The Seattle Seahawks generally dominated the Kansas City Chiefs en route to a 33-16 win on Friday. The run game and defense looked especially solid, but there are some things that can still be improved, and questions that can still be answered. Here are four takeaways from the Seahawks’ preseason victory over the Chiefs. Kubiak’s run game looks potent 2024 Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb only lasted a year in Seattle. Why? Last year’s offense ranked 28th in rushing yards per game (95.7). His replacement, Klint Kubiak, made it clear on Friday night that this year’s offense aims to be different. The Seahawks steamrolled the Chiefs to the tune of 268 rushing yards, 119 of which came in the first quarter. Four Seattle running backs (Zach Charbonnet, Jacardia Wright, George Holani, Damien Martinez) had at least 45 rushing yards, and both Charbonnet and Martinez found the endzone. “The run game being successful is just what we’ve been working on the whole offseason,” offensive guard Anthony Bradford said postgame. “As an O-line we’re stressing running the ball right now.” The strong run game also allowed the Seahawks offense to get creative through the air. On the first drive alone, Sam Darnold used play-action fakes to connect with both Elijah Arroyo and Robbie Ouzts in the flats. Darnold also connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a swing pass, which resulted in a first down. The great Seahawks teams of the 2010s found success in running the ball and utilizing play-action. Friday night felt like a return to form. Bobo threatening to push MVS further down the depth chart Wide receiver Jake Bobo has been a fan favorite since landing in Seattle as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He’s shown flashes of excellent hands, route-running and body control, but his reps had previously been limited behind DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Smith-Njigba.  On Friday, Bobo made a strong case for an increased workload. Early in the second quarter, Drew Lock connected with Bobo on a screen pass to the slot. The 27-year-old maneuvered expertly around his blockers, cut between two defenders and stretched across the goal line for a 12-yard score. “There was nobody out there,” Bobo said of the play postgame. “Great call by (Kubiak).” Late in the second quarter, Lock again found Bobo from 12 yards out. This time, Bobo ran a fade route along the far sideline before leaping above the defending cornerback to secure a spectacular toe-tapping score. Despite his excellent performance, Bobo’s position in the depth chart is uncertain. Rookie Tory Horton has continued to get first-team reps in practice, meaning he’ll likely begin the year as Seattle’s WR3. However, Bobo’s not the only other wideout competing for that spot. When the Seahawks signed veteran deep-threat Marquez Valdes-Scantling in March, many fans assumed he’d join Smith-Njigba and fellow signing Cooper Kupp in Seattle’s starting rotation.  Two preseason games later, and the same fans are still waiting to see Valdes-Scantling make his first reception as a Seahawk. Valdes-Scantling didn’t play in last week’s game, and wasn’t targeted during the opening drive (his only appearance) of Friday’s game. He turns 31 in October, and if Horton’s already outplaying him, the writing may be on the wall. Plus, Bobo is balling, and 26-year-old Dareke Young has also been productive. Valdes-Scantling will likely make the final roster, but his role with the team going forwards is in jeopardy. The ‘Tush Push’: Our friend and Milroe’s In May, the Seahawks joined 21 other teams in an attempt to ban the Philadelphia Eagles’ signature ‘Tush Push’, a seemingly-unstoppable quarterback rush from a pseudo-victory formation.  The vote failed, and the ‘Tush Push’ remains legal. That may actually be good news for the Seahawks, as rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe successfully replicated the push in the first drive of Friday’s game.  With Charbonnet and Ouzts behind him, Milroe drove through the Chiefs’ defensive line to pick up two yards and a first down. Six plays later, Seattle found the endzone. Remember, Philadelphia’s offense finished third in fourth-down conversion rate (70.97%) in 2024, and first (67.86%) in 2023. Meanwhile, Seattle finished 21st (52.63%) in 2024 and 30th (37.50%) in 2023. If the Seahawks can consistently execute the push, it’ll be a valuable asset in Kubiak’s offense. The push will also likely guarantee Milroe a full-time spot on the active roster. Drew Lock performed well (10/12 for 129 yards and two touchdowns) as Seattle’s second-string quarterback against Kansas City, and he’ll likely begin the season as the Seahawks’ QB2. Seattle only kept two passers on the active roster last year, but Milroe’s ability to threaten on the ground will likely earn him a full-time role with the Seahawks. Special teams coverage needs work Special teams are important, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Just ask the 2010 San Diego Chargers, who led the league in total offense and defense but missed the playoffs largely due to an avalanche of special teams errors. Seattle’s offense and defense looked great on Friday, but Jay Harbaugh’s special teams unit struggled when giving the ball back to Kansas City.  In the second quarter, kick returner Jalen Royals raced through a huge gap in the coverage, forcing kicker Jason Myers to make a touchdown-saving tackle at midfield. Seattle also allowed twin 34-yard kick returns from Chiefs Jimmy Holiday and Key’Shawn Smith. Sadly, the problems didn’t end there. In the fourth quarter, embattled Chiefs receiver Skyy Moore was practically untouched on a punt return which he took 88 yards down the sideline for a late score.  “(We) would love to have covered that punt better,” head coach Mike Macdonald said postgame. “That’s stuck in the back of your mind, and our coverage units need to improve, but I think (they) improved from the first game for sure.”

The Seattle Seahawks’ preseason tie with the Las Vegas Raiders gave Seahawks fans a lot to think about as the 2024-25 season approaches. One should never read too much into the preseason, but Thursday’s game gave Seahawks fans some things to consider. Here are five takeaways from Seattle’s 23-23 draw with the Raiders. Oustz has a role in this offense Many fans were skeptical when Seattle drafted fullback Robbie Ouzts in the fifth round of this year’s draft. However, the former Alabama tight end made an immediate impact on the Seahawks’ first possession.  On Seattle’s second play, Ouzts put a nice block on a penetrating defender, which allowed running back George Holani to spring outside for a 20-yard pickup. Four plays later, quarterback Drew Lock connected with Ouzts in the flat. The 6’3, 274-pound rookie plowed over two defenders on his way out of bounds for a 17-yard gain. The Seahawks’ second drive saw Ouzts lay another great block for Holani, who made one man miss and scampered down the sideline for a 24-yard score. Could the Seahawks have drafted the league’s next star fullback? It’s too soon to tell, but the future looks bright for Ouzts and the Seattle running attack. McIntosh out, Martinez in? Holani’s play changes things Seahawks fans have yearned to see former Georgia Bulldog Kenny McIntosh get consistent reps, but the third-year pro suffered a season-ending ACL tear in July. Fans may have assumed that McIntosh’s RB3 spot would automatically fall to seventh-round draft pick Damien Martinez, but Thursday’s results have complicated that narrative. Second-year back George Holani spent most of his rookie campaign on the practice squad, but he outshone Martinez in Week 1 of the preseason. The elusive Holani tallied seven carries for 61 yards and a touchdown, and also recorded one reception for 20 yards. Meanwhile, Martinez struggled to reach the second level, taking six carries for just 10 yards. The rookie added two receptions for 15 yards, but he’ll need to do more if he wants to stay above Holani in the depth chart. Horton shows more promise Neither Jaxon Smith-Njigba nor Cooper Kupp played on Thursday. However, fifth-round rookie Tory Horton, who has been consistently turning heads during training camp, showed more flashes in his preseason debut. Early in the second quarter, Horton fought through pass interference to haul in a 13-yard reception along the sideline. He capped the Seahawks’ next drive with a 10-yard score, ducking between two defenders and spinning past a third on his way into the endzone. Horton’s had a stellar preseason. Pro Bowl cornerback Tariq Woolen referred to Horton as “Jerry Rice Jr.” in practice, while head coach Mike Macdonald reported that Horton was “making multiple plays every day.” Though Horton only played in the first half, his three receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown added to the hype growing around the rookie receiver. Penalties are an issue The Seahawks defense picked off Aidan O’Connell twice, with Josh Jobe snagging the first and Nehemiah Pritchett nabbing the second. However, the Seahawks’ defensive starters rushed the field in celebration after each, earning twin 15-yard penalties as a result. There were also several holding penalties that hurt Seattle. Rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe scrambled for a first down early in the third quarter, but poor blocking from undrafted center Federico Maranges negated the play. On the Seahawks’ next drive, a 45-yard rumble from fellow UDFA Jacardia Wright was called back following a foul by tight end/fullback Brady Russell. Both drives ended in punts. It’s understandable to see increased fouls in the team’s first preseason game of the year, but discipline will need to be better when the regular season kicks off in September. Lock and Milroe are still competing Quarterback Drew Lock has been beloved in Seattle since he led a game-winning drive against the Eagles in December of 2023. When the former New York Giant returned to the Seahawks in April of 2025, fans rightly assumed he’d return to his role as backup quarterback, this time behind free agent signing Sam Darnold. However, two weeks after Lock’s return, the Seahawks drafted Jalen Milroe, who won over much of the fanbase with his positivity and sky-high potential. After one week of preseason football, Seattle’s QB2 role seems to be up for grabs. Though Lock played most of Seattle’s snaps against the Raiders, he failed to impress, going 12/22 for 147 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Meanwhile, Milroe finished 6/10 for 61 yards and tallied 38 rushing yards on three carries. The rookie’s passer rating of 77.5 was also slightly higher than Lock’s 71.6. Thursday’s game likely didn’t cement the pecking order behind Darnold, but it served as a solid first showing for Milroe. Lock will have to increase his production in the next two weeks, or he’ll risk being stuck as Seattle’s third-string quarterback.

