The Cleveland Browns aren’t backing out of one of the worst trades of the last decade.

Despite missing the 2025 NFL season due to injury, the Browns are not planning to move on from quarterback Deshaun Watson in 2026, per multiple reports. The former first-round pick hasn’t suited up for the Browns since Week 7 of the 2024 season, in a 21-14 loss to divisional foe Cincinnati.

Cleveland opened Watson’s 21-day practice window this week, more than a full year after the quarterback first ruptured his right Achilles tendon against the Bengals.

‘His focus, my focus is obviously getting him back to playing football, practicing football, which he hasn’t done in over a year. Good next step for him,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said during his press conference Wednesday.

The Browns may have opened Watson’s window to get a better idea of where he is in his recovery from multiple ruptures to that Achilles tendon, a person familiar with Watson’s situation told USA TODAY Sports.

Stefanski didn’t say that this move came with the idea that Watson would play in 2025.

“His focus is putting a helmet on again for the first time, shoulder pads, throwing a football,’ Stefanski said. ‘That’s where the focus is.”

That decision makes the move to keep Watson on the roster clearer. Cleveland’s relied on rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders at quarterback this season after trading away veteran Joe Flacco.

Stefanski praised Watson’s impact on the rookies.

“He’s been so supportive in the meeting room, on the game field with the players,” said Stefanski. “I know he’s excited to get back out there practicing with his teammates.”

Gabriel and Sanders will both likely be on the team next year and could compete with at least Watson for the starting job should the team not draft another quarterback, per reports. The team restructured Watson’s contract last December in a move to spread out the cap hits on his current deal. Keeping him on the roster even if he doesn’t start would be more prudent as cutting him before June 1, 2026 would incur a $130 million dead cap hit.

Watson has appeared in 19 games for the Browns and has gone 9-10 as a starter. His career has been marked by more than two dozen lawsuits and an 11-game suspension from the NFL due to behavior at Houston-area massage parlors while playing for the Texans.

Georgia just put the Big Ten on notice. It’s coming for the trophy.
Alabama faces nervous playoff selection day. Georgia heads for CFP bye.
Gunner Stockton wins SEC Championship MVP with steady showing.

ATLANTA – Raylen Wilson smiled like winners do.

The Georgia linebacker had just pulled himself away from the locker room, where the Bulldogs celebrated their third SEC championship in the past four seasons with a 28-7 incineration of Alabama.

We’ll rely on Wilson to be our eyes and ears. What was it like inside that Georgia locker room?

“It’s lit in that locker room right now,” Wilson said, with a grin that told the story of this night.

Georgia’s on fire.

Georgia quiets ‘naysayers’ with thumping of Alabama

Kirby Smart spoke afterward of the “naysayers,” because Georgia’s coach never misses an opportunity to remind anyone who’ll listen that his Bulldogs swim against a current of doubters.

That rally cry rings true this year, though. Smart didn’t need to invent naysayers. They existed.

Georgia looked vulnerable while surviving in overtime at Tennessee in September. It looked more middling than menacing in a loss to Alabama two weeks later. Its defense looked helpless, even in victory, against Mississippi in October.

National championships aren’t played on Halloween. Teams are allowed to get better. This one has.

“It’s a special group,” said Cole Speer, whose blocked punt set up Georgia’s first touchdown. “This group stays together, sticks together.”

Talk about an all-three-phases statement.

Let’s just call it straight: This was a boot stomping and a total repudiation of Alabama.

Alabama heads for a nerve-racking selection day. The Tide worsened their positioning. Georgia heads for a first-round playoff bye.

I can’t tell you what the betting spread would be if Georgia stepped onto the field to face Ohio State or Indiana or Texas Tech, but I’ll tell you this: I saw four teams on conference championship weekend that looked like they could win a national championship. Georgia is one of them.

Kirby Smart’s defense had Alabama in a vise

Get a load of this: Alabama finished with negative-three rushing yards.

Negative. Three.

Not Charlotte. Not Austin Peay. Not Marshall.

Alabama.

That’s how it’s going for the Tide’s run game. That’s also how it’s going for Georgia’s run defense.

“I feel like (this game) just shows you what Georgia football is all about – defense, running the football and stopping the run,” Wilson said.

Add in a quarterback this team rallies around in Gunner Stockton, and Georgia has gradually developed into a complete team. Did you see Stockton’s touchdown pass to Dillon Bell in the second quarter? That thing had some serious smoke. Big-league stuff.

“We go as he goes,” Bell said of Stockton, the game’s most valuable player, an honor bestowed after Stockton’s three touchdown passes.

Think anyone misses Carson Beck in Georgia? Not a chance.

There’s going to be a lot of chatter in the days that follow about whether the SEC championship is a relic that ought to go on the chopping block. That idea will gain steam if Alabama is left out of the College Football bracket. Smart remains a believer in this game. His players didn’t mind the conquest, or what it signified.

“The SEC is the toughest conference in college football,” Bell said. “Winning that just shows how much hard work you put in from summertime to now.”

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who’s played in both the SEC and Big Ten, recently agreed in an interview with David Pollak with the assessment that the SEC is most consistently rugged conference.

The SEC hasn’t produced the nation’s best team the past two seasons, though, raising questions about whether the conference’s dominance is slipping in the NIL era. Will the SEC regain the throne this season? I’m still not convinced it will, but you at least could make that case with some conviction after this Georgia performance.

The naysayers are being replaced by believers.

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.

Indiana has won its first Big Ten championship since 1967, and first outright conference title since 1945.

Simply put in the words of its quarterback, ‘The Hoosiers are flipping champs.’

After Indiana won the battle of No. 1 vs. No. 2 by taking down Ohio State, 13-10, in the Big Ten title game, quarterback Fernando Mendoza didn’t hold back his emotions on the historic achievement for the program.

‘I want to give all the glory to God. We were never supposed to be in this position, but by the glory of God, the great coaches, great teammates, everyone we have around us, we were able to pull these off. Whoever thought the Hoosiers would be here? But now the Hoosiers are flipping champs,’ a passionate Mendoza said.

When Fox sideline reporter Jenny Taft asked Mendoza why Indiana was the right place for them, he said it’s a process-oriented group all focused on one goal.

‘We’re brothers. We can drag teams into the deep end, because we know that we’re gonna stick together, and we’re the strongest glue ever,’ he said.

Mendoza is no stranger to giving memorable postgame interviews, going back to his days at California. He was also named the Big Ten championship game MVP with 222-yard performance with one touchdown and one interception.

Now, he has Indiana as Big Ten championship and heading into the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed, with a Heisman Trophy possibly in his possession.

Duke has won the ACC championship and thrown the College Football Playoff picture into chaos. Its coach believes the Blue Devils should be in the bracket.

By beating Virginia on Saturday, Dec. 6, Duke has opened up the final automatic bid. Typically, it would make sense for the ACC champion to automatically be in, but the Blue Devils present an unusual case. They are 8-5 and weren’t ranked in any poll, including the College Football Playoff rankings, coming into conference championship week.

However, No. 19 James Madison was in the CFP rankings at No. 25 and won the Sun Belt. Therefore, it looks like the Dukes would get in given the criteria for the field is the five highest-ranked conference champions and seven at-large teams. 

Regardless, Duke coach Manny Diaz spent his postgame interview vouching for his team to be in the playoff, seemingly claiming James Madison doesn’t have a resume like the Blue Devils.

‘They don’t have wins like this. They don’t have a win against a team like that. That’s a big-time team right there in Virginia,’ Diaz said on the ESPN broadcast. ‘Seven wins in this conference, seven Power Four wins compared to zero. That’s a playoff team. Darian Mensah may be the best damn quarterback in the country. These guys deserve to be in.’

While James Madison doesn’t have any Power Four wins, with its lone loss coming against Louisville, the Dukes also went 12-1 on the season, and two of Duke’s five losses came against Group of Five teams in Tulane and Connecticut.

