Almost three months have passed since Notre Dame’s 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois, still one of the most stunning results of this season, and each passing week has made two things clear:

One, that the result was an aberration. Notre Dame has won nine games in a row since, all but one by double digits.

And two, that despite playing an easier schedule than most Power Four contenders still in the College Football Playoff picture, the No. 5 Fighting Irish have rightfully earned themselves a place right on the doorstep of a playoff bid heading into Saturday’s regular-season finale against Southern California.

They’ve gotten some help. A top-heavy ACC and major shakeups in the SEC and Big 12 have opened a path for Notre Dame to potentially earn an at-large appearance even with a loss to the Trojans, though that would bring the middling strength of schedule into even sharper focus.

“I always said that’s for you all and everybody else to interpret the message that’s sent,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said of the playoff debate after last Saturday’s 49-14 win against Army.

“There is one goal on Saturdays, and it’s to achieve team glory. The way you prepare gives you the best opportunity to do that. That’s the message that I want our players to understand. We prepare the right way, continue to find ways to elevate and improve, and you’re going to get hopefully a result that we got tonight. I don’t worry about the message it sends everybody else as much as I worry about the message that it sends to this team and our program.”

The stakes are obvious: Win and you’re in. Lose and open yourself up to the possibility of dropping out of the field entirely. What happens against the Trojans will make or break Notre Dame’s season and shape the still-undecided perception of Freeman’s tenure.

“Our guys will understand the challenge that we have ahead of us,” said Freeman.

WEEKEND FORECAST: Experts picks for every Top 25 game in Week 14

Notre Dame’s playoff outlook

Televisions inside Notre Dame’s football facility this week have been playing the 2022 loss to USC on a loop, as a reminder of “what that feeling was a couple years ago,” said wide receiver Beaux Collins.

“All the plays are almost memorized and things like that,” Collins said. “Not letting us forget how big of a game this is.”

That 2022 game — the Irish gave up 436 yards of offense and lost 38-27 — is emblematic of Freeman’s tenure to this point, which has been defined less by wins than a series of painful, often avoidable losses. Northern Illinois is this year’s example. That 2022 season also included hard-to-believe defeats to Marshall and Stanford.

The Irish are touchdown favorites against USC, which sealed bowl eligibility with last week’s win against UCLA. The Trojans have made strides defensively under new coordinator D’Anton Lynn but have been uncharacteristically weak on offense, leading to this month’s quarterback change to former backup Jayden Maiava.

“They’re very talented,” Lynn said of Notre Dame. “Their offensive line is probably going to be the best offensive line we played all year. Both of their backs are very good backs. They have big tight ends. They have speed on the outside.”

Notre Dame and No. 4 Penn State are the only two teams that head into Saturday guaranteed to lock down a playoff berth with a win. No. 1 Oregon and No. 2 Ohio State are already projected into the field regardless of how the regular season concludes these next two weeks. Teams such as No. 8 Tennessee and No. 10 Indiana are also in good shape, though there are scenarios that could unfold and complicate matters for the Volunteers and Hoosiers.

While a loss to USC would only be Notre Dame’s second, that could open an at-large bid for a second ACC team or a fourth team from the SEC, should No. 13 Alabama beat Auburn in the Iron Bowl or No. 14 South Carolina win the rivalry against No. 12 Clemson.

“Yes, the things that we’ve done in the past that have given us an opportunity to be in this moment where we’re playing for a game that, yep, if we win, we’re in,” Freeman said. “That’s what they say. You win, you’re in.”

A reputation-making moment for Marcus Freeman

The subplot heading into Saturday is Freeman’s chance to change the narrative around his three-year run, which even amid Notre Dame’s torrid nine-game stretch since September continues to be defined by a series of missed opportunities.

“We’re going to have to be at our best on Saturday,” said offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. “They’re very, very capable of playing championship-level football. We’ve got to meet that challenge and be ready to go.”

This is not a moment the program has handled well under Freeman. Since he took over, Notre Dame has dropped two games against Ohio State, for example, missing on those chances to deliver a marquee, reputation-building win. The Irish have also struggled away from home, with a 7-4 mark in true regular-season road games.

Losing to the Trojans would amplify the simmering unrest over the program’s inability to get over the hump and back into the playoff. Notre Dame made the national semifinals twice with another New Year’s Six bid in former coach Brian Kelly’s final four seasons.

In addition to likely earning a home game in the opening round of the playoff, a win on Saturday could vault the Irish back into the Bowl Subdivision’s elite upper crust. Once in the playoff, Notre Dame’s performance since September could make this a trendy pick to advance deep into the postseason and potentially capture the program’s first national championship since 1988.

The Irish have outscored their past nine opponents by more than 30 points per game with just one win, against Louisville, decided by single digits.  

“If you don’t understand how good this opponent is, you don’t understand how much of a challenge this opponent will bring on Saturday, then the fault lies within yourself,” said Freeman.

“That’s what I’m going to continue to remind our guys. But there’s things that we’ve done intentionally to put our program in this position. So, understand the challenge we have ahead of us on Saturday and continue to put the work in today that gives us a chance to get the outcome we want on Saturday.”

The NHL season is coming up on two months, and there have been six trades, plus extensions signed by Jake Oettinger, Alexis Lafreniere, Linus Ullmark and others.

Other top players also remain eligible for extensions, including Igor Shesterkin, Mikko Rantanen, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and Brock Boeser.

There will be more trades as teams build toward a Stanley Cup run or make moves for their long-term future. Here are key dates to watch: the holiday roster freeze in December, the league’s break for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February and the trade deadline in early March.

Follow along here this season for signings, trades, transactions and other news from the NHL:

Nov. 30: Predators, Avalanche swap goaltenders

The Colorado Avalanche acquired backup goalie Scott Wedgewood from the Nashville Predators for backup goalie Justus Annunen and a sixth-round pick. The Avalanche, who have the league’s third-worst team goals-against average, were expected to make some sort of goaltending move but not necessarily this one. Annunen, 24, has slightly better stats this season, but he’s a restricted free agent at the end of the season. Wedgewood, 32, who was signed in the offseason and played five games for the Predators, has another year left on his contract.

