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We’ve entered the final week of the 2022-23 NHL regular season. While some playoff spots continue to be contested, we have seen enough of all 32 teams to distill their performances during this campaign down to one word.

So for this week’s edition of the NHL Power Rankings — the final set for this season — we offer the last word on each club’s 2022-23 regular season.

How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another — taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule — and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here.

Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the most recent edition, published March 31. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.

Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 81.41%
Remaining games: vs. NJ (Apr. 8), @ PHI (Apr. 9), vs. WSH (Apr. 11), @ MTL (Apr. 13)

Last word: Unforgettable. Boston has collected accolades, broken records and reached elite benchmarks in a thoroughly dominant regular-season performance. Like every team, the Bruins care more about what happens when the calendar flips to playoff time, but no one inside — or outside — that organization should soon forget what Boston achieved this season.

Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 69.87%
Remaining games: @ BUF (Apr. 8), @ OTT (Apr. 10), vs. DET (Apr. 11), @ FLA (Apr. 13)

Last word: Thriving. Carolina proved last season’s 116-point effort was no fluke. The Hurricanes passed the 100-point mark again this season with steady, effective contributions across the board. This is a team living its best life now, and it’s an era of prosperity in which Carolina deserves to revel.

Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 68.35%
Remaining games: @ BOS (Apr. 8), vs. BUF (Apr. 11), @ WSH (Apr. 13)

Last word: Astonishing. New Jersey showcased the season’s best glow-up by going from a recent underachiever to startling playoff contender. And what fun these Devils have been to watch. The way New Jersey’s young talent came into its own during the regular season suggests there is plenty more special years ahead for this team.

Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 66.03%
Remaining games: vs. MTL (Apr. 8), @ FLA (Apr. 10), @ TB (Apr. 11), @ NYR (Apr. 13)

Last word: Successful. Toronto was supposed to have a good regular season. And it did. The Leafs will finish with more than 100 points and appear to have set themselves up to strongly compete in the playoffs. That is really what the regular season is for anyway, a tune-up toward the only task that matters for Toronto: winning a postseason series.

Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 67.09%
Remaining games: @ DAL (Apr. 8), vs. SEA (Apr. 11), @ SEA (Apr. 13)

Last word: Resilient. Vegas had another regular season filled with obstacles (including those pesky, self-imposed, salary cap related ones). But this time, the Golden Knights found a way to come out on top. Despite injuries and other issues, Vegas kept betting on itself and proved to be a satisfying wager.

Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 64.10%
Remaining games: vs. VGK (Apr. 8), @ DET (Apr. 10), @ STL (Apr. 12), vs. STL (Apr. 13)

Last word: Energizing. Dallas didn’t just get star turns from its younger performers — Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz and Jake Oettinger, etc. — coming further to life this season. The Stars also enjoyed a renaissance of sorts for veterans Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin, contributing like they haven’t in years. Whatever the Stars have cooking, it’s been great for the team’s new and old guard.

Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 65.82%
Remaining games: @ CBJ (Apr. 8), vs. BUF (Apr. 10), vs. TOR (Apr. 13)

Last word: Beneficial. New York didn’t shy away from big swings (hello, Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane) or learning big lessons (chemistry takes time to build). New York should be a more complete playoff team because of how it used the regular season to troubleshoot, experiment and get real about what could take them on another deep postseason run.

Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 64.94%
Remaining games: @ LA (Apr. 8), @ ANA (Apr. 9), vs. EDM (Apr. 11), vs. WPG (Apr. 13), @ NSH (Apr. 14)

Last word: Tenacious. Colorado didn’t look like the reigning Stanley Cup champion for much of the early regular season (and losing captain Gabriel Landeskog for the year was a tough blow). But the Avalanche got back on track with impressive turns from Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. No one should be hoping for a matchup in the Mile High City this spring.

Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 62.82%
Remaining games: vs. STL (Apr. 8), @ CHI (Apr. 10), vs. WPG (Apr. 11), @ NSH (Apr. 13)

Last word: Determined. Minnesota started the season slowly after a low-key offseason where GM Bill Guerin couldn’t improve his roster amid ongoing salary cap issues. No matter. Minnesota stayed the course, and its top players like Kirill Kaprizov, Marc-Andre Fleury and — most recently — Matt Boldy proved Guerin right for trusting his group to succeed.

Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 65.19%
Remaining games: @ SJ (Apr. 8), @ COL (Apr. 11), vs. SJ (Apr. 13)

Last word: Star-powered. Edmonton’s regular season deserves a two-word hyphenate for its two superstars (that’s Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, of course), whose performances defined the Oilers’ campaign to date. Is there a ceiling one or both of them can’t break through? Talk about elevating those around them, too.

Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 63.29%
Remaining games: vs. COL (Apr. 8), vs. VAN (Apr. 10), @ ANA (Apr. 13)

Last word: Unsung. Los Angeles might be having the strongest, most unacknowledged regular season of any club. The Kings weathered early-season issues and said goodbye to franchise legend Jonathan Quick. They also didn’t hesitate to add at the trade deadline and have been a beacon of consistency in the wild, wild West. L.A. deserves more flowers.

Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 63.29%
Remaining games: @ OTT (Apr. 8), vs. TOR (Apr. 11), vs. DET (Apr. 13)

Last word: Archetypal. Tampa Bay’s season is playing out as usual: The Lightning have gone through uniquely dominant stretches, followed by patches that beg the question, “Is Tampa Bay finally tired?” And before you know it, the Lightning answer critics with more crisp execution. Of course there was a little drama mixed in with trade deadline moves and a star or two being benched. Never a dull moment!

Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 57.05%
Remaining games: vs. NSH (Apr. 8), vs. SJ (Apr. 10), @ MIN (Apr. 11), @ COL (Apr. 13)

Last word: Maddening. Winnipeg is a good team. Maybe a great one. So why have the Jets made so much of this season unnecessarily difficult? Connor Hellebuyck has backstopped this group with a Vezina Trophy-worthy campaign, but elsewhere the Jets are infuriatingly up and down. That might not ultimately cost them a playoff spot, but there had to be an easier path for such a talented club.

Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 61.54%
Remaining games: vs. CHI (Apr. 8), @ ARI (Apr. 10), @ VGK (Apr. 11), vs. VGK (Apr. 13)

Last word: Breakthrough. Seattle experienced the opposite of a sophomore slump. The NHL’s newest team struggled last season, but this season the Kraken checked in as one cohesive, opportunistic unit. Seattle’s had its difficulties — mainly with establishing good goaltending — but there’s no doubt the Kraken emerged better than before.

Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 56.33%
Remaining games: @ VAN (Apr. 8), vs. NSH (Apr. 10), vs. SJ (Apr. 12)

Last word: Choppy. Calgary’s season had all the makings of a dominant campaign that didn’t quite take flight. Newcomers Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri needed time to click, Jacob Markstrom‘s game was inconceivably inconsistent and coach Darryl Sutter wasn’t always pushing the right buttons. Will that roller coaster lead to a stronger Flames’ team in 2023-24?

Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 56.33%
Remaining games: vs. PHI (Apr. 8), @ WSH (Apr. 10), vs. MTL (Apr. 12)

Last word: Sensible. New York doesn’t generally make waves. But the Islanders are resolutely reasonable. Struggling to score? Trade for — and extend — Bo Horvat. Have an exceptional goaltender in Ilya Sorokin? Ride him, with support from strong team defense. It’s not flashy. But the formula might work well to put New York in the postseason.

Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 56.33%
Remaining games: @ WSH (Apr. 8), vs. TOR (Apr. 10), vs. CAR (Apr. 13)

Last word: Turbulent. Florida hasn’t looked like the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners for most of this season. The Panthers couldn’t find a rhythm until the promise of a postseason push began bringing out their best. The lengthy ebbs and flows may have hardened the Panthers to prepare for this final stretch, but it will be tough to swallow if they miss out on the playoffs altogether.

Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 55.70%
Remaining games: @ DET (Apr. 8), vs. CHI (Apr. 11), @ CBJ (Apr. 13)

Last word: Perplexing. Pittsburgh committed to its veteran core without adding much around it. That led to a strange season of Penguins’ hockey. Pittsburgh was at times unbeatable and at others unrecognizable. The Penguins persisted through injuries, scoring slumps and poor goaltending in what’s become an uphill battle to stay in the postseason picture.

Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 53.90%
Remaining games: vs. CAR (Apr. 8), @ NYR (Apr. 10), @ NJ (Apr. 11), vs. OTT (Apr. 13), @ CBJ (Apr. 14)

Last word: Encouraging. Buffalo battling for a playoff spot into April? That scenario alone makes this season a wild success and an excellent sign for the future of this rising young club. The season came with trials and growing pains, but those lessons rubbed off well on the Sabres as Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin exploded into stardom. Regardless of where Buffalo finishes in the standings, there’s hope that next season — and beyond — will be increasingly positive.

Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 56.41%
Remaining games: @ WPG (Apr. 8), @ CGY (Apr. 10), vs. MIN (Apr. 13), vs. COL (Apr. 14)

Last word: Frustrating. Nashville was primed to build off last season’s great results. But the Predators’ offense never clicked the same way, injuries to top players piled up from there and suddenly they were back to relying on Juuse Saros to save them. It wasn’t a winning combination, even if the Predators’ final stretch revealed some inspiring performances. But it all might be too little, too late.

Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 51.27%
Remaining games: vs. TB (Apr. 8), vs. CAR (Apr. 10), @ BUF (Apr. 13)

Last word: Exasperating. Ottawa has all the tools. The Senators just couldn’t stay healthy long enough to get everyone in the same lineup. What if Ottawa had been, though? What if Alex DeBrincat immediately excelled? What if Cam Talbot was able to be that true every night, No. 1 goaltender? Yes, Ottawa played meaningful hockey into April. But still, there’s so many questions around what could have been for the Sens.

Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 49.36%
Remaining games: vs. FLA (Apr. 8), vs. NYI (Apr. 10), @ BOS (Apr. 11), vs. NJ (Apr. 13)

Last word: Surprising. Washington went from maximizing its closing contender window, to watching Alex Ovechkin break historic NHL records, to slumping so hard that GM Brian MacLellan opted to trade players away instead of adding at the deadline. Who saw that twist coming? The Capitals appear headed in a new direction now that’s come about quicker than we expected.

Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 51.27%
Remaining games: @ MIN (Apr. 8), vs. DAL (Apr. 12), @ DAL (Apr. 13)

Last word: Substandard. St. Louis has set a high bar for itself in recent seasons. The Blues didn’t find their way to it this season. Despite rising stars like Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou in the fold, St. Louis’ poor start, aging defense and overall inconsistencies couldn’t be overcome. No one appeared more rattled by that than the team itself.

Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 51.28%
Remaining games: vs. PIT (Apr. 8), vs. DAL (Apr. 10), @ CAR (Apr. 11), @ TB (Apr. 13)

Last word: Disappointing. Detroit had a goal in mind to make the playoffs and fell short. This was despite GM Steve Yzerman loading up on offseason weapons that wound up being hit — like with goaltender Ville Husso — and miss. The Red Wings did extend captain Dylan Larkin, but they were trading players away at the deadline. Detroit’s desire for another postseason chance will have to wait.

Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 49.36%
Remaining games: vs. CGY (Apr. 8), @ LA (Apr. 10), @ ANA (Apr. 11), @ ARI (Apr. 13)

Last word: Dramatic. Vancouver went through it all this season, making headlines as often for its mediocre on-ice play as well as the interesting front office ethos that ultimately led to an in-season coaching change. All that swirling outside noise didn’t help Vancouver produce like it wanted, and now the Canucks have several months ahead to sit on what went wrong.

Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 45.51%
Remaining games: @ NYI (Apr. 8), vs. BOS (Apr. 9), vs. CBJ (Apr. 11), @ CHI (Apr. 13)

Last word: Poor. Philadelphia’s faithful had to hope for better than what the Flyers were able to give. That shockingly good start dwindled away into so many tough nights that GM Chuck Fletcher was let go, and Rangers fans were able to take over Philadelphia’s building. You know that’s something the Flyers never want to see happen again.

Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 42.41%
Remaining games: vs. ANA (Apr. 8), vs. SEA (Apr. 10), vs. VAN (Apr. 13)

Last word: Promising. Arizona isn’t riddled with stars but the Coyotes work hard. That came through all season, whether through individual performances or full-team efforts that saw Arizona unexpectedly win a few games against top contenders. There’s plenty to look forward to from this desert-dwelling club.

Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 38.46%
Remaining games: vs. EDM (Apr. 8), @ WPG (Apr. 10), @ CGY (Apr. 12), @ EDM (Apr. 13)

Last word: Unsatisfactory. San Jose never flourished this season. Even at their best, it felt like the Sharks were lacking the spark to truly reach a consistent, winning trajectory. The fact that Erik Karlsson rebounded into his Norris Trophy-caliber form is about the best thing San Jose can claim this season.

Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 43.04%
Remaining games: @ TOR (Apr. 8), @ NYI (Apr. 12), vs. BOS (Apr. 13)

Last word: Presumptive. Montreal wasn’t meant to take huge strides. Not when GM Kent Hughes seemed more committed to a slow rebuild. Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield used the first two-thirds of their seasons to showcase why the organization’s future is so bright, though. When they’re both healthy and thriving, it will go a long way in making Montreal great again.

Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 35.90%
Remaining games: @ SEA (Apr. 8), vs. MIN (Apr. 10), @ PIT (Apr. 11), vs. PHI (Apr. 13)

Last word: Calculated. Chicago knew what it wanted going into this season: Connor Bedard. How do the Blackhawks get him? By not winning games — painful as that is. That’s not to say. The Blackhawks didn’t make it interesting at times with a hot streak here and there. But Chicago has done what’s necessary to give itself a great chance in the 2023 draft lottery.

Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 35.90%
Remaining games: vs. NYR (Apr. 8), @ PHI (Apr. 11), vs. PIT (Apr. 13), vs. BUF (Apr. 14)

Last word: Painful. Columbus’ train wreck of a season was derailed by injuries so severe and to so many key players it was almost laughable. Only the situation isn’t all that funny. The Blue Jackets are hard to even define or assess given how infrequently they could ice a consistent lineup. Whatever the offseason holds, it has to be fueled by the outright agony of what’s been endured the past eight months.

Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 35.90%
Remaining games: @ ARI (Apr. 8), vs. COL (Apr. 9), vs. VAN (Apr. 11), vs. LA (Apr. 13)

Last word: Faltering. Anaheim took a step back. There was ample promise in its ranks during last season’s showing that didn’t translate often during this campaign. GM Pat Verbeek clearly has a path in mind that’s taking the Ducks back through some dark times. If they can come out of it as stronger competitors though, it’ll be worth a little suffering now. The young pieces are certainly there.

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Sources: Vols QB Iamaleava to play vs. Georgia

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Sources: Vols QB Iamaleava to play vs. Georgia

Tennessee‘s Nico Iamaleava has been cleared medically to play Saturday against Georgia and is set to return as the Vols’ starting quarterback, sources told ESPN.

Iamaleava, a redshirt freshman, missed the second half of the 33-14 win over Mississippi State last week after suffering a blow to the head. He was listed as questionable earlier this week on the SEC availability report but has been removed in the latest report.

Iamaleava practiced this week, including team periods, and there was optimism among the staff that he was trending in the right direction and would be able to play. But the final call was made by medical personnel. Iamaleava was examined by doctors for what sources told ESPN were concussion-like symptoms after leaving the Mississippi State game. He did not return to the sideline for the second half.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said on Monday that he felt like Iamaleava would be in “great shape for Saturday” and noted that Iamaleava was with the team earlier Monday morning for meetings and team activities. The Vols’ first full-scale practice was Tuesday.

Iamaleava was having his most productive outing against an SEC team this season before leaving the game against Mississippi State. He completed 8 of 13 passes for 174 yards, no interceptions and a pair of touchdowns as Tennessee built a 20-7 halftime lead. In Iamaleava’s previous five SEC games, he had accounted for three touchdowns and turned it over five times. He was also sacked 15 times in those five games.

Redshirt senior Gaston Moore filled in for Iamaleava in the second half last week and finished 5-of-8 for 38 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Getting Iamaleava back for the Georgia game is big news for Tennessee, which is right in the middle of the SEC championship race and College Football Playoff picture.

Receiver Dont’e Thornton (hand) has also been given the green light to play for Tennessee after earlier being listed as questionable.

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College football preview: Tennessee-Georgia, Big 12 CFP scenarios ahead of Week 12

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College football preview: Tennessee-Georgia, Big 12 CFP scenarios ahead of Week 12

Week 12 is here as we take a look at an SEC matchup that has College Football Playoff implications, learn about three of the nation’s top passers who all played under the same coach and see what’s going on in the Big 12.

No. 7 Tennessee will visit Sanford Stadium as it takes on conference opponent No. 12 Georgia on Saturday night. With so much at stake, what can each team improve on ahead of this SEC showdown?

The Big 12 has six teams in the hunt for a spot in the conference title game. With the final CFP rankings coming out in less than a month, what scenario looks most realistic for the conference in terms of how many of its teams could make the 12-team field?

Our college football experts preview big games and storylines ahead of the Week 12 slate.

Jump to a section:
Tennessee-Georgia | The coach behind three top QB passers
What’s going on in the Big 12 | Quotes of the Week

What has each team done well in conference play? What improvements can be made?

