. If successful, Curtis would join Sayin and St. Clair to form a powerhouse quarterback trio, positioning Ohio State as a perennial contender. As the recruitment process unfolds, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if the Buckeyes can add another jewel to their quarterback crown.

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In the 2024 season, Pritchett started 12 of 13 games for Alabama, showcasing versatility at both left and right tackle. He played 619 offensive snaps, with 64 at left tackle and 555 at right tackle. His experience as a starter in the SEC makes him a valuable addition to Nebraska’s roster.

After entering the transfer portal on January 4, Pritchett quickly visited Nebraska and committed to the program by the following Tuesday. His swift decision reflects his confidence in Nebraska’s coaching staff and the opportunity to contribute immediately to the team’s offensive line needs.

Challenges Faced by Pritchett in 2024, Including Legal Issues

Despite his talent, Pritchett struggled with some aspects of his game in 2024, allowing 31 pressures and six sacks. Off-the-field legal issues also affected his performance. However, Nebraska is optimistic that the change in scenery will allow Pritchett to reach his full potential and improve under new coaching.

With the departure of long-time starter Bryce Benhart and injuries to key players, Nebraska needed to strengthen its offensive line. Players like Gunnar Gottula showed promise in 2024, but Pritchett’s experience adds crucial depth and provides an immediate boost to the Huskers’ tackle positions for 2025.

Originally from Columbus, Georgia, Pritchett was ranked as the No. 31 overall recruit in the 2022 class and the No. 5 offensive tackle. He redshirted in 2022, played special teams in 2023, and emerged as a starting tackle in 2024. His high pedigree and experience give Nebraska high hopes for his future impact.

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Manziel’s college career was highlighted by a remarkable Heisman Trophy win as a freshman in 2012. His first-year success led the Texas A&M Aggies on a surprising run, and his fearless, high-risk playing style reflected his personal approach to life. Though some fans debate his place in college football history, Manziel’s legacy is undeniable due to his significant contributions and dynamic gameplay.

Cam Newton: A Strong Case for the Greatest College Player

While Manziel has a strong argument for being the greatest college player, he believes Auburn’s Cam Newton deserves the title. Newton’s incredible 2010 season, which included 2,854 passing yards and 1,473 rushing yards, set the bar for all future college quarterbacks. Newton not only won the Heisman Trophy but also led Auburn to a national championship, securing his place among college football’s elite.

Tim Tebow, known for “TebowMania,” is another strong contender in the greatest-of-all-time debate. While Newton had a single magical season, Tebow’s consistency and longevity during his four-year tenure at Florida make his case compelling. His Heisman-winning 2007 season was remarkable, as he totaled 3,286 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and 895 rushing yards, solidifying his dominance in college football.

The Debate: Who Truly Deserves the GOAT Title?

The question of who holds the title of the greatest college football player remains highly debated. Figures like Vince Young, Reggie Bush, Tim Tebow, and Cam Newton all have their passionate supporters. Ultimately, the answer comes down to personal opinion, statistical achievements, and the emotional connection fans have to their chosen players’ careers and stories.

The debate surrounding the greatest college football player will continue, with new stars emerging every year. While players like Manziel, Tebow, and Newton have left lasting legacies, no definitive answer exists. As new players rise, nostalgia and personal preferences will fuel this ongoing discussion, ensuring the debate remains an ever-present topic among college football enthusiasts.

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Ewers, who had one more year of eligibility, reportedly turned down an $8 million NIL deal from an unnamed school to enter the NFL Draft. While some might see this as a poor financial move, others view it as a sign of Ewers’ loyalty to Texas, the school he always wanted to play for.

“Texas was the only place he wanted to play college football,” Dodge shared with Horns247’s Chip Brown.

Over his three years at Texas, Ewers earned approximately $6 million through NIL deals. These years marked a significant turnaround for the program, as Ewers led the team to back-to-back College Football Playoff semifinals. Along the way, he became a highly discussed figure among college football fans, both positively and negatively.

“I don’t really pay attention to it,” Ewers said before playing Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, according to Horns247. “When I was younger, maybe a little bit more. But as I’ve grown up, I’ve come to fully understand that relying on what other people think of me won’t get me anywhere, and that’s just not a healthy way to go about life.”

Before transferring from Ohio State to Texas, Ewers faced criticism for accepting NIL money from Ohio State instead of finishing his senior year in high school. He explained that the decision was made with his family’s best interests in mind.

“Me and my family had a pretty big opportunity in front of us,” Ewers said in the same Cotton Bowl press conference. “We felt that it was a good decision for me to go on and forgo my senior year and enroll early at Ohio State and have the opportunity to have some good money in our pockets as a family.”

Now, instead of choosing the more financially rewarding option, Ewers has set his sights on an NFL future. Scouts predict he could be drafted anywhere from the bottom of the first round to the top of the third. The relatively weak quarterback class for this draft season could benefit his stock.

Even though Ewers had the chance to make more money through NIL deals, if he performs well in the NFL, it’s likely that an even more lucrative contract will be offered to him in the future.

The post Quinn Ewers Declares for 2025 NFL Draft, Turns Down $8 Million NIL Deal, Austin appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Commissioner Judy MacLeod expressed enthusiasm for the addition, stating, “Adding the University of Delaware is a tremendous opportunity for Conference USA as we strategically position ourselves for continued success.”

She further highlighted the excitement of partnering with the state’s flagship university, which boasts a strong legacy in both athletics and academics, along with leadership from President Dennis Assanis and Director of Athletics Chrissi Rawak.

A formal announcement of this transition will take place during a press conference scheduled for Wednesday, November 29, at 10:00 AM ET in the Whitney Athletic Center on the University of Delaware campus. This event will be open to the public and will also be live-streamed on YouTube.

“Just like our football team, the whole University of Delaware is on the rise,” stated President Dennis Assanis. He noted that UD is recognized among the top public research institutions in the country, delivering exceptional professional outcomes for its students.

Joining Conference USA is expected to enhance the university’s visibility, showcasing its outstanding academic programs, groundbreaking research initiatives, and lasting impact on both the local community and beyond.

The Blue Hens will participate in various sports within Conference USA, including baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, football, men’s and women’s golf, women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, track & field, and volleyball.

Additional information regarding the competition of the other seven programs will be available in the coming months.

Director of Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation Chrissi Rawak remarked on the importance of joining Conference USA, stating, “The opportunity to join Conference USA is an incredibly proud moment for our entire university.”

She emphasized that this advancement will enhance the student-athlete experience while elevating the university’s visibility and bringing the state of Delaware together.

During the previous season, Delaware achieved five conference championships, secured two NCAA victories, and produced two individual NCAA qualifiers.

The university also boasts well-regarded programs in football and men’s lacrosse, alongside a successful doubles pair in women’s tennis. In the 2022-23 season, nine Blue Hens received All-American honors, with six earning national player of the week awards.

Historically, the Blue & Gold have maintained a strong record in athletics, with an impressive tally of 529 All-Americans, 137 conference titles, and 10 national championships throughout the university’s rich history.

Ranked among the best in the nation, the University of Delaware’s academic programs contribute to its distinguished reputation. The university’s research classification places it in the top 3% of U.S. universities and colleges.

According to the 2024 Best Colleges rankings from U.S. News & World Report, UD holds the No. 76 position among national universities and is ranked No. 36 among public universities.

Additionally, eight undergraduate programs at UD are recognized among the top 100 in their fields, including a commendable No. 5 ranking in chemical engineering.

The university also ranks among the top 50 institutions in the U.S. for veterans and active-duty military. This strong academic reputation translates into success for UD Athletics and its student-athletes.