We’ve officially entered July, which means another year of UFC action is halfway to completion. We’ve got plenty of exciting matchups still to come (Holloway-Poirier III, Du Plessis-Chimaev, Harrison-Nunes, etc.), but now is a great time to look back with appreciation on the best UFC highlights from the past six months. Today, I’m listing my picks and honorable mentions for the best knockout, submission, fight, event and fighter of 2025 (so far). Knockout of the Year (so far): Ruffy KO Green, UFC 313 Honorable Mention: Topuria KO Oliveira, UFC 317 Ilia Topuria just won the lightweight title with a viral first-round knockout of the UFC’s all-time leader in finishes. However, Topuria’s best finish to date still wasn’t enough to take the top spot away from Mauricio Ruffy, who put King Green on his face with a brilliant spinning wheel kick against the cage at UFC 313 in March. I’m a sucker for kicks, especially spinning kicks, and spinning kicks don’t come much cleaner than Ruffy’s. I’d rate it the second-best spinning wheel kick knockout of all time behind Edson Barboza’s legendary 2012 knockout of Terry Etim, and it further propelled the Fighting Nerds gym and its members into superstardom. Submission of the Year (so far): Silva sub. Mitchell, UFC 314 Honorable Mention: Makhachev sub. Moicano, UFC 311 Islam Makhachev’s D’Arce choke over Renato Moicano at January’s UFC 311 was quick and lethal, but the result was expected given Makhachev’s dominant grappling abilities and the one day of preparation Moicano had following Arman Tsarukyan’s last-minute injury. Less expected was Jean Silva’s vicious ninja choke win over Bryce Mitchell. Many fans expected Mitchell to have a grappling edge over Silva, but Silva was in control for almost the entire fight. After defending Mitchell’s takedowns and nearly securing a guillotine in the first round, Silva caught Mitchell with a ninja choke and put him to sleep in the second. It was a fitting finish for one of this year’s most heated rivalries. Fight of the Year (so far): Van def. Royval, UFC 317 Honorable Mention: Sadykhov KO Motta, UFC Baku Heading into the last pay-per-view of June, I was certain I’d be writing about Nazlim Sadykhov’s incredible victory over Nikolas Motta in his home country of Azerbaijan. Sadykhov came back from the brink of defeat in Round 1, and the two continued to brawl until a massive right from Sadykhov melted Motta against the fence. The bloody war earned extra-large $100,000 Fight of the Night bonuses for each fighter. However, UFC 317 saw Joshua Van and Brandon Royval combine for a three-round UFC record of 419 strikes landed. The last of those strikes came from the victorious Van, who dropped and nearly finished Royval at the buzzer. Van, who took the fight on three weeks’ notice after Manel Kape pulled out, walked away with a flyweight title shot. Though Royval lost, his short-notice efforts motivated UFC President Dana White to pay the American his win money, doubling his paycheck. The two also walked away with respective $50,000 bonuses for Fight of the Night, and their clash was named the UFC’s Fight of the Month shortly after. Event of the Year (so far): UFC 314: Volkanovski vs. Lopes Honorable Mention: UFC 317: Topuria vs. Oliveira I was tempted to make UFC Seattle (my first live UFC experience which began with seven straight finishes) the honorable mention, but UFC 317’s excellent prelims and two title-fight finishes were more deserving. However, April’s UFC 314 delivered one of the best main cards we’ve seen in recent years, so it takes my top spot. Dominick Reyes’ McGregor-esque knockout of Nikita Krylov was both stunning and heartwarming, while Silva’s second-round submission of Mitchell was my pick for Submission of the Year (so far). Patricio Pitbull hardly moved against Yair Rodriguez, but Paddy Pimblett looked excellent in his third-round stoppage of Michael Chandler. Finally, 36-year-old fan-favorite Alexander Volkanovski broke the age barrier, recapturing his featherweight title in a nail-biting war against a young star in Diego Lopes. Fighter of the Year (so far): Merab Dvalishvili Honorable Mention: Jean Silva The Fighting Nerds rode into 2025 on a wave of popularity following a string of excellent 2024 performances from the quartet. While Ruffy’s knockout of Green was incredible, Silva already has two excellent stoppage wins in 2025 and has continued to make a name for himself with his intense, animalistic persona. He’s now got five UFC wins (all finishes) but will face his biggest test against the aforementioned Lopes at Noche UFC 3 in September. However, Merab Dvalishvili’s two wins this year were even more impressive. He got the better of a very talented Umar Nurmagomedov on the ground and the feet at UFC 311 in January, winning a unanimous decision. He then rematched a now-healthy Sean O’Malley at UFC 316 in June and beat him even more convincingly than he did at Noche UFC 2 last September.  The north-south choke he secured on O’Malley marked Dvalishvili’s first UFC submission win and first finish since his TKO victory over Marlon Moraes in 2021. Dvalishvili won’t admit it out of respect for teammate Aljamain Sterling, but he’s likely the greatest bantamweight in UFC history.

Sunday's Super Bowl LIX marked the end of a wild 2024-25 NFL season, and football fans across America are already looking forward to start of free agency on March 10. However, if you're like me, you're looking even farther ahead, all the way to April 24 and the 2025 NFL Draft. Free agency is sure to change teams' draft needs, but I can't wait any longer. This is my first mock draft of the 2025 NFL offseason. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward - QB, Miami - 6 ‘2, 223 lbs There has been speculation galore regarding Tennessee’s plans for the first overall pick, and I think there are four players (Ward, Carter, Sanders, Hunter) with a realistic shot of being drafted first overall. Though the Titans have holes at edge rusher (Carter), cornerback, and receiver (Hunter), Will Levis’ struggles have made quarterback the team’s biggest need. Of the 44 passers who recorded 150+ dropbacks in 2024, Levis ranked 42nd in PFF Pass Grade with a lowly 54.6. Opposingly, Ward’s grade of 91.7 ranked second nationally among collegiate quarterbacks, second only to Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart. Ward brings good arm strength and playmaking ability to the field and prefers to move the ball with speed and accuracy, especially over the middle and/or at the intermediate level. Ward may not project as an instant superstar, but his resume and abilities are that of this year’s best quarterback prospect. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter - EDGE, Penn State - 6 ‘3, 259 lbs Possibly the biggest roster-related news of 2025 came in early February when former No. 1-overall pick Myles Garrett publicly requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns. The four-time All-Pro expressed disinterest in participating in another rebuild, an outcome that seems inevitable for the Browns given Deshaun Watson’s myriad of on-field and off-field struggles. Cleveland could use the second overall pick to draft a potential replacement for Watson, but instead I’ve got them drafting a safer replacement for Garrett. Garrett will leave massive shoes to fill in Cleveland, but Carter, who fought through injury to lead Penn State to the CFP semifinals, has the potential to fill them. In 2024, Carter earned unanimous AP All-American honors and was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Carter’s extreme athleticism (he clocked 4.48s in the 40-yard dash) makes him a serious threat off the edge, and his history as an off-ball linebacker indicates high-level awareness and processing abilities. He’s not as big as Garrett (Garrett measured at 6 ’4 and 272 lbs), but he’s faster and plays with excellent length and toughness regardless.  New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders - QB, Colorado - 6 ‘2, 215 lbs Shortly after the Giants gained control of the No. 1-overall pick in late December, Sanders took to social media to show off a pair of custom Nike cleats bearing the Giants’ logo and colors, seemingly indicating that he expected the Giants to draft him with the first overall pick. It’s funny how things work out. Though he stands a chance of being drafted ahead of Ward, I expect Sanders to land with the second team to draft a quarterback. In this mock, that’s New York, who’ll hope Sanders can fill the team’s long-standing need at quarterback. Sanders has repeatedly displayed the ability to deliver laser-accurate throws, even as protection collapses. Despite questions surrounding his leadership abilities, Sanders has shown himself to be an elite processor with the potential to truly excel in the right environment. The lights don’t get much brighter than in New York, but Sanders excelled under the pressure of a national spotlight at Colorado. If he can successfully link up with young superstar Malik Nabers, Sanders has the potential to turn the Giants’ stagnant offense around. New England Patriots: Will Campbell - OT/G, LSU - 6 ‘6, 323 lbs The Patriots enter the offseason with a new head coach and three new coordinators, but their need to protect Drake Maye remains. The Patriots drafted offensive linemen in back-to-back rounds following last year’s Maye pick, but neither selection has resulted in much immediate success. The Pats allowed 52 sacks (T-5th most) in 2024, and changes need to be made before Maye begins his first full season under center. LSU’s Campbell is a perfect solution for New England’s needs. Campbell, who played left tackle for more than 2,500 snaps across three seasons with the Tigers, earned first team All-SEC honors in 2023 and 2024. He was a unanimous All-American in 2024 and is considered by many to be the best offensive linemen in this year’s class. His sub-33-inch arms have caused some to project him as a guard, but he’s demonstrated excellence in both pass protection and run blocking to this point as a tackle. Campbell will be a Day One difference-maker wherever the Pats choose to play him. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter - CB/WR, Colorado - 6 ‘1, 185 lbs Hunter’s skills as a cornerback warrant a first-round draft pick, but his ability to play both sides broke records and earned him this year’s Heisman Trophy. Hunter’s elite blend of athleticism, ball skills and endurance were on display for a mind-boggling 1,440 snaps in 2024. On offense, he took 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns, a statline which earned him the year’s Fred Biletnikoff Award (given to the nation’s best receiver). On defense, he amassed 35 tackles, 11 passes defended, four interceptions and a forced fumble on his way to winning the Chuck Bednarik Award (given to the nation’s best overall defender). Despite his relatively slim build, Hunter routinely makes highlight-reel plays as a result of his incredible ball skills and hands. He’ll be great wherever he lines up, but reports have been circulating that some teams are only interested in him as a corner. Hunter is determined to play both ways, and he could theoretically do so in Jacksonville. The Jaguars lack an elite cornerback like Hunter, but they have a trio of solid options under 25. The biggest gap Hunter would fill in Jacksonville would be at receiver, as only rookie sensation Brian Thomas Jr. tallied more than 400 yards or three touchdowns in 2024. Hunter’s fluid movements and elite change-of-direction abilities would be a nice compliment to Thomas Jr.’s game-breaking deep routes. Las Vegas Raiders: Will Johnson - CB, Michigan - 6 ‘2, 202 lbs Following a fantastic 2023 campaign that ended with a national championship, Johnson entered 2024 as one of the nation’s best NFL prospects. However, he struggled with injury, missing one game in September with a shoulder issue before a toe injury against Washington in early October sidelined him for good. However, he remains one of this year’s best defensive prospects as a result of his good size, physical tackling and fluid coverage skills. Johnson’s instincts and football IQ put him in position to make big plays, and he has the ball skills needed to capitalize. If it weren’t for the unicorn that is Travis Hunter, Johnson would certainly be the first cornerback selected this year. He’d be a huge pickup for the Raiders, who are officially in rebuild mode following the hiring of future Hall of Fame Coach Pete Carroll. Cornerbacks Nate Hobbs, Sam Webb and Darnay Holmes will likely test free agency this spring, and there’s little else of substance in the Raiders’ cornerback room. Johnson, who will turn 22 less than a month before the draft, would be a long-term pillar for the Raiders to build around. New York Jets: Mason Graham - DT, Michigan - 6 ‘3, 320 lbs Michigan’s roster took a major hit following their undefeated 2023 season. However, the Wolverines’ defensive line remained ferocious, thanks largely to Graham. Graham is the embodiment of disruption whenever he’s playing, and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in back to back years as a result. The unanimous All-American only tallied 3.5 sacks in 2024, but he was constantly providing pressure and hindering opposing passers. Plus, his 14 stops against the run speak for themselves. Graham is 320 pounds of quickness, power, technique and leverage. He’d be an excellent addition to the New York Jets, who miss out on their replacement for quarterback Aaron Rodgers in this mock. The Jets are set to lose four interior defenders to free agency, so Graham would be a godsend. Adding Graham to a defensive line that already boasts stars like Quinnen Williams and Will McDonald IV would be huge for a Jets franchise that can’t draft its next quarterback. Carolina Panthers: Tetairoa McMillan - WR, Arizona - 6 ‘5, 212 lbs Panthers fans are desperate to give 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young more weapons to work with. Getting Xavier Legette (6 ‘3, 227 lbs) in the 2024 draft was a good start, but the team’s leading receiver last year was 34-year-old Adam Thielen. To further Carolina’s wideout concerns, four other Panthers receivers (Moore, Chisena, Jones Jr. and Thompkins) are poised to enter free agency. Arizona’s McMillan is a prototypical ‘X’ receiver but has enough mobility to move inside when needed. Across 37 games with the Wildcats, McMillan’s massive frame and remarkable agility resulted in 213 catches, 3,423 yards and 26 touchdowns. Most recently, McMillan was voted a consensus All-American after finishing third in the nation in receiving yards (1,319) in 2024. McMillan and Legette would be a punishing pair of targets whom Young could certainly reach his potential alongside. New Orleans Saints: Jalon Walker - EDGE/LB, Georgia - 6 ‘2, 245 lbs The Saints recently made headlines with their acquisition of Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who is now set to become New Orleans’ next head coach. Moore will certainly have ideas on how to improve the Saints’ offense, but his first order of business should be to improve the defense, which finished 30th in yards-per-game allowed (379.9). But where to start? The Saints are currently scheduled to lose four edge rushers, including former No. 2 overall draft pick Chase Young, to free agency. Plus, Saints legend Cam Jordan will be 36 years old when he enters the final year of his contract next year. Georgia’s Walker, who turns 21 in late February, would give the Saints some long-term stability while they begin their rebuild. Walker has moved between off-ball linebacker and edge rusher, but he fits better as an edge, especially in New Orleans. As you’d expect from a top prospect who boasts only modest size, Walker possesses elite speed and explosiveness off the edge, but he also possesses the intelligence and coverage abilities of a quality off-ball backer. Walker may require an adjustment period as he settles into a more blitz-heavy role, but he’s got the tools needed to succeed at the highest level. There’s a reason Walker was named a first-team All-American in 2024. He’ll be a high-value asset in New Orleans for years to come. Chicago Bears: Kelvin Banks Jr. - OT, Texas - 6 ‘4, 320 lbs Last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, was hindered in his rookie season by poor offensive line play. Chicago allowed a league-worst 68 sacks in 2024 and cannot continue to risk the health of the franchise’s largest-ever investment. Banks Jr.'s frame isn’t necessarily that of a top-10 tackle prospect (some teams have considered him at guard), but he possesses serious power and fantastic quickness. As a result, the three-year starter has been elite in both passing and running scenarios. Banks Jr.’s game has room for some fine-tuning, but who doesn’t? Banks Jr. should be a Day One starter for a Bears offense in need of major help at the line of scrimmage. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Simmons - OT, Ohio State - 6 ‘5, 310 lbs The 49ers took a step back in 2024, finishing 6-11 and fourth in the NFC West. Their roster, which was yet again struck by the injury bug in 2024, is one of the league’s best, but they’re at a bit of a crossroads in a few ways. Brock Purdy is reaching the last year of his rookie contract and is aiming for a big-money contract extension. Plus, all-world left tackle Trent Williams is 37, which means time is ticking. No matter who’ll be passing for San Francisco in years to come, he’ll need protecting. Simmons hasn’t played since suffering a season-ending knee injury during Ohio State’s Oct. 12 loss to Oregon, but his performances across six games were enough to earn him third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2024. Simmons has a large frame and uses his long arms to excel as a pass blocker. His penalty tendencies and inconsistent run-blocking technique could be improved upon, but there’s time for that, especially with Williams (the league’s most fearsome run blocker) expected to return for 2025. Dallas Cowboys: Ashton Jeanty - RB, Boise State - 5 ‘9, 215 lbs. Pound-for-pound, Jeanty might be the best prospect in this year’s draft. Jeanty’s 2024 rushing campaign, which nearly won him the Heisman Trophy, will go down as one of the greatest in college football history. Across 14 games, the junior from Boise State took 374 carries for an eye-popping 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns. His ludicrous averages of 26.7 carries-per-game, 7.0 yards-per-carry and 158.8 yards-per-game would greatly improve a Cowboys offense that ranked in the bottom eight in all three categories in 2024. Jeanty has publicly stated that playing for the Cowboys is a dream of his, and I’d assume the feeling has been mutual with Cowboys fans for some time now. Miami Dolphins: Armand Membou - OT/G, Missouri - 6 ‘3, 314 lbs Membou has been shooting up draft boards as a result of his youth (he’ll turn 21 a month before the draft) and impressive athleticism. Membou, who started 30 games at right tackle for Missouri, runs a four-second 40-yard dash and possesses the movement skills, body control and technical ability to keep up with the league’s more athletic and toolsy edge rushers. However, his 34-inch arms and 81-inch wingspan are on the smaller side, and his frame isn’t anything special. Membou’s not the biggest, and he’s got room to develop in certain technical aspects, but his athleticism allows him the positional flexibility to step inside to guard if need be. That’ll be key for Miami. Five-time Pro Bowl tackle Terron Armstead will turn 34 this offseason, and his future with the team is uncertain. To make matters worse, starting guards Robert Jones and Isaiah Wynn are both slated to test free agency in March. If Armstead departs, Membou could slide in at tackle opposite budding rookie tackle Patrick Paul. If Armstead stays, Membou could move inside to guard and fill any spot opened by free agency. A fit like Membou would be huge for a Dolphins team looking to protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and improve a running game that ranked outside the top 20 in yards-per-game (105.6) and touchdowns (12) a season ago. Indianapolis Colts: Malaki Starks - S, South Carolina - 6 ‘1, 205 lbs South Carolina’s Starks has now been named First Team All-SEC and a consensus (unanimous in 2024) All-American in back-to-back seasons. Those honors are primarily due to his speed and explosive run-defense capabilities, which allows him to set the tone from a variety of defensive positions. His coverage technique is somewhat limited, particularly in man coverage, but he’s 21 years old and will have time to improve. Starting safety Julian Blackmon is currently set to hit free agency, as are several backups. They may not be back, as Indianapolis’ defense allowed the fourth-most yards per game last year. There are plenty of holes for the Colts to fill defensively, which would make the versatile Starks a major acquisition. Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart - DE, Texas A&M - 6 ‘6, 290 lbs In last year’s mock, I had the Falcons drafting Dallas Turner, a consensus All-American edge rusher from Alabama. Instead, Atlanta stunned me by drafting Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., a perplexing choice given their recent four-year, $160 million signing of 35-year-old Kirk Cousins. This year, with their quarterback of the future seemingly found, the Falcons can focus on their new biggest concern: A pass rush that finished 31st in sacks (31 in 17 games) a season ago. A&M’s Stewart is raw in both technique and experience, but he’s a better fit for the Falcons than Turner was. Stewart’s size allows him to play inside as far as a 3 technique, which is a big position of need for the Falcons. Atlanta’s best three pass rushers are all edge rushers, and longtime 3 technique great Grady Jarrett is turning 32 years old in April. Stewart would be a fantastic fit in an Atlanta defense that needs desperate help up front. Arizona Cardinals: Luther Burden III - WR, Missouri - 5’ 11, 208 lbs Burden III’s game-breaking run-after-catch abilities earned him first-team All-SEC and second-team All-American honors in 2023. Though his production declined in 2024 as a result of Missouri’s general offensive collapse, Burden III remains one of this year’s best receiver prospects. ESPN’s Jordan Reed called Burden III “a high-end WR2 who can complement an established WR1”. Hello, Marvin Harrison Jr. and the Cardinals. Harrison Jr. will be Arizona’s WR1 for as long as he’s around, but fellow Cardinals wideouts Greg Dortch, Zay Jones and Zach Pascal are all set to hit free agency. Burden III would be a fantastic addition to a Cardinals offense looking to diversify its passing game. Cincinnati Bengals: Walter Nolen - DT, Ole Miss - 6 ‘3, 305 lbs Cincinnati is set to lose interior defenders B.J. Hill and Jay Tufele to free agency, exacerbating an existing need for youth on the defensive line. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson led the league with 17.5 sacks, but no other Bengals had more than five in 2024. Meanwhile, Nolen tallied 48 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, two passes defensed and two fumble recoveries across 12 games. Nolen’s ability to disrupt the line of scrimmage was felt far beyond the statline, as evidenced by the first team All-SEC and All-American honors he was given. Nolen isn’t particularly long-armed, but he’s violent and explosive enough to succeed in the always-tough AFC North. Seattle Seahawks: Josh Conerly Jr. - OT, Oregon A reliable offensive line hasn’t played in Seattle for a long, long time. The Seahawks allowed 54 sacks in 2024, tied for the league’s third-worst total. Their rushing attack (95.7 yards per game) was also among the league’s five least effective. There are holes throughout Seattle’s offensive line (only left tackle Charles Cross had what I’d consider a good year), but the inconsistency that Seattle suffered through at right tackle was its biggest issue. Abraham Lucas couldn’t stay healthy, and both Stone Forsythe and Jason Peters will likely leave the team in free agency. Drafting Oregon’s Conerly Jr. would give Seattle its two pillars along the offensive front, and would put the Seahawks in a better offensive position than they’ve been in for some time. Conerly Jr. has allowed just one sack in each of his last two seasons as Oregon’s left tackle, and he has the mobility and athleticism required to get downfield as a run blocker. The Seattle native capped off his fantastic career at Oregon with first-team All-Big Ten and All-American honors. Conerly Jr. went viral after getting run over by Marshall’s Mike Green during Senior Bowl drills, but fear not. Attending defensive linemen and linebackers (including Green) voted Conerly Jr. the National Squad’s best offensive lineman. Seattle’s not fond of his Ducks, but they love their Seahawks, and drafting Conerly Jr. would make him a hometown hero. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mykel Williams - EDGE, Georgia - 6 ‘5, 265 lbs The Bucs need help on the edges of their defense. Tampa Bay’s two most effective pass rushers last year played defensive tackle, and the team is set to watch three edge rushers leave in free agency. Therefore, drafting Georgia’s Williams would certainly please some fans. Williams’ size and power are evident, but he moves with surprising quickness, making him a serious physical threat. Williams’ length and physicality have earned him consideration as perhaps the best run-stopping edge in this year’s class. However, his future as an effective pass-rusher isn’t guaranteed. Williams tallied only 14 sacks across three seasons with the Bulldogs, primarily due to a style which relied too much on raw power. Williams will take some developing to reach his full potential as a blitzer, but he should be an immediate difference-maker against the run.  Denver Broncos: Tyler Warren - TE, Penn State - 6 ‘6, 257 lbs Rookie passer Bo Nix exceeded all expectations (except maybe head coach Sean Payton’s) in 2024, leading a poorly-equipped Broncos squad to a 10-7 record and its first playoff appearance since Super Bowl 50. Many have projected the Broncos to land Jeanty, who would certainly help take some weight off Nix’s shoulders. However, in this mock, he’s already gone, and this year’s deep running back class will give Denver options to explore later. Instead, I’ve got the Broncos snagging Warren, who could immediately become a major factor in Denver’s offense. Warren has the athleticism and versatility to excel wherever Payton decides to play him, and could function as the kind of hybrid offensive player, or “joker”, that Payton has publicly pined for. For reference, previous jokers include current and former stars like Jimmy Graham, Taysom Hill, Darren Sproles, Reggie Bush and Alvin Kamara. Warren may not have the same insane measurables as Graham, but he’s got potential in all aspects of the game. I expect Warren to rapidly cement himself as the next fantastic rookie tight end. Pittsburgh Steelers: Emeka Egbuka - WR, Ohio State - 6 ‘1, 205 lbs Ohio State is known for producing elite NFL talent like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr. (at the same time), but the school’s all time leader is none other than Egbuka. Across 49 games with the Buckeyes, Egbuka has 205 catches for 2,868 yards and 24 touchdowns, competing for reps with premier talent all the while. He possesses solid size, good hands, excellent agility and truly game-breaking speed, which he used to clock 4.30 seconds in the 40-yard dash. The Steelers have four wide receivers slated to hit free agency, and controversial star George Pickens will likely request an extension before entering the final year of his rookie deal. Pittsburgh should have plenty of space out wide for someone as talented and experienced as Egbuka. Los Angeles Chargers: Coulston Loveland - TE, Michigan - 6 ‘5, 245 lbs Despite Michigan’s struggles in the passing game, Loveland managed to raise his draft stock. Loveland took 56 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns, exceeding all other Wolverines in each stat by more than double. He’s more of a receiving tight end than a blocker, but that shouldn’t be an issue for the Chargers. Will Dissly was a functional receiving option in 2024, but he’s not as explosive as Loveland. Dissly is also LA’s only tight end option who won’t be testing free agency in some way this offseason, meaning there will likely be room for Loveland in the Chargers’ developing passing offense. The Chargers could also target a receiver here, but I’ve gone for Loveland in this mock. Green Bay Packers: Benjamin Morrison - CB, Notre Dame - 6 ‘0, 190 lbs Morrison, who had six interceptions as a freshman and three as a sophomore, was off to a strong start (20 total tackles, 3 passes defended) to his junior season before an October hip injury ended his year early. Thankfully, Morrison’s impressive showings to that point seem to have secured him a first-round selection. Morrison possesses solid length, great ball skills and 4.3-second 40-yard dash speed at just 20 years old, so Green Bay nabbing him at No. 23 may one day be seen as a steal. Packers cornerbacks Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell are all free agents, so Morrison should have little competition aside from two-time Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander. Morrison would make Green Bay’s secondary a truly fearsome defense to play against. Minnesota Vikings: Jahdae Barron - CB, Texas - 5 ‘11, 200 lbs Barron’s fantastic 2024 season saw the consensus All-American win the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top defensive back. The Austin, TX native recorded 46 solo tackles, 11 passes defended, five interceptions, one fumble recovery and one sack. Barron is limited by his modest frame and acceleration, but he possesses great instincts, solid ball skills and experience on special teams, so he should see the field immediately in one way or another. Barron’s experience comes with a price tag (he’s 23), but he’d be an enticing prospect for the Vikings to pursue. Minnesota needs to make changes from last year’s pass defense, which ranked in the league’s bottom five in yards per game (242.0). That change seems to be coming, as the Vikings are set to watch their three best cornerbacks (Byron Murphy Jr., Shaquill Griffin and Stephon Gilmore) test free agency. Griffin turns 30 this offseason and Gilmore turns 35 in September, so Minnesota could certainly decide to let them walk.   