With Week 10 here, we have reached the halfway point of the 2025 NFL regular season.
Who will win Super Bowl 60? Our experts make their picks.
The three-time defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs are the favored team among our group.

The NFL playoff bracket is still nine weeks away from being solidified. That will set the stage for Super Bowl 60 in Santa Clara, California.

But it’s never too early to think about the Big Game.

With Week 10 here, we have reached the halfway point of the 2025 NFL regular season. There are nine weeks left for the league’s playoff picture to round into shape, but the USA TODAY Sports staff sits at the table and provides predictions and picks for which team will win the Super Bowl this season.

Will the Kansas City Chiefs meet the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl for the third time in four years? Will the Buffalo Bills or Detroit Lions finally break through? Or maybe there’s a sleeper team our experts believe will hoist the Lombardi Trophy in February?

As the world begins gearing up for the second half of the regular season, our staff provides predictions and picks for which team will win and cement its legacy in NFL lore.

Super Bowl predictions

Buffalo Bills 27, Los Angeles Rams 24

Jacob Camenker, NFL writer: Perhaps I’m riding a bit too high off the Bills’ most recent regular-season win over the Chiefs, but Buffalo’s balanced offense and top-six pressure defense make it a threat to knock off anyone in the AFC. Even if the Bills can’t chase down the Patriots atop the AFC East, Buffalo has the playoff experience needed to win on the road and navigate its way through a wide-open AFC.

Meanwhile, the Rams have gotten an MVP-type performance from Matthew Stafford in 2025 and, like the Bills, have generated the pressure needed to rattle opposing quarterbacks in the playoffs. Add in a top-tier receiver duo in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, and Los Angeles could end up being the NFC’s most explosive offense come January.

A Bills vs. Rams Super Bowl would be a fun matchup between similarly-built teams, but Josh Allen’s dual-threat ability would likely be the difference maker between the two squads.

Kansas City Chiefs 21, Seattle Seahawks 16

Ayrton Ostly, NFL writer: Yes, I know that the Chiefs just lost to the Bills in Week 9. Yes, I know they got shellacked in their last trip to the Super Bowl. No, I don’t care.

This Chiefs team is much, much better than the squad that won the AFC title last season. The offense is more dynamic now that Rashee Rice is back in the lineup. The defense is playing well enough, especially against the pass, to provide the advantage the offense needs to win games.

Now, to the surprising side of my prediction. The Seattle Seahawks’ defense is terrifying because they have so many answers for anything you throw at them. They’re also remarkably good on the road under second-year coach Mike Macdonald at 11-1 through Week 9. Going on the road to face the likes of Detroit, Philadelphia or Green Bay likely wouldn’t faze them. On offense, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a superstar, and coordinator Klint Kubiak has built one of the best offenses in the league around him.

Ultimately, the Seahawks fall short as quarterback Sam Darnold makes a couple of costly errors and Patrick Mahomes earns Super Bowl ring No. 4.

Kansas City Chiefs 24, Philadelphia Eagles 17

Jack McKessy, NFL writer: Chiefs vs. Eagles III ends with a return to form for the reigning AFC champs. It’s easy to bet against the Chiefs making it back to the Big Game at this point in the season. They just lost to the Bills! They’re 5-4! They’re not even in a playoff spot if the season ended today!

Yeah, but at the end of the day, Patrick Mahomes is Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs are the Chiefs. Kansas City’s defense has allowed the fourth-fewest points of any team – and the fewest of any that has played nine games. The Chiefs’ +76 points differential is fourth-best in the league and second-best in the AFC. Their offense is so one-dimensional that Mahomes was leading Kansas City in rushing yards through the first four weeks of the season, but the Chiefs still rank fourth in EPA/play and success rate through nine weeks.

Meanwhile, the Eagles are a juggernaut that’s only getting better. Philadelphia’s offense struggled through the first six weeks of the season, unable to find a way to get the ball into the hands of all its supremely-talented playmakers. The Eagles ranked 21st in the league in EPA/play (0.015) and success rate (44%) in that span.

In the last three weeks, they’ve won both of their games (they had a Week 9 bye). In Week 7, quarterback Jalen Hurts had a perfect passer rating with over 300 yards and three touchdown passes. In Week 8, running back Saquon Barkley had his first game with over 100 rushing yards (he had 150). Philadelphia ranks first in the league in EPA/play (0.370) and sixth in success rate (49.5%) in the last three weeks.

