Category: football

What to Watch This Weekend: Dublin Wake-Up Calls, Whiteout Nights, and Ryder Cup Roars

What to Watch This Weekend: Dublin Wake-Up Calls, Whiteout Nights, and Ryder Cup Roars

Got plans this weekend? Too bad, better cancel them as this weekend doesn’t ask for balance — it demands endurance. From Dublin kickoffs to Georgia’s hedges, Ryder Cup galleries to Madrid’s derby, playoff baseball stress, WNBA semifinals, and climbers hanging on by fingertips, the remote’s got a full shift.

NFL — Dublin Showcase + Heavyweight Sunday

  • Vikings vs Steelers (Dublin, Ireland) — Sun 9:30 AM ET, NFL Network/ESPN+
    Breakfast football from Aviva Stadium.
  • Eagles at Buccaneers — Sun 1:00 PM ET, FOX
    Philly’s line speed vs. Tampa Bay grit.
  • Colts at Rams — Sun 4:05 PM ET, CBS
    Goodbye Danny Dimes, hello Indiana Jones. Daniel Jones takes the wheel in Indy, with Stafford waiting on the other sideline.
  • Packers at Cowboys — Sun 4:25 PM ET, FOX
    Green Bay trying to slow Micah Parsons inside Jerry World.
  • Ravens at Chiefs — Sun 8:20 PM ET, NBC/Peacock
    Lamar vs. Mahomes. That’s the sentence. Prime-time centerpiece of the week.

College Football — Friday Sparks, Saturday Blockbusters

  • Florida State at Virginia — Fri 7:30 PM ET, ESPN
  • TCU at Arizona State — Fri 10:30 PM ET, ESPN
  • USC at Illinois — Sat 12:00 PM ET, FOX
  • LSU at Ole Miss — Sat 3:30 PM ET, CBS
  • Alabama at Georgia — Sat 3:30 PM ET, ABC/ESPN app
  • Oregon at Penn State (Whiteout Game) — Sat 7:30 PM ET, ABC

MLB — September Stress Tests

Check local listings (regional nets / national windows vary).

  • Tigers at Red Sox
  • Diamondbacks at Padres
  • Reds at Braves
  • Mets at Marlins
  • Astros at Angels
  • Dodgers at Mariners

Ryder Cup — Bethpage Black, New York (Sept 26–28)

  • Fri Foursomes/Fourballs — USA Network / Peacock
  • Sat Foursomes/Fourballs — NBC / Peacock
  • Sun Singles — NBC / Peacock

Soccer — Derby Heat & Global Stage

  • Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid — Sun 3:00 PM ET, ESPN+
  • AC Milan vs Napoli — Sun 2:45 PM ET, Paramount+
  • FIFA U-20 World Cup — group stage continues all weekend (Fox Sports platforms, FS2 + Tubi).

NASCAR — Playoffs Roll On

  • Cup Series: YellaWood 500 (Talladega) — Sun 2:00 PM ET, NBC
    High-speed chess with wreck potential on every lap.

WNBA — Semifinals Continue

  • Minnesota Lynx vs Phoenix Mercury — Game 2 this weekend on ESPN family of networks.
  • Las Vegas Aces vs Indiana Fever — Game 2 on tap as well.
    Five-game series, two heavyweights, two challengers — Finals tickets on the line.

IFSC — World Championships (Seoul)

Lead and Boulder rounds continue all weekend on IFSC YouTube. Finals sessions spill into U.S. mornings — expect new names on podiums.

The Stain Remote Plan

Friday night: FSU–Virginia then TCU–ASU.
Saturday: USC–Illinois at noon → LSU–Ole Miss and Bama–Georgia in the mid-afternoon → Whiteout at Happy Valley → MLB late window.
Sunday: Wake up in Dublin → Talladega chaos → NFL quad (Eagles-Bucs, Colts-Rams, Packers-Cowboys, Ravens-Chiefs) → Madrid Derby → WNBA semis tucked between.
Floaters: Ryder Cup every morning, IFSC finals when you need adrenaline.

