With each passing year, another wave of up-and-coming athletes across the world of sports have breakout seasons, emerging into all-out stars.

In 2024, it was Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese making their first WNBA All-Star appearances as rookies. Paul Skenes making his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Or even Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels emerging as a fringe MVP candidate.

Now, who will be the breakout sports stars of 2025?

Here are 10 athletes that USA TODAY Sports staff writers identified as being poised for a big year in 2025 − including some up-and-comers who could become stars, and a few young phenoms who could ascend into superstardom.

Soon-to-be WNBA guard Paige Bueckers

On its face, it might seem like a bit of a stretch to include Bueckers on this list, given her track record of collegiate success and the fact that she already counts Gatorade and Nike among her commercial partners. But with UConn a strong contender to make another Final Four run, and Bueckers the heavy favorite to go No. 1 overall in the WNBA draft, 2025 could see her springboard into another level of stardom.

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini

Celebrini was just a few weeks past his 18th birthday when the San Jose Sharks selected him No. 1 overall in last summer’s NHL draft. Though he missed most of October with an injury, he has emerged as one of the team’s key playmakers − racking up 22 points in his first 22 games. More production, and a potential rookie of the year award, could follow in 2025.

Rutgers guard Dylan Harper

Figure skater Ilia Malinin

Malinin, 20, is already one of the biggest stars in his sport — the reigning world champion and only man in history to land the quadruple axel in international competition. But next year, as the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan approach and the excitement around Team USA starts to build, he will very likely start to become a household name.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning

After spending the better part of two seasons on the bench, Manning seems likely to take over as Texas’ starter in 2025. And, if his performances in spot duty this year are any indication, he could quickly establish himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in college football — and a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, to boot.

Soon-to-be MLB pitcher Rōki Sasaki

Every few years, a Japanese baseball star makes a ballyhooed move to MLB — and Sasaki is next in line. Over four seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, he recorded a 2.02 ERA with nearly six strikeouts per walk, showing off a debilitating slider and a fastball that touches 100 mph. It remained unclear, as of Dec. 20, where Sasaki would land in MLB, though the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs have reportedly been among the teams interested.

Tennis player Ben Shelton

The former Florida Gator made a stunning run to the semifinals of the 2023 U.S. Open and climbed as high as No. 13 in the ATP world rankings earlier this year. But 2025 could be the year Shelton, who turned 22 in October, finally cracks the top 10 and begins to more regularly make deeper runs in major tournaments.

Soon-to-be NFL quarterback Cam Ward

This is in part a reflection of Ward’s sparkling performance in 2024 — when he finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting — and in part a guess as to where he might land in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. Some prognosticators have linked the Miami quarterback to the New York Giants, where he would likely start from Day 1 and be equipped with a solid group of receivers and backs, led by wideout Malik Nabers.

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama

How could the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft and reigning rookie of the year possibly be on this list? Because, believe it or not, it still doesn’t feel like Wembanyama has ‘broken out’ just yet. In the early part of the 2024-25 season, he’s already shown improvement in key areas, including scoring and 3-point shooting. And by this time next year, he will almost certainly have made his first All-Star team.

Ajax and U.S. midfielder Lily Yohannes

Yohannes was just 16 years old when she received her first call-up to the U.S. women’s national team in March. And in November, at 17, she formally committed to representing the U.S. (over the Netherlands, where she plays for Ajax) on the international stage. Amid a spate of big-name retirements in recent years, Yohannes figures to be part of the young core that will lead the Americans through qualifying and into the 2027 World Cup.

Honorable mentions

Real Madrid striker Endrick; Duke forward Cooper Flagg; UConn guard Azzi Fudd; future NFL player Travis Hunter; skier Lauren Macuga; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy; Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov; Manchester United and U.S. women’s soccer goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams; Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood

USA TODAY Sports writers Nancy Armour, Mike Brehm, Chris Bumbaca, Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, Lorenzo Reyes, Jesse Yomtov and Jeff Zillgitt contributed to this report.

Former Princeton football player Tiger Bech was killed in the New Orleans truck attack early Wednesday morning, his brother, TCU standout Jack Bech, confirmed on social media.