Houston Texans: Derrick Harmon - DT, Oregon - 6 ‘5, 310 lbs The Texans have a pair of productive defensive ends in former DROY Will Anderson and five-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter, but there’s little depth on the defensive front. Houston’s defense has three ends and one tackle set to enter free agency, so they could pursue either, but tackle is a bigger need. Oregon’s Harmon, who can play just about anywhere on the defensive front, would be a great fit. In his one season as a Duck, Harmon established himself as one of the nation’s best interior pass rushers. He led all interior defensive linemen with 43 pressures, also recording 27 solo tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two passes defensed. Improving Harmon’s tackling would lead to more sacks and more effective run defense, which would make the Detroit native a true monster to defend. As it stands, he’s extremely disruptive and has potential to improve further. Los Angeles Rams: Jihaad Campbell - LB, Alabama - 6 ‘3, 244 lbs The Rams have a bit of a dilemma brewing here. Their choice to move on from Cooper Kupp opens up a hole at receiver alongside young star Puka Nacua, and Texas’ Matthew Golden wouldn’t be considered a reach at No. 26. However, linebackers Christian Rozeboom, Troy Reeder and Jake Hummel are all free agents, leaving promising undrafted rookie Omar Speights in need of help. Plus, the Rams have no second-round pick, making this an important choice. Because of the solid options deeper in this year’s receiver class, I’ve got the Rams taking Alabama’s Campbell. Though he has the explosiveness to threaten off the edge, Campbell is considered by most analysts to be this year’s best off-ball linebacker prospect. Campbell possesses elite speed and athleticism, which makes him a threat as in both pass rush and pass coverage scenarios. He’s well-built and a reliable tackler. Perhaps best of all: He turns 21 two months before draft day, so the Rams will have plenty of time to develop him into the NFL’s next star linebacker.  Baltimore Ravens:  James Pearce Jr. - EDGE, Tennessee - 6 ‘5, 243 lbs Baltimore’s pass rush tallied 54 sacks in 2024, the second-most of any team. However, the Ravens will need to bring in some new faces if they want to repeat those numbers in 2025 and beyond. Edge rusher Kyle Van Noy, who led the team with 12.5 sacks, will be 34 by draft day, and breakout edge rusher Odafe Oweh (10.0 sacks in 2024) is entering the last year of his rookie deal. Talented defensive tackle Nnmadi Madibuike (6.5 sacks) was the only other Raven to achieve more than 3.5 sacks. There’s plenty of room for someone like Pearce Jr., who possesses truly game-breaking speed and explosiveness off the edge, as well as excellent awareness and football IQ. Pearce Jr. could benefit from adding some size and power to his ideal frame, but he’s got the makings of a dangerous edge presence. Detroit Lions: Mike Green - EDGE, Marshall - 6 ‘3, 251 lbs Lions head coach Dan Campbell loves grit more than anything else, and Marshall’s Green has grit. Despite possessing a somewhat undersized build, Green led the NCAA with 17.0 sacks in 2024. His forte is his blistering speed rush, but Green also displayed explosive strength when he absolutely flattened first round-tackle prospect Josh Conerly Jr. during a now-viral 1-on-1 drill at the Senior Bowl. He’d prove a helpful compliment to current Lions superstar Aiden Hutchinson, who tallied 7.5 sacks in five games before missing the remainder of the 2024 season due to injury. Detroit’s pass rush struggled without Hutchinson, finishing with only 38 sacks on the year (T-23rd). The Lions did not record a sack in their 45-31 Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders. Washington Commanders: Matthew Golden - WR, Texas - 6 ‘0, 195 lbs Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels was sacked 50 times in 2024, and Washington must protect him if they want to avoid another RGIII scenario. However, the Commanders’ most pressing need may be at wideout. Terry McLaurin is fantastic and under contract for another season, but Dyami Brown, Noah Brown, Olamide Zaccheus, Jamison Crowder and KJ Osborn are ALL unrestricted free agents entering the offseason. I’m not certain any of those guys will be back in 2025, which leaves Daniels without nearly enough options to throw to. Golden, who runs a 4.3-second 40-yard dash, would immediately open up Washington’s offense to more of the deep throws that Daniels excelled at in college. Golden tallied eight catches for 162 yards in Texas’ SEC Championship loss to Georgia, and also hauled in seven catches for 149 yards and a touchdown in the Longhorns’ quarterfinal win over Arizona State. Buffalo Bills: Nick Emmanwori - S, South Carolina - 6 ‘3, 227 lbs I miss you every day, Kam Chancellor. Physically, South Carolina’s Emmanwori is reminiscent of my all-time favorite player. At 6 ‘3, 227 lbs, he seems almost too big to play safety, which is why he played many of his snaps up in the box. However, he’s also got a 4.38-second 40-yard dash under his belt, which underlines the kind of physical potential he possesses. As a result of his many physical gifts, Emmanwori tallied 57 tackles, four passes defensed and four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Emmanwori’s change-of-direction and coverage technique could use some refinement, but he’s got the potential to be a game-changing presence. He’d be welcomed with open arms to a Buffalo Bills team that’s thin at safety. Damar Hamlin is a free agent, and there’s little depth behind him following the 2023 departures of Bills greats Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. Buffalo isn’t particularly deep at linebacker either, giving the Bills some flexibility in their usage of Emmanwori. Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Booker - G, Alabama - 6 ‘5, 325 lbs The path to continued success in Kansas City is clear: Protect quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes, who is now 3-2 in the Super Bowl, averages 2.33 sacks taken per SB win and 4.5 sacks per SB loss. This year’s offensive line collapsed when it mattered most, and is about to lose both starting guards to free agency. The Chiefs would be wise to bring back first-time Pro Bowler Trey Smith, but will have at least one opening at guard regardless. Drafting Booker, who was named first-team All-SEC in back-to-back seasons, would be an easy fix. Booker, who has excellent size and plays with accompanying power, displays quick feet and a strong motor. Booker did not allow a sack in 12 games at guard (plus one at tackle) in 2024, resulting in first-team All-American honors. He’ll turn 21 less than a month before the draft, which makes him even more appealing. With a little development, Booker has the potential to be a multi-time Pro Bowler. Philadelphia Eagles: Nic Scourton - DE/EDGE, Texas A&M - 6 ‘4, 285 lbs Scourton transferred to A&M from Purdue in Jan. 2024 after recording 10 sacks and 50 total tackles as a sophomore. As an Aggie, Scourton tallied 37 total tackles and 5 sacks, ultimately taking home first-team All-SEC honors. Scourton’s size hides potent quickness and a dizzying spin move, all of which combine to give him excellent positional versatility. He’d work well in Philadelphia, where the Eagles are set to lose edge threats Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat to free agency. Scourton can line up anywhere between a 3 technique and a 7 technique, where he’d provide a nice complement to inside threats like Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis.

No. 20 Illinois is Oregon's last currently-ranked opponent The No. 1-ranked Oregon Ducks (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) host the No. 20-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Illinois is the only of Oregon’s five remaining opponents to currently hold a spot in the AP Top 25 College Football Poll. Illinois has already beaten three ranked teams this year, but the Ducks are favored by three touchdowns. Here are four ways the Ducks can defeat the Fighting Illini inside Autzen Stadium on Saturday. Exploiting Illinois’ man coverage tendencies Illinois’ defense has played the sixth-most man coverage snaps of any team in the country and blitzes at the 33rd-highest rate of any team. As a result, their defensive backs are often in one-on-one coverage with minimal help from roving safeties. That’ll be a dangerous game for Illinois to play against Oregon’s elite receiving corps. Tez Johnson has been elite all season, and star transfer Evan Stewart seems to have finally found his stride. The two tormented standout Ohio State cornerback and draft prospect Denzel Burke in their most recent home game and will look to do the same against Illinois. Eliminating the run on defense Illinois ranks 102nd in the FBS in passing plays per game. Despite their consistent use of the rushing game, the Fighting Illini have seen little success. Their PFF Rushing grade of 80.1 is the third-worst in the Big Ten, ahead of only Northwestern and UCLA. Through seven games, their leading rusher Kaden Fagin has only 306 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, Oregon recently held Ohio State, the Big Ten’s best rushing offense, to 80 yards less than the Buckeyes had previously averaged. If the Ducks can make Illinois’ middling rushing attack an afterthought, Oregon’s talented defensive line will be free to blitz and disrupt Illinois’ passing game. Which brings us to… Pressuring Luke Altmeyer Illinois has allowed 20 sacks this year, tying them with 2-5 UCLA for last in the Big Ten. Only 18 FBS teams have allowed more. Meanwhile, Oregon has 20 defensive sacks on the year, tied for 18th-best. Defensive ends Matayo Uiagalelei and Jordan Burch each have five sacks. Interior defender Derrick Harmon leads the nation with 32 pressures, with only Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen (23) coming within 10 pressures of the lead. Illinois quarterback Luke Altmeyer likes to throw deep, so consistent pressure will be an important part of slowing him defensively. On throws of 20+ yards, Altmeyer leads all FBS starting quarterbacks in adjusted completion percentage (59.3%). He’s sixth in attempts (27), fifth in completions (13) and third in touchdowns (5). The Ducks will need to get to Altmeyer early if they want to stop him from adding to those numbers. Running the ball  Oregon currently ranks T-29th in PFF Rushing Grade (84.2), while Illinois currently ranks 111th in PFF Run Defense (67.6). That makes Illinois a favorable matchup for dynamic Ducks running back Jordan James, who’s taken 121 carries (19th in FBS) for 717 yards (T-14th) and eight touchdowns (T-20th). But he’s not the only one Illinois should worry about, because Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel is a mobile threat as well. Gabriel scored a 54-yard touchdown against Oregon State as well as a 27-yarder in the victory over Ohio State two weeks ago. That same week, Illinois allowed Purdue to run for 239 yards and two touchdowns. However, they stiffened against Michigan last week, allowing less than half of that. They’ll need to continue that momentum if they want a chance of beating the No. 1 team in the country this weekend inside Autzen Stadium.

