Will Trenholm’s brace was not enough to help Gloucester pull off a stunning upset against Champions Cup holders Bordeaux, as they were forced to settle for a 36-36 draw after a dramatic contest.

George Skivington’s team pushed the French outfit all the way during a pulsating European tie at Kingsholm Stadium.

Gloucester held a 24-17 lead at half-time before Trenholm crashed over twice, but a double by Louis Bielle-Biarrey salvaged a share of the spoils for visiting Bordeaux.

Twitter

This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Bordeaux made a fast start, with Martin Page-Relo able to open the scoring in the fourth minute, but Arthur Clark produced an instant reply for Gloucester.

Efforts by Max Llewellyn and George Barton, either side of Sipili Falatea’s try, earned the hosts a slender seven-point advantage at the break thanks to three successful conversions by Barton.

Pablo Uberti levelled for Bordeaux six minutes into the second period before quick-fire tries by Trenholm had Kingsholm rocking, but Bielle-Biarry levelled in the 62nd minute and despite plenty of territory, neither side could find a winning score.

Edinburgh beaten by Toulon in Challenge Cup opener

Edinburgh suffered a 27-17 defeat against Toulon in their Challenge Cup opener as Malvyn Jaminet scored 22 points for the French visitors.

Twitter

This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Defences were on top in the first half at the Hive Stadium, with two Jaminet penalties to one from James Grayson giving Toulon a 6-3 lead at the break.

Jaminet extended that advantage three minutes into the second half, collecting his own kick before converting his try.

Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman hit back immediately for Edinburgh, with Grayson adding the conversion, but Fiji international Seta Tuicuvu soon barged over and Jaminet again added the extras.

Edinburgh refused to go away, with replacement Geordie Gwynn scoring with his first touch before Grayson converted to keep the hosts in contention.

But Toulon had the final say. Baptiste Serin set up Jaminet for another converted try, while Piers O’Conor’s yellow card for direct contact with Jeremy Sinzelle’s head compounded Edinburgh’s misery and sealed their fate.

College football Week 7 brings a top-five Big Ten matchup to Bloomington, where No. 4 Ohio State visits No. 5 Indiana on FOX at noon ET on Saturday. This guide covers nine games on FOX, FS1 and BTN, starting with Washington at Purdue on Friday night, plus three more national matchups, including No. 2 Notre Dame at No. 8 BYU.

This is a curated top-games schedule, not the complete national slate. Rankings reflect the AP Top 25 released Oct. 11.

College Football Week 7 Top Games Schedule

Washington at Purdue

• Date: Friday, Oct. 16
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Watch Washington vs. Purdue on FOX One
• Location: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana

Washington is 3-3 and has lost three straight, most recently 41-24 to Iowa last Friday. Purdue is also 3-3 after a 41-13 win over Minnesota last Saturday.

Washington won the 2025 meeting 49-13.

Kansas at Kansas State

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
• Time: Noon ET
• TV: FS1
• Stream: Watch Kansas vs. Kansas State on FOX One
• Location: Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas is 2-3 after a 41-24 loss at Utah, one week after a 55-0 win over Middle Tennessee. Kansas State is 3-2 and has lost two straight, most recently 35-16 to Houston.

Kansas State won the 2025 meeting 42-17.

No. 4 Ohio State at No. 5 Indiana

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
• Time: Noon ET
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Watch Ohio State vs. Indiana on FOX One
• Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana

Ohio State is 5-1, with its lone loss a 24-23 defeat at Texas on Sept. 12. The Buckeyes beat Maryland 45-16 on Oct. 10. Indiana is 6-0 after a 20-17 win at Nebraska last Saturday.

It is Ohio State’s second top-five matchup of the season. Indiana won the most recent meeting, 13-10 in the 2025 Big Ten championship game.

College Football Related Stories

Rutgers at Maryland

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
• Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
• TV: BTN
• Stream: Watch Rutgers vs. Maryland on FOX One
• Location: SECU Stadium, College Park, Maryland

Rutgers is 1-4 and had a bye last week after a 47-15 loss to Indiana. Maryland is 2-4 and has lost four straight, including 45-16 at Ohio State last week.

Rutgers has won the last two meetings, 35-20 in 2025 and 31-17 in 2024.

Arizona State at No. 10 Texas Tech

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Watch Arizona State vs. Texas Tech on FOX One
• Location: Galaxy Stadium, Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech is 5-0 and comes off a bye after a 29-7 win over Colorado on Oct. 3. Arizona State is 3-2 after a 30-12 win over Hawai’i last Saturday, which followed a 55-19 loss at Baylor.

Arizona State won the 2025 meeting 26-22.

TCU at Baylor

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• TV: FS1
• Stream: Watch TCU vs. Baylor on FOX One
• Location: McLane Stadium, Waco, Texas

Baylor is 4-1 and has won four straight. The Bears beat Arizona State 55-19 on Oct. 3 and had a bye last week. TCU is 2-3 after a 17-10 loss to BYU on Oct. 3.

TCU won the 2025 meeting 42-36.

No. 18 Oklahoma State at No. 20 Houston

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Watch Oklahoma State vs. Houston on FOX One
• Location: TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas

Houston is 5-1 after a 35-16 win over Kansas State last week. Oklahoma State is 4-1 after a 42-28 win over UCF. The Cowboys’ lone loss was 24-10 at Tulsa on Sept. 5.

It is the first meeting between the teams as ranked opponents. Houston won the 2025 meeting 39-17.

New Mexico at Hawai’i

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
• TV: FS1
• Stream: Watch New Mexico vs. Hawai’i on FOX One
• Location: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, Hawai’i

New Mexico is 4-1 and had a bye last week after a 61-7 win over UTEP. Hawai’i is 1-5 and has lost three straight, most recently 30-12 at Arizona State.

Hawai’i won the 2024 meeting 38-30.

Nebraska at Oregon

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
• Time: 11 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Watch FOX games on FOX One
• Location: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon

Nebraska is 5-1 after a 20-17 loss to Indiana last week. Oregon is 3-2 and fell out of the AP Top 25 after a 17-15 home loss to UCLA.

Oregon won the most recent meeting, 42-35 in 2017.

FOX, FS1 and BTN games in this guide stream on FOX One. Fans can watch college football on FOX One, subject to the service and plan available in their market.

Other Big College Football Games

No. 6 Alabama at No. 14 Tennessee

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ABC
• Stream: ESPN Unlimited – Get the FOX One / ESPN Bundle
• Location: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee

Alabama is coming off a 20-17 home loss to Georgia. Tennessee beat Arkansas 24-17 last week.

Alabama has lost its last two visits to Knoxville.

No. 13 Missouri at No. 9 Ole Miss

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• TV: SEC Network
• Stream: ESPN Unlimited – Get the FOX One / ESPN Bundle
• Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi

Missouri beat Texas A&M 27-6 last week, and its lone loss was 31-24 at Mississippi State on Sept. 26. Ole Miss beat Vanderbilt 52-17 last week after a 52-28 loss at Florida.

Missouri won the most recent meeting, 38-27 in 2019.

No. 2 Notre Dame at No. 8 BYU

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ABC
• Stream: ESPN Unlimited – Get the FOX One / ESPN Bundle
• Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah

Notre Dame beat Stanford 58-7 last week. BYU beat Iowa State 24-10 last Friday and won 17-10 at TCU on Oct. 3.

It is the first top-10 matchup at LaVell Edwards Stadium. BYU won the last time Notre Dame visited, in 2004, and Notre Dame won the 2022 meeting 28-20.

How to Watch College Football Week 7

The nine FOX-family games in this guide air on FOX, FS1 or BTN and stream on FOX One. Washington at Purdue, Ohio State at Indiana, Arizona State at Texas Tech, Oklahoma State at Houston and Nebraska at Oregon air on FOX. Kansas at Kansas State, TCU at Baylor and New Mexico at Hawai’i air on FS1. Rutgers at Maryland airs on BTN.

Alabama at Tennessee, Missouri at Ole Miss and Notre Dame at BYU are available through ESPN Unlimited via the FOX One / ESPN Bundle. Subscriptions, authentication requirements and availability vary by service, plan and location.

Check local listings before kickoff. College football times and network assignments can change during the week.

The Week 7 FOX-family schedule opens Friday with Washington at Purdue and runs through Saturday night, with Ohio State at Indiana at noon ET and Nebraska at Oregon at 11 p.m. ET, while Notre Dame at BYU and Alabama at Tennessee headline the national slate.

Martin O’Neill wants Celtic to take the positives from a 4-1 defeat to Benfica when they host Hearts on Sunday – live on Sky Sports.

However, is the 74-year-old right to be “really, really delighted” with the Hoops’ second-half performance in Lisbon?

The result leaves Celtic with no points from six after two league-phase fixtures in the Europa League and means they have now lost four of their last five matches across all competitions.

Another defeat – fairly or unfairly – also raises more questions over O’Neill’s future in the Parkhead hot seat.

It was just weeks ago, following consecutive defeats to Rangers and a loss in their opening Europa League fixture, that O’Neill said he was going to consider his position after a gruelling week. He stayed, and now he must deliver.

Here we answer some key questions as the veteran boss chases another huge result on Sunday…

Sunday 18th October 2:30pm


Kick off 3:00pm

What did O’Neill say in Lisbon?

Following that 4-1 thumping against Benfica, O’Neill hailed Celtic’s second-half display and believes they can still progress in the competition despite sitting 34th in a 36-team table.

“The last thing you want to do is concede so early on,” he told TNT Sports. “Then at 2-0 we’ve got a great, great chance to make it 2-1 and within a few minutes they make it 3-0.

“We could have capitulated, but I thought the second-half performance was really terrific. It was a game of two halves. We created chance after chance, we should have scored more goals.

Image:
Impressive Camilo Duran scored for Celtic again

“The second-half performance gives me what I would call the determination, and I think we can still qualify. I know it’s down to six games, but we want to qualify for this competition to get into the knockout stages.

“Overall, I’m really, really delighted with the second-half performance, and it’s a shame that we conceded the three goals first of all.”

Does O’Neill have a point?

Benfica were clinical and ultimately too much to handle.

In the first half, even when Celtic were not causing their own problems, such as giving away a penalty for the hosts’ opener, they were being cut apart at times. That’s where the problem lies.

Image:
Celtic went behind to an early penalty as Benfica won their Europa League clash

Yes, O’Neill’s side could have scored when they hit the frame of the goal in either half – but so could have their opponents.

Yes, things did improve after the restart – but could it have got any worse considering the Hoops were 3-0 down after 36 minutes?

O’Neill may be using all of his managerial experience to try to motivate his side and create some positivity among the fans ahead of a huge game against Hearts. After all, he needs a raucous Parkhead on Sunday to help them get past last season’s runners-up.

So those with a glass half-full mindset will be fully in favour of that. However, those with a glass half-empty approach will have been worried by Thursday and demand improvement. Quickly.

Losing in their Champions League qualifier, to Rangers in the Premiership and League Cup, and now another Europa League loss – the worrying trend of failure in big matches is something that needs to end.

Celtic’s last five results

• Rangers 3-0 Celtic – League Cup
• Celtic 1-3 Ferencvaros – Europa League
• Celtic 0-1 Rangers – Scottish Premiership
• Motherwell 0-2 Celtic – Scottish Premiership
• Benfica 4-1 Celtic – Europa League

What is the fan view?

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Tino Callaghan from A Celtic Exchange Podcast said:

“They were the kind of comments I suppose you’d expect any manager to make. There are small positives to take from Celtic’s second half, and I think the manager is choosing to accentuate them, which you would expect him to do.

“However, there was so much wrong in the first half in particular, and that’s where the real issues are for Celtic at this moment in time.

Image:
Jhon Duran scored twice in the first half for Benfica, including an early penalty

“It’s just the fact that at times we weren’t even competing. We were completely outstripped in that first half, and I think that in itself points back to a more general feeling of frustration amongst the fans that we are no longer competing at the top table in Europe.

“Back in the day, we would potentially draw Benfica in the Champions League and fancy our chances of maybe getting something, but we went into that game last night with no real hope.

“I really thought he was going to leave after his comments after the Rangers game. They were particularly concerning. It’s not that everyone else was asking the question. The man himself was asking the question of himself, and I thought there was a serious chance he would walk.

Image:
Celtic have lost both of their matches in the Europa League this season

“It seems that he’s taken some time to reflect. He’s probably spoken to people at the club and decided to stay on, but you need to start getting results if you’ve decided that you are the man for the job.

“Hearts is massive now on Sunday. A must-win game. Martin O’Neill came out quite strongly, saying that he thinks we still can qualify in the Europa League too. I agree with that, but talk is cheap. You need to start doing it on the park, and that starts again on Sunday.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Celtic take on Hearts at Parkhead on Sunday for the first time since their title win on the final day of last season

Sutton: What does O’Neill have going for him?

Speaking before Celtic beat Motherwell, former Parkhead player and Sky Sports pundit Chris Sutton said:

“I thought he was wrong to say what he said in terms of he had doubts [about his future in the job]. People will view that as a weakness. I think that was a big mistake.

“I’ve never heard him talk like that in his whole managerial career. I just think, if I was Martin, I would just want an easy life. What has he got going for him at Celtic at this moment?

“He didn’t get the players he wanted in order to compete at the highest of levels in Europe, so he was let down there. He was undermined by one of his players, Cameron Carter-Vickers, who shouldn’t be coming out publicly and undermining the manager and questioning the tactics.

“It just shows where the club is at. It’s like the Wild West, there are shots fired everywhere. You now have the situation where the Green Brigade are saying ‘we are not going to rock up at European games. We aren’t going to go to the cup games.’

“The split between the top of the club and the supporters, I thought couldn’t get any wider than last year. It does seem now that it is more fractious.”

The Los Angeles Dodgers came up eight wins short of three-peating.

With the Dodgers – who were the defending, back-to-back World Series champions – being swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2026 National League Championship Series, the 1998-2000 New York Yankees remain the last MLB team to three-peat.

Will the Dodgers bounce back in 2027?

Here’s what happened to the last 10 MLB teams that repeated as World Series champions but didn’t win a third consecutive championship.

1992-93 Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays have reached the World Series just once since winning the 1993 Fall Classic. (Photo credit should read CHRIS WILKINS/AFP via Getty Images)

The Toronto Blue Jays were the rippers of the American League East in the early 1990s.

John Olerud, Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter, accompanied by Dave Winfield in 1992 and Paul Molitor in 1993, made for one of MLB’s most fearsome offenses, with Juan Guzmán and Pat Hentgen, among others, taking the hill in their starting rotation. Toronto beat the Atlanta Braves in six games in the 1992 World Series and the Philadelphia Phillies in six games in the 1993 World Series, which came after the Blue Jays were eliminated in the AL Championship Series twice from 1989-91.

What happened after winning back-to-back titles? The Blue Jays went 55-60 before a players’ strike ended the 1994 season. They then had four consecutive losing seasons, the bulk of the aforementioned sluggers were gone in the ensuing years and the franchise wouldn’t make the playoffs again until 2015.

Verdict: Didn’t bounce back

1977-78 New York Yankees

From 1977-78, Reggie Jackson hit nine home runs across 21 postseason games with the Yankees. (Photo by Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)  (SetNumber: X21831 TK4 R7)

After being swept by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1976 World Series, the Yankees got back to doing one of the things they did best: beating the Dodgers in the World Series.

In both 1977 and 1978, the Yankees won 100 games in the regular season and beat the Dodgers in the World Series in six games. The consecutive championship triumphs improved the Yankees to 8-2 all time against the Dodgers in the World Series. This rendition of the former New York baseball rivals – the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958 – was defined by “Mr. October,” Yankees outfielder Reggie Jackson.

While Yankees shortstop Bucky Dent won 1978 World Series MVP honors, Jackson blasted two home runs and drove in eight runs in the series, which came after he obliterated five home runs and won MVP honors in the 1977 World Series. With that said, the Yankees missed the playoffs in 1979 and were swept by the Kansas City Royals in the 1980 AL Championship Series before losing to the Dodgers in six games in the 1981 World Series. New York wouldn’t make the playoffs again until 1995.

Verdict: Didn’t bounce back

1975-76 Cincinnati Reds

The Reds’ 1976 World Series championship was their fourth in franchise history. (Photo by Dick Raphael /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: D334 )

After years of postseason heartbreak, the Big Red Machine won back-to-back titles in 1975 and ’76.

As previously alluded to, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, George Foster, Joe Morgan & Co. swept the Yankees in the 1976 World Series, which saw Bench blast two home runs and go 8 for 15 in the series en route to earning World Series MVP honors. The year before, the Reds squeaked past the Boston Red Sox in seven games in the 1975 World Series, with Rose hitting .370 in the series and winning MVP honors.

Then, though, the Reds missed the playoffs in each of the next two seasons, were swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1979 NLCS and wouldn’t make the playoffs again until their 1990 championship series.

Verdict: Didn’t bounce back

1961-62 New York Yankees

Whitey Ford and the Yankees reached the World Series in five consecutive years from 1960-64. (Photo by Herb Scharfman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)

Bill Mazeroski walked off the Yankees in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, which resulted in New York winning back-to-back World Series in rage.

In 1961, the Yankees won 109 games and beat the Reds in five games in the World Series, with them then beating the San Francisco Giants in seven games in the 1962 Fall Classic. However, the Dodgers swept the Yankees in the 1963 World Series, with Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Johnny Podres holding New York to just four runs. The ensuing year, the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Yankees in seven games in the 1964 World Series.

New York wouldn’t make the playoffs again until 1976.

Verdict: Didn’t bounce back

1929-30 Philadelphia Athletics

The 1930 World Series marked the Athletics’ fifth title of the 20th century. (Photo by Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics, Getty Images)

The Athletics were a force to be reckoned with.

Al Simmons, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Cochrane and Bing Miller spearheaded a potent A’s offense, while the franchise had southpaw Lefty Grove emerging into a Hall of Fame force on the rubber. They beat the Chicago Cubs in five games in the 1929 World Series and the Cardinals in six games in the 1930 Fall Classic.

Ironically, the A’s won a still-franchise-record 107 games in 1931, but it ended with them losing to the Cardinals in seven games in the World Series, highlighted by outfielder/third baseman Pepper Martin hitting .500 in the series. The Athletics wouldn’t make the playoffs again until 1971.

Verdict: Didn’t bounce back

1927-28 New York Yankees

(Original Caption) Yankee Outfielders Who Will be Seen in the World Series. Bronx, New York: Left to right are Durst, Combs, Paschal, Ruth, and Meusel, the Yankee outfielders who are expected to appear in the World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Yeah, the Yankees have won a few titles here and there.

After losing to the Cardinals in seven games in the 1926 World Series, the Yankees swept consecutive World Series in 1927 and 1928 over the Pirates and Cardinals. While they missed the playoffs from 1929-31, New York got off the mat in 1932, winning 107 games and ultimately sweeping the Cubs in the World Series, adding yet another ring to Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig’s would-be deep collection. That was also the series when Ruth “called his shot” on a home run.

The Yankees would commence another three-year playoff drought from 1933-35, but they followed it up by winning four consecutive World Series. Suffice to say: New York got back on track.

Verdict: Bounced back

1921-22 New York Giants

The 1922 World Series marked the Giants’ fifth championship in franchise history. (Photo by Keystone View Company/FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

The New York Giants opened the decade of the 1920s with a bang.

Led by the offensive firepower of George Kelly, Dave Bancroft, Irish Meusel, Ross Youngs and Frankie Frisch, the Giants defeated the Yankees in both the 1921 (eight games) and 1922 World Series (five games).

The Giants returned to the World Series in each of the next two seasons but lost both times, with the Yankees beating them in six games in 1923 and the Washington Nationals winning in seven games against them in 1924. They wouldn’t make the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons before beating the Nationals in five games in the 1933 World Series.

Verdict: Didn’t bounce back

1915-16 Boston Red Sox

Before becoming a Yankees’ legend, Babe Ruth won three World Series with the Red Sox. (Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images)

Arguably the best era of Boston Red Sox baseball came in the decade of the 1910s.

Three years after winning the 1912 World Series, the Red Sox were victorious again, beating the Philadelphia Phillies in five games in the 1915 World Series and the Brooklyn Robins in five games in the 1916 Fall Classic. In both seasons, Boston rode elite starting pitching, which included Ruth (originally a primary starting pitcher), Smoky Joe Wood (in 1915), Ernie Shore and Rube Foster, among other hurlers.

After missing the playoffs in 1917, the Red Sox beat the Cubs in six games in the 1918 World Series. Granted, a 28-year playoff drought and an 86-year championship drought would begin in 1919. Still, Boston won the next season after failing to execute the three-peat.

Verdict: Bounced back

1910-11 Philadelphia Athletics

Charles Bender posted a career 2.32 ERA across 12 seasons with the A’s. (photo by: GHI/Universal History Archive via Getty Images)

The Athletics came of age in 1910.

In said year, they won a then-franchise record 102 games and defeated the Cubs in five games in the 1910 World Series for their first franchise triumph. They then won 101 games in 1911 and beat the Giants in six games in the Fall Classic. Home Run Baker (what a name!), Eddie Collins, Danny Murphy and Bris Lord led the charge for their lineup, while Jack Coombs, Eddie Plank, Charles Bender and Cy Morgan, among others, formed a stellar starting rotation. 

Now, the A’s missed the playoffs in 1912, but they’d get back to and win the World Series in 1913, knocking off the Giants in five games. The Athletics would reach the World Series again in 1914.

Verdict: Bounced back

1907-08 Chicago Cubs

The Cubs ended a 108-year World Series drought in 2016. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Starting pitching was the name of the game for the Cubs in the late 1900s.

Chicago beat the Detroit Tigers in five games in both the 1907 and 1908 World Series, with historical pitching on its side: Hall of Famer Mordecai Brown, Ed Reulbach, Jack Pfiester, Orvall Overall and Carl Lundgren, to name some.

All that said, while they reached the World Series in 1910 after missing the playoffs in 1909, the Cubs would lose to the Athletics in five games. For any history buffs, the Cubs wouldn’t win the World Series again until 2016.

Verdict: Didn’t bounce back

MLB Related Stories

Following an extended stint across Asia, Formula 1 heads to America for the United States Grand Prix at the iconic Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.

After the previous triple-header saw Kimi Antonelli move closer to a maiden F1 title, the Mercedes driver enters three more back-to-back races knowing he has every chance of sealing a historic triumph.

The Italian is 102 points clear of his Mercedes team-mate George Russell at the top of the standings, with the first two victories of the year for Red Bull and Max Verstappen only having helped Antonelli move clear of the pack, leaving him with a small chance of being crowned champion in Austin.

While both Antonelli and Mercedes are in remarkably strong positions in the championships, the competitive picture has rarely been more exciting during the 2026 season, with each of the top four teams entering each weekend with genuine hopes of victory.

Many eyes will be on Antonelli, but Verstappen’s quest to complete a hat-trick of wins, along with Lewis Hamilton’s attempts to bounce back from a tough Sunday in Singapore promise to provide plenty of entertainment.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

On the F1 Show podcast, Bernie Collins considers whether Lewis Hamilton has lost trust in Ferrari after overriding a team strategy call in Singapore.

United States GP track – Circuit of the Americas

Of the newer permanent circuits to have joined the calendar over the past couple of decades, the Circuit of the Americas is certainly one of the very best.

The undulating 3.4-mile, 20-corner layout built on the outskirts of Austin quickly proved a hit with drivers when it made its debut in 2021 as F1’s first made-to-measure home in the USA.

There was also a sense of familiarity given its track design took inspiration from some of Europe’s most famous tracks.

An Esses section reminiscent of Silverstone’s legendary high-speed Maggotts and Becketts complex at Silverstone makes up Turns Three to Six, while a reverse triple-apex challenge in the style of Istanbul Park’s Turn Eight and a Hockenheim-style arena section all feature in the exciting anti-clockwise lap.

The circuit even has its own signature feature in the form of a steep uphill run to the first corner, which has been the scene of numerous overtakes and controversial incidents over the past 13 years when drivers go wheel-to-wheel into the wide braking zone before powering back downhill towards the Esses.

United States GP weather in Austin

Temperatures are expected to climb above 30 degrees Celsius on all three days of track action, but the wild card is whether rain is going to play apart.

The latest forecast suggests there’s a 50 per cent chance of rain falling during the race, with showers also possible on Friday and Saturday.

United States GP dates, UK start time and Sky Sports F1’s live schedule – practice, qualifying and race

Thursday October 22
6.25pm: F1 Academy Practice
8pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
10.30pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
11.10pm: Paddock Uncut

Friday October 23
6pm: United States Grand Prix Practice One (session starts at 6.30pm)*
8pm: The F1 Show
9.45pm: United States Grand Prix Practice Two (session starts at 10pm)*
11.50pm: F1 Academy Race 1*

Saturday October 24
6.15pm: United States Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 6.30pm)
8.30pm: United States Grand Prix Qualifying build-up*
10pm: UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
12am: F1 Academy Race 2*
12.45am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*

Sunday October 25
5pm: F1 Academy Race 3
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: United States GP build-up*
8pm: THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: United States GP reaction
11pm: Ted’s Notebook

*also on Sky Sports Main Event

How to watch or stream the United States Grand Prix in the UK and Ireland

Got Sky?

TV: Sky Customers can watch on Sky Sports F1 from Practice on Friday to the United States Grand Prix itself on Sunday October 25 at 8pm

App: Sky Customers can also watch on the Sky Sports app – with the option to go onboard with any driver!

Not got Sky?

Stream: Non-Sky Customers can stream the action with a NOW Day or a cancel-anytime Month pass

Live blog: Anyone on the move can follow live coverage of the race weekend through our dedicated F1 blog

FREE Highlights: Watch F1 highlights shortly after the chequered flag on the Sky Sports app

How to watch the United States GP on mobile with the Sky Sports app

Sky Sports Subscribers can:

1. Download or open the Sky Sports app
2. Head to the ‘Live’ section at 6.30pm for build-up on Sunday, ahead of lights out at 8pm
3. Tap on the Sky Sports F1 channel
4. Sign in with your Sky iD (*you’ll only need to do this once)

*Sky iD help: How to find or create your Sky iD

What is NOW?

NOW is an instant streaming service offering access to all 12 Sky Sports channels, every Sky Sports+ stream, and much more.

It’s an app, so customers can sign up and stream instantly across over 60 devices. It offers contract-free membership options, so customers can cancel anytime!

You can choose between a Month or Day Membership. See the latest NOW membership prices.

More information about NOW can be found here.

Formula 1 next heads to The Americas for another triple header with the United States Grand Prix in Austin up first on October 23-25, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime

Week 6 didn’t go our way, but we’re still positive on the season, and a new week brings new opportunities.

Now, it’s on to a loaded Week 7 slate. Let’s get to my wagers.

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.

Last Week: 0-3
Season: 16-13

I can’t see the shorthanded BYU offense doing much against the best defense it will face by far. The Cougars struggled mightily vs. Texas Tech last season — another excellent defense (7 TO, 14 points, 3.7 YPP in two games) — and without LJ Martin, will be lacking a huge part of their attack. 

Fallica’s Pick: BYU Under 17.5

The K-State defense has not been very good this year, but it’s facing a unit on the other side — the Kansas offense — which has been just about as bad. After a blowout loss last week to Houston, I’d expect Collin Klein to have the Wildcats ready for their Sunflower State rivals. Klein owned the rivalry as a player and will look to bring a similar mindset as a coach.

Fallica’s Pick: Kansas State -4.5

The Hokies surprisingly lost at Cal last week, but returning home should be enough of a boost to beat up on Georgia Tech, which managed an upset win of its own over Duke last week. The Jackets have managed to lose to Colorado and at Cal this season, so I don’t think there’s any reason to believe they have turned some corner. This feels like the type of game in which James Franklin would like to make a statement.

Fallica’s Pick: Virginia Tech -9.5

Carolina is very close to being 4-1, although I have no idea how the Tar Heels won last week — outside of some very poor play by the Pitt backup and an injury to the Panthers’ top back. Duke has done very well against its Tobacco Road rivals, and look for Nate Sheppard and company to get back on track here after a shock loss to GT last week.

Fallica’s Pick: Duke -3.5

‘Dogs To Play On The Moneyline

Last Week: 2-4, -1.6
Season: 6-10, -1.79

Boston College +195
Indiana +155
TCU +190
Virginia +280
Wisconsin +120

Bear Bytes

There are nine P4 teams that have played at least three P4 opponents this season and have not won a game against any of them. Five of the nine are from the Big Ten (Michigan State and Maryland are 0-4; Rutgers, Washington and Penn State are 0-3). The other four are Arkansas, TCU, Syracuse and Kansas.

Six P4 teams have won at least 10 home games in a row. Half of them are involved in a ranked matchup this weekend, including the teams with the two longest streaks — Indiana (19) and Ole Miss (13) — and two are home underdogs (BYU vs. Notre Dame and Indiana vs. Ohio State). The other such game is Ole Miss hosting Missouri.

No. 2 NOTRE DAME @ No. 8 BYU

Big 12 teams are 5-7 vs. other P4 conferences this season. The five wins have come against Virginia, Arkansas, Oregon, Boston College and Georgia Tech. Those five teams are 5-14 against P4 opponents this season.

The only other time a ranked BYU team hosted a top-three team was the 1990 upset win over defending national champion Miami.

Dating back to Michigan State’s upset win over Ohio State in 2015, double-digit favorites in regular-season top-10 matchups have won 19 straight games. Each of the last four and six of the last seven have covered the big number. Ten of the last 14 have gone under, FWIW. The Irish are the first road team in this role since Alabama’s 29-0 win at LSU in 2018.

BYU has allowed 12.3 PPG vs. P4 teams this season — best among P4 teams. Notre Dame has averaged 42.4 PPG vs. P4 teams this season — second-best among P4 teams.

Notre Dame has outscored its five P4 opponents by 29.2 PPG (best in the nation). Miami is second (+26.7).

Since 2024, Big 12 teams are 1-5 vs. top-10 opponents from the other P4 leagues.

The current Big 12 memberships’ record vs. top-10 teams from the ACC, Big Ten, SEC and Notre Dame in the regular season and CFP: 1-5 in the last three years; 6-20 in the last 15 seasons.

BYU in two games vs. Texas Tech last year:

• 7 turnovers
• 14 points
• 227.5 YPG
• 25 drives, 2 TD
• 3.7 yards per play

FLORIDA ST. @ No. 3 MIAMI

Miami has handled Florida schools with ease since 2024. The Canes are 9-0, outscoring opponents by 33.6 PPG (408-106). Miami is a perfect 6-0 ATS vs. Florida, Florida State and USF — the other FBS teams in Florida — in that stretch.

Since the start of the 2024 season, Florida State is 5-19 vs. Power 4 opponents. The only teams worse are Arkansas and Oklahoma State at 4-19, Maryland (3-20) and Purdue (2-23).

Miami is the only P4 team to not trail for a second against another P4 team this season. The Canes have led for 2:42:50 of a possible three hours in three games vs. P4 teams.

Florida State has allowed 7.2 YPP vs. P4 opponents this season. Only Stanford, K-State, Rutgers and West Virginia are worse among P4 teams.

No. 4 OHIO ST. @ No. 5 INDIANA

This is the fifth time Indiana has been an underdog under Curt Cignetti. In 2024, IU lost both games and covered neither. Last year, IU won both outright — vs. Oregon and Ohio State.

Including this week, each of the last five regular-season top-five matchups has featured Ohio State. The Buckeyes won three of the first four, with the loss coming at Texas last month.

On third down vs. P4 opponents this season, Indiana is 10-for-10 when it is third-and-3 or fewer, but 5-for-25 when it is third-and-4 or more.

In the last 30 years, there have been seven teams 6-0 or better and ranked in the top five that were home underdogs. Five of the seven lost the game, with the last being 7-0 No. 3 Penn State, which lost to No. 4 Ohio State 20-13 as a 3.5-point ‘dog. The two teams that won: Notre Dame in 2020 vs. Clemson — COVID season, Trevor Lawrence did not play — and Oklahoma in 2000 vs. Nebraska.

LOUISVILLE @ SYRACUSE

Syracuse is 1-12 (11 straight losses) vs. Power 4 teams since the start of last season, allowing 37.5 PPG in that stretch.

UNC @ DUKE

Under Manny Diaz, Duke is 6-0 and 6-0 ATS vs. North Carolina, NC State and Wake Forest. The Blue Devils were not favored by more than 6.5 points in any of the games and were underdogs in two of the six.

North Carolina has been penalized 24.3 YPG in four games vs. P4 opponents. That’s the fewest among P4 teams.

No. 15 KENTUCKY @ OKLAHOMA

Since 1978, there have been 13 instances of an unranked team being favored by a TD or more over a top-15 team. Twelve of the 13 unranked teams won the game, and nine of the 13 covered the number. The only top-15 team to pull the upset was No. 12 Kentucky in 2018, which won at unranked Missouri 15-14 as a 7.5-point dog.

Kentucky has been an underdog four times this season, winning three of the games outright. And in the other instance, the Wildcats led Alabama at halftime before getting blown out in the second half.

Three P4 teams are averaging less than a point per drive this season against P4 teams — Stanford (.98), Oklahoma (.90) and Colorado (.82). OU’s drives have covered an average of 21.5 yards vs. P4 opponents, which is the worst among P4 teams.

Oklahoma is 1-24 on third-and-7 or more this season.

No. 6 ALABAMA @ No. 14 TENNESSEE

Josh Heupel has been an underdog 15 times in the regular season at Tennessee. The Vols have pulled three upsets — two of the three have come in Alabama’s last two visits to Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee has 16 sacks in four games against P4 opponents this season (most in the country).

WISCONSIN @ No. 12 UCLA

In four games vs. P4 teams, UCLA has been the beneficiary of 18 opponent turnovers — five more than any other P4 team. The Bruins’ POT margin is +53 against P4 teams, 15 points better than the next-closest team.

No. 21 WAKE FOREST @ CAL

Wake Forest is averaging 3.45 points per drive in five games vs. P4 teams this season. That’s third-best in the country behind Notre Dame (3.67) and Alabama (3.50).

FLORIDA @ No. 7 TEXAS

Texas has gone three-and-out on 47.4% of its drives vs. P4 teams this season. That’s the highest percentage among P4 teams. Washington is next at 45.9%, followed by Oklahoma at 42.5%.

AUBURN @ No. 1 GEORGIA

Since 2009, AP No. 1 teams are 146-2 vs. unranked teams. The two losses: Alabama at Vanderbilt in 2024 and Alabama at Texas A&M in 2021. The last dozen games have been decided by an average of 34.4 PPG, and none have been closer than 18.

Over the last 40 seasons, AP No. 1 teams are 274-6 as favorites of 20 points or more. The only loss in the last 104 such games is Alabama’s loss at Vanderbilt in 2024. The six losses? 2024 Alabama -22.5 at Vanderbilt, 2012 Oregon -20.5 vs. Stanford, 2008 USC -25 at Oregon State, 2001 Florida -23 at Auburn, 1998 Ohio State -27 vs. Michigan State and 1996 Nebraska -24.5 at Arizona State.

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will take a new team photograph including William Saliba after the defender’s surprise absence from the one published this week.

Arsenal supporters were left baffled by Saliba’s omission from the official 2026/27 picture as Arsenal revealed he was unavailable to attend due to a medical appointment.

Saliba is yet to play this season because of a back injury but the 25-year-old remains a key player, having made 184 appearances for the club, which heightened the intrigue around his omission.

“What happened was that we have tried to do that picture three times already and we had to cancel it last minute for different reasons,” explained Arteta ahead of Arsenal’s away trip to Nottingham Forest, live on Sky Sports on Sunday.

“We had some commercial obligations, we had some people who flew over to do that, so we decided to do that picture.

“We will have another picture with the whole family.

“Hopefully we can get them all together at some point one day, and we’ll announce that as well.”

Arteta replied “yes” when asked to confirm that Arsenal planned to retake the picture and insisted Saliba was “completely fine” about the situation.

He said: “Well, it wasn’t in his hands. But Willy is normally happy about everything. He knows how loved he is. He was taking some banter from the players and he is completely fine.”

Saliba resumed training on the grass earlier this month and Arteta said he is progressing positively, with a scan scheduled for next week as he edges closer to a return to action.

“I think next week we have another MRI with him to see how the healing process is going.

“But every sign so far has been very, very positive. It will be good to have him.”

LOS ANGELES — Minutes after the Brewers got on stage and accepted their trophy for winning the National League pennant, manager Pat Murphy stood on the green grass in the center of the outfield at Dodger Stadium and tried to find the words for how they slayed the dragon. 

After a beat, the lightbulb in his brain went off.

“We can’t be their whipping boy all the time,” Murphy told me with a satisfied grin.

(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

All around him, Brewers players were leaving the field and hustling into the visitor’s clubhouse. A team representative implored Murphy to stop taking pictures and celebrating with his family so that he could join his team inside the locker room for champagne.

Murphy, in feigned disbelief, said, “We’re doing that again? That’s awful.” The team rep said, “They can’t start without you. They need their main popper.”

It took a while for Murphy to join his team inside, but when he did, the Brewers finally had permission to let go. They paused their restrained conduct and compulsion to win and celebrated, according to Murphy, what nobody thought they could do. 

 Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Brewers defeated the Dodgers, 6-4, in Game 4 of the NLCS on Thursday. They swept the back-to-back defending champions and earned a trip to the World Series for the first time since 1982, ending the second-longest drought in baseball for an appearance in the Fall Classic. 

“Where’s my f–king beer?!” shouted Brewers closer Trevor Megill, who was far and away the loudest and most out-of-control player in Milwaukee’s winning clubhouse. Megill let a teammate pour a champagne bottle over his head. Then he lit a cigar and danced to “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver.

The ceiling in the tiny and crowded visitor’s clubhouse at Dodger Stadium was covered in droplets of beer and champagne. Plastic sheets were hanging over the lockers, but nobody was bothering to stay dry. In a chaotic scene of unique jubilation that can only belong to teams that have won the pennant, the Brewers drank, smoked and danced their hearts out. 

The chant “This is our house!” rippled through the visitor’s clubhouse. It was a bold declaration of revenge that the Brewers had been waiting to say for exactly one year.

Last October, Milwaukee was swept by Los Angeles in the NLCS. On Thursday night at Dodger Stadium, the Brewers became the first major-league team to sweep an opponent in the postseason one year after being swept by that same team in the previous postseason. 

“They remember it,” Murphy said of how much the Brewers used last year’s sweep as fuel. “We had the best record in baseball, and people are asking us questions like, ‘Was that year a failure?’ We ran into a team that was as hot as they’ve ever been, pitching was as good as it’s ever been. Now, they added [Tarik] Skubal to that mix. But it goes to show you. It’s the mentality you’re in, at the time you’re in it. And this time, the mindset was incredible.”

Players struggled to describe how much it meant to them to knock out the Dodgers. They didn’t need words to demonstrate what they were feeling when Michael Bublé’s bright and easy voice crooned through the room.

(Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Shohei Ohtani’s walk-up song, “Feeling Good” by Bublé, blared from the alcohol-soaked clubhouse speakers. The Brewers, who were already on a different planet, completely lost it. Players reached into carts and popped more bottles before singing along to the chorus like it was the loudest karaoke bar in the universe. The lyrics — “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me, and I’m feeling good” — were so appropriate to the Brewers’ triumph that even Ohtani had to be impressed by their taunting. 

“The Brewers are overall strong and a very good team,” Ohtani said through an interpreter after he finally woke up and hit a three-run home run in Game 4 before the Dodgers season ended. “They really showed, exposed, some of the parts of me as a player, and I got to give some credit to them.”

Jacob Misiorowski, standing tall and awkward off to the side of the room with goggles pushed up on his forehead, started smoking a cigar. The 23-year-old Brewers ace couldn’t stop smiling even as he tried to blink away the burning champagne from his eyes.

(Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

“This is crazy,” Misiorowski told me. “We just believed in each other. We did the same thing all year and look where it’s got us. I blacked out after the final out. Like, right now, I have no words to describe this.”

Ask people in the organization when they knew the Brewers were capable of going to the World Series, and everyone has the same answer: the first day of spring training. Even though last year’s Milwaukee team also had the best record in baseball, and was special in its own right, the feeling around this year’s club was different from the jump. The Brewers felt like a family.  

“You have a lot of players on this team who are some of the best players in the game,” Brewers assistant hitting coach Daniel Vogelbach told me. “We have the best second baseman in the world. We may have the best catcher in the world. And our left fielder is 22 years old, and he’s one of the best at what he does. They don’t care about anything other than winning for each other. It’s all for each other. They’re selfless. That’s why they’re going to the World Series.”

Once they started celebrating, they couldn’t stop. The sound of empty beer bottles being thrown into carts was soon drowned out by players rapping the vulgar lyrics to “Crazy Rap (Colt 45 & 2 Zig Zags)” by Afroman. Players only stopped popping bottles to FaceTime their friends and families to show them the bedlam inside the clubhouse. 

“I think the Dodgers figured out that we came in here with a little different attitude this year,” Murphy said.

In Game 1 of the NLCS at home in American Family Field, Milwaukee fell behind early before rallying to win. In Game 2, the Brewers trailed again before staging a comeback victory to take control of the series before going on the road. In Game 3, Los Angeles built an early lead in a must-win game before they ran into yet another epic at-bat from Jake Bauers, the eventual NLCS MVP, to win the game and lead the series, 3-0. In Game 4, the Dodgers jumped out to a 4-0 lead before Milwaukee scored six unanswered runs.

They couldn’t be denied. The Brewers trailed the Dodgers in every single game of the NLCS, and they still managed to sweep the series, 4-0. In part, they can credit the Dodgers for feeling this way. It was a deep hunger that was born from last year’s humiliating outcome.

“Watching the way they carried themselves on the field after sweeping us last year was a little bit eye-opening,” Bauers said. “We won the [Division Series] against the Cubs, and I think we kind of celebrated like that was something. Those guys swept us, they sent us home, and you would have thought it was a handshake line at a spring training game. That’s something that I carried with me. That’s something that I remembered. Yeah, it was a little bit of motivation to just say, we’ve got to keep going until there’s not another game left to play.”

The Brewers have now picked up 110 wins between the regular season and the playoffs, and they have four more wins to lock down before they can declare themselves champions. They await the winner of the ALCS between the Rays and Guardians, and then it’s go time. The World Series begins on Friday, October 23 at American Family Field.

As much as this series sweep against the Dodgers mattered to the Brewers, their fans, and to the sport before it heads into a potential lockout, none of it will matter to Milwaukee unless they finish the job. 

The number they’re after is 114 wins. 

“It’s just like Bruce [Springsteen] said,” Murphy remarked. “We have to be the last man standing.”

Haas boss Ayao Komatsu has dismissed the suggestion that his squad have become a “Ferrari B-team” after they confirmed the signing of a second driver from the Italian outfit’s academy.

Haas announced on Thursday that 21-year-old Brazilian Rafael Camara will drive for them in 2027 after signing a multi-year contract.

Camara is set to drive alongside fellow Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) product Oliver Bearman, with confirmation that the Brit will remain with Haas for a third season expected soon.

Haas’ pairing of the two drivers, who both remain attached to Ferrari and retain ambitions of driving for the Italian team in future, furthers a strong working relationship between the two squads that also sees Ferrari supply Haas with power units and other significant parts.

Asked whether the signing of Camara could alter perceptions of Haas’ identity, Komatsu said: “No, honestly, our collaboration with Ferrari gives us the access to those Ferrari Academy drivers.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Rafael Camara has signed a multi-year deal with Haas as Esteban Ocon’s replacement.

“So, Ollie Bearman, because of our relationship with Ferrari, we had a chance to test him in Mexico (in 2024).

“And then because we got this relationship, we had a chance to test Rafa in Portimao.

“But it’s the same as when we took Ollie. At no point Ferrari pressurised us, ‘oh, Ayao, can you take Ollie because he’s an FDA driver, he needs a race seat, or can you take Rafa because he’s going to win F2 and he really needs to be in Formula 1?’

“None of that. We choose drivers by ourselves completely, by myself and (team owner) Mr Gene Haas.

“So, yes, they are FDA drivers, their careers have been supported by Ferrari, but they are Haas F1 team drivers and we are under no obligation or pressure to take anyone from Ferrari.

“So that Ferrari B-team thing is just not even a starter.”

A battle for a future Ferrari seat?

Komatsu also insists he has no concerns that a potentially intense contest between Bearman and Camara to impress Ferrari could become a problem for Haas.

While Charles Leclerc signed a multi-year contract extension with Ferrari earlier this year, it remains to be seen how many more years his team-mate Lewis Hamilton will continue in F1.

The seven-time world champion will turn 42 in January, while it’s unclear whether his Ferrari contract stretches beyond the end of the 2027 season.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Ollie Bearman is reduced to tears after driving Ayrton Senna’s 1985 Lotus 97T, the car Senna drove to his first-ever Formula 1 victory.

Whenever Ferrari do require a new driver, Bearman and Camara would be obvious contenders, which means the way things play out for them at Haas could be a decisive factor in their F1 futures.

“Formula 1, as a whole, is a huge competition,” Komatsu said. “So, a team-mate is the first person you need to beat.

“But both of them, I think they will be really focused on how to get the best out of themselves.

“Because, again, sporting results, beating somebody else, it’s not totally under your control. You could be having your best drive, but somebody else can out-drive you, and in the circumstances, you might get beaten.

“But that’s not something you can control. What you can control is to get the best out of yourself, absolutely everything, from your team, from yourself. And I believe that’s what both of those guys are going to be focused on.

“And both of those guys, both Rafa and Ollie, they are incredibly quick.”

Formula 1 next heads to The Americas for another triple header with the United States Grand Prix in Austin up first on October 23-25, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime

LOS ANGELES — Forty minutes after the Milwaukee Brewers emptied out of the visiting dugout at Dodger Stadium and turned the defending back-to-back champions’ three-peat dream into a National League Championship Series nightmare, shortstop Miguel Rojas’ eyes were still bloodshot from the tears. The Dodgers’ reign of baseball supremacy ended Thursday night in stunning fashion, and only time will tell what happens next for their aging dynasty amid a changing baseball landscape. 

The one certainty is that it won’t look quite the same. 

“We never thought about being in this position,” Rojas said, “and not being able to do it.”

(Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

In the aftermath of a thorough sweep, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed his players before handing the floor to Rojas, one of the team’s valued voices. On a club teeming with superstars, the 37-year-old utility infielder had emerged as an important ingredient to the team’s championship concoction and an unlikely hero whose Game 7 home run in the 2025 World Series helped put the Dodgers in position to chase history this year. 

Rojas had a hard time taking off his uniform and cleats Thursday night, knowing that the Game 4 loss marked the end not only of the Dodgers’ World Series aspirations but also his own ride as a big leaguer. He thanked his teammates for changing his life, then delivered the news of his impending retirement. 

“This is it,” Rojas confirmed to me in the Dodgers’ clubhouse. “That was my last game playing. That was the last time I put these cleats on and this uniform on as a player.”

Neither he nor the rest of the Dodgers could have envisioned their ride ending on Oct. 15.

The Dodgers entered the postseason with one of the most talented teams ever assembled, a payroll more than twice the size of their NLCS competitors, and the experience of winning three World Series championships over the past six seasons. They were trying to become the first team since the 1998-00 Yankees and the first NL team ever to win three straight World Series titles. 

The Milwaukee Brewers, who will now be playing in their first World Series since 1982, did not care.

Milwaukee won a franchise-record 103 games this year despite ranking last in the National League in home runs. The Brewers earned a deserved reputation for causing havoc with their contact, speed and general unwillingness to chase out of the zone. 

But they didn’t simply small-ball their way through this NLCS.

(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Unintimidated, undaunted, undeterred, they overwhelmed the Dodgers in every phase, outslugging their star-studded foes, countering every punch, perpetually pouring on pressure and snatching the will of the defending champs, who couldn’t help but tip their caps afterward. 

“No matter how much you win, these moments suck,” said Kiké Hernández. “I’ve won a lot in my career, but I’ve also had a lot of these. They don’t get easier. But they’re playing unbelievable right now. Congrats to them. I hope that they end up winning it all. They’re almost playing perfect baseball. That’s a team that’s incredibly hungry and incredibly talented. Their pitching was lights out. Their offense was almost suffocating.”

The Brewers faced defending back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal in Game 1, reigning World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2 and another two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in Game 3. They fell in an early 4-0 hole against No. 4 starter Tyler Glasnow, who would have been the ace of some playoff rotations, in Game 4. 

And they won all of them, despite playing from behind in each.

The final comeback was especially awe-inspiring, considering the swing that preceded the Brewers’ nightly fusillade. 

Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani had looked like a shell of himself at the plate for months as he fought through multiple physical ailments, which could require procedures this offseason. 

“Hard to tell at this point,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “It’s something that’s going to be analyzed, discussed over the offseason.” 

Entering Thursday, Ohtani was homerless over his previous 25 games and had knocked in just one run over that stretch. So, when he unloaded on an electrifying three-run, 428-foot drive, then turned toward the home dugout and let out months worth of frustration with a bat flip and a yell, it seemed like it might be a turning point not only in the game but potentially the series. 

“He gets that moment, it’s like, ‘That’s the swing we’ve been waiting for,’” third baseman Max Muncy told me. “We’ve got a nice lead, we got Glas on the mound, we’re confident behind him.”

Had the Dodgers won Game 4, they would have had Skubal and Yamamoto ready for a second crack at the Brewers in Games 5 and 6. 

“I was thinking that before the game started,” Skubal told me. “There was no doubt in my mind that we were going to get to a Game 5, and my thought process was, ‘I’m going to get Yama the ball in Game 6 and we’ll see what happens. But baseball … it’s hard to win.”

Especially against these Brewers, who did what they always do.

(Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

They kept chipping away — two runs in the fourth, another two in the fifth, a blast from Garrett Mitchell. Just like that, the Dodgers were down by the sixth inning and facing another undesirable battle against the Brewers’ overpowering relief arms. 

“They just kept stringing together one good at-bat after another after another after another,” Muncy continued. “They were just kind of relentless.” 

Even before the series shifted back to Los Angeles, the Dodgers seemed almost shell-shocked by their opponents after Yamamoto got chased in the third inning of Game 2, marking the shortest start of the October sensation’s decorated playoff career.

(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

That was perhaps most obvious in the attendance at Dodger Stadium. While 50,708 fans attended Game 3 and another 49,104 showed up for Game 4, neither was a sellout. 

The Brewers had nine more hits, six more homers and 10 more runs than the Dodgers in the series. They became the first club ever to trail in all four games of a best-of-seven sweep and the first to record six comeback wins in their first eight games of a postseason. 

Meanwhile, their assortment of high-powered arms rendered the Dodgers’ top sluggers incapable, seemingly stripping them of their confidence more and more with each passing day. Milwaukee’s bullpen finished the series 4-0 with a 2.08 ERA and 22 strikeouts to just six walks. 

But the Dodgers had plenty of opportunities that went uncashed. The final frames of their season Thursday night will go down as a fitting representation of their lineup’s unmet potential. 

Andy Pages, who delivered the team’s only two hits with runners in scoring position through the Dodgers’ first six games of the playoffs, doubled to start the seventh inning, representing the tying run. Hernandez sacrificed Pages to third base, turning the lineup over for Ohtani, who had already broken out of his prolonged power outage.

This time, though, Ohtani reverted to his previous October form, striking out on three pitches against lefty Aaron Ashby while helplessly chasing at strike three. Mookie Betts followed with a groundout.

An inning later, the Dodgers left Will Smith stranded at third base after a one-out double. With runners in scoring position, they finished 4-for-27 in the NLCS and 5-for-43 in the postseason. 

With that, the Brewers became the first MLB team to sweep a playoff series against a team that swept them the year prior. 

“Sometimes you go out there and give it your all, and you come up short,” said Freddie Freeman. “It’s life. I’ve been playing this a long time, only won three times. That’s a lot of hurt at the end of seasons. Sometimes, you just get beat.”

The decisive manner in which it happened, though, came as a shock.

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The defending two-time champs, a group laden with veteran superstars, were supposed to be the team capable of relying on their experience in these circumstances. 

The flip-side of that argument? Their age might have been part of the problem. 

The Dodgers didn’t buy into the narrative that Father Time had finally come knocking for MLB’s oldest roster, but they had tried to prepare for the reality by lavishing 29-year-old Kyle Tucker with a four-year, $240 million contract, making him one of only two starters in their lineup under the age of 30. 

Tucker and three-time All-Star closer Edwin Díaz, the Dodgers’ two biggest free-agent acquisitions — and two more reasons that fans from 29 other fanbases decried the Dodgers’ payroll advantage and the sport’s competitive imbalance — labored through the worst full season of their careers.

(Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Coincidentally, by the time October arrived, their two major offseason additions were finally giving the Dodgers what they had hoped. But they couldn’t change their team’s fate. 

And signs of their aging roster were appearing. They had grounded into the most double plays in the National League this year, a problem that reappeared this postseason, and their roster was ailing. 

Among players with at least 100 competitive runs, the Dodgers’ fastest player this year was Teoscar Hernández, who celebrated his 34th birthday on Thursday and was slowed by a hamstring strain this year. A sore knee for Freeman sapped the 37-year-old’s power late in the year, clearly playing a part in the veteran first baseman hitting just one home run in the season’s second half and one extra-base hit in all of September. 

Most notably, even Ohtani demonstrated his mortality.

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

A medley of aches and pains, including injuries to his left knee and right biceps, prevented him from pitching after July 3 and clearly impacted him at the plate down the stretch. 

He said he’ll need to “go back to the drawing board” in terms of treatment and training to see how to better prepare his body next year, though he still plans on trying to pitch again next season. 

By then, the group surrounding him will have changed.

Skubal is set to become one of the highest-paid pitchers in MLB history. Kiké Hernández and relievers Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia are both free agents. The Dodgers also may want to create more time for standout rookie Josue De Paula as they usher in a fresh wave of talent. 

These are all conversations the Dodgers didn’t expect to be having so suddenly. 

“We really tried to do something special in this clubhouse, and I know next year we’ll be ready to get right back to it,” Muncy said. “But right now, this sucks.”

Of the previous 42 teams that trailed 3-0 in a best-of-seven series, only one — Roberts’ 2004 Red Sox — overcame that deficit. Thirty-two of them were swept. 

The Dodgers made it 33, and now a winter of uncertainty awaits with their owner under federal investigation and an impending labor battle looming. 

“You can’t really think about this being the end of an era,” Rojas said. “I think when you have Shohei Ohtani on your team, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and the years ahead of these guys, you can never think that it’s going to be the end.”

At least, not for most of them.

“Some things don’t need commentary.”

For years, Don Strapzy has said it while watching the SE Dons, his words becoming part of the soundtrack to a football club built on ambition, personality and a belief that the game belongs to everybody.

But when Alex Teniola scored in the 95th minute to complete a remarkable comeback against Chichester, the phrase found a new audience. The Dons had trailed 2-1 before scoring twice in added time to win 3-2. Don Strapzy’s commentary went viral, capturing the kind of footballing drama that needs no embellishment.

There was more to come. A 5-1 victory away to former National League club Weymouth followed, leaving the Dons one win away from the FA Cup first round proper.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Three seasons ago SE Dons were playing Sunday League football and now they’re one win away from the FA Cup first round but how did they get here?

Three seasons ago, they were playing Sunday League football. Now, after six matches in their maiden FA Cup campaign, including a replay, they prepare to face Sholing in the fourth qualifying round, with Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday or Reading among the clubs waiting in the next round.

The Dons have already beaten four teams from higher leagues. They are one of only three clubs left in the competition to have started in the extra preliminary round.

This is not supposed to happen. But then, the Dons have never been particularly interested in what is supposed to happen.

“We are just normal people that dare to be great,” Don Strapzy told Sky Sports.

And that, perhaps, is the point.

The club, founded in 2014 by south-east London rapper Don Strapzy, real name Andrew McHugh, and his friends, has grown from a Sunday League team into a football club, a content platform and a community with more than 250,000 YouTube subscribers.

Image:
Don Strapzy founded the SE Dons alongside friends in 2014

The videos have taken supporters inside dressing rooms, onto touchlines and into the lives of the people who make the club what it is. In 2024, a link-up with Forest Hill Park opened the door to Saturday football. Promotion followed, and the SE Dons name was adopted for the 2025/26 campaign.

Their FA Cup debut arrived in August. A 2-0 victory against Erith Town at their home ground, The Garrison, announced their arrival in the competition.

Now, the dream is becoming difficult to contain.

“I used to speak to my dad about this all the time,” Don Strapzy said. “My dad, he’d have a Guinness, and we’d get carried away. Like, ‘Son, we’re going to get to round three, get Man Utd.’