When the two teams meet again on the NFL’s biggest stage, the difference is the Chiefs’ outstanding defense. And with wide receiver Rashee Rice healthy for this matchup, Kansas City takes full advantage of the Eagles’ Achilles’ heel: their defensive secondary.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31, Baltimore Ravens 27

Nick Brinkerhoff, NFL writer: While my colleagues take turns alternating between the Chiefs and Bills, it’s up to me to go off the board. Crazy? Perhaps. Genius? Time will tell. The Buccaneers and Ravens are two undervalued squads as we enter the second half of the season and it’s time we start acting like it.

We all know what the Ravens have been through this season, but it’s not about the past. Lamar Jackson is back, Baltimore plays in a wide-open AFC, and there is an AFC North title there for the taking. From 1-5 to the 415, Baltimore has as good a chance as any team to make the trek to San Francisco in February. The defense has picked it up, some trade deadline reinforcements are on the way and Jackson is healthy – which is the most important thing.

With plenty of winnable games down the stretch, the Ravens are poised to enter the postseason firing on all cylinders with their two-time MVP quarterback – what’s not to like about that?

The storybook ending would be for the Ravens to defy the odds and capture the Lombardi, but that’s not how things work. Another undervalued team is being slept on in the far better NFC. Does anyone know that the Bucs are 6-2? Anyone? Baker Mayfield is firmly in the MVP discussion and is doing this without Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving. There is no real threat in the NFC South, meaning Tampa can waltz to another division crown.

Evans could return for the playoffs, Godwin could return in December and Irving’s return should be coming sooner than later. They have been one of the league’s best teams without those stars, all while Emeka Egbuka emerges as a star of his own. Mayfield finally has his championship moment as the gritty underdog is no more. Better start fitting Captain Fear for his crown now.

Kansas City Chiefs 27, Detroit Lions 25

Tom Viera, NFL writer/editor: The “Super Bowl runner-up” theory is important to point out. In Super Bowl history, 51 of the 58 losers (87.9%) failed to return the following season, and just one of the most recent 30 runner-ups returned to the Big Game. In other words, history suggests the AFC will have a new team representing it this season.

However, the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs are built to defy the odds, and quietly, their defense has allowed the fourth-fewest points per game. Kansas City will continue its historic run and win a 10th consecutive AFC West crown. The Chargers’ offensive line is decimated, and Bo Nix has been inconsistent. Kansas City has to get ahead of both, but will face Denver twice and L.A. at home. Arguably, the Chiefs’ toughest matchup in the second half comes in Week 11 after their bye against the Broncos. Andy Reid is 22-4 all-time off a bye.

Teams want to be playing their best football in December/January and the Chiefs have a great schedule down the stretch.

Fans hoping for fresh blood deep in the playoffs may have to wait at least one more season because Mahomes isn’t ready to relinquish the crown. The Chiefs reach the Super Bowl for the sixth time in seven seasons.

The Lions have the best roster top to bottom. Some forget Detroit clinched its first NFC North title since 1993 and hosted its first playoff game at Ford Field just two years ago. That quest was cut short in the NFC Championship after fumbling away a 17-point halftime lead against the 49ers. Battered by injuries in 2024, the Lions are out for redemption in 2025, and Dan Campbell guides Detroit to its first Super Bowl appearance.

Detroit’s explosive, balanced offense is averaging 28.8 points per game (third-most in the league). The defense features impact players. The departures of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson are challenging, but it has galvanized the franchise. Detroit’s window remains wide open.

Mahomes put the Chiefs on his back to start the season with Rashee Rice suspended for the first six weeks and Xavier Worthy knocked out with an injury for three. He’ll do the same in the playoffs, leading another Super Bowl comeback to earn his fourth Super Bowl MVP, and the GOAT conversation dominates Summer 2026.

When is Super Bowl 60?

Date: Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

The Super Bowl will be held on the second Sunday in February, as it has been since the league shifted to a 17-game schedule for the 2021 NFL season.

After Texas A&M routs Missouri, Aggies have stadium to themselves.
Texas A&M underachieved for years. Mike Elko redirected the course.
Aggies aren’t unblemished. Elko calls run defense ‘awful.’

