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MLB Proposes Weeks-Long Free Agent Signing Window, Lowering In-Season Options

Major League Baseball has proposed limiting free-agent signings to several weeks in December and then from early February in each offseason, along with a ban on trades during the gap in between. The plan aims to create more of an offseason transaction flurry similar to those in the NFL and NBA.

The plan offered to the players’ association Thursday is contingent on adoption of the salary cap system MLB proposed in May, which the union has vowed never to accept.

MLB also proposed lowering the maximum in-season options to the minor leagues from five to four and adopting a system of weekly rosters.

Teams would be allowed 14 pitchers, up from 13, when the 26-man roster limit is in effect from the season’s start through Aug. 31.

The union did not immediately respond publicly to the new proposal.

Reporting by The Associated Press.



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Unproven & Unfazed Malik Willis Works To Assure Dolphins He’s

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In terms of career NFL starts, the Miami Dolphins’ Malik Willis will likely be the least experienced Week 1 starting quarterback in the league.

Willis is 27, with four years of NFL experience under his belt. But starts? He has only six, fewer than all of last year’s notable rookies — fewer than the Tennessee Titans’ Cam Ward, fewer than the New York Giants’ Jaxson Dart and fewer than the New York Saints’ Tyler Shough. He’s thrown all of 155 career passes, which is fewer than both Cleveland Browns rookie quarterbacks last year in Shedeur Sanders (212) and Dillon Gabriel (185).

And yet Willis is the quarterback the Dolphins will build around this season, having signed him to a three-year, $67 million contract that includes $45 million guaranteed. It’s a low number by today’s gaudy quarterback contract standards, but it represents a significant investment as Miami begins a franchise rebuild with a new general manager and new head coach.

That coach, Jeff Hafley, spent the last two years with Willis in Green Bay, seeing him in practice every day and seeing the potential of a former third-round draft pick who learned on the sidelines, under Mike Vrabel in Tennessee before going to the Packers.

“He’s become very confident, more consistent,” Hafley said before a joint practice with the Giants last week. “He’s taking care of the football. He’s getting rid of the ball on time. He’s playing in the pocket, but now, what he’s starting to do is, as it gets closer, he’s starting to use his legs not just to run the ball, but to step up, escape, make some throws down the field, or take off or extend plays.”

Malik Willis followed former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley from Green Bay down to Miami. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Hafley wanted to test his quarterback in practice one day last week, surprising him with pressure in a walkthrough, just to see how he’d handle it without warning.

“I thought we had him,” Hafley said. “I was like, ‘All right, we got him.’ They’re not going to block him. And it was really cool. For the first time, I saw him; he kind of baited it, because it was to his blindside. He kind of baited him, saw him and then spun out and ran and threw a touchdown. And I was angry, because I’m the one who made the call. But I was really happy because I looked at him and kind of smirked. I was like, ‘I’ve got no answer for that.’ So he’s starting to play the game a little bit, more rather than just practice.”

Being a starting quarterback carries an expectation of leadership, and that is new for Willis, long accustomed to being a backup and needing an injury or illness to get on the field. How do you command authority from a locker room full of new teammates who have yet to take the field with you in a real game? You go to work every day and show them how you prepare yourself.

“He has been amazing,” veteran Dolphins defensive lineman Zach Sieler said. “Just coming in here, hitting full stride, the energy, the great attitude he brings to the facility, the respect towards everyone in the building. The players cling to that and roll with that. Everyone’s just firing on all cylinders. Seeing us grow as a team, seeing him grow as a quarterback to get more and more comfortable each day, it’s been incredible.”

It could be a long year ahead for Willis and certainly for the Dolphins. The oddsmakers have their season win total at 4.5 wins — only the Arizona Cardinals have lower expectations — and Miami went 7-10 last year, so some kind of regression is a foregone conclusion. With that in mind, Willis’ challenge in his first full year as an NFL starter is to show enough to convince the Dolphins that they don’t need to use a high first-round pick on a quarterback from a deep and talented group of 2027 prospects.

If Willis can sell Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan that the quarterback of their present should be the quarterback of their future, then that same high draft pick could be used on a player to help him, like Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who was born in Miami Gardens and went to high school down the road in Hollywood.

If Malik Willis has a strong season, maybe the Dolphins will reward him by drafting Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images)

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In his first few months in Miami, Willis has shown good instincts as a quarterback. He led voluntary workouts with receivers during downtime to build chemistry with them, and he’s using a helmet-mounted GoPro camera in practice to show where he’s looking and how he’s progressing through his reads during a play, reviewing reps from his own perspective in addition to normal cutups.

A starting quarterback gets the largest share of practice reps, so he’s savoring the chance to develop and grow faster than at any point in his career. A joint practice with the New York Giants last week, facing one of the league’s most athletic front sevens, was a chance for the Dolphins to test themselves against outside competition, even if it was humbling at times.

“Playing football is still fun. It’s still awesome to go out there and compete and see different looks and get to play against guys you haven’t been going against every day,” Willis said. “We got lucky enough to get a few different style defenses. Obviously, there’s different style defenses throughout the league and we hit more than our share of different types and we can see how we want to try to attack that when we get into the season. I think that was awesome.”

Miami has as anonymous a receiving corps as you’ll find in the NFL, with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle gone and replaced by the likes of Malik Washington and Jalen Tolbert. The group became even more anonymous when the Dolphins traded Tutu Atwell to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday. Part of Willis’ job is improving the people around him, and first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik has been most pleased by how well he’s taken to that aspect of quarterbacking.

Wide receiver Jalen Tolbert joined the Dolphins after a four-year stint with the Cowboys. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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“He’s been great on the field, and he’s just consistently gotten better in everything that we’re doing,” Slowik said. “And really there’s a lot that goes along with the quarterback position. You’ve got to handle yourself, you’ve got to handle the huddle, you’ve got to handle the guys around you, you’ve got to make sure that you’re on your stuff, to make sure they’re on their stuff. You’ve got to help guys out post-huddle. There’s just a lot of things that naturally come with the position that he handles with ease really. So that’s been pretty awesome to see. And just to see his continued improvement every day within what we’re doing has been fun.”

