The college football program that spent the first month of the 2025 season looking laughably incapable of winning now suddenly can’t lose.

One week after its stunning 42-37 upset of Penn State, UCLA earned a 38-13 road victory against Michigan State on Saturday, Oct. 11, potentially harkening one of the more abrupt and unexpected midseason turnarounds in modern college football history.

The Bruins weren’t just victorious against the Spartans, but dominant, outgaining them by a 418-253 margin and holding on to the ball 13 more minutes than their overwhelmed opponent.

Somehow, a team that started the season 0-4 and lost by 25 at home to New Mexico has a winning record in Big Ten play and is ahead of, among others, Penn State, Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska in the conference standings.

What’s changed?

The Bruins’ woeful start prompted a seismic shakeup, with the school firing former UCLA All-American DeShaun Foster after the Sept. 12 loss to New Mexico, just 15 games into his ill-fated head-coaching debut.

A potentially more consequential move awaited. On Sept. 30, three days after managing just 14 points in a loss at fellow Big Ten cellar-dweller Northwestern, the Bruins announced they had mutually agreed to part ways with first-year offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri. In his place stepped Jerry Neuheisel, the 33-year-old former UCLA quarterback and the son of longtime college football coach Rick Neuheisel.

The results have been immediate. With Neuheisel and his golden locks leading the way. What had been a languishing Bruins offense has come alive, with high-priced transfer Nico Iamaleava looking every bit like the five-star recruit he was coming out of high school in Long Beach.

Just look at the numbers:

Points per game

First four games: 14.3
Past two games: 40

Yards per game

First four games: 321.3
Past two games: 426.5

Rushing yards per game

First four games: 124.3
Past two games: 253.5

Maybe the biggest difference has been seen in Iamaleava, who has started to fulfill some of the dreams UCLA fans had for him when the Bruins signed him to a lucrative name, image and likeness deal months after he helped lead Tennessee to the College Football Playoff.

In his team’s two wins, Iamaleava has thrown for 346 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions and averaged 7.2 yards per attempt while adding 131 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. In the first four games of the season, he threw for 788 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions and averaged 6.4 yards per attempt while managing 204 rushing yards and only one touchdown.

Because of those tweaks, a UCLA season that was barreling toward historical infamy eight days ago could conceivably end with a bowl berth. It won’t be easy, of course. The Bruins have games remaining against top-10 Ohio State and Indiana teams, both of which come on the road. The team with the worst win percentage left on its schedule was 4-1 heading into this weekend.

But the fact this is even a discussion has been remarkable. What was college football’s biggest laughingstock and cautionary tale until very recently is now one of the sport’s most compelling stories.

(This story has been updated with new information)

Alabama held on to defeat No. 14 Missouri 27-24 in a major Week 7 matchup, and it did so without one of its best offensive players for much of the fourth quarter.

Crimson Tide running back Jam Miller absorbed a huge hit from Tigers safety Jalen Catalon in the fourth quarter and had to leave the game on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri.

Following his team’s third consecutive win against a top-25-ranked opponent, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer confirmed to reporters that Miller sustained a concussion from the hit.

Miller had just made a huge play, catching a dump-off from quarterback Ty Simpson on a fourth-and-1 from the Missouri 41-yard line and taking it 10 yards for a first down with 10:23 remaining in the game and Alabama holding on to a 20-17 lead.

At the end of the play, however, Miller was rocked by Catalon, who hit him in the head with what appeared to be his right shoulder. Because of that, Catalon was not flagged for targeting.

Here’s the latest on Miller’s injury:

Jam Miller injury update

Miller was confirmed to have a concussion after Alabama’s win over Missouri on Saturday by DeBoer in his postgame news conference.

After being hit near the Missouri sideline in the fourth quarter, Miller remained on the turf and was tended to by Alabama trainers, who later helped him up. He was able to walk off the field on his own power, though he had each of his arms around a member of the Tide’s medical team to help keep him balanced.

Miller was shown by ESPN’s cameras being taken to the locker room at Missouri’s Memorial Stadium. He was replaced in the backfield by Kevin Riley.

The Alabama drive ultimately ended with no points, with Conor Talty missing a 49-yard field goal attempt.

Miller had missed the Tide’s first three games after suffering a collarbone injury during a preseason scrimmage, with Saturday’s game against Missouri marking his third game of the season. He combined for 182 yards and a rushing touchdown on 38 carries in wins against Georgia and Vanderbilt. Before his injury Saturday, he had 85 yards on 20 carries, along with four catches for 25 yards.

The Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma football is one of the all-time rivalry games in college football, and is considered by some as a must-see item on a bucket list item for college football fanatics.

This year’s edition of the rivalry game has brought in one of the top women’s basketball players in Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, who made her way to watch the game at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas.

Bueckers appeared on the ABC broadcast of the SEC rivalry game alongside Holly Rowe, where she was engulfed in the stands and pointed at the uniqueness of the game. The stadium is split in half, with Longhorns’ fans on one side and Sooners fans on the other.

Here’s what to know on why Bueckers is in attendance:

Why is Paige Bueckers at Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma?

Given that Bueckers is from Minnesota and played at UConn, she has no ties to either the Longhorns or Sooners. It’s safe to assume she is taking in this year’s edition of the Red River Rivalry solely as a local sports fan.

Bueckers also just finished up her first season in the WNBA with the Dallas Wings, so she currently resides in the Dallas area, where the Red River Rivalry is played every year on the State Fair of Texas grounds.