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Rueben Owens II scored his second touchdown late in the fourth quarter, and he looked into the stands expecting to see fans. He saw rows of empty seats.

“I was like, ‘Dang, there ain’t nobody here,” Owens, the Texas A&M running back, said.

That’s the sign of a rout in motion.

Then Owens shifted his gaze toward the southeast corner of Missouri’s Memorial Stadium. He saw packed stands in that nook. That’s where Aggies fans congregated and celebrated as No. 3 Texas A&M pulled away in a 38-17 romp over No. 17 Missouri.

“That just shows a lot of love from the 12th Man,” Owens said.

The wind whipped, and the temperature plummeted after the sun set. That tends to happen on fall nights in the Midwest. Combine the elements with the increasingly lopsided score, and most Missouri fans headed for warmth or to pursue something more pleasurable to the eye.

Those wearing maroon and white in the southeast corner still wouldn’t leave, even after the clock showed 0:00. They cheered and they chanted, and wide receiver KC Concepcion decided he’d join the party. He ascended the steps from the field and gave the fans what they wanted: another reason to chant and cheer.

“KC! KC! KC!” they chanted.

Aggies fans waited too long for a season like this.

It’s not finished yet, but pinch yourself, because it’s the second weekend of November, and Texas A&M hasn’t folded. To the contrary, these Aggies grow stronger. They’re undefeated. They’re on a march toward Atlanta.

Mike Elko reminded of why he took Texas A&M job

This is what’s long been expected of a program steeped in financial resources, blessed with gleaming facilities, backed by loyal fans and rooted in fertile recruiting terrain.

And it became a rite of summer we’d vault the Aggies into some lofty position in preseason polls. And it became a rite of November we’d say another Texas A&M team showed itself to be overhyped.

As one coach after another failed, we kept considering this a top-shelf job. Because, never mind the history, why shouldn’t this program succeed?

That’s what Mike Elko thought when he succeeded Jimbo Fisher.

“From a CEO perspective, obviously I believe this is what this program is capable of,” Elko said. “That’s why we’re here. We’re here because we believe in the ceiling of this program.”

“This is kind of what everyone had been talking about with this program for a long time,” Elko added. “For nine games we’ve lived up to it. Now, we’ve got to go finish.”

Mike Elko is done talking about the past

They’re already finishing better than how they did last season, when a three-loss November spoiled an otherwise solid debut to Elko’s tenure.

Throughout the offseason and into the preseason, one word became a mantra around the program.

Finish.

By now, Elko’s tired of hearing about last season’s collapse. When a reporter referenced the events of last November, Elko waved it aside.

“Is this our weekly last year question?” he said, a tad miffed at the query.

He’s also a tad miffed at his run defense. Missouri’s 207 rushing yards stood out as a blemish on this result. Asked how the Aggies handled the running back tandem of Ahmad Hardy and Jamal Roberts, Elko offered a succinct assessment.

“Awful,” he said.

An unfinished product, these Aggies, but an undefeated one.

‘The culture of this group is really strong,’ Elko said. ‘The work that they put into this thing is really strong. They believe in each other, and they believe in what we’re doing.”

Texas A&M’s vulnerabilities on defense help explain why the College Football Playoff committee ranked it behind Ohio State and Indiana, even though the Aggies own better strength of schedule and strength of record metrics.

That feedback from the committee “motivated us a lot,” linebacker Daymion Sanford said. The Aggies allowed fewer points against Missouri than they did in their past two wins, but an asterisk accompanies that achievement. Missouri started its third-string quarterback, Matt Zollers, and its pass game became a pileup of incompletions.

Why let asterisks and caveats interfere with a celebration in the stands, though? Just as Texas A&M did at LSU, the Aggies kept scoring until the stands cleared, ‘til all who remained supported the road team.

“I love to see that,” Sanford said. “With our fans, it almost feels like it’s a home game for us, every time we clear out the fans.”

That leaves one road game on Texas A&M’s schedule. It will play at rival Texas on Black Friday.

That leaves one to wonder, when Owens looks into the stands in Austin late in the fourth quarter, what will he see?

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

Love is in the air in Oxford, Mississippi and Lane Kiffin wanted to be a part of it.

During a third-quarter timeout of No. 7 Ole Miss football’s 49-0 win over The Citadel on Saturday, Nov. 8, a field goal kicking challenge turned into two Ole Miss fans getting engaged on the field, creating an everlasting moment in their lives and Rebels fandom.

As the moment was wrapping up, Kiffin walked over to the happy couple to extend his congratulations and take a photo with them.

As is the case with most proposals, the moment started with some disguise. Instead of kicking the field goal attempt, the Ole Miss fan dropped down to one knee on the field to propose to his now fiancée, who was the place holder for the kick.

‘I didn’t know I’d be part of that,’ Kiffin said in his postgame news conference when asked about the proposal. ‘Things happen in the ‘Sip, you know? That was cool. I didn’t know what was going on at all. Someone on the headset said it. That was really cool and how the crowd cheered for them.’

Here’s a field-level view of the proposal, in which you can see the young man:

Trinidad Chambliss led the Rebels to their ninth win of the season with a big day in the air, as he completed 29 of 33 passes for 333 yards and three touchdowns. Rebels running back Kewan Lacy also finished with three touchdowns on the day, his second game of at least three rushing touchdowns in a game this season.

Next up for Ole Miss will be a Week 12 home game against Florida on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. ET at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

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

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

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

(The sleepers and streamers sections will focus on players available in at least half of Yahoo leagues. All snap and target data from PFF.)

Week 10 fantasy football quarterback sleepers and streamers

Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy vs. Ravens – McCarthy might be the best widely-available add at the position. The 22-year-old has totaled 23.2 and 19.9 fantasy points in two of his three starts this season, and now he faces a Ravens defense that’s allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to the position.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers at Chargers – Rodgers has been the epitome of a floor play in 2025. To date, he has yet to post fewer than 12 fantasy points in a game, and he has also surpassed 16 in three of his last four outings. In Week 10, he’ll square off against a Chargers defense that’s allowed four quarterbacks to surpass 17 fantasy points against it.
Washington Commanders QB Marcus Mariota vs. Lions – A brutal injury to Jayden Daniels means that Mariota will be taking over at quarterback in Washington. The 32-year-old will face the Lions, who have ceded the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing signal-callers.

Week 10 fantasy football running back sleepers and streamers

New England Patriots RB Terrell Jennings at Buccaneers – With Rhamondre Stevenson out last week, rookie TreVeyon Henderson played 75% of the snaps and racked up 19 opportunities. However, despite playing just 17 snaps, Jennings garnered 11 carries and one target, turning that volume into 44 total yards and a score. Jennings also received three of the backfield’s five red zone carries. With Stevenson ruled out this week, Jennings is in play against a Bucs defense that’s allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.
New York Giants RB Devin Singletary at Bears – Tyrone Tracy Jr. was widely expected to be the lead back following Cam Skattebo’s injury. Still, it was actually Singletary who led the team last week. The 28-year-old finished first in snaps (32 to 25) and opportunities (10 to 9), while running just four fewer routes (15 to 19). Singletary is a solid streamer in a decent matchup versus the Bears.
Jacksonville Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten at Texans (31%) – Last week, Tuten finished third behind Travis Etienne and LeQuint Allen Jr. in both snaps and routes. However, the rookie did finish fifth among all running backs with six red zone carries, and potential touchdown equity makes him a viable streaming option for desperate managers in deeper leagues, even in a tough matchup.

Week 10 fantasy football wide receiver sleepers and streamers

Buccaneers WR Tez Johnson vs. Patriots – Johnson was the clear WR2 on the Bucs in Week 8 with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out of the lineup. The 23-year-old placed second on the team in snaps (41) and targets (6) while finishing tied for first in routes (41). With Godwin out of the lineup, Johnson is a top streaming option in a mediocre matchup.
Green Bay Packers WR Christian Watson vs. Eagles – With tight end Tucker Kraft out for the season, Watson is suddenly very much on the fantasy radar. Kraft was the passing game’s primary threat for explosive plays, a role Watson will now have to fill. It’s worth noting that rookie wideout Matthew Golden is banged up, as well. The 26-year-old Watson is a high-upside sleeper against an Eagles secondary that’s surrendering the 10th-most yards per game to receivers.
Indianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce vs. Falcons – While he has yet to reach the end zone, Pierce has now racked up at least 67 receiving yards in five of his last six outings. The volume has been there as well, as the 25-year-old ranks fifth at the position in targets over the last three weeks. That kind of usage makes him an intriguing flex play, even against a Falcons team that’s allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points to wideouts in 2025.
New York Giants WR Darius Slayton at Bears – Slayton got an elite 90% snap share in Week 9, and that came with a serviceable 22% target share. Slayton ended up leading the team with 62 receiving yards and he’ll get a much friendlier draw this week. In Week 10, the Giants face a Bears team that’s allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts.