Balancing their athletic achievements, UD student-athletes have also excelled academically. During the 2022-23 academic year, Blue Hens achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.286—the highest recorded in the department’s history, excluding terms affected by COVID-19.

This accomplishment marks the ninth consecutive year and the 19th straight semester that UD student-athletes have maintained a GPA of 3.00 or higher.

About Conference USA

Conference USA is an NCAA Division I conference dedicated to fostering success in college athletics through committed leadership, dynamic partnerships, and diverse membership.

Established in 1995 and headquartered in Dallas, CUSA currently includes nine schools: FIU, Jacksonville State, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, New Mexico State, Sam Houston, UTEP, and WKU. Kennesaw State will join the league in 2024, followed by Delaware in 2025.

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This action comes despite an ongoing NCAA investigation into alleged recruiting violations during former coach Herm Edwards’ tenure.

The school emphasized its commitment to confidentiality regarding the investigation, stating, “In light of the ongoing investigation and our membership obligation to maintain the confidentiality of the matter, we will not be commenting further at this time.”

Edwards, who started the 2022 season with a 1-2 record, parted ways with the program last September.

Evaluating the Decision

Considering the allegations and evidence surrounding Arizona State, the move is not unexpected. However, questions remain as to why the school didn’t implement this measure last year.

Doing so earlier could have allowed the program to get ahead of the situation, especially with first-year coach Kenny Dillingham now at the helm.

While this season’s team features a revamped roster and is anticipated to face challenges, bowl eligibility could have provided a motivating goal.

The investigation has lingered for over two years, creating frustration for both the school and its supporters. Although much of the process has been out of Arizona State’s hands, this decision was within its control.

Dillingham’s Contract and the Ban’s Implications

Under Dillingham’s contract, NCAA-imposed sanctions such as a postseason ban or a huge scholarship reduction require the school to seek approval from the Board of Regents to extend his contract for the duration of the penalties, including annual $100,000 raises.

Although the contract doesn’t explicitly address self-imposed sanctions, it would be surprising if the university didn’t take similar action.

Dillingham has faced massive hurdles, including rebuilding the roster and restoring trust in the program. He has made considerable strides in both areas, and failing to extend his contract under these circumstances could send the wrong message.

Background

Reports first surfaced in June 2021 about an investigation into Edwards and his program for allegedly hosting recruits during the COVID-19 pandemic’s 15-month non-contact period.

The fallout led to the departure of five assistant coaches and negatively impacted recruiting efforts. Last August, university president Michael Crow indicated that there was no clear end in sight for the investigation.

Edwards was in his fifth season when Arizona State parted ways with him following a loss to Eastern Michigan.

He concluded his time with the program holding a 26-20 record. Under Dillingham, the Sun Devils aim to rebound from a 3-9 finish last season as they enter the 2023 campaign.

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This milestone event, set to air at 6 p.m. PDT on UniMás, showcases Jessi Losada as the play-by-play announcer in Spanish, with an English audio option available via the Mountain West Network.

Frank Pucher, senior associate athletics director for external relations at Fresno State, explained this initiative aligns with the university’s deep connection to its community, where nearly 52% of students identified as Mexican in fall 2022.

Highlighting the effort, Pucher remarked, “Engaging our community is always a priority, and we strive to improve our outreach continuously.”

The collaboration with Univision came about when Fresno State secured national broadcast partnerships for 11 games, leaving one unclaimed.

The decision to partner with Univision for this game underscored the university’s commitment to its local community. Spanish-language sports broadcasts have a rich history, dating back over 50 years.

For example, the Los Angeles Dodgers introduced full-time Spanish broadcasts in 1958 after relocating from Brooklyn. This trend expanded into professional football during the 1990s with the Dallas Cowboys and later into network television, where Fox and ABC offered Spanish options starting in 1998.

More recently, the NFL has maintained its partnership with Entravision, which broadcasts 51 games annually in Spanish across U.S. stations.

Telemundo Became the First Spanish-language

Telemundo’s involvement began in 2012, covering Sunday Night Football and airing Super Bowl broadcasts on Universo.

In 2022, Telemundo became the first Spanish-language network to televise a Super Bowl, solidifying its role as the official Spanish-language broadcaster for NFL coverage through 2035.

The NBA and collegiate sports have also embraced bilingual broadcasting. The Orlando Magic began Spanish radio broadcasts in 1997, while the University of Texas Longhorns introduced Spanish audio for football games in 1995.

Fresno State’s adaptability and community demographics position it as a leader in this area. Matt Brown, publisher of Extra Point, noted that Fresno State’s autonomy in managing its broadcast rights allowed for innovative initiatives like this.

He added that the growing diversity of sports audiences might lead to broadcasts in additional languages, such as Mandarin or Cantonese, in the future.

Omnika Thompson, executive editor of NBCU Academy and DEI for NBCU News Group, praised the university’s efforts, linking them to broader goals of enhancing bilingual journalism and better serving Latino communities.

She expressed hope that Fresno State’s approach inspires other institutions to adapt their programming. Pucher hinted at plans to extend the Spanish-language broadcasts to other sports like basketball and baseball.

Reflecting on the positive feedback from fans, he shared stories of emotional connections, such as viewers wishing their Spanish-speaking relatives could enjoy the games together. He believes these heartfelt reactions affirm the importance of making sports more accessible to diverse audiences.

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However, the spread has tightened by two points, indicating a potentially more competitive showdown in Atlanta this Monday. The outcome could hinge on several key matchups, with three standing out as particularly impactful.

Ohio State’s Receivers Against Notre Dame’s Secondary

Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate offered some insight into Ohio State’s approach for the game, pointing to Notre Dame’s tendency to rely heavily on man-to-man coverage.

“We’re going to assume they do the same in this game,” Tate explained, referencing the Fighting Irish’s consistent use of one-high safety man coverage throughout the season. Notre Dame, which ranks ninth nationally in total defense by allowing just 298.3 yards per game, has seen success with this approach under coordinator Al Golden.

Despite this, few teams attempt man coverage against Ohio State’s formidable receiving corps, which features Tate, Jeremiah Smith, and Emeka Egbuka. However, Notre Dame’s defense remains undeterred.

Freshman cornerback Leonard Moore emphasized their commitment to the strategy: “We’re going to play man coverage like we do every week. We’re going to go out there and challenge their receivers.”

Cody Simon Tasked with Containing Riley Leonard

Ohio State’s defense has faced mobile quarterbacks before, including Dillon Gabriel of Oregon and Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava.

However, Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard presents a unique challenge with his dual-threat capabilities, combining designed runs with his ability to extend passing plays.

Leonard’s 158 carries this season place him sixth nationally among non-running backs, highlighting his integral role in Notre Dame’s offense.

Linebacker Sonny Styles acknowledged Leonard’s impact in critical moments: “He’s a huge part of that will to just get it done… They give him the ball on fourth-and-short or third-and-medium situations.

He’s their guy.” To counter Leonard’s mobility, linebacker Cody Simon will likely take on the responsibility of shadowing the quarterback throughout the game.

Mike Denbrock’s Offense vs. Jim Knowles’ Defense

Notre Dame’s offensive identity is rooted in its ground game, ranking 14th nationally with an average of 210.8 rushing yards per game.

Running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price have spearheaded this effort, combining for nearly 2,000 yards on the ground this season.

Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles recognizes this, expecting a run-heavy approach from the Fighting Irish on Monday.

While it’s unlikely Notre Dame will switch Leonard into a pure pocket-passing role, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock may look to incorporate trick plays to capitalize on Ohio State’s focus on stopping the run.

A well-timed play-action or misdirection could prove pivotal in testing the Buckeyes’ defensive discipline.

