Sports
24 Teams That Could Make the 2026 College Football Playoff Next Year
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day reacts after defeating Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 21, 2025. PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES Ohio State wrapped the 2024 college football season as champions on Monday, and the sport enters a seven-month hiatus before the next kickoff in August. That doesn’t mean a lack of action in the interim, however, as rosters are sure to change dramatically in the offseason.
Noting the guaranteed fluidity of situations, the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff concludes with two dozen teams poised to compete for the postseason’s second edition. Plenty of this past season’s contenders should again be at the forefront, but keep an eye on some potential breakout teams that finished 2024 strong.
Ohio State
Ohio State didn’t just win the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff but rolled by an average margin of 17.5 points per game. The defending champions will head into 2025 reloading on defense with Caleb Downs and potentially Sonny Styles as two cornerstones. On offense, Jeremiah Smith closed the season looking like the best wide receiver in college football, giving whomever steps in at quarterback a prime weapon to ease the learning curve.
Georgia
A two-year title drought isn’t exactly comparable to the 41 years Georgia went between championships previously. With the wealth of talent Kirby Smart and his staff have recruited, however, missing the 2023 Playoff and going one-and-done in 2024 puts pressure on a Bulldogs bunch rife with future NFL players like Raylen Wilson and Nate Frazier. Gunner Stockton’s progression will be critical.
Penn State
Quarterback Drew Allar and edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton announcing their returns before the end of Penn State’s Playoff run set the tone for 2025. Penn State also adds support from the transfer portal, including safety King Mack (Alabama) and offensive lineman TJ Shanan Jr. (Texas A&M). The Nittany Lions draw both Oregon and Ohio State, the latter on the road, but both follow bye weeks in two games that could decide the Big Ten pecking order.
Notre Dame
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) is tackled by Ohio State Buckeyes safety Sonny Styles (6) in the second half in the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The bad news for Notre Dame: Its national championship drought extends to 37 years with its title-game loss. The good news for the Fighting Irish is that they should be in contention again in 2025, returning running back Jeremiyah Love, linebackers Jaiden Ausberry and Jaylen Sneed, and getting back talented defensive lineman Boubacar Traore from injury. The early-season schedule is rocky, with road trips to Miami and Arkansas and home games against Texas A&M and Boise State. If the Irish get to mid-October undefeated or with one loss, they should get back to the Playoff.
Oregon
The only team to navigate the 2024 regular season unscathed, Oregon heads into its offseason with plenty of what-ifs. As for what now, Donte Moore replaces Dillon Gabriel at quarterback, and the UCLA transfer Moore has plenty of upside. The bigger void will be felt with Josh Conlery Jr. gone from the line, so Nevada transfer Isaiah World will have the proverbial world—and perhaps Oregon’s Playoff fate—in his hands.
Texas
The Arch Manning era officially begins next season, and Texas will need the ballyhooed young quarterback to be as advertised if the Longhorns are to reach a third straight Playoff. The favorable schedule that allowed Texas to go into this season’s Playoff without a Top 25 win flips in 2025. After opening with Ohio State, the Longhorns also travel to Florida and Georgia in SEC play.
Clemson
Nov 16, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) passes against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Rumors of Clemson’s demise might have been premature. The Tigers’ return to the top of the ACC in 2024 and giving Texas what was far and away the most competitive game of the Playoff’s first round sets the table for 2025. Cade Klubnik returns behind a veteran offensive line, and the defensive front has plenty of experience to anchor the Tigers on that side of the ball.
Michigan
The final national champions of the four-team Playoff era overcame the initial challenges of a rebuild to close out 2024 strong. In coach Sherrone Moore’s second season, the Wolverines return a bevy of talent, but freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood is the key variable. If the blue-chip prospect delivers, Michigan has the piece it missed in 2024—and he’ll need to deliver early with games at Oklahoma and Nebraska in the opening month.
Ole Miss
After flirting with the top tier of the SEC the last few years, could 2025 be when Lane Kiffin finally gets Ole Miss over the hump? Plenty rides on Austin Simmons stepping up for outgoing quarterback Jaxson Dart. The addition of Penn State transfer wide receiver Harrison Wallace gives the Rebels an All-America-caliber weapon to keep the offense humming.
Arizona State
Kenny Dillingham came to Arizona State with a vision for building sustained success. The Sun Devils had their breakout perhaps ahead of schedule, but the program is structured in such a way that they shouldn’t be one-hit wonders thanks to Sam Leavitt, Clayton Smith, and Xavion Alford. Having to replace both Cam Skattebo and Jordyn Tyson on offense will test ASU’s depth, but signing Alabama transfer wideout Jaren Hamilton is a good start.
