Wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp returned to the Los Angeles Rams’ lineup for their Week 8 “Thursday Night Football” face-off with the Minnesota Vikings. And with their top two pass-catching targets back healthy, the Rams looked reinvigorated.

Los Angeles handed Minnesota its second straight loss, the Rams winning 30-20 on Thursday night. Kupp and Nacua combined for 12 catches, 157 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Matthew Stafford finished the night 25-of-34 with 279 passing yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

The Vikings’ defense, which had been so strong all year, had one of its worst performances of the season. It allowed its first, first-quarter touchdown of the year on the Rams’ first drive, and the 28 points Minnesota’s defense gave up were the third-most behind last week’s 31 allowed to the Detroit Lions and 29 allowed to the Green Bay Packers in Week 4.

To make matters worse for the NFC North contender, they lost star left tackle Christian Darrisaw, whom the team inked to a four-year, $113 million extension this offseason, to a knee injury. The offensive tackle got rolled up on by a Rams defender late in the first half and was almost immediately declared out for the remainder of the game.

Here’s how Los Angeles’ ‘Thursday Night Football’ win played out:

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

Vikings vs. Rams highlights

Final: Rams 30, Vikings 20

Rams get safety, somehow avoid facemask penalty

Los Angeles has extended its lead to 10 points after sacking Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold in the end zone. The tackle was made using Darnold’s face mask, but the refs did not call a penalty. It’s a non-reviewable play.

Minnesota attempted an onside kick, but Rams running back Kyren Williams recovered it with 1:36 remaining in the game.

Rams win 30-20.

Rams extend lead as Demarcus Robinson scores again

Robinson ran an excellent post-corner route to beat the Vikings’ zone coverage in the end zone. Stafford found his receiver in the back-right quadrant of the end zone for his fourth passing touchdown to extend the Rams’ lead.

It’s 28-20 Rams with 6:17 remaining in the game.

Will Reichard remains perfect, pulls Vikings within one

Through seven games, the rookie kicker is a perfect 14-for-14 on field goal attempts and 20-for-20 on PATs. Two minutes into the fourth quarter, his 35-yard field goal cut his team’s deficit to one point.

It’s 21-20 Rams with just under 13 minutes left to play.

End of third quarter: Rams 21, Vikings 17

With 15 minutes left to play, Minnesota is at risk of dropping its second straight game after opening the season with five straight wins. The Vikings will have the ball on the Los Angeles 48-yard line on third-and-3 to open the fourth quarter.

Demarcus Robinson TD gives Rams first lead

Matthew Stafford slotted in a perfectly-placed pass to Robinson for a 25-yard touchdown to cap off another 70-yard drive. Thanks to the excellent placement, Robinson was able to make the catch between his defender’s arms, giving the Rams their first lead of the game.

It’s 21-17 Los Angeles with 2:36 remaining in the third quarter

Will Reichard gives Vikings another lead

The Vikings’ kicker has not missed a field goal yet this season. His latest attempt, a 23-yarder, put Minnesota back in the lead with 6:22 left in the third quarter.

It’s 17-14 Vikings.

Justin Jefferson makes another circus catch

While being held, Jefferson reached out with one hand to attempt a catch on a deep pass from Sam Darnold. He bobbled the ball several times before securing the catch as he fell out of bounds to set the Vikings up at the Los Angeles 4-yard line.

Byron Murphy intercepts Matthew Stafford to end Rams’ drive

Los Angeles made it into Vikings territory on its first drive of the second half, but Murphy stopped the Rams’ progress with an interception. Murphy’s play gave Minnesota the ball back at its own 27-yard line with 12:08 left in the third quarter.

The game is still tied, 14-14.

Halftime: Vikings 14, Rams 14

Vikings OT Christian Darrisaw injured

Darrisaw got rolled up on during one of the final plays of the first half and went down holding his left knee. Vikings medical personnel tended to the star tackle on the field before helping him walk back to the locker room. Darrisaw appeared unable to put much weight on his left leg on his way back.

David Quessenberry replaced Darrisaw for a QB kneel that was the last play of the half.

Matthew Stafford escapes sack, fires game-tying touchdown to Cooper Kupp

The Rams’ quarterback avoided sack attempts from two separate Vikings defenders with a juke and a duck-under during a second-and-goal play from the Minnesota 7. As he scrambled in the pocket, Stafford threw a bullet to Kupp, who had missed Los Angeles’ last four games after suffering an ankle injury in Week 2.

This game is tied back up at 14 points each with 10 minutes left in the first half.

End of first quarter: Vikings 14, Rams 7

At the end of the first quarter, Los Angeles has the ball near midfield as it continues its second offensive drive. Puka Nacua leads all Rams offensive players with 50 yards from scrimmage on three catches.