Also: The NHL fined Boston’s Nikita Zadorov and Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin $5,000 each for an exchange in Friday’s game. Zadorov poked Malkin with his stick from the bench, and the Penguins star responded with a slash toward the bench.

Nov. 25: Hurricanes goalie Pyotr Kochetkov in concussion protocol

Carolina Hurricanes goalie Pytor Kochetkov is in concussion protocol after being injured on a fluke play in Saturday’s game, coach Rod Brind’Amour told reporters. Kochetkov, who’s out indefinitely, was reaching out to make a poke check in overtime when he was accidentally knocked over by teammate Sean Walker, who was defending against the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski. Kochetkov replaced by Spencer Martin, who lost in a shootout.

Kochetkov’s injury means the Hurricanes are missing their top two goaltenders. Frederik Andersen had knee surgery and will be out eight to 12 weeks. Martin and Yaniv Perets are the goalie tandem for now as the team faces a tough stretch against the Dallas Stars, New York Rangers and back-to-back games against the Florida Panthers. But the Hurricanes will get back forward Seth Jarvis, who missed seven games with an upper-body injury.

Nov. 25: Penguins acquire Philip Tomasino from Predators

Philip Tomasino (one point in 11 games) is the final year of his contract so the struggling Nashville Predators get something in return, a 2027 fourth-round pick. The equally struggling Pittsburgh Penguins get another person for their bottom six. The former first-round pick’s best season was 32 points as a rookie in 2021-22.

Nov. 24: Blues fire coach Drew Bannister, hire Jim Montgomery

In a surprising move, the St. Louis Blues on Sunday fired Drew Bannister after less than a year as coach, replacing him with former Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery.

The announcement from Blues president and general manager Doug Armstrong comes with the team losing 13 of its first 22 games this year. Bannister had taken over for Stanley Cup-winning coach Craig Berube last season and had his interim tag removed at the end of the season.

Montgomery, a former assistant to Berube, has an overall regular-season record of 180-84-33 as a head coach with Boston and Dallas. He was just let go by the Bruins last week after they lost 12 of their first 20 games. – Steve Gardner

Nov. 23: Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov misses game with lower-body injury

Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov, who’s tied for the league lead in points, sat out Saturday’s game against the Calgary Flames because of a lower-body injury. Kaprizov went to the ice after a knee-on-knee hit from the Edmonton Oilers’ Drake Caggiula in Thursday’s game but the Wild star finished the game. The Athletic reported he had an MRI on Sunday, which found no serious injury, and he was at practice on Monday. Kaprizov entered Saturday’s games tied with Nathan MacKinnon with 34 points and has played in one less game than the Colorado Avalanche star.

Nov. 22: Golden Knights sign Brett Howden to five-year extension

Forward Brett Howden will average $2.5 million in the five-year contract extension. He plays in the Vegas Golden Knights’ bottom six and has eight goals this season.

After the Golden Knights lost free agents Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson and others from their 2023 Stanley Cup title team this summer, they’ve been working to get extensions done early. Defensemen Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb signed recently. Goalie Adin Hill and Keegan Kolesar also are pending unrestricted free agents from that championship team.

Also: Forward Alex Nylander is joining All-Star older brother William on the Toronto Maple Leafs after signing a one-year, $775,000 NHL contract and getting recalled. He had been on an American Hockey League contract. The Maple Leafs placed forward Matthew Knies on the injured list after he absorbed a big hit from Vegas’ Zach Whitecloud this week. … Seattle Kraken captain Jordan Eberle had surgery on his pelvis and will be out at last three months.

Nov. 21: Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen to have knee surgery

This marks the fourth season in a row that Andersen has missed extended time. He was limited to 16 games last season with a blood-clotting issue and missed more than two months of 2022-23 with a lower-body injury. An injury kept him out of the 2022 playoffs.

Pyotr Kochetkov is the Hurricanes’ No. 1 goalie in Andersen’s absence. Andersen, 35, is in the final year of his contract.

Nov. 19: Canucks’ J.T. Miller out indefinitely for personal reasons

‘Right now, our sole focus is making sure that J.T. knows the entire organization is here to support him,’ general manager Patrik Allvin said. ‘Out of respect to J.T., we will have no further comment at this time.’

Miller ranks second on the Canucks and is their top-scoring forward with 16 points in 17 games. He scored 103 points last season.

Nov. 19: Boston Bruins fire coach Jim Montgomery

The Boston Bruins made Jim Montgomery the first coaching casualty of the 2024-25 NHL season, firing him less than two seasons after he was named coach of the year.

Associate coach Joe Sacco, a former Colorado Avalanche head coach, will take over behind the bench as the interim head coach.

The move came after a blowout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. Montgomery, who was in the final year of his contract, was let go with the team sitting at 8-9-3 and sporting poor underlying numbers.

BRUINS: More details on coaching change

Nov. 19: Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin out with leg injury

Alex Ovechkin’s chase of Wayne Gretzky’s goal record is temporarily on hold after the Washington Capitals star left Monday night’s game with an injury.

The team announced Tuesday that Ovechkin is week-to-week with an injury to his lower leg after he absorbed a leg-on-leg hit from Utah Hockey Club forward Jack McBain during the third period.

Ovechkin had been on a torrid scoring pace this season. Before Monday’s injury, he had scored twice in the 6-2 win over Utah, giving him five goals in the last two games and a league-leading 15 goals in 18 games.

Also: The Edmonton Oilers claimed forward Kasperi Kapanen off waivers from the St. Louis Blues. He provides speed and depth to a team that hasn’t received much scoring from the wings this season.

Nov. 18: Islanders’ Mike Reilly to have procedure on heart

General manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters that the pre-existing heart condition was discovered during routine testing for a concussion that had sidelined the defenseman since Nov. 1.

‘It’s probably a blessing in disguise of what transpired,’ Lamoriello said. ‘They detected this, something that you’re sometimes born with, but never knew.’

He said Reilly has been cleared from the concussion.

