FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Inter Miami has reunited star Lionel Messi with another one of his former teammates.

This one, however, will be his new Major League Soccer coach.

Inter Miami has hired former Barcelona and Argentine captain Javier Mascherano as its next head coach. The move, a two-year deal through the 2027 season without financial details disclosed, was announced by the club on Tuesday. Initial negotiations were first confirmed by managing owner Jorge Mas on Nov. 22.

Mascherano, 40, has limited coaching experience, but has lived through the club success and national team heartbreak that has shaped Messi’s legendary career.

Now, Mascherano must help Inter Miami rebound after the biggest upset loss in MLS history and contend for the MLS Cup title in the twilight of Messi’s career.

“To be able to lead a club like Inter Miami is an honor for me, and a privilege I will strive to make the most of. I was drawn to the organization’s undeniable ambition, and the infrastructure it has to support it,” Mascherano said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to working with the people at Inter Miami to help the club reach new heights, and to give the fans more unforgettable moments.”

Mascherano replaces former coach Tata Martino, who resigned from his post due to personal reasons, shortly after the club was eliminated by Atlanta United in the first-round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

Inter Miami won the MLS Supporters’ Shield with the best record in league history, accounting for a league-high 74 points from 22 wins, four losses and eight draws. The club had two MVP candidates in Messi and Luis Suarez, who became the first teammates in league history to each score 20 goals in the same season. They scored 40 of Inter Miami’s league-leading 79 goals in 2024.

With home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, Messi and Inter Miami were primed to hoist the MLS Cup at Chase Stadium Dec. 7. However, Messi scored just one goal and Inter Miami was outscored 6-5 by Atlanta, including 5-3 in Games 2 and 3 in the series.

Mascherano, considered one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation, should quickly elevate Inter Miami’s weakness defensively while appealing to the club’s star power.

Mascherano played with Messi, Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at FC Barcelona. Together, they won five La Liga titles, two Champions League titles and two Club World Cup championships.

Mascherano won Olympic gold for Argentina in 2004, and with Messi in 2008. He was named Argentine captain by Diego Maradona before Messi assumed the role. He played alongside Messi on the national team from 2004-18, where they fell short in Copa America and World Cup finals.

Mascherano became a coach with Argentina’s youth national teams when Messi reached his crowning achievement at the Qatar World Cup in 2022.

He led Argentina’s Under 23 team to the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics, where they were eliminated by host France earlier this summer. Overall, he had a 13-1-8 (win-draw-loss) record in the first coaching job of his career.

Mascherano will quickly help Inter Miami compete for titles as a first-time MLS coach. In addition to defending its Supporters’ Shield title and chasing another playoff berth, Inter Miami will participate in the Concacaf Champions Cup, the Club World Cup and Leagues Cup tournaments next year.

Messi, 37, is under contract with Inter Miami through the 2025 season with hopes he will resign for 2026.

“This job requires somebody with the experience to be able to maximize our unique collection of talent – from our global superstars, to our burgeoning Homegrown players, to our young international prospects, and everything in between,” Mas said of Mascherano. “We believe Javier is an important addition to our Club as we continue on our quest to be among the world’s elite, setting a new standard for fútbol in North America.”

Added Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham: “Throughout his career as one of the world’s best players and as an experienced coach, Javier has always demonstrated what makes him great — relentless determination with the knowledge, instincts and understanding to back it up. We’re very excited to welcome him to lead our team.”

This story was updated with quotes and more information.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Older brothers tend to have the upper hand. Such is the case when head coaches John and Jim Harbaugh go head-to-head.

John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens (8-4) overwhelmed the Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) 30-23 on Monday night in front of an electric crowd at SoFi Stadium who witnessed the third edition of the “Harbaugh Bowl.”

John improved his record against his brother to 3-0 in head-to-head meetings, which includes a win in Super Bowl 47.

“I thought across the board, they made the plays. Give them a lot of credit,” Jim Harbaugh said. “Really efficient game from their standpoint and on both sides of the ball.”

The Chargers jumped out to a 10-0 advantage, but the Ravens scored 14 unanswered points in the second quarter, highlighted by a surprising, successful fourth-down conversion on Baltimore’s own 16-yard line that ended with a 40-yard touchdown bomb by two-time MVP QB Lamar Jackson to wide receiver Rashod Bateman.