Sam Darnold perfect, Vikings now 2-for-2 after Trent Sherfield scores

Minnesota worked another methodical, 70-yard drive on its second possession of the game. Darnold hit Sherfield on a 10-yard pass out of a play-action fake to stay perfect and put his team back ahead.

Darnold is 8-for-8 for 97 yards and two touchdown passes after the first two Vikings offensive drives.

It’s 14-7 Minnesota with under one minute to play in the first quarter.

Rams answer with Kyren Williams TD

The Rams’ running back ran an angle route out of the backfield and ended up wide open over the middle. Matthew Stafford made the easy pass, and Los Angeles capped off a 70-yard drive with a touchdown to match Minnesota’s opening possession. It’s the first touchdown the Vikings have allowed in the first quarter all year.

The game is tied at 7 with 6:38 left in the first quarter.

Puka Nacua makes first catch since Week 1

Nacua dropped his first target on the Rams’ first offensive drive, but that didn’t stop quarterback Matthew Stafford from going back his way on the next play. The second-year receiver picked up 13 yards on his first catch.

He’s back in action after recovering from a knee injury he sustained in Week 1.

Vikings roll down the field, grab early lead with Josh Oliver TD

Wide receiver Justin Jefferson and running back Aaron Jones combined for 65 yards on the Vikings’ first drive of the night, but it was tight end Josh Oliver who came away with the score on the 70-yard drive. Quarterback Sam Darnold found him wide open over the middle on a flat route, and Oliver trotted in for an easy, 5-yard touchdown.

It’s 7-0 Minnesota with 10:43 left in the first quarter.

Vikings’ Kam Curl banged up early in the first quarter

Curl was tackling Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson on the first possession of the game when he suffered a lower-body injury. The Rams’ safety grabbed at his left knee while down on the turf after making the tackle.

Rookie safety Kamren Kinchens took over for Curl after the play. The Rams announced Curl is questionable to return with a knee injury.

Rams vs. Vikings start time 

Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024 
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET 

The Rams and Vikings game will kick off Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season with ‘Thursday Night Football’ at 8:15 p.m. ET. 

Rams vs. Vikings TV Channel 

Live stream: Amazon Prime Video 

‘Thursday Night Football’ will exclusively stream on Amazon Prime Video. 

Watch’Thursday Night Football’with a Prime Video subscription

Rams vs. Vikings picks, predictions

Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the ‘TNF’ matchup between the Vikings and Rams will go:

Lorenzo Reyes: Vikings 28, Rams 17
Tyler Dragon: Vikings 26, Rams 20
Richard Morin: Vikings 24, Rams 21
Jordan Mendoza: Vikings 23, Rams 19

MOST VALUABLE BET: Who is the favorite to win NFL MVP in 2024? 

Rams vs. Vikings odds, moneyline, over/under

The Vikings are favorites to defeat the Rams, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code.

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Spread: Vikings (-2.5)
Moneyline: Vikings (-145); Rams (+120)
Over/under: 47.5

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with Thursday Night Football odds and Monday Night Football odds.

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FEELING LUCKY? Here are the best parlay bets and odds for NFL games this week

NFC West standings

The Rams enter the Week 8 “TNF” showdown in last place in the NFC West. With a win tonight Los Angeles would move into third ahead of the 49ers whom they defeated in Week 3. They would remain behind the Cardinals who defeated them in Week 2 and currently own the tiebreaker.

Seahawks 4-3
Cardinals 3-4
49ers 3-4
Rams 2-4

NFC North standings

The Vikings enter the Week 8 “TNF” showdown in second place in the NFC North. The Lions defeated the Vikings last week and currently own the tiebreaker in the division.

Lions 5-1
Vikings 5-1
Packers 5-2
Bears 4-2

Rams vs. Vikings weather update

It’s going to be a clear night in Inglewood with a high of 68 degrees at kickoff and a low of 63 degrees at 9 p.m. PT. According to the Weather Channel, winds will max out at eight mph while chances of precipitation are under 3% for the entire game. The game will be played indoors at SoFi Stadium where the weather will have no effect.

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Who are the Thursday Night Football announcers for Amazon Prime Video?

Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will be in the broadcast booth for Prime Video, with Kaylee Hartung (sideline) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) providing additional coverage.

The Prime Video pregame, halftime and postgame shows feature Charissa Thompson as host, as well as former NFL players Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tony Gonzalez, Richard Sherman and Andrew Whitworth as analysts.

Taylor Rooks is the feature reporter for Prime Video’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ coverage. Albert Breer provides reports and analysis.

Rams vs. Vikings history

These NFC opponents have met 47 times in history including seven playoff matchups. The Vikings lead the matchup all-time with a 27-18-2 record.

