Oregon and Mississippi swapped spots, with the Ducks moving up to No. 6 and the Rebels dropping to No. 7.
The upcoming rivalry weekend is expected to cause a major shakeup in the rankings.
Tulane remains the highest-ranked Group of Five team, putting them in a strong position for an automatic playoff berth.

Take a picture, because this won’t last long.

There was only one change of note in the fifth College Football Playoff rankings after a status-quo weekend that saw the top contenders for the national championship breeze into rivalry weekend.

Overall, there were no changes in this week’s top five. The first move saw No. 6 Oregon and No. 7 Mississippi swap spots after the Ducks’ win against No. 17 Southern California.

Look for this coming weekend to deliver a major shakeup given matchups such as No. 1 Ohio State against No. 15 Michigan, No. 3 Texas A&M against No. 16 Texas and Oregon against Washington, among others.

There’s even the increasing possibility of total chaos should the Rebels, No. 8 Oklahoma or No. 10 Alabama lose.

The top four teams, Tulane and James Madison lead the winners and losers from Tuesday night’s rankings:

Winners

The top four

With one or two games left to play, four teams have risen to the top of the rankings as rock-solid playoff selections regardless of what madness comes to rivalry weekend. No. 1 Ohio State could go wire-to-wire atop the rankings but is assured an at-large berth even with a loss to Michigan. In fact, the Buckeyes are in position to earn a top-four seed and a bye even without playing for the Big Ten crown. No. 2 Indiana is similarly locked into the playoff, as are No. 3 Texas A&M and No. 4 Georgia. At this point, there’s a plausible scenario that the top four remains unchanged the rest of the way. That would entail an A&M win against Texas and then a competitive loss to Georgia, and both the Buckeyes and Hoosiers reaching the Big Ten championship unbeaten and playing a close, single-possession game.

Tulane

No. 24 Tulane remained the only ranked Group of Five team for the second week in a row to reaffirm the American’s edge over James Madison the Sun Belt in the race for an automatic playoff berth. While one-loss North Texas didn’t make the cut, look for the Mean Green to appear in the penultimate rankings with a win this weekend against Temple. The American would be assured of a playoff berth should the championship game feature two ranked teams; there is zero chance in that case of the Dukes leapfrogging after beating a lesser opponent in the Sun Belt championship game.

Miami

After winning a shootout against Kansas State, No. 13 Utah dropped one spot and is likely boxed out of the Big 12 championship race because of losses to No. 5 Texas Tech and No. 11 Brigham Young. Miami rose one spot to No. 12 and will remain ahead of the Utes in the penultimate rankings by putting together a solid win against No. 22 Pittsburgh, which returned to the rankings after beating No. 23 Georgia Tech. The Hurricanes have become the one at-large team most ready to pounce in case of one loss or a combination of losses by Oklahoma, Notre Dame and Alabama.

Losers

Mississippi

As if there wasn’t enough to worry about. While waiting for Lane Kiffin to make a decision about his future, the drop to No. 7 lends some credence to the theory that the Rebels could be left outside the bracket with an Egg Bowl loss to Mississippi State. One question to keep in mind is how the committee will treat this team without Kiffin, and if they’d decide to dock the Rebels in the same way Florida State was left out of the top four two years ago after losing starting quarterback Jordan Travis. Hunter Yurachek, the committee chairman, said there would a bit of difference in the two situations because there would not be the opportunity to observe how Mississippi played without Kiffin.

Vanderbilt

No. 14 Vanderbilt continues to be dismissed by the selection committee despite being a victory away from double-digit wins for the first time in program history. But the lack of enthusiasm for the Commodores is a result of multiple vanquished SEC opponents cratering in the second half of the regular season. Vanderbilt beat LSU when the Tigers were No. 10 in the US LBM Coaches Poll; they’ve won just once since. The Commodores were the first of three losses in four games for Missouri, which was dropped from this week’s rankings. South Carolina was No. 10 in the Coaches Poll when meeting the Commodores but could finish last in the SEC.

James Madison

The Dukes remained outside the rankings after narrowly pulling out a 24-20 win against Washington State. That escape will be placed in comparison to the Cougars’ 59-10 loss to North Texas earlier this season. While being ranked and factoring into the playoff this late in the year is a notable achievement for one of the fastest-rising programs in the Bowl Subdivision, there is really no chance at this point for James Madison to earn the Group of Five bid given that the American champion should have no more than two losses. The Dukes’ only hope is that Tulane, North Texas and Navy lose this weekend to send East Carolina or South Florida to the championship game.

The outcomes of the Power Four conference championship games hinge on the final regular-season matchups.
An Alabama loss to Auburn could create an at-large College Football Playoff opportunity for teams in the Big 12 or ACC.
In the Big Ten, a scenario exists where four teams could potentially make the College Football Playoff.

After weeks of hypotheticals and guesswork, matchups in the Power Four conference championship games won’t be fully decided until after the final whistle of Saturday night’s Iron Bowl between No. 10 Alabama and Auburn.

That’s the game over Thanksgiving weekend with the most potential to deliver chaos to the College Football Playoff picture.

Beyond shaking things up in the SEC, an Alabama loss would open the door for an at-large playoff berth for the Big 12 or ACC. Teams that will be watching closely include Brigham Young, Miami and Utah, which are 11th, 12th and 13th in the College Football Playoff rankings, respectively.

For the last time, let’s break down the conference tiebreakers in the Power Four and in the American:

SEC conference tiebreakers

Contenders: Texas A&M (7-0), Georgia (7-1), Alabama (6-1), Mississippi (6-1).

Alabama is in with a win against Auburn. The Crimson Tide would play Texas A&M if the Aggies beat Texas or Georgia should the Longhorns win the rivalry matchup.

Georgia is guaranteed a spot in the championship game with an Alabama loss. The Bulldogs would meet the Aggies if they beat Texas.

If the Tide and A&M lose and Mississippi wins the Egg Bowl, it would be Georgia against the Rebels, who would edge out the Aggies because of a higher conference opponent winning percentage.

Big Ten conference tiebreakers

Contenders: Ohio State (8-0), Indiana (8-0), Oregon (7-1), Michigan (7-1).

We’d get the heavyweight pairing of unbeaten Big Ten teams if Ohio State snaps a four-game losing streak to Michigan and Indiana handles Purdue.

While extremely unlikely, an Indiana loss would still send the Hoosiers to Lucas Oil Stadium should Ohio State win due to their head-to-head win against Oregon.

But if both favorites lose, Oregon would be the regular-season Big Ten champion because of a win against Southern California. The Ducks would face Michigan because of the Wolverines’ tiebreaker against the Buckeyes.

Looking forward, that’s the scenario that could land four Big Ten teams in the tournament: conference champion Michigan, runner-up Oregon and the Buckeyes and Hoosiers.

Big 12 conference tiebreakers

Contenders: Texas Tech (7-1), Brigham Young (7-1), Utah (6-2), Arizona State (6-2).

Texas Tech wraps things up against West Virginia and BYU ends with Central Florida. Barring the unexpected, the Big 12 race should end with the Red Raiders and Cougars at least one game ahead of Utah and Arizona State.

If BYU loses, Texas Tech will face Arizona State if the Sun Devils take the Territorial Cup against Arizona. The Sun Devils’ earlier win against the Red Raiders will give them the tiebreaker over BYU.

If Tech loses, BYU would draw a rematch with the Utes, who have a head-to-head tiebreaker against ASU and a tiebreaker over the Red Raiders via a win against West Virginia.

Should Tech and BYU lose, the Cougars would backdoor into a rematch with Utah because of a better record against common conference opponents than the Sun Devils and Red Raiders.

ACC conference tiebreakers

Contenders: Virginia (6-1), Pittsburgh (6-1), SMU (6-1), Georgia Tech (6-2), Miami (5-2), Duke (5-2).

Virginia meets SMU with wins against Virginia Tech and California, respectively. Even if Pittsburgh beats Miami to leave a three-way tie, the Cavaliers and Mustangs advance because of the Panthers’ loss to Louisville.

In the case where SMU loses and all other favorites win, Duke would advance because of a higher conference opponent winning percentage than Miami, SMU, Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech.

To have five-loss Duke win the conference would likely mean the ACC ends up a one-bid league.

Should Virginia lose and all other favorites take care of business, SMU would face either Duke or Miami. Which team takes on the Mustangs will be determined by the “Team Rating Score metric provided by SportSource Analytics,” according to the ACC.

Miami has a few possible ways into the conference championship.

Beat Pittsburgh while SMU and Duke lose, leading to a matchup against Virginia.
Beat Pittsburgh while SMU and Virginia lose, setting up a matchup against the Blue Devils.
Beat Pittsburgh while Virginia and Duke lose to meet SMU.

If Miami wins and SMU, Virginia and Duke lose, the Hurricanes would face either Georgia Tech or the Cavaliers depending on who wins between North Carolina State and North Carolina.

An N.C. State win would give Tech the edge over Virginia by virtue of conference opponent winning percentage; an N.C. State loss would give the Cavaliers the edge in the same category.

American conference tiebreakers

Contenders: North Texas (6-1), Tulane (6-1), Navy (6-1), South Florida (5-2), East Carolina (5-2).

The cleanest scenario has one of North Texas, Tulane and Navy losing to leave just two 7-1 teams atop the final standings. In this case, the conference champion is virtually assured of representing the Group of Five in the playoff ahead of one-loss James Madison.

In the case where all three win, Tulane is guaranteed a spot in conference title game by virtue of its No. 24 ranking in the College Football Playoff. North Texas would be the opponent due to its win against the Midshipmen. If one of the three lose, the other two would be locked in.

Should the two or three of the front-runners lose this weekend while South Florida and East Carolina win, there would be a multi-team tie that would be broken by a combination of the penultimate playoff rankings and the composite ranking of four computer metrics.

When the 2026 WNBA draft kicks off on Monday, April 13, 2026, all eyes will turn to the Dallas Wings, who own the No. 1 overall pick.

On Sunday, the Wings won the draft lottery and their choice will impact how the draft board unfolds. Unlike last year, when it was widely known Paige Bueckers was going to be the top pick, there isn’t a consensus No. 1 pick for 2026. Add in the uncertainty of an impending WNBA free agency with ongoing CBA negotiations, and who the Wings select becomes that much more pivotal.

Will it be Spain center Awa Fam? Will it be UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd? Could TCU Horned Frogs guard Olivia Miles or UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts be the choice? Or will it be a selection that sends shockwaves through the basketball landscape?

Here’s USA TODAY’s 2026 WNBA mock draft*:

*The order in which the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire will pick has yet to be determined due to ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations. It is expected to be decided by a coin flip at a later date.

1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd, G, UConn

Fudd is one of the most electric shooters in all of college basketball. The UConn star has a silky smooth release and is most known for her ability to inflict pain from beyond the arc on opposing defenses. To that notion, she’s currently shooting over 50% from 3-point range this season. Her ability to space the floor and attack the perimeter would dramatically help a team that ranked 11th in made 3-pointers last season. What’s more, she’s an underrated three-level scorer who can create and be a willing defender.

2. Minnesota Lynx: Awa Fam, C, Spain

Assuming the Lynx attempt to keep most of their core during free agency, including superstar forward Napheesa Collier, it would help to add a mobile big like Fam to the roster. She’s fluid in her movements and can score in several ways, including through a sneaky good face-up game. Fam also has impeccable footwork and patience to get out of any jam, along with underrated vision to find open teammates.

3. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles, G, Notre Dame

Skylar Diggins seemingly isn’t retiring anytime soon, but the Storm would be wise to draft Miles as her potential successor. The TCU guard is currently top-10 in the country in assists per game (7.5) and undoubtedly the best passer in the 2026 draft. Her court vision is elite (similar to Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray) and so is her ability to create separation between herself and the defender. She gets downhill at blazing speeds with thoughtful footwork, but can also pull up for a shot when needed.

4. Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA

The Mystics already have a young core with guards Georgia Amoore and Sonia Citron on board, along with forward Kiki Iriafen. However, adding strength and size with the trio is something that would serve Washington well. At 6-foot-7, Betts uses every bit of her length to unravel defensive pressure and to elevate herself over her competition when scoring. She’s a walking mismatch who also uses her size and skill to be disruptive on the defensive end, making her one of the best rim protectors in the country.

5. Chicago Sky: Ta’Niya Latson, G, South Carolina

After losing starting point guard Courtney Vandersloot to a season-ending injury, the Sky spent the rest of their year shuffling through players who tried to fill her role. Until Vandersloot returns, the Sky need a reliable replacement. Latson led the nation in scoring last season at Florida State, averaging 25 points a game, and while she’s not asked to do as much at South Carolina, she’s a three-level scorer who can get a basket when necessary or dish it out. Her defense is a work in progress with the Gamecocks, but her ceiling could entice Chicago.

