DALLAS — It’s a little after dinnertime in the Primrose Room of the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center and we’re talking about bacon.

It’s not just any bacon, you see. It’s special bacon. Bacon that any member of the College Football Playoff selection committee will assuredly tell you tastes better than any other bacon you’ve tasted.

No, really.

“It’s realllyyyyy good bacon,” CFP Executive Director Rich Clark said, grinning.

But enough about bacon and its aura among CFP selection committee members. That wasn’t the point of this exercise. Well, not all of it.

I was in Dallas last week as the CFP hosted its annual mock selection exercise in the same suite where the actual committee will determine the first CFP rankings of the 2026 season in two weeks’ time.

The idea was to provide insight and transparency into the process. So shelve your conspiracy theories, angsty rankings takes and any other animosity you might have toward past selection committees.

The CFP hosted its annual media mock selection exercise at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Jairaj)

Let’s take a joint ride into the world of CFP selections.

How My CFP Selection Process Started

The deep brown hotel desk provided by J. Willard Marriott, a stone’s throw from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, teamed with papers, pens and a binder that came into my possession in the span of two hours.

There was homework to be done.

As part of Friday morning’s exercise, I was tasked with ranking my top-30 teams from the end of the 2025 college football season. That’s a chore in itself.

I was provided a branded binder at dinner by the CFP staff, which included “team sheets” for each and every program in college football. Each one-sheeter provided a slew of stats, data and schedule information about the season a respective program had. The idea is to arm selection committee members with a convenient way to differentiate and rank everyone.

Ben Portnoy played the role of Nebraska Athletics Director Troy Dannen in a CFP media mock selection exercise. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Jairaj)

Choosing No. 1 was easy. Thanks to undefeated Big Ten champion Indiana for that. The rest, not so much.

The prep work isn’t exactly the same as it is for committee members. Those involved are provided an iPad at the beginning of each season that includes varying information from SportSource Analytics and game cutups designed to be easily digestible in around 45 minutes.

The committee — which is composed of one representative from each Power Four conference, two Group of Six leagues and another six former players, media members and coaches — and its general responsibilities mimic those of the NCAA basketball tournaments.

Each person is assigned a different conference — one that they don’t inherently represent — and serves as a point of contact for storylines and other information that might not be conveyed in the provided data. That work includes regular calls with the conference offices, including commissioners, about their programs and those that might be in the mix for a CFP berth.

But this is all just the beginning.

How Does The CFP Selection Committee Pick Teams?

The rankings’ system for the top 25 and, ultimately, placement in the CFP field is a far more tedious process than you’d imagine.

Utilizing the same computers and system the actual committee utilizes, we began Friday’s proceedings by placing each of the top 30 teams we respectively picked into the computer program. Those that were chosen — 41 different programs in this case — are then placed into essentially a holding pool for potential selection.

Then comes the actual rankings.

As we did to begin the exercise, we each picked six teams we believed should be considered for the top four spots. Those teams that received the six most votes from committee members are then projected onto the screen at the front of the room and discussion begins.

Media members gathered at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center for a CFP mock selection exercise. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Jairaj)

It’s from here where team sheets that include varying stats such as strength of schedule, strength of record, relative scoring offense, relative scoring differential, and more, are projected in front of committee members and debate ensues. 

The CFP utilizes a total of 12 different statistical metrics, along with a pair of strength metrics – none of which are predictive. There is no directive in which order those stats are designed to be applied when comparing teams, creating some level of variance on the committee from year to year. This differs from, for example, the NCAA men’s basketball committee, which has a slew of stats that it mandates are considered in a specific order of importance.

In this case, the six teams we picked included Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, Texas Tech, Oregon and Ole Miss. After a spirited discussion, each committee member was then asked to pick four teams ranked from best to worst out of those six programs.

The four teams with the most votes from committee members are then placed into the field and we began the entire process again, repeating it until 25 teams are selected.

What Happens If The Rankings Don’t Look Right At The End Of Selections?

I’m glad you asked!

After weaving our way through four hours of discussion, our group decided to perform a “scrub,” or a reevaluation of a pod of teams that might not have previously been compared during the initial rankings process.

In our case, we ranked the back end of the CFP field as:

• No. 10 Alabama
• No. 11 Notre Dame
• No. 12 Texas
• No. 13 BYU

That didn’t jibe with everyone. Meeting the four-committee member threshold to call for a scrub, we pulled each of the four teams onto our screens and discussed.

Media members learned about the CFP’s process for ranking and selecting teams for the postseason. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Jairaj)

After about 10-15 minutes of spirited discussion, our committee re-voted on those teams we’d initially ranked Nos. 10-13. The scrub resulted in flipping around the rankings a touch:

• No. 10 Notre Dame
• No. 11 Alabama
• No. 12 Texas
• No. 13 BYU

Because the CFP requires the inclusion of the top four-ranked conference champions and one Group of Six squad, that meant that Notre Dame actually received the last spot in the field. Alabama and Texas were the first two teams out.

Confused? Let’s recap.

Teams ranked Nos. 1-10 received bids, Notre Dame last among those. ACC champion Duke (8-5) was also included in our field as a Power Four conference winner. Tulane (11-2), which came in at No. 16 in our rankings, landed the No. 11-seed as the Group of Six champion (We had the Green Wave ranked higher than Duke).

Perhaps Alabama fans should thank us. Wouldn’t being left home have been better than getting steamrolled at the Rose Bowl by No. 1 Indiana like we saw in real life? 

Food for thought.

What storylines should fans follow during this year’s CFP selections?

The entire experience took about five hours in total as we winded our way through selections, bracketing and the process by which this all came together.

