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The NFL season is finally here, and DraftKings is giving fans multiple ways to get in on the Super Bowl rematch between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. 

New users can bet $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets, while the King of the Endzone promotion puts a share of $5 million in Bonus Bets on the line for the player who scores the longest touchdown in the opener.

The Patriots enter the season opener as 3-point underdogs, but they have plenty of offensive weapons capable of making an impact. Rhamondre Stevenson could be a bigger part of the offense with Treveyon Henderson sidelined, while A.J. Brown gives Drake Maye a new explosive target on the outside. 

On Seattle’s side, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is coming off a monster season along Sam Darnold, but now the offense is without Kenneth Walker III and playcaller Klint Kubiak. With the losses on offense and defense, can the defending champs get a win in the opener? 

Whether you’re looking at Stevenson, Brown, Smith-Njigba or another touchdown threat, DraftKings gives fans plenty of ways to follow the action. Bet $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets, then check out the King of the Endzone promotion for a chance to win a share of $5 million.

How to Join DraftKings’ King of The Endzone

1. After Opting-In, you’ll be issued one (1) single-use Qualifying Bet Token that works on any prematch NFL Touchdown Scorer Prop on NE vs. SEA (Under “TD Scorer” – First TD Scorer, Anytime TD Scorer, 2+ TDs)
2. Minimum Bet: $5
3. If the player in your qualifying bet scores the longest touchdown in NE vs. SEA, you’ll win a share of $5,000,000 in Bonus Bets –Passing Touchdowns do not count as King of the End Zone winners – only the player that scores the longest touchdown of the day.
4. Qualifying Bet is Singles only
5. One Qualifying Bet Token per customer for this promotion
6. Qualifying Bet Token expires at 8:20 PM ET on 9/9
7. Wagering on this promotion must use funds from your cash balance or DK Dollars. Bets placed with other bonus rewards are void. Cashed out bets and voided bets will void this promotion.
8. Winners will be credited within 24 hours of the conclusion of NE vs. SEA

Check Out How You Can Claim the New Users Promo

1. Sign up for a new DraftKings Sportsbook account.
2. Deposit funds (minimum $5).
3. Select the New Customer Token.
4. Place a $5+ cash bet (-500 odds or longer).
5. You will receive $200 in bonus bets instantly, regardless of the outcome of your qualifying wager.
6. Works the same on desktop & mobile.

*Odds are subject to change*

NE Patriots	+3 (−102)	O 44.5 (−108)	+142
SEA Seahawks	−3 (−118)	U 44.5 (−112)	−170

How to Watch Patriots vs. Seahawks

[–>
• When: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 8:20 p.m. ET
• Where: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
• TV: NBC
• Streaming: Peacock

Players to Watch

With TreVeyon Henderson ruled out for the opener, Stevenson steps into one of the clearest volume roles in this matchup. He is expected to handle the bulk of New England’s snaps and touches out of the backfield, with Corey Kiner serving as the top understudy and additional depth likely coming from the practice squad.

That workload is what makes him so important against Seattle. The Patriots can lean on Stevenson on early downs and in the passing game, which gives him a direct path to shaping tempo and keeping the offense on schedule. If New England is going to control this game, Stevenson is the player most likely to set that tone.

For Seattle, the passing game spotlight naturally lands on Smith-Njigba because this opener puts him across from one of New England’s top cover corners. He is projected to remain a central piece of the Seahawks’ receiving group, and his role carries even more weight in a game where individual matchups on the perimeter could decide key possessions.

Last season, Smith-Njigba produced 119 catches, 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, and that kind of production is why he is the receiver to track every snap. He gives Seattle a proven target who can stress coverage in multiple areas of the field. A strong night from him would go a long way toward opening the entire Seahawks offense.

Source

Carlo Ancelotti started his complete overhaul of Brazil’s national team on Wednesday by announcing a squad with few of the players he took to the World Cup three months ago and several young talents.

His team will play two friendlies against Australia, on Sept. 25 in Townsville and 29 in Brisbane, and its first ever match against India on Oct. 3 in Kolkata, where it has millions of fans.

Ancelotti, as he promised in an interview with The Associated Press in July after the round of 16 World Cup elimination against Norway, called up several players who will also be eligible for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, hoping he can use them as the spine of his squad in the 2030 World Cup.

FULL BRAZIL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza (Corinthians), Pedro Morisco (Coritiba), Otavio (Cruzeiro).