6. Toronto Tempo/Portland Fire: Flau’jae Johnson, G, LSU

Any team that drafts Johnson is automatically getting a burst of energy on both ends of the floor. She has an elite knack for finding the ball, stripping the other team of it and turning it into transition points. Additionally, the LSU star is at her best when she uses her speed to get downhill to the basket or stop and pop right into a jumpshot (similar to Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper). Johnson can also knock down shots from 3-point range, and Toronto or Portland should appreciate that.

7. Portland Fire/Toronto Tempo: Cotie McMahon, F, Ole Miss

McMahon is a chaos agent who enjoys causing disruption. The Ole Miss transfer imposes her will on whoever is in front of her, combining footwork and power to glide through opposing defenses. Her proverbial on-court motto is simple: move or be moved. If Portland or Toronto can work with McMahon to make her movements more fluid at the pro level and improve her defense in one-on-one situations, she’ll be a mid-round steal.

8. Golden State Valkyries: Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA

The Valkyries value shot-making, and Kneepkens would be a very nice fit in Golden State’s system. Her bread and butter is 3-point shooting, but it’s her mid-range work that makes her stand out. Her patience and footwork in that area will be a welcome addition at the pro level. What’s more, the UCLA guard works well in a two-man game (as she has with teammate Lauren Betts this season), and the Valkyries could use that experience to exploit opposing defenses.

9. Washington Mystics: Yarden Garzon, G, Maryland

The thought of pairing Garzon with Citron should excite the Mystics. Garzon is a career 40% shooter from deep and would pair beautifully with the All-Star guard who shot 44% during her first year. However, Garzon isn’t all perimeter shooting. She has no problem getting into the paint to score or dishing it out in the pick-and-roll game to a waiting big.

10. Indiana Fever: Madina Okot, C, South Carolina

At 6-foot-6, Okot is a smooth blend of size and speed. She utilizes it to score efficiently and quickly, while being sound in her footwork. The Gamecocks transfer grabs rebounds at an elite clip of nearly 11 boards per game and can also defend well, using her length to cause disruption. Okot stays patient on defense, even when out of position, allowing her to regularly unleash two blocks per game.

11. Washington Mystics: Gabriela Jaquez, G, UCLA

Jaquez at 11 to the Mystics will likely feel like an embarrassment of riches, but when glue players are available, you take them. Jaquez does many things that don’t often show up on the stat sheet, but that’s what makes her so good. She can score from anywhere on the court and shines in the gritty areas that are underappreciated: rebounds, steals, deflections and saving possessions.

12. Connecticut Sun: Iyanna Martin Carrion, G, Spain

The Sun play with a level of physicality that would suit Martin Carrion well. She has exquisite body control that allows her to attack the paint and finish at the basket through contact. The Spain guard is also adept at navigating screens, whether that’s to knock it down from 3-point range or find her teammates for an open shot using her vision.

13. Atlanta Dream: Serah Williams, F, UConn

Williams’ numbers this season don’t leap off the page as they did in three years at Wisconsin (close to 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks per matchup), but she’s just as impressive. The UConn forward regularly puts on a footwork clinic that few young players master before turning pro. Williams makes her paint touches count, which is something the Dream could utilize in their big depth. The UConn forward also keeps active hands on the defensive end, which will help her stay in Atlanta’s rotation.

14. Seattle Storm: Kiki Rice, G, UCLA

Adding Rice to pair with Miles is a decision Seattle should consider. Rice’s isn’t as prolific as Miles offensively, but she, too, can score when asked, and has formidable court vision that can help the Storm. Furthermore, her defense and ability to crash the glass (7.2 rebounds per game) are something that could help her earn minutes early.

15. Connecticut Sun: Janiah Barker, F, Tennessee

Barker’s athleticism and ability to get downhill with her head down are her best assets. The combination of size and skill makes her hard to defend. The Tennessee forward’s activity on the boards will be appreciated in Connecticut as well. If she can be consistent on both sides of the ball, she can easily be a plug-and-play player for the Sun.

Auburn is in danger of becoming Nebraska. It needs an exorcism after this Iron Bowl.
Jon Sumrall and Brent Key make sense as Auburn coaching candidates.
Auburn in spoiler role against Alabama.

Nick Saban flattered Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium when he called it haunted. Truthfully, it’s been nothing but a house of horrors for the home team the past five years.

