NHL Rank: Counting down the top 100 players for 2023-24
There has never been a better time to be a hockey fan, with legendary players such as Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin still playing at a high level, in-their-prime superstars like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews generating highlight-reel fodder on a nightly basis, and a rising crop of tantalizing youngsters such as Connor Bedard and Matty Beniers.
So how are we expected to rank them?
We asked an ESPN panel of more than 50 broadcasters, analysts, reporters and editors to rate players based on how good they will be in the 2023-24 season compared to their peers. Emphasis was placed on their value for this upcoming season, which explains why players that are currently out injured (but expected to return) might be lower than if they were completely healthy.
The New Jersey Devils and Tampa Bay Lightning lead the charge with six players each in the top 100, while the Anaheim Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers failed to get anyone on our list. Positionally, centers continue to dominate, with 34 of 100 slots and six of the top 10. Defensemen accounted for 28 of 100 spots, while nine goalies made the top 100 (and only one in the top 25). As for the wings, left wings win this round, with 18 in the top 100 compared to 11 right wings.
Write-ups are courtesy of ESPN reporters Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski.
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2022-23 rank: 98
Age: 29
While his profile has receded as the Sharks have in the standings, Hertl is still a high-level power forward in the West. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: 55
Age: 32
A perennial Selke Trophy candidate, O’Reilly is looking to make his mark on a Predators team that fell three points shy of the final wild-card spot. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 20
A Calder Trophy finalist and member of the NHL’s All-Rookie Team for 2022-23, the No. 1 pick of the 2021 draft just inked a seven-year contract extension that begins with the 2024-25 season. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 35
When you average out the play of “Regular-Season Bob” (.901 save percentage, 3.07 goals-against average) with “Playoff Bob” (.915, 2.78) you get a goaltender worthy of being in the top 100. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: 79
Age: 29
While he had a bit of defensive regression last season, Rielly remains one of the league’s better offensive defensemen, skating for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: 53
Age: 30
Miller has put contract uncertainty behind him and is settled back into Vancouver, where he’s gathered back-to-back 30-plus goal seasons and started this season off with a four-point effort to boot. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 64
Age: 33
Carlson’s value to the Capitals’ might best be understood in how much the team struggled without him last season — Washington’s play sunk after losing their top defender to injury, and having him back now will be a needed boost. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 80
Age: 33
Tavares remains an effective top-six center who is quietly averaging a point-per-game each season. Last season he produced an unheralded 36-goal campaign to eclipse the 30-plus goal mark for the first time since 2018-19. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 73
Age: 33
Though he falls in the rankings here, Doughty had the second-most points of his illustrious career last season. A key piece as the Kings push for another Cup. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 50
Age: 26
If not for the lower-body injury that sidelined him for two months, Barzal would have scored more than 70 points for the second time in his career. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 74
Age: 29
Trouba packs a punch from the blue line, both with his steady two-way contributions and the throwback physical nature of his game that continues to divide NHL fans. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 37
Age: 24
Thomas’ greatest strengths are his smarts on the ice and how instinctive he is with and without the puck. These are quite valuable traits in the franchise’s prized two-way centerman. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 18
The thing about ranking the Blackhawks’ rookie phenom here? There’s an equal chance it could be seen as too high or too low by season’s end. What’s clear already: Bedard’s shot and offensive creativity should have him mentioned among the NHL’s brightest stars in short order. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 29
A newcomer to the rankings, Montour used last season to show that he can handle what comes with being a top-four defenseman on a Cup contender, finishing with 73 points in 80 games. Offseason shoulder surgery will delay the start of his 2023-24 season by a couple months. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 54
Age: 33
Kadri’s first season in Calgary was productive (including his fifth time scoring 20-plus goals), but he and the Flames are hoping for a breakthrough this season after missing the playoffs in 2022-23. — Clark
2022-23 rank: HM
Age: 22
The artist known as “Goal Caufield” is coming off injury and has a chance to hit the 30-goal mark — a feat he could have achieved last season if completely healthy. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 95
Age: 33
Aside from winning his second Stanley Cup, Pietrangelo tied his career-best mark in points last season (54). — Clark
2022-23 rank: 47
Age: 25
Injuries have frustrated Laine lately, but when healthy, the Blue Jackets’ star winger is a highly effective contributor with the size, speed and shot to drive Columbus’ offense. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 70
Age: 26
Boeser has an excellent shot and nose for the net that could lead him toward a career-best season, especially if that four-goal outing on opening night is indicative of similar performances to come. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 25
Bratt has broken out as a marvelous scorer in his own right. But paired with teammate Jack Hughes? That’s serious trouble for the rest of the league. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 49
Age: 27
Demko’s terrific athleticism and composure have always stood out, and with consistency to match he could stay perennially ranked among the NHL’s most effective netminders. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 69
Age: 29
Slavin remains one of the most trusted defensemen in the league, forming one of the league’s premier partnerships alongside Brent Burns. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 38
Age: 22
How Seider performs in his third season could be central to how the revamped Red Wings fare this season. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 22
Boldy rightfully turned heads in his first full NHL season, with a 31-goal showing that highlighted a highly effective emerging talent with terrific hands and vision. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 52
Age: 25
Kyrou often comes through in the clutch for St. Louis, setting up timely goals — or scoring them himself — with an enviable speed and agility. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 59