Tennessee:

It has been a historic (and dominant) season for Tennessee’s defense, which has yet to give up more than 19 points in any of its nine games. Against SEC competition, the Volunteers lead the conference in scoring defense, giving up 16.7 points per game, and also lead the way in third-down defense and red zone defense. In other words, they’ve given up very little of anything on defense and are buoyed by a line that’s both talented and deep. Tennessee plays a ton of players up front and has been especially good at forcing key turnovers. In 23 trips inside its own 20-yard line, the Vols have forced six turnovers.

The reality is that Tennessee has played to its defense for much of this season out of necessity. The offense has lacked consistency and struggled to generate explosive plays, particularly in the passing game. It’s not all on redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, either. Iamaleava has thrown only five touchdown passes in six SEC games, and the Vols are tied for 10th with an average of 7.5 yards per completion. Iamaleava, who sustained a head injury in a win over Mississippi State last week, has been the victim of poor pass protection at times, and his receivers have dropped some costly passes. Iamaleava has also been shaky when it comes to overthrowing receivers and occasionally holding onto the ball too long.

The bright spot on offense for Tennessee has been running back Dylan Sampson, who has a school-record 20 rushing touchdowns. He has been a constant for the Vols on offense and has an SEC-leading 772 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in conference play. As good as he has been, the Vols are probably going to need more from their passing game to win in Athens. — Chris Low

Georgia:

The Bulldogs didn’t do much of anything well in last week’s 28-10 loss at Ole Miss, which was the first time in a long time that Kirby Smart’s team was manhandled on the lines of scrimmage.

The good news for Georgia: It’s heading home to Sanford Stadium for the first time in more than a month. Georgia hasn’t dropped back-to-back games in the regular season since 2016, Smart’s first season, and it has bounced back after each of its past eight losses. The Bulldogs have won seven of their past eight games against the Volunteers.

For all of quarterback Carson Beck‘s turnovers, Georgia’s problems on offense probably start up front. The offensive line hasn’t done a good job of protecting him, and the Bulldogs’ lack of a potent running game has prevented them from effectively utilizing play-action passes. Their banged-up offensive line is going to face another formidable defensive front Saturday. Georgia has 27 dropped passes, fourth most in the FBS, according to TruMedia, so its receivers need to become more reliable as well. — Mark Schlabach


The coach behind three of college football’s top passers

Miami‘s Cam Ward, Washington State‘s John Mateer and North TexasChandler Morris are three of the top five quarterbacks in total offense this season in FBS. All three have the same head coach to thank for where they are today.

North Texas coach Eric Morris coached Ward at Incarnate Word and Washington State, recruited Mateer to the Cougars and signed Morris out of the transfer portal this offseason. All three hailed from Texas and are putting up big numbers this season. Morris, a Mike Leach disciple, knows what he’s looking for when it comes to QBs.

For each one, the journey was different. Ward was a zero-star recruit out of West Columbia, Texas, played in a wing-T offense and had no scholarship offers. But he showed up to Incarnate Word’s camp in 2019 and impressed with his quick release and accuracy. Morris saw appealing traits, too, in Ward’s multisport talents.

“He was such a good basketball player,” Morris said. “He was a bigger guy who could really handle the ball and move with ease. He had a twitch and quickness about him that was almost Mahomes-esque, where he’s not fast but you see him get out of the pocket and scramble and he’s nifty on his feet. He saw the floor great and shot the basketball great.

“It might be easier at an FCS school to take that risk, but it was something we were really confident in.”

Ward came in with extreme confidence, telling coaches he’d win the starting job over their returning all-conference player (and he did). He followed Morris to Pullman, Washington, out of loyalty to the coach who believed in him. Now he’s playing on a big stage, chasing a College Football Playoff bid and a Heisman Trophy with the No. 9 Hurricanes.

“It’s been fun to watch him flourish and get rewarded for being patient all these years,” Morris said.

When Morris left UIW to become Washington State’s offensive coordinator in 2022, he brought Ward but needed another QB. On his first recruiting trip in Texas, he stopped by to check out Mateer. The two-star recruit had a prolific senior season at Little Elm High School but was committed to Central Arkansas. Morris didn’t understand what FBS programs were missing and convinced Mateer to flip.

After two seasons behind Ward, Mateer has emerged as one of the top dual-threat QBs in college football with 2,332 passing yards, 805 rushing yards (excluding sacks) and 33 total TDs.

“I think the sky’s the limit,” Ward said. “He’s just so dang hard to tackle in the open field. Just a kid that loves ball and was under-recruited. The tide’s turned and he ends up being a big-time ballplayer.”

