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College Basketball

Valentine’s Day should deliver on the hardwood

Image Courtesy: ESPN

*All game are at central standard time and all rankings are based on this week’s AP Top 25*

Friday, Feb. 13
10.Michigan State (20-4) @ Wisconsin (17-7)
7 p.m., FOX
Michigan State heads to Madison looking to continue their winning ways against Wisconsin on Friday night. The Spartans bounced back from a three-game losing streak against then No. 5 Illinois last Sunday. The Badgers overcame a 12-point deficit late to defeat the Fighting Illini on Tuesday night. Veteran guards Nick Boyd and John Blackwell starred in Wisconsin’s two point victory.

Michigan State’s true leader is lead guard Jeremy Fears. Fears leads the Spartans in scoring (15.1 points), assisting (9.1), and stealing (1.3) per game. Fears will have a tough job dealing with Boyd and Blackwell, who combined for 49 points, nine assists, and three steals versus Illinois. Fears taking on the duo of Boyd and Blackwell will make for an interesting matchup on Friday night.

If Michigan State wants to continue to win, it cannot only be Fears showing up. Forwards Jaxon Kohler and Coen Carr must add solid performances against the Badgers’ front court. Kohler and Carr combine to average over 24 points and almost 15 rebounds. They will put that up to the test against the Badgers’ Nolan Winter, who scores over 14 points and adds almost nine rebounds a contest. The battle between Winter and Kohler will be a defining factor in who will win the game.

In what should be another close game in the Big Ten, the Spartans will go into Madison and defeat Wisconsin on their home floor. Michigan State will grab a four-point win thanks to Fears, Kohler, and Carr playing efficiently against Boyd, Blackwell, and Winter consistently throughout the game.

Projected Score: Michigan State 76, Wisconsin 73

Saturday, Feb. 14
20.Clemson (20-5) @ 4.Duke (22-2)
11 a.m., ESPN
The top two teams in the ACC standings meet in Durham at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Duke was angry after rival North Carolina beat them last Saturday but as a result, they defeated former assistant coach Jeff Capel and Pittsburgh 70-54 on Tuesday behind 21 points from guard Isaiah Evans. Clemson fell to Virginia Tech 76-66 on Wednesday night, thanks to Jailen Bedford’s 23 points against the Tigers.

Evans’ scoring outburst is important as lately it has been forward Cameron Boozer and no one else offensively for a Blue Devil team that has lost only two games this season. Boozer finished with another double-double against the Panthers with 17 points and 10 rebounds. A complete team performance will be expected from coach Jon Scheyer with Evans, Boozer, Dame Sarr, Caleb Foster, and Maliq Brown all coming out strong against the Tigers.

Clemson’s attack is balanced. Forward RJ Godfrey leads the way with almost 12 points and five rebounds, guard Jestin Porter, forward Carter Welling, forward Nick Davidson, and guard Dillon Hunter all contribute as well. Those five will have to put up their best fight of the season after a tough loss last time out against the Hokies if they want to beat a Duke team ready to pounce.

All of that being said, it is hard to see the Blue Devils losing on Saturday afternoon against the Tigers. Duke will overwhelm Clemson and run away with it in the second half. In a game that will be a full team victory, the Blue Devils will enter their next game on Monday against Syracuse with a newfound energy.

Projected Score: Duke 77, Clemson 62

Texas A&M (17-7) @ 19.Vanderbilt (20-4)
12 p.m., SECN
Texas A&M heads to Nashville as they face Vanderbilt in a matchup between two of the better teams in the SEC. The Aggies fell at home to Missouri 86-85, continuing their three game losing streak. The Commodores took a tough quad three loss to Oklahoma before bouncing back with an 84-76 victory over Auburn on Tuesday night.

Vanderbilt was led by guard Tyler Tanner’s 25 points and six assists and Tyler Nickel’s 10 points. Tanner and Nickel will need similar or better production against Texas A&M as back court mates Duke Miles and Frankie Collins remain out with injuries. In the loss to the Tigers, Rylan Griffen scored 17 points and added five rebounds but Marcus Hill, Jacari Lane, and Rubén Dominguez were limited to just 17 combined points. They will have to be much better to match Tanner’s all-around abilities and Nickel’s shooting ability.

Forward Jalen Washington posted a season best 22 points, five rebounds, and one block against the Tigers. Fellow teammate Devin McGlockton helped Washington with 12 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks of his own. If Washington, McGlockton, and AK Okereke perform well against the Aggies, they can win on Saturday afternoon. The Aggies’ leader in every way is Rashaun Agee. The forward leads the team in scoring, rebounding, and is always loud on the court and when he is on the bench. Agee is capable of shutting down Washington, McGlockton, and Okereke from having their normal averages or better with the help of his teammate Zach Clemence but it will not be easy on the road.

In a game Texas A&M needs to win after falling from the top of the SEC, first year coach Bucky McMillan needs to refocus his team on what they need to do Saturday to come out victorious on the road in front of a raucous environment for Vanderbilt. If Agee eliminates Washington from putting up similar numbers to what he had against Auburn on Tuesday, the Aggies have a shot to win in Nashville. But McMillan’s pressure on guards Tanner and Nickel will not be enough to give the Commodores back to back home losses.

Projected Score: Vanderbilt 88, Texas A&M 82

UCLA (17-7) @ 2.Michigan (23-1)
12 p.m., CBS
UCLA is looking for a season-defining win in Ann Arbor as they face No. 2 Michigan on Saturday afternoon. The Bruins will attempt to continue a two game winning streak on Saturday but their next three games will all be against AP Top 10 opponents, at Michigan, at No. 10 Michigan State, and back home against No. 8 Illinois.

The Bruins are powered by four scorers that put up over 10 points per contest. Forward Tyler Bilodeau, guards Donovan Dent, Skyy Clark, Trent Prey, and Eric Dailey Jr. are the group that can give Michigan their second loss after they struggled to gain the lead until late against Northwestern earlier this week. The Wolverines’ top group is their front court that includes Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson Jr., and Aday Mara. The group averages over 39 points, over 21 rebounds, and over 5 blocks a game. Bilodeau and Michigan State transfer Xavier Booker will be trusted to defend one of the nation’s best front courts that boasts three guys 6’10 or taller.

On the other hand, Dent, Clark, and Prey will look to handle Michigan’s Trey McKenney and Eliot Cadeau from the perimeter. McKenney is a better scorer and Cadeau is a better playmaker but UCLA definitely has the guys to shut up McKenney and Cadeau from starting up the Wolverine offense.

Despite the Wolverines’ slow start on the road against Northwestern earlier this week, they will be back home to play UCLA and that should help them begin the game better. The Bruins must play tough defense to limit Lendeborg from leading Michigan to win 24 of the season. But he and the Michigan front court will be too much for UCLA to handle.

Projected Score: Michigan 87, UCLA 72

9.Kansas (19-5) @ 5.Iowa State (21-3)
12 p.m., ABC
The early Saturday slate will be defined by the game in Ames on ABC. Kansas dominated Iowa State a few weeks ago in Lawrence so it will be up to the Cyclones to avenge themselves against the Jayhawks. The Jayhawks gave No. 1 Arizona their first loss of the season in a thriller, 82-78 behind a phenomenal performance from forward Flory Bidunga without the presumptive No. 1 pick in June’s NBA Draft Darryn Peterson due to flu-like symptoms. Iowa State took their first loss since Jan. 17 against Cincinnati when they were upset by TCU 62-55 on the road. A bounce back performance will be necessary for the Cyclones to secure their spot on the two seed line versus the Jayhawks.

Kansas’ Bidunga scored 23 points, added 10 rebounds, blocked three shots, and stole the ball once in another performance that proves he can be an All-American and the national defensive player of the year. Fellow forward Bryson Tiller had 18 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and a steal to help Bidunga up front. They will match up with an Iowa State front line that can score efficiently on a regular basis. However, forwards Joshua Jefferson’s 12 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds and Milan Momcilovic 11 points and 5 rebounds led the Cyclones in a game where they struggled to score the ball.

If Peterson returns to action for the Jayhawks, great. But their guards have been doing well without him. Guard Melvin Council matched Bidunga’s performance against the Wildcats with 23 points, six assists, and six rebounds, proving he has an all around game. If Peterson does not play on the road versus the Cyclones, more will be expected of Council’s backcourt mates Jamari McDowell and Tre White to sweep the season series against their rivals.

Veteran guard Tamin Lipsey matched Jefferson’s 12 points to lead Iowa State in scoring. The Ames native will have to play much better and lead his Cyclones to a win over a red hot Kansas on Saturday afternoon. Killyan Toure will have to be the defensive anchor that helps Lipsey shut down Council and Peterson if he plays.

Like last weekend when Michigan State was on a losing streak entering Sunday’s game against Illinois, I picked the Spartans to pull a mini upset of the Fighting Illini and it happened. KenPom has Iowa State handling Kansas 74-68 in a close game. I agree with them but I think the game will be a bit more high-scoring and the game will be closer than a six point deficit. Lipsey, Jefferson, and Momcilovic will lead the Cyclones in a much better offensive effort and avoid being swept by the Jayhawks.

Projected Score: Iowa State 81, Kansas 80

25.Kentucky (17-7) @ 14.Florida (18-6)
2 p.m., ABC
Kentucky has returned to the AP Top 25 and had the midweek off before their trip to Gainesville this weekend to face No. 14 Florida, who has emerged as the top team in the SEC over the last couple of weeks. The Wildcats are just a game back of the Gators in SEC play with an 8-3 record. Florida has won eight of their last nine games, the latest victory a 20 point drubbing of rival Georgia on the road, 86-66. Florida will face Kentucky for the first of two games between the longtime conference rivals so Saturday’s matchup will be a preview of what to expect inside Rupp Arena in just three weeks on the final day of the regular season in the SEC.

Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen power the Wildcats on the perimeter with Collin Chandler contributing as well. Their group has been much more consistent than the Gators’ group. However, the Gators’ back court, including Boogie Fland, Xavian Lee, and Urban Klavzar, combined for 41 points and eight assists in their win against the Bulldogs. If they meet Oweh and Aberdeen’s physicality and put up a similar performance as they did on Wednesday night, they can definitely help their bigs perform inside

Inside the paint, the toughness of veteran Mouhamed Dioubate and freshman Malachi Moreno has helped Kentucky wake up after a rough start to the season through non-conference and through much of the first month of SEC play. They will need all of Dioubate and Moreno against Florida’s group, who many label as the top unit in the country. It was a balanced effort for the Gators’ forwards against Georgia. Alex Condon scored 12 points and five rebounds, Thomas Haugh put up 11 points and five assists, and Rueben Chinyelu boasted seven points and an incredible 20 blocks. The tougher group between these two may determine the winner of the game.

Florida will protect the O’Connell Center and send Kentucky back to Lexington with a fourth SEC loss. Fland, Lee, and Klavzar will play hard in the back court and Condon, Haugh, and Chinyelu will come up with important rebounds down the stretch to help the Gators defeat the Wildcats. A rematch is set for March 7 inside Rupp Arena in three weeks.

Projected Score: Florida 85, Kentucky 79

13.Purdue (20-3) @ Iowa (18-6)
4 p.m., FOX
Purdue must start well if they want to bounce back from recent up and down play as they travel to face Iowa this weekend. The Boilermakers lead for most of the way against No. 7 Nebraska in Lincoln but the Corn Huskers forced overtime. Purdue’s Oscar Cluff made a game-winning layup and they got a huge win over Nebraska 80-77 to help them move up the Big Ten standings and two and a half games of No. 2 Michigan. Maryland upset the Hawkeyes 77-70 on Wednesday night, Iowa’s first loss since their first game against the Boilermakers back on Jan. 14.

It was a balanced effort from the Boilermakers offense in their victory on Tuesday night. Senior guards Fletcher Loyer (18 points) and Braden Smith (13 points and 10 assists) lead the way. They will need to do the same as they enter what should be another hostile environment in Iowa City on Saturday afternoon. The Hawkeyes’ point guard Bennett Stirtz put up 32 points and six assists in the loss to the Terrapins but more will be needed outside of Stirtz on the perimeter like from Tavion Banks and Kael Combs to defeat the Boilermakers at home.

Cluff’s double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds supported Loyer’s and Smith’s performances as they had to dig deep late in the game to overcome Nebraska in overtime. However, pre-season All-American Trey Kaufman-Renn only scored six points but he had 19 rebounds. More points will be expected of Kaufman-Renn against the Hawkeyes but if he and Cluff can combine for 33 rebounds, it will be tough to play against them throughout the rest of the season. Iowa’s Cam Manyawu and Cooper Koch will need to step up inside against Cluff and Kaufman-Renn inside after only combining for 11 points on Wednesday if they want to defeat the Boilermakers.

If Purdue starts well against Iowa, they should take care of business. But Loyer and Smith will have to make sure Stirtz does not go for more than 30 points because then they could be in trouble. However if Stirtz is the only Hawkeye that causes problems against the Boilermaker defense, they will coast to a win on Saturday night.

Projected Score: Purdue 77, Iowa 71

16.Texas Tech (18-6) @ 1.Arizona (23-1)
5:30 p.m., ESPN
Texas Tech heads to Tucson to face No. 1 Arizona after their first loss of the season on Monday night. The Red Raiders dominated Colorado 78-44 on Wednesday night thanks to Donovan Atwell’s 20 points. After falling for the first time this season to No. 9 Kansas, Arizona continues one of the toughest stretches in the country when they host No. 16 Texas Tech on Saturday night. The Wildcats fell 82-78 to the Jayhawks on the road in front of one of college basketball’s best environments at Allen Fieldhouse.

Arizona should not worry about taking their first loss this season against Kansas. There is a reason why they were 23-0 and they performed well in Lawrence but fell inside one of college basketball’s top atmospheres.

Guards Brayden Burries (25 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals against Kansas) and Jayden Bradley (6 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals are the guys that have paced the Wildcats this season. Burries continues to do good things but more will be expected of the veteran Bradley scoring wise if they want to keep up with Texas Tech’s backcourt, who score at one of the highest rates in the country. On top of Atwell’s performance, Christian Anderson scored 14 points and Jaylen Petty added 12 points of his own. The guard matchups in this game will go a long way in determining this game.

Like their guards, Arizona’s front court has been fantastic this season. Center Motiejus Krivas scored 14 points, had 15 rebounds, and added an incredible six blocks versus the Jayhawks, forward Ivan Kharchenkov scored 13 points, added six rebounds, and had three steals, but freshman sensation Koa Peat was limited to only six points. Peat will have do more alongside Krivas and Kharchenkov with JT Toppin facing the Wildcats on Saturday night. Toppin scored 16 points and added 18 rebounds for an impressive double-double against the Buffaloes on Wednesday night. Krivas, Kharchenkov, and Peat will have to limit Toppin if they want to come out victorious on Saturday night.

All of that being said, Arizona should protect their home floor and grab win 24 of the season thanks to Burries and Bradley leading the Wildcats as playmakers and making passes to Peat, Kharchenkov, and Krivas to set them up to make plays that will help them overcome Anderson, Toppin, and the high scoring Red Raiders.

Projected Score: Arizona 89, Texas Tech 77

12.Gonzaga (24-2) @ Santa Clara (22-5)
9:30 p.m., ESPN
Gonzaga meets Santa Clara on the road in a battle between the top two teams in the West Coast conference with matching 12-1 records. The Bulldogs dominated instate rival Washington State 83-53 on Tuesday night and will definitely have a tougher test against the Broncos on Saturday night. Santa Clara took care of Seattle University 84-72 on Wednesday night.

Graham Ike scored 20 points and added seven rebounds and guard Adam Miller scored 11 points against the Cougars earlier this week. Both guys will be trusted to lead the way again versus Santa Clara, especially as they continue without forward Braden Huff due to injury. Forwards Junseok Yeo (17 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 block against the Redhawks) and Will Heimbrdt (11 points) continue to anchor the Broncos.

More will be expected of guards Jalen Warley and Tyon Grant-Foster to support Miller in the backcourt so they can defeat the Broncos. On the perimeter, Brayden Maldonado, who scored 17 points and assisted six baskets versus Seattle U will have to hope his teammates Maleek Arington, John Christofilis, and Jojo Murphy pick it up behind them after all of them only put up subpar showings in midweek action.

If the Zags want to end their time in the West Coast conference on a positive note and win the league, they will have to win this game. But without Huff, they have struggled to do so. Facing Santa Clara on the road will be a tough test as they are just four point favorites on KenPom. That being said, give me the Bulldogs to win close against the Broncos and reclaim the lead of the league entering the last two weeks of regular season play.

Projected Score: Gonzaga 85, Santa Clara 82

Sunday, Feb. 15
Indiana (19-8) @ 8.Illinois (20-5)
12 p.m., CBS
Indiana will try to continue to rise up the bracket by traveling on the road and potentially upsetting No. 8 Illinois on Sunday afternoon. The Hoosiers dominated Oregon 92-72 on Monday night, a team that fell to then No. 12 Purdue by just four points on Saturday. The Fighting Illini fell to Wisconsin 92-90 in overtime, marking back to back losses since their 12-game win streak ended.

Indiana guard Lamar Wilkerson put up 41 points against the Ducks while Nick Dorn supported him with 11 points. Wilkerson will have to face a guard with similar offensive abilities on Sunday afternoon. The guy Wilkerson must face is freshman guard Keaton Wagler, who will continue to be Illinois’ standard bearer with 34 points against the Badgers as senior guard Kylan Boswell remains out with a hand fracture. Wagler was not able to handle the Badgers’ guards and as a result Boswell was definitely missed defensively. In addition to missing Boswell, second leading score Andrej Stojakovic missed Tuesday’s game with an ankle injury.

The Hoosiers’ front court, including Tucker DeVries and Sam Alexis, combined for 31 points and 8 rebounds on Monday. They will have a tough test against the high-scoring Illinois front court. The revolving door of injuries for the Illini backcourt must mean that Tomislav Ivisic, David Mirkovic, and Zvonimir Ivisic continue their hot offensive play and rebound the ball well to support Wagler without Boswell and Stojakovic next to him on the perimeter.

In what should be a back and forth game, Illinois will go on a late run in the last eight minutes of the second half to defeat Indiana by eight points. Wagler, Mirkovic, and the Ivisic brothers will match Wilerson, DeVries, and Alexis and overtake them in the eight minutes of their late run and win their first game since Feb. 4 against Northwestern.

Projected Score: Illinois 86, Indiana 78

Categories
College Baseball

2026 cbhsports Arkansas Baseball Preview 

Image Courtesy: Ethan Doan

Arkansas Razorback baseball returns to the diamond tomorrow against Oklahoma State in Arlington, TX. But, first let’s recap 2025:

Arkansas entered SEC play with a 16-1 record last spring. The Razorbacks went 5-1 to open conference play with series wins over Ole Miss and South Carolina. Then, the Razorbacks dropped their first midweek game of the season against Missouri State at home, 14-13. They quickly bounced back with a sweep over Vanderbilt in Nashville to wrap up March before starting April on a six-game win streak.

The final victory of the streak was game 1 against a talented Georgia team that defeated Arkansas the last two games of the series. The Razorbacks returned home and dominated Arkansas-Pine Bluff in midweek action before losing a series against Texas A&M.

Back to back wins over Little Rock did not help Arkansas on the road against Florida. The Gators won two of three games against the Razorbacks like the Aggies had done the weekend before.

Arkansas bounced back in a big way by sweeping then No. 1 Texas in Fayetteville to begin May. Then, the Razorbacks dropped two out of three in Baton Rouge against eventual national champion LSU.

Arkansas won two out of three games to close the regular season against former Razorback assistant Tony Vitello and Tennessee. The Razorbacks went out quickly in Hoover in the SEC Tournament but clinched the No. 3 overall seed after a successful regular season in the NCAA Tournament.

Arkansas swept through their home stretch in the NCAA Tournament with victories over North Dakota State and Creighton in the Fayetteville Regional and swept Tennessee in a rematch of their final regular season series in the Fayetteville Super Regional.

A rematch with LSU to open things in Omaha at the College World Series did not end well. Arkansas was forced to win games against Murray State and UCLA to gain another rematch versus the Tigers.

The season ended again with a loss in the national semifinals against LSU.

Now, let’s move onto 2026:

Dave Van Horn and Arkansas baseball are again focused on winning the big one in 2026. But it must start with consistent play in the regular season but the Razorbacks are already used to that.

Arkansas has won 43 or more games, 18 or more SEC games in each complete season since 2018 and have made it to Omaha for the College World Series four times in that time period.

So, the Razorbacks are definitely capable of getting there. That’s the hard part. Then, luck is what rules your chances from there.

Arkansas had 11 players drafted and two more signed as undrafted free agents at the 2025 MLB Draft. Among the roster, the Razorbacks lost their top two arms from 2025, Zach Root and Gage Wood (who threw a no-hitter in the 2025 MCWS against Murray State) in addition to Golden Spikes’ winner Wehiwa Aloy, who leaves a big hole to fill at shortstop. Lead-off man and left fielder Charles Davalan is gone as well so it will be up to Van Horn to find the man to start the Razorbacks’ offensive production with someone new in 2026.

Pitching wise, Gabe Gaeckle will be called upon again to lead the staff as an ace. Gaeckle started 2025 in the role but he was better suited out of the bullpen last spring, prompting Root and Wood to their Friday and Saturday starter roles. Van Horn did not pitch Gaeckle last fall, hoping that would help him prepare for the upcoming season as a permanent starter.

Hunter Dietz, Cole Gibler, and Colin Fisher are options to round out the starting rotation on SEC weekends and Parker Coil, Tate McGuire, and Vanderbilt transfer Ethan McElvain, Steele Eaves, and Jackson Kircher, and Oregon State transfer James DeCremer will be trusted to make up a bullpen full of inexperienced talent.

Catcher Ryder Helfrick, infielders Reese Robinett, Camden Kozeal, Texas Tech transfer TJ Pompey, Nolan Souza, and outfielders Kuhio Aloy, Lamar transfer Damian Ruiz, and Marshall transfer Maika Niu will be trusted to pick up the offense where Aloy and Davalan lead it in 2025.

Arkansas does not face traditional rivals LSU, Tennessee, Texas, or Texas A&M, or Vanderbilt in 2026 but they will still face six D1Baseball pre-season top 25 teams and the normal SEC gauntlet including No. 4 Mississippi State, No. 13 Florida, No. 9 Auburn, No. 15 Georgia, and No. 18 Kentucky.

No matter what happens this spring, Arkansas baseball has one of the top rosters in the country and as long as Dave Van Horn is the head coach in Fayetteville, there’s a chance for the Razorbacks to succeed.

Projected Opening Day Starters
Catcher: Ryder Helfrick, Junior
Pitchers:
Friday: Gabe Gaeckle, Junior
Saturday: Hunter Dietz, Sophomore (RS)
Sunday: Colin Fisher, Junior
Notable Relief Pitchers:
Parker Coil, Senior
Cole Gibler, Sophomore
Tate McGuire, Junior
Ethan McElvain, Junior
James DeCremer, Sophomore (RS)
Steele Eaves, Sophomore
Jackson Kircher, Sophomore
1B: Reese Robinett, Junior (RS)
2B: Camden Kozeal, Junior
SS: TJ Pompey, Junior
3B: Carson Brumbaugh, Freshman
RF: Kuhio Aloy, Junior
CF: Maika Niu, Senior
LF: Damian Ruiz, Junior (RS)
DH: Nolan Souza, Junior

2025 Class (Rankings according to Perfect Game)
68.SS Landon Schaefer Fayetteville, AR Fayetteville High School
73.RHP Jordan Martin Jefferson City, MO Jefferson City High School
75.SS Carson Brumbaugh Edmond, OK Edmond Santa Fe High School
159.RHP Peyton Lee Maumelle, AR Maumelle High School
167.SS Alexander Peck Franklin, TN University School of Tennessee
176.OF Jaison Delamar Fayetteville, AR Fayetteville High School
209.LHP Joey Lorenzini Rocklin, CA Rocklin High School
236.RHP McLane Moody Fort Smith, AR Northside High School
249.LHP Tye Briscoe Abilene, TX Wylie High School
255.3B Luke Cornelison Springdale, AR Har-Ber High School
259.RHP Mark Brissey Fayetteville, AR Fayetteville High School
282.LHP Jack Schwab Overland Park, KS Blue Valley High School
297.RHP Grant Wren Melbourne, AR Melbourne High School
379.OF Christian Turner Haughton, LA Haughton High School
388.3B Cayden Mitchell Arlington, TX Mansfield Timberview High School
440.C Carter Rutenbar Midlothian, TX Midlothian Heritage High School
500.RHP Kevin Landry Farr Proctor, AR North Point Christian High School
500.SS Walt Jones Ashdown, AR Ashdown High School
500.SS Hudson Roberts Ozark, MO Ozark High School

Entered Transfer Portal (New School)
INF Michael Anderson (Penn State)
RHP Tag Andrews (Little Rock)
C Zane Becker (Texas A&M)
LHP Jackson Farrell ()
RHP Ross Felder (Missouri State)
INF Gabe Fraser (Florida State)
C Elliott Peterson (Nebraska)
LHP Luke Williams (Oral Roberts)

Transfer Additions (Old School)
RHP Jackson Wells (Little Rock) (Signed undrafted free agent deal)
LHP Ethan McElvain (Vanderbilt)
INF Dylan Grego (Ball State)
RHP Jackson Kircher (Oklahoma)
OF Zack Stewart (Missouri State)
INF TJ Pompey (Texas Tech)
OF Maika Niu (Marshall)
OF Damian Ruiz (Lamar)
C Brendan Kleiman (Eastern Michigan)
RHP James DeCremer (Oregon State)

JUCO Signees (Old School)
RHP Isaac Godard (McLennan)
INF Sherman Johnson II (McLennan)
LHP Jacob Imoto (Palomar)

Razorbacks selected in 2025 MLB Draft
RHP Gage Wood – Round 1, Pick 26 – Philadelphia Phillies
SS Wehiwa Aloy – Round 1, Pick 31 – Baltimore Orioles
LHP Zach Root – Round 1, Pick 40 – Los Angeles Dodgers
OF Charles Davalan – Round 1, Pick 41 – Los Angeles Dodgers
RHP Christian Foutch – Round 5, Pick 148 – Boston Red Sox
RHP Aiden Jimenez – Round 5, Pick 158 – Kansas City Royals
LHP Landon Beidelschies – Round 6, Pick 187 – Atlanta Braves
3B Brent Iredale – Round 7, Pick 203 – Pittsburgh Pirates
RHP Ben Bybee – Round 8, Pick 236 – San Francisco Giants
OF Justin Thomas Jr. – Round 11, Pick 336 – Houston Astros
RHP Parker Coil Round 16, Pick 485 – Milwaukee Brewers
Signed Free Agent Deal
RHP Dylan Carter – San Francisco Giants
OF Logan Maxwell – New York Yankees

Razorback signees selected in 2025 MLB Draft
SS Dylan Grego – Round 13, Pick 400 – San Diego Padres
RHP McLane Moody – Round 15, Pick 443 – Pittsburgh Pirates
LHP Denton Biller – Round 16, Pick 484 – Baltimore Orioles
SS Landon Schaefer – Round 20, Pick 611 – Philadelphia Phillies
Signed Free Agent Deal
RHP Jackson Wells – Houston Astros

Checkout my recap of the Razorbacks’ 2025 MLB Draft performance back in July here.

2026 Schedule (Rankings below are based on the 2026 D1 Baseball Top 25)
Feb. 13 Oklahoma State (Arlington; Shriners Children‘s College Showdown)
Feb. 14 10.TCU (Arlington; Shriners Children‘s College Showdown)
Feb. 15 Texas Tech (Arlington; Shriners Children‘s College Showdown)
Feb. 16 Tarleton State (Arlington)
Feb. 20-22 Xavier
Feb. 24-25 Arkansas State
Feb. 27-March 1 UT-Arlington
March 3 Oral Roberts
March 6-9 Stetson
March 13-15 4.Mississippi State
March 17-18 Northern Colorado
March 20-22 @ South Carolina
March 24 Central Arkansas
March 27-29 13.Florida
March 31 @ Missouri State
April 2-4 @ 9.Auburn
April 7 Little Rock
April 10-12 @ Alabama
April 14 Arkansas-Pine Bluff (North Little Rock)
April 16-18 15.Georgia
April 21 Missouri State
April 23-25 @ Missouri
April 28-29 Northwestern State
May 1-3 Ole Miss
May 8-10 Oklahoma
May 14-16 @ 18.Kentucky
May 19-24 SEC Tournament (Hoover)

Schedule Thoughts and Projections:

Feb. 13-16
vs. Oklahoma State, 10.TCU, Texas Tech, and Tarleton State
Arkansas will open the 2026 season like they normally do in Arlington, TX against some of the Big 12’s best including Oklahoma State, No. 10 TCU, and Texas Tech before a Monday game against Tarleton State. The Razorbacks have been successful there of late which makes me think they go 3-1 to open the season with the lone loss coming to the Horned Frogs. We will find out how much the Arkansas offense will have to improve after losing some hitting depth and needing Gaeckle, Dietz, and Fisher to step up in place of Root and Wood.

Projected Record: 3-1

Feb. 20-March 9
vs. Xavier, Arkansas State, UT-Arlington, Oral Roberts, Stetson
The Razorbacks normally return to Baum-Walker Stadium to play a long home stand before SEC play begins in mid-March. The 2026 season will be no different. Arkansas will play 13 games at home before welcoming No. 4 Mississippi State to Fayetteville to open conference play. During that stretch, they should win each series but may take a few losses along the way. This part of the schedule will be important for not only freshman Carson Brumbaugh to settle into his shortstop position but for the inexperienced pitching depth to gain experience. Arkansas should go no worse than 11-2 in this stretch.

Projected Record: 14-3

March 13-18
vs. 4.Mississippi State and Northern Colorado
The Bulldogs will come into Baum-Walker Stadium to open SEC play against a Razorback team that would be 14-3 based on the way I have picked these games so far. Mississippi State’s new head coach, Brian O’Connor, was successful for years in the same position at Virginia and as I said in last week’s SEC Baseball Mailbag, O’Connor retained third baseman Ace Reese, who won the conference’s newcomer of the year last spring and added four Cavaliers that contributed for him last season.

Arkansas has been successful against Mississippi State in recent history. The Razorbacks are 10-2 against the Bulldogs in series since 2020. The two teams did not meet in 2025 after divisions were eliminated following the additions of Oklahoma and Texas to the league.

The Razorbacks should not have to worry about another non-conference series until their trip for a single game against Missouri State on March 31, who they lost to at home in 2025. Arkansas should sweep Northern Colorado.

Despite their recent success against Mississippi State, this is a different Arkansas team than those that dominated the Bulldogs. O’Connor’s team will come into Baum-Walker Stadium and grab two out of three from the Razorbacks but they will bounce back in midweek action with a sweep of Northern Colorado.

Projected Record: 17-5 (1-2) SEC

March 20-24
@ South Carolina, vs. Central Arkansas
Next up for Arkansas is a trip to South Carolina, another place where the Razorbacks have had success. The last time they went to Columbia, Hagen Smith’s dominated pitching helped them win two out of three against the Gamecocks. As Arkansas gets going in SEC play, I expect them to do the same thing they did two seasons ago. The Razorbacks will take two of three from South Carolina and win a single game against instate foe Central Arkansas two days later.

Projected Record: 19-6 (3-3) SEC

March 27-31
13.Florida, @ Missouri State
After dropping two of three against Florida in Gainesville last season, Arkansas welcomes the Gators to town to close out conference play in March. After dropping their SEC home opener against Mississippi State, Arkansas will grab another series win against Florida, who they have defeated in series the last two times they’ve welcomed them into Baum-Walker Stadium.

The Razorbacks will close out March with a trip to Springfield to face Missouri State. Last season, the Bears defeated the Razorbacks 14-13 in a high scoring affair that went to ten innings. Also, Arkansas’ return trip to Missouri State that was scheduled for April 29 was cancelled due to bad weather.

Former Bear outfielder Zack Stewart was an important piece in his three seasons there. But could he be a spark plug as Arkansas attempts to avenge their loss to the Bears on March 31? He may be or he may not be but Arkansas needs to take care of business and they should as they enter a tough April stretch of SEC play.

Projected Record: 22-7 (5-4) SEC

April 2-7
@ 9.Auburn, Little Rock
Arkansas returns to “The Plains” to face Auburn for the first time since the spring of 2024. The Razorbacks are 7-2 the last three series they have faced the Tigers but Butch Thompson’s teams always keep it close with Dave Van Horn’s teams.

The Tigers returners include pitchers Ryan Hetzler, Christian Chatterton, and Griffin Graves. Position player Bub Terrell, Chris Rembert, Chase Fralick, and Cade Belyeu anchor one of the SEC’s top teams. As a result, Auburn’s veteran leadership will help them defeat Arkansas and give the Razorbacks their second SEC series loss.

Like they’ve done in previous midweek games, Arkansas should take care of another midweek game against an instate opponent, this time against Little Rock. The Razorbacks will need to come out victorious against the Trojans as they return to Alabama for the second consecutive weekend to face the Crimson Tide the next weekend.

Projected Record: 24-9 (6-6) SEC

April 10-14
@ Alabama, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (North Little Rock)
Arkansas has failed to win many games in Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa against Alabama of late. The Razorbacks are 2-4 the last two series they have met the Crimson Tide on the road.

Now, Rob Vaughn may have the best team he has coached Alabama since leaving Maryland with one of the best shortstops in the country, Justin LeBron manning the middle of the infield for the Crimson Tide. Arkansas’ offense will outduel LeBron’s and Alabama’s to get their first series win in Tuscaloosa in awhile.

Next up, the Razorbacks will take care of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in North Little Rock, continuing their success against out of conference competition in the Natural State.

Projected Record: 27-10 (8-7) SEC

April 16-21
vs. 15.Georgia, Missouri State
Arkansas returns home for what will be a pivotal series between a two teams that should be ranked in the top 25. Arkansas native Wes Johnson has turned Georgia into a consistent program and his Bulldogs defeated the Razorbacks two games to one in Athens just a season ago.

Arkansas must reverse that this year in front of big Baum-Walker Stadium crowds. If the Razorbacks are only 8-7 in the SEC through 15 games like I have them right now, they will need to win this series at least to clinch another top eight national seed in the NCAA tournament.

After Georgia opens the series with a game one victory over Arkansas, the Razorbacks will send their former pitching coach back to Athens with a series loss with back to back. Then, the Razorbacks will sweep the season series against Missouri State when they make their return trip to Fayetteville and extend their win streak to three games entering the last week of April.

Projected Record: 30-11 (10-8) SEC

April 23-29
@ Missouri, vs. Northwestern State
Arkansas will continue their three game winning streak with a sweep of annual opponent Missouri on the road in Columbia. Kerrick Jackson has the Tiger program improving as they were able to sweep a Texas A&M team that defeated the Razorbacks in a series last season but Arkansas needs to win all three games to get themselves into top eight seed conversations entering May.

The Razorbacks will finish non-conference play with a sweep of Northwestern State, finishing non-conference play with an exclamation point and continue their winning streak to seven games.

Projected Record: 34-11 (13-8) SEC

May 1-3
vs. Ole Miss
Arkansas begins May and a two weekend home stand by hosting their other annual opponent, Ole Miss. The Rebels have struggled to beat the Razorbacks of late with the last time they defeated Arkansas in a series being on Sunday, March 31, 2019 in Baum-Walker Stadium.

That same season, the programs went 1-1 versus each other at the SEC Tournament and the Razorbacks won two out of three games in the Fayetteville Super Regional to advance to Omaha and the College World Series.

Seven years later, Mike Bianco’s team returns to Fayetteville to face Dave Van Horn’s squad in another series. Bianco may have a national championship and Van Horn may not but Arkansas has been the far more impressive program overall.

That being said, the Razorbacks will get a good weekend out of their starting pitching from Gaeckle, Dietz, and Fisher and they will shut down Rebel hitters as they move their focus to Oklahoma.

Record: 36-12 (15-9) SEC

Projected Record:

May 8-10
vs. Oklahoma
Relief pitcher Jackson Kircher will hope to help Arkansas against his former team, Oklahoma to close out regular season play in the 2026 season at Baum-Walker Stadium. On top of losing Kircher, the Sooners lost ace Kyson Witherspoon to the pros and will need expected weekend starters Mason Bixby, Cameron Johnson, and Reid Hensley to step up in his place.