Age: 29
Signing Toews to a seven-year extension will keep him teamed up with Cale Makar, as they’ve formed one of the best pairings in the league. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 67
Age: 39
The second-oldest player in the NHL gave the Stars the type of venerable two-way presence that further legitimized their window of contention. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 25
Dubois is a big, rangy center who fills that top-nine role as well as he does the net with a consistent 20-plus goal output. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 72
Age: 30
Scheifele has been a dependable point-per-game producer and high-skilled top-six piece for Winnipeg his entire career — hence the organization investing seven more years in him to keep their impactful center in-house. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 56
Age: 29
Guentzel made a quick recovery from offseason ankle surgery to start the season for Pittsburgh, who need every ounce of Guentzel’s scoring touch and playmaking ability to be at their best. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 15
Age: 30
Huberdeau had a rough first season in Calgary — with a humbling slide in point total to prove it — but under the Flames’ new regime, he has potential to reignite his offensive spark. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 35
Age: 26
Connor recovered from a slow start to record his fifth season of more than 30 goals for the Jets. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 30
All RNH did in 2022-23 was notch his first 100-point season — and score more points last season than he did the previous two seasons combined. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 20
The reigning Calder Trophy winner is the face of an upstart Kraken franchise trying to show last year’s playoff appearance was no accident. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 36
Age: 25
A change could do DeBrincat good after the high-flying winger saw his numbers drop slightly last season in Ottawa — but he’s off a strong start already in his first campaign leading the Red Wings’ offense — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 31
Toffoli led the Flames with 34 goals last season and joined a high-octane Devils offense via trade in the offseason. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: 39
Age: 26
Lineup absences have clouded Werenski’s reputation, because otherwise he’s played at an elite level throughout his eight-year NHL career. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 28
His breakout season saw him become a first-time NHL All-Star who finished in the top five of Norris Trophy voting. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 76
Age: 28
Underrated no more, Lindholm has firmly established himself as a preeminent two-way center who anchors the Flames’ offense while raising the teammates around him. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 38
Burns is as known for his point totals and shot generation as he is for his hirsute face and menagerie of pets. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: 58
Age: 24
If Hughes can harness what he did under Rick Tocchet for a full season, it could prove big as the Canucks make a push to get back into the playoff mix. — Clark
2022-23 rank: HM
Age: 32
A six-time 20-goal scorer, the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner is one of the many reasons the Golden Knights could make it two in a row. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 27
Meier is a sharpshooting forward with the physical edge and all-around ability to be a problem on the ice — unless, of course, you’re on his side. New Jersey should rely on him for 30-plus goals a season for the foreseeable future. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 10
Age: 29
For all that he has accomplished, it’s possible his two-month absence to start the season could further underscore his importance to the Bolts. When healthy, still one of the world’s most dominant goaltenders. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 92
Age: 36
Letang has faithfully — and successfully — patrolled Pittsburgh’s blue line for nearly two decades and can still find ways to thrive in a consistent top-four role. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 25
Breaking out to score 37 goals and 86 points pushed Keller into the top 100 — and helps foster the idea that the Coyotes could be turning a corner back to contention. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 48
Age: 27
Larkin is continuously growing into a more complete 200-foot skater, with a heightened focus on defense to complement his impressive offensive stats. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 75
Age: 25
The Lightning lean on Sergachev to play important minutes in any situation, and the blueliner delivers on both sides of the puck, doubling his offensive totals last season while maintaining a high level of defensive play. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 97
Age: 29
Jones remains a mobile puck-mover with the vision and booming shot to threaten from the blue line. Chicago relies on him to carry a heavy load, and he’s continued to provide steady returns. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 29
Age: 28
No goalie faced more shots than Saros last season, and his efforts nearly dragged the Predators to the playoffs. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 27
Age: 29
What could a healthy Forsberg accomplish in a goal-friendly system like the one he now has with new coach Andrew Brunette? His career high is 84 points, scored in 69 games in 2021-22. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 63
Age: 30
There’s a potency to Hamilton’s offensive game that’s unrivaled by many of his peers. The defender’s stickhandling and powerful shot make him a threat in every on-ice situation — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 99
Age: 25
Chychrun excels in small spaces on the ice, forcing opponents to the outside and disrupting chances off the rush. A series of injuries have made availability an issue, but when he’s in, Chychrun makes his presence felt. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 30
Ullmark was the league’s darling in net last season, pacing all goalies in most statistical categories and winning his first Vezina Trophy after backstopping Boston to a record-breaking regular-season finish. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 57
Age: 27
Fiala combines explosiveness with composure, with a shiftiness making him difficult to defend. It’s no wonder he’s clocked more than a point per game in consecutive seasons with the Kings. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 91
Age: 36
L.A.’s captain is only getting better with age. He’s one of the league’s premier two-way centers, leading by example for the Kings’ crop of rising young stars. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 87
Age: 25
The tallest player (at 6-foot-6) to ever score 40 goals and 90 points in a single season is expected to come up big again for a team seeking its first playoff berth in more than a decade. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 29