There were glimpses of promise with Willis last year. He came off the bench to replace an injured Jordan Love and held his own against the Bears, going 9 of 11 for 121 yards and a touchdown and taking the game to overtime before Chicago prevailed. His lone start a week later was a loss to the Ravens, but he went 18 of 21 for 288 yards and one touchdown, rushing for another 60 yards and two more scores. It’s a small sample, but he’s completed 79% of his passes in the last two years. Nobody else with at least 50 passes is higher than 72%.

Willis will have a chance to prove himself on a much larger scale this season, trying to find success leading a team expected to have very little of that. Hafley sees steady growth in his quarterback, with the hopes that will continue throughout the season.

“Can he take another step?” Hafley said of his expectations in preseason. “Can he take another step with the playbook? Can he take another step with the execution? Can he take another step as the leader of the offense? And then can he start to become a leader of the entire team? … I think he’s a guy that has gotten better every single day, and he’s just been unfazed. He’s the same person. You can’t rattle him, I’m pleased with where he’s at. I think it will be a work in progress for the rest of camp, but I’m excited where he’s at.”



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Sammy’s Sportsbook Whispers: Wise Guys Back Notre Dame, Fade Florida

After the success of this summer’s “Friendly Wager,” which featured weekly posts from yours truly about betting the World Cup, my bosses at FOX Sports wanted to find another franchise for the coming football season.

I’ve been doing sports betting content for 10 years now, and my favorite part of this racket is the connections I’ve built around Las Vegas.

It’s one thing for me to handicap a game. It’s another to go behind the counter of a sportsbook or pick the brain of an oddsmaker or professional bettor.

Those guys have forgotten more than I’ll ever know.

With college football officially kicking off Saturday morning, there’s no better time than now to debut the first-ever “Sportsbook Whispers” column.

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Longtime college football writer Brett McMurphy hosted a panel at BetBash earlier this month and reminded everyone of his favorite betting stat.

The last summer Heisman favorite to win the award was Oregon’s Marcus Mariota back in 2014. 

Quack. 

Every other preseason favorite has failed to hoist the trophy on a chilly December night in New York City.

No pressure, CJ Carr.

CJ Carr looks to become the first preseason Heisman Trophy favorite to win the award since Marcus Mariota in 2014 (Eakin Howard/Getty Images).

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McMurphy also unleashed a very helpful nugget about team stability, a rarity these days. Only 12 teams return their head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator and starting quarterback. Here’s the list: Arizona, Boise State, Charlotte, Delaware, Florida Atlantic, Georgia, Houston, Minnesota, NC State, New Mexico, Notre Dame and Oklahoma.

That’s it.

We’ve discussed Minnesota all summer long on “Bear Bets” as a team that’s primed to go Over its win total of 6.5 (+130). P.J. Fleck is pretty even-keeled when it comes to tempering expectations, and he was noticeably beaming at Big Ten Media Day when asked about his squad. It certainly helps to bring back defensive end Anthony Smith, who led the conference in sacks.

“One guy bet me Minnesota Over 5.5 (-150), and I moved it right away,” South Point sportsbook director Chris Andrews told me. “Now I’m at 6 flat. Other guys I respect bet Houston Over 7.5 and USC Over 8.5.”

Andrews offers several Game of the Year lines, which give bettors a chance to take summer stances on games played later in the season. Not many of the numbers have moved much, implying South Point did a bang-up job.

“The big mover was Utah,” Andrews reported. “They took Utah +2 against BYU all the way out to Utah -2. They disagreed with me big time there. Another notable one is Nevada against UNLV. They took +18.5 and +17. I’m down to +15.

“You gotta move the big spreads fast.”

South Point bettors whacked several Week 0 lines, too. 

TCU was bet from -7 to -9, Florida State from -30.5 to -31.5 and USC from -36.5 to -39.5. Sharp money also arrived at the counter Wednesday on NC State, moving the line from +6 and +5 down to +4 against Virginia.

USC has moved from -36.5 to -39.5 in its Week 0 matchup against San Jose State (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images).

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Other bettors, like Corbie Craig, trust their numbers. He’s a professional bettor and metrical maven who lets his personal calculations do the talking.

One team Craig’s numbers severely disrespect is the Florida Gators. There’s a lot to like about new head coach Jon Sumrall, but rebuilding a program in the mighty SEC is much, much different than inheriting a winner.

“Sumrall is a good coach,” Craig told me. “But I’m iffy on guys who can’t bring pieces with them to their new school. Did he not command the room? I believe he just brought his kicker in the portal.

“Their offensive line was very questionable last year, and it made DJ Lagway look bad. He’s received blazing compliments since [leaving for Baylor], and I believe the line hindered everything they tried to do. Also, Florida has a ridiculous schedule, and they’re not spending tier one SEC money.”

Gators Under 7.5 wins got blasted, and some books are now dealing 6.5.

Craig has Week 0 bets on North Carolina +8 against TCU, Jacksonville State +7 at North Dakota State and Sacramento State +10.5 at Eastern Michigan.

Last but not least, let’s discuss Notre Dame.

I know a handful of wise guys who have positions on the Fighting Irish to win the national championship or Carr to win the Heisman. Marcus Freeman’s defense might be the best in the entire country, and the offense is littered with NFL prospects on the other side of the ball.

Is this finally the year?

“I don’t believe there’s a team with more talent than Notre Dame,” VSIN host Tim Murray told me. “It’s their deepest roster since the Lou Holtz era.

“The schedule is very manageable for the Irish and after last year’s College Football Playoff snub, Freeman has instituted a ‘Leave No Doubt’ motto. They’re a surefire playoff team this year and should make a deep run, but they’ll need a little luck to go all the way as most champions do.”



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2026 College Football Odds: Group Of Six Power Rankings

Even before the 12-team College Football Playoff format, the Group of Five (now Group of Six) programs had their shot at competing with the top teams in the nation. 

However, none of them have been successful in the postseason.

In 2021, the Cincinnati Bearcats were the first and only Group of Five team to make the four-team Playoff format. Then the format expanded to 12 teams in 2024. Boise State was awarded a No. 3 ranking in the inaugural expansion Playoff year, while Tulane and James Madison had their turn in the Playoff in 2025.

From Cincinnati’s chance in 2021, to JMU and Tulane’s opportunity last season, the teams in the G6 have a 21.5-point average margin of defeat.

Eventually, a non-Power 4 program has to be the one to make history. Is this the year when a Group of Six team can finally break through and win a Playoff game, or even make a run at the title?