It makes you wonder, is this to be a life sentence in the loser’s jailhouse? Or, might Auburn finally be eligible for parole if it nails this next coaching hire?

Here’s how it’s gone lately: Auburn’s first two heirs to Gus Malzahn became two of the biggest bums in program history. If Texas A&M and Mississippi secure playoff bids this season, then half of the 16-team SEC will have qualified for the College Football Playoff at least once before Auburn made it there.

And so it is that Auburn will be in the spoiler role in this Iron Bowl, while Alabama tries to clinch a spot in the SEC Championship.

Is Auburn cursed to mediocrity, like Nebraska?

Imagine learning in 2010, when Cam Newton crawled under the skin of Alabama fans, and Auburn was not only the loveliest but also the happiest village on the Plains, that a playoff system would arrive within a few years and Ole Miss would qualify before Auburn did.

Careful, Auburn, because it’s a slippery slope toward Nebraska.

First you’re firing 9-3 Frank Solich, then you’re toiling through misery with Bill Callahan, Mike Riley and Scott Frost, with a gulp of air supplied by Bo Pelini in between, and, next thing you know, you’re scrambling to extend the contract of a coach who’s barely above .500, because, hey, at least Matt Rhule’s not a complete failure.

Auburn desperately needs a course correct to yank itself off the Nebraska path toward prolonged mediocrity.

Auburn remains a competitively resourced program, backed by one of the most loyal fan bases and active donors, residing in fertile recruiting terrain.

If Missouri can be 8-3, I can’t think of a reason Auburn should be 5-6.

Auburn came oh so close to rectifying this three years ago when Lane Kiffin considered taking the job. Fallback plan Hugh Freeze became not so much a poor man’s Kiffin as a continuation of Bryan Harsin, except the sequel spoke the dialect.

Auburn didn’t bother with the Kiffin sweepstakes this time. If Kiffin leaves Mississippi, it’ll be for LSU or Florida.

Humbled Auburn is left competing for the coaching carousel’s consolation prize, Tulane’s Jon Sumrall.

Would that be so bad?

I don’t know the answer to that question. Not sure how anyone could.

Jon Sumrall or Brent Key would seem to suit Auburn

Sumrall would be promising but also unproven in a job of this magnitude. That’s more the speed of candidates for this Auburn coaching search, which comes amid a crowded carousel and with the Tigers as bruised as ever.

With Tulane in playoff contention, Sumrall has emerged as one of this hiring cycle’s buzziest names, on the tier of candidates below Kiffin. If Kiffin leaves Ole Miss, expect additional competition for Sumrall.

It’s not just that Sumrall is 41-11 across stints at Troy and Tulane. In an industry obsessed with fit, Sumrall suits the SEC like a plate of cornbread, a jumbo glass of sweet tea and saying “Bless your heart,” to convey condescension.

Raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Sumrall has spent his entire career south of the Mason-Dixon. He looks like he could still rack up 10 tackles and a sack if you gave this former SEC linebacker a clean bill of health and a set of shoulder pads on a fall Saturday.

The past couple seasons, there’s been no question whether Sumrall would become an SEC coach, but rather how soon and at which locale.

Does that make him a slam dunk? Heck, no.

Billy Napier once enjoyed status as the anointed one, himself a born and raised Southerner. The son of a coach, Napier tutored under Dabo Swinney and Nick Saban. Good credentials, right? Good enough to be a massive bust at Florida.

Freeze knew the terrain, too. Didn’t help his offense gain first downs.

Still, when it comes to a fit of resume and personality, Sumrall pairs neatly with Auburn. So would Birmingham native Brent Key, if he’d leave Georgia Tech, his alma mater.

Schools replacing a fired coach generally head in an opposite direction with the next hire. To replace Bryan Harsin, an unpleasant interloper from out West, Auburn hired a coach inspired by Jimmy Swaggert.

Freeze, though, was an SEC retread. What’s the opposite of that? A coach on the rise like Sumrall, 43, or Key, 47.  

Auburn athletic director John Cohen says he wants this hire to have “a tremendous edge to them.’

“You can call it blue-collar, you can call it hard-nosed, you can call it aggressive,” Cohen said.

I hear that description, and I think Key and Sumrall would be suited to the candidate pool.

For several years, Auburn seems haunted by the Malzahn firing. It needs its next coach needs to perform an exorcism.

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.

The 2025 women’s college basketball season is well underway, and there have already been some spectacular matchups.

