Eight weeks into the season, potential conference championship matchups across college football are taking shape, but questions remain.

Will Ohio State and Indiana meet back in Indianapolis for a 2025 Big Ten rematch? Does UCLA continue its hot streak and reach its first-ever Big Ten title match instead? Despite its loss to Auburn, Georgia continues to make its case as the SEC’s top team. But who could the Bulldogs face? A two-loss Ole Miss team, or could a contender like Kentucky earn a spot in the SEC championship? 

On the latest episode of “The Joel Klatt Show,” FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt made his projections heading into Week 9 of the regular season.

(Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Klatt’s thoughts: “I’m going to give Ohio State the benefit of the doubt. They’re going to figure something out on offense, and I think Ohio State gets themselves to Indianapolis and they’re going to play for the Big Ten Championship. So that leaves the next spot. Is it going to be UCLA? Now I don’t think UCLA is going to run the table. I just think that that’s too difficult. We see every single week that it is difficult for these 18-to-24-year olds, and some older at this point. But you know what I’m saying. It’s difficult for these young men to play at a consistent level. We see it week in and week out. So to expect UCLA to just run off into Indianapolis and get to the Big Ten championship game, I think would be naive of us. I think UCLA gets tripped up one time, which means those two teams would actually be in a tiebreak, and the tiebreak would be that game against Michigan. In this case, in this scenario, I think that Michigan were to trip up UCLA. Indiana got that win last week [against Michigan], which means Indiana is in the Big Ten championship game.

“So here, we have for the second-straight year an Ohio State-Indiana matchup. And by the way, please, that would be amazing because the two previous games that we’ve seen from these teams have been amazing, amazing games. Last year in the championship game, what we just witnessed two weeks ago with Nick Marsh’s foot being just out of bounds, that was an amazing game. I would love to see this, and we know how evenly matched these teams are … If you tell me, if you take that at face value and you’ve got Julian Sayin not on the field for Ohio State, it’s really hard for me to say that Ohio State’s going to beat Indiana, in particular with how evenly matched I know that they are. 

“If they don’t have Sayin on the field, Indiana is going to win the Big Ten championship over Ohio State.”

(Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Klatt’s thoughts: “This one’s much more difficult. In a good way … It’s hard to project what’s going on from week-to-week, and we see that with Georgia losing to Auburn, and then all of a sudden LSU destroys Auburn. We see this week in and week out. Florida and Missouri, Ole Miss, Texas. I think it’s a mess in the most beautiful way, because it’s going to be very difficult to actually project what we see during the course of this last month … I see Georgia as my SEC favorite. I think Georgia is the best team in the SEC, partly because they’re the most consistent. Even though they lost to Auburn, I get it … Now we have to figure out, okay, who else is going to Atlanta now? Because this is where it’s a real mess. Ole Miss only has one ranked opponent left on the schedule. It happens to be that Georgia game … Do we really anticipate anyone winning out? I don’t know. I got to be honest with you. I really don’t.

“But they have a quarterback that I trust that almost came back on the road against Texas, in a game in which Texas showed that they’re playing the best football that they had played all season long, and Ole Miss still almost came back and beat them. So do I trust Ole Miss? Yeah, I kind of do. Where does that all land us? Well, it lands us in this scenario. There would be a large tie in the standings in which Ole Miss essentially wins the tiebreaker. I’m not quite sure. I just don’t see Alabama, LSU or Tennessee winning out. So I’m projecting Kentucky also to drop a couple of games, and I think Ole Miss is sitting there as a two-loss team, and they get that nod, and they go and play Georgia. In my scenario, remember Ole Miss had knocked off Georgia in the regular season. Do we really think Georgia is going to lose a rematch to Ole Miss? I don’t. 

“So Georgia is going to be my SEC champion.”

(Photo by Bryan Byerly/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Klatt’s thoughts: “The Big 12, another conference that’s kind of a mess right now. A lot of teams in the mix as of right now. Utah is obviously in the mix; they’re undefeated. BYU is still in the mix even after that loss to UCF. Arizona, don’t write off the Wildcats. Brent Brennan and Noah Fafita. Noah Fafita is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country, so watch out for them. Texas Tech is still alive in this thing. Oklahoma State is alive in this, all with one or fewer losses. I’ve been pointing to that Holy War on Nov. 7 as kind of like the game in the Big 12. I’m going to stand by that. I think it’s the most critical game in the conference. Projecting that game is very difficult. You know that I love Utah, but I’m also a big believer in BYU.