The series versus the Sooners could be the most competitive since their battle versus Georgia for the Razorbacks. Oklahoma has athletes that can match Arkansas’ and even have Cayden Brumbaugh, the brother of Arkansas freshman shortstop Carson Brumbaugh, expected to start at the designated hitter position.

The Razorbacks should handle the Sooners but it will be close all the way through with Arkansas clinching 17 SEC wins, one win away from another 18 conference win season.

Projected Record: 38-13 (17-10) SEC

May 14-16
@ 18.Kentucky
The Razorbacks make the return trip to Lexington over two years after their last one against Kentucky. The Wildcats lost game one to Arkansas with an incredible performance from former ace Hagen Smith before winning the next two games to clinch the series.

Nick Mingione has established a solid program at Kentucky. Back to back series wins over the Razorbacks in Lexington would mean big things for the Wildcats heading into the SEC Tournament the next week.

History will repeat itself and Gabe Gaeckle will pitch an incredible game and lead Arkansas to a game one victory. But Kentucky’s “small ball” offense that is speedy will steal bases consistently in games two and three to finish the series and the Razorbacks will finish regular season play with back to back losses.

Projected Record: 39-15 (18-12) SEC

May 19-24
SEC Tournament (Hoover)
In the second season of the SEC’s new single-elimination style tournament, Arkansas will win a game, unlike they did last season to bounce back after a tough ending to the regular season in Lexington.

But the Razorbacks will want to prepare for the NCAA Tournament so they will take a second round loss and head back to Fayetteville. They will wait to see what their seed and bracket look like on Selection Monday just days later.

Then, a run to Omaha would begin the next weekend either in Fayetteville or another regional depending on Arkansas’ draw.

Projected Record going into the NCAA Tournament: 40-16 (18-12) SEC

Categories
NFL

2026 cbhsports Super Bowl LIX Preview

Image Courtesy: The Seattle Times

Sunday, Feb. 8
Super Bowl LIX (Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara))
2.New England Patriots vs. 1.Seattle Seahawks
6:30 PM ET, NBC
The favorite Seattle Seahawks will return to their division rival San Francisco 49ers’ home stadium to face the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl XLIX rematch 11 years later.

In that game, the Patriots’ Malcolm Butler intercepted Russell Wilson’s pass in the end zone that would’ve given the Seahawks the lead and the win on Feb. 1, 2015. The call everyone in the stadium and watching on television would be for Wilson to hand it to All-Pro tailback Marshawn Lynch, who many thought would easily take it through the New England defensive line for a touchdown.

Now, the teams are different. The Patriots don’t have head coach Bill Belichick or quarterback Tom Brady. The Seahawks don’t have Carroll, Wilson, Lynch, or any of the members of the famous “Legion of Boom” defense including Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, or Bobby Wagner.

Former New England player Mike Vrabel has taken over as head coach and led his team to the Super Bowl after back to back four win seasons. His quarterback is second year signal-caller Drake Maye, who is a finalist for the MVP. Maye’s receivers are former Vikings and Bills receiver Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins and his running backs are Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.

Maye has thrown for 533 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions and he has rushed for 141 yards and another score in their two playoff games. Stevenson has carried the ball for 194 yards but will need to get in the end zone if the Patriots are going to win. Boutte leads the team in receiving with 147 yards and a touchdown through the last two games.

The Patriots’ defense has supported and won games for the team in the playoffs. Despite Drake Maye’s five turnovers in the playoffs, New England’s defense has picked off opposing quarterbacks five times and forced four fumbles and recovered three of them to get the ball back in the hands of Maye.

Safety Craig Woodson (13 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 1 interception), cornerback Christian Gonzalez (11 tackles, 4 passes defended, 1 interception, and 1 sack), and linebacker Christian Elliss (8 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 sack) have been the vital pieces in the Patriots run to another Super Bowl appearance.

Mike Macdonald came to take over the Seattle Seahawks head coaching job after successfully leading the Baltimore Ravens defense for years. In just his second season, McDonald has a team that has been the best in football, especially for the last month. The well traveled Sam Darnold became the first quarterback to win 14 games in back to back seasons with separate teams.

After 14 with the Minnesota Vikings last season and 17 and counting for the Seahawks, he has the benefit of playing with running back Kenneth Walker III, receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp.

While Maye has turned the ball over frequently for the other side, Seattle’s Darnold has been efficient, throwing for 470 yards and four scores combined against division rivals San Francisco and Los Angeles. Darnold does have the help of tailback Walker III, who has rushed for 178 yards and 4 TDs and Smith-Njigba, who has 13 catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns.

The Seahawks defense has been just as good if not better than the Patriots’ unit as they head into Sunday’s matchup. They might have given up 27 points to the impressive Rams’ offense but impressed in the divisional round, only giving up six points to the 49ers. Linebackers Ernest Jones IV, Drake Thomas, and cornerback Devon Witherspoon have impressed for Seattle during their playoff run.

Linebacker Jones IV’s 10 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defended, and 1 forced fumble and cornerback Witherspoon’s nine tackles and three passes defended have been important in Seattle’s playoff run. They will need Jones’ and Witherspoon’s to play as well as they have been for the Seahawks to win on Sunday night.

The difference in the game should be the Patriots’ ability to hold back Seattle’s pass rushers from getting to Maye and causing him to make bad decisions. Rookie left tackle Will Campbell will have to hold up against a Seahawks defense that includes the aforementioned Jones IV, Thomas, and veteran pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence.

Under pressure, Maye’s decision making against the Seahawks strong secondary headed by Witherspoon will be a determining factor in the game. Despite Maye’s struggles with turnovers, Darnold has had problems with turning the ball over in the past just not in the postseason. He led all quarterbacks during the 2025 regular season 14 interceptions.

So whichever defense can force turnovers and the opposing quarterback to make the most bad decisions should be the victor. Both head coaches, Vrabel and McDonald, deserve to be here, but there can only be one winner. The Seahawks overall talent will overwhelm the Patriots, who played a fourth place schedule in 2025, and that is the reason why they will win their second Super Bowl.

Projected Score: Seattle Seahawks 27, New England Patriots 17

Categories
College Basketball

Conference clashes headline weekend of college hoops

Image Courtesy: Heartland College Sports

*All game are at central standard time and all rankings are based on this week’s AP Top 25*

Friday, Feb. 6
3.UConn (22-1) @ 22.St. John’s (16-6)
7 p.m., FOX
Everyone expected the battle for this season’s Big East regular season championship was going to be decided during their two battles this season on Friday in New York City and then in Storrs on Feb. 25 between UConn and St. John’s. The Huskies (12-0 in Big East play) and the Red Storm (10-1) stand just a game back in the league. After St. John’s up and down start to the season, they have won seven games in a row since Jan. 6 and now they will face their biggest test against UConn.

The Huskies have yet to play their best basketball yet this season despite their race out to an impressive 22-1 record to start this season. A balanced attack heads the UConn offense with guards Solo Ball, Braylon Mullins, Silas Demary Jr., forward Alex Karaban, and center Tarris Reed all averaging over 10.9 points a game. Ball, Mullins, and Demary Jr. must make smart passes and score consistently against a Red Storm backcourt that has improved on defense.

Ball, Mullins, and Demary Jr. will have the job of defending Oziah Sellers, Ian Jackson, and Josan Sanon on the perimeter. Though inconsistent Sellers and Jackson match their opponent with 11 points each. Sanon comes off the bench with almost 9 points a game. The problem is that Sellers, Jackson, and Sanon all average less than two assists a game. They will have to pass the ball to their talented bigs against a talented UConn defense that will not make it easy.

Karaban and Reed combine to average over 24 points and over 13 rebounds a contest. That will be tested against one of the league’s best paint duos, Zuby Ejiofor (15.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1.2 steals) and Bryce Hopkins (13.6 points, 5.5 points, and 1 steal), that lead St. John’s on the season. They will be the key factors in helping the Johnnies overcome Danny Hurley’s team that is finally coming together as one of the best in America.

In the battle of Hurley versus Rick Pitino, UConn should outlast St. John’s inside Madison Square Garden on Friday night. The Huskies will end the Red Storm’s seven game winning streak and move their focus to their trip to Indianapolis where they will face Butler next Sunday. The Johnnies will continue their home stand against Xavier on a quick break against Xavier.

Projected Score: UConn 81, St. John’s 79

Saturday, Feb. 7
Alabama (15-7) @ Auburn (14-8)
3:30 p.m., ESPN2
Alabama heads to “the Plains” to continue its instate rivalry series with Auburn on Saturday afternoon. The Crimson Tide and Tigers both fell in key games last weekend and will be looking to defeat their rival to get going the right direction. Auburn lost to Tennessee on the road last Saturday and has the midweek off before this weekend’s battle. Alabama out dueled Texas A&M and defeated 100-97 to move back over .500 in SEC play with a 5-4 record. The winner will hope that Saturday’s victory can help propel them back into conference title talks as February continues and March begins.

The Tigers are paced by forward Keyshawn Hall, whose 21 points and seven rebounds a game will be important to keep pace with Alabama’s fast pace on offense. Keyshawn Murphy, Sebastian Williams-Adams, and Filip Jović join Hall in the front court. Charles Bediako and Aiden Sherrill will have to contend with and limit Hall from success tomorrow.

At guard, Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton will be crucial pieces against the Crimson Tide’s loaded backcourt. Labaron Philon Jr. and Aden Holloway are too dangerous from deep and in the lane for Auburn to not worry about them on offense. But on the other side Pettiford and Overton are skilled offensively as well, so the up and down defense of the Alabama guards will be important as well.

In the ‘Iron Bowl’ on the basketball court part 1 this season, Auburn will take down Alabama. Hall will overcome the Crimson Tide’s guards many threes and put up another 20+ point performance. Alabama will want revenge in a month on March 7.

Projected Score: Auburn 89, Alabama 86

4.Duke (21-1) @ 14.North Carolina (18-4)
5:30 p.m., ESPN
North Carolina hosts Duke in another installment of one of college basketball’s top rivalries. The Tar Heels handled Syracuse on Monday 87-77 and come into Saturday night’s game on a four-game win streak. On the other hand, the Blue Devils won a low scoring game against Boston College, 67-49.

The Tar Heels will hope that their lethal front court duo of Caleb Wilson (20 points, 10 rebounds, and over a block and a steal a game) and Henri Veesaar (17 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 block) will be crucial against Duke’s Cameron Boozer, who leads the national player of the year rankings. Boozer, who scores over 23 points and almost 10 rebounds is joined by Patrick Ngongba, Nikolas Khamenia, and Maliq Brown up front.

Seth Trimble, Luka Bogavac, Derek Dixon, and Kyan Evans head up the guard spot for North Carolina against Duke’s athletic group from the perimeter. Trimble is the clear leader of the group with 14.5 points and four rebounds while first year college players Bogavac and Dixon have impressed with recent quality performances and Evans does his job of the ball.

Isaiah Evans (14 points), Caleb Foster (almost 9 points) and Cam’s brother Cayden Boozer (over 6 points) head up the Blue Devils guard group. If Evans, Foster, and Boozer show off their athleticism on both sides of the ball and make smart decisions with the basketball on offense, they could make easy work of the Tar Heels. But North Carolina plays up to their potential, this could be one of the classics in recent memory in this rivalry.

The x-factor in this game is Tar Heel forward Jarin Stephenson. Recently, he has exploded for some impressive scoring outputs but only averages seven points for the season. If he proves himself to be a hard matchup for a Duke wing or forward to guard from the three point line, it could be harder for the Blue Devils to continue their success in this series.

If Wilson and Veesar struggle to contain Cam Boozer in the paint, it will be hard for this North Carolina team to overcome a Duke team that beat them all three times last season. Because the Blue Devil guards have been more consistent than the Tar Heels’, they should go into the ‘Dean Dome’ and get it done and move to 11-0 in ACC play.

Projected Score: Duke 86, North Carolina 81

5.Illinois (20-3) @ 10.Michigan State (19-4)
7 p.m., FOX
Illinois is playing its best basketball of the season as it travels to one of the toughest road environments in the country inside the Breslin Center against Michigan State. The Fighting Illini dominated Northwestern by 40 points and the Spartans lost to Minnesota by three on Wednesday night, their second consecutive loss.

For the Fighting Illini to continue their phenomenal play without veteran guard Kylan Boswell, freshman Keaton Wagler will have to continue his hot scoring performances in one of college basketball’s top environments. Wagler, who scored 46 points two weeks ago at Purdue, will look for a similar performance against one of college basketball’s top point guards, Jeremy Fears. Andrej Stojakovic joins Wagler in the Illinois backcourt against a Michigan State group that does not have much outside of Fears.

Brothers Tomislav and Zvonimir Ivisic and David Mirkovic make up an entertaining paint group for the Illini. They can shoot consistently but must grab enough rebounds against Jaxon Kohler, Coen Carr, and Carson Cooper. Kohler, Carr, and Cooper all average north ten points and five rebounds per game. The inside presences for the Spartans will have to support Fears against a high-scoring Illini perimeter group.

Illinois will have to face Michigan State in their place after the Spartans fell in back to back games. That will be tough to do for the Fighting Illini in front of what should be a hornets’ nest. Michigan State will bounce back and end Illinois’ 12-game win streak on Saturday night.

Projected Score: Michigan State 74, Illinois 73

17.Florida (16-6) @ Texas A&M (17-5)
7:30 p.m., SECN
Florida travels to Texas A&M for a huge game atop the SEC standings. The Gators had the midweek off after dominating Alabama on Sunday while the Aggies fell to Alabama, 100-97, their first loss since their trip to Knoxville, when they lost to Tennessee on Jan. 13. Florida will face Texas A&M to determine who will clinch the SEC’s lead at 8-2 in the league.

The Gators front court has been the best in college basketball for a season and a half running now. Headed by Thomas Haugh’s 17.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, one steal, and one block a game, Alex Condon’s 13.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, and Rueben Chinyelu’s 12.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks will make it difficult for A&M to get their first victory in a week.

Rashaun Agee (14 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block, and almost 1 steal) and Zach Clemence (5.1 points and almost 3 rebounds a game) will be trusted to be as good as they have been this entire season against the Gators’ strong paint play. Agee has led the Aggies all season but Clemence has had to step up since fellow forward Mackenzie Mgbako after he refracted his foot.

Boogie Fland’s 15 points and eight assists helped the Florida bigs succeed against the Crimson Tide last weekend. But Xavian Lee only posted six points and two assists in that same game. So, if the group of Texas A&M’s Rubén Dominguez, Rylan Griffen, Pop Isaacs, and Marcus Hill can step up and press Fland and Lee well like their coach Bucky McMillan preaches, then the Aggies could have another win for themselves.

Texas A&M’s speed will test Florida as they attempt to protect home court on Saturday night. The Gators’ Haugh and Chinyelu have been dominant inside the paint of late and with only Agee and Clemence to challenge them, it will be tough for the Aggies to remain atop the SEC with a victory. The game will be close but Florida’s front court will overwhelm Texas A&M and they will return to the top of the league.

Projected Score: Florida 89, Texas A&M 86

25.Tennessee (16-6) @ Kentucky (16-7)
7:30 p.m., ESPN
Tennessee heads on the road looking to avenge a home loss to rival Kentucky a few weeks ago. Both the Volunteers and Wildcats are playing some of their best basketball of the season so it should be a good battle. Tennessee, winners of five of their last six, dominated Ole Miss in the second half and won 84-66 on Tuesday and Kentucky continued their two game win streak against Oklahoma with a 94-78 victory on Wednesday.

Nate Ament’s recent rise of play has helped Tennessee to their success since the loss at home to Kentucky almost a month ago. He is able to play point forward and play in the paint as an anchor on offense with JP Estrella, Jaylen Carey, and Felix Okpara next to him. Ament scores over 17 points, over six rebounds, and a steal. Estrella, Carey, and Okpara all contribute north of six points and five rebounds and are consistently protecting the paint against opposing front courts by blocking shots.

Kentucky counters Tennessee’s tough group in the paint with Mouhamed Dioubate, Malachi Moreno, and Andrija Jelavic. Dioubate, Moreno, and Jelavic did help the Wildcats come out victorious with 18 points and 13 rebounds between the three of them. It will take a performance like the Wildcat bigs had against the Volunteer bigs in their last matchup for Tennessee to go in and win inside Rupp Arena on Saturday night.

Ja’Kobi Gillespie has led the Volunteers in scoring all season with Bishop Boswell and Amari Allen playing smaller roles alongside him. They will have to deal with Denzel Aberdeen and Otega Oweh for the Wildcats, who combined for 34 points in their win over Tennessee a few weeks ago.

Kentucky enters Saturday’s contest against Tennessee half a game higher in the standings at 7-3 with the Volunteers at 6-3. A win for either team would put them in position to remain tied for second depending on the Florida-Texas A&M game happening at the same time. If the Wildcats are legit, they will sweep Tennessee for the second consecutive regular season and move closer to the top of the SEC.

Projected Score: Kentucky 78, Tennessee 76

8.Houston (20-2) @ 16.BYU (17-5)
9:30 p.m., ESPN
Two of the Big 12’s best teams match up in the Marriott Center as Houston tries their luck at BYU. The Houston Cougars have been playing much better than the BYU Cougars, having won three games in a row since losing on the road in their return game against Texas Tech. Since their “Big Monday” game against Arizona, BYU has dropped three in a row. Most recently, they dropped a game to Oklahoma State on Wednesday. They will be attempting to bounce back against one of the nation’s toughest team in the country, Houston , on Saturday night.

Projected Score:

Categories
College Baseball

SEC Baseball Mailbag: League leaders, 7th consecutive title streak hopes, and can Arkansas finally break through in Omaha?

Image Courtesy: NCAA.com

The 2026 college baseball season is just a week away and now that I am finally covering the sport, I want to answer some questions about the sports’ best league, the Southeastern Conference. The SEC has won six consecutive national championships and has had countless MLB draft picks. But let’s focus on this upcoming season. First, who will win the SEC? Also, what are the chances that the SEC wins another national championship? Next, how much will Tony Vitello’s exit to the pros impact Tennessee? Finally, will Arkansas finally get it done in Omaha? Here are my answers:

Who will win the Southeastern Conference in 2026?
The SEC has been the best baseball league in America for some time. As I have previously mentioned, a team from the SEC has won the last six national titles. Five different schools have won or shared the regular season title and four different teams have won the tournament title since the spring of 2021.