The Blue Devils will have to wait for the playoff reveal show at Noon ET on Sunday, Dec. 7 to see if they will be able to play for a national championship.

The domination has ended for Merab Dvalishvili.

In shocking fashion, Dvalishvili lost to Petr Yan by unanimous decision in a bantamweight title bout at UFC 323, ending Dvalishvili’s championship reign atop the 135-pound division and his 14-bout winning streak.

Dvalishvili, a 34-year-old Georgian, had not lost a fight since 2018 during a run that included three title defenses.

But a rematch with Yan derailed it all.

The two men fought first in 2023, when Dvalishvili won by unanimous decision. But this time, in the rematch, Yan punished Dvalishvili with his fists, kicks and even takedowns. He also showed remarkable defense in fending off most of Dvalishvili’s takedown attempts.

The judges scored it 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 in favor of Yan.

“I feel very happy. I worked so hard,’’ Yan said through an interpreter after the five-round fight. “I prepared so hard for this moment.’’

Dvalishvili’s face, bloodied and battered, also demonstrated the pain Yan inflicted.

Yan, the 32-year-old Russian, improved to 20-5 (12-4 UFC) after winning his fourth fight in a row.

Dvalishvili’s record dropped to 21-5 (14-3 UFC).

Dvalishvili said he was trying to make it an entertaining fight by standing toe-to-toe with Yan, “and he was a better fighter today.’’

Moments after Yan was awarded the championship belt, Dvalishvili also said, “Congratulations to him, but I want a rematch.’’

USA TODAY Sports provided round-by-round analysis for the Dvalishvili-Yan fight and the rest of the main card:

Petr Yan def. Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision: Round-by-round analysis

Round 1

Petr Yan entered the octagon and turned a cartwheel. No telling how that flair might serve him now that Merab Dvalishvili has entered the octagon, too, with the fight set to begin.

Merab on the move, and Yan shadowing. Merab lets fly with a right and lands a right overhand. Yan taking his time. Eats another right from Merab, and he better start punching soon. Merab showing aggression.

Merab charges forward and unloads as Yan looks mostly concerned about covering up. Yan connects with a couple of jabs and Merab throws heavy punches, mostly missing. Yan connects with a big right! Then a left. But Merab scores a takedown, and he needs to wrap up Yan. Yan clearly has the ability to turn Merab, but not if he’s wrapped up. Yan fighting the takedown and getting kneed in the glutes and squirms loose. But Merab wraps up Yan again and attempts another takedown. Fans boo. Dvalishvili 10, Yan 9

Round 2

Merab rushes out behind a big right. He’s remained the aggressor and looks for another takedown. Yan defending well and Merab determined to score this takedown. But Yan breaks free.

Yan connects with a jab. A hard jab. Merab lunges. Reportedly, Merab has failed to score any takedowns. Unreal. Now, Yan scores the takedown! Then Merab pulls the reversal! And Yan reverses Merab!

They’re clinched on the fence but Yan is in a headlock. Now they shake loose. Yan scores with another wicked jab. Merab is keeping Yan tied up and gains a reprieve from Yan’s fists. Yan scores with a right. Merab’s face is badly bloodied. Dvalishvili 20, Yan 18

Round 3

Merab’s nose looks like it might be broken. No question it’s bloody and battered. Merab lands a hard right and Yan scores a big takedown. Merab on the rampage but Yah slugs him square in he face.

Merab slings Yan over his shoulder, slams him to the mat and back up pops Yan. They’re trading blows, but both look exhausted. Merab attempts a takedown and Yan fights it off.

Yan lands a right and then a jab. Merab goes for yet another takedown. More terrific takedown defense by Yan. Merab charging ahead. Yan lands a vicious kick to the body. Merab is hurt. Dvalishvili 29, Yan 28

Round 4

Yan opens with a hard low leg kick. Merab shows no ill effects from that kick to the abdomen. Yet. He’s attempting yet another takedown and gets taken down instead.

Merab going for a choke here. Yan shakes free of the submission attempt and now has Merab’s back. Yan lands a kick and he’s on the move. Merab stays aggressive. Another takedown attempt and Yan defends again.

Yan landing with that jab repeatedly and scores with another hard left shot to the body. Another hard body shot by Yan. Yan pounds Merab with a vicious left, and then a big right followed by an elbow. Yan is taking over. Dvalishvili 38, Yan 38

Round 5

Yan comes out assertively with side kicks to the legs. Merab firing punches and Yan responds with a leg kick. Now he scores with a left hook to Merab’s body. They trade big punches, and Yan appears to get the best of the exchange.

Yan lands a couple of lefts. He looks patient and dangerous. Merab wraps up Yan but Yan fights him off YET again! Blood is everywhere – mostly Merab’s. Merab’s face is a bloody mess. He’s firing punches but doesn’t look certain about what he wants to do. Now he’s looking for a submission.

Yan shakes free and gets on top. He scores with a knee and elbow before they separate. Yan lands another crushing body kick. Crowd cheering, clock running out and Yan scores his fifth takedown of the fight! Yan 48, Dvalishvili 47

Joshua Van def. Alexandre Pantoja by TKO

The fight lasted 26 seconds, and it was as shocking as it was excruciating.

At 24, Van becomes the second youngest champion in UFC history after Pantoja appeared to seriously injure his arm just as the flyweight bout was getting underway.

Pantoja, 35, attempted a head kick and Van caught his left. That left Pantoja spinning and looking for a place to land.

But as he fell, Pantoja landed on his left arm and it didn’t look good. He made it clear he couldn’t continue and the referee halted the fight. Dana White said afterward that Pantoja had suffered a shoulder injury.

The only younger champion in UFC history was Jon Jones, who won his first belt at 23.

Van improved to 16-2 and Pantoja fell to 30-6.

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van: Round-by-round analysis

Round 1

Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja already looks like one of the best ever to fight in the division. But 24-year-old contender Joshua Van looks to change the narrative with a massive upset.

Pantoja opens with a leg kick and the punches already are flying. Pantoja suffers an arm injury and the fight is over! Pantoja cannot continue! 

Tatsuro Taira def. Brandon Moreno by TKO

Taira proved to be a quicker learner in his victory over Moreno in the flyweight bout.

Taira spent most of the first round fighting off a possible submission after trying to take down Moreno but slipping into Moreno’s clutches.

Taira took Moreno down again in Round 2 and he kept him there – long enough to pound him with punches before the referee halted the fight.

Taira, the 25-year-old from Japan, improved to 18-1. Moreno, the 31-year-old from Mexico, fell to 23-9-2.

Brandon Moreno vs. Tatsuro Taira: Round-by-round analysis

Round 1

Brandon Moreno, the former two-time UFC flyweight champion, is looking to fight for the title again. The path leaves him face-to-face with Tatsuro Taira.

Taira opens with a fast right that misses the target – violently. Taira attempts a takedown but Moreno ends up on top and is locking in a body triangle. Taira looks helpless but not in danger of submitting. The problem: 2:45 left to go and no clear exit for Taira.

Taira starts to throw punches, but there’s not much room to operate. The hold is weakening and the fans boo. But Moreno is retightening the triangle. Taira throwing punches, so clearly he’s getting adequate air and the crowd is losing patience. Taira breaks free and fails to score before the round ends. Moreno 10, Taira 9

Round 2

Moreno scores with a jab and a right hook. Moreno fires another jab and connects with a low leg kick. Connects with another left. Taira looks … a little unsure of himself. Now he unloads with punches and scores a takedown.

Taira now throwing hard punches to Moreno’s head and face. A flurry of big punches and the referee stops the fight! It’s over! It’s Taira by TKO.

Payton Talbott def. Henry Cejudo by unanimous decision

Talbott knocked off the legendary Cejudo and had a message after winning the flyweight bout by unanimous decision. A fight that sent Cejudo back into retirement.

“Guys, give it up for Henry Cejudo, the savior of the flyweight division,’’ Talbott said. “Love him or hate him, everyone watched.’’