But as we turn toward the actual selections that will begin after Week 8, there are a few other nuggets fans should keep an eye on:

New bracketing approach creates a strategy: This year marks the first in which the top seed can choose its own path throughout the CFP. After selections are finalized, the No. 1 seed will be able to select its preferred quarterfinal and semifinal site, adding a whole other level of strategy for coaches and administrators to consider.

Think, for example, if Georgia lands the No. 1 seed this year. It would almost certainly choose the Peach Bowl for its CFP quarterfinal. What if its semifinal matchup could potentially include Miami? It would almost certainly choose to face the Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl rather than the Orange Bowl.

Expanding the CFP will impact selections: Life is all about timing, right? Naturally, I was in the thick of the CFP selection process when news trickled out that the field is likely to expand to 24 teams as soon as next year.

To be clear, this isn’t final yet. That said, the biggest thing I learned — and what CFP staffers explained to us given past precedent — is that determining teams ranked essentially 15 through 30ish is a coin flip. So how exactly are we going to parse through teams’ No. 22, 23, 24 and 25? No clue. Godspeed everyone.

Media members were chosen to play the role of an active CFP committee member during the mock selection exercise. (Photo courtesy of Ben Portnoy)

Other changes coming to the CFP: The 24-team field is the most obvious discussion point here, but it was mentioned by CFP staff that the group might need to release a ranking of more than just the 25 teams it currently does each week should that happen.

That much makes sense. If the field were 24 teams, revealing only the top 25 doesn’t feel particularly instructive if there are others close to the line. So, top 30? Top 35? Top 40? We’ll see. That figures to be a discussion point.

Clark noted there has also been some discussion about shelving the weekly rankings show that the CFP is contractually obligated to produce with ESPN. The show has been a lightning rod for criticism, and most national media members would tell you it puts the committee and committee chair in a brutal spot when having to evaluate and publicly discuss teams with incomplete data sets.

Is it going away? Probably not immediately, or ever. The show draws ratings. It creates controversy and conversation. Those tend to be important barometers for television networks.

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The United States will host the inaugural FIFA Women’s Club World Cup in 2028, soccer’s governing body said Thursday.

FIFA said the tournament featuring 19 of the best women’s clubs from around the world will take place Jan. 5–30 in 2028, but did not announce host cities. The Women’s Club World Cup will be staged every four years after that.

Seven clubs have already qualified for the inaugural event, FIFA said.

They include England’s Arsenal, Spain’s Barcelona, Mexico’s América, Gotham FC from the U.S., Corinthians from Brazil, China’s Wuhan Jiangda and Naegohyang from North Korea.

FIFA said it opted to return to the U.S. following the successful hosting of both this year’s men’s World Cup and the men’s Club World Cup in 2025.

“Ultimately, the United States’ recent excellence in staging top FIFA tournaments, combined with the significant interest in women’s football there plus its elite sporting infrastructure, made the country the standout option.” FIFA chief women’s football officer Sarai Bareman said.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Mauricio Pochettino had a plan for the U.S. men’s national team entering this international window, and it could hardly have gone much better.

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Last week, the public betting masses generally laid off Indiana and piled on Ohio State. They were proven correct, with the Buckeyes winning 19-15 as 2.5-point favorites.

In college football Week 8 odds, though, bettors appear to be back on the Hoosiers … sort of.

“It’s more about the matchup. The public is making a bit more of an anti-Michigan play, even with Indiana’s struggles against the spread,” Caesars Sports head of football trading Joey Feazel said.

Bookmakers and sharp bettors serve up their insights on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff, along with Ole Miss vs. Texas and more in college football Week 8 betting.

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  College Football Rocks On FOX

No. 5 Indiana nearly tumbled in Week 6 at Nebraska, rallying for a 20-17 victory after trailing 17-6 in the fourth quarter.

In Week 7 at home vs. Ohio State, the Hoosiers’ luck ended, and with it their 22-game win streak. Indiana is now 6-1 straight up (SU), but more telling, 1-6 against the spread (ATS), after being a consistently solid bet for the masses in the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

For Week 8, Caesars Sports opened Indiana as a 7.5-point favorite vs. Michigan (4-2 SU/2-4 ATS), in a noon ET kickoff. But the first move went toward the home underdog Wolverines, with the Hoosiers dipping to -7 on Sunday and still sitting at -7 on Thursday morning.

“There was sharp money on Michigan +7.5,” Feazel said.

That said, the public is back on Indiana this week. Or at least, as Feazel noted above, making the anti-Michigan play, with the Wolverines on an 0-3 ATS skid and not exactly looking impressive this season.

“We did see a lot of public Ohio State action last week,” Feazel said. “But this week, we’re only seeing one-way traffic on the Indiana side, and we expect that to continue.

“Michigan has not been a public darling this year.”

True freshman Tommy Carr is expected to start for the Wolverines. Coach Kyle Whittinghan benched Bryce Underwood at halftime last week vs. Penn State, and Carr came on to lead a 21-18 victory.

Oh Say Can You SEC

Not a week goes by without a big SEC game, and there are often two or three. That’s again the case this week, with No. 7 Ole Miss vs. No. 19 Texas leading the way.

The Longhorns (4-2 SU/1-5 ATS) have surprisingly lost two in a row, despite being solid favorites both times. In Week 6, Texas tumbled to Oklahoma 27-24 as a 7.5-point neutral-site favorite. In Week 7, Texas closed -13.5 at home vs. Florida, built a 17-3 second-quarter lead, then gave it all away in another 27-24 loss.

Conversely, the Rebels (5-1 SU/3-3 ATS) are coming off an impressive 31-3 wipeout of Missouri as 3.5-point home favorites.

Caesars opened Texas -3.5 vs. Ole Miss in college football Week 8 odds, for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday. The line backed up to Texas -3 on Monday, then returned to -3.5 on  Tuesday, where it remained Thursday morning.

But the masses are wary of the Longhorns, who have failed to cover in their last five games.

“Texas action is starting to peel back,” Feazel said. “So far this week, it’s two-way action. A couple weeks ago, this would’ve been all Texas. Arch Manning hasn’t shown that pedigree, and bettors are now starting to react to that.

“We’ll probably still need Ole Miss at the end of the day. But action is not as one-sided as it would’ve been if Texas was undefeated.”

Feazel also noted the total climbed from 52.5 to 54.5, with sharp play on the Over at 52.5 and 53.5.

Arch Manning has had a roller-coaster of a season so far (Getty Images).

  On-Campus Sharp Side

Last week, college football betting expert Paul Stone expected a lower-scoring game between Ohio State and Indiana, and indeed it was. Stone was on Under 51, and the two teams combined for just 34 points.

This week, he’s involved with a late-night Big 12 showdown: No. 14 Houston (6-1 SU/3-4 ATS) vs. No. 10 Utah (6-0 SU/5-1 ATS), at 10:15 p.m. ET Saturday.

Utah is a consensus 6.5-point home favorite in the pivotal Big 12 matchup, with potential playoff implications. Stone views the teams as being virtually even and recommends taking underdog Houston and the points.

“Houston went toe-to-toe with Texas Tech in Lubbock back in Week 3, losing 28-26, and has faced the more difficult schedule,” Stone said. “Utah has handled its business against a fairly friendly schedule. So I’m not sure we know exactly who the Utes are at this point.

“I view this as a four-quarter game going down to the final possession.”

Speaking of Cougars-Utes …

Big 12 Battles

At Caesars Sports, Utah has been painted to -6.5 all week, with no movement on the spread. And betting so far supports that stable line.

“It’s really balanced action,” Feazel said. “There’s probably not going to be a really big need for us on either side. But more people are leaning into the Over. So we’ll just need a lower-scoring game.”

Caesars’ total is at 56.5, also unchanged from the opening number, as of Thursday morning.

In another Big 12 contest, No. 8 Texas Tech (6-0 SU/3-3 ATS) visits Cincinnati (4-2 SU/3-3 ATS) in a noon ET Saturday kickoff on FS1. Caesars opened the Red Raiders as 11.5-point road favorites, with a total of 55.5, and neither number lasted long this week.

“We got a little bit of sharp action on Cincinnati +11.5 and Over 55.5,” Feazel said, noting he moved Texas Tech to -10.5 and the total to 56.5. “There’s slightly more Texas Tech action on the spread, and people are jumping on the Bearcats moneyline.”

On Thursday morning, that moneyline was +340, meaning a Cincinnati outright upset would pay $340 on a $100 bet.

“Right now, we’re needing a bit of a Super Bowl middle — Texas Tech winning and Cincy covering the spread,” Feazel said. “But Texas Tech will be a popular option on moneyline parlays.”

Meaning Caesars might not mind a Bearcats victory, to blow up those parlays early in the day.

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Two yards behind the line of scrimmage and three yards from the end zone, Bills linebacker Terrell Bernard found Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty. You could argue that Jeanty found Bernard – running right into the linebacker. 

Regardless, at the point of contact, the 5-foot-8, 208-pound Jeanty used his considerable strength to twist and churn toward the goal line. Even with Bernard bear-hugging him, Jeanty made his way into the end zone for his first rushing touchdown of the season.

It was Week 6. That’s how long it took Jeanty to get into the end zone.

And that play was a microcosm of the debate surrounding the sixth-overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. He just barely eked out a one-yard gain, and that was because he saw contact in the backfield. The question is whether Jeanty could’ve done more to avoid that contact. Because on all six of his previous carries inside the 5-yard line (eighth-most in the NFL), he had not scored.

It’s one of the many points of inefficiency that have plagued him during his two NFL seasons.

What’s wrong with Jeanty? Why can’t he find room to run? Why is he averaging 3.2 yards per carry – and why did he get just two carries (for minus-5 yards) in the second half of the team’s loss to the Bills on Sunday?

There’s the ankle injury, which he suffered in training camp. It has popped up on the injury report this year, but the running back has said he’s healthy. 

There’s more going on here. Even Klint Kubiak, normally the NFL’s most reserved coach, indicated that Jeanty might be headed for a reduced workload.

“I think we’re gonna have to get production from all three of our backs,” Kubiak said on Monday. “Mike Washington did some good stuff yesterday. I thought overall our backs ran harder yesterday. I thought they broke tackles. I thought they moved the line of scrimmage once things weren’t there. I thought [running backs coach Omar Young] did a really good job of challenging our guys. I thought they had one of their better games, and I expect that to continue.”

(Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

From my vantage point, Kubiak would be right to feature Jeanty less. Because in just about every way, the Raiders are a better team this season – except for in the run game, where Jeanty was supposed to lead the charge.

When Jeanty entered the draft, the Boise State All-American looked like the second coming of Maurice Jones-Drew or Josh Jacobs. But nowadays? He’s drawing different comparisons. 

Jeanty is starting to look like Trent Richardson, perhaps the biggest running back bust in NFL history.