Within the first few weeks of play, the top games did not disappoint. Junior guard Hannah Hidalgo hit the game-winner as No. 19 Notre Dame completed a marvelous comeback against freshman sensation Jazzy Davidson and No. 18 USC. The top-ranked UConn Huskies, led by forward Sarah Strong and guard Azzi Fudd, survived a furious double-digit comeback from No. 9 Michigan, led by its sophomore guard trio of Syla Swords, Olivia Olson and Mila Holloway.

If that kind of high-intensity basketball is your holiday wish, you’re in for a treat. There’s so much great basketball left before we ring in the new year, including seven top-15 matchups. Here are the biggest women’s college basketball matchups through the end of December:

November games

Wednesday, Nov. 26:

No. 4 Texas at No. 3 UCLA | 2 p.m. ET, truTV
No. 6 Maryland at No. 15 Kentucky | 5:30 p.m. ET, FloHoops

Thursday, Nov. 27

No. 4 Texas (or) No. 3 UCLA at No. 2 South Carolina | Time TBD, Network TBD

Sunday, Nov. 30

No. 11 Tennessee at No. 3 UCLA | 4:30 p.m. ET, FS1

December games

December 3

No. 24 NC State at No. 8 Oklahoma | 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2

December 4

No. 2 South Carolina at No. 22 Louisville | 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
No. 10 North Carolina at No. 4 Texas | 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
No. 19 Notre Dame at No. 13 Ole Miss | 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2

December 7

No. 23 Washington at No. 18 USC | 8 p.m. ET, BTN

December 10

No. 14 Iowa at No. 12 Iowa State | 7 pm. ET, ESPN

December 13

No. 8 Oklahoma at No. 25 Oklahoma State | 4 p.m. ET, ESPNU
No. 1 UConn at No. 18 USC | 5:30 p.m. ET, Fox

December 14

No. 4 Texas at No. 16 Baylor | 1 p.m. ET, ABC
No. 22 Louisville at No. 10 North Carolina | 4 p.m. ET, ACCN

December 20

No. 22 Louisville at No. 11 Tennessee | 10:30 a.m. ET, FOX
No. 14 Iowa at No. 1 UConn | 1 p.m. ET, Fox

December 31

No. 16 Baylor at No. 25 Oklahoma State | 3 p.m., ESPN+

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the hunt for an AFC North title despite one of the franchise’s worst defenses in years.

Pittsburgh enters Week 13 at 20th in the league in points allowed and 28th in yards. That’d be the worst marks since 2021 and on pace for the worst defense by those stats in the Mike Tomlin era in Pittsburgh. Much of that can be chalked up to injuries as all levels have been hit hard, including defensive line.

Veteran rotational players and starters alike have missed time, including veteran free agent signee Daniel Ekuale. The seven-year veteran came to Pittsburgh this offseason and suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 8 against Green Bay. He’s missing time and, as of today, will be missing paychecks for the next month.

The NFL has suspended Ekuale for five games without pay due to violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy, per multiple reports.

This is the second time Ekuale’s been suspended for violating the performance-enhancing substances policy. He was suspended for the first two games of the 2022 season because of a violation while playing for the New England Patriots.

Ekuale, 31, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns in 2018. He was removed from the team’s practice squad after violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy in December of that year. He resigned with the Browns for 2019 and played in seven games that year.

Ekuale signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020 and notched his first career sack that year in Week 13. He spent the next four years with New England and played in 41 games, including 16 starts last season. He’ll be a free agent next offseason.

This developing story has been updated with new information.

A Virginia high school football coach who went missing in the middle of his team’s undefeated season last week is facing criminal charges related to child pornography and soliciting a minor, according to the Virginia State Police on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Travis Turner, 46, is wanted by the Virginia State Police, who continue to search for the Union High School football coach and physical education teacher in Wise County, Virginia. Turner, a former college quarterback and Virginia Tech recruit, was officially named as a missing person on the Virginia State Police website on Sunday and listed as missing since Thursday. He had not been reported found as of 11 a.m. ET on Tuesday.

Union’s football team improved to 12-0 this past Saturday with an assistant coach serving in Turner’s place. Here’s what to know about the ongoing situation:

What are the charges against Travis Turner?

Turner is being charged with five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor, the Virginia State Police confirmed to USA TODAY.

Additional charges are pending, the agency said, and the case remained under investigation on Tuesday.