It was riveting theater again, as the 38-year-old Cejudo brawled with the 27-year-old Talbott. He had the heart of a champion – a former Olympic gold medalist wrestler and former two-division UFC champion (flyweight and bantamweight).

But Talbott was too good and too young on a night that ended with Cejudo’s face covered with blood and pride. Talbott improved to 11-1 and Cejudo fell to 16-6.

Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott: Round-by-round analysis

Round 1

Legend Henry Cejudo hasn’t looked so legendary while losing his last three fights. Can he avoid yet another loss against 27-year-old Payton Talbott?

Cejudo opens with a couple quick low leg kicks. Talbott lands a huge right. But Cejudo marches forward and lands another low leg kick. Talbott lands another left as Cejudo keeps firing those low leg kicks. Talbott noticeably taller. But nothing new for Cejudo.

Cejudo bleeding from the nose and now he’s getting kneed and Talbott lands a left. Cejudo drops Talbott with a right but Talbott quickly back up. And Talbott has tattooed Cejudo’s face and then scores a takedown. In fact, sticks out his tongue in celebration. Talbott scores with a couple of elbows and lands a flurry of shots before Cejudo scrambles to his feet. And Talbott takes him down again HARD seconds before the round ends. Talbott 10, Cejudo 9

Round 2

Talbott drops Cejudo with a right but he quickly scrambles to his feet and now Cejudo is on top! The former Olympic gold medalist wrestler, of course. Cejudo on top but not throwing punches, maybe just catching his breath? Crowd growing restless.

About three minutes left. How will Cejudo use the time? Talbott scrambles to his feet, but Cejudo still has his back. Now they’re separated and Talbott is firing punches and clips Cejudo with a stiff left. Talbott is pouring it on!

Cejudo fighting back and it’s a bloody war. Cejudo a bloody mess but still fighting. Cejudo’s left eye just covered with blood. Round ends. Incredible. Talbott 20, Cejudo 18

Round 3

Cejudo scores with a hard low leg kick. And now he’s firing punches and kicks. Talbott knees Cejudo and he just looks sharper and fresher. Cejudo has no answer for the long limbs that have bloodied his face.

Now they’re clinched. Cejudo’s right eye bleeding again as they’re clinched. Talbott drives his knee into Cejudo’s body but suddenly Cejudo scores the takedown. Talbott quickly back on his feet. Talbott drive his knee into Cejudo’s chest and it’s getting ugly.

Cejudo attempts another takedown but Talbott fends it off. Hard to know who’s wearing whose blood. Talbott pouring it on, but Cejudo swinging for the fences, too. Talbott points to the center of the mat and they brawl as the final seconds elapse. Talbott 30, Cejudo 27

Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov declared majority draw

It’s almost impossible to imagine the 42-year-old Blachowicz reigning atop the light heavyweight division again. But retirement doesn’t appear to be imminent, either.

Despite suffering a beating in the second round, Blachowicz rallied and earned a majority draw against Guskov.

He weathered a flurry of Guskov’s elbows and fists after getting dropped in the second round, then fought his way back in the three-round bout behind an aggressive, jab-heavy attack.

One judge scored it 29-28 for Blachowicz and the two other judges scored it 28-28 – meaning they scored the second round 10-8 in favor of Guskov but gave the first and third rounds to Blachowicz.

Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov: Round-by-round analysis

Round 1

Jan Blachowicz, the former light heavyweight champion, enters this fight having won just one of his last five bouts. At 42, can he get back on track against 33-year-old Bogdan Guskov?

Fighters circling, measuring. Guskov throws a few jabs, not with any serious intention. Blachowicz connects with a low leg kick, tries to follow up with a jab that falls short. Waiting for violence to ensue. Blachowicz scores with a jab and connects with another low level kick. Another kick. But no one is going for broke yet.

Guskov connects with a straight left that backed up Blachowicz. But Blachowicz responds with a couple of lefts. They traded kicks. Jabs are ruling this round. The crowd is getting a little restless. Now whistling ensues. Blachowicz has pounded Guskov’s left leg, but he lands a flurry of punches. Blachowicz 10, Guskov 9

Round 2

Blachowicz sticks Guskov with a solid left and connects with another leg kick. Then Guskov scores with a big right and down goes Blachowicz as Guskov begins the ground and pound and tries to finish the job. Guskov connects with two more big shots.

Blachowicz has Guskov in a heel locker but he breaks free. Lots of time left as Guskov sets up for more ground and pound. Blachowicz taking lots of punishment as Guskov throws elbows and opens up a cut on Blachowicz’s right eye.

Guskov in total control and Blachowicz winces as the punishment continues. Blachowicz punching back, but with no authority. Guskov capitalizing with sharp elbows. Blachowicz 19, Guskov 19

Round 3

Blachowicz comes out with surprising assertiveness, but Guskov scores with a left jab that rattles Blachowicz. Guskov connecting with big shots. Blachowicz still stalking at times and showing some energy. Throwing impressive jabs, but Guskov fires back with a hard right.

Blachowicz is revving up and fires away despite blood running into his left eye. Guskov retreating and growing strangely apprehensive. It’s Blachowicz who’s fighting with more aggressiveness.

They’re at the center of the octagon. Blachowicz knocks Guskov down with a right as the round comes to a close! Unbelievable! Blachowicz 29, Guskov 28

UFC 323 results: Prelims

Manuel Torres def. Grant Dawson by TKO (1st round), lightweight

Chris Duncan def. Terrance McKinney by submission (anaconda choke, 1st rd), lightweight 

Maycee Barber def. Karine Silva by unanimous decision, women’s flyweight
Fares Ziam def. Nazim Sadykhov by TKO (2nd rd), lightweight

UFC 323 results: Early Prelims

Brunno Ferreira def. Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision, middleweight
Jalin Turner def. Edson Barboza by TKO (1st rd), lightweight

Iwo Baraniewski def. Ibo Aslan KO (1st rd), light heavyweight
Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Antonio Trocoli by submission (guillotine choke/1st rd), middleweight
Mairon Santos def. Muhammad Naimov by TKO (3rd rd), featherweight

UFC 323 predictions: Dvalishvili vs. Yan expert picks

Sporting News: Merab via unanimous decision

Daniel Yanofsky writes: ‘Has Yan improved his takedown defense (85%) since the last fight? Even against other opponents, they aren’t on the same level as Merab. Even if injuries may have affected Yan last time, it appears nothing can stop Merab, especially on the floor. Expect the same result here.’

Action Network: Merab Dvalishvili

Billy Ward writes: ‘With the champion only about two years older than the challenger, it’s also hard to say that time could be the equalizer here, as both men are in roughly the same stage of their careers. For all of those reasons, the roughly four-to-one odds on ‘The Machine’ to retain his title feel about right.’

Score and Stats: Merab Dvalishvili

Rick Rockwell writes: ‘You can throw caution to the wind and bet on a KO upset, but I don’t see it happening. Merab wins with defense, timing, pacing, and suffocating wrestling. Yan didn’t have an answer for that in 2023, and he won’t have an answer for it now.’

UFC 323 odds: Dvalishvili vs. Yan fight

Odds via BetMGM as of Thursday.

Merab Dvalishvili (-500) vs. Petr Yan (+340); For bantamweight title

UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan fight card

Fight card according to ESPN:

Fight card according to ESPN.

Main Card:

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan; For bantamweight title
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van; For flyweight title
Brandon Moreno vs. Tatsuro Taira; Flyweight
Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott; Lightweight
Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov; Bantamweight

Prelims:

Grant Dawson vs. Manuel Torres; Lightweight
Chris Duncan vs. Terrance McKinney; Lightweight
Maycee Barber vs. Karine Silva; Women’s flyweight
Nazim Sadykhov vs. Fares Ziam; Lightweight

Early Prelims:

Marvin Vettori vs. Brunno Ferreira; Middleweight
Edson Barboza vs. Jalin Turner; Lightweight
Ibo Aslan vs. Iwo Baraniewski; Light Heavyweight
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Antonio Trocoli; Middleweight
Muhammad Naimov vs. Mairon Santos; Featherweight

UFC 323 preliminary and main card start times

Here are your start times.

