If I didn’t know any better, it would be easy to assume the Buffalo Sabres are allergic to the playoffs. Without going into the sordid, grotesque details of what their non-playoff spell has encompassed, there is hope emanating from the Queen City. 

The Sabres have won 10 consecutive games for the first time since assembling a 10-game win streak in November 2018. The streak has pushed them into the second wild-card spot. But will they be able to sustain their playoff-like pace through the new year and into spring? 

Everyone associated with the Sabres has their collective fingers crossed as we explore which other NHL teams have become unfamiliar with playoff action.

Longest active Stanley Cup playoff droughts

5. Utah/Arizona, Columbus, Chicago, Philadelphia (2020)

These four teams haven’t made the postseason since the 2019-20 season. Of the quartet, the Philadelphia Flyers were the only ones to make it to the second round, where they lost a seven-game thriller to the New York Islanders. 

Speaking of the Flyers, they currently have the best shot in the 2025-26 season to end their playoff drought.

4. San Jose Sharks (2019)

While still in the early stage of his career, Celebrini is showcasing all the telltale signs of being a generational talent. That only bodes well for a franchise still in search of its first Stanley Cup title. 

3. Anaheim Ducks (2018)

Like their aforementioned California counterparts, the Anaheim Ducks have more to look forward to than an Ivy League-educated prodigy. They are chock-full of promising young talent, led by 2023 second overall draft pick Leo Carlsson and 19-year-old Beckett Sennecke, the No. 3 pick from the 2024 NHL Draft. 

And just like the Sharks, they haven’t booked a ticket to the dance in a long time, almost eight years to be precise. But if the playoffs were to start today, the Ducks would end that extended dry patch. 

Ducks fans will be looking forward to what should be a quacking 2026. 

2. Detroit Red Wings (2016)

Steve Yzerman took over as executive vice president and GM in 2019, three years after the Red Wings’ last playoff visit. Their nine-year non-playoff streak feels even longer considering the Red Wings haven’t advanced past the first round since 2013. 

However, things are finally starting to look up in Hockeytown. While the adage ‘good things come to those who wait’ probably didn’t refer to a near-decade duration, Detroit appears, at least at the season’s midway mark, poised to re-enter the playoff fray. 

1. Buffalo Sabres (2011)

The Sabres haven’t competed in a playoff game since ‘Game of Thrones’ first hit the airwaves. The franchise’s 14 years, going on 15, of missing the playoffs is the second-longest across North American professional sports. 

The New York Jets, who last made the playoffs in 2010, are the only franchise enduring a longer playoff drought. Although in seasons, they were tied at 14 each going into 2025-26.

Boxer Anthony Joshua was released from a hospital in Nigeria on Wednesday, Dec. 31 two days after surviving a fatal car accident that killed two of his close friends, according to the Associated Press.

Joshua, a former two-time world heavyweight champion whose parents are from Nigeria, had been recovering from minor injuries during the two-vehicle crash near Lagos, according to Matchroom Boxing, which promotes Joshua.

In a video posted on social media after the crash, Joshua looked to be in pain as he exited the vehicle. That vehicle, in which Joshua and his friends were traveling, hit a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos, according to the Associated Press.

Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos state commissioner for information and strategy, issued a statement on X saying Joshua was discharged late Wednesday afternoon after being “deemed clinically fit to recuperate from home.”

“Anthony and his mother were at the funeral home in Lagos this afternoon to pay their final respects to his two departed friends as they were being prepared for repatriation scheduled for later this evening,” Omotoso also said.

Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, who worked for Joshua and were close friends with the boxer, were killed in the crash.

Ghami was Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach while Ayodele was a trainer, according to the Associated Press. Hours before the accident, Joshua posted on social media video of his playing table tennis with Ayodele.

Ten days before the accident, Joshua knocked out Jake Paul in the sixth round of their highly anticipated heavyweight fight livestreamed by Netflix.

Week 18 of the NFL season brings speculation about which coaches might be fired on ‘Black Monday.’
We rank eight coaches on the ‘hot seat,’ with Pete Carroll of the Raiders the most likely to be let go.
Despite high expectations, several teams are facing uncertain futures.

At a time when a sizable number of NFL coaches are trying to plot a path past the regular season, many more are simply looking to hang on for another year.

The arrival of Week 18 also brings about plenty of speculation about Black Monday, the annual date on which teams that fall short of the postseason begin enacting staff changes. Upheaval is almost a certainty, with the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans having already dismissed their leaders.

But this year’s setup seems to entail a good bit more mystery than that of previous years. With few buzzy names in the assistant coaching ranks – at least among offensive play-callers – might teams exhibit a bit more patience in forging ahead with known entities? Mike Tomlin’s name has drawn the most attention among coaches facing an uncertain future, but reports have indicated an outright firing by the Pittsburgh Steelers isn’t expected as a potential resolution even if the two sides were to split. Meanwhile, while the New York Jets’ Aaron Glenn and Cincinnati Bengals’ Zac Taylor each fell well short of expectations in 2025, neither appears to be at imminent risk of being dismissed – though the coaching cycle routinely produces a surprise or two.