If you need a refresher on who Richardson was, then let’s go back to the 2012 draft when the Alabama superstar went third overall. Upon arriving in Cleveland, it took the Browns roughly one season to sour on him. So two games into the 2013 season, the Browns traded him to the Colts, who thought they could resuscitate his career. They couldn’t. Richardson never averaged more than 3.6 yards per carry in any one of his four NFL seasons.

He was the caveat to avoid running backs in the top 10 of the draft. Which is why it’s so troubling that there are several points of comparison between Jeanty and Richardson at the same point in their careers.

It was ESPN’s Bill Barnwell who first pointed out these comparisons after Jeanty’s underwhelming rookie year. Around that time, NFL Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson made one more comparison. Tomlinson saw himself in Jeanty.

“I am huge on Ashton Jeanty. I think he showed some qualities on a bad team that you see from top running backs,” Tomlinson said on the “Fantasy Points” podcast. “I’m just going to tell you, his first year reminded me of mine. It was tough sledding. I think I averaged 3.7 or 3.8 yards per carry my rookie year. I’m absolutely targeting Ashton Jeanty [in fantasy football]. I’m planning on coming out of my draft with Ashton. Let me just say that.”

Maybe Tomlinson spent the 2001 season struggling, but he ascended quickly in his second year – with 1,683 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, 498 receiving yards and another receiving touchdown. And his yards per carry (4.5) went way up in 2002.

We have yet to see that leap for Jeanty. In some ways, he is getting worse, including yards per carry, where he has fallen from 3.7 in 2025 to 3.2 in 2026.

There were real reasons for optimism, namely that Kubiak was arriving with a scheme that seemed ideal to feature Jeanty. And Kubiak brought in one of the league’s top free agents, center Tyler Linderbaum, to improve the offensive line.

There were numbers to give Tomlinson hope for more from Jeanty. In his rookie season. Jeanty had 83% of his yards after contact, the highest in the NFL. And he had .4 yards before contact per carry. In other words, the blocking was poor – and he was still finding ways to get the most out of the bad situation.

This season, Jeanty is actually generating more yards after contact: 90.3% (fifth in the NFL among RBs with 50-plus carries). And he’s also seeing quicker contact, at .3 yards before contact per carry. 

So the question is whether Jeanty’s blocking has gotten worse? Or whether he’s getting worse at using his blocking?

On film, I’m seeing a mix of both. There do seem to be opportunities for Jeanty to get upfield and work through the creases in the line. And that’s why I’ll get to our last comparison. It’s to Jeanty’s teammate: fourth-round rookie Mike Washington. He has, in bursts, looked better than Jeanty in the same offense.

This year, Washington has 34 carries for 168 yards with one touchdown. And to be fair to Jeanty, that one touchdown is doing a lot of work for Washington. That 36-yard score helped his numbers. It’s not like we can discount it. It happened to Washington (and not Jeanty). That big-play ability is exactly what the Raiders are seeking from Jeanty, but he has yet to deliver.

Jeanty’s success rate is higher, at 35.7%, than Washington’s at 32.4%, per Next Gen Stats. (Successful carries gain 50-plus percent of the needed yards on first down, 60-plus percent on second down, and 100 percent on third or fourth down.) But other than that, Jeanty’s rush yards over expected per carry is -0.3 compared to Washington’s 0.7 – and Washington has five explosive runs (10-plus yards), the same number as Jeanty with roughly a third of the carries.

At the end of Week 6 against the Bills, it felt like the Raiders were turning the ball over to Washington more than Jeanty. It wasn’t an outright benching, but it did feel like a message. Jeanty wasn’t doing enough.

The Raiders have every reason to explore Washington in an increased role – except, perhaps, for Jeanty’s salary and draft status. They want Jeanty to work out. Maybe he will, as the ankle improves and the offensive line continues to adapt to Kubiak’s offensive scheme.

Maybe, maybe, maybe.

But right now, Washington seems to have concrete evidence on his side. Jeanty doesn’t. Perhaps that’s why we saw Jeanty’s workload decrease on Sunday. Perhaps that’s why we’ll see more of Washington in the coming weeks.

This was the year Jeanty was expected to take a leap forward. So far, he’s done the opposite.

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This season is heating up, isn’t it? Teams that we thought were dead to rights are suddenly alive. 

Here’s where I’m putting my money in Week 7.

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Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams returned from a hamstring injury last week but understandably didn’t look to use his legs much, running for just three yards. I expect him to be cautious this week as well.

Hill’s Pick: Caleb Williams Under 18.5 rushing yards

It’s rarely pretty with the Steelers, but for years now they have found ways to win more games than they lose. However, laying 3.5 in a neutral venue has me looking toward the underdog.

Hill’s Pick: Saints +3.5

Houston quarterback CJ Stroud is back to the elite form he displayed as a rookie in 2023. I expect the Texans to force some turnovers against new Giants starter JJ McCarthy and win going away.

Hill’s Pick: Texans -10.5

Through five games, Vikings kicker Will Reichard is a perfect 15-for-15 on field-goal attempts. I like his chances of getting a few more through the uprights on Sunday.

Hill’s Pick: Will Reichard Over 2 made field goals

The 49ers are depleted at wide receiver, with future Hall of Famer Mike Evans being the most recent injury. They head to Atalanta off of a short week having played Monday night.  I like the home team to pull off the mini-upset. 

Hill’s Pick: Falcons +2.5

Carolina wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is emerging as one of the best in the league, averaging 94 yards per game this season. His prop is set at only 69.5.

Hill’s Pick: Tetairoa McMillan Over 69.5 receiving yards

The Dolphins have been fairly competitive and have done so against a very difficult schedule, having already played all three undefeated teams in the NFL. I like them to keep it close Sunday.