Each week, we’ll see which Group of Six contenders has the best chance of making the playoffs and being the first G6 program to win a Playoff game.

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College FootballG6 Teams With the Best Chance of Making CFP

Boise State Broncos

Record: 0-0

Previous ranking: N/A

As mentioned earlier, Boise State made its CFP debut in 2024 when it went 11-1 in the regular season. After an 8-4 campaign in 2025, the Broncos return the third-most starters for the 2026 season, bringing back their quarterback, leading rusher and sack leader. Even with a move to a new conference, Boise State is the favorite to win the Pac-12. The reigning Mountain West champions face a tough test in Week 1 against No. 2 Oregon, but if they can keep it competitive, it could boost their résumé in the long run. Don’t be surprised when the Boise State Broncos make their return to this CFP this winter.

Odds To Make CFP: +450 (bet $10 to win $55 total)

Navy Midshipmen

Record: 0-0

Previous ranking: N/A

With all the top teams losing their coaches in the American Conference, Navy was one of the few top teams to keep its coach. Coming off a 10-2 regular-season campaign in 2025, the Midshipmen are primed for a big 2026 season. Even with Blake Horvath no longer with the program, expect the AAC favorites to have one of the best running games in the country with four returning offensive linemen. With a lot of new coaches in the conference, this is the year Brian Newberry and the Midshipmen can make a run at the CFP.

Odds To Make CFP: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)

North Dakota St Bison

Record: 0-0

Previous ranking: N/A

Welcome to the big leagues, North Dakota State. One of the most dominant programs at the FCS level will play in the Mountain West, the same conference in which Boise State made its CFP debut. Now, it’s the Bisons’ turn to stake their claim. Over the last 10 years, NDSU has a 123-18 record at the FCS level. FOX Sports CFB writer RJ Young has them ranked 26th out of 168. 

Odds To Make CFP: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)

South Florida Bulls

Record: 0-0

Previous ranking: N/A

South Florida had to find a new head coach and players after Alex Golesh took over the Auburn head coaching job. It struck gold with Brian Hartline from Ohio State. In his first offseason as the man in charge, he brought in the top transfer class in the AAC. His offensive expertise, paired with the easiest strength of schedule in the conference (No. 127 in the country), gives the Bulls a chance to make their case for the CFP in Hartline’s first year.

Odds To Make CFP: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)

UNLV Rebels

Record: 0-0

Previous ranking: N/A

If Dan Mullen brings anything to the table, it’s a high-powered offense that can score points in bunches. The sixth-best offense in terms of total yards and the top offense in the Mountain West last season now adds Jackson Arnold. The former five-star has had his struggles, but if there’s anybody who can get him to play his best, it’s Mullen. Alongside their leading rusher returning, Jai’den Thomas, expect the Rebels to build off their 10-2 regular season in 2025.

Odds To Make CFP: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)

James Madison Dukes

Record: 0-0

Previous ranking: N/A

The Dukes have their eyes set on returning to the CFP stage, but it’ll be with somebody new leading the charge. Billy Napier is back coaching in the Sun Belt Conference, where he once dominated. He spent four seasons at Louisiana from 2017-2021, winning two conference titles. With one of the easiest schedules in the Sun Belt, one of the top transfer classes in the conference, and Napier back where he dominated, the SBC favorites have a real chance to make back-to-back CFP appearances.

Odds To Make CFP: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)

New Mexico Lobos

Record: 0-0

Previous ranking: N/A

Jason Eck is back for his second season coaching the Lobos, and he returns the second-most starters in college football (14). Two of the most important returning players are quarterback Jack Lyne and leading tackler Jaxton Eck. Yes, Jaxton is his son, and the Lobos could be for real this year.

Odds To Make CFP: +1300 (bet $10 to win $140 total)

Fresno State Bulldogs

Record: 0-0

Previous ranking: N/A

This is Fresno State’s first season in the new-look Pac-12 under second-year head coach Matt Entz. The Bulldogs went 9-4 in 2025, including a win over Boise State in Mountain West play. Fresno State also boasted one of the nation’s top defenses, leading the Mountain West and ranking 10th in the FBS in total defense at 285.7 yards allowed per game. The Bulldogs will open the 2026 season at USC in Week 1, a matchup that should provide an early indication of what this team is capable of in its new conference and could prove invaluable down the line.

Odds To Make CFP: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Record: 0-0

Previous ranking: N/A

Hawaii will open its 2026 campaign at Stanford in Week 0 with expectations high after a 9-4 season in 2025. Micah Alejandro will take over as the Rainbow Warriors’ starting quarterback after throwing for 3,106 yards and 24 touchdowns as a freshman despite battling injuries throughout the season. With a new-look Mountain West ahead, Timmy Chang enters his fifth season with the program trending in the right direction. Can Hawaii take the next step in 2026?

Odds To Make CFP: +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)

San Diego State Aztecs

Record: 0-0

Previous ranking: N/A

In 2025, the Aztecs allowed the fifth-fewest points in the country, and they return 43% of that production in 2026. Entering their first season in the Pac-12, San Diego State will look to build on a 9-4 campaign that included a 34-0 win over a 7-6 Cal team and a late-season victory over the No. 1 team in these rankings, Boise State, showing the Aztecs’ ceiling when they are at their best. Now in Year 3 under Sean Lewis, Jayden Denegal will take over as the starting quarterback after battling multiple injuries last season.

Odds To Make CFP: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)



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College Football 2026 Power Four And Group Of Six Conference

The Pac-12 is back, the Big Ten seems practically unstoppable and the ACC’s top teams are surging. From the Power Four to the Group of Six, who could take home each conference championship this season? As FOX Sports’ college football experts, we’re here to make our predictions for which teams will finish the regular season on top.

The Big Ten is loaded with talented teams, including the Oregon Ducks, Indiana Hoosiers and Ohio State Buckeyes. It could be time for Arch Manning and Texas to claim the top spot in the SEC and stop Georgia from a three-peat. But the Pac-12’s resurgence is set for a brand-new conference champion as it debuts its eight new teams. 