Ahead of Week 18, here’s our final NFL hot seat rankings, leading off with the figure most likely to be let go:

1. Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders

If Carroll had one task to check off in his first season back in the NFL after his one-year absence, it was to establish a baseline level of competence for the Raiders. Maybe that seemed as though it would be aiming low for a coach selected for the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team, but that floor wasn’t something Las Vegas could count on in the previous three years. Still, Carroll’s charges have hardly embodied his ‘always compete’ mantra. In taking the pole position for the No. 1 draft pick, the Raiders have made a full-scale reset look inevitable, with almost no silver lining to be seen for the Silver and Black. Carroll was clearly counting on a rapid turnaround, and there’s little point in having the oldest coach in NFL history oversee a much more extensive build than anyone in the organization had prepared for. And with Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza serving as the potential prize for a year of pain, the franchise would serve itself well by instituting the kind of alignment that has long eluded it.

2. Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons

A three-game win streak could help build the case that Morris knows how to guide this group. But the late-season surge also underscores how badly Atlanta has underachieved on the whole. Things aren’t as simple as merely running it back for the Falcons, with quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s trajectory even more uncertain following his third torn anterior cruciate ligament since the start of his college career. Atlanta has also been dogged by repeated special teams errors, a distinctly bad look for a franchise with minimal margin for error. Arthur Blank has rare patience in the NFL ownership class, but an eighth consecutive losing season – and a postseason drought only exceeded by that of the Jets – could test even the most even-tempered decision-maker.

3. Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals

It would be easy to cast misfortune as the running theme of this season for Arizona, which is 2-8 in one-score games and became the first team in NFL history to lose three consecutive contests on the final play. And with 22 players on injured reserve, the Cardinals certainly haven’t been able to show what they can do at full strength, particularly offensively. But five of the defeats in the ongoing eight-game losing streak have come by at least 20 points, undermining any sense that this group is on the verge of a breakthrough. Some form of major change feels necessary in the desert, especially given the gulf between expectations and reality for Year 3 of Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort’s reign. But Arizona could stop short of making a shift at the top and instead alter its outlook elsewhere on the coaching staff and at quarterback, where Kyler Murray’s tenure looks to have run its course.

4. Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns

In a vacuum, a coach with a 7-26 record the last two seasons typically would find himself atop this list rather than placed in the middle. But context matters when evaluating Stefanski, who was hardly set up to succeed this year. That dynamic was particularly evident behind center, with the coach cycling a trio of starting options that constituted the league’s worst collection of passing talent. Still smarting from the ill-fated Deshaun Watson trade, Cleveland set itself up for a 2026 resurgence by dealing back to earn another first-round draft pick this upcoming spring. Stefanski aided that effort by bringing along one of the league’s most impressive rookie classes, giving a roster starved for young talent something resembling an actual foundation. Still, even though he ceded play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, the two-time Coach of the Year is ultimately still responsible for an attack that ranks 31st in scoring. A reprieve would be entirely reasonable given the task facing Stefanski this season, but it can’t be guaranteed.

5. John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens

An unceremonious end to the season isn’t all that will await the loser of Sunday’s regular-season capper for the AFC North title, as either Tomlin or Harbaugh will surely face a barrage of questions about the future after falling short of the playoffs. Ending the second-longest tenure of any active coach is no trivial matter, as Harbaugh has a Lombardi Trophy to his résumé and is just one year removed from coming up short in the AFC championship game. Still, the Ravens were often responsible for their own undoing throughout this season, and Harbaugh did himself no favors with Derrick Henry’s late usage – or lack thereof – in a Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots. Baltimore is at risk of squandering the Kansas City Chiefs’ downfall this season, and the organization needs to pounce on a potential reset for the longtime AFC heavyweight. And two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson might benefit from a fresh direction as he prepares to turn 29 and enter a distinct new chapter of his career. Still, extending the season by a week or two likely extinguishes the matter.

6. Todd Bowles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Having lost seven of their last eight games and now needing help to secure a fifth consecutive NFC South title, the Buccaneers are in full tailspin mode. How much of that falls on Bowles depends on your perspective. Incessant injuries have prevented the offense from ever reaching full strength, and Baker Mayfield’s struggles have been so pervasive that the coach himself declared Tampa Bay has ‘got to be better at the quarterback position.’ But Bowles’ defense has also weighed the team down, ranking 26th in yards allowed per play while sporting a troubling overall trend line since the Week 9 bye. Perhaps the organization opts not to pursue drastic action amid the meltdown and Bowles receives a fifth season at the helm. Regardless, the Buccaneers will have to come to terms with the significant step back the franchise has taken in a year in which it had designs on making up ground on the NFC’s elite.

7. Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers

With the Packers locked into the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoff field, LaFleur certainly won’t have to fear his Black Monday fate. Of the coaches to make the postseason, however, he might be on he shakiest ground. The Packers’ positioning is unquestionably a disappointment for a franchise that backed an all-in approach with its early-season performance, and LaFleur has had to answer for several costly flops in critical spots. The coach’s standing had already become a point of interest over the summer when new Packers president and CEO Ed Policy did not offer him or general manager Brian Gutekunst an extension. Still, LaFleur has Green Bay in the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years, and season-ending injuries to Micah Parsons, Tucker Kraft and Devonte Wyatt played significant roles in the team’s late woes. Flaming out in the wild-card round might mean Green Bay at least has something to think about.

8. Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins

In following the biggest opening-week embarrassment with Tua Tagovailoa airing out his frustrations with teammates and subsequently apologizing for the finger-pointing, Miami managed to frontload many of its most persistent problems this season. That’s overall a credit to McDaniel, who at least steadied a ship that looked liable to capsize around midseason. Since parting ways with general manager Chris Grier and trading away one of its best players in Jaelan Phillips, the Dolphins have gone 5-2. McDaniel arrived at this point by already laying the groundwork for a post-Tagovailoa transition year in 2026 with a robust run game. Owner Stephen Ross could opt for a fresh start, but McDaniel has made the most of his opportunity to see out the season.

Sweden avenged its 2024 gold-medal loss to the United States with a 6-3 victory on New Year’s Eve.

Now if the USA is going to pull off a three-peat at the world junior hockey championship, it will have to find a way to get past 2025 gold medal game opponent Finland in the quarterfinals.

The USA could have faced Latvia if it had beaten Sweden and won Group A. Instead the American loss set up a rematch of last year’s title game. Finland and the United States split their meetings in the 2025 tournament, though the USA won the most important one.

Canada won Group B by defeating Finland in the late game Wednesday night.

Here’s the quarterfinal schedule and how to watch the world junior hockey championship:

World juniors hockey quarterfinal schedule

Jan. 2

(All times Eastern)

Sweden vs. Latvia, 2
Czechia vs. Switzerland, 4:30
USA vs. Finland, 6
Canada vs. Slovakia, 8:30

Note: Germany and Denmark will play at 12:30 p.m. in the relegation game.

How to watch the world junior championships

The USA’s games and others will be shown on NHL Network in the United States. TSN will broadcast the tournament in Canada.

How to stream the world junior championships

Watch world junior championships on Fubo

The United States’ three-peat bid had a setback as the Americans lost for the first time at the world junior hockey championship.

The USA was unable to handle Sweden’s speed or special teams in a tough second period and lost 6-3 on Wednesday, Dec. 31. As a result, Sweden won Group A and will face Latvia in Friday’s quarterfinal. The USA will have a tougher opponent in Finland.

Coach Bob Motzko went with 17-year-old Brady Knowling in net and he looked good in allowing only one Sweden goal in the first period. The second period was a different story as Sweden capitalized on chances off the rush.

Eddie Genborg had two power play goals and Lucas Pettersson also scored twice, once while short-handed, for a 5-1 lead.

Notre Dame’s Nick Kempf replaced Knowling in net at the start of the third period and could end up being the USA goalie for the quarterfinal.

The USA had goals from Chase Reid, Will Zellers and Teddy Stiga and pulled within 5-3. But potential top draft pick Ivan Stenberg scored on a two-man advantage for a 6-3 lead.

“We have to clean up the turnovers and that’s something we’ll focus on as we get set for our quarterfinal game,’ Motzko said.

The USA, which had beaten Germany, Switzerland and Slovakia earlier in the tournament, were playing without top defenseman Cole Hutson. He’s day-to-day after being hit by a puck and leaving the ice on a stretcher in the Switzerland game. Injured Max Plante also missed the game and is day-to-day.

Canada vs Finland

USA TODAY will also provide updates on Canada vs. Finland, which will determine the U.S. opponent and three quarterfinal matchups.

Final score: Canada 7, Finland 4

Canada wins Group B and will face Slovakia in the quarterfinals. Finland finishes third and will face the USA. Sweden-Latvia and Czechia-Switzerland are the other quarterfinals.

Canada adds empty-netter

Cole Beaudoin repays the favor and feeds Sam O’Reilly, who scores an empty-netter. Beaudoin passes up a chance at a hat trick. Canada 7, Finland 4

Canada restores two-goal lead

Cole Beaudoin scores his second of the game, tipping in a pass from Sam O’Reilly. Canada 6, Finland 4

Third period underway

5-4 Canada.

Canada-Finland score after two periods

Canada leads 5-4. If this holds up, Canada will win Group B and face Slovakia, Finland will finish third and face the USA. Czechia would face Switzerland.