Florida
No team underwent a more dramatic midseason transformation than Florida. Coach Billy Napier heads into an offseason with positive momentum for the first time in his tenure, starting on defense with the returns of Tyreak Sapp, Caleb Banks, and George Gumbs Jr. If the young backfield of quarterback DJ Lagway and running back Jaden Baugh take strides as sophomores, watch out for the Gators in 2025.
Tennessee
Nov 2, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) throws against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Saul Young/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images Josh Heupel has succeeded where so many predecessors failed, restoring relevance at Tennessee. The coming offseason might be his staff’s biggest test yet, with the Vols replacing their best players on defense (James Pearson Jr.) and offense (Dylan Sampson). Nico Iamaleava needs to take a big step for Tennessee to stay near the front of the pack in the chaotic SEC.
Miami
After its success bringing in veteran transfer Cam Ward at quarterback, Miami again goes to the portal hoping for a big 2025 from Carson Beck. The Georgia transfer had flashes of brilliance that weren’t always sustained. Beck and Wisconsin import cornerback Xavier Lucas are two of the pillars for Miami’s pursuit of the Playoff appearance it just missed in 2024.
Alabama
If a team’s trajectory to end a season is indicative of where it’s headed in the following season, Alabama fans have reason to be nervous. A late-season blowout loss to Oklahoma and a no-show in the bowl loss to Michigan put pressure on Kalen DeBoer and his staff to restore the Crimson Tide to SEC title contention. There may not be a more fascinating offseason quarterback competition than Alabama’s between Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and highly touted 2025 recruit Keelon Russell.
Boise State
Boise State has never had to replace a running back as productive as Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty. Actually, no program ever, save Oklahoma State after Barry Sanders’ departure, has ever lost a ball-carrier who put up the numbers Jeanty did in 2024. Still, Spencer Danielson has Boise State poised to remain a standard-bearer for the Group of Five conferences, returning quarterback Maddux Madsen, tight end Matt Lauter, and edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan.
Kansas State
In a difficult-to-project Big 12, Kansas State’s consistency makes the Wildcats an easy team to tab for conference title contention. Nebraska running back Gabe Ervin Jr. will get the chance to fill DJ Giddens’ big shoes, but the multifaceted nature of the K-State offense isn’t reliant on one contributor.
Illinois
Coming off its first 10-win season since 2001, the next milestone for Illinois under Bret Bielema is Playoff contention. Luke Altmyer’s return at quarterback sets the foundation for the offense, while the defense gets a couple of big transfer additions from Tomiwa Durojaiye (Florida State) and James Thompson Jr. (Wisconsin) to join returning Gabe Jacas.
South Carolina
The disappointment of missing the 2024 season’s Playoff could be a lingering issue for South Carolina going into 2025 if its bowl-game loss to Illinois is any indication. But with returning standout freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers, blue-chip defensive end Dylan Stewart, and one of the nation’s best defensive backs, Jalon Kilgore, the Gamecocks have the foundational pieces to make a run at SEC title contention.
Iowa State
Dec 28, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jaylin Noel (13) celebrates after beating Miami Hurricanes in the Pop Tarts bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images The Cyclones were arguably the biggest winner of teams that didn’t reach the 2024 Playoff, closing out with the best record in program history after beating Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. If Rocco Becht can lead Iowa State to the Big 12 championship after losing the league title game in 2024, he could be a Heisman Trophy contender—but will have to throw to replacements for two 1,000-plus-yard receivers in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to do so.
Oklahoma
The sour taste of losing the Armed Forces Bowl to Army West Point and finishing 2024 with a sub-.500 record was somewhat lessened for Oklahoma with the addition of Washington State transfer quarterback John Mateer. Mateer could be an immediate difference-maker for a Sooners offense that struggled to match the consistency of a solid, albeit overworked defense.
Memphis
Group of Five programs have more difficult paths to the Playoff, competing with multiple conferences for that coveted postseason berth—and contending with programs that have more resources vying for their transfers. But coming off an 11-win 2024, Memphis scored one transfer-portal win already with All-American Athletic defensive lineman William Whitlow Jr. opting to return. The Tigers also add Penn State tight end Jerry Cross, Arizona State safety Kamari Wilson, and Michigan defensive back Kody Jones.