Chandler Morris was not an under-the-radar talent, but he’s having his best season yet at North Texas. He began his career at Oklahoma, won the starting job at TCU in 2022, sustained a knee injury in its season opener and then watched Max Duggan lead the Horned Frogs to the national title game.

Morris had a six-game stint as TCU’s starter last season before injuring the same knee. At UNT, he’s leading the nation’s No. 3 passing offense with 3,244 total yards and 30 TDs. Like Ward and Mateer, he processes information quickly, makes plays with his feet and throws outside the pocket with accuracy. If you ask Eric Morris, those traits are a must in today’s game. When paired with his version of Air Raid ball, you get big-time results.

“It’s been fun to see him get his swagger back,” Morris said.

Eric Morris points to Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels. The QBs thriving at the highest level are becoming unstoppable by creating plays out of the pocket. And so are his guys.

“Everybody obviously watches Cam and the magic he makes,” Morris said, “but I think all three of ’em can make plays when it’s not a perfect play call. There are a bunch of really good pure passers nowadays, but that’s what sets them all apart.” — Max Olson


What’s going on in the Big 12?

Two-thirds of the way through the Big 12 schedule, six teams are still in the hunt for a title-game appearance: BYU (6-0), Colorado (5-1), Arizona State, Iowa State, Kansas State and West Virginia, all of which are 4-2. There are too many variables to discuss all the scenarios, but the conference has a straightforward tiebreaker policy.

It’s possible to come up with scenarios in which the Big 12 could get two bids, one bid or shut out altogether.

For the Big 12 to get two bids, BYU probably would have to finish 12-0, then lose a close game in the championship to a two-loss team (Colorado, Iowa State or Kansas State). A 12-1 BYU team would get consideration, but it would become a question of how far it would fall and what else happens around the country.

The most likely scenario is the Big 12 will get one team in: whichever one wins the conference title game. If BYU wins out, it will have a bye, but if it slips up even once — or if another team wins the title — Boise State might be in position to get a first-round bye, assuming the Broncos win out.

The doomsday scenario in the Big 12 is if the conference champion has two or three losses and Army and Boise State win out. If that’s the case, there is a good possibility both of those schools would be ranked ahead of the Big 12 champion and the Big 12 would be left out. — Kyle Bonagura


Quotes of the Week

“They’re stubborn, man. They’re physical. He is an elite runner. The runs they run are sometimes nontraditional. They run some runs that other people don’t run because of the space in the box. He’s very patient. He hits small creases. He’s hard to tackle. How many touchdowns has he got in the SEC? Twenty-something? That’s crazy. In the SEC? The SEC is the hardest league in the world to run the ball in on because they’ve got the most size defensive lineman, and he continues to do it at a crazy pace to me.” — Kirby Smart on Volunteers tailback Dylan Sampson.

“I never try to take a step back. I try to take a step up. I’m always putting my head out the window. I’m trying to see around the corner, not trying to see straight ahead. It’s normalcy for everybody to see what’s in front of them. I’m trying to see around the corner. That’s the relationship I have with the Lord, to help me see around the corner so I can help navigate these young men as well as the women that’s attached to our program to a better way and a better life. So I don’t get caught up in the ‘You go, boys!’ or the ‘You ain’t nothing.’ You know, if I would’ve listened to you guys earlier, I’ve gotta listen to you now. So I might as well just put some headphones on and block you out. Notice I don’t have a sponsor for headphones, but that would’ve been a good placement for a sponsor.” — Deion Sanders when asked if he takes time to step back and appreciate the magnitude of Colorado’s turnaround.

“I hope anyone who has ambitions about playing in the National Football League, let’s see what you’ve got against Clemson. Let’s see you play your best game here. If you weren’t focused for Virginia, which I can’t imagine you weren’t — and I’m not saying anybody was not focused — but if they didn’t get your focus, I imagine Clemson will get your focus when you put the tape on.” — Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi on whether playing Clemson gets the attention of his players.

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Low and inside: O’s will again alter LF dimensions

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Low and inside: O's will again alter LF dimensions

BALTIMORE — The Orioles are ready to adjust their wall in left field again.

The team moved the wall at Camden Yards back and made it significantly taller before the 2022 season. General manager Mike Elias said Friday the team “overcorrected” and will try to find a “happier medium” before the 2025 season.

The team sent out a rendering of changes showing the wall moved farther in — particularly in left-center field near the bullpens — and reduced in height.

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