Week 9 preview: Big SEC matchups, the journey for Boise State’s quarterback and more
Week 9 in college football is here as we embark on another weekend of exciting matchups that you won’t want to miss.
Friday night will feature a showdown between one-loss Mountain West teams No. 17 Boise State and UNLV. Most college football fans know the name of Boise State’s star running back, Heisman Trophy favorite Ashton Jeanty, but do you know about the Broncos’ quarterback?
No. 8 LSU and No. 14 Texas A&M meet in a big conference matchup Saturday evening. They’re both undefeated as the top two teams in the SEC standings entering Week 9, but only one team can leave Kyle Field with a win. Can Texas A&M’s defense keep LSU’s offense off the field?
Our college football experts preview big games and storylines to know, and share quotes of the week ahead Week 9’s slate.
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Top SEC matchup | Missouri-Alabama | Boise State QB
Quotes of the Week
What are the top two SEC teams doing right ahead of their matchup Saturday?
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said the similarities between LSU and his team this season have been “eerily similar.” Both started with big Week 1 games, and both lost, A&M to Notre Dame and LSU to USC. But they both have steadily improved all season and meet at 6-1, with A&M 4-0 in the SEC and LSU 3-0. They’ve done it in different ways, though. LSU has gotten better on defense, holding Ole Miss to 26 in an overtime win, then giving up just 10 at Arkansas last week. Blake Baker’s defense now ranks third in pressure rate and seventh in sacks, despite losing Harold Perkins for the season in Week 4. Offensively, Garrett Nussmeier has five 300-yard games, as the Tigers rank eighth nationally in passing offense at 322.4 yards per game. Nussmeier leads the SEC with 18 passing touchdowns and an 82.5 QBR.
Texas A&M, meanwhile, has a stingy defense that has been complemented by a strong running game that slows down games and keeps opposing offenses off the field. The Aggies have been able to stop opponents without bringing pressure, blitzing just 16% of the time, eight lowest in the FBS, according to ESPN research. Opponents complete just 54% of passes against the Aggies, 10th best in the FBS, and they’ve made key stops, ranking 16th nationally in third-down defense. On offense, Texas A&M ranks 12th in rushing, at 218 yards per game, a stabilizing force as the Aggies navigated Conner Weigman‘s shoulder injury in Week 2. Marcel Reed starting until Weigman returned to dominate Missouri, going 18-of-22 for 276 yards. Le’Veon Moss, who has shouldered the load at running back, has five TDs in the past two games and is looking to become the third Aggie to have multiple rushing touchdowns in three straight games since Texas A&M joined the SEC in 2012. — Dave Wilson
What Missouri and Alabama need to do to win their matchup in Week 9
Alabama: It sounds simple, but Alabama needs to play a complete game and, probably even more importantly, a clean game. Starting with the second half in the 41-34 win over Georgia in Week 4, in which the Bulldogs piled up 381 yards after halftime and erased a 28-0 deficit, it has been hit or miss with the Crimson Tide. The defense again struggled the next week in a shocking 40-35 loss to Vanderbilt followed by a shaky 27-25 escape against South Carolina at home in a game Alabama led 14-0, only to see South Carolina recover an onside kick late and have a chance to win. Then a week ago, the offense was a no-show in a 24-17 loss to Tennessee.
Quarterback Jalen Milroe was sensational in the win over Georgia, but he has thrown five interceptions in his past three games. Tennessee sacked him three times, and he was held to 11 rushing yards on 14 carries. Penalties have plagued the Crimson Tide. They have 62 on the season. Only four FBS teams have been penalized more. They were penalized a season-high 15 times against Tennessee, including a 15-yard personal foul on receiver Kendrick Law during Alabama’s next-to-last drive. — Chris Low
Missouri: There’s no simple path to winning as a road team inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, where the Crimson Tide have lost only six times since the end of the 2007 season. And Missouri’s path to a historic win in Tuscaloosa won’t be helped by the expected absences of quarterback Brady Cook (ankle) and leading rusher Nate Noel (foot). Down the pair of star offensive talents, the Tigers must find a way to slow Jalen Milroe and Alabama the same way Tennessee did a week ago.