SMU
SMU’s surprising run to the Playoff may have ended with a thud, but the Mustangs have reason for optimism that they’ll be in ACC contention again in 2025. Talented quarterback Kevin Jennings’ continued growth after a rough showing at Penn State will buoy SMU’s 2025, while a defense returning Ahmaad Moses and Isaiah Smith also adds potential difference-makers in Marcellus Barnes Jr. (Syracuse) and Terry Webb (Texas State).
Utah
Kyle Whittingham’s final season as Utes head coach marks one last opportunity for one of the best coaches of the 21st century to compete for a national championship. The Utah defense is always among the game’s best, and that should continue in 2025, but quarterback remains the most significant uncertainty the Utes must solidify to contend for the Big 12.
UNLV
Newly minted Rebels coach Dan Mullen inherits a program that predecessor Barry Odom turned from perennial cellar-dweller into Mountain West Conference contender in short order. Successfully leveraging the transfer portal worked well for UNLV, which Mullen’s staff is continuing with the additions of Jalen Lee (LSU), Jake Pope (Georgia), and Nick Elksnis (South Carolina).
Sports
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
Oct 1, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images LAS VEGAS — Entering her eighth season in the WNBA, Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson is poised to build on what was arguably the most dominant individual campaign in league history.
Wilson joined Cynthia Cooper (1997) as the second player in league history to win a unanimous MVP award and joined an exclusive club as the fourth player to win the award three times. She averaged 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game last season and set the all-time single-season mark for points (1,021) and rebounds (451).
Unfortunately for Las Vegas, injuries and fatigue from their two previous championship runs mounted and resulted in the team’s worst regular-season record (27-13) since 2019. The Aces’ three-peat hopes ended with a 76-62 home loss to the New York Liberty to drop their semifinal series 3-1.
It’s that loss on her home floor that served as Wilson’s motivation this offseason.
“Losing sucks, especially on your home court,” Wilson said “It still kind of burns a little bit, but I’ve used that as fuel to help my teammates understand how hard it is to win in this league. Yes, we can celebrate the two championships. They were great. But for us to move forward, we have to understand how hard this league is and value the basketball and the little things. I think that’s what we lacked last season, so we’re going to make sure that we can show up better than we did.”
While the Aces appeared to be on top of the world heading into their potential three-peat campaign in 2024, the reality inside the locker room was that both the internal and external pressure to win another championship had become suffocating. A common theme across media day was the fact that the team feels less pressure entering the 2025 season, a sentiment Wilson shared as the unquestioned leader of the team.
“(Three-peat talks) obviously impacted us, because it’s like, y’all think we don’t want to win? We’re trying as well,” Wilson said.
“I would definitely say it’s refreshing this year. I feel like this is one of my only years where it feels like there’s no weight. There’s a lot of weight to be defending champs. It’s a lot of weight to be trying to win one. We don’t have that. We actually have a clean slate to really dial into getting back to who we are culturally, like, in our system and everything.”
Leading the Aces back to the top of the mountain for a third time in four years is one of a few historically significant achievements Wilson can collect this upcoming season. Wilson could also become the first four-time MVP in league history, though the meaning of that is something she hasn’t quite allowed herself to ponder yet.
“I haven’t given it much thought, but it would be a blessing to have my name in that conversation,” Wilson said. “Every year, I try to be better than I was the year before just to give myself a chance in this league. Because the league is getting better. We’re growing. At this point, you just want to maintain your stamina. You want to maintain your mental, all of that, because the season gets hard. I can’t think too much about that just yet, but I’m definitely going to try to be better than I was last year.”
As Aces coach Becky Hammon put it, fans can expect to see an even better version of Wilson this season.
“What I see is, she went and got better,” Hammon said. “Which is hard to do when you’re already the best, but it speaks to her work ethic, her desire and her mindset this whole offseason. We talked a lot this offseason. She’s a busy lady, but I can tell you what she always does is her workouts. She’s always getting her workouts in. That comes first and foremost, she never gets her priorities jumbled up.”
When Hammon was asked what a player like Wilson would possibly need to improve after last season’s campaign, the coach did not feel like revealing too much.
“There was (something for Wilson to improve), and she did,” Hammon said. “I’m not going to tell you what it was. Actually, there were two things.”
–Will Despart, Field Level Media
Sports
Jacob Wilson joins Aaron Judge in spotlight for Yankees-A's series
May 5, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) throws to first for an out against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images The top two hitters in the majors square off Friday night when the New York Yankees face the Athletics in the opener of a three-game series in Sacramento, Calif.