The post Ohio State and Notre Dame Ready for CFP National Championship Title Clash appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

The lack of a targeting call was further scrutinized when ESPN’s rules expert, Matt Austin, examined the play. Austin noted that Stovall, a defenseless receiver, was hit in the head just as he was turning to make the catch. He expressed surprise that the officials didn’t call targeting, suggesting that the play could have warranted such a penalty from the booth. Despite this, the officials did not flag the play, and Arizona State was forced to punt on the ensuing fourth down.

In the final moments of the game, Texas had an opportunity to win with a field goal, but the attempt was missed. Arizona State’s chances were also dwindling, and the game went into double overtime. Texas ultimately won 39-31 in the overtime period, but the non-call on targeting remained a hot topic of conversation in the aftermath.

Social media erupted in disbelief and frustration after the play, with many commentators and analysts expressing outrage over the lack of a targeting penalty. Football analyst Warren Sharp and NFL RedZone’s Scott Hanson both criticized the officials for missing what seemed to be a clear targeting violation. Sports radio personality Mike Francesa went further, calling it “one of the most gutless, non-calls” he had ever seen, emphasizing how obvious the hit seemed to him.

After the game, Arizona State’s head coach, Kenny Dillingham, addressed the controversy by admitting his confusion over what constitutes targeting. He stated that he was unsure about the definition of targeting and preferred not to comment further until he had a better understanding. This response reflected the widespread confusion and dissatisfaction with how the play was handled by the officials.

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The substitution came on a crucial fourth-and-short play near midfield. Manning, stepping in for Ewers, managed to pick up the first down but was hit hard by a helmet-to-helmet collision. As Manning’s left arm touched the turf, the ball seemed to come loose, raising concerns about a potential fumble. However, after a quick review by the officials, it was determined that Manning was down before the ball came out, so the fumble was not counted.

While the attention was on the fumble, some fans pointed out that the play could have been flagged for targeting. They observed that the defender had used the crown of his helmet to make contact with the back of Manning’s helmet. Social media erupted with questions and disbelief over the lack of a targeting penalty. Fans expressed their concern over the hit, noting that it seemed to meet the criteria for targeting under the rules.

Many were surprised that the broadcast did not address the potential targeting call, focusing instead on the fumble review. The lack of discussion regarding the safety of Manning, who appeared to be dazed after the hit, added to the frustration among fans. As the play was reviewed, there was no mention of the possible targeting violation, which led to further criticism of the officials’ handling of the situation.

By the end of the first half, Ohio State held a 14-7 lead over Texas, and the game remained closely contested. Despite the controversy surrounding Manning’s hit, the focus shifted back to the game, with fans continuing to debate the fairness of the officiating and the impact of the hit on the young quarterback’s performance.

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Ohio State took a 21-14 lead in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic with a 13-play, 88-yard drive, finishing with a one-yard rushing touchdown by Quinshon Judkins with 7:02 left in the College Football Playoff semifinal.

Texas’ offense had trouble moving the ball against Ohio State for most of the game, but they quickly started a drive on their next possession.

Beginning at their own 25-yard line, the Longhorns advanced to first and goal at the OSU one-yard line in nine plays.

Texas had been using backup quarterback Arch Manning in certain red zone situations this season, and he had been effective, giving their offense a mobile option that starting quarterback Quinn Ewers didn’t. Fans and local media in Austin hoped to see Manning used more in these situations during the CFP.

However, head coach Steve Sarkisian kept Ewers in the game for two running plays, which ended in a loss of seven yards. (The loss came from a toss play.)

After an incomplete pass on third down, Ewers was sacked and fumbled on fourth down. Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer scooped up the ball and scored a touchdown with 2:13 left in the game.

Fans on social media expressed confusion over why Sarkisian didn’t bring Manning in at the goal line, arguing that it might have helped Texas’ offense against Ohio State’s defense.

Manning’s substitution had worked earlier in the game when he helped the Longhorns get a key first down on a fourth-and-one run in the first half.

“No Arch Manning in at the goal line is crazy,” wrote a fan.

“Blows my mind how you don’t use Arch Manning down at that goal line series! Unbelievable…but a great game if Texas scores on that series we would have likely had overtime or Ohio State having to put a game-winning scoring drive together,” posted another.

“Arch Manning should’ve been in last drive at the goal line,” argued a fan.

“Not to mention they have Arch Manning to just do sneaks or draws over and over. In fact, they’ve done that all year in goal line packages. That play calling snafu was Pete Carroll 2.0,” wrote another.

“Texas should’ve brought Arch Manning out there at the goal line,” suggested a fan.

The post Officials criticized for controversial Arch Manning decision in Dallas appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

The officials flagged defensive pass interference on the play, which wiped out the interception and moved Penn State to Notre Dame’s 9-yard line. Just two plays later, the Nittany Lions scored a touchdown to take a 24-17 lead.

After Penn State kicked the extra point, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman had a heated conversation with three officials on the sideline. Despite his protests, the call stood.

Penn State had struggled in the passing game against Notre Dame. The Nittany Lions had not completed a pass to a receiver in the first half, relying instead on Tyler Warren.

Although Warren couldn’t catch the touchdown pass against the Irish, his contact with the defender led to the pass interference penalty. The impact of the controversial call on the game’s final result remains to be seen.

Penn State DE Abdul Carter wears Darth Vader eyeblack

Penn State defensive star Abdul Carter made a unique statement on Thursday by wearing eyeblack that read “Darth Vader.” The choice referenced a post Carter made earlier in the week on X, where he shared a clip from the Disney+ show Obi-Wan Kenobi. The clip featured Darth Vader healing in a “bacta-tank,” and Carter saw a connection to his own recovery from a shoulder injury he sustained in Penn State’s win over Boise State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

Like Vader, Carter is a force to be reckoned with when fully healthy. The junior has 63 tackles and a team-high 11 sacks this season, ranking seventh in the country for sacks in the 2024 campaign.

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, Carter’s NIL representative, Drew Rosenhaus, praised his tough mentality.

“This guy is a warrior, he loves his coaches and his team, he would fight to win the championship no matter how much was at risk,” Rosenhaus said. “I was at the last game where he hurt his shoulder and the guy went out there and tried to play with one arm… He’s going to give it his all for Penn State, his teammates deserve that, that’s who he is, that’s how he was raised by his parents, and that’s what makes him great.”

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NIL stands for name, image, and likeness. It refers to the right of an individual to control how their name, image, or likeness is used commercially. For example, if an athlete’s picture is used to promote a product, the athlete can profit from that use under the right of publicity.

The right of publicity protects individuals from unauthorized commercial use of their identity. This has long been a subject of discussion in the context of the NCAA, as critics have argued that student-athletes should be allowed to benefit from their own name, image, and likeness. The introduction of the NIL policy aims to address these concerns.

NCAA’s NIL Rule Overview

The NCAA’s interim policy, implemented in June 2021, allows athletes to engage in NIL activities. There are three main components of the policy:

Compliance with State Laws: Athletes must adhere to the NIL regulations in the state where their school is located.

No State Laws: In states without NIL laws, athletes are still allowed to engage in NIL activities, following NCAA rules.

Professional Services: Athletes can seek professional services (like agents) to manage their NIL deals.

Additionally, athletes must report their NIL activities to their school in accordance with state laws or school policies.