Here are our conference championship predictions for Power Four and Group of Six teams:

Big TenBig Ten Champion

Can Indiana win back-to-back Big Ten titles? (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

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Indiana HoosiersRJ Young: Indiana

Perhaps it’s as simple as Curt Cignetti being the best coach in the sport since he first arrived to a Power Four program, and it’s not close. Not only did he pull off the most miraculous one-year turnaround in the history of the sport in 2024, but he also one-upped himself with a 16-0 national title run and a Heisman Trophy winner in 2025.

College football is a sport where the personality of the head coach becomes the personification of the team, and Cignetti’s personality is best defined by four letters and two words: “I” and “win.” Put them together, and you get what Hoosiers football has been about and will continue to be about as long as he’s head coach.

Win total odds: Over 10.5 (+105), Under 10.5 (-125)
Odds to win Big Ten: +255 (second)

Oregon DucksMichael Cohen: Oregon

Head coach Dan Lanning has built such a high-level program that Oregon lost both coordinators after last season and is still in contention for a Big Ten title. The Ducks will enter the 2026 season with the most talented defensive line in college football thanks to a quartet of returning starters. They also added one of the best transfers available in former Minnesota safety Koi Perich. 

On the other side of the ball, quarterback Dante Moore should be a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate following a full year of starting experience and the healthy return of wide receiver Evan Stewart. The Ducks can win it all. 

Win total odds: Over 10.5 (+100), Under 10.5 (-120)
Odds to win Big Ten: +260 (third) 

Ohio State BuckeyesLaken Litman: Ohio State

Ohio State has the most loaded offense in the Big Ten — and maybe the country, we’ll see. Quarterback Julian Sayin, running back Bo Jackson and receiver Jeremiah Smith return and are playing under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in Ryan Day’s next edition of hiring an NFL mind to develop his players. 

Defensively, we know the Buckeyes have a lot to replace after losing eight starters to the NFL. And this group has a tough schedule, which includes a trip to Austin in Week 2 to face Texas for the third time since January 2025. But the consistency in performance of Day’s team is hard to ignore, and it will be hungry to win the Big Ten championship for the first time since 2020.

Win total odds: Over 9.5 (-180), Under 9.5 (+150)
Odds to win Big Ten: +180 (first) 

Indiana HoosiersBen Portnoy: Indiana

Maybe people are still in shock that Indiana did, in fact, win a national championship last year, but has anyone really looked at what the Hoosiers bring back this fall?

Curt Cignetti’s squad returns the bulk of a team that bulldozed its way to a 16-0 record, is armed with maybe the nation’s best defensive line and added a portal class headlined by receiver Nick Marsh, who may be the best receiver in the conference this side of Jeremiah Smith.

As crazy as it sounds, there’s a world where this team is more talented than last year’s Indiana squad. If Josh Hoover is better than average at quarterback, I think the Hoosiers repeat as Big Ten champs.

Atlantic CoastACC Champion

Darian Mensah is Miami’s new quarterback after transferring from Duke. (Photo by Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Miami (FL) HurricanesLaken Litman: Miami

Miami’s run to the national championship last season was one of the most entertaining stories in college football. It’s one of those things that when this program is a contender, the sport is just more fun. 

Coach Mario Cristobal has plenty of returning talent — like wide receiver Malachi Toney and running back Mark Fletcher. But he’s also reloaded in the transfer portal and landed former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah to lead the offense, which arguably makes this unit one of the best in the nation. Defensively, the group has lost some elite players to the NFL, but there are still guys with experience ready to step up. 

Win total odds: Over 10.5 (-110), Under 10.5 (-110)
Odds to win ACC: -140 (first) 

Miami (FL) HurricanesMichael Cohen: Miami

Miami and Mario Cristobal are competing for its first-ever ACC title this season. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images)

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Head coach Mario Cristobal positioned his team for a return trip to the College Football Playoff when he signed former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah from the transfer portal. Mensah steps into an offense that returns an elite running back in Mark Fletcher Jr. (1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns) and one of the sport’s best wide receivers in Malachi Toney (1,211 yards and 10 touchdowns), not to mention this year’s No. 2 overall recruit in left tackle Jackson Cantwell. 

Replacing the elite pass-rush tandem of Reuben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor — both of whom became first-round NFL Draft picks — will certainly be challenging, but this remains one of the sport’s most talented rosters.

Miami (FL) HurricanesRJ Young: Miami

Not that it matters, but Miami has never won the ACC championship, and it’s been a member since 2004. Not that it matters because the Hurricanes reached the national title game without even qualifying to play for the ACC title in 2025. 

Is it the best team in the league? On paper, sure. It’s difficult to talk yourself into someone else winning it when you know Cristobal has the league’s most prolific passer at quarterback last year, this year, Darian Mensah, and he’s got a set of tools that would make Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor drool: wide receiver Malachi Toney, running back Mark Fletcher and wide receiver Cooper Barkate.

Miami (FL) HurricanesBen Portnoy: Miami

The ACC — at least from a cash perspective — is Miami and then everyone else. I think the actual football results will match.

The Hurricanes lost a ton from last year’s dominant defensive line in Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, but I’d argue they’ve upgraded at quarterback with Darian Mensah. All-world speedster Malachi Toney is also back in the fold.

One of my favorite college football factoids: Miami has never won an ACC football title. 

That changes this year.

SECSEC Champion

Is this Steve Sarkisian and Texas’ year to win the SEC — and maybe it all? (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Texas LonghornsMichael Cohen: Texas

Only once since 2013 has a team not named Alabama or Georgia been crowned SEC champion, as those two powers maintain a stranglehold on the league. This year, though, the Longhorns will enter as the prohibitive favorites thanks to the presence of quarterback Arch Manning, now in his second season as the starter, and a host of other potential first-round NFL Draft picks around him on both sides of the ball. 

Manning should have one of the best wide receiver tandems in the country as returner Ryan Wingo (834 yards, seven touchdowns) pairs with Auburn transfer Cam Coleman (708 yards, five touchdowns). An early showdown with Ohio State in Week 2 should be a good measuring stick for the Longhorns. 

Win total odds: Over 9.5 (+120), Under 9.5 (-142)
Odds to win SEC: +310 (second)

Georgia BulldogsRJ Young: Georgia

Gunnar Stockton has the chance to lead the Bulldogs to its third 12-team College Football Playoff. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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You take Texas or whoever. I’ll take the only program more consistent than the repo-man on the second of every month: Georgia. The SEC belongs to Georgia until someone takes it away, and no one has been able to do that since 2023 — former Alabama coach Nick Saban’s last year coaching the sport. Kirby Smart has done a remarkable job meeting the challenges that have arisen in this modern era of college football.