Defenders: Artur Dias (Athletico Paranaense), Wesley (Roma), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Douglas Santos (Zenit St. Petersburg), Jair (Nottingham Forest), Matheuzinho (Corinthians), Maurio Júnior (PSV Eindhoven), Vitor Reis (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes (Arsenal), Andrey Santos (Manchester United), Danilo Santos (Botafogo), Douglas Luiz (Juventus), Breno Bidon (Corinthians), Gabriel Bontempo (Santos).

Forwards: Endrick, Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid), Raphinha (Barcelona), Rayan (Bournemouth), Joao Pedro (Chelsea), Samuel Lino and Pedro (Flamengo).

Reporting by The Associated Press.

Source

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. 

The wait for NFL football is over, and Polymarket is giving new users a $50 bonus to celebrate the start of the 2026 season. Use promo code FOX to get the bonus while following the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks in a Super Bowl rematch to open the year.

The defending champs have major spots to fill on both defense and offense, but Mike Macdonald is still the head coach, and Sam Darnold throwing to Jaxon Smith-Njigba is still a dangerous connection.

Meanwhile, the Patriots made major additions in the offseason, bringing in A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. Drake Maye has more dynamic weapons, and Rhamondre Stevenson could take on an expanded role with TreVeyon Henderson sidelined.

If you’re looking to trade on this high-stakes season opener, Polymarket offers a great way for new users to join. Use promo code FOX to claim the $50 bonus and get ready for the return of NFL football.

For more information and full terms and conditions, visit our Polymarket promo code page.

How to Claim the Polymarket Promo with Code FOX

1. Click here to download the Polymarket app on iOS or Android.
2. Create a new Polymarket account using your email address.
3. Enter promo code FOX in the promo code or invite code field during registration.
4. Complete identity verification as prompted inside the app.
5. Deposit a minimum of $10 to your Polymarket account.
6. Your $50 trading bonus will be credited to your account automatically after the qualifying deposit.

*Probabilities are subject to change* 

Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots

Seattle Seahawks	62%	62¢	39¢
New England Patriots	39%	39¢	62¢

SEA Seahawks Win by Over 3.5 Points	47%	47¢	54¢
Over 44.5 Points Scored	48%	49¢	52¢
SEA Seahawks Over 26.5 Points	41%	41¢	61¢
NE Patriots Over 23.5 Points	38%	38¢	63¢

More markets available on Polymarket.

How to Watch Patriots vs. Seahawks

[–>
• When: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 8:20 p.m. ET
• Where: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
• TV: NBC
• Streaming: Peacock

Players to Watch

With TreVeyon Henderson ruled out for the opener, Stevenson steps into one of the clearest volume roles in this matchup. He is expected to handle the bulk of New England’s snaps and touches out of the backfield, with Corey Kiner serving as the top understudy and additional depth likely coming from the practice squad.

That workload is what makes him so important against Seattle. The Patriots can lean on Stevenson on early downs and in the passing game, which gives him a direct path to shaping tempo and keeping the offense on schedule. If New England is going to control this game, Stevenson is the player most likely to set that tone.

For Seattle, the passing game spotlight naturally lands on Smith-Njigba because this opener puts him across from one of New England’s top cover corners like Christian Gonzalez. He is projected to remain a central piece of the Seahawks’ receiving group, and his role carries even more weight in a game where individual matchups on the perimeter could decide key possessions.

Last season, Smith-Njigba produced 119 catches, 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, and that kind of production is why he is the receiver to track every snap. He gives Seattle a proven target who can stress coverage in multiple areas of the field. A strong night from him would go a long way toward opening the entire Seahawks offense.

Source

–>

A day after revealing his disappointment over the lack of a new contract offer by Liverpool, Alexis Mac Allister delivered the perfect response with the winning goal in a 2-1 victory against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Mac Allister unleashed a ferocious strike from outside of the box as Liverpool came back from a goal down at Anfield.

The Argentina international, who joined Liverpool in 2023, raced away to celebrate in front of the home fans. It was in stark contrast to his sombre tone ahead of the game when discussing the uncertainty over his position at the club.

“I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract,” he said during a pre-match news conference on Tuesday.

Mac Allister’s contract runs until 2028, so there is no urgency for Liverpool to renew yet. But his goal five minutes after after halftime was a reminder of his qualities, firing powerfully into the corner and beyond the reach of Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Atletico had taken the lead through Marcos Llorente after 17 minutes, with the midfielder extending his remarkable goal-scoring run at Anfield.

