NHL Power Rankings: A new No. 1, plus the player who must step up for every team
As the calendar flipped to November of the 2022-23 NHL season, some early-season trends flopped, while others have taken firmer hold. And as injuries have started to pile up, there are certain players who need to step into larger roles — or just start producing more with the opportunities they’ve been given.
For this week’s NHL Power Rankings, we identified one player for each club who must step up in the coming days and weeks.
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 previous edition, published Oct. 28. Points paces are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 0.909
Next seven days: @ TOR (Nov. 5), vs. STL (Nov. 7), vs. CGY (Nov. 10)
Trent Frederic has been getting opportunities with this red-hot Bruins team, and he could be doing more. Frederic plays with a kind of reckless abandon that can hurt him, but coach Jim Montgomery has tapped Boston’s 2016 first-round pick over other options and seen him produce only three points in nine games. What more is there from him?
Previous ranking: 6
Points percentage: 0.833
Next seven days: @ MTL (Nov. 5), @ TOR (Nov. 8), @ BUF (Nov. 10)
Zach Whitecloud is one of those young defenders right on the cusp. Vegas has been scary good to start this season, and it’s the perfect time for Whitecloud to elevate his burgeoning talent further. The 25-year-old clearly tries to make something happen each shift; there’s room for him to push his way up even further.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 0.750
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Nov. 4), vs. TOR (Nov. 6), @ FLA (Nov. 9), vs. EDM (Nov. 10)
Teuvo Teravainen is top-five in average ice time for the Hurricanes (over 17 minutes per game) but curiously managed only three assists through his first nine games. The winger is coming off a 65-point campaign, proving there’s more Teravainen can offer to Carolina’s offense (which has been middle of the pack, netting 3.25 goals per game).
Previous ranking: 5
Points percentage: 0.556
Next seven days: vs. NJ (Nov. 5), @ NYI (Nov. 7), @ NJ (Nov. 8), @ BOS (Nov. 10)
Jonathan Huberdeau called himself out this week, claiming he’s “way better than what I am right now.” Calgary trusts that to be the case. Huberdeau hasn’t caught fire with the Flames like Nazem Kadri has; the former Panther registered just one 5-on-5 point through eight games and hasn’t been defensively sharp.
Previous ranking: 11
Points percentage: 0.636
Next seven days: vs. DAL (Nov. 5), @ WSH (Nov. 7), @ TB (Nov. 8), @ CAR (Nov. 10)
Jack Campbell signed a big-ticket offseason deal to be Edmonton’s next starting goaltender. The Oilers are still waiting on their full return. Campbell struggled out of the gate with an .881 save percentage and a 3.91 goals-against average through six starts (albeit with a 5-2-0 record). The veteran was shaky enough for coach Jay Woodcroft to start leaning on Stuart Skinner instead. But Campbell finding his form is of utmost importance for Edmonton.
Previous ranking: 9
Points percentage: 0.583
Next seven days: vs. DET (Nov. 6), vs. NYI (Nov. 8), @ DET (Nov. 10)
Kaapo Kakko can do it all — except score. The young winger has run into an abyss of bad bounces that overshadows his confidence with the puck and improved all-around game. The Rangers are bottom-third in goals this season and require more secondary scoring. It’s players such as Kakko — who has potted just two goals through 11 games — who must start providing it.
Previous ranking: 20
Points percentage: 0.591
Next seven days: vs. BUF (Nov. 5), vs. EDM (Nov. 8)
Mikhail Sergachev didn’t mince words this week discussing the “unacceptable” chances Tampa Bay have been giving up defensively. Now that Victor Hedman is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, it will fall even more on Sergachev to shore up the Lightning’s back end. Sergachev has had a solid offensive start to this season, but more attention to detail in Tampa Bay’s end and limiting those high-quality scoring opportunities against will be critical.