Here are the favorites:
LSU
The Tigers have won two of the last three national championships and have the likely player of the year in the conference, outfielder Derek Curiel, leading off. LSU does lose its top two arms in Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson after they dominated batters from February until they got the final out in Omaha. Anderson and Eyanson are MLB bound but don’t worry there are arms in the wings for Jay Johnson’s program that continues to dominate the diamond.

Texas
Dylan Volantis appeared as the top arm out of the bullpen as a freshman in 2025 as the Longhorns won the SEC regular season title and clinched the number two overall seed in the NCAA Tournament last summer. A regional loss is a tough way to go out for Texas’ first year coach Jim Schlossnagle, especially after he came over after leading the ‘Horns arch rival, Texas A&M, all the way to the championship series the season before.

A more talented roster is in Austin this season for Schlossnagle but the nine expected hitters in his order are expected to have less power than his 2025 team.

Mississippi State
The Bulldogs fired head coach Chris Lemonis to end April last season and replaced him with Brian O’Connor, who served as Virginia’s coach for over 20 years. O’Connor retained last year’s SEC Newcomer of the year Ace Reese returning in the infield and brought four former Cavaliers over to Starkville, including All-ACC freshman team pitcher Tom Valincius. The Bulldogs are national championship contenders with O’Connor coaching them.

Arkansas
The Razorbacks were a top eight national seed for the sixth time in the last seven full seasons in 2025 and had their best offense in the Dave Van Horn era last spring. Golden Spikes winner Wehiwa Aloy, leadoff hitter Charles Davalan, and weekend starters Zach Root and Gage Wood are off to pro baseball.

But transfers Maika Niu, TJ Pompey, and Damian Ruiz join a lineup that already has Camden Kozeal, Kuhio Aloy, and Reese Robinett. Questions will have to be answered with the pitching staff with Root and Wood gone, Gabe Gaeckle will have to step up as the Friday night starter the mound.

Georgia, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Florida could all contend for the league title and it would not surprise me either.

What are the chances the SEC wins their seventh consecutive national championship?
Over the last seven seasons (2019-2025, excluding the COVID shortened 2020 season), the SEC has ruled college baseball with the most teams in the NCAA Tournament, the most teams in Omaha at the Men’s College World Series, and seven consecutive national titles.

The streak could be a year longer if Arkansas was able to finish the job against Oregon State in the MCWS in 2018. Had the Razorbacks caught a foul pop up, they would have the SEC’s streak at seven national championships already.

However, it did not happen that way. A year later, Vanderbilt eliminated Michigan to win the national championship. In 2020, the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, Mississippi State claimed their first national championship in any sport when they defeated Vanderbilt. The next June, Ole Miss beat Arkansas in the national semifinals before taking down future SEC foe Oklahoma in the championship series.

In 2023, LSU defeated Florida in an exciting championship series in three games. Tennessee defeated Texas A&M in another SEC versus SEC clash, a day before the Aggies’ Jim Schlossnagle left to take the head coaching job at new SEC arrival Texas.

LSU won its second ring in three seasons when they eliminated Coastal Carolina in a sweep last June. The Tigers are the easy favorite to do the same next summer in Omaha with their strong pitching depth.

Arkansas, Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Texas, and Vanderbilt have been in Omaha consistently in the past and it would not shock me if Auburn and Georgia join them with an appearance in the MCWS in summer 2026.

How much will Tennessee be impacted by Tony Vitello’s exit to the MLB?
The Volunteers will definitely miss former head coach Tony Vitello no matter the result of their 2026 season. As I wrote in a post when the San Francisco Giants hired him as their new manager, Vitello led Tennessee to the most amount of success that they have ever had with two Omaha runs and a national championship in 2024.

Associate head coach and hitting coach Josh Elander took over the program from his old boss and did not lose any top players from his roster even though Vitello’s pitching coach Frank Anderson went to San Francisco with him.

The Vols lost top arm Liam Doyle and hitting Andrew Fischer to the pros but a group of returners, transfers, and freshmen are waiting in the wings for Elander and his staff against another tough conference schedule coming up this spring.

Can Arkansas win the program’s first national championship in 2026?
There is no doubt that Razorback baseball will at least have success in the regular season under Dave Van Horn.

Above, I mentioned what’s changing with Arkansas’ roster ahead of the important 2026 season. With many of their top names and impressive hitting depth gone, the Razorbacks will have to hope Gaeckle steps into the Friday role on the mound and a combination of Cole Gibler, Hunter Dietz, and Colin Fisher the rest of the weekend.

The other question is the hitting depth. There was not a better overall lineup in the country last season than Davalan, Aloy, Kozeal, Logan Maxwell, Kuhio Aloy, Ryder Helfrick, Brent Iredale, Justin Thomas, among others. Aloy, Kozeal, and Helfrick return but it will be up to transfer bats Niu, Pompey, Ruiz, and freshman Carson Brumbaugh to make up for the losses.

While Arkansas can and probably will contend for another berth to the Men’s College World Series this season, it will all be dependent on the Razorbacks’ success with a new look lineup and pitching rotation behind Gaeckle if the Razorbacks want to win it all in June.

Categories
College Basketball

Can Kentucky avenge their loss to Coach Cal and Arkansas?

Image Courtesy: Sports Illustrated

*All game are at central standard time and all rankings are based on this week’s AP Top 25*

Friday, Jan. 30
3.Michigan (19-1) @ 7.Michigan State (19-2)
7 p.m., FOX
No. 3 Michigan heads on the road to face No. 7 Michigan State in East Lansing. The Wolverines trailed for 36 minutes against No. 5 Nebraska on Tuesday but eventually came back and defeated the Corn Huskers 75-72, giving them their first loss of the season. The Spartans came back to beat a struggling Rutgers squad 88-79 in overtime behind Jeremy Fears’ 29 points and nine assists.

The front court of Yaxel Lendeborg, Morez Johnson, and Aday Mara all average more than ten points, seven rebounds, and are more than capable defenders inside. That will serve them well against Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler, who serves them well as he almost averages a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds per game.

In the back court, North Carolina transfer point guard Elliot Cadeau has improved his jump shot and his offensive game overall, scoring ten points and passing out over five assists a game. If Cadeau can avoid turnovers and pass the ball out to fellow guards Trey McKenney, Nimari Burnett, and Roddy Gayle Jr., the Wolverines could go into a tough environment in East Lansing and come out victorious over the Spartans.

Next to Fears and Kohler, Michigan State wing Coen Carr and forward Cam Ward will be the ex-factors against a strong Michigan front court. Their athleticism will be important against Lendeborg, Johnson, and Mara, who have been giving their opponents problems all season long.

Michigan and Michigan State are tied for first in the Big Ten with Nebraska and Illinois at 9-1 so the winner will enter February right at the top of the league with the loser just a game back. The two teams will match up again on the final day of the regular season, Sunday, March 8.

It is tough for visiting teams to go into the Breslin Center and win but the Wolverines have experience overcoming that very challenge. The Spartans will drop just their second home game of the season by just a point on Friday night.

Projected Score: Michigan 75, Michigan State 74

Saturday, Jan. 31
11.Texas Tech (16-4) @ UCF (16-4)
11 a.m., ESPN2
Texas Tech is red hot with wins over both No. 13 BYU and No. 10 Houston in the last few weeks. Another win on the road against a solid UCF team, led by head coach Johnny Dawkins. The Knights have been up and down in Big 12 play after dropping back to back games to AP top 10 Arizona and Iowa State, they bounced back against Colorado and Arizona State.

Guard Christian Anderson and forward JT Toppin have been the linchpins for much of Texas Tech’s success this season. But, it will be up to the rest of the roster to continue the success that they have been having. For the Knights to come out victorious, it will be big for them to limit Anderson and Toppin and hope that well traveled guard Riley Kugel, guard Themus Fulks, and forward Jamichael Stillwell to show up and perform on Saturday.

Last Saturday in their victory over the Cougars, four Red Raiders scored in double figures. Toppin accounted for 31 points and 12 rebounds, Donovan Atwell scored 18 points and added four rebounds, Jaylen Petty scored 18 points and had eight rebounds, and Christian Anderson scored 12 points and nine assists. UCF forwards Stillwell and Jordan Burks both average over a steal per game this season. They will have to lead the Knights’ defense against a red hot Texas Tech offense.

If the Red Raiders gets that effort from their offense, it will be difficult for UCF to win on Saturday, even in front of their home crowd. That is where dismal showings against the top of the league (outside of their victory over Kansas to begin conference play), make me worry for the Knights and why Texas Tech should win this game but it will be close.

Projected Score: Texas Tech 85, UCF 82

SMU (15-5) @ 20.Louisville (14-6)
1 p.m., ESPN
Louisville welcomes SMU to the ‘KFC Yum Center’ for a Saturday afternoon battle. Duke dominated the Cardinals 83-52 in guard Mikel Brown’s second game back from injury. SMU had the midweek off but will attempt to continue a two game winning streak going after defeating Wake Forest and Florida State in the last week and a half.

Everything went wrong for the Cardinals against the Blue Devils after an okay first half. The freshman guard Brown must hope his third game back from injury is better than his game on Monday as he was defended well and only had seven points, four assists, and went just 1-13 from the field. Brown is so important for Louisville because his passing to consistent shooters Ryan Conwell (18 points versus Duke) and Isaac McKneely (11.5 points per game) is so important to their offensive success, especially against a high-scoring SMU team.

Guards Boopie Miller, Jarron Pierre Jr., and BJ Edwards lead the Mustangs in scoring. Their offensive production versus Louisville will be a big reason why or why they will not go on the road and win against a Cardinal team that has been up and down defensively.

Louisville coach Pat Kelsey was upset multiple times in Monday’s loss because his team failed to rebound and grab loose balls away from Duke. Forwards Sananda Fru and Aly Khalifa have struggled this season being good rebounders to help set up their offense so it will be important to block out and grab the basketball so they can protect home court on Saturday afternoon.

The depth of the SMU roster must step up against Louisville in the Cardinals’ big bounce back opportunity if they want a victory. Mikel Brown will have a bounce back performance and Louisville should bounce back and win versus SMU to gain their fifth ACC game, move above .500 in conference play. That would cause the Mustangs to fall to .500 at 4-4 in league play.

Projected Score: Louisville 84, SMU 80

13.BYU (17-3) @ 14.Kansas (15-5)
3 p.m., ESPN
ESPN’s College GameDay makes their second Saturday stop of the college basketball season in a row again in Big 12 country, this time at one of the most famed arenas in the sport, Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence for a battle between the presumptive top two picks in June’s NBA Draft, Kansas’ Darryn Peterson and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa.

Dybantsa scored 24 points, Richie Saunders scored 18, and Kennard Davis scored 17 in the Cougars’ loss to top ranked Arizona on Monday. BYU struggled for much of that game before a late run brought them within one with under 20 seconds to go. Rob Wright’s layup that would have given them the lead was blocked and their focus must shift to Kansas.

The Cougars must hope for a better overall performance against the Jayhawks, who hope for Peterson to be available for Saturday afternoon’s action after he suffered an ankle sprain. If Peterson is active, it would be helpful for the Jayhawks to have his almost 22 points will be helpful against the Cougars’ Dybantsa, Saunders, and Davis. If not, guards Trey White, Melvin Council Jr., and forward Flory Bidunga will have to step up, especially if they want to move their win streak to five games after a week off.

Self expects Peterson to play on Saturday. If that is the case, the entire BYU roster must be expected to step up including point guard Rob Wright and forward Keba Keita, who will be trusted to grab rebounds against Bidunga.

If Peterson plays, that is advantage Kansas at home. If he is limited, BYU must take advantage of that and bounce back after their tough loss against Arizona. However, Kevin Young’s team will be one of the few to overcome Kansas’ impressive home environment and Dybantasa will lead the Cougars to a victory.

Projected Score: BYU 81, Kansas 77

Kentucky (14-7) @ 15.Arkansas (16-5)
5:30 p.m., ESPN
A year after Arkansas won just its second SEC game of the season inside Rupp Arena against Coach John Calipari’s former team, the Razorbacks welcome Kentucky for their return trip. The Razorbacks are tied for second in the SEC with a 5-2 record and with a successful month of February, they could be in position to win the SEC regular season championship.

Kentucky struggled to open the season before a four game win streak over the last couple of weeks, which ended on Tuesday night on the road against a Vanderbilt team that had lost three of its last four games. The Wildcats will be in Fayetteville trying to upset the Razorbacks like they did a year ago in Lexington.

The Razorbacks are paced by freshmen guards Darius Acuff, who averages over 20 points, six assists, and just two turnovers a game and Meleek Thomas, who has scored 15 points and three assists and was recently added to the starting lineup. Kentucky has been without a true point guard since Jaland Lowe suffered multiple lingering injuries earlier in the season.

In Lowe’s absence, Florida transfer Denzel Aberdeen havs done his best manning the playmaker role. Aberdeen score over 13 points and passes out three assists per game. Pre-season SEC Player of the Year Otega Oweh normally plays off the ball but when Aberdeen is not in the game, he dribbles the ball up the court. Oweh leads the Wildcats with over 16 points, four assists, and two assists a game.

On the wing and inside the paint for the Razorbacks, Trevon Brazile, Karter Knox, Malique Ewin, and Nick Pringle have all been inconsistent. But Arkansas has played much better at home, winning all 13 of their games inside the friendly confines of Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville so far. Last season, Kentucky’s front court had few answers for the Razorbacks’ that were driving to the paint to either dunk or lay it in. Overall average to good showings from Brazile, Knox, Ewin, or Pringle in addition to another quality game from one of the best bench players in the country, Billy Richmond, should mean a win for Arkansas.

The Kentucky wings and front court have both been up and down this season and they will face an Arkansas front court that has been allowing lots of points in the paint. Veteran Alabama transfer Mouhamed Dioubate and freshman Malachi Moreno have been a big part of why the Wildcats went on a four game winning streak before losing to the Commodores on Tuesday.

Saturday will be a war. Like I previously mentioned, Arkansas has been great at home, but that doesn’t mean Kentucky won’t keep the game close. The Razorbacks and Wildcats should battle into the second half. But Arkansas will take over in the last eight minutes and win their 17th game of the season.

Projected Score: Arkansas 86, Kentucky 81

Auburn (14-7) @ Tennessee (14-6)
7:30 p.m, ESPN
A huge SEC matchup looms on Saturday night between two original members of the league. Auburn came back and beat Texas 88-82 and Tennessee defeated Georgia 86-85 in an overtime thriller both on Wednesday night. The Tigers come in to Saturday night’s action at 5-3 while the Volunteers are a half game back at 4-3 after last week’s bye in midweek action.

Auburn’s leader has been veteran UCF transfer Keyshawn Hall, who has scored north of 20 points and added almost eight rebounds a game from his forward spot. Matching up with him will likely be talented freshman Nate Ament, who has emerged over the past few weeks as a more willing driver and scorer. Ament now averages over 16 points over six rebounds, and over one steal a game.

The Tigers’ KeShawn Murphy will have to challenge a Tennessee front court that has depth. Jaylen Carey, J.P. Estrella, and Felix Okpara are vital for the Volunteers average a combined 22 points and 15 rebounds a game and will be thrown at Murphy trying to get him in foul trouble.

Auburn’s only returner for this season, Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton have scored the ball well but average only a combined four assists so they will have to move the ball well against a strong Tennessee defense. Tennessee’s leading scorer Ja’Kobi Gillespie has taken a bit of a backseat to Ament the last couple of weeks but he still leads his team in scoring per game with almost 19 points, five assists, and almost two steals per game. Next to him on the perimeter Bishop Boswell and Amaree Evans must be ready to play fast against Auburn guards that are known to get up and down the floor.

Because this game is at the Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee should get the edge in this game over Auburn. The abilities of Gillespie and Ament were overcome Hall’s scoring and the Volunteers will defeat the Tigers in what should be a close game. Tennessee would get their fifth win of SEC play and Auburn would drop game number four of conference play.

Projected Score: Tennessee 84, Auburn 80

Saint Mary’s (19-3) @ 6.Gonzaga (21-1)
9:30 p.m., ESPN
Both Saint Mary’s and Gonzaga had the mid-week off before the Gaels final trip to Spokane for a conference battle with the Zags before they move to the Pac-12 in July. Saint Mary’s fell to Santa Clara, their first loss in conference play, two weeks ago before back to back victories over Oregon State and Portland. Gonzaga has yet to lose a West Coast conference game and have not fallen since the day before Thanksgiving against Michigan at the Player’s Era Festival in Las Vegas.

Saint Mary’s Paulius Murauskas’ 19 points and seven rebounds and Andrew McKeever’s eight points and nine rebounds per game make up one of the West Coast conference’s top front courts. They will square off versus one of the nation’s top units on the other end versus Gonzaga, including Graham Ike, who could return from injury on Saturday. Ike leads the Bulldogs in scoring with 18 points and almost nine rebounds per game. Ike’s running mate Braden Huff remains out due to a left knee injury.

Gael back court mates Joshua Dent and Mikey Lewis both score north of 13 points a game and will be treated to a similar challenge versus the Bulldogs. Dent and Lewis match up with Tyon Grant-Foster Mario Saint-Supery score more than they assist their teammates so they will have to get the ball inside to Ike if they want to beat their rival one more time at home.

After defeating San Francisco by just two points last Saturday, Gonzaga will need a much better showing against St. Mary’s to win this weekend. The Gaels will make it tougher than the Dons did on the Bulldogs but the home environment will be the difference. Gonzaga will win but will have to travel back to Moraga in less than a month may result in a loss there.

Projected Score: Gonzaga 80, Saint Mary’s 72

Sunday, Feb. 1
23.Alabama (14-6) @ 19.Florida (15-6)
12 p.m., ABC
Alabama heads to Gainesville for a rare Sunday afternoon SEC matchup against Florida in the feared O’Connell Center. The Crimson Tide handled Missouri 90-64 on Tuesday night while Florida dominated South Carolina 95-48. Both of those blowouts prove that Alabama and Florida can be the best team in the league. But injuries have hobbled the Tide and the Gators back court is finally playing better in the last couple of weeks.

Labaron Philon Jr. leads Alabama with 22 points, five assists, and a steal a game. On the other end, Florida’s backcourt has struggled but Boogie Fland and Xavian Lee have stepped up in recent weeks. Fland scores 11 points and assists on nearly four shots a game and Lee scores 11 points and adds three assists per game.