It was his fifth goal in his last three visits to Merseyside, having famously scored twice as Atletico eliminated then-defending champion Liverpool from the tournament just before the Covid 19 lockdown in 2020.

Dominik Szoboszlai leveled in the 40th before Mac Allister’s winner.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers reportedly underwent a meniscus trim Tuesday and is expected to miss one to two games, according to ESPN and NFL Network. 

Bowers reportedly sustained the injury during training camp and the knee issue was formally diagnosed last week, prompting the Raiders to schedule the procedure ahead of the regular season.

The expected recovery timeline puts Bowers’ availability for the Raiders’ season opener against the Miami Dolphins in jeopardy, with his absence potentially extending into a Week 2 division matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. 

Fourth-year tight end Michael Mayer is slated to step into the starting lineup for Las Vegas while Bowers recovers.

Since being selected 13th overall by Las Vegas in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Georgia, Bowers has quickly developed into one of the league’s elite pass-catching tight ends, securing All-Pro honors after setting the NFL rookie record for receptions by a tight end with 112 receptions and 1,194 receiving yards, while adding five touchdowns.

Bowers’ 2025 campaign was hampered by a lingering knee injury suffered in Week 1 that nagged him throughout the season, ultimately leading the Raiders to place him on injured reserve in late December. Despite being limited to 12 games, Bowers recorded 64 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns on 86 targets last season.

NFL Related Stories

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When Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper traded up to draft quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, he proclaimed the Alabama product was the guy who could bring the franchise “multiple” Super Bowl titles.

With the 25-year-old Young entering his fourth season, Tepper hasn’t wavered from that belief.

“I think he has a lot of talent, and with the right weapons and the right situation, yeah,” Tepper said in a rare news conference with reporters on Wednesday.

Young is 14-30 as the team’s starting quarterback and the Panthers have yet to sign him to a long-term contract extension. Young is under contract through 2027 after the team picked up his fifth-year option.

Tepper declined to say if the Panthers have offered Young a long-term deal — one that would reaffirm the organization’s believe that he is worthy of being a franchise quarterback.

But Tepper is pleased with the way Young progressed in his third season, leading the Panthers to the NFC South title and snapping a seven-year playoff drought before losing 34-31 to the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the playoffs.

Young threw for 264 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a score against the Rams, but Carolina fell on a late touchdown pass from league MVP Matthew Stafford.

Young beat the Rams earlier last season, and finished with the best statistical numbers of his career surpassing 3,000 yards passing with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

“He has performed at a high level against high-level competition,” Tepper said. “It seems to bring the best out in him. Bryce is the type of guy who doesn’t feel the pressure. You saw that against the Rams twice (last year). When you see that, you know it’s there. Can he bring it every single game? I know it’s there.”

Young Can Lead Rallies, But Looking For Faster Starts

Young has displayed an ability to rally the Panthers. He has 12 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime in the past three seasons.

Tepper said that’s great, but now he’d like to see Young — and the Panthers as a team — start games faster.

Young has also had trouble starting the season fast.

He is 0-3 in Week 1 games and the Panthers have been outscored 97-30 in those defeats entering Sunday’s home opener against the Chicago Bears. Young has not thrown for more than 161 yards in any of those games and has six interceptions with only two touchdown passes.

Young said that starting fast has been a point of emphasis for the Panthers.

“We have talked a lot about that as a team, as a unit and as an organization,” Young said. “That comes with work. It’s about having the best week possible and going into the game, with as much communication as we can and just being on the same page.”

Tepper likes Offensive Players Panthers Have Added

Tepper has referred to Young as a point guard who can distribute the ball, but added he could have used more playmakers to work with in past years.

Tepper believes the Panthers now have those.

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has a season of experience after winning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Jalen Coker is looking like a legitimate No. 2 receiver. The jury is still out on talented, but underachieving 2024 first-round draft pick Xavier Legette, but the Panthers added free agent veteran Darren Waller to give Young a pass-catching tight end.

The Panthers have Chuba Hubbard in the backfield and are hoping Jonathon Brooks can overcome his knee injury and can give the team a big-play threat in the backfield.

Tepper also thinks the team’s overall depth has improved, pointing to the team’s 3-1 record in the preseason.