“Let’s just say, for the sake of argument, that BYU were to beat Utah in Salt Lake. I don’t see Texas Tech, Arizona and Oklahoma State running the table the rest of the way. You look at their schedules. There’s areas for these teams to trip up. So now they all land with two losses. BYU and Utah would have one loss in conference play, and those teams would rematch in the Big 12 championship game. That was as clean as I could make it … Those two teams are super closely matched in a lot of ways. I can’t see either of those teams winning both games. I think they’re going to play a great game on November 7, and I think they’re going to rematch in the championship game. 

“I’m going to go Utah as the winner of the Big 12.”

(Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Klatt’s thoughts: “In the ACC, listen, put Miami in there. They’re not losing a conference game. So who plays Miami? Well, if you look at the standings, and you see how these things are going to play out, we basically are going to have a play-in game between Wake Forest and SMU. That game is at SMU, and SMU is 11-0 at home since joining the ACC. Kevin Jennings has done a great job not turning the football over. They have not been a team that we focused on a lot. 

“But remember … When they play clean, they are very dangerous on the offensive side. Rhett Lashley has done a remarkable job there. They win a lot of football games, and they’ve got an experienced quarterback. And if you look at Wake’s schedule, it has not been a very difficult schedule. So SMU is a more tested team. I think that they are a better team. They have a more sustained era of success, at least currently. Again, 11-0 at home, 11 and zero at home since joining the ACC. I think Wake finishes at 10-2, but SMU wins that game, and they play Miami, and Miami beats SMU. 

“So, Miami is going to win the ACC.”

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It’s Halloween weekend and things could get very spooky on the gridiron.

Here’s why I’m backing a couple of underdogs this weekend.

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In 2025, Penn State was coming off a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals the previous year and entered the season as a consensus national title contender. Then the wheels came off and never went back on, as the Nittany Lions finished the regular season 6-6. 

A year later, another Big Ten team, Oregon, is following a similar path. 

Before the season, the Ducks were picked by many to win it all. A couple of months later, right before the trick-or-treating festivities begin, they are essentially eliminated from the Playoff conversation. 

Can Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles lead the Wildcats past Oregon? (Getty Images)

Now, Oregon will face a hungry Northwestern team with a ferocious ground game, one that is averaging over 200 rushing yards per game. 

Oregon will be without quarterback Dante Moore for the remainder of the season. I don’t expect this lifeless bunch to bounce back in what has been a nightmare season.

Hill’s Pick: Northwestern Moneyline (+140)

Guessing when — and if — Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson might play is a challenging proposition. But with the Ravens in last place entering November, I’ll bet on the two-time league MVP suiting up for the first time in nearly a month. 

While the Bills have a former MVP of their own in quarterback Josh Allen, their defense is still quite suspect. The Bills allowing 30.8 points per game (30th), alongside 386 yards per game (31st). 

If Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson is back in the lineup, it could be anyone’s game (Getty Images).

The Ravens are 4-3. They are looking up at every other team in the AFC North and are desperate for a win on Sunday.

It seems like Jackson is close to a return. And if he does, this is very much anyone’s game. 

Hill’s Pick: Ravens Moneyline (+145)

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A player being bitter about how their time ended with their respective team is a familiar sight, but Jorge Posada has a more defined feeling about his relationship with the New York Yankees.

“I mean, I could, but I don’t think they want me there to tell you the truth,” Posada said in an interview with the New York Post’s “The Show” when asked if he’d be open to a role in the Yankees’ organization.

“I don’t feel welcome when I go there, you know? Even in spring training, I don’t feel like, I’m just like, I don’t know, I don’t feel welcome. I don’t feel like they want me there, so I don’t go.”

Posada’s last season with the Yankees was 2011, with him transitioning from behind the plate to being the team’s primary designated hitter in the wake of them adding then-two-time All-Star and 2007 Gold Glover Russell Martin. Francisco Cervelli was also ahead of Posada, who dabbled at first base in the final years of his career, on the catching depth chart in 2011.

“My last season of my career was a really tough one when it came to handling everything on my part and also the Yankees toward Jorge Posada,” Posada said. “So, it’s tough to go back and feel that again.”

Jorge Posada’s Yankees’ Career

Jorge Posada was an integral part of the Yankees’ championship teams of the late 1990s. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Posada, a five-time Silver Slugger and five-time All-Star, spent his entire 17-year MLB career with the Yankees from 1995-2011 and was on their active roster for four World Series triumphs (1998-2000 and 2009).