It’s no surprise to see Yankees star Aaron Judge off to a superb start after winning American League MVP honors last season. He has a major league-best .400 batting average and entered Thursday’s play tied for the big-league lead with 12 homers and 34 RBIs.
But who had Athletics rookie Jacob Wilson ranking second in the majors at .357 as the season nears the quarter pole? Wilson has played in just 64 career games and quickly has solidified himself as a future All-Star, perhaps even this season.
Sharing the marquee board with Judge seems quite surreal for the 23-year-old shortstop who was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2023 draft.
“It’s a great feeling, for sure,” Wilson said of his name being mentioned with Judge. “Obviously, everybody has seen what he is doing. It’s pretty incredible watching him do his thing on a daily basis. To be up there with him is pretty cool for me.
“I’m excited to play against him this week and see what it looks like in person.”
Wilson had his first career four-hit game during Wednesday’s 6-5 home loss against the Seattle Mariners and has six multi-hit outings in the past eight games. He went 8-for-14 with one game-winning hit in the three-game series against the Mariners and is 16-for-34 (.471) with four walks during the eight-game stretch.
The hot hitting led to Athletics manager Mark Kotsay moving Wilson to the leadoff spot on Wednesday. Kotsay indicated Wilson may be sticking at the top of the lineup.
“I think you’ll see Jacob up there now,” Kotsay said. “Jacob’s earned it. … Jacob has shown enough over the last week. He’s walking and taking pitches, and, obviously, swinging the bat really well.”
Judge arrives in Sacramento in the midst of a four-game funk in which he is 2-for-15.
The two-time MVP just went 1-for-10 in a three-game home series against the San Diego Padres, but the one hit was a homer.
Judge grew up 50 miles south of Sacramento in Linden and starred for Linden High but wasn’t highly sought by major league teams. The then-Oakland Athletics selected him in the 31st round in 2010.
Judge instead went the college route and starred for Fresno State. He was chosen in the first round (32nd overall) by the Yankees in the 2013 draft.
Trent Grisham was one of the heroes of Wednesday’s 4-3, 10-inning win over the Padres. He hit a tying two-run pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning.
Grisham had two homers and five RBIs in the series against the Padres — one of his former teams — and already has 10 long balls in just 89 at-bats. He hit just nine last season in 179 at-bats.
“I’m having fun with the guys, I would say that more than anything,” Grisham said. “The clubhouse is really good in here, led by Cap (Judge). So, I would say the guys have been the most enjoyable part.”
New York is starting right-hander Will Warren (1-2, 5.65 ERA) in Friday’s series opener. Right-hander Osvaldo Bido (2-2, 4.71) will be on the mound for the Athletics.
Warren, 25, struck out a career-high eight in 4 2/3 innings while losing to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. He gave up five runs (three earned) and seven hits. Warren hasn’t previously faced the Athletics.
Bido, 29, received a no-decision against the Miami Marlins last Saturday when he gave up four runs on three hits over five innings. He is winless (0-1) over his last three starts. Bido hasn’t faced the Yankees.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao coming out of retirement
Aug 21, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada; Manny Pacquiao (right) fights Yordenis Ugas in a world welterweight championship bout at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao plans to end his retirement and return to the ring on July 19 against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas, ESPN reported Thursday.
Pacquiao, 46, will be fighting for the first time since losing a unanimous decision to Yordenis Ugas in 2021.
The fight will be for Barrios’ WBC welterweight championship belt. Barrios turns 30 on May 18.
Pacquiao is an eight-division champion who is slated to be inducted into the boxing Hall of Fame in June. He reportedly will formally announce his return to boxing next week. The report stated that Pacquiao has been cleared to compete by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
In recent years, Pacquiao has been focusing on his political career in the Philippines.
The boxer nicknamed “PacMan” has a 62-8-2 record with 39 knockouts during his career. He won his first major title — the WBC flyweight crown — at age 19 in 1998.
Pacquiao was 54-3-2 prior to turning 33 and 8-5 afterward. One of those losses was to Floyd Mayweather Jr. via unanimous decision in 2015, a bout that reportedly drew nearly $400 million in pay-per-view sales.
Barrios (29-2-1, 18 knockouts) fought to a 12-round, split-decision draw against Abel Ramos last November. This will be his third defense since winning the title by beating Ugas in 2023.
–Field Level Media
A'ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces' early exit in '24
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