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Jackson’s touchdown pass ignited the Ravens’ offense and they went on to score on their first three possessions of the second half — scoring on five straight possessions overall. The Chargers’ offense struggled to sustain drives and get into the end zone.

“It’s obviously a tough game and we’d love to score more points. We just got to keep executing and do everything we can,” Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said. “We can’t rely on (kicker) Cameron Dicker to bail us out like that.”

Jackson and the Ravens offense converted all three of their fourth-down attempts and ran over the Chargers to the tune of 212 rushing yards, a season-worst for the Los Angeles defense.

“What we put on film (Monday) wasn’t good enough,” Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack said. “You got to be pissed off. There’s no other way to think about it.”

Ironically, the two franchises playing against each other Monday night symbolized John’s and Jim’s relationship.

The Ravens are the big brother compared to the little brother Chargers.

John’s coached the Ravens for 17 seasons, won a Super Bowl and has the franchise perennially in the playoff picture. Jim’s attempting to establish a winning culture with the Chargers in his first year in Los Angeles.

The Chargers, who have six former Ravens on their roster, are still multiple pieces away from truly becoming a contender in the AFC.

They lack playmakers on offense. Starting wide receiver Quentin Johnston dropped three passes and didn’t record a catch against Baltimore. And the interior offensive line is vulnerable; the Ravens sacked Herbert four times.

On defense, they remain thin in the trenches. Ravens running back Derrick Henry tallied 140 of Baltimore’s 212 yards on the ground.

Jim’s Chargers are still firmly in the playoff picture. They currently sit as the sixth seed in the AFC. However, Monday showed there’s still a gap between the AFC-contending Ravens and the Chargers.

“We’re building something really good” Jim Harbaugh said. “The effort, the way they prepare, the way they train. … We’re in onward mode.”

Every week for the duration of the 2024 NFL regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates to the league’s ever-evolving playoff picture − starting after Sunday afternoon’s late games and then moving forward for the remainder of the week (through Monday’s and Thursday’s games or Saturday’s, if applicable).

What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized on Sunday night, Jan. 5.

Here’s where things stand with Week 12 of the 2024 season complete:

AFC playoff picture

1. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1), AFC West leaders: It wasn’t pretty – yet again – but they outlasted Carolina to extend their lead over Buffalo by a half game, though the Bills’ head-to-head tiebreaker advantage still means K.C. can’t afford to backslide at all right now – especially as the champs will be back in action on Black Friday. Remaining schedule: vs. Raiders, vs. Chargers, at Browns, vs. Texans, at Steelers, at Broncos

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2. Buffalo Bills (9-2), AFC East leaders: Coming out of their break, they’ll draw a battered San Francisco squad at home as they seek a sixth consecutive victory. A fifth consecutive division title is practically a foregone conclusion, and Pittsburgh’s loss only solidified the Bills’ standing near the top of the conference. And, with that potentially pivotal tiebreaker against the Chiefs in hand, the Bills could soon steer the road to Super Bowl 59 through Western New York. Remaining schedule: vs. 49ers, at Rams, at Lions, vs. Patriots, vs. Jets, at Patriots

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3), AFC North leaders: A win at Cleveland on Thursday night would have vaulted them ahead of the Bills and into the No. 2 seed. Instead, the Steelers suffered a damaging loss – and to a divisional opponent no less – that could greatly hinder their ability to compete for home-field advantage. Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Browns, at Eagles, at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals

4. Houston Texans (7-5), AFC South leaders: Losers of four of six after falling at home to lowly Tennessee on Sunday, it’s starting to appear like they might back onto the throne of a bad division and be one-and-done once postseason starts. Remaining schedule: at Jaguars, BYE, vs. Dolphins, at Chiefs, vs. Ravens, at Titans

5. Baltimore Ravens (8-4), wild card No. 1: Good as they (usually) are – including Monday night’s fairly convincing defeat of the Chargers in ‘Harbaugh Bowl III’ – losses to the wrong teams could well mean no home playoff games this season. Remaining schedule: vs. Eagles, BYE, at Giants, vs. Steelers, at Texans, vs. Browns

6. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4), wild card No. 2: They’re starting to look like the NFL’s Hoosiers, better competition amplifying their flaws – say, perhaps, a somewhat overrated defense, youngsters still not quite ready for prime time (WR Quentin Johnston) and a run game that may now be without injured RB J.K. Dobbins. Still, these Bolts have a lot of Charger-ing to do in order to drop out of the field. Remaining schedule: at Falcons, at Chiefs, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Broncos, at Patriots, at Raiders