With Week 12 around the corner, we're three weeks away from the end of the Big Ten's first ever 18-team season. After three months of incredible college football, plenty of teams are still alive in the hunt for some form of postseason glory. Here are three storylines to keep an eye on as we move closer to the end of the regular season. Penn State benefits from missing the Big Ten title game The Nittany Lions, currently No. 4 in both the AP Poll and College Football Playoff rankings, are 8-1 with a 5-1 conference record. Their lone loss was a 20-13 home defeat to then-No. 4 Ohio State on Nov. 2. Although it ranks as one of the best losses in college football this year, it will likely keep Penn State out of the Big Ten Championship game for the eighth straight year. With undefeated Indiana set to take on Ohio State in two weeks and with No. 1 Oregon expected to finish the season undefeated, there just doesn’t seem to be a way in for the Nittany Lions. In previous years, elimination from a conference title game would leave a one-loss Penn State team with nothing but a consolation bowl game to expect come December.  However, in the 12-team playoff era, Penn State is sitting pretty, and will in all likelihood make the playoffs as a result of missing the Big Ten title game. Why? Because, having already lost to Ohio State, who has in turn lost to Oregon, Penn State would enter said title game an underdog and at risk of adding a second loss to their resume a single day before the College Football Playoff Committee determines their fate on Dec. 8. While the committee hasn’t made it entirely clear how heavily they’ll weigh conference championship losses, Penn State would undoubtedly risk a two-loss season by playing an extra game. That seems like an unnecessary risk to take when a one-loss Penn State would likely finish comfortably within the playoff bubble. Indiana vs. Ohio State does The Game's job this year Historically, the Big Ten’s most important game has been Michigan vs. Ohio State. “The Game” has been played 119 times since 1897, almost always late in the season. Because the two rivals have won 84 combined Big Ten titles, their near-annual clash has always been one of the college football season's biggest games. This year, with Michigan floundering at 5-5, “The Game” is unlikely to change anyone’s postseason fortunes. Instead, everyone will be tuning in on Nov. 26, when undefeated Indiana visits Ohio State. The two are currently ranked No. 5 and No. 2 in the AP Poll respectively and vying for a spot opposite Oregon in this year’s title game.  However, there’s more than a Big Ten title appearance on the line. Indiana’s already-played schedule strength is currently rated 100th of the 134 FBS teams, third-weakest among ranked teams behind No. 18 Washington State (102nd) and No. 24 Army (133rd). Although Indiana is undefeated, their strength of schedule leaves them in perhaps a more vulnerable position than Penn State, whose already-played strength of schedule ranks 30th. If Indiana were to lose to Ohio State, they’d likely fall behind Penn State in the rankings as a result of the vast gap in schedule strength. This would put Indiana at greater risk than Penn State when it comes time to decide which teams deserve a spot in the playoffs. Indiana vs. Ohio State has massive implications for both sides and will likely be one of the most watched games of the year. UCLA isn’t dead yet First-year head coach Deshaun Foster, who introduced a new offensive staff after being promoted from running backs coach in February, began his career by going viral for the wrong reasons. He drew criticism for some painstakingly awkward opening marks at UCLA’s media day. "I’m sure you guys don’t know too much about UCLA, our football program, but we’re in LA," said Foster. He followed up that rough introduction by beginning the season 1-5, with the team’s only win a 16-13 Week 0 victory over Hawaii. UCLA seemed headed for its first full-length losing season since 2019. But then, momentum changed. UCLA has since won its last three games, all of which came against Big Ten opponents (Nebraska, Rutgers, Iowa) who currently hold winning records. With three games remaining (Neither Washington, USC nor Fresno State has a winning record), UCLA doesn’t even need to win out to become eligible for a bowl game. Sure, UCLA isn’t a playoff threat. And I know what you’re thinking. “But they lost five in a row. Who cares about three wins?” To truly appreciate UCLA, you need to examine those five losses. The first four came via four ranked teams in four straight weeks: Indiana, LSU, Oregon and Penn State. The Bruins’ final loss, a narrow 21-17 defeat to Minnesota, is respectable as well. It’s worth noting that UCLA’s already-played strength of schedule is ninth, the highest of any Big Ten team. Considering their remaining schedule, the Bruins have a clear shot at playing football in December.

In July, Buckeyes athletic director Ross Bjork announced that his 2024 Ohio State football team had received “around $20 million” in NIL deals. That investment resulted in one of the nation’s best rosters. Look at the offense. If they lose Emeka Egbuka, Jeremiah Smith remains a constant receiving threat. If TreVeyon Henderson goes down, Quinshon Judkins is just as effective running the football. As a whole, The Buckeyes have elite starters and quality depth at almost every position. Almost every position. Ohio State’s offensive line started the year well. They allowed only one sack in their three non-conference games and only one more in their first two Big Ten outings. The Buckeyes won all five contests, averaging an impressive 46 points and 222.8 rushing yards per game. Through those five weeks, the Buckeyes’ offensive line averaged a PFF Pass Block grade of 75.8 and played four weeks with a grade above 77.0. Through the same five weeks, the Buckeyes averaged a PFF Run Block grade of 72.4 and played three weeks with a grade above 74.0. Things continued to go well until the second quarter of the Buckeyes’ top-5 matchup against the Oregon Ducks, when starting left tackle Josh Simmons was carted off with a season-ending knee injury. From the moment Simmons went down, everything changed. The Buckeyes replaced Simmons with Zen Michalski, who’d gotten intermittent action over the last two years but had never started a game. Michalski struggled against Oregon, posting a middling Run Block grade of 52.4 and a truly awful Pass Block grade of 24.6. Ohio State lost to the Ducks, thanks in part to the team’s second-half offensive collapse. The Buckeyes had a bye week the next week, which gave them a chance to figure out their offensive line personnel. The Buckeyes elected to start Michalski for their next game against Nebraska. It didn’t go very well. Michalski was able to slightly improve his Run Block grade, which rose seven points to a 59.6, but his pass blocking got even worse. After earning an abysmal 14.2 Pass Block grade through three quarters, Michalski suffered a lower-body injury late in the fourth and was helped into the locker room. The Buckeyes eked out a 21-17 win over the Cornhuskers, but were forced to make more changes on the offensive front. With Michalski’s injury reopening a hole at left tackle, Ohio State opted to move left guard Donovan Jackson out to tackle. Jackson’s place at left guard was then filled by Carson Hinzman. Hinzman had been the team’s starting center last year but had struggled throughout and was ultimately benched before the team’s 14-3 Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri.  With a former guard at tackle and a former center at guard, Ohio State’s offensive line was in trouble. The Buckeyes won their next three games, but their PFF grades looked nothing like they had before Simmons’ injury. Their Pass Block grade, which had averaged 75.8 through the season’s first five games, plummeted to 53.7 across the next five. The Buckeyes’ average Run Block grade fell almost as far, from 72.4 to 59.2, and their average points-per-game dropped from 46 to 29.6. Then, on Tuesday, things got even worse. While practicing for this Saturday’s top-5 matchup against No. 5 Indiana, starting center Seth McLaughlin suffered a torn Achilles tendon, an injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the season. McLaughlin, who transferred to Ohio State this offseason after recording 26 starts across four years with the Alabama Crimson Tide, was having an incredible season prior to his injury. He had been named an Associated Press Midseason All-American and was contending for a multitude of other positional awards. On Wednesday’s practice, in response to McLaughlin’s injury, the Buckeyes moved Hinzman from left guard back to center. Redshirt freshman Austin Siereveld was named Hinzman’s replacement at guard. Siereveld started the Buckeyes’ first two games of the season at left guard while Jackson recovered from a hamstring injury he’d suffered during training camp. Siereveld generally did a decent job in replacement, though he allowed a sack against Western Michigan in Week 2. Since Jackson’s return, Siereveld was used as a rotational piece at right guard, where he totalled 115 snaps across seven games. Following McLaughlin’s injury, head coach Ryan Day announced that Hinzman would