To assist with your most difficult lineup decisions, you’ll find my Week 10 fantasy football rankings below. Toggle between standard, half PPR (point per reception), and full PPR to see where players rank in your league’s format.

Our team at the USA TODAY Sports Network also has you covered for all your fantasy football needs. Looking for up-to-date player news? We’ve got it. Need to know who the best starts and sits of the week are? We have an article for that. We also have fantasy defense rankings, kicker rankings, and a trade value chart to help with all your trade decisions.

Given the volatility of this league and fantasy football in particular, these rankings will be updated up until a half hour before the Sunday afternoon games kick off. Let’s get to it.

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

Week 10 fantasy football quarterback rankings

STOCK UP: Brock Purdy will square off against a Buccaneers team that’s ceding a whopping 26.9 fantasy points over its last five games, which is the most in the league during that span. Purdy has finished as a top-eight quarterback in four of his last six games.
STOCK UP: C.J. Stroud has finished as the QB24 or worse in three straight games, but this looks like a get-right spot. It seems as if Nico Collins will be back, which should be a huge boost to Houston’s offense. In four full games with Collins in the fold this season, Stroud was fantasy’s QB10, including finishes of QB8 and QB7.
STOCK DOWN: Kyler Murray has finished as the QB15 or worse in five of his nine games in 2024, and a matchup with the Jets isn’t likely to bode well. New York has given up the fourth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
STOCK DOWN: Drake Maye gets arguably the worst matchup of the week, as the Patriots take on the Bears. Only Trevor Lawrence and Jayden Daniels eclipsed 14.3 fantasy points against Chicago, and for Daniels, most of that came on the game-winning Hail Mary.

Week 10 fantasy football running back rankings

STOCK UP: Tyrone Tracy Jr. gets to face a Panthers defense that’s allowing four more half-PPR points per game to running backs than any other team in the league. The rookie has totaled at least 17 touches in four of his last five games, and that kind of volume makes him a borderline RB1 this week.
STOCK UP: Najee Harris has finished as the RB10, RB15, and RB16 in his last three games. Volume has not been an issue for the veteran, who has garnered at least 16 touches in every game this season. A matchup with the run-funnel Commanders makes him a top-24 play.
STOCK DOWN: Tony Pollard will face a Chargers front that’s surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. He’ll also have increased competition for touches, as Tyjae Spears is set to return this week. Proceed with caution.
STOCK DOWN: Javonte Williams has the tough task of facing the Chiefs’ defense in Week 10. This season, no back has eclipsed 12.2 half-PPR points versus Kansas City. Meanwhile, Williams has finished as the RB27 or lower in all but two games in 2024.

Week 10 fantasy football wide receiver rankings

STOCK UP: Khalil Shakir should be in for a bump in volume this week, as the Bills are to be without rookie Keon Coleman and could also be sans Amari Cooper. Shakir has finished as the WR22 or higher in three of his last six outings.
STOCK UP: Jauan Jennings carries no injury designation for Week 10, and he gets a mouthwatering matchup in his return. The Bucs have given up an average of 37.6 half-PPR points per game to wideouts since Week 5, which ranks just behind the Ravens for most in the league.
STOCK DOWN: DJ Moore has ranked higher than WR31 just once all season, and that includes three straight finishes of WR55 or lower. The Patriots aren’t a particularly intimidating matchup, but Moore has flopped in matchups far better than this in 2024.
STOCK DOWN: Calvin Ridley has shown glimpses of fantasy relevancy this season, but this week could be tough sledding for the veteran. The Chargers have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers.

Week 10 fantasy football tight end rankings

STOCK UP: Taysom Hill is slated to be the Saints’ RB2, WR1, TE1, and probably QB2 while we’re at it. New Orleans will be without Chris Olave, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Kendre Miller, and, potentially, Jamaal Williams. Hill, who has finished as the TE1 and TE5 in two of his last three games, looks like a top-five option again this week.
STOCK UP: T.J. Hockenson posted a meager 27 yards in his return to the lineup last week, but he could be in line for a much bigger outing in Week 10. Since Week 3, the Jaguars have ceded an average of 13.6 half-PPR points per game to tight ends, fourth-most in the league.
STOCK DOWN: Dalton Schultz hasn’t ranked higher than TE20 in any game this season. With Nico Collins likely returning for Houston, Schultz is once again relegated to being the fourth or fifth option. He’s droppable in most formats.  