The most recent matchup was in December 2021 in Week 16 where the Rams were victorious in a 30-23 win on the road in Minnesota. The win helped carry the Rams’ momentum into the final two weeks of the season and into the playoffs where they ultimately won the Super Bowl over the Bengals.

What is Al Michaels’ salary for ‘Thursday Night Football’ with Amazon Prime?

The New York Post’s Andrew Marchand initially reported that Michaels’ contract would be for three years and ‘north of $30 million,’ but that number may have gone up.

About one week after that first report, in March 2022, Marchand shared that the Amazon deal would be ‘in the Joe Buck neighborhood.’ Buck signed a five-year, $75 million deal ($15 million annually) with ESPN earlier that same month.

Who are the highest paid NFL players at each position?

We have a complete list at every position:

Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive tackles
Offensive guards
Centers
Edge rushers
Interior defensive linemen
Linebackers
Cornerbacks
Safeties 
Kickers 
Punters 

Who is the highest-paid NFL player?

The NFL’s top 18 players in average annual salary are all quarterbacks, according to OverTheCap.com. Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott became the league’s highest-paid player in the preseason, agreeing to a four-year, $240 million deal. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is the first non-quarterback on the highest-paid list after striking a four-year, $140 million contract extension this offseason.

Complete list of the league’s highest-paid players

Rams WR Puka Nacua is active for Week 8

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Rams are getting both their wide receivers back Thursday night.

Puka Nacua is officially active versus the Minnesota Vikings, the Rams announced.

Nacua had his 21-day practice window officially open up this week. The Rams then activated Nacua off injured reserve a few hours before Thursday’s game, setting the stage for him to make a return.

The Rams placed Nacua on injured reserve following the team’s Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions due to a knee injury. He’s missed the past five contests.

Los Angeles will also see the return of wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who’s missed the last four games. Nacua and Kupp have only played in one game together this season. — Tyler Dragon

Los Angeles Rams injury report

QB Stetson Bennett (emergency third QB)
RB Cody Schrader
WR Jordan Whittington
DE Desjuan Johnson
CB Tre’Davious White

Minnesota Vikings injury report

QB Brett Rypien (emergency third QB)
CB Akayleb Evans
CB Dwight McGlothern
RB Myles Gaskin
DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
LB Blake Cashman
OT Walter Rouse

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The Los Angeles Dodgers will wear a patch honoring the late Fernando Valenzuela in the 2024 World Series and the 2025 season, the team announced Thursday.

Valenzuela, who died Tuesday at age 63, won the NL Cy Young Award and led the Dodgers to a World Series championship in 1981. Born in Mexico, Valenzuela had a sensational season that sparked ‘Fernandomania’ in Los Angeles as the club won its first title since 1965. The left-hander would pitch 17 major league seasons and was a six-time All-Star.

The patch features Valenzuela’s No. 34 – retired by the club in 2023 – and will debut in Game 1 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Friday.

VALENZUELA: Dodgers legend may be gone, but Fernandomania will live forever
LOS ANGELES: Valenzuela built Chavez Ravine legacy after shameful displacement of residents

‘He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes,’ said Stan Kasten, Dodgers CEO and president, in a statement. ‘He galvanized the fan base with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a broadcaster. He has left us all too soon.’

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

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The U.S. women’s national team is back and just like she did in every game at the Olympics, Emma Hayes led her side to victory on Thursday night.

It wasn’t a particularly emphatic win, but Hayes likely won’t be too disappointed with a 3-1 victory over Iceland in a friendly that wasn’t decided until the final five minutes.

Alyssa Thompson opened the scoring in the first half on her USWNT return, but Iceland struck back early in the second half with a stunner from Selma Sól Magnúsdóttir.

Just when it looked like the U.S. may have to settle for a draw in its first game after the Olympics, two moments of individual brilliance proved decisive.

Jaedyn Shaw scored an 85th-minute winner after some slick dribbling in the box, while Sophia Smith added the exclamation point three minutes later with a rocket of a half-volley.

Here are three takeaways from the USWNT’s win at Q2 Stadium in Austin.

USWNT(eens)

Thompson hadn’t put on a USWNT jersey for nearly a year before Thursday, while Shaw had her Olympics wrecked by injury.

But the two 19-year-olds showed on Thursday why they aren’t just the future of the USWNT, but very much part of the present as well.

Thompson caused plenty of danger down the right flank in the first half, but it was her switch to the left side that ultimately produced the night’s first goal.

From Iceland’s perspective, Thompson had way too much time and space to waltz into the box, but the teenager still had a lot to do after receiving Sam Coffey’s pass.