7. Denver Broncos (7-5), wild card No. 3: Their hold on the AFC’s last berth continues to harden and should continue to do so in the coming weeks … unless they manage to jump the Chargers. Remaining schedule: vs. Browns, BYE, vs. Colts, at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Chiefs

8. Miami Dolphins (5-6), in the hunt: As QB Tua Tagovailoa goes, so go the Fins – and the whole operation is heating up after a third consecutive win Sunday. However a team that tends to struggle in cold climes must play at Green Bay on Thanksgiving night. Remaining schedule: at Packers, vs. Jets, at Texans, vs. 49ers, at Browns, at Jets

9. Indianapolis Colts (5-7), in the hunt: They’re starting to lose sight of Denver and the final wild-card slot after Sunday’s setback, though they’ll get a shot at them in the Mile High City soon enough. But that could be moot now that the Colts have been jumped by the Dolphins. Remaining schedule: at Patriots, BYE, at Broncos, vs. Titans, at Giants, vs. Jaguars

10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7), in the hunt: Soul-crushing losses in their previous two games might be too much to overcome. Remaining schedule: vs. Steelers, at Cowboys, at Titans, vs. Browns, vs. Broncos, at Steelers

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NFC playoff picture

1. Detroit Lions (10-1), NFC North leaders: They labored a bit Sunday at Indianapolis and could be short-handed on the injury front given the quick turnaround to their annual Thanksgiving game. Yet no need to panic at this juncture, especially as they settle in for a three-game homestand. Remaining schedule: vs. Bears, vs. Packers, vs. Bills, at Bears, at 49ers, vs. Vikings

2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2), NFC East leaders: They’re officially a clear and present danger to Detroit and might run away, a la RB Saquon Barkley, with this division. Remaining schedule: at Ravens, vs. Panthers, vs. Steelers, at Commanders, vs. Cowboys, vs. Giants

3. Seattle Seahawks (6-5), NFC West leaders: No team had a better Sunday, the ‘Hawks jumping from ninth-place also-rans to division front-runners after knocking off the Cards. Wins over Arizona and Atlanta jump Seattle into this spot. Remaining schedule: at Jets, at Cardinals, vs. Packers, vs. Vikings, at Bears, at Rams

4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5), NFC South leaders: They dropped a seed on their week off. A season sweep of the Bucs effectively gives Atlanta a two-game lead in the division, but the Falcons have no such edge on the suddenly surging Saints. Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers, at Vikings, at Raiders, vs. Giants, at Commanders, vs. Panthers

5. Minnesota Vikings (9-2), wild card No. 1: They’re winning ugly – including Sunday’s overtime escape at Chicago – but have also won four straight. It may not seem like Vikes are a threat to win their division, yet they’re only one game back of Detroit in the NFC North. Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, vs. Falcons, vs. Bears, at Seahawks, vs. Packers, at Lions

6. Green Bay Packers (8-3), wild card No. 2: After handling the depleted Niners, the Pack also remain relevant in the NFC North. Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins, at Lions, at Seahawks, vs. Saints, at Vikings, vs. Bears

7. Washington Commanders (7-5), wild card No. 3: Ambushed by the Cowboys, that’s three losses in a row for a team that needs to get its mojo back if it’s going to hold off the horde of lurking NFC West wannabes … who aren’t far from becoming could-bes. They can just about forget any thoughts of winning the NFC East. Remaining schedule: vs. Titans, BYE, at Saints, vs. Eagles, vs. Falcons, at Cowboys

8. Arizona Cardinals (6-5), in the hunt: Their four-game win streak – and division lead – went up in smoke at Seattle on Sunday. Key games the next two weeks. Remaining schedule: at Vikings, vs. Seahawks, vs. Patriots, at Panthers, at Rams, vs. 49ers

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6), in the hunt: Their four-game slide now in the rearview after embarrassing the Giants, the opportunity is there to have a strong finishing kick, one that already vaulted them up from 11th place Sunday. Remaining schedule: at Panthers, vs. Raiders, at Chargers, at Cowboys, vs. Panthers, vs. Saints

10. Los Angeles Rams (5-6), in the hunt: They weren’t competitive Sunday night against Philly. A Week 3 win over San Francisco keeps them ahead of the Niners for now, but an inferior conference record drops them behind the Bucs. Remaining schedule: at Saints, vs. Bills, at 49ers, at Jets, vs. Cardinals, vs. Seahawks