Week 10 fantasy football rankings: PPR and non-PPR

After 35 races plus two exhibitions, NASCAR will hold its final race of the season and crown the 2024 Cup Series champion on Sunday.

Four drivers – Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Joey Logano and Tyler Reddick – will race against each other and the rest of the field in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway, each one seeking to end the season with the ultimate prize.

The final four drivers emerged from a 16-driver playoff field and navigated nine playoff races to reach this point. Logano, Reddick and Blaney each won a race in the third round to advance to the championship, while Byron secured his position on points.

Blaney, the defending series champion, and Logano, a two-time Cup Series champ, drive for Team Penske and can bring the organization its third consecutive title. Byron, who drives for Hendrick Motorsports, and Reddick, who drives for 23XI Racing, are each seeking their first Cup championship.

Who will wear the crown on Sunday? Here’s all the information you need to get ready for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race:

What time does the NASCAR Championship race start?

The NASCAR Cup Series Championship race starts at 3 p.m. ET (1 p.m. local) on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.

What TV channel is the NASCAR Championship race on?

NBC is broadcasting the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race and has a pre-race show beginning at 2 p.m. ET (noon local).

Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR Championship race?

The NASCAR Cup Series Championship race can be live streamed on the NBC Sports website, the NBC Sports app and Peacock.

The race is also available to stream on Fubo, which is offering a free trial.

Watch the NASCAR Championship Race on Fubo

How many laps is the NASCAR Championship race?

The NASCAR Cup Series Championship race is 312 laps around the 1-mile oval at Phoenix Raceway for a total of 312 miles. The race will feature three segments (laps per stage) — Stage 1: 60 laps; Stage 2: 125 laps; Stage 3: 127 laps.

Who won the most recent NASCAR Cup races at Phoenix?

Christopher Bell led 50 laps, including the final 41, before cruising to a win over Chris Buescher by 5.465 seconds on March 10, 2024.

And one year ago in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship race, Ross Chastain led 157 laps, including the final 31, before holding off Ryan Blaney by 1.230 seconds. Since Chastain was not a Championship 4 driver, Blaney’s runner-up finish was enough to win the 2023 title.

NASCAR Championship race odds: Who’s favored to win?

According to BetMGM, defending series champion Ryan Blaney and two-time champion Joey Logano are the favorites to win Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship race (through Saturday night):

Ryan Blaney, +250
Joey Logano, +250
William Byron, +425
Christopher Bell, +750
Martin Truex Jr., +850
Kyle Larson, +1000
Tyler Reddick, +1300
Ross Chastain, +1300
Chase Elliott, +1600
Denny Hamlin, +2500

What is the lineup for the NASCAR Championship race?

Car number in parentheses; (P)=playoff driver

1. (19) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota

2. (22) Joey Logano (P), Ford

3. (1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet

4. (5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet

5. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet

6. (54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota

7. (20) Christopher Bell, Toyota

8. (24) William Byron (P), Chevrolet

9. (21) Harrison Burton, Ford

10. (45) Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota

11. (2) Austin Cindric, Ford

12. (14) Chase Briscoe, Ford

13. (7) Justin Haley, Chevrolet

14. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota

15. (77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet

16. (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet

17. (12) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford

18. (42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota

19. (43) Erik Jones, Toyota

20. (51) Corey LaJoie, Ford

21. (10) Noah Gragson, Ford

22. (31) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet

23. (84) Jimmie Johnson, Toyota

24. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford

25. (8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet

26. (16) Derek Kraus, Chevrolet

27. (6) Brad Keselowski, Ford

28. (71) Zane Smith, Chevrolet

29. (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota

30. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet

31. (15) Kaz Grala, Ford

32. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford

33. (41) Ryan Preece, Ford

34. (99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet

35. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford

36. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet

37. (44) JJ Yeley, Chevrolet

38. (66) Chad Finchum, Ford

39. (4) Josh Berry, Ford

40. (50) Jeb Burton, Chevrolet

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

The Oregon and Indiana football teams reached 10 wins for the season Saturday, and their head coaches are going to be rewarded handsomely.