Posada finished third in American League MVP voting in 2003, a year that saw the catcher total 30 home runs, 101 RBIs and 5.9 wins above replacement, while posting a .281/.405/.518 slash line.

In all, he logged 1,664 hits, blasted 275 home runs, posted a career .273/.374/.474 slash line and started 1,450 regular-season games behind the plate for the Yankees.

Jorge Posada On 2026 Yankees

As for the present, the Yankees are coming off a 93-68 season where they swept the Boston Red Sox in the MLB Wild Card Series but were then swept by the eventual AL-champion Tampa Bay Rays in the AL divisional series.

In the regular season, New York’s offense was sixth in MLB in strikeouts (1,480), with its collective defense tied for seventh in errors (96).

“[Mental mistakes are] magnified during the playoffs,” Posada of the Yankees. “So during the season, if it happens, and you don’t address it, that’s when it becomes a problem. It needs to happen more during the season and make these guys more accountable. You didn’t run to first base? Get him out of the game. Make him understand that this means something.

“It’s not a game. It’s really a job, and some guys are not doing their job.”

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner revealed in a press conference last week that manager Aaron Boone will return for a 10th season in 2027 and general manager Brian Cashman, who has been in the role since 1998 and with the organization since 1986, has been extended.

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Following up on last week’s “Sportsbook Whispers,” the best betting story in college football got even better last Saturday afternoon.  

UCLA covered again.

Make that 7-0 straight up and against the spread, and all the Bruins regular-season win totals are “Over.” Whether you bet 5.5, 6 or 6.5, you’re a winner thanks to a sensational first year from head coach Bob Chesney.

UCLA (7-0 ATS) and Kentucky (7-1 ATS) are the best cover teams in the country. BYU, Georgia Southern, Louisiana Tech, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma State, Oregon State and Utah are all 6-1 ATS.

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Speaking of BYU, let’s pour one out for all the Cougar fans who thought Las Vegas perceived them as a top-10 team. I read over 500 social media comments — lots of them insanely disrespectful — all because I said BYU wasn’t a top-10 team and that UCF plus the points was the play.

“I don’t make numbers with my feelings,” Vegas oddsmaker Motoi Pearson cracked. “I had Cougs 19th before the UCF game and now they’re 21st. They’re still a really good team that can crash the College Football Playoff.”

The biggest question mark for me heading into the weekend is how Ohio State’s offense will look without starting quarterback Julian Sayin. 

A Heisman finalist last year, Sayin is out indefinitely with an arm injury, and it sounds like freshman Luke Fahey will start under center at USC.

One projected look-ahead line last week was Ohio State -3.

Circa Sports in Vegas opened Ohio State -7 on Sunday.

“Lookaheads are lookaheads for a reason,” former Las Vegas bookmaker Ed Salmons told me. “USC scored seven points last weekend. They were awful. [Jayden] Maiava threw two picks. So, you have to drop their number.

“I did some more homework on Ohio State. The Fahey kid might start, but I wouldn’t be surprised if [Tavien] St. Clair finishes. He’s a better prospect and he’s a lot bigger. They’ll make the switch if Fahey isn’t playing well.

“And Ohio State is just a much tougher team than USC.”

That doesn’t mean bettors won’t pounce on a good number.

“Oh, I took some [+7] with the dog,” professional bettor Slice said. “I’ll take my chances against a young quarterback laying a touchdown on the road. It’s a solid spot for USC off that loss. If they’re any good, they’ll bounce back.”

Salmons has given this column a winner in six of the last seven weeks. It’s amazing he hasn’t gone full tout with a 900 number at this point.

“I bet UConn +3,” he said. “I think they win outright. Air Force is going to be down to QB3 and this UConn team is a lot better than people think.”

To the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings are the last undefeated team after Kansas City and San Francisco were dealt their first losses. Just like we all thought back in September. 

One American sportsbook was dealing the Vikings at 40/1 to lose last. I can’t imagine there was much liability there.

There is liability, though, at Caesars Sportsbook on the Las Vegas Raiders winning the Super Bowl. It would be no bueno for the house if that actually happened.

“It’s our biggest liability by far,” Caesars head of football Joey Feazel told me. “And there’s no reason to think it won’t remain that way going forward. We’re also pretty heavy on Brock Purdy and Joe Burrow to win NFL MVP.”

As unlikely as it is, a Raiders Super Bowl win would be bad for books (Getty Images).