11. San Francisco 49ers (5-6), in the hunt: The talent is still here, there’s just not enough of it on the field right now − as was obvious Sunday in Green Bay. And they’re back in a cold-weather environment in Week 13. Remaining schedule: at Bills, vs. Bears, vs. Rams, at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Cardinals

12. New Orleans Saints (4-7), in the hunt: They’re 2-0 under interim HC Darren Rizzi. And given the way the NFC South is compressing, don’t count them out. A 3-4 record in NFC games pushes them ahead of Chicago and Dallas. Remaining schedule: vs. Rams, at Giants, vs. Commanders, at Packers, vs. Raiders, at Buccaneers

13. Chicago Bears (4-7), in the hunt: A five-game skid means they’re just about done – maybe well done by the time Thanksgiving in Detroit is over. A slightly better mark in conference matchups currently gives them an edge on Dallas. Remaining schedule: at Lions, at 49ers, at Vikings, vs. Lions, vs. Seahawks, at Packers

14. Dallas Cowboys (4-7), in the hunt: Hand it to Mike McCarthy’s crew – they’re not dying easy, when it would be quite easy at this point, to do exactly that. (Reference the Giants, Dallas’ Thanksgiving opponent.) Remaining schedule: vs. Giants, vs. Bengals, at Panthers, vs. Buccaneers, at Eagles, vs. Commanders

***

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

John Harbaugh was in the gambling mood against his brother Jim on Monday night.

Round 3 of the Harbaugh bowl ended in familiar fashion as the John’s Ravens knocked off Jim’s Chargers, giving the older brother a 3-0 advantage in the series. It didn’t come without some risky business, however.

Facing a fpurth-and-1 coming out of the 2-minute warning in the first half, Baltimore was in an obvious punt situation on their own 16-yard line. Except the obvious part was clear to everyone, but the Ravens. Derrick Henry was just stuffed on third down. They were already down 10-7 and could’ve given L.A. a chance to built their lead. Harbaugh opted to go for it anyway.

Mark Andrews, playing the role of Jalen Hurts in an Eagles-style ‘tush push,’ picked on two yards for the first down on the sneak. It ended up being the turning point in the game, as Baltimore capped off the eight-play, 93-yard drive with a 40-yard touchdown to Rashod Bateman, taking the lead and never looking back.

‘The downside is you give them the ball at the 16-yard line – that’s the downside – but the upside, or the thought, is I really thought we could get it,’ Harbaugh explained after the game. ‘It led to a 93-yard drive and got us seven points; that was a big turning point in the game.’

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The coach added that no one was trying to talk him out of the gutsy move.

‘No, no, no,’ Harbaugh said. ‘It was the right thing to do. It’s always a team decision.’

While giving up great field position was the clear downside, the Ravens are known for their dominant rushing attack. Picking up less than a yard, even on fourth down on their own 16-yard line, was going to be less risky with Henry and Lamar Jackson in the backfield.

Baltimore has converted 70% of fourth down tries this season, the sixth-best rate in the league. However, it was the first time a team converted a fourth down that deep in their own territory in the first half since the 2012 Rams, who did it on a fake punt, according to ESPN Stats and Info via Jamison Hensley.

Harbaugh’s decision was going to draw strong reaction, regardless of the outcome. If they converted, the coach would be celebrated for having the guts to go for it. If it didn’t work, fans would be second guessing Harbaugh’s decision, questioning if he was being overaggressive with his brother on the opposite sideline.

On Monday night, the Ravens’ coach provided yet another example of, ‘no guts, no glory.’

Los Angeles Rams receiver Demarcus Robinson was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence hours after his team played on ‘Sunday Night Football.’

Robinson was pulled over just before 5:15 a.m. on Monday in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, Highway Patrol said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. Officials said officers observed a sedan ‘traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour.’ The vehicle was stopped and the driver identified himself as Robinson.

‘Officers observed objective signs and symptoms of alcohol impairment and Robinson was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence,’ officials said.

Robinson was cited and released.

The arrest came hours after the Rams lost at home to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. Los Angeles’ home stadium, SoFi Stadium, is about 20 miles southeast of where Robinson was arrested. The nine-year veteran had two catches for 15 yards and a touchdown in the defeat.

All things Rams: Latest Los Angeles Rams news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

The Rams declined to comment when reached by USA TODAY Sports. Head coach Sean McVay is scheduled to speak with the media on Tuesday.