Nov. 18: Sabres send down goalie; Sharks call one up

The Buffalo Sabres sent 22-year-old goalie Devon Levi to the American Hockey League to get him some playing time amid his recent struggles. The team will use Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and recently reacquired James Reimer as their tandem. Levi has given up 17 goals in his last four starts.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks called up highly touted goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov, 22, after he went 6-3 with a 1.92 goals-against average in the AHL. He was acquired from the Nashville Predators in an offseason trade. Sharks goalie Vitek Vanecek had left Saturday’s game with an injury.

Also: The NHL announced that last month’s Carolina Hurricanes-Tampa Bay Lightning game, whichas was postponed by Hurricane Milton, has been rescheduled for Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. ET. … Philadelphia Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson (lower body) was placed on injured reserve.

Nov. 15: Avalanche’s Valeri Nichushkin returns from suspension

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin returned Friday night from his six-month suspension. He was suspended during the playoffs last May under Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. He also was in the program for about two months earlier in the 2023-24 season and missed part of the 2023 playoffs for personal reasons. Nichushkin is a key offensive contributor with 28 goals in 54 games last season. Injured forwards Jonathan Drouin and Miles Wood also returned Friday.

Also: The Vegas Golden Knights signed defenseman Brayden McNabb, the franchise leader in games played, to a three-year contract extension that averages $3.65 million a year.

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Nov. 13: Sabres claim goalie James Reimer off waivers

The Buffalo Sabres claimed goaltender James Reimer off waivers, bringing him back to where he signed a free agent contract in the summer. Reimer was claimed by the Anaheim Ducks off waivers earlier this season when the Sabres tried to send him to the American Hockey League. The Ducks put him on waivers after the return of injured goalie John Gibson. Reimer, on a one-year, $1 million contract, played two games in Anaheim with a 4.50 goals-against average. No. 1 Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was hurt in Monday’s loss but hasn’t been ruled out for Thursday’s game.

Also: Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm will be out ‘weeks’ with a lower-body injury after blocking a shot, coach Jim Montgomery said.

Nov. 12: Capitals reacquire Lars Eller in trade with Penguins

Center Lars Eller, 35, is a familiar face for the Washington Capitals after playing in Washington from 2016-23 and winning a Stanley Cup there in 2018. He kills penalties and is strong in the faceoff circle. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ side of the trade might be more interesting. They get a 2027 third-round pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder, and this also could be an indication that the Penguins are shaking up the roster after a disappointing start. Eller’s trade will allow the team to give more ice time to younger players. He’s a pending unrestricted free agent.

Also: The Winnipeg Jets claimed goalie Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Colorado Avalanche and loaned him to their American Hockey League affiliate. They had lost him on waivers to the Avalanche last month.

Nov. 11: Flames’ Anthony Mantha to have season-ending surgery

Also: The Colorado Avalanche placed goalie Kaapo Kahkonen on waivers. They had claimed him off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets last month.

Nov. 9: Penguins recall veteran goalie Tristan Jarry from minors

The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled two-time All-Star goalie Tristan Jarry from his conditioning stint in the American Hockey League. Jarry was loaned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Oct. 26 after recording a 5.37 goals-against average and .836 save percentage. His AHL numbers were 2.16, .926.

Also: The Philadelphia Flyers made rookie Matvei Michkov a healthy scratch for a second consecutive game.

Nov. 8: Kraken acquire Daniel Sprong from Canucks

The Seattle Kraken landed Daniel Sprong, one of their former players, in exchange for future considerations. The Kraken have struggled to score this season and Sprong had 21 goals for them two seasons ago. The forward has scored double-digit goals five times. He had one goal with Vancouver this season.

Nov. 7: Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov to be healthy scratch

Coach John Tortorella called the move ‘part of the process.’

‘With young guys, they can watch games, too, as far as development,’ he told reporters. ‘It’s trying to help them.’

Michkov, 19, has 10 points in 13 games and a minus-8 rating and was NHL rookie of the month in October. He had just one point in his last five games and his ice time dropped in the last four.

Nov. 4: Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini ready to return from injury

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, is ready to return to action after aggravating an injury in the season opener, according to NHL.com.

He took part in practice Monday on the top line with Tyler Toffoli and Mikael Granlund and is looking to play his second game season Tuesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Celebrini said he reinjured his hip on his first shift of the opener but played the full game and had a goal and assist. He has missed 12 games. The Sharks opened the season 0-7-2 but are 3-1 in their last four games.

Also: St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg will be out four to six weeks with a lower-body injury. He needed help getting off the ice Saturday after he was checked by the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner. … The Boston Bruins signed forward Tyler Johnson to a one-year, $775,000 contract. He won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightning and spent the last three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Nov. 2: Islanders’ Mathew Barzal, Adam Pelech go on injured list

New York Islanders No. 1 center Mathew Barzal was placed on long-term injured reserve with an unspecified upper-body injury. He’ll be out four to six weeks. He had 80 points in 80 games last season but had been limited to five points in 10 games this season as the Islanders have struggled to score.

Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech also will be out four to six weeks after being hit in the face by a puck. He went on the injured list.

Oct. 30: Sharks acquire Timothy Liljegren from Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs get defenseman Matt Benning, a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder. Liljegren, 25, had been limited to one game in Toronto this season, and the Maple Leafs recently committed to blue-liner Jake McCabe with a five-year extension. But Liljegren should fit in well in San Jose, which is building around younger players. Benning, 30, and Liljegren are signed through 2025-26.

This is the second day with an NHL trade after none previously since the season opened in North America.

Oct. 29: Utah acquires defenseman Olli Maatta from Red Wings

The Utah Hockey Club gives up a third-round pick as it addresses a desperate need for a veteran defenseman. Sean Durzi and John Marino are out long-term after surgery. Utah has been leaking goals during a four-game losing streak, including blowing a 4-1 lead late in the third period against the previously winless San Jose Sharks. Maatta is solid defensively and has nearly 700 games of NHL experience.