“We are more of a playoff team this year than we were last year,” Tepper said. “I think the pieces are there and we have everything we need.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.

Source

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.

Betr is giving new users a reason to get involved in the Super Bowl rematch for the NFL season opener. Before the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks kick off in Seattle, use promo code FOXSPORTS to get $200 in bonuses with No Sweat Entries.

Both teams enter the opener with new pieces and plenty to prove after last year’s championship matchup.

Sam Darnold is back leading the offense for the Seahawks along with leading receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp. Seattle is asking rookie, Jadarian Price, to replace Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III. 

The Patriots added a big target for Drake Maye in the offseason. A.J. Brown is back with his former head coach, Mike Vrabel, hoping he could be the missing piece in New England. 

Betr is giving new users another way to add excitement to the return of NFL football with $200 in bonuses plus No Sweat Entries when you use promo code FOXSPORTS.

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1. Click any “Claim Now” button on this page to open Betr.
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6. Use your Betr Bucks to enter pick’em-style contests in the Betr Picks lobby.
7. Winnings from Betr Buck entries may be withdrawn once all requirements are met.

   How to Watch Patriots @ Seahawks

[–>
• When: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 8:20 p.m. ET
• Where: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
• TV: NBC
• Streaming: Peacock

Players to Watch

With TreVeyon Henderson ruled out for the opener, Stevenson steps into one of the clearest volume roles in this matchup. He is expected to handle the bulk of New England’s snaps and touches out of the backfield, with Corey Kiner serving as the top understudy and additional depth likely coming from the practice squad.

That workload is what makes him so important against Seattle. The Patriots can lean on Stevenson on early downs and in the passing game, which gives him a direct path to shaping tempo and keeping the offense on schedule. If New England is going to control this game, Stevenson is the player most likely to set that tone.

For Seattle, the passing game spotlight naturally lands on Smith-Njigba because this opener puts him across from one of New England’s top cover corners. He is projected to remain a central piece of the Seahawks’ receiving group, and his role carries even more weight in a game where individual matchups on the perimeter could decide key possessions.

Last season, Smith-Njigba produced 119 catches, 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, and that kind of production is why he is the receiver to track every snap. He gives Seattle a proven target who can stress coverage in multiple areas of the field. A strong night from him would go a long way toward opening the entire Seahawks offense.

Source

Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a sprained right thumb.

Chisholm, who had been in the midst of his best stretch this season, will be shut down for seven to 10 days. New York has 18 games left.

“We just got an update that he does have a sprained right thumb that’s going to require an IL stint,” manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees faced the Rockies. “So no baseball activities for the next seven to 10 days and then see where we’re at.”

Chisholm was injured on a slide at second base trying to stretch a single in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s 5-3 win. He was tagged out by Ezequiel Tovar, and his thumb appeared to hit the Colorado shortstop’s cleat.

Chisholm initially stayed in when the Yankees took the field for the ninth but was lifted after he made a poor throw while fielding a grounder.

A free agent after this season, Chisholm is hitting .232 with 19 homers and 55 RBIs in 134 games. He also has 40 stolen bases in 49 attempts, becoming the first Yankee with 40 steals since Brett Gardner had 49 in 2011.

Chisholm had two hits Tuesday and is hitting .391 (18 for 46) with two homers and six RBIs over his past 15 games.

“I feel like he has been really putting together some of his best at-bats of the season for an extended stretch,” Boone said. “So definitely a blow, but hopefully one that the time down here hopefully gets this thing right and puts us in position to impact us moving forward.”

Chisholm is the fourth Yankee to go on the IL since Aug. 23, joining pitchers Ryan Weathers (strained left forearm), Fernando Cruz (right elbow) and Trent Grisham (right hamstring strain). Chisholm also is the 18th player to land on the IL for the AL wild-card leaders, who activated Aaron Judge on Tuesday after an 84-game absence with a broken rib.

Chisholm has spent time on the IL in each season since being acquired from the Marlins in July 2024. He missed a little over a month last season with a strained right oblique and missed nearly two weeks with a sprained left elbow sustained on a headfirst slide in 2024.

Jose Caballero started at second base on Wednesday.

Anthony Volpe has played 19 games at second base for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and earned International League Player of the Week honors for hitting .524 with three homers and six RBIs in his last six games. He was scratched from the Triple-A lineup Wednesday.

Since being sent down to Triple-A on Aug. 4, Volpe is batting .295 with 10 homers and 21 RBIs in 27 games while playing shortstop and third base.