A hectic weekend of upsets in the Power Four will result in major movement in the SEC and a nosedive for Indiana in this week’s College Football Playoff rankings.

There won’t be any change in the top four of the new rankings, with Oregon, Ohio State, Texas and Penn State continuing to lead the way. The first notable change comes with Notre Dame replacing Indiana at No. 5 following the Hoosiers’ 38-15 loss against the Buckeyes.

Maybe the biggest debate near the top of this week’s rankings comes at No. 10, where the playoff selection committee will deliberate between Indiana and Boise State. This is an important discussion because of the possibility that a potential at-large team lower than No. 10 gets bumped out of the bracket in favor of the eventual Big 12 champion.

Another key decision to look for lower in the rankings is the pecking order of three-loss SEC teams. Even after losing to Oklahoma, Alabama can begin to evaluate potential pathways to the playoff by coming in ahead of Mississippi and South Carolina.

Here’s how the cream of the crop should look on Tuesday night:

1. Oregon (11-0)

Oregon continues to be guaranteed a playoff berth regardless of what happens this weekend against Washington and in the Big Ten championship game. The Ducks have dropped three in a row to the rival Huskies, each by a field goal.

BOWL PROJECTIONS: Tennessee, ACC get major playoff boost

CALM DOWN: The five biggest overreactions from Week 13

2. Ohio State (10-1)

Ohio State’s also in great shape for the playoff but won’t be able to book a ticket for the Big Ten championship game without a rivalry win against Michigan. An unexpected loss would open the door for Indiana or Penn State to meet the Ducks and dump the Buckeyes into the at-large discussion.

3. Texas (10-1)

Chaos across the SEC has made things much, much easier for Texas and made the Longhorns an at-large favorite even without a conference championship. This is despite a schedule that is devoid of any marquee wins, though victories against Michigan, Oklahoma and Florida have taken on deeper meaning know that each has scrambled to reach bowl eligibility.

4. Penn State (10-1)

Penn State narrowly avoided disaster with a 26-25 win against Minnesota. The Nittany Lions head into a home game against Maryland with a chance to finish second in the Big Ten. But even if Ohio State closes things out against Michigan, a win against the Terrapins would keep Penn State at home for the playoff’s opening round.

5. Notre Dame (10-1)

The Irish clobbered Army 49-14 and continue to surge into postseason play. A nine-game winning streak since September’s loss to Northern Illinois has Notre Dame in position to earn an at-large bid even with a loss at Southern California.

6. Miami (10-1)

One more victory will clinch Miami’s spot opposite SMU in the ACC title game. That will require winning on the road against Syracuse, which beat Connecticut last weekend to secure the program’s first eight-win finish since 2018. Syracuse ranks second nationally in passing yards per game and first in attempts per game.

7. Georgia (9-2)

Georgia and Tennessee were the big winners from Saturday’s SEC bloodbath. Georgia clinched a spot in the SEC championship game and awaits the winner of Texas and Texas A&M. Given the convincing win earlier this year against the Longhorns, the Bulldogs have to be favored to win the league and earn a first-round bye.

8. Tennessee (9-2)

Tennessee went from out of the at-large picture to locked into the field with a win against Vanderbilt. The Volunteers have won five in a row in the series, including all three meetings under coach Josh Heupel by a combined score of 149-45.

9. SMU (10-1)

Already set for the ACC title game, SMU can also line itself into position for an at-large bid by beating California. While this would hinge on some developments elsewhere in the Power Four, a close loss to the Hurricanes would leave the Mustangs with a solid argument for the bracket.

10. Indiana (10-1)

This isn’t a sure thing by any means. Boise State is another contender for this spot, though the Broncos’ 17-13 win against Wyoming won’t do much to move the committee. Boise has better wins — Washington State and UNLV trump Washington and Michigan — and a better loss, by a field goal, at Oregon compared to the Hoosiers’ more lopsided loss in Columbus. But Indiana has the same record while playing in a Power Four league and more game control in wins than Boise, which might be enough.

It’s Feast Week, which means we are ready to devour both stuffing (the undisputed best Thanksgiving side) and lots of great basketball. 

For years, great non-conference matchups the week of Thanksgiving were reserved for men’s college hoops — you are probably familiar with the Maui Invitational, for example. But in recent years, as women’s basketball has exploded in both popularity and parity, we’ve seen top women’s programs commit to playing each other this week, too, typically in tropical locations. There are a ton of intriguing games over the next few days, some featuring ranked teams and some not. If you want to post up in front of your TV/computer all week to make sure you don’t miss any of the action, we fully support that. 