Early Prelims: 6 p.m. ET (FX, ESPN+, Disney+)
Prelims: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2, FX, ESPN+, Disney+)
Main card: 10 p.m. ET (PPV on ESPN+)

UFC 324 moves to Paramount+, ending PPV era for UFC

After UFC 323, the organization now moves on from its PPV model with ESPN and ESPN+. With its seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount, the promise is upwards of 40 UFC events a year. It all begins in 2026 with UFC 324 on Jan. 24, which will broadcast on streaming service Paramount+.

UFC 323 odds: Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan full card

Fight card according to ESPN: Odds via BetMGM as of Thursday.

Main Card:

Merab Dvalishvili (-500) vs. Petr Yan (+340); For bantamweight title
Alexandre Pantoja (-265) vs. Joshua Van (+200); For flyweight title
Brandon Moreno (+110) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-140); Flyweight
Henry Cejudo (+200) vs. Payton Talbott (-265); Lightweight
Jan Blachowicz (-140) vs. Bogdan Guskov (+110); Bantamweight

Prelims:

Grant Dawson (-235) vs. Manuel Torres (+180); Lightweight
Chris Duncan (-195) vs. Terrance McKinney (+150); Lightweight
Maycee Barber (-180) vs. Karine Silva (+140); Women’s flyweight
Nazim Sadykhov (+115) vs. Fares Ziam (-145); Lightweight

Early Prelims:

Marvin Vettori (-120) vs. Brunno Ferreira (-110); Middleweight
Edson Barboza (+200) vs. Jalin Turner (-265); Lightweight
Ibo Aslan (+165) vs. Iwo Baraniewski (-215); Light Heavyweight
Mansur Abdul-Malik (-1000) vs. Antonio Trocoli (+560); Middleweight
Muhammad Naimov (+220) vs. Mairon Santos (+295); Featherweight

Ring walk time for Dvalishvili and Yan main event

The Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan fight card consists of 14 fights and will begin at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 6, 2025, with early prelim fights. The main event for the Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan fight is expected to be around 11:30 p.m. ET. However, the duration of the undercard will impact the actual start.

Where is UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan?

UFC 323: Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.

UFC 323 live stream

The Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan prelims and early prelims fights will be available to stream on ESPN+ and Disney+, while the main card will be streamed on ESPN Pay-Per-View.

UFC 323 price

UFC events are available to ESPN+ subscribers. The cost of the service is $10.99 a month or $109.99 for the year. The PPV is available for an additional $79.99.

Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan: Tale of the tape

Saturday night’s Big Ten Championship game between the nation’s top two teams didn’t disappoint. And in a twist to the script, it was No. 2 Indiana to pull off its first win over Ohio State since 1988.

Indiana, which began the 2025 season as the losingest program in FBS history, won a Big Ten championship for the first time since 1967.

Indiana (13-0) will be the No. 1 team in Sunday’s College Football Playoff bracket reveal. Ohio State (12-1) will likely still land in the top four and receive a first-round bye.

In two seasons, Curt Cignetti has turned a perennial and historic loser into a playoff team in back-to-back years and now Big Ten champions.

‘This is the greatest turnaround in the history of our sport…,’ Fox’s Urban Meyer said postgame. ‘It’s not even close… This is the best coaching job I’ve ever seen in my life.’

The Hoosiers defense bottled up the Buckeyes’ high-powered offense and Fernando Mendoza made the throws he had to make to lead Indiana to a 13-10 win at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Buckeyes kicker Jayden Fielding missed a 27-yard field goal attempt with 2:48 left that would have tied the score.

In the Heisman Trophy showcase between leading contenders Julian Sayin and Mendoza, neither had a massive game, but both were efficient.

Sayin got Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate involved, but Indiana did a good job (for the most part) keeping the Buckeyes receivers in front of them.

Mendoza was solid for IU, bouncing back from a rough hit on the first play of the game that sent him briefly to the sideline. Mendoza hit Elijah Sarratt on his trademark back-shoulder touchdown in the third quarter to take the lead. It marked the first time Ohio State had trailed in a second half all season.

Mendoza’s pass on 3rd-and-6 with 2:41 left to Charlie Becker for a 33-yard gain helped ice the game. Mendoza finished 15-of-23 for 222 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Sayin went 21-of-29 for 258 yards with a touchdown and interception.

Here’s how it happened:

HIT REFRESH FOR UPDATES.

Ohio State vs Indiana score

Ohio State vs Indiana football live updates

0:17 4Q: Ohio State needs a prayer

Indiana burns clock and the rest of Ohio State’s timeouts but have to punt the ball back to Buckeyes at their own 14-yard line.

2:00 4Q: Indiana 13, Ohio State 10

On 3rd-and-6 with 2:41 left Fernando Mendoza hits Charlie Becker again down the sideline for a 33-yard gain. A perfect pass. A Heisman moment. Wow. Buckeyes have just one timeout left.

2:48 4Q: Jayden Fielding shanks 27-yard FG attempt, Indiana still leads

On 3rd-and-1 Rolijah Hardy knocks away the pass in the end zone to force an Ohio State field goal. AND HE MISSES IT. Jayden Fielding hooks it from 27 yards out. INDIANA 13, OHIO STATE 10.

4:10 4Q: Buckeyes driving, burning up clock

A long, time-consuming drive from Ohio State as Julian Sayin starts to cook and a key Indiana penalty gives Buckeyes a first down deep inside Hoosiers territory. INDIANA 13, OHIO STATE 10.

10:45 4Q: Indiana flips field, punts back to Ohio State

Hoosiers get a few first downs and flip the field position. Indiana punts and Ohio State will start drive at their own 10-yard line. INDIANA 13, OHIO STATE 10.

END 3Q: Indiana 13, Ohio State 10

The Hoosiers are one quarter away from their first Big Ten championship since 1967. It’ll be 1st-and-10 for IU from their own 17-yard line after 12-yard completion to EJ Williams.

1:04 3Q: Review overturns Buckeyes’ first down on 4th-and-1

It’s a good response from the champions. Buckeyes’ first second-half deficit doesn’t last long. Julian Sayin engineers an efficient 12-play drive, mixing in his tight ends with Jeremiah Smith (who has over 100 yards receiving already).

OSU goes for it on 4th-and-1 from the Indiana 6-yard line, and Sayin sneaks forward and the call of first down is overturned on review. Indiana ball. Huge turn of events. INDIANA 13, OHIO STATE 10.

8:02 3Q: Fernando Mendoza hits Elijah Sarratt for go-ahead TD

TOUCHDOWN! Fernando Mendoza hits Elijah Sarratt on a back-shoulder fade in the end zone from 17 yards out. The Buckeyes are trailing in the second half for the first time all season.

The key play was on 3rd-and-2 deep in their own territory, Mendoza airs it out to Charlie Becker for 51 yards. Mendoza is 11-of-18 for 155 yards. INDIANA 13, OHIO STATE 10.

11:32 3Q: Hoosiers force punt to open half

Back-to-back sacks by Indiana including an in-the-grasp call, despite Julian Sayin spinning out of the tackle, forces a 3rd-and-27. The IU defense forces a punt on opening drive of the second half. OHIO STATE 10, INDIANA 6.

HALFTIME: Ohio State 10, Indiana 6

The Hoosiers have been able to move the ball on Ohio State, but have only three field goal attempts to show for it (two made, one missed).

Ohio State QB Julian Sayin has 109 passing yards and has gotten Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith involved, but Indiana is bending, not breaking.

0:30 2Q: Ohio State seems content with a modest first-half lead

Isaiah Jones gets his second sack of the day to torpedo this drive. Ohio State had three timeouts and had the ball near midfield but decided not to call timeout. OHIO STATE 10, INDIANA 6.