Hill’s Pick: Dolphins +4.5

As usual, there is uncertainty regarding Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson’s availability entering this pivotal AFC North showdown. I’ll take the Bengals to win against a possibly short-handed Ravens team.

Hill’s Pick: Bengals +1.5

The Browns are a good story, but they are 4-2 despite the play of quarterback Deshaun Watson, not because of it. The Titans got their first win last week, and won’t win many more, but Watson and the Browns being a road favorite has me looking at the home team.

Hill’s Pick: Titans +1.5

The Broncos haven’t played since last Thursday night and can perhaps get their offense on track against a shaky Arizona defense. I like Denver kicker Will Lutz to make a few field goals for an offense that has struggled to get in the end zone, with ideal kicking conditions in the desert.

Hill’s Pick: Will Lutz Over 2 made field goals

The Over/Under total for this game is 53.5. Every Lions game this year has gone past that number. They’ve played two games that have gotten into the 60s and one game that has gotten into the 70s. The Lions have played five games, and they’ve all gone Over. I’ll stick with that trend.

Hill’s Pick: Over 53.5

Las Vegas star tight end Brock Bowers is one of the elite weapons in all of football, and his receiving prop is set at a modest 71.5. He’s eclipsed that number in all but one game he’s played this year, and even in that one he got to 70.

Hill’s Pick: Brock Bowers Over 7.15 receiving yards

The Chiefs are undefeated but will face by far their toughest test of the year to date, as they visit the defending champs, who are hungry having lost two straight. Seattle is also rested, having not played since last Thursday. The Chiefs have played a weak schedule. I like them to lose their first game Sunday night.

Hill’s Pick: Seahawks -2.5

The Eagles’ season has quickly gone off the rails, but winning in Philadelphia is never easy, especially in a rivalry game in primetime. I like the desperate Eagles to keep it close.

Hill’s Pick: Eagles +4.5

 

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Indiana goes on the road to face the greatest rival of its newest rival, and Utah and Houston will face off in a game that has CFP and Big 12 title implications. 

On the field, college football is in a great place. 

Here’s what I’m picking in Week 8.

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There are two types of wagers for me. There are the kind that I love and those don’t tend to cash as often. Then there are the wagers that scare me, and while it is uncomfortable placing said wagers and watching said game, those tend to hit. 

Wagering on Michigan in this game scares me.

Michigan is the right side for many reasons. The first is that Indiana is off its first loss in over a year and a half. How does this squad handle losing at home with all the world watching? And they lost in a way we haven’t seen often — with Curt Cignetti at the helm. 

Mistakes, turnovers and a receiver just not getting his foot inbounds on the final offensive play of the game cost IU, but the Hoosiers also haven’t been able to run the ball this season, which was far from the case last year. It was just 2.8 yards per attempt for their running backs against Ohio State and 2.4 against Nebraska the week before. 

In addition, Josh Hoover isn’t Fernando Mendoza at quarterback, which we already knew. Hoover can’t make things right like Mendoza could. 

The Michigan defense is first in yards per play, even though the Wolverines haven’t played anyone like Indiana. Still, Michigan’s pass rush is good, and I’d imagine it will try to pressure Hoover into mistakes. It’s also Indiana’s third straight week of playing a physical defense. 

How do the Hoosiers hold up on the road? I think Indiana’s offense will score in the low 20s.

The Indiana defense is still fantastic this season. It is ninth in points per drive and doesn’t have many weaknesses. Maybe it allows some success rushing the ball and doesn’t rush the passer quite the same as last season. However, it’s still a formidable unit. 

What worries me the most about this wager is the Michigan offense, which was dead with quarterback Bryce Underwood. Michigan benched Underwood for true freshman quarterback Tommy Carr last week and the offense scored 21 second-half points, appearing competent with Carr under center. However, Carr only threw the ball seven times for 47 yards. 

Not exactly an elite passing performance. 

What can Tommy Carr produce for the Wolverines against the Hoosiers? (Getty Images)

Now, Carr has to play Indiana’s defense and IU had a week to prepare. I could easily see this Michigan offense being overwhelmed with a true freshman under fire. Still, it is clear the Wolverines are playing more confidently with Carr at QB and I do believe they can score enough, maybe in the high teens, to cover this game. 

I think I’ll need 17 points from Michigan and I will get it.

Schwartz’s Pick: Michigan +7

What an awesome Big 12 matchup on Saturday night. The winner of this game has a leg up in the Big 12 title race and a spot in Dallas for the conference championship game. 

I see a game with points, many of them potentially coming late. But nonetheless, I expect scoring.

Utah’s defense has been a hallmark of its program for years, and while it appears to be good this season, I’m not quite sure. It is 26th in yards per play, but the best offense it has faced is 63rd-ranked Kansas, which scored 24 points and passed for 333 yards. Last weekend, Colorado scored 24 points, the most it has scored against an FBS opponent all season. 

Utah can’t rush the passer. It is 66th in pressure rate and 112th in sacks. That’s why teams have passed the ball on the Utes. Houston’s offense is well-prepared considering it has already faced Texas Tech on the road and put up 458 yards of offense. The Cougars also just scored 35 against Oklahoma State. 

Houston’s offensive line is outstanding. It is fifth in rushing success rate and top-25 in pressure rate. The Cougars’ offense is first in the sport on third down. 

Third down has been a strong point for Connor Weigman and the Cougars this season (Getty Images).

Houston’s defense is not its strong suit, ranking 99th in yards per play and 124th in percent of plays that go 20+ yards. It is also awful in the red zone, which isn’t a great sign against a Utah offense that can attack you in so many ways. The Utes have unique formations and use multiple quarterbacks to run some funky plays. It’s disorienting to go up against. 