“And I’d be like, ‘Dad, we’re getting carried away’.”

That conversation carries a different weight now. His father, known affectionately as Mr Old Skool, has since passed. So has his mother, Paula, who was a familiar presence around the club and helped with the kits.

Image:
The legacy of ‘Mr Old Skool’ ,John McHugh (right), lives on through the SE Dons (cc: DonStrapzy_)

Their names remain woven into the Dons.

“It’s allowed me to keep my parents’ names alive,” Don Strapzy said. “My mum, anything for Paula. People that haven’t met her, I hear my mum’s name all the time.

“My dad, Mr Old Skool, he was a gentleman. He genuinely loved the club.”

Don Strapzy explained that, after losing Paula, the club gave his father something to look forward to each week. Now, the shirts bearing Mr Old Skool’s name and the supporters singing for him in the 70th minute offer a way for his son to honour that legacy.

His faith, too, is central to the story.

“My life could have gone so differently,” he said. “I’ve got friends who are gone. They ain’t coming back.

“My life could have gone in that route if it wasn’t for my father, my mum, and my faith in the Lord.”

For all the jokes about European football, the ambition is sincere. Don Strapzy has no intention of pretending otherwise.

“If we manage to beat Sholing, I’m asking myself, do we want the big tie now? Or do we try and get one that we can potentially go through?” he said.

“The way God is writing this script right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get to round three.”

The Europa League, meanwhile, has already entered the conversation.

SE Dons: FA Cup run so far

• Extra preliminary round: Lancing (A) – Won 6-0
• Preliminary round: Punjab United (A) – Drew 1-1
• Preliminary round replay: Punjab United (H) – Won 2-0
• First qualifying round: Erith Town (H) – Won 2-0
• Second qualifying round: Chichester City (A) – Won 3-2
• Third qualifying round: Weymouth (A) – Won 5-1

“We’ve been dreaming big from the start,” he said on Sky Sports News. “If we can win the FA Cup, we’ll be in Europa League next season.”

Tongue firmly in cheek, perhaps. But the Dons have earned the right to dream.

Teniola knows better than most what that belief looks like from the other side. Before joining the club, the forward played for Baiteeze Squad, one of the Dons’ great Sunday League rivals. He described their rivalry as the Man Utd-Arsenal of that level, with hundreds turning out for matches that helped make grassroots football a spectacle again.

Yet when the opportunity came to join the Dons, Teniola recognised something familiar.

“I’ve always been a SE Dons sort of player,” he said. “I wear my heart on my sleeve. And that’s the kind of culture that’s bred at SE Dons.”

His late winner against Chichester was a reminder of why he fits. Introduced in the 85th minute, he kept his composure to toe-poke the ball under the goalkeeper and send his team-mates into celebration.

“I can never explain the feeling of scoring a winner,” he said. “It’s one of the best feelings in the world.”

The goal also carried a personal significance. Teniola’s nickname, “Teniola Time”, dates back to a late goal for Tonbridge Angels around a decade ago. His latest intervention has given the name another chapter.

Image:
Alex Teniola scored the winning goal in injury time as the SE Dons beat Chichester in the FA Cup second qualifying round (cc: TeniolaTime)

For Don Strapzy, the importance of the right characters goes beyond goals.

“You’re not just a football player,” he said. “You need the right characters in your changing room, the right leaders, the right mentality.”

Big G, the club’s long-serving captain and goalkeeper, understands that better than most. George Kamurasi is of royal lineage in Uganda’s Tooro Kingdom and is often heard on a matchday bellowing the Dons spirit from between the sticks.

His story reflects the extraordinary lives behind the badge. His own grief, including the death of his parents, has also helped shape a club where remembrance and belonging are never far from the surface.

“What you see on camera is real,” Teniola said. “No one is acting.”

That authenticity is the Dons’ greatest asset. The Viking-style celebrations, the music, the travelling support and the catchphrases may have helped them build an audience, but the football is now matching the spectacle.

Don Strapzy is under no illusion about what comes next. Sholing are two divisions above the Dons and have their own FA Cup dream to protect. There will be no overlooking them.

But a place in the first round proper would put a club born in Sunday League football alongside teams with Premier League histories. For a group that once dreamed of taking on Manchester United over a drink and a conversation, that would be something.

“It’s history, bro,” Don Strapzy said. “We’re literally making history.”

The Dons have spent years building their boat to conquer new shores. One more victory could take them somewhere they have never been before.

And if Teniola finds himself in the right place at the right time again, perhaps the commentary will take care of itself.

Some things don’t need commentary. Some things just need to be seen.

The Los Angeles Dodgers entered this postseason having won two straight World Series and with a squad that included MVPs and Cy Young winners like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Tarik Skubal and Blake Snell. 

A $412 million roster that ran into the $142 million buzzsaw as the Milwaukee Brewers ousted the Dodgers in four games in the NLCS and booked their first trip to the World Series since 1982.

How did they do that? Brewers manager Pat Murphy laid it out simply:

“Getting the chance to watch these guys start to believe in themselves and know they can. They may have a bunch of Hall of Famers, but we have a bunch of gamers. And the gamers won this week.” 

After topping the majors with 103 wins during the regular season, Milwaukee became the first major league club to finish a postseason sweep after getting swept by that same opponent in the previous postseason.

The Brewers also are the first team to sweep a best-of-seven postseason series in which it trailed in every game.

“There was never a doubt in that dugout what was going to happen tonight. We knew we were going to win that game,” said first baseman Jake Bauers, the NLCS MVP.

Aaron Ashby pitched three scoreless innings for a save as the Brewers erased a four-run deficit to win their first NL pennant and second overall. Milwaukee was in the American League when the franchise made its only previous World Series appearance 44 years ago, a seven-game loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

“We got down early tonight and we were like, it’s going to be a great story,” Brewers captain Christian Yelich said. “We’re going to come back and win this. Like, stay together, start chipping away. And that’s exactly what they did.”

Ohtani’s first home run this postseason helped put the Dodgers ahead 4-0 in the second inning before the Brewers came back to complete a four-game sweep of the two-time defending World Series champions a year after getting swept by Los Angeles in the NLCS.

The Dodgers’ goal of a three-peat — not done since the New York Yankees from 1998-2000 and never by a National League team — died with their anemic offense and injuries to Ohtani and others on their aging roster.

Ohtani broke out of his postseason slump with a three-run homer after Andy Pages’ RBI single in the second. The four-time MVP released weeks of pent-up frustration by raising his arms and yelling and the crowd of 49,104 joined him in celebration.

But the Brewers wouldn’t be denied. And when it was over, owner Mark Attanasio thought of Milwaukee’s longtime owner and beloved late broadcaster.

“It’s so important for the community, the entire state of Wisconsin,” Attanasio said. “We’re standing on shoulders of Bud Selig and Bob Uecker.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Georginio Rutter scored twice and set up one as Brighton thrashed Kauno Zalgris 4-0 to get their Conference League campaign off to a winning start.

Brighton were dominant from the first whistle to the last against the Lithuanian Cup winners and took the lead through Rutter, but only after a VAR check. The ball had initially been deemed to have gone out of play before Ibrahim Osman’s cut-back to the Frenchman, but the goal was awarded after review.

Image:
Brighton and Hove Albion’s Jack Hinshelwood (second right) is embraced by his team-mates

Rutter then turned provider as Brighton doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Hinshelwood – returning to the side for the first time since the Premier League opening weekend – slotted into the corner.

The third came after a lung-bursting run from Malick Yalcouye, who played Osman through to cross for Rutter to turn into the net with ease.

Matt O’Riley made it four with a header as he scored his first Brighton goal since August 2025. The Australia international should have got his second with another header late on, but was denied by an excellent save from Tomas Svedkauskas.

It is now five straight wins in all competitions for Fabian Hurzeler’s side who host rivals Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

Hurzeler: Disciplined performance sets us up

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler:

“We showed a good performance, a disciplined performance, a performance where we kept a clean sheet and a performance where a lot of players used the opportunities.

“This will be key for the season, that we can really rely on each other.”

‘Convincing win for Hurzeler’s side’

Analysis from Sky Sports News’ Sophie Evans:

“A convincing win for Fabian Hurzeler’s side as they kick off the club’s second chapter in Europe in style. The fans around the stadium are already confident of a strong run in this competition, chanting ‘we’re going to go to Istanbul’.

“The Brighton boss joined his team in applauding this evening’s home support. He said that their energy would be crucial in making the Amex a fortress for the opposition this season.

“It’s five wins in a row in all competitions for the Seagulls. They were already the favourites to win the Conference League and their dominant performance this evening will only drive that narrative.”

Key moments from the Amex Stadium…

3: CLOSE! Costinha heads over from six yards out! Excellent early opportunity for Brighton.

14: SAVE! Gross shoots from the free-kick, but his effort is tipped over by the goalkeeper!

32: CLOSE! Dunk whips a shot at goal from distance that goes just over and lands on the roof of the net!

35: SAVE! Gross with an excellent delivery from the right for Hinshelwood who heads into the ground forcing the goalkeeper to make an acrobatic one-handed save.

43: GOAL! Rutter opens the scoring after turning in Osman’s cross. The goal is awarded after a VAR check.

45+1: GOAL! Rutter turns provider and crosses for Hinshelwood who produces a tidy finish across the goalkeeper to double Brighton’s lead.

49: SAVE! Gross picks out De Cuyper with a lovely ball, the substitute crosses on the volley for Hinshelwood whose header is tipped over.

53: GOAL! Rutter scores his second of the night after a quality ball from Yalcouye to Osman who cuts back for the Dutchman to apply the finish.

67: GOAL! O’Riley heads across the goalkeeper and into the net to make it 4-0 to the home side.

79: SAVE! Costinha with a header at the back post. Well saved by the goalkeeper!

82: SAVE! O’Riley’s bullet-header is saved brilliantly by the Kauno Zilgris goalkeeper.

What the result means and next fixtures…

Los Angeles (Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium) – Get the brooms out. The Brewers just sent a powerful message to the rest of baseball.

Milwaukee swept the back-to-back defending-champion Dodgers and advanced to the World Series for the first time since 1982.

The National League Championship Series sweep ended the Dodgers’ season and obliterated their season-long objective of a three-peat. The decisive victory also announced that Milwaukee belongs among baseball’s elite.

For so long, October success was never a sure thing for these Brewers. As dominant as they were in the regular season, this was the first time in the postseason that they didn’t buckle against top contenders. Finally, Milwaukee showcased the same sense of complete control that it showed throughout the regular season in October. 

With the win, the Brewers became the first team in MLB history to sweep a postseason series against the team that swept them the previous year.

Here are our takeaways from Game 4:

1.

Brewers Chip Away Slowly, Steadily To Win Pennant

Staring at a daunting four-run deficit, the Brewers did what they have done so many times this season. No, they didn’t panic. They didn’t tense up and forget their approach, either. Undaunted, they put their heads down and got to work.

Who else but first baseman Jake Bauers got the Brewers on the board with a two-run, ground-rule double off Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow in the fourth inning? Before that big swing, the top of Milwaukee’s order did its part. Second baseman Brice Turang drew a walk. Catcher William Contreras put Turang on third with a ground-rule double to left. And then Bauers got both of them home with yet another huge at-bat in this series. By the time the fourth inning was over, the Brewers had trimmed their deficit to 4-2. Much more manageable.

Jake Bauers started the Brewers’ comeback in the fourth inning with a two-run double that cut the Dodgers’ four-run lead in half. (Katelyn Mulcahy/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Milwaukee kept the pressure up in the fifth, this time with the bottom of the order getting things started. Sal Frelick drew a one-out walk, stole second base, and No. 9 hitter David Hamilton ripped an RBI single up the middle to score Frelick. Los Angeles led by just one run, 4-3. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had seen enough. Once gifted with an early 4-0 lead, Glasnow walked off the mound with the tension mounting at Chavez Ravine.

In came right-handed reliever Evan Phillips, who couldn’t find the strike zone against the heart of Milwaukee’s order. After falling behind on Turang, 3-0, Phillips intentionally walked him in lieu of facing Contreras. The Brewers backstop drew a walk and loaded the bases for none other than Bauers. At that point, it would’ve been surprising if Bauers didn’t come through.

After drawing a 12-pitch walk against Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2 and crushing a go-ahead, two-run home run on the 11th pitch of the at-bat against Blake Snell in Game 3, this was the easiest run Bauers manufactured in Game 4. He drew a four-pitch walk against Phillips and tied the game at 4-4, completing the Brewers’ comeback with a slow and steady ease that has become Milwaukee’s identity. – Deesha Thosar

2.

Shohei Ohtani Finally Breaks Out, But It’s Too Late

After the Dodgers fell into a 2-0 hole in the NLCS in Milwaukee, third baseman Max Muncy called his shot.

Not for him, but for his struggling teammate.

Shohei Ohtani had started the postseason hitting .150 with no extra-base hits. At the time, he hadn’t homered since Aug. 18 and hadn’t knocked in a run in 24 games. An injured list stint and the break from a wild-card bye didn’t yield the October turnaround the Dodgers had hoped to see.

His teammates still expected some fireworks at some point, though.

“He knows we’re all still behind him,” Muncy said after the Dodgers’ Game 2 loss. “I can tell you right now, he’s going to get a big hit for us at some point, and that’s going to turn things.”

Three days later, Ohtani delivered the swing that had eluded him since the middle of August and let out months’ worth of frustration as he flipped his bat and screamed toward his teammates while Dodger Stadium erupted.

It was as animated as he has ever been, for good reason.

Shohei Ohtani was hyped up after his three-run home run on Thursday night. (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

As Ohtani’s slump continued, there was chatter of the Dodgers potentially giving him a game off to reset his ailing body. That was only going to happen if Ohtani felt he couldn’t play. And he insisted that he could, that his symptoms had subdued and that he was getting closer to where he wanted to be.

“I would say the word I would use is conviction,” Roberts said on Tuesday. “He was very convicted that he is onto something mechanically. He was adamant that he can help us.”

So, the Dodgers listened. And over the next 48 hours, Roberts saw a renewed level of focus from his star hitter.

The big blast didn’t come in Game 3, when Ohtani dropped from the clean-up spot to sixth in the order, but he finished the day 1-for-2 with a walk. The single he hit left the bat at 113.5 mph, his hardest-hit ball since June.

In Game 4, Roberts did not tell Ohtani that he would be returning to the leadoff spot before the Dodgers’ manager posted the lineup with the season on the line. But if their season was going to end Thursday night, Roberts was going to go down with his superstar at the top.

“I think that the work, being here till 9 o’clock two nights ago working, the at-bats yesterday, for me, baking all that in, I felt, absolutely, put him at the top,” Roberts said on Thursday afternoon before Game 4. “I feel good about him taking five at-bats and giving us our best chance to win and produce runs.”

The move paid off, as Ohtani gave the Dodgers their first home run of the series and an early 4-0 lead with a 428-foot blast.

The Dodgers need all the early support they could get. – Rowan Kavner

3.

Garrett Mitchell Is The Brewers’ Clinching Hero

His teammates did the rest of the work. They came all the way back in the fourth and fifth innings after being down 4-0. Now, in the sixth, they just needed someone to step up and put them over the edge.

Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell, one day after hitting a huge insurance-run homer off Blake Snell, was feeling good about his chances against Dodgers left-handed reliever Tanner Scott.

Mitchell, putting on his best impression of Bauers, was patient. Leading off the sixth, he didn’t jump on the first pitch. He let the 91 mph slider from Scott clip the top of the zone for strike one. Then he chased the next slider and fell behind in the count, 0-2. But then Scott threw three consecutive balls and quickly lost his advantage. On a full count, Scott finally made a mistake he will be thinking about all offseason.

Scott hurled a middle-middle 97 mph fastball over the plate, practically begging Mitchell to hit it out of the ballpark. 

So, he did. 

Mitchell, hungrily waiting for his opportunity, pounced and sent it 409 feet to center field, giving the Brewers a 5-4 lead.

With some crucial shutdown help from the bullpen – lefty relievers JoJo Romero and Aaron Ashby combined to throw four scoreless innings – that was the only edge Mitchell and the Brewers would need to eliminate the defending champions, win the NL pennant, and get a well-earned trip to the World Series. – Thosar

Garrett Mitchell homered in back-to-back games, both in clutch situations, against the Dodgers. (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Bournemouth’s history-making season continued on Thursday as they played – and won – their first-ever home European match, beating Sturm Graz 3-0 in the Europa League.

It makes it two wins from two for the competition debutants and perhaps more importantly, they held on to a lead they took towards the end of the first half – something they have been unable to do in a poor start to the Premier League.

Evanilson will go down as the man who scored the first European goal at the Vitality Stadium and it was a thing of beauty. Adam Smith – captaining a team he joined in England’s third tier 16 years ago – found him with a cross, with the Brazilian curling a powerful header past the goalkeeper from 15 yards out.

Sturm Graz came out with intent at the start of the second half and could have equalised just after the hour. Jurgen Heil smashed the woodwork before Djorde Petrovic was needed to keep out Jacob Hodl’s follow-up.

But the Cherries rode the wave and doubled their lead through another Brazilian, Rayan. It was a howler from Daniil Khudyakov, whose spilled save from a corner landed to the Bournemouth forward. His low, fizzing shot then sped through the goalkeeper’s outstretched hands.

Image:
Bournemouth’s pre-match tifo that reads ‘from minus 17 to European dreams’

And in second-half added time, Bournemouth were awarded a penalty. Former Huddersfield man Jon Gorenc Stankovic was penalised for a foul on James Hill – also coming in the aftermath of a Bournemouth corner.

Summer signing Alvaro Rodriguez stepped up to chip the spot kick in for his first Bournemouth goal, sealing another three points. It puts the Cherries fifth in the Europa League league phase table ahead of welcoming Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan to the Vitality next Thursday.

Image:
Bournemouth had a goal ruled out in the first half for a Bafode Diakate handball

Key moments from the Vitality Stadium…

12: CHANCE! Smith curls in a wonderful cross for the incoming Tavernier, but he’s defended well as his attempt goes wide.

29: NO GOAL! The ball is in the back of the net for Bournemouth – but it’s immediately ruled out for a handball against Bafode Diakate.

33: OFF THE POST!! Tavernier’s curling effort hits the woodwork.

Image:
Marcus Tavernier hit the post in the first half for Bournemouth against Sturm Graz

41: PENALTY?! REFEREE SAYS NO! Sturm Graz have their best attack of the half, with calls for a penalty after Beganovic goes down. He is unfairly booked after, but looked to already be losing his footing as Smith made contact.

43: GOAL! Evanilson gives Bournemouth the lead with an incredible curling header from some distance.

63: OFF THE POST! SAVE! Heil hits the post with a thunderous effort from the right, before Hodl’s follow-up is stopped by Djorde Petrovic’s legs.

76: GOAL! Rayan’s low, hard shot beats Khudyakov after some poor goalkeeping.

90+2: PENALTY SCORED! Stankovic fouls Hill as he strikes inside the box and Bournemouth are awarded a penalty. Rodriguez scores from the spot.

‘That was a Bournemouth performance’

Bournemouth captain Adam Smith to TNT Sports: “It’s been a long time coming. The fans were up for it, the players were up for it so we’re very happy with the performance.

“It wasn’t my best cross [for Evanilson’s goal], but I put it into the area and what a finish from him. It’s a great header. He’s deserved it because he’s worked very hard this season and many more to come from him.

“We deserved that bit of luck and from there, we went on to win the game. In the second half, we got a bit tired but the quality that came off the bench is great. We look forward to Sunday now.”

On if this can be a springboard for Bournemouth: “It was very disappointing at the weekend [against Chelsea]. We let ourselves down as players, we know that. We had a chat with each other and got a reaction today.

“That’s a Bournemouth performance right there, but the week is not done. We have a massive game against Sunderland and we need to get three points.”

Image:
Alvaro Rodriguez scores from the penalty spot to make it 3-0 to Bournemouth against Sturm Graz

Rose: A deserved win – now we have to be consistent

Bournemouth head coach Marco Rose to TNT Sports when asked if he saw what he wanted from his team: “Yes. Performance wise, clean sheet, attitude, effort. A deserved win and now we have to continue and get consistent in this kind of thing. Sunderland is the next challenge.

“I believe in this team and I know we are always confident, despite being in a difficult situation [in the Premier League]. Even today, we changed some players.

“We could see that the squad is working, that everyone is keen to play, that everyone deserves to play and it’s good for us for the next few weeks to have a competitive squad.

“Today, we won 3-0 and it’s a really good result after a good performance, but we have to prove it [consistency].

“Alvaro Rodriguez did some steps the last three weeks which began with the national break. He worked really hard individually and you could see every step and I’m quite happy that he scored.

“If we stick together like this, if we have our fans then we are hard to play [against] and then it’s hard to beat us. That’s what we should take into the next game. It’s getting tough one but it helps this kind of game, this result.”

‘This needs to be a springboard for Bournemouth’s season’

Analysis from Sky Sports News’ Mark McAdam at the Vitality: “Back-to-back wins in the Europa League!

“Not a classic by any stretch but one that will live long in the memories for Bournemouth fans; their first ever taste of European football at the Vitality – a real moment in history. A game they dominated across the pitch from start to finish.

“This needs to be the springboard for their season and their next match against Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday. Win that and suddenly their season is off and running…”

What the result means and next fixtures…

If there’s anyone who knows how to erase a 3-0 deficit in a league championship series, he’s sitting in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ dugout wearing the No. 30 on his back.

That’s right: Dave Roberts has been in this position before and emerged on top. As an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox in 2004, Roberts helped author four straight wins to overcome the New York Yankees’ 3-0 series lead, the only time an MLB team has completed such a feat.

In the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 4, with the Red Sox trailing 4-3, Roberts pinch ran for Kevin Millar. Legendary Yankees’ closer Mariano Rivera held Roberts on first with multiple pick-off moves before throwing his first pitch to Bill Mueller. When Rivera finally motioned toward home plate, Roberts took off, barely beating the throw from Jorge Posada. 

Roberts clapped his hands as the Fenway Park crowd erupted. Two pitches later, Mueller singled up the middle and Roberts scored to tie the game. Game 4 ultimately went into extra innings, extending into the 12th inning before David “Big Papi” Ortiz hit a walk-off home run. 

The Red Sox rattled off wins in the next eight games to beat the Yankees and then sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. Twenty-two years later, Roberts is taking from that experience to help his Dodgers as they face a 3-0 deficit to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS.

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Roberts is applying lessons then-Red Sox manager Terry Francona taught him. He’s encouraging his players to look within themselves and rely on their teammates. 

“I think trying to create a sense of urgency — our backs are against the wall — but also a little levity and have fun,” Roberts told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. “At the end of the day, the worst that can happen is you lose and might as well try something different and loosen up and just kind of leave it all out there and play. So I’m going to try to keep guys loose and have fun, and you’ll see that in the dugout.”

Oritz, who hit that crucial walk-off home run in 2004, showed confidence in his former Red Sox teammate. 

“Do I have the permission from you guys to say it?” Ortiz joked with Jeter and Rodriguez.

“First of all, [the Dodgers] have the right guy at the right moment as their manager, who is my brother Dave Roberts,” Ortiz continued. “He said something very important: ‘I’m going to try to keep them loose.’ He learned that from Tito, seeing him in that situation, because at the end of the day, the world is right here; there’s no room to go back; everything has to be moving forward.”

(Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

On the other side of this 3-0 deficit are the dominant Brewers, who have been better than the Dodgers on the mound and at the plate. Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter were in that position, on the Yankees, in 2004. They know how it feels to go up against a team with nothing to lose.

“The pressure is on the Brewers now,” Rodriguez said. “And for the Dodgers, I’m very interested to see how they react to unfamiliar territory where they’re going to be underdogs for the rest of this series. I want to see who shows up — the team that showed up the last three games, or the two-time champion that refused to lose.” 

For the Dodgers to complete this almost-impossible feat, they can’t start looking ahead — although Millar famously showed confidence in the Red Sox comeback because of their potential starters for future games — they have to focus on stringing at-bats and outs. 

“They have to win every single inning,” Jeter said. “You never think about winning three games in a row, or four games in a row. It’s just one day.”

That starts Thursday. Tyler Glasnow will be on the mound for the Dodgers, but basically every arm should be available in a do-or-die game. Shane Drohan will start for the Brewers in what manager Pat Murphy expects to be a “bullpen game.” Roberts moved Shohei Ohtani around again from sixth in order to lead off because he “loved his at-bats yesterday.”

Apart from startegy and adjustment, Roberts can remind his team from his own experience that they can comeback. 

In fact, Ortiz shared how he’d galvanize the Dodgers if he were in Roberts’ shoes.

“Guys, this is the biggest test that this organization has ever has to deal with,” he said, mimicking a pre-game speech. “We have never been 0-3. Now, we have the talent… There’s no more time to waste.

“Everyone’s expecting us to go home. The time is now. We gonna do it. Let’s go people. Let’s get it done. That’s why we are the Los Angeles Dodgers. Back-to-back champs. Let’s go for the 3-peat.”

The top stories and transfer rumours from Friday’s newspapers…

MAN UTD

Antonio Conte has made it known to Manchester United bosses that he would be keen on the job if they did decide to axe Michael Carrick – Daily Mirror

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Gary Neville suggested the boos in the 1-1 draw with 10-man Tottenham in the Premier League were not aimed at Michael Carrick

Lisandro Martinez is reluctant to extend his contract at Manchester United amid his bombshell outburst over the board’s lack of ambition – The Sun

Roy Keane has accused Manchester United’s dressing room leaders of being too busy podcasting to enforce dressing room discipline – Daily Mail

Lisandro Martinez’s furious outburst at the Manchester United hierarchy was prompted by Ayden Heaven being forced to play at left back – The Sun

Ander Herrera has told the critics to stop hammering Bruno Fernandes and show the Manchester United captain more respect – Daily Mirror

Former Manchester United star Paul Parker has revealed he would NOT sign Erling Haaland at Old Trafford – The Sun

PREMIER LEAGUE

Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is admired by Manchster United with Bournemouth and France star Adrien Truffert another name on their radar – Daily Mail

Mikel Merino believes that a players-only meeting after last season’s draw with Wolves pushed Arsenal towards the Premier League title – Daily Mirror

Watch Paper Talk on Sky Sports News

Paper Talk is a review of the sports headlines from the national newspapers, every Monday to Friday, live on Sky Sports News from 10.30pm.

Missed the show? Catch up on the latest news with the Paper Talk podcast.

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

Celtic flop Michel-Ange Balikwisha has accused the Parkhead club of ruining his World Cup dream by refusing him a loan last season – Scottish Sun

Thelo Aasgaard admits he didn’t think twice about leaving Rangers to join Anderlecht – Scottish Sun

Celtic hero Scott Brown has admitted he’s missing the day-to-day life of being a football manager and previously rejected the chance to take the reins at Cheltenham Town – Scottish Sun

ELSEWHERE

Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to the Portugal squad would be ‘very difficult’, according to his sister – Daily Mirror

Alex Scott has left her role as presenter on Disney+’s Women’s Champions League coverage just weeks after taking part in the launch of new show ‘The Hangout’, which was widely criticised by fans – Daily Mail

By his standards, Trea Turner had arguably the worst season of his MLB career in 2026. What’s more, Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is being brutally honest about the team’s star shortstop.

“We were very clear. He knows he has to be better at shortstop. And I told him that it’s really mandatory that he’s like that,” Dombrowski said about Turner’s 2026 performance at a press conference at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday morning, according to MLB.com. “He feels he can play, and if he plays shortstop like he did in ’25, he can play shortstop. But if he plays it like he did in ’26, he can’t. And he totally understands that.”

Turner posted -17 defensive runs saved (DRS) at shortstop this season, marking the third time in Turner’s four years with the Phillies that he has finished with a negative, double-digit DRS.

Trea Turner has been an All-Star in just one of his four seasons with the Phillies. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Turner, a two-time batting champion and three-time All-Star, totaled 19 home runs, 58 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, an 81 OPS+ and -0.1 wins above replacement (WAR), while posting a .242/.297/.378 slash line.

Turner’s batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS+ and WAR were all career worsts over a full season. Just last season (2025), Turner led the National League with a .304 batting average and posted 5.4 wins above replacement.

“The reason we signed him at the beginning compared to some others, not only was he a good player, but we thought that he had the ability to continue to be a good player for a longer time period because of his quick-twitch muscles, the type of athlete he is, what he possesses,” Dombrowski said of Turner. “I mean, he led the league in hitting last year, so I was surprised myself on the offensive year that he had and that we weren’t able to get out of it, as he was, so it’s up to us to try to fix all those types of things.

“We’ve already given [Turner] some information ourselves that we think could be helpful. … We need to leave it that he is very willing to do, if he doesn’t play shortstop, what is best for the Philadelphia Phillies organization. So, that’s how we left it with him, and he’s determined to show us that he can play it. And I said, ‘You have to show it. You cannot play shortstop like [you] did defensively in ’26, going into ’27.'”

The 33-year-old Turner is four years into an 11-year, $300 million contract with the Phillies. As for other positions, Turner primarily played second base for the Los Angeles Dodgers down the stretch of the 2021 MLB season and has made 79 career starts at the keystone. He also started 44 games in center field for the Washington Nationals in 2016. Granted, Turner, aside from being the team’s designated hitter, hasn’t played a position outside shortstop since 2021.

MLB Related Stories

Elsewhere, the Phillies named interim manager Don Mattingly, who was promoted from bench coach after manager Rob Thomson was fired in the wake of the team’s 9-19 start, their full-time skipper on a two-year deal Wednesday. Philadelphia went 79-55 after Mattingly took over as manager but lost in three games to the Atlanta Braves in the MLB Wild Card Series.

The Phillies haven’t advanced past the NL Division Series since 2023. 

Sunderland survived a huge scare as they came from behind to clinch back-to-back Europa League victories with a 2-1 win over Torreense following Noah Sadiki’s 93rd-minute winner.

Regis Le Bris’ side made hard work of their first European away fixture in 53 years, trailing at half-time to the Portuguese second division club, who took a shock lead through centre-back Volnei Feltes’ outstanding strike from 25 yards that nestled in the top right corner.

Sunderland were frustrated during the first-half when Timur Tuterov’s close-range header from Luke O’Nien’s long throw was ruled out for a soft foul, but it was no excuse for a poor performance, failing to have a shot on target until the 57th minute.

Who are Torreense?

• Torreense play in Portugal’s second division and haven’t been in the top flight since 1992.
• They qualified for the Europa League with a shock victory over Sporting in the Taca de Portugal final last season and won 2-1 at Lillestrom in their first game.
• The club is located 35 miles north of Lisbon but as their 2,431-capacity home at Estadio Manuel Marques does not pass UEFA regulations, they will play matches almost 47 miles away at the Municipal Stadium in Leiria.
• They are managed by Luis Tralhao, whose brother Joao is an assistant to Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

Le Bris had made seven changes and was forced to bring on regular first-teamers Enzo Le Fee, Granit Xhaka, Reinildo and Nordi Mukiele midway through the second period to turn the game.

Mukiele provided a deserved equaliser, crossing for Jules Ahoka, who used the pace on the delivery to guide the ball back from where it came and into the bottom right corner.

Sunderland were denied a late penalty after a VAR check, but their relentless second-half pressure finally paid off in stoppage time. Xhaka touched the ball down for Sadiki in the area and he slammed a shot into the net before jumping into the away end to celebrate with their jubilant supporters.

What the result means and next fixtures…

The Philadelphia Eagles revealed that quarterback Jalen Hurts has been dealing with a calf injury, which involves a blood clot.

Originally, per the team, Hurts informed the Eagles’ training staff that he was cleated in the calf during the team’s Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams, with an ultrasound later showing a superficial blood clot, but the quarterback was cleared to play in their Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

“Jalen played without limitation in the game Sunday [Week 5 against the Jaguars], received treatment on Monday and Tuesday, and practiced in full on Wednesday, as reflected in the practice report. Throughout our time in London and this week, we have remained in communication with the league office regarding the matter. On Wednesday night, a follow-up ultrasound revealed movement in the small blood clot,” the Eagles said in a statement on Thursday afternoon. 

“Jalen will be out for Sunday’s game vs. the [Carolina] Panthers as we determine the appropriate course of treatment. His health and safety are our highest priority.”

With Hurts out, Philadelphia’s quarterback room includes the third-year Tanner McKee, who has made two NFL starts, and rookie Cole Payton.

Through five games, Hurts, a three-time Pro Bowler, has totaled 933 passing yards, eight passing touchdowns, three interceptions and an 84.7 passer rating, while completing 57.8% of his passes.

Hurts’ passer rating and completion percentage are each career lows since becoming the Eagles’ full-time quarterback in 2021. He has also rushed for 107 yards and one touchdown.

After winning their first two games of the season against the Washington Commanders and Tennessee Titans, the Eagles have lost three consecutive games to the Chicago Bears, Rams and Jaguars. Philadelphia’s loss to Jacksonville came via a 57-yard field goal as time expired from Jaguars kicker Cam Little.

Moses Itauma could be one victory away from another world title shot.

Itauma, a highly regarded 21-year-old prospect, took on Filip Hrgovic for the IBF belt in August.

It was Itauma’s first world championship fight. After starting very strongly, he tired, unravelled and was halted by Hrgovic in nine rounds.

Captivate

This content is provided by Captivate, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Captivate cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Captivate cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Captivate cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Promoter Frank Warren, however, plans to bring Itauma back in a good level fight in January to set him up for another world title tilt.

“It’ll be a decent fight. He’s got to be in with somebody who’s going to give him a test,” Warren told Sky Sports.

“When you’re coming off a loss any comeback fight is a risky fight. He’ll be wanting to go out there with something to prove. We want to see him in with someone reasonable for the comeback fight and he wants to get back into the mix.

“He’s going to have to come back and show what he’s all about.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Speaking on Toe2Toe, Delicious Orie, Barry Jones and Sam Noakes reflect on Moses Itauma’s defeat to Filip Hrgovic.

After that Itauma will be targeting a world champion. As well as promoting Itauma, Warren represents new IBF champion Hrgovic, WBC heavyweight titlist Agit Kabayel, as well as WBO champion Daniel Dubois.

“He wants to be back in the mix so he’s going to be very active next year,” Warren said of Itauma. “Straight in, no messing about.

“He could fight any of them. Because if he wins he’ll be straight back into, I think, the top half of the rankings.”

Warren added of Itauma’s defeat: “Hrgovic managed to absorb the punishment. Even when [Itauma] was blowing he was still throwing shots, even when he got caught he was still trying to fight back. He did tick some other boxes as far as I was concerned.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the IBF heavyweight world title fight between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic. Video credit: Courtesy of DAZN

Hrgovic is due to face his mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez next. That could be a homecoming fight for Hrgovic in Croatia.

“We’re looking at putting him on in Croatia, we’re working hard to make that happen, that’s his dream,” Warren said.

Mike Borao, Sanchez’s manager, told Sky Sports: “Looking to make it happen in the first quarter of 2027.

“Everything is tracking well so far. Frank [Sanchez] is confident he’ll win and is eager for his chance to become world champion.

“Hrgovic is elite and won’t be an easy opponent, but I fully expect Frank to get the job done.”

Don’t ever forget that there is an MVP award sandwiched between regular-season league MVPs and World Series MVP. 

Let’s check out the odds for ALCS and NLCS MVP at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Oct. 15.

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.

ALCS MVP Odds

What To Know: To open up the series with Cleveland, Caminero opened up the scoring for both teams. He hit an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning in Game 1, putting T.B. up by a run. He then scored soon after, giving the Rays an early 2-0 lead. In Game 2, he added his second hit of the series. 

What To Know: After going hitless in Games 1 and 2 of Cleveland’s ALDS matchup with the White Sox, Ramirez has at least one hit in four straight games, including Game 1 of the ALCS, in which he had three hits, two runs and an RBI. His RBI single in the top of the ninth gave Cleveland a 5-3 lead, and soon after, he scored on an RBI double from Jo Adell to boost the Guardians’ lead to 7-3. In Game 2, Ramirez maintained his hitting streak, but he also made a costly fielding error in the fourth inning that allowed Tampa Bay to put three runs on the board. The Rays would go on to win 3-1.

What To Know: In Game 1 of the ALCS, DeLauter hit a solo home run in the top of the sixth to get the Guardians on the board. He finished the night with three hits, three runs and an RBI. In Game 2, his RBI double in the top of the seventh produced Cleveland’s only run of the night.

What To Know: Diaz went 2-for-5 in Game 1 of the ALCS, crossing the plate on Caminero’s first-inning RBI single and giving the Rays a 1-0 lead. Diaz went hitless in Game 2.

NLCS MVP Odds

What To Know: Contreras went hitless in Game 1 of the NLCS, but more than made up for it in Game 2. He blasted a solo shot in the bottom of the fifth that tied the game 4-4, before hitting an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth that put Milwaukee up 5-4. The Brew Crew would go on to win 7-4. He added a hit in the Brewers’ Game 3 win.

What To Know: Through two NLCS games, Turang has three hits, four runs and two RBIs. He hit a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth inning of Game 1 that tied the game 1-1, and in Game 2, he hit an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to put the Brewers up 6-4, before scoring moments later to make the score 7-4. He had a hit and scored on a wild pitch in the top of the eighth inning in Game 3.

What To Know: Chourio had two hits in the first two NLCS games, but announced his arrival in style in Game 3. He hit a lead-off home run off Blake Snell in the top of the first, setting the tone for Milwaukee’s 6-2 victory.

What To Know: Bauers might be solely responsible for sending the Dodgers home when it’s all said and done. In Game 3, after L.A. took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth, Bauers hit a 2-run jack in the top of the seventh that scored Christian Yelich and put the Brewers ahead for good.

Emmanuel Fernandez believes European disappointment could benefit Rangers in their quest for domestic success.

The Ibrox side were knocked out of the Europa League and Conference League qualifiers early in the season as new boss Derek McInnes tried to build a new squad.

Since then, form has turned around, and seven consecutive wins have left them in second place, plus in the League Cup semi-final, where they will play Aberdeen at Hampden.

While league leaders Celtic play Benfica in the Europa League in Lisbon and third-place Hearts host Nordsjaelland in the Conference League on Thursday, the Govan side have had a free week to prepare for the trip to Dundee on Saturday night – live on Sky Sports.

Rangers could go back to the top of the table with a win, albeit the Hoops can reclaim that spot for a second successive week on Sunday when Hearts visit Parkhead – also live on Sky Sports.

Saturday 17th October 7:30pm


Kick off 8:00pm

Asked if the lack of European football might help domestically, the 25-year-old centre-back told Sky Sports News: “100 per cent, because less games ultimately means less injuries and more time to be ready for the weekend, I guess.

“I feel like, as a group, we can probably get closer together, understand each other more.

“As we know, there were a lot of new signings throughout the window, and, obviously we’re past that now, and I feel like there’s more connection that can be built for our training and playing together, so obviously, it could be a benefit for us.

“But I still think we need to go into games with the same focus, knowing that we have a week off, and some people might have a few days, but we still need to be at it, and ready to go.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Fernandez was among those from the Rangers squad who attended a special event as they met fans with serious or, in some cases, terminal illnesses

Fernandez, who joined Rangers from Peterborough last July, admits that he had a “shaky” start to the season.

However, the Nigeria international is enjoying a return to form, helped by the growing relationship with Olwethu Makhanya – the 22-year-old South African centre-back who signed from MLS side Philadelphia Union in the summer, and who won the Scottish Premiership player of the month award for September.

Fernandez said: “Obviously, [my form was] a bit shaky at the beginning, but I feel like I’m getting back into my groove.

“I still think there’s more to come, similar performances towards last season, but they’ll all come in due time.

“I think he [Makhanya] is amazing. I know when I came in and played last season, how hard it was to settle.

Image:
Fernandez (L) and Olwethu Makhanya have developed a good relationship in the heart of Rangers’ defence

“I feel like that’s why having certain team-mates around you can help you settle quicker and help you get into games easier and help you just perform the way you want to perform and not think about the noise.

“It’s been a bit of a turbulent journey [for the team this season].

“At the beginning of the season, we didn’t start off at our best, but I feel like we’ve got into our groove a bit and getting the results that we need.

“But I still think the team knows that we can still give more.

“There are games that we know we can still score more goals and limit the amount of [opposition] chances.

“Obviously, we’ve just come back from the international break, we’ve got five games before the next one, and we’ve got performances to put in.”

Fernandez admits he was annoyed at losing the late goal in the 3-1 win against Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Saturday, which prevented a sixth clean sheet in seven games.

He said: “That would have been a sixth clean sheet or something along those lines and you go into that next game with a major boost.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Watch highlights as Rangers beat Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership

“Obviously, teams always look at ways to score against you in different scenarios, so conceding a goal gives another team a chance to think they can score a goal.

“To keep that many clean sheets in a row, and to get that many wins with limiting the amount of goals [conceded] is amazing, but I still think there’s improvements to be made.

“I still think that we can concede the least goals in the league. That’s something we’re going to be striving to do and get better on the training pitch every day.”

Can No. 4 Ohio State avenge its Big Ten championship game loss to No. 5 Indiana on “Big Noon Kickoff”? Will No. 6 Alabama bounce back against No. 14 Tennessee after a loss to No. 1 Georgia?

Elsewhere, a College Football Playoff spot could be on the line when No. 2 Notre Dame visits No. 8 BYU. Austin Simmons leads No. 13 Missouri against his former team, No. 9 Ole Miss. 

With six matchups between Associated Press Top 25 opponents, Week 7 of the college football season might feature the most exciting slate of the season. We’re breaking down our straight-up picks and the matchups to watch closely throughout the weekend.   

RJ Young

Laken Litman

Ben Portnoy

Last Week

6-4

6-4

4-6

Overall

42-16

38-20

36-22

  No. 5 Indiana vs. No. 4 Ohio State

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is two touchdowns away from breaking the all-time Big Ten receiving touchdowns record. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, noon ET (FOX)
Where: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana
Line: Ohio State -3.5

RJ Young: Ohio State
The best player in the sport is Jeremiah Smith, and Ohio State coach Ryan Day should not be shy about reminding Indiana about that.

Laken Litman: Ohio State
This is my answer for nearly every Ohio State game: The Buckeyes have Jeremiah Smith and Indiana doesn’t.

Ben Portnoy: Indiana
OK, fine, this is probably a bit of a homer pick. I took the Hoosiers to win the Big Ten at the start of the season and I can’t stray from that, right? Right. Give me Curt Cignetti’s squad in the biggest home game in the history of Indiana football.

  No. 22 LSU vs. No. 16 Mississippi State

LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is 1-2 against Associated Press Top 25 teams during the 2026 season. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, noon ET (ESPN)
Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Line: LSU -14.5

Young: LSU
Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor won’t be 100% healthy even if he plays on Saturday. Advantage, LSU.

Litman: LSU
The Tigers will rebound at home after an upset loss to Kentucky in overtime last week. Plus, Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor’s status is still uncertain.

Portnoy: LSU
Kamario Taylor is still on the mend and while the spread feels pretty big for a matchup of two top-25 teams, I have a hard time seeing the Bulldogs pull this one out. I’ll take LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt to get right against what’s been just a mediocre Mississippi State defense.

  No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 6 Alabama

Keelon Russell had his first loss as Alabama’s starting quarterback in their rivalry game against Georgia last week. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee
Line: Alabama -7.5

Young: Alabama
The Crimson Tide have the better quarterback and wide receiver room. Tennessee must run the ball well to win.

Litman: Alabama
Even after last week’s loss to Georgia, Alabama looks like a team that could win it all. The Crimson Tide are not going to lose two in a row, especially not against a Tennessee team led by backup quarterback George MacIntyre.

Portnoy: Alabama
Nothing complicated about this one. Tennessee has real problems at quarterback and absolutely nothing the Vols put on tape last week against Arkansas makes me think they’re up for this challenge. Bama rolls big.

  No. 10 Texas Tech vs. Arizona State

Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond has thrown for 1,102 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions.  (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Where: Galaxy Stadium, Lubbock, Texas
Line: Texas Tech -14.5

Young: Texas Tech
Texas Tech has flirted with disaster enough to make me feel nervous, but I think the Red Raiders have an answer for ASU running back Cardae Mack.

Litman: Texas Tech
In a heated Big 12 race, Texas Tech stays unbeaten with a decisive win over an inconsistent ASU team.

Portnoy: Texas Tech
Arizona State and quarterback Cutter Boley have had their moments and I still think Texas Tech is hardly a shoo-in for the Big 12 title, but the Red Raiders are just the more talented team in this one. 

  No. 9 Ole Miss vs. No. 13 Missouri

Austin Simmons will face his former team, Ole Miss, in Oxford this Saturday. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi
Line: Ole Miss -5.5

Young: Missouri
Running back Jamal Roberts has rushed for at least 200 yards in back-to-back games and quarterback Austin Simmons is good enough to exploit Ole Miss’ leaky secondary.

Litman: Missouri
The Tigers surprise Ole Miss on the road and further cement themselves as a legit SEC contender.

Portnoy: Ole Miss
I know Ole Miss got run by Florida a few weeks back, but I still think quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is one of the five best players in the sport this year. Austin Simmons has been awesome for Missouri and I think he’ll find success against a bad Rebels defense, but Chambliss will make one more play down the stretch to win a shootout.

  No. 8 BYU vs. No. 2 Notre Dame

Notre Dame quarterback C.J. Carr has completed 70.8% of his passing attempts for 1,378 yards and 16 touchdowns. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah
Line: Notre Dame -10.5

Young: Notre Dame
BYU will play its biggest game of the season without star tailback and 2025 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin. I’ll take Notre Dame.

Litman: Notre Dame
In both of these teams’ first true test, Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr outduels the Cougars’ Bear Bachmeier and removes any doubt that Notre Dame is a real threat to compete for the CFP title.

Portnoy: Notre Dame
Simply put, I don’t think BYU has enough firepower without running back LJ Martin to get over the hump here. Notre Dame has been a touch shaky in spurts this fall, but I expect the Irish to handle the Cougars relatively comfortably in this one.

  Oklahoma vs. No. 15 Kentucky

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer helped the Sooners defeat Texas in the Red River Rivalry last week. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Where: Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma
Line: Oklahoma -6.5

Young: Kentucky
The Sooners can’t consistently move the ball offensively, and Kentucky has shown it can win close games late.

Litman: Kentucky
This is a letdown game for OU after a massive win over Texas last week, while coach Will Stein and Kentucky earn a third SEC road win.

Portnoy: Kentucky
Oklahoma might have won the “Red River Rivalry”, but that had far more to do with the horrific play of Texas quarterback Arch Manning down the stretch than anything the Sooners did. Kentucky has won its last two by the skin of its teeth, but the Wildcat offense is simply a far more effective operation right now.

  No. 20 Houston vs. No. 18 Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns against UCF last Saturday. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Where: TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas
Line: Houston -4.5

Young: Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are just too explosive, and the Cougars can’t win a shootout.

Litman: Oklahoma State
In a game with huge Big 12 standing implications, Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker gets the better of Houston’s Conner Weigman and the Cowboys win their fifth consecutive game.

Portnoy: Oklahoma State
Drew Mestemaker has come on strong following whatever it is Oklahoma State did when it lost to Tulsa earlier this year. Houston should keep this close down to the wire, but I’ll take the Cowboys offense to be the difference.

  No. 12 UCLA vs. Wisconsin

UCLA running back Wayne Knight leads the Big Ten with nine rushing touchdowns. (Photo by Greg Fiore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
Line: UCLA -2.5

Young: Wisconsin
The Badgers have won four game in a row and will play a UCLA team that needed seven turnovers to win by two points against an Oregon team that started its backup quarterback last weekend.

Litman: UCLA
Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava is reportedly expected to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, but backup Ty Dieffenbach does enough to keep the offense rolling. UCLA remains undefeated.

Portnoy: UCLA
I know Nico Iamaleava is out for the season, but I’m not altogether sure how much that will matter for a UCLA offense that has lived and died by running back Wayne Knight. Wisconsin is riding a high and I like the pieces Luke Fickell has compiled, but I’m giving coach Bob Chesney’s bunch the benefit of the doubt.

  Oregon vs. Nebraska

Oregon quarterback Dylan Raiola struggled against UCLA, completing six of his 19 passing attempts for 43 yards, while committing three turnovers. (Photo by Al Sermeno/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 11:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
Line: Oregon -7

Young: Nebraska
With quarterback Dante Moore ruled out, Nebraska has the edge.

Litman: Nebraska
Nebraska had Indiana on the rails last week before the defending champs pulled away in the fourth quarter. The Huskers will rebound from the loss against a reeling Oregon team that’s trying to keep its season alive.

Portnoy: Nebraska
Dylan Raiola was a disaster last week against UCLA and considering what Nebraska showed against Indiana, I like the Huskers defense to be disruptive in this one. Matt Rhule finally gets a marquee win.

College Football Related Stories

Joel Klatt on Ohio State vs Indiana, USC, Arch Manning criticism | FULL INTERVIEW | The Herd

FOX SPORTS NEWSLETTER

Your teams. Your sports. Your inbox.

Follow your favorite leagues, teams and players for a personalized daily newsletter.

Sign up for the newsletter

Create or log in to your FOX Sports account.

“It has just broadened my horizons again,” Omer Riza tells Sky Sports. He is reflecting on his recent coaching role with Cesena in Italy where he assisted former England international Ashley Cole. But Riza’s experiences are already vast and varied.

Over the course of an evening, the former Cardiff City boss opens up about many of them. The highs and lows of managing in the Championship, how he once received a global ban from football, and even a recent broken ankle in a charity game. “Silly tackle!”

As a player, he started out at Arsenal, his connection to Cole dating back to when they were just boys. But his league debut came in the Netherlands on loan at Den Haag and he later spent five years in Turkey, including playing European football for Trabzonspor.

As a coach, he has worked with England’s age-group sides and managed Cardiff City in the Championship. Cesena was a chance to get back on the grass. “I had that hunger to get going again.” Now, after that adventure, he is eager to return to the Football League.

“Italy was a good opportunity, working with Ashely who I have known for so long, and getting to experience a different style of football. The target at Cesena was to change the approach, change the mentality, and that is what we did in a short space of time.”

Riza explains: “Italy can be quite defensively minded, low blocks and counter-attacks. They are quite happy not to have the ball. Our mentality was to try to have the ball, to control the game, to provoke the opposition to open up spaces further up the pitch.

“The players were used to a 5-3-2 and defending their box so to go press high and step on to the opposition to stop them playing and win it right up the pitch to cause them problems, that was a big change, not just for the players but for the fans as well.”

Cole decided to call time on the Cesena project in the summer when it became clear that the club’s ambitions did not match his own. “I honestly believe we would have done really well this year if we had been allowed to bring in the players we wanted,” says Riza.

Image:
Ashley Cole was Cesena head coach in the spring with Omer Riza as his assistant

But he is backing his old pal to succeed somewhere else. “He has worked hard at his coaching, he is diligent and he has his head screwed on.” Assisting him in the next role is an option. “We have spoken about it.” But Riza’s real aim is to be a head coach again.

His first taste of it came at Leyton Orient back in 2017. That was no gentle introduction. “There were five managerial changes that season. The owners were not paying the players and the fans were up in arms. It was really tough.” But he saw out the season.

Now 46, there have been so many obstacles since. “I applied for hundreds of jobs after that and finally found a job with Watford. I started part-time on £20 an hour and worked my way up from the under-15s to become first-team assistant. And then I got sacked.”

That one still grates. It was “a kick in the behind” to discover that his future was tied to departing head coach Valerien Ismael who had only been brought in that summer. “I had been there for five years, I was a Pro Licence coach.” But Riza had to start over again.

At Cardiff, in the autumn of 2024, he was trusted with the top job on a caretaker basis after Erol Bulut was dismissed for taking one point from the first six games of the season. The turnaround under Riza was swift and impressive enough to be given the job permanently.

“I got nominated for manager of the month,” he recalls. The first of two such nominations in five months. “Taking over after a start like that, it is like you have been deducted points. You are trying to survive. We nearly managed it.” Unfortunately, a dip in the spring saw him sacked with three games to go, just one point from safety.

“It became harder to play with freedom and we drew 15 games, too many.” Cardiff won none of the three games after he left and they finished bottom of the Championship, despite the fact that they were 19th during the 37-game period that he was in charge.

Saturday 17th October 11:30am


Kick off 12:30pm

There are fond memories. A 5-0 win over Plymouth. “Wayne Rooney was in charge then.” And two draws with Coventry. “I went up against Frank Lampard, who I played with at West Ham. It was nice to do that.” But the derby win over Swansea remains bitter-sweet.

“I lost my father that week.”

This is the unseen side of the game. “I was up and down the motorway because it was, ‘It is your dad, you need to come back.’ I would go and sit with my dad until two or three in the morning and then need to be back ready for training the next morning.”

That could be a three-hour drive. “It was a very emotional period but I just love what I do and my father would have wanted me to carry on. It was tough but I just knew that.” Cardiff beat Swansea 3-0 that weekend. “To get that result for the fans, it was special.”

Image:
Omer Riza was in charge of Cardiff City for 37 Championship games in the 2024/25 season

There is pride at the players that he helped to develop. “Yousef Salech is doing very well now. Will Alves and Sivert Mannsverk also did well when they came in.” But he accepts that mistakes were made too. Calling out the fans for their criticism is a regret.

“It is not just about what you do on the grass,” Riza points out. “You are representing the football club. That is so important. I have learned a lot from the experience, massively. But then, I have had so many different experiences now as a player and as a coach.”

How have those experiences shaped his ideas about the game? As a youngster, he was coached by the great Don Howe at Arsenal, often hailed as a visionary. “He was very good at establishing what exactly you were good at as a player and developing it.”

How Omer Riza sees football

Having worked as a head coach, an in-possession coach and an out-of-possession coach in various roles, what is Riza’s philosophy on football?

“You cannot be so single-minded in how you want your team to play that it negatively impacts results. Flexibility is key. If teams overplay, you want to be aggressive in your pressing. At other times, you might want to press in a mid-block or play counter-attack.

“The game has changed so much that it is systems within systems now. You can start in a 4-2-3-1 but you might create a back three to get more bodies on the top line or a box in midfield. The game is being broke down into pieces now. Tactically, it has evolved a lot.”

There was a season training with the first-team at Arsenal, working up close with Arsene Wenger. The Gunners boss did not say too much but every morsel of information was taken in. “When you get that one little moment of detail, it can sink in a bit deeper.”

At Turkey, he added to his knowledge. “I remember our full-backs stepping into holding midfield.” This was years before Pep Guardiola popularised the tactic. Those seasons with Trabzonspor brought some of the best moments of his career – and the worst.

“Playing in Europe was a highlight.” There is an image of him with his top off celebrating a goal in the UEFA Cup. “As a Turkish-Cypriot, scoring against APOEL, a Greek-Cypriot side, was a fairytale story, really.” But his time at Trabzonspor ended on a sour note.

Image:
Trabzonspor’s Omer Riza celebrates after scoring a winner against APOEL in a UEFA Cup tie

“I ended up getting banned for five months. I left because they had not paid me but the Turkish Federation found me guilty. I had a ten-year battle in the courts, CAS, FIFA, European Court of Human Rights. I won the case but I did not win the pecuniary damages.”

The experience damaged his career and his finances. “I spent a lot of money trying to get that but I have helped other people along the way. They had to change the rules. It was a long and painful process and my dad had to go through that too, all my family.”

His playing career was not quite the same after that. “No one would sign me because the ban would kick in.” He did play on down the pyramid. “That is just how it unravelled.” But he considered working in another industry, walking away from the game that he loved.

“In my mind, I was going to come out of football. I remember telling my dad I did not want to do it anymore. But he reminded me I had been doing it since I was six years old, travelling all over the world, so I should try to stay in football. It just progressed from there.”

Inspired by his father, and perhaps driven by a player career that did not quite deliver all that it had promised, Riza continues to push for the next opportunity. “It has all made me stronger, made me more resilient,” he explains. “I am more than ready for the next chapter.”

DODGER STADIUM (Los Angeles) — Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers stood off to the side of a frenzied Brewers clubhouse that had, as right-hander Trevor Megill said, “more reporters than players in here.” 

The small-market Brewers are not used to all this attention on them. Neither is Bauers.

With his back against a wall, wearing a cream-colored zip-up and a hunter green hat with the words “Needed This” across the front, Bauers blended into the background of the busy locker room. He wasn’t hiding from the cameras, but he also didn’t garner the kind of flashy attention that, for example, young star Jackson Chourio and team captain Christian Yelich were both dealing with at their lockers. Bauers, humble and selfless by nature, didn’t mind blending in.

