Jon Joseph

CBS Sports with some Dark Horse love for the Illini. One 2025 College Football Playoff sleeper from each Power Four conference: Why Oklahoma fits the bill - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM Here are five dark horses that can reach the CFP in 2025 The Oklahoma pick is not OK. Oklahoma has the same brutal SEC conference schedule in 2025 and plays what should be an improved Michigan team OOC albeit in Norman.

OBD 2024 ESPN All-Americans ESPN names three Oregon Football players to its 2024 All-America teams DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM Three Oregon Ducks were named to ESPN’s 2024 All-America teams.

Ducks Wire with more on E.P. and the 2025 O-Line How addition of Emmanuel Pregnon impacts Oregon Ducks offensive line DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM The Oregon Ducks added former USC Trojans left guard Emmanuel Pregnon from the transfer portal, so here’s how it impacts the offensive line.

A different mock with Conerly and Harmon both being picked in the 1st round. Pair of Oregon Ducks selected in 2025 NFL Mock Draft DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM The Oregon Ducks see a pair of trench players go in the first round of the latest 2025 NFL mock draft from Yahoo Sports.

5 Things to Know About E.P. 5 things to know about Oregon's new offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM Five things to know about Oregon’s new offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon.

30, Cam 'I'm Going To Scatter You' Skattebo is projected to go late in the 3rd round. To date, Skatt is the MVP of the Playoff. Dilly, Skatt, and friends were hosed over by a non-call vs. Texas. Brand bias?

Long-time draft analyst, now with The Athletic, Dane Brugler's latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft. 2025 NFL mock draft: Two rounds from Dane Brugler WWW.MUSICCITYMIRACLES.COM Another mock with the Titans going quarterback with the first pick OBD with two 1st round picks! No. 16 DL Derrick Harmon to the Cardinals. No. 26 OT Josh Conerly, Jr. to the L.A. Rams. Producing first-round picks helps with recruiting, especially if OBD can send O-line and D-line players to the League in the first round, which provides a nice first-contract salary. Note that the SEC has 11 players projected to go in the first round, three from Georgia, while the B1G has 14 first-rounders projected. Five from Ohio State 😒and four from Michigan. Michigan TE Colston Loveland is projected to be drafted by the LA Chargers with the 22nd pick reuniting Loveland with Jim Harbaugh and giving Justin Herbert a new weapon. Brugler projects Denver with the 20th pick to draft RB Ashton Jeanty, and he notes that this pick "would add another level to Sean Payton's offense and continue to help Bo Nix ascend to one of the league's bright young quarterbacks. 😍 Seven B1G players are projected to be drafted in the second round, with OBD's Jordan Burch going No. 54 to the Green Bay Packers. The 2nd round also sees the SEC making its mark. I expect the SEC will again have the most draft picks. NFL Draft - Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Thursday, April 24 - Saturday, April 26. GO DUCKS!

Friend 30, et al, more on this ESPN bowl extravaganza, Er, Playoff. Paul Finebaum is backtracking, making excuses for SEC not making the title game FANSIDED.COM It's time to take the SEC off this porcelain pedestal. They flopped when it mattered most in the CFP. Can't we all just NFL PO-wise get along? I reiterate, that no NFL coach or talking head whined about their team not playing in the postseason. IMO, Pawalll, Kiffin, and Sankey lost more than not being in the champ game. If It Just Means More why all the crying when it top to bottom means more and SEC HQ came up with a schedule that benefited Texas and Mizzou and not Georgia and Alabama? No person in CFB land hurt himself more in 2024 than Greg Sankey. The once-vaunted leader of the CFB pack came up with a bogus PO format, and ridiculous schedules for his top teams, and whined after the fact on behalf of three 3-loss teams defeated by B1G teams in the postseason. You hand Alabama and Georgia rigorous schedules and hand Texas a stroll in the SEC park and what do you expect? Hats off to 'Speak Softly and Carry a B1G Stick' Tony Petitti.

And the More OBD Players Drafted, the Better! Pair of Oregon Ducks selected in 2025 NFL Mock Draft DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM The Oregon Ducks see a pair of trench players go in the first round of the latest 2025 NFL mock draft from Yahoo Sports.