Examples of NIL Activities for Athletes

Student-athletes can engage in a wide variety of activities to monetize their NIL, including:

• Autographs and memorabilia sales
• Hosting camps and clinics
• Personal appearances
• Merchandise sales
• Affiliate marketing and ambassador roles
• Creating and selling NFTs
• Blogging and podcasting
• Public speaking
• Music, art, and other creative works

While NIL presents exciting opportunities for both high school and college athletes, high school student-athletes must face additional complexities. Here are some key points for high school athletes to consider:

State NIL Rules: Each state has its own regulations regarding NIL. What is permitted in one state may not be allowed in another.

High School NIL Rules: Many high school sports associations set their own rules regarding NIL, so it’s essential to understand these rules to avoid violations.

College and Conference NIL Rules: College programs may have specific NIL policies that differ from state laws, and these must also be considered.

Risk Awareness: Ignoring NIL rules may jeopardize an athlete’s eligibility to play college sports. Always make sure to follow the correct procedures.

Focus on School and Sports: Academic performance and athletic skills should remain a priority, as these influence college recruitment and future NIL opportunities.

Seek Guidance: It’s helpful to talk to current college athletes, financial advisors, and NIL professionals to ensure smart decision-making.

Build an Online Presence: Even if NIL activities aren’t allowed in high school, starting to build a personal brand through social media can open doors for future opportunities.

Stay Updated: As NIL laws are continuously evolving, staying informed about changes is crucial.

Sources to Check for NIL Information

To understand your NIL rights, high school athletes should regularly check the following sources:

State Laws: Each state has specific NIL regulations.

State High School Associations: Your state’s high school sports association will have its own guidelines.

National and Sport Governing Bodies: Certain sports have additional NIL guidelines.

Colleges and Conferences: Each school or conference may have its own rules.

State-by-State Overview of NIL Laws

The status of NIL laws varies across the United States. Some states have fully implemented NIL laws, while others are still in the process of considering or amending their regulations. Below is a table summarizing the current status of NIL laws in different states for college athletes:

In states with active NIL laws, athletes can earn money while adhering to both state and school rules. In states without NIL laws, colleges create their own NIL guidelines.

High School Associations and NIL Rules

High school athletes face more restrictive rules regarding NIL opportunities. Each state has its own policies, and many high school sports associations limit or prohibit NIL activities. The table below shows the NIL status for high school athletes in various states:

In some states, NIL activities for high school athletes are under consideration or may be prohibited entirely. Athletes should consult their high school association for guidance on what is permissible in their region.

Colleges and universities can establish their own NIL rules. Some schools have partnered with third-party platforms to manage NIL contracts and ensure compliance. These platforms help review and approve NIL deals, providing structure and transparency.

Additionally, national governing bodies for specific sports may set guidelines for athletes to maintain amateur status. For example, the United States Golf Association (USGA) has developed its own NIL guidelines for amateur golfers.

Talking to College Coaches About NIL

High school athletes should inquire about NIL rules when engaging with college coaches. Here are some essential questions to ask:

• What are the NIL rules enforced by your school and conference?
• How can NIL opportunities benefit me if I attend your institution?
• What platforms are currently being used to manage NIL contracts?
• How are other student-athletes at your school monetizing their NIL?

Helping Athletes Monetize Their NIL

There are various companies and platforms available to help student-athletes secure NIL deals. These platforms connect athletes with brands, manage contracts, and offer resources to help athletes make informed decisions. Athletes should explore these resources to maximize their NIL potential.

The NIL rules are changing quickly, particularly for high school athletes. It’s essential for students and their families to understand the regulations in their state and high school sports association, as well as the broader college and NCAA guidelines. By staying informed, building an online presence, and seeking proper guidance, high school athletes can position themselves for future NIL opportunities while ensuring they remain eligible for college sports.

The post Understanding NCAA Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Rules: A Guide for High School Athletes appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

The Lions’ defense, under the guidance of coordinator Aaron Glenn, was suffocating throughout the game. They held the Vikings to a dismal 3-for-13 on third downs and prevented them from converting on any of their fourth-down attempts or red-zone opportunities. Two crucial fourth-down stops inside the Lions’ 5-yard line sealed the victory, with the defense proving to be the backbone of the team’s success. Coach Dan Campbell couldn’t hide his pride, highlighting the defense’s control over the game, particularly in the first half.

Offensively, it was running back Jahmyr Gibbs who stole the spotlight with a career-defining performance. Gibbs rushed for 139 yards and scored four touchdowns, a feat that set a new franchise record for the most touchdowns in a season with 20, surpassing the previous record of 17 held by legends Barry Sanders and Jamaal Williams. Gibbs also contributed in the passing game, adding five receptions for 31 yards. His explosive play was a key factor in the Lions’ second-half surge, making it clear that the team’s offense is firing on all cylinders as they head into the playoffs.

The game started slowly with both teams punting on their opening possessions. However, the Lions struck first with a bold decision by Campbell to go for it on 4th & 5 at the Minnesota 39-yard line. Jared Goff found Jameson Williams for a 14-yard gain, setting up a 25-yard touchdown run by Gibbs. Minnesota responded with a field goal, but their offense was unable to capitalize on several key opportunities, especially inside the red zone, allowing Detroit to build and maintain a commanding lead.

With the NFC North crown and the No. 1 playoff seed in hand, the Lions now look forward to a well-deserved bye week, advancing directly to the Divisional Round. Their impressive 15-2 record has positioned them as one of the most dangerous teams in the NFC, and fans in Detroit are buzzing with optimism for a potential Super Bowl run. As the team prepares for the next phase, this historic season has reignited hope for the future, as the Lions aim to continue their remarkable journey.

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The SEC continues to dominate the rankings, with nine teams featured in the Top 25, including Tennessee at No. 1 and Auburn at No. 2. Tennessee strengthened its grip on the top spot, increasing its share of first-place votes after remaining undefeated. Auburn held on to second place, making it the fourth consecutive week that these two teams have monopolized the top two positions. Alabama, Florida, and Texas A&M joined Kentucky in the top 10, further emphasizing the SEC’s depth this season.

Illinois was the biggest mover in this week’s poll, climbing nine spots to No. 13 after road victories over Oregon and Washington. UConn returned to the top 10, landing at No. 9 after extending its winning streak to eight games. Meanwhile, Cincinnati, Arkansas, and Baylor dropped out of the rankings and were replaced by West Virginia, Michigan, and Utah State. West Virginia and Utah State made their season debuts in the poll, while Michigan returned for the first time since Week 7.

Tennessee maintained its status as the only undefeated team in college basketball, securing 45 first-place votes compared to Auburn’s 15. This week also highlighted the SEC’s overall strength, with three of the top five and six of the top 10 teams coming from the conference. The Big Ten followed with six ranked teams, while the Big 12 featured four. Other conferences with ranked representation included the Big East, ACC, AAC, WCC, and MWC.

The SEC’s nine ranked teams solidify its dominance, surpassing other conferences by a significant margin. The Big Ten’s six teams and the Big 12’s four teams round out the top contributors to the poll. The week’s reshuffling highlights the SEC’s firm grip on college basketball, with top teams like Tennessee and Auburn leading the way and a depth that reflects the league’s competitive advantage.

The post Kentucky Climbs to No. 6 in AP Poll as SEC Dominates College Basketball Rankings appeared first on Sports Al Dente.

Mellott received the honor at the FCS national awards banquet at the Hyatt Regency in Frisco. He was selected as the winner over finalists Cam Miller (QB, North Dakota State) and Targhee Lambson (RB, Southern Utah).

Mellott is the second player from Montana’s NCAA Division I FCS schools to win the prestigious award. The first was University of Montana quarterback Dave Dickenson, who won it in 1995. Mellott is also the first player from Montana State University to receive the award.

“It’s a surreal moment for sure,” Mellott said. “Three years ago I was on the sideline after being injured in the national championship game, and I was talking on the mic to the quarterback coach at the time, coach (Taylor) Housewright, and he said, ‘If you don’t become the Walter Payton Award winner, we failed you.’