Given where she is currently playing, Bueckers fed into the home fanbase a bit when she threw a ‘Horns up’ hand signal.

Where is Paige Bueckers from?

Where did Paige Bueckers play in college?

Bueckers had an illustrious college basketball career at UConn, where she led the Huskies to the national championship title in her final season before getting drafted No. 1 overall by the Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

The Philadelphia Eagles are one of seven teams in the NFL with four wins entering Week 6. But a surprising loss on the road against the New York Giants in ‘Thursday Night Football’ has them in danger of losing their lead atop the NFC East.

Most teams would be happy to be at 4-2 at the one-third mark of the NFL season. But standards are high for the defending champions.

Wide receiver A.J. Brown clarified on X that rumors of a players-only meeting weren’t true. Instead, Brown stated on X that he and other Eagles players talked in a parking lot and it ‘wasn’t a meeting or a sit-down.’

As the Eagles continue to struggle by their standards, The Athletic’s Diana Russini reported that an AFC general manager said the Eagles trading Brown away wouldn’t be a surprise considering how Brown is being used.

Brown is on pace for a career-worst season by most statistics and has posted cryptic messages on social media that point to the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver feeling upset at how he’s been used by first-year coordinator Kevin Patullo.

The NFL trade deadline is less than a month away. If the Eagles were to trade Brown, here are four potential landing spots.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers have once again suffered multiple key injuries on offense, threatening to torpedo their season entirely after a 3-0 start. Bringing Brown on via trade could help them contend in 2025 and have a key difference-maker on offense going into the future.

Speaking of the future, Los Angeles has plenty of cap space to handle Browns’ contract into the future even with franchise quarterback Justin Herbert’s extension on the books. He, a resurgent Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey would make for arguably the best trio of wide receivers in the league.

Los Angeles is missing a fifth- and seventh-round pick for the 2026 NFL Draft but could offer a Day 2 selection for the 28-year-old Brown. Plus – with the schedule rotation – the Chargers wouldn’t play the Eagles next year unless both teams made the Super Bowl.

New England Patriots

This one just feels like a familiar and good formula. A team with an improving young quarterback on a rookie deal who needs to upgrade the positions around him with lots of cap space.

Stefon Diggs is playing very well this season, given he’ll soon be 32 years old and is a calendar year removed from a serious knee injury. He and 31-year-old tight end Hunter Henry have been quarterback Drake Maye’s top targets this season.

Acquiring Brown would give the Patriots a top wideout for Maye while he’s still cost-controlled. They have an extra fourth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to use in a package for Brown. The Eagles and Patriots won’t match up in the regular season until 2027, unless they face off in the Super Bowl first.

Houston Texans

Like the Chargers, the Texans are in the AFC but do have the Eagles on their schedule for 2026. Still, this is a move that could make sense for both teams.

Nico Collins is a star outside receiver and adding Brown would give them a top-tier duo as rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel develop into long-term starters. Houston also has plenty of extra draft capital from the Laremy Tunsil trade to offer Philadelphia in a package for Brown. Collins operates well out wide and would allow Brown to be used in the slot more than he has been in Philadelphia this season.

Houston does have quarterback C.J. Stroud’s extension looming but few contracts on the books past next season. Per OverTheCap, the team has $167 million in space in 2027.

Arizona Cardinals

The lone NFC team on this list is the Cardinals, which may be heading towards desperation mode for coach Jonathan Gannon. Year three of his regime in Arizona has the Cardinals at the bottom of the NFC West entering Week 6.

Brown would immediately become the Cardinals’ top target in the passing game, even over tight end Trey McBride. His presence would make life easier for Marvin Harrison Jr. and give the team a trio of solid wide receivers alongside Michael Wilson in the slot.

Arizona doesn’t have extra draft capital to include in a deal for Brown, but if the team continues to have one of the worst pass offenses in the league, they’d take a risk to upgrade the offense.

A.J. Brown contract details

Brown has a unique contract that includes four void years tacked on from 2031 to 2034 that will not count against the salary cap in order to spread out his bonuses. That means his base salary figures are low and his cap number stays reasonable over the next three years compared to some of the best wide receivers in the league.

All data from OverTheCap.

2025

Base salary: $1.17 million
Guaranteed money: $1.17 million
Cap number: $17.52 million
Trade impacts

Dead money: $16.35 million
Cap savings: $1.17 million

2026

Base salary: $1.3 million
Guaranteed money: $29 million
Cap number: $23.39 million

If cut before June 1: $72.45 million in dead money, $49 million in cap penalty
If cut after June 1: $45.35 million in dead money, $21.96 million in cap penalty
If traded before June 1: $45.35 million in dead money, $20.05 million in cap penalty
If traded after June 1: $16.35 million in dead money, $7.04 million in cap savings

2027

Base salary: $1.35 million
Guaranteed money: None
Cap number: $22.67 million

If cut or traded before June 1: $27.09 million in dead money, $4.42 million in cap penalty
If cut or traded after June 1: $11.71 million in dead money, $10.96 million in cap savings

2028

Base salary: $1.39 million
Guaranteed money: None
Cap number: $27.56 million

If cut or traded before June 1: $15.39 million in dead money, $12.17 million in cap savings
If cut or traded after June 1: $9.67 million in dead money, $17.89 million in cap savings

2029

Base salary: $1.44 million
Guaranteed money: None
Cap number: $29.31 million

If cut or traded before or after June 1: $5.72 million in dead money, $23.59 million in cap savings

2030 (void)

Cap number: $53.52 million

If cut or traded before or after June 1: $53.52 million in cap savings

This week, in its second SEC road game in a matter of weeks, the eighth-ranked Crimson Tide was able to carve out its third consecutive win against a top-25-ranked opponent thanks to its defense.