And the results stand up. In fact, since 2020, the Bulldogs have a conference championship or a national championship in four out of the last five years. Is Georgia football boring to watch? Yes. Is it the most effective football in the sport? You better believe it, and that’s why it wins.

Smart and his Bulldogs wait you out, let you blunder and then smother you with a defense and a run-game so breathtaking that Georgia hasn’t fielded a 1,000-yard receiver in a single season since 2004 — and that’s the only season a Dawgs receiver has accomplished that feat. 

Win total odds: Over 9.5 (-180), Under 9.5 (+150)
Odds to win SEC: +260 (first) 

Texas LonghornsLaken Litman: Texas

This is the year. Texas arguably has the most talented roster in the country and is a favorite to win it all. After a shaky start to his first year as a starter, quarterback Arch Manning is poised to be one of the best in the country and has playmakers around him — starting with receiver Cam Coleman, who was one of the most coveted gets in the entire transfer portal. 

Defensively, Will Muschamp returns to Austin as Steve Sarkisian’s defensive coordinator and gets to work with Collin Simmons and a dangerous defensive unit that is poised for a massive season. The Longhorns have a tough schedule — Ohio State in Week 2, plus SEC games against Tennessee, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, LSU and Texas A&M. But for the first time in two seasons, they don’t have to play Georgia until possibly meeting in the conference championship game.

Texas LonghornsBen Portnoy: Texas

Can Arch Manning lead the Longhorns back to the CFP? (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

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I’ve spent the last eight years living in SEC country, and this is one of the more wide-open seasons down South that I can remember. 

The nine-game conference schedule is going to have an impact and a few fan bases that have enjoyed 10-2 or 9-3 campaigns are going to have to reckon with seasons more along the lines of 8-4 or 7-5 — prepare for the call-in shows accordingly.

That said, this is the year for Texas. Steve Sarkisian has amassed as much talent as he’s ever had in Austin. Cam Coleman is pound-for-pound the best player in the country. I’m not necessarily an Arch Manning believer, but the bones of this team are good enough to carry the Longhorns to an SEC title.

Big 12Big 12 Champion

Kalani Sitake looks to take BYU to the next level in quarterback Bear Bachmeier’s second season. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)

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BYU CougarsBen Portnoy: BYU

Can anyone catch Texas Tech? Spending-wise, probably not. On the field? I think so.

Give me BYU and quarterback Bear Bachmeier to get it over the line in conference play. I like what the Cougars bring back on both sides of the ball and, more importantly, Kalani Sitake didn’t depart for greener (happier?) pastures in Happy Valley.

Texas Tech will challenge, but the offseason drama involving Brendan Sorsby and the seemingly wishy-washy approach to back-up Will Hammond under center gives me pause.

Win total odds: Over 8.5 (-150), Under 8.5 (+125)
Odds to win Big 12: +550 (second) 

Texas Tech Red RaidersRJ Young: Texas Tech

Will Hammond takes over as Texas Tech’s starting quarterback after a torn ACL. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)

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If quarterback Will Hammond emerges from his 2025 injury with the same explosiveness in his arm and legs as he displayed last year when former Red Raider Behren Morton went down, I see no reason to doubt Joey McGuire can lead Texas Tech to a consecutive Big 12 title. The Red Raiders’ roster is the best in the Big 12, and it might be the only one with enough firepower to compete for a national title in that league. 

With running back Cameron Dickey back — as well as Quinten Joyner, who missed last season with injury — the run game ought to give Hammond enough help to find receivers Coy Eakin and Micah Hudson when it matters most. Defensively, coordinator Shiel Wood has a unit led by Adam Trick — who had 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a pick last year — that can be as strong this year as it was last year.

Win total odds: Over 10.5 (-200), Under 10.5 (+160)
Odds to win Big 12: -105 (first) 

BYU CougarsMichael Cohen: BYU

Bear Bachmeier returns to BYU in his second year as starting quarterback. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

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The most talented roster in the Big 12 almost certainly belongs to Texas Tech, which continues to outspend its conference counterparts in every transfer portal and recruiting cycle. But the Cougars return a wealth of experience on both sides of the ball. 

Quarterback Bear Bachmeier should make a noticeable leap from his true freshman to sophomore seasons, and he still has excellent tailback LJ Martin (1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns) by his side. Eight defensive starters return from a unit that ranked 19th nationally in scoring (19.1 points per game) in 2025, though coordinator Jay Hill left for Michigan. This team should contend for the College Football Playoff. 

Texas Tech Red RaidersLaken Litman: Texas Tech

Despite what you might think, the Brendan Sorsby legal drama didn’t totally derail this team. Sophomore quarterback Will Hammond is coming back from an ACL injury and has been looking good this offseason. If he can regain his explosiveness and get enough help from the rest of his offense, the Red Raiders will be in good shape. 

That’s because they have plenty of talent outside the quarterback room, from running backs Cameron Dickey and Quinten Joyner to receiver Micah Hudson — plus the fact that coach Joey McGuire loaded up on defensive talent through the portal after losing top talent from last season. Add in that the Red Raiders have a favorable schedule that doesn’t include BYU or Utah, and you’ve got a clear path to the Big 12 title game and probably the College Football Playoff, too. 

AmericanAmerican Champion

Navy MidshipmenMichael Cohen: Navy

Navy is aiming to complete a third consecutive season with 10 wins. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

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The Midshipmen have won at least 10 games in each of the last two seasons amid the most successful stretch in program history, and that should continue thanks to 11 returning starters in 2026.

Win total odds: Over 7.5 (-160), Under 7.5 (+125)
Odds to win American: +380 (first) 

Memphis TigersRJ Young: Memphis

No program has won more games since 2014 (107) without making the College Football Playoff than the Tigers.

Win total odds: Over 7.5 (-105), Under 7.5 (-125)
Odds to win American: +600 (fourth) 

UTSA RoadrunnersLaken Litman: UTSA

Jeff Traylor has offensive continuity with veteran quarterback Owen McCown back for his senior season and playmakers around him to make the Roadrunners dangerous. 