Utah is also seventh in points per drive, great on third down and doesn’t allow a ton of QB hits. 

I think we witness a track meet in Salt Lake City.

Schwartz’s Pick: Over 56.5

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Carson Hocevar loves to race, so it’s not like he would ever enter Talladega in a foul mood.

But going back to a track where he has won a Cup race will feel extra special for the NASCAR driver.

His victory at Talladega helped him attract a diverse fan base of folks who follow the sport closely as well as those who follow it more casually.

Few can forget the Hocevar celebration, as he stood in his car with his body out the driver-side window, controlling the car with his knees as he did a slide and burnout while waving to the fans.

Carson Hocevar’s celebration after Talladega got almost as much attention as his win.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Hocevar told me prior to The Chase when looking ahead to Talladega. “It’ll be fun. Minus Daytona when I spun passing for the lead, we’ve been leading [at] every superspeedway. … Probably like three years ago, I think we would have won all of them because it seemed like they never finished under green.

“I’ve enjoyed it, and I’m looking forward to going back there.” 

Hocevar has some ideas for a celebration if he can repeat at Talladega.

“I think people were asking the second I was done with it at Talladega if I’d do it again,” Hocevar told me and other reporters last week. “There’s some ideas I have to try and improve on it.

“And I asked [NASCAR CEO Steve] O’Donnell … I was like, ‘Hey, I have an idea.’ We haven’t met on the idea yet, but I was like, ‘Hey, it might get both of us in trouble. I don’t know if it’s possible to do, but I kind of need your blessing.’ And he said the fact I was asking now already, it sounds like he is all in on it. He’s like, ‘Oh, I love it already’. Hopefully, I get to eventually be in that spot to win a race again and ask for forgiveness a little later.”

Can Hocevar get back into Victory Lane this weekend?

Winning back-to-back races at a superspeedway doesn’t come easy. It requires a bit of luck as well as the ability to position oneself at the front of the draft, managing the pushes and potentially making the blocks when needed.

Hocevar isn’t worrying about points; he is all but eliminated from championship contention. He sits 11th in the standings at 158 points behind leader Kyle Larson. 

Any driver 153 points behind the points’ leader after Talladega will be out of the hunt for The Chase.

But the somewhat polarizing 23-year-old driver will just go race as he normally does.

He doesn’t think he needs a 26-car wreck at Talladega like there was in April when only 21 cars finished on the lead lap.

“I feel like we could win it with 40 cars,” Hocevar said. “We ran sixth [at] both Talladegas the year before, and obviously we’ve been up front leading the Daytonas and then, obviously, Atlantas too.

Carson Hocever is riding into ‘Dega weekend with confidence he can be a competitive threat.

“I feel like we’re just really good at those superspeedways. Ultimately, the guys that wrecked at the end of my Talladega were not Chevys. There’s a lot of times I’m up front and I’m the only Chevy, so that makes things a little difficult at times.”

The car this weekend is a little bit different than in April. 

The spoilers were seven-inches tall for Talladega in April. NASCAR cut them to four inches for Daytona in August and has now cut them again to 3.5 inches for the race this weekend. The hope is that drivers have more ability to maneuver in the pack as the cars won’t handle well enough to be bunched as tightly together.

“I thought Daytona was pretty good, but it was mainly because a lot of us had to start lifting and struggling in the corners,” Hocevar said. “I spun by myself. So handling was still a factor. At Talladega, we kind of have to lift a little bit and create gaps.

“These cars suck up a lot, so hopefully that helps.”

If he can win, Hocevar could have another career-altering experience.

“Pretty much my life has changed since that moment,” he said. “I got to really enjoy it. And it means a lot to me that there’s a moment in NASCAR that non-NASCAR people saw it on their phone and they still reference it or acknowledge seeing it and NASCAR people still talk about it and still show it in commercials.

“I’m sure they’ll throw it in for a long time. That means a lot.”

WHAT YOU SHOULD READ NEXT

Before Phoenix, Kyle Larson had a comfortable cushion in The Chase. Now, the heat is officially on.

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Either way, we’ll have a first-time World Series winner, as the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers will square off in the 2026 World Series, beginning on Friday, Oct. 23 — and FOX is the exclusive home for all the action.

FOX Sports revealed its broadcasters and new technology that will be on display during the 2026 World Series on Thursday afternoon, which will be the 29th Fall Classic for the network:

FOX Sports’ World Series Pregame Show

FOX will have a one-hour pregame show on site before every game of the 2026 World Series.

Kevin Burkhardt will anchor the FOX MLB studio desk, with MLB legends Derek Jeter, David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez as the studio analysts. It will mark the fourth consecutive World Series that this quartet is together at the World Series for FOX.

Meanwhile, FOX Feature Contributor Tom Rinaldi will deliver a feature on Milwaukee Brewers superstar right-hander Jacob Misiorowski for the Game 1 pregame show. Additional highlights include a profile on Rays’ standout Junior Caminero as well as a tribute to the iconic Bob Uecker.

FOX Sports’ 2026 World Series Announcers

Joe Davis (left) and John Smoltz (right) are FOX Sports’ lead MLB broadcasting team. (Frank Micelotta/FOX Sports via Getty Images)

Joe Davis will be doing play-by-play and Hall of Fame starting pitcher John Smoltz will be on color commentary, marking the fifth consecutive season that the two broadcasters do the World Series together for FOX.

FOX Sports MLB Reporters Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci, who will each also contribute to the pregame show, will be reporting during the action and handle in-game and postgame interviews.