The Ducks’ Dan Lanning achieved a goal in his agreement with the school that gives him an automatic one-year contract extension if the team wins at least 10 regular season games. The added year is currently scheduled to be worth $9.4 million — all guaranteed.

The Hoosiers’ Curt Cignetti added a $250,000 bonus, as his team became assured of hitting one of the more incentive targets in a Bowl Subdivision contract: finishing the regular season among the top six in the 18-team Big Ten Conference.

Indiana’s minimum final position in the standings was cemented before it took the field for its late-afternoon game against Michigan. On Friday night, Iowa lost to UCLA. And in an early game Saturday, Minnesota lost to Rutgers. That left 14 Big Ten teams with at least three conference losses — the number that Indiana would have had if it lost its three remaining games, beginning with its matchup against the Wolverines.

But even that worst-case scenario became moot when the Hoosiers defeated Michigan, 20-15, to clinch their first 10-win season in program history. Now, they can finish Big Ten play no worse than fourth place, outright.

UP AND DOWN: Georgia’s loss leads Week 11 winners and losers

Cignetti now has $600,000 in bonuses, to go with the automatic one-year contract extension and $250,000 raise, beginning next season, that he got when Indiana became eligible for a bowl game with its sixth win. At present, the added season is scheduled to be worth $5.1 million with at least $3.3 million guaranteed.

If the Hoosiers keep winning, he could pick up another $2.7 million in bonuses. The next step would be $250,000 more if the team finishes second in the Big Ten.

Lanning’s incentive-clinching was more straightforward.

This is the second consecutive season in which he has added a year to his contract, which calls for a $200,000 pay increase annually. Under the agreement, he can get this automatic extension three times.

He and Oregon are now set to be together through Jan. 31, 2031. If the school fired him without cause, it would owe him all of the pay remaining under the deal (currently about $55 million). If Lanning decides to terminate the agreement between now and the scheduled expiration date, he would owe the school $20 million.

Lanning would get a $250,000 bonus if the Ducks reach 11 regular-season wins and $250,000 more if they reach 12. He has additional amounts available for playing in, and winning, the Big Ten championship game and/or the College Football Playoff. He also can get a bonus based on team academics.    

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Lionel Messi’s first appearance in the Major League Soccer postseason ended with a first-round exit. A historic season for Inter Miami ended in a historic upset. 

Messi scored his first postseason goal with a header in the 65th minute to tie the match at 2, but Inter Miami suffered a 3-2 loss in the deciding third game of their first-round series on Saturday night at Chase Stadium.

Atlanta United’s Bartosz Slisz scored a flying header in the 76th minute, and Jamal Thiaré scored twice in the first half to help the No. 9 seed in the MLS Eastern Conference pull off the upset over Messi and No. 1 Inter Miami.

The Messi experience in Major League Soccer and the United States has come to an end in 2024. Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Argentine World Cup champion, was able to win his second straight Copa America with Argentina this summer. He is one of five finalists for MLS MVP this season. But Inter Miami has no MLS Cup title to show for the best regular season in league history.

“It is not a success when you are eliminated,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said. “If you think about where we were in November last year, obviously there has been progress in terms of the club, not just the team. If you think about the expectations we had for this playoff, obviously we have fallen too short.” 

Messi entered the playoffs at full strength with two hat tricks, one with Argentina and one in Inter Miami’s season finale, after his Copa America ankle injury sidelined him for two months. But he was restricted to just a goal and an assist in the first three MLS playoff games of his career. 

Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023, and helped the club win the Leagues Cup just seven games into his tenure. Along with fellow former FC Barcelona greats Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami set a league record with 74 points this season to win the MLS Supporters’ Shield. 

Inter Miami was invited to the FIFA Club World Cup hosted in the United States next summer as the host club, thanks to their regular-season title. But Messi’s quest to help Inter Miami win its third title, and the 47th for club and country in his illustrious career, fell short.

“The expectation is to win and move on. And when that doesn’t happen, it hurts pretty bad. I think that’s what we are experiencing right now,” Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender said.  

The 34-point difference between Inter Miami and Atlanta (40) was the largest between two clubs facing each other in the postseason in MLS history.