Finally, I shared a stat last Thursday morning about Ben Johnson’s record as a play caller in primetime games. Dating back to his days as an offensive coordinator in Detroit, Johnson has called plays in 23 primetime games.

And the Bears and Lions are a combined 18-4-1 ATS.

I’m aware it’s not the biggest sample size in the world and there’s always going to be a faction of people that say “Trends don’t pay the rent.” 

Generally, I agree, but Bill Belichick always delivered against rookie quarterbacks and Patrick Mahomes has been unbelievable as an underdog. Ben Johnson is a 3-point pup Monday night in Seattle and I will be going back to the well.

Here’s hoping for 19-4-1. 

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NASCAR’s double-yellow line rule caused NASCAR a little bit of a headache again this week as questions remained about whether Kyle Larson went below the lines in his race-winning pass last Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway.

The rule has been around for decades, as NASCAR doesn’t want drivers to try to make a pass on the apron and then try to merge back into traffic when the apron narrows to the racing groove. 

That is a recipe for even a bigger wreck than what is common at Daytona and Talladega.

Should Kyle Larson have been penalized at Talladega? 

The rule reads:

— Vehicles must compete above the double-painted lines at all times.
— Passing below the double-painted lines to advance position will result in a black flag.
— Forcing another vehicle below the double-painted lines to block a pass may result in a black flag.
— Below the double-painted lines is defined as when the vehicle’s left-side tires are below the left line of the inside double-painted lines that separate the apron from the racing surface.

Still, there is no real clear definition of what constitutes “below.” 

NASCAR says its interpretation (clarified from the weekend) is the entirety of both left-side tires and that if any part of either tire is on the line, then it’s good.

That makes perfect sense, although in many sports, out of bounds means that any part of the body is on or outside the lines. And it’s also hard to tell whether both tires are on the line because, at many angles — if not all angles — the inside part of the tire is hard to see.

Most cameras are at angles with very few head-on looks or shots directly above that give a 100 percent accurate view. 

The rule also notes advance position, which is another subject of debate. 

What is enough to advance position? 

Kyle Larson and his team celebrate after getting into Victory Lane at Talladega.

Taken somewhat literally, that could mean the leader could never be penalized and there was a time in NASCAR where that seemed to be the interpretation.

That’s no longer the case, as the basis now is whether a driver improved or retained their position in relationship to second. 

Plus, there is part of the rule that says “compete above,” which gives NASCAR an out saying a driver didn’t compete above the line.

So NASCAR has a lot of leeway to make decisions and change interpretations based on the racing at Daytona, Atlanta (where the double lines are white, not yellow) and Talladega.

From the photos and video of Larson’s car, it could easily be argued that there is part of the left-side tire on the yellow line. 

Some critics are arguing that Larson’s left tires were on the double-yellow line as he fought for the lead at Talladega.

Maybe using GPS, NASCAR could show something that confirmed that, but NASCAR could also probably argue that he didn’t advance his position. Some also would say he was reacting to those cars in the middle groove, but it didn’t appear he was forced below.

So what’s the answer?

The first is to announce a penalty if it is warranted. 

NASCAR, on its “Hauler Talk” podcast, said that Austin Hill would have been penalized for being the last car on the lead lap because he did go below the yellow line — except that is where he finished, so there was no need to issue a penalty. Still, for the record and for precedence, a penalty should have been announced.

Get rid of the double-yellow line rule for the last lap? 

That sounds good, at least in theory. And trying that doesn’t seem unreasonable. But do that and then see the drivers wreck every last lap and the reaction would be, “why did NASCAR ever change the rule?” Ryan Blaney scoffed at that idea on the “Door Bumper Clear” podcast.

Use technology to do a more extensive review of the final lap? It is done in other sports, but NASCAR needs to get a decision on a winner as quickly as possible. 

And, frankly, if it’s so close that it cannot tell with the naked eye and some video, then let that pretty much be a tie that goes to the runner. 

And speaking of technology — how much has tech ruined superspeedway racing to begin with, as seen in Talladega’s opening stage?

RFK Teammates Ryan Preece, Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher drafted together at Talladega.

Seeing the RFK drivers opt to go full throttle after 30 laps was fun and hopefully, it will mean more teams will consider racing that way in the future.

RFK’s Ryan Preece said, if NASCAR offered serious lap leader money (a certain amount for each lap led) that it might give more incentive for drivers to do that.

My favorite idea?

Require a four-tire pit stop for any pit stop under green or at the stage break. That will mean drivers won’t need to save much fuel because they know they will have to spend eight or nine seconds on pit road instead of just a few seconds for enough fuel to get to the end of the stage.