In the front court, NBA G-League transport Charles Bediako has uplifted the Crimson Tide’s front court in his two games back with the Crimson Tide. He has combined for 27 points and nine rebounds in the action but will be facing the SEC’s top challenger on the road. That group includes Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, and Reuben Chinyelu. Haugh leads Florida with over 17 points, 6.5 assists, one steal, and one block per game. In the paint, Condon and Chinyelu combine to average over 25 points, over 20 rebounds, over two blocks, and over a steal a game.

To me, the difference in the game is going to be whether Alabama guards and wings Latrell Wrightsell, Amari Allen, and Houston Mallette are key in supporting Philon Jr.’s efforts with three-point shooting, rebounding, and grabbing lose balls against Florida’s strong front court. If they can do that on the road against the Gators and guards Urban Klavzar and Isaiah Brown that come off the bench, I would be impressed.

Florida will outlast Alabama after what should be a fantastic 40 minutes of action. The Gators will not lose their second consecutive game at home to back to back schools from the state of Alabama. A win would keep them at least tied for second place in the SEC.

Projected Score: Florida 89, Alabama 85

9.Illinois () @ 5.Nebraska (20-1)
3 p.m, FS1
Illinois heads to Lincoln for what will begin an important month of February in the Big Ten. Nebraska welcomes the Fighting Illini to what should be a hornet’s nest after the Corn Huskers’ impressive game against Michigan ended in a three point defeat in Ann Arbor. Over a month ago, Nebraska went to Champaign and defeated Illinois 83-80 on Dec. 13. Illinois defeated Washington on Thursday night behind guard Keaton Wagler’s 22 points. Wagler exploded for 46 points in their victory at Purdue last Saturday.

Against Michigan earlier in the week, Nebraska’s Pryce Sandfordt (20 points and 4 rebounds) and guard Jamarques Lawrence (20 points, 4 assists, 4-9 from three point range) against the vaunted Wolverines in the loss. Another performance like that from both of them could mean a season sweep against the improving Fighting Illini.

Corn Husker guard Lawrence and forward Rienk Mast will have to be solid again against Illinois if they want to continue to be successful without forward Braden Frager, who’s missed the last two games due to an ankle injury. Frager should return on Sunday after being listed as a game-time decision for Tuesday’s game. As veteran guard Kylan Boswell continues to deal with a hand injury, it will be up to Wagler and Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic to continue to play well while he is out.

Forward David Mirkovic, and centers Tomislav Ivisic and Zvonimir Ivisic have the job of dealing with Sandfordt and Mast and inside. Mirkovic and the Ivisic brothers all score efficiently but are not the best defensively so stopping Sandfordt and Mast on the road especially will be difficult.

If Nebraska shoots the three ball as well as they did against Illinois as they did against Michigan earlier in the week, the Corn Huskers should take care of Illinois if they limit Wagler and Stojakovic enough. The Fighting Illini will make this a heck of a game but this being a chance to bounce back for Nebraska at home, it will be too much for Illinois to win.

Projected Score: Nebraska 88, Illinois 87

Categories
College Football

2026 cbhsports College Football Playoff National Championship Preview

Image Courtesy: WRTV

Monday, January 19
College Football Playoff National Championship (Miami Gardens)
10.Miami (13-2) vs. 1.Indiana (15-0)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN
Miami returns home for the College Football Playoff National Championship game against undefeated No. 1 Indiana/No. 5 Oregon after defeating No. 6 Ole Miss 31-27 in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. The Hurricanes’ offense controlled the time of possession with offensive playmakers Malachi Toney and Mark Fletcher Jr. helping quarterback Carson Beck defeat the Rebels. Toney’s 36-yard touchdown on a bubble screen and Beck’s game-winning 3-yard touchdown run were the difference in the fourth quarter against an Ole Miss team that advanced to the semifinals without former head coach Lane Kiffin.

The Miami defense could have closed Jan. 8’s thriller much earlier with a victory as their secondary dropped four different potential passes that could have been intercepted from Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. But the defensive effort was good enough to help them advance to the program’s first national championship game since Jan. 3, 2003 at the Fiesta Bowl.

Indiana dominated No. 5 Oregon 56-22 in the Peach Bowl. The Hoosiers’ defense forced three first half turnovers setting up great field position for quarterback Fernando Mendoza and the offense. D’Angelo Ponds’ pick six on the opening play from scrimmage and two forced fumbles led to 28 points.

Indiana’s Mendoza, who threw five touchdowns, and Ponds who contributed six tackles in addition to his interception, will both return to their hometown of Miami for Monday’s game after winning offensive and defensive MVP at the Peach Bowl. The Hoosiers will play for their first national championship game against the Hurricanes in their home stadium.

Beck, who went 23 for 37, passed for 268 yards, two touchdowns, an interception, and a fumble. While he did score the game-winning touchdown, he cannot expect to turn the ball over against Indiana and lead Miami to another victory. Hoosier linebackers Aiden Fisher, Isaiah Jones, and Rolijah Hardy will look to get to Beck and pressure him so that he does not have an easy time against their defense.

Mark Fletcher (22 carries for 154 yards) and CharMar Brown (14 carries for 54 yards and 1 TD) helped Beck in the backfield against the Rebels. Wide receivers Keelan Marion (7 catches, 114 yards, and 1 TD) and Toney (5 catches, 81 yards, and 1 TD) also were pivotal in Thursday’s victory. Fletcher, Brown, Marion, and Toney will be trusted to do even more against an Indiana defense that is one of the best in the country. Defensive backs Louis Moore, Jamari Sharpe, and Ponds will deal with the Miami playmakers.

The Hurricane’s skilled pass rushers, including Akeem Mesidor, Mohamed Toure, and Rueben Bain Jr., will have to affect Mendoza, who has been the most efficient passer in the country. Mendoza’s trusted weapons include Kaelon Black in the backfield and Elijah Sarratt, Charlie Becker, and Riley Nowakowski down the field.

Miami defensive backs Jakobe Thomas and Keionte Scott will attempt to stop Black, Sarratt, Becker, and Nowakowski from having successful days. Both Thomas and Scott have been key in the secondary for the Hurricanes and now they will face their biggest challenge of the postseason against the Hoosiers.

In a home game for Miami where they will be considered the “road team” because of being the lower seed, they will face their biggest challenge against the top seed Indiana in the national championship. The Hoosiers beat No. 9 Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl and No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl 56-22. The Hurricanes have been underrated their entire run to the national championship game but they will finally fall at the hands of the Hoosiers. Indiana and Miami may battle for a half or three quarters but the Hoosiers will win their first College Football Playoff National Championship trophy under Curt Cignetti.

Projected Score: Indiana 38, Miami 28

Categories
College Football

2026 cbhsports College Football Playoff Semifinals Preview 

Image Courtesy: WANE 15

Thursday, January 8
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl (Glendale)
6.Ole Miss (13-1) vs. 10.Miami (12-2)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN
The two most exciting stories of the 2025-2026 College Football Playoff will meet on Thursday night far from their southeast homes in Glendale at the Fiesta Bowls. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss are the only SEC representative in the CFP semifinals after avenging their loss to No. 3 Georgia from earlier in the season at the Sugar Bowl. Miami’s defense, headed by Rueben Bain Jr., Akeem Mesidor, and Keion Scott upset reigning national champion Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl.

Chambliss led the Rebels to victory over the Bulldogs by passing for 362 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receivers Harrison Wallace caught nine passes for 156 yards and one touchdown an De’Zhaun Stribling caught seven passes for 122 yards in the victory. Miami defensive backs Jakobe Thomas’ seven tackles and interception and Scott’s four tackles and pick six helped that helped the Hurricanes to a victory over the Buckeyes on New Year’s Eve.

Despite dealing with an injury entering the matchup against Georgia, tailback Kewan Lacy reached 98 yards and two scores. A second quarter fumble did not amount to any Bulldog points but facing a tough Miami defense, he must avoid turning the ball over if they want to advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship game. Linebackers Mesidor (2 sacks and 2 tackles for loss) and Bain Jr. (3 tackles, 1.5 tackle for loss, and 1 sack) will attempt to limit Chambliss and Lacy from having a successful game against the Hurricanes.

Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr.carried the ball 19 times for 90 yards. He will have to run for a touchdown against the Rebels if they want a better chance of advancing to the national championship game. Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavian Harris totaled 10 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 pass defended, end Princewell Unanmielen got seven tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss, and linebacker Suntarine Perkins got six tackles, two passes defended, and one sack.

Carson Beck threw for just 138 yards and a touchdown in their quarterfinal win over Ohio State. CJ Daniels caught five passes for 49 yards and Keelan Marion caught five passes for 36 yards. While they did not catch a touchdown but Fletcher Jr. caught a touchdown to extend their lead. Safety Wydett Williams Jr. and cornerback Jaylon Braxton led their defense against a strong Georgia offense and will have to do the same against the Hurricanes.

In what should be a back and forth game, a high scoring game would likely favor Ole Miss thanks to their efficient offense and a lower scoring game would likely favor Miami thanks to their impressive pass rush and secondary. The matchup between the Hurricanes offense and Rebels defense will be what determines who moves on to the national championship game. A win for the Hurricanes over the Rebels would send them back to home at Hard Rock Stadium. But Chambliss and the Ole Miss offense will be the first team to have success against Bain Jr. and the Miami defense and advance on to the College Football Playoff National Championship game.

Projected Score: Ole Miss 31, Miami 28

Friday, January 9
College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl (Atlanta)
1.Indiana (14-0) vs. 5.Oregon (13-1)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN
A Big Ten rematch will take place far from the midwest and west coast in Atlanta at the Peach Bowl. Both No. 1 Indiana and No. 5 Oregon dominated their competition in the quarterfinals. The Hoosiers eliminated No. 9 Alabama 38-3 at the Rose Bowl and the Ducks shut out Texas Tech 23-0 at the Orange Bowl. Now, Oregon will attempt to avenge their 30-20 loss to Indiana back on Oct. 11.

Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza was impressive and efficient in Indiana’s 38-3 blowout of Alabama. He went completed 14 of 16 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns through the air. The trio of Charlie Becker (2 catches for 51 yards and 1 TD), Omar Cooper Jr. (3 catches for 45 yards and 1 TD), and Elijah Sarratt (4 passes for 40 yards and 1 TD) contributed to the Rose Bowl victory as well. Oregon freshman defensive back Brandon Finney Jr., starred with six tackles and two interceptions in their domination of Texas Tech.

The duo of running backs Kaelon Black, who rushed 15 times for 99 yards and a touchdown and Roman Hemby, who carried the ball 18 times for 89 yards and a score, helped the Ducks put the Red Raiders away in the Orange Bowl. The playmakers’ offensive line won the Rose Bowl Game’s offensive MVP. That is thanks to all of the time the line gave to Mendoza and holes made for Black and Hemby out of the backfield. Linebackers Bryce Boettcher (12 tackles) and Teitum Tuitoi (6 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 tackles for loss) against Texas Tech must play well if they want to get past the Hoosiers’ strong offensive line.

Indiana defensive backs Devan Boykin and Jamari Sharpe will be vital in stopping Oregon’s passing attack, led by quarterback Dante Moore, who threw for 234 yards and an interception against the Red Raiders’ tough defense. Avoiding turning the ball over and getting the ball to wide receivers Malik Benson, Jamari Johnson, and tight end Kenyon Sadiq will be important in avenging their loss earlier in the season against the Hoosiers.

Tailbacks Jordon Davison (42 yards and 2 TDs) and Noah Whittington (31 yards) will have to play much better on Friday against the Indiana’s strong defense. Linebackers Aiden Fisher (7 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 tackle for loss) and Rolijah Hardy (4 tackles and 1 tackle for loss) will attempt to stop the Ducks’ strong run game.

The all-Big Ten Peach Bowl means that the winner will be attempting to claim the conference’s third consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship. Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers have been the standard of the sport all season long and they will sweep Dan Lanning’s Ducks in what should be one of the best games of the season. With a victory, Indiana would look to finish the job by defeating the winner of No. 6 Ole Miss and No. 10 Miami in South Beach at the national championship game.

Projected Score: Indiana 27, Oregon 20

Categories
College Football

2025-2026 cbhsports College Football Playoff Quarterfinals Preview

Image Courtesy: UGA Today

Wednesday, December 31
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (Arlington)
2.Ohio State (12-1) vs. 10.Miami (11-2)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN
Miami struggled offensively but they went to College Station and defeated No. 7 Texas A&M 10-3 to advance to the quarterfinals. The Hurricanes proved their worth in the College Football Playoff when receiver Malachi Toney threw the go-ahead touchdown pass to Carson Beck just minutes after Toney fumbled the ball. Ohio State will be the next challenge for Miami in their pursuit of their first national championship trophy since 2000. The No. 2 Buckeyes will hope their defense shuts the Hurricane offense down like the Aggies did or this could turn into a shootout.

Miami’s offense is paced by Beck, Toney, and tailback Mark Fletcher Jr. The Hurricanes’ entire group only gained 278 yards overall against Texas Tech. Fletcher Jr. led the Miami offense with 172 yards on the ground and set up Beck, who threw for only 103 yards and the game winning touchdown. Ohio State leading tacklers Sonny Styles (81) and Arvell Reese (62) will be an even more difficult task for Fletcher Jr. to get through their defense and help his team to a victory.

Beck must use the time his offensive line gives him against Ohio State’s talented defensive front to get it to wide receivers Keelan Marion, CJ Daniels, and Toney if they want to keep pace with the Buckeyes’ offense. Miami will have to move the ball against a tough Buckeye secondary, led by safeties Caleb Downs and Jaylen McClain. The two have combined four passes defended and two interceptions will be hard to

Miami defensive backs Keionte Scott accounted for 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks and Jakobe Smith had nine tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 0.5 tackles for loss in their victory against Texas A&M. They will be a big part of defending against one of the top receiving cores in the nation including Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, Max Klare, and Brandon Inniss who catch passes from Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin, who has thrown for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns, and only six interceptions.

Bo Jackson (1,035 yards and 5 TDs), James Peoples (344 yards and 3 TDs), and CJ Donaldson (330 yards and 10 TDs) share carries in the backfield. Linebackers Mohamed Toure (8 tackles and 1 pass defended)), Wesley Bissainthe (7 tackles), and defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (5 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks) were huge for the Hurricanes against the Aggies and they will be important to stop the Buckeyes run game on Wednesday night.

As Ohio State begins their run for a second consecutive national championship trophy, they may start slow after an almost month break off but their defense should keep the Miami at offense at bay long enough to run away with a victory. The Hurricanes will keep the game close until they give up a run by Ohio State’s offense that may include multiple touchdowns in a row. The Buckeyes will defeat Miami by ten points.

Projected Score: Ohio State 24, Miami 14

Thursday, January 1
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the  Capital One Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens)
4.Texas Tech (12-1) vs. 5.Oregon (12-1)
12 PM ET, ESPN
Oregon’s defense struggled in a game where they defeated No. 12 James Madison by just 17 points, 51-34. The Ducks will have to come out with a better performance against the Big 12’s best, No. 4 Texas Tech. The Red Raiders boast a loaded offense have and have one of the top defenders in the country, linebacker Jacob Rodriguez. Texas Tech has not faced a high-powered offense like that of Oregon’s so New Year’s Day’s test will be an interesting one.

The Ducks’ defense gave up a season high 34 points to James Madison on Dec. 20. They will have to limit Texas Tech’s offense better than they did against the Dukes. It will be up to the leaders of the defense to win against the Red Raiders. A few of those leaders include linebackers Bryce Boettcher (113 tackles, 4 passes defended, 1 sack, and 1 interception) and Teitum Tuitoi (60 tackles, 7.5 tackles, and 5 passes defended). They will be in charge of shutting down the Texas Tech ground game on Thursday afternoon.

Red Raider tailbacks Cameron Dickey (1,095 yards and 14 TDs) and J’Koby Williams (787 yards and 6 TDs) will look to continue their successful seasons against Boettcher and Tuitoi. If they do so, setting up the passing game, led by signal-caller Behren Morton and a receiving core that includes four guys with 300 receiving yards or more. That group includes Caleb Douglas (7 TDs), Reggie Virgil (6 TDs), Coy Eakin (6 TDs), and Terrance Carter Jr. (5 TDs). Defensive backs Dillon Thieneman and Aaron Flowers have combined for seven passes defended and three interceptions this season. They will be huge against Texas Tech’s talented wideouts.

While their defense struggled, the Oregon offense exploded for 51 points against James Madison. Quarterback Dante Moore threw for 313 yards, four touchdowns, but must limit turnovers against Texas Tech after throwing two interceptions. Moore’s two leading receivers in the game were Malik Benson (5 catches for 119 yards and 2 TDs) and Jeremiah McClellan (6 catches for 83 yards and 1 TD).

The Ducks’ running backs Jordon Davison carried the ball ten times for 90 yards and Dierre Hill Jr. went six times for 76 yards and a score against the Dukes. They will have a difficult challenge going against Butkus, Bronko, and Lombardi Award winner Rodriguez at linebacker.

In what could be a back and forth game, it will be up to either the Texas Tech or Oregon defense to shut their opponent’s offense down. While the Red Raiders have not faced a potent offense like that of the Ducks’, Morton and Rodriguez will lead their team to a victory. Texas Tech would move on to the semifinals to face the winner of the Rose Bowl, either No. 1 Indiana or No. 9 Alabama.

Projected Score: Texas Tech 34, Oregon 31

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential (Pasadena)
1.Indiana (13-0) vs. 9.Alabama (11-3)
4 PM ET, ESPN
In the first quarter against No. 8 Oklahoma, Alabama fell down 17-0. Until quarterback Ty Simpson and the Crimson Tide offense answered back with 17 points of their own in the second quarter, the game shifted. A revolting win over the Sooners, their first in three attempts since Oklahoma joined the SEC, may be just what Alabama needs to return to their high quality of play they had back in October.

The Rose Bowl will be a different challenge for the Crimson Tide. The Indiana defense will present challenges to the Alabama offense they have not seen this season as one of the best units in the country. Though some may think the Hoosiers’ offense may be pedestrian, the Heisman Trophy Fernando Mendoza winner leads it from behind center.

Mendoza’s Heisman campaign included passing for almost 3,000 yards, 33 touchdowns, rushed for 240 yards, and six more scores. He will attempt to get the ball to a talented receiver duo including Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt, who combined for 23 touchdowns so far this season. Alabama defensive backs Keon Sabb, Domani Jackson, and Bray Hubbard combined for 16 tackles in the victory over Oklahoma and they will be just as important in this game to stop Cooper Jr. and Sarratt.