One quick note: Many of the top women’s teams will have games streamed this week on FloCollege (you may remember watching them on FloHoops in the past). FloCollege does a tremendous job producing games in some of the far-flung corners of the basketball world, and if you’re trying to find mid-major games during conference season, there’s a good chance it’s on FloCollege. It’s well worth a subscription, at least for the next month but possibly the whole season. USA TODAY readers can get a special 10% discount when they sign up using this link.

This week is all about excess, so instead of just five women’s games to watch, we’re giving you six. Enjoy. 

Cal at Michigan State

Tuesday, 2 p.m. ET on truTV

Two undefeated, unranked teams squaring off on a widely available TV channel? Yes, please. The newest member of the ACC, Cal has already picked up an impressive non-conference win over Gonzaga and hung on to beat Auburn last week. Now they’ll match up against the Spartans, who have been receiving votes in both the USA TODAY Coaches Poll and Associated Press poll. Cal will need guard Lulu Twidale (18.3 ppg) and forward Ugonne Onyiah (8.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg) to figure out a way to score against Michigan State’s stout defense, which ranks eighth in the country and is holding opponents to 31.3% shooting this season. 

No. 23 Illinois vs. No. 16 Kentucky 

Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET on BALLERtv

Kentucky point guard Georgia Amoore is one of the best guards in the country, a fact she reminded people of a couple weeks ago when she scored 19 points in an overtime win vs. Louisville, which saw the Wildcats hold the Cardinals without a field goal in overtime. Now Amoore & Co. will go up against the undefeated Illini. Kentucky will have its hands full with Illinois forward Kendall Bostic, who leads her team in both points (18.0) and rebounds (10.2) and is shooting a staggering 70.7% from the field. 

No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 8 Iowa State

Thursday, 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX

Aside from the fact that this matchup features two teams that should make deep runs in the NCAA Tournament — the Gamecocks are the defending champs, after all — it is a matchup of two teams that are undoubtedly ticked off and anxious to prove something. Audi Crooks (21.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and the Cyclones are still smarting from being upset by unranked Northern Iowa (and then barely hanging on to beat unranked Drake). Meanwhile, Te-Hina Paopao (14.2 ppg, 3.3 apg) and South Carolina will be champing at the bit to erase the sting of being thumped at UCLA — on national TV, no less. Both teams will be eager to make a statement. 

No. 5 Notre Dame vs. No. 24 TCU

Friday, 5 p.m. ET on FloCollege

Talk about star power. Notre Dame has Hannah Hidalgo (24.8 ppg, 5.2 mpg), the best two-way player in the country, plus Olivia Miles (18.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 6.8 apg), who is always a threat to record a triple-double. On the other side, TCU features Olympic 3×3 bronze medalist Hailey Van Lith (19.2 ppg, 7.0 apg) and super senior Sedona Prince (20.7 ppg, 9.7 rpg). Expect a terrific, back-and-forth game with one undefeated squad dealing the other its first loss of the season. 

Iowa vs. BYU

Friday, 9 p.m. ET on FloCollege

Things are going well in the post-Caitlin Clark era, and that is mostly due to transfer guard Lucy Olsen (17.3 ppg, 5.3 apg, 48.9% FG) and junior forward Hannah Stuelke (14.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg). The Hawkeyes have an opportunity to pick up a win over a solid BYU team that’s still trying to find its footing as a Power Four school after years as a strong mid-major program. To pick up a win, the Cougars and guard Delaney Gibb (17.3 ppg, 4.8 apg) must slow down an Iowa roster scoring more than 80 points per game. 

No. 22 Louisville at Colorado

Saturday, 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+

This is an intriguing matchup featuring a key transfer (Colorado’s Lior Garzon, averaging a team-best 12.7 points and 3.2 rebounds, is on her third school after stops at Villanova and Oklahoma State) and a fearless freshman (Tajianna Roberts leads Louisville with 11.7 ppg and is shooting 40% from 3-point range). Both teams have balanced scoring attacks and are known for tough, physical basketball. Could the altitude in Boulder, at 5,430 feet, be a factor for the visiting team?

Everybody sucks. There, happy now?

As we move forward in this critical juncture of the College Football Playoff, the teams in this demolition derby of a race have never looked so flawed.