2:00 2Q: Ohio State 10, Indiana 6

2-minute timeout. Buckeyes have a 1st-and-10 at their 36-yard line. Ohio State gets the ball first after halftime, so this is a huge series for Indiana’s defense.

2:47 2Q: Hoosiers move the ball, have to settle for FG

On a 4th-and-2 from the Ohio State 39-yard line, Fernando Mendoza side-arms it to Riley Nowakowski for a first down to keep the drive alive. Buckeyes defensive end Caden Curry continues to eat in his return home, with another sack. He’s been everywhere for Ohio State and forces Indiana to settle for a Nico Radicic 32-yard field goal.

Hoosiers have moved the ball. Three field goal attempts on five drives so far. But can’t beat No. 1 with field goals. OHIO STATE 10, INDIANA 6.

10:08 2Q: Indiana holds Ohio State to short FG

Julian Sayin airs it out for Jeremiah Smith for a 54-yard strike, and Buckeyes get an extra 15 yards for an illegal hands to the face penalty. But an Isaiah Jones sack on 3rd-and-goal forces Ohio State into a short field goal from Jayden Fielding. Key hold there for the Hoosiers. OHIO STATE 10, INDIANA 3.

13:31 2Q: Nico Radicic misses his first FG of year

Indiana drive stalls with a third-down sack and Nico Radicic misses from 40 yards out. Uncharacteristic from Big Ten kicker of the year. Hoosiers can’t make mistakes if they want to beat defending national champs. OHIO STATE 7, INDIANA 3.

END 1Q: Ohio State 7, Indiana 3

A defensive pass interference on another deep shot from Indiana moves the ball 15 yards and then Kaelon Black busts loose for a 37-yard gain. IU will open second quarter at Buckeyes’ 22-yard line. OHIO STATE 7, INDIANA 3.

0:46 1Q: Julian Sayin finds Carnell Tate wide open for TD

TOUCHDOWN! Julian Sayin takes his time, eludes the rush and finds a wide open Carnell Tate in the end zone for a 9-yard score. Both teams turn interceptions into points. Hoosiers got a field goal, Buckeyes get a touchdown. OHIO STATE 7, INDIANA 3.

1:41 1Q: Ohio State’s Davison Igbinosun gets pick deep in Indiana territory

INTERCEPTION! Ohio State gets a turnover of its own. Lorenzo Styles blows up a WR screen pass and the ricochet of the ball lands in the hands of Buckeyes DB Davison Igbinosun. Ohio State ball at Indiana’s 25-yard line. INDIANA 3, OHIO STATE 0.

3:07 1Q: Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. injury update questionable

The Hoosiers standout receiver tweaked his right leg on the missed deep shot on their first drive. He went into the medical tent and is going back to the locker room. Questionable to return.

3:07 1Q: Indiana gets third-down sack, forces Buckeyes punt

Rolijah Hardy with a sack on 3rd-and-5 near midfield and the Hoosiers force a punt. Julian Sayin has been getting the ball to Jeremiah Smith (three catches already), but Indiana is keeping him in front of them. INDIANA 3, OHIO STATE 0.

6:51 1Q: Hoosiers turn turnover into points with FG

Indiana picks up one first down but has to settle for a Nico Radicic 29-yard field goal. Hoosiers on the board first. INDIANA 3, OHIO STATE 0.

8:57 1Q: Louis Moore intercepts Julian Sayin

INTERCEPTION! Louis Moore steps in front of a Julian Sayin third-down pass and returns it to Ohio State 23-yard line. INDIANA 0, OHIO STATE 0.

10:35 1Q: Caden Curry sack ends Indiana’s first drive

IU overcomes the Fernando Mendoza brief injury and picks up two first downs. Hoosiers take a deep shot from midfield to Omar Cooper, but receiver can’t come down with the catch. On third down, Caden Curry — the Greenwood, Indiana product — gets the sack and IU has to punt it away.

Buckeyes will start their first drive at their own 12-yard line. INDIANA 0, OHIO STATE 0.

14:51 1Q: Fernando Mendoza down with injury

Fernando Mendoza takes a shot from Ohio State DE Caden Curry and is down on the first play of the game. His younger brother Alberto comes in for one snap.

Fernando is back in the game. Keep on an eye on how he’s moving.

And we’re underway… Ohio State kickoff through the end zone.

Fox crew predictions clean sweep for Ohio State win vs Indiana

Brady Quinn: Ohio State, 23-17
Mark Ingram: Ohio State, 30-24
Matt Leinart: Ohio State, 31-17
Urban Meyer: Ohio State, 31-21

Pregame comments from Ryan Day, Curt Cignetti

Ohio State vs Indiana injury update: Availability report

What time does Ohio State vs Indiana start?

Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Ohio State vs Indiana will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 6 from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

What TV channel is Ohio State vs Indiana on today?

TV channel: Fox
Livestream: Fubo (free trial)

The Big Ten championship game between Ohio State and Indiana will be broadcast on Fox.

Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which carries Fox and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Ohio State vs Indiana predictions for Big Ten championship

Ohio State 27, Indiana 17: Curt Cignetti’s offense feasts on most Big Ten defenses. This is not your ordinary Big Ten defense, though. The Buckeyes keep winning with an anaconda defense that suffocates opponents. Pair that with steady-handed quarterback Julian Sayin and the best receiving corps in the country, and you get the nation’s most complete team. I’ve been on the Buckeyes to win the national championship since August. I’m not fading them now. — Blake Toppmeyer
Indiana 27, Ohio State 24: I just can’t get over what the Ohio State defense has faced, instead of what it has done. Who have the Buckeyes played this season that could actually stress their defense? Texas? In Arch Manning’s first start? Washington? Illinois? Come on. The Hoosiers will be a completely different animal, a multiple offense with an accurate quarterback who can make every throw — and scramble and get critical yards. One more thing: Hoosiers have 34 sacks and have forced 24 turnovers. The defense will get enough stops, and Indiana will be the No.1 seed in the CFP. — Matt Hayes
Ohio State 34, Indiana 16: Ohio State’s historically good defense is going to be tested by Indiana and possible Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. This is a group with no weak links, nearly unmatched depth and all-everything talent such as safety Caleb Downs, who might be the best pound-for-pound player in college football. The Buckeyes are on a collision course for a repeat national title and won’t be tripped up even by the mighty Hoosiers. — Paul Myerberg

Ohio State vs Indiana odds Big Ten championship

Odds courtesy of BetMGM, as of Thursday, Dec. 4:

Spread: Ohio State (-4)
Over/under: 47.5
Moneyline: Ohio State -200 | Indiana +165

Ohio State football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Ohio State’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

Saturday, Aug. 30: No. 2 Ohio State 14, No. 1 Texas 7
Saturday, Sept. 6: No. 1 Ohio State 70,Grambling State 0
Saturday, Sept. 13: No. 1 Ohio State 37, Ohio 9
BYE
Saturday, Sept. 27: No. 1 Ohio State 24, Washington 6*
Saturday, Oct. 4: No. 1 Ohio State 42, Minnesota 3*
Saturday, Oct. 11: No. 1 Ohio State 34, No. 17 Illinois 16*
Saturday, Oct. 18: No. 1 Ohio State 34, Wisconsin 0*
BYE
Saturday, Nov. 1: No. 1 Ohio State 38, Penn State 14*
Saturday, Nov. 8: No. 1 Ohio State 34, Purdue 10*
Saturday, Nov. 15: No. 1 Ohio State 48, UCLA 10*
Saturday, Nov. 22: No. 1 Ohio State 42, Rutgers 9*
Saturday, Nov. 29: No. 1 Ohio State 27, No. 15 Michigan 9*
Saturday, Dec. 6: No. 1 Ohio State vs No. 2 Indiana | Fox, 8 p.m. ET**
* – denotes Big Ten game
** – denotes Big Ten championship game

Indiana football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Indiana’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