Finland quickly responds

Roope Vesterinen takes advantage of a turnover to pull Finland within a goal. Canada 5, Finland 4

Canada goes up by two

Cole Beaudoin gives Canada a two-goal lead with less than three minutes left in the second period. Canada 5, Finland 3

Canada goes ahead

Zayne Parekh finds Tij Iginla with a long up-ice pass, and the forward scores on a breakaway. Canada 4, Finland 3

Canada-Finland score after one period

It’s 3-3. Brady Martin scored his second goal of the game to give Canada a 3-2 lead. But Finland’s Lasse Boelius tied it up. Canada’s Carter George and Finland’s Petteri Rimpinen are in net.

USA vs Sweden highlights

Up next for the USA

That’s not known yet. It will depend on the Finland-Canada score in the late game. If Canada wins, the USA will face Finland, its opponent from the 2025 final. If Finland wins, the USA will face Czechia. Canada was leading 2-1 after five minutes of the first period, though Finland just tied it up. We’ll keep you posted on that score.

Sweden will face Latvia.

Players of the game

USA’s Will Zellers and Sweden’s Lucas Pettersson.

Final score: Sweden 6, USA 3

The USA suffers its first loss of the tournament. Sweden improves to 4-0 and will face Latvia in Friday’s quarterfinal. The USA will face either Czechia or Finland.

USA pulls goalie

They have a two-man advantage with Sweden’s Sascha Boumedienne in the penalty box for delay of game. Penalty is killed.

Four minutes left

6-3 Sweden. 40-27 lead in shots by Sweden.

USA power play

Leo Sahlin Wallenius is called for interference. Sweden kills the penalty. Less than nine minutes left.

Sweden scores on power play

Sweden moves the puck around well, and Ivar Stenberg scores with one second left on the two-man advantage. USA kills off the rest of the second penalty. Sweden 6, USA 3

Sweden two-man advantage

AJ Spellacy is called for an illegal check to the head of Sweden’s Lucas Pettersson, who was shaken up on the play.

Team USA injury, penalty

Luke Osburn skates off the ice after being checked into the referee. He’s also called for delay of game for putting the puck over the glass. He’s able to serve the penalty.

USA strikes quickly on power play

Teddy Stiga scores on a deflection 16 seconds into the power play. LJ Mooney and Ryker Lee get the assists. Sweden 5, USA 3

USA power play

Lucas Pettersson is called for interference.

Third period underway

5-2 Sweden. If this holds up, the Swedes would win Group A and face Latvia.

USA goalie change

Nick Kempf is in net for the third period.

End of second: Sweden 5, USA 2

Not a good period by the USA and a great one by Sweden. The Swedes showed a lot of speed in that period and didn’t let up after the USA cut its deficit to 3-1. Eddie Genborg and Lucas Pettersson scored twice in the period. But the USA got a late goal and trail by three heading into the third period.

USA save

Brady Knowling stops Lucas Pettersson on a breakaway, preventing him from getting a hat trick.

USA responds with a goal

Will Zellers scores his fifth goal of the tournament. Sweden’s Love Harenstam stops James Hagens’ initial shot and Brodie Ziemer’s rebound but can’t stop Zellers. Sweden 5, USA 2

Sweden making it a rout

Sweden connects again on the power play. Eddie Genborg scores his second man-advantage goal of the game. Sweden 5, USA 1

Sweden power play

Logan Hensler is called for interference

Sweden scores short-handed

The USA turns over the puck and Lucas Pettersson skates down the ice and scores from almost the same as he did on the third goal. Sweden 4, USA 1

USA power play

Goalie Love Harenstam is called for embellishment. He falls exaggeratedly after Will Zellers makes light contact.

Midway through second period

Score is 3-1 Sweden. Shots are 15-15.

Chase Reid scores for USA

The USA gets several chances late in the power play and the puck comes back to Chase Reid, who scores on a snap shot. Sweden 3, USA 1

USA power play

Eric Nilson is called for tripping. The USA scored its lone two power play goals of the tournament in the last game against Slovakia.

Sweden scores again

Sweden gets a second consecutive goal off the rush. Lucas Pettersson scores on a perfect shot from the right faceoff circle. Sweden 3, USA 0

Sweden adds to lead

Eddie Genborg takes a pass from Liam Danielsson and beats Brady Knowling, who nearly got over in time. The puck goes in and out so fast that it wasn’t called a goal right away. Sweden 2, USA 0

Sweden power play

Ryker Lee is called for goaltender interference.

Sweden saves

Love Harenstam has made a couple saves off his mask in this game.

Second period underway

1-0 Sweden.

End of first: Sweden 1, USA 0

USA had a few flurries and Ryker Lee was stopped in front after stealing a puck, but Sweden played pretty well defensively to keep the U.S. off the scoreboard. USA goalie Brady Knowling, 17, also played well. Sweden’s goal went in off a U.S. defenseman’s skate. Shots are 10-10.

Sweden scores first

Sweden’s Casper Juustovaara gets a good bounce when his pass through the crease goes in off USA defenseman Logan Hensler’s skate at 9:17. This is the second consecutive game in which the USA has allowed the first goal. Sweden 1, USA 0

Scoreless so far

USA hits the post. Shots are 3-3.

Game underway

Goalie matchup is USA’s Brady Knowling, a 17-year-old, vs. Sweden’s Love Harenstam.

What channel is USA vs. Sweden world juniors hockey game today?

TV channel: NHL Network

Livestream: Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or Sling TV.

Watch world junior championships on Fubo

What time is USA vs. Sweden world juniors hockey game today?

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31

Time: 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time)

The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time) at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home of the Minnesota Wild.

World juniors USA vs Sweden: How to watch, stream

Time: 6 p.m. ET on Wedneday, Dec. 31

Location: Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul, Minnesota)

TV: NHL Network

Streaming: Fubo and certain levels of Sling TV carry NHL Network.

Today’s world juniors hockey schedule

All times p.m. ET

Dec. 31

Switzerland 3, Slovakia 2: Loris Wey and Mike Aeschlimann scored power-play goals after Tobias Tomik received a double minor for high sticking in the first period. Kevin Haas’ second period goal ended up being the game-winner as Slovakia scored twice in the last 13 minutes. Switzerland finishes third and Slovakia fourth in Group A. The Swiss will face the Canada-Finland loser and Slovakia will face the winner.
Czechia 4, Latvia 2: Vaclav Nestrasil had a goal and an assist as Czechia moved up to second in Group B. They would fall back to third if Finland beats Canada in the late game.
USA vs. Sweden, 6
Canada vs. Finland, 8:30

Brady Knowling starting for USA

The 17-year-old plays for the U.S. National Team Development Program.

USA, Sweden lineups

USA vs Sweden history

The USA and Sweden are meeting for the 38th time in the tournament. The Americans have won 19 times to Sweden’s 17, with two ties. The U.S. has won seven of the last 10 games and beat Sweden 6-2 in the 2024 gold-medal game.

Max Plante injury update

USA forward Plante will miss the Sweden game with an undisclosed injury. He’s listed as day-to-day.

Cole Hutson injury update

Hutson, who has been out since the Switzerland game after he was hit in the head by a shot, has been ruled out of the Sweden game. He remains day-to-day.

USA players to watch

Will Zellers leads the USA with four goals and six points. He has the game-winning goal in the first three games. James Hagens (Bruins), AJ Spellacy (Blackhawks) and Brodie Ziemer (Sabres) have four points apiece.

Sweden players to watch

Blackhawks prospect Anton Frondell has three goals and five points. He was drafted No. 3 overall in 2025. Viggo Bjorck, eligible for the 2026 NHL draft, also has three goals. Ivar Stenberg, who’s challenging to be the top of the draft, has a goal and two assists.

The United States’ three-peat bid had a setback as it lost for the first time at the world junior hockey championship.

The USA was unable to handle Sweden’s speed or special teams in a tough second period and lost 6-3 on Wednesday, Dec. 31. As a result, Sweden won Group A and will face Latvia in Friday’s quarterfinal. The USA will have a tougher opponent in Finland or Czechia.

Coach Bob Motzko went with 17-year-old Brady Knowling in net and he looked good in allowing only one Sweden goal in the first period. The second period was a different story as Sweden capitalized on chances off the rush.

Eddie Genborg had two power play goals and Lucas Pettersson also scored twice, once while short-handed, for a 5-1 lead.

Notre Dame’s Nick Kempf replaced Knowling in net at the start of the third period and could end up being the USA goalie for the quarterfinal.

The USA got goals from Chase Reid, Will Zellers and Teddy Stiga to pull within 5-3. But potential top draft pick Ivan Stenberg scored on a two-man advantage for a 6-3 lead.

“We have to clean up the turnovers and that’s something we’ll focus on as we get set for our quarterfinal game,’ Motzko said.

The USA, which had beaten Germany, Switzerland and Slovakia earlier in the tournament, were playing without top defenseman Cole Hutson. He’s day-to-day after being hit by a puck and leaving the ice on a stretcher in the Switzerland game. Injured Max Plante also missed the game and is day-to-day.

Canada vs Finland

USA TODAY will also provide updates on Canada vs. Finland, which will determine the U.S. opponent and three quarterfinal matchups.

Canada restores two-goal lead

Cole Beaudoin scores his second of the game, tipping in a pass from Sam O’Reilly. Canada 6, Finland 4

Third period underway

5-4 Canada.

Canada-Finland score after two periods

Canada leads 5-4. If this holds up, Canada will win Group B and face Slovakia, Finland will finish third and face the USA. Czechia would face Switzerland.