Thompson cut onto her right foot and cracked an unstoppable shot that flew into the top corner for her first USWNT goal.

Shaw then made her mark off the bench with an absurd individual effort, showing the kind of close control at pace that few players possess.

With the ‘Triple Espresso’ trio pretty firmly entrenched as the USWNT’s top attacking options, finding consistent minutes for Thompson — or any other attacker for that matter — will be a challenge moving forward.

For Shaw, her ability to play across the midfield will help her cause considerably.

Regardless, if the two teens perform like they did on Thursday, Hayes will have to find a way to get them onto the pitch.

More changes to come

When accounting for players either injured or just returning from injury, Hayes fielded something very close to her best available XI on Thursday.

Hayes then waited until the 66th minute to make her first substitution, eventually making five changes.

With two more games over the next six days, there’s little doubt that the next two lineups Hayes puts on the field — starting with Sunday’s rematch against Iceland — are going to look much different.

Hayes said prior to the match that she isn’t planning on playing anyone for more than two full games, having consulted with NWSL teams eager to get their players back in pristine condition ahead of the final matchday of the season.

The coach promised we would see debuts over this window and on Thursday there were two, as Hal Hershfelt and Yazmeen Ryan earned their first cap.

That leaves four uncapped players remaining on the current roster: Eva Gaetino, Alyssa Malonson, Emily Sams, and Emma Sears. There may not be any uncapped players left after Wednesday’s finale against Argentina.

Smith looking just fine

There were some eyebrows raised when Sophia Smith was named to the October roster, given she hadn’t played in more than a month due to an ankle injury.

But Smith saw the field with the Portland Thorns over the weekend, coming through a 30-minute substitute appearance seemingly unscathed.

If there were any lingering questions over Smith’s fitness, she answered those emphatically in an 18-minute appearance that included a casual banger of a half-volley.

Yep, she’s back.

ASHBURN, Va. — Taylor Swift has infiltrated all parts of NFL culture. Even the names of plays.

Because of that, Ben Sinnott will always remember the play call of his first career touchdown: ‘Taylor Swift.’

‘It’s one I won’t ever forget,’ the rookie tight end said Thursday.

Sinnott certainly wasn’t ‘Invisible’ to Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota for a 3-yard touchdown, the first catch of his career, as Washington steamrolled Carolina 40-7. He said his heart started pounding when he heard the play call because the play design is either a run or pass to him. 

‘His first catch was a touchdown, and the play was called ‘Taylor Swift,’ so you can’t really beat that to start your NFL scoring career,’ Kingsbury said. ‘He was stoked about it.’

All things Commanders: Latest Washington Commanders news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

A second-round pick from Kansas State, Sinnott is working his way into a more significant role in the passing game.

‘He’s been getting better and better,’ Kingsbury said. ‘I think the game’s slowing down for him. He’s a tremendous talent.’

The play had been on Kingsbury’s call sheet for about three games before the Commanders had an opportunity to run it.

“Kliff has a lot of good names for the plays,’ wide receiver Terry McLaurin said. ‘Honestly, it makes it easy to remember them. We’re a signal offense, but when you see those names when you’re going through the install, it kind of makes you chuckle.

“It keeps it fun. I don’t know if there’s a connection between ‘Taylor Swift’ being the play and how we execute the play, but it’s funny hearing some of the names.” 

The name ‘Taylor Swift’ is new to this year’s playbook, Kingsbury said. Other pop stars are also on the list.

‘There’s a bunch of them,’ Kingsbury said. ‘But that’s a good one. We’ll use that again.’

Swift crossed over into the NFL zeitgeist last year due to her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

Commanders left guard Nick Allegretti, who played for the Chiefs last season, said he knew Swift’s fame would follow him in some form to Washington and that it was “cool to have her impact the play calling.” 

“She’s a superstar for a good reason,’ Allegretti said. ‘She’s incredible at what she does.” 

Washington’s tight ends named the play, Kingsbury said.

“I think the tight end room is just a bunch of guys who like Taylor Swift, man. It was just kind of group consensus,’ said Sinnott, who said Swift’s tunes “Our Song” or “August” are his favorites.

And when the ‘Taylor Swift’ call came, Sinnott was ‘Ready For It.’

This story has been updated with new information.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – It is easy to forget now, six months after celebrating a 38-0 season and third national championship under Dawn Staley, that South Carolina wasn’t supposed to be so good so soon.

It was a new team. It was a young team. It was a team with question marks at key positions and bouts of immaturity that suggested a bumpy season by South Carolina’s sky-high standards. 

“When we started (last) summer, it was like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ ‘ associate head coach Lisa Boyer said. “Just stuff that we had not had to deal with, like being on time and returning text messages. They were out of shape. They weren’t ready. There was no connection, no leadership. We had to learn drills all over again. We didn’t know how they were going to really be.” 