Lindholm was the breakout star of Boston’s blue line last season, producing career-best numbers as a mobile puck-mover who can be a sneaky-good asset in the Bruins’ transition game. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 16
Age: 30
Zibanejad is an instinctive forward who thrills as both scorer and playmaker. Now entering his 30s, Zibanejad’s numbers continue going up — which is great news for New York’s present and future prospects. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 33
Karlsson’s jaw-dropping 101-point performance in San Jose last season put him firmly back under the league’s spotlight and earned the veteran an unexpected Norris Trophy. Now with the Penguins, it’s time to chase a Stanley Cup. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 89
Age: 27
Nylander hit 40 goals for the first time last season and had a strong showing in the playoffs (10 points in 11 games). It was a reminder of how good Nylander’s offense can be when the winger is consistent with the all-around details of his game. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 33
Age: 30
Things can only be looking up for Gaudreau in Columbus after a tough first season. The veteran scored at a high level, dropping in 21 goals and 74 points that showed that even under bleak circumstances, Gaudreau can be an offensive spark. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 42
Age: 31
Regular season or playoffs, Stone is the two-way constant who is trying to captain the Golden Knights to back-to-back championships. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 17
Age: 38
Ovi moved into second on the NHL’s all-time goals list, and he finished with higher than a point-per-game average as well. Will he catch Wayne Gretzky this season? — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 26
Everything Hintz pulled off last season (75 points in the regular season, followed by 24 in 19 playoff games) has created the expectation that he could be the next star to ascend in Dallas. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 43
Age: 35
Marchand’s consistency as a bona fide top-six producer for Boston is more important than ever with Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci having retired. The Bruins’ new captain hasn’t lost his feisty edge, either, and he pairs it with impressive offensive totals. That’s no easy feat in a league that continuously seems to value youth over everything. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 88
Age: 24
Last season allowed Oettinger to showcase what makes him valuable to the Stars, as one of the handful of goalies who can play nightly in this era of tandems. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 20
Age: 33
The longtime Lightning captain has hardly entered the twilight of his career, as the past two seasons have been among his best. Stamkos is as competitive and smart as they come on the ice, and those are lasting traits to keep him on pace with the Bolts’ high-flying forward group. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 18
Age: 31
Panarin wields equal talent as scorer and playmaker, with a pass-first flair that pays major dividends for his teammates. He’s an undeniable driver of the Rangers’ offense and seems poised to possibly hit the 100-point mark this season for the first time in his career. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 24
Hischier raised the bar last season with a breakout performance that included eclipsing 30 goals for the first time and establishing himself as one of the league’s finest two-way centers. If Hischier keeps that up, the crescendo of Selke Trophy buzz building around him will keep getting louder. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 82
Age: 28
Don’t let last season’s breakout fool you; Sorokin was no overnight success on Long Island. The netminder had been underrated until he served up a top-three SV% among regular starters (.924) in 2022-23 and carried New York on his back into the postseason. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 28
Age: 24
Last season showed the offensive side of his game. Could this be the season Heiskanen makes a push for the Norris Trophy? — Clark
2022-23 rank: 11
Age: 27
Shesterkin’s performances have validated him as one of the best goalies in the game, and he’s one of the main reasons the Rangers have legitimate title aspirations. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 14
Age: 33
Another all-around defenseman who has been among the NHL’s best. Seeing how he’ll perform in this new era of the Predators will be fascinating. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 68
Age: 23
Dahlin is as dynamic from the blue line as any forward, with the skating, stickhandling and shooting ability to prove it. The 23-year-old is fresh off a career-best season in which he averaged nearly a point per game while showing off the defensive traits that earned him Norris Trophy buzz. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 34
Age: 25
Having a do-everything, puck-moving defenseman has become pretty much a necessity in today’s NHL. That’s what makes McAvoy so valuable to the Bruins’ success both now and in the future. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 26
Age: 27
Tampa Bay is literally not the same team without Point. He’s the Lightning’s jack-of-all-trades, a potent scoring threat at 5-on-5 and special teams, with a strong defensive foundation he uses to generate even more offensive opportunities for himself and others. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 13
Age: 36
Whether or not the Penguins have aged out of Stanley Cup contention, Crosby remains one of the NHL’s best point producers as he enters the twilight years of a legendary career. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: 22
Age: 26
Aho provides the sort of consistent two-way presence that practically makes him the embodiment of the Hurricanes. It’s something the Canes will seek to tap into once again in a season that has them as a top Stanley Cup contender. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 85
Age: 21
Stutzle has the breakneck speed, skating ability and the scoring touch of a burgeoning offensive star. His dominant 90-point season in 2022-23 just scratched the surface of where Stutzle’s all-around skill set came take him (and the Senators). — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 12
Age: 26
Marner dazzles like few playmakers can. Still more confident passing than shooting, Marner has put together consecutive seasons of nearly 100 points, with a maturing defensive game to match his offensive prowess. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 31
Age: 24
There’s an electric energy and obvious confidence that elevates Tkachuk above the competition. He’s already a perennial 30-plus goal scorer with a solid two-way foundation, and his high character is an asset Ottawa will continue to appreciate from its young captain. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 8
Age: 32
Could this season be the most important of Hedman’s career? He is seemingly always on the ice for critical minutes, and will continue to prove crucial as the Lightning seek to navigate life without Andrei Vasilevskiy for the first two months of the season. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 7
