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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fans Left Speechless by Updated ESPN FPI College Football Rankings
Fans Left Speechless by Updated ESPN FPI College Football Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 college football season may still be a few months away, but ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) has been updated for the first time since last season ended. Advertisement The FPI is a computer model that considers various factors, including talent level, schedule and how teams finished last season, along with others that won't apply until Week 1, such as on-field performance, offensive and defensive efficiency and strength of record. Eight of the top 12 teams in the latest FPI are programs that made last season's College Football Playoff, and all but two finished in the top 25 of the final AP Poll. Georgia Bulldogs Football Head Coach Kirby Smart© Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Here's the new top 25 for ESPN's FPI going into next season. Texas Longhorns Georgia Bulldogs Alabama Crimson Tide Ohio State Buckeyes Penn State Nittany Lions Oregon Ducks Notre Dame Fighting Irish Texas A&M Aggies Miami Hurricanes Tennessee Volunteers Clemson Tigers LSU Tigers Ole Miss Rebels Auburn Tigers South Carolina Gamecocks Oklahoma Sooners Michigan Wolverines Florida Gators USC Trojans SMU Mustangs Kansas State Wildcats Arkansas Razorbacks Missouri Tigers Arizona State Sun Devils Nebraska Cornhuskers Once the top 25 was updated, fans were quick to react on social media, with many left speechless over how high Alabama was ranked after finishing 9-4 and the number of SEC teams included. Advertisement "Absolutely no reason for Bama to be in the top 5," a fan said. "FPI never fails to provide comedy for the day," another wrote. "SEC with 10 of the top 16 teams is absolute comedy," added another. "Wow Bama at number 3," one fan added. "Why are UGA and Bama top 5 lmao ESPN is selling out for the SEC," a fan said. "computer generated FPI doesn't know ball confirmed," one said. Related: Florida QB DJ Lagway Unveils Exciting New NIL Deal Friday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kansas Coach Bill Self Suffers Major Transfer Portal Blow on Thursday
Bill Self has led the Kansas Jayhawks since 2003, and until this past season, he had only experienced one first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament. Further, this year marked the first time Kansas, under Self, failed to be ranked in the final AP Poll. Self wants to put this past season on the back burner and pay attention to the 2025 college basketball season. He's already brought in St. Bonaventure SG Melvin Council Jr., Illinois SG Tre White and Loyola Chicago G Jayden Dawson through the transfer portal. Advertisement Kansas also has three true freshmen coming in through the high school ranks: five-star SG Darryn Peterson, four-star SF Samis Calderon, four-star PF Bryson Tiller and three-star SG Corbin Allen. Even after all those additions, the Jayhawks still needed a high-profile frontcourt player. On Tuesday, Bill Self hosted Texas Tech transfer Darrion Williams, one of the top players in the portal, who had recently withdrawn from the NBA Draft, for an official visit. He left Lawrence without committing. Then, just two days later on Thursday, Williams announced his commitment to Will Wade and NC State in a collaborative post with On3's Joe Tipton "Texas Tech transfer Darrion Williams, one of the top players in the portal, has committed to NC State, he told On3," Tipton wrote. Williams played a key role in Texas Tech's run to the Elite Eight this past season, averaging 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. After transferring from Nevada, the 6-foot-6 rising senior spent two seasons with the Red Raiders, where he played his freshman year. Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Williams becomes the seventh player to commit to NC State this offseason after the program hired Wade in March. Advertisement The others include Butler PF Colt Langdon, Houston SF Terrance Arceneaux, McNeese State PG Quadir Copeland, McNeese State SG Alyn Breed, Michigan State PG Tre Holloman and Florida State PF Jerry Deng. Related: Kansas Coach Bill Self Makes Final Decision on Retirement Kansas Coach Bill Self Suffers Major Transfer Portal Blow on Thursday first appeared on Athlon Sports on May 22, 2025
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
BYU sends strong message with new athletic director hire