The hero for Alabama was true freshman cornerback Dijon Lee Jr., who came up with the game-sealing interception against Beau Pribula and No. 14 Missouri with 37 seconds remaining in the game to give Alabama the 27-24 win at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri.

Stream Alabama vs. Missouri live with Fubo (free trial)

Heisman candidate Ty Simpson shined at times in the Crimson Tide’s win, especially late in the fourth quarter when he led the Alabama offense to a touchdown on its final drive of the day, which started with back-to-back plays of loss of 7 yards each. The 6-foot-2 quarterback completed 23 of 31 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns on the day.

Alabama’s 366-pound starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor nearly had a touchdown in the third quarter out of the wildcat, a package Alabama has dubbed ‘Krispy.’ The Tigers defense did a nice job making Crimson Tide star receiver Ryan Williams a non-factor on the afternoon, as the sophomore wideout finished with no catches on one target the whole game.

The Crimson Tide’s defense held Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy, the nation’s leading scorer, to 52 rushing yards on 12 carries. Hardy’s 52 rushing yards snapped his streak of seven-straight games of at least 100 rushing yards, which dated back to last season when he was at UL-Monroe.

The win moves to Alabama to 6-1 all-time against ranked opponents under Kalen DeBoer, who picked up his 12th win wearing his black hoodie with the Crimson Tide.

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow below for a recap.

Alabama vs Missouri live score

This section will be updated during the game

Alabama vs Missouri highlights

Here’s a compilation of highlights from Alabama’s win over Missouri on Saturday:

Alabama vs Missouri live updates

This section has been updated with new information

Final: Alabama 27, Missouri 24

Alabama picks off Beau Pribula to seal win

Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula throws the ball right into the hands of Alabama true freshman Dijon Lee Jr. on third-and-10 to seal the 27-24 win for the Crimson Tide on the road. With the win, Alabama moves to 5-1 (3-0 in SEC play) on the season while Missouri drops its first game of the year.

Alabama punts, Missouri gets last shot

Alabama tries to get Missouri to jump on the hard count, but is unable to get it, so the Crimson Tide punt the ball back to Missouri. The Tigers will have a shot to tie the game or win it with 1:117 remaining on the clock, starting at their own 18-yard line.

Alabama recovers onside kick

Alabama recovers the onside kick from Missouri and will start its drive at the Tigers’ own 41-yard line. Missouri has all three of its timeouts remaining with 1:36 left on the game clock. Alabama leads 27-24.

Missouri TD cuts Alabama lead

Missouri isn’t going away without a fight, as Beau Pribula fires a quick throw to Donovan Olugbode for a 3-yard touchdown in the middle of the end zone. Olugbode reeled in a 27-yard catch on a deep shot down the middle of the field on the previous play.

The Tigers now trail the Crimson Tide 27-24 with 1:39 remaining in the fourth quarter and will look for either a stop by their defense coming up or a recovery on the onside kick.

Ty Simpson extends Alabama lead with TD pass

Ty Simpson picks up the blitz on fourth-and-1 and dumps a 1-yard pass into the end zone to Daniel Hill to extend Alabama’s lead to 27-17 with 3:16 remaining in the fourth quarter.

What an impressive drive and last few throws by Simpson.

Ty Simpson makes ridiculous throw on fourth down

Ty Simpson delivers what may be his best throw of the season on fourth-and-8 to the left side of the field and into the hands of Lotzier Brooks for a 29-yard catch to extend Alabama’s drive. It is the longest play of the game for Alabama.

Simpson’s throws to Brooks came at a critical time for Alabama, which backed itself up on the field with back-to-back negative plays of 7 yards following a stop on fourth down from its defense.

Alabama stops Missouri fake punt

Alabama comes up with a huge play on special teams as Keon Keely and Ivan Taylor stop Jamal Roberts just before the first down mark on the fake punt. Roberts was confirmed to be a yard short of the first down after video review on the field.

The Crimson Tide will take over at the Tigers’ own 40-yard line with 7:02 remaining in the fourth quarter working with a 20-17 lead.

Conor Talty misses Alabama FG attempt

Alabama is unable to add to its lead in the fourth quarter, as Conor Talty missed his 49-yard field goal attempt. Talty’s kick goes wide left and keeps the score at 20-17 in favor of the Crimson Tide.

Jam Miller injury update

Alabama running back Jam Miller is down on the field after taking a hit to the head at the end of a run on third-and-1. Another scary injury for the Crimson Tide, who already lost Derek Meadows earlier in the game for taking a hit to the head.

ABC’s cameras showed Miller being taken back to the locker room with the help of Alabama trainers.

Third quarter: Alabama 20, Missouri 17

Alabama retakes lead on field goal

Alabama retakes the lead at 20-17 against Missouri with nine seconds remaining in the third quarter on a 22-yard field goal from Conor Talty.

Jam Miller’s 1-yard touchdown two plays prior was brought back as video replay confirmed Ty Simpson’s knee was down on the ground before he gave the ball to Miller. Simpson was unable to connect with Josh Cuavas on third-and-4 as his throw sailed well over Cuavas’ head in the end zone.