What to Watch This Weekend: NFC Perfection Tests, Derby Day Static, and Baku at Warp Speed

What to Watch This Weekend: NFC Perfection Tests, Derby Day Static, and Baku at Warp Speed

Two 2–0 NFC stare-downs, sneaky-spicy college tilts, playoff-grade baseball, three heavyweight EPL fixtures, F1 threading city walls under the shadows of the castle in Baku, NASCAR playoff elbows, first looks from NHL preseason, WNBA semifinals, plus world championships lifting the volume. All the windows, zero panic.

NFL — Undefeated Energy + Divisional Drama (Sun)

  • Rams at Eagles — 1:00 PM ET, FOX
    One of two NFC 2–0 vs 2–0. Philly’s bully ball vs. L.A.’s spacing and timing.
  • Cardinals at 49ers — 4:25 PM ET, FOX
    The other NFC 2–0 vs 2–0. Speed meets sledgehammer at Levi’s.
  • Broncos at Chargers — 4:05 PM ET, CBS
    Divisional voltage; late-game weirdness is practically on the schedule.

College Football — Ranked/Rivalry Filter (Sat)

  • Texas Tech at Utah — 12:00 PM ET, FOX
    Altitude, attitude, and a defense that punishes mistakes.
  • Auburn at Oklahoma — 3:30 PM ET, ABC
    SEC horsepower visits a playoff-minded Sooners outfit.
  • Illinois at Indiana — 7:00 PM ET, NBC/Peacock
    Big Ten primetime with tangible stakes.
  • Michigan at Nebraska — 3:30 PM ET, CBS/Paramount+
    Memorial turns up the pressure; upset sensors on.

MLB — September With Teeth

  • Giants at Dodgers — rivalry heat under the lights.
  • Mariners at Astros — AL West division title stress test; bullpens decide somebody’s week.
    Watch: Check local listings (regional sports nets / national windows vary by market).

Prospect Spotlight — Prep Baseball All-Star Game (Sat)

  • First pitch 1:15 PM ET, streamed on the Prep Baseball YouTube channel
    Top prep talent on one field—premium velo, loud barrels, and plenty of draft chatter. 2027 vs. 2026

Soccer — Derby Day & Big-Six Theater

  • Liverpool vs Everton — Sat 7:30 AM ET, USA Network/Universo
    Merseyside noise to start the day.
  • Manchester United vs Chelsea — Sat 12:30 PM ET, USA Network/Universo
    Two giants under the microscope.
  • Arsenal vs Manchester City — Sun 11:30 AM ET, USA Network/Peacock
    Pass-and-press chess with title scent.
  • Real Madrid vs Espanyol — Sat 10:15 AM ET, ESPN+
    Bernabéu business trip; upset alarms always possible.

Formula 1 — Azerbaijan Grand Prix (Baku) + Support Races

  • Qualifying — Sat 8:00 AM ET, ESPN platforms
  • Race — Sun 7:00 AM ET, ESPN
  • Support — F2 Sprint: Sat morning ET; F2 Feature: Sun pre-dawn ET (U.S. coverage on ESPN+ / F1 TV).

NASCAR — Playoffs Grind (Sun)

  • Cup Series: Mobil 1 301 (New Hampshire) — 2:00 PM ET, USA Network
    Track position matters, pit crews matter more, and one mistake is a week of explanations.

NHL — Preseason: First Looks

  • Sat 7:00 PM ET — Blues @ Stars, NHL Network
  • Sun 1:00 PM ET — Rangers @ Devils, NHL Network
  • Sun 5:00 PM ET — Wild @ Jets, NHL Network
    Rookies forcing decisions, vets testing new combos—the trailers before the feature.

IFSC — World Championships (Seoul)

  • Lead Finals — Fri night local → Fri morning ET, IFSC YouTube
  • Weekend slate — Lead qualifications roll into Sunday (ET). Speed/Boulder highlights run throughout the championship window.

World Athletics Championships — Tokyo (through Sun)

Live sessions run overnight into U.S. mornings across Peacock with broadcast windows on NBC/USA/CNBC; key finals sprinkled Saturday–Sunday. Relays and field events will swing medals.