Sure, there would be complications regarding whether teams will need an additional set of tires. But at least that is as fair of a way to do it and brings the pit crews into play more than fuel mileage. That seems to be the better, more entertaining choice.

It does look like NASCAR has a decent handle on the package. Could Kyle Larson have gone from first to 11th to first with the old seven-inch spoiler? That certainly is debatable. 

And that debate is one that deserves more attention than arguing over whether a car is an inch beyond the double-yellow lines.

WHAT YOU SHOULD READ NEXT

Kyle Larson drove away from Talladega with a nice lead over the field for The Chase. Find out who’s been eliminated and who’s still in contention.

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The Detroit Lions cleared Kerby Joseph to practice on Wednesday, giving the team 21 days to decide whether to put the 2024 All-Pro safety on the active roster or on season-ending injured reserve.

“This is a step in the right direction,” coach Dan Campbell said.

Joseph has had a series of setbacks since his last game on Oct. 12, 2025, including an injured left knee that didn’t respond well to treatment and a lot of time off after he played in just six games. After attempting to come back last year, the Lions put him on injured reserve late in the season.

Injuries plagued Kerby Joseph’s 2025 season with the Lions. (Photo by Jorge Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

They put him on the reserve/physically unable to perform list at the start of this season. If Kerby is not activated within the next three weeks, he will not be eligible to play this season.

Kerby has been working out, away from team activities, and made enough progress to merit an opportunity to practice.

“He’s checked all those boxes,” Campbell said. “The rest is how does he react to football?”

The Lions signed Joseph a four-year contract worth $86 million before the 2025 season that makes him one of the highest-paid safeties.

Joseph got the deal after leading the NFL with nine interceptions in 2024, helping Detroit win a franchise-record 15 games and a second straight NFC North title. He finished sixth in voting for AP Defensive Player of the Year.

He had four interceptions in 2023, tied for seventh in the NFL, and four picks as a rookie after the Lions drafted him in the third round, No. 97 overall, out of Illinois in 2022. Joseph had three interceptions last season to increase his career total to 20.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Basketball and baseball and football, oh my. 

The greatest time of the year continues. Here’s what I’m looking at this week for my five-leg parlay.

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Thunder Moneyline (-230)

The Thunder have had a rough week, with serious injuries to Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace casting a cloud over their 4-0 start. Despite the absences, OKC has enough depth and star power to notch a road win against the rebuilding Mavericks on Wednesday.

  WS Game 5 Under 7 (-138)

“The Miz” Jacob Misiorowski takes the mound in Game 5 looking to crown the Brewers as World Series champs on Wednesday. While the Rays have not named a starting pitcher, it will surely be all hands on deck in what should be a competitive, low-scoring game.

Northwestern +3.5 (-110)

Northwestern takes on a reeling Oregon team that has already had its Playoff hopes crushed as it enters this game on Halloween. I like Northwestern and its prolific ground game to propel the underdog on Saturday.

Buccaneers Moneyline (-135)

The Bucs have now won two of their last three games and are in the thick of the NFC South race, after thrashing the Panthers last week. They next take on the Falcons, who just defeated a previously unbeaten 49ers team, but were fortunate, as they benefited from four 49ers turnovers, and were out-gained by the 49ers by 1.5 yards per play. 

Ravens +3.5

It’s turned into an annual guessing game with the Ravens and when their former MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson will suit up. But, in a huge game, I’m going to bet on Jackson being in there, as the Ravens try to fight their way out of last place. If Jackson goes, this should be a very close game.

Hill’s Pick: 5-Leg Parlay +1369 (bet $10 to win $146.90 total)

 

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Jacob Misiorowski and the Milwaukee Brewers stand on the brink of history, just one win away from bringing the franchise’s first-ever World Series title home. 

All eyes turn to Misiorowski on Wednesday as he takes the mound for Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Misiorowski has been one of baseball’s biggest breakout stars this season, establishing himself among the game’s elite arms with a season that has him as the favorite to win the NL Cy Young.

However, taking the mound with a chance to wrap up Game 5 and deliver a championship should be every pitcher’s dream.

Misiorowski has shown that he’s built for it. Through three postseason outings, he has led the Brewers to wins in every single start, throwing 13 ⅓ innings with 14 strikeouts while allowing just four earned runs.

During his World Series Game 1 start, Misiorowski shut the Rays’ offense down. Though he threw just five innings, he struck out three batters, allowed only one run on four hits and led the Brewers to a 3-2 victory.