Running backs Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black, and Khobie Martin shared carries next to Mendoza in the backfield. Linebackers Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson led the Crimson Tide in sacks against the Sooners. If they can stop Hemby, Black, and Martin, the Hoosier passing game will not set up as easily.

Despite Simpson’s slow start in the first quarter against Oklahoma, he threw for 232 yards and two scores. Wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks caught five passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns but Indiana defensive backs Louis Moore (76 tackles, 6 interceptions, and 1 pass defended) and Devan Boykin (48 tackles, 5 passes defended, and 2 interceptions) will have to watch out for fellow receivers Germie Bernard, Isaiah Horton, Ryan Williams, and tight end Josh Cuevas if they want to come out victorious on Thursday night.

The Crimson Tide running game has been pedestrian this season with Daniel Hill leading the way with just nine carries for 43 yards and a single touchdown. Linebackers Rolijah Hardy (87 tackles, 8 sacks, and 4 passes defended) and Aiden Fisher (75 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions) will be a huge part of continuing to limit the Crimson Tide’s up and down ground game.

In a game between two strong defenses, Alabama will pull the upset of the College Football Playoff and defeat top seed Indiana in a low scoring game. The Crimson Tide would advance to play the winner of No. 4 Oregon or No. 5 Texas Tech in the College Football Playoff Semifinals.

Projected Score: Alabama 24, Indiana 23

College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
3.Georgia (12-1) vs. 6.Ole Miss (12-1)
8 PM ET, ESPN
Georgia and Ole Miss will play in a rematch from Oct. 18 in Thursday night’s Sugar Bowl. There are many differences from that game. The Rebels’ head coach Lane Kiffin is now in the same role at LSU and defensive coordinator Pete Golding was promoted to take over. In Golding’s first game as head coach, Ole Miss dominated No. 11 Tulane 41-10 in another rematch from earlier in the season.

Since the Bulldogs win over the Rebels in mid-October, they are on a seven game winning streak and have used a combination of offense, defense, and special teams on their way to another SEC Championship under head coach Kirby Smart. Georgia will attempt to win a third national championship since 2021 by starting out with a victory over Ole Miss.

Last time the Bulldogs went out on the gridiron, they dominated Alabama 28-7 and avenged a loss to the Crimson Tide they suffered earlier in the season. In that game, Gunner Stockton completed 20 of his 26 passes, 156 yards, passed for three touchdowns, and rushed for 39 yards. Stockton got the ball to wide receivers Zachariah Brach for 53 yards and a touchdown and Dillon Bell for 45 yards and another score. Ole Miss safeties Wydett Williams and Suntarine Perkins, who combined for nine tackles in their victory over Tulane, will be important to defend Branch and Bell.

Starting tailback Nate Frazier rushed for only 52 yards and a touchdown against Alabama. He will be counted on to do more for Georgia as they attempt to defeat Ole Miss for the second time this season. Defensive tackle Will Echoles, who had six tackles and one tackle for loss and linebacker TJ Dottery who had six tackles against Tulane, will attempt to continue to limit Frazier.

Despite exiting their win over Tulane early with an injury, Ole Miss tailback Kewan Lacy rushed for 87 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. Lacy, who is probable to play on Thursday night because of a bruised shoulder injury, will look to do much more than he did against the Green Wave versus the Bulldogs. Linebackers CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson lead the Bulldogs in tackles this season. It will be vital for them to shut down the Ole Miss ground game, especially if Lacy is full go on New Year’s Day.

Defensive backs KJ Bolden (66 tackles, 4 passes defended, and 2 interceptions) and JaCorey Thomas (42 tackles and 1 sack) will be in charge of stopping Ole Miss’ talented passing attack. That passing attack is headed by Trinidad Chambliss who accounted for 282 yards and one touchdown through the air and 36 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. With Lane Kiffin’s new offensive staff at LSU back in Oxford for the playoff run, coordinator Charlie Weiss will hope he sets up situations for Chambliss to wide receivers Deuce Alexanders (7 catches for 87 yards), De’Zhaun Stribling (5 catches for 79 yards and 1 TD), and tight end Dae’Quan Wright (4 catches for 64 yards) to make big plays like they did in their first round victory,

In what should be another close game, one of college football’s top head coaches, Kirby Smart, will overwhelm Golding and the Rebels in his second game as head coach. Because they have Smart, Georgia will defeat Ole Miss by seven points and cover the spread. The Bulldogs would advance to face the winner of No. 2 Ohio State and No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Projected Score: Georgia 35, Ole Miss 28

Categories
College Football

2025 cbhsports College Football Playoff First Round Preview

Image Courtesy: ABC News

Friday, December 19
9.Alabama (10-3) @ 8.Oklahoma (10-2)
8 PM ET, ABC & ESPN
Alabama will limp into Norman struggling after taking a 23-21 loss to No. 8 Oklahoma just over a month ago on Nov. 15. The Crimson Tide had won eight straight games before losing to the Sooners and since they are 2-2. Their offense has looked much worse and it has been hampered by injuries.

Oklahoma will hope their offense can improve so they don’t have to rely on their defense, one of the best units in the country, to stop Alabama on every possession. For that to happen, the Sooners need to score more than 17 points, the number they put up in both of their last two conference games each against Missouri and LSU.

There are rumors that Alabama signal-caller Ty Simpson is dealing with a serious back injury. But with the lack of a run game due to Jam Miller’s lower leg injury, it will be up to receivers Germie Bernard, Ryan Williams, and Isaiah Horton, who have combined for 19 touchdowns, to step up against the Sooners’ defense.

For Oklahoma to defeat Alabama again, they will hope to get defensive lineman R. Mason Thomas, who has 6.5 sacks this season, back from injury. Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables anticipates Thomas will practice ahead of Friday’s game. It will be important for the Sooners to have Thomas next to defensive lineman David Stone (3.5 sacks) to get to Simpson and defensive back Robert Spears-Jennings, who has four passes defended, to stop Bernard, Williams, and Horton from having big nights.

With Miller expected to return for the College Football Playoff, he will be expected to come back from injury against one of if not the best defensive lines in the country at Oklahoma. So, backups Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley will have to support Miller even though they had -3 rushing yards against Georgia in the SEC Championship game. Linebackers Kip Lewis and Owen Heinecke will attempt to shut down the Tide’s ground game.

The Alabama secondary will have to watch out for Oklahoma’s wide receiver Isaiah Sategna (), who has won the Sooners many of their game catching passes from John Mateer, who is more dangerous on the ground than with his arm, and must avoid throwing his 11th interception against the Crimson Tide if they want to win on Friday night. Defensive backs Bray Hubbard’s and Keon Sabb’s 11 passes defended and five interceptions will be trusted defending against Sategna.

Oklahoma running backs Tory Blaylock and Xavier Robinson have combined for 861 yards and eight touchdowns. Linebackers Justin Jefferson (67 tackles) and Deontae Lawson (66 tackles) will be trusted to stop the Sooners’ ground game that will also be supported by Mateer, who is a strong runner with 416 yards and seven scores.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, who has gone 0-2 versus Oklahoma the last two seasons since taking over, will look for his win against the Sooners to advance in the College Football Playoff. But the game is in Norman and Oklahoma’s defense will not allow the Alabama defense to have the same little success they had against them in November. The Sooners would advance to face Indiana at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day by defeating the Crimson Tide.

Projected Score: Oklahoma 20, Alabama 17

Saturday, December 20
10.Miami (10-2) @ 7.Texas A&M (11-1)
12 PM ET, ABC & ESPN
Miami was not ranked in the top 12 in all of the College Football Playoff ranking shows until the Selection Show on Dec. 7. For the Hurricanes, that is all that matters as they were included as the final at-large in the playoff despite not even making the ACC Championship game. They head on the road to one of college football’s toughest environments at Kyle Field against Texas A&M.

The Aggies lone loss is to instate rival Texas, which kept them out of making their first SEC Championship game appearance. They will attempt to bounce back against Miami as they play for the first time in over three weeks.

The Hurricanes will rely heavily on former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck to get the ball down the field and score points. Beck has thrown for over 3,072 yards and 25 touchdowns but must stay away from turnovers as he has already thrown 10 interceptions this season. He will have to get the ball to wide receivers Malachi Toney (970 yards and 7 TDs), Keelan Marion (557 yards and 1 TD), and CJ Daniels (397 yards and 7 TDs) if they want to win the game on the road. Texas A&M safeties Marcus Ratcliffe and Dalton Brooks will be vital in stopping a former SEC quarterback and his offense.

Tailbacks Mark Fletcher, CharMar Brown, and Girard Brown Jr. have combined for 19 scores this season. They will look to support Beck’s passing game and get through the A&M front seven, led by linebacker Tauren York (67 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 sack) and defensive end defensive end Cashius Howell (29 tackles and 11.5 sacks).

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed may be even more important to his team’s success than Carson Beck on Saturday afternoon. The second year starter threw for just 180 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions against what is a good Texas defense but is not the way Reed needs to be playing entering the postseason.

Reed’s tremendous receivers like KC Concepcion (886 yards and 9 TDs), Mario Craver (825 yards and 4 TDs), and Ashton Bethel Roman (459 yards and 5 TDs) will be vital for their offense’s success with coordinator Col.in Klein returning to his alma mater Kansas State to take over the head coaching position. Miami defensive backs Jakobe Frazier (4 interceptions and 4 passes defended) and Zechariah Poyser (5 passes defended) will be critical in making sure does not have a good game against them.

Linebackers Mohamed Toure and Wesley Bissainthe will be trusted to stop the Aggies’ running backs. That group includes Rueben Owens, Le’Veon Moss, and quarterback Reed, who have combined for 17 scores this season. The ground game has been up and down this season for Mike Elko’s team but if they can get them a push at home, the chances of Texas A&M winning will be even greater against Miami.

In what could be the best game of the College Football Playoff’s first round, Miami will have to start fast and gain a lead early in the game if they don’t want the Texas A&M’s “12th Man” crowd get involved and help Texas A&M have success. The Aggies will bounce back from their loss to Texas and advance to face No. 2 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31 by defeating the Hurricanes.

Projected Score: Texas A&M 31, Miami 27

11.Tulane (11-2) @ 6.Ole Miss (11-1)
3:30 PM ET, TNT & HBO Max
Ole Miss dominated Tulane 45-10 back on Sept. 20 in Oxford. Now, the Green Wave return to Oxford three months later to the day. Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall will remain with the team through their College Football Playoff run before taking the same job at Florida but Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin has already arrived in Baton Rouge and has been at his new job at LSU for the last few weeks. Now, defensive coordinator Pete Golding has been promoted to be the full time head coach and he will look to lead the Rebels to a national championship.

In the loss to Ole Miss, Tulane scored just 10 points. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff went five for 17, 56 passing yards, and no touchdowns but he did lead the Green Wave in rushing with 51 yards. Retzlaff will need his offensive playmakers to step up against Golding’s strong defense if they want a chance to defeat Ole Miss. Rebel linebackers TJ Dottery and Suntarine Perkins will attempt to get to Retzlaff, sack him, and keep him from having a quality game.

One way Tulane can come out victorious is by getting better support from their running backs. Arnold Barnes III and Javin Gordon combined for just 82 yards in the loss over three months ago so much more will be expected to beat the Rebels. Similarly, receivers Shabazz Preston (3 catches for 35 yards), Bryce Bohanon (3 catches for 28 yards), and Omari Hayes (1 catch for 22 yards) will also have to be better for their quarterback in Saturday’s action. Safety Wydett Williams Jr., one of the top safeties in the nation who has accounted for eight passes defended and three passes defended, will lead the Ole Miss secondary against the Green Wave playmakers.

It will be interesting to see Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who has thrown for over 3,000 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just three interceptions play for the first time since Kiffin, the head coach who recruited him from Division II Ferris State, play in his first game since he left the program and in the College Football Playoff. Not even a season after winning the DII national championship for the Bulldogs, he will attempt to defeat Tulane for the second time this season.

Chambliss will look to keep getting the football to receivers Harrison Wallace III (719 yards and 3 TDs), Deuce Alexander (577 yards and 2 TDs), and Cayden Lee (537 yards and 3 TDs) so they can advance on in the playoffs. Green Wave safeties Jack Tchienchou (6 tackles), Kevin Adams III (6 tackles), and cornerback Javion White (5 tackles, 1 pass defended, and 1 tackle for loss) will be trusted to step up again against the strong Ole Miss passing game.

For the Green Wave to win on Saturday, they will need their front seven to be better than it was back in September against Ole Miss. Linebackers Sam Howard (5 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack) and Dickson Agu (5 tackles) will be trusted to perform even better against the Rebels’ Kyren Lacy, who has starred as one of the nation’s top tailbacks, 1,279 rushing for yards and 20 scores.

While Tulane could keep it closer, they will not be good enough to beat an Ole Miss team that will be hungrier than ever just weeks after Kiffin’s exit to advance to the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff. The Rebels will outscore the Green Wave and advance to set up a rematch with No. 3 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Projected Score: Ole Miss 42, Tulane 20

12.James Madison (12-1) @ 5.Oregon (11-1)
7:30 PM ET, TNT & HBO Max
Sun Belt champion James Madison will be treated to a rough road environment when they travel to Eugene to face Oregon. The Dukes are attempting to win their first game against a Power 4 team when they face the Ducks on Saturday night.

Last season, Oregon went 13-0, won the Big Ten in their first season of the conference, but lost to Ohio State 41-21 in the Rose Bowl after all of their success. Now, the bracket sets up much better for the Ducks playing a Group of Five team before a potential matchup against No. 4 Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl if they are able to win versus the Dukes on Saturday.

Like Tulane facing Ole Miss, James Madison will have an uphill battle defeating No. 5 Oregon on Saturday night. The Dukes’ offense is powered by their ground game, headed by tailback Wayne Knight, who has rushed for 1,263 yards and nine touchdowns, and quarterback Alonza Barnett, who has rushed for 544 yards and 14 more scores. They must continue to run the ball well against Oregon’s strong defense if they want a chance to win. Oregon linebackers Bryce Boettcher, who has an incredible 104 tackles, three passes defended, one sack, and one interception and Teitum Tuitoi, who has 57 tackles, seven sacks, and three passes defended will be a tough group to block for the Dukes’ offensive line.

Barnett will have to get the ball to wide receivers Landon Ellis and Nick DeGennaro, who have combined for nine touchdowns this season to back up the success of their ground game. Defensive backs Dillon Thieneman (4 passes defended and 2 interceptions) and Aaron Flowers (2 passes defended and 1 interceptions) will be in charge of defending Barnett’s passing game.

James Madison safeties Tyler Brown and Jacob Thomas will be trusted to stop Oregon’s passing game that could be getting back one of its top weapons from injury, wide receiver Evan Stewart, who has not played this season due to a torn patellar tendon in June. If Stewart does not play against James Madison, quarterback Dante Moore will continue getting the ball to receivers Malik Benson (526 yards and 4 TDs), Dakorien Moore (443 yards and 3 TDs), and tight end Kenyon Sadiq (490 yards and 8 TDs).

Running backs Noah Whittington, Jordon Davison, Dierre Hill Jr., all of whom have over 400 yards rushing each and have 23 touchdowns. Linebackers Trent Hendricks and Gannon Weathersby will be in charge of stopping the Ducks’ ground game.

Oregon will take advantage of the home primetime game at Autzen Stadium and defeat James Madison handily. The Dukes may keep the game close in the first half but the Ducks should run away with it in the second half. Oregon will advance to face Texas Tech in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 1.

Projected Score: Oregon 34, James Madison 17

Categories
College Basketball

The final few weeks of non-conference play will loom large in March (Video)

Image Courtesy: The State News

Click this link to watch a video where I give my thoughts and score predictions for each of these games.

*Rankings are based on this week’s AP Top 25*

Tuesday, December 16
11.Louisville (9-1) @ 20.Tennessee (7-3)
7 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Louisville 86, Tennessee 82

Saturday, December 20
22.St. John’s (6-3) vs. Kentucky (7-4) (Atlanta; CBS Sports Classic)
12:30 PM ET, CBS
Projected Score: St. John’s 80, Kentucky 73

Ohio State (8-2) vs. 12.North Carolina (9-1) (Atlanta; CBS Sports Classic)
3 PM ET, CBS
Projected Score: North Carolina 88, Ohio State 84

14.Arkansas (8-2) vs. 8.Houston (10-1) (Newark; Never Forget Tribute Classic)
5:30 PM ET, CBS
Projected Score: Houston 81, Arkansas 80

21.Auburn (8-3) vs. 6.Purdue (10-1) (Indianapolis; Indy Classic)
6:30 PM ET, Peacock
Projected Score: Purdue 85, Auburn 80

3.Duke (10-0) vs. 19.Texas Tech (7-3) (New York City)
8 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Duke 89, Texas Tech 81

Sunday, December 21
13.Vanderbilt (10-0) @ Wake Forest (8-3)
1 PM ET, The CW
Projected Score: Vanderbilt 86, Wake Forest 85

Monday, December 22
18.Illinois (8-3) vs. Missouri (9-2) (St. Louis; McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights)
8 PM ET, FS1
Projected Score: Illinois 88, Missouri 82

Categories
College Football

Inside Arkansas Football’s 2026 Schedule: Notes & Insights

Image Courtesy: Ethan Doan

On Thursday night, the SEC unveiled the 2026 conference football slate for all 16 member schools. Here are some notes and insights for each of Arkansas’ opponents.

Plus, check out this video to see my thoughts on the Razorbacks’ 2026 schedule and the SEC as a whole.

Arkansas football’s 2026 Schedule:

Sept. 5
North Alabama
Arkansas will open the 2026 season and new head coach Ryan Silverfield’s tenure against North Alabama. The season opener will be the Razorbacks’ first ever meeting with the Lions.

North Alabama didn’t face any Power Four opponents this season, but the Lions did open with a tough matchup against Western Kentucky on Aug. 30, falling 55–6. The Hilltoppers went on to finish among the stronger Group of Five programs, posting an 8–4 record overall and a 6–2 mark in Conference USA.

Later in the season, on Oct. 11, North Alabama dropped another non-conference game to Central Arkansas; Arkansas’ in-state counterpart; by a score of 49–21.