Jack Bech led the Horned Frogs with 1,039 receiving yards and nine touchdowns this season, emerging as one of the best receivers in the country in 2024. Tiger Bech, 28, was an All-Ivy League performer, spending three seasons at Princeton from 2016-18.

‘Love you always brother,’ Bech wrote on X. ‘You inspired me (every day) now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us.’

Tiger Bech’s death was first confirmed by Kim Broussard, the athletic director at St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette, Louisiana, where Tiger Bech attended. Broussard told KLFY, a local news station in Louisiana, that Tiger Bech died late Wednesday morning after he was placed on life support until his family could arrive.

The suspect, identified by the FBI as Shamsud Din Jabbar, drove a truck into a crowd of people on Bourbon Street, injuring more than 30 and killing at least 10 in the attack.

Jack Bech, a Biletnikoff semifinalist this season, declared for the 2025 NFL draft before TCU’s bowl game. The former LSU receiver leaves college with 133 career receptions for 1,869 yards with 13 touchdowns in four seasons. The College Football Playoff quarterfinal game between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 2 Georgia, scheduled for Wednesday night at the Sugar Bowl, was postponed to Thursday night after the attack.

Saquon Barkley won’t get a chance to break the NFL single-season rushing record after all.

The Philadelphia Eagles running back won’t play in the team’s Week 18 game against the New York Giants, coach Nick Sirianni announced Wednesday. The Eagles are already locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.

Sirianni said other starters would also sit out the contest.

Barkley has 2,005 rushing yards on the season, leaving him 101 short of breaking the single-season record Eric Dickerson set in 1984. With 167 yards on a season-high 31 carries last week in a 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys last week, he became just the ninth running back in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 yards.

‘Obviously it’s a very special record that’s been standing for a very long time by a great player,’ Sirianni said Wednesday. ‘It’s a team record that everybody’s involved in. You weigh all those things. But at the end of the day, you just try to do what’s best for the team.’

All things Eagles: Latest Philadelphia Eagles news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Sirianni was initially noncommittal after the win over the Cowboys on whether Barkley would play in the regular-season finale, saying he would consult Eagles brass and players before making a decision. Barkley said he would be content however the coach chose to proceed.

‘Whatever his decision is, I’m all for it,’ Barkley said. ‘If his mindset is, we’ll go out there and try it, I’ll go out there and try it. If his mindset is, let’s rest and get ready for this run, I’m all for that, too. … I came here to do something special. Breaking a record is special, but I want a banner up there. I think we all do.’

‘These people who say, ‘records are meant to be broken,’ you ain’t got no record,’ Dickerson told Bell. ‘You don’t have one. When you get those records, you want to hang on to them. No matter if it was in bowling and you had 30 strikes in a row, you don’t want nobody to break that.’

Saquon Barkley stats

Barkley has 2,005 rushing yards on 345 carries this season, which are both personal and NFL bests, along with 13 rushing touchdowns.

The seventh-year veteran also has 33 catches for 278 receiving yards. He also leads the league in yards from scrimmage with 2,283 and touches with 378.

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This story has been updated with new information.

Bryce James, the youngest son of Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James, announced Wednesday that he is committing to the University of Arizona.

James, a 6-foot-6 190-pound senior guard at Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, Calif, made the announcement on social media. 

James’ older brother, Bronny, attended USC for one season before declaring for the NBA draft, with the Lakers drafting him with the 55th overall pick in June. He has played in seven games this season for the Lakers, scoring four points. On Oct. 22, LeBron and Bronny became the NBA’s first father-son duo to play together on the same team and in the same game.

Bronny James spends most of them with the G-league South Bay Lakers, averaging 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists.

Bryce James, currently a three-star recruit, has an opportunity to become a lottery pick whenever he declares for the draft, as he can score at different levels and has a more developed outside shot than his younger brother at this point in his career. He can improve on his playmaking and will need to bulk up to had pounds to his 190-pound frame.

As the ball drops on a new year, a glance back at the highs and lows from 2024 in the NFL universe… 

Best return to the NFL:Jim Harbaugh. A year ago, Harbaugh was on the runway to a national championship with the University of Michigan. Now he’s headed back to the NFL playoffs, guiding the Chargers to a big rebound from a 5-12 finish in 2023 while showing that wherever he goes, he wins. 