Win total odds: Over 7.5 (-125), Under 7.5 (-105)
Odds to win American: +500 (second) 

Navy MidshipmenBen Portnoy: Navy

No conference endured more brain drain in the coaching ranks than the American. I’m going with a returning staff at Navy with head coach Brian Newberry and offensive coordinator Drew Cronic to get this done. But Memphis and Charles Huff should challenge.

A bonus prediction: I think the Midshipmen get into the CFP conversation, and it creates a whole host of other issues and discussions about when to schedule the Army-Navy game if the field ever expands to 24 teams.

Conference USAConference USA Champion

Liberty FlamesMichael Cohen: Liberty

Head coach Jamey Chadwell had won at least eight games in a season 10 times across his 16-year career, so the Flames should bounce back from a disappointing 4-8 mark last fall. 

Win total odds: Over 8.5 (+110), Under 8.5 (-140)
Odds to win Conference USA: +270 (first) 

Liberty FlamesRJ Young: Jacksonville State

Will Caden Creel take Jacksonville State to a Conference USA title? (Photo by Stew Milne/Getty Images)

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Charles Kelly returns quarterback Caden Creel, who threw for 1,500 yards and rushed for 1,100 yards in a nine-win season last year. And Creel gets to throw passes to 6-foot-8 Deondre Johnson, who averaged 24.4 yards per catch last season.

Win total odds: Over 7.5 (+105), Under 7.5 (-136)
Odds to win Conference USA: +450 (third) 

Liberty FlamesLaken Litman: Jacksonville State

Sophomore quarterback Caden Creel is back after combining to throw for more than 1,500 yards and rush for 1,100 last season, and perhaps most intriguingly, he’ll have 6-foot-8 receiver Deondre Johnson as a target after he averaged 24.1 yards per catch a year ago.

Liberty FlamesBen Portnoy: Liberty

Last year was an enigma for Liberty and head coach Jamey Chadwell. I like a few of the pieces this team brought in, and I think they right the ship and win the conference this year. Expect Chadwell to be on some wish lists in the ACC and SEC by season’s end.

Mid-AmericanMAC Champion

Western Michigan BroncosMichael Cohen: Western Michigan

The defending MAC champions bring back starters at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and offensive line for a group that won six straight games to end the 2025 season. 

Win total odds: Over 7.5 (+125), Under 7.5 (-160)
Odds to win MAC: +360 (first)

Miami (OH) RedHawksRJ Young: Miami RedHawks

Can Chuck Martin lead the RedHawks to a third-straight MAC title? (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

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The RedHawks have a bona fide FCS star at tailback in former Monmouth running back Rodney Nelson, who rushed for 1,802 yards and 18 touchdowns last year.

Win total odds: Over 7.5 (+105), Under 7.5 (-136)
Odds to win MAC: +360 (second)

Western Michigan BroncosLaken Litman: Western Michigan

The Broncos have a proven program with plenty of returning talent to run it back and defend their conference title.

Miami (OH) RedHawksBen Portnoy: Miami RedHawks

Miami has quietly been one of the most consistent Group of Six teams the last few years. Give me the RedHawks to get to their third-straight MAC title game under head coach Chuck Martin.

Mountain WestMountain West Champion

UNLV RebelsMichael Cohen: UNLV

Dan Mullen gears up for his second season as UNLV’s head coach. (Photo by Tyler McFarland/Getty Images)

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The Rebels have the league’s most accomplished coach in Dan Mullen, formerly of Mississippi State and Florida, and the arrival of former five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma, Auburn) from the transfer portal should keep the offense humming.

Win total odds: Over 7.5 (-174), Under 7.5 (+134)
Odds to win Mountain West: +260 (first) 

UNLV RebelsRJ Young: UNLV

Rebels running back Jai’Den Thomas returns after putting up 1,273 yards from scrimmage in 2025.

UNLV RebelsLaken Litman: UNLV

 It’s going to be fun to see what Dan Mullen and Jackson Arnold can accomplish together this season.

UNLV RebelsBen Portnoy: UNLV

Dan Mullen was skewered for the way his Florida tenure ended, but the man certainly hasn’t forgotten how to coach. I like Mullen and the Rebels to keep the good times rolling in Vegas with former Oklahoma/Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold under center.

Pac-12Pac-12 Champion

Boise State BroncosMichael Cohen: Boise State

Maddux Madsen and Boise State are shaping up to be a Pac-12 favorite this season. (Photo by Tyler McFarland/Getty Images)

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Quarterback Maddux Madsen is back for a third full year as the Broncos’ primary signal-caller, along with six other returning starters on offense for a program with a stronger pedigree than virtually everyone else in this rebuilt league.

Win total odds: Over 7.5 (-154), Under 7.5 (+125)
Odds to win Pac-12: +164 (first)

Boise State BroncosRJ Young: Boise State

Apart from the return of quarterback Maddux Madsen, running backs Sire Gaines and Dylan Riley put up more than 2,100 yards from scrimmage last year.

Boise State BroncosLaken Litman: Boise State

Quarterback Maddux Madsen returns, as well as running backs Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines, which gives the Broncos plenty of experience behind a veteran offensive line.

Boise State BroncosBen Portnoy: Boise State

Welcome back, Pac-12! It’s nice to have you here. I’ll take Boise State to win the league this year with the bulk of its roster coming back and quarterback Maddux Madsen still running the show.

Sun BeltSun Belt Champion

James Madison DukesMichael Cohen: James Madison

Billy Napier enters his first year leading the Dukes. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

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The hottest coaching pipeline in college football added a big name from the carousel when the Dukes hired former Florida coach Billy Napier last December, whose task is to follow in the footsteps of Bob Chesney (UCLA) and Curt Cignetti (Indiana). 

Win total odds: Over 8.5 (-130), Under 8.5 (+100)
Odds to win Sun Belt: +270 (first)

Old Dominion MonarchsRJ Young: Old Dominion

Ricky Rahne’s team won 10 games last year, and cornerback Zion Frink can be the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year. As I wrote in my 138, he returned to Old Dominion after posting 60 tackles, six pass breakups, a forced fumble and an interception in 2025.

Win total odds: Over 7.5 (-120), Under 7.5 (-110)
Odds to win Sun Belt: +460 (second)

James Madison DukesLaken Litman: James Madison

Let’s see what former Florida coach Billy Napier — and his 41 transfers — can do after replacing Bob Chesney, who left for UCLA.