Previous ranking: 16
Points percentage: 0.727
Next seven days: @ CGY (Nov. 5), vs. CGY (Nov. 8), vs. OTT (Nov. 10)
Jesper Boqvist is going to get a bigger opportunity in the Devils’ lineup now that Ondrej Palat is sidelined by injury. It’s the perfect time for Boqvist to reset. He has been a healthy scratch while New Jersey found its rhythm early, and as Boqvist reenters the chat, refreshed and ready, he can pick up where that successful 2021-22 season ended and contribute to New Jersey’s surprisingly hot start.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: vs. CBJ (Nov. 4), vs. CBJ (Nov. 5), vs. NSH (Nov. 10)
Alex Newhook faced the unenviable task of filling Colorado’s vacant second-line center role when Nazem Kadri departed in free agency. That’s still a work in progress — and the Avalanche need Newhook to complete the transition. He started with just one goal through nine games and was a minus-four, statistics that don’t reflect what Colorado feels he’s capable of with an expanded opportunity.
Previous ranking: 7
Points percentage: 0.591
Next seven days: @ LA (Nov. 5), @ ANA (Nov. 6), vs. CAR (Nov. 9)
Sam Bennett has been an anomaly this season, generating one of the highest rates for expected goals per 60 minutes among forwards — without the results to show for it. Florida would benefit from a change there. Bennett had one goal and four assists through 10 games while averaging nearly 20 minutes per game. The sooner Bennett can start capitalizing on his opportunities, the better.
Previous ranking: 10
Points percentage: 0.682
Next seven days: @ EDM (Nov. 5), @ WPG (Nov. 8)
Scott Wedgewood has enormous skates to fill as Dallas’ starter while Jake Oettinger is sidelined by a lower-body injury. Cap issues prevented the Stars from recalling veteran Anton Khudobin to back him up, so it’s rookie Matt Murray — fresh from signing his entry-level contract — behind Wedgewood. Which basically means it’s on the veteran to hold Dallas afloat in net until Oettinger returns.
Previous ranking: 14
Points percentage: 0.700
Next seven days: @ CAR (Nov. 4), @ TB (Nov. 5), vs. ARI (Nov. 8), vs. VGK (Nov. 10)
Jacob Bryson got bumped up to the Sabres’ top defense pairing with Rasmus Dahlin when a trio of Buffalo’s blueliners got hurt. Now’s the time for Bryson to show why it’s worth it to give him more opportunity. Buffalo is among the top 10 in shots against this season, and it will be counting on Bryson, playing higher in the lineup, to help keep the back end stable until healthy bodies return.
Previous ranking: 22
Points percentage: 0.636
Next seven days: @ DET (Nov. 5), vs. CGY (Nov. 7), @ NYR (Nov. 8), vs. ARI (Nov. 10)
Anthony Beauvillier scored a key go-ahead goal for the Islanders this week in a come-from-behind victory over the Rangers. Is that a sign of more impact plays to come? Beauvillier logs significant time for New York at 5-on-5, and he could be even more involved in the Islanders’ growing success out of the gate. The winger logged three goals in his first nine games, but perhaps the floodgates are about to open.
Previous ranking: 8
Points percentage: 0.545
Next seven days: vs. BOS (Nov. 5), @ CAR (Nov. 6), vs. VGK (Nov. 8)
Justin Holl has landed top-pair billing as Toronto tries to figure out its defensive issues. That position comes with hefty responsibilities and too often Holl looks like a liability. He’s taken ill-timed penalties, struggled regularly on breakouts and can get turned around by too-quick competition. Jake Muzzin might not be back for a while; Holl has to give the Leafs more.
Previous ranking: 4
Points percentage: 0.454
Next seven days: vs. SEA (Nov. 5), @ WSH (Nov. 9)
Kris Letang hasn’t looked like Kris Letang. His early-season performances have been plagued by uncharacteristic mental mistakes, including egregious overpassing and forcing plays that aren’t there, while being frequently caught out of position. Letang needs to find his way, though, and help Pittsburgh steer out of its recent skid.