Meanwhile, the entire room was talking about Bauers’ standout performance throughout the NLCS, culminating with his clutch go-ahead two-run home run off Dodgers southpaw Blake Snell in the seventh inning of the Brewers’ 6-2 win in Game 3 on Thursday night. 

From nearly walking away from baseball to becoming one of the most important players on a championship-caliber Brewers team that’s one win away from a trip to the World Series, Bauers has emerged as a leader, an inspiration and the heartbeat of Milwaukee’s clubhouse. 

“He’s always someone you can lean on and talk to,” Brewers second baseman Brice Turang told me after their win. “You look up to guys who play the game well, and play the game hard, and he always does. And even off the field, the way he treats other people is really cool. We appreciate him very much, and we let him know. He’s definitely a big part of why we’re winning games.”

Two days ago, it was difficult to imagine Bauers could top his epic 12-pitch at-bat against Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2 of the NLCS. The grueling at-bat lasted seven minutes and four seconds as Bauers hung in there and battled, fouling pitch after pitch until he finally drew a walk, loaded the bases, and set up a huge inning for the Brewers. The marathon at-bat drained Yamamoto’s pitch count and helped Milwaukee knock the Dodgers ace out of the game after just 2 ⅔ innings.

“I didn’t think he could have a better at-bat than the one he had against Yamamoto,” Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick said. “And he did, somehow.”

In the seventh inning of Game 3, with the Brewers trailing the Dodgers 2-1, Bauers was back in the thick of it. He battled against Snell, fouled off his entire arsenal, and tried to exhaust him into throwing a mistake. 

“There was for sure a moment where I thought to myself like, ‘Oh, you’re in it again,'” Bauers said. “As far as the approach for the at-bat, I was looking for a fastball, and I didn’t want to miss it. I said, I’ll adjust to anything else, but get a heater, don’t miss it.”

On the 11th pitch of the at-bat, Bauers got his fastball. Snell threw it straight down the middle of the plate, over the heart of the strike zone, and Bauers got every inch of it. He launched it to right field, watched it fly, dropped his bat, and looked at his teammates in the dugout, who were losing their minds as they spilled onto the field in celebration. Bauers’ two-run home run completed Milwaukee’s comeback and gave the team a 3-2 lead. 

The 11 pitches he saw also helped Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell, who was in the on-deck circle, get an excellent read on all of Snell’s pitches. Mitchell, on the second pitch of his at-bat against Snell, slugged a solo shot to right field, demoralizing the Dodgers with back-to-back home runs in front of a hostile road environment, no less. 

“We play for each other,” Bauers said. “It’s as simple as that. Any time there’s a mistake, an error, a walk, pitchers give up runs, hitters strike out in a big spot, the only thing anybody’s thinking about is, how can I help pick that guy up and do my part to win this game? When you have 26 guys that are bought into that and believe that and show up every day, completely selfless, playing for each other, it’s a special thing to be a part of.”

Added Mitchell: “What more can you say about JB, man? He did it the day before in Game 2, and he did it again tonight. I think that just goes to show the type of player he is. It’s a selfless at-bat. He’s just trying to put the ball in play. He’s trying to move the guy over and put an incredible swing on that. For me, being able to watch that on deck was awesome. I got to go up there and put together another quality at-bat, like him.”

ALL YEAR, WHEN the Brewers needed someone to step up, Bauers became one of the first players they looked toward. But it wasn’t always this way. 

At the end of the 2024 season, after Bauers’ recorded his fifth-consecutive season as a below-league average hitter at the plate, he seriously considered retiring from baseball. Following several years of moving between organizations — Milwaukee is the fifth MLB team that Bauers has played for — and struggling to find consistency or results at the plate, the game had taken a toll on him. He started thinking about life after baseball, including spending more time at home with his family.  

Ultimately, his decision to continue playing led him back to Milwaukee, where he received another opportunity to prove himself. Finally, Bauers found some magic at the plate. Last year, he posted a 111 OPS+ in 85 games and raised his on-base percentage from .301 in 2024 to .353 in 2025. This season, he completely took off. Bauers’ career year featured a 140 OPS+ to go along with a .389 on-base percentage, 26 home runs, 86 RBI, 22 doubles, 93 runs scored and 94 walks. Those are all career highs for the 30-year-old journeyman. His turnaround is remarkable.

“I think what changed for me this year was I stopped caring about results,” Bauers said. “I started caring about competing. I started caring about being in the moment and getting out of my own way. I came into this year feeling like there was really only one person holding me back, and that was myself. So I think I just gave myself the space to believe that I could play in this league.”

Jake Bauers nearly retired two years ago. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Not only is Bauers “playing in this league,” but he’s shaping up to win the NLCS MVP. 

“I’ve grown so close with him personally and learned about his journey, and it’s just inspiring,” Frelick said. “You look at a guy who was close to retiring, or thinking about it. Now he’s leading us against a really good baseball team. It’s just a testament to his mindset, how he goes about his business. He’s a pro. 

“He understands the game more as a veteran. He helps the younger guys learn through it. You can really relate with a guy like that who’s struggled in his career, and when guys struggle here, they want to turn to a guy like that. It might be easier to turn to someone like him, versus Yeli, who’s a three-time MVP.”

Coming up clutch at Dodger Stadium is a full-circle moment for Bauers. He grew up in Southern California. As a kid, he went to his first major-league game at Dodger Stadium. He played his high school state championship game at Dodger Stadium – and his team lost. 

“Obviously, we got swept last year out at Dodger Stadium,” Bauers said earlier this week. “So not a whole lot of positive memories out at Dodger Stadium, but hoping to make some for sure.”

Jake Bauers, staying focused. (Photo by Nicole Vasquez/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Bauers knows from experience what it’s like to fail and keep going anyway. His go-ahead two-run home run that has brought the Brewers one win away from eliminating the back-to-back defending champions can replace the old Dodger Stadium memories that have haunted him throughout his baseball journey. 

This is more than Bauers’ talent and the belief he kept that he would find it again. Without his patience, composure, confidence, production and leadership, it’s fair to question whether the Brewers would be here today: 27 outs from their first World Series appearance in 44 years. 

Sometimes, the most important players on championship teams are the ones who have had to fight the hardest to stay. 

“He’s the man,” Brewers rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt told me. “He’s gonna do all that, he’s gonna win the game for us, and it’s just another Wednesday for him. He’s a dog.”

Mamadou Sangare could have been playing Champions League football this week. After all, the signs point to him being an elite-level player.

Not only did the midfielder star for RC Lens last season – playing a key role as they finished as Ligue 1 runners-up and French Cup champions – but there were major European clubs eyeing up his signature over the summer.

And not just major clubs, the elite of the elite. Yet he turned those bigger clubs down for a Brentford team without European football this season.

“Yeah it’s true,” he tells Sky Sports from Brentford’s training ground about that interest. “But I’m not going to give any names, out of respect.

“There were a lot of clubs. For me, the most important thing was to know where I could progress. And Brentford was the best place for my development.

“A coach who really wanted me was something that was important to me. That’s why I chose Brentford.”

It is fair to say Sangare had earned a big move. As well as his club success with Lens, he was also named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year at the age of 24, pipping Paris Saint-Germain duo Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz to a midfield spot.

So was it hard to say no to some of the major European clubs? “No, it wasn’t difficult,” he replies.

“Just because a big club comes calling, it doesn’t mean you have to say yes to it. You have to see a lot of different aspects.

“I’m a little different from other players because I see things differently. For me, Brentford was the best option – as a young player, as a player who still has to prove himself at a high level.

“I think that choosing Brentford was the best option for me to progress and to reach my best potential.”

‘I’d never seen an approach like that’ – Sangare on Brentford’s pitch to him

If Sangare wasn’t a coup for Brentford when he joined, he was definitely one after his Premier League debut. He got two assists as the Bees hammered Tottenham on the opening weekend, but the way he strutted around with ease in his first Premier League game made him a star for the future already.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from the Premier League match between Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur

“He can play for a top four club,” said Jamie Redknapp after that display. And the big question everyone had was: how do Brentford keep on spotting then securing future gems in the making?

The key is in the preparation when it comes to Brentford, who pitch the club to incoming players via a very detailed presentation.

Bryan Mbeumo recently revealed how thorough Brentford’s pitch can be. The Bees watched him 28 times for Ligue 2 side Troyes before approaching him in 2019, then presented him with all his strengths and weaknesses on a screen.

Because of this presentation, he had a clear idea of where he’d fit in, where he’d improve – and seven years later, he was sold to Manchester United for £71m. He had gone from a French second-division player to scoring 20 Premier League goals in a single season for the Bees.

And for Sangare? “It was exactly the same,” he says about the presentation that Brentford gave him over the summer.

“It was incredible. It was the first time I’ve ever seen something like that. I’ve been at a few clubs, but I’ve never seen an approach like that.

“Brentford has a well-placed structure. It was something I’ve never seen before – it really pushed me to choose this club.

“I had a positive, detailed discussion with the coach. He showed me his style of play and what he expected from me.

“He also showed me the tools which could allow me to improve. He showed me my weaknesses and what I needed to work on. I’m a young player, I really liked that.

“When a coach speaks to you like that, it shows that he wants to see you improve. It was really important for me.”

However, not all roads are straightforward in football. Despite being the new darling of Brentford, he has started the last two games against Chelsea and Aston Villa on the bench.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Brentford fans have come up with a brilliant new chant for summer signing Mamadou Sangare

There is no injury. Instead, he is competing with the trustworthy pair of long-term servants Vitaly Janelt and Mathias Jensen for a midfield starting spot. Yehor Yarmoliuk is another up and coming option in that position and scored at Villa. Sangare has had to wait his turn after such a high-profile start.

“I haven’t spoken much about that with the coach,” Sangare says about his recent appearances on the bench. “He’s the coach, he’s the boss. I’m a player like so many others. It’s not only about me here.

“The most important thing is the team. That’s what counts. Whether I start or not, as long as they need me, I’ll be there.

“It’s up to me to work even harder to get my place back, even though I wouldn’t say that I lost it. It’s up to me to keep working and to do even more than the others. We’ll see how it goes.”

Despite his limited appearances in recent weeks, Sangare has still shown his worth. He averages the most tackles out of any Premier League player per 90 minutes, while only Man City’s Elliot Anderson has won more duels on the ground than the Mali midfielder.

Image:
Mamadou Sangare is still one of the standout defensive midfielders in the league this season

With the calibre of player like Sangare in the team, it makes Brentford such a hard team to beat. They are still unbeaten in the Premier League this season, having beaten Chelsea and Tottenham and drawn with Aston Villa.

Liverpool are up next at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, having been stung by Keith Andrews’ side in this fixture last season. Even though they have never played a European match before, Brentford are a continental club in the making.

‘Why can’t Brentford reach top four, or top two?’

Sangare managed to defy all the odds at Lens last season, taking them to Europe and winning them a cup. That would be the perfect tonic for Brentford fans this season – who have never won a major trophy in their history.

But with Brentford sitting fourth in the table after six games, Sangare’s message is clear: Europe is not enough.

“The goal is to reach Europe and win as many games as possible,” he says. “We know that Brentford has never played a European game before.

“Why can’t we also reach the top four, or the top two? Why can’t we cause a real surprise? Because we’re a good team in the league. We have a very good team with very good players, with a great coach as well.”

Monterosa

This content is provided by Monterosa, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Monterosa cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Monterosa cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Monterosa cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Those are the team’s ambitions. What about his own? After his performances for Brentford already this season, many have branded him as the next player off the conveyer belt, after the Bees brought in nearly £200m for Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Ivan Toney and David Raya.

“I saw some comments about that,” says Sangare about transfer rumours linking him with a move away already. “I don’t think too much about it. I just want to work and help the team to reach their goals.

“They put a lot of money in me. They trusted me. It’s up to me to do everything to make it happen – by winning games, by improving the team.

“These are the things I have to put in my head, not transfers or anything like that. I have to focus on the team. This is what we have to do. Win games and improve the team by getting our goals.”

If the Dodgers want to make it three World Series in a row, they’re going to have to first start  by winning four straight games against the Brewers in the NL Championship Series. 

Improbable? Yes. Impossible? No. 

Just ask someone who was an integral figure in one of MLB’s most historic comebacks.

MLB on FOX analyst David “Big Papi” Ortiz, who helped the Boston Red Sox overcome a three-game ALCS deficit in 2004 against the New York Yankees, said it’s time for the Dodgers to play like there is nothing to lose.

“It’s funny how that works, because you feel more pressure at the beginning of the series than when you are 0-and-3 because once you get there, when you hit bottom like that, it feels like you have got nothing to lose,” Ortiz said after the Brewers’ 6-2 win over the Dodgers on Wednesday night in Game 3. 

History is certainly not on the Dodgers’ side. In all best-of-seven postseason series, teams with a 3-0 lead have gone on to win the series 41 of 42 times, with 32 of those series being sweeps. Only two teams have forced a Game 7 after trailing 3-0 – and only that 2004 Red Sox squad have come all the way back to win.

So what would Ortiz tell the Dodgers about taking that first step?

“There’s no more room to go back. All you gotta do is just move forward. You hit bottom already. Let’s just let things happen. Let’s not try to get three hits in one at-bat. Let’s not try to get three outs in one pitch. Let’s go to the flow.” 

The 2004 Red Sox made history by overcoming a three-game deficit. (Photo by Damian Strohmeyer /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

On the losing side of that 2004 clash were fellow MLB on FOX analysts Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, who added their perspectives on how the Dodgers should approach Game 4. 

“The pressure is almost off them right now. Now, they just go out and win a game,” Rodriguez said. “And how many times have the Dodgers, over the last five years, won four in a row?… But you got to start with one pitch. You got [Tyler Glasnow] now on the mound tomorrow. If you win tomorrow, you got [Tarik Skubal] in Game 5 and then you never know. 

“But it starts with the first pitch of the game, and you’re playing for your life, and you do not want the Brewers to celebrate on your field.” 

Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter after losing Game 7 in the 2004 ALCS. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Added Jeter: “Coming into this series, no one thought Milwaukee was going to win three games in a row. But no one expected [the Yankees] to win the first three games in a row against the [Red Sox]. We thought it was going to be evenly matched. If going into that series they said ‘we’re going to go to seven games’, everyone would have believed it.

“It’s the same thing here. If you’re the Los Angeles Dodgers, you cannot take the field thinking that you’re down three games. All you have to do is win one game.”

The Dodgers actually have someone in their dugout who also played in that 2004 series. Manager Dave Roberts was Ortiz’s teammate on that 2004 Red Sox team and alluded to that comeback when asked about the Dodgers’ chances, starting with Game 4 on Thursday. 

“It’s certainly possible [to overcome a 0-3 deficit]. I’ve lived it. I think the thing is that our guys have been battle tested, as was that team I was a part of,” Roberts said after the Game 3 loss. “They know what’s at stake and, you know, we’ve won four in a row, a number of times this year …. But again, we got to win tomorrow. So that’s, that’s our only focus.”

Aston Villa dismantled Fenerbahce with Nicolas Jackson and Ross Barkley scoring two each in a 6-0 Champions League win at Villa Park.

The impressive Johan Manzambi opened the scoring when his shot was deflected in off Fenerbahce captain Milan Skriniar to leave Ederson stranded and although Villa needed goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to save well from Vedat Muriqi it was all but over by the break.

Jackson’s two first-half goals, both arrowed to Ederson’s right, put Unai Emery’s side three up by half-time. Fenerbahce’s fans continued to chant away but there was no way back on what proved a comfortable night for Vila in front of the Prince of Wales.

Image:
Johan Manzambi celebrates the opening goal for Aston Villa against Fenerbahce

The Turkish squad is packed with familiar names. Nathan Ake started, Romelu Lukaku came on, while Mason Greenwood’s every touch was booed. But they had nobody with the exuberance of Manzambi or indeed the 18-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye out wide.

Manzambi won a penalty that Barkley tucked away expertly to make it four and another deflected shot brought the midfielder’s second and his team’s fifth. There was even time for Alysson to lay on the sixth for fellow substitute Tammy Abraham in the 90th minute.

It is two wins from two in the Champions League now, despite a less convincing start to the Premier League campaign for this new-look team. Villa’s fans hoisted up a tifo declaring this the next chapter in their European story. It is good reading for them so far.

Jackson impressing for Villa

The decision to sell Ollie Watkins this summer would have left some Villa supporters concerned about how much the England forward would be missed this season but Jackson’s start to life at Villa Park will have many feeling more encouraged.

Image:
Jackson scored twice in eight first-half minutes

The Senegal striker has scored in each of his last two Premier League appearances and now has three goals from two Champions League games too. The quality of his finishing has been a topic of debate throughout his career but he was utterly clinical in this game.

Jackson only turned 25 years old in June, whereas Watkins is 30. There are risks associated with Villa’s rebuild but, with the new man having worked with Emery before at Villarreal, this is one buy that looks likely to work out well for the West Midlands side.

The key moments from Villa Park

12 – GOAL! Manzambi’s shot deflected in to put Villa ahead

17 – SAVE! Suzuki rushed out to save bravely from Muriqi

31 – GOAL! Jackson was put through by Kamara and scored

34 – CROSSBAR! Oguz Aydin rattled the crossbar from range

39 – GOAL! Jackson smashed in his second of the evening

68 – GOAL! Barkley converted a penalty won by Manzambi

72 – GOAL! Barkley’s left-footed effort was deflected in

90 – GOAL! Alysson laid the sixth on a plate for Abraham

Jackson praises ‘top player’ Manzambi

Aston Villa striker Nicolas Jackson speaking to TNT Sports:

“He [Johan Manzambi] is a top player. I’m very happy we’re playing together. Hopefully we score many more goals together.

“He [Ibrahim Mbaye] is an amazing player. We’re in the [Senegal] national team together so we have a good connection and we talk a lot. He’s progressing so hopefully he’ll get more time to play. He’s very fast. It’s good to have him.”

On whether he wanted to take the penalty for a hat-trick chance: “Yeah, I wanted to take it, but there are rules. The most important thing is we win, but hopefully next time I’ll get the hat-trick.”

Emery delighted with the win

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking in the press conference:

“I am delighted for the first win at home. We needed it. In the first half, [even] winning 3-0 I was not so happy, like the last match. They didn’t score but Zion played fantastic, they hit the crossbar, did not shoot well. But we wanted to control the match better.

“In the second half, we planned to correct it and I think we did it. After, we planned to stop them and we could score three more. They did not deserve 6-0 but for us it was very important how we achieved the first win at home.”

Fenerbahce coach apologises to fans

Fenerbahce head coach Ismail Kartal speaking in the press conference:

“There is not much to say. The score is not earned, this is the top level of the Champions League and mistakes cost you a lot and that is what we experienced today.

“We could not have imagined a result like this. This is not acceptable. We apologise to all the supporters of the club. We have had our lesson tonight.

“We have an important league game in a few days. We should forget about tonight’s game and concentrate on the next one.”

Villa’s special night in stats

• Aston Villa have recorded their biggest ever win in major European competition, and their biggest victory under manager Unai Emery across all competitions.
• Fenerbahce suffered their heaviest defeat in the Champions League on the night they played in the competition for the 42nd time.
• Aston Villa have won 18 of their last 20 home games in major European competition, and are on the joint-longest active winning streak at home in such competitions (11 – level with Freiburg).
• Aston Villa are one of two teams to score three first half goals in both of their opening two games of a Champions League campaign, alongside PSG also this season – the Villans are the second English team to do so in the European Cup, after Leeds United in 1969/70.
• After scoring just once across their first four games this season, Aston Villa have since scored three or more goals in four of their six matches – no Premier League team has scored more times than the Villans since the start of the run.

Aston Villa’s next fixtures…

LOS ANGELES (Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium) — Milwaukee is on the verge of abolishing baseball’s Evil Empire. The Brewers are one win away from a trip to the World Series for the first time since 1982 after taking a 3-0 series lead over the Dodgers in the NLCS.

The Dodgers, backed into the smallest of corners, now face an uphill battle against a well-rounded and red-hot Brewers team that has found its rhythm and is showing no signs of slowing down. 

The Brew Crew’s season-long combination of timely hitting, strong pitching, power from unexpected places, and a merciless energy has applied pressure on the defending-champion powerhouse, leaving the Dodgers with more questions than answers. 

Milwaukee, meanwhile, looks determined to finish the job this year after coming up short against Los Angeles in last year’s NLCS. 

Here are our takeaways from the Brewers’ 6-2 win over the Dodgers in Game 3:

1. Back-To-Back HRs Did Dodgers In

(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers did it again. Two days after an epic 12-pitch battle against Yoshinobu Yamamoto that resulted in a walk, Bauers applied the same irritating and relentless pressure to Dodgers southpaw Blake Snell in the seventh inning of Game 3, with Milwaukee trailing Los Angeles, 2-1. 

No matter what Snell threw at the plate, Bauers wasn’t biting. He fouled off five different pitches — really, Snell’s entire arsenal — in an 11-pitch battle that finally got the best of the left-hander. Snell’s 11th pitch of the at-bat was another meatball, nearly identical to the 97 mph fastball he threw over the heart of the zone to Jackson Chourio on his first pitch of the night. 

Bauers was all over it. He launched it to right field for a go-ahead, two-run home run that gave the Brewers a 3-2 lead. The entire Brewers dugout spilled onto the field in celebration of Bauers’ first home run of the postseason, knowing it was the advantage they were hunting for against Snell all night.

But they weren’t done yet. 

Batting sixth in the order right after Bauers, Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell joined the home-run party with a solo shot to right field off Snell, padding Milwaukee’s lead to 4-2 in the seventh inning. Snell, who had not allowed a single home run across nine starts in the regular season this year, looked exasperated.

Milwaukee knew it had Snell on the ropes. Even though Snell tried to get ahead of Milwaukee’s dogged style of play by watching some of the Brewers’ press conferences leading up to his Game 3 start, the extracurricular homework served no purpose between the lines. The Brewers’ back-to-back homers deflated Dodger Stadium, and perhaps even Los Angeles’ dreams of a three-peat. — Thosar

2. Chourio Set Tone With Ambush

(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Dodgers right-hander Blake Snell threw his first pitch in 10 days over the middle of the plate. It was a 97.6 mph meatball, begging to be crushed. Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio didn’t miss. 

The ball left Chourio’s bat at 106.1 mph and sailed toward the right-field seats, catching everyone off guard. Before fans even settled into their seats with their beverages and snacks, getting ready for a fun night at the ballpark, Chourio slugged his second home run of this postseason and gave the Brewers an instant 1-0 lead.

On the road, in a hostile Dodger Stadium environment, the young Brewers star delivered exactly the kind of statement swing Milwaukee needed to keep the pressure on the Dodgers from the jump. It was a reminder that even elite postseason pitchers — Snell entered Game 3 with a 3.23 ERA in 19 career playoff games (16 starts) — cannot afford to make mistakes in the strike zone. 

Plus, this wasn’t Chourio’s first time. 

In Game 2 of last year’s NLCS against the Dodgers, Chourio jumped on the first pitch from right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto and sent it to deep right field for yet another ambush of a home run. Chourio now owns the most postseason RBI (18) before turning 23 years old. He achieved that mark in just 19 playoff games. Andruw Jones previously held that record with 17 RBI in 45 playoff games. 

The first-pitch homer completely changed the complexion of the game. The blast Snell gave up to Chourio was the first home run he allowed all season. Snell entered his Game 3 start with the reputation of overpowering hitters. Once he gets going, he’s typically in complete control. We saw that unfold after Chourio’s solo shot. When he got into a groove in the middle innings, Snell retired 14 batters in a row at one point. 

But once again, the Brewers were just better. — Thosar

3. Will Smith, Nearly The Hero

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Before Game 3, Brewers manager Pat Murphy mentioned that he thought Dodgers catcher Will Smith had been swinging better than the statistics had shown.

The numbers were not pretty.

And Smith’s spot in the batting order reflected that.

The scuffling Dodgers catcher began the postseason 1-for-23 with a single, a walk and eight strikeouts through his first six games. He was dropped from third in the lineup in Game 1 of the NLCS to fifth in Game 2 and then down to seventh in Game 3, right behind Shohei Ohtani, whose recent struggles also saw the designated hitter sliding down the order.

“I know the numbers aren’t there,” Murphy said. “But if you do what I do, you watch the swing and you watch his approach, I think he’s looked good.”

Before the Brewers’ seventh-inning onslaught, in what could have been the swing everyone remembered from Game 3, Smith backed up what his opposing manager saw.

The Milwaukee bullpen was virtually unhittable all postseason, entering Wednesday night with a 0.31 ERA this October. But after five scoreless innings from starter Robert Gasser, Murphy’s first reliever of the night didn’t have it in Game 3.

Abner Uribe walked Teoscar Hernández and Kyle Tucker to start the sixth inning. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts then pinch-hit Max Muncy for Andy Pages, a surprising decision that reflected the urgency of the moment.

The Dodgers entered the night just 2-for-26 with runners in scoring position this postseason. Each of those two hits belonged to Pages. But Uribe appeared to be on the ropes and needed to face the three-batter minimum, so Roberts turned to the platoon advantage with a chance to strike. Instead, Muncy struck out.

But Ohtani followed with another walk to load the bases, and Smith finally came through with the hit that had eluded the Dodgers all series, electrifying the 50,708 fans in attendance with a go-ahead, two-run double.

The glee, of course, was short-lived.

Roberts sent pinch-hitter Josue De Paula to the plate for Miguel Rojas. Murphy countered with lefty DL Hall. Roberts then brought up another pinch-hitter, KIké Hernández, who struck out. Another strikeout followed from Tommy Edman, as the Dodgers’ struggles with runners in scoring position persisted.

They failed to build their lead and had emptied their bench, save for backup catcher Hunter Feduccia, to try to go all in with their chance. One inning later, their lead was gone against a relentless Brewers lineup that has countered every punch all postseason. — Kavner

Manchester City were beaten 4-2 by a majestic Paris Saint-Germain as Pep Guardiola watched on from the stands in an enthralling Champions League encounter.

The reigning back-to-back European champions were keen to make their power felt early at the Etihad, in a game that made clear where the greater concentration of quality resides. Luis Enrique’s side were breathtaking in the first half, a masterclass in effortless control with and without the ball.

Desire Doue scored from range. Ousmane Dembele rounded off a wonderful team move 99 seconds later. And Vitinha finished a brilliant first 45 minutes with a thumping finish from Warren Zaire-Emery’s instinctive flick. “If you don’t go toe-to-toe, you struggle,” reflected Enzo Maresca.

Image:
Former Man City manager Pep Guardiola was in the stands for the first time since leaving the club

A pair of Erling Haaland goals made the scoreline respectable after the interval, and City were good value for both breakthroughs, doing to PSG what had been done to them in the first period. They hit the woodwork a further two times in a half that became increasingly more frantic and transitional.

Despite wave after wave of attack and big chances missed, it was Gianluigi Donnarumma who failed to escape the glare of the spotlight, his poor handling gifting Maghnes Akliouche and the visitors a fourth. He atoned by denying Ferran Torres’ woeful penalty attempt late on.

PSG’s first-half blitz proved decisive and sobered the atmosphere around a fairly muted Etihad, but Maresca will take comfort from the way his side turned a would-be rout into a thrilling clash of titans.

Image:
Man City stage an inquest after conceding three first-half goals

PSG come out on top in battle of recent winners

As well as being two of the earliest clubs to fall foul of UEFA’s financial rules back in 2014, Man City and PSG shared one other thing in common before combining to win three of the past four Champions League titles: They had won none of the previous 67.

Each lost their first Champions League final – PSG to Bayern in 2020 and City the following year to Chelsea. But with both clubs backed by free-spending owners from the Middle East, boasting some of the most talented squads in world football, that deficiency has since become a surplus.

With City now fighting against charges of financial rule-breaking on a domestic front, all of which the club deny, the decision was made for a show of unity on home turf. Guardiola was flanked by high-ranking executives in the terraces, including Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and chief executive Ferran Soriano.

Image:
Manchester City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Ferran Soriano in the stands before kick off

They will have seen plenty they liked on the pitch, City’s players appearing laser-focused on the job at hand despite the cloud of uncertainty that surrounds them. Ultimately, this is a defeat of fairly insignificant jeopardy where chances and goals made for a superb watch between two European contenders.

The world of football will continue to tune in to see how City handle whatever might come next. Whenever that might be.

A difficult night to make sense of!

Image:
Haaland hangs his head after defeat to PSG

Sky Sports’ Ben Ransom at the Etihad:

Where do you start trying to make sense of that?

Pep Guardiola was back for a bonkers night, with his former side showing plenty of the strengths and weaknesses that displayed themselves in different ways during his tenure. The City fightback at least means his visit won’t be characterised by a humbling defeat.

PSG were the better side overall and deserved the win, but on another night the scoreline could have been reversed, given the number of chances that went begging for the home side.

The City fans might not get to see their side in this competition next year, but as they made clear before kick-off, this is a fanbase that has stood by the club during dark times before, and is promising to do so again.

Maresca believes City can match PSG

Man City boss Enzo Maresca:

“It was a strange game. Two goals in two minutes created some problems for us. We were dead in the game, and then second half we created so many chances. Second half, we were good.

“We lost a bit of balance, distance between players, and we struggle first half. Second half we made changes and adjusted some things, then we were much better. These kind of teams, if you don’t go toe-to-toe you struggle. We had to be more brave. Second half, we were.

“We are there, to be honest. My feeling is that we are close. It’s already difficult against PSG, but then you concede two quick goals. We can learn from that and move on.”

Man City’s next fixtures…

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 National League Championship Series heads to Los Angeles for Game 3, with the Dodgers looking to bounce back after falling behind 2-0 against the Milwaukee Brewers. New users can use Betr Promo Code FOXSPORTS to claim a $200 bonus and get in on the postseason action ahead of first pitch.

William Contreras delivered in Game 2 with a key performance, driving in three RBIs, including a game-tying home run and a go-ahead single in the sixth. The Brewers’ bullpen then shut down Los Angeles over the final five innings. 

Now, the Dodgers return home looking to spark the offense in front of the home crowd and get back in this series.

Enter the Betr promo code FOXSPORTS and claim a $200 bonus to get in on the action for Dodgers vs. Brewers Game 3.

How to Sign Up and Claim the Betr Picks Promo Code FOXSPORTS

1. Click any “Claim Now” button on this page to open Betr.
2. Download the Betr app for iOS or Android.
3. Create your account and complete verification (name, DOB, address, last 4 SSN if required).
4. Your four No Sweat Entries will be added once your account is verified.
5. Make your first deposit to receive Betr Bucks using code FOXSPORTS (up to $200).
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 Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS Game 3

• When: Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where: UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
• TV: FS1
• Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One

Players To Watch

Home runs have defined Muncy’s season: 29 of them in 149 games, along with a .838 OPS and 76 RBI. He carried that into October with a home run in each of the first two Division Series games against Atlanta, on Oct. 3 and Oct. 4.The Dodgers’ third baseman went 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts in Game 1 of the NLCS, went 0 for 3 in Game 2 and is 4 for 19 overall this postseason, with 3 RBI. He also scored 81 runs and hit 27 doubles in the regular season.

Two Division Series home runs came from Freeman, on Oct. 4 and Oct. 6, and each one drove in a run. Through the Division Series and the first two games of the NLCS he is hitting .227 with a .500 slugging percentage, on 5 hits in 22 at-bats.

Freeman collected 167 hits and 16 home runs while batting .288 over 153 regular-season games, and he went 1 for 4 against Milwaukee in Game 1 and 0 for 3 with an RBI in Game 2. Freeman also drew 66 walks and posted a .362 on-base percentage.

Ninety-four RBI across 147 regular-season games headline Contreras’ year, and he added 18 home runs and a .270 average. In the postseason he has 9 hits, 3 home runs and 4 walks, one of them intentional.

He reached base twice in the Division Series opener against San Diego, going 1 for 3 with a home run and a walk on Oct. 3. He went 0 for 3 with an intentional walk and 2 strikeouts against Los Angeles in Game 1, then went 3 for 4 with a home run and 3 RBI in Game 2.

Chourio drove in at least one run in each of Milwaukee’s four Division Series games against San Diego, totaling 6 RBI, including 2 on a home run in the opener on Oct. 3.

The 22-year-old hit .291 with 25 home runs and 75 RBI over 127 regular-season games. He had two hits in four at-bats in Game 1 of the NLCS, his only multi-hit game of the postseason, and is 5 for 25 overall, after going 0 for 5 in Game 2. He also scored 96 runs and stole 23 bases in the regular season.

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez has clarified his outburst after Tuesday’s Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid in a statement – but stopped short of an apology.

Martinez launched an extraordinary attack on the club’s hierarchy after the 2-0 defeat in Madrid, as he criticised the lack of summer investment in the squad, said he expected more from “upstairs” and singled out technical director Jason Wilcox.

But 24 hours on from his astonishing post-match interview, the Argentina international released a statement on Instagram on Wednesday night to clear up his comments.

He said: “Following everything that has been said about my comments yesterday, I want to share some thoughts on what I said and how I feel.

“After the match, I spoke out of anger and frustration at not getting the result we all wanted.

“Those who know me know how I live football, with passion, commitment and a huge desire to win. And when things don’t go our way, it hurts, especially when representing a club with the history and stature of Manchester United.

“My words reflect how I feel and how much I want to see this club competing for the biggest honours. Those high standards are part of how I see football and the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Kaveh Solhekol and Rob Dorsett answered your questions about Martinez’s post-match outburst

“When I talk about wanting more, I’m talking about the ambition we must all have as part of this club. To keep growing, to become stronger and to have everything we need to compete at the highest level. These are standards we must all hold ourselves to, starting with me.

“I know that, first and foremost, it’s us, the players, who have to deliver, and I put myself at the front of that responsibility. We need to demand even more of ourselves and work together to take Manchester United back to the top.

“I believe in my team-mates, our manager and everyone working to help this club move forward. I’m convinced that the way forward is to keep working together, with ambition and commitment.

“My goal has been the same since day one, to win, to compete at the highest level and to give everything I have for this badge.”

Martinez’s future at Man Utd in doubt

Sky Sports News’ Football Correspondent Rob Dorsett:

There are real doubts about whether Martinez’s contract will be extended when it expires in the summer.

United will focus on revamping their defence in the next transfer windows and have the formal option to prolong Martinez’s stay for a further year.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jamie O’Hara criticised Martinez following comments made by the defender aimed at the Manchester United hierarchy

Sky Sports News has also been told United are looking at new centre-backs, as well as left-backs.

United’s bosses have yet to decide whether to discipline Martinez for his comments, when he said: “I expect more from our technical director [meaning director of football, Jason Wilcox]. We expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete.”

Sky Sports News has been told there is anger and bemusement at what Martinez said, both in the United boardroom and in the changing room, with at least one other player challenging him over his comments as the squad got on board the plane to fly back to Manchester.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Soccer Special pundits react to Lisandro Martinez’s comments aimed at Manchester United’s hierarchy after their Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid.

It is also understood that there is no pressure on Wilcox internally regarding his position.

The implication that Martinez doesn’t think his team-mates are good enough to compete has not gone down well with other players.

Martinez has been keen on a move away from Old Trafford for some time.

In the summer, he pushed for a move to Atletico Madrid, the side that beat United in the Champions League on Tuesday night, to follow his good friend and international team-mate, Cristian Romero, who left Spurs for Spain.

No suitable bid for Martinez came in for Manchester United to consider.

The 28-year-old made similar explosive comments about his bosses when at Ajax in 2022. Martinez, who again wanted a move away, called their sporting director Gerry Hamstra a “nobody”.

Martinez remains a key part of Michael Carrick’s squad and United’s bosses know they have to handle this situation carefully.

Two current Cup drivers held the keys to the NASCAR silly season, and both of them are staying put … for one more year. Or so we thought.

NASCAR silly season seemed to be without bombshells until Sept. 29 when RFK Racing announced it was parting ways with Brad Keselowski and would look to buy him out of his ownership stake.

“The impact Brad has made on our organization has been felt by everyone associated with RFK Racing; he’s undoubtedly been a terrific representative of our collective efforts both on and off the track,” RFK Racing president Chip Bowers said in a statement.

“He was not simply driving the No. 6 car but investing himself in the future of the team and helping us think differently about what RFK Racing could become. …  Brad has been clear about his desire to continue competing for years to come, and we respect and support him in pursuing the path that best allows him to achieve those goals.”

The team did not announce who would drive the RFK No. 6 car next year and Keselowski did not announce a 2027 destination, although there doesn’t appear to be a ride available.

While Keselowski was not signed for 2027, it had been expected to be a formality with him being a co-owner of the team, leaving Alex Bowman (Hendrick Motorsports) as the most high-profile driver who had not signed for next year when silly season started. HMS announced on July 23 that Bowman would return next season and that 2027 would be his final year before retiring from full-time competition.

The other driver who was key is Connor Zilisch, who is signed through next season at Trackhouse and then will head to Hendrick Motorsports to replace Bowman starting in 2028.

Obviously, there are things that can’t be predicted. 

The devastating death on May 21 of Kyle Busch leaves a much bigger void beyond a seat in the Cup Series. Austin Hill, who has driven the car since Busch’s death, will continue on in that ride.

Here is how things look at each organization following the Oct. 13 announcement that Daniel Suárez officially signed paperwork to keep him at Spire Motorsports for 2027.

Joe Gibbs Racing

(L-R) Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell will all be back at JGR next season (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

Barring an unforeseen occurrence, JGR will not have changes for next year. Ty Gibbs (ninth in the standings) isn’t expected to be going anywhere and Denny Hamlin (second), Chase Briscoe (fourth) and Christopher Bell (third) are signed beyond this season. The one thing that JGR might need to anticipate is Hamlin retiring from full-time racing after 2027 then having to fill that ride. Brent Crews, who drives for JGR in the O’Reilly Series, is the team’s focus on the development driver side who could be Cup ready in 2028.

23XI Racing

Corey Heim — who already has won twice this year on a part-time schedule — has been announced as a full-time driver, replacing Riley Herbst (30th in the standings). Tyler Reddick (seventh) signed a contract extension earlier this year. While sources had indicated Bubba Wallace (11th) was in an option year, both the 23XI and Wallace camps have indicated he is set to race for 23XI next season. Herbst was announced on Sept. 3 as the driver of the Legacy Motor Club No. 84 car for 2027.

Team Penske

Ryan Blaney will be back at Team Penske for the 2027 season. (Photo by Krista Jasso/Getty Images)

With Ryan Blaney (fifth) having recently signed a contract extension, Team Penske has, through announcements, confirmed its former champions Blaney and Joey Logano (sixth) under contact. Austin Cindric is eighth in the points and indicated he has signed a contract extension, saying his contract details are between him and Team Penske but that he will return to the No. 2 car next season.

Hendrick Motorsports

The Hendrick stable will return intact for 2027. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Kyle Larson (first in the standings), William Byron (13th), Chase Elliott (12th) and Alex Bowman (26th) are all now signed for next year. And Zilisch will replace Bowman in 2028. Ally will return as the sponsor for the No. 48 and Zilisch.

Spire Motorsports

Carson Hocevar is locked in at Spire. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Spire Motorsports has Carson Hocevar (10th) locked in long-term, while Michael McDowell and Daniel Suárez are not. Spire has shown the willingness to eat a year of a contract to get a driver it wants, but no one emerged as a good or better fit. Suárez is 14th in the standings and McDowell is 20th. Now that Bowman is set to return at Hendrick next season and Spire announced Oct. 13 that Suarez had signed the paperwork needed for him to return in 2027, it appears that the Spire lineup likely will be the same for next season.

RFK Racing

Brad Keselowski has noted he’s not yet ready for retirement but he’s no longer driving for RFK. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The big surprise came Sept. 29 when RFK Racing announced it would part ways with Brad Keselowski (18th), who co-owns the team (at least for now). 

Considering his co-ownership of the organization, it had always seemed like Keselowski’s return would be a formality — until it wasn’t. 

The question now is whether the organization will be two or three cars. RFK likely will have just two charters for next season (it is leasing one that will go to Legacy Motor Club in 2027) but it also has strong sponsorship from Kroger and its vendors to the point where running a third car full time is viable. The team has said that none of its sponsorship is tied specifically to Keselowski. 

Chris Buescher (15th) has signed a contract extension (announced June 16) and Ryan Preece (16th) had his option picked up earlier this year. Preece could move to the No. 6 as he will be in one of the chartered cars next year and that number is one with more history at RFK. Who could fill the third car? John Hunter Nemechek is a driver who currently is available. And if they won’t someone from the Ford camp, truck series regular-season champion Layne Riggs could be an option if Front Row is willing to let him race for the team.

Trackhouse Racing

Shane Van Gisbergen will have a home again at Trackhouse next year. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

All three Trackhouse drivers — Ross Chastain, Shane van Gisbergen and Zilisch — are signed through 2027, and the onus is on the organization to try to keep either Chastain or van Gisbergen or both beyond next year. None of the drivers made the Chase with van Gisbergen 17th in the standings, while Chastain is 19th and Zilisch is 34th.

Legacy Motor Club

Erik Jones (21st in the standings) and John Hunter Nemechek (28th) were both expected to return before Legacy executives opted to release Nemechek at the end of the year and team co-owner Jimmie Johnson announced Sept. 8 it has signed Josh Berry for the 2027 season. Nemechek said he was “disappointed” in the decision but that “I know my best days are ahead.” The team statement said: “We are grateful for John Hunter’s contributions … and appreciate his professionalism and commitment to the organization throughout his time with the team.” Legacy will add a third full-time car next season and the team announced Sept. 3 that Riley Herbst would be the driver. Former Brad Keselowski crew chief Jeremy Bullins has been named crew chief for Herbst, while Chais Eliason took over as crew chief of the Nemechek car in September and will continue next year with Berry.

Kaulig Racing

Ty Dillon (L) and AJ Allmendinger are not locked in at Kaulig next year. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

The team hasn’t made any official announcements but both AJ Allmendinger (22nd) and Ty Dillon (33rd) will be back at Kaulig next year. Allmendinger pretty much has the option to race as long as he wants and it appears that Dillon has either signed an extension or that it is just a formality before one gets inked. The organization is in a tough spot without manufacturer support but this team will be the anchor team for Dodge’s most likely entry to Cup in 2027.

Front Row Motorsports

Noah Gragson and his big personality got an extension. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

This team will have the same lineup in 2027 as Todd Gilliland (23rd in the standings) signed a contract extension in July, Zane Smith (27th) signed a contract extension last year that has him solid at FRM and Noah Gragson (31st) announced a contract extension in August. Gragson’s extension runs through 2027 with options to keep him there longer.

Hyak Motorsports 

Ricky Stenhouse Jr is set for next season. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (29th in the standings) signed a contract extension in May and is set to remain with the organization.

Richard Childress Racing

Austin Dillon should be back at RCR for the 2027 season. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Austin Dillon is expected to return in 2027 as he sits 25th in the standings and RCR announced Austin Hill will continue in the No. 33 car in 2027. Team owner Richard Childress: “Austin Hill is a talented race car driver and his continued growth, work ethic and success across multiple levels of NASCAR competition have positioned him for his next step with RCR.” Dillon will have a new crew chief as Richard Boswell will move to a competition leadership role in 2027.

Haas Factory Team

It has not been the best year for Cole Custer. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cole Custer hasn’t had a good year (he’s 32nd in the standings) but the team announced in October that he would return to the No. 41 Cup car next year. Joe Custer, who operates the team, reiterated in early August that the organization is not looking to sell its charter. The team possibly will have a stronger alliance with Hendrick Motorsports next season.

Wood Brothers

Jesse Love will replace Josh Berry in the Woods Brothers ride. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Josh Berry (24th) will be replaced next season by defending O’Reilly Series champion Jesse Love, who turns 22 next January. Wood Brothers Racing President Jon Wood, in a news release, said: “Jesse has accomplished a lot at a young age. He’s demonstrated the ability to win races, compete for championships and handle the expectations that come with racing at a high level.” Berry landed a ride at Legacy Motor Club for 2027.

Rick Ware Racing

Cody Ware should be set for next season. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

As long as RWR doesn’t sell, this should remain Cody Ware’s ride. Ware is 35th in the standings.

WHAT YOU SHOULD READ NEXT

While Hendrick Motorsports has time to wait to name its driver of the No. 48 car for 2028, making a move for Connor Zilisch makes too much sense.

Bradley Barcola scored a hat-trick and Florian Wirtz shone after recent criticism as Liverpool thrashed LASK 6-3 to earn their second win in the Champions League.

Barcola kick-started his Liverpool career, having not scored or assisted in six appearances since his £123m move from Paris Saint-Germain, while Wirtz responded to calls for him to be dropped with a fine performance in what was expected to be a comfortable evening against the Austrian Bundesliga champions.

Liverpool had 19 shots in the opening period, a new record for an away team in the first half of a Champions League game, as Ronald Araujo headed in his first goal for the club before Barcola got off the mark with a tidy finish and then slotted in another from a Wirtz pass.

Andoni Iraola’s side were relentless with Trey Nyoni, 19, impressing in midfield alongside Ryan Gravenberch and they helped add a fourth when Jeremie Frimpong met Kostas Tsimikas’ cross with an excellent header that went in off the post just six minutes after the break.

Iraola benched Virgil van Dijk in Austria for only the third time in Liverpool’s 39 Champions League games since 2022, but when he and Joe Gomez were introduced at centre-back in the 62nd minute, they conceded three times.

Barcola’s hat-trick, a tap-in from Frimpong’s cross, followed Robert Ljubicic’s consolation before Wales striker Lewis Koumas, leading the line in Alexander Isak’s absence, deservedly scored Liverpool’s sixth after he had two efforts ruled out for offside.

Florian Flecker reduced the deficit late on with two clinical finishes in two minutes, exposing Liverpool’s sloppy defending to take some shine off the victory.

The key moments from a goal-fest…

• 22: GOAL! Liverpool get their reward after a strong start as Araujo climbs highest at a corner to head in his first goal for the club.
• 24: TWO IN TWO MINUTES! Barcola calmly slots in from 12 yards for his first Liverpool goal.
• 31: OFFSIDE! Liverpool striker Koumas has his well-taken finish ruled out for offside.
• 33: OFF THE WOODWORK! Liverpool are threatening to run riot as Gravenberch strikes the inside of the right post.
• 37: BARCOLA AGAIN! Wirtz has been at the heart of Liverpool’s superb first-half performance and he threads a pass through for Barcola to score.
• 51: GOAL! Liverpool get their fourth as Frimpong meets Tsimikas’ cross with a superb header that goes in off the post.
• 53: OFFSIDE FLAG 2-0 KOUMAS! The Liverpool striker is denied again by the flag after finding the net.
• 62: SUBS! Van Dijk and Gomez come on at the back for Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo.
• 63: GOAL! Liverpool’s new centre-back pairing concede instantly as Ljubicic strikes.
• 66: HAT-TRICK! Barcola gets his third and it is his easiest of the night, tapping in from just yards out.
• 72: KOUMAS GETS HIS GOAL! He wasn’t to be denied and finally Koumas can celebrate for real following his close-range finish.
• 75: GOAL! Flecker stoops to turn in Dibango’s cross.
• 77: GOAL! It’s Flecker again! Twice in two minutes he capitalises on poor defending to find the net.

Liverpool defence dampens big win

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Lee Hendrie felt Liverpool’s 6-3 win against LASK was a ‘great result’ but admits he was concerned by the their defence.

Sky Sports’ David Richardson:

On a night when so much went right for Liverpool, some defensive concerns remained. More worryingly, the problems began when experienced duo Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez came on, replacing the untested partnership of Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo.

Finding balance in this Liverpool side was a factor in Arne Slot’s dismissal and something Andoni Iraola has struggled with early in his time at the club.

The attack hasn’t been free-flowing this season either, creating just nine big chances in the Premier League, the fewest of any team alongside Aston Villa and Coventry, but it clicked in Austria, albeit against weaker opposition.

Bradley Barcola will hope he has ignited his Liverpool career while Florian Wirtz delivered a confidence-boosting performance and Lewis Koumas’ goal will help him grow in stature.

Liverpool are still very much a work in progress as Iraola finds a formula to blend his big-money signings with a new style of play.

Liverpool’s next fixtures…

Lamar Jackson was absent again at practice during the portion open to reporters Wednesday, as the Baltimore Ravens superstar deals with an ankle injury that has already caused him to miss one game.

Coach Jesse Minter said Monday that Jackson was “definitely doing better,” though he wasn’t sure how the quarterback’s practice would look Wednesday. “To Lamar’s credit, he’s doing everything he can to get back out there,” Minter said. ESPN reported Wednesday that Jackson has a “realistic chance” to play Sunday, citing a league source.

Jackson was injured two weeks ago in a victory over the Tennessee Titans. The Ravens were able to win on the road last week against the Atlanta Falcons with Tyler Huntley at quarterback. They play on the road against the Cleveland Browns this coming Sunday.

Jackson was sacked on the final play of the first half of the Ravens’ 24-18 win over the Titans when defensive end Jermaine Johnson landed on the back of his leg. He had completed 15 of 20 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns before the injury and didn’t return. Jackson has a sprained left ankle, according to NFL Media.

Huntley finished the Tennessee game, then completed 24 of 32 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns against the Falcons. He scored the winning touchdown on a 1-yard run in overtime of the 30-23 victory.

Baltimore (4-1) has some margin for error after a solid start. That’s in contrast to last season, when Jackson was hurt early on and didn’t come back until the team was 2-5. He rarely looked great after that, so there’s some risk in bringing him back too soon.

Jackson hurt his hamstring in a Week 4 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs last season and missed three games. He returned with four touchdown passes in a 28-6 win at the Miami Dolphins, but over his first eight weeks back, he completed 59.8% of his passes with eight touchdowns and five interceptions while averaging 21.8 rushing yards per game.

Huntley has won all three of his starts for the Ravens since the beginning of last season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Laurent Mekies has signed a five-year contract extension to continue as Red Bull team principal and chief executive until 2031.

Mekies joined the team from sister outfit Racing Bulls in July 2025 after Christian Horner was sacked following 20 years in charge.

News of Mekies’ contract renewal comes in the wake of Red Bull claiming their first two wins of the season, both courtesy of Max Verstappen, over the past fortnight in Malaysia and Singapore.

They are fourth in the Constructors’ Championship but have closed to within seven points of third-placed McLaren in what is shaping up to be a very competitive end to their first year as an engine manufacturer.

Verstappen extended his Red Bull contract to 2030 in August, while Isack Hadjar was also handed a contract renewal into 2027 after impressing in his first season at Milton Keynes.

In a joint statement announcing Mekies’ extended deal, Red Bull shareholders Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz said: “The strength of Red Bull has always come from its people and from creating an environment where talented individuals can achieve extraordinary things together.

“Laurent has played a crucial role in guiding the team through an important period of transition while maintaining the competitive spirit and the Red Bull principles that define us.

“This extension reflects our confidence in his leadership and our shared belief in the long term vision of the team.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

On the Sky Sports F1 Show Podcast, Bernie Collins gave huge flowers to Red Bull and their strategy after Max Verstappen’s clean sweep in Singapore.

“We are ambitious about what lies ahead and we are committed to building on this momentum together.”

Mekies, who has also previously worked at Ferrari and the FIA, said: “I am incredibly proud to continue this journey with Oracle Red Bull Racing, and I would like to thank Chalerm, Mark, and Oliver [Mintzlaff], the entire team, and everyone involved for the trust they have placed in the project.

“What makes this team special is the way everyone comes together in pursuit of the same goal, and I feel privileged to work alongside such a talented and committed group every day.

“Together, with Pierre Wache’s and Ben Hodgkinson’s teams playing a central role in shaping our future, we have a strong platform for the years ahead, and we genuinely believe this is only the beginning.

“As we look ahead, we will continue to embrace the principles that define us: being free in our thinking, fast in our actions and bold in our decisions.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen says the F1 paddock is ‘less stressful’ following Christian Horner’s exit because ‘it is not nice when you constantly have tension between people’.

Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO of corporate projects and investments, also hailed the 49-year-old’s Mekies’ leadership qualities.

“Laurent has demonstrated outstanding leadership since returning to the Red Bull family,” he said.

“He combines technical expertise, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of what makes our team successful. Just as importantly, he embodies the values and mentality that define the Red Bull way: courage, teamwork, determination, and an unrelenting desire to compete at the highest level.

“Continuity in leadership is a key ingredient for sustained success, and we are delighted that Laurent will continue to lead the team through the next chapter of our journey.”

Formula 1 next heads to The Americas for another triple header with the United States Grand Prix in Austin up first on October 23-25, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime

One might argue that Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has been underwhelming this season, compared to his play in previous years. But Nix is not among those people.

“I think playing good and playing bad, it’s all a narrative and I think it’s honestly kind of something we make up,” Nix said at Broncos practice Tuesday. “I don’t necessarily think I’m playing any different than what I’m normally playing. … I’m confident in my preparation. I’m confident in my coaching, and I’m confident in our offense and the way we’re going to structure the game and call plays.”

Through Denver’s first five games, Nix has totaled 942 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, three interceptions and an 80.8 passer rating, while completing 59.9% of his passes. The quarterback’s passer rating and completion percentage are each career lows.

Last season (2025), Nix logged 3,931 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions and an 87.8 passer rating, while completing 63.4% of his passes. The year prior (2024), Nix threw for 29 touchdowns, posted a 93.3 passer rating and completed 66.3% of his passes. He also rushed for 393.0 yards and 4.5 touchdowns per year from 2024-25.

In the Broncos’ Week 5 road win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Nix threw for just 123 yards. Granted, the Broncos, who won 14 games and reached the AFC Championship Game last season, are still 3-2.

“It’s a mental battle, and that’s kind of where I find myself sometimes in a season like this where it’s not as good as you want it to look, but you’re winning, and you’re playing tough teams, and you’ve gotten close against a few more tough teams,” Nix expressed.

Denver’s offense is 30th in the NFL in total yards (269.0 per game), 26th in points (19.4 per game) and 25th in both passing yards (182.8 per game) and rushing yards (86.2 per game). The Broncos changed offensive playcallers last week, with head coach Sean Payton taking the duties back from offensive coordinator Davis Webb, who was a first-time playcaller and promoted to offensive coordinator in the offseason.

Last season (2025), Denver’s offense was 10th in the NFL in total yards (342.6 per game) and 14th in points (23.6 per game). Of course, this came against the backdrop of the Broncos’ defense leading the sport in sacks (68.0), while being second in opponent total yards (278.2 per game) and third in opponent points (18.3 per game).

Like its offense, Denver’s defense has regressed in production this season, as the Broncos are 29th in opponent rushing yards (145.2 per game), 22nd in opponent total yards (347.4 per game), 13th in opponent points (22.2 per game), ninth outright in opponent passing yards (202.2 per game) and tied for ninth in sacks (13.0).

“I think sometimes I can have a tendency of overanalyzing things and overthinking things, and that’s when I’m not at my best,” Nix said. “I want to have all the answers and get everything right, and it’s just too difficult.”

Nix also expressed that he can’t be “worried about throwing an interception.” Rather, he needs to “just play the play.” 

Nix and the Broncos have a prime-time showdown at home against the defending Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.

England have been rocked by injury on the eve of the Rugby League World Cup with Perth Bears-bound Morgan Smithies ruled out of the tournament.

Leeds Rhinos’ Kallum Watkins is set to depart for Australia to take the place of lock and second-row forward Smithies.

Watkins, who played in two of last year’s three Ashes Tests against Australia, will arrive in Perth ahead of the weekend but is not set to feature in Saturday’s opener against Tonga.

Instagram

This content is provided by Instagram, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Instagram cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Instagram cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Instagram cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Head coach Brian McDermott said: “It’s really unfortunate what has happened to Morgan with an injury picked up in training.

“Morgan has been great since we entered camp. He’s a real team player and his work ethic and toughness are qualities that we will certainly miss.

“Kallum enjoyed a terrific season with Leeds this year and has been part of our England Performance Programme building into this World Cup.

“I look forward to welcoming him into camp as we step up our preparations.”

Watkins, 35, started out his glittering career as a centre but has transitioned to the pack in recent years and has played under McDermott at club level during his first stint as a player at Headingley.

Should he feature, he will play in his fourth Rugby League World Cup after previously representing his country on home soil in 2013 and 2022 plus Down Under when England progressed to the 2017 final.

Men’s Pools

• Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Fiji
• Group B: England, Lebanon, Samoa
• Group C: France, Papua New Guinea, Tonga

TROPICANA FIELD (St. Petersburg, Fla.) — Game 2 of the ALCS was simple for the Rays. 

Just win. 

After watching a two-run lead slip away in Monday’s series opener, the last thing Tampa Bay wanted was to fall further behind against the Guardians and leave their home turf in a serious deficit. So all they had to do was respond. 