So I think it’s just a testament to what we’ve done as a program.

“But just having the opportunity to be out here today and be representing obviously such a great award, and winning it is a great honor. So (it’s a) very humbling moment, and I’m very, very honored to have it.”

Mellott, who is from Butte, is the 27th quarterback to win the Walter Payton Award and the eighth in a row. He is also the 10th player from the Big Sky Conference to earn the award and the first since Eastern Washington’s Eric Barriere in 2021.

This season, Mellott has had an impressive performance over 15 games, completing 68.8% of his passes for 2,564 yards, with 29 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He also rushed for 915 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 8.4 yards per carry.

NDSU’s Miller has thrown for 3,052 yards, 31 touchdowns, and four interceptions while rushing for 510 yards and 10 touchdowns. Southern Utah’s Lambson led the FCS in rushing yards with 1,922 and 23 touchdowns.

Mellott’s Walter Payton Award is the second national FCS honor he has received in the past two years. Last year, he won the Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award.

Earlier on Saturday, he was named the NCAA’s Elite 90 Award winner, which goes to the student-athlete with the highest GPA at the final site for each of the NCAA’s 90 championships. Mellott has a perfect 4.0 GPA in financial engineering at MSU.

Also on Saturday, Central Arkansas defensive end David Walker won the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in the FCS.

Montana State’s head coach, Brent Vigen, was also honored as the 2024 Eddie Robinson Award winner for FCS Coach of the Year, becoming the first Bobcat coach to earn the award.

Mellott is the third Montana State player to win one of the major FCS MVP awards, following Caleb Schreibeis and Brad Daly, who won the Buck Buchanan Award in 2012 and 2013. Last season, Montana running back Eli Gillman won the Jerry Rice Award as the best freshman in the FCS.

Other Payton Award winners from the Big Sky Conference include Idaho’s John Friesz (1989), Weber State’s Jamie Martin (1991), Idaho’s Doug Nussmeier (1993), Northern Arizona’s Archie Amerson (1996), and Eastern Washington’s Erik Meyer (2005), Bo Levi Mitchell (2011), and Cooper Kupp (2015).

Other national winners for this season include North Carolina Central kicker/punter Juan Velarde, who won the Doris Robinson Award, NDSU running back CharMar Brown, who won the Jerry Rice Award, and South Carolina State quarterback Eric Phoenix, who was named the inaugural HBCU+ National Player of the Year, recognizing the best player from the 21 FCS programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Mellott and Montana State (15-0) will play North Dakota State (13-2) in the FCS National Championship game on Monday night at Toyota Stadium. The game will start at 5 p.m. Mountain Time and will be broadcast on ESPN.

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If you’re looking for high-scoring offenses, you might want to look elsewhere this weekend. The defenses, featuring multiple All-Americans, are the main focus of the semifinals. Ohio State, Texas, Penn State, and Notre Dame are all ranked among the top eight defenses in the country this season.

The No. 8 seed Buckeyes (12-2) will play the No. 5 Longhorns (13-2) in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night. Ohio State is ranked first in total defense and scoring defense, while Texas is ranked third and fourth in those categories.

The Orange Bowl, set for Thursday night, will feature No. 7 Notre Dame (13-1) against No. 6 Penn State (13-2), both of which have strong defenses that shut down top players like Georgia’s and Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, the nation’s top running back, in the quarterfinals.

Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard, who was 0-3 against Texas while at Kansas State before transferring to Ohio State, described the Longhorns’ defense: “They got some dudes, man,” Howard said.

And he’s right. The Longhorns have playmakers all over their defense.

Longhorns senior cornerback Jahae Barron won the Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back. Edge rusher Colin Simmons leads the team with nine sacks and won the Shaun Alexander Award as the best freshman.

Barron leads a tough, experienced secondary that has been hard on receivers and has forced turnovers in 23 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the country.

In the quarterfinals, Texas beat Arizona State in double overtime, with safety Michael Taaffe’s hit on a receiver in the final drive being reviewed for targeting, though it was ruled legal. Andrew Mukuba then sealed the win with an interception near the goal line in the 39-31 game, which was the most points Texas allowed all season.

“I think our defense has been tremendous all year,” said Texas coach Steve Sarkisian. “As far as football goes, hey, we don’t play flag football, man. This isn’t seven-on-seven. This is tackle football. We believe in playing a physical brand of football. We try to do it the right way within the rules.”

Next, the Texas defense will try to stop Ohio State’s standout freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith.

“You know, that kid can ball. He’s a big baller. Strong, strong ability. He’s a deep threat,” Barron said. “He’s a physical player, and I’ll have to be physical.”

Ohio State can also dominate physically, with pass rushers J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, plus All-American safety Caleb Downs in the backfield. The Buckeyes have allowed just 12.1 points per game this season, with only one 300-yard passer and two 100-yard rushers getting through.

When Ohio State lost to top-seeded Oregon earlier in the season, Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel had plenty of time to throw. But in a Rose Bowl rematch, the Buckeyes sacked Gabriel eight times, including two sacks each from Tuimoloau and Sawyer.

“When we’re executing and we’re at a high level, it’s hard to do anything with us,” said Buckeyes defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. “The most violent team, the team that plays the fastest, executes the most, and exceeds their game plan the most is going to win this game.”

Notre Dame and Penn State will bring their own brand of tough defense to South Florida. Both teams are ranked in the top 10 for total defense and scoring defense.

After an easy win over Indiana in the first round, Notre Dame held Georgia to just 62 yards rushing and 10 points. They forced two turnovers and stopped Georgia on all three of its fourth-down tries, including one inside the Notre Dame 10-yard line with just under 10 minutes remaining. This was despite losing standout defensive tackle Rylie Mills to a knee injury earlier in the playoffs.

Notre Dame’s defense is led by safety Xavier Watts, a two-time AP All-American, who has six interceptions this season.

Penn State is ranked fifth in the nation against the run, allowing only 101 yards per game. In the quarterfinals, the Nittany Lions shut down Boise State’s top running back, Jeanty, holding him to a season-low 104 yards and forcing an early fumble.

However, Penn State took a hit when All-American defensive end Abdul Carter, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, left early with an upper body injury and didn’t return.

Carter leads Penn State with 11 sacks and ranks second in FBS with 21.5 tackles for loss this season. Nittany Lions coach James Franklin is hopeful Carter will play this week but didn’t confirm it.

“At this point, I don’t think there’s anything that is stopping him from playing,” Franklin said Saturday.

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North Dakota State (14-2) made the trip from Fargo to Frisco for the 11th time in 14 seasons. Their last title win there was three years ago, in a game where both Miller and Montana State’s Tommy Mellott were the starting quarterbacks.

Miller completed 19 out of 22 passes for 199 yards and ran 18 times for 121 yards. This victory marked his 45th win (out of 56 starts) and his second national championship.

“Cam Miller was the best quarterback on the football field today. There was no doubt about it,” said first-year NDSU coach Tim Polasek, who was an assistant coach during the Bison’s first two titles in Frisco at the end of the 2011 and 2012 seasons. “Tommy’s a good football player, there’s no question about that either. But all year long, these guys have answered the bell with complimentary football.”

Montana native Mellott ran 44 yards for a touchdown to bring the Bobcats (15-1) within 28-25 early in the fourth quarter. Mellott won the Walter Payton Award this season as the FCS’ top offensive player in a tight vote over Miller.

Mellott rushed for 135 yards on 14 carries and completed 13 of 24 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Taco Dowler with 1:09 left before an unsuccessful onside kick attempt.