The Gamecocks weren’t always perfect, but they managed perfection in a way that confirmed Staley’s program as the new dynasty ruling women’s college basketball. 

And now, with all but one of their top players returning, there is no question what’s expected for an encore: As the preseason No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll, South Carolina is heavily favored to repeat as national champion. 

For Staley, beginning her 17th season at the school, that means a new challenge has arrived. Having grabbed the baton from UConn as the sport’s dominant program, how long can South Carolina keep its place at the top in an era of NIL, transfers and a more competitive landscape across women’s college basketball? 

“I do know that the pace that we’re winning, it’s hard to sustain,” Staley told USA TODAY Sports. “Heck, if we take a loss this year, the bottom will fall out.”

She’s kidding, of course. South Carolina is, at the moment, operating at the highest possible level with no signs of slippage. 

They haven’t lost an SEC regular-season game since Dec. 30, 2021. They’ve reached four consecutive Final Fours. Despite having a deep team full of high-profile recruits who could play more minutes or have bigger offensive roles elsewhere, South Carolina has been mostly impervious to the transfer portal. They replace WNBA draft picks like Kamilla Cardoso, who went No. 2 after dominating last season’s Final Four, with talent like Joyce Edwards, a consensus top-five recruit who grew up just a few miles down the road in Camden, South Carolina.

IN-DEPTH: Team outlooks for the women’s basketball preseason poll Top 25

UCONN’S TIME?: Paige Bueckers ready for new women’s basketball era

They have packed more than 16,000 fans a night into Colonial Life Arena for several years, creating a huge fan base for women’s basketball at a school that had a mediocre history prior to Staley’s arrival. And with Staley in the middle of contract talks to extend her deal beyond the 2027-28 season – Geno Auriemma’s new $3.74 million per year extension at UConn is the current benchmark – she dismisses any talk of going to the WNBA or even the NBA, where she interviewed with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021. 

“This is where I’m supposed to be,” Staley said. “I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. I don’t think I’m supposed to be coaching in the NBA or the WNBA. This is real natural – like, natural.”

The downside of creating a monster, though, is that expectations only go up. And South Carolina is in the rare position where there’s little room to top what it pulled off last year, running the table on a schedule that included top programs like Notre Dame, UConn and LSU (twice) before getting revenge in the championship game on Caitlin Clark and Iowa, who had knocked a then-undefeated Gamecocks team out in the semifinals one year earlier. 

Pulling off that kind of season after losing five WNBA draft picks, including No. 1 overall Aliyah Boston, was a shock to everyone in the program. But as they reflect on it, they believe it was the product of an unusual chemistry and closeness on a team with a lot of good players but no singular standout star like a Clark or Angel Reese at LSU, whose fame transcended the sport.

“We just had such a great connection with each other that we knew what each other needed if someone was frustrated, or if someone had it really going we could feed them the ball,” senior guard Bree Hall said. “You just have to have the right players on the team, honestly. It’s something you can’t really create. It has to be like that naturally.” 

It was, by all accounts, about as low-stress of an environment a team could have, given the expectations, the spotlight and the success. Maybe the only question about South Carolina this season is whether it’s possible to maintain those same carefree vibes for a second go-round when there are natural threats Staley must monitor, like complacency or players beginning to calculate future ambitions.

“We have a lot of players who are WNBA draft-eligible, and they go through that,” she said. “It’s a real thing where they have one foot in, one foot out at some point. That usually happens a little later on, and they’re so worried whether they’re going to get drafted, they start thinking how can I make a big impact?

‘They want it all. They want to win, they want to get drafted, they want championships. They want it all, but sometimes there’s a sacrifice to success.”

When she started at South Carolina in 2008, Staley was 38 and just a couple of years removed from a Hall of Fame career that included two Naismith College Player of the Year awards at Virginia, six WNBA All-Star selections and three Olympic gold medals. 

Now 54 and in a different phase of life, Staley has evolved. There are certain things, she says, that she no longer tolerates. In recruiting, she places an emphasis on building relationships with parents and uses them to help communicate messages in the emotional push-and-pull that naturally happens with players. 

But most of all, Staley’s experience and success give her the gravitas and perspective to run a program that emphasizes its depth of talent over relying on one or two stars. Last season, for instance, seven different players led South Carolina in scoring – and rarely did any of them do it for consecutive games or score more than 20 points on a given night. 

Staley’s ability to get players to buy in to that kind of program where they often have to wait their turn or sacrifice stats is the secret sauce of the Gamecocks’ success, especially in this era of college athletics. 