The Lions matched the Razorbacks with a 2-10 record in 2025.

Sept. 12
@ Utah
Arkansas will travel to Salt Lake City for their required Power 4 matchup against a respected Utah program. The Razorbacks and Utes have never faced off on the gridiron before but it has not been long since the Razorbacks have played in the “Beehive State.” Arkansas traveled to Provo and defeated BYU 52-35 back on Oct. 15, 2022.

Utah finished with a 10-2 overall record and seven wins in their second season in the Big 12. The Utes were ranked No. 15 in the final College Football Playoff rankings, just five spots away from an at-large bid to make an appearance.

There is also another piece of familiarity between the Razorbacks and the Utes. One of the top players in Arkansas, Greenwood quarterback Kane Archer, signed with Utah in the early signing period on Dec. 3. He likely won’t be playing for the Utes on Sept. 12 but seeing one of Arkansas’ own on the other sideline will be interesting.

On Friday, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham announced that he will retire after his team plays in the Las Vegas Bowl versus Nebraska on Dec. 31. Whittingham spent 32 years with the Utes and 21 of his years as head coach. Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, who was named coach in waiting back in 2024, will take over for Whittingham in 2026.

The Utes will travel to Fayetteville to finish the home and home series against the Razorbacks on Sept. 15, 2029.

Sept. 19
Georgia
Arkansas faces Georgia for the first time since they met as AP top 10 opponents on Oct. 2, 2021. The Bulldogs defeated the Razorbacks 37-0 on their way to the first of back to back national championships between the hedges.

They travel to Fayetteville for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic effected ten game SEC slate season on Sept. 26, 2020. Georgia struggled in the first half but with a strong second half, they defeated Arkansas 37-10. It was Sam Pittman’s first game as head coach since leaving Athens, where he succeeded as the Bulldogs’ offensive line coach.

Six years later, the Razorbacks will begin their 2026 SEC campaign against Georgia in Fayetteville. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 12-4 versus the Razorbacks.

Sept. 26
Tulsa
Arkansas and Tulsa have many times on the gridiron. The Golden Hurricane will return to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium for the first time since Oct. 20, 2018, when the Razorbacks pitched a 23–0 shutout.

Tulsa won just four games during the 2025 season. In his final season as the Memphis head coach, Ryan Silverfield’s Tigers dominated the Golden Hurricane 45-7 back on Oct. 4. Silverfield will hope to do the same against Tulsa on Sept. 26.

Looking ahead, Tulsa is set to host Arkansas in the 2027 season opener on Sept. 4, marking the Razorbacks’ first-ever trip to Tulsa. Arkansas has won 54 games over the Golden Hurricane while Tulsa has come out victorious just 16 times over the Razorbacks.

Oct. 3
@ Texas A&M
Arkansas welcomed Texas A&M back to Fayetteville on Oct. 18 for the first time since 2013 and fell 48-45 in a shootout. Now, the Razorbacks make the return trip to College Station for the first time since the 2020 where they lost 42-31.

After facing Georgia two weeks earlier, Arkansas will open SEC play against back to back opponents that made this seaso’s College Football Playoff, as Texas A&M makes its run at a first national championship when they play No. 10 Miami on Dec. 20 in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

The Aggies have dominated Arkansas of late winning the last four and thirteen of the last fourteen. However, the Razorbacks still lead the series against the Aggies 41-37.

Oct. 10
Tennessee
Arkansas will welcome Tennessee back to Fayetteville two years after upsetting them. The Volunteers were ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll when they fell to the Razorbacks on Oct. 5, 2024.

With the pressure on from fans, Josh Heupel and Tennessee cannot lose this game or his seat may become warm after failing to make it to back to back College Football Playoffs in 2024 and last season in 2025.

The Volunteers ended the Razorbacks’ four-game winning streak in the series with a 34-31 victory in Knoxville on Oct. 15. Tennessee’s victory extended their advantage to 14-7 over Arkansas all-time.

Oct. 17
@ Vanderbilt
Arkansas has not played Vanderbilt in Nashville since Oct. 29, 2011. In Bobby Petrino’s final season as head coach, the Razorbacks defeated the Commodores 31-28. Another October matchup between the two schools looms.

Now, Vanderbilt is rejuvenated under head coach Clark Lea with a chance to establish themselves as a true SEC contender in the post-Diego Pavia era at quarterback. The Commodores will face the Razorbacks for just the 11th time and in Nashville for just the fourth time ever.

The Commodores beat the Razorbacks 45-31 the last time they faced off on Oct. 27, 2018 in Fayetteville. But Arkansas holds the all-time series lead 7-3 over Vanderbilt entering the 2026 matchup.

Oct. 24
Arkansas will spend their bye week on Oct. 24 having completed non-conference play and the first four games of SEC play. Rest will be important for the Razorbacks with five more SEC games over the final five weeks of the season.

Oct. 31
Missouri
While Missouri’s success against Arkansas is well documented on the gridiron, the Tigers will travel to face the Razorbacks on the road for the second consecutive season because of the new nine-game conference slate being introduced in 2026. Missouri ended the 2025 regular season with a 31-17 victory over Arkansas just a few weeks ago.

Missouri will play Arkansas on Halloween in 2026 instead of the final weekend of the regular season for the first time since entering the SEC as a result of the new annual opponents for the nine-game schedule. The Razorbacks and Tigers have closed the regular season except the pandemic shortened 2020 season against each other since 2014. They will draw former Big Eight and Big 12 rival Oklahoma the final weekend of the regular season instead.

Missouri’s lead in the series remains large at 12-4 against Arkansas on the football field.

Nov. 7
@ Auburn
Arkansas has gone into Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn and defeated the Tigers back to back times with victories in 2022 and 2024. However, Auburn has not lost in Fayetteville against Arkansas since the crazy four-overtime game in 2015.

While both programs have not been successful over the last few seasons, both programs have new head coaches. Arkansas’ Ryan Silverfield has a perfect 3-0 record against Auburn’s Alex Golesh, who came over from South Florida. Golesh was rumored to have been hired by Arkansas on Nov. 26 before accepting the Auburn job opening on Nov. 30.

Now, a new era in this SEC series begins on “The Plains” to begin November for both programs.Auburn has a seven game lead on Arkansas all-time at 21-14.

Nov. 14
South Carolina
Until Missouri joined the SEC in 2012, South Carolina was Arkansas’ annual cross-division rival in the east division. The Gamecocks dominated the Razorbacks in their last meeting as permanent staples on each others’ schedules on Oct. 13, 2013 by a score of 52-7.

Since, the teams have split the next two meetings ahead of their 2026 game in Fayetteville. Arkansas and South Carolina will meet in the month of November for the first time since Nov. 11, 2012.

If quarterback LaNorris Sellers returns to Columbia to play his junior season for South Carolina, his offensive coordinator will be Kendal Briles. Briles, who came over from TCU, was Arkansas’ offensive coordinator from 2021-2023 and directed an offense with a similar quarterback to Sellers, KJ Jefferson.

Arkansas has a 14-10 lead on South Carolina in the series all-time.

Nov. 21
@ Texas
While Arkansas will welcome Missouri back to Fayetteville in 2026 for a second consecutive season, they will have to return to Austin to face Texas as a result of the nine-game SEC schedule. The Longhorns went up and down the field on the Razorbacks in a 52-37 win back in November.

Texas missed out on a third consecutive College Football Playoff appearance by just a few spots, being ranked No. 13 in the final poll. Next season, they will look to put an exclamation point on a strong season with a senior day win over Arkansas.

Arkansas and Texas have split their last four meetings but the Longhorns lead the series 58-23.

Nov. 28
LSU
The Battle for the Golden Boot returns to its regular season finale position in the schedule on Nov. 28. Arkansas and LSU met on the final weekend of the regular season from 1992 when the Razorbacks joined the SEC through the 2013 season. Now, the rivalry will return to the last weekend of November for at least the next four seasons.

In their final season under head coach Brian Kelly, LSU struggled to a 7-5 record. After firing Kelly, interim coach Frank Wilson’s Tigers beat the Razorbacks 23-22.

A familiar name takes over for Kelly in Baton Rouge. Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin left the Rebels for LSU during their best season in program history at 11-1 on Nov. 30 just two days after his team beat Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl.

Razorback fans will want nothing more than to end their seasons by beating Kiffin and the Tigers under new head coach Ryan Silverfield. However, LSU has dominated the series against Arkansas 44-23.

Looking Ahead:
Arkansas will not face Alabama, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Oklahoma Florida, or Mississippi State during the 2026 season. The Razorbacks will face those teams and annual opponents LSU, Missouri, and Texas in the fall of 2027.

They will host Alabama, Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Texas and head on the road to play Florida, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, and Oklahoma in a year and a half.

Categories
College Football

Who will be in the 2025-2026 12-team College Football Playoff?

Image Courtesy: ESPN

Here are the twelve teams (seeded 1-12) I believe that will be in this season’s College Football Playoff:

First Round Byes:
1.Indiana (13-0) Big Ten Champion
2.Georgia (12-1) SEC Champion
3.Ohio State (12-1) Big Ten Runner-Up
4.Texas Tech (12-1) Big 12 Champion

Indiana put a stamp on claiming the one seed in this season’s College Football Playoff by defeating No. 1 Ohio State 13-10 in Saturday’s Big Ten Championship game. The Hoosiers will begin their run in the CFP at the Rose Bowl against the winner of the 8./9. game on Jan. 1. Georgia will claim the No. 2 spot behind Indiana after avenging their Sept. 28 loss to 9.Alabama with a dominant 28-7 win over the Crimson Tide.

Ohio State will fall two spots to No. 3 after their loss to Indiana. The Buckeyes will attempt to win back to back CFP National Championships after a few off weeks. Texas Tech will remain at No. 4 after another dominant win over 11.BYU, 34-7, in the Big 12 Championship game. After defeating the Cougars (by a score of 34-7) for the second time, they have won 12 games for the first time in program history.

First Round Home Teams:
5.Oregon (11-1) Big Ten At-Large
6.Ole Miss (11-1) SEC At-Large
7.Texas A&M (11-1) SEC At-Large
8.Oklahoma (10-2) SEC At-Large

All four of Oregon, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma will remain exactly where they are ranked following conference championship weekend because none of them participated in any of those games. The Ducks will play at the top of the bracket as the No. 5 seed, setting up a match up against the final team in the field, the No. 12 seed. At No. 6, Ole Miss still gets a home game even after head coach Lane Kiffin left for rival LSU last weekend.

Texas A&M may be thankful that they will get a home game the weekend before Christmas Day because all four of the teams that got bye weeks in last season’s College Football Playoff fell in their quarterfinal match ups. The Aggies fell to instate rival Texas on the final day of the regular season to make them fall from No. 3 to No. 7 in the rankings last Tuesday night.

Oklahoma’s defense carried them to their tenth victory over LSU on Nov. 29. That will not keep the Sooners from hosting a playoff game against either Alabama, Notre Dame, or Miami that will require quarterback John Mateer and his offense to have its best performance of the season to advance to the quarterfinals.

Last Four In:
9.Notre Dame (10-2) Independents At-Large
10.Alabama (10-3) SEC Runner-Up
11.Tulane (11-2) American Champion
12.James Madison (12-1) Sun Belt Champion

Based on how the College Football Playoff selection committee ranked on Tuesday, these will be the final four teams in the College Football Playoff. On Tuesday, they placed Alabama at No. 9 so that if they fell to Georgia, they could still make it in. The selection committee did not penalize SMU for losing last season’s ACC Title game, so Alabama should not be penalized and left out either.

As a result, Notre Dame will rise back up to No. 9. Based on how the selection committee has ranked the Fighting Irish over the last month, they do not want to deal with the Miami argument. They fell to the Hurricanes 27-24 on Labor Day but have not been measured head to head in any one of the selection committee’s rankings because they have not been ranked next to each other.

As a result of Tulane being ranked No. 20 in Tuesday’s rankings and defeating North Texas in the American Championship game on Friday, they will get the No. 11 seed. That would mean a rematch from earlier in the season against Ole Miss. The Rebels defeated the Green Wave 45-10 on Sept. 20. James Madison, who was ranked No. 25 on Tuesday, will get the No. 12 seed over ACC champion Duke (8-5) after defeating Troy in the Sun Belt Championship game.

On the Bubble:
Miami (10-2) ACC At-Large
BYU (11-2) Big 12 Runner-Up
Texas (9-3) SEC At-Large
Vanderbilt (10-2) SEC At-Large

If Miami gets left out of this season’s College Football Playoff, they definitely have a gripe with the selection committee. The Hurricanes defeated the Fighting Irish head to head. The fact that they do not have an ACC Championship trophy next to their name is the reason why they may not be in the playoff. But it would not surprise me if they are in as the last at-large over Notre Dame.

BYU’s only two losses are to No. 4 Texas Tech. Outside of that, the Cougars’ resumé is not strong. But they were blasted in both of those games by a combined score of 63-14 in those games.

Texas’ victory over Texas A&M last weekend would have added to their case to make the College Football Playoff for a third consecutive season if they would not have lost 29-21 to 4-8 Florida back in Oct. 4. Vanderbilt’s 10-2 record would normally grant them entry into the College Football Playoff. But losses to Alabama and Texas kept them out of the SEC Championship game and the Commodores best win is against 8-4 Tennessee or 8-4 Missouri.

Bracket based on my projections:

First Round (Dec. 19-20)

Eugene
5.Oregon
12.James Madison

Norman
8.Oklahoma
9.Notre Dame

Oxford
6.Ole Miss
11.Tulane

College Station
7.Texas A&M
10.Alabama

Quarterfinals (Dec. 31-Jan. 1)

Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
1.Indiana
8.Oklahoma/9.Notre Dame

Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
4.Texas Tech
5.Oregon/12.James Madison

Cotton Bowl (Arlington)
3.Ohio State
6.Ole Miss/11.Tulane

Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens)
2.Georgia
7.Texas A&M/10.Alabama

The semifinals will be played at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ on Jan. 8 and at the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia on Jan. 9. The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship will be wrap up the season on Jan. 19 in Miami Gardens, FL.

Categories
College Football

2025 cbhsports College Football Conference Championship Weekend Preview

Image Courtesy: CBS Sports

CFP Top 12
1.Ohio State 12-0 (9-0) Big Ten This week: 2.Indiana (12-0) (Indianapolis) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, FOX)
2.Indiana 12-0 (9-0) Big Ten This week: 1.Ohio State (12-0) (Indianapolis) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, FOX)
3.Georgia 11-1 (7-1) SEC This week: 9.Alabama (10-2) (Atlanta) (Saturday, 4 PM ET, ABC)
4.Texas Tech 11-1 (8-1) Big 12 This week: BYU (11-1) (Arlington) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
5.Oregon 11-1 (8-1) Big Ten This week: Off
6.Ole Miss 11-1 (7-1) SEC This week: Off
7.Texas A&M 11-1 (7-1) SEC This week: Off
8.Oklahoma 10-2 (6-2) SEC This week: Off
9.Alabama 10-2 (7-1) SEC This week: 3.Georgia (11-1) (Atlanta) (Saturday, 4 PM ET, ABC)
10.Notre Dame 10-2 Independents This week: Off
11.BYU 11-1 (8-1) Big 12 This week: Texas Tech (11-1) (Arlington) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
12.Miami 10-2 (6-2) ACC This week: Off

Projected College Football Playoff Bracket (How the College Football Playoff bracket is seeded)

First Round

Eugene
5.Oregon
12.Tulane

Norman
8.Oklahoma
9.Alabama

Oxford
6.Ole Miss
11.Miami

College Station
7.Texas A&M
10.Notre Dame

Quarterfinals

Sugar Bowl (New Orleans)
4.Texas Tech
5.Oregon/12.Tulane

Rose Bowl (Pasadena)
1.Ohio State
8.Oklahoma/9.Alabama

Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens)
3.Georgia
6.Ole Miss/11.Miami

Cotton Bowl (Arlington)
2.Indiana
7.Texas A&M/10.Notre Dame

Biggest risers and fallers in the CFP Top 25 this week:

Risers
13.Texas 9-3 (6-2) SEC Week 14: #16 (Defeated 3.Texas A&M 27-17)
18.Arizona 9-3 (6-3) Big 12 Week 14: #25 (Defeated 20.Arizona State 23-7)
20.Tulane 10-2 (7-1) American Week 14: #24 (Defeated Charlotte 27-0)

Fallers
7.Texas A&M 11-1 (7-1) SEC Week 14: #3 (Lost to 16.Texas 27-17)
19.Michigan 9-3 (7-2) Big Ten Week 14: #15 (Lost to 1.Ohio State 27-9)

Dropped Out
Tennessee 8-4 (4-4) SEC Week 14: #19 (Lost to 14.Vanderbilt 45-24)
Arizona State 8-4 (6-3) Big 12 Week 14: #20 (Lost to 25.Arizona 23-7)
SMU 8-4 (6-2) ACC Week 14: #21 (Lost to California 38-35)
Georgia Tech 9-3 (6-2) ACC Week 14: #23 (Lost to 4.Georgia 16-9)

New
21.Houston 9-3 (6-3) Big 12 Week 14: NR (Defeated Baylor 31-24)
23.Iowa 8-4 (6-3) Big Ten Week 14: NR (Defeated Nebraska 40-16)
24.North Texas 11-1 (7-1) American Week 14: NR (Defeated Temple 52-25)
25.James Madison 11-1 (8-0) Sun Belt Week 14: NR (Defeated Coastal Carolina 34-21)

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of CFP Poll)

Friday, December 5
Sun Belt Championship Game
Troy (8-4) @ 25.James Madison (11-1)
7 PM ET, ESPN
Troy heads on the road to face in this Friday’s Sun Belt Championship game. The Trojans began November with two losses to Arkansas State and Old Dominion before finishing the regular season strong with victories against Georgia State and Southern Miss.The Dukes have dominated the league all season with their only loss being out of conference to a strong Louisville team. They will hope Duke upsets Virginia in the ACC Championship game so there could be two Group of Five champions in the College Football Playoff next to the winner of Tulane and North Texas in the American Championship game.