WNBA — Semifinals Begin (Sun)

  • Game 1 Doubleheader — 3:00 PM ET, ABC and 5:00 PM ET, ESPN
    Four left standing, two tips on Sunday. Matchups locked after the first round, but the stakes are clear: five games to the Finals.

The Stain Remote Plan

Saturday: Liverpool–Everton → Tech–Utes → Prep Baseball ASG at 1:15 → Auburn–OU in the afternoon → prime-time Illinois–Indiana → late Giants–Dodgers.
Sunday: Baku lights out → Rams–Eagles early → Cards–Niners late while spot-checking Mariners–Astros → NHLN preseason hit.
Floaters: Michigan–Nebraska on CBS, IFSC finals overnight, World Athletics finale windows.

What to Watch This Weekend: Big Fights, Border Battles, and a Bristol Nightlight

What to Watch This Weekend: Big Fights, Border Battles, and a Bristol Nightlight

Clear the coffee table—the remote’s getting a workout. Between a true superfight in Vegas, SEC heat, Arrowhead vs. Philly fireworks, a Bristol brawl under the lights, Rugby World Cup knockouts, speed climbing at ludicrous velocity, two tasty MLB national windows, and the WBSC U-18 World Cup Final, this weekend is stacked. All times ET with U.S. viewing info.

Boxing — The Superfight

Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence “Bud” Crawford — Sat 9:00 PM, Netflix

No PPV tax—just log in and watch one of the decade’s pound-for-pound showdowns from Allegiant. Prelims on Netflix at 5:30 PM; main card at 9:00 PM. Crawford chases audacious history up at 168; Canelo defends the empire.

College Football — Brand Fights (Sat)

Georgia at Tennessee — 3:30 PM, ABC

Checkerboard tension, volume knob stuck at 11. Georgia tries to stay clinical; Neyland tries to melt faces.

Texas A&M at Notre Dame — 7:30 PM, NBC & Peacock (pregame 7:00 PM)

Gold helmets in prime time with two defenses that hit like rent’s due. Elko vs. Freeman is the chess inside the brawl.

NFL — The National Mood (Sun/Mon)

Eagles at Chiefs — Sun 4:25 PM, FOX

You’ve seen this movie; the ending’s never guaranteed in a Super Bowl rematch. Arrowhead humidity vs. Philly spite.

Sunday Night Football: Falcons at Vikings — Sun 8:20 PM, NBC/Peacock

Two young QBs with cannons and zero fear under the dome lights.

Monday Night Football Doubleheader — Mon 7:00 PM & 10:00 PM

  • Buccaneers at Texans — 7:00 PM, ABC/ESPN
  • Chargers at Raiders — 10:00 PM, ESPN
    Two-screen night: precision at happy hour, chaos for the nightcap.

NASCAR — Playoffs Under the Coliseum Lights

NASCAR Cup: Bass Pro Shops Night Race (Bristol) — Sat 7:30 PM, USA Network

Short-track truth serum. Concrete, tire wear, tempers—someone’s title hopes leave with stripes.

Rugby World Cup (Women) — Quarterfinal Weekend

  • New Zealand vs. South Africa — Sat 8:00 AM, CBS Sports Network & Paramount+
  • Canada vs. Australia — Sat 11:00 AM, Paramount+
  • France vs. Ireland — Sun 8:00 AM, Paramount+
  • England vs. Scotland — Sun 11:00 AM, CBS Sports Network & Paramount+
    Coffee, collisions, and bracket nerves.

IFSC — Speed World Cup Finale (Guiyang)

Speed Finals — Sat 7:30 AM, IFSC YouTube (geo-restrictions possible)

Blink-and-you-miss-it. Fifteen meters, sub-five seconds, overall titles on the line.

International Baseball — WBSC U-18 World Cup Final (Okinawa)

World Championship Final — Sun 3:00 AM, GameTime (PPV tournament pass)

Night-owl special: elite prospects, loud atmospheres, morning-coffee baseball.

Prospect Showcase — UA Next All-America Baseball Game (Baltimore)

Sat 1:00 PM, streaming on GameChanger

The nation’s top high-school talent takes over an MLB cathedral. Expect premium velocity, loud contact, and a handful of future first-rounders.

MLB — Two National Windows, Perfect Between-Football Bites

  • Cardinals at Brewers — Sat 8:15 PM, FOX
    September baseball with playoff teeth.
  • Yankees at Red Sox — Sunday Night Baseball — Sun 7:00 PM, ESPN
    Fenway. Lights. Volume.

The Stain Remote Plan

Saturday: Speed finals with coffee → UA All-America at 1:00 PM (GameChanger) → Georgia–Tennessee → Bristol under the lights → Canelo–Bud.
Sunday (pre-dawn): WBSC U-18 Final, 3:00 AM.
Sunday: Eagles–Chiefs late window → Yankees–Sox collide → SNF in Minneapolis.
Monday: Doubleheader damage control—hydrate and charge both screens.

Only Jerry: Cowboys Ship Off Parsons, Keep the Circus Alive

Only Jerry: Cowboys Ship Off Parsons, Keep the Circus Alive

I was born in the mid-80s, but it was the early ’90s that stamped my sports fandom. Like most kids, I latched onto a team—though these days, after nearly 15 years covering sports, my rooting interest has morphed. Now it’s less about colors on a jersey and more about the people I’ve met, the players I respect, and, of course, my fantasy squads. (Yes, I still sneak in a guy or two from my childhood team. No, I won’t draft their rivals. Some habits die hard.)

That childhood team? The Dallas Cowboys. Blame—or credit—Drew Pearson. When I was five or six, my uncle took me to a sports bar plastered wall-to-wall with Cowboys memorabilia. Pearson, the legend himself, handed me a hat and signed it “Drew Pearson 88.” Next thing I knew, I was watching Dallas lift Lombardi Trophies in ’92, ’93, and ’95. Hook, line, sinker.

Thankfully, adulthood and a press pass pried me out of that fan-cage. I’ve been spared the heartbreak of watching Jerry Jones sabotage his own empire for three decades.

But Thursday? That old Cowboys sting flared again. Jerry traded away Micah Parsons—yes, the perennial DPOY candidate—for two first-rounders and Kenny Clark. On any other team this would be shocking. In Dallas? It was a classic “Only Jerry” moment.

The move echoes the Khalil Mack trade from 2018, when the Raiders shipped their star to Chicago. Difference is, the Raiders at least waited for the offseason. Jerry pulled the trigger a week before a primetime opener against the defending champs and division rival. Brilliant timing.

And the return? Let’s do the math. Mack netted the Raiders two 1s, a 3rd, and a 6th. Those became Josh Jacobs (a hit) and a cast of forgettable names like Damon Arnett and Bryan Edwards. Not exactly franchise-saving. Now Dallas is banking on Green Bay’s late-20s first-rounders. Look at their own recent picks in that range: Tyler Smith, Mazi Smith, Tyler Guyton. Two solid linemen, sure. But Mazi was supposed to fix the run defense already—and now Kenny Clark is here to cover that same hole.

The draft record is decent, but even that success often feels like it happened in spite of Jerry. Flash back to 2014 when the room had to drag him away from Johnny Manziel so they could take Zack Martin. One’s a bust. The other’s a future Hall of Famer. Guess which side Jerry was on.

Even if Dallas nails these two new first-rounders, what are the odds they stick around? Parsons bolted because contract talks went nuclear. Jerry openly admitted negotiating with Parsons himself instead of his agent—a move that might’ve crossed the CBA. Dak Prescott’s extension dragged to the last minute. CeeDee Lamb’s wasn’t any cleaner. This isn’t team-building, it’s soap opera scripting.

The truth is, Jerry doesn’t just want to win. He wants the spotlight. He’s the only owner who doubles as GM, makes weekly media rounds, and hires coaches who never actually get to steer the ship. Despite being 82, there’s zero sign he’ll loosen his grip.

So Cowboys fans, buckle in. That 30-year Super Bowl drought isn’t ending soon. Parsons gone, dysfunction steady, and the Jones Show still center stage. Only Jerry.

Bordeaux, Heaps, and Legend Pass Their First Big Test

Bordeaux, Heaps, and Legend Pass Their First Big Test

Game two of the Jake Heaps era at Legend High School looked nothing like the walkover of week one. A week removed from a 63–10 demolition of Fruita Monument, the Titans hosted Grandview on Thursday night in a game that delivered lightning—literally—and a much stiffer challenge.

Heaps isn’t your average high school coach. He doubles as Russell Wilson’s personal QB coach, a connection that brought Denver Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles into the fold as Legend’s Director of Player Development. When he’s not protecting Bo Nix on Sundays, Bolles is in Parker mentoring the Titans’ offensive line. That’s a serious coaching pedigree for a Colorado 5A program.

And Heaps has a serious quarterback to work with. DJ Bordeaux, a prized transfer and three-star Boston College commit, now leads the Titans’ offense. Bordeaux’s high school journey has been a nomadic one—Highlands Ranch to Alpharetta, GA, to Douglasville, and back to Colorado—but he looks settled at Legend under Heaps’ tutelage. His quickness jumps off the page. Against Grandview, he was pressured all night by Utah State commit Brody Flores, who routinely bent the edge and got by would be blockers. Still, Bordeaux used his legs to turn would-be sacks into positive yards, showing exactly why Power Five programs wanted him.

It wasn’t all pretty. Kickoff was delayed 30 minutes by lightning, and the first half was equally stormy with flags everywhere. Bordeaux threw two interceptions on Legend’s first three drives, part of a sloppy opening stretch.

Across the field, Grandview countered with another Division I quarterback, Blitz McCarty—yes, an all-name team lock—who’s committed to play in the Kibbie Dome at Idaho. Both QBs traded first-half touchdown passes, and Legend added a late rushing score to take a 15–6 halftime lead.

McCarty cut the margin to 15–13 with a third-quarter strike, and a Grandview field goal early in the fourth gave the Wolves their first lead at 16–15. That’s when Bordeaux settled in. The senior orchestrated a pair of touchdown drives in the final quarter, flipping the script and locking down a 28–16 Legend win.

The road gets no easier. Legend heads to Columbine on September 5, the first of three straight away games. Grandview will travel once more, to Ralston Valley on September 4, before its home opener against Legacy on September 12. Both teams showed flashes—and flaws—but with D1 quarterbacks at the helm, expect to hear from the Titans and Wolves again come playoff time.

What to Watch This Labor Day Weekend (Aug 29–Sept 1)

What to Watch This Labor Day Weekend (Aug 29–Sept 1)

College Football Week 1 is here and it’s glorious — five straight days of real games, real stakes, and real irrational confidence. Plus F1’s back from the beach, the Cup Playoffs fire up at Darlington, Liverpool–Arsenal headlines Sunday, The Hundred crowns a champ, and baseball serves pennant-race spice.

College Football (Week 1)

Texas @ Ohio State

Sat, 12:00 PM ET — FOX
On January 10, Ohio State ended Texas’ season on the way to a national title. Eight-plus months later: run it back to open 2025. Arch vs. the Shoe. Yes, please.

Alabama @ Florida State

Sat, 3:30 PM ET — ABC
Both stumbled last year — Bama dropped four, FSU barely found wins — so someone gets a clean slate and someone gets a fresh bruise.

LSU @ Clemson

Sat, 7:30 PM ET — ABC
Death Valley vs. Death Valley. Tigers win. (We are contractually obligated to make that joke.)

Virginia Tech vs South Carolina (Aflac Kickoff — Atlanta)

Sun, 3:00 PM ET — ESPN
Beamer vs. his past, Hokies vs. the logo they love to hate, and it’s indoors so no weather excuses.

Notre Dame @ Miami

Sun, 7:30 PM ET — ABC
Not quite Catholics vs. Convicts, still a delicious Sunday-night brawl to close your weekend proper.

TCU @ North Carolina

Mon, 8:00 PM ET — ESPN
It’s the head-coaching debut of… Jordon Hudson—er, Bill Belichick—in Chapel Hill. Monday Night college ball and a pregame studio show on-site.

Formula 1

Dutch Grand Prix — Zandvoort

Sun, 9:00 AM ET — ESPN (Race)
Summer break’s over. Max gets a home roar, McLaren’s title push has teeth, and the banking’s still a rollercoaster.

F1 Academy is on the card, too — live via F1’s official channels (YouTube/X) and F1 TV, with select U.S. sessions on ESPN+. Tune in across Sat/Sun.

MLB

  • Cardinals at Reds — Busch bats vs. Cincy kids with the NL Central wobbling week-to-week.
  • Mariners at Guardians — Two bullpens you trust with your life and lineups you don’t; October leverage in August.
  • Tigers at Royals — Greene/Tork vs. Witt Jr.: the AL Central future, present tense.
  • Brewers at Blue Jays — Power vs. prevention; sneakily huge Wild Card ripple series.
  • Diamondbacks at Dodgers — NL West heat check in Chavez Ravine; vibes vs. vibes-and-a-billion-wins.

(Find them on MLB.TV/local RSNs; national windows rotate across FOX/FS1/ESPN/TBS.)

Soccer

Liverpool vs Arsenal (Premier League)

Sun, 11:30 AM ET — USA Network (stream: Peacock)
High-tempo, high-line, high-drama. Title-caliber litmus test before your Sunday dinner.

NASCAR

Cup Playoffs — Cook Out Southern 500 (Darlington)

Sun, 6:00 PM ET — USA Network
The Lady in Black opens the postseason with a tire-eating, wall-kissing reality check. Someone’s championship dream leaves with stripes.

Tennis — US Open (NYC)

Middle Sunday rolls with wall-to-wall coverage (day session around 11:00 AM ET, evening session around 7:00 PM ET), and Labor Day’s Round of 16 begins Monday at 11:00 AM ET. Park it on the couch; hydrate accordingly.

Cricket — The Hundred (Finals Weekend)

Eliminator on Saturday at The Kia Oval; Final on Sunday at Lord’s. In the U.S., watch on Willow TV. Perfect coffee cricket before your afternoon football.

Your Remote-Optimized Itinerary

  • Sat: Texas–Ohio State → Alabama–FSU → LSU–Clemson. Sprinkle in Dutch GP quali replays and a late Dodgers–D-backs nightcap.
  • Sun: Dutch GP with breakfast → Liverpool–Arsenal → Hokies–Gamecocks → Southern 500 → Notre Dame–Miami nightcap.
  • Mon: Belichick’s UNC debut under the lights.

College Football 2025 Preview: The Year of the Quarterback

College Football 2025 Preview: The Year of the Quarterback

Week 0 kicks off this weekend, which means one thing: football is officially back. Let’s break down the biggest storylines, conference winners, and my playoff picks for the 2025 season.

The Year of the Quarterback

Every season leans quarterback-heavy, but this year’s depth is on another level. There’s no Trevor Lawrence-style “lock” for the No. 1 pick, but the overall talent pool is stacked.

  • Cade Klubnik – Has Clemson back in the title mix.
  • Garrett Nussmeier – Could end up the top pick in next year’s draft.
  • Drew Allar – Returns after a breakout campaign.
  • LaNorris Sellars – Might be the most physically gifted QB in the country.

And that’s just the start. Arch Manning remains the sport’s most famous name, while John Mateer makes headlines for both his play and off-field drama. Carson Beck takes over for Cam Ward in Miami, and Gunner Stockton leads Georgia on another playoff push. Looking further ahead, DJ Lagway at Florida is already generating 2027 draft buzz.

For dark-horse Heisman talk, I like Sam Leavitt at Arizona State, but don’t sleep on Blake Horvath at Navy — who could be prepping for Army-Navy even while packing for New York.

Conference Champions

ACC – Clemson
They slipped into the CFP last year, and the roster’s even better now. Miami and SMU will make them earn it.

Big 12 – Arizona State
Toughest pick of the bunch — Kansas State, Iowa State, and Texas Tech all have legit claims. But ASU’s schedule sets up nicely.

Big Ten – Penn State
Ohio State may be ranked higher early, but QB uncertainty tips this to Penn State. Oregon and Michigan will be in the hunt, and Iowa could be sneaky dangerous with SDSU transfer Mark Gronowski.

SEC – Texas
The roster is loaded, but so is the SEC. Georgia, Alabama, LSU, South Carolina, and Florida all have playoff potential.

Group of Five Picks

AAC – Navy
Tulane is a real threat, but Navy with Horvath at QB has the edge.

Conference USA – Liberty
Weakest FBS conference this year. Even after losing Kaidon Salter to Colorado, Liberty’s depth should carry them.

MAC – Toledo
The kings of MACtion again.

Mountain West – Boise State
Last year’s G5 playoff rep looks ready for a repeat. UNLV with Michigan transfer Alex Orji will push them.

Sun Belt – James Madison
Since moving up to FBS, the Dukes have been nearly unstoppable. Texas State should meet them in the title game.

Playoff Picture

Automatic bids go to conference champs:

  • Texas (SEC)
  • Clemson (ACC)
  • Penn State (Big Ten)
  • Arizona State (Big 12)
  • Boise State (G5 highest-ranked champ)

I see two Group of Five teams getting in — Boise State and Navy.

Final Seeding:

  1. Texas
  2. Penn State
  3. Georgia
  4. Clemson
  5. Ohio State
  6. LSU
  7. Oregon
  8. Arizona State
  9. Florida
  10. South Carolina
  11. Miami
  12. Navy

Bye weeks now go to the top four seeds, regardless of conference champion status — which is how Georgia sneaks into the top four.

Title Game: Penn State over Texas

Lower-Division Picks

  • FCS: Montana State
  • DII: CSU Pueblo
  • DIII: Mount Union

This season’s quarterback depth, loaded playoff race, and Group of Five parity make 2025 one of the most unpredictable years we’ve had in a while — and that’s exactly how we like it.

2023 NFL Mock Draft

There are plenty of great mock draft simulators out there, for this I used Pro Football Network to make it easy to copy into this post. The big ones here for me is the number three QB, I don’t see a world where Anthony Richardson slips all the way to Detroit at 18, but I really feel the Colts need to go with a more ready QB hence me giving them Will Levis, and then the slip just based on need. If the top four play out this way, expect a trade soon after by a team to come up and get Richardson. The other one that slipped here that I don’t expect to slip as far once the draft starts is Bijan Robinson. Robinson in the best RB prospect in years, which is the only reason he is being considered in the first round, much less possibly the first half of the first round. He slipped to the Cowboys here and would be an ideal fit for them given the Tony Pollard injury and the fact the Cowboys are best when the running game is on.

ROUND 1

  • CAR1. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
  • HOU2. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
  • ARI3. Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama
  • IND4. Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
  • SEA5. Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
  • DET6. Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
  • LV7. Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
  • ATL8. Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
  • CHI9. Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
  • PHI10. Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
  • TEN11. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
  • HOU12. Jordan Addison, WR, USC
  • NYJ13. Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
  • NE14. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
  • GB15. Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
  • WAS16. Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
  • PIT17. Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa
  • DET18. Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
  • TB19. Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
  • SEA20. Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
  • LAC21. Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
  • BAL22. Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson
  • MIN23. Brian Branch, S, Alabama
  • JAX24. Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah
  • NYG25. Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland
  • DAL26. Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
  • BUF27. Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
  • CIN28. Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
  • NO29. Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia
  • PHI30. Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
  • KC31. Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

NFL Week 5 DFS Lineups

As we get The Stain back running with more consistent content, why not try to make our readers some money. Here is my FanDuel and DraftKings lineups for today:

These are tournament plays going with a couple flyers. Cowboys D should get plenty of sacks against the Rams, Zappe is facing possibly the worst D in football. Teddy B I expect to put up massive numbers too.