“These young people have so much other stuff going on that you have to be attentive to that,” Staley said. “As a basketball coach, you just want to practice and be done with things. No, it’s a full service. So we give them full service, not just me but everybody here.

“It’s enabling them to a certain degree, almost to the point where I find some of our pros have a hard time transitioning because we’re straight-up. We give it to you raw. It is what it is, and I don’t think pro coaches can always handle pros in that way. They have to keep them at an all-time high in confidence, and they just got the juice as players in your organization.

‘I think the players that come through our program, they understand that they do have some juice but they don’t have all the ingredients to make it juice, to make it sweet. That’s where we come in as coaches. You balance how much sugar you put in there or honey or whatever it is, or sometimes we need to add some water to it.”

Staley seems to have the right recipe for now. But dynasties are, by definition, hard to maintain. South Carolina is no longer a new face challenging the likes of UConn and Stanford; it’s now the program with the biggest target on its back, expected to produce championships year after year. 

After winning title No. 3 and being favored to win No. 4, the program moves into a new phase where everyone will be looking for cracks in its dominance.

“We’re talking to them right now like, you know, nobody likes you, OK?” Boyer said. “Everybody hates you now. Everybody wants you to lose. The cuteness is over, right? So you’re constantly talking to them about that, but I think especially in the last few weeks, they’re way more locked in. In this era, it’s a lot when you win a national championship.”

We’ll find out soon if South Carolina is ready for more. 

After a season of massive television ratings and attendance records, women’s college basketball will have a much different look in 2024-25. Gone are two of the sport’s biggest stars – Caitlin Clark of Iowa and Angel Reese of LSU.

But there will be new faces and some familiar faces who become stars, as well as several teams looking to dethrone South Carolina.

Here is USA TODAY Sports’ annual outlook for the Top 25 teams in the preseason women’s college basketball coaches poll.

1.   South Carolina (38-0)

Points: 770 (27 first-place votes). Last year’s final ranking: 1

The question for the Gamecocks is who will be the next dominant post player? Freshman Joyce Edwards could be the one. But South Carolina has plenty of firepower to make another national title run with MiLaysia Fulwiley, Te-Hina Paopao and Tessa Johnson back in the mix. Dawn Staley’s steady hand will eliminate any signs of complacency to ensure her team is there at the end.

2.  Connecticut (33-6)

Points: 734 (3 first-place votes). Last year’s final ranking: 3.

It’s hard to believe, but UConn hasn’t won a national championship since Breanna Stewart left Storrs in 2016. Most of that has to do with significant injuries, but Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd are healthy, and the team has sufficient depth that was missing in previous years, including KK Arnold and Kaitlyn Chen, a Princeton transfer and 2023 Ivy League player of the year.

3. Southern California (29-6)

Points: 716 (1 first-place vote). Last year’s final ranking: 6.

It’s all about Juju Watkins. But the Trojans are absolutely loaded with Stanford transfer Kiki Iriafen and returning center Rayah Marshall there to help take the pressure off Watkins, who averaged 27.1 points per game as a freshman. Coach Lindsay Gottlieb brought in a talented recruiting class, and anything outside a Final Four appearance would be a major disappointment for the women of Troy.

4. Texas (33-5)

Points: 670. Last year’s final ranking: 5.

Talented forward Madison Booker has a chance to be the national player of the year, and point guard Rori Harmon should be back from a torn ACL, but the Longhorns lose depth as DeYona Gaston, the Big 12 sixth woman of the year in 2024, transferred to Auburn. Finding a consistent outside shooter will be critical, as no rotation player shot over 40% from long-distance last season.

5. Notre Dame (28-7)

Points: 629. Last year’s final ranking: 11.

The duo of Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles, who is returning from injury, forms one of the best backcourts in America. Maddy Westbeld is a solid scoring threat but won’t be ready for the start of the season due to a foot injury and is one of nine returning players for the ACC tournament champions. The X-factor could be Liatu King, who is an automatic double-double machine.

6. UCLA (27-7)

Points: 612. Last year’s final ranking: 9.

For all the talent the Bruins have, long-distance shooting may be their undoing. Even if that is a deficiency, UCLA can ride the talent of Kiki Rice and Lauren Betts as they adjust to the Big Ten. Like most teams in the top 10, transfers add depth and balance as Washington State’s Charlisse Leger-Walker and Timea Gardiner from Oregon State join the roster in Westwood.

7. LSU (31-6)

Points: 567. Last year’s final ranking: 7.

The two names to know are Flau’Jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow, who are expected to put up monster numbers. Kim Mulkey’s group will also rely heavily on guard play, which might be the ingredient to get the Tigers back to the Final Four and compete for a title.

8. North Carolina State (31-7)

Points: 533. Last year’s final ranking: 4.