Atlanta was one of four teams to beat Inter Miami all year in league play. They added two more wins over them in the postseason. Inter Miami beat Atlanta once all year in five games, and it was Game 1 of this series.

Inter Miami leads MLS with a $41.68 million payroll, with Messi the highest-paid player at $20.4 million. They also led the league with 78 goals and were second with a goal differential of +30 this season.

Atlanta scored 45 goals all season, but outscored Inter Miami 6-5 in their playoff series with a $15.2 million payroll – 23rd of 29 teams.

Led by interim coach Rob Valentino, Atlanta sneaked into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. They beat Montreal in the Eastern Conference Wild Card game to face Inter Miami. Now, they’ve eliminated the favorites to win MLS Cup.  

Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank celebrated the win in an on-field suite, while his players move on to the Eastern Conference semifinals against Orlando City.

Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan was arguably the best player through the first round of the playoffs. He was a fortress in front of the net, finishing with 17 saves in three games against Inter Miami.

Matias Rojas scored in the 17th minute for Inter Miami, while a goal by Diego Gomez in the 23rd minute was disallowed because he was offside.

“Their goalkeeper has been spectacular in every game, and I think that was the difference,” said Alba, whose header was deflected by Guzan’s left hand in the 53rd minute at the goal line.

Inter Miami’s advancement was far from a sure thing. All three clubs hosting Game 3s on the final day of the first round lost at home and were eliminated. Other top seeds in the MLS Cup playoffs also faced some trouble in the first round.

No. 2 Columbus – the defending MLS Cup champions – had their season end a week ago, eliminated by the No. 7 New York Red Bulls.

Both No. 3 seeds were eliminated: Cincinnati was toppled by No. 6 New York City FC in a penalty shootout during their Game 3 match earlier Saturday; Real Salt Lake fell to Minnesota with shootouts in both games of their series.

LAFC, the top seed in the West, beat No. 8 Vancouver 1-0 in Game 3 to advance on Friday night.

The MLS playoffs will continue when the conference semifinals begin on Nov. 29-30 … but without Messi.

He’ll play his final two games of the year helping Argentina qualify for the next World Cup: Argentina visits Paraguay on Nov. 14, and hosts Peru in Buenos Aires on Nov. 19.

Messi, 37, is under contract with Inter Miami through the 2025 season. Expectations will be high again for the club next year.

“You can look back and say, ‘You had a great year.’ But at the end of the day, the MLS Cup is the MLS Cup, and this was the step we needed to take to get there. We weren’t able to get there,” Callender said.

Follow along here as USA TODAY Sports provides live updates from the Inter Miami-Atlanta match:

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United highlights

Bartosz Slisz scores flying header: Atlanta 3, Inter Miami 2

Atlanta has retaken the lead after Bartosz Slisz’s flying header in the 76th minute. Messi and Inter Miami are on the brink of elimination again.

Lionel Messi scores goal on a header: Inter Miami 2, Atlanta 2

Lionel Messi has found the back of the net with a header, thanks to an assist from Marcelo Weigandt in the 65th minute. It’s Messi’s first goal in the MLS Cup Playoffs, and it comes at an opportune time to help Inter Miami tie this match at 2.

Nothing resulted of the post-goal scrimmage after Inter Miami’s Leo Campana pushed Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan into the net. It appeared Guzan was preventing Inter Miami from getting the ball back into play after the goal.

Atlanta’s Brad Guzan blocks Jordi Alba’s header: Atlanta 2, Inter Miami 1

Jordi Alba put his hands on his head in disbelief. Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan saved Alba’s header with his left hand, keeping this match at 2-1 in the 53rd minute.

Alba received a beautiful pass from Messi directly in front of the net, but Guzan has been a fortress in front of the net during this series.

Messi’s first shot in second half goes over the net: Atlanta 2, Inter Miami 1

Messi winded up for a left boot in the 49th minute, but his shot was deflected by a defender as the second half is well underway.

Luis Suarez flying kick blocked by Atlanta’s goalie: Atlanta 2, Inter Miami 1

Luis Suarez took flight, rising up in the air for a bicycle kick, but his shot was blocked by Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan in stoppage time before halftime.