The Volunteers limited the Crimson Tide to 75 rushing yards and pressured Milroe 24 times as the junior passer threw a pair of interceptions and completed a season-low 55.6% of his throws in the 24-17 defeat. Missouri enters Saturday ranked 24th in defensive red zone efficiency, and if the Tigers can stay close early, perhaps they hang around with an Alabama team that has been outscored 81-55 after halftime in four league games. No SEC team has more comebacks down seven or more points this fall than Missouri, and the Tigers enter Week 9 with a record of 7-0 in one score games since the start of last season. — Eli Lederman
Maddux Madsen is much more than the other guy in Boise State’s backfield
Boise State’s Maddux Madsen might be the ideal person to share a backfield with the Heisman Trophy favorite.
Madsen’s path to being Boise State’s starting quarterback, where he lines up beside star running back Ashton Jeanty, hasn’t been a straight shot. He’s a 5-foot-10 QB who didn’t receive scholarship offers from the two Power 4 schools in his home state of Utah, and came to Boise State only after a highly touted QB recruit, Katin Houser, flipped his commitment to Michigan State.
Madsen, a third-year sophomore, doesn’t need tutorials about roles or teamwork, what competition requires, how opportunities are earned and how to navigate adversity. He grew up around baseball fields, as his dad, Eric, coached at Utah Valley. Maddux and his four siblings are all named after baseball standouts — Maddux after Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux, and brothers Mays (Willie), McGwire (Mark) and Mick (Mantle), and sister Macee Jo (DiMaggio).
“In baseball, you almost set yourself up to fail,” Maddux said. “If you’re hitting .300, that’s pretty elite. So I learned not to let myself get beat up about certain things. Obviously, football’s a little bit different, but there’s going to be things that go wrong, and handling adversity is something I learned from baseball and translated to football.”
He has spent much of his Broncos career competing. Last season, he shared time with Taylen Green in a two-quarterback system that ended when Madsen sustained a knee injury in November. When Boise State added USC transfer Malachi Nelson in January, many assumed the starting job would go to the former ESPN No. 1 overall recruit.
But Madsen beat out Nelson in camp and has completed 63.8% of his passes for 1,273 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and two interceptions through six games.
“He doesn’t want anything given to him,” said Boise State coach Spencer Danielson, who informed Madsen after the 2023 season that the team would be seeking a transfer quarterback. “He wants to be challenged, he wants the opportunity to compete, and the stage is never too big for him. He’s always been a guy that has the mentality of a hunter. He’s going to go win. Maddux is an unwavering young man.”
Danielson saw Madsen’s approach from the start. After a pass was tipped and intercepted at Georgia Southern in the season opener, Madsen began the next possession with completions of 53 and 36 yards, and Jeanty capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. The following week, Madsen completed only 17 of 40 passes in a 37-34 loss at Oregon, as the Ducks’ defense smothered Broncos receivers and quickly closed passing windows.
Since then, Madsen has completed 70.8% of his attempts.
“I understand that there’s going to be loud stadiums, there’s going to be things said, so how can I control the game with a neutral mindset?” Madsen said. “I’ve learned that the seriousness I have to approach the game with is definitely different than I have in the past. We’re in a no-joke situation right now, and we’ve got to attack every day with complete intent and focus.”
Madsen also recognizes that Boise State’s offense largely will run through Jeanty, who leads the nation in rushing yards and ranks sixth in attempts.
“It’s the best thing ever,” Madsen said of playing with Jeanty. “I tell people, I’ve got the best seat in the house, watching him do what he does.”
Jeanty will continue to dominate the spotlight, and rightfully so, but Madsen will also be a significant factor if Boise State surges to its first College Football Playoff appearance.
“Nobody wanted to hear about Maddux Madsen, because he was the 5-10 kid from Utah that wasn’t recruited,” Danielson said. “He’s really been the embodiment of what we are here at Boise State, one those guys that are counted out, got a chip on their shoulder, and all he’s done is earn everything he’s got.” — Adam Rittenberg
Quotes of the week
“I’ve always respected those coaches because that’s where I’ve come from. I started as a Division II head coach, he’s worked his way up. And any time you can hire an Ivy League grad, it makes me smarter. So that worked out well for me.” — LSU coach Brian Kelly, on hiring now-Texas A&M coach Mike Elko, a Penn alum, as his defensive coordinator in 2017 after Elko had stops at Penn, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Richmond and Hofstra, among others.