Oct. 28: Maple Leafs sign Jake McCabe to five-year extension

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed defenseman Jake McCabe to a five-year extension with an annual average value of $4.51 million. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports there is some deferred money in the deal. McCabe, 31, had been acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in a February 2023 trade and ranks fourth on the team in average ice time this season. He has three assists in nine games and a team-best plus-6 rating.

Also: The New York Rangers recalled rugged forward Matt Rempe from the American Hockey League after he played two games there. The Rangers play the Washington Capitals on Tuesday in what has become a feisty rivalry.

Oct. 26: Penguins send goalie Tristan Jarry to minors

The Pittsburgh Penguins sent two-time All-Star goaltender Tristan Jarry to their American Hockey League affiliate on a conditioning loan after his early season struggles. He had been sent home from the Penguins’ road trip to work on his game after recording a 5.47 goals-against average and .836 save percentage in three games. He was pulled from his last start on Oct. 16 and gave up six goals in the opener.

Jarry is in the second season of a five-year contract that carries a $5.375 million cap hit. Rookie Joel Blomqvist has had the most starts in the Penguins net this season and Alex Nedeljkovic recently returned from an injury.

Also: The New York Islanders signed rugged forward Matt Martin for the rest of the season. He had been to camp on a tryout agreement after spending 13 of his 15 seasons with the Islanders.

Oct. 25: Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere gets seven-year extension

The New York Rangers and Alexis Lafreniere have agreed to a seven-year extension as he builds on last season’s breakthrough. The 2020 No. 1 overall pick will average $7.45 million in the deal, according to lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. That’s up from this year’s $2.325 million cap hit. Lafreniere, 23, broke through with 28 goals and 57 points last season and added eight goals and 14 points in the playoffs. He is averaging a point a game this season through seven games and scored his fourth goal of the season on Thursday. He is signed through 2031-32.

Oct. 24: Golden Knights’ Shea Theodore signs for seven years

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore will average $7.425 million in the extension, which kicks in next season and runs through 2031-32. Getting him signed now is important after the Golden Knights lost Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson and others from their 2023 Stanley Cup team to free agency during the summer.

Theodore, 29, is the franchise’s top-scoring defenseman with 296 points and has opened this season with seven points in six games. Vegas’ top three defensemen (also Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin) are signed through at least 2026-27.

Oct. 23: Utah’s Sean Durzi, John Marino out long-term after surgery

The Utah Hockey Club, who beefed up their defense in the offseason, will be without two key blueliners long-term after they had surgery.

Sean Durzi, who was injured in an Oct. 15 game, will miss four to six months after shoulder surgery. John Marino, who has yet to play this season, is out three to four months after back surgery.

Utah added defensemen Mikhail Sergachev, Marino and Ian Cole in the offseason. Durzi, acquired last season when the team was in Arizona, signed a four-year, $24 million contract during the summer.

In other injury news, St. Louis Blues forward Robert Thomas has a fractured ankle and will be evaluated in six weeks.

Oct. 22: Panthers give coach Paul Maurice contract extension

Maurice, who joined the Panthers in 2022-23, went to the Stanley Cup Final in his first season and won it last year. His 29 playoff wins are a franchise record.

He has 98 regular-season wins with Florida and his 873 career wins rank fourth all time in NHL history.

Also: The Blues signed forward Jake Neighbours to a two-year, $7.5 million contract extension.

Oct. 17: Stars’ Jake Oettinger signs eight-year contract extension

The Dallas Stars signed goalie Jake Oettinger to an eight-year, $66 million contract extension that kicks in next season. The $8.25 million cap hit matches the deals recently signed by the Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman and Senators’ Linus Ullmark.

Oettinger has led the Stars to the Western Conference final the past two seasons.

Oct. 12: Aleksander Barkov, Macklin Celebrini are injured

The NHL season is young, but two prominent players are already out with injuries.

Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov will miss two to three weeks after crashing leg first into the boards while trying to prevent an empty net goal on Thursday. His stick had broken but he couldn’t stop Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle from scoring. The time frame should allow Barkov to participate in the two Global Series games against the Dallas Stars in Tampere, Finland, on Nov. 1-2. Barkov is the first Finnish NHL captain to win the Stanley Cup. He won the Selke Trophy last season for the second time as top defensive forward.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks placed No. 1 overall pick Macklin Celebrini on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Coach Ryan Warsofsky said Celebrini is week-to-week. He had been dealing with an injury in training camp but played in this week’s season opener, scoring a goal and an assist.

Oct. 11: Avalanche claim goalie Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers

In a busy day for goalie transactions, the Colorado Avalanche claimed Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets. Colorado lost 8-4 in the opener, with Alexandar Georgiev giving up five goals and backup Justus Annunen giving up two goals on four shots. The Avalanche are Kahkonen’s fourth team in a year. He split time last season between the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils.

In other moves, the Minnesota Wild called up Jesper Wallstedt, their goalie of future, who will join Game 1 winner Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury. The Nashville Predators sent down Matt Murray, who backed up Scott Wedgewood on Thursday with injured No. 1 goalie Juuse Saros unable to play.

Oct. 10: Hurricanes-Lightning game postponed because of Milton

Saturday’s game between the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning has been postponed as the Tampa Bay area recovers from Hurricane Milton. The league said a makeup date would be announced as soon as it can be confirmed.

The Lightning are playing their season opener in Carolina on Friday. Saturday’s game was to be the start of a three-game homestand (also Tuesday and Thursday).

Amalie Arena got through the storm fine, though Tropicana Field, home of MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida, suffered major damage to its roof.

Oct. 10: Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner has surgery

Jenner had shoulder surgery to repair an injury he suffered during training camp and could miss up to six months.

‘Our hope is he can return before the end of the season,’ said Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Waddell. ‘His loss will be felt by our club, but we have a strong leadership group in place and players will be given an opportunity to take on greater roles on and off the ice.’

Boone, who finished second on the Blue Jackets last season with 22 goals and is the franchise leader in games played, has been the team’s captain since 2021-22.