Finland quickly responds

Roope Vesterinen takes advantage of a turnover to pull Finland within a goal. Canada 5, Finland 4

Canada goes up by two

Cole Beaudoin gives Canada a two-goal lead with less than three minutes left in the second period. Canada 5, Finland 3

Canada goes ahead

Zayne Parekh finds Tij Iginla with a long up-ice pass, and the forward scores on a breakaway. Canada 4, Finland 3

Canada-Finland score after one period

It’s 3-3. Brady Martin scored his second goal of the game to give Canada a 3-2 lead. But Finland’s Lasse Boelius tied it up. Canada’s Carter George and Finland’s Petteri Rimpinen are in net.

USA vs Sweden highlights

Up next for the USA

That’s not known yet. It will depend on the Finland-Canada score in the late game. If Canada wins, the USA will face Finland, its opponent from the 2025 final. If Finland wins, the USA will face Czechia. Canada was leading 2-1 after five minutes of the first period, though Finland just tied it up. We’ll keep you posted on that score.

Sweden will face Latvia.

Players of the game

USA’s Will Zellers and Sweden’s Lucas Pettersson.

Final score: Sweden 6, USA 3

The USA suffers its first loss of the tournament. Sweden improves to 4-0 and will face Latvia in Friday’s quarterfinal. The USA will face either Czechia or Finland.

USA pulls goalie

They have a two-man advantage with Sweden’s Sascha Boumedienne in the penalty box for delay of game. Penalty is killed.

Four minutes left

6-3 Sweden. 40-27 lead in shots by Sweden.

USA power play

Leo Sahlin Wallenius is called for interference. Sweden kills the penalty. Less than nine minutes left.

Sweden scores on power play

Sweden moves the puck around well, and Ivar Stenberg scores with one second left on the two-man advantage. USA kills off the rest of the second penalty. Sweden 6, USA 3

Sweden two-man advantage

AJ Spellacy is called for an illegal check to the head of Sweden’s Lucas Pettersson, who was shaken up on the play.

Team USA injury, penalty

Luke Osburn skates off the ice after being checked into the referee. He’s also called for delay of game for putting the puck over the glass. He’s able to serve the penalty.

USA strikes quickly on power play

Teddy Stiga scores on a deflection 16 seconds into the power play. LJ Mooney and Ryker Lee get the assists. Sweden 5, USA 3

USA power play

Lucas Pettersson is called for interference.

Third period underway

5-2 Sweden. If this holds up, the Swedes would win Group A and face Latvia.

USA goalie change

Nick Kempf is in net for the third period.

End of second: Sweden 5, USA 2

Not a good period by the USA and a great one by Sweden. The Swedes showed a lot of speed in that period and didn’t let up after the USA cut its deficit to 3-1. Eddie Genborg and Lucas Pettersson scored twice in the period. But the USA got a late goal and trail by three heading into the third period.

USA save

Brady Knowling stops Lucas Pettersson on a breakaway, preventing him from getting a hat trick.

USA responds with a goal

Will Zellers scores his fifth goal of the tournament. Sweden’s Love Harenstam stops James Hagens’ initial shot and Brodie Ziemer’s rebound but can’t stop Zellers. Sweden 5, USA 2

Sweden making it a rout

Sweden connects again on the power play. Eddie Genborg scores his second man-advantage goal of the game. Sweden 5, USA 1

Sweden power play

Logan Hensler is called for interference

Sweden scores short-handed

The USA turns over the puck and Lucas Pettersson skates down the ice and scores from almost the same as he did on the third goal. Sweden 4, USA 1

USA power play

Goalie Love Harenstam is called for embellishment. He falls exaggeratedly after Will Zellers makes light contact.

Midway through second period

Score is 3-1 Sweden. Shots are 15-15.

Chase Reid scores for USA

The USA gets several chances late in the power play and the puck comes back to Chase Reid, who scores on a snap shot. Sweden 3, USA 1

USA power play

Eric Nilson is called for tripping. The USA scored its lone two power play goals of the tournament in the last game against Slovakia.

Sweden scores again

Sweden gets a second consecutive goal off the rush. Lucas Pettersson scores on a perfect shot from the right faceoff circle. Sweden 3, USA 0

Sweden adds to lead

Eddie Genborg takes a pass from Liam Danielsson and beats Brady Knowling, who nearly got over in time. The puck goes in and out so fast that it wasn’t called a goal right away. Sweden 2, USA 0

Sweden power play

Ryker Lee is called for goaltender interference.

Sweden saves

Love Harenstam has made a couple saves off his mask in this game.

Second period underway

1-0 Sweden.

End of first: Sweden 1, USA 0

USA had a few flurries and Ryker Lee was stopped in front after stealing a puck, but Sweden played pretty well defensively to keep the U.S. off the scoreboard. USA goalie Brady Knowling, 17, also played well. Sweden’s goal went in off a U.S. defenseman’s skate. Shots are 10-10.