A new chapter is unfolding at BYU as Brian Santiago officially takes over as the university's athletic director, succeeding Tom Holmoe. Santiago has served in BYU's athletic department since 1997, with eight years as Holmoe's deputy AD. He was introduced at a press conference Wednesday following the announcement. His appointment marks a significant transition. However, Santiago has been a central figure in the department's leadership for decades. Advertisement While addressing the media, Santiago emphasized his deep passion for BYU and the future in Provo. 'There's never been a better time to be a part of BYU athletics and this university than right now,' he said. Santiago also reaffirmed the department's alignment with the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, adding that he will lead with confidence and integrity. Santiago expressed gratitude for Holmoe, calling him a mentor and 'one of the best human beings and athletic directors in the business.' Many would agree with that statement. Santiago steps in at a time of remarkable momentum for BYU Athletics. Two years into the Big 12 Conference, BYU has celebrated national championships in both men's and women's cross country, while men's basketball and football both ended their seasons ranked No. 13 in the AP Poll. BYU also ranks in the top-10 nationally in the Learfield Directors' Cup standings, reflecting excellence across all sports. Related: BYU's Egor Demin shows true colors at NBA Combine A former collegiate basketball player himself, Santiago brings a competitive spirit and a deep understanding of student-athlete needs. He earned degrees from Utah Valley and Fresno State, and later an MBA from BYU. He played basketball at both colleges and was part of Puerto Rico's pre-selection Olympic team. Advertisement Related: BYU beats out other Power Four schools for defensive back transfer Santiago made it clear that his vision is centered on supporting the overall brand. 'All I've ever wanted to do is help you fly,' he told his athletes and coaches. With over 100 years of athletic tradition to build on, Santiago's leadership will be a commitment to winning the right way.
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Oregon RB Makhi Hughes named top back ahead of 2025 season
Oregon RB Makhi Hughes named top back ahead of 2025 season Top 10 College Football Running Backs next season via @GregMcElroy⚡️ Do you agree? 🤔 — On3 (@On3sports) May 12, 2025 The 2025 college football season is nearly three months away, and after the culmination of the Oregon Ducks' spring season, we've learned some key information about the new-look Ducks while some questions are left unanswered. Major roster turnover, especially at key skill positions, is the cause for much of the uncertainty surrounding the 2025 Ducks. A year after Oregon spent the majority of the season atop the AP Poll, it will have a new starting QB, RB, and top WR, as well as a revamped offensive line and an overhauled defense. There's little doubt Oregon will remain one of the top teams in the country, but whether the Ducks can go a step further than they did in 2024 remains to be seen. While the Ducks' plethora of new faces is cause for some uncertainty, they are also cause for excitement. The Ducks lost star running back Jordan James to the NFL this offseason, but filling his place is Tulane transfer Makhi Hughes, who Greg McElroy, an ESPN college football analyst and former NFL QB, ranks as the second-best RB in the country this season. In his two years with the Green Wave, Hughes put on a show almost every fall Saturday for Tulane, racking up 2,779 rushing yards and 22 TDs on 5.3 yards per carry. Hughes is also a receiving threat, which should make him even more of a weapon in Will Stein's offense. In 2023 and 2024, Hughes went for 243 receiving yards and two TDs (8.1 yards per catch). The sole back ranked above Hughes on McElroy's list is Notre Dame's Jeremiah Love, who starred for the Fighting Irish in last year's College Football Playoff. Right behind Hughes is Penn State's dangerous duo of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton. McElroy's list is just one of the many that will flood our timelines for the next few months, but his ranking of Hughes at No. 2 is significant. The other three running backs ranked in the top four were all playoff stars in 2024, and they all would've been selected two weeks ago if they declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. Hughes has accomplished a lot in his time in college, but as of now, he's rushed for zero yards and zero TDs at the Power 4 level. A vote of confidence this big from McElroy is more evidence of what many of us already think: Hughes is the real deal. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
Fox Sports
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Why Joel Klatt believes Penn State enters the 2025 season as CFB's top team