Week 10 fantasy football tight end sleepers and streamers

Chicago Bears TE Colston Loveland vs. Giants – Loveland exploded against the Bengals last week, catching six of his seven targets for 118 yards and two scores. While he won’t get to face Cincinnati this week, the performance still puts him on the streaming radar. The Giants have ceded more than 16 half-PPR points to a tight end in two of their last four games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Cade Otton vs. Patriots – In Week 8, Otton played all but two snaps and finished third on the team in routes (22) and targets (5). That marked the fourth straight game in which Otton had garnered at least five targets. He’s a solid start against a Patriots defense that’s allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to the position this season.

Week 10 fantasy football defense (D/ST) sleepers and streamers

Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST at Texans – With C.J. Stroud out, the Texans will have to turn to Davis Mills at quarterback. In 26 career starts, Mills has thrown 24 picks, taken 59 sacks, and lost four fumbles. The Jaguars’ defense could feast this week.
Carolina Panthers D/ST vs. Saints – Only three teams have allowed more fantasy points to opposing defenses than the Saints. Over its last three contests, New Orleans’ opponents have totaled 10 sacks, six interceptions, four fumble recoveries, and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Carolina has ranked inside the top-10 in two of its last three games.

Week 10 fantasy football kicker sleepers and streamers

Chicago Bears K Cairo Santos vs. Giants
Buffalo Bills K Matt Prater at Dolphins

Week 10 fantasy football rankings: PPR and non-PPR

Colorado lost to West Virginia 29-22, dropping the Buffaloes to a 3-7 record and eliminating them from bowl eligibility.
Coach Deion Sanders confirmed a change in offensive play-callers but stated the team’s struggles are not the fault of one coach.
Freshman Julian ‘JuJu’ Lewis made his first collegiate start at quarterback, throwing for 299 yards and two touchdowns.

Colorado football coach Deion Sanders started a new quarterback at West Virginia on Saturday, one week after installing a new play-caller on offense against Arizona. But Colorado still lost to the Mountaineers, 29-22, dropping the Buffaloes to 3-7 this season and eliminating them from postseason bowl eligibility.

After the game, Sanders addressed a USA TODAY Sports report from Nov. 4 that said he changed his offensive play-caller after a 53-7 loss at Utah on Oct. 25. Instead of offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur calling the plays, passing game coordinator Brett Bartolone called plays during a 52-17 loss against Arizona last week and then again on Saturday in Morgantown.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Sanders said when asked about it. He then explained he has different coaches focused on the running game and the passing game. He also said it wasn’t Shurmur’s fault.

“Guys, it’s too easy to try to shoot at Pat or try to shoot at somebody,” Sanders said. “That’s too easy of a target. It’s not Pat’s fault. It’s not whatsoever. I told you guys to attack me, you know. It’s not, it’s not that. We collectively got to do a much better job, and let’s start with me. We got to do a much better job. You think I’m happy right now? You think I’m elated? You think this is what I want for these young men, for this university, for (athletic director) Rick (George)? You think this is what it’s about? It’s not. It’s not whatsoever. And we are so much better than what we’re doing right now.”

What happened in the game at West Virginia?

Sanders started his third different quarterback this season, this time giving freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis his first college start.  But in a battle of freshman quarterbacks, West Virginia’s Scott Fox Jr. came out on top in front of 55,510 in Morgantown, West Virginia. He completed 17-of-28 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions. Lewis completed 22-of-35 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns.

Lewis led his team to a touchdown and two field goals on his final four drives, but it was too little, too late. Colorado kicker Alejandro Mata kicked a 38-yard field goal with 1:16 remaining to cut the lead to 29-22, but West Virginia recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt to salt away the game.

Colorado trailed the entire game after falling into a 9-0 hole in the first quarter.