Worst stupidity:Rashee Rice. The Kansas City Chiefs receiver had the audacity to engage in a drag race on North Central Expressway in Dallas in March. Fortunately, no one was killed in the ensuing wreck that resulted in multiple felony charges for the man who jeopardized a promising career. That he walked away from the accident scene was a bad look, too. 

Best career revival:Sam Darnold. Once kicked to the curb by the New York Jets, who drafted the quarterback third overall in 2018, who knew? Darnold (who also had pit stops in Carolina and San Francisco) has finally lived up to his promise in a big way after landing with the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year contract. We’ll see if this extends into a long-term arrangement, seeing that the Vikings drafted the now-rehabbing J.J. McCarthy in the first round in April. Regardless, in leading the team to a share of the NFL’s best record (14-2), Darnold put himself back on the map as an MVP candidate and a legit QB option in a league always short on legit QBs. 

Worst political stunt:Nick Bosa. The 49ers defensive end showed off his bad manners by butting into a live postgame interview on NBC and flashing a MAGA hat. He was ultimately fined $11,255 – not for supporting Donald Trump, but for violating the league’s uniform policy. Bosa saw it as money well-spent, but his reluctance to explain his stance was disturbing on another level – and quite a contrast to the willingness years earlier that another high-profile 49er, Colin Kaepernick, had in explaining why he took a knee during the national anthem. 

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

Best emergency kicker:Matthew Wright. A journeyman who has had stints with eight NFL teams since 2019 – including multiple stints with four teams – Wright made a 31-yard walk-off field goal in December that allowed the Chiefs to clinch a ninth consecutive A-West title. Wright, 28, was on his third tour with the Chiefs and kicked for four teams during the 2024 calendar year. The Chiefs, by the way, became the first team in NFL history to win three games in a season with walk-off field goals … by three different kickers. And Wright, incidentally, was waived by the Chiefs three days after earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors because Harrison Butker was activated off injured reserve. 

Worst return on investment:Kirk Cousins. In March, the Atlanta Falcons signed the veteran quarterback, coming off a torn Achilles, to a four-year, $180 million free-agent contract that guaranteed $100 million. In December, Cousins – with an NFL-high 16 interceptions – was benched and replaced by first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. Sure, Falcons owner Arthur Blank is rich. But a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2017 could have used the dollars it sank into Cousins, 34, to acquire other talent. And Cousins’ successor with the Vikings, Sam Darnold, proved to be a bargain with a one-year, $10 million deal. The Cousins transaction also cost Atlanta a fifth-round pick in 2025 as the league determined the team violated its anti-tampering policy. 

Best improvisation: Josh Allen. It has been a season of big plays for the Buffalo Bills quarterback, the first player in league history to account for 40 touchdowns (passing and rushing) in five consecutive seasons. No play was bigger than Allen’s 26-yard touchdown run against the Chiefs in November, when the quarterback went off-script and decided to bolt from the pocket rather than throw a short pass on fourth-and-two. It sealed the victory that spoiled the Chiefs’ bid for a perfect season and snapped a 15-game winning streak. 

Worst legendary impact:Aaron Rodgers. This tour with the New York Jets just didn’t work out for the four-time NFL MVP. After his 2023 season was blown up by a torn Achilles tendon, the encore act included the firing of coach Robert Saleh, a 4-12 record (to this point) and the worst season of Rodgers’ career. No, the reunion with Davante Adams wasn’t a game-changer. This all begs for a darkness retreat. 

Best emerging legend:Jayden Daniels, whose highlight package includes the 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to Noah Brown in October, is the star quarterback the Washington Commanders prayed for. Drafted second overall, he’s a shoo-in for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after leading the Commanders to their first winning record since 2016 and first playoff berth since 2020. Along the way, Daniels became the first quarterback in the 105-year history of the NFL to throw a touchdown pass in the final 30 seconds of five different victories. Legendary stuff. 

Worst trash-talker: Tyrique Stevenson. The Chicago Bears cornerback taunted fans at Washington as he headed to the end zone to set up for a last-second desperation heave by the Commanders. Then he ate some serious crow. Not only did the Commanders execute the miracle pass, but Stevenson deflected the football after having to hustle to get himself in position to play “Hail Mary” defense. Oops. Moral of the episode: Shut up and play. 

Best celebration:Josh Metellus and Camryn Bynum. The Vikings safeties celebrated an interception in mid-December with a flawless rendition of the club scene dance that Shawn and Marlon Wayans performed in the movie “White Chicks.” It’s tough to pick one because nobody celebrates quite like the Vikings, who prepare with ample rehearsals. Other creative efforts include the “secret handshake” from “The Parent Trap” and the choregraphed “We’re All in this Together” dance from “High School Musical.” 

Best free-agent pickup:Saquon Barkley. Life as a Philadelphia Eagle is, well, soaring for the star running back who became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards and heads into the regular-season finale needing just 101 yards to break the single-season rushing record (2,105 yards) that Eric Dickerson set in 1984. That Barkley can achieve the mark against the New York Giants is a reminder of how much his former team erred in failing to lock him up with a long-term extension, opting instead to invest in since-released quarterback Daniel Jones. Then there’s the priceless footage from HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” when Giants co-owner John Mara was recorded while pondering a Barkley move to an NFC East rival. Mara mused, “I’ll have a tough time sleeping.” What a nightmare for Mara. 

Worst commencement speech: Harrison Butker. When the Chiefs kicker addressed graduates at Benedictine College, a Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, he ignited backlash that was so intense the NFL issued a statement distancing itself from Butker’s remarks. The kicker took on abortion, homosexuality, Pride Month, COVID-19 vaccinations and urged female grads to embrace becoming homemakers. The Chiefs didn’t follow suit with a newspaper editorial or online petition to cut their star specialist but instead made a statement about the separation of church, state, performance and freedom of speech: They signed Butker to a four-year, $25.6 million extension that makes him the NFL’s highest-paid kicker. 

Best pick-six:Leonard Williams. He went 92 yards. Then hit the oxygen. The Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman marked his return to the Big Apple in early December and burned his former team, and Aaron Rodgers, with his long-distance rumble to paydirt – the longest interception-return touchdown ever by a D-lineman and longest by a player weighing at least 300 pounds since the turn of the century. Williams, who played five seasons each with the Giants and Jets, also collected two sacks on his banner day. 

Worst Super Bowl hangover. The San Francisco 49ers. It’s been a season of disaster for the defending NFC champions (6-10), who have fallen from first to worst in the NFC West. Where did it go off track? Injuries, most notably to star running back Christian McCaffrey, greatly contributed to their plight. Then again, maybe it would have been different if 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan had opted to kick off to the Chiefs after winning the overtime coin toss. 

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett Bell on X @JarrettBell 

Carson Wentz could hold several AFC teams’ playoff fates in his hands.

With the No. 1 seed in the conference already secured, the Kansas City Chiefs will turn to their backup quarterback to start Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos in place of Patrick Mahomes, coach Andy Reid announced Wednesday.

Several other starters will join Mahomes in sitting out the regular-season finale, giving them potentially up to 25 days between their last game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas and a divisional-round playoff matchup.

‘It wasn’t a hard decision,’ Reid said at a news conference. ‘I’ve been through it before. I’m not too worried. It gives the other guys an opportunity to grow.’

Reid’s move could have wide-reaching effects on the AFC playoff picture. With a win Sunday, the Denver Broncos can clinch the final wild-card berth in the conference and end the NFL’s second-longest playoff drought (eight seasons). If they fall to the Chiefs, however, the Miami Dolphins would get in with a win over the New York Jets. If both falter, the Cincinnati Bengals would get a berth so long as they also beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.

All things Chiefs: Latest Kansas City Chiefs news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Wentz, 32, signed with the Chiefs this offseason and has completed both of his pass attempts this season for 20 yards. He last started a game in Week 18 for the Los Angeles Rams to close out the 2023-24 season.

The Ohio State Buckeyes and the No. 1-ranked, undefeated Oregon Ducks clash once again for their second game this season. Only this time, it’s for a chance to march into the College Football Playoff semifinals in what is sure to be a Rose Bowl classic.

The game will take place amid the somber news unfolding in New Orleans as 10 people were killed and more than 30 injured on Bourbon Street in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day. Officials leading the massive efforts that are the Rose Bowl and Rose Parade offered reassurance to those attending the day’s events.

‘The Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans following this morning’s tragic events,” officials said in a statement.

‘The City of Pasadena undergoes months of preparations leading up to the Parade and Game in coordination with our Federal, State, County and Local partners, ‘ the statement continued. ‘We continually train throughout the year with our Tournament of Roses and Rose Bowl Stadium partners for various scenarios.’

Oregon and Ohio State prepare to meet anew. The two programs played in an Oct. 12 showdown that showed what we can expect from the Pasadena grounds at the Rose Bowl.

Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel powered Oregon to a 32-31 win, capped off by a fourth-quarter run for a touchdown that helped keep the program undefeated.

The Ducks enter New Year’s Day still unblemished and still very much with an eye on championship glory. What stands in its way is a motivated and hungry Buckeyes group that still tastes October defeat. It will certainly feed on its most recent victory, a 42-17 demolition of the Tennessee Volunteers in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Here is everything you need to know about the Rose Bowl, including live updates, highlights and score.

When is the Rose Bowl between Ohio State and Oregon?

The Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks kicks off at 5 p.m. ET at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

How to watch Ohio State and Oregon in the Rose Bowl

The Rose Bowl game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks will be televised nationally on ESPN.

Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.

Watch Penn State take on Boise State with a Fubo subscription

Ohio State vs. Oregon: Rose Bowl odds

The Penn State Nittany Lions are favorites to defeat the Boise State Broncos, according to BetMGM.

Odds as of Wed., Jan. 1

Spread: Ohio State (-2.5)
Moneyline: Ohio State (-135); Oregon (+115)
Over/under: 55.5

Predictions for Rose Bowl, Ohio State vs. Oregon:

USA TODAY: No. 1 Oregon over Ohio State

Paul Myerberg writes, ‘Oregon’s been here before, scoring a 32-31 win during the regular season, and can use the same blueprint to score a second victory against the Buckeyes. While the Buckeyes can shift this narrative with a strong game against Tennessee, these resemble two teams moving in different directions: Oregon up, Ohio State down. Beating the Ducks would demand a major uptick in production and explosiveness from an offense that has scuffled since late October.’

Cory Pappas, Sports Illustrated: Oregon 31, Ohio State 28

Pappas writes, ‘In their last meeting in October, it came down to the last play, and the same could be true this go around. Despite the game being a much closer proximity to Oregon, Ohio State fans will still travel and the crowd will likely be a 50/50 split. Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel has earned the trust of Ducks fans, and Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard and the Ohio State offense scored at will against Tennessee.’

FOX Sports: Ohio State 26, Oregon 25

FOX Sports believes the Buckeyes have a slight advantage, pointing at Ohio State’s 56.7% chance to win based on implied probability. That said, the Ducks have won each of the last two meetings against Ohio State.

Jaren Kawada, ClutchPoints: Oregon to win

Kawada writes, ‘The biggest discrepancies seem to favor Oregon. It is hard to see [Ohio State quarterback Will] Howard throwing for 300 yards against this secondary a second time, especially with Burch now in the lineup. Oregon should expect a bigger impact from the Buckeyes’ backfield, but Ohio State has not topped 180 rushing yards since losing star tackle Josh Simmons for the year in the first matchup.’

Bowl game picks  

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ expert picks for all of the college football bowl games. 

Ohio State vs. Oregon all-time record 

The Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes have faced each other 11 times in their history. Ohio State owns a 9-2 record in the series.

The Ducks beat the Buckeyes in the most recent match-up, 32-31, on Oct. 12, 2024

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We have answered the first big question of the expanded college football playoff era. It would seem that home-field advantage in the opening round is indeed rather important.

We now address the second major plot point as the quarterfinal round arrives, namely whether having a conference title and first-round bye is ultimately better. Penn State didn’t seem to have any ill-effects from its opening win against SMU after putting away Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.

The two games of the quarterfinals on New Year’s Day should give us more of an indication of any trends. The day starts in Atlanta and then moves to California for the second matchup. After a deadly attack in New Orleans early Wednesday, the Sugar Bowl was postponed a day.

Without further ado, here’s all you need to know about the matchups and schedule to plan your New Year’s Day viewing.

Peach Bowl – No. 4 Arizona State vs. No. 5 Texas

Time/TV/location: Wednesday, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN, Atlanta.

Why watch: The Sun Devils were undoubtedly hoping to land in the Fiesta Bowl in their backyard, but they won’t complain too much about earning the first-round bye after all the criticism leveled at the Big 12 throughout the fall. The Longhorns, the second team to reach this round that also took part in their conference title game, is hoping to get through without further wear and tear. The good news for Texas is QB Quinn Ewers turned in a much sharper performance against Clemson, making excellent use of RB Jaydon Blue and TE Gunnar Helm. The task of limiting the big gainers belongs to Arizona State DBs Myles Rowser and Xavion Alford. The focal point of the Sun Devils’ offense, of course, is RB Cam Skattebo, one of the year’s breakout stars who amassed 2,074 yards from scrimmage and finished fifth in Heisman balloting. QB Sam Leavitt will get him the ball as much as possible, but he needs help from wide receivers with Jordyn Tyson out for season. Texas has an active defense, but LB Anthony Hill Jr. can usually be found in the middle of the action.

Why it could disappoint: The theory that there is an actual talent gap between the SEC and the Big 12 is about to get tested in real time. On the flip side, however, it’s fair to wonder just how much the Longhorns’ depth has been stretched by playing that extra game.

WHO WINS?: Expert predictions for Arizona State-Texas in Peach Bowl

Rose Bowl – No. 1 Oregon vs. No. 8 Ohio State

Time/TV/location: Wednesday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN, Pasadena, Calif.

Why watch: If we must have a rematch in the playoff, it might as well be an encore of an instant classic. If this comes anywhere close to matching the drama of Oregon’s narrow 32-31 escape at Autzen Stadium on the night of Oct. 12, it will be well worth the watch. Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel arguably got even better after that contest, but the Buckeyes’ active secondary featuring safeties Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs is equally dialed in. After an almost timid approach against Michigan, Ohio State displayed a much stronger offensive game plan against Tennessee with QB Will Howard making use of his ultra-talented receiving corps featuring Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka. They had quite a bit of success in their first encounter with the Ducks as well, but LB Matayo Uiagalelei has been unleashed more often and could be a disruptive force.

Why it could disappoint: It couldn’t possibly, could it? The Buckeyes looked like the team they were expected to be when we saw them last, but the Ducks were certainly able to hang with them before.

SECOND CHANCE: Will Howard relishes another shot at Oregon

WHO WINS?: Expert predictions for Ohio State-Oregon in Rose Bowl

Sugar Bowl – No. 2 Georgia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame

Time/TV/location: Postponed to Thursday, New Orleans.

Why watch: The round of eight concludes with this heavyweight showdown of storied programs. In a first round of dominant performances, the Fighting Irish might have turned in the most impressive of the lot shutting down the high-powered Indiana passing game. The talented back seven led by DB Xavier Watts and LB Jack Kiser now turns its attention to Bulldogs QB Gunner Stockton, who will make his starting debut with the highest of stakes. He will bring an element of mobility to the offense that starter Carson Beck did not, but he might still need to lean on RBs Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier to limit his risk. Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard is an even more dangerous dual threat, and RB Jeremiyah Love can break off big runs as well. The Georgia front seven has a lot of versatility, but LB Jalon Walker is often a major component of the game plan.

Why it could disappoint: It might turn into a punting duel if the defenses take charge. It might also be challenging for either squad to overcome a multi-score deficit if there are early miscues.

WHO WINS?: Expert predictions for Georgia-Notre Dame in Sugar Bowl

This story was updated with new information.

No. 6 Penn State held Ashton Jeanty in check and overcame some questionable play-calling on offense to beat No. 3 Boise State, 31-14, in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff.

The Nittany Lions advance to the playoff semifinals against Wednesday night’s winner between No. 2 Georgia and No. 7 Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl.

The key in the Fiesta Bowl was simple: Penn State had to be the first team this season to bottle up Jeanty, the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, while controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

Those efforts took a big hit with the loss of star defensive end Abdul Carter, an All-America pick who left the game in the second quarter due to an apparent arm injury and didn’t return. On the offensive side, the Penn State front struggled to contain the Broncos’ edge rushers and create a clean pocket for quarterback Drew Allar.