Only four programs have entered the season as the No. 1 team in the AP Poll over the past 10 years: Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Ohio State. However, FOX Sports' lead college football analyst Joel Klatt believes a new team should join that distinguished group in 2025: the Penn State Nittany Lions. In his post-spring top 25, Klatt ranked Penn State as the No. 1 team in the nation, with Texas, Ohio State, Oregon and Clemson rounding out the top five. Penn State's ranking at the top might come as a bit of a surprise to some. James Franklin's team currently has the fifth-best odds to win the title (+800) and made it to the College Football Playoff for the first time in 2024. However, Klatt thinks Penn State has something that no other program in the nation has heading into the 2025 campaign. "They're following the blueprint of the teams that have just won the national championship," Klatt said of Penn State. "You look at what Michigan did in 2023. You look at what Ohio State in 2024. Both of those teams had a core group of veteran players stay. They stayed and they won a championship. Both of these teams had veterans at quarterback. They had veterans on both sides of the ball. They were excellent at the line of scrimmage. They had chips on their shoulders from the way they were bounced in the postseason in years prior. "All of that is true about Penn State. They're returning their quarterback, both running backs (Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen) and four players on the offensive line." In addition to the return of Drew Allar, Singleton and Allen, Penn State will also bring back defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (8.5 sacks in 2024), third-team All-Big Ten cornerback A.J. Harris, defensive tackle Zane Durant and highly productive safety Zakee Wheatley (96 total tackles in 2024). Sure, the Nittany Lions lost first-round talents in tight end Tyler Warren and linebacker Abdul Carter. But sophomore tight end Luke Reynolds was the top-ranked player at his position as a recruit in the Class of 2024, while Dennis-Sutton, Durant and the arrival of four-star freshman linebacker LaVar Arrington Jr. could conceivably make up for the missing production. Michigan and Ohio State also showed that they could withstand losing elite talent ahead of their national championship-winning seasons over the last two years. The Wolverines saw defensive tackle Mazi Smith go into the NFL Draft in 2023 and the Buckeyes said goodbye to wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2024. As Klatt believes that the Nittany Lions have the veteran infrastructure in place to withstand the departures of Warren and Carter, he has an on-field concern surrounding Penn State, but he thinks the team addressed that hole in the offseason. "My only question was at wide receiver for James Franklin," Klatt said. "We saw how bad it was at wide receiver last year. In the loss to Notre Dame [in the Orange Bowl], they got zero catches from their wide receivers. Zero. Zero catches. That's incredible. So, they brought in three wide receivers: Kyron Hudson, a redshirt senior from USC; Trebor Pena from Syracuse, an All-ACC wide receiver; and Devonte Ross, an All-Sun Belt receiver from Troy. Reinforcements, I think they're going to be better at wide receiver." In terms of sheer production, two of those wide receivers (Pena and Ross) outperformed Penn State's top-performing receiver in 2024, Harrison Wallace III. Of course, Pena and Ross arguably played against lower-level competition and, in the case of Pena, he had the nation's leading passer throwing to him last year. Entering his third season as a starter, Allar has shown flashes of promise and potential, throwing for 3,327 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions to go with six rushing touchdowns last season. But there have been some questions about whether he can reach his top-end potential as he's struggled in big games, throwing for only 135 yards in the CFP semifinal loss to Notre Dame last season. Klatt doesn't have those concerns with Allar, though. He recently ranked the Penn State gunslinger as his ninth-best prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, believing that he'll have a really good year in 2025. Penn State will need a good year from Allar if it wants to break the trend it's had in big games under Franklin. J.J. McCarthy emerged as a first-round talent for Michigan in 2023, while Will Howard played lights out for Ohio State in its CFP run this past season. Allar did total three touchdowns in a one-score loss to Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game and got Penn State within a few yards of at least tying the game in the fourth quarter against Ohio State last season. Considering how close all three of Penn State's losses to top-five opponents were in 2024, Klatt thinks it's just a matter of time before Franklin gets over the hump against a top opponent, as he's 1-15 against AP top-five opponents in his time at Penn State. "What we haven't seen from Penn State is them rise up and win the game that I would call a matchup game, where they're looking across and the talent is [equal] or they're a bit of an underdog. Can they win that game? Up until this point, they haven't," Klatt said. "Can they? I think so. They beat SMU. They beat Boise State. But then they lose to Notre Dame. We see this in the Big Ten schedule, where they haven't been able to beat the Michigans or Ohio States of the world. They were close. "That's the next step. I believe they will take the next step. I believe Penn State is ready to take the next step with their veterans and Drew Allar ready to lead the charge." Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? 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