Rays manager Kevin Cash liked the way his players walked into the ballpark on Tuesday after suffering a deflating loss. He thought they were in a good headspace to even the series, reset the matchup, and regain their confidence. 

So they did. The Rays defeated the Guardians, 3-1, on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field on the strength of their pitching and usual basepath pressure.

Here are my takeaways:

1. Ramirez’s Double-Gaffe Changed Everything

(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

The Rays are always creating pressure on the basepaths. They’re adept at spotting weaknesses in their opposition and exposing those flaws. And yet, even the Rays had to be surprised at the Guardians player who made not one, but two eyebrow-raising mistakes in a pivotal fourth inning.

Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez forgot to cover the bag in one play. In another, he committed a fielding error when he couldn’t corral a ground ball that was hit to the hot corner. Both were plays he has completed an untold amount of times across his 14-year career. Both plays opened the door for the Rays to score multiple runs.

The first Ramirez gaffe came on a Chandler Simpson groundball to short. Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio was never going to get the speedy Simpson out at first base. Rays outfielder Victor Mesa Jr., who was on base with a forceout, seemed to know that, or he was happy to keep sprinting either way, since there were two outs in the fourth inning at that point. As Mesa rounded second base and Simpson was called safe at first, Ramirez wasn’t covering third. Mesa didn’t hesitate, making it to third – standing up.

That put runners on the corners for Rays second baseman Ben Williamson, with Guardians talented rookie southpaw Parker Messick on the mound in a scoreless game. Messick needed just one more out to get out of the inning unscathed. He thought he had that out when Williamson lined a routine chopper to third base that should’ve been vacuumed by Ramirez. Instead, it went between Ramirez’s legs and into left field, easily scoring Mesa from third. 

The Rays continued to capitalize. Catcher Liam Hicks roped a two-run single to center field to clear the bases and give Tampa Bay a 3-0 lead. All three runs were unearned. Who would’ve guessed, after all the positive impacts Ramirez has made for Cleveland, that the Rays’ big fourth-inning rally would be sparked by the unlikeliest player?

2. Fastball Freddy Was Perfect

(Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Right-hander Freddy Peralta watched Rays center fielder Johnny DeLuca secure a fly out for the final out of the fifth inning. Then he turned toward the Rays dugout and let out a primal scream. He was fired up. Typically, that’s the ceiling for Peralta, earning him the social-media nickname, “Five-Inning Freddy.” But he had more heat left in the tank. With the Rays leading 3-0, manager Kevin Cash sent him back out for the sixth. 

Peralta stepped up to pitch his only clean inning of the night, retiring Nathaniel Lowe, Travis Bazzana and Petey Halpin in order to end his terrific outing on the highest of notes. Across eight career postseason starts, Tuesday night was the first time Peralta completed six innings in the playoffs. He relied on his high heater and his adjusted mechanics, including pitching from the stretch, to get him there.

The Rays have trusted the veteran from the moment the Mets traded him to Tampa Bay this summer. In the regular season, he already showed them why they can continue to put their faith in him as their No. 2 starter behind ace Drew Rasmussen. But continuing to perform in October, on the sport’s grandest stage, under megawatt lights? That’s a different animal.

3. The Rays Finally Used Their Best Bullpen Arms

(Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Cash was under fire on Monday after failing to use his usual high-leverage relievers in lieu of going to his middle- to low-leverage arms in the Rays’ 7-3 loss to the Guardians in Game 1 of the ALCS. Tampa Bay’s longtime skipper made a series of questionable moves in that seemingly avoidable defeat, and he was sure to avoid any mistakes in Game 2, particularly when it came to the bullpen.

Left-hander Ian Seymour, who has been a Swiss Army knife for the Rays this season, pitched 1 ⅓ scoreless innings from the final out of the seventh to the end of the eighth. He allowed just one hit and struck out two batters in that span, setting up the stage for Rays closer Bryan Baker to come in and do what he does best. 

Baker needed just eight pitches to take care of business in the top of the ninth inning. In the end, it was an easy win for the Rays. And those don’t come around often in October.

3 ½. What’s next?

With the series even at one game apiece, neither team has announced their starting pitchers for what promises to be a crucial and intense Game 3. The ALCS will shift to Progressive Field in Cleveland for Games 3, 4 and 5. If needed, the series will return to Tropicana Field for Games 6 and 7.

Mikel Arteta challenged Bukayo Saka to start scoring “two or three goals per game” before Arsenal’s meeting with Lille. The winger clearly was listening. He only needed six minutes to find the net. And that was after providing an assist with his first touch.

The Arsenal boss was asked if his comments had served as motivation. “If that’s the case, I’m very happy and I welcome it,” he said with a smile, before revealing he had joked to Saka about “killing him” in his press conference before Tuesday’s game.

Arteta was acknowledging that he had set Saka a borderline impossible target but the 25-year-old’s game-changing appearance from the bench showed he is at least willing to have a crack at it.

Saka’s focus appears streamlined to one thing: goals.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports’ Gary Cotterill and Nick Wright give their player ratings for Arsenal against Lille

His 71st-minute strike against Lille was his fourth in all competitions this season. There have been another two on international duty with England. And his overall total could easily be higher. Saka missed one-on-one chances against both Napoli and Leeds.

“If he misses the chance, so be it,” Arteta said after the win over Leeds. “In the end, the more volume we generate, the bigger the probability of him scoring more goals. He is doing well and he could have had another four or five goals by now, easily.”

Image:
Saka has scored three goals from in or just outside the six-yard box

His goal against Lille, swept home from Kai Havertz’s cut-back, was his third this season to have been scored from either in or just outside the six-yard box. There has been a focus on getting him into more dangerous goalscoring positions and it is paying off.

The underlying data supports Arteta’s comments about Saka’s increased volume of chances. In the Premier League this season, he is averaging nearly twice as many open-play expected goals per 90 minutes as in any previous season for Arsenal, at 0.50.

Datawrapper

This content is provided by Datawrapper, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Datawrapper cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Datawrapper cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Datawrapper cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

“He has been getting in great positions, getting shots, getting one-touch finishes and tap-ins,” added Arteta. He is on track to beat his career-high total of 20 goals in 2023/24, helped by what his manager calls a change of “mindset” about his scoring targets.

He has of course been helped by other factors, too. Most importantly, he is benefitting from being free of injury, along with key personnel around him. Saka is combining with Martin Odegaard again. He is routinely interchanging positions with Havertz.

Arteta has talked up the importance of those interchanges, which are allowing Saka to spend more time between the width of the posts. “That is the kind of unpredictability we have with that player, otherwise we know how the opponent is going to defend him.”

The result of the adjustments is that only two players, out-and-out strikers Thierno Barry and Erling Haaland, have generated more expected goals in the Premier League this season.

Image:
Saka’s attacking numbers reflect his goal threat

Saka is actually creating less than in previous years but he ranks in the top three for shots on target and penalty-box touches. He has also made the most fast breaks of all Premier League players.

Among some fans, though, there is a perception that he is struggling to regain his best form after the injury issues that interrupted the previous two seasons. Saka did look some way below his best against Leeds before his explosive cameo against Lille.

Saka is held to higher standards than most but the numbers throw up little cause for alarm. Quite the opposite, in fact.

According to Gradient Sports, whose data grades players based on quality of execution rather than raw outcomes, Saka ranks as the best performer in the Premier League this season.

His overall grade of 88.5 puts him ahead of Joao Pedro, Elliot Anderson, Lewis Hall and Rayan Cherki.

His Arsenal team-mates Declan Rice and Odegaard are just outside the top five with overall grades of 87.3 and 84.9 respectively.

Image:
Saka has a league-high Gradient Sports execution grade of 88.5 out of 100

Saka’s outstanding grade reflects the quality of his decision-making and his ability to execute in the moment. He may not be as eye-catching in style as some other wingers. He rarely over-elaborates on the ball. Instead, the efficiency of his actions is unrivalled.

Consider the fact that he only needed one touch to provide an assist against Lille on Tuesday. By contrast, Noni Madueke, the player he replaced, made 14 unsuccessful crosses before finally setting up the opener, despite getting into good areas repeatedly.

Saka also brings a level of completeness few can match and continues to contribute in all areas. “The reason he’s graded so highly is that he’s executing well across so many different categories,” Rob Berwald of Gradient Sports tells Sky Sports.

Datawrapper

This content is provided by Datawrapper, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Datawrapper cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Datawrapper cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Datawrapper cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

The graphic above shows he has scored comfortably above the average for Premier League wingers this season in passing, shooting, crossing, ball carrying, duels and even one-vs-one defending. On top of everything, Saka always helps out his full-back.

Another area in which he excels, according to Gradient Sports, is in tackle resistance. Saka’s ability to retain possession under pressure is another attribute which becomes invaluable in central zones as well as out on the right flank, facing up defenders.

His transformation into a penalty-box goal-getter continues a gradual evolution under Arteta, who told Sky Sports he needed time to “figure him out” back in 2021, moving him from left-back to left wing before he eventually flourished as a right winger.

Now he is becoming something else. A right winger, yes. But one with a narrower focus and a different mindset. The hope for Arsenal is that they will continue to reap the rewards of channelling his immense quality into the business of scoring goals.

What do a five-star quarterback from California who once committed to play for Nick Saban and a three-star prospect from Texas who nearly started his career at Indiana have in common?

More than you might think.

Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Indiana’s Josh Hoover took different paths to get where they are today, but both share the same goal of winning a national championship.

Two Paths To Stardom: Sayin vs. Hoover

Julian Sayin was supposed to be the next big thing at Alabama. A five-star recruit, he committed to the Crimson Tide with plans to play for Saban. Then Saban retired, and Sayin’s plans changed. He pivoted to Ohio State — a decision that has worked out pretty well for both sides.

Sayin spent the 2024 season learning from the sideline, serving as the backup to Kansas State transfer Will Howard. While Sayin waited, Howard led the Buckeyes on a College Football Playoff run that ended with a national championship. 

Then it was Sayin’s turn.

Taking over the Ohio State offense came with a bonus that any quarterback would dream about: Jeremiah Smith. I had the luxury of throwing to Jeff Samardzija. Anthony Fasano and Maurice Stovall during my time at Notre Dame. I quickly learned that an elite pass-catcher can be a quarterback’s best friend, and Sayin and Smith have developed a strong connection. Sayin is finding his star receiver again and again as Smith continues to rewrite the Buckeyes’ record book. 

Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith have connected 48 times for 916 yards and 11 touchdowns through six games. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

Sayin is best described as a point guard within Ohio State’s offense. He distributes the ball, gets it to his playmakers and rarely gives it away. Through his career, he has thrown 50 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions while completing passes at an elite rate. Last season, his 77% completion rate ranked third in FBS history.

When I spoke with Sayin earlier this week, he pointed out one area he wanted to improve this season: using his legs to put more stress on opposing defenses. So far, that work has paid off, as he has already rushed for two touchdowns after failing to score on the ground last season. He has become more willing to scramble for a first down or extend a play when the pocket breaks down. Just look at what he did against Illinois.

There’s still one big question Sayin must answer in Saturday’s game against Indiana: Can he handle the Hoosiers’ pressure?

If Sayin wants to follow in Howard’s footsteps and lead Ohio State to another national championship, he’ll need to show he can stay composed when defenses turn up the heat. In the Buckeyes’ biggest games, pressure has been his biggest vulnerability. Sayin is an incredibly accurate passer, but his completion percentage drops by nearly 20 percentage points when he’s under pressure.

You better believe Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines will test Sayin to see if he can beat the blitz. 

Indiana QB Josh Hoover has thrown for 1,364 yards and 17 TDs through six games this season. (Photo by Mark Smith/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Hoover took a very different path from Sayin to get to where he is today. A three-star recruit out of the Dallas metroplex, Hoover was originally committed to Indiana before flipping to TCU to stay closer to home. After redshirting and spending a year backing up quarterback Chandler Morris, he took over as the Horned Frogs’ full-time starter in 2024. By the time he left Fort Worth, Hoover had nearly three years of starting experience, close to 10,000 passing yards and more than 70 touchdowns.

This production and experience made Hoover a prime target for Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti and his staff, who have gone to the transfer portal for a QB in five straight years dating back to their time at James Madison. Once again, they’ve found a veteran who fits their system — and Hoover looks right at home in offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan’s offense.

Indiana’s attack gives Hoover plenty of opportunities to play to his strengths, from quick passes in the RPO game to back-shoulder throws when the Hoosiers push the ball downfield. He’s stepped in and made it look seamless. In fact, Hoover has the highest completion percentage among Big Ten quarterbacks on throws released in under 2.5 seconds.

If there was one criticism during Hoover’s time at TCU, it would be turnovers, and they became a topic of conversation in the offseason. So far, he’s answered emphatically, throwing 17 touchdowns without an interception, putting those concerns firmly in the rearview mirror.

Now comes the chance for both quarterbacks to make a statement.

For Hoover, it’s about justifying his decision to come to Indiana. A win over the Buckeyes would prove that this program isn’t just some flash in the pan. Big players deliver in big moments. This is Hoover’s chance to do just that.

Sayin, meanwhile, has a chance to deliver the kind of signature performance that can put Ohio State back on top of the Big Ten. The Buckeyes haven’t won a Big Ten title since 2020, and beating Indiana would be a major step toward changing that. There may not be a better time for Sayin to make his mark.

One Name To Know …

Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker has led the Cowboys to a 4-1 record and the No. 18 ranking in the AP Poll. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

With the first pick of the 2027 NFL Draft …

Yes, that’s right, Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker is giving off those sorts of vibes. The Cowboys’ gun-slinger is turning heads and has the No. 18 team in the country dreaming of a Big 12 title and a spot in the CFP. NFL scouts are jumping to take a trip to Stillwater to munch on some Eskimo Joes and watch the prodigy sling it. 

To appreciate the story of Mestemaker, one has to understand his journey.

Mestemaker never started a game at quarterback in high school. In fact, he attempted just 30 passes in his entire prep career — as a backup. Labeled a zero-star recruit, he was offered a walk-on spot at North Texas under head coach Eric Morris.

Even then, a path to playing time was far from guaranteed. Mestemaker arrived at fall camp fifth on the depth chart before working his way into the backup role. His first chance to start finally came at the end of the season, when starting quarterback Chandler Morris entered the transfer portal ahead of the First Responder Bowl against Texas State.

Mestemaker made the most of the opportunity, throwing for nearly 400 yards and two touchdowns while adding another 70 yards and a score on the ground, and giving Morris a glimpse of what he could become. Two interceptions and a North Texas loss put a damper on the performance, but there was enough there to suggest the Mean Green might have found something special in the inexperienced quarterback.

Heading into the 2025 season, Mestemaker won the starting job over Miami transfer Ross Poffenbarger. He rewrote the North Texas record books in his first season as a starter and earned American Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Fast-forward to 2026, and Mestemaker followed Morris to Stillwater, Oklahoma, with a mission to bring Oklahoma State’s offense back to life. So far, he’s delivering. The junior leads the Big 12 in passing touchdowns with 13 while guiding the Cowboys to a 4-1 start.

Mestemaker’s unlikely path has drawn comparisons to Ryan Tannehill, who initially committed to Texas A&M as a quarterback before spending his first few seasons with the Aggies at wide receiver. Tannehill eventually returned to quarterback for the final season and a half of his college career, setting the stage for his eventual NFL success.

What stands out most about Mestemaker is his feel for finding windows in coverage. Despite his limited experience, he plays like a seasoned veteran. He’ll occasionally take unnecessary risks and put the ball in harm’s way, but that generally comes as a result of the sheer volume of passes he’s throwing. Mestemaker averages 34 pass attempts per game, the most in the Big 12, and the game situation sometimes calls for him to take chances. He’s also a threat with his legs, showing the toughness to fight his way into the end zone.

This week, the Pokes hit the road to take on Houston in what could be their toughest Big 12 test yet. For Mestemaker, it’s a chance to make a statement against a quality opponent and take another step up the NFL Draft boards.

What I’m Watching …

Since this is my column, I might as well be honest about what I’ll actually be watching Saturday night: my Fighting Irish taking on a top-10 opponent on the road in their toughest test of the season to date.

This matchup has no shortage of storylines, and it’s been months in the making. Remember when Notre Dame opted out of the Pop-Tarts Bowl after getting snubbed by the College Football Playoff? Well, that game would have been against BYU, which went on to win and bask in the glory of a giant Pop-Tart. Personally, I’m more of a brown sugar cinnamon guy.

This game came together after the Notre Dame-USC rivalry fell through. BYU agreed to host the Irish during the open date typically occupied by USC in even-numbered years, setting up a trip to Provo as the leaves change across the heartland. Rather than heading west to Southern California, Notre Dame will make the trek into the mountains of Utah for what should be a picturesque setting and a terrific atmosphere.

I remember opening our season at BYU in 2004. We had no idea what we were walking into. LaVell Edwards Stadium was rocking, and Cougar fans were hopped up on sugar and altitude. It was a nasty environment.

We had beaten BYU rather handily the previous season in South Bend, 33-14. But this time, the Cougars threw a pressure package at us that took until the second half to figure out. By then, it was too late.

There won’t be many surprises this time around. Both teams have enough film on each other to understand what the other wants to do, and both have experienced quarterbacks who have command of their respective offenses: Bear Bachmeier for BYU and CJ Carr for Notre Dame.

Notre Dame QB CJ Carr has the third-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Their styles, however, couldn’t be much different.

Carr operates from the pocket like a prototypical NFL quarterback. He diagnoses defenses before the snap, identifies potential weaknesses and looks to exploit them through the air. Bachmeier can hurt defenses on designed quarterback runs, but he’s also a very alert runner on passing downs. Give him an opening, and he’ll tuck the ball and take off.

For Notre Dame, a win would validate the dominance it has shown so far this season. For BYU, it’s a chance to prove the Cougars belong among the nation’s elite. 

The experts in the desert have the Cougars as a double-digit home underdog.

CFB Related Stories

Jamie Carragher has branded Lisandro Martinez’s comments criticising the Manchester United hierarchy as “awful” – saying the player should look at himself because of his “really poor” start to the season.

In an astonishing post-match interview after United’s 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid with 10 men, defender Martinez launched an extraordinary attack on the club chiefs, critisicing the lack of summer investment in the squad.

Martinez – who is out of contract at the end of the season – said he expected more from “upstairs”, singling out technical director Jason Wilcox, in the most recent transfer window in which they failed to improve their options at left-back and up front.

And responding to those comments, Sky Sports pundit Carragher told CBS Sports: “It doesn’t do anybody any good at all, and they will be the story now for the next few days all about this.

Image:
Manchester United spent less than the ‘Big Six’

“Every set of supporters don’t like the suits or the guys upstairs, so United fans will lap this up and think it’s great. I think it’s awful that he’s come out and said that right now. I do.

“And when he’s saying ‘we had a fantastic season last season’, they didn’t. A manager got sacked last season. Sacked.

“They finished third because they had no cup games. They got knocked out of the cup competitions very early. The reason they finished third is Liverpool and Chelsea were that bad as well.

“Now we’re seeing the real Manchester United this season. They were awful again tonight.

“And him as well, when he’s talking at the start of this season – I think he’s a good player, by the way, he’s a World Cup winner, I get that – he’s had an awful start to the season. Awful. Really poor.

“And yeah, people are lapping it up, Manchester United fans will. That does nobody any good at all.”

What Martinez said

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick is asked about Lisandro Martinez’s criticism of the club’s transfer strategy following the team’s 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League

Man Utd spent £155m on just four major summer signings after a third-place Premier League finish last season, which earned a return to the Champions League for the first time in three years.

But Martinez is not happy with how the club navigated the summer.

“I have to control myself a lot, but sometimes it’s a reflection of how our club is at the moment,” Martinez told Amazon Prime.

“We had a fantastic season last season, and now we expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete because many teams have brought in many players as well.”

Asked whether he had expected more investment in the squad in summer, Martinez said: “Yes, 100 per cent.

“I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest. And also, as a player, we have to do more.

“It’s also important to build a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night.”

Tuesday’s loss in Madrid extended Man Utd’s winless run to five games, piling pressure on boss Michael Carrick.

“He does his best,” he said of Carrick. “But every season is different. You can’t stay with what you did last season.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Clinton Morrison provides the latest update from Manchester United’s ‘nightmare start’ against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

“The teams know how you play, they know every detail. If you don’t change, next season is a big problem.”

Asked about Carrick’s future, Martinez replied: “You start changing, changing, changing managers. But what about [moves his eyes upwards] other areas?”

Martinez looked up and then shrugged, saying, “I can’t say more” before deciding to add a final dig.

“Because also tonight it is easy to say the coach, it is easy to say the players, but also we have to see other areas,” he said, pointing up and nodding.

Rooney: Martinez has gone too far, his performances aren’t good enough

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports’ Danyal Khan provides insight on three things we learnt from Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League

Martinez’s comments also drew criticism from former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, who agreed with Carragher that the Argentina defender’s performances have not been good enough to make such an outburst.

Rooney also feels Martinez’s comments are disrespectful to the other United players.

“It’s a difficult one because I always used to think I was outspoken as a player and you want to have your opinion,” Rooney told Amazon Prime.

“I think he has maybe gone a bit too far. That’s for the manager, and that should really stay internal.

“The fans want to hear the players speak; they want to hear the players care, so you can clearly see he cares and he wants the team to invest more money, and more players, and to do that he is probably one of the players who is out the door through his performances. His performances haven’t been good enough.

“But I think in some ways he is right in terms of the club needs to invest more, at the top end of the pitch and in defence as well.

“But it looks like that was a bit of an agenda; he’s wanted to say that, because that doesn’t mirror the performance. I thought the performance was better.

“It’s a bit disrespectful to his team-mates as well. He is disrespecting his team-mates because he’s saying the team isn’t good enough.

“Bruno (Fernandes) is the only one who has any right to come out and say anything like that as captain. And even then it should be behind closed doors if there are issues, which does happen.

“Players have conversations with the manager, the manager has conversations with the board, but that interview is not going to help the situation the club are in at the minute.

“That’s going to bring a greater noise around it; the players are not happy, they’re not settled, they don’t trust in their team-mates. That’s not going to help at all.”

TROPICANA FIELD (St.. Petersburg, Fla.) — After their first loss of the postseason, the Rays were in the throes of their first real test of October adversity. They had to find a way to stop the bleeding and prevent the ALCS against the Guardians from getting out of hand. 

Most of all, they needed a stopper. A few months ago, no one could’ve imagined that veteran right-hander Freddy Peralta would be the answer.

(Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Peralta, the fastball-reliant Tampa-Bay transplant, was spectacular in the Rays’ 3-1 win against Cleveland on Tuesday night at Tropicana FIeld. He twirled six scoreless innings — the longest start of his playoff career — and threw the fastest pitch of his career on a 99.4 mph fastball to Guardians right fielder Jo Adell in the fifth inning of his electric outing. With Peralta setting the tone, the Rays evened the series at one game apiece. 

“It’s no secret,” Peralta said, “That I trust in my fastball a lot, and it’s my best pitch.”

Peralta dotted the strike zone with high heat all night, which befuddled the Guardians lineup over and over again. It was somewhat surprising that the Guardians couldn’t do anything against Peralta’s four-seamer, because the team plainly advertised his biggest strength by throwing up “Fastball Freddy” graphics all over Tropicana Field before and during his outing.

(Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Guardians knew it was coming, and they still couldn’t hit it. Peralta’s confidence grew every time he collected a whiff with his unhittable weapon. 

“I thought his fastball was really good tonight,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “It was really good. And he was hitting that top rail. We talked about needing to get him down, but he was putting it right above, right at the top rail. And when he’s doing that with the good ride and cross-fire extension, he’s going to be tough. And he landed enough change-ups and curveballs to keep us honest. Freddy threw a really good game tonight.”

Peralta’s lights-out performance on Tuesday night was the culmination of tons of hard work from both the right-hander and the Rays organization since he joined the club in the summer. With the way the ball was gliding out of his hand and painting the black against Cleveland, it was easy to forget that this has actually been an emotional roller-coaster of a season for Peralta. 

He had a miserable first half with the Mets, posting a career-worst 4.99 ERA in 22 starts in New York. That experience was very hard for Peralta and his family because he was used to having success throughout his career. In 2025, Peralta finished fifth in National League Cy Young voting after he recorded a 2.70 ERA and led the league with 17 wins. He earned the reputation as one of the game’s most elite active starting pitchers when the Mets traded for him last offseason. 

“It was the first time that I was struggling like that,” Peralta said of his time as a Met. “And also in New York, an organization that traded for me, an organization that trusted me, and I wasn’t able to give the best of myself. It was a little disappointing for me. I didn’t feel good about it. 

“But when I got traded here, I just felt different. For some reason I got here, and I felt like myself again.”

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

After beginning his Rays tenure with a seven-run clunker against the Rockies, the Rays coaching staff got to work. They helped Peralta fix his mechanics, ditch his windup, and pitch exclusively from the stretch. Removing his windup allowed the righty to get to the mound faster, which freed “Fastball Freddy” up to use his favorite weapon with ease. 

The mechanics have been repeatable, but most of all, they’ve been simple. Peralta credits Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder, bullpen coach Jorge Moncada and bullpen catcher Charlie Valerio for being in the trenches with him since he joined Tampa Bay in August. They gave him a plan, one that didn’t overload him with too much information, and he followed it. The Rays wanted Peralta to focus on regaining confidence in his fastball and throw more changeups. Always the team player, ready to follow orders, Peralta went to work.

(Photo by Ray Bahner/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

He won American League Pitcher of the Month in September after recording a 0.96 ERA in five elite starts. Less than two months after joining the Rays, Peralta was back. 

“I don’t think we’d ever expect, ‘Hey, we’re going to acquire a guy, and he’s going to win Pitcher of the Month three weeks later,'” Cash said. “We were very fortunate to get him. I give our scouts a ton of credit for recognizing and appreciating that Freddy Peralta wasn’t that far removed from the Freddy Peralta in Milwaukee. And we have certainly reaped the benefits of him. 

“The type of teammate, it feels like he’s been here for four or five years, the way he carries himself, the way he interacts. The pitching and the numbers he’s thrown up speak for themselves.”

Peralta is lauded for being a terrific teammate everywhere he goes, in large part because of his infectious positive outlook on life. When he’s not on the mound, he’s always smiling. When he was on the Mets, he hosted team get-togethers and organized off-day outings. When he was on the Brewers, he hosted barbecues at his house. Already, in a matter of weeks, Rays players have bonded with Peralta in what has been a seamless transition to his third team in 13 months. 

This winter, Peralta might be heading to his fourth.

(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

The 30-year-old is set to enter free agency this offseason, and the Rays have helped ensure that he’ll get a big pay day. Peralta is earning just $8 million this season in the final year of his previous contract. Next year’s market, particularly for free-agent starters, is particularly thin. With the way Peralta bounced back this year, and the way he’s showing up in the postseason, he should garner plenty of interest around the league. 

Perhaps, even a reunion with the Mets is on the table. 

“I had no idea,” Peralta said when asked if he was aware that Mets owner Steven Cohen was in attendance at Tropicana Field on Tuesday. “I don’t even know what to say because I don’t know if he came to watch just the game or maybe me, too. What I can say is that we have a good relationship. When he traded for me, he texted me. We spoke. Also, when we were in spring training, we had really good communication. He spoke with me when I got traded back to the Rays.

“I think he’s awesome. And I’m happy that he was here watching, not watching me, watching the Rays.”

Arsenal scored three goals in seven second-half minutes to beat Lille 3-0 and continue their winning start in the Champions League.

The Gunners were frustrated for an hour at the Emirates Stadium but Jurrien Timber’s superb finish, lifted over the goalkeeper from Noni Madueke’s pass, opened the floodgates.

Eberechi Eze added the second with the help of a slight deflection from substitute Bukayo Saka’s pass, and Saka added the third himself after slick interplay with Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, who were introduced alongside him after the opening goal.

Mikel Arteta used the visit of Lille to rotate his side, making five changes from the 2-1 win over Leeds as Arsenal begin a run of eight games in 25 days, but their substitutes helped to ensure they followed up last month’s win over Napoli with another victory.

The Gunners should have led earlier with Bruno Guimaraes, starting for the first time at the Emirates Stadium as an Arsenal player, and Eze missing their best chances of the first period.

But Lille’s resistance was broken with Timber’s opener and Davide Ancelotti’s side couldn’t contain the Gunners, whose substitutions underlined their strength in depth, with Saka particularly impressive before another eye-catching cameo from Max Dowman.

At the other end, Lille did not register a shot on target, although striker Olivier Giroud received a positive reception on his return to the Emirates Stadium as a substitute.

The victory continues a positive start to Arsenal’s Champions League campaign, and extends their winning run in the league phase to 14 games, as last year’s runners-up aim to go one better.

Analysis: Saka takes up Arteta’s challenge

Arteta challenged Saka to start scoring “two or three goals per game” in his pre-match press conference. He must have been listening. He only needed six minutes to find the net after coming off the bench. And that was after providing an assist with his first touch.

“If that’s the case I’m very happy and welcome it,” Arteta said with a smile when asked if his comments had motivated the 25-year-old. Saka is up to four goals for the season for Arsenal and there were another two on international duty with England.

Image:
Bukayo Saka celebrates with his Arsenal team-mates

His display against Lille was all the more impressive given it came after an illness, according to Arteta. “He wasn’t feeling that good today and yesterday. He had a bit of an illness but was really keen to contribute. He came on and made a huge impact.”

His goal, struck from around eight yards out, was one of several from close range this season and provided further evidence of him getting into more dangerous areas. It was fitting that the assist, from the right-hand side, came from Havertz, the striker with whom he has often been seen interchanging positions.

The positional fluidity is helping Saka as he tries to boost his numbers in front of goal. This was another step in the right direction.

Arteta: It was a joy to watch our goals

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta: “We had moments in the first half where we arrived into a very dangerous position with a lot of advantage.

“Our technical quality wasn’t good enough to deliver moments of real threat and sustain real attacks.

“We made a change at half-time and our technical level increased.

“It was a joy to watch the goals that we scored, three different players and a number of different players participating.”

On his triple substitution: “I felt that it was the right moment to do it. With the way the game was panning out, the way the opponent was behaving, we needed different kinds of players.

“But credit to the starters and the ones who came on.”

Saka’s European record

• Saka has scored 19 goals in major European competitions for Arsenal, the outright second most of any player for the club after Thierry Henry (42).
• Saka has provided nine assists in the Champions League for Arsenal, with only Henry (16) and Cesc Fabregas (14) providing more.
• Arsenal have won their last 14 Champions League group stage or league phase games, keeping nine clean sheets in the process.

Ancelotti: We couldn’t match their rhythm

Lille boss Davide Ancelotti:

“It’s really tough. With the players they always have on the bench, they can change the rhythm of the game.

“For us it was difficult to keep up with the rhythm they put after 60 minutes.

“We have to keep the good things we did for 55 or 60 minutes.

“To come here and get a good result, you have to have many things aligned and we didn’t have that.

“It’s too hard on the players, the score. They didn’t deserve this score.”

The key moments at the Emirates

• 20: WASTE! Guimaraes sends a simple chance wide from Timber’s cut-back
• 22: SAVE! Mikel Merino heads straight at Berke Ozer from another Timber cross
• 23: OFFSIDE! Ayase Ueda has the ball in the net for Lille but the goal is ruled out for offside
• 37 CHANCE! Eze sidefoots his finish too close to the goalkeeper following a Myles Lewis-Skelly cut-back
• 64 GOAL! Arsenal make the breakthrough as Timber controls and finishes brilliantly from Madueke’s low cross
• 67: GOAL! Eze doubles Arsenal’s lead from Saka’s pass via a slight deflection
• 71: GOAL! Saka adds a goal to his earlier assist with a close-range finish from Havertz’s cut-back
• 78: CHEERS! Former Arsenal striker Giroud receives a positive reception as he is introduced from the bench for Lille

Arsenal’s next fixtures…

Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez launched an extraordinary attack on the club’s hierarchy after their 2-0 Champions League loss at Atletico Madrid.

In an astonishing post-match interview, the Argentina international criticised the lack of summer investment in the squad.

The defender said he had expected more from “upstairs”, singling out technical director Jason Wilcox, in the most recent transfer window in which they failed to improve their options at left-back and up front.

Man Utd spent £155m on just four major summer signings after a third-place Premier League finish last season, which earned a return to the Champions League for the first time in three years.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Clinton Morrison analyses Man Utd’s ‘nightmare start’ against Atletico Madrid

“I have to control myself a lot, but sometimes it’s a reflection of how our club is at the moment,” Martinez told Amazon Prime.

“We had a fantastic season last season, and now we expect more from the top, from upstairs, to bring in more players to compete because many teams have brought in many players as well.”

Asked whether he had expected more investment in the squad in summer, Martinez said: “Yes, 100 per cent.

“I expect more from our technical director. I have to be honest. And also, as a player, we have to do more.

“It’s also important to build a strong squad to be ready for this kind of night.”

Tuesday’s loss in Madrid extended Man Utd’s winless run to five games, piling pressure on boss Michael Carrick.

“He does his best,” he said of Carrick. “But every season is different. You can’t stay with what you did last season.

“The teams know how you play, they know every detail. If you don’t change, next season is a big problem.”

Asked about Carrick’s future, Martinez replied: “You start changing, changing, changing managers. But what about [moves his eyes upwards] other areas?”

Martinez looked up and then shrugged, saying, “I can’t say more” before deciding to add a final dig.

“Because also tonight it is easy to say the coach, it is easy to say the players, but also we have to see other areas,” he said, pointing up and nodding.

Monterosa

This content is provided by Monterosa, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Monterosa cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Monterosa cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Monterosa cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Carrick and Tielemans asked about Martinez comments

It was a jaw-dropping interview that Youri Tielemans, one of three outfield summer signings, refused to comment on, while Martinez’s outburst dominated the post-match press conference with Carrick.

Asked if he agreed with Martinez’s view, he said: “Well, I haven’t seen the interview. I’ve half heard about it in the other interviews I’ve done.

“I think it’s a little bit on the emotions of the game as well, coming here and being disappointed not to get something from the game.

Image:
Man Utd have not won any of their last five matches

“Straight after a game for me is not the time to talk about that interview because I haven’t seen it, so I can’t really comment on that.

“But I think it’s important for us to move forward quickly, really. I think there’s a big game on Sunday, and it’s really important that we move forward and we stay focused on that.

“There’s disappointment within the group. I’m bitterly disappointed in certain things, and the boys are as well as a group.”

Rooney heavily criticises Martinez outburst

Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer Wayne Rooney speaking to Amazon Prime:

“It’s a difficult one because I always used to think I was outspoken as a player and you want to have your opinion.

“I think he has maybe gone a bit too far. That’s for the manager, and that should really stay internal.

“The fans want to hear the players speak; they want to hear the players care, so you can clearly see he cares and he wants the team to invest more money, and more players, and to do that he is probably one of the players who is out the door through his performances. His performances haven’t been good enough.

Image:
Martinez is in his fifth season at Man Utd

“But I think in some ways he is right in terms of the club needs to invest more, at the top end of the pitch and in defence as well.

“But it looks like that was a bit of an agenda; he’s wanted to say that, because that doesn’t mirror the performance. I thought the performance was better.

“It’s a bit disrespectful to his team-mates as well. He is disrespecting his team-mates because he’s saying the team isn’t good enough.

“Bruno (Fernandes) is the only one who has any right to come out and say anything like that as captain. And even then it should be behind closed doors if there are issues, which does happen.

“Players have conversations with the manager, the manager has conversations with the board, but that interview is not going to help the situation the club are in at the minute.

“That’s going to bring a greater noise around it; the players are not happy, they’re not settled, they don’t trust in their team-mates. That’s not going to help at all.”

Sunday 18th October 12:30pm


Kick off 2:00pm

Carra: It’s awful from Martinez

Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher speaking to CBS Sports:

“Doesn’t do anybody any good at all, and they will be the story now for the next few days, all about this.

“Now, as supporters, every set of supporters don’t like the suits or the guys upstairs, so United fans will lap this up and think it’s great. I think it’s awful that he’s come out and said that right now. I do.

“And when he’s saying ‘we had a fantastic season last season’, they didn’t. A manager got sacked last season. They finished third because they had no cup games. They weren’t in Europe. They got knocked out of the cup competitions very early.

“The reason they finished third is that Liverpool and Chelsea were that bad as well. Now we’re seeing the real Manchester United this season.”

Analysis: Martinez unlikley to last long at Man Utd

Sky Sports’ Zinny Boswell:

Everyone has heard a Manchester United fan voicing the criticisms made by Lisandro Martinez in Madrid. It is another thing entirely to see a player doing it.

Many of those fans will see Martinez’s comments as a necessary intervention to address an issue which long pre-dates INEOS’ involvement at Old Trafford but has certainly not been helped by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority investment.

Others, like Wayne Rooney, will question the player’s motives. Martinez has entered the final year of his contract and cannot claim to have done enough to have earned another. Perhaps he has been told as much. Players who speak out publicly like this do not tend to last long.

Cristiano Ronaldo called out the Glazers in 2022 in his famous Piers Morgan interview and left United within a week. Martinez’s compatriot Cristian Romero criticised Spurs’ hierarchy in January in an Instagram post and was gone by the summer.

Irrespective of Martinez’s motivation, it is hard to argue with his point. United set Carrick up for a fall by failing to sign a left-back or a striker over the summer. The midfield rebuild that was hyped up for many months before the summer has not lived up to expectation either.

It is hard to understand quite what the plan is at United looking back at the last few years. United have had three managers in that window of time. Erik ten Hag, Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick. All with different approaches that bear little resemblance to the other.

Martinez’s comments will not help Carrick. But given the sense of hopelessness that has engulfed the fanbase, you can understand why some will welcome his comments. Martinez is right in saying United’s issues stretch far beyond the manager.

Your views on Martinez’s interview…

Steve: Martinez is 100 per cent right. The board are an absolute disgrace; the biggest club in the world and yet they persist with the same defenders we’ve had for five years. Teams know our weaknesses; the board have once again let the manager down badly.

Jonesy: I don’t agree with Martinez. They had money, but spent it on players like Andrey Santos who can’t get in the Chelsea team – what makes him good enough for Utd? I saw professional players unable to execute simple passes, and lapses of concentration in defence, again. Not good enough!

Date D: You can change the manager as much as you want, but when the hierarchy stays the same, you get the same results. Well done, Martinez!

Ciara: For once, a Man Utd player coming out to call out hierarchy. What a legend.

Dantoken: I stand with him. Nothing changes until changes are made at the top of the club.

Garbs: Agree with Martinez, squad should be bigger and more quality. The main issues are with those above off the pitch.

Man Utd’s next six fixtures

Leeds (A) – Premier League – Sunday October 18, live on Sky Sports

Como (A) – Champions League – Wednesday October 21

Bournemouth (H) – Premier League – Sunday October 25, live on Sky Sports

Chelsea (A) – Premier League – Saturday October 31

Roma (H) – Champions League – Tuesday November 3

Aston Villa (H) – Premier League – Sunday November 8, live on Sky Sports

Shohei Ohtani will be in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Ohtani will bat anywhere from second to sixth with the Dodgers trailing 0-2 in the best-of-seven series.

“He’s adamant he feels good enough to be in there, he’s close to finding something with his swing, and I feel great about it.” Roberts said. “He wants to be in there, help us win a ballgame and help us win a championship. It was a great conversation, and I’m excited about having him in there.”

Ohtani has been nearly unplayable offensively. Since September 1, he’s recorded only nine hits for a .180 batting average, with just one extra-base hit and one RBI, while striking out 21 times in 50 at-bats.

The postseason hasn’t gotten any better for Ohtani at the plate.

Across six postseason games, Ohtani is hitting just .150 with three singles, zero RBIs and seven strikeouts in 20 at-bats. For a slugger who routinely changes games with one swing – Ohtani went deep 54 and 55 times in his first two seasons with the Dodgers, leading the NL in 2024 — his home-run drought stretches all the way back to August 18.

Roberts spoke to Ohtani before the team worked out at Dodger Stadium. He said it wasn’t about benching the Japanese superstar, but rather offering him time off similar to Freddie Freeman in 2024. Freeman was ailing, he took time off to reset and ended up earning MVP honors as the Dodgers won the World Series.

“It’s more of, ‘Hey man, if you’re not feeling good enough that you feel like you can perform up to your ability, then we’ll pivot and give you a couple of days,'” Roberts said.

Ohtani has been noticeably playing through injury after spending roughly two weeks on the IL with left knee and right biceps pain before the end of the regular season. Prior to the NLDS, he told reporters that he didn’t feel 100% and thought he could play through it.

“I haven’t been able to get a good grasp of the root cause of all this,” Ohtani said. “I think that process is going to happen during the offseason when I’m going to have a little bit more time to be able to address it. But as of now, it’s something I’m just going to have to manage.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Lexi Potter could not have done more to prove she should not only be in England’s World Cup squad next summer, she could also be in the starting XI.

It’s a big shout for a player that’s only just broken into the England team, but her 60-minute debut against Greece couldn’t have gone much better.

“It was really special,” the Chelsea midfielder told ITV Sport after the game. “I am very happy and proud. It was a bit of a rush before the game and I lost my phone! I was a bit nervous but once I got on the pitch, I really enjoyed it.

“It was almost a dream come true. As a young girl, it’s what you dream of, playing for your country. To make my debut and to be able to start as well is very special.”

The 20-year old grew into the game at the King Power Stadium. She broke up attacks, showed her range of passing, allowed Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Lauren James to shine and even had a goal disallowed.

England’s next few games get gradually harder. Ukraine await in the final round of play-offs before a Nations League campaign against three teams in and around the top 20 in the world.

Twitter

This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Potter, if trusted, can get a chance to grow into the role as an England starter while also playing in important matches.

Not many players make their debut in their first international camp under Sarina Wiegman. The fact Potter was picked to start a game shows how much she’s impressing already.

“You could see that there were some nerves but that’s completely normal,” Wiegman told ITV Sport of her midfielder after the game in Leicester. “We kept an eye on her already and now she’s a starter for Chelsea, she did really well.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Anton Toloui provides the three biggest takeaways from England’s 5-0 victory over Greece, as the Lionesses cruised into the World Cup play-offs second round.

“In our camp, she did really well straight away. Your first start for England, that’s a big moment, but you can tell the position she picks up [that she was ready]. She scored a goal that was unfortunately disallowed, but nice for her.”

Keira Walsh, Potter’s team-mate at Chelsea, has also become her biggest hype artist. She’s been telling anyone that’ll listen about the midfielder’s quality and potential.

Now the Lionesses have seen it first-hand on the training pitch and in a competitive match.

Image:
With Potter on the pitch, Georgia Stanway played further forward and scored for England

England can take 26 players to the World Cup, a first in the women’s tournament. That means six or seven midfielders will be part of the squad.

With Walsh and Stanway certainties, it’s a battle between Potter, Laura Blinkilde Brown, Erica Meg Parkinson, Ella Toone, Grace Clinton and Lucia Kendall for the other spots.

It’s realistic one or two of them could be left behind. Toone and Clinton were on the outside looking in at the start of the international break before being called up as injury replacements.

All of a sudden England have a load of options in a position they were once struggling for depth.

England to face Ukraine in next round

England will face Ukraine in the second round of the play-offs to secure a place at next year’s World Cup.

Ukraine beat Slovakia 4-1 on aggregate to progress.

The two sides were drawn in the same qualification group, with the Lionesses winning 6-1 away before following up with a 3-0 win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Ukraine will play at ‘home’ in the first leg, and away in the second. The ties will be played between November 26 and December 5.

Potter praise from England team-mates

Georgia Stanway to Sky Sports News: “She’s a really good kid. It’s so good to have her around the group. She’s composed, she’s calm and she appears older than what you think she is. She’s come in and it’s as if she’s been here for a really long time.”

Freya Godfrey – who also made her England debut on Tuesday – to Sky Sports News: “I can’t even explain it. We were in our hotel room earlier and we were going through our camera rolls with Erica [Meg Parkinson] and I came across a picture of me and Lex from 2022 on camp.

“To then have this night with her, I couldn’t be prouder of her and the season she’s had. She more than deserves it. To share it with someone as special as her, I’ve grown up with her in the youth age groups, and talking about it gives me chills.

Image:
England were 8-1 winners in aggregate against Greece in their World Cup first round play-off

“Watching her walk out and sing the national anthem, me and Erica felt really emotional and proud of her.”

Jess Carter to Sky Sports News: “She’s great. I remember playing with her when I was at Chelsea. It’s great to see her here and in this camp, she’s been excellent. She’s professional and she definitely does not stand out as if she’s fresh in here so I’m really happy for her.”

Alessia Russo to ITV Sport: “She’s been brilliant in training. You can tell that she’s ready for this level. She is a great kid and wants to learn. She’s got the best in learning off Keira. She looks so confident and composed.”

FanDuel Predicts does not require a promo code, and new users can claim up to $100 in Predicts Bonuses by trading at least $1 a day for five straight days. FanDuel launched Predicts in December 2025 with CME Group, giving the biggest name in U.S. sports betting its own federally regulated prediction market. Sign up today to claim the current FanDuel Predicts promo for new users, Trade $5, Get $100 in Predicts Bonuses. 

FanDuel Predicts Promo Code Offer Details

Promo CodeNone requiredOfferTrade $5, Get $100 in Predicts BonusesOffer TypeDaily trading bonus over five daysMinimum Deposit$5Minimum Trade$1 per day for five consecutive daysBonus Breakdown$20 in Predicts Bonus per qualifying day, up to $100ExpiryEach $20 bonus expires 24 hours after it is creditedMinimum Age18+Eligible StatesStates where FanDuel Predicts offers sports contracts (18 states)

The offer rewards consistency rather than a big first deposit. Place a real-money trade of $1 or more on five consecutive days, and FanDuel credits $20 in Predicts Bonus for each qualifying day, for a maximum of $100.

Each $20 credit expires 24 hours after it lands, so plan to use it the same day you receive it. Click here to claim Trade $5, Get $100 in Predicts Bonuses and start your five-day streak.

How to Claim the FanDuel Predicts Promo for New Users

1. Click here to open FanDuel Predicts with the welcome offer attached.
2. Download the FanDuel Predicts app on iOS or Android. Trading is app-based, so you will finish signup on your phone.
3. Create an account or log in with your existing FanDuel credentials. No promo code is needed, and the offer applies automatically.
4. Verify your identity with your address and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
5. Deposit at least $5 with a debit card, Apple Pay, or online banking.
6. Make a trade of $1 or more today, then repeat on each of the next four days to collect all five $20 bonuses.

FanDuel Predicts Welcome Offer Terms and Conditions

• No promo code required
• New FanDuel Predicts customers only, 18 or older
• Make at least one real-money trade of $1 or more on five consecutive days
• Receive $20 in Predicts Bonus for each qualifying day, up to $100 total
• Bonuses are typically credited within 72 hours of a qualifying trade
• Each bonus expires 24 hours after it is credited and cannot be withdrawn
• Offer available only in states where FanDuel Predicts lists sports contracts

What Is FanDuel Predicts?

FanDuel Predicts is FanDuel’s standalone prediction market app. Instead of placing a bet against a sportsbook, you buy yes or no contracts on real-world outcomes and trade them with other users, with prices that move as expectations change.

FanDuel launched the app on December 22, 2025, in partnership with CME Group, starting in five states before expanding nationwide on January 15, 2026. Accounts are held with FanDuel Prediction Markets LLC, a registered futures commission merchant and member of the National Futures Association, and contracts are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

In June 2026, FanDuel added a second exchange partner, OG Prediction Markets through Crypto.com’s CFTC-regulated exchange, which brought new sports, entertainment, and combination contracts to the app.

How Does FanDuel Predicts Work?

Every contract on FanDuel Predicts trades between 1 cent and 99 cents and settles at $1 if your side is correct. The price works as an implied probability, so a contract at 65 cents means the market sees roughly a 65 percent chance of that outcome.

FanDuel Predicts Trade Example

• Contract: Will the Chiefs beat the Raiders? Yes at 65 cents
• You buy 10 Yes contracts for $6.50
• Chiefs win: each contract settles at $1, for a $10 return and $3.50 profit before fees
• Raiders win: the contracts settle at $0 and you lose your $6.50

Selling a Contract Early

You do not have to hold a contract until the game ends. If the price moves in your favor, you can sell your position to lock in a profit, or sell to cut a loss, as long as there is a buyer on the other side.

Combo Trades

FanDuel Predicts lets you combine up to eight football predictions into a single trade. Combos work much like parlays: every leg has to hit for the trade to pay, and the potential return grows with each prediction you add.

Fees and Price Display

FanDuel charges a transaction fee on each trade, shown on the confirmation screen before you submit. You can view prices as cents, percentages, or payout multipliers, but not American odds.

Is FanDuel Predicts Legal? Where You Can Trade

Yes. FanDuel Predicts operates under CFTC oversight at the federal level and is available in most states where legally permitted.

Sports contracts are offered only in states where FanDuel does not run its sportsbook. As of fall 2026, that covers 18 states: Alabama, Alaska, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Utah.

Everywhere else, FanDuel Predicts offers financial, economic, and commodity markets, and FanDuel Sportsbook handles sports wagering. FanDuel has said it will stop offering sports contracts in any state that later legalizes online sports betting.

For the full picture on every platform, see our guide to prediction markets legal states.

What Can You Trade on FanDuel Predicts?

Sports

In the 18 sports states, FanDuel Predicts covers the NFL, college football, the NBA, college basketball, the NHL, MLB, and soccer. Football markets go beyond game winners to player props such as touchdowns, passing yards, and interceptions, and live markets let you trade during the game much like live betting.

Financial and Economic Markets

Available nationwide, these include contracts on the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, oil, natural gas, gold, GDP, CPI inflation reports, and Federal Reserve rate decisions.

Crypto

Short-term contracts on where Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies will trade.

Entertainment and Culture

Added through the 2026 Crypto.com partnership, these markets cover award shows and other cultural events, with availability that varies by state.

FanDuel Predicts App Review

• App Ratings: 4.8 out of 5 on iOS and 4.6 out of 5 on Android
• Design: A clean yes or no interface that will feel familiar to anyone who has used FanDuel Sportsbook
• Standout Feature: Combo trades of up to eight football predictions
• Payments: Debit card, Apple Pay, and online banking, with credit cards not accepted

FanDuel Predicts is mobile-only, and it keeps a separate wallet from FanDuel Sportsbook, so you cannot move funds directly between the two. Existing FanDuel customers can log in with their current credentials, which makes signup faster than on a brand-new platform.

FanDuel Predicts vs. FanDuel Sportsbook

FeatureFanDuel PredictsFanDuel SportsbookRegulatorCFTC (federal)State gaming commissionsWho you trade againstOther usersThe sportsbookPricingCents, percentages, or multipliersAmerican oddsSports availability18 states without FanDuel SportsbookStates with legal online bettingMinimum age18+21+ in most statesExit before the game endsSell your contractCash out where offeredWelcome offerTrade $5, Get $100 in Predicts BonusesSee current FanDuel promo

If you live in a state with legal online sports betting, FanDuel Sportsbook is the product you will use for sports. Check the current FanDuel promo code for its welcome offer, or compare every option on our best sports betting apps page.

Other Prediction Markets to Consider

FanDuel Predicts is one of several CFTC-regulated platforms competing for U.S. traders. These alternatives are worth a look, especially if you want sports contracts in a state where FanDuel only offers financial markets.

For our full rankings, see the best prediction markets.

Responsible Trading

Prediction market trading carries real financial risk, and you can lose the full amount you put into a contract. FanDuel Predicts offers deposit limits, cool-off periods, and self-exclusion in the app. If trading stops being fun, these free resources can help.

• National Problem Gambling Helpline: Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET
• National Council on Problem Gambling: ncpgambling.org
• Gamblers Anonymous: gamblersanonymous.org

FanDuel Predicts Promo Code FAQs

Do I need a FanDuel Predicts promo code?

No. FanDuel Predicts does not use a promo code, and the welcome offer applies automatically when you sign up through our link to claim Trade $5, Get $100 in Predicts Bonuses.

Is FanDuel Predicts legal in my state?

FanDuel Predicts is available in all 50 states, but sports contracts are limited to 18 states where FanDuel does not operate its sportsbook. Financial and economic markets are available everywhere.

Can I use my FanDuel Sportsbook account on FanDuel Predicts?

You can log in with your existing FanDuel credentials, but FanDuel Predicts uses a separate wallet. Funds in your sportsbook balance cannot be used to trade.

Can I withdraw the FanDuel Predicts bonus?

No. Predicts Bonus funds can only be used to trade, and each $20 credit expires 24 hours after it is issued. Any profit you earn from trading with the bonus is yours to keep.

How old do you have to be to use FanDuel Predicts?

You must be 18 or older to trade on FanDuel Predicts.

Can I sell a FanDuel Predicts contract before the event ends?

Yes. You can sell a contract at the current market price at any time before settlement, as long as another trader is willing to buy it.

What sports can I trade on FanDuel Predicts?

In eligible states, FanDuel Predicts covers the NFL, college football, the NBA, college basketball, the NHL, MLB, and soccer, including player props, live markets, and combo trades.

Manchester United failed to ease the pressure on Michael Carrick as they were beaten 2-0 at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League after Leny Yoro’s controversial second-half sending off.

United, now winless in five games in all competitions, went behind after just 47 seconds as Atletico sliced through with a simple ball over the top which allowed Alex Baena to square for Pablo Barrios to give Carrick a nightmare start in Madrid.

Substitute Ademola Lookman sealed the victory for Diego Simeone’s side late in the second half with Atletico’s second goal just five minutes after Yoro was shown a straight red card following an on-field review by referee Glenn Nyberg.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Clinton Morrison provides the latest update from Manchester United’s ‘nightmare start’ against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

The France international was deemed to have denied Atletico’s Jonathan David a goalscoring opportunity after a coming together between the pair just inside United’s half. “It is soft! No way, that should not be a red,” Clinton Morrison said on Soccer Special.

The referee had earlier disallowed Johnny Cardoso’s goal for Atletico just before half-time that would have doubled their lead, with Marcos Llorente judged to have handled the ball when his arm was in an unnatural position in the build up.

United were clearly second best but had more than enough opportunities to draw level with Bryan Mbeumo sending a deflected shot narrowly wide and captain Bruno Fernandes hitting the bar after spurning a decent opening on the break.

United, who remain on three points in the Champions League league phase, can have no complaints about losing in Madrid after yet another disjointed performance which only adds to the scrutiny on their head coach ahead of a Sunday’s trip to Leeds in the league, live on Sky Sports.

Man Utd’s next fixtures…

Leeds (A) – Premier League – Sunday October 18, live on Sky Sports

Como (A) – Champions League – Wednesday October 21

Bournemouth (H) – Premier League – Sunday October 25, live on Sky Sports

Chelsea (A) – Premier League – Saturday October 31

Roma (H) – Champions League – Tuesday November 3

Aston Villa (H) – Premier League – Sunday November 8, live on Sky Sports

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique came to Manchester City’s defense on Tuesday, saying he hopes the club won’t be stripped of titles after being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules.

Back-to-back Champions League winner PSG plays City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

City could face sanctions including a huge fine, points deductions or even expulsion from England’s top flight. There have also been calls for it to be stripped of trophies it won during a nine-year period in which it was found to have artificially inflated its revenue by more than $1 billion.

“I hope everything works out well for Man City because I think what they have done on the pitch has been incredible over the last few years and they certainly deserved to win all the trophies they have won,” Luis Enrique said ahead of the Champions League game. “The trophies you win on the pitch remain on the pitch. They deserved to win that and I hope they can avoid the sanction.

“But now we have to wait to see what the authorities decide or the judge is going to say.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 11: Liverpool fans display a banner that reads “& after all, you really robbed us all” before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield on October 11, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

City is under Abu Dhabi ownership and PSG is Qatari-backed. Both clubs have been sanctioned by European governing body UEFA for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations in the past.

City is accused of providing misleading information about its finances from 2009-18. During that time, it won three titles. It has appealed the verdict.

City defender Ruben Dias said the players were focusing on the pitch, like they did Sunday in a 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield.

“I feel like when you build yourself as a player, you build yourself against any kind of noise,” he said. “Personally, and I really feel like I speak for the whole group, we’re very calm. We trust the club, we’re very calm and we’re very focused on enjoying football.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Soccer Related Stories

Get more from the FIFA Men’s World Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

Rory McIlroy believes LIV Golf was “half a good idea, executed poorly” and the breakaway is no longer a threat to the traditional game as it tries to relaunch after filing for bankruptcy.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) ploughed in £3.7bn over four years, luring the likes of Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau away from the PGA Tour, before withdrawing its support this year.