“Define ‘at,'” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said when asked if quarterback Brady Cook (ankle) would be at practice Tuesday (Cook has since been ruled doubtful for Saturday’s game). “I don’t know if I’d say participate. I anticipate that he will be out at practice. But that’s why I’m not letting the media at practice so that y’all can’t worry about what he’s doing or not doing in practice.”
“It’s an excellent opportunity for us on a big stage. When we recruit, we talk about big-time college football and one of the things is, you get to play Notre Dame every year,” Navy defensive coordinator P.J. Volker said ahead of Saturday’s matchup between the Fighting Irish and Midshipmen. “Obviously they’re the cream of the crop in college football. To have this opportunity is something that we all relish.”
There has been no shortage of excitement already this NHL offseason. Following the Florida Panthers‘ second consecutive Stanley Cup championship — and seemingly never-ending celebration — the annual period of roster modification has begun.
The 2025 NHL draft included 224 prospects finding new homes, and the weekend included trades for Noah Dobson, Charlie Coyle and John Gibson. On Monday, a slew of re-signings, and the trade of Mitch Marner, took several big names off the free agent big board.
Below you will find our continuously updated free agency tracker for 2025, featuring a list of every player signed, including average annual value of the contract in most cases. Analysis of the biggest deals can be found here.
Note that the newest deals are on top, denoted by date.
Draft recap: All 224 picks
Grades for all 32 teams
Winners and losers
July 3
The Hurricanes have signed the most coveted free agent left on the board; former Jet Nikolaj Ehlers is heading to Carolina via a six-year, $8.5 million AAV contract.
The Sharks are building an elite young core of skilled players, but the front office is also surrounding them with veterans to show the youngsters the ropes. That latter trend continued Thursday, with San Jose agreeing to terms on a two-year, $6.5 million AAV pact with defenseman Dmitry Orlov.
July 2
One of the most legendary old guys without a Stanley Cup, Brent Burns is joining the Avalanche on a one-year contract to try to fill that gap on his résumé.
Perhaps acknowledging that they will no longer be in the Nikolaj Ehlers business, the Jets added a seasoned middle-six winger instead in Gustav Nyquist, who is agreeing to a one-year, $3.25 million pact.
Defenseman Alexander Alexeyev has switched sides in the Capitals-Penguins rivalry! He’ll patrol the blue line in Pittsburgh next season, thanks to a one-year, $775,000 deal.
The Pius Suter Derby is over. The veteran forward will be plying his trade for the Blues, inking a two-year, $4 million AAV pact with the club.
The big addition for the Golden Knights this offseason was Mitch Marner, but they’re making depth moves too, including signing defenseman Kaedan Korczak to a four-year, $3.25 million AAV contract.
Winnipeg: Cold in the winter. Detroit: Slightly less cold in the winter. Mason Appleton is about to find out after signing a two-year, $2.9 million AAV contract.
The Devils saw enough out of Cody Glass during the 2024-25 season to re-sign him. His new deal is for two years, $2.5 million AAV.
Salmon Arm, British Columbia, native Curtis Lazar is headed back to Western Canada, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Oilers.
Veteran winger Anthony Mantha has made the rounds in recent seasons, and his next NHL home is in Pittsburgh, inking a one-year, $2.5 million pact.
July 1
After a brief stint for an American-based team, Andrew Mangiapane is back in Western Canada, inking a two-year, $3.6 million AAV deal with the Oilers.
Forward Justin Brazeau has chosen the Penguins as his next NHL destination, inking a two-year, $1.5 million AAV contract.
The Devils continued adding to their forward depth, adding veteran scoring winger Evgenii Dadonov via a one-year, $1 million deal.
The July 1 goalie rush continues. The Mammoth are the latest team to make an addition in the crease, inking Stanley Cup champion Vitek Vanecek via a one-year, $1.5 million deal.
Offensive defenseman John Klingberg is headed to San Jose, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $4 million pact with the Sharks.
One of the top remaining free agents available, veteran forward Mikael Granlund has landed with the Ducks on a three-year deal.
Veteran bottom-six forward Lars Eller has chosen the Senators as his next team, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $1.25 million deal.
The Penguins have extended their business relationships with Philip Tomasino (one year, $1.75 million) and Connor Dewar (one year, $1.1 million).
As part of the effort to retake the title of Florida’s best hockey team, the Lightning have inked Pontus Holmberg to a two-year, $1.55 million AAV contract.