For Troy to upset James Madison, they will have to put together a terrific offensive performance headed by their two quarterback system that includes Tucker Kilcrease (1,414 yards, 9 TDs, and 4 INTs) and Goose Crowder (1,118 yards, 11 TDs, and 5 INTs). They must hand the ball to running backs Tae Meadows and Jordan Lovett, who have combined for almost 1,000 rushing yards and seven touchdowns and pass the ball to former Georgia receiver RaRa Thomas, who has caught 31 passes for 495 yards and five scores. Dukes’ linebacker Trent Hendrick and safety Tyler Brown will be vital in shutting the Trojans’ offense down.

The Trojan defense is led by linebacker Jordan Stringer, who has totaled 104 tackles, three passes defended, and two sacks and safety Devin Lafayette, who has 99 tackles, four passes defended, two interceptions, and a sack. James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett III (2,440 passing yards, 459 rushing yards, 33 overall TDs, and 7 INTs) and tailback Wayne Knight (1,051 yards and 13 TDs) are one of the top duos in the Group of Five. If Barnett gets it to receivers Landon Ellis (532 yards and 5 TDs), Nick DeGennaro (386 yards and 4 TDs), and Jaylan Sanchez (349 yards and 1 TD), the Dukes may roll to victory.

Despite reports that James Madison head coach Bobby Chesney is headed to Los Angeles for the same job at UCLA, the Dukes will be focused and they will defeat Troy. A victory for James Madison would put them in position to make the College Football Playoff if a few things go there way.

Projected Score: James Madison 31, Troy 13

American Championship Game
24.North Texas (11-1) @ 20.Tulane (10-2)
8 PM ET, ABC
North Texas heads to New Orleans to face Tulane in a likely winner take all game to the College Football Playoff. Since getting blown out by South Florida on Oct. 10, the Mean Green have won six consecutive games entering Friday night’s match up. The Green Wave have won four in a row before they host North Texas this weekend.

Mean Green quarterback Drew Westemaker has starred this season, throwing for 3,835 yards, 29 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. It helps Westemaker that he has one of the better receivers in the country in Wyatt Young, who has recorded 1,203 yards and 10 touchdowns as well as Cameron Dorner who has 769 yards and six scores. Tulane’s Jack Tchienchou’s and Bailey Despanie’s combined seven passes defended and two interceptions are important against the Westemaker led unit.

In addition, running back Caleb Hawkins has rushed for an impressive 1,216 yards and 23 touchdowns. Linebacker Chris Rodgers (68 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 pass defended) will lead the Green Wave front against one of the nation’s most impressive tailbacks.

North Texas safeties Patrick Smith-Young (63 tackles and 2 passes defended) and Will Jones II (60 passes, 2 interceptions, and 2 passes defended) will lead their secondary against Tulane’s passing game. If they can limit Jake Retzlaff, who has had an up and down season behind center with 2,717 yards, 14 touchdowns, and six interceptions on the season. Retzlaff does have five capable receivers including Shazz Preston, Anthony Brown-Stephens, Omari Hayes, Bryce Bohanon, and Zycarl Lewis Jr. who have combined for eleven scores this season.

Linebackers Ethan Wesloski’s 97 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one interception and Trey Fields’ 92 tackles, two passes defended, one sack, and one interception will be vital against the Green Wave’s running game led by Retzlaff (561 yards and 14 TDs) and Javin Gordon (479 yards and 5 TDs).

With both North Texas’ Eric Morris (Oklahoma State) and Tulane’s Jon Sumrall (Florida) headed for new jobs in 2026, it will be interesting to see which team comes in more focused to lock up a College Football Playoff bid on Friday night. The game should be back and forth between the Mean Green and Green Wave but there has to be only one winner. North Texas will outscore Tulane and Morris will end his tenure in the American Conference with a conference title.

Projected Score: North Texas 38, Tulane 35

Saturday, December 6
Big 12 Championship Game
11.BYU (11-1) vs. 4.Texas Tech (11-1) (Arlington)
12 PM ET, ABC
After getting blown out 29-7 in Lubbock against Texas Tech on Nov. 1, BYU will return to Texas to face the Red Raiders for the chance to play in the College Football Playoff. It will be up to the Cougar offense to score more than just a touchdown against the Red Raiders’ tough defense on Saturday if they want to defeat them for the first time since Oct. 18. A close BYU win could get both teams in the CFP bracket on Sunday.

If the Cougar offense scores more than seven points on Saturday afternoon, it will be because quarterback Bear Bachmeier leads the way with his 2,593 passing yards, 529 rushing yards, and 25 combined touchdowns. Next to him, tailback LJ Martin has been one of the best in the country by topping 1,200 rush yards and 11 more scores. Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez had a fantastic game against BYU back in October. A repeat performance would likely lead to another victory for his team.

If Martin can sent up Bachmeier’s pass game, receivers Parker Kingston (804 yards and 5 TDs), Chase Roberts (713 yards and 5 TDs), and tight end Carsen Ryan (472 yards and 3 TDs) can make plays against a talented Texas Tech secondary. Defensive backs Cole Wisniewski (67 tackles, 5 passes defended, and 1 sack) and Brice Pollock (41 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 4 passes defended) will look to shut it down.

BYU safeties Faletau Satuala’s and Tanner Wall’s combined five interceptions and two passes defended will attempt to limit Texas Tech signal-caller Behren Morton’s play. Morton has thrown for 2,428 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. Three receivers Caleb Douglas (823 yards and 7 TDs), Reggie Virgil (590 yards and 6 TDs), Coy Eakin (560 yards and 4 TDs), and tight end Terrance Carter Jr. (530 yards and 5 TDs) will look to help him Morton out.

Running back Cameron Dickey has paced the Red Raiders with 1,023 yards and 13 scores. Linebackers Isaiah Glasker (54 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 passes defended, and 1 sack) and Jack Kelly (52 tackles, 9 sacks, and 1 pass defended)’s ability to shut down the Red Raider ground game.

While BYU should show up a little better than they did on the road versus Texas Tech, they will not be able to defeat the Red Raiders in 2025. The Cougars would lose their second game to Texas Tech in a month and a half and would not appear in this season’s College Football Playoff.

Projected Score: Texas Tech 31, BYU 14

SEC Championship Game
9.Alabama (10-2) vs. 3.Georgia (11-1) (Atlanta)
4 PM ET, ABC
Alabama needed a game-winning touchdown from quarterback Ty Simpson to wide receiver Isaiah Horton with under four minutes left to defeat hated instate rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl and advance to Saturday’s SEC Championship game. Since Georgia’s loss to Alabama on Sep. 28, the Bulldogs have begun playing their best football of the season despite slowing down a bit in their 16-9 victory against Georgia Tech in the “Clean, Old Fashioned Hate” rivalry.

For the Crimson Tide to defeat Georgia again, their defense must totally eliminate the Bulldogs’ offense like the Georgia Tech defense did last week. For that to happen, linebackers Justin Jefferson (63 tackles, 5 passes defended, 2 sacks, and 1 interception), Deontae Lawson (60 tackles and 3 passes defended), and Yhonzae Pierre (39 tackles and 6 sacks) must pressure Georgia signal-caller Gunner Stockton (2,535 passing yards, 403 rushing yards, 28 total TDs, and 5 INTs). Standing next to Stockton in the backfield are tailbacks Nate Frazier (809 yards and 5 TDs) and Chauncey Bowens (493 yards and 6 TDs), who will look to make things easier on their quarterback.

Defensive backs Bray Hubbard (55 tackles, 8 passes defended, 4 interceptions) and Keon Sabb (38 tackles, 3 passes defended, 1 interception, and 1 sack) must defend the Georgia receivers better than they did against Auburn’s Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton when they made their comeback last weekend. Georgia wideouts Zachariah Branch (691 yards and 4 TDs), Colbie Young (336 yards and 1 TD), and London Humphreys (276 yards and 3 TDs) will look to replicate what Coleman and Singleton did last week.

On offense, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (3,056 yards, 25 TDs, and 4 INTs) has not been as good as he was when they played Georgia the first time. It will be up to Simpson to get the ball to receivers Germie Bernard (700 yards and 6 TDs) and Ryan Williams (598 yards and 4 TDs) after he had a quiet performance against the Tigers. Georgia defensive backs KJ Bolden (63 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 2 interceptions) and Joenel Aguero (39 tackles, 2 passes defended, and 1 interception) will look to stop Simpson from getting the ball to Bernard and Williams similar to how Auburn did last week.

On the other hand, Jam Miller (493 yards and 3 TDs) and Kevin Riley (222 yards and 2 TDs) paced the offense last Saturday to help the Crimson Tide’s offense succeed against Auburn. They will need to open up their passing game against Georgia’s defense if they want to come out victorious. Linebackers CJ Allen’s and Raylen Wilson’s have combined for 145 tackles and 6 sacks this season and they will look to pressure Simpson and shut running gaps for Miller and Riley.

Even with a loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship game, Alabama should be still be in the College Football Playoff with a strong resumé including wins over then No. 5 Georgia, No. 16 Vanderbilt, No. 14 Missouri, No. 11 Tennessee before losing to then No. 11 Oklahoma. The Crimson Tide do have the worst loss of any team currently in the playoff rankings when they opened the season with a loss to Florida State. That being said, the Bulldogs will defeat Alabama for the first time since the 2021 National Championship game and clinch a bye in the College Football Playoff.

Projected Score: Georgia 27, Alabama 24

Big Ten Championship Game
2.Indiana (12-0) vs. 1.Ohio State (12-0) (Indianapolis)
8 PM ET, FOX
Saturday night’s battle between the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes and the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers will be for the top spot in the final College Football Playoff Rankings on Sunday. The Buckeyes finally defeated Michigan, 27-9, last Saturday for the first time in five attempts in “The Game”. The Hoosiers finished their 2025 campaign with a dominant 56-3 win over instate rival Purdue. The winner of the Big Ten Championship will likely not have to play again until the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Jan. 1 so much is on the line.

For Indiana to succeed against Ohio State’s defense, Fernando Mendoza (2,758 yards, 32 TDs, and 5 INTs) must be successful passing the ball behind center against the Buckeyes’ strong front seven. Ohio State’s Sonny Styles (69 tackles, 3 passes defended, 1 interception, and 0.5 sacks) and Arvell Reese (61 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 2 passes defended) will look to get to Mendoza and keep him from getting the ball to the tremendous duo of Omar Cooper Jr. (804 yards) and Elijah Sarratt (650 yards) and their combined 22 touchdowns on the season.

The trio of Rhoman Hemby’s, Kaelon Black’s, and Khobie Martin’s combined 20 scores from the backfield will be crucial in setting up Mendoza’s passing game against one of the best players in the country, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who has totaled 52 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 pass defended, and 1 sack this season.

Indiana defensive backs Louis Moore’s and Devan Boykins’ combined seven interceptions and five passes defended will be important against Julian Sayin (3,065 yards, 30 TDs, and 5 INTs) and his terrific receiving core including Jeremiah Smith, who has caught 72 passes for 942 yards, and 11 touchdowns and Carnell Tate who has caught 44 passes for 793 yards and 793 yards.

Linebackers Rolijah Hardy (77 tackles, 7 sacks, and 3 passes defended) and Aiden Fisher (70 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions) will be vital against defending Ohio State’s ground game which succeeded greatly in their win over Michigan. The Buckeyes’ Bo Jackson rushed for 117 yards and CJ Donaldson rushed for 44 yards against the Wolverines.

In what should be a fantastic match up, Ohio State will top Indiana. With a victory over the Hoosiers, the Buckeyes would clinch the top seed in the College Football Playoff and would be the betting favorite to win their second consecutive national championship. Indiana would likely fall a few spots but they would still be a top four seed with a first round bye in the playoffs.

Projected Score: Ohio State 30, Indiana 23

ACC Championship Game
Duke (7-5) vs. 17.Virginia (10-2) (Charlotte)
8 PM ET, ABC
An interesting ACC Title game returns to Charlotte on Saturday night between charter members Duke and Virginia. Manny Diaz’s Duke Blue Devils could win the ACC with a 7-5 record because they went 6-2 in conference play despite losses to Tulane and UConn outside of the league. On the other hand, Tony Elliott’s Virginia Cavaliers have been one of the more impressive teams in the ACC this season thanks to 10 regular season wins and a league best seven regular season conference wins. If the Cavaliers defeat the Blue Devils for the second time in three weeks on Saturday, they will supplant Miami as the ACC’s representative in the College Football Playoff after winning the conference championship game.

The Blue Devils offense is multidimensional with quarterback Darian Mensah throwing for over 3,400 yards and 28 touchdowns, running backs Nate Sheppard (865 yards and 9 TDs) and Anderson Castle (435 yards and 11 TDs), and receivers Cooper Barkate (978 yards and 6 TDs), Que’Sean Brown (665 yards and 3 TDs), and Sahmir Hagans (432 yards and 6 TDs) all contributing to their cause.

Virginia safeties Devil Neal (70 tackles, 6 passes defended, and 0.5 sacks) and Ethan Minter (45 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 1 interception) will look to shut down Mensah’s passing attack. Linebackers Cam Robinson’s and James Jackson’s combined 119 tackles are vital against the Duke ground game.

Duke safeties Caleb Weaver and DaShawn Stone both cause takeaways in the secondary with three interceptions and three passes defended between them. Their challenge will be Cavalier quarterback Chandler Morris, who has thrown for 2,586 yards, rushed for 248 yards, and has accounted for 19 overall touchdowns. Morris will look to get the ball to receivers Trell Harris (809 yards and 5 TDs), Jahmal Edrine (484 yards and 1 TD), and Cam Ross (459 yards and 2 TDs).

Running backs J’Mari Taylor has almost reached 1,000 yards and already has 14 touchdowns on the season and Harrison Waylee (422 yards and 5 TDs) will attempt to cause problems for Duke’s defense. Linebackers Luke Mergott (72 tackles, 3 passes defended, and 1 sack) and Jaiden Francois (70 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 pass defended) will attempt to shut gaps for the Virginia tailbacks so they cannot advance the ball on the ground.

It is hard to know what to expect in Saturday night’s battle between Duke and Virginia. But, I believe the Cavaliers will make sure the ACC gets at least one squad in this season’s College Football Playoff by beating the Blue Devils. If that is the case, Duke would suffer its sixth loss despite making the ACC Title game.

Projected Score: Virginia 31, Duke 20

Categories
College Basketball

ACC/SEC Challenge, other top nonconference match ups upcoming in college hoops (Video)

Image Courtesy: NCAA.com

Click this link to hear my thoughts on each of these games.

*Rankings based on this week’s AP Top 25*

Tuesday, December 2
Iowa (7-0) @ 7.Michigan State (7-0)
7 PM ET, Peacock
Projected Score: Michigan State 84, Iowa 79

13.Tennessee (7-1) @ Syracuse (4-3) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
7 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Tennessee 86, Syracuse 78

15.Florida (5-2) @ 4.Duke (8-0) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Duke 82, Florida 78

5.UConn (5-1) @ 21.Kansas (6-2)
9 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: UConn 82, Kansas 81

16.North Carolina (6-1) @ 18.Kentucky (5-2) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
9:30 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: North Carolina 85, Kentucky 77

Wednesday, December 3
Clemson (6-1) @ 12.Alabama (5-2) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
7 PM ET, ESPNU
Projected Score: Alabama 95, Clemson 80

6.Louisville (7-0) @ 25.Arkansas (5-2) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
7:15 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Louisville 89, Arkansas 85

SMU (8-0) @ 17.Vanderbilt (8-0) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
9:15 PM ET, SECN
Projected Score: Vanderbilt 83, SMU 79

NC State (5-2) @ 20.Auburn (6-2) (ACC/SEC Challenge)
9 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Auburn 92, NC State 89

Friday, December 5
11.Gonzaga (7-1) vs. 18.Kentucky (5-2) (Nashville)
7 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Gonzaga 91, Kentucky 82

Saturday, December 6
4.Duke (8-0) @ 7.Michigan State (7-0)
12 PM ET, FOX
Projected Score: Michigan State 84, Duke 83

10.Iowa State (7-0) @ 1.Purdue (7-0)
12 PM ET, CBS
Projected Score: Purdue 85, Iowa State 82

6.Louisville (7-0) vs. 22.Indiana (7-0) (Indianapolis)
2 PM ET, CBS
Projected Score: Louisville 90, Indiana 85

14.Illinois (6-2) vs. 13.Tennessee (7-1) (Nashville)
8 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Tennessee 85, Illinois 81

Ole Miss (5-2) @ 23.St. John’s (4-3)
8 PM ET, Peacock
Projected Score: St. John’s 77, Ole Miss 75

20.Auburn (6-2) @ 2.Arizona (6-0)
10 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Arizona 86, Auburn 82

Sunday, December 7
Missouri (7-0) vs. 21.Kansas (6-2) (Kansas City)
1 PM ET, ESPN2
Projected Score: Kansas 85, Missouri 80

Tuesday, December 9
Villanova (5-1) @ 3.Michigan (7-0)
6:30 PM ET, FS1
Projected Score: Michigan 90, Villanova 77

9.BYU (5-1) vs. Clemson (6-1) (New York City; Jimmy V Classic)
6:30 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: BYU 87, Clemson 77

14.Illinois (6-2) @ Ohio State (6-0)
7:30 PM ET, Peacock
Projected Score: Illinois 82, Ohio State 77

15.Florida (5-2) vs. 5.UConn (5-1) (New York City; Jimmy V Classic)
9 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: UConn 86, Florida 82

Thursday, December 11
Iowa (7-0) @ 10.Iowa State (7-0)
8 PM ET, FS1
Projected Score: Iowa State 84, Iowa 80

Friday, December 12
Texas (6-2) @ 5.UConn (5-1)
8 PM ET, FOX
Projected Score: UConn 89, Texas 74

Saturday, December 13
25.Arkansas (5-2) vs. 19.Texas Tech (5-2) (Dallas; Revocruit Rematch)
12 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Arkansas 89, Texas Tech 87

Oklahoma (5-2) vs. Oklahoma State (7-0) (Oklahoma City)
1 PM ET, FOX
Projected Score: Oklahoma State 87, Oklahoma 85

21.Kansas (6-2) @ NC State (5-2)
5:30 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: NC State 85, Kansas 84

22.Indiana (7-0) @ 18.Kentucky (5-2)
7:30 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Kentucky 88, Indiana 85

2.Arizona (7-0) vs. 12.Alabama (5-2) (Birmingham)
9:30 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Alabama 88, Arizona 87

UCLA (5-2) vs. 11.Gonzaga (7-1) (Seattle)
11:30 PM ET, ESPN
Projected Score: Gonzaga 86, UCLA 84