Oct. 9: Linus Ullmark, Joey Daccord get contract extensions

Ullmark, who won the Vezina Trophy with the Bruins in 2022-03, was traded to the Ottawa Senators this offseason so Boston had the room to re-sign Swayman. Ullmark will get four years, $33 million from the Senators and have the same $8.25 million cap as Swayman.

Meanwhile, Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord received a five-year, $25 million extension. He filled in for Philipp Grubauer after that goalie’s injury last season and got the NHL’s first shutout in the Winter Classic. Both contracts will take effect next season.

The Chicago Bears’ firing of Matt Eberflus on Friday after a Thanksgiving meltdown marked a new chapter for the franchise, which previously had never dismissed a head coach during the season during its 105-year history.

But could that unprecedented move actually be a sign to coaching candidates of just how promising this opening is?

General manager Ryan Poles said in August that while he expected the Bears to contend for the playoffs and the Super Bowl in any given year, his primary goal for the organization was growth. Instead, Eberflus’ team floundered to a 4-8 mark in his third year at the helm, with rampant missteps and a stale offense that prompted coordinator Shane Waldron’s firing after nine games plaguing what was expected to be a prolific rookie year for No. 1 pick Caleb Williams.

With the quarterback struggling through much of his debut campaign, Chicago now faces questions of whom it will entrust to lead the passer’s development. While that setup could point the Bears to an offensive-minded coach, the Bears could also turn toward someone who could help establish a winning culture for a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 2005-06.

Here are nine possible options for the Bears:

All things Bears: Latest Chicago Bears news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Bears coaching candidates to replace Matt Eberflus

Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator

Is this finally the opening that would persuade Johnson to make the leap? The architect of the league’s highest-scoring offense – and a top-five unit the past two years as well – has withdrawn from the past two hiring cycles despite drawing significant interest. But with stable, hands-off ownership and a top young quarterback already in the fold, Chicago has plenty with which to sell Johnson. The 37-year-old is a master of creating a system that can allow its signal caller to operate within structure and take advantage of easy looks, which might be just what Williams needs to get back on track. He also could be somewhat of a best-of-both-worlds candidate, as he’s well-schooled in Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes’ approach of building a winning culture. Expect Johnson to be the leading name in the search in the early going.

Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator

If the Bears want someone who can harness his quarterback’s distinct playmaking talent, Brady should be on the short list. The 35-year-old’s ascension to offensive coordinator midway through last season has been a boon to Josh Allen, who has powered the league’s third-ranked scoring attack this year despite a shifting receiving corps and injuries to key teammates. Brady has also proved to be highly adaptable, emphasizing the run game when needed and taking advantages of favorable matchups.

Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator

Like Brady, Monken has elevated one of the league’s elite talents, helping Lamar Jackson win NFL MVP for the second time last year while keeping him on track for a possible third this season. Unlike Brady – and many others on this list – Monken has plenty of experience at 58, though his lone head-coaching gig was at Southern Miss from 2013-15. If this year’s top-ranked offense is any model, he would be sure to support Williams with a strong run game and an approach that gets the ball to receivers in space.

Kellen Moore, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator

His tutelage has brought out the best of Dak Prescott and now Jalen Hurts. Now, the 36-year-old figures to once again be a strong candidate a few years after he first emerged as a hot name. A former NFL quarterback, Moore could help relate to Williams more than many of his peers, and his detail-oriented process has been lauded by his peers. He also isn’t afraid to lean into the strength of his team, as the Eagles boast the league’s top rushing attack thanks to Saquon Barkley.

Liam Coen, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator

This would no doubt be a sizable leap for the 39-year-old, who only is in his second year of serving as an NFL offensive coordinator after holding the same title for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. But his innovative approach this season with the Buccaneers, who have persevered through a rash of key injuries, should earn him interviews. Coen might be especially attractive given his use of motion, which could help invigorate a stale attack.

Aaron Glenn, Lions defensive coordinator

He won’t carry the same level of hype as Johnson, but Glenn is nevertheless one of the most important figures in the Lions’ ascension. Despite the loss of Pro Bowl defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to a broken fibula and tibia, Detroit’s defense ranks fourth in points allowed this season. Glenn could help reset the culture in Chicago, though bringing the right offensive coordinator on board would be a critical step.

Bill Belichick, former New England Patriots coach

Have to at least consider it, right? Belichick once again figures to tower over coaching search season, and any team opting for a reboot surely would see at least some upside in handing the reins to the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach. But ceding a significant amount of control to Belichick might be necessary to entice him, and the Bears aren’t set up to simply let the coach run the entire show.

Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator

Hiring Flores would not only give the Bears one of the league’s most respected defensive play-callers, it would also mark a significant hit to a division rival. Flores has previous head coaching experience with the Miami Dolphins, though that could work against him given the critical comments Tua Tagovailoa had about the tone he set for the team. His racial discrimination lawsuit against the league also could loom large.

Mike Vrabel, Cleveland Browns consultant and former Tennessee Titans head coach

Tough, smart football that produces trips to the playoffs should be an easy sell in Chicago. Vrabel’s track record with the Titans should make him one of the most highly sought-after options on the market this offseason. He could provide plenty of support for Williams with a hard-charging run game and stout defense, but he might be drawn to other opportunities that afford him more control in personnel matters.

Thomas Brown, Bears interim head coach

Interim coaches typically face long odds to transition into a full-time gig, but Brown has several factors going in his favor. Williams has shown a distinct spark after Brown was installed as offensive coordinator and helped streamline the attack. More widely, players seem to have responded to his guidance and leadership, and the buy-in he could establish might be hard to dismiss. Brown doesn’t have a full season of play-calling experience, but his results might speak for themselves if he can continue to lift this team.

This story has been updated with new information.

Week 14 of college football action is underway, and the outcomes of Saturday’s games are set to significantly impact the College Football Playoff, with 20 of the top 25 teams in action. This ranking marks an important milestone in the playoff standings, providing insights into the teams still in contention for the national title as the season approaches its conference championship weekend.

In the fourth CFP rankings, the competitive landscape has shifted dramatically. Alabama and Ole Miss, two strong teams, have fallen out of the top 12 seeds for the first time after losing to unranked opponents. The surprising development opened up opportunities for teams like Arizona State and SMU to move up in the rankings and claim a seed. Meanwhile, the top four seeds—Oregon, Texas, Miami, and Boise State—have remained unchanged, setting the stage for an exciting Saturday where three of the four top seeds will play.

The fifth CFP rankings will be unveiled in just three days. These rankings will ultimately determine the team standings ahead of the CFP Selection Show. Here’s how to watch:

When do College Football Playoff rankings come out?

The fifth of six College Football Playoff top 25 rankings will be released on Tuesday, Dec. 3, after Week 14 games.

What time is the next CFP rankings show? 

The College Football Playoff rankings show can be watched on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET.

How to watch College Football Playoff rankings show 

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 3
Time: 7 p.m.-7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Stream: Fubo (free trial)

Watch CFP rankings show live with Fubo (free trial)

How many teams in College Football Playoff 2024? 

In the 2024 college football season, 12 teams will qualify for the new College Football Playoff bracket. The top five conference champions will earn automatic bids. The remaining seven remaining highest-ranked at-large teams will fill out the rest of the 12-team field.

How does College Football Playoff format work?

The 12 participating teams in the College Football Playoff bracket will be the five conference champions ranked highest by the CFP selection committee, and the next seven highest-ranked at-large teams.

The four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and receive a first-round bye. The fifth conference champion will be seeded where it was ranked inside the top 12 or, if it finished outside the bracket, at No. 12 overall. Nonconference champions ranked in the top four will be seeded beginning at No. 5.

2024-25 College Football Playoff Rankings schedule

Here is the schedule for the remaining College Football Playoff ranking shows.

All times Eastern

Tuesday, Dec. 3: 7 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 8: Noon-4 p.m.

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It wasn’t remotely pretty – yet again – but the Kansas City Chiefs will officially defend their Super Bowl crown and continue their quest to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.

K.C. outlasted the Las Vegas Raiders 19-17 on Friday, becoming the first team this season to clinch a playoff berth while establishing a new league record (postseason included) with 14 consecutive victories in one-possession games. However, as has been the case throughout much of the 2024 campaign, the result didn’t come without warts.

The winners and losers from the league’s second (now annual) Black Friday game:

WINNERS

Patrick Mahomes

The two-time league MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP wasn’t pinpoint precise Friday, completing 26 of his 46 throws, but nevertheless notched his 100th win (playoffs included) to match Tom Brady for the most by a quarterback in his first eight NFL seasons. (Interestingly, both Mahomes and Brady played sparingly as rookies, so their copious success effectively occurred over seven campaigns.) This is yet another metric that continues to legitimize Mahomes’ inclusion with TB12 in the debate regarding who’s the greatest QB in league history … even if the Chiefs star, who passed for 306 yards and a TD against Las Vegas, still needs four more rings to meet the GOAT standard. As for K.C. GOATs, Mahomes’ 238th career touchdown throw gave him the franchise record – breaking a tie with Hall of Famer Len Dawson, who served the organization for 14 seasons.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Brock Bowers

He’s definitively established himself as the Raiders’ best offensive player and might challenge DE Maxx Crosby as the team’s MVP sooner than later. Friday, Bowers’ sterling Silver and Black rookie campaign continued with another circus catch among his 10 receptions (for 140 yards and a TD). Now three snatches from breaking the rookie tight end record of 86 (set by the Detroit Lions’ Sam LaPorta last year) – and two weeks after Bowers’ 13 grabs set a single-game mark for freshmen at his position – Bowers should very much remain in consideration for 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year … unlikely as it is a non-quarterback will win. But currently with a league-high 84 receptions and on his way to 100, Bowers most certainly must be in the conversation.

Chiefs reinforcements

Kansas City RB Isiah Pacheco, a bruising runner who tends to set the tone for this offense, played for the first time since he suffered a broken leg 11 weeks ago. He rushed seven times for a team-high 44 yards in what seems likely to be a backfield committee the rest of the way. Also back in the lineup was DE Charles Omenihu (1 tackle), who made his season debut after tearing an ACL in the 2023 AFC championship game. Given the Chiefs’ relative struggles – aside from their glittering 11-1 record to this point – getting fresh, (relatively) healthy bodies at key positions can only help.

Sincere McCormick

An undrafted rookie out of the University of Texas at San Antonio two years ago, he led the Raiders in rushing for the second straight week – notching career bests with 12 carries for 64 yards. Maybe the league’s least-productive running game has finally bound a spark.

Chiefs holiday hex

It seems exorcised after they suffered a fairly fluky 20-14 loss to the Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas last year, also Kansas City’s most recent defeat in a one-score game … though that did also fuel the Chiefs’ internal drive on the way to the Super Bowl 58 sprint. Losing Friday hardly would have been disastrous, but just as well to avert another unsightly upset to their hated AFC West rivals in front of the home fans – and one that would have opened the door for the Buffalo Bills to assume the top seed in the projected playoff picture.

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LOSERS

Wanya Morris

The Chiefs’ struggling left tackle was benched midway through the fourth quarter after being repeatedly schooled by edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, a first-round washout of the Jacksonville Jaguars who collected just five sacks in his first four seasons. He had 1½ Friday. All-Pro G Joe Thuney kicked outside to take over for Morris, but it seems like recently signed veteran D.J. Humphries better get ready to make his Chiefs debut pronto given neither Morris nor rookie Kingsley Suamataia has proven ready to safeguard Mahomes, who’s been sacked five times in each of the past two games. (Prior to Week 12, Mahomes had been sacked five times in a contest … once in his entire career.)

Daniel Carlson

In fairness, all three of the Raiders kicker’s missed field goals were from at least 55 yards. But All-Pro expectations from this position are what they are, even at a tough venue like Arrowhead … and especially given the backdrop of a two-point loss.

Chiefs defense

What is supposed to be this championship franchise’s new backbone has allowed 74 points over the past three games. Normally, surrendering 17 would represent a good effort. But given K.C. was up 16-3 late in the third quarter before permitting a 33-yard touchdown to Bowers and then a 58-yarder to Tre Tucker – and before looking completely helpless on the Raiders’ game-ending drive, which was botched by an unexpected snap from rookie C Jackson Powers-Johnson – DC Steve Spagnuolo needs to tighten his unit up.