James Madison DukesBen Portnoy: James Madison

Billy Napier’s Florida tenure was altogether forgettable, but the man hasn’t forgotten how to coach. I like James Madison to keep things rolling with its third coach in four years.

‘Fear Arch Manning’ USC a CFP sleeper, can Indiana repeat as National Champions, Notre Dame | FTF

'Fear Arch Manning'  USC a CFP sleeper, can Indiana repeat as National Champions, Notre Dame | FTF –>

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In A High-Stakes Season, Lincoln Riley Is Betting USC’s Future

Four years into the Lincoln Riley era in Southern California, skepticism has eclipsed the early Trojan swagger that once existed. Just when doubt hit a peak, Riley and his staff delivered a definitive counterpunch.

Riley and the Trojans shut out the noise by securing the No. 1 overall recruiting class in college football.

Does a top ranking guarantee wins? Of course not, but Riley is now putting his vision to the test with a roster that rivals the talent and potential of his best teams back in Norman with the Oklahoma Sooners.

Not only did Riley and the Trojans land the top recruiting class, but Wednesday night’s official depth chart revealed the program isn’t waiting around. They plan to start five true freshmen in Saturday’s season opener against San Jose State.

Throwing this much youth out on day one is an undeniable gamble. 

USC will become the first Power Four program to start five true freshmen in Week 1 since Colorado in 2021. Back in 2020, Tennessee took a similar gamble with four true freshmen, resulting in a 3-7 season before Josh Heupel took over the program.

The Trojans starters include five-star edge rusher Luke Wafle alongside four-stars in tight end Mark Bowman, cornerback Elbert Hill, and wide receivers Trent Mosley and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. Four of the five rank inside 247Sports’ top-90 prospects nationally.

As a top national recruit, Wafle is expected to make an immediate impact on newly hired defensive coordinator Gary Patterson’s defense. During his senior season of high school, he recorded 99 total tackles and broke a school record with 23 sacks and 37 tackles for loss.

Riley has a proven track record of getting true freshman wide receivers involved early. From CeeDee Lamb to Zachariah Branch, his offense allows elite young playmakers to thrive immediately, but most importantly develop at a high level.

Mosley and Dixon-Wyatt look ready to be next up in Riley’s offense. With the Trojans looking to maximize quarterback Jayden Maiava’s senior season, instantly integrating two dynamic freshmen shows how much trust Riley has in their potential.

The most impactful true freshman might end up being Bowman. The nation’s top tight end prospect even reclassified into the 2026 recruiting class just to enroll early and suit up for Riley and the Trojans.

Expectations remain sky-high in Southern California as a new-look Trojans’ squad tries to make a statement in Riley’s fifth season. On First Things First, FOX Sports’ RJ Young named the Trojans as his sleeper pick to win the Big Ten this season.

Through four seasons with the Trojans, Riley has posted a 35-18 overall record. While the program has put together solid stretches, his 11-7 Big Ten conference record over the past two seasons has kept the pressure on.

With five true freshmen expected to crack the starting lineup and Maiava returning under center, this is shaping up to be a defining year for Riley. Relying heavily on youth is a massive gamble, and it will be tested early as the Trojans look to make a statement.



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Caleb Williams, Bears Show What They Still Need To Fix

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — For Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears, what happened during Thursday’s joint practice with the Tennessee Titans is symbolic of what needs to change in 2026.  

Chicago’s offense looked efficient at the start of team drills, with Williams leading the way. The third-year Bears quarterback hit wide receiver Rome Odunze perfectly in stride out of a crossing route. He stepped up in the pocket away from pressure and threw a nifty shuffle pass to tight end Cole Kmet. He completed a tight window throw outside the numbers. Williams hit Kmet for a wide open touchdown on another play. 

After the halfway point of practice, though, the tide shifted. 

The Bears’ starting offense went nowhere in the first team period after a break. Williams rolled to his left and fired a jump pass that was nearly picked off. He was sacked the next play. A couple deep passes sailed incomplete. 

The Bears pulled off a nice trick play at one point — it ended with Williams hitting tight end Colston Loveland on a go route down the left sideline — but a theme in the second half of practice was the former No. 1 overall pick running around a lot. 

Williams described one period where Titans defenders were coming “down the middle, right side, left side.”

“We have to be able to start like that throughout the year. And then when we come out from halftime, we have to come out better than I’d say we did today,” Williams said. 

What made the Bears so magical last season was their ability to pull off the spectacular late in games; their seven victories after trailing in the final two minutes of regulation are the most since the 1970 NFL/AFL merger. The other way of looking at it: They didn’t play well at the start of games. Putting four quarters together is the next step for the reigning NFC North champions, who aspire to be in the Super Bowl conversation this season. 

Whether that comes to fruition or not depends, of course, on the talented Williams. 

Coach Ben Johnson has high expectations for him. The goal is for Williams, who established himself as one of the NFL’s most clutch players last season, to get his completion rate closer to 70% (he was at a subpar 58.1% in 2025) while preserving his explosive play ability. 

Johnson said earlier this month that Williams has taken “complete control” of the offense, so he’s at least headed in the right direction. But Johnson wants to see Williams continue to advance in his coverage recognition. 

“At times, you have five [receivers] going out in a concept,” Williams explained. “Portions of the concept are specific to certain coverages or certain looks. Just not necessarily going one, two, three, four, five [reads]. It’s, ‘OK, we can skip this route because of this coverage or this post-high or they’re split field’ and things like that. It’s just being able to process those things faster.

“If it’s a common concept that everybody runs, I write it down consistently,” he continued. “I write down what we like versus [the concept] and what we don’t like every time the play is put in and installed. I’m getting constant mental reps of when I see a coverage or when I see this, it’s, ‘OK, we don’t like it versus this. Let’s get onto the backside of the concept’ or another route we do like in that concept.”

Other Observations From Bears-Titans Joint Practice:

Tennessee TitansNo. 4 Overall Pick Carnell Tate Is Progressing.

After a quiet showing in the preseason, including going catch-less in the first two games, the former Ohio State star receiver made his presence felt Thursday against the Bears. He scored at least two touchdowns and made a big-time back-shoulder catch down the right sideline. Tate also showed his growing chemistry with quarterback Cam Ward when he came back to the ball in a scramble drill situation for a reception. The first-round rookie was a primary target of Ward’s on the day.