The scoring drive was 17 plays for 66 yards and took nine minutes off the game clock.

Alabama punts

It will be a three-and-out for Alabama on its second drive of the second half, as Ty Simpson is unable to pick up the first down on the quarterback scramble on third-and-6. Simpson falls three yards short of the first down as he is rushed out of bounds by Jalen Catalon.

The momentum has slowly shifted towards Missouri in this one after the Tigers’ defense came up with a takeaway on the first play of the half.

Ty Simpson back on field

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson trots out onto the field with the Crimson Tide offense for its second drive of the second half. ABC sideline reporter Katie George said Simpson was holding his midsection as he was trotting off the field following his fumble and waved off the medical tent for any evaluation.

Beau Pribula ties game for Missouri

Beau Pribula calls his own number and breaks the tackles of an Alabama defender on the juke move for a 5-yard rushing touchdown to tie the game at 17-17. The scoring drive was set up by the forced fumble from Zion Young and a 11-yard carry up the right side from Ahmad Hardy.

The scoring drive was three plays for 19 yards and took 1:27 off the game clock. An important drive is coming up for Alabama, which had backup quarterback Keelon Russell warming up on the sidelines after Ty Simpson came off the field looking shaken up following his fumble.

Missouri forces Alabama fumble

Zion Young punches the ball out of the hands from Ty Simpson on the first play of the third quarter and Josiah Trotter is there to recover it for Missouri. It’s quite the start for Missouri to begin the second half. The Tigers get the ball at Alabama’s own 19-yard line.

First half: Alabama 17, Missouri 10

Alabama leads Missouri at halftime

Missouri cuts Alabama’s lead to 17-10 going into halftime after a 35 field goal from Robert Meyer as time expires. From the ABC broadcast cameras, it looks like an Alabama player was able to get a hand on the kick and nearly came up with the block.

It is the first points on the board for the Tigers since Beau Pribula finished their opening drive with a 26-yard touchdown to Brett Norfleet. Alabama will begin the second half with the ball.

Ty Simpson sacked, Alabama punts

Damon Wilson II delivers Missouri’s defense with its biggest play of the afternoon, a 9-yard sack on Ty Simpson on third-and-4 to force Alabama to send out its punt unit. It is the first punt of the afternoon from the Crimson Tide, which had scored on its previous three drives.

Beau Pribula and the Tigers’ offense will need to get something going in the final 3:32 of the second quarter as they face a 17-7 deficit and Alabama begins the second half with the ball. Missouri has punted on each of its last three drives after going down the field and scoring on the game’s opening drive.

Alabama field goal extends lead

Conor Talty drills a 46-yard field goal down the middle to extend Alabama’s lead over Missouri to 17-7 with 7:10 remaining in the second quarter. Ty Simpson was unable to get away from a swarm of Missouri defenders on third-and-4 to pick up the first down, resulting in a 4-yard sack.

The scoring drive was nine plays for 40 yards and took 4:47 off the game clock.

Ty Simpson scrambles for 20-yard rush, converts on third down

Ty Simpson picks up the pressure from Missouri and takes off for a 20-yard carry up the middle of the field to pick up the first down on third-and-4. It is the longest run of the season for Simpson, who has been almost flawless on the afternoon.

Keon Keely sacks Beau Pribula, Missouri punts

Alabama dials the pressure on third-and-8 and Keon Keely is there and sacks Beau Pribula for a 6-yard loss. Missouir sends out the punt unit for the second consecutive drive.

Alabama takes lead on Ty Simpson TD pass

Ty Simpson fires a throw to Isaiah Horton in the back of the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown pass to give Alabama its first lead of the game at 14-7. It’s a great throw by Simpson on third and long and a great route run by Horton, who now has two catches for 23 yards and a score.

The scoring drive was 11 plays for 67 yards and took 4:48 off the game clock.

First quarter: Alabama 7, Missouri 7

Alabama, Missouri tied after first quarter

After one quarter of play, Alabama and Missouri are tied 7-7 in their top-15 matchup. Both teams scored touchdowns on their opening drives of the game, while both offenses combined for 183 total yards of offense.

Alabama will open the second quarter in the red zone, facing a second-and-13 after a 3-yard completed pass from Ty Simpson to Jam Miller following a 5-yard illegal formation shift penalty on the Crimson Tide.

Derek Meadows injury update

Alabama receiver Derek Meadows immediately fell to the ground after taking a hit from Missouri defender Marvin Burks on second-and-7 to the head area while still in the air. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide medical staff rushed out onto the field to tend to Meadows.

Burks was called for targeting by officials on the field. A scary scene in Colombia. As the ABC broadcast returned from the injury timeout, Meadows was seen walking off the field on his own power. Sideline reporter Katie George said Meadows was stabilized on his back and he had movement in his body.

Ty Simpson TD pass to Jam Miller ties game

Alabama answers Missouri’s opening drive touchdown with an opening drive touchdown of its own. Ty Simpson fires a 6-yard pass in the middle of the field to Jam Miller to even the score at 7-7.

Simpson completed 5 of 6 passes for 42 yards on Alabama’s 11-play drive, which went 78 yards and took 5:58 off the game clock. Two of Simpson’s passes included an 18-yard throw under pressure on third-and-8 to Lotzeir Brooks and a 21-yard pass down the field to Josh Cuevas.