That led to Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the United States with a view to relaunching as LIV 2.0, having received a potential $300m (£227m) backing from BC Partners Capital providing a specified number of players re-sign for the new venture.

Rahm has already announced he will not be continuing and news this week that any player signing up for LIV will be barred from DP World Tour membership and Ryder Cup eligibility has delivered a crippling blow.

“LIV had probably like, half of a good idea that was executed pretty poorly,” McIlroy told the Bloomberg New Economy forum in New Delhi, where he is playing this week in the DP World India Championship.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports’ Inci Mehmet explains why Jon Rahm is to quit LIV Golf after deeming the terms offered for the proposed relaunch of the breakaway series ‘unacceptable’

“They had a lot of capital but I think a lot of that capital was wasted in some ways and I think they could have used that money a lot more strategically and could have partnered with some of the governing bodies of the game and certainly could have done better things with it instead of just enriching tour pros who were already making a lot of money.

“BC Partners have come in and seen an opportunity (but) it looks like every day that goes by there’s another player that was on LIV who is not going to join LIV 2.0 so I think it is going to be very difficult to get out of this Chapter 11 bankruptcy and go forward.

“But if they do it is certainly not going to be a threat to the traditional order of the game as it once was.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Geraint Hughes explains what is next for LIV Golf and what will happen to their players after they filed for bankruptcy

A more pertinent issue now seems to be what happens to those players quitting LIV.

The PGA Tour invokes a one-year suspension, denying them access until August next year, and while the DP World Tour has stiffened its rules its membership remains divided.

“I’m sure some members who stayed loyal would feel hard done by if these guys can just walk straight back in but, on the other side, having these players back on the tour is good for business and it can drive revenues up and everyone can benefit from that,” added McIlroy.

“I would vote for them to come back. A rising tide lifts all boats and I think having some of these players back is beneficial for the business of the tours.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The Sky Sports Golf Podcast team predict their USA and Europe Ryder Cup teams for 2027

It is not a view shared by six-time DP World Tour winner Joost Luiten.

“Four years ago they didn’t give a s*** about the DP World Tour,” he told Today’s Golfer.

“They made a decision to go after the money and now all of a sudden, the money is gone and they want to come back and act like nothing happened. I don’t think that’s right.

“If they think they are that good then show it at Q-School (qualifying school) and beat the guys. That’s how every other guy that wants to play on this tour has to go.”

Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland

Ohio State Buckeyes superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith continues to draw strong praise from the opposition, a list of people that now includes the head coach of the team that has won 22 consecutive games.

“He’s taken it up a notch, without question. I think he has nine touchdown catches in the last three Power Four conference games. There’s no one like him right now playing at this level,” Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti said about Smith at a press conference Monday. “He’s a freak, and we’re going to have to do a great job on him.”

No. 5 Indiana (6-0) hosts No. 4 Ohio State (5-1) on Saturday (12 p.m. ET on FOX), with FOX’s “Big Noon Kickoff” on site in Bloomington for the Big Ten showdown. Last year, Indiana defeated Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship en route to winning its first national championship in program history.

The Hoosiers are coming off a Week 6 scare on the road against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, as they rallied from down 11 points in the fourth quarter to escape with a 20-17 victory.

As for the scare in store for Indiana in Week 7, Smith, who already stood out in momentous fashion across his freshman and sophomore seasons, has taken his game to another level this season for Ohio State.

In fact, Smith has become the Buckeyes’ all-time leader in receptions (211), receiving yards (3,474) and receiving touchdowns (38). Prior to Ohio State’s Week 6 win against the Maryland Terrapins, he combined for 23 receptions for 423 yards and six touchdowns in wins over the Iowa Hawkeyes and Illinois Fighting Illini.

In all, Smith has logged 48 receptions for 916 yards (19.1 yards per reception) and 11 touchdowns, which all lead the Big Ten and are each second in the nation, across Ohio State’s six games this season. In 2025, he led the Big Ten with both 87 receptions and 1,243 receiving yards, while leading the conference with 1,315 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt recently said that Smith is “entering the chat” for the greatest Buckeyes player ever.

Big Ten Related Stories

The looming heavyweight battle features an Ohio State offense that’s first in the Big Ten in total yards (503.5 per game) and points (42.7 per game) going up against an Indiana defense that has given up the fewest points in the conference (11.8 per game) and is third in opponent total yards (263.5 per game). Meanwhile, Indiana’s offense is second in the Big Ten in total yards (462.7 per game) and third in points (40.2 per game) and will face an Ohio State defense that’s second in the conference in both opponent total yards (246.8 per game) and opponent points (13.2 per game).

Alexander Zverev celebrated becoming the year-end No 1 with a 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 7-6 (7-1) victory over Alexander Bublik to reach the quarter-finals at the Shanghai Masters.

Zverev, who won the French Open and US Open this year, never looked 100 per cent comfortable, and admitted his “ankle was acting up” following his win.

The top seed will take on ninth seed Alex de Minaur next after the Australian produced one of his best performances of the year to beat Karen Khachanov in straight sets 6-3 6-4 to advance.

Instagram

This content is provided by Instagram, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Instagram cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Instagram cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Instagram cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Zverev said: “I’m starting to feel my body more and more, but happy to be through because it was a difficult match. He’s been playing amazing tennis this week. I think the most important thing was that I won today.”

With current world No 1 Jannik Sinner out for the rest of 2026 due to a knee injury and Carlos Alcaraz unable to overtake Zverev this year, the German was competing for the first time since he clinched the year-end No 1 honours for the first time on Monday.

“It is very, very special. To finish the world No 1 is a different kind of feeling,” said Zverev. “It’s a different kind of responsibility on your shoulders. I’m looking forward to that because I’m close to being 30 years old. It’s a special feeling to achieve that.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the match between Zverev and Bublik

Zverev vs Bublik: Tale of the Tape

Former British No 1 Tim Henman was full of praise for Zverev at the Laver Cup in London last month.

“You’ve got to earn the ranking points, and the way he’s played this year has been absolutely phenomenal,” he told the ATP Tour.

“He was a service game away from being in all four Slam finals. To have been working so hard and then not being able to win a Slam, and winning two this year and reaching the Wimbledon final, it’s phenomenal.

“Twelve months ago, he had a tough time. He wasn’t playing well, and he didn’t play well in the Laver Cup. The transformation 12 months on is phenomenal.”

Henman added: “When you see the way he’s been stepping up in the big matches, he hasn’t always played his best, but he’s found a way to win. Then you give yourself a chance to play better. The way he’s played in the Slams speaks for itself.”

Boulter suffers early Wuhan exit

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from the WTA Wuhan match between Katie Boulter and Diana Shnaider

Katie Boulter was beaten by 11th seed Diana Shnaider in the first round of the Wuhan Open.

The British No 1 struggled to hold serve against Russian Shnaider, who reached the semi-finals of the French Open, and fell to a 6-3 6-1 loss.

Boulter, who has been mourning the death of her grandfather, began well and led by an early break but she was under constant pressure on serve and was unable to match the consistency of her opponent.

British Top 5: October 12

WTA

1. Katie Boulter – 54

2. Fran Jones – 104

3. Emma Raducanu – 108

4. Harriet Dart – 113

5. Sonay Kartal – 170

ATP

1. Arthur Fery – 34

2. Cameron Norrie – 40

3. Jacob Fearnley – 94

4. Toby Samuel – 95

5. Jan Choinski – 110

The 22-year-old left-hander, who beat Boulter in the 2024 Hong Kong final, is now 3-0 against the Brit and has 30 tour-level wins this season.

Swiatek aiming to end year on a positive note as WTA Finals spot hangs in balance

Image:
Iga Swiatek is running out of time to claim a place at this year’s WTA Finals

Iga Swiatek has played at every edition of the WTA Finals since ‌2021, but with the Pole running out of time to claim a place at this year’s season-ending tournament ‌she knows the importance of going deep at her few remaining events.

The six-time major ​champion has won only one tournament this year at the Canadian Open in August and failed to advance beyond ​the quarter-final stage at all four Grand Slams.

The 25-year-old, ‌who won the WTA Finals in 2023, is 10th in the qualifying table for the November ​8-15 tournament at Indian Wells with only four of the eight spots still up for grabs.

“Obviously I’m aware of the situation and it would be great to get into the Finals, ‌for sure it’s our goal,” Swiatek said.

“It’s the first time I’ve faced a situation like that, to ‌get into the finals.

“It’s a challenge, but I feel like it’s a positive one and I’m really motivated. There are still a few tournaments ahead.”

Stream tennis with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App. You can watch the WTA/ATP China Open and ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters live on Sky Sports.

The UCLA Bruins are the biggest story in college football right now, but their momentum could be on the verge of slipping.

Following the upset win in Eugene over No. 13-ranked Oregon, the Bruins improved to 5-0 under first-year head coach Bob Chesney. However, winning came at a cost as quarterback Nico Iamaleava exited the game early with a knee injury.

According to ESPN, Iamaleava is expected to remain out indefinitely with the knee injury. While a final timeline remains pending a full medical evaluation, there is a real chance he could miss the rest of the season – Chesney has said as much, stating that there’s “serious concern” that Iamaleava could miss the rest of the year.

“I’m going to wait for our doctors to make the final call,” Chesney said Monday at his weekly news conference. “There is some serious concern at the moment. But at the same point in time, there’s nothing that has been fully ruled at this moment. There’s still other opinions and other people we want to talk to, to make sure everyone sees it the same way.”

Iamaleava’s play on the field has been sub-par this season, but he’s been one of the stabilizing factors in the Bruins’ impressive start. Through five games, he has completed 62.1% of his passes for 982 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions.

With Iamaleava sidelined, Chesney and his staff must turn to either Ty Dieffenbach or Madden Iamaleava, Nico’s younger brother. Nico threw for 162 yards against Oregon before exiting with the injury and being replaced by Dieffenbach.

In relief for Iamaleava, Dieffenbach completed 3-of-6 passes for 43 yards and a touchdown against the Ducks. Madden Iamaleava had been considered the backup earlier this season, but Chesney could now open up a competition or even utilize a two-quarterback system.

During his time at James Madison, Chesney frequently deployed multi-quarterback systems. He often paired primary starter Alonza Barnett III with other options like transfer Matthew Sluka and JC Evans for specialized running and passing packages.

College Football Related Stories

Managing a mid-season quarterback dilemma is a daunting task, but Chesney’s background proves he is well-equipped for the challenge.

With the Bruins remaining undefeated and ranked No. 12 nationally, the injury couldn’t come at a worse time. Even though Iamaleava hasn’t fully lived up to his five-star recruiting hype, he will still have one year of eligibility remaining for the 2027 season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca has defended the post-match celebrations of his squad following their 3-0 win at Liverpool on Sunday.

The trip to Merseyside was City’s first game after an independent commission found them guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of Premier League financial rules.

The club have since appealed the verdict and continue to deny any wrongdoing.

City players were pictured celebrating with the travelling away fans following full-time at Anfield – after goals from Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki secured the victory – which sparked criticism across social media.

When asked about the celebrations and the comments that followed ahead of facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday, Maresca said: “Criticised for what? We won 0-3 at Anfield. What do you want us to do?

“I am here today; the players are here today to win tomorrow. We work every day to win games.

“It is the only thing that we can think and focus on. The rest is just things from outside which we need to deal [with]. We were so, so happy from inside the pitch and the dressing room.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Man City take to the pitch for the first time since being found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of Premier League financial rules by an independent commission. City have lodged their appeal against the verdict and deny wrongdoing

‘I don’t stress about things I can’t control,’ says Maresca

The City boss then reiterated that he remains calm regarding the situation with the process ongoing.

City submitted their appeal on Thursday October 1 and the Premier League has new rules this season which state an appeal has to be heard within 12 weeks of it being lodged. The appeal can last a maximum of five days – held over a block of days, so Monday to Friday.

However, City may try to delay the appeal process by arguing that the new rules should not apply in this case as City were charged in 2023 – three years before the new rules were introduced.

But, as it stands, the five-day appeal, to be heard by a new three-person panel, has to be finished by mid-December.

“I said many times, I am completely calm and relaxed. I promise you that I stress a lot about game plan and how we train,” Maresca added.

“I don’t stress about things I don’t control. The message with players will be the same.

“As I said, we know how serious the situation is. It is not something we can do something [about]. Where we can do something is inside the pitch.

“The noise around the team is a big noise but we need to try to deal with that and try and make our noise, to win games.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Liverpool’s match against Manchester City in the Premier League

Dias: I stand by Maresca’s words

City captain Ruben Dias, who played the full 90 minutes in the victory, echoed the statement from his manager, as he added: “I very much stand by the manager’s words. It’s a win at Anfield.

“In whatever circumstance, be it early in the season or late in the season, we will enjoy it just as much and celebrate however we feel in the moment. It’s a show of how much it means to us.

“If there’s more or less noise, for whatever reason, it’s all the same. Same as before because people don’t love us winning and we love to win.

“It’s a normal scenario where whenever you win, there are people that are not happy with it because they have the same ambition to win.

“It all mixes together a little bit but mainly we know it’s not easy to get three points at Anfield. That is definitely the main reason. We’re here for the points and to win competitions; that’s the main thing on our minds.”

Dias also confirmed players held a meeting after news of the guilty verdict broke on September 29.

“When it broke, we felt we should have a conversation as soon as we got back,” he said, regarding their return from the international break.

“We did, for everyone to be on the same page and be clear about our peace of mind. We moved on from there.

“It happened in a moment when we were not together but quickly we reached out to each other, found calm and progressed forward.”

Hull, Coventry and Ipswich have already collected 24 points between them after six games, so the conversation is starting to shift from pre-season vibes on whether all three newly-promoted clubs will be relegated to which established Premier League names could be in the scrap for survival.

The Premier League’s newly promoted sides have often struggled to bridge the gap, with two consecutive seasons in 23/24 and 24/25 seeing all three newcomers relegated before Leeds and Sunderland helped buck that trend last season.

Datawrapper

This content is provided by Datawrapper, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Datawrapper cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Datawrapper cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Datawrapper cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Yet the lesson teams are learning is that survival is possible when a promoted team gets its recruitment, organisation and mentality right.

Hull and Ipswich both already have nine points, Coventry, following their 4-1 hammering of Newcastle, are on six.

No newly promoted Premier League club since 95/96 with at least 10 points after their first six games has subsequently been relegated (nine teams reached that points haul). The last nine newly promoted teams to get nine or more points from their first six matches have all survived, which bodes well for both Hull and Ipswich.

Coventry’s emphatic victory over Newcastle on Monday night was particularly significant. Frank Lampard’s side had started the campaign with four defeats and no goals, but two consecutive victories have transformed the mood around the club.

Ipswich, meanwhile, have shown the sort of resilience that can make the difference over a 38-game season, snatching a dramatic late win against Fulham. Hull have also put together a surprising run of results, showing they can compete and collect points against established top-flight opposition.

Three promoted clubs staying up would mean three other sides have to take their place, of course, potentially putting a supposedly safe mid-table club or a big-name team in genuine danger.

Hull, Ipswich and Coventry are currently outside the relegation zone and the early evidence suggests this is not simply a case of one promoted side riding a wave of momentum.

There is a collective challenge to the established order developing here.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League match between Coventry City and Newcastle United

Look at the early warning signs.

Fulham, Tottenham and Bournemouth fill the bottom three spots at the minute and are winless after six games whilst, like Bournemouth, Sunderland have a European campaign to negotiate and only have a win over Fulham on the board this season.

Aston Villa and Newcastle are going through big transition seasons and the bookmakers have Manchester City as third favourites for relegation with the possibility of points deductions on the table following their the independent Premier League commission finding City in breach of the Premier League’s financial rules – City have denied wrongdoing and have lodged an appeal.

The danger is that poor form and the increased workload from potential European commitments can quickly become a crisis when confidence drains away and the pressure starts to build. The early relegation picture already suggests that some established sides have reason to be concerned.

With Hull, Coventry and Ipswich refusing to follow the script, nobody should assume the three pre-season favourites for the drop are going down.

The relegation equation has certainly changed.

Remember when we were pressing the panic button on Drake Maye two weeks ago? Maybe we did that too soon.

The New England Patriots quarterback had one of the best performances of his young career in his team’s dominant win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. He looked like the version of himself that nearly won MVP last year, and he’s now one of a handful of players to make our weekly All-Star on multiple occasions through the first five weeks of the year. 

Maye isn’t the only player this week making the list for the second time this season. There’s a strong Offensive Player of the Year candidate emerging at running back, while one of the most noteworthy free-agent pickups of the offseason has proven his worth in San Francisco.

Here are my Week 5 All-Stars. 

Two weeks in a row? Drake Maye was arguably better Sunday than he was in last week’s win over the Buffalo Bills, throwing for 374 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, running for 25 yards and another score in the New England Patriots’ blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders. It’s been two very different Mayes in 2026. In the first three weeks, he had one touchdown and six interceptions. In the last two weeks, Maye has seven touchdowns and one interception. 

We certainly considered Jordan Love for leading a domination of the Chicago Bears in a big win for the Green Bay Packers, as well as Joe Burrow for an efficient four touchdowns and no picks in the Cincinnati Bengals’ win, though you lose points doing it against the Miami Dolphins.

Jahmyr Gibbs had over 200 yards of total offense in the Detroit Lions’ rout of the Arizona Cardinals, rushing for 151 and two scores and adding another 56 yards receiving. The Lions’ offense under Drew Petzing has been impressive, averaging nearly 33 points per game and getting at least 26 points in all five games. Gibbs has jumped ahead of Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson for the lead the NFL in yards from scrimmage and put himself on pace for 2,540 over a 17-game season. 

Bucky Irving was a huge part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally getting their first win, with a 72-yard run that sparked them on the drive that put them ahead against the Dallas Cowboys. He finished with a career-best 165 yards and two total touchdowns.

Christian Watson had two long touchdowns — 42 and 53 yards — and the latter might have been the best catch of the week, leading Green Bay’s offense in a home rout of the Bears. Watson already has six touchdowns, one behind Seattle Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba for the NFL lead. 

By pure numbers, we could go with Jacksonville Jaguars standout Parker Washington, who had two touchdowns in their close London win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Instead, we’ll go with Mike Evans, who was the biggest star in the weekend’s most anticipated game, finishing with 113 yards and a touchdown in the San Francisco 49ers’ win over the Seahawks.

The New York Giants are 3-1-1, and while it’s hard to cheer much out of a tie, Likely had another huge game, catching two touchdown passes among 11 catches for 94 yards against the Washington Commanders. His 11 catches are one short of the Giants’ record by a tight end, which is shared by Mark Bavaro and Jeremy Shockey. 

Pittsburgh Steelers standout Pat Freiermuth also had two touchdowns, but half as many yards. And we’d be remiss not to mention Brock Bowers going for 110 yards and a touchdown in the Raiders’ loss to the Patriots. Bowers will almost assuredly appear on this list again this season, though.

OL: New England Patriots

It’s hard to lose a left tackle early in the second quarter and still get the weekly O-line nod, but congrats to New England for pushing through after losing Will Campbell to a knee injury. We’ll give a shoutout to six linemen then: both Campbell and first-round rookie Caleb Lomu, who stepped in for him, along with left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, center Jared Wilson, right guard Ben Brown and right tackle Morgan Moses. They protected Drake Maye well, allowing just one sack in 35 dropbacks, zero tackles for loss in 65 offensive plays and a run game that had 165 yards on 31 carries for a neat five yards per carry.

David Bailey and Will Anderson each had three sacks on Sunday. Bailey now has five sacks in his first five games, one off the NFL record, as the No. 2 overall pick helped the New York Jets get their second win of the season, a 17-12 victory over the Cleveland Browns. 

Anderson helped the Houston Texans finally get their first win in 2026, making easy work of the Tennessee Titans. Anderson now leads the NFL with 7.5 sacks, on pace to break the NFL single-season record and finish with 25.5. If we went inside, it would be Philadelphia’s Jalen Carter, who had two sacks and two forced fumbles in the loss to Jacksonville.

You guys will be angry we didn’t give it to Fred Warner, who had 10 tackles and a forced fumble in San Francisco’s big win over the Seahawks. But we appreciate the rarity of Quincy Williams forcing three fumbles, as he did for the Browns in their defensive-struggle loss to the Jets. How rare is that? There’s been only one other game with three forced fumbles in the last five years, with Dolphins safety Jevon Holland getting three in a game in 2023. 

We continue to be impressed by Commanders rookie Sonny Styles, who had 13 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass defensed in their tie with the Giants.

Renardo Green is in his third year with the 49ers, but had the best game of his NFL career Sunday, picking off Sam Darnold twice in the 49ers’ victory. His first interception set up a short field for the 49ers offense to get their first touchdown. He also had a game-best three passes defended, which shows that he was targeted often and stepped up well. By comparison, he had two total passes defensed in the first four games this season, and just one interception in his first 35 career games before Sunday.

The 49ers and Seahawks meet again in Week 12, and keeping Seattle’s offense in check will be key to any San Francisco success.

We’ll go with co-winners here, with these two combining in the final eight seconds to steal a victory for the Jaguars in London against the Eagles. Two guys had five field goals each this week — Seattle’s Jason Myers and Indianapolis’ Spencer Shrader — but both were in losing efforts, so the Jaguars’ duo gets the nod. 

Ameer Abdullah fielded the Eagles kickoff and returned it 53 yards, getting brought down so late the game clock initially read 0:00 before a single second was added. From there, Cam Little was clutch in hitting a 57-yard field goal to give the Jaguars a literal last-second victory.
 

Mikey Lewis has been left out of England’s Rugby League World Cup opening match against Tonga by head coach Brian McDermott, while Jack Welsby has only made the bench.

Hull KR’s Lewis, who edged 2025 Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor for a place in England’s squad, has been named among the three reserves alongside Ben Currie and Ben Talty, leaving him set to miss out on selection.

Jack Welsby had been widely tipped to start at full-back, but head coach Brad McDermott has instead opted for Gold Coast Titans star AJ Brimson.

Twitter

This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Wigan winger Zach Eckersley is set to make his international debut after being selected ahead of Matty Ashton, while fellow Warriors team-mate Sam Walters is also named to start.

NRL Premiership winner Victor Radley returns to the England side for the first time since the 2024 series victory over Samoa, while his Sydney Roosters team-mate Hugo Savala is in line to earn his first international cap.

Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King is also set to make his first start for England following another impressive season in Australia.

Super League Grand Finalist George Williams, who is set to join the Dolphins, will captain the side and partner Harry Smith in the halves.

Brad O’Neill also returns to the England team after earning his only cap in the 2024 mid-season international against France.

England men: AJ Brimson, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Brad O’Neill, Morgan Knowles, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley.

Interchange: Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Matty Ashton.

Twitter

This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Strange and Boyd set for international debuts

Image:
Jasmine Strange is set to make her senior international debut for England

England Women’s head coach Stu Barrow has named his squad for Saturday’s World Cup opener against Wales in Perth, with kick-off scheduled for 7.35am (BST).

Jasmin Strange, Connie Boyd and Hope Millard are all in line to make their senior international debuts.

Strange joins the squad after featuring in her fourth consecutive NRLW Grand Final and has already won premierships with both the Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters.

Reigning Woman of Steel Jenna Foubister has been named on the interchange bench and is set to make her World Cup debut. The 19-year-old Wigan Warriors half-back has scored in each of her first two senior internationals and registered nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions in 2026.

Fran Goldthorp returns to the England side for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where she scored three tries in four appearances. The full-back is one of three NRLW-based players selected, alongside Newcastle Knights half-back Georgia Roche and Canberra Raiders forward Hollie-Mae Dodd.

Amelia Brown is also in line to make her first England appearance since scoring a hat-trick on debut against Wales at AMT Headingley in November 2024, while Jodie Cunningham is set to captain England at her fourth World Cup.

Twitter

This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

England Women: Fran Goldthorp, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Isabel Rowe, Georgia Roche, Mary Coleman, Keara Bennett, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Jasmin Strange, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams.

Interchange: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Jenna Foubister, Hope Millard.

Wales Women: Leanne Burnell, Dani McGifford, Hannah Bluck, Zoe Heeley, Frances Layton, Ffion Lewis, Tayla Preston, Agnes Wood, Jasmine Gibbons, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton.

Interchange: Carys Marsh, Kathryn Salter, Katie Carr, Erin Williams.

TROPICANA FIELD (St. Petersburg, Fla.) – The Guardians improbably defeated the Rays in Game 1 of the ALCS and, soon after, there was nothing short of organized chaos in the visiting clubhouse.

David Guetta’s remix to the song “Love Is Gone” blared from the clubhouse speaker system. While some Guardians players were vibing at their lockers to the upbeat music, most of the room was focused on the NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams, which was playing on multiple TVs in the clubhouse. A few players, holding their green bottles of Presidentes, stood in front of the TV to watch the end of regulation. Others sat at a small table and wolfed down their dinners following their massive 7-3 comeback win against Tampa Bay on Monday night. 

Among all the moving parts in the Guardians’ loud winning clubhouse, designated hitter Jo Adell was one of the reserved ones. His back turned to the mayhem behind him, Adell sat at his locker and neatly gathered together all of his belongings. Before facing the scrum of reporters directly behind him, he quickly walked to the nearest garbage can to throw out his gum. An impressed Guardians’ PR representative told Adell that that was professional. 

Adell’s small gesture of good etiquette stood out because so much of that Guardians clubhouse is made up of young, unproven athletes. Those young players are leaning on battle-scarred veterans like Adell, who joined the team at the Aug. 3 trade deadline, to teach them what it takes to win. It’s part of why the most important moves of the Guardians’ comeback win against the Rays were actually made two months ago. 

Jose Ramirez scoring for the Guardians. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

This past summer, the Guardians broke from their usual cautious trade-deadline approach and acted as aggressive buyers. Though these weren’t the biggest of swings with the key players they acquired, it was still a much-needed change of approach that bolstered their bullpen, rotation, and lineup. All three deadline pickups — first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, right-hander Foster Griffin, and Adell — played huge roles in Monday’s win.

“Those guys have been unbelievable clubhouse guys,” Guardians rookie right fielder Chase DeLauter told me after their win. “Jo, Nate, Griffin, they’ve all been great dudes and veteran leaders. Those are the guys we listen to, and see how they go about their business. They’re super professional, whether things are going well or wrong, and I think that’s a huge thing to see for the rest of the guys, including me, being younger. See how they act. Having those guys lead us has been special.

Nathaniel Lowe was a midseaon acquisition that’s boosted the Guardians. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Lowe completed Cleveland’s comeback with a go-ahead, two-run single in the eighth inning Monday night. He was traded from the Reds to the Guardians on Aug. 3, minutes before the bell sounded on the deadline. He was their final acquisition of a busy day for Cleveland, who thought it might have missed out on Lowe by taking so long to finalize a deal. The Guardians sent young right-hander Alejando Rivera to Cincinnati in favor of Lowe’s postseason acumen. 

Lowe, who won a championship with the 2023 Texas Rangers, understands what it takes to go the distance. And, at 31 years old, he might not be considered a veteran by the traditional baseball definition of one, but Lowe is the second-oldest position player on the Guardians, after third baseman Jose Ramirez. That stature has allowed him to share his wisdom in a room full of younger ballplayers. 

“I’ve competed against these guys for such a while now,” Lowe said. “Whether it’s knowing them from off the field or playing golf together or hanging out through friends of friends, it’s such an easy group to get along with. These guys have been great. They’ve been very welcoming. I feel like I’ve had a lane to kind of go out and teach a little bit too while I’m continuing to improve myself.”

In the top of the ninth inning, Adell added much-needed insurance runs on the board with a two-run double to left field that scored Ramirez and DeLauter to give Cleveland a resounding 7-3 lead. Adell, like Lowe, was another trade-deadline acquisition for the Guardians, who sent catching prospect Jacob Cozart to the Angels in exchange for a big bat. 

Adell was coming off a breakout 2025 campaign for Los Angeles. He recorded a 115 OPS+ and hit 37 home runs and collected 98 RBI for the Angels last year. Though the 27-year-old didn’t replicate those standout numbers in the first half of this season, the Guardians were still interested in Adell, believing the change of scenery would only help. 

Cleveland was in luck, because after the Angels fired general manager Perry Minasian in June, the arrival of interim replacement John Mozeliak helped Los Angeles actually move their attractive assets in a pivotal trade deadline for the club. The Angels found a partner in the Guardians, and Adell’s bat was soon injected into Cleveland’s lineup.

Though it had been a slow start to the postseason for Adell, he finally delivered his big hit in the ninth inning on Monday. It all came together in part because the rest of the lineup’s gritty mentality has rubbed off on him.

Jo Adell’s veteran presence has helped the Guardians after arriving ahead of the trade deadline. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

“It’s made me a better ballplayer,” Adell told me of the Guardians’ never-say-die attitude. “I’ve taken some of the best at-bats of my career in the past two and a half months here. Just recognizing the situation and understanding that we’re only one swing away, one good at-bat away from getting a pitch to handle and making something happen. It’s been really gritty team baseball that I know that’s what it takes to win.”

Griffin, who had a terrific first half for the Nationals this season before he was traded to the Guardians, didn’t have his best stuff against the Rays, but he still battled to complete four innings while only giving up two runs. Cleveland gave up a four-player package for Griffin, who they believed would bolster its rotation beyond Gavin Wiliams, Parker Messick and Tanner Bibee. 

Foster Griffin, another key addition at the trade deadline. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

But Griffin posted a 5.19 ERA in nine regular-season starts since joining Cleveland. It was a struggle, until he came up huge for the Guardians in Game 3 of the ALDS against the White Sox. Pitching out of the bullpen in an opener game, Griffin limited Chicago to one run and struck out seven batters over 2 ⅔ strong innings. The Guardians wouldn’t be where they are today without Griffin’s outstanding effort on the brink of elimination in Game 3, and they fully trust him to do more of the same in the ALCS against the Rays. 

“Foster was unbelievable after a rocky first,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. 

With players bonding and sticking to their usual routines in Cleveland’s postgame clubhouse, it looked like a group that had played together for several years. You would never know that so many key additions weren’t even on the Opening Day roster. It can be difficult for contenders to mesh well together and learn from each other after an influx of new faces join an already tight-knit clubhouse at the trade deadline. The Guardians are just the latest example of how much it matters when it works. 

The London Lions became the first British club to face an NBA team but suffered a heavy 119-66 defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers in Oregon on Monday.

London never led as Portland dominated throughout, leading for 99 per cent of the contest and stretching their advantage to as many as 57 points at one stage.

The Trail Blazers extended their lead in every quarter, going into the breaks 34-21, 72-33 and 100-49 ahead, having entered the game as 36.5-point favourites.

Portland shot 56 per cent from the field and made 16 of their 34 three-point attempts, while London managed just 30 per cent overall and went 7 of 33 from beyond the arc.

The hosts dominated inside, outscoring the Lions 54-24 in the paint and winning the rebounding battle 51-32.

Overall, Portland registered 32 assists on 45 made field goals and showcased some nice ball movement at the Moda Center as they moved to 2-0 in preseason action.

London also committed 24 turnovers, from which Portland scored 39 points, compared with just 14 points the Lions generated from their opponents’ mistakes.

The game was played under NBA rules rather than European regulations, with 12-minute quarters instead of 10, a larger court and a three-point line further from the basket.

London briefly threatened to make a contest of it towards the end of the first quarter.

Ethan Price hit two three-pointers from 26 feet in the space of 40 seconds, both assisted by Devante Adams either side of a Deni Avdija layup, to bring the Lions within four points at 23-19 with three minutes remaining in the period.

But Portland took control with a 38-12 second quarter, including a 15-0 run over the final four minutes of the half.

Maxwell Lewis, the only London player with previous NBA experience, led the Lions with 13 points, five rebounds and a game-high four steals.

Adams added 12 points off the bench, while Price and Joel Scott contributed eight apiece. Six of Scott’s points came in the fourth quarter, while Thomas Kennedy collected six rebounds, including three offensive boards.

Great Britain international Tarik Phillip endured a difficult night, missing all eight of his field-goal attempts, including five from three-point range. His three points came entirely from the free-throw line.

Twitter

This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Portland’s five starters played a combined 76 minutes for 45 points. None of them appeared after half-time.

Toumani Camara and Scoot Henderson led the Trail Blazers with 14 points each. Henderson made four of his five three-point attempts in just 16 minutes off the bench.

Yang Hansen added 13 points and four assists, including a three-pointer from 25 feet, while Sidy Cissoko also scored 13, shooting a perfect 5 of 5 from the field and making all three of his attempts from beyond the arc.

Jeremy Sochan, who grew up in England, finished with eight points and a game-high eight rebounds, while marquee name Ja Morant scored five points and dished five dimes.

Deni Avdija recorded a game-best plus-minus of +44 in 17 minutes, while London’s Keenan Evans finished at -45 in 20 minutes.

Damian Lillard, Robert Williams III, Shaedon Sharpe and Chris Youngblood did not feature for the Trail Blazers.

Coach Sabonis returns to where his father made his name

Image:
London Lions head coach Tautvydas Sabonis directs guard Keenan Evans and the rest of his team during the game (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

London are coached by Tautvydas Sabonis, whose father Arvydas spent seven seasons with Portland across the 1990s and early 2000s. Tautvydas had not visited the city for more than a decade.

Sabonis admitted the timing of the trip was far from ideal.

“If I had to choose a different timing, I would definitely choose it in the preseason, not now,” he said.

Last season was his first in charge of the Lions, who won all four domestic competitions.

London are the reigning Super League Basketball champions, have started this season 5-0 in the SLB and have won one of their opening two EuroCup group games. In 2024, they became the first British men’s club to reach the EuroCup semi-finals.

The Lions made a round trip of almost 10,000 miles in the middle of their domestic and European campaigns, arriving in Portland on Saturday afternoon before departing immediately after the game. They host Skyliners Frankfurt in the EuroCup on Thursday.

To minimise jet lag, the squad remained on British time throughout their stay in Oregon, waking at around 4am for breakfast.

A historic meeting with implications beyond Portland

The closest British and NBA club basketball had previously come to such a meeting was the 1995 McDonald’s Championship, when Sheffield Sharks and Houston Rockets participated in the same tournament but did not face each other.

The Lions have submitted a bid to join the EuroLeague, which has ambitions to expand from 20 to 24 clubs by the 2027-28 season.

Image:
London Lions guard Keenan Evans, left, looks for an opening past Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

Owned by Lithuanian technology company Tesonet, London also became the first British basketball club to wear Jordan Brand kit this season.

Meanwhile, the proposed NBA Europe competition has placed renewed attention on the British market, with London and Manchester both discussed as potential franchise cities.

Monday’s exhibition was not connected to that project, but it offered the Lions an opportunity to test themselves against NBA opposition and put British club basketball on an international stage.

The result demonstrated the gulf between the teams. The occasion, however, was about more than the scoreline.

Watch action from NBA opening night and throughout the season live on Sky Sports. Not got Sky? Get the latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract

Talk about an upset.

Facing the Tampa Bay Rays, the best team in the American League, it was the tough and tired Cleveland Guardians who came through and remarkably took Game 1 of the ALCS with a 5-3 win on Monday night at Tropicana Field.

The odds were against them after going the distance in the ALDS. Cleveland spent all its energy storming back from the brink of elimination against the White Sox, only to still have some fight left in the tank. No matter that Tampa Bay’s indomitable ace was on the mound. No matter that the Rays were recharged after four days off following their sweep of the Yankees. No matter that Tropicana Field was rocking with a sold-out crowd waving yellow towels and creating extra pressure. 

The Guardians, on the strength of their MVP-caliber stars, stole Game 1 on the road. 

Here are my takeaways:

1. Seven Unanswered Runs

(Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Guardians were waiting for their unofficial team captain, Jose Ramirez, to make some noise all night. If their epic comeback in the ALDS was any indication, these Guardians go as Ramirez goes. 

He finally got his moment and started a rally when he led off the top of the eighth inning with a hustling infield single to Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, who tried and failed to barehand the grounder. Ramirez reached first base safely with the spark that Cleveland needed to get going.

Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter picked up where Ramirez left off by lacing a double to right field off Rays right-hander Tyler Wells. Suddenly, after catcher Patrick Bailey tied the game at 2-2 in the sixth on a solo homer, the Guardians had the go-ahead runs in scoring position. 

First baseman Nathaniel Lowe, acquired by Cleveland at the trade deadline for his postseason experience, delivered when his team needed him the most. Lowe ripped a single up the middle, past Tampa Bay’s diving infielders and into center field, scoring Ramirez and DeLauter and completing yet another epic comeback just two days after their last one.

Cleveland scored seven unanswered runs between DeLauter’s solo shot in the sixth, Bailey’s game-tying homer in the seventh, Lowe’s two-run single in the eighth, and Jo Adell’s two-run double in the ninth to put them over the edge with a 7-3 lead over the Rays. This would have been unthinkable just days ago, when the Guardians trailed the White Sox two games to none in the ALDS before clawing back, winning the series and advancing to the ALCS.  

The Rays seemed stunned. The Guardians put on a show and reminded us why they shouldn’t be.

2. Cash Gets Greedy With Rasmussen

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Rays manager Kevin Cash is one of this year’s favorites to win the American League Manager of the Year award. It would be his third time receiving the honor, and the first time since he won it back-to-back in 2020 and 2021, pointing to his consistency and longevity as one of the game’s best skippers.

That being said, Cash’s decision to leave his ace on the mound for one more batter won’t make it onto his career highlight reel. 

Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen was dominant against the Guardians on Monday, though not as untouchable as he was against the Yankees in Game 1 of the ALDS. Rasmussen had limited Cleveland to one run through six solid innings, with his only blemish up to that point coming on a Chase DeLauter home run to lead off the sixth inning. He had racked up seven strikeouts and did not allow a walk. It was everything the Rays could’ve asked from their ace. 

After the top of the sixth inning was over, Rasmussen was walking around in the Rays dugout like his night was over. There were two relievers warming up while the Rays batted in the bottom of the inning. Especially with Tampa Bay’s well-rested bullpen, since they swept the Yankees in the ALDS and haven’t played a game since Wednesday, it seemed like the ideal time to end Rasmussen’s night.

But Cash got greedy in a tight one-run game. The Rays were leading the Guardians, 2-1, and Cash went back to Rasmussen for the top of the seventh inning to try and preserve their lead. 

Rasmussen picked a bad time to throw his worst pitch of the night: a hanging cutter. Instead of burying it in on the hands, he missed his target and threw it up and in the middle to Guardians catcher Patrick Bailey, who crushed it 436 feet to center field for a game-tying solo home run. 

Though it was one batter too late, Cash promptly removed Rasmussen from the game, his mistake evident in the tens of thousands of fans who were silent as their ace walked back to the dugout with his tail between his legs.

3. Retribution For Diaz & Caminero

(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

The Rays didn’t waste any time giving the Guardians a headache, and it might have hurt them more knowing which players did the early damage. 

Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz, who on Tuesday will set the franchise record for the most games played in the postseason (31), was all over Guardians left-hander Foster Griffin in the first inning. Diaz, leading off as usual, ripped a 114.6 mph double to left field to set the table for the big boppers behind him. Slugger Jonathan Aranda surprised everyone by putting down a perfect sacrifice bunt that advanced Diaz, 90 feet from home plate. Then Junior Caminero smacked an RBI single to left, and just three batters into the bottom of the first, the Rays had a 1-0 lead. 

Call it retribution.

Diaz played for Cleveland from 2017-18, though he only played in 88 games in that two-year span. Before the 2019 season, Diaz was part of a three-team trade that sent him to Tampa Bay, where he played mostly at third base until Caminero took over in 2023.

Caminero signed as a free agent with Cleveland in 2019. He was traded to the Rays in 2021 for right-handed pitcher Tobias Myers, and Caminero finally made his major-league debut in 2023 as one of the Rays’ highly-touted top prospects. 

“Thank you to Cleveland for making me a professional,” Diaz said through an interpreter ahead of Game 1 on Monday. “I started my career there. I signed my first pro contract there. But also, I’m happy with the way things worked out. I’m happy that I was traded over here to Tampa Bay, in my opinion, the best organization in the league. I’ve made my career here. So that’s something I’m really proud of.”

The Guardians, who were stymied by the Rays early, remembered that they don’t need two big boppers like Diaz and Caminero in their lineup. They had their own way of manufacturing power. 

3 ½. What’s next?

It will be Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta versus Guardians left-hander Parker Messick for Game 2 of the ALCS on Tuesday. Messick, who has a 5.40 postseason ERA after giving up four runs in two abbreviated starts against the White Sox in the ALDS, grew up in Orlando, Fla. The rookie southpaw went to high school in Plant City, which is about 45 minutes northeast of Tropicana FIeld, and he went to college at Florida State University. He’s expecting a large contingent of family members for his pivotal start on Tuesday.

“Pretty large group of people coming,” Messick said. “Mostly family. I know my hometown is throwing a little bit of a watch party. So that may keep a lot of people over there. It’s going to be fun.”

The top stories and transfer rumours from Tuesday’s newspapers…

FIFA

FIFA paid millions of dollars to Gianni Infantino on top of his standard salary and bonus, but did not publicly declare the payments in an alleged violation of its own statutes – Times

PREMIER LEAGUE

Erling Haaland and his father Alf-Inge have each bought a property on a luxury Manchester City housing development in Abu Dhabi – Times

The English Football League (EFL) and Premier League are now only £27m apart from agreeing a comprehensive new financial solidarity package for the men’s game after years of stop-start talks – Athletic

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Liverpool’s match against Manchester City in the Premier League.

RUGBY UNION

Rugby chiefs will look to avoid a Manchester City-style scandal in the English game by drawing up strict new rules that include restrictions on foreign-state ownership of clubs – Telegraph

WORLD FOOTBALL

Watch Paper Talk on Sky Sports News

Paper Talk is a review of the sports headlines from the national newspapers, every Monday to Friday, live on Sky Sports News from 10.30pm.

Missed the show? Catch up on the latest news with the Paper Talk podcast.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is set to extend his contract by a further 12 months through to the summer of 2028 – Athletic

Former Man United star Memphis Depay has been labelled the ‘main culprit’ for Corinthians’ problems with the Brazilian giants fighting to avoid relegation – Mail

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

Former Scotland boss Craig Levein has claimed he attended an exorcism with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown in an attempt to sign a player for Raith Rovers – Mail

HORSE RACING

Willie Mullins has been fined £1,100 and one of his horses disqualified after Final Demand tested positive for a prohibited painkiller – Telegraph

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. 

New users can use Polymarket’s promo code FOX to get a $25 bonus for an exciting Monday slate of sports. With two Super Bowl favorites battling on the gridiron to Game 1 of the ALCS.

The Buffalo Bills visit the Los Angeles Rams in a primetime showdown featuring two teams looking to build momentum early in the season. 

Baseball fans also have the MLB postseason to follow, with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians opening the ALCS as they battle for a spot in the World Series.

Sign up using promo code FOX to claim a $25 bonus on Polymarket and trade on eligible markets for Bills vs. Rams, Rays vs. Guardians and other available events. 

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 $25 trading bonus will be credited to your account automatically after the qualifying deposit.
7. Deposit funds and trade at least $25 in prediction markets to receive up to $25 in trading credit.

*Probabilities are subject to change* 

TeamsChanceYesNoLA Rams61%62¢39¢BUF Bills39%39¢62¢TeamsChanceYesNoCLE Guardians40%40¢61¢TB Rays60%61¢40¢

More markets available on Polymarket.

How to Watch Bills vs. Rams

• When: Monday, October 12, 2026 at 8:15 p.m. ET
• Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
• TV: ABC, ESPN
• Stream: ESPN Unlimited – Get the FOX One / ESPN Bundle

Players To Watch

Buffalo is 3-1 with a quarterback who is both its passer and its short-yardage runner. Josh Allen has 13 touchdowns, seven of them rushing, and leads the Bills with 78 points. He has thrown for 1,039 yards, and he finished with 253 in the 29-26 loss to New England on Oct. 4.

Los Angeles has allowed 83 points through four games, 20.75 per game. Los Angeles has to account for both the pass and the keeper on every down.

The Bills rank sixth in the NFL at 139.0 rushing yards per game, and James Cook III is the biggest reason. He has 421 yards on 70 carries, 6.0 per attempt, and has scored a rushing touchdown in three of Buffalo’s four games. He ran for 75 yards against New England on Oct. 4.

Los Angeles has a turnover margin of minus-5, tied for 26th in the NFL. Extra possessions would mean more carries for Cook.

With Matthew Stafford leading a passing offense that ranks second in the NFL at 290.3 yards per game, Puka Nacua is the receiver the Rams look for most when he is on the field. He has 14 catches for 199 yards in two games and had nine catches for 125 yards in the 24-20 win at Philadelphia on Oct. 4.

Buffalo has allowed 107 points through four games, 26.75 per game. That number leaves room for Nacua to keep getting targets.

Kyren Williams has given Los Angeles steady ground production, with 294 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 54 carries, 5.4 per attempt. He ran for 80 yards at Philadelphia on Oct. 4 and has at least 80 in each of the last three games.

Buffalo’s turnover margin is minus-2, tied for 20th in the NFL. The Rams’ 11th-ranked ground game, at 126.8 yards per game, gives Williams a way to keep the ball and shorten the game.

Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle has apologised to the travelling fans following their 4-1 loss at Coventry, as Jamie Carragher said they were “beaten up” once again on the road.

The Magpies’ previous away game a month ago also saw them defeated 4-1 on the Monday Night Football at Leeds.

A second loss in three games comes after Jaissle had enjoyed an unbeaten five-game start across all competitions, but recent results have seen his side fall to 11th in the Premier League table.

A wasteful Newcastle lost at Coventry despite having 19 shots, three big chances and more than double the number of touches in the opposition box than the home side.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League match between Coventry City and Newcastle United

Jaissle told Sky Sports: “We’re frustrated. It’s a feeling you don’t want to have on a Monday evening after a match where you should win.

“We can only apologise to the fans who came here; they deserve a different result.

“We need to analyse it, clearly. There were bits that were good but, in both boxes, to defend our own goal we need to improve and also score goals.

“The opportunities were there, but the desire and hunger to finish the attacks was missing.”

He added: “We need to improve on the things we can control, and that’s a lot right now.”

Datawrapper

This content is provided by Datawrapper, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Datawrapper cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Datawrapper cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Datawrapper cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Newcastle have now conceded the joint-most goals in the league so far alongside Bournemouth and Chelsea.

The German said at his post-match press conference: “I think it was a tough story throughout the whole match. There were elements in both boxes where we need to step up and improve.

“It’s not something we can compare with the Leeds match today because I think we were at least better.

“The goals we conceded, it was a different story. We were better after the first 10 minutes; we dominated the game but conceded easy goals, which we need to improve.

“If you conceded eight goals in two away matches on Monday evenings, then it’s not good enough for the Premier League.”

Carra: Newcastle ‘beaten up’ again

It is the first time since December 2012 that Newcastle have conceded four or more goals in back-to-back Premier League away games.

For Carragher, the heavy losses at Leeds and Coventry have raised questions over Newcastle’s “lack of physicality”.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Leeds’ win against Newcastle in the Premier League

Speaking on Monday Night Football, Sky Sports’ Carragher said: “We’ve consistently said this season they’ve had a good start results-wise, but the underlying numbers haven’t been great.

“How many shots they concede, their xG. You look at two away games now where they’ve lost 8-2.

“He’s going with two strikers up there; I know (Yoane) Wissa drops a little bit deeper, but when Eddie Howe was there it was more of a 4-3-3.

“Every manager has their own way, but when you think of the lack of physicality in that team, it might be a case where you leave one of the strikers out and go with an extra body in midfield.

“It’s a young team, and it isn’t as physically powerful as a lot of the teams in the Premier League.

“And in their last two away games, they’ve been beaten up twice – and that’s got to stop very quickly.”

Analysis: Coventry teach Newcastle a lesson in finishing

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Bobby Thomas blocks Matias Fernandez-Pardo’s shot to keep Coventry in front against Newcastle

Sky Sports’ Ron Walker:

On a night where they faced the Premier League’s second-highest xG overperformers, it was Coventry who taught Newcastle a lesson in finishing at the CBS Arena.

It was one they had learned the hard way too, with the worst shot conversion of any team in the league coming into Monday’s game and just one of 51 shots finding the back of the net to date.

But football is a funny old game. A 4-1 scoreline suggests Newcastle were outplayed, which could not be further from the truth, though they were certainly outfought.

Where Coventry stood resilient – even clearing off their own line from Matias Fernandez-Pardo once he had rounded Carl Rushworth – Newcastle caused too many of their own problems, and, for once, the Sky Blues took full advantage.

Three superb finishes, and an early penalty, saw them to their first Premier League home win in more than 9,000 days, but their finishing was still not Coventry’s most impressive quality on the night.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sven Botman scores a screamer to pull one back for Newcastle

That fortitude, digging in after taking an early lead and hanging on after Sven Botman’s wonder strike had given Newcastle a glimmer of hope at 2-1, was what won them the day and, on fight at least, that was enough to crown them worthy winners.

They have already needed that mental strength to bounce back from four goalless and pointless games to start their Premier League return, and, in a league as punishing as this, that could be what decides whether they will stay there come May.

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 National League Championship Series continues with the Milwaukee Brewers looking to build on their Game 1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. New Wisconsin users can use Polymarket’s promo code FOX to claim a $25 bonus and trade on eligible markets for Game 2 in Milwaukee.

The Brewers opened the NLCS with a 2-1 victory over the Dodgers, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Milwaukee will look to keep its momentum going at home, while Los Angeles tries to even the series before it shifts to California. 

With two National League contenders battling for a spot in the World Series, Game 2 offers another major moment in the postseason.

New users can enter Polymarket promo code FOX to claim a $25 bonus and trade on eligible markets for Brewers vs. Dodgers Game 2. 

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 $25 trading bonus will be credited to your account automatically after the qualifying deposit.
7. Deposit funds and trade at least $25 in prediction markets to receive up to $25 in trading credit.

*Probabilities are subject to change* 

TeamsChanceYesNoLA Dodgers55%56¢45¢MIL Brewers45%45¢56¢

More markets available on Polymarket.

How to Watch Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS Game 2

• When: Monday, October 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
• Where: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One

Players To Watch

Game 2 belongs to Yamamoto, who threw 7.0 innings on 98 pitches in the Division Series at Atlanta on Oct. 6, allowing 4 hits and 1 earned run with 10 strikeouts and 1 walk. Opponents hit .160 against him in that start, and his postseason ERA stands at 1.29.

He went 14-9 with a 2.53 ERA and 182 strikeouts in 185.0 innings over 28 regular-season starts, with a 0.87 WHIP. Milwaukee beat Los Angeles 2-1 in Game 1.

Contreras went 3 for 4 with a home run at San Diego on Oct. 6 and has reached base in four of five postseason games. He is hitting .316 with a .409 on-base percentage and a .632 slugging percentage over that stretch, with 6 hits, 2 home runs and 3 walks in 22 plate appearances.

The catcher went 0 for 3 with a walk in Game 1 of the NLCS. During the regular season he hit .270 with 18 home runs and 94 RBI in 147 games.

Get more from the Betting Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

Saracens have sacked Totoa Auvaa with immediate effect after an incident over the weekend – four months after the forward was involved in the nightclub altercation that preceded Ben Stokes’ retirement from international cricket.

The 21-year-old Samoan, a member of the club’s Senior Men’s Academy, was involved in an incident in St Albans on Saturday night.

Saracens confirmed on Monday evening Auvaa had left the club following an internal investigation.

“Saracens can confirm that Totoa Auvaa, a member of the Senior Men’s Academy, has left the club with immediate effect,” a club statement said.

“Following an incident this weekend, the club has determined that his conduct falls short of the standards expected of everyone who represents Saracens, both on and off the pitch.

“We take our responsibilities to our supporters, young people and partners seriously and we remain committed to upholding the standards of our conduct expected across the club.

“We will not be making any further comment on this matter.”

The club has not said what happened.

Image:
Ben Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket earlier this year

Auvaa escaped punishment following the nightclub incident in June which led to cricketers Stokes and Gus Atkinson being dropped by England for the second Test against New Zealand.

Saracens called the events “regrettable” while describing themselves as “supportive” of the player.

Separate Saracens and England cricket nights out had converged on two pubs before Stokes, Atkinson and Auvaa ended up in the VIP area of the Rex Rooms nightclub in the early hours of Monday June 8.

The two players had broken a midnight curfew while celebrating a first Test win over New Zealand at Lord’s and both were dropped for the second Test.

An England and Wales Cricket Board investigation cleared Stokes and Atkinson of violent conduct, finding they had been blameless victims of “unprovoked attacks”.

Stokes and Atkinson were given formal written warnings for breaching their central contracts before returning for the third Test at Trent Bridge, where Stokes resigned the captaincy and announced his retirement from international cricket.

Atkinson has remained in the England set-up and has since been awarded another central contract.

Chase Briscoe has back-to-back wins, but can he rally to win the title?

He has cut his gap between himself and the points leader, Kyle Larson, from 123 two weeks ago to 65 points after winning races at Las Vegas and Charlotte.

That seems like a lot, but that means he would have to win another two of the final four races to have a shot. A driver on a hot streak, possibly, could be a threat.

Here are my Cup title contender rankings with Phoenix, Talladega, Martinsville and Homestead as the only four races left in the season.

On The Verge (Alphabetical Order):

Chris Buescher (RFK Racing No. 17 Ford, -216 points behind leader): Buescher finished 10th for his first Chase top-10 but he still lost 20 points to Larson.

William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet, -208): Byron got caught up in the Alex Bowman wreck and lost another 48 points to Larson.

Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 Chevrolet, -185): Elliott was 12th at Charlotte, which continued a meh Chase for him as he lost 22 points to Larson.

Carson Hocevar (Spire Motorsports No. 77 Chevrolet, -180): Hocevar was 14th at Charlotte and will look to get back into the top 10. He lost 22 points to Larson.

Ryan Preece (RFK Racing No. 60 Ford, -227): Preece was 15th at Charlotte, dropping another 27 points behind.

Daniel Suárez (Spire Motorsports No. 7 Chevrolet, -215): Suárez was 13th and lost 20 points to Larson. A top-10 season should be the goal.

Contender Rankings

10.

Gibbs slapped the wall early and lost seven laps as the team made repairs. A 34th-place finish (and losing 46 points to Larson) made any very small championship hopes now non-existent. Gibbs has two top fives in seven starts at Phoenix, including a fourth at the track in March.

9.

Wallace was an innocent victim in the Alex Bowman crash and his 37th-place day put him definitively out of any championship contention as he lost 48 points to Larson. Wallace has never finished in the top five at Phoenix, where he earned a career-best finish of sixth in March.

8.

Cindric finished fourth and sixth in the two stages but faded late to finish 17th at Charlotte, losing another 17 points to Larson. Cindric has no career top 10s at Phoenix, so he will look to just put together a solid day. He started third in March but ended up 34th after a crash.

7.

Reddick finished eighth for back-to-back top 10s, but those aren’t going to win a title. He lost another eight points to Larson. Phoenix isn’t a great track for Reddick. There, he has two top fives in the nine Next Gen races. He started eighth and finished eighth in March.

6.

Logano was ninth at Charlotte and the intermediate swing hurt this team as they finished 20th, 10th and ninth since his victory at Bristol. He dropped another 21 points to Larson. Logano loves Phoenix, though. He won races there to capture the 2022 and 2024 titles and has led 261 laps in the last three Phoenix races. He was on the pole in March, but a crash relegated him to 31st.

5.

A third-place Charlotte finish was solid for Blaney, who still dropped five points to Larson. But a fifth, a fifth and a third in the three intermediate-track races is definitely something that has to please this team. And now they head to Phoenix, where Blaney has won the last two races and has four runner-up finishes among his eight top fives in the nine Next Gen races at Phoenix.

4.

A frustrated Bell finished second by inches to Briscoe, and he saw being potentially just 31 points behind Larson to being down 51 points. That was a gain of just four on the day. He has the opportunity to gain points at Phoenix, where he won the 2024 and 2025 spring races. He was second to Blaney in March, where he led 17 laps. He has led 324 laps in the last four races at the track.

3.

Briscoe has cut 58 points into Larson’s lead with back-to-back victories. He is on a roll and Phoenix can be a good track for him. Briscoe earned his first career Cup victory when he captured the 2022 spring race there. He has finished outside the top 15, though, in his last four Phoenix starts, including two crashes — one of which resulted in a 37th-place finish in March.

2.

Hamlin lost nine more points to Larson despite a fifth-place finish. The reason? A penalty early in the race at Charlotte where a crew member fell over the pit road wall when trying to reach for a tire resulted in him not earning any points in the opening stage. Phoenix has been both kind and brutal to Hamlin. He led 208 laps at Phoenix a year ago before the late caution and a four-tire pit stop foiled his championship hopes. He has finishes of second, sixth and fifth in his last three Phoenix starts.