“We’ve done everything you can think of to try to flip it,” Sanders said of his team’s current three-game losing streak.

Colorado’s new play-caller

TNT broadcast the game and also confirmed the USA TODAY Sports report about the change in play-callers, having spoken with Shurmur before the game.

Sanders has changed play-callers in the middle of a season previously, at Colorado in 2023 and at Jackson State in 2021. In 2023, he promoted Shurmur to play-caller and demoted offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, who left after the season to become head coach at San Diego State.

The offense didn’t get any better after Shurmur started calling plays that year, in large part because quarterback Shedeur Sanders was beaten up and injured. They lost their four remaining games after the switch. But Shurmur did help lead the Buffs to a 9-4 season last year. On Saturday, Colorado scored its most points since a 24-17 win against Iowa State Oct. 11, when Shurmur was still calling plays.

“I felt amazing playing football again, realistically as a starter,” Lewis said.

One week ago, Lewis was Colorado’s third-string quarterback. Now he’s the Buffs’ quarterback of the future. Colorado is off next week before finishing the regular season against Arizona State and at Kansas State.

“We’re playing for pride now,” Colorado safety Tawfiq Byard said.

Sanders is 16-19 in three seasons at Colorado.

“I don’t think we played a team that’s athletically and physically better than us,” Sanders said.  “I really don’t. I’ll stand on that.”

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

(This story was updated to add a photo gallery.)

The bars are staying open late tonight in Madison, Wisconsin.

For the first time in 63 days, Wisconsin football has won a game, as the Badgers defeated Washington 13-10 at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 8. It is the first win for Luke Fickell’s squad in Big Ten play, moving their conference record this season to 1-5.

Given the drought the Badgers were on, fans didn’t hold back from getting their postgame celebrations underway as they stormed the field as the clock went triple zeros.

Wisconsin entered the week on a six-game losing skid, which featured losses to then-No. 19 Alabama, then-No. 20 Michigan, No. 1 Ohio State and two unranked defeats at home against Maryland and Iowa. The Badgers were a 10.5-point underdog against Washington, which was ranked No. 23 in the College Football Playoff top 25.

The Badgers also entered Saturday’s Big Ten game in a scoring drought at home, as they were shut out in back-to-back games against Iowa (37-0) and Ohio State (34-0) in their previous two home games. That drought was snapped at the 13:44 mark of the first quarter when Nathanial Vakos hit a 42-yard field goal.

The eventual game winner for the Badgers on Saturday against Washington was a 32-yard field goal from Vakos at the end of the third quarter. Badgers punter Sean West finished as the team’s leading passer, as he completed a 24-yard completion on a fake punt attempt.

Here’s another look at the field storming at Camp Randall from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s John Steppe:

The win also comes just a few days after Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh announced Fickell would return for the 2026 college football season amid the Badgers’ struggles.

‘I can see a path forward,’ McIntosh told the Journal Sentinel on Thursday on keeping Fickell. ‘I can see a plan that we can execute and I can see a way for us to be successful and competitive in ‘26 and beyond.

Does the Big Ten fine teams for rushing the field?

No. Unlike the SEC, Big 12 and ACC, there is no fine in place for fans who rush the field in the Big Ten. According to an ESPN article from Feb. 26, 2024, the Big Ten does have ‘punishments’ in place for such events.

‘• Big Ten: A discretionary fine can result on a third offense for failure to ‘provide adequate security for visiting teams from their arrival for a game through their departure.’ There is a private reprimand for a first offense; a public reprimand for second.’

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Montana football, undefeated in Division I FCS, caught an all-time break against Eastern Washington on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Schakel fumbled the ball, losing his grip as he attempted to slam the ball into the ground to set up a final play for the game-winner. Eastern Washington recovered the ball, but the clock had already expired.

Montana ultimately avoided a scare against the 4-6 Eagles, improving to 10-0 in 2025.

In Schakel’s defense, Eastern Washington wouldn’t have been in a position to win if it wasn’t for the redshirt freshman quarterback. He completed 43 of 63 passes for 451 yards with two touchdowns to two interceptions on the day.

‘(Jake) stood in there and made a ton of plays, over and over again,’ Eastern Washington coach Aaron Best said after the game. ‘He stood the test of all the pressures and situations. That was a memorable one and our guys fought. They gave everything they had and that’s all we asked. We’ll bounce back and we’ll be better for it knowing we just took the number two team in the country toe-to-toe and five yards away from winning the game.’