Volpe batted .240 with one homer and 19 RBIs in 56 games before the Yankees replaced him at shortstop with rookie George Lombard Jr.

“I feel like he’s in a really good spot,” Boone said about Volpe. “He’s been really productive down there and playing really well. He has taken well to the other positions. So we’ll see.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

Source

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.

The Super Bowl LX rematch opens this NFL season, and BetMGM is giving new users multiple ways to get in on this rematch. Use promo code FOXSPORTS to get up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets or take advantage of the Bet $10, Get $150 offer while watching the New England Patriots face the Seattle Seahawks.

The reigning champs open at home in front of the 12th Man. A new-look Seattle team will have to adjust to being without Kenneth Walker III and playcaller Klint Kubiak. The Seahawks still have Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the reigning OPOY, and he’s looking to start where he left off last season with quarterback Sam Darnold.

Meanwhile, the Patriots added two receivers for Drake Maye in A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. With a revamped offense and a rejuvenated defense, New England is looking to open its season with a vengeance.

Whether you’re watching for the Darnold-to-Smith-Njigba connection, Brown to make an immediate impact or another defensive slugfest, there are plenty of players to follow in the season opener.

BetMGM gives new users another way to add excitement to the Super Bowl rematch with promo code FOXSPORTS to claim up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets or Bet $10, Get $150 and get ready for the return of NFL football.

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1. Click here. This will take you directly to the BetMGM app or website and automatically apply the promo code.
2. Select Sign Up and create a new account by entering personal details (name, email, date of birth, address, and last 4 digits of SSN).
3. When prompted, enter the promo code FOXSPORTS to ensure the offer is applied.
4. Make your first deposit of at least $10 using an accepted payment method (PayPal, Venmo, debit card, online banking, etc.).
5. Place your first real-money wager on any eligible sport:
6. If claiming the $1,500 First Bet Offer → refund is triggered only if the first bet loses.
7. If claiming the $10/$150 Alt Offer → the bet must win to receive the $150 bonus bets.
8. Bonus bets are credited to your account within 24 hours once the qualifying bet settles.

*Odds are subject to change*

NE Patriots	+3 (+100)	O 44.5 (−108)	+145
SEA Seahawks	−3 (−110)	U 44.5 (−110)	−175

How to Watch Patriots vs. Seahawks

[–>
• When: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 8:20 p.m. ET
• Where: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
• TV: NBC
• Streaming: Peacock

Players to Watch

With TreVeyon Henderson ruled out for the opener, Stevenson steps into one of the clearest volume roles in this matchup. He is expected to handle the bulk of New England’s snaps and touches out of the backfield, with Corey Kiner serving as the top understudy and additional depth likely coming from the practice squad.

That workload is what makes him so important against Seattle. The Patriots can lean on Stevenson on early downs and in the passing game, which gives him a direct path to shaping tempo and keeping the offense on schedule. If New England is going to control this game, Stevenson is the player most likely to set that tone.

For Seattle, the passing game spotlight naturally lands on Smith-Njigba because this opener puts him across from one of New England’s top cover corners. He is projected to remain a central piece of the Seahawks’ receiving group, and his role carries even more weight in a game where individual matchups on the perimeter could decide key possessions.

Last season, Smith-Njigba produced 119 catches, 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, and that kind of production is why he is the receiver to track every snap. He gives Seattle a proven target who can stress coverage in multiple areas of the field. A strong night from him would go a long way toward opening the entire Seahawks offense.

Source

Look, LSU. Look, Michigan. College football doesn’t like what you’re doing — or what you’ve been allowed to get away with.

You’re paying the malicious compliance tax. That’s the tax where folks are doing just enough to satisfy the rules or the contract, but not enough to make the process a pleasant one.

And being right isn’t going to change their minds.

College football has spent the last few years changing what it will tolerate. Players can make millions. Transfers can move immediately. The playoff can crown an undisputed national champion. The sport has made room for immediate eligibility upon transferring schools — “free agency” — according to some coaches.

But there are still lines that fans, coaches and administrators simply won’t let you cross.

LSU and Michigan are the latest high-profile examples of how the sport operates, and it’s on emotion first.

Michigan fans stormed the field after Bryce Underwood connected with JJ Buchanan for a game-winning Hail Mary. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

–>

Objectively, the Wolverines did nothing illegal in their 13-12 win over in-state foe Western Michigan. They played by the rules enforced by Big Ten officials and scored what — under normal circumstances — would have been a dramatic, game-winning touchdown at home.