Messi misses header, Diego Gomez unable to score: Atlanta 2, Inter Miami 1

Messi tried to score on a header into the box, but was unable to get all of the ball on his attempt. Diego Gomez tried to score the rebound, but his shot was deflected. Inter Miami’s David Martinez also missed a header wide left after Jordi Alba’s corner kick.

Luis Suarez’s header after Messi free kick is off target: Atlanta 2, Inter Miami 1

Messi lined up for a free kick into the penalty area, but Luis Suarez was unable to connect with his header in the 39th minute.

Messi misses shot in 34th minute: Atlanta 2, Inter Miami 1

Messi misses his second shot of the match, blocked again by Atlanta’s Brad Guzan in the 3 minute. He still remains scoreless in the MLS Cup playoffs.

Luis Suarez falls after near collision with Atlanta’s Brad Guzan: Atlanta 2, Inter Miami 1

Inter Miami nearly had a penalty, but replays showed Luis Suarez was not touched by Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan in what initially looked like a near collision.

Diego Gomez scores goal, but ruled offsides on review: Atlanta 2, Inter Miami 1

It appeared Inter Miami’s Diego Gomez tied the match with a goal in the 2 minute, but VAR showed Gomez was offside when he received an outlet pass by Luis Suarez. It’s an opportunity Inter Miami missed to tie the match.

Jamal Thiaré scores second goal: Atlanta 2, Inter Miami 1

Jamal Thiaré again for Atlanta. This time his kick grazed off the head of Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender to give Atlanta a 2-1 lead in the 20th minute. It’s two goals in two minutes for Thiaré, who hit the left post in the 15th minute before going on a scoring run.

Jamal Thiaré goal: Inter Miami 1, Atlanta 1

Two minutes after Inter Miami took the lead, Atlanta United stormed back. Jamal Thiaré scored a right boot past Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender in the 19th minute to tie this match at 1.

Matias Rojas scores rebound after Messi’s miss: Inter Miami 1, Atlanta 0

Lionel Messi fired a shot toward the net, which was blocked by Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan. But Inter Miami’s Matias Rojas was in the right place at the right time, scoring the rebound in the 17 minute.

Atlanta’s Jamal Thiaré hits the left post in 15th minute: Inter Miami 0, Atlanta 0

Atlanta missed a prime opportunity to take a 1-0 lead when Jamal Thiaré missed his shot off the left post while charging toward the net. Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender was able to recover the ball after the miss.

Action in opening minutes: Inter Miami 0, Atlanta 0

Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez and Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan each rose in the air for a jump ball near the net in the 10 minute, but the ball went out of bounds.

Inter Miami’s Federico Redondo takes the first shot of the game, and misses high in the 3rd minute. Inter Miami’s Jordi Alba also fired a shot toward the net, caught by Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United live stream?

The match is available to stream here: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Is Messi playing tonight?

Yes, Messi is expected to start and captain Inter Miami in Saturday’s decisive playoff game.

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United starting lineups

Inter Miami’s Sergio Busquets, the legendary midfielder who plays centerback at times, is on the bench to start this match. He was medically cleared Friday after dealing with pneumonia-like symptoms for the last two weeks, missing two games.

Inter Miami will also start Benjamin Cremaschi, Matias Rojas and Diego Gomez in the midfield with rookie midfielder Yannick Bright out.

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United prediction

Inter Miami 3, Atlanta United 1: Messi, Luis Suarez and Diego Gomez score for Inter Miami to win Game 3 and advance to the next round of the MLS Cup playoffs. Messi and Suarez are Inter Miami’s scoring leaders, so expect them to lead the charge with Jordi Alba finding them in open space. Diego Gomez has missed two shots near the net in Game 1 and 2, and also finds his way into the net in this one. – Safid Deen, Lionel Messi reporter.

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United betting odds

Here are the BETMGM moneyline odds: Inter Miami (-275); Atlanta (+575); Draw after regulation (+425). The over/under is set at 3.5 goals.

New York City FC vs. FC Cincinnati highlights: NYCFC advances after penalty kicks

New York City FC beat FC Cincinnati 0-0 (6-5 in penalty kicks) in their Game 3 matchup on Saturday. NYCFC will face New York Red Bulls in the conference semifinals.