1.

Larson made the most of his day by earning the third-most points at Charlotte as he won the opening stage, finished fourth in the second stage and wound up sixth in the race. He extended his lead over Hamlin by nine points but did lose four points to Bell. Larson says that Phoenix isn’t a great track for him, but the stats say it is a very good one. He has six finishes of third or fourth in his last seven Phoenix starts. 

WHAT YOU SHOULD READ NEXT

The math has spoken. Winning matters in The Chase.

Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will fight for the WBA world heavyweight championship when they box on December 11, confirmed Frank Warren.

British rivals Fury and Joshua will meet in a long-awaited showdown at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and now the WBA ‘super’ or primary title will be on the line.

It is a surprise move as the WBA already has a ‘regular’ titlist in Murat Gassiev who expected to be elevated to full champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt.

Both Fury and Joshua previously lost their world title belts to Usyk. Now they have the chance to reclaim a championship they have held in years gone by.

“That is the case at the moment. That’s going to be on the line,” Warren, who promotes Fury, told Sky Sports News.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports’ John Dennen spoke to Dana White about what we can expect from the Fury vs Joshua fight

“Whoever wins that, they’ve got a version of the belt and the objective, after Usyk vacated all the belts, is to find out who’s the best, who’s going to hold all the belts, who’s going to be the No 1 heavyweight.

“I’m sure Usyk will be back in next year as well. It’s going to be really, really exciting times.”

Warren is staging the Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley rematch on Saturday for the WBO heavyweight title. He would like to put the Dubois-Wardley winner in with the Fury-Joshua victor next year.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Joshua has made the bold prediction he will knock out Fury in a round. Watch his previous explosive first-round KOs

“These guys are all looking to unify the titles and get involved in massive, massive fights in 2027. We made it at Queensberry [Promotions] our mantra to make these fights happen. We’ve got three of the four heavyweight champions on our roster and we’re going to make unification fights next year,” Warren said.

“And it would be really, really good for the winner of Tyson and AJ to be involved in that. There are some fabulous fights to be made and the heavyweight division as I keep telling everybody is on fire. You’ve got some fabulous fights.

“[Dubois-Wardley] will set some big stuff up for the new year.”

Dubois welcomes Fury or AJ

WBO heavyweight champion Dubois told Sky Sports News: “If they feed me one of them [Fury or AJ], I’ll fight them. Nice appetiser. I’m ready for whoever they throw at me after this.

“I’ll gladly take on the winner of that. I will stake my claim and take on the world, the belts and everything else that comes along with it.”

Rematches are always a good time. 

The Brewers and Dodgers were the only 100-win teams during the 2026 MLB season, and now the two juggernauts will meet in the NLCS for a second consecutive season. 

Last year, L.A. won in a sweep. 

Let’s check out the odds for this year’s matchup at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Oct. 12.

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.

  Series Winner

Brewers: -130 (bet $10 to win $17.69 total)
Dodgers: +110 (bet $10 to win $21 total)

  Correct Score

Dodgers win 4-3: +390 (bet $10 to win $49 total)
Brewers win 4-2: +425 (bet $10 to win $52.50 total)
Dodgers win 4-2: +425 (bet $10 to win $52.50 total)
Brewers win 4-3: +450 (bet $10 to win $55 total)
Brewers win 4-1: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
Dodgers win 4-1: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Brewers win 4-0: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)

  Game 1 — MIL 2, LAD 1

Spread: Dodgers -1.5 (MIL coves)
O/U: 6 (Under hits)

  Game 2 — LAD @ MIL (Oct. 12)

Spread: Dodgers -1.5
Moneyline: Dodgers -142, Dodgers +118
O/U: 7

Matchup: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) vs. Logan Henderson (MIL)

Here’s what to know about the Dodgers-Brewers series odds:

NL Championship Series: The Brewers lead the series 1-0.

How They Got Here: Both the Brewers and Dodgers enjoyed byes in the wild-card round, and both won their respective divisional round series in four games. Milwaukee beat San Diego and L.A. beat Atlanta.

Game 1: This one has the potential to be a classic. Both teams started their aces (one of many for L.A.), and while Tarik Skubal struck out seven in five innings, he gave up one run in the fourth and one in the fifth. Jacob Misiorowski only went 4.1 innings, but he struck out five and allowed just one run. And that was all she wrote. 

Playoff History: Since 2018, the Brewers have made the playoffs in seven of the last eight seasons with the only exception being 2022. In that span, they reached the NLCS three times (2018, 2025 and 2026). The last time Milwaukee made the World Series was in 1982, when it lost in seven games to the Cardinals. It has never won the World Series. Meanwhile, L.A. has won three of the last six World Series, including the last two. Since 2013, the Dodgers have made it to at least the NLCS nine times (including this season) and have gone to the World Series five times. In terms of recent history, these two teams faced off in the NLCS last season and it wasn’t competitive. The Dodgers swept the Brewers, outscoring them 15-4 across four games. The most memorable aspect of that series? Game 4, when Shohei Ohtani starred on the mound and at the plate. The Dodgers’ superstar struck out 10 and allowed two hits in six innings, and also hit three home runs. 

Lewis Hamilton has posted on social media to reiterate has apology to Ferrari after a “painful lesson” at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Hamilton overrode Ferrari’s strategy while on course for a podium finish by opting not to pit for fresh tyres during a Virtual Safety Car period, leaving him vulnerable in the closing stages of the race.

He was overtaken by Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, who did pit when the VSC came out, and was subsequently passed by Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, plus McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as he dropped to sixth.

Hamilton was excused from fulfilling his media duties after the race as he felt unwell after competing in the sweltering conditions, but released a statement via Ferrari, and has posted himself on Instagram on Monday with similar comments.

“Yesterday wasn’t the result we were looking for, and that’s on me. At a track that’s difficult to overtake, you need to try something different and I chose a strategy that ultimately didn’t deliver,” he wrote.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Lewis Hamilton apologised to his team for his strategy call in Singapore

“It’s a painful lesson to learn, but I take full responsibility for the decisions I made. In this sport, not every call will work out. It’s about accepting when you get it wrong and how you move forward.

“I’m grateful to the team for the work they put in every weekend. P6 doesn’t reflect the pace we had in the car over the weekend, and despite the result there are positives to take away.

“Massive thanks to the fans in Singapore for the energy. I’ll continue to put the work in and come back fighting at the next race.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix

Vasseur: Don’t blame the team

Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur was asked several questions about Hamilton’s decision and was eager to stress to not put any blame on the team.

“It was clearly a mistake when you see the outcome, it was not a good call,” said Vasseur.

“But, on the other hand, quite often you have to listen to the drivers because they are in the car and have the feeling with the tyres but for this one it is clear for me. But I respect their feeling in the car.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur confirms Lewis Hamilton was supposed to pit under the Virtual Safety Car, but stayed out

Ferrari were hoping to challenge Max Verstappen for victory in Singapore but they closest they came was at the start when Leclerc almost drew alongside the Red Bull driver but was forced to back out going into Turn 1.

Leclerc put Verstappen under pressure during the early stages of the race before fading away and finished seven seconds behind the Dutchman.

Vasseur pointed out Ferrari “struggled more” compared to Red Bull in traffic but admits F1’s top four teams are very close on pace.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Watch the start of the Singapore Grand Prix where Max Verstappen fended off Charles Leclerc

“Red Bull are doing well. But we have to fight with McLaren and Mercedes [as well],” he said.

“At the beginning of the season Mercedes were flying, then McLaren won two or three [races], then Red Bull won two pr three [races].

“We have four teams in less than two tenths. If someone brings an upgrade, the classification can change. The most important is to focus on yourselves.”

Formula 1 next heads to The Americas for another triple header with the United States Grand Prix in Austin up first on October 23-25, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime

MILWAUKEE — Brice Turang doesn’t always stay late at the field to hit. Some years, he said he doesn’t do it all. But two nights before the start of the National League Championship Series, the scuffling Brewers second baseman felt it was necessary. 

Turang was one of the most valuable position players in Major League Baseball this year. He hit 21 homers and led the Brewers in hits, runs scored and RBI. But that production didn’t translate to the National League Division Series, where he went 2-for-16 against the Padres. 

So, he decided to hit and hit and hit alongside Brewers hitting coach Daniel Vogelbach and player performance consultant Jace Peterson into the late hours Friday night, trying to find the right feel with his hands and a better path to the baseball.  

“I love trying to figure it out,” Turang said. “Kind of grew up hitting all the time for late hours of the night. So, sometimes it brings me back to being a kid a little bit.”

(Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Brewers manager Pat Murphy was throwing baseballs to his kids when he noticed Turang still working off the Trajekt machine. 

Murphy told me that Turang and the hitting coaches were in the cages until 10 p.m., five hours after the Brewers’ team workout ended.  Vogelbach couldn’t confirm, because he lost track of time entirely. 

“We could’ve been here not late, and with that guy, you feel like there’s a moment coming,” Vogelbach said. “Good players are always going to come back to being good players. You never feel like he’s far away from being Brice.”

In his first at-bat against Tarik Skubal in Game 1, Turang fouled a ball off his knee before grounding out. 

In his next, the Brewers’ lefty did something comparable only to a four-time MVP.

(Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Shohei Ohtani was the only left-handed batter during the 2026 regular season to send a pitch from a lefty on the inner third of the plate out the opposite way for a home run. Ohtani accomplished the feat twice, but neither time came on a fastball with the velocity that Turang saw Monday night. 

“Sometimes, facing a lefty gets you more locked in than anything,” Murphy said, “because you know you’ve got to stay tight and you know you’ve got to stay square.” 

Skubal picked apart the Brewers’ lineup the first time through the order Monday night, racking up six strikeouts in the process. “It was looking like he was going to dominate,” Vogelbach said. 

And then came Turang’s slump-busting swing.

The fourth-inning blast changed the course of Game 1, catalyzed the Brewers’ offense — which responded by knocking Skubal out after a go-ahead, 26-pitch fifth inning — and might have gotten Milwaukee’s most productive position player going again in a 2-1 win. 

“Just trying not to hit it off my legs anymore,” Turang joked. “Yeah, if that’s one way to help you stay inside of a ball, is hit a ball off your leg or your foot, then maybe that’s what it was for. Yeah, I was just trying to stay inside of it and drive it back up the middle.”

He did more than that.

(Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Turang got ahead 2-0 in the count when Skubal expertly placed a 95.5 mph sinker on the inner edge of the plate. The Brewers’ second baseman got his hands in and somehow sent it 102.5 mph out 384 feet the other way for a game-tying solo shot. 

“You don’t see it a ton,” center fielder Garrett Mitchell told me. “But nothing really surprises me with a guy like Brice. That’s why he’s one of the best in the game.”

Jake Bauers, another fellow left-handed Brewers hitter, was more incredulous. 

During a pitching change later in the game, Bauers asked Turang where the pitch was. 

“He said it was in,” Bauers recalled. “I was like, ‘What do you mean it was in?’ He was like,’Yeah, it was in.’ Having seen plenty of lefty sinkers at 97 in on the black in my life, I have no idea how he hit it out to left-center.” 

Bauers credited it, in part, to Turang’s strength.

(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Turang may not be the most physically imposing figure, at 6 feet, 190 pounds, but he’ll showcase his raw power with epic drives in batting practice. 

“It’s pretty impressive,” Bauers told me. “It’s not what you think when you look at him. The whip he can generate is second to none.” 

While many in the Brewers’ clubhouse were awed by Turang’s feat, Milwaukee southpaw JoJo Romero was not. 

On May 4, Romero was pitching for the rival Cardinals at the time when he threw Turang a sinker on the inner half of the plate. Turang sent it the other way at 100.9 mph off the bat.

That, however, was a single, not a homer. And it came on a 92 mph two-seamer, not a 96-mph sinker from the defending back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner, who had allowed just four home runs to a left-handed hitter all year. 

Turang entered Game 1 of the NLCS with just three home runs total off left-handers this year and had performed much better against righties (.901 OPS) than southpaws (.619) overall. He didn’t have any extra-base hits in the NLDS, and he had just one hit over four games in last year’s NLCS against the Dodgers. 

But the Brewers, with their Game 1 win, have already proven they aren’t last year’s squad. 

And the extra work paid off. 

“It’s something he’s said he’s done since he was a kid with his dad,” Vogelbach said. “It’s just who he is. … You always think he’s one swing away from getting back to being Brice Turang.”

The DP World Tour will not allow any player who signs up to LIV Golf next season to be a member of its circuit in 2027.

Some of the world’s top players were given conditional releases by the European tour in previous seasons, allowing them to compete on both circuits.

But DP World Tour chief executive officer Guy Kinnings has said players must now “make a choice”.

In order to be eligible for Europe’s Ryder Cup team, players must be members of the DP World Tour.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Geraint Hughes explains what is next for LIV Golf and what will happen to their players after they filed for bankruptcy.

Kinnings told BBC Sport: “Players need to make a choice. We have rules and regulations which are there to protect our tour and which our members must all abide by.

“Players who are not willing to comply with our rules and regulations should not be seeking to join our tour.”

LIV Golf has been contacted for comment.

LIV’s future is in doubt after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund withdrew support at the end of the season and is going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the United States.

The breakaway series has secured an initial funding commitment for a potential 300 million US dollars (£227m) investment from BC Partners Credit to help relaunch LIV 2.0 in 2027.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The Sky Sports Golf Podcast team predict their USA and Europe Ryder Cup teams for 2027.

Deadlines for both tours fall next month and players will be asked to disclose which they intend to play on.

LIV players such as Jon Rahm, Tyrell Hatton and Victor Perez and Tom McKibbin are currently eligible to play on the DP World Tour under one of its membership categories.

Rahm is set to quit LIV Golf after refusing to accept new terms offered for its proposed relaunch and is reported to be owed up to 150m US dollars (£113m) for the remainder of the contract he signed almost three years ago.

Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland

Michigan made history last April by winning the national championship with a starting lineup of five transfers — the first team ever to accomplish that feat — which raises my biggest question heading into this season:

Is building a championship roster through the transfer portal the new normal?

While the Wolverines proved that a talented group of newcomers can come together and win it all, I still believe continuity matters, which is why I find it impossible to ignore the Florida Gators heading into this season. Forwards Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon, along with center Rueben Chinyelu, return to anchor a roster that I believe has the experience, talent and chemistry to make a serious run.

In an era when rosters can look completely different from one season to the next, I believe the teams that pair a proven core with the right portal additions will have an edge when March arrives.

With that, here’s a look at my preseason top 25 rankings:

25. Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana welcomed in the No. 8-ranked transfer portal class this offseason, per 247Sports.com. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 18-14 (Did not play in NCAA Tournament)

My outlook for the Hoosiers: The Hoosiers have significantly upgraded their talent, particularly in the backcourt with former Notre Dame guard Markus Burton and in the frontcourt with Aiden Sherrell (Alabama) and Samet Yigitoglu (SMU). Darian DeVries’ team should have more offensive firepower, versatility and interior size this season, but with only one returning player, chemistry will be the biggest question.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Markus Burton, G, Sr. (Notre Dame: 18.5 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.7 APG)

Stat to know: When this team gets to the line, they make you pay. Indiana ranked 15th nationally in free-throw shooting last season, converting 78% of its attempts. 

Odds to win national title: +6500 (tied 27th-best)

24. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Darrion Williams transferred back to Texas Tech from NC State after being rewarded a fifth year of eligibility. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 23-11 (Lost to Alabama in Round of 32)

My outlook for the Red Raiders: Head coach Grant McCasland made a big splash when he landed senior Cruz Davis out of the transfer portal this offseason. Davis, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard, averaged 20.1 points and 4.7 assists last season at Hofstra. The return of senior forward Darrion Williams, who spent last season at NC State after two straight years in Lubbock, also makes the Red Raiders interesting.  Having said that, Texas Tech’s entire season rides on the return and success of All-American forward JT Toppin, who suffered a torn ACL last year.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Cruz Davis, G, Sr. (Hofstra: 20.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.7 APG)

Stat to know: Don’t let this team get hot from deep. The Red Raiders ranked sixth nationally in 3-pointers made per game (11.3) and seventh in 3-point shooting percentage (39.1%) last season.

Odds to win national title: +2200 (tied seventh-best)

23. BYU Cougars

Robert Wright III entertained transferring before returning to BYU for a second season. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 23-12 (Lost to Texas in Round of 64)

My outlook for the Cougars: Fifth-year senior forward Jaxon Kohler, who played four seasons at Michigan State under head coach Tom Izzo, brings rebounding and experience to this BYU team. Point guard Robert Wright III returns for a second season and has the talent to be a first-team all-conference performer, while forward Colin Chandler returns to his hometown after two seasons at Kentucky. This team doesn’t have AJ Dybantsa this year, but the Cougars could be better defensively. 

Transfer I’ll be watching: Jaxon Kohler, F, Sr. (Michigan State: 12.5 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.3 APG)

Stat to know: Jaxon Kohler was one of only two power-conference players in the entire country to record at least 300 rebounds and 50 made 3-pointers last season. He crashes the glass and splashes from deep.

Odds to win national title: +6500 (tied 27th-best)

22. USC Trojans

Alijah Arenas averaged 14.1 points per game as a freshman last season. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 26-9 (Lost to Purdue in Round of 32)

My outlook for the Trojans: Standout guard Alijah Arenas made the decision to return to USC for his sophomore season, which gives this team major scoring upside. Head coach Eric Musselman was able to land former UConn big man Eric Reibe out of the transfer portal. He adds size and massive upside to a roster that could outperform this ranking if healthy.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Eric Reibe, C, Soph. (UConn: 5.9 PPG, 3.3 RPH, 0.5 APG)

Stat to know: The Trojans sent shots back like unwanted mail last year. They averaged 5.7 blocks per game, which ranked eighth nationally and second in the Big Ten behind Michigan.

Odds to win national title: +5500 (26th-best)

21. St John’s Red Storm

Rick Pitino has led St. John’s to two Big East regular-season titles in his three seasons as head coach. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 30-7 (Lost to Duke in Sweet 16)

My outlook for the Red Storm: The Red Storm made a big splash with the surprising addition of Baylor transfer Tounde Yessoufou. He’s a big-bodied guard who can impact the game on both ends of the floor, averaging 18 points and 6 rebounds per game last season. Head coach Rick Pitino has a lot of talent, but major turnover, injuries and eligibility questions complicate this projection.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Tounde Yessoufou, G, Soph. (St. John’s: 17.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 APG)

Stat to know: Rick Pitino has won 76.4% of his games at St. John’s since taking over in 2023, leading the Red Storm to back-to-back Big East regular-season and tournament titles. Queens is officially back on the college basketball map.

Odds to win national title: +3300 (tied 14th-best)

20. Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama forward Amari Allen averaged 11.4 points during his freshman season. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 25-10 (Lost to Michigan in Sweet 16)

My outlook for the Crimson Tide: Alabama forward Amari Allen withdrew from the NBA Draft and will provide the Crimson Tide with a steadying force on the perimeter. Head coach Nate Oats landed former Georgetown and Boise State forward Drew Fielder out of the transfer portal, which should help offset the loss of big man Aiden Sherrell. Fielder averaged 14.7 points and shot 40.9% from 3-point range last season. He should fit nicely in Oats’ offense, although the backcourt has important questions. Standout guard Aden Holloway will miss three exhibition games and two regular-season games during a five-game suspension following his arrest on a drug charge.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Drew Fielder, F, Sr. (Boise State: 14.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.3 AST)

Stat to know: Aden Holloway posted a 65% True Shooting Percentage (TS%) and a 59.9% Effective Field Goal Percentage (eFG%) across 28 games (16.8 PPG) last season. He doesn’t waste many possessions.

Odds to win national title: +4500 (tied 21st-best)

19. Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas has won 16 Big 12 regular-season titles under Bill Self. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 24-11 (Lost to St. John’s in Round of 32)

My outlook for the Jayhawks: Tyran Stokes, the top-ranked freshman in the 2026 recruiting class, gives Kansas another talented superstar guard. Head coach Bill Self was able to land former Toledo standout Leroy Blyden out of the transfer portal. The sophomore guard provides experienced scoring and playmaking after being named MAC Freshman of the Year.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Leroy Blyden, G, Soph. (Toledo: 16.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.5 APG)

Stat to know: Kansas has won 16 Big 12 regular-season titles under Bill Self. The Big 12 runs through Lawrence.

Odds to win national title: +3500 (tied 16th-best)

18. UCLA Bruins

UCLA point guard Trent Perry was named to the preseason All-Big Ten first team. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 24-12 (Lost to UConn in Round of 32)

My outlook for the Bruins: Head coach Mick Cronin has a nice mix of returners, transfers and incoming freshmen. Both junior guard Trent Perry and senior forward Eric Dailey return for the Bruins and should provide a solid scoring punch. Sophomore guard Jaylen Petty, who started 22 games as a freshman at Texas Tech last season, arrives in Westwood and should add scoring and creation. Cronin also ushers in a very talented international group, including Serbian forward Nikola Kusturica.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Jaylen Petty, G, Soph. (Texas Tech: 9.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.2 APG)

Stat to know: Xavier Booker protects the rim and stretches the floor. The 6-foot-11, 245-pound forward was the only player across all major conferences to record 40-plus blocks while shooting at least 50% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc last season.

Odds to win national title: +4500 (tied 21st-best)

17. Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky center Malachi Moreno averaged 7.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last season. (Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 22-14 (Lost to Iowa State in Round of 32)

My outlook for the Wildcats: Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic, one of the country’s premier shooters, joins forces with sophomore center Malachi Moreno. How far can the duo take Mark Pope’s Kentucky squad? The Wildcats’ ceiling will depend heavily on guard play and how quickly the pieces come together offensively.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Milan Momcilovic, F, Sr. (Iowa State: 16.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.0 APG)

Stat to know: Milan Momcilovic averaged 16.9 points per game last season, the fourth-highest scoring average among transfers heading into this season. The Wildcats just added a walking bucket.

Odds to win national title: +3500 (tied 16th-best)

16. Miami Hurricanes

Miami head coach Jai Lucas went 26-9 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in his first season as Miami’s head coach. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 26-9 (Lost to Purdue in Round of 32)

My outlook for the Hurricanes: Forward Malik Reneau was granted another year of eligibility and is set to return to the Hurricanes, which is enormous. Head coach Jai Lucas was able to add Villanova transfer guard Acaden Lewis this offseason, which should help with shot creation on the perimeter. Lucas has an intriguing mix of returning talent and newcomers.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Acaden Lewis, G, Soph. (Villanova: 12.2 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 5.3 APG)

Stat to know: Feed Somto Cyril the ball and good things tend to happen. The Georgia transfer shot 75.9% from the field last season, the second-highest mark in the country among players who appeared in at least 20 games.

Odds to win national title: +4000 (tied 18th-best)

15. Michigan Wolverines

Mike Boynton Jr. took over as Michigan’s head coach after Dusty May left for the Dallas Mavericks. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 37-3 (Won national championship)

My outlook for the Wolverines: One year after relying on an elite frontcourt, the core of this Michigan team will reside in its returning backcourt of Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney. Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam will help replace the departing frontcourt size, but Dusty May’s departure creates uncertainty.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Moustapha Thiam, C, Jr. (Cincinnati: 12.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.6 BLK)

Stat to know: Michigan will be tasked with replacing 66.1% of its scoring from last year’s national championship team. That’s a whole lota buckets to replace.

Odds to win national title: +4000 (tied 18th-best)

14. Iowa State Cyclones

Head coach T.J. Otzelberger had led Iowa State to three straight Sweet 16 appearances. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 29-8 (lost to Tennessee in Round of 16)

My outlook for the Cyclones: Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger has rebuilt his program around defensive versatility and toughness. Bradley transfer Jaquan Johnson – who averaged 16.9 points per contest last season – adds an experienced presence in the backcourt to a roster that looks substantially different heading into this season.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Jaquan Johnson, G, Jr. (Texas Tech: 16.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.6 APG)

Stat to know: Senior guard Tamin Lipsey is the only player in Big 12 history and one of only two power-conference players in modern Division I history to reach 1,500-plus points, 600-plus assists, 500-plus rebounds, and 300-plus steals. He scores, dishes, rebounds and picks pockets.

Odds to win national title: +4500 (tied 21st-best)

13. Arkansas Razorbacks

John Calipari has transferred his success from Kentucky to Arkansas, leading the Razorbacks to the NCAA Tournament in each of his two seasons. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 28-9 (Lost to Arizona in Sweet 16)

My outlook for the Razorbacks: Georgia transfer guard Jermiah Wilkinson brings proven scoring to a roster featuring one of the nation’s premier freshman classes, led by guard Jordan Smith Jr. Head coach John Calipari brings in the No. 2-ranked recruiting class in the nation. In other words: The Razorbacks should be loaded … again.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Jeremiah Wilkinson, G, Jr. (Georgia: 17.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.7 APG)

Stat to know: John Calipari enters the season with six Final Four appearances and ranks fifth all-time in NCAA Division I history in NCAA Tournament wins (59). Love him or hate him, he knows how to win in March.

Odds to win national title: +3300 (tied 14th-best)

12. Tennessee Volunteers

Rick Barnes enters his 12th season at Tennessee, seeking his first national title game appearance. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 25-12 (Lost to Michigan in Elite Eight)

My outlook for the Volunteers: Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes added a legitimate go-to scorer this offseason in guard Juke Harris, who averaged 21.4 points and 6.5 rebounds last season at Wake Forest. The Vols’ defense will be there like it always is. 

Transfer I’ll be watching: Juke Harris, G, Jr. (Wake Forest; 21.4 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.9 APG)

Stat to know: The Vols own the paint. Tennessee has finished in the top five nationally in KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency in three consecutive seasons, holding opponents under 40% shooting at the rim.

Odds to win national title: +3000 (tied 11th-best)

11. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Head coach Mark Few has led Gonzaga to a combined 773-156 record in 27 seasons. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 31-4 (Lost to Texas in Round of 32)

My outlook for the Bulldogs: Arizona State transfer center Massamba Diop gives Gonzaga head coach Mark Few an impact rim protector. Diop should compliment senior forward Braden Huff, who is an All-American candidate. The question is: how quickly can the Zags’ rebuilt backcourt come together?

Transfer I’ll be watching: Massamba Diop, C, Soph. (Arizona State; 13.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.1 BLK)

Stat to know: Gonzaga has reached the Sweet 16 in eight of the last 10 tournaments. The Zags have made the second weekend feel like a yearly tradition.

Odds to win national title: +3000 (tied 11th-best)

10. Virginia Cavaliers

Thijs De Ridder led the Cavaliers in scoring and rebounding as a freshman. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 30-6 (Lost to Tennessee in Round of 32)

My outlook for the Cavaliers: Virginia head coach Ryan Odom returns a strong core this season, led by All-ACC forward Thijs De Ridder. The Cavaliers added senior guard Jurian Dixon, who was a first-team All-Big West performer at UC Irvine, where he averaged 15.9 points per contest last season.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Jurian Dixon, G, Sr. (UC Irvine; 15.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.5 APG)

Stat to know: Virginia is keeping the band together, returning four of its top six scorers from last year’s 30-win team.

Odds to win national title: +3000 (10th-best)

9. Houston Cougars

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson is still seeking his first national title. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 30-7 (Lost to Illinois in Sweet 16)

My outlook for the Cougars: Senior forward Joseph Tugler is back in the frontcourt to anchor Kelvin Sampson’s defense. After beginning his career at UNLV and spending last season at LSU, point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. is the experienced playmaker Houston needs after major backcourt departures.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Dedan Thomas Jr., G, Sr. (LSU; 15.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 6.5 APG)

Stat to know: Houston has made seven consecutive Sweet 16s, the longest active streak in the country.

Odds to win national title: +3000 (tied 11th-best)

8. Louisville Cardinals

Pat Kelsey enters his third season as Louisville’s head coach. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 24-11 (Lost to Michigan State in Round of 32)

My outlook for the Cardinals: The Cardinals went out and spent a lot of money to put together a team that I think is title worthy. Let’s start with the best defensive center in the country: Flory Bidunga. Pat Kelsey also added Oregon transfer guard Jackson Shelstad and former Arkansas wing Karter Knox, giving Louisville tremendous upside.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Flory Bidunga, F, Jr. (Kansas: 13.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.6 BLK)

Stat to know: Louisville averaged 84.3 points per game last season, but returns just 10.5% of the team’s offensive production. The Cardinals have plenty of buckets to replace as Pat Kelsey retools the roster.

Odds to win national title: +2200 (tied seventh-best)

7. Texas Longhorns

Matas Vokietaitis returned to Texas for his sophomore season. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 21-15 (Lost to Purdue in Sweet 16)

My outlook for the Longhorns: Texas head coach Sean Miller has assembled a high-ceiling roster. TCU transfer forward David Punch joins returning center Matas Vokietaitis to give the Longhorns an imposing frontcourt, while guards Isaiah Johnson and Mikey Lewis strengthen the perimeter. If the newcomers come together quickly, Texas has the size, talent and depth to build on last season’s Sweet 16 run.

Transfer I’ll be watching: David Punch, F, Jr. (TCU: 14.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.0 APG)

Stat to know: Texas center Matas Vokietaiti converted 61.9% of his field goal attempts last season, ranking among the top five interior finishers in the SEC.

Odds to win national title: +2200 (tied seventh-best)

6. Connecticut Huskies

Braylon Mullins averaged 12 points per game last season while shooting 33.5% from beyond the arc. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 34-6 (Lost to Michigan in national championship)

My outlook for the Huskies: Head coach Dan Hurley convinced freshman standout Braylon Mullins to return to UConn after a magical run to the 2026 national title game. Mullins and point guard Silas Demary Jr. make up an outstanding returning backcourt, while Duke transfer Nik Khamenia brings versatility at forward.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Nikolas Khamenia, F, Soph. (Duke: 5.7 PPG, 3.3 RPH, 1.0 APG)

Stat to know: All he does is win. Dan Hurley has won 72.6% of his games since taking over at UConn in 2018, compiling a 199-75 record and leading the Huskies to three national championship appearances in four years. 

Odds to win national title: +1200 (third-best)

5. Arizona Wildcats

Ivan Kharchenkov returned to Arizona for his sophomore season. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 36-3 (Lost to Michigan in Final Four)

My outlook for the Wildcats: Head coach Tommy Lloyd will rely on returning center Motiejus Krivas and forward Ivan Kharchenkov, who give the Wildcats a high floor, especially on defense. Caleb Holt headlines a talented freshman class, while North Carolina transfer guard Derek Dixon brings shooting and playmaking after starting 16 games last season.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Derek Dixon, G, Soph. (North Carolina: 6.5 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.7 APG)

Stat to know: The paint is in good hands. Arizona brings back 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas, who averaged 10.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game last season. Opponents scored 14 fewer points per 100 possessions with Krivas on the floor last season.

Odds to win national title: +2000 (tied fifth-best)

4. Michigan State Spartans

Jeremy Fears Jr. led the nation with 9.4 assists per game last season. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 27-8 (Lost to UConn in Sweet 16)

My outlook for the Spartans: Michigan State point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. is an extension of coach Tom Izzo on the court. He gives the Spartans one of the nation’s best floor generals, but for them to go the distance, senior forward Coen Carr will need to take the next step. Center Anton Bonke, a transfer from Charlotte, adds 7-foot-2 size down low.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Anton Bonke, C, Sr. (Charlotte: 10.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.0 APG)

Stat to know: March is a tradition in East Lansing. Tom Izzo has taken Michigan State to the NCAA Tournament in 28 consecutive seasons. No matter what the Spartans look like in November, you can never count Izzo out come March.

Odds to win national title: +2000 (tied fifth-best)

3. Illinois Fighting Illini

Brad Underwood enters his 10th season as Illinois’ head coach. (Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 28-9 (Lost to Michigan in Final Four)

My outlook for the Illini: Illinois head coach Brad Underwood should feel good about this group after guard Andrej Stojakovic withdrew from the NBA Draft and returned to the Illini. The team also had a major perimeter addition this offseason in guard Stefan Vaaks, who averaged 15.8 points and made 91 3s last season at Providence. Sophomore forward David Mirkovic’s health is a concern, or I’d have them at No. 2.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Stefan Vaaks, G, Soph. (Providence: 15.8 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.2 APG)

Stat to know: Five of Illinois’ top eight scorers are back, headlined by senior guard Andrej Stojakovic (13.5 PPG), who tested the NBA Draft waters before ultimately withdrawing and returning to Champaign. That’s a major scoring boost for an Illini team looking to keep its offensive firepower intact.

Odds to win national title: +1300 (fourth-best)

2. Duke Blue Devils

Cayden Boozer averaged 7.0 points and 3.3 assists per game as a freshman. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 35-3 (Lost to UConn in Final Four)

My outlook for the Blue Devils: Duke’s roster blends star power and depth. Wisconsin transfer guard John Blackwell provides proven perimeter scoring alongside guards Cayden Boozer, Dame Sarr and another elite freshman class.

Transfer I’ll be watching: John Blackwell, G, Sr. (Wisconsin: 19.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.3 APG)

Stat to know: Jon Scheyer and Duke have won 70 games in the past two seasons, which is the most in the country and a program record.

Odds to win national title: +600 (second-best)

1. Florida Gators

Thomas Haugh led the Gators in scoring last season, averaging 17.1 points per game. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

2025-26 Record: 27-8 (Lost to Iowa in Round of 32)

My outlook for the Gators: Florida vaulted to No. 1 after the team’s entire frontcourt elected to return. Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu, all key contributors to Florida’s 2025 national championship team, are back. Denzel Aberdeen gives head coach Todd Golden another experienced guard.

Transfer I’ll be watching: Denzel Aberdeen, G, Sr. (Kentucky: 13.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.4 APG)

Stat to know: Good luck slowing down Florida’s offense. The Gators return 81.5% of their scoring production from last year’s 27-8 team.

Odds to win national title: +550 (first)

Welcome to The Euro Debrief, a new Sky Sports column in which Adam Bate rounds up some of the key stories from the latest matches across the continent. This week:

• Gordon scores for Barca
• Dortmund and Bayern slip
• Lazio still pushing Inter
• PSG go through the gears
• Tightest title race ever?

LaLiga: Gordon’s first Barca goal

Not everyone was convinced when Anthony Gordon signed for Barcelona in the summer but the former Newcastle winger has emerged as a popular figure there already. He bagged his first Barca goal two minutes into their 3-0 home win over Getafe on Saturday.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the LaLiga match between Barcelona and Getafe at Spotify Camp Nou

Lamine Yamal is the darling of the crowd and Raphinha is the talisman up top but there is a role for Gordon – as well as fellow new arrival Karim Adeyemi – and both are playing it to perfection thus far by taking some of the load off the star man. Hansi Flick is happy.

“He is doing great. He was also doing well in the previous matches when he did not score,” said the Barca coach afterwards. “He gives us a lot. He has speed, moves well with the ball, all the dribbling he has. He is always dangerous and creates chances.”

Image:
Anthony Gordon is already proving a popular figure at Barcelona

LaLiga: Table | Fixtures & results

Yan Diomande is also off the mark for Real Madrid, his winner coming in a more fraught win over Villarreal. The game was notable for Vinicius Junior thinking that he had scored only to be sent off for pulling the hair of Nathan Saliba on the way to making it happen.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the LaLiga match between Real Madrid and Villarreal

Jose Mourinho was unimpressed, skipping media duties, but at least it was a win after the derby loss to Atletico. Mourinho’s side remain fourth as there were wins for Atletico and for Real Betis, who did not even need Troy Parrott to score in their 5-2 win over Osasuna.

For once, another Madrid side took much of the headlines in Spain as Rayo Vallecano fans succeeded in getting their game against Athletic Club abandoned. Paper planes and rubber balls rained down in the first game of the season at the Estadio de Vallecas.

The ground had been closed due to health and safety concerns and the protest was part of an ongoing dispute between supporters and the club’s owner-president Raul Martin Presa over his failure to invest in the atmospheric old venue. Consider awareness raised.

LaLiga results: Malaga 1-1 Espanyol, Rayo Vallecano A-A Athletic Club, Deportivo Alaves 1-2 Atletico Madrid, Barcelona 3-0 Getafe, Real Madrid 1-0 Villarreal, Elche 0-0 Celta Vigo, Real Sociedad 3-2 Deportivo A Coruna, Real Betis 5-2 Osasuna, Racing Santander 2-2 Valencia.

Bundesliga: Neuer scrutiny at Bayern

The fastest goal of the weekend, indeed the fastest goal in Bundesliga history, was scored against Bayern Munich on Saturday. Augsburg’s Robin Fellhauer dispossessed the great Manuel Neuer and put his side in front after just eight seconds of the game.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the Bundesliga match between Augsburg and Bayern Munich

Bayern recovered to earn a point, Harry Kane assisting both of their goals in a 2-2 draw, and Vincent Kompany’s team really should have won it. But with Neuer also culpable for the second Augsburg goal there is increasing heat on the 40-year-old goalkeeping icon.

Neuer’s Germany return at the World Cup was not a success and with Jonas Urbig, his Bayern deputy, having been given his international debut by Jurgen Klopp in the recent window, it feels a matter of when not if the legend is replaced at club level now too.

Bayern’s slip will only leave Borussia Dortmund more frustrated that they threw away a two-goal lead late on at home to Werder Bremen on Friday evening. Niclas Fullkrug, the former Dortmund striker, found the equaliser in stoppage-time at Signal Iduna Park.

As a result, it is Freiburg who top the table in Germany. Elsewhere, the evergreen Patrik Schick scored in a fifth consecutive Bundesliga game for Bayer Leverkusen, while there was a hat-trick for Christopher Nkunku, who is enjoying his second spell with RB Leipzig.

There are only four teams in Europe’s major leagues yet to concede a league goal in front of their own supporters this season. Schalke are among them despite not scoring themselves. Leverkusen have six goals, AC Milan five. But Leipzig have scored 14 without reply.

Down at the bottom, Borussia Monchengladbach are still searching for their first point of the campaign after another painful defeat – this time in the derby in Cologne. Said El Mala, who nearly joined Dortmund in the summer, scored the winner in that one.

Bundesliga results: Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Werder Bremen, Augsburg 2-2 Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim 2-3 Hamburg, Mainz 3-4 Bayer Leverkusen, Paderborn 0-2 Stuttgart, Union Berlin 1-0 Elversberg, RB Leipzig 6-0 Eintracht Frankfurt, Cologne 2-1 Borussia Monchengladbach, Freiburg 2-1 Schalke.

Serie A: Spence debuts for Inter

Djed Spence made his belated debut for Inter in their comfortable 3-0 win over Parma. The result was safe long before the England international was introduced as a second-half substitute but Inter boss Cristian Chivu welcomed the chance to call upon him.

“Let us enjoy his first 25 minutes, and not forget that he has only been training with the team for a week. You cannot ask too much of him or you will push him into the red,” said Chivu. “Today, San Siro gave him a shot of adrenaline and that will help all of us.”

There was British interest elsewhere with Harry Winks’ Cagliari drawing at home to Juventus to stay fourth. Scott McTominay also made his return from minor heart surgery as a substitute in Napoli’s win over Frosinone, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring two.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Kevin De Bruyne starred as Napoli defeated Frosinone in Serie A

Incredibly, nobody has scored more goals in a major European league than Donyell Malen for Roma in this calendar year but the Netherlands forward is going to struggle to hang on to that record much longer as he faces a suspension for his red card at Como.

Roma did well to leave with the point that preserves both teams unbeaten records, something Milan can claim too after their draw at Sassuolo. But Lazio are currently the closest challenges to Inter after their 3-1 win at Monza continued their unlikely run this season.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Former Arsenal defender Nuno Tavares scores incredible THUNDERBOLT for Lazio!

Ex-Arsenal man Nuno Tavares scored a stunner in that one. Gennaro Gattuso had been expected to struggle, particularly with the fans protesting the ownership. Instead, with five wins and a draw from their six games, it is Lazio’s best start to a Serie A season ever.

Serie A results: Genoa 2-1 Fiorentina, Inter 3-0 Parma, Napoli 3-0 Frosinone, Como 0-0 Roma, Lazio 3-1 Monza, Lecce 1-2 Bologna, Sassuolo 1-1 Milan, Cagliari 1-1 Juventus.

Ligue 1: Monaco slip as PSG prowl

Filipe Luis had sought to downplay Monaco’s title prospects despite topping the table in France and that pessimism was somewhat explained as his side lost a two-goal lead at home to Toulouse. It is a disappointing draw with Paris Saint-Germain climbing ominously.

PSG were 3-1 winners over Le Mans, a result that lifts them up to sixth in Ligue 1 after their slow start. Luis Enrique is still rotating heavily but it only needed a brief blast from the big guns, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia coming on to score what proved to be the winner.

Elsewhere, Cameron Archer scored for the fourth game in a row in a losing effort for Auxerre, while less familiarly, Liam Rosenior fell to defeat for the first time as Paris FC coach. Marseille, meanwhile, managed to beat Troyes to move out of the bottom three.

Ligue 1 results: Lens 2-1 Lyon, Lille 1-0 Le Havre, Brest 5-1 Angers, Lorient 1-0 Paris FC, Monaco 2-2 Toulouse, PSG 3-1 Le Mans, Nice 2-1 Strasbourg, Rennes 4-1 Auxerre, Troyes 0-2 Marseille.

Elsewhere: Norway’s title race

Porto keep doing it. Eight wins from eight now for the reigning champions in Portugal but they are not making it easy. This week they came from behind to win late on at Maritimo. Porto have now won after conceding the first goal in three of their last four matches.

There were changes at the top in the Netherlands and Turkey. Feyenoord bumped AZ Alkmaar down to third to claim their spot in front of a fantastic crowd at De Kuip, while Amedspor conceded a stoppage-time equaliser that means Galatasaray lead in Turkey.

Datawrapper

This content is provided by Datawrapper, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Datawrapper cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Datawrapper cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Datawrapper cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

It is early days in those competitions but Europe’s tightest table is undoubtedly in Norway where Viking and Bodo/Glimt are locked on 53 points after 22 games each. Not just that, they have identical records – even down to goals scored and goal difference.

Viking are currently top with eight games to go based on the head-to-head record. Bodo/Glimt do have a home game to come against the leaders but turning that head-to-head record around will be surely impossible. Viking won 5-0 in the previous game in April.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Joe Brady wanted to be a player, not a coach. He spent his life fighting his way onto the field, battling through injuries, proving himself to coaches who overlooked him. He even had to show his dad at times that he shouldn’t be benched.

Brady thought his time was coming, too, at the start of his junior year as a wide receiver at William & Mary. That was the same time that Tre McBride showed up. He was clearly a future pro, who even Brady could see “shouldn’t have been playing at William & Mary.” He had it all — the size, the skills, the untapped potential. Everything Brady didn’t.

Brady was a lanky receiver who, his head coach at William & Mary, Jimmye Laycock told me, was “hard-working and tough, but not the most gifted athlete we had.” And it was clear to everyone that McBride, even as a freshman, was in Brady’s way. 

So Brady did the only thing he could.

He helped McBride become even better.

“He really helped me a lot, making sure that I knew exactly what I had to do from an assignment and an alignment standpoint, every game,” McBride recently told me. “He was my go-to. If I had a question on the field, off the field, it was Joe Brady that I was checking in with. And he was always anticipating too, like he was watching me close. Whatever it was on my mind, he was ready for that.”

It was, McBride admits now, a remarkably generous choice — especially since he didn’t exactly welcome Brady’s help with open arms. They fought at times, but Brady was relentless, making sure his more talented teammate knew every little detail about the Tribe’s offense, and was always aware of exactly what he was supposed to do.

“Joe was mature beyond his years,” Laycock told me. “He wasn’t the best player we had, but he could basically run the meetings for the receivers.  He would help the other ones out, knowing where they were supposed to be, alignments, assignments, whatever. He had a great understanding of the whole game.”

Joe Brady became the Bills’ head coach this offseason, with the team turning a new page despite Sean McDermott’s relatively successful tenure. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

And the results were impressive. McBride became the first freshman receiver to play for the Tribe in six years. As a sophomore, during Brady’s senior year, he caught 55 passes for 897 yards and a touchdown, and started to get early attention from NFL scouts. Brady, meanwhile, played in 21 games with McBride over those two seasons at their small FCS school in Williamsburg, Virginia. He caught just three passes for 34 yards.

But Brady reveled in McBride’s success. He never stopped trying to make him better. He never thought about the playing time that maybe he could have had.

“Yeah, it was probably wrong, or different,” Brady told me. “But I felt like if he’s better, it’s going to make me better, and we’ll go from there. It gave me the opportunity to be like ‘All right, maybe I can form some of these guys.’ “

And just like that, Joe Brady realized something else too: He might turn out to be a pretty good coach.

‘Nobody Is Surprised He Wound Up Having Massive Success’

Nobody back then would have imagined that just 15 years later, Brady would be the head coach of the Buffalo Bills at just 37 years old. He got the job back in January when his old boss, Sean McDermott — another William & Mary alum, by the way — was fired after the Bills went 12-5 last season and lost in the divisional playoff round. Brady was part of that failure. He had spent the previous four years as McDermott’s assistant — two as his quarterbacks coach and two as offensive coordinator. But he obviously impressed Bills owner Terry Pegula and general manager Brandon Beane by how he ran one of the NFL’s best offenses, earning franchise quarterback Josh Allen’s trust.

Still, there was a risk in handing over one of the NFL’s best teams to someone so young and so inexperienced. Even by today’s NFL standards, with 30-something coaches becoming more common than ever, Brady has had a meteoric rise.

But to those who know Brady best, and watched him along the way, there’s nothing shocking about it.

“The fact that he got to where he’s at so quickly has surprised literally nobody on our team,” McBride told me. “I guarantee nobody is surprised he wound up having massive success. And it’s no surprise that he became a brilliant football mind.”

“It didn’t take me long to see it either,” added Kevin Rogers, who was the offensive coordinator at William & Mary when Brady took his first coaching job as a graduate assistant. “He’s a unique guy. I mean holy smokes, you talk about success in droves in your career. It’s amazing.”

Joe Brady replaced Sean McDermott, a fellow William & Mary alum, as head coach. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

In fact, the run of success has been dizzying. Brady got his first coordinator job at LSU at age 29, just three years removed from being a graduate assistant at Penn State. And in one year in Baton Rouge, all he did was turn his quarterback (Joe Burrow) into a Heisman Trophy winner and help the Tigers win the national championship. That led to two more offensive coordinator jobs in the NFL, including the last two years in Buffalo, where the Bills were one of the highest-scoring teams in the NFL.

And now Brady has rewarded his bosses’ faith by getting the Bills off to a 3-1 start, as they head into a showdown against the Rams in Los Angeles on Monday night. He was the first Bills coach ever to start his career by winning his first three games. And he has everyone in Western New York believing that he will win a lot more.

Brady’s ‘Excellent Move’ To Coaching At William & Mary

Coaching was always a thought for Brady, but never part of his original plan. He wanted to play quarterback, at least until he threw out his arm. Then he switched to wide receiver, where he had to work his way up from the bottom of the depth chart at Everglades High School in South Florida. He was eventually good enough to draw interest from the Air Force Academy, but he broke his wrist in the first scrimmage and missed his freshman year. He ended up transferring to William & Mary, only to then break his foot in his first spring drills.

Brady refused to give up on playing, though, even though coaches rarely saw the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder as much more than a scrappy special teamer. 

“He was a tough player,” Laycock told me. “Any time we needed a wide receiver to block down on a linebacker, we’d substitute Joey in there. He was good at that.”

But he wasn’t good for much more on the field. Yet he still emerged as the leader of the “Bomb Squad” — the Tribe’s receiving group. He mentored younger players. He was a teacher in the meeting rooms. Of course he wanted to play, but he understood the reality and eventually accepted his fate.

“Joe was just a team guy at his core,” McBride told me. “And he wanted us to win more than anything. And if he could see where it was going, the trajectory, I have no problem believing that he would just buy into the success of our overall team over his particular situation.”

“Once I realized I wasn’t playing at this level,” Brady told me, “I was like, ‘All right, I want to coach.’”

And so he did, starting from the bottom, as a grad assistant at William & Mary, just weeks after his playing career ended. He made it clear, too, that he was willing to learn everything — offense, defense, special teams, whatever. He was willing to do anything, too.

Laycock saw that just a few weeks into Brady’s tenure, when he was preparing to host some new recruits on a Saturday morning. When the head coach got to the office before breakfast, his grad assistant was already at work.

“Joe was already in there, had the vacuum cleaner out, and was cleaning up the recruiting lounge at 6 o’clock in the morning, just to make sure everything was set,” Laycock told me. “That wasn’t anywhere near his responsibility whatsoever. That hit home with me. I’m thinking, ‘This guy’s got something to him, he really does.’”

Things like that got the notice of the entire staff, too. When the full-time linebackers coach job opened up that summer, Brady asked about it, and Laycock told me he laughed him out of the room at first. But then his other assistants kept asking, “What about Brady?” and they wouldn’t let up.

“Basically, what I had always done is encourage [former players] to go somewhere before I hired them back, just because I wanted a little bit more of a separation from student-athlete to coach,” he told me. “But both the offensive and defensive coaches harped on me about it. 

“The defensive coaches really wanted him.”

Joe Brady quickly impressed the coaches he played for at William & Mary with his work on the sideline. (Photo Courtesy of William & Mary Athletics).

Hiring him turned out to be “an excellent move,” Laycock told me. Brady was only 23 when he got the job, barely older than his old teammates, but he made a smooth transition. 

“He related well to his players, but he knew the difference between player and coach,” Laycock told me. “Sometimes a guy, once he’s finished playing and you give him the title of coach, he all of a sudden thinks he’s a hard ass. Or it could go the other way, that he’s so damn friendly they’re his buddies. Those are the things that would bother me. 

“But he walked that line very, very well.”

Brady spent two more seasons at William & Mary before James Franklin offered him a grad assistant job at Penn State, just a couple of weeks before practices began in 2015. And from there, the opportunities kept rolling in. Two years later, there was an opening on Sean Payton’s staff in New Orleans for an offensive quality control coach. Brendan Nugent, the Saints assistant offensive line coach and the William & Mary assistant who once recruited Brady as a player, recommended his former receiver for the job.

And even though the quality control job in the NFL is like a grad assistant in college, but with slightly better pay, Brady saw that only as a great opportunity to learn. Before long, he was sitting in on quarterback meetings with offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael (now the Bills’ 54-year-old offensive coordinator) and learning everything he could from watching and listening to Payton and Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

“I was so fortunate that I wasn’t a quality control coach that was just given ‘This is what our game plan is going to be’.” Brady told me. “I sat in the room and saw Sean come up with it. The only reason I was able to go have success and install an offense and run an offense was because I sat there and saw Sean and Pete and how their brains just worked and the connections they had with Drew and how they knew each other. It was so cool.

“I literally say this line all the time: I got my Master’s degree at Penn State, but I got my doctorate in New Orleans.”

  How Brady Became A ‘Can’t-Miss’ Coach In Louisiana

Brady “was always a sponge-type of guy,” Laycock told me. “He wanted to know what was going on, on either side of the ball. He had a good understanding of it, but he always wanted a little more.”

And what he learned was that he had a knack for knowing how to teach. Brady was still in his first season with the Saints when LSU head coach Ed Orgeron wanted to learn more about the New Orleans offense that was already one of the most dynamic in the NFL. He was particularly interested in how they used quarterback/tight end Taysom Hill when they ran RPOs (run-pass option plays).

Carmichael agreed to run a clinic for the LSU coaches, but he made sure to bring Brady along.

Carmichael spoke first. But when Brady got his turn, he dazzled the LSU staff with his film breakdowns, the research he provided from his time at Penn State and what he learned scouting other NFL teams. He knew what the offenses planned, how the defenses adjusted, and how the offense could counter. He was just 28 and had only been coaching for about four seasons, but he had a room full of NFL coaches hanging on every word.

“Ed Orgeron calls me up after, asks me what I knew about Joe Brady,” Rogers told me. “I said, ‘He’s a can’t-miss. There’s no way you’re going to hire a better guy than Joe.’”

Joe Brady became a rising star in the coaching ranks during his one season at LSU, helping Joe Burrow win the Heisman Trophy in 2019. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Two years later, Orgeron took that advice and hired Brady to be the Tigers’ passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach.

That, of course, is where Brady’s career really took off. He used a quick-pass system and his matchup wizardry to transform an offense that had been stagnant a year earlier into a juggernaut. They averaged 568.9 yards per game. Joe Burrow, their senior quarterback, threw 60 touchdowns and won the Heisman Trophy. Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase both topped 1,500 receiving yards and combined for 48 touchdowns. And the Tigers went 11-0 and won their first national championship in 12 years.

Brady was suddenly a rising star in the coaching ranks. He won the Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in the nation. He was going to be able to call his next shot.

But he had already chosen his path long ago.

Brady’s NFL Destiny

“Joe always wanted to be an NFL coach,” Rogers told me. “He didn’t care what kind of job a college offered him, whether it was back at his alma mater or coaching at Notre Dame. Joe wanted to coach in the NFL.”

He got his shot less than 24 hours after the national championship game when he was hired by new Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule, who was coming out of college himself after seven years as head coach at Temple and then Baylor. But it didn’t work out. The Panthers’ offense struggled under his direction.

There were unexpected challenges of coaching during a pandemic that certainly didn’t help him. It also hurt that the quarterbacks he got stuck with were an aging Teddy Bridgewater, a still struggling Sam Darnold, and a washed-up Cam Newton trying to hold on to the end of his career.

“That,” Rogers told me, “was the only time he stubbed his toe.”

He also learned a lot from his failure.

“Covid hit and I didn’t spend a lot of time with my guys,” Brady told me. “I was way more Xs and Os driven than I was about anything else. I’ve kind of flipped that. The Xs and Os still hit me, but I spend way more time with my guys, learning what makes them tick, what they need. And they can feed off of that.”

Joe Brady’s first season as an NFL offensive coordinator came during the COVID-affected 2020 season, presenting him with a challenge with the Panthers. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

So when McDermott called and offered his fellow Tribe alum a chance to coach Josh Allen as Buffalo’s quarterbacks coach after Rhule and his staff were fired in Carolina, Brady leaned hard into that relationship. And that shouldn’t have been a surprise. Brady used to hang around Rogers’ office at William & Mary and asked him about his time coaching Donovan McNabb at Syracuse and Brett Favre in Minnesota. He had a front-row seat to the Payton-Brees dynamic. He had his own special relationship with Burrow at LSU.

He knew how coaches could get the most out of their quarterbacks because he understood what players need, and how to push their buttons. It was a skill he got from pushing McBride all those years ago. He just has a knack for relating to his players. It’s why Allen calls him “the most real guy you’ll ever meet.”

“The realness that he has, I’ve been able to live it in the quarterback room for the last 3 ½, four seasons,” Allen said. “He’s a real human that guys can get behind and understand and play for.”

It helps that Allen, of course, has had remarkable success with Brady at his side. The quarterback has finished in the top 5 in the NFL MVP voting in each of their first four seasons together, and he won the MVP award in 2024. Brady’s not the only one responsible for Allen’s development, of course, but he’s had a big part in turning him into arguably the most dangerous quarterback in the league.

Joe Brady sees Drew Brees and Sean Payton as the QB-HC duo he and Josh Allen should model themselves after as he spent time up cose with the two in New Orleans. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

They are close — far closer than Allen ever was to McDermott, according to several team sources — but Brady thinks they can be even closer. He still remembers the way Payton and Brees were in those meeting rooms with the Saints every day.

“We’re not there yet,” Brady told me. “But they were together 15-20 years and that takes time. Pete Carmichael was with Drew Brees for 19 of his 20 years in his career. This will be Year 5 with Josh. I know how he thinks. He knows how I think. But now we’re growing on the field together. With Drew and Sean, Drew would walk in the huddle knowing exactly, ‘This is what we talked about weeks ago.’ 

“We’re going to get to that point, but we’re as close as we can be right now.”

Why Brady Feels He’s Ready To Lead Bills To Super Bowl

Is that enough? It almost has to be, because Brady doesn’t have time to grow on the job. He has taken over a team that has gone 88-33 (.715) over the past seven seasons, been to the playoffs seven straight times and the AFC Championship Game twice in the last six years. He is taking over a franchise that is inexorably tied to a region that is still stinging from four straight Super Bowl losses in the early 1990s, not to mention the 33 years that have passed without getting another shot.

Brady was handed an MVP-caliber quarterback and a roster as good as any in the AFC, and loaded with the weight of a loyal, but tired fan base, that can and will only judge him in one way. McDermott, after all, only lost his job because he failed to deliver a championship.

How could anyone, especially such a young coach, be ready for all that?

“Define what ‘ready’ is?” Brady told me. “Is ‘ready’ if you had success? Is ‘ready’ if it doesn’t go well? That’s how we get judged and a lot of times it just goes to the age. But I think it’s (about) ‘What are you doing in those 10 years? What are you doing in those 15 years?’ I’ve been around some coaches that have been coaching for 30 years, but for the last 20 years this is the only way they do it. They don’t teach them any differently. So have they really been growing? Are they ready for another opportunity because they’ve been coaching for a while?

“I’ve learned so much. I interviewed for jobs in 2020 and I’m such a different coach now than I was in those interviews. So, define ‘ready’. I think I’ve been proactive in my own development. I took a lot of time trying to figure it out on the fly and roll with it.”

Joe Brady coached Josh Allen over the past four seasons as an assistant before becoming the Bills’ head coach this offseason. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

“He always was proactive in his development,” Rogers says.  “I don’t think he tries to emulate anything as a head coach. I think he is who he is. But he’s a hands-on football coach. He’s a guy that when he goes out to practice, he’s not going to stand there in the middle of the field and look around or get up in a bird’s nest and look down at practice. He’s going to have his hands in quarterback play, wide receiver play, and the offense in general. And he’ll always know what other people are doing and find better ways to do things. That’s just the way the kid is.”

One other thing about the kid that Laycock remembers is that “I don’t ever, ever remember seeing him down — you know, hanging his head or being down about anything. He always seemed to be extremely upbeat about all situations.”

It’s a subtle difference — the ability not to worry about what’s going wrong, but to focus on what he can do to make things go right. Good coaches do that. They make their players believe the future will be better than the past.

And Laycock knows a thing or two about good pro coaches. He’s had a long line of assistants at William & Mary who eventually went to the NFL, including Rogers, Commanders coach Dan Quinn, former Giants coach Brian Daboll, and D.J. Mangas, Brady’s close friend who is currently the Bills’ assistant wide receivers coach. He also coached McDermott and long-time Steelers coach Mike Tomlin when they were still at William & Mary trying to play.

What he saw in them were the same things he sees in Brady.

“One trait is they’re good people. They’re very good, solid individuals,” Laycock told me. “Another trait is they’re not phony. They are who they are. They don’t try to be who they’re not.”

Will Joe Brady be the one to finally get Josh Allen over the hump? (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

Brady seems to have those traits and more. He’s proven to be a master tactician. He’s got a knack for pushing the right buttons with his players. He’s an outstanding teacher. And he can motivate people to believe that there’s much more they can do.

It’s just that now he has to do it all in the biggest spotlight of his life, with no margin for error. He knows he was hired with only one goal in mind. Anything short of guiding his team to Super Bowl LXI and he knows some will view him as a failure.

The expectations almost feel unfair. But that’s not the way Brady sees it. He’s been preparing for this since the day he realized that the best thing he could do for his team was help his more talented teammate. That’s when he learned to trust that if he does what he thinks is best, things have a way of working out.

“It kind of goes back to your ‘ready’ question,” Brady told me. “I never felt pressure because it’s like ‘Hey, I’m ready for this. Let me do everything I can to be prepared for this moment and make the most of the moment and reset from there.’ 

“So I don’t think about the Super Bowl. No one has higher expectations than myself. I knew why I took this job. I knew what came with it. That doesn’t mean I am talking about it every single day and I can’t handle all that comes with it. But I’m present right now. And if I just be myself, everything will go OK from there.”

The chant from The Kop went up early. “You haven’t won a trophy since 1976.” It was a reference to Manchester City’s League Cup triumph, the last major honour that the club picked up prior to the period of ownership that now finds itself under such scrutiny.

As it is, City remain top of the table having won six games from six. But this victory will not quieten the noise. They departed to boos and the accusations of cheating that were a feature of the day.

Liverpool, three times runners-up to Manchester City in 2014, 2019 and 2022, made for perfect but hostile hosts, with the Anfield crowd perhaps the ideal outlet for the emotions, a proxy for supporters everywhere. It was an atmosphere like no other.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Man City arrive at Anfield ahead of their Premier League match against Liverpool – their first since being found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of Premier League financial rules by an independent commission

The enterprising flag and scarf sellers in Liverpool were certainly prepared, with an unusual emphasis on the visitors, this being City’s first game since an independent commission judged that they broke Premier League rules between 2009 and 2018.

City are appealing that verdict and continue to deny any wrongdoing.

But the court of opinion is making its voice heard too. Anfield has made up its mind. The banners referred to “a generation of supporters cheated” and a playful take on Wonderwall with the amended line that “you really robbed us all”.

Even the choice of songs over the public-address system appeared to be pointed. Before kick-off at Anfield, we had Blame by Calvin Harris and a blast of The Joker and the Thief by Wolfmother. Upon the final whistle, it was Little Lies by Fleetwood Mac.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Roy Keane shares his thoughts on Manchester City following the club being found guilty of all charges related to serious breaches of Premier League financial rules by an independent commission

As expected, City’s supporters opted for defiance in the face of the criticism. The boos for the Premier League anthem are nothing new but carried extra resonance. The banner declaring that ‘In Khaldoon we trust’ an eye-opening indication of the devotion of some.

Others preferred to shift the focus from their current predicament. There was more than a hint of nostalgia in a nod to the fact that there is far more to their club than how their rivals perceive them. Poznan dances and inflatable bananas served as a symbol of that.

The latter custom, one that dates back to Imre Varadi – ‘Imre Banana’ to the fans in the late ’80s – is a reminder that City were always really here. This remains a proud club. The message being sent is that the downs are part of their story just as much as the ups.

Image:
Man City fans wave inflatable bananas during their win over Liverpool at Anfield

But the overriding emotions inside the stadium belonged to the majority, those wearing Liverpool red, and the reality is that City and these charges are part of their story too. Anyone allowing the mind to wander at Anfield on Sunday could not escape that history.

Glance down to the spot on the turf where Steven Gerrard slipped to let in Demba Ba in 2014. Liverpool lost that game to Chelsea but lost that title to City. How can this ruling not change the tone and temperature of that regret? Sadness is now tinged with anger.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Micah Richards says he is devastated and confused by Manchester City’s guilty ruling and claims that, as a player during the period in question, his integrity is being questioned

And so, for Liverpool, this is not only about City’s trophies not being ‘real’ but those phantom triumphs of their own. “Until you’ve repaid the dreams you bought for your lies you’ll be castaway alone under stormy skies.” A banner in the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand.

This game itself was a reminder that these matters are ongoing. The charges are historic but the consequences are part of the present.

A strange afternoon had a strange ending too – The Kop chanted ‘going down’ while the league table shows that City are top.

“That is the backdrop to not knowing where these points and this season is going,” rued Gary Neville on commentary. “There is going to be a ‘but’ all the way.”

Resolution cannot come soon enough.

One game into the National League Championship Series, and the Brewers have already demonstrated that they’re not the same team they were a year ago.

After getting swept by the eventual champion Dodgers in last year’s NLCS, the Brewers took Game 1 of the rematch on Sunday by beating Tarik Skubal, the ace who got away at the trade deadline. 

Here are my takeaways:

1.   A Different Type Of Duel

It was billed as one of the all-time great postseason pitching matchups: The National League Cy Young favorite and hardest-throwing starter the sport has ever seen, Jacob Misiorowski, against the defending two-time American League Cy Young Award winner and ace who slipped out of Milwaukee’s grasp at the deadline, Tarik Skubal.

Only, it didn’t play out that way.

By the sixth inning, both stars were out of the game.

The first three innings went exactly to script for the Dodgers, who hoped to work Jacob Misiorowski the same way the Padres did last series.

In Game 1 of the NLDS, Misiorowski needed 88 pitches to get through four innings. In Game 1 of the NLCS, he needed 94 pitches to get through 4 1/3. 

“It’s more a little bit conceding the slug, hitting the ball out front, to then seeing the ball a little bit longer to spoil pitches, to shoot the ball the other way,” Dave Roberts said before the game. “That’s how you’ve got to beat this guy. To think you’re going to catch him out front and pull it in the air is bananas.”

Jacob Misiorowski only lasted 4 1/3 innings, but he escaped jams and allowed just one run. (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The second inning epitomized the approach of the Dodgers, who worked counts, fouled off pitches and generally repeated the formula that helped them beat Chris Sale in their previous series.

Shohei Ohtani, whose issues chasing played a part in him going 2-for-13 in the NLDS, began the frame with a walk. Teoscar Hernández followed with a single. After a Max Muncy strikeout, Andy Pages continued his October turnaround with an RBI single to start the scoring. That was followed by a 10-pitch walk from Kyle Tucker.

Misiorowski threw 35 pitches in the second inning alone, ensuring he would not be long for the night. Meanwhile, Skubal was cruising. He needed only 40 pitches to get through three innings, at which point he had amassed six strikeouts and allowed just one hit.

But the Dodgers failed to build a cushion, again struggling to bring runners home after going 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position in the NLDS. And with one big swing to fourth from Brice Turang, who broke out of a 2-for-17 funk to start the postseason, the game was tied. An inning later, the Brewers plated the go-ahead run in a 26-pitch fifth inning for Skubal.

That would be it for Skubal, who threw 81 pitches in the shortest outing — both by innings and pitches — of his postseason career. 

Tarik Skubal dominated for three innings, but he allowed one run in both the fourth and fifth. (Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

2.

There was a world in which Skubal and Misiorowski would have both been pitching on the same rotation rather than facing off this October.

The Brewers were among the finalists for Skubal at the deadline and were understandably criticized for not pushing their chips in and parting with the young pieces necessary to land the deadline prize. 

“I am very happy it’s Skubal vs. Miz,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said before Game 1, “and not Miz and Skubal in the next two.”

On Sunday, though, some of the young pieces they refused to deal were the reason they beat the ace that got away.

Cooper Pratt, who got an eight-year extension in April, started multiple double plays defensively at shortstop on Sunday and moved over the eventual winning run with a sacrifice in the fifth. That run scored because of 21-year-old Luis Lara, who followed with an RBI single up the middle off Skubal.

It was just the second start and first hit this postseason for Lara, a rookie who received a seven-year extension in June.

“Lara played one game last week, but now he’s getting another chance, so he’s feeling like, ‘They believe in me and I have a place here,’” Brewers manager Pat Murphy explained before the game.

Cooper Pratt moved Garrett Mitchell to second base in the fourth inning, and Mitchell scored when the next batter, Luis Lara, singled him home. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

3.

The toughest part about having the oldest in baseball this year, according to manager Dave Roberts, was finding time to get some of his regulars rest during the regular season. 

“Once you get through the marathon and you get to the sprint of the postseason, advantage goes to us in the sense of the experience,” Roberts said.

That may be true, but another aspect is a lack of team speed. The Dodgers grounded into more double plays this year than any team in the National League. 

The Brewers turned three double plays for starter Jacob Misiorowski. (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

And in Game 1, against one of the best defensive teams in baseball, the issue reappeared and prevented them from breaking the game open against Misiorowski. 

In the first, Freddie Freeman singled before a Will Smith double-play grounder ended the threat. An inning later, Misiorowski’s 35-pitch frame could have been far more problematic, but Kiké Hernández grounded into a double play with the bases loaded. 

Then, after the Dodgers knocked Misiorowski out of the game in the fifth, Murphy turned to lefty D.L. Hall to face the left-handed Freeman with one on and one out. Freeman grounded into the Dodgers’ third inning-ending double play in the first five innings, and Misiorowski erupted with joy from the dugout. 

The Dodgers finished 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left seven runners on base.

3 1/2. What’s Next?

This win felt vital for the Brewers, considering who they’ll be facing next.

In Game 2, the Dodgers will send World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound coming off a playoff career-high 10-strikeout win in the NLDS. 

The Brewers, meanwhile, will turn to Logan Henderson, one of their many talented young pieces they refused to deal at the deadline.  

Ryan Gravenberch’s sending off in Liverpool’s 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City was a “shocking decision” by referee Chris Kavanagh, according to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

Gravenberch, the standout player for an hour, was shown red after receiving a second yellow for a challenge on Jeremy Doku with the game tied at 0-0 in a flashpoint that turned the game, which had been finely poised, in City’s favour.

Erling Haaland’s opener came just two minutes and 37 seconds after Gravenberch was dismissed, and within six minutes Doku had doubled City’s advantage before Rayan Cherki added a third with 12 minutes to play.

Gravenberch had picked up his first caution shortly after the restart for a foul on City midfielder Elliot Anderson, which Sky Sports pundit Carragher described as a “nothing challenge”.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Liverpool’s match against Manchester City in the Premier League.

“It’s such a poor decision by the referee,” Carragher said after the game. “The thing that frustrates me is that he wasn’t going to give a yellow card. He only gives it when he thinks Anderson is hurt.

“That has nothing to do with whether a foul should or should not be a yellow card.”

He added: “It’s barely a foul. It’s a shocking decision.”

“It feels really harsh when you think of the two challenges,” Carragher said of Gravenberch’s sending off on co-commentary.

“The first one was not a yellow card. It was so harsh for a nothing challenge on Anderson, and the referee was far too quick to get the yellow card out.”

Monterosa

This content is provided by Monterosa, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Monterosa cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Monterosa cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Monterosa cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Sky Sports’ Gary Neville, also on co-commentary, said Gravenberch’s second yellow was “very soft”, before adding: “The only thing I would say is, knowing you’re on a yellow and wrong side of Doku, does he need to make the challenge?

“He’s given the referee a dilemma.”

‘Liverpool looked like they had four sent off’

Manchester City had an xG of 0.16 before Gravenberch’s sending off but dominated once Liverpool were down to 10 men.

Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane felt Gravenberch’s dissmissal turned the match in City’s favour but criticised Liverpool’s response to the red card.

“I don’t see how he can get a yellow card for that,” Keane said of Gravenberch’s first booking. “The whole game then changes.

“Liverpool struggled with the physicality. There were spaces everywhere. Liverpool looked like they had four men sent off. City were controlling it. For the first hour it was a tight game.”

Daniel Sturridge was in full agreement and said the decision to award Gravenberch’s first yellow card was “a joke”.

“The game changed on the red card. We have to be truthful about that,” Sturridge said on Sky Sports. “City delivered after the red card changed the game. Prior to that, it was very even.”

Sky Sports’ Micah Richards was equally puzzled about the first booking the Liverpool midfielder received. “That is soft. How is that a yellow card? I don’t understand,” said Richards.

Beau Greaves ended her 2026 PDC Women’s Series season with a record-breaking streak of victories on the way to two tournament wins at Event 23 and 24 in Wigan.

Greaves – who had already claimed back-to-back titles in Event 21 and 22 on Saturday – averaged 98.75 on the way to her third successive competition title at Event 23, marking the highest event-winning average in the history of the Women’s Series.

The Yorkshire native – who has won 17 out of a possible 24 Women’s Series events this year – won all of her first four matches by a 4-0 scoreline, posting a stunning 103.66 average in her victory against Steph Clark.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Chris Murphy suggests Beau Greaves should be given more opportunities to play against the men after she once again won the Women’s World Matchplay.

She lost her first legs of the day in her 5-2 victory against Gemma Hayter in the quarter-finals, before beating Fallon Sherrock – who confirmed her own return to the World Darts Championship on Saturday – in the semi-final.

Her 5-3 victory against Jade Gofford in the final confirmed her first title of the day, before beating Laura van den Berg, Sara Walton, Vicky Martin and Lauren Bloomfield to reach the quarter-finals of event 24.

Image:
Sherrock and Greaves will both compete at Alexandra Palace

Wins against Kirsty Hutchinson and 20-year-old Italian Aurora Fochesato confirmed her second title of the day and her fourth of the weekend to cap off a successful 2026 season.

“I felt good,” Greaves said. “I was chuffed with the first competition. I had some good averages and then I played steady enough in the second event.

“I knew I hadn’t been playing at my best recently, but I’ve had some good moments today and I’m ready to build on it and take this into the back end of the year.”

The Wigan double-header also saw Vicky Pruim claim the final spot on offer to compete in the World Darts Championship through the Women’s Series rankings, joining Greaves, Sherrock, Hayter and Lisa Ashton.

2026 PDC Women’s Series
Sunday October 11
Robin Park Leisure Centre, Wigan
Event 23
Quarter-Finals
Jade Gofford 5-4 Rhian O’Sullivan
Lisa Ashton 5-0 Denise Cassidy
Beau Greaves 5-2 Gemma Hayter
Fallon Sherrock 5-3 Trina Gulliver

Semi-Finals
Jade Gofford 5-2 Lisa Ashton
Beau Greaves 5-1 Fallon Sherrock

Final
Beau Greaves 5-3 Jade Gofford

Event 24
Quarter-Finals
Beau Greaves 5-1 Rebecca Allen
Kirsty Hutchinson 5-1 Kyana Frauenfelder
Vicky Pruim 5-4 Fallon Sherrock
Aurora Fochesato 5-2 Aoife McCormack

Semi-Finals
Beau Greaves 5-0 Kirsty Hutchinson
Aurora Fochesato 5-4 Vicky Pruim

Final
Beau Greaves 5-2 Aurora Fochesato

Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 11-January 3) all live. Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract.

The first big name traded during the NFL season: Marvin Harrison Jr.

The Arizona Cardinals have reportedly agreed to send Harrison to the Houston Texans, according to ESPN. Houston is sending second- and sixth-round picks in the 2027 draft in exchange for Harrison and Arizona’s seventh next year.

It was reported on Saturday morning that a deal involving Harrison was close. FOX’s Jay Glazer explained the delay in finalizing it on Sunday morning.

“Here’s what Arizona’s looking for: They put the word out yesterday, they’re hoping that some other team — maybe someone goes down or someone gets really desperate for a wide receiver — and they come up to their asking price of a second-round pick. But [Harrison] wasn’t even at the team meeting last night. His time in Arizona is over.”

After the trade was reported, Glazer shared more details about the deal during FOX’s broadcast of Lions-Cardinals. 

“I think it was actually a good job by the Cardinals,” Glazer said. “There weren’t a bunch of teams trying to blow down their doors for [Harrison]. I know people thought that maybe the Chiefs or Raiders were interested. Neither of those teams were interested. They really worked on this with the Texans yesterday.

“Recently, Marvin Harrison hired an agent. He had no agent before this. You really can’t do a trade if you’re dealing with a player directly. Because he hired an agent, that obviously facilitated it.”

Well, Houston won on Sunday to get to 1-4 and apparently finalized the trade after it beat the Titans. The Texans are three games back of the 4-1 Jaguars in the AFC South. Only one other team has started the season 0-4 and made the playoff: the 1992 San Diego Chargers.

With the Texans, Harrison will be reunited with a former teammate at Ohio State: quarterback C.J. Stroud.

C.J. Stroud (left) speaks with former college teammate Marvin Harrison Jr. after a game at NRG Stadium on December 14, 2025, in Houston, Texas. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)

The Cardinals selected Harrison with the No. 4 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after the wide receiver put together a decorated career with the Ohio State Buckeyes. 

A two-time All-American, Harrison led the Big Ten in receiving touchdowns in both 2022 and 2023 (14 scores in both years) and both receiving yards (1,211) and yards per reception (18.1) in 2023, a year that saw him finish fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.

However, Harrison’s stint with the Cardinals did not live up to the hype. After a 2024 rookie campaign that saw Harrison total 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns, he logged 41 receptions for 608 yards and four scores in 2025. Harrison played in only 12 games in 2025 due to an illness and a heel injury.

In Arizona’s first four games this season, Harrison had just five receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown.

Marvin Harrison Jr.’s final touchdown catch with the Cardinals came on Oct. 4, 2026, against the New York Giants. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Last week, former NFL star wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh told our Eric D. Williams that he thinks Harrison should request a trade from the Cardinals in order to restart his career.

“I believe that’s the best thing for him, is just getting a fresh start somewhere else,” Houshmandzadeh said. “I don’t believe the Cardinals look at him as that generational player that he was when they drafted him. If they did, he would be involved in the offense.”

FOX SPORTS NEWSLETTER

Your teams. Your sports. Your inbox.

Follow your favorite leagues, teams and players for a personalized daily newsletter.

Sign up for the newsletter

Create or log in to your FOX Sports account.

Anderson showing why he is worth every penny

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Liverpool’s match against Manchester City in the Premier League

Manchester City’s siege mentality won out at Liverpool. Their quality with a man over telling, if not quite so obvious when both sides had a full complement of players for an hour of the game.

Absolutely everything good about City in their 3-0 win was summed up by the classy performance of Elliot Anderson.

Not for the first time since his mega-money move from Nottingham Forest, the midfielder’s mastery on the ball was matched by his maturity off it. A “bargain” at £116m, according to Jamie Carragher, every bit capable, in his own way, of exerting as much control and influence on games as Rodri did in this role.

While the spotlight shines ever brighter on City as a club, and forensics pour over their spending, Anderson remains the picture of calm. Everything a manager would want in a modern-day holding midfielder: a robust runner, aggressive tackler and clever distributor. “He dominates big games,” says Gary Neville.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Gary Neville says Elliot Andersen looks a real top performer and has quickly proven he is worth every penny that Manchester City have spent on him

Rarely fazed by the occasion, Anderson has won at Anfield two years running – with two different sides. Of course the way Forest went about success last term shared few similarities with City’s more technical display. The only common denominator? Elliot Anderson.
Laura Hunter

Wirtz struggling in big games for Liverpool

Florian Wirtz played his part with the pressing and the constant movement that was a hallmark of Liverpool’s up-tempo approach that made life so difficult for Manchester City for an hour at Anfield. But that bit of magic that the supporters wanted was missing.

Rayan Cherki provided that for City’s third and final goal, by which point Wirtz was sat on the Liverpool bench having been substituted. Another big game in which the Germany international was unable to provide the spark for his side.

Wirtz’s goals for Liverpool

December 27th 2025 – Premier League – Wolves (h)

January 4th 2026 – Premier League – Fulham (a)

January 12th 2026 – FA Cup – Barnsley (h)

January 17th 2026 – Premier League – Burnley (h)

January 28th 2026 – Champions League – Qarabag (h)

January 31st 2026 – Premier League – Newcastle (h)

April 25th 2026 – Premier League – Crystal Palace (h)

Too many loose touches and loose passes, one or two tackles shirked. Victor Munoz and Lewis Koumas are easy for supporters to embrace with their bustling styles but Wirtz is a player who glides across the turf and he needs end product to justify his role.

Wirtz lost possession 17 times

Florian Wirtz lost possession 17 times in Liverpool’s 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City, more than any other player.

There was one shot lashed wide with the game goalless and better options to his left. It is no goals for Wirtz this season and just one in his last 16 Premier League appearances. Another opportunity missed for a classy player still seemingly unable to impose himself.
Adam Bate

Sage produces throwback Palace display at Glasner’s expense

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest

Crystal Palace have shown signs of rediscovering their attacking spark under Pierre Sage, with their 3-1 comeback win over Nottingham Forest the latest example.

The Eagles have now scored three or more goals in two of their last four league games – as often as they managed across their previous 37 Premier League matches combined.

Goals and entertaining football were a problem during Oliver Glasner’s latter days in charge, as Palace struggled to balance their domestic and European commitments.

There is an early sense of a throwback to the more free-scoring side that flourished under the Austrian in his first season, when their pace, movement and attacking combinations made them a threat to anyone.

It is still early in Sage’s tenure, and two high-scoring performances do not guarantee a lasting change. But Palace look to be playing with greater freedom and confidence, with Daichi Kamada, Jefferson Lerma and Yeremy Pino all finding the net against Forest.

If Sage can sustain that attacking momentum while tightening up a defence that has been vulnerable this season, there are encouraging signs of a more dangerous Palace taking shape.
William Bitibiri

Unbeaten Everton need one thing to be European contenders

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from the Premier League match between Hull and Everton

Everton are unbeaten after six matches for just the third time in the Premier League era. In 2006/07 and 2013/14 they finished sixth and then fifth from this position.

It is a testament to the hard work of David Moyes, who has returned to challenging circumstances in his second Everton spell, that he has got the club back to looking upwards.

For the last five seasons, Everton have been in the bottom half, often battling relegation. Now, it seems, they have a genuine chance to push up the table and dare to dream bigger.

However, it is hard to see how Moyes can drag them into Europe with Thierno Barry as his only striker. The 23-year-old scored in the end in the 2-2 draw at Hull, but, according to Opta, he needed five big chances to find the back of the net. At least two of those had to go in.

If Everton are to qualify for Europe, they will need a striker who wins them points. At Hull, you could argue they had a striker who cost them points.

Barry, who is Everton’s top scorer since the start of last season in the Premier League (11 goals), is improving all the time, but the current situation is unfair on him and his manager. Right now he cannot be depended on consistently.

The Frenchman, who has started all eight of Everton’s matches this season, appeared to pull up with cramp towards the end at Hull and Moyes had no choice but to replace him with Charly Alcaraz, who is a midfielder by trade.

There was only four minutes plus stoppage time to go, but it almost felt as if Everton were forced to give up on chasing a late winner. This was a match that was there for the taking.

The plan, of course, was to have Folarin Balogun in the squad. However, his move from Monaco collapsed at the last minute on Deadline Day.

The obvious solution would be to go back in for a striker in January. It remains to be seen how the uncertainty at ownership level will impact their plans. Moyes needs – and deserves – another striker to have a proper chance at a push for Europe.
Zinny Boswell

Tiredness cannot stop Belloumi – or defences

Mohamed Belloumi is making the difference for Hull City – even when he is tired.

The Algeria winger was benched for the first time this season against Everton after telling head coach Sergej Jakirovic on Friday that he was fatigued after playing three times for his country during the international break.

Belloumi still made a crucial impact on Sunday, netting Hull’s equaliser to earn them a point. He has been pivotal in the club’s good start, scoring or assisting five of their eight Premier League goals this season.

The 24-year-old was signed from Portuguese side Farense in August 2024 and scored only five goals in 35 Championship appearances over two seasons, but, at a higher level, his pace and fearless dribbling has made a significant contribution already.

Belloumi will return to being the first name on their teamsheet at Fulham next weekend and, if his early-season form is anything to go by, defences will have plenty more to worry about.
David Richardson

You gotta win the pennant before you win the World Series. 

Here are the odds for which teams will win their respective leagues at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Oct. 11, as well as what to know about each race.

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.

2026 AL Pennant Odds

Rays: -170 (bet $10 to win $15.88 total)
Guardians: +140 (bet $10 to win $24 total)

What To Know: The Rays outlasted the Yankees in the AL East, and then swept their division rivals in the ALDS. As for the Guardians, they overcame a two-game deficit to beat the White Sox in five games in the ALDS. Either it would appear. Tampa Bay defeated Cleveland 5-1 in the regular season.

FULL PRIMER

The ALCS is set. See the odds for Guardians-Rays, as well as what to know.

2026 NL Pennant Odds

Dodgers: -160 (bet $10 to win $16.25 total)
Brewers: +130 (bet $10 to win $23 total)

What To Know: Of course, the Dodgers are favored here, but the Brewers aren’t far behind — which should be the case. Milwaukee finished the regular season with the best record in baseball, captured its first 100-win regular-season in franchise history and beat San Diego 3-1 in the divisional round. L.A. has won five of the last nine NL pennants, and three of the last six World Series. It beat Atlanta 3-1 in the divisional round. The Brewers are the only current NL team that has never won an NL pennant. 

FULL PRIMER

It’s a rematch of last year’s NLCS. See the odds and what to know ahead of LA-MIL.

Get more from the Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

Kimi Antonelli could become Formula 1’s youngest world champion as early as the next race – the United States Grand Prix – on October 25.

Mercedes’ Antonelli increased his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship to a season-high 102 points with a third-place finish in the Singapore Grand Prix.

George Russell remains second in the standings but a ninth-place finish after engine penalties had left him starting at the back of the grid dropped him beyond a century of points behind his team-mate for the first time, while Lewis Hamilton’s late slide off the podium leaves the Ferrari driver 111 points off the pace in third place.

With such a large lead and with a scheduled six races left in the 2026 season, the world title now looks a formality for the 20-year-old Italian in just his second year of F1 to usurp Sebastian Vettel as the sport’s youngest title winner.

A first chance – albeit an outside one – to clinch the crown will arrive as soon as the next race at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, live on Sky Sports F1…

Image:
How it stands after the Singapore Grand Prix

How Antonelli could win the title at the United States GP

There will be five scheduled races left – Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi – after the United States Grand Prix takes place on Sunday October 25 and a maximum of 125 points left to play for.

To win the title in Austin, Antonelli needs to increase his championship lead by 23 points. For that to happen he must win the grand prix AND then hope both Russell and Hamilton do not score sufficient points to stay within 124 points of him going to Mexico.

The permutations for Antonelli to become champion in Austin are:

• Antonelli wins the race (25 points)

and

• Russell finishes ninth or lower (2 points or less)

and

• Hamilton finishes fifth or lower (10 points or less)

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

George Russell takes over from Antonelli’s engineer during the Sprint rain delay in Singapore

Were Antonelli to win the race and Russell finish ninth, Antonelli would hold a 125-point lead over his team-mate with exactly 125 points left to play for. But that would still be enough for Antonelli to become champion, provided Hamilton was also still outside the top four in the race.

That is because victory in Austin would be the the Italian’s ninth of the year and with Russell on three wins the Briton would only be able to get to a maximum of eight in the five races left. Antonelli would therefore be guaranteed the title on results countback, with race wins the first tiebreaker in event of an end-of-season points tie.

What about the other drivers still in mathematical contention?

Max Verstappen (119 points back), Charles Leclerc (125 points back) and Lando Norris (139 points back) all remain in mathematical title contention too after Singapore but would all be automatically knocked out by an Antonelli win in Austin wherever they finished that race.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Toto Wolff hits back at accusations that Mercedes favour Antonelli over Russell

‘If I don’t do my job well, then the result won’t come’ – Antonelli vows to stay focused

Antonelli is now within touching distance of an incredible historic achievement but stressed after Singapore that he cannot afford to let that fact distract him from his performance in Austin.

“I know it’s very close, I know it’s there, but I just need to make sure that I keep doing the best I can,” he said.

“You know, the mindset is always the same, to go out there and win and perform the best way I can. I think this weekend [in Singapore] I haven’t particularly driven that well. I felt like I could have done a better job, but I feel confident that, you know, a week to reset and I’m really looking forward to being back in Austin.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix

“But, at the end of the day, if I don’t do my job well, then the result won’t come. So in order to achieve what I want, I need to perform, as simple as that.”

Formula 1 next heads to The Americas for another triple header with the United States Grand Prix in Austin up first on October 23-25, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime

Their last name is the same, as is their first initial.

Without intending to be vague, the opposing press-box announcer says “Robinson with the carry,” which is usually a safe bet.

Whether it’s Bijan Robinson — perhaps the best running back in the NFL today — or new backup Brian Robinson, the Atlanta Falcons have the league’s No. 2 rushing attack entering Week 5, switching out in the middle of drives but often finding the same outcome in the end zone.

“I don’t know who’s back there, but I know one Robinson’s going to make us right,” guard Matthew Bergeron told me. “At least one of them. It’s good to have those two backs. They complete each other, and people don’t realize how good leaders they are.”

Bijan wears 7, Brian wears 15, so that should make it easy to tell them apart. But on a ticker at the bottom of your TV, in fine print on your phone, it’s easy to confuse “Bi. Robinson” and “Br. Robinson.” In the locker room, everyone calls Brian “B-Rob,” whereas Bijan is pretty much always Bijan. One fan went viral this summer for accidentally walking up to the board at his fantasy draft and proudly affixing the wrong “B. Robinson” sticker for the No. 1 overall pick.

It wasn’t as bad a mistake Monday night, as Brian ran for three touchdowns and Bijan two in the Falcons’ rout of the Saints. The idea of a 1-2 punch in the run game is not new. Brian rushed for 400 yards last year without a single start as Christian McCaffrey’s backup with the San Francisco 49ers, and Bijan had a similar shared role with Tyler Allgeier his first three years in Atlanta.

“It’s understanding we’re in this together,” Brian said after Monday’s win, wearing a silver “BR” chain around his neck and standing at the locker next to Bijan’s. “It’s everything combined, from the energy we generate, from the connection, from the bond we both have. We know we’re complementing each other when we’re playing. There shouldn’t be [any] falloff.”

In their two games since Michael Penix Jr.’s at quarterback, the Falcons have dominated, first in a 35-14 win at the Packers and then a 45-21 rout at the Saints on Monday night. The common thread is dominance in the red zone, going 4-for-5 in both games while relying heavily on their running backs. Against New Orleans, they had 15 red-zone plays, and 12 went to the Robinsons, and the three that didn’t were all incomplete passes.

“When everybody does their job and then you have talented runners like Bijan and Brian, they don’t need a big hole,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said. “You can give these guys creases and they can run through arm tackles.”

Bijan is unique among the league’s elite running backs. He’s talented enough to rank among the best but unselfish enough to share the workload as few do. Of the top six backs in rushing yards after four weeks, the other five all have at least 84% of the running back carries for their team.

Robinson, by comparison, has 66%, which is to say his backups have more than twice the role of those behind other top backs. This was the case last year as well, as Robinson had a 65% share last year, leading the NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage despite watching from the sidelines on 236 offensive plays.

In fantasy football parlance, Brian is a “vulture,” someone picking off touchdowns that might otherwise go to a team’s primary back. There’s no such talk in the Falcons’ locker room, where the two working together has been what the offense does best. They’ve rushed for more than 200 yards in back-to-back games, and that threat opens up the downfield passing game as well.

“It pushes them into a different coverage, and that allows us to eat,” receiver Drake London said. “If Bijan’s eating and B-Rob’s eating, then we’re all going to.”

Running by committee has been part of Brian’s role since college, where he came up behind Josh Jacobs and Najee Harris at Alabama. As a result, Brian never had even 100 carries in a season until his fifth and final season. He led the Commanders in rushing in each of his first two seasons, but he’s playing well enough as a backup this year that he’s on pace for a career-best with 824 rushing yards.

“Me and Beej have been doing a great job of keeping the run game very efficient, and that obviously helps everything else around it,” Brian said Monday night. “They’ve got to respect our run game, respect our pass game. Just leave them guessing. They don’t really know what to expect, so we’ve got to keep playing our style of football and making it hard on them, every chance we get.”

Crystal Palace turned Oliver Glasner’s Selhurst Park return on its head, coming from behind to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 after a remarkable afternoon in south London.

Glasner received warm applause before kick-off in recognition of the trophies he delivered at the club. But, as Palace took control, the mood changed, with chants of ‘Glasner, what’s the score?’ and ‘Sacked in the morning!’ ringing around the stadium.

Palace owed much to Walter Benítez, who produced a string of superb saves to deny Liam Delap, Morgan Gibbs-White and, later, Chris Wood. His interventions kept the hosts in the contest as Forest dominated early on, before Daichi Kamada’s first Premier League goal and Jefferson Lerma’s first-half stoppage-time header turned the game around.

Yeremy Pino extended Palace’s lead in the 59th minute, reacting quickest after Matz Sels saved Jorgen Strand Larsen’s effort. It ended a run of 19 Premier League appearances without a goal for the Spaniard and capped a remarkable shift in momentum, with Palace looking increasingly dangerous after the break.

The win ends Palace’s 14-year wait for a league victory over Forest and gives Pierre Sage’s side a much-needed boost after a difficult start to the campaign. For Glasner, a return that began with appreciation ended with taunts from his former supporters – a reminder that, in football, sentiment only lasts until kick-off.

Palace’s victory lifts them to 12th in the Premier League table on seven points from six games, while Forest are 14th on five points.

The key moments from Selhurst Park…

3: GOAL! Forest take an early lead as Anan Khalaili’s attempted header back to his goalkeeper falls straight into Ndoye’s path, and the forward produces a superb finish.

7: SAVE! Kamada crosses for Strand Larsen, who forces Sels into a fine stop before the Forest goalkeeper denies him again.

21: SAVE! Benítez tips Ndoye’s header over the bar as Forest continue to threaten.

28: CLOSE! Daniel Munoz meets Neco Williams’ cross at the far post with a side-footed half-volley but sends his effort wide.

35: CROSSBAR! Gibbs-White rattles the woodwork before Benítez produces a stunning point-blank save to deny Delap from doubling Forest’s lead.

41: GOAL! Palace are level as Kamada slots home after the ball breaks kindly into his path inside the area. His first Premier League goal survives a VAR check.

45+4: GOAL! Palace complete a remarkable turnaround before the break as Lerma heads home a superb delivery, with the ball slipping through Sels’ legs.

59: GOAL! Palace extend their lead! Strand Larsen’s effort is saved by Sels, but Pino reacts quickest to slot home the rebound after a VAR check.

76: SAVE! Benítez produces another excellent stop to deny Wood from close range, keeping Palace’s two-goal advantage intact.

90+5: FULL-TIME! Palace come from behind to beat Forest 3-1, ending their long wait for a league victory over the visitors and spoiling Glasner’s return to Selhurst Park.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Dan Ndoye gives Forest an early lead at Palace with this fine strike inside three minutes

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Matz Sels makes a big save to deny Jorgen Strand Larsen as Palace put pressure on

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Ndoye makes a great header as he looks to double Forest’s lead but it is saved by Palace stopper Walter Benitez

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Benitez makes a great save to deny Forest’s Liam Delap from short range

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Daichi Kamada scores his first Premier League goal as he levels for Palace

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jefferson Lerma heads home Crystal Palace’s second against Nottingham Forest

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Yeremy Pino scores Crystal Palace’s third, slotting in a rebound after Sels saved a great shot from Larsen

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Benitez makes another point-blank save, this time denying Chris Wood

Story of the match in stats

Rate the players…

Monterosa

This content is provided by Monterosa, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Monterosa cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Monterosa cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Monterosa cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

What’s coming up in the Premier League?

The Los Angeles Dodgers visit the Milwaukee Brewers for Game 1 of the NLCS on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. ET from American Family Field in Milwaukee, WI. The Brewers have home field after going 103-59, three games better than the Dodgers at 100-62. 

Tarik Skubal is the listed probable starter for Los Angeles, and Jacob Misiorowski is the probable for Milwaukee.

Milwaukee’s postseason has run through Andrew Vaughn, who is hitting .500, and Jackson Chourio, who leads the Brewers with six RBI. Jacob Misiorowski leads the staff with six strikeouts.

Los Angeles has Kyle Tucker hitting .333 and Max Muncy leading the team with three RBI. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has 10 strikeouts to lead the Dodgers.

Below, we’ll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game.

How to Watch Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS Game 1

• When: Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One

Players To Watch

Milwaukee’s best October bat so far plays catcher. Contreras hit .375 with a .444 on-base percentage and a .750 slugging percentage in four NLDS games against San Diego, with two home runs and two RBI. His biggest day came Oct. 6, when he went 3 for 4 with a walk and a homer in a 4-3 loss.

Los Angeles pitchers held opponents to a .145 batting average over 36 innings in the division round. A hitter who is already squaring up pitches gives the Brewers a direct route to runs in an opener where the Dodgers’ staff has been hard to hit, and Milwaukee scored 13 runs in four games.

Los Angeles hit .203 as a team in the NLDS and still scored 14 runs, and Muncy is a big reason. He went 3 for 12 with three home runs and three RBI against Atlanta, good for a 1.000 slugging percentage, and he homered in three of the four games.

Milwaukee’s staff finished the division round with a 1.80 ERA and a .181 opponent batting average, so extra-base power is the most direct way for the Dodgers to score. They hit eight home runs in four games against Atlanta, and Muncy hit three of them.

Yelich reached base in all four NLDS games, hitting .357 with a .471 on-base percentage, one RBI and two stolen bases against San Diego. He stole bases on Oct. 4 and Oct. 7.

Los Angeles pitchers allowed two stolen bases against Atlanta and never caught a runner, a gap Yelich is built to test. A walk or a single from him early puts a runner in motion against a battery that has not caught anyone yet, and that is the start Milwaukee wants in Game 1.

Los Angeles needs steady at-bats behind its power, and Freeman supplied them with a .267 average, a .353 on-base percentage and a .667 slugging percentage over four NLDS games. He homered on Oct. 4 and Oct. 6 and reached base in three of the four games.

Milwaukee’s pitchers struck out 32 batters in 35 innings against San Diego, which puts a premium on contact and patience. Freeman went 0 for 4 in the Oct. 7 clincher, and the Dodgers will want him back on base in front of their power bats at American Family Field.

Dodgers vs. Brewers Odds

Learn more about the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers NLCS Game 1 and check the full schedule on FOX Sports!

Check out the full MLB schedule on FOX Sports.

Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.

FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience

Miyu Yamashita put on a show on the final day of the LET’s Aramco Korea Championship, firing a course record of 63 (-9) to win by three strokes with a total of 22 under par.

The world No 5 led from the 36-hole mark and was bogey-free once again at New Korea Country Club.

Yamashita began well with birdies on the third, fifth, eighth and 10th holes to put herself in a good position with seven holes to go.

However, the Czech Republic’s Sara Kouskova was hot on her heels, but the 25-year-old major champion rolled in three birdies in four holes before making an eagle on 17 to seal her fourth win of 2026.

It was the Japanese star’s second title on the Ladies European Tour (LET), having also won the 2025 AIG Women’s Open.

“I’m so happy. Today my shot, my putting, everything was feeling so good. I had trust in my game. I like this course,” said Yamashita.

Twitter

This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

“It’s my first time playing this tournament and I’m so happy to win, and I also didn’t think I could win so many times, so I’m happy about that.”

Kouskova finished in solo second place on 19-under-par, after she also fired a course record of 63 (-9) at New Korea Country Club.

Hong Kong’s Ginnie Ding and Chinese Taipei’s Yani Tseng ended the week in a share of third place on 16-under-par.

Ding produced a bogey-free 66 (-6) on the final day to record her best-ever result on the LET.

LET rookie duo Anna Morgan of the United States and Stephanie Bunque of Australia finished in a tie for fifth place on 14-under-par.

China’s Ruixin Liu and Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim were T7 on 13-under-par with Italy’s Roberta Liti and France’s Celine Herbin-Marshall one shot further back rounding out the top 10.

Sky Sports shows live coverage of The Masters, The Open, the US PGA Championship, the DP World Tour, the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour. Sky Sports is the home of world-class golf, covering the most prestigious events and top tours throughout the year.

Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with NOW.

Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland

Welcome back to our Daily Fantasy Football picks.

Our Week 4 slate delivered some big performances, with C.J. Stroud and Kyren Williams leading the way. The Buccaneers defense also came through as a great budget option, freeing up salary to spend elsewhere.

Let’s carry that momentum into Week 5.

On FanDuel, you’ll have $60,000 to fill out your lineup, with each player assigned a salary based on factors such as recent performance, matchup and expected production. The goal is to find the right mix of stars and value plays while staying under the cap.

Here are our favorite DFS plays for Week 5’s main Sunday slate.

As long as the Lions defense keeps playing this poorly, Jared Goff is a must-use every week as Detroit’s offense will have to keep up. In a game with the highest Over/Under on the main slate, he’s a great option at $8,100.

Through four weeks, Goff ranks second in passing yards (1,214) and is tied for third in passing touchdowns (9). Against an Arizona defense that’s vulnerable through the air, he could be in for a huge game.

New DFS strategy until proven otherwise: take quarterbacks and WR1s facing the Lions defense.

The Lions defense is on pace to be one of the worst in NFL history. Through four games, Detroit is allowing 31.8 points per game. Only the 2020 Lions (32.4) and 2008 Lions (32.3) have finished a season allowing more over the last 40 years.

Brissett will sling it in what should be a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair. At his cheap price, he offers tremendous value.

Hampton had fewer carries than Keaton Mitchell last week, largely because the Chargers trailed for most of the game and Mitchell is the better pass catcher. There’s no way that trend continues. Hampton is simply too talented.

The Broncos rank 29th against the run, allowing 142.8 rushing yards per game through four weeks. L.A. will lean on its young running back in a MUST-win game to avoid falling to 0-5.

With Jordan Mason out, Aaron Jones has been a solid RB option this season.

The Saints rank 30th against the run, allowing 147.8 rushing yards per game (591 total) and an NFL-worst nine rushing touchdowns.

Jones has also caught at least four passes in each of his last two games. He could be in for a big day.

We’re going with the Goff-St. Brown stack in this game.

St. Brown is coming off two straight down games by his standards, and this could be his breakout. A theme is clearly developing here: target players in this Cards-Lions matchup. Arizona has allowed the most receiving touchdowns to wide receivers in the NFL and ranks 30th in receiving yards allowed to slot receivers.

Amon-Ra should feast.

The Commanders have given up the third-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. At just $5,300, Likely is a solid value option with plenty of upside in what could be a high-scoring game.

Washington Commanders $3,300

Through the first four weeks of the season, we’re 3-4 on finding a home run defense at a cheap price.

This week, we like Washington against a Giants offense led by Jameis Winston. New York will put up some points, no doubt, but we’re counting on the Jameis Winston experience to deliver multiple turnovers and maybe even a pick-six for the Commanders.

Michael Brennan won the Baycurrent Classic for his second victory of the season and third on the PGA Tour, parring the final six holes for a three-under 68 and a one-stroke margin over Jacob Bridgeman and Keith Mitchell.

Tied for the third-round lead with Bridgeman and Zach Bauchou in the FedEx Cup Fall event, Brennan rebounded from a bogey on the 10th with birdies on holes 11 and 12 before the winning par run at hilly Yokohama Country Club.

His best par save came on the par-3 16th when he hit a long shot from a greenside bunker to a foot. He finished at 16-under 268.

Bridgeman missed a chance to pull even on the par-4 17th when his five-foot birdie putt slid by to the right. On the par-4 18th, he had a 55-foot birdie putt over a large ridge that he left four feet wide. He shot a 69.

Mitchell was two strokes ahead after playing a five-hole stretch in five under with three birdies and an eagle. He then played the final 10 in two over for a 68.

Twitter

This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Defending champion Xander Schauffele went to the 18th a stroke back, then drove left into trees and closed with a double bogey. He settled for a 67 to tie for fourth at 13 under.

Brian Harman (67) also was 13 under with Stephan Jaeger (70), Ryan Gerard (68) and England’s Jordan Smith (70).

Jordan Spieth, making his first start of the FedEx Cup Fall, tied for 13th at 11 under after a 67. Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama, the 2021 winner, tied for 21st at nine under after a 67.

Brennan has won the three titles in 33 starts. The 24-year-old former Wake Forest player took the Wyndham Championship in August and finished the season 46th in the FedExCup standings. He won the Bank of Utah Championship last year.

Sky Sports shows live coverage of The Masters, The Open, the US PGA Championship, the DP World Tour, the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour. Sky Sports is the home of world-class golf, covering the most prestigious events and top tours throughout the year.

Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with NOW.

Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland

Georgia is the best team in college football, and now they’ve got the No. 1-ranking to show for it. 

And I feel vindicated in my belief about Kirby Smart’s Dawgs: 

If maleficent Martians had a death laser pointed at the Earth with a crusty gnarled finger on a button ready to press it unless one of the top-25 teams on this list could beat a hypothetical otherworldly college football squad, and I am tasked with selecting that team, I’m choosing Georgia. I’m selecting Kirby Smart and the Dawgs because … they feel like the most complete and devastating team in the sport […].

UGA earned the crown, and they should rock it. But there is the chance that an undefeated Indiana could end up right underneath them, or, with a devastating showing against Ohio State perhaps even usurp them. And that is where my mind wandered almost immediately after Week 6 ended.

Indiana is a top 10 team. But is it a national championship team? Hasn’t looked like one, not through the first half of the season. The Hoosiers have flirted with disaster against unranked Big Ten teams twice so far. While those teams that have pushed IU to the brink on the road might be decent (Northwestern, Nebraska), the middle of the Big Ten field is no longer the measuring stick for success in Bloomington, Indiana. Winning championships is, and the 2026 Hoosiers haven’t shown me that’s them … yet.

A win against Ohio State could change that. Either way, I expect the best team in the Big Ten so far this season will reveal itself. But first, my rankings after Week 6. 
 

Record: 6-0

Previous ranking: NR

Camden Coleman looks to lead JMU back to the College Football Playoff for the second straight season (Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 27-24 win vs. Georgia Southern
Week 7 game: vs. Georgia State

The Dukes are perfect in a sport where that might not be enough to get them into the College Football Playoff this year but damn sure should get them ranked. You don’t get much for winning the Sun Belt in the eyes of the nation, but let’s not forget this is the team the CFP Board of Managers changed the rules to keep out of this year’s CFP while guaranteeing a spot for Notre Dame if it ranks inside the top 12.

Running back George Pettaway has found his form. He’s rushed for 100 yards or more in three-straight games and 150 or more in each of the last two.

Billy Napier’s first season at JMU after flaming out at Florida has the team bowl eligible already, with the Dukes dreaming of more.

My stat to know: JMU QB Camden Coleman now has 11 passing touchdowns and only one interception through six games this season. He’s cooking.

Odds to make CFP: +400 (18th-best)
Odds to win national title: +100000 (41st-best)

Record: 4-1

Previous ranking: NR

Northwestern’s ground game continues to be unstoppable (Photo by Zoe Davis/Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 45-14 win vs. Ball State
Week 7 game: vs. Michigan State 

The only blemish on this team’s resume is a six-point loss to undefeated Indiana at home. That’s plenty. But in comparison to some of the other teams around — Florida, LSU — the Wildcats have lost to just one ranked opponent — a top 10 one — and managed to beat every other team they’ve played this season by double-digits.

Quarterback Aidan Chiles hasn’t convinced me that he’s good yet — I saw the Indiana game’s first half as well as the second — but he still can be. It’s not just that he’s thrown for 241 yards or more in four out of five games so far this season but that he’s yet to throw an interception.

My stat to know: Northwestern has rushed for a combined 577 yards and six touchdowns over its last two games, its most rushing yards in a two-game span since 2019. OC Chip Kelly’s got the offense going in his first year in Evanston.

Odds to make CFP: +1200 (33rd-best)
Odds to win national title: +50000 (28th-best)

Record: 3-2

Previous ranking: NR

Oklahoma’s defense and special teams came up huge in its upset win over No. 1 Texas (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 27-24 win vs. Texas 
Week 7 game: vs. Kentucky

Oklahoma has the best win in college football: neutral site against No. 1-ranked and previously undefeated Texas. And it was able to pull that off with only a partially functioning offense. The Sooners might not last in this Top 25 — or any other — past this weekend, but the win they pulled off cannot be ignored, especially given its opponent.

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer isn’t good. And yet he’s OU’s best player. He’s so good that Oklahoma coach Brent Venables is adamant that he’s their best option at quarterback, and the best he could muster against Texas is 6.0 yards per attempt and not turning the ball over for the first time since Week 1. 

Baby steps, I guess.

My stat to know: Oklahoma earned its first win over an AP No. 1 team in 19 years and its first-ever win over Texas when the Longhorns were ranked No. 1 in the AP poll. Couldn’t have come at a more necessary time.

Odds to make CFP: +600 (24th-best)
Odds to win national title: +6000 (10th-best)

Record: 4-1

Previous ranking: NR

Kevin Jennings continues to showcase his dual-threat ability as SMU enters the teeth of its ACC schedule (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images).

Week 6 game: Bye
Week 7 game: vs. Virginia

My stat to know: When kept clean in the pocket, SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings has completed 82% of his passes for 1,350 yards, 12 touchdowns and just one interception, good for a 205.7 passer rating. Sheesh. 

Odds to make CFP: +1000 (30th-best)
Odds to win national title: +40000 (27th-best)

Record: 3-2

Previous ranking: 12

Dylan Raiola struggled in Oregon’s loss to UCLA (Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 17-15 loss vs. UCLA 
Week 7 game: vs. Nebraska

Not only did the Ducks drop their second game in the first half of the season for the first time in the Dan Lanning era but suffered the indignity of watching backup quarterback Dylan Raiola play so badly that Lanning pulled him from the game late for QB3 Brock Thomas. The Ducks committed seven turnovers on offense and were a dismal 1-of-13 on third down in a game they were fortunate to lose by just two points. Oregon’s rushing attack hasn’t yielded a single 100-yard rusher this season.

Quarterback Dante Moore missed his first full game of the season after suffering a horrible concussion in Oregon’s win against USC two weeks ago. Without him at quarterback, the Ducks are not a top 25 team — let alone a team that can win a national title, which is the bar for success in Eugene this year.

My stat to know: Raiola completed 6-of-19 passes for 43 yards, setting career lows in completions, passing yards and yards per attempt (2.3). He also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. But props for sticking around to address the media afterward.

Odds to make CFP: +3000 (15th-best)
Odds to win national title: +7000 (14th-best)

Record: 6-1

Previous ranking: 23

Jayden Maiava has surpassed the 10,000-yard career passing mark (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 31-23 win vs. Penn State
Week 7 game: Bye

USC’s win on the road against Penn State came with a vintage Lincoln Riley offense with a 300-yard passer in quarterback Jayden Maiava, 100-yard receiver in Trent Mosley and a 100-yard rusher in King Miller. Giving up 23 points to this Penn State team still is too many for a USC program with aspirations of making the College Football Playoff for the first time in its history.

Mosley has been the best player the Trojans possess when he’s been on the field. He’s recorded at least 100 receiving yards and a TD in three out of four games he’s played this season.

My stat to know: Maiava became only the second opposing quarterback since 2001 to throw for 300+ yards, 3+ touchdowns, and 0 interceptions in a win over Penn State at Beaver Stadium. The other? Ohio State’s Justin Fields.

Odds to make CFP: +700 (26th-best)
Odds to win national title: +12000 (20th-best)

Record: 5-1

Previous ranking: 22

Conner Weigman has led the Cougars to a 5-1 start (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 35-16 win vs. Kansas State 
Week 7 game: vs. Oklahoma State

The Cougars dispatched K-State like they expect to be in the Big 12 Championship Game later this year. They need some help from Texas Tech, BYU, Utah and Oklahoma State, but Houston is one-inch from being an undefeated team after falling just that short against the Red Raiders earlier this year.

The Cougars ran the ball for 233 yards, with Re’Shaun Sanford II (90 yards) leading the way.

Tight end Patrick Overmyer caught eight passes from quarterback Conner Weigman for 83 yards – with four of them going for TDs against K-State on Saturday. This was the fourth time this season that he’s caught six passes or more in a game.

My stat to know: Overmyer caught four touchdown passes today, tying the most by an FBS tight end in a game since 2000. He is the first to do so since Coastal Carolina’s Isaiah Likely caught four against Arkansas State on Oct. 7, 2021. 

Odds to make CFP: +800 (29th-best)
Odds to win national title: +18000 (21st-best)

Record: 4-1

Previous ranking: 21

Drew Mestemaker continues to shoot up NFL draft boards as he made Oklahoma State history in Saturday’s win over UCF (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 42-28 win vs. UCF
Week 7 game: at Houston

Quarterback Drew Mestemaker helped Oklahoma State pull away in the second half with another solid passing performance: 304 passing yards and three total touchdowns. The further away this Pokes team gets from its loss to Tulsa, the better it seems to be.

Mestemaker is averaging more than 300 passing yards per game and has all but sewn up the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Award, if not the Offensive Player of the Year Award. He’s the best player in the conference through the halfway mark of the season.

My stat to know: Mestemaker became the third quarterback in Oklahoma State history (since 2000) to record at least four consecutive 300-yard passing games. 

Odds to make CFP: +600 (23rd-best)
Odds to win national title: +25000 (24th-best)

Record: 4-1

Previous ranking: 19

Trinidad Chambliss has 16 total touchdowns this season (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 52-17 win vs. Vanderbilt
Week 7 game: vs. Missouri

The most exciting quarterback in the SEC is Trinidad Chambliss, and he played like that against Vandy with four total TDs in a win that was never in doubt. Perplexing still, though, is just how this Ole Miss team got run out of the Swamp on Sept. 26 by a Florida team that should not be a top 25 team heading to Week 7 after losses to Missouri and South Carolina.

Chambliss has averaged at least 300 yards passing since he took over the starting job in Mississippi last year. He will likely be a Heisman finalist.

My stat to know: Chambliss ranks third among SEC quarterbacks with 16 total touchdowns, trailing only Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor and Sam Leavitt of LSU. He’s in good company there. 

Odds to make CFP: +150 (12th-best)
Odds to win national title: +2500 (eighth-best)

Record: 5-1

Previous ranking: 18

Kamari Moulton led Iowa to a huge road win against Washington (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images). 

Week 6 game: 41-24 win vs. Washington
Week 7 game: Bye

The Hawkeye defense is legit. Iowa held Washington to an eye-opening minus-three rushing yards and sacked Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. six times.