move back from left guard to his natural position at center, and that Siereveld would step in at left guard. To summarize the Buckeyes’ offensive line scenario entering Week 13: The starting left tackle and center are both out for the year. The starting left guard is now the starting left tackle. The backup center became the starting left guard and is now the starting center, which he was last year. The backup right guard, who also began the year as the left guard, is now back as the starting left guard. And the right side of the offensive line is uninjured. Make sense? The bottom line is that Ohio State’s offensive line is both banged up and mixed up. Unfortunately, the McLaughlin injury and the ensuing whirlwind of substitutions couldn’t have happened at a much worse time for the Buckeyes. Although the No. 2-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes currently sit at 9-1, most of their most difficult games lay ahead. The winner of this weekend’s clash with the undefeated Hoosiers will immediately become the odds-on favorite to meet Oregon in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship, but Ohio State can’t clinch a title berth this weekend. To truly secure a Big Ten title appearance, the Buckeyes will need to close the regular season with a victory over their longtime rivals, the Michigan Wolverines. And although Michigan’s 2024 team is on pace for the school’s worst record since 2014, this year’s Wolverines are a terrible matchup for the Buckeyes’ battered offensive front. Michigan’s defense currently leads the nation with a PFF Pass Rush grade of 91.2. The defensive front’s best player, interior defender Mason Graham, will almost certainly be a top-10 draft pick next spring.  Graham was named a second-team All American and the 2024 Rose Bowl Defensive MVP last season. He ranks fourth among the nation’s interior defenders in PFF Defense grade (89.6) and second in Run Defense grade (90.9).  Even if Ohio State can survive against Michigan and advance into the postseason, things won’t get any easier. Rematching Oregon in the Big Ten Championship would mean another date with interior defender Derrick Harmon, who made his presence known during Ohio State’s visit to Autzen Stadium in October. Harmon balled out against the Buckeyes, ripping the ball away from Judkins for a forced fumble and tallying three quarterback hurries. His PFF Pass Rush grade of 85.2 is currently fourth among FBS interior defenders.  Most of the Buckeyes’ roster is elite, but their offensive line isn’t. With a second starter now done for the year and with many of the season’s toughest tests to come, Ohio State is at risk of further offensive decline. If further struggles at the line of scrimmage result in two straight  Buckeyes losses to end the regular season, we could even see Ohio State dropped from the playoffs entirely.

A truly well-rounded team is a rarity in college football. With so many aspects of the game to master, most teams excel in certain areas and struggle in others. The ways in which two teams' strengths and weaknesses align determine the game's narrative, and the best matchups can produce truly incredible results. This week, I've picked out two ranked matchups that have potential for fireworks on Saturday. No. 18 Colorado’s Offense (7-2, 5-1 Big 12) vs Utah’s Defense (4-5, 1-5 Big 12) The Utes, still reeling from perhaps this year’s most controversial defeat, have now lost three quarterbacks and two pass-catchers to season-ending injuries. With its offense in tatters, Utah’s hopes rest on its defense. Despite also suffering from injuries this year, Utah’s defense has been excellent. The Utes are currently 14th nationally in yards-per-game allowed (307.4), 11th in points allowed per game (17.1), and are tied for eighth in touchdowns allowed (16). They lead the Big 12 in all three categories. However, the Utah defense’s greatest strength is its ability to stop opponents on third downs. Utah’s opposing third-down conversion rate of 23.9% leads the nation by more than 2%. Over its last three outings, the Utes’ defense has been especially effective, allowing conversions on only 18.2% of third downs. Colorado’s offense, which has relied heavily on big plays this year, faces a tough task this weekend. Colorado’s 42.5% third-down conversion rate is ranked eighth of the Big 12’s 16 teams and might struggle to sustain drives. Something’s got to give in Boulder on Saturday. Utah has yet to allow more than 27 points this year, while Colorado has only a single game (a 27-10 loss to Nebraska in Week 2) in which the Buffaloes have scored less than 28. If Colorado’s offense struggles to stay on the field, Utah’s wounded offense may be able to capitalize on good field position and keep the score close. The Buffaloes, who must win out if they want a Big 12 Championship Game or playoff berth, will look to capitalize on big plays as they’ve done all year. This game may be a low-scoring one, but the exciting matchup between the Buffs’ offense and the Utes’ defense should give fans plenty to watch on Saturday. No. 11 Georgia’s Offense (7-2, 5-2 SEC) vs No. 6 Tennessee’s Defense (8-1, 5-1 SEC) Through the last six games, no player in college football has more turnovers than Georgia quarterback Carson Beck’s 14. Despite possessing the best last name in college football, Beck has flat-out struggled for the majority of the season. He has as many three-touchdown games as he does three-interception games (3 of each). Two of those three-interception games came in Georgia’s last three outings.  In Beck’s defense, he’s not the only one struggling. Georgia’s receivers lead the nation in dropped passes. Dillon Bell leads the team in with only four receiving touchdowns. The Bulldogs are also dealing with some injuries, most notably at the running back position. Starting running back Trevor Etienne was ruled out for this weekend with a rib injury after playing just six snaps a week ago. Branson Robinson, who’s missed the last three games with a knee injury, is also ruled out. Cash Jones, who has only 15 rushing yards but is fifth on the team with 154 receiving yards, is questionable after being seen in a walking boot last Saturday. This weakened Bulldogs offense will be in desperation mode this weekend, as they likely need to win out to secure a playoff berth. Pressure can do funny, often negative things to an offense, and it remains to be seen if Beck will be able to stop turning the ball over. Unfortunately for Beck, Tennessee’s defense is about the worst unit for a struggling offense to face right now. The Volunteers’ defense ranks fifth nationally in both points (12.6) and yards (272.1) per game. Only Texas, who ranks fourth and second respectively, has been playing better defense in the SEC this year. The Volunteers have yet to allow more than 18 points in a game, and if Georgia’s offense doesn’t figure something out fast, Tennessee could make Beck’s night a very long one. The Bulldogs have one of the nation’s best home-field advantages, but they’ll be playing under a microscope given their dire playoff situation. Meanwhile, Tennessee currently sits atop the SEC. The Vols have concerns of their own regarding the injury status of starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, but they possess a defense that can make this game winnable regardless.

USA’s Coby Hilton (left) crosses the line to win the 100-meter dash at Dublin’s 2024 Morton Games on Friday. Hilton upset favorites like fellow American JT Smith and Vincentian Earl Simmonds (right) to win with a time of 10.30 seconds. Photograph by Beck Parsons. DUBLIN – American Coby Hilton, 26, took first place in the 100-meter dash at Friday’s Morton Games with a time of 10.30 seconds. Hilton defied the odds to outlast fellow American JT Smith, who also posted 10.30 but finished just behind Hilton. Smith, who was the pre-race favorite, got off the blocks well but was unable to separate from the field, ultimately losing a photo-finish to Hilton. Hilton and Smith were followed across the line by Vincentian Earl Simmonds, who finished third with a time of 10.36 seconds. Hilton, who graduated from South Dakota State University in 2021, entered the race with a personal best of 10.14 seconds, 0.12 seconds slower than Smith’s best time of 10.02 seconds. Despite coming up just short, Smith was all smiles post-race. “It wasn’t the best performance, but after a 26-hour travel and not fresh legs, I’m happy to come away with the results that I did,” said Smith after the race. “I’m grateful.”  Hilton smiled on the podium with a bouquet of flowers in hand after the race, but did not offer any comments to reporters. Smith stuck around, signing autographs and taking pictures for a large group of young fans. “It feels like home,” said Texas native Smith. “I appreciate all the support from the fans out here. Hopefully I can come back and just compete so I can feel the love again.” JT Smith signs autographs and smiles after finishing a close second in the 100-meter dash at Dublin’s 2024 Morton Games. Photograph by Beck Parsons. With the Morton Games over, Smith looks towards an upcoming meet in Lucerne, Switzerland. “After that I have a little training camp to get back in shape and compete for the rest of the season,” said Smith.