How to watch MLS Cup Playoffs games today

The match between No. 1 seed Inter Miami and No. 9 Atlanta is the final match in a playoff tripleheader between Eastern Conference teams on Saturday.

No. 4 Orlando City will face No. 5 Charlotte at 6 p.m. in the second match, also available on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.

LAFC, the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, advanced past No. 8 Vancouver with a 1-0 win in Game 3 to end their first-round series on Friday night.

MLS Cup Playoffs Conference Semifinals almost set

The Western Conference semifinals are set: No. 1 LAFC faces No. 4 Seattle, while No. 2 L.A. Galaxy faces No. 6 Minnesota.

The Eastern Conference semifinals will be set on Saturday night.

No. 7 New York Red Bulls – which eliminated reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew – awaits the winner between Cincinnati and NYCFC.

The Inter Miami-Atlanta winner will face the Orlando City-Charlotte winner.

Messi likely to join Argentina for two matches between MLS Cup Playoffs

The matches are for World Cup 2026 qualifying during a FIFA international window between the first round and the conference semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

MLS Cup Playoff dates

The conference semifinals are Nov. 23-24. The conference finals will be played Nov. 30-Dec. 1. And the MLS Cup final is Dec. 7.

There important results in Week 11 of the college football season that will shake conference and playoff races. Matt Hayes analyzes four hot topics from Saturday’s games.

1. First Down: Lane Kiffin, the ball coach

Don’t take the bait. Don’t focus on the fall of Georgia and the undoing of the best program in college football ― and ignore the rise of Lane Kiffin.

Because there’s no denying it now: Kiffin is a legit ball coach.

“We planned for this game all year,” Kiffin said while Ole Miss fans stormed the field moments after a stunning 28-10 whipping of Georgia.

It’s not that Ole Miss became the first team in 53 games not named Alabama to beat Georgia. It’s not that the win left the Rebels with a clear road to the College Football Playoff.

It’s that Kiffin, long the college football coaching outcast because of how his career began – not how it has developed – got his first mega win in the big, bad SEC. Forget about the top-five win against Oregon in 2011 as the USC coach, this is different.

This is a victory that underscores the five-year buildout that until Saturday had been equal parts the school record for single season wins (11 in 2023), and a handful of ugly losses to SEC heavyweights Alabama, LSU and Georgia. In fact, it was the loss to Georgia last season – a humiliating 35-point defeat – that paved the way for this season of change.

That 52-17 loss to the Dawgs was the worst of Kiffin’s career, and – fair or not –further solidified him as the coach who couldn’t win big games. Never mind that he was building at Ole Miss, a perennial underachiever in the meatgrinder conference.

You’re judged on what you do in the SEC, not what you say or post on X. And Kiffin wasn’t earning it.

So he pushed all-in this offseason, and the Georgia game was his now or never. He told the Ole Miss NIL collectives he needed cash to compete, and he got it.

He built the roster from the inside out through, focusing on the lines of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and adding key pieces through the transfer portal. The plan was simple: run the ball on offense, affect the quarterback on defense.

He convinced offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach and play caller Charlie Weis Jr., to stay in Oxford, instead of taking more money from Florida coach Billy Napier to run the Gators’ offense.

And here we are: the Rebels lead the nation in sacks (46), and are No. 2 in the nation in total offense. Ole Miss is two improbable fourth-down completions in late losses to Kentucky and LSU from an unbeaten season.

Ole Miss gave up 611 yards in last year’s 52-17 loss to Georgia, and gave up 245 Saturday. The Rebels didn’t get a sack in last year’s game, and got five this time around – and forced three turnovers.   

Now Ole Miss is two wins – at Florida and home against rival Mississippi State – from reaching the CFP as an at-large selection (watch how high the Rebels jump in this week’s CFP poll), and could play in the SEC championship game with a little help.

There’s no denying it now: Kiffin is a legit ball coach.

UP AND DOWN: Georgia’s loss leads Week 11 winners and losers

2. Second Down: Deion and the CFP

You know it, I know it. This thing is destined for Deion Sanders and the CFP: the biggest personality in the sport, and the new 12-team playoff.

A match made in television heaven.