José Pablo Coello, Gabriel Medina, Diego Venegas and Rodrigo Arana will lead the FOX Deportes broadcast. Mayra Gomez and Steffy Aradillas will also contribute to the broadcast.

New FOX Sports Technology

On the heels of FOX Sports’ four Sports Emmy Awards for last year’s postseason coverage, the network will continue its award-winning approach for the upcoming World Series, giving viewers unique perspectives from inside the game and on the field.

New to the production lineup are versatile 4K and 8K Nucleus cameras, in addition to expanded AR initiatives alongside Major League Baseball that track respective pitches and swings from either side of the field.

A fleet of high-speed cameras captures every spin on the ball and every inch of a bang-bang play at first, as aerial drones work overhead, synchronizing game action from multiple locations on the field.

FOX Sports covers the rest of the diamond with the UmpCam AR Strike Zone – putting fans behind the mask with a live strike zone, multiple Dirt Cams, Base Cams and dozens of microphones throughout the stadiums.

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One-third of the NFL season is behind us, with some interesting situations afoot.

For example: The Rams, preseason favorites in Super Bowl odds, are 2-4 through six games. Not exactly what oddsmakers or bettors expected. 

Nor was this: “The Browns to lead the AFC North was not on anybody’s Bingo card this year,” Caesars Sports head of football trading Joey Feazel said.

Will the Rams get right against an improved Raiders outfit? And will Packers-Lions Over bettors be rewarded in America’s Game of the Week on FOX?

More on those matchups and other notable games, with sportsbook insights and a sharper play, as we dive into NFL Week 7 betting nuggets.

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.

NFL Rocks On FOX

The Packers started the season 1-2 straight up (SU) and 0-3 against the spread (ATS). That included a blowout upset home loss to the Falcons (35-14) in Week 3.

But it appears Green Bay has righted the ship, winning and cashing the past three weeks to move to 4-2 SU/3-3 ATS. In addition, standout running back Josh Jacobs is off the Commissioner’s Exempt List and is eligible to play.

Detroit (3-2 SU/2-3 ATS) has alternated wins and losses over its first five games, but the Lions put up their best scoring effort of the season in Week 5, in a 45-21 road rout of Arizona. Detroit then had a bye in Week 6.

Caesars Sports opened the Lions as 3-point home favorites vs. the Packers and quickly went to Detroit -3.5, then returned to -3. As of Wednesday evening, it was Lions -3 (-115) for a 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday kickoff on FOX.

“There was sharp money towards the Packers at +3.5, but we’ve seen mostly Lions money come in, especially since they’re coming off the bye,” Feazel said.

The Pack is currently on a three-game winning streak ahead of Week 7 (Getty Images).

That said, the total is what’s getting more attention. Caesars opened at 52.5 and is up to 53.5, three points higher than any other total in NFL Week 7 odds.

“That high total has garnered some Over money. Both teams are playing well, and bettors know the Lions don’t have a good defense but know how to score,” Feazel said. “I don’t anticipate the Over money stopping.”

Ahead of Packers-Lions, FOX has 49ers-Falcons at 1 p.m. ET Sunday. San Francisco (6-0 SU/4-2 ATS) is one of just three unbeaten teams, while Atlanta’s 2-4 SU and ATS record belies its talented backfield of Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson.

At DraftKings Sports, San Fran opened as a 4.5-point road favorite, dropped to -3.5 on Monday and -3 on Wednesday. And there’s a notable difference in opinion.

The 49ers were drawing 67% of spread bets as of Wednesday evening, but 86% of early spread money is on the short home underdog Falcons.

  Thursday Night Showdown

Caleb Williams didn’t take long to get his mojo back for the Bears (4-2 SU and ATS). Williams completed 30 of 36 passes, including his first dozen, in a 31-23 road win over the Falcons in Week 6.

And the Patriots (4-2 SU and ATS) have won three in a row, though they fell just short of covering in Week 6. New England was a 7.5-point favorite and beat the Jets 26-19.

For Thursday night’s 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, Chicago is a steady 3-point favorite in Caesars’ Week 7 NFL odds.

“We’re seeing more Bears money on the spread, but I don’t see this going past 3. It might close 2.5,” Feazel said. “People are gonna take the Bears on the spread or the Patriots on the moneyline.

“It’ll be a big decision, and we’ll likely need the Bears to win by one or two points.”

The total inched from 50 to 50.5, the second-highest of the week.

“This is another one that will attract a lot of Over money,” Feazel said.

  Sunday Night Showdown

At 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, the Chiefs visit the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks.

Kansas City (5-0 SU/3-2 ATS) is looking more like the team that won three Super Bowls over the past few seasons. On the flip side, Seattle (3-3/1-4-1 ATS) already has as many losses on the field as all of last season, and the Seahawks have one of the NFL’s worst spread-covering marks so far.

That said, Caesars opened Seattle -1.5 (-115) and it was up to -2.5 (-117) as of Wednesday night.

“It’s a little bit surprising here. We’re gravitating toward more Seahawks action,” Feazel said. “We haven’t seen as much Chiefs action as we expected, even though they’re undefeated.

“We’re also seeing more money on the Under, and it’s sharper action.”

Caesars saw sharp money on Under 44.5 and 43.5, with the total at 42.5 midweek.

Bettors are behind the Seahawks despite the Chiefs’ undefeated record (Getty Images).

Rams In A Jam

As noted above, the Rams are 2-4, both SU and ATS. In Week 6, Los Angeles suffered the biggest upset of the season, losing to the Cardinals 18-16 as a 12.5-point home favorite.