The Wild have added Nico Sturm. The former Panther has signed a two-year, $2 million AAV contract.
The Sabres have entered the chat! The club’s first big deal of the day is inking goaltender Alex Lyon to a two-year, $1.5 million AAV contract.
The Kraken add to their goaltending depth, adding former Stanley Cup winner Matt Murray on a one-year, $1 million contract.
The Islanders had themselves a great draft weekend, and they continue the momentum in free agency, adding veteran forward Jonathan Drouin on a two-year, $4 million AAV deal.
The Stars are on the board. Hours after announcing the official hiring of Glen Gulutzan as the club’s new head coach, the Stars have brought back forward Radek Faksa on a two-year, $3 million AAV contract.
Earlier on Tuesday the Kings lost defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to the Rangers. To help fill that blue-line gap, they signed Cody Ceci (four years, $4.5 million AAV) and Brian Dumoulin (three years, $4 million AAV). They also signed goaltender Anton Forsberg for two years, $2.25 million AAV.
Defenseman Nick Perbix has thus far only known NHL life as a member of the Lightning. He’ll head to Nashville next, agreeing to a two-year, $2.75 million AAV deal with the Predators.
The Panthers have gone to the veteran defenseman well again, signing Jeff Petry to a one-year, $775,000 contract.
Fresh off a Stanley Cup with the Panthers, defenseman Nate Schmidt is joining the Mammoth by way of a three-year, $3.5 million AAV contract.
The NHL career of James van Riemsdyk will continue, as he has agreed to terms with the Red Wings on a one-year, $1 million deal. Separately, the Wings added Jacob Bernard-Docker on a one-year, $875,000 contract.
The Bruins add to their depth, agreeing to terms with Sean Kuraly on a two-year, $1.85 million AAV pact.
Another key member of the Panthers’ championship roster is returning. Veteran forward Tomas Nosek has agreed to a one-year deal.
After completing the 2024-25 season with the Jets, veteran forward Brandon Tanev is sticking in the Central Division, but heading to Utah by way of a three-year, $2.5 million AAV deal.
Take another goalie’s name off the big board! Kaapo Kahkonen has agreed to terms with the Canadiens on a one-year deal worth $1.15 million. In a separate deal, the club also signed forward Sammy Blais.
The winner of the 2020 Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA men’s hockey, defenseman Scott Perunovich has signed a one-year deal with the Mammoth.
In need of some backup goaltending depth, the Islanders agreed to terms with “Big Save” Dave Rittich on a one-year deal.
Diminutive, versatile forward Kailer Yamamoto is the latest player added by the Mammoth, by way of a one-year, $775,000 pact.
Veteran center Nick Bjugstad has made his decision: He’s joining the Blues by way of a two-year contract.
Veteran defenseman Ryan Lindgren finished the 2024-25 season with the Avalanche, and he’ll head northwest for his next NHL home, agreeing to terms on a four-year, $4.5 million AAV contract.
The Senators haven’t been able to lure any new free agents to the club yet, but their re-signing game remains strong. After re-upping with Claude Giroux, the Sens also continued their business relationship with Nick Cousins via a one-year, $825,000 pact.
Sure to be a fan favorite in Beantown, veteran forward Tanner Jeannot has agreed to terms on a five-year contract with the Bruins, with a $3.4 million AAV.
A sixth-round pick in the 2016 draft, winger Michael Pezzetta is going from Montreal to Toronto via a two-year, $787,500 AAV contract.
Connor Brown impressed a lot of viewers with inspired play during the Oilers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final. Now, he’ll bring that energy to the Devils, who have signed him to a four-year, $3 million AAV contract.
The defenseman market is one key player smaller, as the Rangers have agreed to terms with Vladislav Gavrikov on a seven-year, $7 million AAV contract.
One of the top goaltending options available is off the board, with Dan Vladar joining the Flyers via a two-year, $3.35 million AAV contract.
Veteran feisty forward Corey Perry is switching sides in the Oilers-Kings rivalry, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with salary and bonuses worth $3.5 million. Separately, the Kings also signed veteran forward Joel Armia to a two-year deal with a $2.5 million AAV.
One of the top available free agents has made a decision … and he’ll be re-signing. Brock Boeser is back with the Canucks by way of a seven-year, $7.3 million AAV contract.
Parker Kelly will continue his career with the Avalanche, agreeing to terms on a four-year contract with a $1.7 million AAV.