The pressure is on Misiorowski, but he’s shown he can live up to the big moments. Game 5 will tell us if the Rays can stay alive or if Misiorowski can end the series and bring home the Brewers’ first-ever World Series championship.

If Misiorowski delivers, he’ll join an elite club. Here are a few of the most historic Game 5 pitching performances in World Series history.

No discussion of Game 5 heroics is complete without Don Larsen’s 1956 masterpiece for the New York Yankees. To this day, he remains the only pitcher in World Series history to throw a perfect game.

Larsen needed just 97 pitches to dismantle the then-Brooklyn Dodgers, striking out seven in his legendary gem. For his unmatched performance on the mound, he was named World Series MVP and earned the prestigious Babe Ruth Award.

Throwing the only perfect game in World Series history is an accomplishment that remains unmatched 70 years later. In some ways, Larsen set the ultimate gold standard for postseason dominance.

When it comes to historic Game 5 pitching performances, few have managed a more dominant showing than Madison Bumgarner in 2014. He threw a complete-game, four-hit shutout to give the San Francisco Giants a 3-2 lead over the Kansas City Royals.

It was the first World Series complete-game shutout since Josh Beckett accomplished the feat for the Florida Marlins in Game 6 of the 2003 World Series. It goes to show just how special of a talent and postseason run Bumgarner had for the Giants.

Bumgarner was on a different level during that World Series and followed his shutout with a historic five-inning relief appearance in Game 7 just three days later. He finished the 2014 World Series with a 0.43 ERA across 21 innings and took home MVP honors.

Koufax is viewed as one of the most dominant pitchers in history, so it’s no surprise he made this list. In the 1965 World Series against the Minnesota Twins, Koufax delivered a masterclass performance on the mound that is still remembered to this day.

With the Dodgers down early in the series, Koufax delivered a complete-game shutout in Game 5, allowing just four hits while striking out 10. Then, returning on short rest in Game 7, Koufax threw yet another shutout to clinch the World Series title.

When it came to winning the biggest games, Koufax always delivered.

During the 1988 World Series, Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser put together a dominant performance against the then-Oakland Athletics. His complete game pushed the Dodgers to clinch the series 4-1 and bring home their sixth World Series title in franchise history.

Hershiser earned World Series MVP honors following a dominant performance on the mound and at the plate. In Game 5, Hershiser threw a complete game, allowing just four hits and two runs while striking out nine batters.

In Game 2, he threw a complete-game shutout and went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a run, and an RBI. It goes to show what a dominant performance Hershiser had not only in Game 5, but throughout the entire series.

Throwing nearly 150 pitches, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Curt Schilling forced a Game 6 in the 1993 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. His Game 5 performance won’t ever be forgotten as he threw a complete-game, 2-0 shutout on 147 pitches.

During Schilling’s performance on the mound, even with what felt like a million pitches, he put on a show. He allowed only five hits while striking out six, putting the team on his back to force a Game 6.

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Lumen Field (Seattle) — Tyrice Knight said the quiet part out loud.

I asked the Seattle Seahawks linebacker how surprised he was to see the Kansas City Chiefs lining up rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane by himself in press coverage against the best receiver in the league: Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Knight shook his head.

“They must not have been watching film,” Knight told me following the Seahawks’ 20-3 win over the Chiefs. “I don’t know why they left that cornerback out there like that. Maybe they had confidence in him, I don’t know. But you can’t do that with the best receiver in the league. You’ve got to give that guy some help.”

Facing single coverage a fair amount of the evening as Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo chose to blitz Sam Darnold 23.3% of the time (It wasn’t a wise choice: Darnold finished 7 of 7 for 81 yards and a score vs. blitz, per Next Gen Stats), Smith-Njigba finished with nine receptions for 150 yards on 12 targets. He caught five of his six targets for 85 yards and a touchdown in man coverage against cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Delane, according to Next Gen Stats.

On a night when many expected Kenneth Walker III to strengthen his case for Offensive Player of the Year and get back at his former team, JSN instead showed why he’s the best skill-position player in football … and why the Seahawks will be proven right to let the star running back leave.

“You can try your best, but JSN is going to get his,” Seahawks tight end AJ Barner told me. “It was a great performance by him. That’s just what it is. Jaxon is going to get open. Sam’s going to find him. He’s just incredible. Every week he’s so consistent. It’s what we expect from Jax.”

Barner said a primary reason for the 24-year-old Smith-Njigba’s early success just four years into his NFL career is that he’s an old soul who shows up to work every day. His teammates follow that lead.