The Wolfpack got a taste of the Final Four last year and are looking for more. The backcourt with Aziaha James and Saniya Rivers is solid and can compete with the nation’s best. River Baldwin, who was a good post presence, will need to be replaced. NC State’s 6-4 transfer Caitlin Weimar and 6-5 freshman Lorena Awou will need to contribute, especially on the defensive end.

9.  Iowa State (21–12)

Points: 487. Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.

Audi Crooks may be the best player some fans haven’t heard of, but that’s about to change. She is the dominant focal point of the Cyclones and will benefit from Emily Ryan returning for a fifth season. And the addition of Marquette transfer Kenzie Hare gives Iowa State a deep threat from the outside. This is the Big 12’s best team, but the Cyclones aren’t sneaking up on teams like they did in 2023.

10. Oklahoma (23-10)

Points: 457. Last year’s final ranking: 20.

The return of Liz Scott from injury is big for Oklahoma, even though the Sooners won the Big 12 last year without her. Now in the SEC, the experience of Payton Verhulst, Sahara Williams and Oregon State transfer Raegan Beers gives them an inside-outside punch that will provide the physical style they will need to endure in the SEC.

11. Duke (22-12)

Points: 449. Last year’s final ranking: 21.

Duke head coach Kara Lawson has preached chemistry, and the Blue Devils bring loads of it with four returning starters. In any other year, they would be the ACC favorite. The undisputed leader is senior guard Reigan Richardson, but Tania Mair and Oluchi Okananwa, the ACC sixth player of the year, will be tested with early season matchups against Maryland and South Carolina.  

12. Baylor (26-8)

Points: 434. Last year’s final ranking: 15.

Expect guard Jada Walker to have an uptick in scoring production, and backcourt mate Sarah Andrews returns as the Bears look to improve on their Sweet 16 showing from last season. They will do it with four or five players capable of taking the scoring load, including Aaronette Vonleh and veterans Darianna Littlepage-Buggs and Bella Fontleroy.

13. Kansas State (26-8)

Points: 407. Last year’s final ranking: 18.

Jeff Mittie continues to push Kansas State in the right direction. After being a top-four regional seed in the NCAA women’s tournament for the first time since 2005, the Wildcats have a chance to win the Big 12. Most of last year’s team is back, headlined by Ayoka Lee, who could be the best center in the country. They’ve also added Temira Poindexter from Tulsa, who is a scoring machine and will complement Lee well in the frontcourt. 

14. Ohio State (26-6)

Points: 405. Last year’s final ranking: 14.

Last season’s Big Ten regular season champion will face a tougher conference thanks to the additions of USC and UCLA, but the Buckeyes should be near the top of the standings. They’ve lost a handful of key contributors, but Cotie McMahon is a star. Transfers Ajae Perry (Kentucky) and Chance Gray (Oregon) will give a boost, and there will be big expectations for prized freshman Jaloni Cambridge. 

15. West Virginia (25-8)

Points: 285. Last year’s final ranking: 25.

Mark Kellogg had an impressive debut in West Virginia that resulted in a second-round appearance in the NCAA tournament. Most of the starting unit is back, headlined by JJ Quinerly, who was last season’s Big 12 defensive player of the year. The Mountaineers were one of the best defensive teams in the country as they ranked third with 23.6 forced turnovers per game.

16. North Carolina (20-13)

Points: 263. Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.

The loss of Deja Kelly was a big blow to the Tar Heels, but North Carolina still has forward Alyssa Ustby who became a double-double machine during conference play. Richmond transfer Grace Townsend should help run the backcourt, and North Carolina will also be welcoming some talented recruits in Blanca Thomas and Lanie Grant to help get past the first weekend of the tournament. 

17. Louisville (24-10)

Points: 261. Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.

After failing to win a tournament game for the first time since 2010, Jeff Walz brings in a talented recruiting class. McDonald’s All-Americans Imari Berry and Mackenly Randolph, as well as Tajianna Roberts, headline the new faces coming to Louisville and will join returners in Olivia Cochran and Nyla Harris.

18. Maryland (19-14) 

Points: 254. Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.

Maryland had a disappointing 2023-24, but Brenda Freese went deep into the transfer portal to ensure it doesn’t happen again. The revamped roster includes Arkansas transfer Saylor Poffenbarger and last season’s Atlantic 10 player of the year Sarah Te-Biasu. With guard Shyanne Sellers back, Maryland should bounce back in a big way.

19. Florida State (23-11)

Points: 177. Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.

One of the top scorers in the nation, Ta’Niya Latson, returns, as well as forward Makayla Timpson. The Seminoles boast an experienced roster with no freshmen, but they did go in the portal for Texas A&M transfer Sydney Bowles. The mission for Florida State will be to win an NCAA game for the first time since 2019.