Officials asked anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of Turner to contact Virginia State Police Division 4 at 276-484-9483 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov. Tips can be made anonymously.

What school superintendent said about Travis Turner

Wise County Public Schools Superintendent Mike Goforth on Tuesday, told USA TODAY the district was aware law enforcement had filed charges against ‘a staff member who has been on administrative leave.’

‘The individual remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students,’ Goforth, who would not name the employee, wrote in an email to USA TODAY on Tuesday. ‘The division will continue to cooperate with law enforcement as this process moves forward,’ Goforth wrote. ‘Because this is an active legal matter involving personnel, the division cannot comment further.’

How Travis Turner went missing

The Virginia State Police announcement that it was attempting to locate Turner came two days after local authorities revealed special agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Wytheville Field Office were in the early stages of an investigation involving Turner.

‘Virginia State Police has utilized a number of assets, including search and rescue teams, drones and K-9s, to assist in the search, and hopefully, locate Turner safely,’ a Virginia State Police spokesperson told the New York Post late Monday.

Wise County Public Schools also stated on Friday that an employee within the district had been placed on administrative leave due to an ongoing investigation. It did not specify whether the employee is Turner or if the investigation is separate from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation case involving Turner.

Virginia State Police said Turner was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants with glasses on.

Travis Turner’s wife deletes Facebook post

Travis Turner’s wife sent out a Facebook post about her missing husband on Friday night that has since been deleted, according to multiple reports.

‘I just wanted to get on here for a second to clear up something, as of right now, 10:25 PM on Friday night, Travis is missing, & that’s all we know,’ Leslie Turner wrote. ‘We love him & need him here with us. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love & support. It means more than you know. Just keep praying that he comes home.’

Union High School wins playoff game without Travis Turner

Union High School kept its undefeated season alive with a 12-0 win over Graham High School on Saturday to advance to Virginia’s Region 2D championship game. Union now has a 12-0 record for the season. Wise County Public Schools Superintendent Mike Goforth told News Channel 11 that assistant coach Jay Edwards handled coaching responsibilities during Saturday’s game.

The school is in Big Stone Gap in southwest Virginia about 35 miles northwest of Bristol, Tennessee near the Kentucky state line. Union is next scheduled to play Ridgeview High School on Saturday, Nov. 29.

A pair of undefeated women’s college basketball teams are set to clash in an early season top-5 showdown in the desert.

The No. 3 UCLA Bruins will face off against the No. 4 Texas Longhorns on Wednesday at the Players Era Women’s Championship in Las Vegas at Michelob ULTRA Arena, home of the WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces.

UCLA has won by an average margin of 29.5 points through six games, including a 73-59 top-10 win over No. 7 Oklahoma earlier this month. Bruins center Lauren Betts is averaging 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds, while Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez are each averaging 14 points per game. The Bruins senior transfer Gianna Kneepkens is also adding offensive production with 12.7 points per game.

Texas women’s basketball boasts the highest field-goal percentage in the nation (58.57%) and has the second-best scoring offense, averaging 102.8 points per game through the first five contests of the season. That’s due in no small part to junior forward Madison Booker, who is averaging 17 points this season. And she’s not alone. Texas has shown tremendous depth with six players averaging double-digit points — Jordan Lee, Aaliyah Crump, Kyla Oldacre, Breya Cunningham and Bryanna Preston — with the nation’s sixth highest-scoring bench.

Both teams are coming off a Final Four appearance last season. UCLA was ousted from the 2025 NCAA Tournament by the UConn Huskies in a lopsided 85-51 loss, while Texas lost to South Carolina, 74-57.

Here’s what you need to know about the top-5 showdown between UCLA and Texas:

What time is UCLA vs. Texas women’s basketball?

No. 3 UCLA (6-0) faces No. 4 Texas (5-0) in the Players Era Women’s Championship at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.

UCLA vs. Texas: TV, streaming

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 26
Time: 2 p.m. ET (11 p.m. PT)
Location: Michelob ULTRA Arena (Las Vegas)
TV: truTV
Stream: Fubo

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Michigan has better playoff chance than Texas, based on better record.
Michigan beating Ohio State would become unsettling news for Alabama.
One of Texas’ problems: Scheduling Ohio State.

How much is a win against an undefeated team worth?