“He’s such a talented kid, but it’s his mindset, too,” Barner told me. “It’s never too big of a spotlight for him. He had 150 yards tonight, but when he shows up tomorrow, whether it’s 150 yards or 50 yards, he’s going to be the same guy. He’s going to come in and work. And he’s going to put the team before himself as well.”

Smith-Njigba, the league’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year, is once again on a heater this season. He leads all receivers in receptions (58), receiving yards (867) and receiving touchdowns (8). If he were to do that for the entire season, Smith-Njigba would be just the fourth receiver to earn the receiving triple crown since the turn of the century. 

Cooper Kupp notched a triple crown with the Los Angeles Rams during the 2021 season, going on to help his team win the Super Bowl and taking home Super Bowl MVP honors. Now Smith-Njigba’s teammate in Seattle, Kupp understands the stress that he’s going through.

“People are going to try and take him away, but he has the ability to stay engaged one play after the next, and when the opportunity comes to play high level football,” Kupp said. “It’s really hard to stay engaged for a full game when the defense is trying to take you away. But he’s done an unbelievable job of that and making the plays when the ball comes his way.”

Smith-Njigba is also on pace to become the first receiver with 2,000 receiving yards. He’s the fourth player in NFL history to record 100 receiving yards in six of his team’s first seven games of a season. And Smith-Njigba has been a one-man wrecking crew for Seattle, accounting for 36% of the offense this season. 

One play against the Chiefs was a microcosm of Smith-Njigba’s dominance. 

Kansas City sent an all-out blitz late in the first half, with the Seahawks on the Chiefs’ 28-yard line. Delane had sticky press coverage on the Ohio State product on a fade ball, reaching in between Smith-Njigba’s hands to knock the ball away. But Smith-Njigba deftly anticipated the move, moving the ball to his outside left hand and palming the ball in an outstretched hand to keep it away from the rookie defender, holding it out as he went out of bounds for the touchdown. 

“He’s unguardable,” Seahawks safety Nick Emmanori said. “And it’s pretty amazing to see. Like I’m sitting there and like, ‘Wow, this is a potential Hall of Famer.’ He’s a great receiver. Knowing that he’s getting double-teamed and they’re sending cloud [a second defender] his way, and he’s still making plays? It’s crazy. You can’t even fathom it.” 

  NFC West Arms Race Has Begun

In what has become an annual tradition, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider made a move to improve his team at a position of need ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline on Nov. 10

It started in Schneider’s first year as GM of the Seahawks, when he traded a fourth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for Marshawn Lynch in 2010. This year, the Seahawks traded a third-year pick in the 2027 draft and a fifth-round pick in 2028 for Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl offensive guard Quenton Nelson. The Seahawks had struggled to consistently get a push in the running game with Kenneth Walker III signing with Kansas City in free agency, and at times struggled to protect quarterback Sam Darnold.

In Nelson, the Seahawks get an eight-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro who has one year left on his deal with a base salary of $16 million. Seattle will pay a prorated portion of that salary of nearly $10 million. 

Seahawks left tackle Charles Cross could miss time due to a high-ankle sprain suffered in the team’s runaway win over the Chiefs last week, so Nelson provides depth up front. Current left guard Grey Zabel is expected to move over to right guard, allowing the 30-year-old Nelson to fill in at left guard. Swing tackle Josh Jones is expected to fill in at left tackle if Cross can’t go.

The Seahawks landed eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson on Tuesday, helping them fill a need along the offensive line as they also need to bolster their run game. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

The Seahawks are in an arms race in the NFC West with the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams added Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson and Aaron Donald in the offseason, while the 49ers brought in Mike Evans.

Seattle responded to those moves by adding its own Hall of Fame-worthy player two weeks before the trade deadline in Nelson. 

It’s the fourth consecutive year the Seahawks have made a big trade at the deadline, including Leonard Williams in 2023, Ernest Jones IV in 2024, Rashid Shaheed in 2025 and Nelson this season. Like Lynch, all three players signed new deals to stay in Seattle, so Nelson could be a long-term player for the Seahawks. 

A longtime NFL scout I spoke with liked the move for Seattle, noting that Schneider and Colts interim general manager Ed Dodds, who took over for the fired Chris Ballard, worked together in Seattle.

“It’s a good two-way trade,” the longtime scout told me. “Seattle has needed some upfront experience, especially to help Josh Jones out as he replaces [Charles] Cross outside. Seattle has good young offensive guards, but I see it more as a run game addition than a passing game addition to protecting the QB.