Saturday, Aug. 30: No. 19 Indiana 27, Old Dominion 14
Saturday, Sept. 6: No. 21 Indiana 56, Kennesaw State 9
Friday, Sept. 12: No. 19 Indiana 73, Indiana State 0
Saturday, Sept. 20: No. 17 Indiana 63, No. 8 Illinois 10*
Saturday, Sept. 27: No. 12 Indiana 20, Iowa 15*
BYE
Saturday, Oct. 11: No. 7 Indiana 30, No. 2 Oregon 20*
Saturday, Oct. 18: No. 3 Indiana 38, Michigan State 13*
Saturday, Oct. 25: No. 2 Indiana 56, UCLA 6*
Saturday, Nov. 1: No. 2 Indiana 55, Maryland 10*
Saturday, Nov. 8: No. 2 Indiana 27, Penn State 24*
Saturday, Nov. 15: No. 2 Indiana 31, Wisconsin 7*
BYE
Friday, Nov. 28: No. 2 Indiana 56, Purdue 3
Saturday, Dec. 6: No. 1 Ohio State vs No. 2 Indiana | Fox, 8 p.m. ET**
* – denotes Big Ten game
** – denotes Big Ten championship game

Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.

A Power Four conference champion was determined Saturday night — even though the winner of the game may not earn a College Football Playoff berth.

The 2025 ACC football season wrapped up on Saturday, Dec. 6 with Duke outlasting No. 16 Virginia (No. 17 CFP) 27-20 in overtime at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina to win the ACC Championship game for the first time in program history.

Watch the ACC championship game on Fubo (free trial)

The win improves the Blue Devils to 8-5, though it’s unlikely they’ll be able to leapfrog No. 19 James Madison (No. 25 CFP) in the playoff selection committee rankings. Duke was unranked in last week’s committee rankings. Because of that, the ACC could be shut out of the playoff, with No. 13 Miami (No. 12 CFP), as a potential at-large participant, standing as its best hope to make the field.

The Cavaliers had been one of the best stories in college football this season and will finish the regular season with a 10-3 record after going just 11-23 in their previous three seasons under coach Tony Elliott. It’s Virginia’s first 10-win season since 1989.

Duke was in the ACC Championship game despite finishing just 7-5 in the regular season. A 6-2 record in conference play, however, sent it to Charlotte after a convoluted series of tiebreakers notably left out Miami.

Duke led 20-10 with four minutes remaining, but Virginia mounted a furious comeback to tie the game on an 18-yard Chandler Morris touchdown pass to Eli Wood with 22 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. In overtime, the Blue Devils got a touchdown pass from Darian Mensah on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line and intercepted Morris on the first play of the Cavaliers’ ensuing possession to end the game.

USA TODAY brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Here are the highlights:

Virginia vs Duke score

This section will be updated throughout the game.

Virginia vs Duke updates

FINAL: Duke 27, Virginia 20

Virginia INT ends game, gives Duke ACC championship

After a roughing-the-passer penalty pushed Virginia back to the 40-yard line to start its drive. The Cavaliers went with some trickery on their first play, with Chandler Morris ending up with the ball and firing the ball to Eli Wood. Duke linebacker Luke Mergott, however, steps in to intercept the pass and end the game. It’s Mergott’s first career interception.

Duke has won the ACC championship.

Duke gets TD on first drive of OT

Duke has little trouble moving it up the field, getting a first-and-goal at the Virginia 1-yard line before the Cavaliers hold firm, stopping the Blue Devils on three straight plays. Manny Diaz opts to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the 1, with Darian Mensah rolling out and finding Jeremiah Hasley in the end zone.

Duke is now four for four on the day on fourth down.

End of fourth quarter: Duke 20, Virginia 20

After a short kickoff return, Duke opts to take a knee and send the game to overtime. Virginia wins the toss and decides to play defense first.

Of note, the Cavaliers have won three overtime games this season, so they’ve got plenty of experience with this situation, albeit not with these kinds of stakes.

Virginia ties game on Chandler Morris TD pass

Virginia’s furious comeback has us on the brink of overtime. The Cavaliers go 96 yards in 10 plays and just 1:22, with a Chandler Morris 18-yard touchdown pass to Eli Wood serving as the exclamation point. The extra point is good and we’re tied, 20-20, with 22 seconds left. Wood stepped out of bounds, but it was determined that he was forced out by the Duke defensive back and he re-established himself on the field before hauling in the catch.

Duke does have two timeouts left, though it’s fair to wonder whether the Blue Devils want to be too aggressive and not risk a turnover.

Virginia forces Duke punt, will have chance to tie

It all comes down to one drive.

Virginia’s defense stands tall, stuffing Duke on back-to-back plays from the Blue Devils’ 48-yard line. The second of those stops, a Nate Sheppard 2-yard run on third-and-8 ended with Sheppard going out of bounds, stopping the clock with 1:51 remaining and allowing the Cavaliers to hold on to their two timeouts.

Virginia takes over at its own 4-yard line after a 46-yard punt and will have 1:44 to try to mount a game-tying drive, along with two timeouts.

Virginia FG makes it a one-score game

It’s not quite over yet in Charlotte. Thanks in large part to a 25-yard pass from Chandler Morris to Cam Ross, Virginia goes 50 yards in eight plays, with Will Bettridge finishing it off with a 42-yard field goal.

Duke’s lead is down to seven, 20-13, with 3:54 left. After the kickoff, the Blue Devils take over at their own 25-yard line. The Cavaliers still have all three of their timeouts, as well as the two-minute timeout.

Duke FG extends lead over Virginia to 10

Duke capitalizes on the short field, getting a 23-yard Todd Pelino field goal to push its lead over Virginia to 10, 20-10, with 5:02 left.

The Blue Devils very nearly got seven points instead of three, with Darian Mensah connecting with Cooper Barkate for a 30-yard pickup to the Cavaliers’ 3-yard line. They’re not able to get any closer to the end zone, though, and ultimately settle for a field goal. But with a two-possession lead with five minutes left, Duke’s chances of a conference title just got that much better.

Chandler Morris INT gives Duke ball in Virginia territory

Duke makes good on pinning Virginia deep. On a third-and-9 from his team’s own 2-yard line, Chandler Morris tosses it deep, but there isn’t a receiver in the area and Blue Devils safety Caleb Weaver makes a diving catch to pick it off at the Cavaliers’ 33-yard line. Looked to be a potential miscommunication between Morris and his receiver.

With 7:21 remaining, Duke has the chance to burn some clock and, more importantly, stretch its lead to two possessions.

Duke punts, pins Virginia deep

The Blue Devils aren’t able to get past the Virginia 47-yard line, with a Darian Mensah pass on third-and-6 getting batted down before it could get to Cooper Barkate. A 47-yard punt from Kade Reynoldson is downed at the Virginia 1, where the Cavaliers will take over with 8:46 remaining.

Duke stops Virginia on fourth down, takes over

A huge play from a Duke defense that’s been uncharacteristically strong most of the night, with Chandler Morris sailing a pass high to Trell Harris in the end zone as Harris was covered by a pair of Duke defensive backs on fourth-and-5 from the Blue Devils’ 24-yard line.

Duke will take over at its own 24-yard line with 14:24 left in the game.

Third quarter: Duke 17, Virginia 10

Virginia will start the fourth quarter with a third-and-9 at the Duke 28-yard line.

Duke pushes lead back to seven with FG

Duke stretches its lead back to seven with a field goal of its own, with Todd Pelino knocking through a 27-yard field goal after a six-play, 63-yard drive. Much of that yardage came on a 38-yard pass from Darian Mensah to Cooper Barkate that got the Blue Devils down to the Virginia 15-yard line after a face mask penalty was tacked on to the reception.

Duke had been set to go for a fourth-and-2 from the Virginia 7, but a false start penalty knocked the Blue Devils back five yards. Manny Diaz opts for the sure three points, giving his team a 17-10 lead with 3:53 left in the third quarter.