“Our offense was a little bit stagnant there in the first half unfortunately and we came up short because of it,” Mellott said. “Guys kept fighting, it’s very easy 21-3 to quit… and we came back out there and we had a group of guys that fought for this team, fought for the seniors.”

The Bison never trailed after Miller finished the game’s opening drive, which lasted more than seven minutes, with a 2-yard touchdown run. On their second possession, with no one in the backfield, Miller received the snap and ran 64 yards untouched up the middle for another touchdown.

“It was a draw play with an option to pass as well… they played the perfect front and the perfect coverage for it for us. It just parted,” Miller said. “It didn’t feel real honestly. Usually when we run draws, you’ve got to make a few guys miss. And there was nobody there.”

Miller threw a 1-yard touchdown to Bryce Lance just before halftime, giving the Bison a 21-3 lead. Lance’s FCS-best 17th touchdown came one play after a catch near the front pylon. He was ruled out of bounds inside the 1-yard line after a replay review.

Lance, the younger brother of former NDSU quarterback Trey Lance, who made his first start for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, finished with nine catches for 107 yards.

Lance made a diving 38-yard reception on the final play of the third quarter to set up Miller’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Joe Stoffel, restoring the Bison’s 10-point lead.

“The way the game played out, they played better than us and, you know, put ourselves in a big hole,” said Montana State coach Brent Vigen, a former NDSU player and assistant coach. “Obviously this is a low point… having 15 victories and you can’t finish it off.”

The key point
North Dakota State remains the only team in modern college football to have a perfect 16-0 season, which they achieved five years ago while also winning the national title. The Bison’s only loss in a title game in Frisco was two years ago to South Dakota State.

Montana State has not won a national title in 40 years. While the Bobcats hold a 21-18 lead in their series against North Dakota State, they have lost the last six matchups, all in the FCS playoffs since 2010. Last season, they were defeated 35-34 in the second round after a blocked extra point in overtime.

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Oregon is the No. 1 seed, with Georgia, Boise State, and Arizona State also receiving byes. Below is the bracket, final seedings, and full playoff schedule.

2024-25 College Football Playoff bracket
This bracket is based on the committee’s final top 25 rankings from Sunday, Dec. 8. It’s important to remember that the top 25 ranking doesn’t always align with the playoff seedings.

The four highest-ranked conference champions receive the top four seeds and byes, no matter where those teams rank in the top 25. The fifth-highest-ranked conference champion also automatically qualifies, but this team will not receive a bye.

College Football Playoff schedule, scores
All times Eastern

Semifinals
Thursday, Jan. 9
No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Notre Dame (Orange Bowl) | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

Friday, Jan. 10
No. 5 Texas vs. No. 8 Ohio State (Cotton Bowl) | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

National Championship
Monday, Jan. 20
TBD vs. TBD (Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia) | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

First round
Friday, Dec. 20
No. 7 Notre Dame 27, No. 10 Indiana 17

Saturday, Dec. 21
No. 6 Penn State 38, No. 11 SMU 10
No. 5 Texas 38, No. 12 Clemson 24
No. 8 Ohio State 42, No. 9 Tennessee 17

Quarterfinals
Thursday, Jan. 2
No. 7 Notre Dame 23, No. 2 Georgia 10 (Sugar Bowl)

Tuesday, Dec. 31
No. 6 Penn State 31, No. 3 Boise State 14 (Fiesta Bowl)

Wednesday, Jan. 1
No. 5 Texas 39, No. 4 Arizona State 31 (2OT) (Peach Bowl)
No. 8 Ohio State 41, No. 1 Oregon 21 (Rose Bowl)

College Football Playoff rankings, seeds
You can see how these numbers — the seed and the CFP ranking — differ below. The four teams with byes are in bold.

Here are the final CFP top 25 rankings, with teams in the CFP also getting their seeds included at the end.

Oregon — highest-ranked conference champion (Big Ten) and seeded No. 1
Georgia — second-highest-ranked conference champion (SEC) and seeded No. 2
Texas — at-large pick (second team from the SEC), seeded No. 5
Penn State — at-large pick (second team in the Big Ten), seeded No. 6
Notre Dame — at-large pick (independent), seeded No. 7
Ohio State — at-large pick (third team from the Big Ten), seeded No. 8
Tennessee — at-large pick (third team from the SEC), seeded No. 9
Indiana — at-large pick (fourth team from the Big Ten), seeded No. 10
Boise State — third-highest-ranked conference champion (Mountain West) and seeded No. 3
SMU — at-large pick (from the ACC), seeded No. 11
Alabama — first team out of the CFP
Arizona State — fourth-highest-ranked conference champion (Big 12) and seeded No. 4
Miami (Fla.) — second team out of the CFP
Ole Miss — third team out of the CFP
South Carolina — fourth team out of the CFP
Clemson — fifth-highest-ranked conference champion (ACC) and seeded No. 12
BYU — fifth team out of the CFP
Iowa State — sixth team out of the CFP
Missouri — seventh team out of the CFP
Illinois — eighth team out of the CFP
Syracuse — ninth team out of the CFP
Army — 10th team out of the CFP
Colorado — 11th team out of the CFP
UNLV — 12th team out of the CFP
Memphis — 13th team out of the CFP

Boise State, which won the Mountain West Conference championship and has lost to only top-ranked Oregon, is the third-highest-ranked conference champion and thus received a bye into the quarterfinals despite ranking No. 9.

Though Arizona State is ranked only No. 12, the Sun Devils are the fourth-highest-ranked conference champion — over ACC champ Clemson (No. 16) — and earned the No. 4 seed and the final first-round bye.

There is no re-seeding once the official bracket is revealed on Sunday, Dec. 8.

The four quarterfinal games are not played at the campus sites. Instead, these four games — scheduled on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 — will be played at the Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Sugar Bowl. The four highest-ranked conference champions will be assigned one of these bowls in consideration of historic bowl relationships as well as seeding.

The four quarterfinal winners will then meet in the semifinals at either the Orange Bowl or the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10. If the seeds hold, that means (1) would meet (4) and (2) would play (3). The two semifinal winners will then play on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the national championship.

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The game was delayed a day because of a suspected terrorist attack that killed at least 15 people and injured many others in New Orleans’ French Quarter during New Year’s celebrations.

The match will now take place with increased security, and the winner will move on to face Penn State in the semifinals.

ODDS AND TRENDS
Georgia (11-2) was a slight favorite for most of the week at various sportsbooks, but by Wednesday night, the consensus had shifted to Notre Dame -1.0 at several sportsbooks.

Georgia opened at -1.5 at BetMGM, but they were underdogs by Thursday morning, even though 54 percent of spread-line bets and 51 percent of the money were on Georgia. Meanwhile, BetRivers showed that 58 percent of the spread-line money was on Notre Dame (12-1), which was still a half-point underdog at that book.

BetRivers also mentioned that Notre Dame has had a better record against the spread than all but Arizona State and Marshall this season, with a 10-2-1 mark. The Fighting Irish have covered the spread in eight straight games, while Georgia has failed to cover in four of their last six.

This bowl season has seen many high-scoring games, and BetMGM set the total points line at 45.5, with 54 percent of the money backing the Over.

Four of the past six games for both teams have gone Over at BetRivers.

PROP PICKS
– Georgia QB Gunner Stockton 2+ Passing TDs (+205 at DraftKings): This player prop has been the most popular bet, even though Stockton has little experience in such a big game. He’s only attempted 32 passes all season, with 16 of them coming in for the injured Carson Beck during the SEC Championship Game. Stockton completed 75 percent of his passes and led the offense to an overtime win against Texas.

– Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard Over 40.5 Rushing Yards (-130 at BetMGM): Leonard, who can run and throw, has rushed for 751 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He didn’t run much in Notre Dame’s 41-13 win over Indiana on Dec. 20 but has rushed for at least 41 yards in eight games this season.

THE NEWS
Stockton replaced Beck in Georgia’s 22-19 overtime win over Texas. Stockton completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards and one interception. The victory gave Georgia a playoff bye and extra preparation time, though they didn’t know who they’d be facing until Notre Dame’s 27-17 first-round win over Indiana.

Georgia’s coach Kirby Smart said that the extra time helped Stockton practice with the first-team offense, but the Bulldogs couldn’t fully prepare for their opponent until Notre Dame advanced.

Smart explained that the biggest help for Stockton was the chance to practice in competitive situations. Stockton has completed 25 of 32 passes for 206 yards with no touchdowns and one interception this season. Freshman Nate Frazier leads the running game with 634 yards and eight touchdowns on 129 carries.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said they studied about 80 plays from Stockton’s games to prepare. Freeman noted that Stockton can run the offense and extend plays with his legs, making him a tough competitor.

Smart downplayed the idea that Stockton’s running ability would change Georgia’s game plan. He said, “We are who we are.”

The break between games has left Georgia with about 3 1/2 weeks off, while Notre Dame kept its momentum by winning its 11th straight game.

Smart said managing the time off is tough because teams can lose rhythm during long breaks.

Freeman, like other coaches in the 12-team College Football Playoff, has had to adjust to playing back-to-back postseason games. Freeman said preparing for the playoffs is different from a bowl game, and the team must focus on preparing for each game while aiming for the next one.

Unfortunately, defensive tackle Rylie Mills will miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury against Indiana. Freeman praised Mills as a strong leader and player but emphasized that other players would step up in his place.

Mills had 7 1/2 sacks this season, and he and All-American defensive lineman Howard Cross III helped the defense perform well despite injuries, including cornerback Benjamin Morrison’s season-ending injury in October.

On offense, Riley Leonard has thrown for 2,293 yards and 17 touchdowns, with six interceptions, while Jeremiyah Love has rushed for 1,057 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.

PREDICTION
This is one of the toughest games to predict. Notre Dame has faced a weaker schedule with no top-10 opponents, while Georgia could have lost more than two games this season and is playing with a backup quarterback. Stockton impressed in relief against Texas, but Georgia’s defense should be the strongest unit on the field. We predict Georgia will win 27-23.

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Love re-injured his right knee late in the third quarter during Notre Dame’s 23-10 victory over second-seeded Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. He went into the medical tent twice before returning to the sideline with a large brace on his knee.

However, coach Marcus Freeman told reporters on Saturday that Love was not included in the team’s injury report.

“The only injury update from the game is Cooper Flanagan will be out for the rest of the College Football Playoff with a foot injury,” Freeman said, referring to a backup tight end. “We’ll miss Coop and love him, but other than that, everybody else was clean. Pretty clean game in terms of injuries.”

This means Love and quarterback Riley Leonard are expected to continue leading the ground game, with backup running backs Jadarian Price and Aneyas Williams providing support as the Irish (13-1, No. 3 CFP) aim for their first national championship game appearance since the 2012 season.

Love did not speak with reporters on Saturday and is not scheduled to meet the media before facing the Big Ten runner-up Nittany Lions (13-2, No. 5). Price is expected to speak later on Saturday.

How crucial has Love been to Notre Dame’s offense?

He leads the Irish with 1,076 yards and 16 touchdown runs, averaging 7.3 yards per carry, and set a school record by scoring rushing touchdowns in 13 consecutive games. The streak ended against Georgia.

Love also set the tone in Notre Dame’s first-round victory over 10th-seeded Indiana when he sprinted 98 yards for the first score. It was the longest TD run in playoff history and came on a day when Love was fighting both the flu and a sore knee he injured in the regular season finale at Southern California.

But stats and on-field feats don’t fully capture Love’s impact.

He has hurdled 10 defenders this season, including an attempt against the Hoosiers on which he aggravated the knee injury. His ability to perform well despite injury or illness has given the Irish a toughness that resonates throughout the locker room. His strength and breakaway ability also make Leonard a more dangerous option on the ground.

As a result, Notre Dame only needed 90 yards passing to defeat the Southeastern Conference champion Bulldogs in New Orleans.

So, having Love on the field seems essential if the Irish are to end their 36-year national championship drought — the longest gap between title-winning seasons since their first in 1924.

Even if Love isn’t at full strength, the Irish have other options.

Leonard already holds the school record for TD runs by a quarterback in a season (15) and needs 169 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for the first time in his career. Price is also a breakaway threat and a reliable workhorse, while freshman Williams has earned more playing time, logging half of his 32 carries in the last four games.

Price is ready for whatever role is asked of him.

“I always feel like I could do more every game,” Price said. “The good thing about our victory is that we have another opportunity to do it, so we want to do everything we can to have a better performance.”

This combination has caused plenty of trouble for Notre Dame’s opponents during their 12-game winning streak, which has already produced the first 13-win season in the school’s history.

Now Penn State faces another concern — the health of All-American defensive end Abdul Carter. He left the 31-14 Fiesta Bowl victory over third-seeded Boise State with an apparent left arm injury. Coach James Franklin indicated on Saturday that Carter could play, but might be limited.

“He’s doing great, his attitude is great, his mentality has been really good,” Franklin said. “Really it’s going to come down to how he feels and how much practice he gets. I don’t think at this point there’s anything stopping him from playing; it’s how he is able to play.”

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The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year sustained an unspecified upper-body injury during Penn State’s 31-14 win over third-seeded Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. This injury leaves his status for Thursday’s Orange Bowl uncertain.

“At this point, I don’t think there’s anything that is stopping him from playing,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said on Saturday. “But it’s just going to come down to how he is able to play. And we’ll see, but his mentality is great.

He’s got a big smile on his face. He’s excited about this week. But it’s too early to say at this stage.”

Carter seemed to suffer a shoulder or arm injury in the first quarter against Boise State.

After leaving the field and spending some time in the injury tent on the sideline, Carter briefly returned for a series before leaving the game for good in the second quarter.

In his three years at Penn State, Carter has never missed a game. He ranks second among all FBS players with 21 1/2 tackles for loss this season. Carter also leads Penn State with 11 sacks and is fourth among the Nittany Lions with 63 total tackles.

“His attitude is great,” Franklin said. “His mentality has been really good. We’ll see. But I think he’s taking the right approach and mentality, and really it’s going to come down to how he feels and how much practice he’s able to get during the week.”

Penn State began preparing for Notre Dame on Friday and will practice on Sunday after taking Saturday off.

While Carter and fellow starting end Dani Dennis-Sutton have been consistent performers all season, Penn State has also had success with other players. Amin Vanover and Smith Vilbert have contributed to the defensive end rotation, and freshman Max Granville has seen an increase in his playing time over the last four games.

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Known as “Touchdown Tommy,” Mellott received 147 points and 16 first-place votes, beating out North Dakota State’s quarterback Cam Miller (131 points and 14 first-place votes) and Southern Utah’s running back Targhee Lambson (115 points and 5 first-place votes).

“I’m very, very honored,” Mellott said, calling the win a humbling moment.

The senior from Butte, Montana, has led Montana State to a perfect 15-0 record. He was also named to The Associated Press FCS All-America team and was the Walter Camp FCS Player of the Year. Mellott leads the FCS in passing efficiency and points responsible for.