Veteran forward Colin Blackwell will be returning to the Stars, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with a $775,000 AAV.
Christian Dvorak has moved on from the Canadiens, agreeing to a one-year, $5.4 million contract with the Flyers.
Noah Juulsen, welcome to Philly! The Flyers have inked the 28-year-old defenseman to a one-year, $900,000 deal.
Defenseman Ryan Johnson is sticking with the Sabres, agreeing to terms on a three-year deal with a $775,000 AAV.
The top-rated goaltender slated to hit free agency this offseason will not make it to market; Jake Allen is back with the Devils via a five-year contract with a $1.8 million AAV.
Veteran offensive defenseman Tony DeAngelo will be back with the Islanders for 2025-26, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $1.75 million contract.
June 30
The Red Wings will be continuing their relationship with veteran forward Patrick Kane, inking a one-year, $3 million extension.
The band is getting back together. After re-upping with Sam Bennett last week, the Panthers re-signed both Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand on Monday.
Rumors of a Mitch Marner trade popped up during draft weekend, and they came to fruition Monday, as the Maple Leafs inked Marner to an eight-year, $12 million average annual value extension, then traded him to the Golden Knights for Nicolas Roy.
The Oilers will not be allowing one of their promising young players to leave via offer sheet, as they signed restricted free agent defenseman Evan Bouchard to a four-year, $10.5 million AAV contract.
Veteran defenseman Ivan Provorov would have been one of the most sought-after blueliners on the free agent market. Instead, he’ll be back with the Blue Jackets for the foreseeable future, agreeing to a seven-year, $8.5 million AAV deal.
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David Purdum
ESPN Staff Writer
- Joined ESPN in 2014
- Journalist covering gambling industry since 2008
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Luis Ortiz is under investigation by Major League Baseball after a betting-integrity firm flagged a pair of pitches that had received unusual gambling activity, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
Sources said betting-integrity firm IC360 sent an alert in June to sportsbook operators regarding Ortiz, whom MLB has placed on “non-disciplinary paid leave” through July 17.
The alert, according to sources who reviewed it, referenced action on Ortiz’s first pitches in select innings to be a ball or a hit batsman in two games: June 15 against the Seattle Mariners and June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals. In both the bottom of the second inning against the Mariners and the top of the third inning against the Cardinals, Ortiz threw a first-pitch slider that was well outside the strike zone.
The alert on Ortiz’s first pitches flagged bets in Ohio, New York and New Jersey. Betting on the result of first pitches is offered by some sportsbooks, with such wagers commonly referred to as microbets.
Ortiz’s paid leave, which ends at the conclusion of the All-Star break, was negotiated between the league and the MLB Players Association. If the investigation remains open, the leave could be extended.
Ortiz had been scheduled to start Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs.
“The Guardians have been notified that Luis Ortiz has been placed on leave per an agreement with the Players Association due to an ongoing league investigation,” the team said in a statement. “The Guardians are not permitted to comment further at this time and will respect the league’s confidential investigative process.”
The investigation into Ortiz’s potential violation of the league’s gambling policy comes a little more than a year after MLB levied a lifetime ban against San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano for placing nearly 400 bets on baseball. Four other players received one-year suspensions for gambling on baseball while in the minor leagues. In February, MLB fired umpire Pat Hoberg — widely recognized as the best ball-strike arbiter in the game — for “sharing” a legal sports betting account with a friend who bet on baseball and later deleting messages key to the investigation.
A 26-year-old starting pitcher, Ortiz was acquired by Cleveland from the Pittsburgh Pirates over the winter as part of the three-team trade in which the Guardians sent second baseman Andres Gimenez to the Toronto Blue Jays. With a 4-9 record and 4.36 ERA, Ortiz has been a staple in a Guardians rotation whose 4.13 ERA ranks 18th in MLB.
Ortiz’s leave comes amid a slide for the Guardians, who have lost six consecutive games to drop to 40-44. While Cleveland remains in second place in the American League Central, it trails first-place Detroit by 12½ games.
Ortiz signed with the Pirates in 2018 at 19 years old, far later than the typical prospect, and didn’t reach full-season ball until 2021. He quickly shot through the Pittsburgh organization and debuted in 2022, eventually throwing 238⅓ innings and posting a 3.93 ERA in his three seasons with the Pirates.
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