Age: 26
Kaprizov is a goal-scoring menace who is more than capable of creating challenges when he distributes. He is among the game’s best wingers and a pivotal figure in the Wild’s bid to reach the playoffs once again. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 32
Age: 24
Opening the season with a four-point game shows why he has been compared to aliens since the moment he debuted. It’s another example of what has made Pettersson a franchise cornerstone for a team trying to change its fortunes. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 9
Age: 28
It’s possible the “he’s underrated” talk could still exist. But what Barkov did last season by serving as the two-way anchor who captained the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final has made him harder to ignore. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 46
Age: 30
Hellebuyck has handled a heavier load than any goaltender in the league in recent seasons, and done it so well the Jets extended their workhorse on a seven-year pact to keep him from going elsewhere. Considering the 30-year-old Hellebuyck tied for the second-most wins last season (37) with an exemplary .920 save percentage, that looks like a safe bet for now. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 23
Age: 25
Fox has finished in the top five in Norris Trophy voting the past five seasons, while being the sort of multidimensional defenseman who is a problem for opponents. He’s a critical component of the Rangers’ championship push. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 30
Age: 24
A second 40-goal campaign was just the start for Robertson, who also scored 100 points for the first time. Those individual accomplishments set the stage for him and the Stars to reach the conference finals, showing they can be the next big threat in the West. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 19
Age: 25
Tkachuk bested his own best self last season to produce a second consecutive 40-plus goal effort and a career-high 109 points. The Panthers’ firecracker used that skill to will his team to a playoff berth — and was a driving force in Florida’s unexpected ride to the Stanley Cup Final. And Tkachuk was a Hart Trophy finalist to boot. So, what will he do for an encore? Suffice it to say, Tkachuk is more than some simple pest. He’s a bona fide star. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 21
Age: 27
An elite scorer already, Pastrnak had 61 goals last season, bested only by McDavid’s 64. Pastrnak continuing his progression into one of the NHL’s most dangerous finishers would aid a Bruins team seeking more production following the departures of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, among others. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 25
Age: 27
Eichel came into his own with Vegas last season and it no doubt contributed to the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup victory. After years of waiting for a taste of the postseason, Eichel averaged over a point per game on Vegas’ run and laid to rest any notion that following a hard disk surgery and rehab process he wouldn’t be a top-tier player again. If anything, Eichel could have more to give. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 5
Age: 30
Take away the 30 goals he scored last season and his 83 assists would have still put him among the top 25 in points. Last season just reinforced what makes Kucherov one of the game’s most dangerous players, and arguably the scariest winger in the NHL. It’s something the Lightning will continue to count on to open the season now that Andrei Vasilevskiy is recovering from back surgery. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 24
Age: 27
The discussion around Denver the past few years regarding Rantanen was that his shot was just as treacherous as his ability to create. It was just a matter of when he would be able to showcase both. He did in 2022-23, and the result was a 55-goal, 50-assist season, a feat he’ll push for again as the Avs have their eyes on another title. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 6
Age: 28
Draisaitl’s perennial stance among NHL leaders in goals and point production continue to prove that he’s more than just McDavid’s wing man. He has carved out a starring role in his own right, including his 52 goals and 128 points last season. And Draisaitl is an inspiring leader apart from just scoring ability — he excelled for Edmonton in last year’s postseason while skating on a fractured ankle. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 3
Age: 26
Matthews opened his season with a hat trick performance that put him past the 300-goal mark in only 482 career games. The Leafs’ top center has one of the league’s best shots, is strong at both ends of the ice and keeps evolving in his craft, for example by taking on a penalty-killing role. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 44
Age: 22
Perhaps no player to make the top-100 list from last season did more to boost his standing in the NHL than Hughes. His fourth season saw him nearly double his point total from the prior campaign, and he was a major reason the Devils reached the postseason. The conversation around the best centers in the NHL has been dominated recently by players such as Matthews, Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. Could it be time for that discussion to have another entrant? — Clark
2022-23 rank: 4
Age: 28
A perennial threat to score 100 points, MacKinnon finally reached the century club last season when he finished with a career-high 111 in 71 games. MacKinnon’s combination of creativity, power and speed is what has made him one of the NHL’s most dangerous players who is also one of the main reasons why the Avalanche are seeking to add a second Stanley Cup in three seasons. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 2
Age: 24
Makar can use his intelligence, speed and stick to either escape situations or to find ways to make opponents uncomfortable on either end of the ice. While his offensive exploits are what attracts the most attention, there’s more to Makar than just points. Last season, Makar became a more complete defenseman, playing on both special teams and leading the NHL in average ice time. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 1
Age: 26
He is imminent danger personified. Anytime McDavid has the puck — or even when he doesn’t — he’s always a threat to do something. He can create for others or for himself in a number of different situations. This is why he remains the No. 1 player in the game, less than 150 points away from 1,000 in his career and turning 27 this year. — Clark
Honorable mentions
Chris Kreider, LW, New York Rangers
Alex Tuch, RW, Buffalo Sabres
Trevor Zegras, C, Anaheim Ducks
Troy Terry, C, Anaheim Ducks
Noah Dobson, D, New York Islanders
Bo Horvat, C, New York Islanders
Carter Verhaeghe, C, Florida Panthers
Adam Fantilli, C, Columbus Blue Jackets
Logan Cooley, C, Arizona Coyotes
Adrian Kempe, C, Los Angeles Kings
Ohio State allowed a whopping 16 points at Illinois, seven more than it had in any other game this season, and the Buckeyes were ticked off about it.