Virginia cuts into Duke lead with FG

The Cavaliers get all the way down to the Blue Devils’ 2-yard line on their opening drive of the second half, but Duke’s defense stands tall from there, dropping Virginia for a 5-yard loss and then forcing Chandler Morris into an incompletion.

Still, the Cavaliers cap off a 17-play drive with a 24-yard field goal from Will Bettridge to get within four, 14-10, with 7:19 remaining in the third quarter.

Halftime: Duke 14, Virginia 7

Duke holds a 14-7 lead over Virginia at halftime. The Blue Devils have a 170-115 advantage in total yards, with the Cavaliers running only 23 plays and Duke leading the time of possession battle 20:29-9:31.

Virginia is set to receive the opening kickoff of the second half.

Duke punts

Duke goes three-and-out and punts away to Virginia, which will take over at its 30-yard line with 1:43 left.

Virginia punts

For the first time tonight, we have a punt. A Chandler Morris pass on third-and-9 from the Virginia 48-yard line falls incomplete and the Cavaliers opt to punt. The ball bounces into the end zone for a touchback, giving Duke the ball at its own 20 with 2:55 remaining in the first half.

Nate Sheppard TD run puts Duke back ahead of Virginia

Duke has another lengthy touchdown drive, this one going 75 plays in 13 plays in 8:02. It’s punctuated by a 16-yard Nate Sheppard touchdown run to give the Blue Devils a 14-7 lead with 6:14 left in the first half.

Duke yet again comes up with big plays with it needed them, converting on two fourth downs on the drive, one of which came on a fake punt from its own 33-yard line. It’s the Blue Devils’ third-consecutive game with a special teams fake for a first down.

Chandler Morris TD pass ties Virginia with Duke

Darian Mensah’s interception proves to be costly, turning what could have been a 14-point lead into a tie ballgame.

On a first-and-10 from the Duke 11-yard line, Chandler Morris dumps it off to running back J’Mari Taylor, who cuts and plows through the Blue Devils’ defense for a touchdown, tying the game after the extra point with 14:16 left in the first half.

End of first quarter: Duke 7, Virginia 0

Virginia has a second-and-1 at the Duke 14-yard line once the second quarter begins.

Darian Mensah INT gives Virginia ball back

Shortly after Duke benefits from a momentum swing, the Blue Devils give the ball right back. On a second-and-14 from the Duke 24-yard line, two plays after Virginia’s missed field goal, Darian Mensah throws an interception right to Cavaliers safety Corey Costner, who returns it to the Duke 23-yard line with 47 seconds left in the quarter.

Virginia misses FG

The Cavaliers have a nice response to Duke’s opening touchdown drive, getting as far as the Blue Devils’ 20-yard line. From there, though, they’re dropped for a 2-yard loss on a rushing attempt, Chandler Morris is brought down for a sack on third down and Will Bettridge misses a 45-yard field goal wide left.

Duke will take over at its own 28 with about two minutes left in the first quarter.

Duke scores TD on first drive

After days of jokes about how it made the conference championship game, Duke showed on its first drive that it just might belong on this stage. The Blue Devils go 75 yards in 15 plays and 9:38, capped off by a 12-yard touchdown pass from Darian Mensah to Jeremiah Hasley.

It’s the longest opening drive by plays and time of possession in ACC Championship game history.

There were several instances on the possession that it seemed like Duke might not get any points, let alone seven. The Blue Devils faced four third-downs, converting three of them, and went for it on a fourth-and-2 from the Virginia 41-yard line.

Pregame

How did Duke get into the ACC championship game?

Despite going 7-5 in the regular season, which included losses to Tulane and UConn, Duke finds itself 60 minutes away from a conference title. How, exactly, did the Blue Devils get there?

Even with its subpar overall mark, coach Manny Diaz’s team went 6-2 in conference play, putting it in a five-way tie for second place in the conference standings behind Virginia. Duke ended up getting the edge over the four other teams because of the ACC’s sixth tiebreaker: conference opponent record. Duke’s ACC opponents had a combined win percentage of .500, while Miami and Georgia Tech came in behind them at .438.

Virginia football injury updates

Here’s a look at the injury situation for Virginia heading into its ACC championship matchup against Duke, according to the ACC’s latest athlete availability report:

Out

CB #1 Dre Walker
WR #2 Andre Greene Jr.
LB #5 Kam Robinson
DB #7 Ja’Maric Morris
CB #9 Jam Jackson
TE #9 Dakota Twitty
QB #19 Grady Brosterhous
RB #20 Xavier Brown
RB #28 Noah Vaughn
S #38 Armstrong Jones
OL #54 Makilan Thomas
DL #56 Tyler Simmons
OL #56 Tyshawn Wyatt
OL #71 Monroe Mills
WR #80 Trevor Ladd

Game-time decision

WR #6 Cam Ross
WR #8 Jayden Thomas
OL #52 McKale Boley

Ross is the Hoos’ third-leading wide receiver this season, with 459 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Duke football injury updates

Here’s a look at the players who will be out for Duke in Saturday’s ACC championship game against Virginia, according to the ACC’s latest athlete availability report:

S #1 Terry Moore
CB #5 Kimari Robinson
DE #14 Bryce Davis
LB #24 Bradley Gompers
LB #31 Elliott Schaper
LB #36 Nick Morris Jr.
OL #52 Micah Sahakian
OL #73 Evan Scott
OL #78 Nathan Kutufaris

ACC championship game odds

Virginia is favored by -3.5 over Duke in the ACC championship game, according to the latest odds from BetMGM.

Who is calling the ACC championship game?

The ACC championship game between Virginia and Duke will be airing on ABC, with Sean McDonough (play-by-play) and Greg McElroy (analyst) on the call while Molly McGrath and Taylor McGregor report from the sideline.

What time does Virginia vs Duke start?

Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Where: Bank of American Stadium (Charlotte, N.C.)

Virginia vs Duke will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 6 from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

What TV channel is Virginia vs Duke on today?

TV channel: ABC
Livestream: Fubo (free trial)

The ACC championship game between Virginia and Duke will be broadcast on ABC. Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which carries ABC and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Virginia vs Duke predictions

Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Sports: Duke 27, Virginia 24

The Blue Devils were handled by the Cavaliers in their regular-season matchup, but Virginia, for all of its success, has been inconsistent this season. With a better effort from quarterback Mensah this time around, Duke earns a tight win and potentially shuts the ACC out of the playoff.

Virginia football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Virginia’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

Saturday, Aug. 30: Virginia 48, Coastal Carolina 7
Saturday, Sept. 6: NC State 35, Virginia 31
Saturday, Sept. 13: Virginia 55, Williams & Mary 16
Saturday, Sept. 20: Virginia 48, Stanford 20 *
Friday, Sept. 26: Virginia 46, Florida State 38 (2OT) *
Saturday, Oct. 4: Virginia 30, Louisville 27 (OT) *
Saturday, Oct. 11: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 18: Virginia 22, Washington State 20
Saturday, Oct. 25: Virginia 17, North Carolina 16 (OT) *
Saturday, Nov. 1: Virginia 31, Cal 21 *
Saturday, Nov. 8: Wake Forest 16, Virginia 9 *
Saturday, Nov. 15: Virginia 34, Duke 17 *
Saturday, Nov. 22: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 29: Virginia 27, Virginia Tech 7 *
Saturday, Dec. 6: Virginia vs Duke | ESPN, 8 p.m. ET **

* – denotes ACC game

** – denotes ACC championship game

Duke football schedule 2025

Here’s a look at Duke’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.