 “He showed why he was that pick,” Ward said.

Chicago BearsD’Andre Swift Might Be The Bears’ Most Important Playmaker Early In 2026.

The veteran running back was giving the Titans’ defense fits, particularly early in practice, when he went untouched a number of times around the line of scrimmage and scored a touchdown in red-zone work.

Chicago’s leading rusher from a year ago, Swift could have a massive workload early in the season with No. 2 running back Kyle Monangai (knee) being week-to-week. Johnson loves to run the ball — the Bears had the No. 3 rushing attack in 2025 — so as much attention as ascending pass-catchers Odunze, Loveland and Luther Burden III will get, the success of Swift will be paramount for the offense.

Tennessee TitansDo The Titans Actually Have Something Special Brewing On The Offensive Line?

After years of poor offensive line play, the Titans actually look solid up front. Superb run-blocking led to a long touchdown run Thursday from tailback Tony Pollard. Tennessee had success on the ground against the defending champion Seahawks defense in a joint practice last week as well. 

The pass protection has been solid, too. From left to right, the Titans’ starting O-line is left tackle Dan Moore Jr., left guard Peter Skoronski, center Austin Schlottman, right guard Fernando Carmona and JC Latham. Skoronski recently became the league’s highest-paid guard.

Players to Watch 

Cam LewisChicago Bears

The veteran defensive back picked off Ward during team drills. The Bears’ secondary is currently facing some uncertainty — free-agent signee Coby Bryant will be out for months following knee surgery, while nickelback Kyler Gordon (calf) has been on the physically unable to perform list since training camp — so Chicago needs backups to step up in the defensive backfield. Lewis, a seventh-year pro, is currently in line to be a starter due to the injuries. 

Cedric GrayTennessee Titans

Not a well-known name nationally, Gray is poised to have a breakout Year 3. The 2024 fourth-round pick ranked fourth in the NFL last season in combined tackles (164), including second in solo tackles (97), and has flashed in coverage. Playing behind a talented defensive line that Titans coach Robert Saleh has invested heavily in should open playmaking opportunities for Gray. 

Quote Of The Day

“He’s like a modern day — I don’t want to compare the two — but like Russell Wilson. When it got to the fourth quarter, you better be up three scores. There’s no lead safe with Caleb. He’s an unbelievable quarterback. He’s elite off-schedule. … And the amount of growth he’s had in the last year and a half has been amazing. Credit to the coaching staff and all the things they do with him. But he’s a stud in every way.” — Titans coach Robert Saleh on Bears QB Caleb Williams

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Why 'Purposeful' Titans Rookie Carnell Tate Is The Receiver Cam Ward Needs

Carnell Tate’s former coaches and teammates explain why the No. 4 overall pick is the perfect receiver for Titans QB Cam Ward.



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2026 College Football Week 0 Expert Picks: Back USC To

Week 0 is actually a hero — because it means college football is back.

Here are my best bets for the first official weekend of the 2026 college football season.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

San Jose State Spartans USC Trojans SJSU @ No. 14 USC

There’s nothing that Lincoln Riley and USC love more than beating up on Group of Six opponents to start the season. 

Since Riley arrived in Southern California, the Trojans have faced a Group of Six opponent seven times in the first two weeks of the season. They’ve scored at least 44 points in all seven of those games, with five of them in the 50s or 60s. 

The key to their scoring success in these games is how they finish. In the fourth quarter of all seven games, USC has scored at least seven points, but most often it’s 14+ points. Last season against Missouri State, it was 73, with 17 coming in the fourth quarter. Against Georgia Southern the next week, the Trojans scored 59, capped off by two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

USC isn’t running the score up. That’s not something that happens in 2026 all that often. It’s just that the Trojans continue to run their offense with either the tail end of the starters or the backups. The Trojan offense is difficult to stop when your starting defense is playing, and now imagine the San Jose State backups playing against all these highly rated and skilled offensive superstars? 

USC returns nearly its entire offensive line, its quarterback and a two-headed monster at running back. They are breaking in some new receivers, so I could see Riley wanting to throw the ball all game to get game reps.

San Jose State’s defense is entering another rebuild after a poor 2025 season. SJSU fired it defensive coordinator near the end of last season and promoted Bojay Filimoeatu to the position. Filimoeatu’s defense only returned 23% production, which is near the bottom of the sport. 

The Spartans’ defensive line should be improved, but the linebackers are identified as a weak link. SJSU lost its three leading tacklers, and this new group is going to struggle against the USC rushing attack. The Spartans are also replacing six players in the secondary. 

It’s going to be a long day for San Jose State’s defense.

Geoff SchwartzSchwartz’s Pick: USC Team Total Over 48.5 Points

North Carolina St Wolfpack Virginia Tech Hokies NC State @ Virginia

This was originally a non-conference neutral-site game in Brazil before the plug was pulled on that idea. It reverted to a conference game in Virginia, as the conference expanded to nine conference tilts. 

NC State is one of my sleeper teams this season, and I believe it is good enough to end up in Charlotte for the ACC Championship Game. The Wolfpack have won at least eight games in five of the last six seasons. They know how to win and now have the quarterback and presumed defensive health to grab more games this season.

Quarterback CJ Bailey is coming back after his first season as the starting quarterback. His second half was outstanding after an up-and-down start to the season. Bailey would have been highly coveted if he entered the portal, but he ultimately ended up staying in Raleigh. Running back Duke Scott returns with his 5.6 yards per carry in 2025. The skill position room lost some production, but NC State will look to find a star from that group. The portal and injuries crushed the defense in 2025. However, NC State is hopeful its portal additions can be helpful. 

That is a real question mark for this team.

Virginia enters 2026 fresh off an ACC title game appearance, but it is replacing its quarterback, both top running backs and its top three receivers. The offensive line appears to be generally in a good place. Virginia went into the portal to grab starting quarterback Bo Pribula, who’s on his third team in his young career. The Cavs also went to the portal to address the other offensive positions. Virginia’s defense returns its linebacker corps but sees replacements on the defensive line and secondary.

These teams are strikingly close in talent, but NC State has the better quarterback, which is the tiebreaker in a game with two evenly matched teams.

Geoff SchwartzSchwartz’s Pick: NC State (+4.5) to Lose by Fewer Than 4.5 Points or Win Outright



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