UCD head coach Darragh Farrell (blue baseball hat) raises the Shamrock Bowl Championship Perpetual Trophy aloft while his victorious UCD American Football Club celebrates a 36-14 victory over the Dublin Rebels at Athlone's Dubarry Park. Photograph by Beck Parsons.   University College Dublin’s American football club won Ireland’s biggest football game on Saturday by defeating the reigning Dublin Rebels 36-14 at Dubarry Park in Athlone. The win marked UCD’s second ever Shamrock Bowl title.   UCD got off to a hot start, ending the first quarter with a 14-0 lead. Their second quarter was even better, as they added 22 more points and carried a 36-0 lead into halftime. The Rebels would score two second-half touchdowns but never appeared to threaten UCD for the win.   “ It just came all together ,” said linebacker Larry Doyle on his team’s performance. “Last three games we've just been clicking on all cylinders. It's just great.”   Linebacker Eddie Goggins Jr. attributed the win to his team’s hard work. “There's  been a different energy like about the team over the last couple of months. People have been really killing themselves, trainings have been tougher,” said Goggins Jr.   “W e're just beating the **** out of each other,” he said. “There's  a different mentality on this team than there was last year and it's paid off.” Linebackers Eddie Goggins Jr. (left) and Larry Doyle (right) pose with the Shamrock Bowl Championship Perpetual Trophy and Shamrock Bowl respectively. Photograph by Beck Parsons.   The game marked the third straight Shamrock Bowl matchup between UCD and Dublin. UCD won their first ever championship in 2022 but lost to the Rebels in 2023.   It was also the third 2024 meeting between the two teams. UCD won the first match 42-40, while Dublin won the second 18-16. The level of competition between the two sides was visible in the UCD players’ postgame reactions.   “ L ast year, the feeling of that loss that we had, it was devastating,” said Goggins Jr. “I think now that we're back in this position and we managed take it back, it's just all that much more special.”   Despite Saturday’s lopsided score, there was plenty of respect displayed between the two sides. Handshakes before and after the game were friendly, and the Rebels stuck around postgame to give three cheers to a young cancer patient. “They’ve always been a great challenge for us,” said receiver Tom Donovan regarding the Rebels. Donovan was named the game’s MVP, just as he was in 2022.   Donovan’s MVP performance included possibly the game’s most notable play. After UCD forced and recovered a fumble, Donovan took a direct snap from his own 5-yard line and sprinted 85 yards (American Football Ireland uses rugby fields that are only 90 yards long) for a touchdown to make the score 14-0 UCD late in the first quarter. Rebel fans hold their heads in dismay as UCD's Tom Donovan (6) races away for an 85-yard touchdown in the first quarter of UCD's dominant victory. Photograph by Beck Parsons.   Also in the mix for MVP was receiver Peter Masterson, who caught two touchdowns and was mere yards away from a third, having been tackled at the 1-yard line after a long gain in the first quarter. Masterson was lifted into the air by his teammates postgame, who were either chanting “M-V-P” or “M-V-Pete”. UCD receiver Peter Masterson (18) celebrates the victory atop his teammates' shoulders. Masterson was a candidate for the game's MVP award, which ended up going to fellow receiver Tom Donovan. Photograph by Beck Parsons.   After postgame celebrations died down, Dublin and UCD each climbed the stairs of Dubarry Park to receive their respective medals from American Football Ireland’s president, Aidan Maguire. Donovan received a large basket of American snacks alongside his glass MVP trophy.   Players of both teams exited the field as the sun set over the lush grass of Dubarry Park, leaving straggling fans and families awash in golden-hour light. Both team buses set course for Dublin, where they’ll soon begin preparations for a possible fourth straight Shamrock Bowl showdown. UCD's championship-winning squad throws up 'U' signs following an impressive victory in the 36th Shamrock Bowl. Photograph by Beck Parsons.

The 2024 F1 season is almost upon us, and all ten teams have officially scheduled their car launches. This season will see two changes in the paddock. Sauber's Alfa Romeo is now Stake, and Red Bull's sister team AlphaTauri is now Visa Cash App RB. February 2-15 will see all ten teams' official car launch. This is a brief recap of each team's situation as they approach their respective car launches. February 2: MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (P10 in 2023) Haas has a mountain to climb in 2024. After a tenth place finish in 2023, Haas parted ways with fan-favorite team principal Gunther Steiner. His replacement, Ayao Komatsu, will be attempting to elevate a team that has struggled for years to consistently evade Q1 exits. Drivers Nico H ü lkenberg and Kevin Magnussen will also be looking to improve after finishing 16th and 19th respectively in 2023. They'll be hoping this year's new VF-24 will give them the speed they need to move up the rankings. February 5: Stake F1 Team (formerly Alfa-Romeo, P9 in 2023) The team formerly known as Alfa Romeo will rebrand as Stake this season. The team is led by principal Andreas Seidl, who is entering his second year as team principal. The team will look to improve on an uninspiring P9 finish in 2023. Drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are capable of elevating their team into the midfield with the right car. February 5: Williams Racing (P7 in 2023) Williams will look to ride driver Alex Albon's momentum into 2024. Albon was in unbelievable form across 2023. The team will be hoping to elevate second-year American driver Logan Sargent, who has yet to out-qualify Albon. Sargent will need to improve his form this year if he hopes to keep his seat through 2025. Williams hasn't won a race in more than ten years. Wins are a long way off, but the team will hope to ride their recent straight-line speed higher into the midfield. February 7: BWT Alpine F1 Team: (P6 in 2023) Conversely, Alpine's all-French unit was held back last year by a lack of top speed. Drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly have both won races with midfield cars, so Alpine should feel confident knowing a small improvement in mechanics could result in a major improvement in form. Consistency and driver penalties are other issues that need addressing in 2024. February 8: Visa Cash App RB (formerly AlphaTauri, P8 in 2023) This year's other lineup change will see AlphaTauri become Visa Cash App RB. They're expected to borrow heavily from sister team Red Bull's dominant 2023 car. A successful adaptation of the RB19 would likely see Visa Cash App RB threaten the midfield and above, especially with Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda behind the wheel. February 12: Aston Marin Aramco F1 Team (P5 in 2023) Aston Martin started 2023 with a bang, as veteran addition Fernando Alonso scored six podiums in the first eight races. Alonso and teammate Lance Stroll will hope to get off to a similar start in 2024. Their 2023 car was renowned for its livery, so fans will be tuning in this year hoping to see a similarly beautiful car. February 13: Scuderia Ferrari (P3 in 2023) F1's most iconic team will look to improve on a generally disappointing 2023 season that saw Ferrari barely lose out on second place in the constructor's standings. Despite not seeing the same competitiveness that bagged them four wins in 2022, Ferrari was the only team other than Red Bull to get a win last year. Ferrari is hoping to replicate Carlos Sainz' masterful Singapore performance many times over in 2024. February 14: Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team (P2 in 2023) After a disastrous start to 2022, Mercedes hoped 2023's chassis changes would see the Silver Arrows return to their dominant ways of the 2010s. The W14 was an improvement, but despite some great Lewis Hamilton performances, the car was unable to earn a win. Regardless, Mercedes was able to take second place from Ferrari. Mercedes knows that a great car the only obstacle preventing them from winning more races and more championships. February 14: McLaren Racing Limited (P4 in 2023) Red Bull defined 2023 in a way no team has ever defined a season. Despite that, McLaren's rapid rise in form was the most talked about event of 2023's second half. Rookie Oscar Piastri looked unbelievable, even winning Qatar's sprint race. Lando Norris was consistently challenging for podiums and was precisely one Verstappen away from his first career win for most of 2023's second half. McLaren has already released its livery, but fans will watch the car launch with interest, as many believe McLaren stand the best chance of beating Red Bull in 2024. February 15: Oracle Red Bull Racing (P1 in 2023) Red Bull was dominance personified in 2023. Max Verstappen is performing at an unbelievable level and his team looks untouchable as a result. The RB20 has potential to be even better than last year's RB19, which would be a scary prospect for the rest of the grid. Their car launch will likely not offer anything particularly notable. Red Bull's livery has been unchanged for years, and the team is notorious for displaying dummy cars that don't represent their actual engineering. Fans of other teams will be hoping to spot a weakness in a team that had a nearly perfect 2023 campaign.

Bedtime Story, ridden by Ryan Moore, crosses the finish line to win the Jockey Club of Turkey’s Silver Flash Series at Leopardstown Racecourse on July 25, 2024. Photograph by Beck Parsons. Clad in purple, Jockey Ryan Moore thundered down Leopardstown Racecourse with Bedtime Story's charcoal gray coat rippling beneath him. The two-year old filly, bred by Coolmore and trained by A.P. O’Brien, was a heavy favorite entering July 25’s 5:50 p.m. Jockey Club of Turkey’s Silver Flash Series. Bedtime Story delivered on her good odds. Although she started the race pressed against the inside rail in the middle of the pack, the filly used a late charge to extend away from the competition. Seven furlongs and 57 yards after leaving the gate, Moore and Bedtime Story crossed the finish line to win by several lengths. Exactly, also a product of Coolmore and O’Brien, finished second. Both horses were sired by Frankel, a British former champion thoroughbred. O’Brien entered today’s race with five wins in the last eight seasons of 5:50 p.m. racing. The result marked a major victory for both O’Brien and Frankel.