Montana led 22-0 after the first quarter before Schakel and Eastern Washington mounted a comeback that fell just short. Eastern Washington made the score 29-24 with 61 seconds left after a Schakel touchdown throw. The Eagles then recovered the onside kick, setting up the potential game-winning drive.

EWU drove 44 yards in four plays before the fumbled spike attempt. They couldn’t quite pull off the upset with the late-game blunder, but may have found their quarterback of the future.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are moving on in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Messi had two goals and two assists – including the 400th of his career for club and country – and No. 3 seed Inter Miami beat No. 6 seed Nashville SC 4-0 in the decisive Game 3 of their first-round series on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Chase Stadium.

Tadeo Allende also scored twice in a three-minute span in the second half, as Inter Miami is three matches away from their first MLS Cup title.

Inter Miami will visit No. 2 FC Cincinnati in the conference semifinals, beginning Nov. 22 or 23. Every match moving forward in the MLS playoffs is single elimination.

Inter Miami was on the brink in the first round for the second straight year, but relied on their Argentine World Cup champion and captain to lead the way.

“I’m happy for the club because after what happened last year, there were lingering feelings and a fear it could happen again,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said after the win. “Now, we can look ahead.”

Messi scored twice in the first half – his first coming 10 minutes into the match. He dribbled around several defenders, and connected with a left boot into the lower right corner of the net on an assist from Allende.

Messi doubled the lead in the 39th minute, connecting on a drop pass from 19-year-old Argentine Mateo Silvetti, who played on Argentina’s runner-up Under-20 World Cup team and started in place of a suspended Luis Suarez in the match.

Messi also orchestrated Allende’s goals in the second half. Messi and Jordi Alba exchanged several passes in the box before Allende scored in the 73rd minute.

Messi’s finishing touch was a through pass up the pitch to Allende in the 76th minute to register his historic assist to end the night.

“It’s crazy. Every game, you’re kinda speechless. It’s unbelievable I get to play with him,” Inter Miami defender Noah Allen said of Messi after the match. “He creates magic. It’s unreal.”

Inter Miami goalie Rocco Ríos Novo earned his first clean sheet of the postseason as Nashville missed 11 shots in the match, despite a second-half push to get back into the contest.

While Messi led the way offensively, he also received praise from Alba and Mascherano for pushing the envelope on the defensive end, as well.

“He really put on a show – both defensively and offensively,” Alba said in an Apple TV interview after the win. “… But defensively, he helped us more than anyone else.”

Added Mascherano: “How he pressed today at 38 years old, it’s crazy. I think we already know everything about Leo with the ball, but Leo without the ball, today, was impressive.”

Messi scored eight goals in a span of four matches in 22 days against Nashville – an MLS rivalry that has been one-sided since Messi joined the league.

Inter Miami beat Nashville for the 2023 Leagues Cup title and has only dropped one match against them since then (Game 2 of this series).

The MLS playoff series victory is the first for Inter Miami, which started play in 2020.

The MLS careers of Alba and Sergio Busquets, the former Barcelona stars who announced they will retire at the end of the 2025 season, will also continue during this postseason run.

“There aren’t many games left. God willing, there will be three more games, and hopefully we can win and bring joy to the fans and ourselves,” Alba said.

Messi is expected to join the Argentine national team next week for a Nov. 14 match against Angola in the African country. Mascherano acknowledged at least seven players would be away on international duty before the next playoff game.

USA TODAY Sports provided updates and highlights from the match:

Inter Miami vs. Nashville highlights

Inter Miami 4, Nashville 0: Tadeo Allende scores brace (76′)

This one is over: Tadeo Allende scores his second goal in a three-minute span, and Inter Miami will move on. Allende received an assist up the field from Messi, and finished the opportunity with ease.

Inter Miami 3, Nashville 0: Tadeo Allende scores goal (73′)

Inter Miami will move on in the MLS Cup playoffs: Tadeo Allende scores in the 73rd minute to triple the lead.

The sequence: Jordi Alba to Messi, back to Alba, and dropped off to Allende in front of the net.

Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0: Sam Surridge misses shot (56′)

Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0: Another Messi dribbling highlight (53′)

Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0: Sam Surridge goal negated (46′)

Nashville’s Sam Surridge gets tangled with Inter Miami defender Maxi Falcon, and a goal was disallowed about 30 seconds into the second half.

Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0: Halftime 

Lionel Messi scored twice (10’ and 39’) to propel Inter Miami to a 2-0 lead in the first half of Game 3 against Nashville. Can he get a hat trick in the second half?

Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0: Messi misses free kick before halftime (45’+2′)

Messi lined up for a free kick, but Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis caught the shot attempt. Messi drew a yellow card after colliding into Walker Zimmerman in the sequence.

Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0: Messi scores second goal (39′)

Messi has a brace, scoring his second goal just before halftime on an assist from 19-year-old Argentine Mateo Silvetti.

Inter Miami 1, Nashville 0: Baltazar Rodriguez misses shot (32′)

Inter Miami performed a set piece in the 32nd minute: Messi sent a pass to Rodriguez, who was just off the mark on his shot from outside the box.

Inter Miami 1, Nashville 0: Messi’s free kick hits Najar (30′)

Inter Miami 1, Nashville 0: Messi nutmegs Edvard Tagseth (19′)

The crowd erupted when Messi pulled off a nutmeg on Nashville’s Edvard Tagseth in the 19th minute. The exchanges from both players after the sequence was comical, too.

Inter Miami 1, Nashville 0: Messi scores goal (10′)

Ten minutes in, and No. 10 has scored: Messi connects on a left boot into the lower right corner of the net to give Inter Miami an early lead.

Inter Miami 0, Nashville 0: Why is Luis Suárez not playing?

Inter Miami will play without Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, who was suspended for the match and fined for kicking Nashville’s Andy Najar in Game 2. He was seen on the Inter Miami bench during the opening minutes of the game broadcast.

Inter Miami 0, Nashville SC 0: We’re underway (1′)

The match has begun shortly after 8:15 p.m. ET.

Messi arrives for Game 3

What time is Game 3 between Inter Miami vs. Nashville?

The match begins at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT, 9 p.m. in Argentina) at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Where to watch Inter Miami vs. Nashville Game 3 on TV/live stream?

The match will be available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

Is Messi playing tonight?

Yes, Messi is a starter and will play tonight.

Inter Miami vs. Nashville starting lineups

Mateo Silvetti, a 19-year-old who played on Argentina’s runner-up Under-20 World Cup team, earned the start in place of Suarez on the front line for Inter Miami alongside Messi, Tadeo Allende and Baltazar Rodriguez.

Inter Miami vs. Nashville prediction

Inter Miami 3, Nashville 2: Inter Miami prevails with a brace and an assist by Messi at home, but don’t expect Nashville to just bow away so easily. –Safid Deen

Who does Inter Miami-Nashville winner play next in MLS playoffs?

The winner of Inter Miami-Nashville series will face No. 2 FC Cincinnati, which beat the No. 7 Columbus Crew 2-1 in Game 3 earlier Saturday. Cincinnati would host No. 3 Inter Miami or No. 6 Nashville, whichever advances, in the conference semifinals.

Inter Miami vs. Nashville recent matches

Saturday will be the fourth match in as many weeks between Inter Miami and Nashville.

Decision Day:Messi had a hat trick in a 5-2 win for Inter Miami at Nashville on Oct. 18 to end the regular season.
Game 1: Messi scored twice with an assist in a 3-1 home win for Inter Miami on Oct. 24.
Game 2: Messi scored in the final minutes, but Nashville won 2-1 at home on Nov. 1. Nashville broke an 11-game winless streak against Inter Miami in the victory.

Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami, Argentina

Messi was called up by Argentina to participate in a November 14 friendly against Angola in the African country. The match occurs during the Nov. 10-18 FIFA international window. It’s possible Messi will travel for the match, even if Inter Miami advances to the next round of the playoffs.

MLS Cup playoff schedule

Nov. 22-23: Conference semifinals
Nov. 29-30: Conference finals
Dec. 6: MLS Cup Final

Inter Miami vs. Nashville betting odds

Here are the betting odds for tonight’s match during regulation, according to BETMGM.

Inter Miami: -165
Draw: +350
Nashville: +340
Over/under goals: 3.5 goals