Good call, Charles. 9 portal transfers visited OBD this season. Danno went 9 for 9. This is closing in on Ohio State's efficiency in recruiting and portal picking. I respect but disagree with the idea that Ohio State has bigger, faster. athletes than OBD. In 2025 will Julian Sayin be better than Dante Moore? Will a rebuilt Buckeyes defense be better than OBD's? How about the tOSU O line where Dan has scored in the portal? In 2024 OBD defeated Ohio State. In terms of OBD being competitive, the Rose Bowl was a one-off. The deck was stacked in favor of The No. 8 seed and not the top seed in a format that abused the No. 1 seed more than any No. 1 seed in the history of postseason play. The Texas team should have lost to ASU and PO MVP to date, 'I'm Going to Scatter You,' Skattabo. The Texas team caught Ohio State in DALLAS coming off of two terrific PO performances. I simply (and I am simple) do not see a significant difference between the quality of the OBD and tOSU rosters. I see a format where after trumping an overrated Vols team in Columbus, the Buckeyes defeated a "laid-off" Oregon in the Rose Bowl. This was a format FUBAR. Oregon IMO defeats this Notre Dame team. Oregon IMO defeats a Texas team that should have lost to ASU. Oregon is not that far behind if behind at all a Buckeyes team and a Notre Dame team that did not have to play a champ game as did OBD. Hats off to tOSU and ND but to my knowledge, no No. 1 seed in the history of postseason play has been dealt the bogus hand dealt OBD. BTW. On 10/12/24, tOSU was not bigger, stronger, or faster than OBD. And where were all those bigger, faster, stronger guys vs. Michigan?

Oregon Ducks, I understand the desire to build from within but in this day and age of wide-open free agency I believe that you assemble the best roster you can however you can. Cornelious made a difference on the O-line and coming from the FCS OBD and Cornelious mutually benefited. As Urban Meyer and others have opined, quality O-line players are the hardest guys to find in today's CFB. Ohio State paid B1G dinero to keep guys developed in the system to stay for one more year and win Golden Pants vs. Michigan, which didn't happen, and to win a Natty which is odds on to happen. Ohio State will have a Blue Chip roster in 2025, DUH!, but I see tOSU hoping to bring in D linemen/edge rushers and O-line guys once the post-spring portal opens. OT - The CFB competition committee has recommended that CFB go to a single, but for coaching changes, 10-day transfer window. Makes sense but cue the lawyers.

And Here at KUSC, the Hits Just Keep On Comin'! USC football defensive lineman Elijah Hughes moves to Notre Dame TROJANSWIRE.USATODAY.COM Notre Dame keeps winning. USC? The Trojans aren’t doing enough of it.

Thanks, Darren. Sad but true. Are these commonalities a coincidence? Notre Dame and Ohio State - No conference champ game. No Playoff Bye. 16th and not the 17th game for both. Among others, the Pac-2 and Notre Dame will not approve a change in format for next season. Will we see the same commonalities in 2025-26? Texas opens at Ohio State next season. I'm looking forward to watching the game but I do not want OBD to schedule these headline games. Will Sark have the horses to slow down the Buckeyes O with a new QB, probably Julian Sayin at QB? Dear Rob, please play headline OOC games in the Playoff and not before. Thanks again, Darren. As Lou Holtz said, 'You have a different team every week.' But for a non-call, the Buckeyes could and perhaps should have played ASU in the Cotton Bowl. The ASU O lit up the same D that tOSU struggled against. Go Figure? 😜 Texas stars Isaiah Bond, Matthew Golden declare for 2025 NFL Draft as Longhorns lose key offensive pieces - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM Texas will have to replace its top two wide receivers entering the 2025 season

Texas? Easy-Peasy SEC in-conference schedule, again, but will Archie have anyone to play ball with? The Longhorns roster turnover is as big as Texas. Future 2025-26 champ odds: No. 1 Ohio State +450; Tied for 2nd. Texas and OBD +600. All three teams have many quality starters to replace. Texas stars Isaiah Bond, Matthew Golden declare for 2025 NFL Draft as Longhorns lose key offensive pieces - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM Texas will have to replace its top two wide receivers entering the 2025 season

Thanks, Charles for keeping us up to speed on the Diamond Ducks. You are the Vin Scully (RIP) of Eugene. I was surprised that only half of the old conference fielded a men's baseball team. The Pac-4 newbies bring the number to 13 out of 18 teams. With your help, I'll follow baseball more closely this season. Neither USC nor UCLA is ranked but Nebraska is ranked. Wow! How about OBD wins the double-elimination conference championship tourney in Omaha and returns to Schwab Field to find success in the NCAA Playoff? Go You Diamond Ducks!

Good call BB. I don't see ND with its best RB banged up and its starting left tackle out for the champ game being able to run on the Ohio State D. Notre Dame's offensive line worry for National Championship game has a silver lining FANSIDED.COM At this point of the season, mental toughness may determine who wins the College Football Playoff between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 8 Ohio State. Football is a g We knew that playing 15 games in the case of ND and Ohio State before playing for the title was going to be taxing and injuries would likely have an impact. One example of a key injury was ND doing nothing on offense when Abdul Carter was on the field for PSU and the Domers improvement on O after Carter left the game. The Ohio State D ends are 'pretty good.' The guy protecting Leonard's blind side is out. Hmmm? I'm not buying that a guy who missed all of the season into game 15 is going to be a 'silver lining' for the Irish who also had a starting guard dinged up in the Penn State game. Ohio State had O-line injury problems earlier in the season and the O-line was great against Tennessee and OBD (sigh.) Against Texas, the O-line committed far too many penalties, also a sign of fatigue? GO Buckeyes!