Michigan fans stormed the field, and head coach Kyle Whittingham made the appropriate remarks about narrowly escaping with a victory.

Except they didn’t. 

The Wolverines didn’t win the game — not in the eyes of the public and not in the eyes of the Mid-American Conference, which lodged an appeal with the NCAA and College Football Playoff seeking to have its loss overturned. Normally, the scoreboard settles these kinds of debates. But the clock is at issue, and to everyone watching the broadcast, the game was over when it struck zero.

Then, the replay booth intervened.

Its clock showed one second remaining after the play was dead. One second Michigan didn’t appear to have. One second that gave the Wolverines another snap and a chance to turn what looked like a 12-7 loss into a 13-12 victory.

The rules said Michigan had time. The audience saw a game that was already over. And in the end, Michigan went on to win a game that most believe is so unfair that they want to see the final result changed.

Now, No. 11 Oklahoma comes to the Big House on Saturday (noon ET, FOX), and the fallout from that finish has changed the way people see Michigan. The Wolverines aren’t just viewed as a team that got away with one. They’re viewed as a team that isn’t as good as many of us who cover the sport once thought.

In my top 25 rankings this week, I dropped Michigan from No. 16 to No. 25 despite the fact that it won the game on the scoreboard. And the scoreboard deserves our respect. Heck, even the NCAA does.

According to NCAA Rule 1-1-3-5 Winning and Final Score, Article 3, paragraph B: “When the referee declares that the game is ended, the score is final.”

But in a move I found utterly shocking, my peers who vote in the AP Top 25 Poll each week saw fit to cast Michigan out of the top 25 entirely. That’s a drastic fall — 10 spots if we’re counting down through the teams that also received votes — and it tells us something: Most AP voters don’t believe Michigan’s win on the scoreboard is valid.

And that raises the question of just how much it means to win — or lose — as each week draws us closer to the 2026 College Football Playoff selection.

Meanwhile, in Baton Rouge, the SEC is suing one of its own members in federal court. In its amended complaint, the conference alleges “a lack of institutional control” and is seeking a court order that could pave the way for LSU’s expulsion from the SEC.

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin and his program have continued to not just act against the interests of its conference, but mock it. On Saturday night, Kiffin asked a rhetorical question during a halftime interview while his team was throttling Dabo Swinney’s Tigers. 

“Imagine if we had pro players,” Kiffin quipped.

It’s the kind of joke Kiffin thought was harmless, but the rest of us — notably the SEC — saw as a mockery of one of college football’s core beliefs: Professionals aren’t allowed to play the amateur game.

The fact that some college players make more money annually than some NFL players doesn’t incite the same outrage as Kiffin attempting to put men who have signed professional football contracts on his college roster. The SEC wants to make an example of LSU.

As of Wednesday, the feud between LSU and the SEC has cooled down, at least now. The Tigers added two players to complete its 105-man roster, eliminating the possibility of bringing in former NFL rookies Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris.

But emotion, not reason, has long been the guiding hand of college football. This weekend was no different.

I believe three things get you and keep you in a job: 1. Be on time. 2. Be good at your job. 3. Have people like you.

You must have two of the three to keep your job. That means if people like you, and you’re on time, you can get away with not being excellent at your job. But if people don’t like you, and you show up late, being good at your job isn’t going stop you from getting fired. Right now, the SEC doesn’t believe LSU is on time — look at the timing of adding these players — and doesn’t much like LSU.

LSU coach Lane Kiffin and the school are moving on from their efforts to add a pair of NFL players, an issue that has escalated into a significant legal battle. (Photo by Derick Hingle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

–>

It really doesn’t matter that LSU stomped a mud-hole in Clemson and walked it dry if you’re not on time and people don’t like you.

And that’s why college football is a people business. Managing emotions and irrational expectations is how this sport moves. When you take those emotions for granted or try to talk people out of how they feel with reason, they turn feral in a hurry.

They’ll remind you just what is and isn’t kosher.

In this chaotic moment for college football, the sport has shown once again it knows what it wants, what it will allow and what it won’t. 

My advice: Say you’re sorry for winning a game the sport believes you shouldn’t have, Michigan. Apologize to the SEC with both knees on the floor, LSU.

I assure you, the juice ain’t worth the squeeze.

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