And yet so beautiful. 

This is what we all wanted. A real, honest-to-goodness race in the final weeks of the regular season dictating the precious 12 spots in the tournament. 

Want to bet on a horse now? Don’t be ridiculous. Ole Miss was a lock before last weekend. So was Alabama. 

And if you think Ohio State is a lock now as a high seed, I’ve got three syllables that will spook the ever-loving Bucknut out of you: Mee-shee-gan.

“The minute it hit triple zeroes on that clock,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said last weekend after the No. 2 Buckeyes beat No. 5 Indiana, “It was onto the team up north, onto the rivalry game.”

Because if Michigan – which has won three in a row in the bitter rivalry – beats Ohio State, the Buckeyes won’t play in the Big Ten championship game (unless Indiana loses to pitiful Purdue). That could be the difference in being the No. 1 seed (with a Big Ten championship), or a fall to the No. 7 seed. 

From a potential first-round bye to hosting an SEC team in the first round. Just in case you’ve forgotten: Ohio State is 2-13 all-time vs. the SEC in the postseason.

This is the beauty of the new 12-team format, weekly November pressure revealing flaws and creating heroes. The dynamics of the race turn with every change of the Saturday television window.

You’re in, you’re out. You need help, you don’t have a chance.

Until the following week, and the next round of the improbable unfolds. Until the next gimme putt against a team with a coach on the hot seat turns into 575-yard par-4, carrying a ravine into an undulating green surrounded by water.

Or basically how Lane Kiffin felt last weekend.

By the time this thing plays out on the first Saturday of December, two of the four teams securing first-round byes will more than likely be teams that wouldn’t have dreamed of reaching the CFP in the original four-team format. 

Arizona State, one of the three worst Power Five programs in 2023, and Colorado (not far behind the Sun Devils last season) could be playing in the Big 12 championship game for a first-round bye. So could SMU, which had to literally buy its way into the ACC — and by buy, I mean pay the league a $200-plus million entry fee. 

Meanwhile there’s unbeaten Oregon, which is No. 1 by default. Because who else fits? 

The Ducks can’t possibly stumble at this point, can they? All that stands between them and the No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and a quarterfinal game in the Rose Bowl against the No. 8/9 winner, is a home game against bitter rival Washington and the Big Ten championship game. 

But don’t mistake that inevitable as invulnerable. Oregon’s two biggest wins were both in Eugene, both ending on the last play of the game, and games Ohio State and Boise State could’ve won. 

And in case this means anything to anybody: Ducks coach Dan Lanning is 0-3 vs. Washington.

Georgia did things to Texas that no one should have to endure — did you see Longhorns QBs Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning on the sidelines, in utter shock? — and also lost to Alabama and Ole Miss. 

The same Alabama that was clobbered by double-digit underdog Oklahoma last weekend, six weeks after getting humiliated by, of all things, Vanderbilt. 

The same Ole Miss that needed to beat Florida and Mississippi State to reach the playoff, and somehow figured a way to screw it up last weekend in Gainesville — losing to a Gators team whose coach (Billy Napier) was so embattled, athletic director Scott Stricklin two weeks ago issue a vote of confidence to keep angry boosters at bay.

Then there’s the Indiana wing of the CFP, or those with sparkling records and horrific schedules. It includes: 

Notre Dame, which keeps beating service academies (have you seen that Irish schedule?) and keeps climbing in the CFP poll. Somehow, everyone has forgotten all about the home loss to something called Northern Illinois.

Then there’s Boise State, whose biggest win is a three-point loss at Oregon. Because as much as Ashton Jeanty deserves the Heisman Trophy, Georgia Southern, Portland State and the Mountain West schedule isn’t scaring anyone. 

Finally, we give you Tennessee and Clemson. Both get to essentially sit out the final two games of the season, and both have as good a chance as anyone to reach the CFP. 

Clemson beat Citadel last weekend, and Tennessee beat Texas-El Paso. The Tigers can lose to South Carolina on Saturday and still reach the ACC championship game (with a playoff spot on the line) if Miami loses at Syracuse. 

The Vols, meanwhile, only have to win at Vanderbilt to likely secure a spot in the CFP. 

The same Vanderbilt that beat Alabama, which beat Georgia, which beat Texas, which hasn’t played anyone and is currently the No. 3 seed.

Yeah, everybody sucks. 

But it sure is fun. 

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