Previous ranking: 18
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: vs. FLA (Nov. 5), vs. MIN (Nov. 8), vs. CHI (Nov. 10)
Cal Petersen might be the backup goaltender in Los Angeles, but the Kings need a solid tandem of Petersen and Jonathan Quick to reach the next level. Neither goaltender has been off to his strongest start thus far, and L.A.’s defense has been too porous. It’s a tough combination. Petersen could help take some pressure off Quick with better performances.
Previous ranking: 17
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: vs. ARI (Nov. 5), vs. EDM (Nov. 7), vs. PIT (Nov. 9)
Evgeny Kuznetsov haș to get rolling. He failed to register a single goal through the team’s first 10 games while averaging almost 18 minutes per contest, and this was while Washington has taken a beating injury-wise (Connor Brown is the latest forward to be knocked out of the lineup, possibly out for the season). The Capitals expect more from Kuznetsov.
Previous ranking: 19
Points percentage: 0.600
Next seven days: @ OTT (Nov. 5), vs. STL (Nov. 8), @ CBJ (Nov. 10)
Travis Konecny responded well to being benched by coach John Tortorella last week. The Flyers forward should now increase his contributions further. Philadelphia has to take some pressure off Carter Hart to be the savior, and Konecny can do that by leveraging his 20-plus minutes per contest into a stronger 200-foot game that complements a continued point-per-game pace from here.
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 0.583
Next seven days: @ PIT (Nov. 5), vs. NSH (Nov. 8)
Alex Wennberg hasn’t found his best offensive game this season with only one goal and five points in 11 games. Seattle has higher expectations than that considering Wennberg’s prominent place (at 19-plus minutes of ice time per game) in the lineup. The Kraken are anxious to put the difficulties of their inaugural season behind them. Wennberg should be more involved in making that a reality.
Previous ranking: 21
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: @ LA (Nov. 8), @ ANA (Nov. 9)
Matt Dumba has long been a key player on Minnesota’s defense, and the Wild want to see that continue. But their veteran defender has wrestled against some opponents’ faster skaters, and he has paced all Wild blueliners in giveaways per 60 minutes (2.30) through 10 games. He’s due for a breakthrough.
Previous ranking: 23
Points percentage: 0.650
Next seven days: vs. CHI (Nov. 5), vs. DAL (Nov. 8)
Kyle Connor hasn’t scored a goal since the Jets’ first game of the season, marking his longest goal-scoring drought (seven games and counting) in over three years. It’s a strange spot in which to find Connor, given he narrowly missed the 50-goal mark in 2021-22. Winnipeg is off to a decent start, but more contributions from Connor would keep the good vibes going.
Previous ranking: 15
Points percentage: 0.600
Next seven days: vs. NYI (Nov. 5), @ NYR (Nov. 6), vs. MTL (Nov. 8), vs. NYR (Nov. 10)
Andrew Copp‘s offseason core surgery robbed him of valuable training camp and preseason experience, and that has likely contributed to his slow start on a new team. Detroit can’t wait for Copp to pop off. He added just three assists through his first nine games in a top-six role, which is where the Red Wings want him. Copp is capable of more.
Previous ranking: 13
Points percentage: 0.400
Next seven days: vs. PHI (Nov. 5), vs. VAN (Nov. 8), @ NJ (Nov. 10)
Nikita Zaitsev could see a rapidly increased role on Ottawa’s blue line now that Artem Zub is injured. The Senators are counting on Zaitsev — who’s been in and out of the lineup this season — to provide some stability and support as the team navigates this recent rough patch. Zaitsev has been capable of that before; will he rise to the occasion again now if called upon?
Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 0.500
Next seven days: vs. VGK (Nov. 5), @ DET (Nov. 8), vs. VAN (Nov. 9)
Mike Hoffman apparently isn’t feeding off the youthful energy in Montreal’s forward ranks. The veteran netted just one goal and two points through his first nine games, a quiet start that hasn’t complemented the Canadiens’ impressive offensive openings from Nick Suzuki & Co. Montreal’s sustainability up front depends on guys like Hoffman doing their jobs, too.