“Definitely bothers me,” defensive lineman Kayden McDonald said. “If we want to be the best defense in the country, we can’t let people score.”
As the midpoint of the 2025 season arrives, even the most dominant unit on the most dominant team is looking for areas to improve. This has largely been a season of imperfections and invalidated predictions. Don’t stare directly at the preseason polls or you’ll damage your eyes.
Week 7 highlighted some problems, from Oklahoma’s offense to Tennessee’s third-down defense (and offense) to LSU’s general sloppiness to Ole Miss’ inability to finish drives. And that’s just in the SEC. Oregon quarterback Dante Moore looked shaky in a 10-point loss to Indiana, and Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw an ugly pick-six in the victory. Michigan‘s normally sound defense had no answers for Jayden Maiava, King Miller and USC, which has its own flaws but looked very sharp against the Wolverines.
We’re at the halfway point, and our latest power rankings examine the biggest obstacles facing the top teams. — Adam Rittenberg
Previous ranking: 1
There’s not much to nitpick about the Buckeyes, who are 6-0 and have outscored their opponents 221-41, never facing legitimate danger of a loss. But Ohio State’s run game remains a work in progress after losing TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins to the NFL from the national championship team. The Buckeyes averaged just 2.9 yards per carry in Saturday’s win at Illinois, with only one rush longer than 10 yards. CJ Donaldson reached the end zone twice, and Ohio State’s offensive line generated good movement early on, but the explosive runs didn’t come.
“We need to go and look to see: Is it a blocking issue? Is there a personnel issue?” coach Ryan Day said. “We’ve got to look at all those things. But I thought the offensive line was moving people today.”
The run game hasn’t been awful but remains a work in progress. — Rittenberg
Previous ranking: 2
The Hurricanes will be a favorite in the rest of their games, as no ranked teams remain on their regular-season schedule. They also just had their final open date of the season this past weekend, so Miami will play seven straight games to close out the slate before championship game weekend. The biggest obstacle is making sure the Hurricanes stay as focused on the teams ahead as they were when playing Top 25 teams earlier in the season. Under Mario Cristobal, Miami has lost eight games as a favorite, including two this past season that cost it a spot in the ACC championship game. Miami is the prohibitive favorite now to get to Charlotte and win the ACC. — Andrea Adelson
Previous ranking: 7
After what was a pretty complete performance at Oregon on both sides of the ball to notch a 30-20 win, Indiana doesn’t just look like a team that is College Football Playoff-bound for the second straight season; it looks even better and more confident than last year’s squad. With more experience, better talent and Curt Cignetti at the helm, the Hoosiers’ biggest obstacle might be themselves. As Cignetti pointed out postgame, penalties (specifically false starts) were a major issue. Outside of that, however, it’s Ohio State that is their biggest competition in the Big Ten. They avoid each other in the regular season which could set up a potential matchup in the championship game in Indianapolis.
Regardless, if Indiana makes it to that game, it’s a near certainty that it’ll be back in the playoff, where the ghosts of what Notre Dame did to the Hoosiers in the first round this past season await. — Paolo Uggetti
Previous ranking: 5
The Aggies are for real, moving to 6-0 for the first time since 2016 and only the second time in the past 30 years with a win over Florida. But now the real fun starts. They’ll roll into Fayetteville to face Arkansas for just the second time since 1990, in Bobby Petrino’s first home game as the interim coach on a night in which the Hogs are honoring Darren McFadden. They follow that up with trips to LSU and Missouri, and won’t return home until Nov. 15. The A&M defense is bringing back old Wrecking Crew feelings, holding three straight SEC opponents to 100 yards or less and dominating on third down, becoming the first major conference program in the past 20 years to hold three straight teams to one or fewer conversions on third down. The old saying is that defense travels. We’re about to find out. — Dave Wilson
Previous ranking: 4
The Rebels are getting ready to face the most difficult part of their schedule, starting with Saturday’s SEC road game at Georgia. They’ll play at Oklahoma the week after that, followed by a home game against South Carolina on Nov. 1. If Ole Miss is to survive that stretch, it’s going to need to eliminate the self-inflicted mistakes it keeps making. The Rebels are the third-most penalized team in the SEC with 73.8 yards per game. They also rank 14th in the league in turnover margin at minus-4, losing three fumbles and throwing five interceptions. In Saturday’s 24-21 win against Washington State, the Rebels were penalized eight times for 99 yards. — Mark Schlabach
Previous ranking: 8
The Red Raiders continue to show they’re dynamic, malleable and can win however they need. This week, they lost starting quarterback Behren Morton to injury and backup Will Hammond struggled through the air, going 7-of-16 for 42 yards with an interception, yet they won 42-17 over Kansas. Hammond added 61 yards and two scores, but the superstar was running back Cameron Dickey, who piled up 263 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 12.5 yards per carry. Tech has won six straight games by 20 or more points, and it has all been seemingly different. But the one constant is that the Red Raiders have fielded perhaps the best defense in school history. The only concern for Tech right now is the health of Morton, who has left three games this season with an injury, though the Red Raiders have a lot of belief in Hammond, who put on a show in relief against Utah. The schedule looks extremely favorable, with the remaining teams having a 19-18 record, and that includes 6-0 BYU. — Wilson
Previous ranking: 9
The Crimson Tide have reeled off five straight wins since losing the opener to Florida State, but they have done it without a strong run game. Alabama has struggled to consistently move the ball on the ground, and losing Jam Miller to a concussion in the fourth quarter of a 27-24 win over Missouri on Saturday is certainly not the news this team needs headed into the Tennessee game this week. Alabama ranks No. 103 in the nation in rush offense and is averaging just 3.89 yards per rush. Against Missouri, Alabama had 43 carries for just 126 yards. Ty Simpson has been carrying this offense, but at some point, Alabama is going to have to run the ball more consistently than it has this season. — Adelson
Previous ranking: 10
If the Bulldogs are going to stay in the SEC title mix, they’re going to have to figure out a way to get opponents off the field on third down. The Bulldogs rank 13th in the league in that area, allowing their opponents to convert 40.2% of the time. By comparison, when Georgia won its second straight CFP national title during the 2022 season, it led the SEC and ranked No. 2 in the FBS at 26.6%. It’s the biggest reason why the Bulldogs lost to Alabama 24-21 at home and had to come from behind to survive in their road victories at Tennessee and Auburn. The Crimson Tide converted nine of their 11 third-down plays while building a 24-14 lead in the first half. Auburn had a 75-yard touchdown drive to start the game and controlled the ball for nearly 22 minutes in the first half, converting 8 of 11 third downs along the way. The Bulldogs have made great adjustments at halftime of games, but they need to do better coming out of the gates. — Schlabach
Previous ranking: 3
Since 2022, this Ducks team has run on a very particular kind of energy: success at home in front of a frenzied crowd that had helped them win 18 straight games in a row at Autzen Stadium. But after Indiana came into town and outmatched Oregon to the tune of a 30-20 result, Dan Lanning’s team will need to reset and find its groove again. The loss does not deter the Ducks’ season-long goals, but it does force them to reevaluate some of their weaknesses, including an inability to match the energy of a team that is as good or better than they are (see: not just Indiana but Ohio State in the playoff last year, too). Throughout this dominant stretch, Lanning has been exceptional at continuing to motivate his team to keep its success going. What will his approach be after Oregon just got punched in the mouth? — Uggetti
Previous ranking: 12
If the concerns surrounding Georgia Tech’s close wins to start the season suggested the Yellow Jackets could be susceptible to an upset, it sure didn’t seem to be true in Week 7. Georgia Tech jumped out to an early 15-0 lead and never looked back in a 35-20 win over Virginia Tech. Better news, the ground game, which had been dependent on Haynes King‘s rushing ability, racked up 268 yards, while King proved he can win with his arm too, completing 20 of 24 passes for 213 yards and a score. That type of offensive balance will be the key to the Jackets staying undefeated moving forward. — David Hale
Previous ranking: 11
Tennessee allowed 16.1 points per game and 4.6 yards per play during last year’s College Football Playoff run. This year, the Volunteers are allowing 29.3 points per game and 5.1 yards per play. On Saturday in Knoxville, they needed a 146-yard rushing day from DeSean Bishop and a 109-yard receiving day from Braylon Staley to survive a track meet with Arkansas, 34-31. The win moved the Volunteers to 5-1, and as long as quarterback Joey Aguilar and company can keep the points and yards flowing, they could be fine. But they’ve allowed 24, 26, 31 and 34 points in four of their wins (and 44 in their loss). Trying to win track meet after track meet is a tough way to remain in the playoff hunt. — Bill Connelly