“Indy has moved on from a really good drafting GM in Ballard. Dodd and Schneider are both solid personnel guys who know each other from Seattle way back and trust each other. Indy should have waited until after the season to make a GM move.” 

DeForest Buckner is heading back to San Francisco, with the 49ers reacquiring the three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle on Tuesday. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

But as the Seahawks made their big swing, it only took a few hours before the 49ers made one of their own. They responded to the Seahawks’ move for Nelson by also taking advantage of the fire sale in Indianapolis and trading back for its 2016 first-round pick: defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. The 49ers should get Nick Bosa back soon from a calf injury, and reuniting him with Buckner should improve San Francisco’s pass rush.

With San Francisco heading into the bye week and the Seahawks hosting the Chicago Bears in a nationally televised game on Monday Night Football, things are heating up in the NFC West. 

  Battle Of Los Angeles Is A Pillow Fight

While the AFC and NFC Wests are heating up elsewhere, Los Angeles is a different story. The Rams and Chargers have combined for just one win at SoFi Stadium this year in what was expected to be a season the two teams could meet in their home stadium with the Lombardi Trophy on the line.

Instead, the two will face off in Week 8 with much less at stake: bragging rights for Los Angeles in a stadium where the Arizona Cardinals (2) have more wins so far this season than the two teams combined.

The Chargers (0-6) had a bye week to try and fix an embarrassing offense led by new coordinator Mike McDaniel. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said his team spent the week trying to simplify things so star quarterback Justin Herbert can play fast and decisively heading into the second half of the season. McDaniel remains the person directing the offense — for now. 

The first year of the Justin Herbert-Mike McDaniel marriage hasn’t gotten off to a great start, losing their first six games and 28th in total offense. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

The reeling Rams (3-4), meanwhile, got an important road win over the Las Vegas Raiders and will look to build on that against the Chargers. 

“It was the first week that we were able to have a normal week of preparation with the way that things have been situated this whole season,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said about his team’s win over the Raiders last week. “I think that was beneficial and this week will represent another opportunity to do that. We have to improve and we have to have even greater urgency than last week. I know we’re capable of doing it, players and coaches alike. I’m excited to start that prep with those guys.”

  Top 5 On The Westside

5. Los Angeles Rams 

The Rams finally emphasized running the football in a road win over the Raiders, totaling 199 yards on the ground. Kyren Williams (99) and Blake Corum (93) are the third duo in the NFL this season to each record at least 90 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the same game (Kyle Monangai & D’Andre Swift, Week 1; Josh Allen & James Cook, Week 5).

4. Denver Broncos

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix’s 62-yard rushing touchdown was the longest rushing touchdown by a QB since 2022. Nix, however, is still struggling to push the ball downfield – 64.4% of his passing yards are after the catch this season, the second-highest rate behind Jalon Daniels (65.5%), per Next Gen Stats. 

3. Kansas City Chiefs

The Seahawks pressured Patrick Mahomes on 39% of his passing attempts in Kansas City’s loss to Seattle. Mahomes finished 6-for-13 for 44 yards, with no touchdowns and an interception on those throws, posting a 22.6 passer rating. 

Sunday was arguably the worst game played by the Chiefs in a game that Patrick Mahomes has started. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

2. Seattle Seahawks

After earning a victory at home against the Chiefs, the Seahawks have little time to rest, hosting the modern version of Mahomes in Caleb Williams and one of the most innovative offensive minds in Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who said he wants to break the single-season NFL scoring record. 

1. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers get a break during the bye week after suffering their first loss of the year on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. San Francisco needs Nick Bosa (calf) and Mike Evans (Achilles) to come out of the bye week healthy.

“This is us. This is ‘The Dark Side.’ This is what we do.”

Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II on his defense’s dominating performance against the Chiefs. 

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The World Series, the official championship of Major League Baseball, is contested each fall. While most MLB franchises have tasted victory at one time or another, there are five teams who have not won the Fall Classic. 

That list is guaranteed to shrink this year. 

The 2026 World Series features two of those five franchises, the Brewers and the Rays, so one of them will win its first title. Milwaukee leads the series 3-1 after the Rays won Game 4. 

Here are the five MLB teams that have never won the World Series:

Let’s take a look at these five Major League Baseball franchises and see how close each has come in their history.

Rays Avoid Sweep! Jeter, Big Papi & A-Rod Break Down NAIL-BITING Game 4 vs Brewers

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