As noted by ABC’s broadcast, Alabama is 24 of 25 in the red zone with 18 touchdowns on the season.

Beau Pribula throws 26-yard TD

Missouri strikes first on the afternoon with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Beau Pribula to tight end Brett Norfleet on the opening drive of the game. It is a really nice opening drive put together by the Tigers, who went 78 yards down the field across six plays.

The Tigers’ run game is showing to be an early problem for the Crimson Tide’s run defense, as Missouri ran five straight run plays on the drive between Pribula and Ahmad Hardy and Alabama was unable to tackle either of them. Missouri already has 52 rushing yards on the afternoon.

Alabama wins coin toss

Alabama wins the coin toss on the field and elects to defer the kickoff to the second half. It will be Beau Pribula and Missouri’s offense out on the field to start Saturday’s top-15 SEC matchup.

Pregame

‘College GameDay’ picks for Alabama vs Missouri

Here is who the ‘College GameDay’ crew picked to win Saturday’s SEC showdown between Alabama and Missouri

Desmond Howard: Alabama
Nick Saban: Alabama
Sabrina Ionescu (Guest Picker): Alabama
Pat McAfee: Alabama
Kirk Herbstreit: Missouri

What TV channel is Alabama vs Missouri on today?

TV: ABC
Streaming: Fubo (free trial)

Alabama vs. Missouri will air nationally on ABC in Week 7 of the college football season. Joe Tessitore and Jesse Palmer will have the call of the game from the booth at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, with Katie George reporting from the sidelines.

A streaming option for the game is Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Stream Alabama vs. Missouri live with Fubo (free trial)

Paul Finebaum talks Ty Simpson on ‘SEC Nation’

Appearing on the SEC Network’s ‘SEC Nation’ ahead of Alabama vs. Missouri, college football pundit Paul Finebaum gave some pretty high praise for Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson and how he has played since Alabama’s Week 1 loss to FSU.

‘If you eliminate the Florida State game, Ty Simpson is the best QB in the country,’ Finebaum said of Simpson, who leads the SEC in passing yards (1,478 yards) and is tied for second in touchdown passes (13). ‘It just shows you how much progress he has made.’

Beau Pribula warming up ahead of Missouri-Alabama

Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula has taken the field at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium ahead of what could be his biggest start of his career yet, including his time at Penn State.

Alabama vs Missouri injury availability report

Alabama

WR Jaylen Mbakwe — OUT
LB Qua Russaw — OUT
WR Jalen Hale — OUT
LB Jah-Marien Latham — OUT
LB Cayden Jones — OUT
DL Jeremiah Beaman — OUT

Missouri

K Blake Craig — OUT
QB Sam Horn — OUT
OL Logan Reichert — OUT

Alabama defense ranking

Entering Saturday’s game vs Missouri, Alabama’s defense ranks fourth in the SEC in total defense at 285.8 yards per game. One eye-opening stat with Alabama’s defense is the 4.7 yards per carry that they are giving up this season, which ranks second worst in the SEC. The reason why this stat is important is, Alabama is going up against the nation’s leading rushing in Ahmad Hardy, who is averaging 7.1 yards per game this season.

Kalen DeBoer record against ranked opponents 

Kalen DeBoer enters Saturday’s road game at No. 14 Missouri with an impressive 17-3 record against a top-25 ranked opponent in his coaching career, which includes stints at Fresno State and Washington. 

He is 5-1 against ranked opponents at Alabama, which includes two wins this season against Georgia and Vanderbilt.

Ahmad Hardy stats 

Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy has the Tigers’ running game off to a scorching hot start. The 5-foot-10 running back leads the country with 730 rushing yards, with the next closest runner being 37 yards away in NC State’s Hollywood Smothers. 

Hard enters Saturday’s game vs. Alabama with seven-straight games of at least 100 rushing yards, a streak that dates back to last season when he was at UL-Monroe.

Alabama uniform vs Missouri

Looks like Alabama will go with its road white uniform with crimson helmet on Saturday vs. Missouri.

Who is starting at quarterback for Alabama vs Missouri? 

Ty Simpson will once again start at quarterback for Alabama in its Week 7 SEC road game at Missouri. The longtime Crimson Tide backup quarterback has completed 111 of 158 passes (70.3%) for 1,478 yards and 13 touchdowns in five games, while adding 30 carries for 51 yards and two scores.

Simpson enters Saturday’s game vs. Missouri tied for the third-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy on BetMGM, at +800 odds.

Who is starting at quarterback for Missouri vs Alabama? 

Beau Pribula will start at quarterback for Missouri against Alabama in Week 7. The Penn State quarterback ranks third among all of FBS quarterbacks and leads the SEC quarterbacks in completion percentage (.759). He has thrown for 1,207 yards and nine touchdowns in five games.

What time does Alabama vs Missouri start?

Date: Saturday, Oct. 11
Time: Noon ET
Where: Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium (Columbia, Mo.)

Alabama and Missouri will kick off at noon ET on Saturday, Oct. 11 from Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri.

Alabama vs Missouri predictions

Colin Gay, Tuscaloosa News: No. 8 Alabama 28, No. 14 Missouri 17

‘In a meeting between the two SEC teams that keep the ball on offense the longest, one missed possession could decide Alabama-Missouri. But the Crimson Tide’s momentum — a defense that stopped both Georgia and Vanderbilt in its tracks, and an offense that moved like a freight train with Ty Simpson as its conductor — will be hard to stop. Don’t expect the score to indicate this. But Alabama should control the Tigers firmly from start to finish.’