Chiefs balance

Fifty-one dropbacks against 16 rushes and just nine touches for RB Kareem Hunt? C’mon, Andy.

Aidan O’Connell

In his first start since suffering an injured thumb on his passing hand six weeks ago, the second-year Raiders quarterback − taking the reins from injured veteran Gardner Minshew II − put up loftier numbers than Mahomes, throwing for a career-best 340 yards and a pair of touchdowns. (In last year’s Yuletide upset, it seemed like Las Vegas prevailed in spite of O’Connell, who passed for 62 yards.) Still, Friday’s indelible image will be the Raiders’ final snap hitting an unexpecting AOC, who said he mistakenly confused Powers-Johnson, in the chest before it was recovered by the Chiefs to seal the win.

Ken Stabler

Every time you watch O’Connell – especially as Las Vegas’ promising final drive collapsed so spectacularly – it’s a reminder that the Raiders have yet to retire the No. 12 jersey made famous by Hall of Famer “Snake” Stabler (RIP). Why? Basically because the franchise hasn’t put anyone’s jersey in the rafters. Strange policy for what’s historically been one of the NFL’s (and AFL’s) iconic franchises. Seems like owner Mark Davis should remedy that.

This story has been updated to include new information.

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.

Georgia turned what looked like a Friday night massacre by Georgia Tech into a miraculous Bulldog comeback win, 44-42, in eight overtimes.

The Bulldogs pulled out the victory after overcoming 20-6 and 27-13 fourth quarter deficits and pulled it out when freshman Nate Frazier ran up the middle for the mandated two-point conversion.

It came after a seventh overtime when Carson Beck was stopped on a design run up the middle and Smael Mondon was flagged for pass interference on a pass, giving the Yellow Jackets the ball at the 1 ½-yard line but CJ Allen stopped Haynes King’s run.

Allen then applied pressure on King, forcing an incomplete pass when the Yellow Jackets went first in the eighth overtime.

The Bulldogs orchestrated the late-game comeback as Beck hit Dominic Lovett on a 17-yard touchdown with 3:39 to go in regulation and then again on a 3-yard scoring strike with 1:01 to go.

Georgia safety Dan Jackson set up the final score when he jarred the ball loose from King with two minutes to go, giving the Bulldogs the ball at the Yellow Jacket 32 after it was recovered by Chaz Chambliss.

Georgia moved to 10-2 while the Yellow Jackets fell to 7-5 just three weeks after upsetting a No. 4 Miami.

The Bulldogs now advance to the SEC championship next week and still have a chance to get into the 12-team College Football Playoff if it loses as a three-loss team.

The Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate rivalry between No. 6 Georgia and Georgia Tech has some clean, old-fashioned controversy.

The issues arose late in the fourth quarter with the Yellow Jackets (7-5, 5-3 in ACC play) sporting a 27-20 lead with 2:05 remaining in Friday night’s game. Facing third-and-1, Georgia Tech could have iced the game with another first down against the Bulldogs (10-2, 6-2 SEC) in an upset that would have massive ramifications on the College Football Playoff race.

Except, quarterback Haynes King fumbled the ball on the QB sneak following a hard hit by Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson. It was immediately recovered by Bulldogs defender Chaz Chambliss, leading to a game-tying Bulldogs score with 1:01 remaining. The game eventually went to overtime, where Georgia won 44-42 in the eight overtimes.

But Yellow Jackets fans and neutral observers alike wondered whether officials on the field missed targeting by Jackson. Indeed, a replay posted by Georgia football’s official account showed what appeared to be textbook targeting by Jackson, as he lowered his head and appeared to hit King’s facemask with the crown of his helmet:

However, following a review of the play — in which officials confirmed Georgia recovered the King fumble — no mention was made of potential targeting, either by officials or by announcers on the ‘SEC on ABC’ broadcast.

Considering the stakes of the game and the potential for a rare upset by a top-10 Georgia team, however, the college football world was incensed at what it thought was a missed call in a pivotal moment.

Here’s more:

What is targeting in college football?

The NCAA defines targeting as meeting one of the following criteria:

Leading with the crown of the helmet
Making forcible contact to head or neck area of a defenseless player

Should a player be penalized for targeting, it would incur a 15-yard penalty and ejection of the offending player.

College football world reacts to targeting no-call

He fought the wrong fight earlier this week, taking a stand for a meaningless position award.

‘If this ain’t the most idiotic thing in college football,’ Colorado coach Deion Sanders said.

You want idiotic? I’ll give you idiotic.

Travis Hunter is the best player in college football, and the best player in college football may not be on the field during championship week. And that might just be enough for him to lose the Heisman Trophy.

If we’ve learned anything about voting for the most coveted individual award in sports, it’s that those voting are prisoners of the moment. Unless it’s an obvious choice (like Jayden Daniels in 2023), the final weekend has significant impact on voters.

So unless something funky happens in this final weekend of the Big 12 race – and why couldn’t it, considering what we’ve already seen? – Colorado will miss the Big 12 championship game and the best player in college football will be out of sight, out of mind next weekend, sitting home while the moment passes.

While Dillon Gabriel will be leading No.1 Oregon (likely against No.2 Ohio State) in the Big Ten championship game, elevated on the biggest Heisman stage of the regular season.

While Ashton Jeanty will be playing in Mountain West championship, adding to his 2,228 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns ― and still chasing the immortal single-season rushing record of Barry Sanders.

While Cam Ward could be playing for the ACC title to give Miami its first outright conference championship since 2002, and improve his video game numbers.

WEEKEND FORECAST: Experts picks for every Top 25 game in Week 14

Meanwhile, the player who must be accounted for at all times on the field, both offense and defense, will be sitting home. The player who had his third interception of the season on the third play of Friday’s rout of Oklahoma State – because Cowboys quarterback Maealiuaki Smith tested him, and then, like many this season, didn’t again – will watch as others command the stage.