20. Creighton (26-6)

Points: 150. Last year’s final ranking: 19.

The best candidate to dethrone Connecticut as Big East champion, Creighton returns seven players, including four starters. Lauren Jensen is a conference player of the year candidate, and they also return Morgan Maly.

21. Mississippi (24-9)

Points: 135. Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.

Rebels coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin has done a great job putting Mississippi on the map. Marquesha Davis is gone, but veterans Madison Scott and Kennedy Todd-Williams return for a team that will try to stay near the top of what is now a crowded SEC.

22. Kentucky (12-20)

Points: 106. Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.

After a dismal last season, Kenny Brooks comes into Lexington as the new head coach, and he’s added a bunch of talent. The roster is new, but Georgia Amoore follows Brooks from Virginia Tech and gives the Wildcats star power to become a dark horse in the SEC.

23. Nebraska (23-12)   

Points: 92. Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.

Nebraska got some solid contributions from freshmen last season, and leader Alexis Markowski is back on a team that nearly won the Big Ten tournament title. The Cornhuskers also have a prized recruit in Britt Prince.

24. Indiana (26-6)

Points: 75. Last year’s final ranking: 12.

There’s no way to replace the production of Mackenzie Holmes, but don’t sleep on the Hoosiers. Several key players from last season, including Chloe Moore-McNeil, are back, along with a mix of transfers and freshmen.

25. Alabama (24-10)

Points: 57. Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked.

With three-point shooting threat Aaliyah Nye returning, the Crimson Tide bring back their top three scorers and have plenty of talent to build on their second-round appearance in the NCAA tournament last season. 

‘Josh Reynolds was a victim of a shooting on Friday in Denver and received treatment for minor injuries,’ the Broncos said in a statement. ‘Out of respect for the legal process, we will defer further comment on this matter to the authorities.’

Reynolds, an eight-year NFL veteran, is currently on injured reserve with a broken finger. The Denver Post reported that Reynolds has been at the team facility each of the past two days to do rehab work.

The Denver Police Department did not identify Reynolds or the other victims of last week’s shooting, though it said in a news release that it had identified two suspects: Burr Charlesworth, 42, and Luis Mendoza, 35. The police department said the arrest reports for the two men, who are being investigated for attempted murder, would be kept under seal, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

All things Broncos: Latest Denver Broncos news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Reynolds signed a two-year, $9-million contract with the Broncos in the offseason after spending parts of the previous three seasons with the Detroit Lions. He had caught 12 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown before sustaining his injury.

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on social media @Tom_Schad.

Major League Baseball’s 2024 World Series begins Friday in Los Angeles, a highly-anticipated matchup between the Dodgers and New York Yankees.

The league announced its nine-man umpiring crew for the best-of-seven series, led by crew chief Mark Carlson, who is working his third career World Series. The other on-field umpires are Doug Eddings, Chad Fairchild, Andy Fletcher, Mark Ripperger, Todd Tichenor and Carlos Torres – with Cory Blaser and James Hoye assigned to replay.

With seven umpires in the rotation, each game is scheduled to have a different umpire behind home plate, starting with Torres in Game 1. One of the seven will be off the field for each game in the series.

Eddings, Fairchild and Tichenor are handling their second career World Series, with Fletcher, Ripperger and Torres making their Fall Classic debuts. Tichenor will serve as crew chief when Carlson is off the field for Game 2.

World Series Game 1 umpires

Home plate: Carlos Torres
First base: Mark Carlson (crew chief)
Second base: Doug Eddings
Third base: Mark Ripperger
Left field: Chad Fairchild
Right field: Todd Tichenor
Reserve: Andy Fletcher

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

Game 2 umpires

Home plate: Andy Fletcher
First base: Doug Eddings
Second base: Mark Ripperger
Third base: Chad Fairchild
Left field: Todd Tichenor (crew chief)
Right field: Carlos Torres
Reserve: Mark Carlson

Game 3 umpires

Home plate: Mark Carlson
First base: Mark Ripperger
Second base: Chad Fairchild
Third base: Todd Tichenor
Left field: Carlos Torres
Right field: Andy Fletcher
Reserve: Doug Eddings

Game 4 umpires

Home plate: Doug Eddings
First base: Chad Fairchild
Second base: Todd Tichenor
Third base: Carlos Torres
Left field: Andy Fletcher
Right field: Mark Carlson
Reserve: Mark Ripperger

2024 World Series home plate umpires

Game 1: Carlos Torres
Game 2: Andy Fletcher
Game 3: Mark Carlson
Game 4: Doug Eddings
Game 5: Mark Ripperger
Game 6: Chad Fairchild
Game 7: Todd Tichenor

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