Calum McAndrew, Columbia Daily Tribune: Alabama 34, Missouri 28

‘If Hardy keeps his recent run of production rolling against elite opposition and the Tigers don’t shoot themselves in the foot in the secondary, there’s a chance the Tigers are 6-0 heading to Auburn. Will that happen? Well, the opponent has a tremendous amount of quality and an equal say in the outcome.  Alabama’s recent run of performances indicates it should be discussed as one of the nation’s elite teams and a national title contender.  Feet to the fire, we’re guessing that shows up on Saturday, but there’s little doubt in our mind that it’s going to be competitive all the way to the final drive.’

Alabama vs Missouri live odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday, Oct. 11 at 9:55 a.m. ET 

Spread: Alabama -3.5 
Over/under: 52.5 
Moneyline: Alabama (-175) | Missouri (+145)

Alabama football schedule 2025

Here is Alabama’s schedule and results for the 2025 season:

Saturday, Aug. 30: Florida State 31, Alabama 17
Saturday, Sept. 6: Alabama 73, Louisiana-Monroe 0
Saturday, Sept. 13: Alabama 38, Wisconsin 14
Saturday, Sept. 20: BYE
Saturday, Sept. 27: Alabama 24, No. 5 Georgia 21 *
Saturday, Oct. 4: Alabama 30, No. 16 Vanderbilt 14 *
Saturday, Oct. 11: at No. 14 Missouri * | Noon ET | ABC (Fubo)
Saturday, Oct. 18: vs. No. 12 Tennessee * | 7:30 p.m. ET | ABC (Fubo)
Saturday, Oct. 25: at South Carolina *
Saturday, Nov. 1: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 8: vs. No. 11 LSU *
Saturday, Nov. 15: vs. No. 6 Oklahoma *
Saturday, Nov. 22: vs. Eastern Illinois | 2 p.m. ET | ESPN+
Saturday, Nov. 29: at Auburn *

* Denotes SEC game

Missouri football schedule 2025

Here is Missouri’s schedule and results for the 2025 season:

Thursday, Aug. 28: Missouri 61, Central Michigan 6
Saturday, Sept. 6: Missouri 42, Kansas 31
Saturday, Sept. 13: Missouri 52, Louisiana 10
Saturday, Sept. 20: Missouri 29, South Carolina 20
Saturday, Sept. 27: Missouri 42, UMass 6
Saturday, Oct. 4: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 11: vs. No. 8 Alabama * | Noon ET | ABC (Fubo)
Saturday, Oct. 18: at Auburn *
Saturday, Oct. 25: at No. 20 Vanderbilt *
Saturday, Nov. 1: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 8: vs. No. 5 Texas A&M *
Saturday, Nov. 15: vs. Mississippi State *
Saturday, Nov. 22: at No. 6 Oklahoma * | Noon ET | ABC or ESPN (Fubo)
Saturday, Nov. 29: at Arkansas *

* Denotes SEC game

It was exhausting and exhilarating, maddening and delirious and by the end of it, Game 5 of the American League Division Series was the longest, by innings, winner-take-all game in Major League Baseball history.

Such drama – capped when Jorge Polanco’s bases-loaded single scored J.P. Crawford in the bottom of the 15th inning to break a stalemate and send the Seattle Mariners into the AL Championship Series – comes with no shortage of statistical absurdities.

The Detroit Tigers were shut out for an entire game – the final nine innings – yet still hung around long enough to rue the many missed opportunities all winter. Meanwhile, the Mariners will sleep off their celebration and jet to Toronto for Game 1 of the ALCS on Sunday, Oct. 12.

Before moving onward, let’s explore nine of the most important and absurd numbers from the 15-inning epic.

37

Strikeouts by both teams, a tribute both to the excellent pitching but also the tightness with which players clutched the bats in the late going.

The Tigers struck out looking three times against Eduard Bazardo in the 13th and 14th innings, a grim lack of aggression when the game could’ve been won. Bats were shattering everywhere all night, and where’s Statcast when you need that particular piece of data?

Yet 27 of the strikeouts were registered in the first nine innings – 13 by Tarik Skubal, who set a record for most strikeouts in a winner-take-all game.

2

Consecutive extra innings in which the Mariners got the first two runners on base yet failed to cash in the winning run. In fact, in the bottom of the 12th they had first-and-second, nobody out and a 3-0 count on No. 9 hitter J.P. Crawford – who failed twice to get a bunt down and then flew out to left.

The next batter, Randy Arozarena, grounded back to Keider Montero for a 1-4-3 double play.

In the 13th, erstwhile starter Jack Flaherty walked both Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh to start the frame. Yet he threw a nasty full-count knuckle curve to strike out Jorge Polanco and then got a 6-4-3 double-play ball out of Eugenio Suarez.

Yes, the Mariners experienced the ultimate fulfillment by the end. Yet any player or fan will tell you it was torture getting there.

4

Starting pitchers who entered the game in relief, putting into action the “all hands on deck” ethos so dramatically cited in winner-take-all games.

In fact, Mariners starters Logan Gilbert (who won Game 3) and Luis Castillo (who started Game 2) had never appeared in relief in their careers. Gilbert pitched around three hits in his two innings while Castillo fulfilled an even more awkward ask, coming in with runners on base in the 14th inning. He induced an inning-ending popout from Javy Baez, and then pitched a spotless 15th – for the win.

The most gallant performance? That goes to Tigers lefty Troy Melton, who started Game 1, pitched three shutout innings to win Game 4 and save Detroit’s season – then added a scoreless 10th inning in Game 5. Above and beyond, to say the least.

9

Career RBIs entering the game for Leo Rivas, who suddenly found himself in a crucial spot in the seventh inning after a flurry of managerial maneuvers: Two outs, trailing 2-1, two runners on – and it was his 28th birthday, no less.

Surprise party: He ripped a line drive to left field to score the tying run.

Another run wouldn’t cross for eight more innings – by which point Rivas was well on his way to his 29th birthday.

101

Velocity on Skubal’s 99th and final pitch of the night, a fastball he ripped past Cal Raleigh for his 13th strikeout to end the sixth inning. It was the 14th consecutive batter Skubal retired and by then, the Tigers had seized a 2-1 lead and needed just nine outs to advance.

Alas, the Mariners did well to run Skubal’s pitch count up, and the lefty expended plenty of bullets to get those punchouts. Yet the soon-to-be two-time Cy Young Award winner showed he was all that on the postseason stage.

0-for-18

Output for the Tigers’ 2-3-4 hitters, Gleyber Torres, Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson. They combined for seven strikeouts, four by Torkelson, and four runners stranded in scoring position as Tigers fans pleaded, screamed, begged for just one lousy run as their pitchers kept hanging up zeroes.

1

Career victories for “Humpy” in the “salmon run” contested at T-Mobile Park, usually in the middle of the fourth inning.

Yet desperate times call for desperate measures and so, in the middle of the 15th inning, Sockeye, Silver, King Salmon and Humpy rolled out on the warning track and ran one more time.

Lo and behold, it was Humpy’s night, much to the delight of the T-Mobile diehards.

Just minutes later, Polanco’s single drove in the series-winning run.

Coincidence?

43

Hours between the final pitch of ALDS Game 5 and first pitch of ALCS Game 1.

In that time span the Mariners were expected to imbibe voraciously, dry off their champagne, go to bed, wake up, fly to Toronto, work out at Rogers Centre and, theoretically, get some sleep before the next round begins.

Hit snooze a few times, fellas. You earned it.

PHOENIX — The Houston Comets, the Minnesota Lynx and, now, the Las Vegas Aces.

With their third title in four years, the Aces have firmly cemented themselves as one of the WNBA’s dynasties. And, by completing a sweep of the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night in the league’s first best-of-seven Finals, at a time when the level of play in the WNBA has never been higher, the Aces might just be the best team ever.

They have the best player on the planet in A’ja Wilson, the best facilitator in Chelsea Gray, the best two-way guard in Jackie Young and the best coach in Becky Hammon. Add in a bench that includes former scoring champion Jewell Loyd and sharp-shooter Dana Evans, and they could shatter the WNBA’s record for titles won by a single franchise before their reign is over.

‘I just think the evolving of the game — I left the game in ’14. These players are bigger, stronger, faster and more skilled just than it was 10 years ago,’ said Hammon, who faced both the Comets and Lynx during her playing career. ‘Those dynasties laid the groundwork, showed how winning should be done and really gave a lot to the W in so far as history. It’s really great to talk about it, but the skill set and the level that these guys are at, to me it’s not comparable.

‘These ladies are at the top of the game, and it is the best basketball the W has ever seen. From top to bottom.’

In fact, at this rate, the biggest threat to Las Vegas might be the next collective bargaining agreement. The current deal expires Oct. 31.

The Aces are an incredibly tight-knit group — the postgame press conference Friday night with Hammon, Wilson, Gray, Young and Loyd was a hilarious lovefest — and it’s hard to imagine them losing their core. But salaries are expected to soar, and every franchise will be throwing money at them. Heck, everyone else on the Las Vegas roster, too.

Not if owner Mark Davis has anything to do with it, however.

When Davis bought the Aces in 2021, he did so partly because he thought the players were being short-changed financially and he wanted to change that. Now that the players are about to cash in, Davis will be happy to pay the tab if it means keeping the dynasty going.

‘I’m going to keep everybody,’ Davis told USA TODAY Sports. ‘We have to see how this all shakes out, but yeah, obviously we want to continue what we’re doing it. It would be tough to break it up.’

It would be a shame, too. It’s hard enough to win one title, let alone enough of them to earn yourself the title of dynasty. If you are lucky enough to find yourself in that position, you do everything in your power to protect it and keep it going for as long as you can.

‘I’m grateful to be with this bunch,’ Wilson said. ‘And that ain’t the alcohol talking.’

That’s what makes this title particularly sweet, because it wasn’t that long ago the Aces didn’t look like playoff contenders let alone dynasty material.

In an eight-day span after the All-Star break, Las Vegas was walloped twice by the Minnesota Lynx. Not just beaten. Ground into proverbial dust, losing by 31 points the first game and 53 the second.

But the great teams figure things out. The Aces closed the regular season on a 16-game win streak. They would win 25 of their last 28 games, including all four against the Mercury. The 97-86 win over Phoenix on Friday night was their second by double digits in the Finals and fifth in the playoffs.

They joined the Comets as the only WNBA teams to win three titles in four years. The Comets won four in a row from 1997-2000.

‘To be here right now, after where we were in May and June, there were a lot of doubts besides in our locker room,’ Gray said. ‘We had confidence in each other. I’m just really proud of how we stayed the course and trusted the process the entire time.’

While the sweep might suggest otherwise, the Aces had to show that resolve in the Finals.

They led by 20 early in the third quarter Friday night, only to have Phoenix storm back and make a game of it, just as they did in Game 3. Despite not having Satou Sabally and Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts getting tossed after back-to-back technicals, they got within six points twice in the fourth quarter.

But the Aces are simply too good. Their run will end on their terms, not someone else’s.

‘We ran into a really good team,’ Tibbetts said. ‘We ran into a team that’s been through it together. We ran into a team that had the ultimate belief and trust that they could get it done.’

Gray and Young combined for 11 points during a two-minute span to put Las Vegas back up by double digits, 89-78, with 4:26 left. All that was left to do was uncork the champagne and start planning the parade.

‘This one hits different because it was different,’ Hammon said, choking back tears. ‘There was probably a lot more adversity than any of us anticipated. We’re all humans. But humans that wanted to get it right and get it right together.’

Get it right they did. And now they’re a team for the ages, pushing the bar by which all future WNBA teams will be measured to the highest of heights.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

PHOENIX — After the Las Vegas Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury in the 2025 WNBA Finals, A’ja Wilson came into the postgame press conference with her googles, pink tambourine and her newest piece of hardware — the second WNBA Finals MVP Trophy of her career.

‘I still got a little bit more winning to do before you put me in that (GOAT) conversation,’ said Wilson, who drew comparisons to Michael Jordan after finishing with 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals in the Aces’ 97-86 Game 4 win over the Mercury. ‘When you’re compared to greats, when you’re compared to legends, that means you’re doing something right and I’m so grateful, but I would never do who I am, who I am without my teammates.’

This marks Wilson and the Aces’ third title in four years. Wilson and her teammates highlight our list of winners from Game 4 of the WNBA Finals. The Mercury and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert round out our losers:

Winners

Aces forward A’ja Wilson’s greatness

A’ja Wilson might have just redefined what it means to be a GOAT. On Friday, she became the first person in WNBA and NBA history to win MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP and a scoring title in a single season. She also joined Bill Russell as the only players in both leagues to win three MVPs and three championships in a four-season span. As Aces head coach Becky Hammon said, Wilson is “Everest. There is no one else around.”

Aces coach Becky Hammon’s finals record

Under Hammon, Las Vegas has cemented itself as one of the premier dynasties of the league, joining the Minnesota Lynx, Houston Comets, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Detroit Shock and Phoenix Mercury as the only teams to win three or more championships. After winning her third title in four seasons, Hammon stands alone with the best record in WNBA Finals history (10-2).

Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd’s ring collection

It’s time we put some respect on Gray’s name. She now has four championship rings with the Aces and the Sparks. The ‘point gawd’ deserves her praise for being part of the Las Vegas dynasty, but also one of the best guards in league history. Speaking of guards, Loyd now has her third ring and her first in the post-Seattle Storm era of her career. After a very tough split from the organization, winning with the Aces has to feel sweet. ‘I was kind of written off and exiled, but I ended up in the promised land,’ Loyd said in her postgame presser. To be clear, that’s the ultimate mic drop moment for the veteran guard.

Mercery forward Alyssa Thomas’ grit

Thomas is often regarded as one of the toughest players in the league. Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said it. Her teammates say it. She showed just how tough she is in the third quarter of Game 4. Thomas injured her right shoulder in the closing seconds of the first half after running into a hard screen set by Aces guard Jewell Loyd. Thomas writhed in pain on the court and Mercury staff members had to hold her right arm as she went back to the locker room. But Thomas was back on the court when the third quarter began with her right shoulder heavily tapped.  Thomas finished with another triple-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

Mark Davis’s postgame meal

Las Vegas Raiders and Aces owner Mark Davis strolled into Las Vegas’ postgame presser, drenched in seemingly something of the alcoholic variety and eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. No, that’s not a misprint. Davis really chowed down on a sandwich and then took the podium to answer questions from until his team arrived.

Losers

Anticlimactic best-of-seven WNBA Finals

After the 2024 WNBA Finals between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty went to a decisive Game 5, all eyes were on the first best-of-seven Finals in league history. But the minimum number of games were needed to determine a champion in the 2025 WNBA Finals. The Aces swept the Mercury in four games, marking an unceremonious end to the first best-of-seven series. 

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert booed

Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts’ ejection 

‘I thought it was bull—-,” Tibbetts said. “I didn’t even know that I got the second one. To be completely honest, I don’t understand it. I feel bad for our team, our fans, my family. It wasn’t needed in my opinion. Now I’d love to hear that, their call. But yeah, we work, we’re playing for our playoff lives. I mean, most coaches, when they get tossed, you’re doing it on purpose. And that was not my intention at all. But there’s been issues with the officiating all year.”

Tibbetts stopped short of repeating what he said, but a postgame pool report revealed that Tibbetts yelled, “That’s f—ing terrible.” crew chief Roy Gulbeyan said, “After the first technical was assessed, coach Tibbetts stepped in closer aggressively to the calling official and again yelled, ‘That’s f—ing terrible.’ At that point, a second technical was assessed, and he was ejected.”

Mercury turnovers

The Mercury committed 18 turnovers in their Game 4 loss, which the Aces converted to 26 points. It continued a troubling trend for Phoenix after having 14 turnovers in Game 1 that led to 20 Aces points.

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