Even without Carter supplying pressure, lessening Jeanty’s impact put the focus on Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen, who completed 23 of 35 throws for 304 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions.

While unable to keep Jeanty completely under wraps, the Nittany Lions were able to contain the junior All-America selection. Jeanty finished with 104 yards on 30 carries with a long of 26 yards.

He had gone for at least 125 yards in every game during the regular season and was only 132 yards shy of breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record. The Nittany Lions were the first FBS opponent to keep Jeanty out of the end zone.

Penn State’s running game chewed up 216 yards on 41 carries, led by Kaytron Allen’s game-high 134 yards, though the offense spent too much time ignoring the ground attack and keeping the ball in Allar’s hands.

Under pressure from the Broncos’ strong pass rush, Allar went 13 of 25 for 171 yards with three touchdowns. Allar avoided any interceptions but did cough up a fumble, recovered by the Broncos. The Nittany Lions leaned on star tight end Tyler Warren, who had 63 receiving yards and two scores despite being the primary focus of attention from Boise State’s back seven.

In addition to the eyebrow-raising decision to shy away from an effective running game, PSU was hampered by a series of strange decisions on key downs. The inability to put together sustained drives allowed the Broncos to say in the game.

For PSU, the win joins a 38-10 victory against SMU in the opening round. Along with several impressive results against Power Four leagues in traditional bowl games, these two wins support the Big Ten’s case for being seen as the top conference in the FBS.

PSU stepped out to a 14-0 lead and seemed poised to leave the Mountain West champions in an insurmountable hole before the Broncos rebounded with a touchdown run with just under nine minutes left in the second quarter. The Nittany Lions made a 40-yard field goal as time expired in the quarter to lead 17-7 at the break.

Boise would respond with a defensive stop to open the third quarter followed by a 47-yard touchdown pass to tight end Matt Lauter, who sneaked down the left sideline thanks a costly defensive breakdown by the Nittany Lions.

Penn State would follow with a 11-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 13-yard score to Warren to move ahead 24-14 and reassert control. Boise State’s next two drives spanning the third and fourth quarters lasted 12 and 13 plays, respectively, but ended in an interception and a missed 38-yard field goal.

Taking over with about nine minutes left, the Nittany Lions converted one key third down on an Allar completion and then delivered the knockout blow on a 58-yard touchdown by running back Nick Singleton with five minutes to play.

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Barry Sanders will stay at the top of the NCAA college football record books for at least one more season.

With Boise State being knocked out of the College Football Playoff Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal by No. 6 Penn State, Broncos star running back Ashton Jeanty will finish 28 yards short of surpassing Sanders’ record.

Jeanty, who entered Tuesday’s Fiesta Bowl 132 yards shy of surpassing Sanders, will finish in second place on the all-time single-season rushing yards list, at 2,601 yards.

It took until the fourth quarter on Tuesday for Jeanty to really get anything going against Penn State’s defensive line, as the Heisman Trophy runner-up entered the fourth quarter with only 59 yards on the night.

Jeanty’s longest run of the night was a 26-yard carry in the fourth quarter along the right sideline. He finished with 104 rushing yards and two fumbles (one lost) on 30 carries in Boise State’s 31-14 loss to Penn State on Tuesday.

Sanders, who sent a pregame good luck message to Jeanty on X (formerly Twitter), has held the NCAA record for 36 years, setting it in 11 games — three fewer than what Jeanty needed to make attempt history this year. The former Oklahoma State star running back’s 222 yards in the Holiday Bowl do not count toward his 1988 rushing record.

Following Tuesday’s Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal, here’s where Jeanty’s season finishes among the all-time great campaigns:

NCAA single-season rushing record leaders

Oklahoma State RB Barry Sanders (1988): 2,628 yards
Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty (2024): 2,601 yards
Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon (2014): 2,587 yards
UCF RB Kevin Smith (2007): 2,567 yards
USC RB Marcus Allen (1981): 2,342 yards
San Diego State RB Rashaad Penny (2017): 2,248 yards
Alabama RB Derrick Henry (2015): 2,219 yards
Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor (2018): 2,194
Iowa State RB Troy Davis (1996): 2,185 yards
Boston College RB Andre Williams (2013): 2,177