Mellott reflected on his journey, saying, “Three years ago I was on the sideline after being injured in the national championship game, and I was talking on the mic to the quarterback coach at the time, Coach (Taylor) Housewright, and he said, `If you don’t become the Walter Payton Award winner, we failed you.’ So, I think it’s just a testament to what we’ve done as a program.”

Montana State and North Dakota State will play in the title game Monday night at Toyota Stadium. Montana State’s head coach, Brent Vigen, received the Eddie Robinson Award as coach of the year. The Buck Buchanan Award for the best defensive player went to Central Arkansas defensive end David Walker.

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The Buckeyes were unstoppable, taking control early. Jeremiah Smith caught two of Will Howard’s three long touchdown passes in a dominant 34-point first half. Ohio State went on to win 41-21, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

“You can see the potential of where we’re at, when we play in all three phases the way we did,” Day said.

Howard threw for 319 yards, while Emeka Egbuka also caught a long touchdown pass. Running back TreVeyon Henderson added a 66-yard touchdown run.

The win was a redemption for Ohio State (12-2, CFP No. 8 seed), who had lost to Oregon 32-31 in October and ended the regular season with a disappointing loss to rival Michigan.

The new 12-team College Football Playoff gave the Buckeyes a chance to erase their past mistakes, and from the opening minute in Pasadena, they took full advantage.

“I think nobody has gone through more scrutiny than probably the team here,” Egbuka said. “Five weeks ago, people were getting death threats, our head coach was getting cussed out, people saying he should never come to Ohio again.

And now, by the end of tonight, when you scroll Twitter, and Instagram, everyone’s going to be singing our praises. We just know what to say true to in our building.”

Against the tournament’s No. 1 seed in the prestigious Rose Bowl, Ohio State scored on six of its first seven drives. Four of those scores were over 40 yards, and by late in the second quarter, they had built a commanding 34-0 lead over the unbeaten Ducks.

Henderson’s second touchdown late in the third quarter essentially sealed the win for Ohio State, who will now face No. 4 Texas in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10 for a chance to play in the national title game. Texas won a tough double-overtime game against Arizona State earlier in the day.

“I’m proud of the resilience of these guys,” Day said. “Still got a lot of football ahead of us.”

Smith, the standout freshman, had an incredible Rose Bowl debut with seven catches for 187 yards, including five catches for 161 yards in the first half alone. He caught touchdown passes of 45 and 43 yards. Egbuka compared Smith to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had a record-breaking Rose Bowl performance three years ago.

“I would say legendary,” Egbuka said. “I was able to witness Jaxon’s game in the Rose Bowl and the pure dominant performance that that was.

Even though (Smith’s) stats might not reflect the exact same thing that Jaxon has, I don’t think it was too far off in terms of dominance. He’s a very special talent, and I’m so excited to keep watching him grow.”

Dillon Gabriel passed for 299 yards and threw two touchdown passes to Traeshon Holden for Oregon (13-1, CFP No. 1 seed). But the Ducks’ hopes for their first national title were crushed on the Rose Bowl turf. Their 14-game winning streak came to an end.

“We really didn’t have the ability to stop them, and we didn’t have the ability to get something going for us on offense,” said Oregon coach Dan Lanning. “We haven’t faced a lot of moments like this all year. (Ohio State) is an unbelievable team.”

Ohio State dominated the Ducks just 11 days after a big win over Tennessee to open the Playoff. The Buckeyes’ offense was explosive, and their defense, which failed to sack Gabriel in the first meeting, dropped the Heisman finalist eight times this time around.

The Big Ten champion Ducks couldn’t produce the big plays that had worked in their earlier win over Ohio State. They also played without receiver Evan Stewart, who had been key in their first game but was ruled out of the Rose Bowl due to a back injury.

“They brought the fight, and we got hit in the mouth,” Oregon receiver Tez Johnson said. “They won the game from the first snap.”

Ohio State didn’t waste any time. After the usual pregame celebrations in Pasadena’s 70-degree sunshine, the Buckeyes needed just three plays and 49 seconds to score first. Howard threw a quick screen pass to Smith, who sprinted 45 yards for the opening touchdown.

On Ohio State’s third drive, Howard threw a perfect deep pass to Egbuka, who caught it for a 42-yard touchdown. Howard finished the first quarter with a career-best 212 passing yards, already surpassing his 160-yard performance against Tennessee.

In the second quarter, Smith was wide open near the Ducks’ goal line, settling under Howard’s deep pass for a 42-yard touchdown. Henderson then broke free for a 66-yard touchdown run, giving the Buckeyes a 31-0 lead and leaving the Rose Bowl crowd in shock.

Oregon finally showed some life on its last drive before halftime. Gabriel connected with Holden for a 5-yard touchdown, but the Ducks still faced an uphill battle.

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The Big Ten champions defeated Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday night, ending Oregon’s hopes of winning its first national championship.

“It was definitely shocking. They came out and punched us in the mouth. We tried to make adjustments but it was definitely different,” said defensive back Kobe Savage.

The Ducks (13-1) fell behind early, just three plays into the game, when Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith caught a 45-yard pass from Will Howard for a touchdown. Oregon struggled to recover from there.

The Ducks allowed scores on six of Ohio State’s first seven drives. Offensively, Oregon only reached Ohio State’s side of the field once in its first six drives, with four three-and-outs before finally scoring on their seventh possession.

“We didn’t adjust fast enough,” said Oregon’s head coach, Dan Lanning.

In their earlier meeting on October 12, quarterback Dillon Gabriel had four completions of at least 28 yards in the first half of Oregon’s 32-31 win. This time, Gabriel’s first long completion didn’t come until there were only 30 seconds left in the half — a 44-yard pass to Traeshon Holden.

“They dropped eight. First game they played us man. That was their game plan to stop us and they did it to the best of their ability and they succeeded,” said receiver Tez Johnson, who had five catches for 32 yards after catching seven passes for 75 yards in the previous game.

Ohio State made nine plays of at least 15 yards in the first half, seven of them passing and two rushing, as they took advantage of miscommunications in Oregon’s secondary.

“Every time we had bad eyes or miscommunication they capitalized on those moments,” Savage explained.

Oregon, which led the Big Ten and was ninth in the nation for third-down conversions, only managed to convert one of four third downs in the first quarter and five of 12 in the first half.

Gabriel pointed out that not being able to create big plays and stay on the field early cost the team dearly. “You plan to create explosives, be really good on situational football and move the chains that way.

We just didn’t do that on third down,” Gabriel said. He completed 29 of 41 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns. “They had a great plan, like coach said. But if you don’t go get the third you can’t move forward.”

Gabriel was sacked eight times, a sharp contrast from the earlier game when he had a clean pocket. Oregon’s struggles in the second half were partly due to being forced to pass more after running back Jordan James was injured in the first half.

Evan Stewart, the Ducks’ second-leading receiver during the season, was unable to play due to a back injury suffered in the Big Ten Championship game against Penn State on December 7. Stewart participated in pregame warmups but wasn’t cleared to play by the trainers.

“It was very shocking because you got to think at Autzen, it was 7-7, 14-14, 21-21. It was pretty back and forth all game long, so to see them run up the score a little bit and us not have too much juice, it was definitely a different atmosphere we hadn’t been in this year, for sure,” Stewart said.

Despite the loss, Oregon had a successful first season in the Big Ten. However, the Ducks are set to lose several key starters, including Gabriel, who transferred from Oklahoma and was a Heisman Trophy finalist.

“I feel like the seniors set a great standard this season just to show how tough you can be and that it can be done. To go undefeated in your first time in a tough conference like the Big Ten,” Savage said. “I feel like there’s a lot of underclassmen and a lot of young guys that are going to come in and fill those roles and also maintain that standard.”

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