Previous ranking: 13
It’s safe to say that LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier hasn’t gotten as much help as he needs this season. The run game has stunk, and he has had to throw short and quick to assure pressure doesn’t become an issue. That remains an issue, but there were signs of hope in Saturday’s 20-10 win over South Carolina. Thanks in part to a 56-yard burst from Ju’Juan Johnson, LSU rushed for 166 yards, and Nussmeier was able to complete 20 of 33 passes for 254 yards with no sacks. He did throw two interceptions, and LSU turned the ball over twice in the red zone, which allowed the Gamecocks to hang around. But the defense was excellent once again, and the problematic offense appeared to make progress. — Connelly
Previous ranking: 6
The Sooners’ smooth start to the 2025 season struck a pothole in a 23-6 loss to Red River rivals Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Week 7. Away from the struggles of quarterback John Mateer in his return from a hand injury and an uncharacteristically leaky defense, Oklahoma’s 106th-ranked run game was the thorn in the Sooners’ side for yet another week, and it remains the biggest threat to the program’s playoff aspirations in 2025. Oklahoma gained just 48 yards from 30 attempts (1.6 yards per carry) on Saturday, cycling between running backs Tory Blaylock, Xavier Robinson and Jaydn Ott to no avail. Without a meaningful run game, the Sooners’ offense has become a worryingly one-dimensional problem not even Mateer’s typically outstanding playmaking can overcome. It’s an issue that will surely trip Oklahoma up across the back half of the regular season, just as it did against Texas. — Eli Lederman
Previous ranking: 16
The Cougars trailed by 10 at Arizona with less than five minutes to play before finding a way to send the game to overtime, where they won, 33-27. The win kept their undefeated season alive ahead of this week’s Holy War game against Utah. Now comes the hard part. BYU’s schedule is much more difficult in the second half of the season. It got quarterback Bear Bachmeier the experience he needed but it’s concerning how much the Cougars relied on his legs against Arizona (22 carries, 89 yards). They need to be able to throw it more effectively for the winning streak to continue. — Kyle Bonagura
Previous ranking: 14
Mizzou fought hard, tackled well and made life as difficult as possible for Alabama in Columbia on Saturday, but Eli Drinkwitz’s Tigers still fell 27-24 because, well, they couldn’t pass. Beau Pribula went just 16-for-28 passing for 167 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions; even with Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts combining to average 6.0 yards per carry. After an early touchdown, the Tigers scored just 10 points over a 55-minute period before nearly pulling off a late comeback. With plenty of other excellent defenses coming up on the schedule — including Auburn’s next week — the Tigers can’t afford to become one-dimensional if they want to remain in the playoff race. — Connelly
Previous ranking: 17
Notre Dame dominated NC State, 36-7, behind another stellar performance from QB CJ Carr. More impressively is that a defense, lambasted after an 0-2 start for struggles, particularly in the secondary, dominated, picking off CJ Bailey three times in the win. The ugly start to the season seems like it’s fully in the rearview mirror, but those two early losses mean Notre Dame will continue to walk a tightrope in hopes of a playoff berth, and Week 8 could be the moment the Irish tumble to the ground. USC awaits after a big win over Michigan, with a date in South Bend likely to be the defining moment of Notre Dame’s season. — Hale
Previous ranking: NR
After an impressive 31-13 win over No. 15 Michigan Saturday, the Trojans’ biggest obstacle may be something that they can’t go back and change: their loss to Illinois two weeks ago in a game that was seemingly in their hands before they let it slip away. The reason that loss may linger for Lincoln Riley’s team is the fact that the rest of its schedule is daunting to say the least. USC heads to Notre Dame next before heading to face Nebraska in another tough road environment, then has to deal with pesky teams like Northwestern and Iowa at home. The finishing stretch features a dangerous road trip to play Oregon before getting a suddenly-feisty UCLA team at home. Every game in that stretch is its own tricky obstacle and the Trojans have yet to prove they can play consistent elite football, especially on the road. With their talent, the Trojans are plenty capable. The question is whether they will be able to turn that into results. — Uggetti
Previous ranking: 25
For the first time this fall, Texas finally looked the part of the preseason No. 1 and the national title contender the Longhorns were expected to be in August. With physical line play, a productive run game and error-free football from quarterback Arch Manning, Texas controlled the final 35 minutes at the Cotton Bowl and smoothly dispatched Oklahoma in a 23-6 win that breathed life back into its playoff hopes this fall. The challenge now for the Longhorns will be maintaining that level over the back half of the season with a consistency they simply haven’t shown in 2025. If Steve Sarkisian & Co. can replicate Saturday’s performance outside of a rivalry game when their backs are against the wall, Texas has a shot to claw back into the CFP hunt with only three ranked matchups remaining on the schedule. — Lederman
Previous ranking: 19
The Hoos were off in Week 7, which gave Tony Elliott & Co. a chance to take stock of all that has transpired. After a deflating Week 2 loss to NC State in what was considered a nonconference game, Virginia has roared back to life behind a stellar running game and the heroics of QB Chandler Morris. It has won four straight, including back-to-back overtime wins against Florida State and Louisville Cardinals. The remaining schedule is accommodating — Washington State, UNC and Cal are up next — but the Cavaliers would feel better if the next few W’s don’t require as much stress as the past two. — Hale
Previous ranking: 20