Sweden scores first

Sweden’s Casper Juustovaara gets a good bounce when his pass through the crease goes in off USA defenseman Logan Hensler’s skate at 9:17. This is the second consecutive game in which the USA has allowed the first goal. Sweden 1, USA 0

Scoreless so far

USA hits the post. Shots are 3-3.

Game underway

Goalie matchup is USA’s Brady Knowling, a 17-year-old, vs. Sweden’s Love Harenstam.

What channel is USA vs. Sweden world juniors hockey game today?

TV channel: NHL Network

Livestream: Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or Sling TV.

Watch world junior championships on Fubo

What time is USA vs. Sweden world juniors hockey game today?

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31

Time: 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time)

The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time) at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home of the Minnesota Wild.

World juniors USA vs Sweden: How to watch, stream

Time: 6 p.m. ET on Wedneday, Dec. 31

Location: Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul, Minnesota)

TV: NHL Network

Streaming: Fubo and certain levels of Sling TV carry NHL Network.

Today’s world juniors hockey schedule

All times p.m. ET

Dec. 31

Switzerland 3, Slovakia 2: Loris Wey and Mike Aeschlimann scored power-play goals after Tobias Tomik received a double minor for high sticking in the first period. Kevin Haas’ second period goal ended up being the game-winner as Slovakia scored twice in the last 13 minutes. Switzerland finishes third and Slovakia fourth in Group A. The Swiss will face the Canada-Finland loser and Slovakia will face the winner.
Czechia 4, Latvia 2: Vaclav Nestrasil had a goal and an assist as Czechia moved up to second in Group B. They would fall back to third if Finland beats Canada in the late game.
USA vs. Sweden, 6
Canada vs. Finland, 8:30

Brady Knowling starting for USA

The 17-year-old plays for the U.S. National Team Development Program.

USA, Sweden lineups

USA vs Sweden history

The USA and Sweden are meeting for the 38th time in the tournament. The Americans have won 19 times to Sweden’s 17, with two ties. The U.S. has won seven of the last 10 games and beat Sweden 6-2 in the 2024 gold-medal game.

Max Plante injury update

USA forward Plante will miss the Sweden game with an undisclosed injury. He’s listed as day-to-day.

Cole Hutson injury update

Hutson, who has been out since the Switzerland game after he was hit in the head by a shot, has been ruled out of the Sweden game. He remains day-to-day.

USA players to watch

Will Zellers leads the USA with four goals and six points. He has the game-winning goal in the first three games. James Hagens (Bruins), AJ Spellacy (Blackhawks) and Brodie Ziemer (Sabres) have four points apiece.

Sweden players to watch

Blackhawks prospect Anton Frondell has three goals and five points. He was drafted No. 3 overall in 2025. Viggo Bjorck, eligible for the 2026 NHL draft, also has three goals. Ivar Stenberg, who’s challenging to be the top of the draft, has a goal and two assists.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day took over play calling duties for the first time since 2023 for the Buckeyes’ College Football Playoff quarterfinals matchup against Miami, and it didn’t go to plan in the first half.

Day took over the responsibility from offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, who has been pulling double duty in recent weeks after becoming the head coach at South Florida.

Day, of course, is far from inexperienced as a play-caller. He was Ohio State’s offensive coordinator in 2018 before he was promoted to head coach and called plays as head coach from 2019-23 before hiring Chip Kelly last season. The Buckeyes won the 2024-25 CFP national championship with Kelly leading the offense.

Ohio State was held scoreless in the first half against Miami at the Cotton Bowl, gaining 154 total yards, 67 of which came on the final drive of the second quarter before Jayden Fielding missed a 49-yard field goal attempt with a second left. The Buckeyes finally got on the board with a methodical drive in the second half to cut the score to 14-7.

The Buckeyes will certainly hope a few halftime adjustments can flip the script as they face a 14-0 deficit.

Who’s calling plays for Ohio State?

Day is calling plays against Miami in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31. Kelly called plays for the Buckeyes in 2024 before receivers coach Brian Hartline was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2025.

Hartline, who’s still coaching at Ohio State throughout the remainder of the CFP, was hired as the next head coach at USF after the regular season, prompting Day to take over as play caller.

‘Right now, as we move forward, (Hartline’s) coaching the receivers,’ Day told reporters in the days leading up to the game. ‘It’s a lot on his plate. It’s a lot to manage. So, we’re kind of taking it day-to-day right now as we move forward. Going into the game, it will be a group effort. … Everybody will be involved with the play calling. Ultimately, it’ll be my decision.’

Ohio State’s offensive struggles aren’t solely on the play-caller. The Buckeyes have been held to 10 points in their last six quarters, dating back to their 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Conference Championship game — with Hartline calling plays.

Arch Manning left his best stuff of the season for the Citrus Bowl, and Texas football is sure happy he’s its quarterback for that.

The Texas quarterback took over in the fourth quarter to help the 14th-ranked Longhorns beat Bryce Underwood and No. 17 Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. 