We’ve seen everything in a wild Big 12 race, and now we’re primed (pun intended) for a remarkable one-season turnaround. It’s all setting up for Colorado coach Deion Sanders to lead the Buffs to the Big 12 championship game – and one game away from the playoff

Not just any spot – an automatic qualifier spot, which comes with a coveted first-round bye. That means more Prime, all the time.  

From losing eight of nine games to finish the 2023 season, to controlling its destiny in the Big 12 race, Colorado needs wins against Utah, at Kansas and against Oklahoma State – the Buffs will be favored in all three games — to complete a remarkable turnaround.

An improbable run from a team that couldn’t protect star quarterback Shedeur Sanders in September, and couldn’t get off the field defensively for the first six weeks of the season.

But after Saturday’s 41-27 win at Texas Tech, it’s clear the Buffs have figured it out. CU went into the toughest place to play in the Big 12, and forced three turnovers (and didn’t give up a turnover), and had six sacks.

The Buffs won despite rushing for only 60 yards, and committing 14 penalties for 106 yards. They won because they consistently made plays on offense when they needed it, and got stops (and got off the field) against a Texas Tech offense that last week rolled the best defense in the conference (Iowa State).

That can only mean one thing: more Prime, all the time.

3. Third Down: Kurtis Rourke, Heisman candidate

He doesn’t have the numbers of Cam Ward or Ashton Jeanty, or the efficiency of Dillon Gabriel, or the big-play game of Travis Hunter.

But if you’re looking for an impactful player in the thick of the CFP race, a player who has elevated a program from the depths of the Bowl Subdivision cellar to an unbeaten season, it’s time to take a long look at Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke.

A sixth-year senior transfer from Ohio, Rourke made big throws again Saturday, this time in a 20-15 win over Michigan to give the Hoosiers their first 10-win season in program history. History.

Rourke threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns, and now has a TD/INT ratio of 21/4 in nine games. But strong performances against Michigan, Michigan State and UCLA are one thing. Playing big at Ohio State in two weeks is the bar.

If Rourke has a big game and leads Indiana to an upset of the Buckeyes, watch how quickly momentum turns in his favor in the Heisman race. He’ll go from a fun novelty leading a team that really doesn’t have a signature win, to a Heisman front-runner with arguably the best win of any team in the CFP race.      

4. Fourth Down: Miami meltdown burns ACC

Look beyond another Miami loss to double-digit underdog Georgia Tech, and look directly at the ACC race to the CFP.

And how Miami’s 28-23 defeat Saturday all but ends the ACC’s chances of getting a second team in the 12-team playoff. Unless the remainder of November is full of upsets, it’s likely only one ACC team is part of the field.

The conference is watered-down, the star power outside of the Hurricanes is limited and the resume for any potential playoff contender consists of wins against the worst Power Four conference in the game. The ACC’s best chance at getting more than its champion in the CFP was SMU winning out and beating undefeated Miami in the ACC championship game.

The easiest way to explain it: Miami’s best resume win will be the ACC championship game. So will SMU’s. So will Pitt’s, and Clemson’s.

See the trend?

“You can’t sugarcoat it,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said in his postgame press conference. “We didn’t do a good enough job.”

And that has left the Canes (9-1 overall, 5-1 ACC) with no more CFP wiggle room. They’ll go from the projected ACC champion in last week’s CFP poll, to potentially falling behind two-loss SEC teams and outside the top 10 in this week’s poll.

Miami’s schedule is among the easiest in the Power Four, and SMU isn’t far behind – though the Mustangs’ schedule is slightly better with a three-point home loss to Big 12 leader Brigham Young. This is how quickly it can turn in the CFP race.

Miami has gone from the thrill-a-minute team with the Heisman Trophy favorite (Ward) leading second half comebacks, to the team giving up an average of 31.6 points in six ACC games — with no room for error the rest of the season.

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

The NFL has fined San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa $11,255 for wearing a ‘Make America Great Again’ hat while interrupting a postgame interview, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The fine is technically a uniform violation for wearing a hat with a personal message. The amount of the fine is from the fine schedule negotiated by the league and the NFLPA, which is given to players before the season.

Bosa wore the hat displaying the slogan of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign after the 49ers’ 30-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 27. He pointed to his hat while stepping behind 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and NBC reporter Melissa Stark, who was also interviewing tight end George Kittle and running back Isaac Guerendo.