My sincere apologies for the source. 🦨 This is an excellent look back at the strength of schedule for B1G teams in 2024 and a look ahead to B1G teams' strength of schedule in 2025. The 2024 and 2025 rankings are based on the SP+ rankings which will change at the end of the Spring practice and when rosters are known after the second round of portal signings. Ranking Big Ten Schedules WWW.UWDAWGPOUND.COM With the season complete, here’s a look back, and a look forward, comparing the schedules for the Big Ten teams

He doesn't have the same experience as Rourke but transfer from Cal Mendoza probably has more natural talent and as good or better arm strength. The games Cal lost last season, especially the meltdown vs. Miami were not on Mendoza. Cignetti's QBs have played well everywhere he has coached. Looking at the champ game opponents the loss at Ohio State and the loss at Notre Dame are understandable.

Some good news for a Penn State program that needs it. Kaytron Allen, Nick Singleton eschew NFL Draft, return to Penn State as cornerstones for another playoff run - CBSSports.com WWW.CBSSPORTS.COM Allen and Singleton were the only running back combo to both clear 1,000 yards rushing in 2024 The OBD D will be playing against two top-drawer running backs.

DanL, PSU did not spend the same money as OBD and tOSU on transfers. The one WR who transferred in from Ohio State did not pan out. In the Notre Dame game, PSU did not complete a pass to a WR. Franklin signed a terrific class in 2022 but these guys are beginning to leave including B1G D player of the year Abdul Carter. PSU finished 7th in Total D in 2024 and 8th in points allowed. I believe PSU fans have DC Tom Allen closer to the GOAT than to a scapegoat. Something funky is going on with this program. Franklin has a significant buyout. What NFL team would want him as their HC?

Way-too-early Big Ten Power Rankings for 2025 college football season DUCKSWIRE.USATODAY.COM A way-too-early look at the balance of power in the Big Ten Conference going into the 2025 college football season. Oregon is ranked 2nd behind the usual suspect, Ohio State. On the Ducks 2025 schedule, OBD plays at 16 Northwestern, 13 USC, at 12 Rutgers, 11 Minnesota, at 10 Iowa, No. 9 Wisconsin, at 7 UWho, 5 Indiana, at 4 Penn State. OBD misses No. 3 Michigan and No. 1 Ohio State. Illinois at No. 8 is too low IMO. 18 of the players who started in the bowl win over South Carolina return for the Illini including QB Altmeyer. Illinois misses Michigan and plays Ohio State and USC at home. Two Donut Holes and at Duke (that lost its QB to Beavis!) OOC. Tough road games at Indiana and Wisconsin. The Illini are off the week before tripping to Seattle to play UW. I think Illinois should be ranked no lower than No. 5.

Ponder whether or not It's All Good in Happy Valley. Clemson nearing deal with Penn State's Tom Allen WWW.WYFF4.COM The Tigers are reportedly set to hire Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen to fill open DC role PSU claims to have produced more CEOs than any university. If so, they aren't opening their wallets. PSU with $75M in media revenue plus a $2.6M cut of PO proceeds, ticket sales, and worldwide merchandise sales can't match a bid from ACC Clemson. PSU's D was excellent this season except vs. OBD and in the 2nd half vs. ND after Carter left the game.

A whole lot of 1st round blowouts going on and I never heard from an announcer or the coach of a team that did not qualify for the postseason beefing about the teams that made the playoff. There were complaints about the seeding and it looks like the NFL will address this issue in the off-season and get it fixed without the need for a unanimous vote.

Thanks, Alex. Unless OBD sees Michigan or Ohio State in Indianapolis on 12/6/25 or in the 2025-26 Playoff (😩not before the champ game please) there are no Wolverines and no Bucknuts on the 2025 schedule. OBD plays at PO team Penn State (hopefully a White Out and not a Big Noon game) and OBD hosts the PO Hoosiers. The two losses Indiana suffered in 2024 are looking pretty good, aren't they?

Both are too high for a guy who led the SEC in interceptions in 2024 in a conference without great QB play. Miami overpaid to bring Mario in (Bless You Canes Boosters) and the boosters are desperate for a decent ROI and a postseason game outside of Orlando 🤩. Miami opens at home (Dolphins Stadium 🙃) on 8/30 vs. Notre Dame. The Canes host a rejuvenated Florida team in Week 4 and I expect more Gators fans will be in attendance than Canes fans. On the road vs. FSU, Pitt, and SMU could all be challenging games, and the Canes also draw Louisville and NC State. No game against Clemson in back-to-back seasons. This schedule is more difficult than Miami played in 2024. Come 2026, if the ACC and SEC do not add a ninth conference game should the B1G drop a conference game? Playing eight in 2024 allowed 13 ACC teams to play in the postseason. The ACC, including SMU and Clemson, went 2-11 🤮 emphasizing the gap 🦨between the ACC and the Power 2. Good Luck, Yuck, Yuck.