Iowa running back Kamari Moulton carried the ball 26 times for 208 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns in the win. The 5-foot-9, 211-pound senior has now eclipsed 180 rushing yards in two of the Hawkeyes’ first six games. He’s on track to average more than 5 yards per carry for the third straight season.

My stat to know: Moulton’s 208 rushing yards against Washington ranks 10th in program history since 1995.

Odds to make CFP: +380 (17th-best)
Odds to win national title: +18000 (21st-best)

Record: 5-1

Previous ranking: 17

DeSean Bishop has carried an inconsistent Tennessee offense to a 5-1 record. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

Week 6 game: 24-17 win vs. Arkansas 
Week 7 game: vs. Alabama

The Vols trailed what we know is not a good Arkansas team through the start of the fourth quarter with quarterback George MacIntyre under center for his first start this season. Behind MacIntyre’s arm and the legs of junior running back DeSean Bishop (138 yards, 1 TD), the Vols mounted a comeback to hand the Hogs their 14th-straight loss to an SEC opponent. MacIntyre, a freshman, overcame two interceptions in the win.

Bishop has rushed for 358 yards and four TDs over the last two games for the Vols. When he runs well, the Vols are at their best.

My stat to know: Bishop recorded his second straight 100+ yard rushing game and his third game with at least 135 rushing yards this season. And he’s from Knoxville (Karn High School). 

Odds to make CFP: +330 (16th-best)
Odds to win national title: +10000 (18th-best)

Record: 5-0

Previous ranking: 15

Utah has started 5-0 in their first season without Kyle Whittingham (Photo by Bryan Byerly/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 41-24 win vs. Kansas
Week 7 game: at Colorado

Utah isn’t just beating teams. It’s mauling them. 

Utah has scored at least 31 points in every game it has played and won every game by double-digits to remain undefeated. Steady quarterback play from Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin has made Utah quirky in that it has a two-QB system that works and produces: Dampier has thrown for at least 200 yards in every game where he’s attempted at least 24 passes.

Running back Wayshawn Parker put together a second-straight rushing performance of 170 yards or more with two TDs, and he’s averaged 10.1 yards per carry across those two outings.

My stat to know: Parker became the first Utah player with back-to-back 170-yard rushing games since Joe Williams in 2016. (Williams was drafted in the fourth round by the 49ers in 2017.)

Odds to make CFP: +105 (eighth-best) 
Odds to win national title: +6600 (11th-best)

Record: 5-0

Previous ranking: 11

Bear Bachmeier threw for 329 yards in BYU’s win over Iowa State (Photo by Bryan Byerly/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 24-10 win vs. Iowa State
Week 7 game: vs. Notre Dame

Without running back LJ Martin, the Cougars leaned on star quarterback Bear Bachmeier to keep their undefeated season alive and stay in contention for the Big 12 title. Bachmeier delivered, finishing with 438 total yards — 329 passing and 109 rushing — and two touchdowns in the win.

This was the Cougars’ first game without Martin, the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. He is expected to miss at least three more weeks while recovering from a lower-leg injury. Martin has averaged 7.9 yards per carry this season.

My stat to know: Bachmeier became the first BYU quarterback to throw for 300+ yards and rush for 100+ yards in the same game since Taysom Hill in 2013. 

Odds to make CFP: +200 (14th-best)
Odds to win national title: +7800 (16th-best)

Record: 4-1

Previous ranking: 13

Kamario Taylor has taken the college football world by storm through the first half of the season (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images).

Week 6 game: Bye
Week 7 game: at LSU

My stat to know: Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor has thrown for at least three touchdown passes in all five games this season. He’ll try to make it six against a reeling LSU squad.

Odds to make CFP: +500 (20th-best)
Odds to win national title: +20000 (23rd-best)

Record: 5-0

Previous ranking: 16

Wayne Knight continues to take Westwood by storm as the Bruins are 5-0 in their first season under Bob Chesney (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 17-15 win vs. Oregon
Week 7 game: vs. Wisconsin 

Running back Wayne Knight is the closest player to Maurice Jones-Drew that the Bruins have enjoyed at running back since MJD’s departure. Against Oregon, he rushed 22 times for 103 yards and has averaged a gaudy 9.1 yards per carry through five games.

Bob Chesney’s Bruins also forced seven turnovers against the Ducks on Saturday and 11 total over the last two games. Last week Oregon coach Dan Lanning told the media he believed that UCLA was “another Indiana,” and I’m sure Ducks fans wish he’d prepared his team like it was. Instead, UCLA became just the second team in as many years to defeat the Ducks in Eugene, Oregon.

My stat to know: With his touchdown vs. Oregon, Knight is the first UCLA player to score a touchdown in each of the team’s first five games of a season since Maurice Jones-Drew in 2005. 

Odds to make CFP: +105 (eighth-best)
Odds to win national title: +7000 (14th best)

Record: 5-0

Previous ranking: 9

Texas Tech has started 5-0 for the second straight season (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images). 

Week 6 game: Bye
Week 7 game: vs. Arizona State

My stat to know: Texas Tech is 11-1 (.917) against Big 12 opponents over the last two seasons.

Odds to make CFP: +120 (10th-best) 
Odds to win national title: +6000 (12th-best)

Record: 5-1

Previous ranking: 8

Jamal Roberts made history on Saturday in Missouri’s win over Texas A&M (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 27-6 win vs. Texas A&M
Week 7 game: at Ole Miss

Quarterback Austin Simmons struggled for the first time this season in SEC play. And if Texas A&M’s offense weren’t such a grease fire, the Aggies might have had a chance to mount a fight against the Tigers. Instead, senior running back Jamal Roberts — who backed up standout Ahmad Hardy last season — took over the game Saturday, rushing for 222 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries.

Roberts joins former Alabama running back Derrick Henry, the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner, as the only SEC running backs to rush for at least 200 yards in back-to-back games against SEC opponents. (Hardy is still out after a gunshot wound to the upper leg he suffered in May.)

My stat to know: Roberts became just the fourth running back since 2000 to rush for 200 yards in consecutive games.

Odds to make CFP: +500 (20th-best)
Odds to win national title: +9000 (17th-best)

Record: 5-1

Previous ranking: 24

Kentucky won on walk-off two-point conversions in two straight weeks by the exact same score (Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 35-34 win vs. LSU
Week 7 game: at Oklahoma

For the second weekend in a row, the Wildcats came from behind to earn a win, and Will Stein’s Kentucky has methodically marched into the top 10. Behind the steady hand of quarterback Kenny Minchey and a defense that bent but did not break, the Wildcats have become the contender for the College Football Playoff we all believed LSU to be at the start of  the season.

Running back CJ Baxter racked up 123 yards on 19 rushes with two TDs in the win. This was the former five-star and Texas transfer’s second 100-yard rushing performance in three games, and both have come against top 10-ranked SEC opponents (Alabama, LSU).

My stat to know: Kentucky is the first team in FBS history to win consecutive games by one point in overtime (since OT was instituted in 1996). And by the same exact score, 35-34.

Odds to make CFP: +800 (28th-best)
Odds to win national title: +30000 (26th-best)

Record: 6-0

Previous ranking: 7

Josh Hoover led the comeback win over Nebraska on Saturday (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images). 

Week 6 game: 20-17 win vs. Nebraska
Week 7 game: vs. Ohio State

The Hoosiers extended the nation’s longest active winning streak to 22 games, but it wasn’t easy. Indiana trailed by two scores against a team that hadn’t beaten a top-25 opponent in more than a decade — and still hasn’t. 

With the game hanging in the balance, quarterback Josh Hoover found star transfer wide receiver Nick Marsh for two touchdowns that proved to be the difference. Marsh finished with six catches for 184 yards, including the two biggest touchdowns of the season for the Hoosiers in the win.

My stat to know: With two receiving touchdowns today, Marsh is now up to six on the season. He and Charlie Becker have a combined 14 receiving TDs between the two of them — the most of any FBS duo this season.

Odds to make CFP: -800 (fourth-best)
Odds to win national title: +1100 (seventh-best)

Record: 5-1

Previous ranking: 6

Keelon Russell’s Heisman campaign took a hit in Alabama’s loss to Georgia (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 20-17 loss vs. Georgia 
Week 7 game: at Tennessee

Despite an up-and-down offense and some shoddy defensive play, quarterback Keelon Russell and the Tide had a chance to beat the Bulldogs late. With 3:28 left to play, Russell threw a pass near the end zone toward Rico Scott. Georgia safety KJ Bolden closed down on the play but did not play the ball as he made contact with Scott. The officials saw no foul, no reason to throw a flag. Following that play, Russell took a sack and was forced to punt the ball to the Dawgs. The Dawgs ran out the clock.

Perhaps, Alabama is a national championship team-in-waiting. But if it needs the officials to bail them out late down three points to make a game of it, I’m not inclined to believe it.

Russell could’ve launched himself into the front of the Heisman conversation with a solid performance against Georgia. But that’s not what we got from him. While he’s averaging 282.8 yards passing per game, against Kentucky and the Dawgs — the only two teams to challenge the Bama passing game with success — he’s struggled to throw for more than 200 yards and been relegated to using his legs to move the ball.

My stat to know: Russell leads the entire SEC with 1,599 passing yards (8th in the FBS) through Week 6.

Odds to make CFP: -700 (sixth-best)
Odds to win national title: +900 (fifth-best)

Record: 5-1

Previous ranking: 5

Jeremiah Smith continues to rewrite the Ohio State record book every week (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 45-16 win vs. Maryland
Week 7 game: at Indiana

The Jeremiah Smith Show continues. Smith is the best football player in America. I wrote as much this week.

Against Maryland, the wide receiver caught four passes for 93 yards with four touchdowns. In fact his first two catches in the game went for touchdowns. The Buckeyes look like a team that could reclaim the No. 1-ranking later this season with a potent offense and a defense that receives its first test against a top 10 opponent in Big Ten play on Saturday when the Buckeyes travel to Bloomington, Indiana, to play Indiana

Quarterback Julian Sayin continues to benefit from throwing passes to the best player in the sport. While his numbers alone are great — he’s averaging 306 yards passing per game with 13 TDs — it’s as difficult to give him credit for his performance like when Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders was throwing passes to 2024 Heisman winner Travis Hunter.

My stat to know: Smith is now up to 38 receiving touchdowns, moving into sole possession of the second-most in Big Ten history; he needs one to tie Braylon Edwards (Michigan) for the record and two to pass him.

Odds to make CFP: -750 (fifth-best)
Odds to win national title: +400 (first)

Record: 4-1

Previous ranking: 1

Arch Manning struggled in Texas’ loss to Oklahoma (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images).

Week 6 game: Lost 27-24 vs. Oklahoma
Week 7 game: vs. Florida

Texas quarterback Arch Manning is not a championship caliber quarterback all the time — just some of the time. When he threw a fly ball that Oklahoma safety Peyton Bowen caught and ran back for a pick-six, he wasn’t a championship quarterback. When he took the next possession and marched Texas right down the field, he was a championship quarterback. When his eyes locked on the left side of the field with under 1:00 remaining, missing the Oklahoma blitz that led to his panicked throw for a pick by Courtland Guillory to give the Sooners the ball for their game-winning field goal, he wasn’t a championship quarterback.

For Texas to win a national title, he’ll have to settle into his best self. He hasn’t yet. He might never.

The Longhorns didn’t just lose as an undefeated team and the No. 1-ranked team, but this 2026 Longhorns team has the dubious honor of becoming the first to lose as the No. 1-ranked team to the Sooners when they were unranked. And Texas allowed this loss against an Oklahoma team that is barely functioning offensively.

Linebacker Rasheem Biles was not the reason UT lost on Saturday. In fact, he added 12 tackles, including two for a loss, to the effort. He is the most vital player in the Longhorns defense, allowing EDGE rushers like Collin Simmons the freedom to work.
 
My stat to know: Manning has thrown an interception in four of his five starts this season. 

Odds to make CFP: -450 (seventh-best)
Odds to win national title: +900 (sixth-best)

Record: 5-0

Previous ranking: 4

Darian Mensah has led the Hurricanes to a 5-0 record (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). 

Week 6 game: Bye
Week 7 game: vs. Florida State

My stat to know: Darian Mensah has only four fewer total touchdowns (17) than incompletions (21) through five games this season. Can he challenge Jeremiah Smith for the Heisman?

Odds to make CFP: -1500 (third-best)
Odds to win national title: +700 (fourth-best)

Record: 6-0

Previous ranking: 3

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: CJ Carr threw for three touchdowns in the blowout win over Stanford (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 58-7 win vs. Stanford 
Week 7 game: at BYU

To illustrate just how lopsided this game was, freshman running back Jonaz Walton took a rush 97 yards to the house for the third-longest offensive play ever at Notre Dame Stadium. And that was nearly half of the 181 yards he had on the ground in a game that helped the Fighting Irish reach 6-0.  More impressive is Notre Dame has won its last 16 consecutive games by double-digits — just five shy of tying 1944-46 Army for the longest such streak in history. The defense hasn’t played an offense with a pulse all year, but I guess we can give ND credit for allowing just 12.66 points per game.

Quarterback CJ Carr isn’t the best player on this team, but he is its most likely Heisman candidate because someone has to represent Notre Dame at the Heisman Trophy ceremony if the Fighting Irish finish the season undefeated. However, there’s BYU and Miami still for him to play against – and perhaps he shows himself to be someone other than the operator of a potent run-game supported by a decent defense.

Cornerback Leonard Moore is the best player on this year’s Notre Dame team and the best cover corner in the sport. However, he missed ND’s game against Stanford while recovering from a concussion sustained last week. He’s made eight tackles and four pass breakups in five games this season.

My stat to know: CJ Carr has thrown 16 touchdown passes compared to just one interception so far this season. All eyes will be on the star quarterback when Notre Dame is tested at BYU. 

Odds to make CFP: -3000 (first)
Odds to win national title: +500 (tied second-best)

Record: 6-0

Previous ranking: 2

Gunner Stockton threw for 249 yards in Georgia’s huge road win over Alabama (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images).

Week 6 game: 20-17 win vs. Alabama
Week 7 game: vs. Auburn

Kirby Smart hasn’t changed the recipe in Athens, Georgia, for nearly 10 years. They run the ball. They play stellar defense (SEC opponents must have nightmares about linebackers Raylen Wilson and Chris Cole), and they have depth at every position that is the envy of CFB.

That depth was on display when Dwight Phillips, Jr., rushed for 120 yards on 17 rushes after running the ball just 17 times all year prior to taking a chunk out of the nation’s No. 6 team.

Quarterback Gunner Stockton is the best game-manager in the sport, and that’s more than enough at UGA where the quarterback’s job is to make sure the offense doesn’t get in the way of the defense. And Stockton does his job. He’s completing 75 percent of his passes and has thrown 13 TDs to just one interception this season so far.

My stat to know: Saturday night marks Kirby Smart’s first regular season win vs. Alabama and his first win at Bryant-Denny Stadium as Georgia’s head coach. He had been 0-2 in Tuscaloosa, losing 41-24 in 2020 and 41-34 in 2024. What a way to exorcise some demons.  

Odds to make CFP: -2500 (second-best)
Odds to win national title: +500 (tied second-best)

FOX SPORTS NEWSLETTER

Your teams. Your sports. Your inbox.

Follow your favorite leagues, teams and players for a personalized daily newsletter.

Sign up for the newsletter

Create or log in to your FOX Sports account.

Heavyweight legend Lennox Lewis gives Tyson Fury the mental edge over Anthony Joshua ahead of their all-British showdown in December.

Fury’s rivalry with Joshua dates back almost a decade and the heavyweight stars will now fight on December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

“I think it’s very important for British history and for the British fans as well,” Lewis, the former undisputed heavyweight champion, told Sky Sports.

“This is a unique fight, It’s a great fight and it’s a fight that everybody’s been waiting for.”

Image:
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua at their opening press conference

The boxing legend however was not so forthcoming in calling the result.

“Styles make fights,” Lewis said. “And I think this fight is going to make for a good fight because both of them have two different styles.

“I think the fight may go the distance but both of them have knockout power. Anything can happen.

“I think that Tyson’s winning on the mental, and on the physical I think it’s Anthony Joshua.”

Lewis understands better than anyone the significance of a major fight on UK soil, he was one half of history’s first all-British heavyweight title fight when he fought Frank Bruno.

Flashback to October 1 1993, as rain hammered down on Cardiff’s now-demolished National Stadium, the predecessor of the Principality.

Image:
Lewis raises his fist as he stops Bruno

The stormy scene personified the bitter build-up and bad blood between the fighters, setting the stage for ‘The Battle of Britain’.

Despite controlling much of the first six rounds, Bruno was stunned in the seventh. A powerful left hook from Lewis stopped him in his tracks, before a barrage of unanswered punches bombarded Bruno and the referee had no other choice but to end the contest and ultimately raise Lewis’ glove in triumph.

Now, 33 years later, Cardiff hosts its second pair of Brits hoping to at long last settle their own feud, one that’s persisted through nearly a decade of contractual disagreements, verbal sparring and false hopes.

Jeopardy struck over disagreements where the fight would take place, with Joshua’s camp adamant it must happen in the UK.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Anthony Joshua makes his predictions for his fight against Tyson Fury on December 11.

With Wembley all but ruled out due to US broadcasting requirements and New York’s Madison Square Garden being considered, eventually Cardiff was selected, echoing the history of Lewis and Bruno.

The Principality Stadium is where Joshua defeated Carlos Takam and Joseph Parker, it also has a retractable roof meaning the weather will not be too much of factor.

It has been a long time in the making. “This fight is finally here and both guys want the fight, and both guys are ready for the fight,” Lewis said.

“They just have to go to training camp and bring it on.”

The top three teams with the best regular season records remain, along with a squad that personifies a never-quit attitude.

We’re knee-deep in October baseball with both the Championship Series set to give us plenty of stars and drama. Let’s look at what it will take for each team to reach the World Series, their surprise players, and which stars need to really step up (Hint, hint: That includes a three-time MVP). 

Click on a team below to navigate this post.

National League Championship Series

American League Championship Series

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

All times ET; * – if necessary
Game 1 – Sunday, October 11 at Brewers, 8 p.m. (FOX)
Game 2 – Monday, October 12 at Brewers, 5 p.m. (FOX)
Game 3 – Wednesday, October 14 at Dodgers, 8 p.m. (FS1)
Game 4 – Thursday, October 15 at Dodgers, 9 p.m. (FS1)
Game 5* – Friday, October 16 at Dodgers, 9 p.m. (FS1)
Game 6* – Sunday, October 18 at Brewers, 8 p.m. (FS1)
Game 7* – Monday, October 19 at Brewers, 8 p.m. (FOX or FS1)

Los Angeles Dodgers

NL West Champions

2026 Record: 100-62 (1st in NL West; 2nd in NL)
World Series Odds: +200 (bet $10 to win $30 total)

The Dodgers have arguably the most talented collection of starting pitchers ever assembled, a group capable of masking any other flaws with the roster. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow could all be No. 1s for other playoff rotations. 

Tarik Skubal is the staff ace on a rotation full of them and will start Game 1 at Milwaukee. . (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Snell and Glasnow each walked five batters in the NLDS, though, and they’ll now face a Brewers offense that grinds out at-bats and makes pitchers work as well as any team in MLB. But if the Dodgers’ top arms pitch to their potential, it’ll be tough for any team to prevent a three-peat. – Kavner

One month ago, the beleaguered closer was in Triple-A trying to figure anything out to turn his disaster season around. He had an 11.85 ERA as a Dodger at the time, had undergone an elbow procedure and was coming off a neck issue. It felt like the first year of his three-year, $69 million deal might be a lost season.

But five scoreless big-league appearances to end the year offered hope. Diaz made the postseason roster, threw three scoreless outings in the NLDS and provided an answer to the club’s big ninth-inning question entering October, securing saves in the Dodgers’ last two wins. – Kavner

No question here. For months, Ohtani didn’t look right physically as he battled left knee and right biceps issues. The Dodgers finally shut him down as a pitcher and placed him on the injured list in mid-September, hoping to get him a little closer to full strength as a hitter for October, even though they knew he likely wouldn’t be 100% the rest of the year. 

With Shohei Ohtani not pitching this postseason, he’ll need to shine at the plate. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The NLDS wasn’t encouraging, as Ohtani went just 2-for-13 with no extra-base hits. Still, would anyone be surprised if he changes a game with one big swing? – Kavner

Milwaukee Brewers

NL Central Champions

2026 Record: 103-59 (Best in MLB)
World Series Odds: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that a Brewers team that led MLB in batting average is doing so again this postseason. But it’s not just soft contact. Milwaukee ranked seventh in hard-hit rate during the regular season and is currently hitting the ball harder on average than any team this October. 

Jackson Chourio has become the Brewers’ Mr. October. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

With a couple big swings from Jackson Chourio and William Contreras, this group should be able to put up more of a fight than it did last postseason. — Kavner

When the Brewers went to Dodger Stadium in August, Yelich went 1-for-12 with a walk and four strikeouts to sink his OPS to a season-low mark of .672 amid the worst offensive season of his 14-year career.  But manager Pat Murphy stuck with him at designated hitter, and Yelich responded promisingly from that point forward (.754 OPS over his final 32 games). The team captain then had a hit in each of the Brewers’ four games of the NLDS — an encouraging sign for an offense that can’t just be Chourio, Contreras or bust. — Kavner

The Brewers second baseman was arguably the biggest All-Star snub in the sport this year. Turang ranked third in MLB in bWAR (7.3) and fifth in fWAR (5.9) among all position players. The former Platinum Glove Award winner knocked in 100 runs, scored 102, launched 21 homers and stole 19 bases. In the NLDS, the Brewers didn’t get that same star-level production (2-for-16 with two walks). He could change a series if he gets back on track. — Kavner

AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

All times ET; * – if necessary
Game 1 — Monday, October 12 at Rays, 8 p.m. (TBS)
Game 2 — Tuesday, October 13 at Rays, 8 p.m. (TBS)
Game 3 — Thursday, October 15, at Cleveland, 6 p.m. (TBS)
Game 4 — Friday, October 16, at Cleveland, 6 p.m. (TBS)
Game 5* — Saturday, October 17, at Cleveland, 8 p.m. (TBS)
Game 6* — Monday, October 19 at Rays, 5 p.m. (TBS)
Game 7* — Tuesday, October 20 at Rays, 8 p.m. (TBS)

Cleveland Guardians

AL Central Champions

2026 Record: 85-77 (1st in AL Central; 4th in AL)
World Series Odds: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)

Third Baseman 

There’s a reason José Ramírez’s teammates call him the GOAT, and it seems like he never wastes an opportunity to show us why, particularly when the season is on the line. After a quiet start to the ALDS in Games 1 and 2, which allowed the White Sox to storm ahead, Ramirez finally woke up in Game 3 and saved Cleveland from elimination. 

José Ramírez was the difference-maker so far for Cleveland. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

He did it again in Game 4, with a dramatic, go-ahead two-run home run off Jordan Hicks in the fifth inning. And then again in Game 5, with the Guardians’ only runs of the night coming off Ramirez’s bat on a two-run shot off Sean Burke in the fourth inning, sending Cleveland to the ALCS. If anyone can carry a team to the promised land, it’s J-Ram. 

Nobody saw this coming. Bailey put the Guardians on the board in Game 4 with a surprising solo shot off White Sox right-hander Erick Fedde in a fifth inning that changed the outcome of their season. Bailey’s home run, his first career long ball in the postseason, cut Cleveland’s deficit against the Sox to 2-1. Right after, Ramirez gave the team the lead with a two-run shot, and that wouldn’t have been possible without Bailey’s performance at the plate. 

Patrick Bailey will look stay hot in the ALCS. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Bailey was traded to Cleveland in May after a disappointing start to the season with the Giants. He joined the Guardians known as a defense-first catcher, with most of his value being driven by his game-calling. But if he can provide more pop from the plate, the Guardians have another X-factor on their hands.

Right Fielder 

After a magnificent breakout rookie season for Cleveland, the 25-year-old is 5-for-20 in the postseason, still searching for his first career playoff home run. DeLauter was the best hitter in the Guardians lineup in the regular season after batting .287 with a .820 OPS, 16 home runs, 30 doubles, 67 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 133 games. He hasn’t provided that kind of spark for Cleveland through five games in the ALDS, and the Guardians will need the regular-season version of DeLauter if they have any chance of breaking past the Rays.  – Deesha Thosar

Tampa Bay Rays

AL East Champions

2026 Record: 98-64 (1st in AL East; Best in AL)
World Series Odds: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)

Before you argue with me about their real key being their trio of sluggers of Junior Caminero, Jonathan Aranda,  and Yandy Diaz, or their clean, fundamental baseball (seriously, shout out to Tampa Bay for leading the league in bunts and bunt attempts), having a lights-out ace on the staff like Drew Rasmussen is arguably the biggest advantage in the playoffs. 

Drew Rasmussen should be able to dominate in the ALCS. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)

Just look at Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Dodger heroics in the Fall Classic against the Blue Jays last year. Aces who are versatile, dominant, and electric every time they step on the mound are just built differently — and Rasmussen is cut from that same cloth. He has three fastball variations, and they look identical coming out of his hand. He can get in an entire lineup’s head (looking at you, Yankees) and he’s well-rested, which will only help his already stellar command and control. After this October, Rasmussen will no longer be underrated.

Right Fielder 

Meet the definitive breakout star of the Rays’ sweep over the Yankees in the ALDS. Mesa hit a tie-breaking two-run home run off Yankees southpaw Max Fried in the sixth inning of Game 3, lifting Tampa Bay to a 4-3 win and turning heads in the process. Mesa was DFA’ed by the Marlins in February after making his debut and recording a 78 OPS+ in 16 games there. 

Junior Caminero has shined all season, and Victor Mesa Jr. has come on of late. (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

A week before spring training, the Rays made an under-the-wire trade for Mesa that, eight months later, would shape their postseason. He wasn’t on Tampa’s Opening Day roster. They finally called him up at the end of May, and now it’s difficult to imagine him anywhere else. Particularly against southpaws, Mesa is phenomenal. He batted .333 with an .868 OPS in the regular season this year.

It’s still early, but Diaz has been quiet this postseason after going 3-for-12 with a walk and three strikeouts in the ALDS. He’s been Tampa Bay’s dependable tablesetter all season, but he needs to do a little more as the lineup’s leadoff hitter for the team’s offensive plans to work. 

During the regular season, Diaz was part of the Rays’ three-headed monster, with Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero following him, in an All-Star season for the veteran. The fact that that trio slugged all year, in addition to putting the ball in play, is a major reason the Rays are the favorite to win the AL pennant. But Diaz hasn’t done any of that in October. He brings a career slashline of .186/.282/.278 with just two home runs in 29 playoff games. – Thosar

Justin Verlander’s Best Moments From His FOX Sports Broadcast Debut🎥

Michael van Gerwen’s nightmare year went from bad to worse as he was dumped out of the Swiss Darts Trophy in his opening match by Mensur Suljovic 6-4 on Saturday night.

Suljovic led 5-2 before Van Gerwen threatened a comeback but three missed darts to force a decider allowed Suljovic to take advantage.

It was Suljovic’s fourth straight win over Van Gerwen and the fifth time in six tournaments that the Dutchman has exited after one match.

Van Gerwen’s woes continue

Defeat in Basel marks the first time Michael van Gerwen has lost his opening match in FOUR European Tour events in the same season since its inception in 2012

European Darts Trophy ❌

German Darts Grand Prix ❌

Flanders Darts Trophy ❌

Swiss Darts Trophy ❌

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Speaking on Love The Darts, Colin Lloyd discusses Van Gerwen’s ongoing struggles

Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen and Jonny Clayton all advanced to Finals Day as ten seeds crashed out on a remarkable day of action in Basel.

Newly crowned World Grand Prix champion Humphries was among the headline acts on Day Two at the St. Jakobshalle, where he prevailed against Kevin Doets.

Despite racing 3-0 ahead with 122 and 121 checkouts, Humphries was forced to survive a furious fightback from Doets, defying the Dutchman’s 105.64 average to triumph in a breathless decider.

“I was really pleased with that performance,” reflected Humphries, who averaged almost 103 and pinned 67% of his attempts at double.

“I felt like I was the better player for most of the game, but Kevin was really strong at the end there, so I had to really work my socks off.”

European Champion Van Veen also impressed on Swiss soil, producing a hat-trick of ton-plus checkouts to whitewash a shell-shocked Niko Springer in just under ten minutes.

Clayton, meanwhile, stole the show with an irrepressible display against Maik Kuivenhoven, averaging 108.81 and landing two bullseye finishes to kick off his title bid in style.

The Welshman will take on Rob Cross for a place in the quarter-finals, after the former world champion halted Luke Woodhouse’s mid-match fightback to close out a battling 6-4 victory.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Speaking on Love The Darts, Stephen Bunting looks back on that viral interview with Raymond van Barneveld at Ally Pally

There will be a new champion crowned at the St Jakobshalle on Sunday evening, as former champions Stephen Bunting and Martin Schindler crashed out on a day of upsets in Basel.

Swedish star Jeffrey de Graaf put in a clinical display of doubling to account for reigning champion Bunting, while Schindler was swept aside by Tom Bissell, who will feature at Finals Day for the first time in his European Tour career.

Dirk van Duijvenbode recorded a fifth straight win against James Wade to end the left-hander’s bid for back-to-back European Tour titles, and a resurgent Michael Smith now awaits the Dutchman in the last 16.

The 2023 world champion delivered one of his best performances of the year to seal a 6-4 against Jermaine Wattimena, converting consecutive 116, 124 and 144 checkouts in the process.

Smith averaged just shy of 103 to cap off a quality display, which also preserves his hopes of qualifying for the Machineseeker European Championship later this month.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Michael van Gerwen was one dart away from a nine-darter before Michael Smith completed the achievement in the World Championship Final back in 2023

Finals Day at the Swiss Darts Trophy will begin at the earlier time of 11am, before the tournament concludes with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final in a blockbuster evening session, which gets underway from 5pm.

2026 Swiss Darts Trophy
Saturday October 10
Round Two
Afternoon Session
Krzysztof Ratajski 6-2 Stefan Bellmont
Karel Sedlacek 6-4 Wessel Nijman
Rob Cross 6-4 Luke Woodhouse
Tom Bissell 6-4 Martin Schindler
Cristo Reyes 6-4 Ryan Searle
Ross Smith 6-4 William O’Connor
Bradley Brooks 6-4 Chris Dobey
Michael Smith 6-4 Jermaine Wattimena

Evening Session
Josh Rock 6-5 Dave Chisnall
Jeffrey de Graaf 6-4 Stephen Bunting
Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-5 James Wade
Jonny Clayton 6-1 Maik Kuivenhoven
Mensur Suljovic 6-4 Michael van Gerwen
Luke Humphries 6-5 Kevin Doets
Gian van Veen 6-0 Niko Springer
Damon Heta 6-3 Danny Noppert

Sunday October 11
Afternoon Session (11am)
Last 16
Josh Rock vs Karel Sedlacek
Jonny Clayton vs Rob Cross
Jeffrey De Graaf vs Bradley Brooks
Gian van Veen vs Tom Bissell
Mensur Suljovic vs Ross Smith
Dirk van Duijvenbode vs Michael Smith
Damon Heta vs Cristo Reyes
Luke Humphries vs Krzysztof Ratajski

Evening Session (5pm)
Quarter-Finals
Rock/Sedlacek vs Clayton/Cross
De Graaf/Brooks vs Van Veen/Bissell
Suljovic/R Smith vs Van Duijvenbode/M Smith
Heta/Reyes vs Humphries/Ratajski

Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 11-January 3) all live. Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract.

They won’t speak of this one for long in Bloomington.

Heart rates were up. The wind whipped. And somehow, some way, No. 7 Indiana slogged to a 20-17 win over Nebraska in a game that felt more reminiscent of the Tom Osborne era in Lincoln.

The Hoosiers weren’t sharp on Saturday. The run game was non-existent. Gusty conditions befitting of the Irish coastline created problems in the passing game. 

And yet Indiana is still undefeated, still hasn’t lost to an unranked team since 2023 and still continues its march toward a repetition of last fall’s heroics.

Here are my takeaways:

1. Nebraska’s Offense Started Fast, But Missed Opportunities Late

Nebraska QB Anthony Colandrea threw for 262 yards and added 47 yards and a TD on the ground against Indiana. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

It’s been two years since a ranked Nebraska squad squared off against Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers in a game many pegged as a moment of arrival for the Huskers.

Indiana throttled Matt Rhule’s squad 56-7 that afternoon.

That wasn’t the case on Saturday.

Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea looked the part of a dynamic piece that had helped the Huskers surge to a 5-0 start this season, marching the offense up and down the field with his arms and legs.

Colandrea completed four of his first five passes for 31 yards and added a pair of wiggly rushes for 28 yards on an efficient 13-play opening drive that ended with a Nebraska field goal. He was similarly dynamic on third down, picking up five conversions — three passing and two running — as the Huskers raced out to an early lead.

The former Virginia and UNLV signal-caller finished the opening half 14-of-22 for 138 yards as the Huskers ran 43 plays to the Hoosiers 16 to open the game. 

If anything, Nebraska should’ve led by more to close the half on Saturday.

The Huskers settled for a field goal on that efficient first drive, while they stalled in the red zone with one minute remaining in the half. Colandrea led a wide open Kwazi Gilmer toward the right side of the end zone, where a scrambling Amare Ferrell landed a hit just in time to push Gilmer’s foot out of bounds on a would-be touchdown.

The Huskers followed the play by watching kicker Kyle Cunanan drive a 40-yard attempt wide right. No points.

2. Indiana Struggled To Find Any Type Of Rhythm Early On

Indiana QB Josh Hoover threw for 263 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Hoosiers’ win over Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

Whatever offense came easily to the Hoosiers through five weeks, Saturday’s first half was painstaking.

Indiana ran just 16 plays over the first 30 minutes of Saturday’s contest, while 80 of the Hoosiers’ 115 yards to that point came on two throws from quarterback Josh Hoover.

The supercharged rushing attack of Lee Beebe Jr. and Turbo Richard was also largely stymied by a Nebraska front-seven that flashed a physicality the Huskers have desperately lacked in recent years.

To complicate matters, Cignetti and the coaching staff seemed out of sorts on a trio of short yardage situations that cost Indiana each of its first half timeouts. 

The Hoosiers started the day 1-for-4 on third down, thrice coming up just short on conversion attempts. Twice, Indiana ran the ball on third down to try and set up fourth down attempts to no avail, while each of those three failed third downs resulted in Cignetti calling timeouts to set up punts.

Under Cignetti, Indiana has executed teams to death with a mightily efficient offense, few mistakes and a run game that kept things on schedule.

The Hoosiers did none of that on Saturday as they entered the half trailing 10-3. It felt like it could’ve been far worse if not for Husker miscues down the stretch.

3. Nick Marsh Shined Bright In A Performance That Will Be Remembered For A Long Time

Josh Hoover finds Nick Marsh for CLUTCH 44-yard TD.

It’s never supposed to be that easy. How could it be that easy?

Slipping through the Nebraska defense as it sold out for a 4th-and-1 stop, Indiana wide receiver Nick March tossed his right arm skyward, waved toward Hoover and sprinted into the open field.

Snatching a toss from his quarterback and racing 44 yards to pay dirt, it was the second of Marsh’s two lengthy touchdown catches that pushed Indiana to a heart-palpitating victory over Nebraska.

That Saturday was Marsh’s coming-out party perhaps shouldn’t be surprising.

The Michigan State transfer has had his moments. There have been acrobatic catches. There have been glimpses of game-breaking ability. It came together in time to save Indiana.

First, it was a slant route that looked all too familiar to the Fernando Mendoza-to-Elijah Sarratt throw that helped Indiana salvage a victory at Iowa last year. Marsh dashed past the Nebraska defense for a 75-yard touchdown to bring the Hoosiers back within striking distance.

Then, it was the fourth down catch on which not a single Nebraska defensive back followed Indiana’s receivers off the line that Marsh deposited into the end zone for the go-ahead score.

It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t perfect. But Marsh delivered when needed. That will carry weight far beyond Saturday.

4. Indiana Rolls Into Next Weekend’s Ohio State Game Undefeated, Still A Title Contender

Indiana’s defense held Nebraska to 190 yards and seven points in the second half of Saturday’s win. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

There have been moments like this during the Cignetti era.

Iowa dragged Indiana to hell and back last fall. An Omar Cooper toe tap saved the Hoosiers at Penn State. A few late scores batted Northwestern away last week.

Consider Nebraska the latest chapter in that book.

Indiana didn’t look like its efficient self on Saturday. The run game was ineffective. The wind – with gusts that reached well into the 30-plus mile per hour range — made passing downfield increasingly difficult.

And still, Cignetti’s bunch found a way.

There will be those who watched Saturday’s game and write off the Hoosiers as national title contenders. Nebraska looks improved, sure. Indiana is not quite the death machine it was a year ago, either. Perhaps both things are true.

Indiana has had its flashes this year. The offense has seemingly clicked despite outcries about Hoover’s start to his tenure in Bloomington. The defense slowed a Nebraska offense that sliced and diced its way sideline-to-sideline to open Saturday’s affair.

The reality is we’ll really find out what Indiana is or isn’t this year when Ohio State comes to Bloomington next weekend. Surviving in Lincoln on Saturday is just a reminder — at least for the time being — Indiana fans may endure a little more anxiety than they did a year ago.

No. 7 Indiana Hoosiers vs Nebraska Cornhuskers Highlights 🏈

“We couldn’t find a way to get ourselves into the game. With the ball, without the ball, we were off it.” A fair assessment from Michael Carrick, if not a wholly explanatory one.

Stuck in the mire of Manchester United’s worst start to a league season for 40 years, the manager appeared lost for legitimate reasons. His margin for error is shrinking by the week.

Why were his side outplayed at home by the Premier League’s bottom club? Why can’t they hold onto leads? Why do they seem incapable of playing against 10 men?

Image:
Michael Carrick looks on during Man Utd’s draw with Tottenham

All of these are fair questions to put to the man himself and many were asked of Carrick in the wake of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Spurs. None were answered with enough detail to satisfy, though, only really serving to hold a mirror up to what was delivered on the pitch: inadequacy.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Manchester United’s match against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League

Clearly the manager can only accept so much of the blame. His players are yet to offer a single complete performance, only bit-part displays of individualism and self-direction. Where is the cohesiveness that shaped the backend of last year? What happened to the clarity that turned a collapsed season into a third-place finish?

Fans who turn up to Old Trafford every week are back to being unsure. They do not know what to expect from one game to the next, only how to voice their dissatisfaction at what transpires. Three separate choruses of boos could be heard from the terraces on Saturday.

“I think the fans will stay with the project,” reflected Gary Neville from Old Trafford. “I don’t think the boos are against Michael Carrick for one minute. But what I would say is, they’re turning quite quickly.”

When United needed a calm voice to steer the ship at the beginning of this year, they turned to a man whose entire playing career was built on it. That version of Manchester United feels far removed from the side that have begun this season, though.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Gary Neville feels the midfield partnership of Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo lacks dynamism and is not suited to the Premier League

In midfield is where the problems are most evident. And yet, that is the department that received the biggest injection of cash this summer, a complete overhaul in terms of personnel and profiles. The Kobbie Mainoo-Youri Tielemans axis is not working. Andrey Santos is barely getting a look in.

Hopes that Carlos Baleba can hit the ground running after an injury-hit start were audible; his introduction after an hour lifted the whole stadium. Almost every touch was positive and he took care of the ball, completing 16 of 18 passes and creating as many chances as Bruno Fernandes managed all game (2).

Still, the space and freedom with which Spurs operated presents issues that cannot be solved by one midfielder. United were carved open time after time, gaps appearing in a myriad of ways. The visitors were able to win possession in the final third five times in the first half alone. Five of United’s work-shy starters did not go away for international duty over the break.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Dominic Solanke snatched a late equaliser for 10-man Spurs

And it was not just the aggressiveness of Spurs’ press that was effective. They picked holes in United with the ball, too, using slick one-touch combinations to move through the thirds with pace and purpose. Savio attempted 10 dribbles. He only completed half but the recurrence was evidence of his belief that United could be got at. He was right.

Then there are concerns over the mentality of a side who repeatedly fail to beat 10 men. Yet again, United were outrun and outpaced – this time by a team who played with a man less for 21 minutes, including stoppage time.

“If we’re ahead in the game, we have to see it out,” says Carrick. That much is obvious. What is less clear is how some of these patterns of missteps are going to be addressed.

“Football is character,” concluded opposition boss Roberto De Zerbi. United must find some character from somewhere, or risk being eaten up by the competition. If the last few weeks have taught us anything, it’s that the Premier League is in no mood to be handing out sympathy.

Man Utd’s next five fixtures

Sunday 18th October 12:30pm


Kick off 2:00pm

Four of Man Utd’s next five games are away from home, including their next three.

Oct 13: Atletico Madrid vs Man Utd, Champions League

Oct 18: Leeds vs Man Utd, Premier League, live on Sky Sports

Oct 21: Como vs Man Utd, Champions League

Oct 25: Man Utd vs Bournemouth, Premier League, live on Sky Sports

Oct 31: Chelsea vs Man Utd, Premier League, live on Sky Sports

TWO DAYS AFTER Jackson Chourio’s walk-off hit in the National League Division Series, Brewers reliever D.L. Hall was asked for a pitcher’s perspective on facing the 22-year-old October sensation.

In other words, if he had to throw to Chourio, what would he do? 

Hall didn’t say anything. Instead, he grinned as he held up four fingers to provide his answer, suggesting that walking him might be the best option. Considering the damage that Chourio has already done in his short playoff career, it’s understandable why a free pass might be tempting. 

At 22 years old, Chourio is already one of the most decorated postseason players in Brewers history. The left fielder holds the Brewers’ playoff franchise records for home runs and RBI and is tied with Hall-of-Famer Andruw Jones for the most postseason RBI (17) ever for a player under the age of 23.

It took Jones 45 games to reach the mark. Chourio needed just 16. 

“Not that he’s much different in the regular season,” Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby told me, “but I think there’s a level of special that comes out when the postseason is here.”

Which gets us back to the question posed to Hall. 

Ashby tried to expound upon his teammate’s silent, succinct response about the challenge a pitcher faces against Chourio. 

“When he’s locked in and he’s focused, it’s just his hands are so fast,” Ashby said. “I don’t know if, like, you can truly understand how impressive it is and how late of a decision he can make at the plate and still hit the ball like 110 [mph] the other way.” 

There was no better example than Game 2 of the National League Division Series. 

In the first game of a back-and-forth series against the Padres, Chourio launched his fifth career postseason homer in just his 13th playoff game, breaking a tie with Prince Fielder and Orlando Arcia for the most in franchise history. The home run erased an early two-run Brewers deficit in an eventual 3-2 win.

One night later, Chourio delivered the hit of the playoffs to this point and a moment that will live on highlight reels forever if Milwaukee’s 103-win season culminates in the team’s first World Series title. 

“He loves those moments,” said Brewers captain Christian Yelich. “And he knows how talented he is and what he can do on a baseball field. He can do anything.”

Jackson Chourio was a huge reason that the Milwaukee Brewers were celebrating after eliminating the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series. (Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

THE BREWERS TRAILED by a run against the most unhittable, overpowering closer in the sport with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning. Mason Miller quickly got ahead 1-2 on Chourio, courtesy of three straight 100-plus mph fastballs. 

In the regular season, hitters were 7-for-101 (.069) with 71 strikeouts and four walks against Miller after a 1-2 count. But Chourio battled, fouling off a two-strike, 103.5 mph heater on the outer edge. 

Jackson Chourio delivered one of the biggest moments in Brewers franchise history with his walk-off, two-run single in Game 2 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres. (Getty Images)

Many players would be grateful just to make contact with that pitch. Chourio, meanwhile, seemed incredulous.

He smacked his bat with his right hand and paced in a semi-circle behind home plate, as if he couldn’t believe he didn’t do more damage with it. Then he gave the lumber a big whiff, returned to the batter’s box and locked back in.

The next pitch, an 88-mph slider, looked like a strike until it darted beneath the zone. 

As much as Miller’s velocity attracts headlines, his slider is his primary put-away pitch. Opponents are geared up for the fastball and usually have no time to counter. 

But Chourio somehow let it go. 

“Taking that breaking ball the way he did,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said, “that was incredible.”

To understand what happened next requires harkening back to the past. 

Two years ago, seven games into a 2024 season that saw Chourio finish third in National League Rookie of the Year voting, the 20-year-old outfielder struck out to end a game against Mariners closer Andres Muñoz. 

“At that point, everything turned for me,” Chourio said through an interpreter. “I told myself I was never going to make the last out. I’d dedicate myself to fighting and doing whatever I could for the team and not having that feeling again.” 

Mariners’ Andrés Muñoz strikes out Jackson Chourio to seal the win

Fast-forward to last Sunday in Milwaukee, when Chourio would decide the Brewers’ Game 2 fate, one way or the other. He figured he’d see a fastball again at some point in the at-bat. 

What followed was pandemonium. 

Chourio sent the next pitch, a 101.3-mph four-seamer in the middle of the zone, back up the middle 109.5 mph off the bat and into center field to score two runs, handing Miller just his fourth blown save of the year and giving the Brewers a 2-0 lead in the series. 

“The more experience he gets, the more situations he’s in, the more he kind of learns the league and just racks up the at-bats, he’s just going to continue to get better,” Yelich said. “And that’s kind of scary, because he’s pretty good right now.”

Chourio described that hit as a “top three” special moment in his career. It’s hard to imagine anything could top that, but there are already plenty to choose from. 

In his rookie year, he became the youngest player in MLB history to record a 20-homer, 20-steal season. That postseason, he hit two homers in Game 2 of the wild-card series and joined Babe Ruth as the only players ever to hit two game-tying home runs in the same playoff game. 

“He’s certainly a ‘big-moment’ guy,” Ashby said. 

LAST POSTSEASON, CHOURIO went 5-for-7 with a home run, a double and six RBI in his first two games of the NLDS, helping send the Brewers past the Cubs. In the NLCS, he plated the Brewers’ only run off Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto with a solo shot to begin Game 2. 

This year, he became the third player in MLB history to begin his career with three straight 20/20 seasons. This was Chourio’s most productive year yet. He set career highs in every slash-line category as well as hits, homers, runs and steals while providing elite defense in left field. 

His opposing manager in the NLCS, Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts, described him as “one of the better underrated players in all of baseball.” And there is probably still a level untapped.

Injuries, including a lingering hamstring issue last year and a fractured hand this year, have played a part in preventing him from turning into an MVP-type player to this point. But Chourio possesses that kind of talent and potential, and he has displayed it in spurts. 

Over the last two months of the 2026 season, Chourio slashed .319/.385/.531 with 12 home runs in 52 games. Over that span, he ranked sixth among all qualified position players in FanGraphs’ version of wins above replacement. 

“Jack-Jack, he seems to just get better as the year goes on,” Murphy told me, “and it doesn’t seem like situations get to him.”

Chourio carried that form into October and the NLDS against the Padres, where he knocked in runs in all four games. The left fielder has as many RBI this postseason (six) as the rest of his team combined.

His production has been more quality over quantity thus far. 

Each of his three hits this October has made a significant impact, from his homer in Game 1 to his walk-off winner in Game 2 to his go-ahead RBI single in the deciding Game 4, which helped the Brewers punch their return ticket to the NLCS against Roberts’ Dodgers once again. 

For a player who tends to rise to the occasion, there is no bigger test than the one ahead. 

“He’s a special kid,” Ashby said. “And I’m glad he’s on our side.”

Brewers Knock Out Padres! Jeter, A-Rod & Big Papi React to Game 4 NLDS Win, NLCS Rematch vs Dodgers

Gary Neville warned Manchester United could be in for a “worrying few weeks” if their players don’t “get a grip” on their season after they were booed in their draw with Tottenham.

Michael Carrick’s side’s poor start to the campaign continued as Dominic Solanke’s 92nd-minute goal rescued a point for the 10-man visitors at Old Trafford on Saturday.

There were boos from the home fans, both at half-time and full-time, as United extended their winless run to four games in all competitions, keeping them 12th in the Premier League.

They now face a daunting run of fixtures, starting with a Champions League away game against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday before Sunday’s Premier League trip to Elland Road to face Leeds, live on Sky Sports.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the game between Man Utd and Spurs

Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, Neville questioned the midfield pairing of Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo and said the side’s plight could worsen if their players do not show improvement.

“Tielemans and Mainoo, I think we’ve seen enough of it now,” Neville said.

“I’m not calling time on it because that’s probably too drastic, but I’ve seen enough to think that’s not a midfield that’s dynamic enough to play at this football club in the Premier League.

“I think they are both good players individually. But sometimes you just have players that don’t quite knit together or don’t quite suit each other.

“I think when [Carlos] Baleba came on with Mainoo, it looked like there was a lot more energy.

Image:
Spurs missed a succession of chances to go ahead before Man Utd’s opener

“There’s going to have to be something done in there, and the rest of them are going to have to get a grip because they are going to Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid and Elland Road.

“If you’re not quite right there from a mental and physical perspective, you’re going to get found out.

“They’ve got a couple of days to recover, pick themselves up from this and get going, because if they don’t get going it’s going to be a worrying few weeks.”

‘Fans are turning quite quickly’

Neville felt the boos inside Old Trafford were not aimed at head coach Carrick but described the performance as “worrying” and said supporters are picking up on a lack of effort and energy from the players.

“It was worrying because I think the three-week break was the reset moment,” he added. “This was the start of a big period of eight games in 28 days.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Speaking after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham at Old Trafford, Gary Neville questioned the energy and enthusiasm of Michael Carrick’s side

“What I really would have expected today from Manchester United was a really enthusiastic, energetic performance from minute one.

“I didn’t see an enthusiastic, energetic performance from those red shirts for an hour, and Spurs should have been three or four-nil up.

“I think the fans will stay with the project. I don’t think the boos are against Michael Carrick for one minute. But what I would say is they’re turning quite quickly.

“Manchester United fans are incredibly loyal, beyond loyal, to their managers and to their players, but what they won’t accept is a lack of energy.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Gary Neville feels the midfield partnership of Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo lacks dynamism and is not up to the required standard

“They won’t accept a lack of what they deem to be effort. I don’t like saying effort but the reality is they’re not running enough, they’re not showing enough tenacity, determination, fighting spirit. They’re just not.

“They booed after 22 minutes, they booed at half-time and they booed at the end. That tells you that they’re really despondent with what they’re watching.

“My daughter comes and watches every single week. She texted me at half-time, ‘What’s that?’ My daughter’s 16 years of age. You can’t kid or con a football fan. No matter who they are, they know what they’re watching.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire was seen saying ‘bye bye’ and waving Rodrigo Bentancur off the pitch after his red card

“I don’t mind winning here, don’t mind losing here, but there’s got to be a massive amount of effort and it can’t be boring, simple as that.

“You can have a shootout and lose 4-2 and think, ‘OK, well at least we saw a Manchester United that went forward with verve and all those things that you’d expect’.

Image:
Bryan Mbeumo’s goal was cancelled out by Dominic Solanke

“But what we’re seeing at the moment is a team that looks like they’re curling up in a ball. For some of them right now, it looks like the club is getting a bit big for them.

“A lot of them played well last season here, but it just looks like now it’s coming on top for them a little bit and it’s starting to just get to them.

“It did a little bit under Ruben Amorim towards the end where they just started to go a little bit like that.

“So look, Michael Carrick has got to get something out of them, the boos I don’t think are against him, but the pressure’s on him, the questions are obviously always with the manager and you just hope they can come out of it in these next few weeks.”

Man Utd’s next five fixtures

Oct 13: Atletico Madrid vs Man Utd, Champions League

Oct 18: Leeds vs Man Utd, Premier League, live on Sky Sports

Oct 21: Como vs Man Utd, Champions League

Oct 25: Man Utd vs Bournemouth, Premier League, live on Sky Sports

Oct 31: Chelsea vs Man Utd, Premier League, live on Sky Sports

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.

College football’s Week 6 slate features two blockbuster matchups, and new users can use Fanatics Sportsbook promo code FOX350 to get $350 in bonus bets when they bet $20. Sign up with Fanatics Sportsbook, claim the offer and get ready for two of the weekend’s biggest matchups.

No. 6 Alabama welcomes No. 2 Georgia for a battle between undefeated SEC contenders, while No. 1 Texas faces Oklahoma in the annual Red River Rivalry.

Arch Manning and the undefeated Longhorns look to maintain their No. 1 ranking against an Oklahoma squad led by John Mateer. The Sooners will try to turn the rivalry into an upset opportunity, while Texas aims to extend its recent success against its longtime rival. 

Meanwhile, Alabama and Georgia enter their showdown at 5-0 overall, with quarterbacks Keelon Russell and Gunner Stockton leading two teams with national championship aspirations. 

New users can use Fanatics Sportsbook promo code FOX350 to bet $20 and get $350 in bonus bets, giving college football fans more ways to get involved in these massive showdowns. Terms and conditions apply. No. 6 Alabama welcomes No. 2 Georgia for a battle between undefeated SEC contenders, while No. 1 Texas faces Oklahoma in the annual Red River Rivalry.

How to Sign Up and Claim the Fanatics Sportsbook Welcome Bonus

1. Visit Fanatics Sportsbook by clicking the applicable “Claim Bonus” button on this page.
2. Create a new account and complete account registration, KYC and exchange account verification.
3. Once your account is verified, your 14-day Personal Bonus Window begins.
4. Place your first cash-funded trade of the day during the bonus window.
5. Earn FanCash equal to the value of that trade, up to the applicable daily reward cap.
6. Continue placing your first qualifying cash-funded trade each day to earn FanCash throughout the 14-day window.
7. Daily reward caps increase from $5 on Day 1 to $45 on Day 14.
8. Earn up to $350 in total FanCash rewards during the 14-day Personal Bonus Window.

How to Watch Texas vs. Oklahoma

• When: Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX
• TV: ABC
• Stream: ESPN Unlimited – Get the FOX One / ESPN Bundle

How to Watch Georgia vs. Alabama

• When: Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
• TV: ABC
• Stream: ESPN Unlimited – Get the FOX One / ESPN Bundle

Players To Watch

Manning completed 14 of 19 passes for 201 yards with an interception in Texas’ 20-17 win at Tennessee. He has 862 passing yards and seven touchdown passes through four games, including four in a 59-7 win over Texas State, and he threw for 305 yards in that game. He has also thrown three interceptions and run for 82 yards.

Oklahoma has allowed 64 points through four games, an average of 16.0 per game, and has 13 sacks, tied for 31st nationally. The Sooners lost 17-10 at Michigan. Adepoju Adebawore leads Oklahoma with 2.5 sacks, and Manning averaged 10.6 yards per attempt at Tennessee.

Mateer completed 25 of 34 passes for 231 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Oklahoma’s 41-13 loss at Georgia. He has 883 passing yards and eight touchdowns this season, and had 238 yards against New Mexico. He has thrown four interceptions in four games. He threw three touchdowns against UTEP and has 76 rushing yards.

No. 1 Texas has allowed 53 points through four games, an average of 13.3 per game. The Longhorns allowed 7 points to Texas State and 6 to UTSA. Rasheem Biles leads Texas with two interceptions and 27 tackles.

Players To Watch

Stockton completed 25 of 32 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in the 38-14 win over Vanderbilt. He has thrown for 1,049 yards and 13 touchdowns through five games, including five touchdown passes against Western Kentucky. He has added 122 rushing yards.

No. 6 Alabama has 16 sacks this season, tied for ninth nationally, and a turnover margin of plus-7, tied for eighth. Devan Thompkins leads Alabama with 3.0 sacks. Stockton has thrown one interception on 102 attempts this season.

Russell threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns on 16-of-22 passing in the 56-23 win at Mississippi State. He has 1,414 passing yards and 11 touchdown passes this season, including 365 yards and four touchdowns against South Carolina. He has thrown for at least 285 yards in three straight games and has four rushing touchdowns.

No. 2 Georgia has allowed 67 points through five games. Its highest totals allowed were 20 to Western Kentucky and 17 to Arkansas. Georgia has a plus-6 turnover margin, tied for 10th, and both of Russell’s interceptions this season came in the win at Kentucky.

Manchester United’s famous ticker banner returned to Old Trafford on Saturday, displaying 50 years since Manchester City won a trophy.

The banner was first displayed in 2000, at which point it was 24 years since City last won a trophy – the 1976 League Cup.

The year listed on the banner ticked over every year until 2011, when City ended their trophy drought by beating Stoke in the FA Cup final – their first silverware since Sheikh Mansour’s takeover.

Image:
The banner was on display before supporters filled Old Trafford ahead of the game against Tottenham