NFL rules say players are not allowed ‘to wear, display, or otherwise convey messages … which relate to political activities or causes, other non-football events, causes or campaigns, or charitable causes or campaigns.’

All things 49ers: Latest San Francisco 49ers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Asked about his decision to wear the hat, Bosa said after the game, ‘I’m not gonna talk too much about it, but I think it’s an important time.’

On Wednesday, the day after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris to become the 47th U.S. president, Bosa elaborated by saying he expected a fine but determined that wearing the hat was ‘well worth it.’

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is likely out for the remainder of the 2024 NFL season, according to reports.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Saturday afternoon that Prescott is ‘planning to undergo season-ending surgery’ to repair his partially torn hamstring. Dallas and its quarterback are seeking one final opinion from a specialist before making the decision, Schefter said.

Prescott, 31, suffered his hamstring injury in the closing moments of the third quarter in the Cowboys’ Week 9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

‘It’s something I’ve never felt,’ the quarterback told reporters after the game.

On Wednesday, ESPN reported that Prescott had suffered a partial avulsion of his right hamstring, which means his hamstring tendon partially pulled off of his bone.

All things Cowboys: Latest Dallas Cowboys news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

The planned surgery on Prescott’s hamstring would involve a four-month recovery timeline. Should he have the procedure now, the veteran quarterback would be done for the season.

Dak Prescott injury update

Prescott suffered a partial avulsion of his right hamstring last Sunday against the Falcons, according to multiple reports.

The Cowboys’ quarterback told reporters after the game that he hoped to be back for his team’s Week 10 game against the Eagles. However, an MRI on Monday revealed that the injury was worse than Prescott or the team had initially feared.

Two days later, news broke about the severity of his injury. The ‘partial avulsion’ diagnosis means that a part of Prescott’s hamstring tendon ripped off of the bone and could require surgery to repair.

However, Dallas did not place its quarterback on injured reserve Saturday, meaning Prescott will take up a roster spot for the Cowboys’ Week 10 clash with the Eagles. Should the team move the signal-caller to the IR next week, the earliest he could return would be in Dallas’ Dec. 15 matchup with the Panthers.

The timing of the move may not matter. If Prescott undergoes his procedure as reports suggest, his season would be over.

Dak Prescott stats

Prescott started all eight of the Cowboys’ games so far this year. Here’s how his stats looked through the first eight games of the 2024 NFL season:

Completion rate: 185-of-286 (64.7%)
Passing yards: 1,978
Yards per completion: 10.7
Passing touchdowns: 11
Interceptions: 8
Passer rating: 86.0

The ninth-year quarterback’s passer rating and yards per completion are both career lows, and his completion rate this year is his lowest since 2017.

Cowboys QB depth chart

Dallas has two other quarterbacks behind Prescott on its depth chart.

Dak Prescott (out, hamstring)
Cooper Rush
Trey Lance

Rush, who has spent seven years with the Cowboys, is in line to make his seventh career start for the team in Week 10 against the Eagles. He last filled in for Prescott in 2022, when he started five games as the starter recovered from a broken thumb. Rush went 4-1 in those five starts with the sole loss at the hands of the Eagles.

Lance has been Dallas’ third-string quarterback since the team acquired him in a 2023 trade. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, the former 49er has yet to appear in a regular-season game for the Cowboys.

Bronny James made his first G League start Saturday night in the South Bay Lakers’ season opener.

The Lakers beat the Salt Lake City Stars 110-96 at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California.

James scored the first points of the game with a jumper from the right corner. He also contributed to the defensive effort, collecting rebounds and creating turnovers. He played throughout the game before he was subbed out for the last time with 2:36 left in the fourth quarter.

He spent the first nine games of the season with his father LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s expected to return to the NBA team at some point this season.

Here’s what Bronny James did on Saturday night in his G League debut:

Bronny James stats tonight vs. Salt Lake City Stars

Points: 6

FG: 2-for-9

3PT: 0-for-4

FT: 1-for-1

Rebounds: 3

Assists: 4

Steals: 2

Blocks: 1

Turnovers: 5

Fouls: 3

South Bay Lakers’ next game

The South Bay Lakers will travel to play the Santa Cruz Warriors on Friday. The game begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.