The player who, for the fourth time in two years at Colorado caught a touchdown pass and intercepted a pass in the same game, who again participated in more than 100 plays (like he has every game he has started and completed this season), will hear about Gabriel’s magnificent career.

Or Ward’s one-season march through the ACC, dismantling everything in his path like Sherman through Atlanta.

Or Jeanty’s inspiring and spiritual road to greatness, a player no one wanted now threatening the untouchable record.

GIVING THANKS: It’s Rivalry Week: Embrace the college football crazy

They’re all four worthy of the Heisman, all with unique stories and elite games that could win in many other seasons. But Hunter is different ― and has been from the moment he left Collins Hill High School in Suwannee, Georgia.

He committed to play at Florida State, the first big recruit for Seminoles coach Mike Norvell. And then the improbable happened, beginning with (what else?) a recruiting pitch from Coach Prime himself ― then the coach at Jackson State.

Why do what everyone else does? Be more than a football player, be a transcendent figure of society. Be a change agent.

Why follow all of those great players at Florida State – including Sanders, maybe the best to ever wear the Garnett and Gold of the Seminoles – and become one of many? You can become one of one at Jackson State, the No.1 overall high school recruit spurning big-time college football for an historically black college at the Championship Subdivision level.

Turns out, he’s one of one in major college football after all.

In two years since following Sanders to Colorado, Hunter has been the most dynamic non-quarterback in the game. This season, he’s the best at any position ― even though he plays two.

It’s more than the 82 catches for 1,036 yards and 11 touchdowns, and the interceptions and his ability to lock down one side of the field in the pass game. Teams simply don’t throw at him.

Meanwhile, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders throws at Hunter every chance he gets, saying earlier this season, ‘If he’s near it, he’s catching it.’

Hunter participated in 68 offensive plays against Oklahoma State, and 46 more on defense. He was pulled from the game with 11 minutes to play because Colorado led 52-0.

This rare season is so undefinable, we’ve been reduced to hearing comparisons to Champ Bailey and Charles Woodson. Two great players, but two players who didn’t have near the impact on both sides of the ball as Hunter.

Woodson won the Heisman in 1997 at Michigan, and Bailey was an All-American at Georgia. Neither were the player Hunter has been in two seasons at Colorado.

If Hunter played at Michigan or Georgia and put up similar numbers, the Heisman race would already be over. As it is, we have to sit through the announcement of finalists for idiotic position awards, and wonder what in the world those who vote for the award are watching.

Unless something funky happens Saturday in the Big 12 race (it’s too convoluted to explain), we’re going to see what Heisman voters are watching next week ― and it won’t be Hunter.

And another potential idiotic trophy moment.

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

In most seasons, it is the game of the year in the Big Ten. But in 2024, Michigan, the defending national champions, are nearing the end of their disappointing campaign, still searching for an identity.

The 120th meeting between the Wolverines (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) and Ohio State (10-1, 7-1) is the most crucial to the Buckeyes, who are looking to snap a three-game losing streak in the series and are inching near a College Football Playoff berth.

Ohio State enters the game with the nation’s top defense, allowing only 241.7 yards per game, and if Michigan wants to try to run the ball, they may have a tough time there as well, as the stout Buckeyes defense allows 2.7 yards per attempt and only 90 yards per game.

When is Michigan vs. Ohio State game?

The kickoff for Saturday’s game between No. 2 Ohio State and Michigan is 12:00 p.m. ET from Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

How to watch Michigan vs. Ohio State game

The Week 14 game between No. 2 Ohio State and Michigan will be broadcast on FOX. The game also can be streamed on Fubo.

Catch Indiana vs. Ohio State and more college football with Fubo

Michigan vs. Ohio State odds, line

The Ohio State Buckeyes are the favorites to defeat the Michigan Wolverines in Saturday’s college football matchup, according to the BetMGM college football odds on Nov. 28.

Spread: Ohio State (-19.5) 
Moneyline: Ohio State (-1200); Indiana (+750) 
Over/under: 42.5 

College football Week 14 schedule, Top 25 

Here are the kickoff times and TV info for Top 25 teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll. (All times are Eastern): 

No. 23 Memphis Tigers at No. 18 Tulane Green Wave, ESPN, 7:30 p.m. (Thursday)
Oregon State Beavers at No. 11 Boise State Broncos, FOX, noon (Friday)
Mississippi State Bulldogs at No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels, ABC, 3:30 p.m. (Friday)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs, ABC, 7:30 p.m. (Friday)
UTSA Roadrunners at No. 22 Army West Point Black Knights, CBS Sports Network, noon
No. 14 South Carolina Gamecocks at No. 12 Clemson Tigers, ESPN, noon
No. 8 Tennessee Volunteers at Vanderbilt Commodores, ABC, noon
No. 25 Illinois Fighting Illini at Northwestern Wildcats, Big Ten Network, noon
Michigan Wolverines at No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, FOX, noon
Auburn Tigers at No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide, ABC, 3:30 p.m.
Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 24 Missouri Tigers, SEC Network, 3:30 p.m.
No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils at Arizona Wildcats, FOX, 3:30p.m.
California Golden Bears @ No. 9 SMU Mustangs, ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
No. 7 Miami (FL) Hurricanes at Syracuse Orange, ESPN, 3:30 p.m.
Maryland Terrapins at No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions, Big Ten Network, 3:30 p.m.
No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at USC Trojans, CBS, 3:30 p.m.
Purdue Boilermakers at No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers, FS1, 7:00 p.m.
No. 3 Texas Longhorns at No. 19 Texas A&M Aggies, ABC, 7:30 p.m.
Kansas State Wildcats at No. 17 Iowa State Cyclones, FOX, 7:30 p.m.
Washington Huskies at No. 1 Oregon Ducks, NBC, 7:30 p.m.
Nevada Wolf Pack at No. 21 UNLV Rebels, CBS Sports Network, 8:00 p.m.
Houston Cougars at No. 20 BYU Cougars, ESPN, 8:15 p.m.

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