That’s what Michigan and Texas must be asking after clocking in at Nos. 15 and 16 in the newest College Football Playoff rankings.

To have realistic hope of an at-large bid, a team needs to be tucked inside the top 10 of the final rankings.

I’ve got bad news for No. 12 Miami, No. 13 Utah and No. 14 Vanderbilt: A rivalry week win won’t be enough for those teams. They’ll also need help from teams ahead of them losing, to climb inside the top 10. Vanderbilt beating Tennessee wouldn’t provide the necessary catapult to spring it inside the top 10, if chalk holds up ahead. Sorry, ‘Dores.

Same for Miami and Utah.

But, Michigan and Texas have a supersized springboard positioned between them and Selection Sunday.

So, I ask again, how much is a win against an undefeated team worth?

With this particular committee, perhaps not worth as much as a “good loss.”

I’m kidding. Or, maybe I’m not. This committee loves ‘good losses.’

But, seriously, a marquee win against an undefeated rival in the final stroll down the catwalk must be worth something.

Enough to climb five or six spots? Maybe.

Miami isn’t passing Notre Dame. It’s just not.

This committee values eye test and avoidance of bad losses more than it cherishes good wins. That’s why No. 9 Notre Dame is ranked three spots ahead of Miami.

The Hurricanes have a more impressive top win than Notre Dame. They beat Notre Dame.

But, the Irish have better losses than Miami, in part because they lost to Miami. Confused yet?

Also, the Irish aced the eye test while beating up on several bad teams, so they’ve become a committee darling. If only Notre Dame could load up the playoff bracket with the likes of Purdue, Arkansas, Boston College, Syracuse and Stanford, it would roll to the national championship.

Enough about Notre Dame-Miami, though. This committee has spoken. Miami needs help. Notre Dame just needs to beat Stanford.

Texas has a record problem. Michigan doesn’t

Perhaps no team has more potential to inject bracket chaos than Michigan. The Wolverines (9-2) haven’t lost to a bad team, so all good on that front. Would beating Ohio State be enough to surpass Alabama and take over the No. 10 spot?

‘I can’t predict that,” CFP committee chairman Hunter Yurachek said.

Translation: It’s possible. Alabama has that ugly Week 1 loss to Florida State anchoring its resume. You haven’t forgotten this committee’s feelings about bad losses already, have you?

A Michigan upset of Ohio State smells like rotten fish for the Tide.

Texas is a different kettle of fish, foremost because of its 8-3 record.

You and I know if Texas had scheduled Boston College in Week 1 instead of playing a road game against Ohio State, this committee would look at the Longhorns differently. The committee would see two losses next to Texas’ name instead of three, and never mind that Boston College stinks.

Beating Boston College by 28 points instead of losing to the defending national champions by seven wouldn’t make Texas a better team, but it would make for a better record. Record matters to the committee, just as it did last season.

Peep the rankings. The three undefeated teams begin the roll call. Then come four one-loss teams, and then come the two-loss teams.

No. 11 Brigham Young (10-1) is the only exception to the record rule within the top 15. It’s ranked behind three two-loss teams.

We can debate fancy metrics ‘til the cows come home, but record remains the metric that matters most to the committee. No three-loss team is ranked inside the top 15, and no three-loss team earned an at-large bid to the party last season.

So, Texas’ record is a problem, even if it topples the Aggies.

Also, unlike Michigan, the Longhorns lost to a bad team. They fell to Florida in The Swamp. The Gators are now 3-8. That’s a lead weight tied to Bevo’s horns.

It also stings Texas that its loss to Georgia came by a 35-10 margin. Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian supplied the harsh analysis after that loss, calling his team’s fourth-quarter performance “a disaster.’

The committee hasn’t forgotten that fourth quarter.

The rules of playoff qualification:

Don’t lose.
If you must lose, don’t lose to a bad team.
If you must lose to a good team, don’t lose by much.
Bonus points for wearing shiny gold helmets.

Michigan has potential to inject chaos into CFP rankings top 10

Add it up, and Michigan has more potential to steal a bid at 10-2 than Texas would have at 9-3.

Of course, there’s still the matter of beating Ohio State.

Is Ryan Day finally ready to have some fun against The Team Up North?

“Fun is kicking ass,” Day said, “and that’s what we want to do on Saturday. We’re preparing to do that.”

Do that, and it would save this committee from having to answer how much a win against the undefeated, No. 1-ranked team is worth.

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.