Thursday, Aug. 28: Duke 45, Elon 17
Saturday, Sept. 6: Illinois 45, Duke 19
Saturday, Sept. 13: Tulane 34, Duke 27
Saturday, Sept. 20: Duke 45, NC State 33 *
Saturday, Sept. 27: Duke 38, Syracuse 3 *
Saturday, Oct. 4: Duke 45, Cal 21 *
Saturday, Oct. 11: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 18: Georgia Tech 27, Duke 18 *
Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 1: Duke 46, Clemson 45 *
Saturday, Nov. 8: UConn 37, Duke 34
Saturday, Nov. 15: Virginia 34, Duke 17 *
Saturday, Nov. 22: Duke 32, North Carolina 25 *
Saturday, Nov. 29: Duke 49, Wake Forest 32 *
Saturday, Dec. 6: Virginia vs Duke | ESPN, 8 p.m. ET **

* – denotes ACC game

** – denotes ACC championship game

Three teams for two spots in CFP bracket. Either Alabama, Notre Dame or Miami must go.
Georgia left no doubt in this rematch with Alabama. Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs boot stomped the Tide.
Alabama’s playoff argument will center on strength of schedule that Notre Dame, Miami can’t match.

ATLANTA – Now, the elephant sweats.

With a chance to remove all doubt that it’s a College Football Playoff team, Alabama let doubt multiply like weeds after a thunderstorm.

Alabama could have played its way into the bracket. Now, it’s left to try to talk its way in, after trying its darnedest to play its way out in a pitiful 28-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship game.

One of these teams looked like a playoff team.

The other team looked like a worthy opponent for Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. Alabama hasn’t played like a playoff team since descending from its mid-October peak.

Alabama’s one-dimensional offense downgraded to zero-dimensional on this day. Georgia stomped a hole in its chest.

When Ty Simpson’s fourth-down pass deep inside Alabama territory sailed incomplete to suffocate Alabama’s faint hope, Kalen DeBoer threw his hands onto his head.

Sorry, coach, the Penn State job is filled now.

CFP rejecting Alabama would spur debate on playoff size, format

We can have a spirited debate about the optics or ethics of Notre Dame and Miami benefiting from sitting at home while Alabama strapped it up against one of the nation’s best teams, but this is college football, so what are ethics?

I’m unaware of any playoff rule that says the committee must select a three-loss team that got whipped twice.

There’s two spots for three teams. The committee must decide whether to bounce Alabama, Notre Dame or Miami. Brigham Young, Texas and Vanderbilt would like a word, too, but their words will fall on deaf ears.

Two spots. Three teams.

The committee must play the hand its dealt. It’s not the committee’s fault that it must select a Tulane, which lost to Mississippi by 35 points, or that five-loss Duke retained a shot at an automatic bid, hours before selection day.

If Alabama had just been competitive in this game, that would have buttoned up the Tide’s spot. They weren’t competitive. They were steamrolled.

The “It Just Means More” brigade will howl that there’s no way the SEC’s runner-up should be left out of a 12-team bracket. That would hold merit if we knew Alabama is the conference’s second-best team.

Truth be told, there’s no evidence Alabama is superior to Mississippi or Texas A&M. When it played Oklahoma, it lost at home. Nobody forced the SEC to expand to 16 teams, and Alabama played only half the conference to earn its spot here. The Tide reached this game thanks in part to league tiebreaker rules. Those tiebreakers don’t apply to the CFP.

If the SEC’s runner-up gets rejected from the bracket, that probably assures change is coming to the playoff’s size and format. Change is likely coming, anyway. If this is to be the accelerant, so be it.

While the muckety mucks do their playoff rethinking, spare some brainpower for what should be done with the first weekend in December.

Conference championships were a wonderful data point when the playoff consisted of four teams. At 12 teams, we’d be better served if conference title games were dumped in favor of a 13th game for everyone on the first weekend in December.

I don’t savor the idea of rewarding Notre Dame and Miami for putting their feet up. Dumping conference championship games for a 13th game would remedy that situation.

SEC boss Greg Sankey will holler that a loss to his conference’s champ shouldn’t eliminate Alabama, and he’d be right. A single loss to Georgia shouldn’t eliminate Alabama. But, how about a loss to a bad ACC team? Should that eliminate Alabama, just as Texas’ loss to Florida sinks the Longhorns?

Heavy is the anchor of Alabama’s Week 1 flop to Florida State.

Alabama’s best case vs. Notre Dame, Miami: Strength of schedule

Consider this microcosm of the SEC Championship: Alabama’s first three possessions of the third quarter totaled 7 yards and no first downs. And Alabama’s rushing attack? It produced negative yardage. Lord, have mercy. Georgia showed none.

A shutout would’ve been rocket fuel for the Notre Dame and Miami propaganda campaigns, but Alabama mustered one fourth-quarter score to save a little face.

Since Alabama comfortably beat Tennessee on the Third Saturday in October, the Tide have produced white-knuckle victories against South Carolina and Auburn, two of the SEC’s worst teams. They got a mucky win against LSU. They had a turnover meltdown in a loss to Oklahoma. Now, this.

None of that means Alabama doesn’t have a playoff case. It does. Even after this debacle, I’d think long and hard before booting the Tide, but not because it reached Atlanta. Remember, tiebreakers influenced this spot. I’m unmoved by tiebreakers. The committee shouldn’t be either.

What remains persuasive, though, is that Alabama won as many games as Notre Dame and Miami against a tougher schedule than either of those teams endured.

It’s hard to believe now, but Alabama beat Georgia on the road in September. That trumps Miami’s win against Notre Dame. It’s a much better win than anything on the Irish’s resume, even if the Tide’s FSU loss is more unsightly than anything Alabama’s challengers sustained.

The Tide have a case — but a shaky one, and it’s much more wobbly after Georgia smashed it in the mouth for four quarters, while Notre Dame and Miami polished their talking points.

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.

BYU football had an automatic berth to the College Football Playoff sitting in front of itself when it arrived at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6 for the Big 12 championship game.

However, the 11th-ranked Cougars were unable to grab that ticket, as they lost 34-7 to No. 6 Texas Tech (No. 4 in CFP rankings) to drop to 11-2 on the season.

Following the loss, BYU wide receiver Parker Kingston offered an emphatic answer to the CFP selection committee on why the Cougars should still make the field at 11-2, which included a jab at the SEC and ESPN, which owns the broadcast rights to the CFP and the SEC.

‘… What’s the point of going to a Big 12 championship when it’s going to hurt us (and) our College Football Playoff chances. I hope the committee realizes it. They are all biased towards ESPN and the SEC,’ Kingston told BYUtv Sports Nation following the Big 12 championship game. ‘It is what it is. If we don’t get put in, we will be there next year.’

The Cougars were outplayed and outmatched by the Red Raiders for the second time this season in Saturday’s Big 12 title game. After driving down the field for a touchdown on its opening drive of the game, BYU was unable to score for the remainder of the game.

Texas Tech’s defense came up with four takeaways and a turnover on downs in BYU’s final seven drives of the second half. The Cougars finished with just 200 total yards of offense compared to the Red Raiders’ 374 yards.

BYU entered Week 15 on the wrong side of the bubble as the 11th-ranked team in the penultimate CFP top 25 rankings: The No. 11 and 12 seeds will go to two of the five highest-ranked conference champions, meaning BYU’s only way to the CFP entering the day was to become a conference champion.

As noted by Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark in a news conference before the game, no Power Four team with an 11-1 record had ever finished outside the top 10 in the CFP rankings entering championship week until the committee ranked BYU 11th in the penultimate rankings.

Using the penultimate CFP rankings, the SEC is projected to have five of the 12 spots in the CFP field, which is the most by any Power Four conference.

Kingston wasn’t the only member of BYU’s program to give a last-minute pitch to the committee, as BYU coach Kalani Sitake offered his two cents in his postgame news conference as well.

‘If you look at what Texas Tech’s done, they’re the best team in the country for a reason,’ Sitake. ‘I’m not on the playoff committee, but I can tell you one thing: Who’s played the best team in the country twice? We have.’

When do new CFP rankings come out?

The Cougars will learn whether they made the 12-team field as an at-large or not at noon ET on Sunday, Dec. 7 when the official 12-team CFP bracket is released.

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.