The Commodores got a well-timed bye week following their 30-14 loss at Alabama, giving them a chance to get healthy and dig into how they can fine-tune from their first loss of the year. The defining four-game stretch of their schedule comes next against LSU, Missouri, Texas and Auburn, and they’re getting three of those four at home. Clark Lea’s squad has proven it can compete with anyone in its conference. Now it takes great precision and poise to pull off these upsets. Quarterback Diego Pavia was excellent through his first five starts but has eight turnover-worthy plays this season, according to Pro Football Focus, after producing just five through 13 games in 2024. — Max Olson
Previous ranking: NR
The Bulls cleared one of their few remaining hurdles and secured another résumé-building victory in a 27-point win on the road against previously unbeaten North Texas Friday night. South Florida has now committed 13 turnovers this fall, including three across a messy first quarter against the Mean Green, more than all but four other FBS offenses entering play Saturday. But those turnover troubles haven’t kept the Bulls from reaching the back half of the regular season as one of the Group of 5’s leading CFP contenders. The biggest obstacle standing in the way of USF’s playoff hopes? A Week 9 trip to Memphis on Oct. 25. If the Bulls can land a ranked road win over the Tigers later this month, they’ll reach November with pole position in the American title race, and in turn, a clear path to the first-ever CFP appearance in school history. — Lederman
Previous ranking: 21
The 6-0 Tigers had the week off following their 45-7 rout of Tulsa, which gave them a chance to start working ahead on UAB, as well as their much-anticipated Oct. 25 showdown with South Florida, a game with potentially massive College Football Playoff implications. Coach Ryan Silverfield said he’ll harp on ball security and how important it is that his team take care of the football over the second half of the season. Quarterback Brendon Lewis has been responsible for six of the Tigers’ seven turnovers on the year, and they’ve been fortunate to only lose two of their six fumbles so far. Memphis’ defense has been able to get stops in four of these sudden change situations, but this squad will be in trouble if it’s not careful against a USF team that converted five takeaways into 21 points to rout North Texas. — Olson
Previous ranking: NR
The Utes dazzled in a 32-point win over then-No. 21 Arizona State, their third-largest win over a ranked opponent in school history, led by Devon Dampier‘s three rushing TDs and 120 yards on the ground to go with 104 passing yards. The Utes ended a five-game home losing streak to conference opponents, a shocking stat, but coach Kyle Whittingham said that’s over now. The next test is the big one: a nationally televised Holy War game against BYU in Provo, following last year’s one-point loss in the rivalry. It’s once again predicted to be close: ESPN’s FPI gives the Cougars a 51% chance to win. — Wilson
Previous ranking: 24
Coach Scott Satterfield and the Bearcats said they would be better before the season, and they have backed it up, even after an agonizing loss to Nebraska in the opener. The Bearcats won their fifth consecutive game Saturday, their longest win streak since 2022, and are 3-0 in Big 12 play for the first time. They have one of the nation’s best offensive lines, quarterback Brendan Sorsby has been fantastic, and their defense has been opportunistic in forcing turnovers, adding their seventh forced fumble against UCF. While the defense took a step in the right direction against UCF, allowing only 11 points, Cincinnati still surrendered 1,480 yards in the three Big 12 games. The Bearcats entered Saturday ranked 121st nationally in pass efficiency defense, an area that must improve with upcoming games against Baylor, Utah and BYU. — Rittenberg
Previous ranking: NR
At the halfway point of the season, Nebraska has done enough to get the collective hopes of its fanbase in a rare optimistic position. ESPN’s Football Power Index projects the Cornhuskers’ most likely finish to be 9-3, which would be the program’s best finish since 2016. But the second half of the schedule is full of land mines: There are no easy outs the rest of the way. QB Dylan Raiola has had some incredible moments but his three interceptions against Maryland on Saturday are a bit concerning. — Bonagura
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Jesse Rogers
MILWAUKEE — The Brewers pulled off the first 8-6-2 double play in MLB postseason history against the Los Angeles Dodgers during Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Monday night.
With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning and the game still scoreless, Max Muncy hit a deep fly ball to center field. Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick was tracking the ball, and as he leaped to catch it, the ball bounced off his glove then the wall and back into his glove.
Muncy was not out because the ball hit the wall, but the Dodgers’ runners seemingly thought the ball was caught because they tagged up instead of taking off for the next base.
Teoscar Hernandez went back to third base then took off for home as Frelick relayed the ball to shortstop Joey Ortiz, who fired a perfect strike to catcher William Contreras, forcing Hernandez out at the plate.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?!?! #NLCS pic.twitter.com/x7BbmJ6hzX
— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2025
Contreras then ran down and touched third base, getting the force out on Will Smith. Smith had gone back to second when he thought Frelick made a clean catch.
The play was officially recorded in the box score as Muncy grounding into a double play because there were force plays at two different bases, according to official scorer Tim O’Driscoll, even with it beginning 404 feet out.
According to ESPN Research, Muncy’s double-play ball would have been a home run in nine ballparks, including Dodger Stadium.
As all this was developing, Frelick had his arms out with a quizzical look on his face, seemingly wondering what had just happened.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts challenged the call, but both outs were upheld, ending the inning.
The most recent 8-6-2 double play in the regular season involved a ball hit by Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa to Cincinnati Reds center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. in April 2004 — though that one ended with a tag at the plate.
Information from Elias Sports Bureau and The Associated Press was included in this report.
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