Further, the Rams lost wideout Davante Adams to a ruptured hamstring. The timeline to return is 6-10 weeks, so that could end his season. L.A. is also dealing with injury issues elsewhere, including at kicker.

Next up for the Rams is a 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday kick on FOX vs. the Raiders. Las Vegas won its first three games, then lost its next three to sit at 3-3 SU. But the Raiders are the best spread-covering team in the NFL at 5-1 ATS, with close home losses to the Chiefs and the Bills.

Oddsmakers still showed the Rams some respect, with Caesars opening Los Angeles as a 6-point road favorite. But that line dipped to Rams -5.5 in short order on Sunday, then went to -4.5 on Monday — after the Adams news — and -4 on Tuesday.

“This game has seen more two-way action,” Feazel said. “The Raiders have been competitive and efficient on offense. And the Raiders have shown they can score a lot of points against good teams.”

Indeed, Las Vegas fell to K.C. 30-27 as a 3.5-point home underdog in Week 4, then came up similarly short vs. Buffalo in Week 6, losing 33-30 as a 5.5-point home ‘dog.

The public masses are certainly attracted to that scoring.

“We’re seeing Over action. We’ll have a big need for the Under in this one,” Feazel said.

The total opened at 48.5 and fell as low as 47 early in the week. But it was at 48.5 (Under -115) on Wednesday night.

NFL Sharp Side

Professional bettor Randy McKay is among those intrigued by the Rams-Raiders matchup. He grabbed Las Vegas +4.5, which on Wednesday night, was still available at some books, including DraftKings Sports and FanDuel Sports.

“This is similar to the Bills-Raiders line last week,” McKay said. “I like the improvement of Las Vegas with new coach Klint Kubiak. And this Rams team is losing games in all kinds of ways — on offense, defense and special teams. There’s also injuries on the Rams’ defensive line and to Adams.”

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Will the reigning national champion Hoosiers bounce back after their loss to Ohio State with a Week 8 win over Michigan? 

Can Texas find its footing against Ole Miss after dropping two consecutive matchups?

Here are the five must-watch games for college football Week 8 (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook as of Oct. 22).

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.

Spread: Indiana -7.5
Moneyline: Indiana -278; Michigan +225
O/U: 41.5

What To Know: Last weekend, Indiana lost its first game since 2024, falling 19-15 to Ohio State. Now the reigning national champions get a chance to right the ship against Michigan. The Wolverines are 4-2 straight up (SU), but they’re 2-4 against the spread (ATS). They also started their season off with a controversial 13-12 win against Western Michigan — the precursor to Blue not covering. Indiana, at 1-6 ATS, is even worse in that spot. But the Hoosiers are 6-1 SU on the season and are still fifth on the board at +750 to win the College Football Playoff. “The Hoosiers have never lost back-to-back games under Curt Cignetti and that won’t start now,” FOX Sports college football writer Laken Litman noted.

Spread: BYU -6.5
Moneyline: BYU -258; UCF +210
O/U: 43.5

What To Know: BYU’s 28-24 upset over Notre Dame in Week 7 helped move the Cougars to No. 2 in the national rankings. But they’re still relative long shots at +4400 to win the title. Can BYU keep rolling two weeks in a row and get a win over UCF one week after an emotional victory over the Irish? Well, the Knights are 3-3 SU but are 4-2 ATS, so bettors eyeing this game might want to keep that in mind.

Spread: UCLA -14.5
Moneyline: UCLA -700; Michigan State +500
O/U: 43.5

What To Know: The UCLA Bruins are one of the most surprising betting stories of this college football season. They’re without their starting quarterback, yet they’re 6-0 under the leadership of first-year head coach Bob Chesney. In their Week 7 win over Wisconsin, the Bruins’ backup QB Ty Dieffenbach went 22 of 33 passing for 264 yards. It was his first start for UCLA. Michigan State’s season has taken a completely different trajectory, as the Spartans are 2-5 SU. State’s record ATS is 4-2-1.

Spread: Texas -3.5
Moneyline: Texas -162; Ole Miss +136
O/U: 54.5

What To Know: In Week 7, by a score of 31-3, Ole Miss dismantled Missouri — a team with one of the top rushing offenses in the country. In that contest, Heisman contender Trinidad Chambliss passed for 241 yards and three touchdowns. Ole Miss now heads into hostile territory to face a Texas team that’s desperate for a win after losing two straight to Oklahoma and Florida. The Longhorns’ 4-2 SU record is disappointing, considering they were once near the top of the oddsboard to win the CFP. Now, they’re +135 to even make the 12-team field. Can Texas, at 1-5 ATS, win and cover at home in Week 8? According to FOX Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt, the answer is no. “I think Ole Miss wins this outright, 28-21. I’ll take the -3.5 and take Ole Miss.”

Spread: Utah -6.5
Moneyline: Utah -250; Houston +205
O/U: 56.5

What To Know: With a 6-0 record overall, Utah has climbed its way into the top 10. In fact, this is the hottest start the Utes have had in 12 years. Against Colorado, Utah QB Devon Dampier had 278 passing yards and three touchdowns. As a team, the Utes had 409 total yards in the 27-24 win. Houston, with its 6-1 record, comes into the weekend on the heels of a close victory over Oklahoma State. The Cougars got past the Cowboys 35-32 in a contest where QB Connor Weigman threw for 343 yards and five touchdowns. And FOX Sports college sports writer Ben Portnoy is backing the Cougs. “[Head coach] Willie Fritz has the Cougars riding high after last week’s huge victory over Oklahoma State,” he explained. “That momentum carries them in this one.”

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