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 0.409
Next seven days: @ VAN (Nov. 5), @ SEA (Nov. 8), @ COL (Nov. 10)
Matt Duchene could be the spark plug Nashville needs to relight its offensive attack. He’s coming off a career year that hasn’t translated into this new campaign, in which Duchene registered just two goals through 10 games with a shooting percentage of 8.3%. The Predators are desperate for more offense — they’re averaging the fourth-fewest goals per game in the league — and an emergent Duchene could do a lot for the club’s overall confidence up front.
Previous ranking: 25
Points percentage: 0.545
Next seven days: @ WPG (Nov. 5), @ LA (Nov. 10)
Jack Johnson has been thrust into a larger role for the Blackhawks now that Seth Jones is out three to four weeks with a thumb injury. What does the veteran — and recent Stanley Cup champion — have to give in that position? Johnson projects to see more power-play time and overall minutes in Jones’ absence, so there’s no time like the present to put on his best showing.
Previous ranking: 12
Points percentage: 0.333
Next seven days: @ BOS (Nov. 7), @ PHI (Nov. 8), vs. SJ (Nov. 10)
Ryan O’Reilly decried his own “absolutely horrible” first few weeks to this season and the stats back him up — the Blues’ captain had just one goal in eight games and was minus-11. It’s been that sort of start throughout St. Louis’ lineup, and O’Reilly’s words won’t truly land without more action. The veteran can lead by example in righting the Blues’ ship before it’s lost to sea.
Previous ranking: 30
Points percentage: 0.308
Next seven days: vs. ANA (Nov. 5), @ STL (Nov. 10)
Tomas Hertl turned last season’s 30-goal outing into an eight-year extension with San Jose. Now the Sharks can’t score — they’re averaging the second-fewest goals per game in the league — and Hertl is largely absent from the action with one goal in 12 games. It’s long past time he increases the output.
Previous ranking: 31
Points percentage: 0.364
Next seven days: vs. NSH (Nov. 5), @ OTT (Nov. 8), @ MTL (Nov. 9)
Brock Boeser is back in the Canucks’ lineup following a three-game absence, and Vancouver is desperate for him to produce. The star forward had just four assists in his first six games while the Canucks struggled in all facets. Now that the roster is getting healthy, Boeser needs to be at the forefront of the team’s turnaround for it to have a shot at real improvement.
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 0.300
Next seven days: vs. COL (Nov. 4), vs. COL (Nov. 5), vs. PHI (Nov. 10)
Erik Gudbranson signed a four-year, $16 million contract with Columbus in the offseason. The Blue Jackets are desperate for more dividends. Columbus’ back end has been leaky with poor puck management leading to one of the worst goals-against averages (4.11) in the league. Gudbranson was acquired to be a veteran boost to the team’s back end. There’s ample room to improve.
Previous ranking: 32
Points percentage: 0.318
Next seven days: @ SJ (Nov. 5), vs. FLA (Nov. 6), vs. MIN (Nov. 9)
Cam Fowler has made a career out of being Anaheim’s defensive stalwart, and the Ducks will lean on that veteran presence more than ever now. Jamie Drysdale‘s upper-body injury leaves Anaheim light on right-shot blueliners, and it’s Fowler who’ll slide to his off side most of the time. Anaheim has had a rocky start to this season defensively already; Fowler stepping up here sends a message about staying resilient through adversity.
Previous ranking: 29
Points percentage: 0.350
Next seven days: @ WSH (Nov. 5), @ BUF (Nov. 8), @ NYI (Nov. 10)
Barrett Hayton seemed on track for a breakout season that hasn’t exactly materialized yet. The Coyotes’ fifth overall pick in 2018 had 10 goals and 24 points in 60 games last season, but that momentum hasn’t carried over, as Hayton sits with zero points through nine games while clocking over 15 minutes of ice time per contest.
-
Chris Low, ESPN Senior Writer
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.
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?
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
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 Texas‘ Chandler 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.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports7 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Environment1 year agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway