Ohio State, Indiana, and Oregon are currently positioned as strong playoff contenders from the conference.
Key upcoming games include USC at Notre Dame, Nebraska at Penn State, and Ohio State at Michigan.
At least three Big Ten teams are expected to make the 12-team College Football Playoff field.

Things are about to get very serious in the Big Ten.

The first half of the college football is in the books. Penn State is out of the mix. Wisconsin is terrible. No. 1 Ohio State is intimidating. No. 3 Indiana looks unbeatable.

The second half of the regular season will decide which teams meet to decide the conference championship and which Big Ten teams make the College Football Playoff.

For now, the Buckeyes, Hoosiers and No. 9 Oregon look like playoff locks. The second tier of contenders include No. 21 Southern California, Michigan, Nebraska and Illinois.

The expectation is that at least three and as many as four Big Ten teams make the 12-team field. Four made last year’s bracket in the Buckeyes, Hoosiers, Ducks and Nittany Lions.

These games will shape the Big Ten race in the second half and help clean up an unsettled playoff race:

Southern California at No. 15 Notre Dame, Oct. 18

After beating Michigan to break into the US LBM Coaches Poll, the Trojans take on another big test against the red-hot Fighting Irish. USC could lose this game and still make the playoff as an at-large team, or even rally in Big Ten play to reach the conference championship game. What happens in South Bend will show whether the Trojans have what it takes.

UCLA at Indiana, Oct. 25

This is looking like Indiana’s biggest test the rest of the way, underscoring how the Hoosiers might have the best playoff odds of any team in the Power Four. UCLA has turned a corner since firing Deshaun Foster and clearly found an offensive identity. Will that be enough to score a mammoth upset?

Southern California at Nebraska, Nov. 1

One-loss Nebraska is hanging around the playoff race in Matt Rhule’s third season. A close win against Maryland shows how thin the margin of error is for a team that has improved dramatically under Rhule but isn’t quite a finished product. Beating USC would provide some national respect and set up the possibility of a 10-win regular season.

Nebraska at Penn State, Nov. 22

This might be awkward. A former Penn State linebacker, Rhule was immediately floated as James Franklin’s successor due to his ties to the program and deep connection with Nittany Lions athletics director Pat Kraft. It’s possible that Rhule will have made a public commitment to Nebraska before this road trip. If not, though, and if the Cornhuskers are surging in the Top 25, this matchup will be one of the most storyline-heavy of the second half.

Oregon at Washington, Nov. 29

The Ducks should be in firm position for an at-large playoff bid and even the Big Ten title game before the trip to Seattle. If not, though — let’s say they slip and fall at Iowa or the week prior against USC — this could be a winner-take-all matchup that determines much more than just bragging rights.

Ohio State at Michigan, Nov. 29

Can the Buckeyes finally crack Michigan’s code? The Buckeyes seem better equipped to handle the Wolverines thanks to an elite defense that ranks near the top of the country in every major category. And by this point in the year, the Julian Sayin-led offense could be the best in the conference.

The SEC has as many as 10 teams in contention for the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Key games include No. 10 LSU at No. 18 Vanderbilt and No. 5 Mississippi at No. 7 Georgia.
Rivalry games like Texas A&M at Texas and the Iron Bowl could have major playoff implications.

There is no shortage of high-impact SEC games involving every College Football Playoff contender occurring every weekend from now through the end of the regular season.

But that’s life in college football’s meatgrinder.

While the Big Ten might have five or six teams in the playoff mix, the list of candidates in the SEC goes as many as 10 deep, matching the number of teams the league has in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll.

It’s easy to identify which teams are contending for the 12-team bracket. What’s not so easy is predicting which three or four teams rise to the top of the standings and earn automatic and at-large playoff bids.

The second half of the year will help bring this into focus. From this weekend through the final Saturday of November, these games will determine where the SEC lands:

No. 10 LSU at No. 18 Vanderbilt, Oct. 18

It’s a huge test and a potential breaking point for Vanderbilt, which looked a clear step behind the best teams in the SEC in this month’s loss to No. 6 Alabama. A win establishes the Commodores as a legitimate playoff hopeful and essentially bounces LSU from contention. This is an opportunity for the Tigers offense to finally get on track.

No. 5 Mississippi at No. 7 Georgia, Oct. 18

There are still some unknowns about the Rebels, especially after a too-close-for-comfort win against Washington State. There are questions about the Bulldogs, too, given their uneven play through the first half of games. This is a tone-setting game for both teams that will provide some separation near the top of the conference.

No. 11 Tennessee at No. 6 Alabama, Oct. 18

The third marquee game this Saturday alone rekindles a rivalry that has shifted back to the Volunteers, winners of two of the last three meetings. Both teams have some playoff wiggle room, but the winner could head out of the weekend as the favorite in the SEC. It’s another test for Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar, who hasn’t faced a ranked opponent on the road.

No. 4 Texas A&M at LSU, Oct. 25

Saturday’s trip to Arkansas won’t help decide whether A&M is truly one of the top five teams in the Bowl Subdivision or just a very good team taking advantage of an easier schedule. That answer could come a week later in Death Valley. LSU has the talent to flip a switch and run the table in the second half.

Georgia vs. Florida, Nov. 1

The annual meeting between the schools in Jacksonville, Florida, is notable for potentially being the final game for Florida coach Billy Napier, who has been able to dodge a pink slip but finds his job security more tenuous than ever. Look for the school to make a coaching change should the Gators lose.

Texas A&M at No. 16 Missouri, Nov. 8

This one of three games remaining against ranked teams for Missouri, sandwiched between matchups against Vanderbilt and No. 13 Oklahoma. Should they get past the Commodores, a win against the Aggies could put the Tigers on track to land an at-large bid.

LSU at Alabama, Nov. 8

One potential backdrop to this game is Brian Kelly’s future at LSU should the Tigers lose once before heading to Tuscaloosa. The same might be said of Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, though he’s solidified his status during an active five-game winning streak. This could determine half of the makeup of the SEC championship game if both teams have just one loss.

Oklahoma at Alabama, Nov. 15

By this point, the hope for Oklahoma is that quarterback John Mateer has fully recovered from his hand injury and is playing at the level that made him a Heisman Trophy front-runner. The Sooners’ defense is one of the best nationally, so a playoff bid comes down to whether the offense gets back in gear.

No. 17 Texas at Georgia, Nov. 15

This game would take on much less meaning if Texas slips up and takes a third loss against Vanderbilt. If the Longhorns have just two losses, the trip to Athens would be one of the biggest regular-season games of the Steve Sarkisian era. A loss might end their postseason hopes. A win could vault them into the SEC title game.

Georgia at No. 13 Georgia Tech, Nov. 28

This could be a playoff eliminator for the loser should unbeaten Geogia Tech lose once or twice in ACC play and fall short of the conference title game. While who the loss or losses come against matters, the Yellow Jackets could still meet the Bulldogs with an at-large playoff bid at risk. Last year’s rivalry was an epic, eight-overtime win by Georgia.

Texas A&M at Texas, Nov. 28

This rekindled rivalry would be must-see TV even if both teams were hovering around five or six wins. There’s a chance that this game carries the same weight as last year’s meeting, which had profound consequences for the SEC and the playoff. If Sarkisian is under fire after the Georgia game, a loss to Mike Elko and the Aggies would make his job security one of the main talking points of the offseason.

Alabama at Auburn, Nov. 29

The Iron Bowl will also draw national eyeballs regardless of the records involved. In this year’s case, don’t look for Auburn to have much more on the line than getting to six wins, which even then might not be enough to salvage Hugh Freeze’s job. There will be plenty of pressure on DeBoer, though, because of the chance the Tigers play spoilers and knock the Crimson Tide out of the title conversation.

Sanders has found success at Colorado by embracing media attention and integrating his family into the program effectively.
Belichick’s tenure at North Carolina has been marked by on-field struggles and off-field distractions.
The coaches have taken contrasting approaches to public relations, family involvement, and media projects like reality shows.

Deion Sanders and Bill Belichick came to college football as experimental coaches of sorts — sports legends who had made their names in the NFL but had no college coaching experience.

Each now is among 10 college coaches nationally making $10 million per year. Both brought family to their jobs. Both have been pursued by documentary filmmakers. And both have high-profile younger girlfriends.

But each has taken a different approach that’s led to different results. Belichick has flopped at North Carolina so far, while Sanders parlayed his first two seasons at Colorado into a new five-year, $53 million contract in March. Sanders’ team is 3-4 this year after finishing 9-4 in 2024. But his program has been built on big stars, big moments and mostly favorable media coverage, unlike how Belichick’s tenure at North Carolina has been perceived during its small sample size of just five games.

Here’s how one has made it work and one has not so far, both on the field and in the court of public opinion.

Bringing family to the job

After starting his college coaching career with success at Jackson State, Sanders brought all three of his sons to Colorado — one as starting quarterback (Shedeur), one as starting safety (Shilo) and one as the team’s video marketing ace to boost recruiting (Deion Jr.) All performed well in their roles and helped lead Colorado to a bowl game last year — a huge improvement from when the Buffaloes finished 1-11 in 2022, before Sanders arrived.

By contrast, Belichick hired his sons Steve and Brian as the team’s defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. A little nepotism can be overlooked when you’re doing the job and winning, not when your defense ranks 77th nationally in total yards per game allowed and 107th nationally in pass efficiency defense, as North Carolina’s does this week.

Girlfriends in the public eye

Belichick is 73 and his girlfriend Jordon Hudson is 24. Sanders is 58 and his apparent girlfriend Karrueche Tran is 37. All are adults, and their relationships are nobody’s business except theirs. But when these relationships are brought into the public eye by their own choosing, it shapes public perception about them, fairly or not.

In April, Hudson interrupted a national television interview with Belichick to shoot down a question about their relationship. Belichick also has asked UNC staff to copy her on emails sent to him and was photographed holding hands with her in Nantucket a few days after a 34-9 loss at Central Florida.

What’s wrong with any of that anyway? Nothing really. But it has spiraled into a public sideshow at North Carolina, adding to the public-relations challenges there at a time when the football program is perceived to be dysfunctional.

By contrast, Sanders has avoided that. His relationship with Tran, an actress, has been publicly low-key. She’s appeared at his side at the hospital during his cancer ordeal in May and then again for his blood-clot surgery Oct. 7, as shown on videos posted by Deion Jr. since July.

Their reality shows on campus

Sanders is a walking reality show in his own right. He wants the cameras around him almost all the time to help market his program and himself for his sponsors. Cameras have been a nearly constant presence since he arrived in Boulder in December 2022, including for two seasons of the “Coach Prime” documentary series on Amazon Prime Video. Sanders and his management team had control over the project and didn’t stop production during his first season when the Buffaloes finished 4-8. A new Netflix show on Sanders also is on the way. Sanders welcomes this attention because he knows how beneficial it is for him and his program even when his team isn’t very good.

By contrast, difficulties have emerged with efforts to film what’s going on in Chapel Hill with Belichick, who is not exactly known to be camera-friendly. A deal to feature North Carolina’s football program on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” series was scuttled by Hudson, according to a report by The Athletic. Another docuseries about Belichick’s program by Hulu also was scrapped, according to recent reports. Belichick said Monday it’s “still a work in progress.”

Handling the hate-watchers

Both have large followings of hate-watchers who love to see them fail. Both also can seem thin-skinned in response to criticism and perceived slights. Colorado even banned questions from a reporter who wrote articles Sanders didn’t like. But Sanders vivaciously engages cameras and news conferences in ways Belichick does not. He even opens up about his health issues. This helps make him more likeable even when he’s snippy. By contrast, Belichick is known for his stoicism and saying as little as possible in news conferences.

Which way is more likely to buy you goodwill and patience when your team is in a funk?

Their honeymoon phases

Every new coach has a honeymoon phase — a time of newlywed love not to be overcome by rain clouds early in the marriage. In Sanders’ case, he started with such a bang at Colorado in 2023 — an improbable 3-0 start — it still buys him goodwill to this day, almost like he proved what he can do already and just needs to sustain it now. Because of that and his 9-4 season last year, he’s arguably still in the honeymoon phase with much of the Colorado fan base.

By contrast, Belichick is 2-3 after opening with a 48-14 loss to TCU Sept. 1. He has lost three games to Power Four opponents by at least 25 points each. The honeymoon is over already and even has led to speculation recently Belichick and North Carolina might soon part ways. He denied it on Monday.

Their player ‘luggage’

On the day his hiring was announced at Colorado, Sanders said he was bringing his own Louis Vuitton player luggage with him to Colorado. And he did, including his son Shedeur, now with the Cleveland Browns, and Travis Hunter, who won the Heisman Trophy last year.

Players of that caliber are missing at North Carolina so far under Belichick, whose NFL reputation was supposed to be a magnet for star transfers and recruits. At quarterback, Belichick brought in South Alabama transfer Gio Lopez, who struggled this season before getting injured. Belichick also signed top quarterback recruit Bryce Baker, who hasn’t played as a freshman.

Like Sanders, Belichick relied on the transfer portal to overhaul his roster with dozens of new players. His first transfer class in 2025 was ranked No. 9 nationally by 247Sports. Sanders’ first transfer class in 2023 was ranked No. 1, including Shedeur and Hunter.

Sizing up their prior success

Prior success has built both into football legends. Belichick won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots. Sanders is a Pro Football Hall of Famer who also played Major League Baseball.

But any failures in college coaching can lead to questions about how good they really are and how they got there.

Belichick is now subject to debate about whether his prior success is due to himself or former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Sanders’ prior success came mostly from his own athletic ability, in football and baseball. His foray into coaching is perceived as a third act to that, unlike with Belichick, who had to tamp down speculation he wants to bail from his college job already.

“Some of the reports out last week about my looking for a buyout and trying to leave here and all that is categorically false,” Belichick said at a news conference Monday.

The story continues in the meantime for both.

North Carolina is coming off a bye week to play at California on Friday night.

Colorado is entering a bye week and next plays at Utah on Oct. 25.

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

In the NBA, size matters. Is it any wonder that six of the last seven NBA MVP winners are either forwards or centers?

Is LeBron James, at 40 years old, still a top-five forward? Is Anthony Davis still worthy of a top-five spot himself considering he was worth trading away for a high-end guard?

We asked our panel of experts who the best forwards in the NBA were heading into this season. Here is the comprehensive list.

NOTE: Players who are expected to miss most of, or the entirety of, the 2025-26 NBA season were not included.

Top 10 forwards for 2025-26 NBA season

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Our experts said: Antetokounmpo remains perhaps the league’s best two-way weapon entering his 13th season and earned first-team All-NBA honors for the seventh year in a row in 2024-25. The two-time MVP set a career high for assists in 2024-25 and shot better than 60% from the field for the second consecutive season (he’s the only player in NBA history to do that while averaging more than 30 points per game).

2. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

Our experts said: James remains one of the NBA’s top all-around offensive threats, particularly in transition, as he begins his record-breaking 23rd season. The 40-year-old was second-team All-NBA last year and will be playing for the Lakers on an expiring contract in 2025-26. His court vision and play-making has not waned, and he’ll look to add to his remarkable all-time career scoring total of 42,184 points.

3. Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets

Our experts said: Durant finished sixth in the NBA in scoring (26.6) and minutes (36.5) per game while he was a member of the Phoenix Suns, but he missed 20 games last season. He was also named an All-Star for the 15th time in his professional career. Now with the Rockets, he joins a team that should highlight his silky mid-range jumper with a coach in Ime Udoka who knows how to maximize Durant’s unicorn skill set.

4. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks

Our experts said: Davis is a feared defensive anchor and powerful interior offensive option – when healthy – and the centerpiece of the Mavericks’ bold decision to trade away Luka Dončić. Davis played just nine regular-season games for the Mavericks last season due to injury, but Dallas should remain a Western Conference threat so long as he’s on the court. Davis made second team all-NBA when he appeared in 76 games for the Lakers in 2023-24. 

5. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

Our experts said: Leonard played just 37 regular-season games, missing the start of the campaign with knee inflammation, but he was healthy for the Clippers in the playoffs. And while he was ineligible for postseason awards, he was tabbed as the NBA Player of the Week for Week 24 of the season (March 31-April 6). He’ll be facing the NBA-backed investigation on salary cap circumvention, but now at 34, health also remains a concern.

6. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Our experts said: Banchero was sidelined in the first half of the season with a torn oblique, but he returned to post career highs in points and rebounds in 46 games. He’ll turn just 23 in mid-November and has diversified his offensive portfolio to include silky mid-range, straight-line drives to the basket and occasional hits from 3-point range.

7. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

Our experts said: An elite two-way player – he made both the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams – Williams’ meteoric rise (he is entering just his fourth NBA season) will help the Thunder and their young core stay in the championship conversation. He signed a new five-year, maximum rookie contract extension that could reach $287 million.

8. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

Our experts said: Towns stands out after a successful first season with the Knicks in which he earned all-NBA honors for the third time in his 10-year career and fit in well alongside fellow All-Star Jalen Brunson. One of the best 3-point shooting big men in history could see a boost in his numbers playing at a faster tempo under new Knicks coach Mike Brown. 

9. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

Our experts said: The best players in the world are those who can rise to the occasion when their teammates struggle. Brown is that guy. When Jayson Tatum struggled in the 2024 NBA Finals, Brown earned Finals MVP. In fact, the only game the Celtics lost to Dallas in that series was one in which Brown struggled to score (3 of 12 from the field in Game 4). Regardless, Brown is dependable and might be the best No. 2 in the league. With Jayson Tatum likely out for the year, we’ll see if Brown can once again elevate himself to the level the Celtics need from him.

10. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

Our experts said: The reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Mobley is much more than a lengthy stopper. Coach Kenny Atkinson has empowered Mobley to be a stretch forward who can knock down shots from the corner just as easily as he can go to work in the low block. He only just turned 24 in June and finished 10th in MVP voting last season. A further leap could be incoming.

Microsoft Copilot AI posted just a 5-9 record straight up making its picks in Week 5. It bounced back in a big way in Week 6.

Copilot earned a mark of 10-5 with its game picks in Week 6. It was tripped up by a handful of prime-time upsets – most notably the New York Giants’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles on ‘Thursday Night Football’ and the Atlanta Falcons’ victory over the Buffalo Bills on ‘Monday Night Football’ – but otherwise, the week was one of the chatbot’s best.

Can Copilot continue its winning ways in NFL Week 7? USA TODAY Sports is continuing its experiment with the AI chatbot to see if it can remain hot.

Per usual, the process of collecting Copilot’s picks was simple. The AI chatbot was prompted to pick a winner and provide a score for all 15 of the NFL’s Week 6 matchups. The basic form of the query used to generate the results was as follows:

Can you predict the winner and the score of the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Week 7 game?

This process was then repeated for all of the NFL’s Week 5 matchups, with the appropriate games being swapped in for each additional prompt.

Typically, Copilot was able to interpret the prompt without issue. That said, there were a couple of occasions when the chatbot provided outdated or incorrect information, especially regarding injured players around the NFL and recent transactions. That wasn’t overly surprising, as some Large Language Models (LLMs) struggle to keep up with the latest sports news and updates.

When Copilot produced these errors, the chatbot was simply prompted to fix the errors and reassess.

Below is a summation of Copilot’s picks for Week 7, along with a brief, human-crafted analysis of each of the chatbot’s answers.

NFL Week 7 picks: AI predicts scores for every game

Copilot’s Week 6 results: 10-5
Copilot’s 2025 season record: 54-38-1

Pittsburgh Steelers 26, Cincinnati Bengals 17

AI’s take: Copilot said Joe Flacco ‘showed promise in his debut’ but expressed concern the Steelers pass rush ‘could overwhelm’ him. It also praised Aaron Rodgers as being ‘efficient’ across five games in Pittsburgh, giving the Steelers a better chance to win this one.

Our take: The Bengals are expected to be without Trey Hendrickson in this game, so it will be exceedingly hard for them to pressure the quick-throwing Rodgers. Pittsburgh’s offense should perform well and glide to a ‘Thursday Night Football’ victory.

Los Angeles Rams 23, Jacksonville Jaguars 20

AI’s take: Two injuries will have a significant impact on this game, according to Copilot. The Rams may be without star receiver Puka Nacua as he deals with an ankle injury, while the Jaguars have already ruled out Defensive Player of the Year candidate Devin Lloyd with a calf problem. It’s giving the early edge to the Rams but believes this is a relatively even battle.

Our take: The Rams managed just 17 points against the Ravens last week with Nacua sidelined for a good chunk of the game. If he’s absent in Week 7, the Jaguars could pull off the upset, especially since Jacksonville has more experience than its counterpart does playing across the pond.

Chicago Bears 24, New Orleans Saints 16

AI’s take: Copilot credited Caleb Williams for ‘improving weekly’ and expressed confidence he could exploit a shaky Saints pass defense in Week 7. The chatbot also believes Chicago’s ‘opportunistic’ defense will force Spencer Rattler into some mistakes in this one.

Our take: The Bears have created 12 takeaways on the season, good for the second-most in the NFL. Spencer Rattler hasn’t often paid for his nine turnover-worthy plays (tied for third-most in the league), but he could in this tough matchup.

Cleveland Browns 20, Miami Dolphins 17

AI’s take: Copilot is not a fan of Miami’s defense, which it noted is ‘the weakest’ unit Dillon Gabriel has faced thus far during his career. The chatbot believes Cleveland’s defensive edge, as well as its home-field advantage, will allow the Browns to ‘squeak out a low-scoring victory.’

Our take: The Dolphins are starting to show a better rhythm on offense, so if Tua Tagovailoa has a good day, Miami could end up winning this one. But with De’Von Achane facing a tough matchup, it’s easy to see why Copilot is favoring the Browns. This is a coin-flip matchup, so trusting the better defense is probably the right move.

New England Patriots 28, Tennessee Titans 13

AI’s take: Copilot has the Patriots ‘cruising to a comfortable win’ against a Titans team that is in ‘disarray’ after firing coach Brian Callahan. It doesn’t have faith Cam Ward will play well behind a ‘weak offensive line,’ so it’s backing Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel as New England remains hot.

Our take: Sometimes, teams get a burst of energy after a coach is fired, so it’s important not to write off the Titans entirely. Still, Vrabel will be hungry for revenge against his former team, so New England has a decisive advantage in this spot.

Kansas City Chiefs 31, Las Vegas Raiders 20

AI’s take: Are the Chiefs back? Copilot thinks so, as it believes Patrick Mahomes is ‘heating up’ and was impressed by the team’s ‘dominant’ win over the Lions. It doesn’t have confidence Las Vegas’ ‘shaky’ secondary can contain the Chiefs and believes Geno Smith will struggle to keep up with Kansas City’s offense.

Our take: With Rashee Rice returning, it’s hard to imagine the Raiders finding a way to slow down the Chiefs. Thus, Copilot’s assessment that the Chiefs will win ‘comfortably’ appears to be right.

Philadelphia Eagles 27, Minnesota Vikings 24

AI’s take: Copilot referred to this matchup as ‘pivotal for both teams,’ noting the Eagles will be desperate to stop their two-game losing skid against a tough defense. The chatbot says to ‘expect a close, physical contest’ and predicts the Eagles will win by a whisker.

Our take: Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ offense have struggled against zone coverage this year. The Vikings play a lot of zone under Brian Flores, so Minnesota has a defensive edge. It’s just a matter of whether the Vikings offense can find consistent success with either Carson Wentz or J.J. McCarthy at quarterback.

Carolina Panthers 21, New York Jets 10

AI’s take: Copilot continues to fade Justin Fields, who has ‘struggled mightily’ by its estimation. It also expects Garrett Wilson’s absence to negatively impact the Jets while it thinks the Panthers are ‘trending upward behind a dominant run game.’

Our take: The Panthers have ridden Rico Dowdle to success in consecutive weeks. If he can continue to produce at a top-tier clip, Carolina should have no trouble out-pacing a lackluster Jets offense.

Denver Broncos 23, New York Giants 14

AI’s take: Copilot is a fan of the Broncos’ defense, noting it has been the second-best scoring unit league-wide (15.8 points per game allowed). That will make it hard for Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo to work their magic, though the chatbot believes Dart will ‘flash again.’

Our take: We’re not as confident Dart will flash in such a tough matchup, especially since Denver has been elite at limiting the quarterback run this season. That could cause New York to be a bit more limited than Copilot’s projected score outlines.

Indianapolis Colts 30, Los Angeles Chargers 27

AI’s take: Copilot labeled this battle of AFC contenders ‘one of Week 7’s most evenly matched games.’ In the end, the chatbot preferred the Colts because they have Jonathan Taylor and an ‘edge in the trenches.’

Our take: The Chargers are dealing with several injuries to their offensive tackle room, so picking the Colts, who are much healthier, is a smart move. Well done, Copilot!

Washington Commanders 34, Dallas Cowboys 28

AI’s take: Copilot continues to be a fan of Dak Prescott, opining the 32-year-old ‘is playing at an elite level.’ It also knows Jayden Daniels has largely performed well this season and that the second-year quarterback has a matchup with a ‘porous’ Cowboys defense that is allowing 30.7 points per game. That’s why it’s picking the Commanders to win in a ‘shootout.’

Our take: It’s hard to argue with Copilot on this one. Expect a fun fireworks display on Sunday and for Washington to bounce back from its one-point loss to the Bears on ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 6.

Green Bay Packers 28, Arizona Cardinals 19

AI’s take: Copilot credited the Cardinals for keeping their losses close in 2025, but noted Arizona’s defense is ‘vulnerable’ and its offense ‘inconsistent.’ As such, it believes the Packers will eventually pull away from the Cardinals with their ‘strong,’ Josh Jacobs-led running game.

Our take: The Cardinals have lost four consecutive games by one possession, including three on a field goal as time expired. Maybe that will allow Arizona to keep this one closer than Copilot believes, but the late-game struggles of Jonathan Gannon’s team are enough to make the Packers the clear-cut favorite here.

San Francisco 49ers 24, Atlanta Falcons 22

AI’s take: Copilot is excited to see the rushing offenses of both teams, praising Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey for their performances this season. It believes the difference-maker in this one could be whether Brock Purdy and George Kittle return, as the chatbot thinks their presence would allow the 49ers to eke out a win over the Falcons.

Our take: Copilot mentioned the loss of Fred Warner, but it may not have fully grasped how problematic his absence could be for San Francisco’s defense. The Falcons should probably be favored in this one after their Week 6 upset of the Buffalo Bills.

Detroit Lions 31, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24

AI’s take: Injuries will have a significant impact on this game, as Copilot noted. It expressed concerns about Detroit’s ‘banged up’ secondary holding up against Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers but ultimately believes Jared Goff and the Lions offense can go blow-for-blow with Mayfield.

Our take: Again, Copilot might be underestimating the depths of Detroit’s injury issues. The Lions are missing five of their six top cornerbacks from their Week 1 roster and may be without a couple of safeties, namely the suspended Brian Branch, as well. That does not sound like a recipe for success against a Buccaneers offense that is presently humming.

Seattle Seahawks 20, Houston Texans 17

AI’s take: Copilot said both the Seahawks and Texans defenses are ‘elite,’ so it’s projecting ‘a low-scoring, tactical battle.’ The Seahawks get the edge as the home team, and with Sam Darnold averaging a league-best 9.3 yards per attempt.

Our take: This score projection seems about accurate, and Mike Macdonald has the Seahawks playing at a high level. Their home-field advantage should give them the edge in this contest.

The NFL suspended Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch for one game after he punched Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to spark a brawl at the end of the Chiefs vs. Lions ‘Sunday Night Football’ game in Week 6.

Branch’s postgame punch was met by condemnation from Detroit’s coach Dan Campbell, but not everyone around the league felt the same way.

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin came out in defense of Branch in an appearance on Jeff Teague’s Club 520 Podcast. The 29-year-old did not mince words when discussing his opinion of Smith-Schuster.

‘JuJu needed his a– whooped,’ Franklin said. ‘Let’s just go there.’

Why does Franklin feel that way?

‘He’s an a–hole, bro,’ Franklin said, before further explaining his disdain for Smith-Schuster stemmed from how the 28-year-old wide-out plays the game.

‘This is my thing,’ Franklin explained of his own playing style. ‘I’m gonna talk greasy to you. We gonna go right up. And when we get that one-on-one, I ain’t gonna duck the smoke. So if I win or lose, it is what it is.

‘He the type that’s gonna do all the little weird, sneaky stuff, push you behind the back, go run to the ref … then try to be cool with you after.’

Will this exchange spark a rivalry between Franklin and Smith-Schuster? NFL fans won’t have to wait long to find out. The Chiefs are set to host the Colts in Week 12, for what is potentially shaping up to be a pivotal game in the AFC playoff race.

From utter futility to a startling fusillade: That’s the story of the Toronto Blue Jays in this American League Championship Series.

And after two games of punchless offense was followed by a lineup uprising in Game 3, they are still very much in it.

The Blue Jays annihilated Seattle Mariners starter George Kirby and three relievers, banging out 18 hits and five home runs in a 13-4 victory Oct. 15 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

The biggest wake-up call? Vladimir Guerrero Jr., held hitless in seven at-bats at Rogers Centre, ripped a pair of doubles and a homer in his 4-for-4 night, serving notice the series’ most dangerous hitter would not go quietly.

Seattle still leads this series 2-1, and in Game 4, the Blue Jays will trot out 41-year-old Max Scherzer for his first start this postseason. Perhaps Game 3 was just a speed bump on the way to the Mariners’ first World Series appearance in franchise history.

Or maybe this series has truly taken a turn.

The road team has won every game in this best-of-seven, a trend the Blue Jays hope holds for Games 4 and 5. It looked like an early winter in Ontario after Julio Rodriguez hit a two-run, first-inning home run and Mariners starter Kirby continued his solid postseason with two scoreless innings.

And then they jumped him: No. 9 hitter Andrés Giménez tied the game with a two-run homer and Daulton Varsho ripped a two-run double, Toronto taking a 5-2 lead in the top of the third.

George Springer and Guerrero added home runs in the fourth and fifth and Kirby was chased without recording an out in that inning, with eight runs charged to him.

The lead was extended to 12-2 before solo homers by Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh prettied the scoreboard in the eighth.

But what a turnabout: Toronto had no extra base hits and just eight overall in 61 at-bats (.131) in their two losses at Rogers Centre. In Game 3: Seven extra-base hits and 18 overall.

It’ll all go back to zero in Game 4. But the Blue Jays, at long last, are on the board in the ALCS.

Here’s how Game 3 unfolded:

Alejando Kirk home run makes Game 3 a blowout

It’s a full-fledged blowout in the Pacific Northwest – putting the Toronto Blue Jays in even better position to climb back in this ALCS. 

Alejandro Kirk’s three-run homer in the sixth inning pushed Toronto’s lead to 12-2 over the Seattle Mariners in Game 3. 

That means the Blue Jays can keep all their high- and even medium-leverage relievers out of the game – saving them for Game 4, where they’ll probably need the backup for 41-year-old Max Scherzer’s first start of this postseason. 

Vlad Guerrero Jr. goes deep, Jays extend lead to 8-2

Vladimir Guerrero chased George Kirby from the game, and the Toronto Blue Jays are piling on in Seattle.

Guerrero hit his first home run of the ALCS – and now needs just a triple for the cycle – and the Blue Jays lead the Mariners 8-2 midway through the fifth inning.

Guerrero’s shot to dead center field barely eluded the grasp of a leaping Julio Rodriguez. It was Toronto’s third home run of the night, following Andrés Giménez’s two-run shot and George Springer’s solo homer. Ernie Clement added an RBI single later in the inning.

George Springer makes home run history

The Toronto Blue Jays are fully activated. 

George Springer moved into fourth place on the all-time playoff home run list by blasting a George Kirby pitch out to dead center field in the fourth inning, giving Toronto a 6-2 lead over the Seattle Mariners in Game 3 of the ALCS. 

Springer’s homer was the 22nd of his postseason career, moving him into a tie with Bernie Williams.

It was also the Blue Jays’ fifth extra-base hit in their past two innings as they look for their first win in this ALCS. 

Blue Jays take 5-2 lead with third-inning rally

The Toronto Blue Jays have awoken. And this ALCS might not be done yet, after all. 

After going without an extra-base hit through the first two games and two innings of this series, they banged out four of them in the third inning, including Andrés Giménez’s game-tying two-run homer and Daulton Varsho’s two-run double, to take a 5-2 lead entering the bottom of the third. 

What an attack: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., hitless in seven at-bats entering the game, drilled a 105-mph blast off the left field wall to reignite the rally after Giménez’s game-tying shot, which followed Ernie Clement’s leadoff double.

The go-ahead run scored on a bases-loaded wild pitch that Cal Raleigh could not block, and then Varsho – also 0-for-8 in the ALCS at that point – drilled the right field wall with a line drive and a 5-2 lead. 

The damage all came off starter George Kirby, who looked untouchable through two innings – until he wasn’t.

Julio Rodriguez home run starts Mariners off right

With T-Mobile Park ready to ignite, Julio Rodriguez did not waste time lighting up ALCS Game 3. 

Rodriguez blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning as the Seattle Mariners took a 2-0 lead over Toronto, on a night they can move one game away from their first World Series trip in franchise history. 

It could be a short night for Blue Jays starter Shane Bieber, who did not escape the third inning in his AL Division Series start against New York. On this night, he issued a leadoff walk to Randy Arozarena, then left a 93-mph fastball over the middle of the plate for Rodriguez, who blasted it into the left field seats. 

George Kirby tosses scoreless first

Mariners starter George Kirby worked around Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s infield single with two outs to get through the first inning unscathed.

This is Kirby’s fifth career postseason appearance and he has a 1.50 ERA with 20 strikeouts 18 innings.

‘I think he’s done a really good job of really mixing really well,’ Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh said of Kirby before Game 3. ‘Obviously, I think he’s kind of, in a way, kind of hitting his stretch just because of the injury this year and he’s finally found that groove.’

Mariners lineup today: ALCS Game 3

Randy Arozarena (R) LF
Cal Raleigh (S) C
Julio Rodríguez (R) CF
Jorge Polanco (S) 2B
Josh Naylor (L) 1B
Eugenio Suárez (R) 3B
Dominic Canzone (L) DH
Victor Robles (R) RF
J.P. Crawford (L) SS

Blue Jays lineup today

George Springer (R) DH
Nathan Lukes (L) LF
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
Anthony Santander (S) RF
Alejandro Kirk (R) C
Daulton Varsho (L) CF
Addison Barger (L) 3B
Ernie Clement (R) 2B
Andrés Giménez (L) SS

Mariners vs Blue Jays prediction, Game 3 odds

What time is Mariners vs Blue Jays today?

Game 3 of the ALCS begins at 8:08 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

The NFL could see plenty more trade action before the Nov. 4 deadline.
Several notable veterans could be on the block, including multiple players from the Saints, Titans and Browns.
Trey Hendrickson, Alvin Kamara and Jeffery Simmons might be long shots to be dealt, but they should still spark plenty of interest.

Determining which players are available ahead of the NFL trade deadline isn’t always a cut-and-dried process.

Look no further than last week’s deal that sent Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns to the Cincinnati Bengals for evidence of how fluid things can be.

‘The Joe (Flacco) trade took us by surprise,’ Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said after the deal. ‘Not something we saw coming. They called us … They wanted Joe.’

If only other teams had it so easy in prying their players of choice away from their current organizations.

With the Nov. 4 deadline looming, more deals will assuredly come together in short order. But even with a few teams positioned to become sellers as their seasons continue to sink, there’s been little clarity about which figures are actually on the block.

These 25 players, however, loom as perhaps the most notable potential trade candidates over the next 20 days:

2025 NFL trade deadline candidates who could move

QB Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

The four-time Pro Bowl passer might not be able to grab a ticket out of Atlanta until the offseason considering the scarcity of midseason quarterback deals. Then again, who could have foreseen Flacco starting for a division rival just a few weeks after opening the season as the Browns’ starter? Pulling this off would probably entail a comparably calamitous long-term quarterback injury for another contender – one without a viable plan – still harboring hopes of staying afloat. The cost, too, could be considerable given the prorated portion of the $27.5 million in base salary any acquiring team would need to shell out, in addition to the draft capital necessary to entice the Falcons into parting with their veteran backup. If those elements align, maybe there would be sufficient incentive for Cousins to waive his no-trade clause? Don’t count on any movement, but hold off on fully ruling it out.

QBs Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, New York Giants

Big Blue didn’t rush out to move either veteran signal-caller following Wilson’s demotion after three weeks. And with Jaxson Dart yet to rein in his reckless abandon as a runner, it’s understandable that the Giants might not be actively looking to move a backup. But perhaps this situation is analogous to the Browns moving Flacco in that the right offer could prompt a change of plans. Both passers are probably a bit more volatile than some teams might tolerate behind center, but there’s little question they can more comfortably attack defenses downfield than the typical second-stringer.

RB Breece Hall, New York Jets

He stirred plenty of intrigue with his Instagram caption Monday that ended with ‘#Free20.’ No one could fault the fourth-year back for seeking greener pastures – or at least some more running room, given that he’s faced stacked boxes on 25% of his carries – in his contract year. But will an 0-6 Jets team clawing for some level of competence be willing to send off its lead backfield asset at a time when backup Braelon Allen remains shelved for the foreseeable future with a knee injury? If Hall truly wants out, coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey might be wise to take a page from Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who once stated, ‘We want volunteers, not hostages.’ Hall likely would be the most enticing option at running back if available, and several playoff-caliber outfits could stand to give their ground game a boost.

RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

The five-time Pro Bowler probably isn’t headed anywhere, as the 30-year-old made clear when he signed an extension in 2024 that he wants to retire in New Orleans. Still, he has to be mentioned here given that his name will likely hang around until the deadline passes. Kamara’s 3.8 yards per carry marks the second-lowest average of his career, yet he continues to be a matchup problem in the passing game with 22 catches on the season. If both sides become more amenable to a separation, he’d unquestionably be one of the buzziest candidates on the market.

WR Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders

The Silver and Black didn’t budge when Meyers made a trade request this summer amid dissatisfaction with his contract. Things might be looking a little bit different now, however, after the Raiders’ 2-4 start, which has featured a litany of offensive issues. Meyers’ production has been on the downswing since the opener, so moving him might equate to selling low. But the receiver offerings around the league aren’t particularly inspiring, so the seven-year veteran could be the starting point for any passing attack in search of a bit more stability.

WRs Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Brandin Cooks, Saints

Speed surely isn’t the issue with New Orleans’ aerial attack, with Olave and Shaheed among the league’s most formidable field-stretchers. But even with Spencer Rattler showing some promise while fighting against some unfavorable conditions, first-year coach Kellen Moore’s offense has yet to take off. New Orleans might be reticent to deal Olave given that the team in April exercised his fully guaranteed fifth-year option of nearly $15.5 million, which might be a sticking point for other teams wary of his concussion history. Shaheed is probably the more straightforward option as a complementary vertical threat, while the 32-year-old Cooks might lack the upside for teams to overlook the guaranteed money he’s still set to be due in 2026. But if New Orleans is committed to flipping its roster, it probably shouldn’t stand pat.

TE Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

Seems unlikely that Baltimore would retreat to seller status until its hopes of a long-shot resurgence are dashed. But if things aren’t looking up by the time the Ravens face the Miami Dolphins in a ‘Thursday Night Football’ tilt five days prior to the deadline, it might be time to consider sending Andrews on his way. The three-time Pro Bowler’s name has been tossed around in trade rumors since shortly after his drop in the AFC championship game, with plenty of uncertainty about how the final year of his contract would play out. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta deflected any talk of a move in the spring, saying ‘we’re in the business of keeping as many great players as we can.’ But if the Ravens can’t pull up from their nosedive after the upcoming bye, there’s little point in clinging onto the veteran, who could get a jump start on starting a second chapter elsewhere.

TE David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland is giving plenty of indications that it’s already training its focus on 2026, when it will have two first-round picks and will be poised to finally move on from the ill-fated Deshaun Watson era. As such, outside of Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward and the members of a promising rookie class, no piece should be off the table in trade talks. Njoku suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he’s been an asset to a floundering unit when healthy, ranking second on the team in catches (23) and third in receiving yards (223). Still, third-rounder Harold Fannin Jr. is both the present and future here, and a 29-year-old target due to hit the market this offseason might best assist the Browns this season by returning more draft capital.

TE Chig Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans

He’s one of several Titans who could be on the block following the reset that appears imminent after Brian Callahan’s firing. Okonkwo leads the Titans in receptions with 23 while ranking second in receiving yards (218), his production reflecting his value as a safety valve for No. 1 pick Cam Ward. But he’s in the final year of his deal, and fourth-round rookie Gunnar Helm is waiting in the wings. While Okonkwo won’t fetch a major return, he could be attractive to a team looking to round out its receiving corps with a versatile piece. He’s also a sizable threat with the ball in his hands, with his 159 yards after the catch ranking fifth among all tight ends.

Gs Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio, Browns

Cleveland’s decrepit offense doesn’t have many pieces that would spark interest, but perhaps these two accomplished veterans could catch the eye of teams looking to fortify their fronts. Teller, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and Bitonio, a two-time All-Pro, can help hold down the interior while also providing some veteran savvy.

G Kevin Zeitler, Titans

A 35-year-old blocker who’s already been dinged up this year might not seem like much of a draw. But Zeitler was one of football’s best guards not even a full year ago, and he also earned a Pro Bowl berth in 2023. The Titans’ persistent troubles up front shouldn’t fall on him, though maybe depriving Ward of another capable blocker – even one on a one-year contract – might be reason to dissuade Tennessee from a deal. But his skills could be put to greater use elsewhere.

DE Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals

Any decision to move him is probably at least a few weeks off, as Cincinnati looks focused on trying to save a rapidly spiraling season rather than punting to 2026. If the four-game losing skid keeps extending and the season reaches a breaking point, however, it might be best for the Bengals to examine what returns they could secure now for the NFL’s reigning sack king instead of playing the compensatory pick game. Bartering for Hendrickson could be tricky given that he’s made clear he expects a hefty long-term contract after the season, but the Bengals should have no shortage of callers if they signal that they’re willing to listen on a deal.

DE Carl Granderson, Saints

He’s one of the few legitimate building blocks on a Saints roster starved for talent. Still, with several of the league’s top teams standing to benefit greatly from a boost on the edge, his greatest value to New Orleans might be in helping kick-start the rebuild with what he could return in a trade. Granderson has 4 1/2 sacks for an underwhelming defense, and his work as a run-stopper should make him an attractive option for defenses demanding a well-rounded threat along the front.

DT Jeffery Simmons, Titans

Trading the roster’s lone elite player might be a non-starter for general manager Mike Borgonzi, especially after Simmons held the team accountable for what he called ‘one of our worst weeks of practice’ prior to Brian Callahan’s firing. But if you want to supercharge a reset, this is how you do it. Simmons is operating at a Defensive Player of the Year level, taking his play to new heights after long ago establishing himself as one of the league’s most disruptive interior forces. Nothing suggests any movement here, but teams have to take a shot.

OLBs Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, Miami Dolphins

Injuries have prevented Chubb and Phillips from seeing as much time together on the field as Miami initially envisioned for its talented pair of pass rushers. Now, it might be time to break the duo up. Phillips is set to become a free agent, and the Dolphins could help their cause in next year’s draft by moving him to the highest bidder. Chubb, who leads the Dolphins with four sacks, is signed through 2027, but he carries no guaranteed money on his deal past this season.

OLBs Arden Key, Dre’Mont Jones and Jihad Ward, Titans

You might not be able to tell from the team’s sack total (nine), but there’s some solid edge-rusher talent in Tennessee. Key has impressive credentials when it comes to corralling quarterbacks, with at least six sacks in three of his last four seasons. Jones is attempting to boost his value after an uninspiring two-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks. And Ward has come on strong as an inside-outside threat capable of setting the edge and being a force against opposing rushing attacks. All should be available as rentals on expiring deals to potential contenders, as it’s probably time for Tennessee to look to the future at this spot with second-rounder Oluwafemi Oladejo.

CB Riq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks

At a time when many of his peers are flourishing on the Seahawks’ swarming defense, Woolen has had trouble cementing his status in Mike Macdonald’s complex system. He missed Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a concussion, but the larger problem has been his erratic play, giving up a 113.6 passer rating so far this season as the nearest defender in coverage, according to Nex Gen Stats. Still, teams seldom find blazing-fast cornerbacks who measure in at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, and such players are even harder to obtain in the middle of the season. He’s high risk for a rental, and Seattle might not be inclined to shed parts without receiving something in return as it loads up for a potential playoff run. But a fresh slate might be best for both sides if there’s a team willing to pay the proper price.

CB Roger McCreary, Titans

Only fitting to wrap up this exercise with one last option from the Titans. McCreary might be one of the few inherited pieces worth keeping around, but he’s on the final year of his rookie contract. If the front office has any reservations about extending him – amid a nickel market that’s ticking up, it’s time to recoup some value. Cornerbacks, even those who occupy the slot, can be hard to come by at the trade deadline, so he could be an attractive piece for a contender needing to account for a hole on the back end.

The Utah Mammoth have a new name, logo, practice facility and renovated arena in their second season in Salt Lake City.

And now they have a new mascot.

The Mammoth unveiled Tusky on Wednesday, Oct. 15, before the team’s home opener against the Calgary Flames at the Delta Center.

‘Standing 6-feet-5-inches tall, Tusky the Mammoth connects the team’s bold brand identity with Utah’s prehistoric past,’ the team said in a statement. ‘With Mountain Blue fur, Dark Blue mohawk, Salt White tusks, and a long blue trunk, Tusky embodies the strength, momentum and earth-shaking presence of the herds that once roamed Utah more than 10,000 years ago.’

The name fits in with the team’s new ‘Tusks Up’ slogan.

The Jazz Bear had been the Mammoth’s temporary mascot last season, when the team was known as the Utah Hockey Club. Ryan and Ashley Smith own both the Mammoth and Jazz.

Tusky is the latest mascot in the NHL, joining the Flyers’ Gritty, the Predators’ Gnash, the Capitals’ Slapshot and others. It will have social media accounts at @TuskyNHL.