The Longhorns’ 41-27 win gives Steve Sarkisian’s squad their second consecutive win over the Wolverines in the last two years, and a victory in their first Citrus Bowl appearance.

Stream Citrus Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)

Manning was fantastic in his first-ever bowl start, finishing with four total touchdowns. He completed 21-of-34 passes for 221 yards with two touchdowns. He also found a good amount of success on the ground with 155 rushing yards and two touchdowns — including an untouched 60-yard score in the fourth quarter— on nine carries. 

The Longhorns end the season with a 10-3 record, while the Wolverines drop to a 9-4 record. 

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates from the game. Follow along for a recap:

Texas vs Michigan live score

This section will be updated

Texas vs Michigan highlights

Final score: Texas 41, Michigan 27

Texas wins Citrus Bowl

Arch Manning and Texas come out with the 41-27 win in the Citrus Bowl against Michigan.

Texas extends lead with field goal

Texas pushes its lead to 14 points with a 51-yard field goal from Mason Shipley. The Longhorns have now outscored the Wolverines 24-10 in the second half alone.

Texas intercepts Bryce Underwood

Ty’Anthony Smith picks up back-to-back interceptions against Bryce Underwood in a matter of drives. It’s the third turnover of the night by the Wolverines.

Texas is just over four minutes away from winning the Citrus Bowl.

Arch Manning scores fourth TD of game

Arch Manning breaks off for a 60-yard rushing touchdown on the first play of the drive to give Texas a 38-27 lead over Michigan. What a fourth-quarter performance by Manning.

Texas intercepts Bryce Underwood

Texas comes up with its second interception of the night on an underthrown pass from Bryce Underwood. This time, it is Ty’Anthony Smith who intercepts Underwood to give the Longhorns the ball back at their own 30-yard line, following an unnecessary roughness penalty, with 5:15 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Arch Manning throws 30-yard TD pass

Arch Manning is in his bag right now, as he throws a dime to Kaliq Lockett on second-and-13 for the 30-yard touchdown pass. Texas reclaims the lead at 31-27 over Michigan with 6:54 left in the fourth quarter.

The scoring drive was nine plays for 75 yards and took 4:02 off the game clock.

Arch Manning picks up first down

Arch Manning!! The Texas quarterback evades Michigan’s blitz perfectly on fourth-and-2 and picks up the first down to extend the Longhorns’ drive with a 15-yard carry. It’s a big-time play by Manning, who is now at 95 rushing yards on the day.

Bryce Underwood TD stands after lengthy review

Michigan keeps Bryce Underwood’s 5-yard rushing touchdown after review to reclaim the lead at 27-24. Video appeared to show the ball coming out of Underwood’s hands before he hit the pylon, but the call was upheld after review. That could be an impactful call by the end of the game.

End of third quarter: Texas 24, Michigan 20

Michigan elects to let the clock run down to end the third quarter. The Wolverines’ decision buys them some extra time to think over their fourth-and-1 decision at the Texas 46-yard line.

Texas intercepts Bryce Underwood, Michigan

Bryce Underwood underthrows a pass to Donaven McCulley on second-and-17, and it falls into the hands of Texas defensive back Wardell Mack. It’s the first real mistake by Underwood on the afternoon, and could be a costly one as Arch Manning and Co. trot back onto the field.

Arch Manning runs for 23-yard TD

Arch Manning puts Texas up 24-20 in the third quarter with a 23-yard rushing touchdown up the middle of the field. It’s an impressive run by Manning, and a play that a member of the Manning clan isn’t known to make given the lack of mobility his uncles Peyton and Eli showed in the NFL. He is now at 72 rushing yards on six carries on the day.

The scoring drive was nine plays for 80 yards and took 3:05 off the game clock.

Michigan takes lead with FG

Dominic Zvada redeems himself for a missed field goal before halftime with a 31-yard field goal to begin the second half. Zvada’s kick ends a 12-play drive that went for 41 yards and took 5:13 off the game clock for the Wolverines.

Michigan was unable to come up with the touchdown on the drive despite multiple attempts into the end zone from Bryce Underwood. The Wolverines’ best chance for that came on third-and-2 when Underwood’s pass to Marlin Klein was broken up in the end zone at the last second by a Texas defender.

Michigan starts second half with good field position

Andrew Marsh returns the second half opening kickoff 43 yards to give Michigan a strong starting field position at its own 46-yard line.

End of first half: Michigan 17, Texas 17

Michigan misses field goal attempt

Texas’ miscommunication ends up not hurting the Longhorns, as Dominic Zvada misses the 45-yard field goal attempt as time expires in the first half of the Citrus Bowl. The Longhorns and Wolverines head into the locker room tied at 17.

Texas punts following snap miscommunication

Texas center Cole Hutson snaps the ball while Arch Manning was looking to the sideline, resulting in a loss of 22 yards as the QB can only jump on it. That takes the Longhorns out of field goal range just before halftime and, even worse, gives Michigan a chance to get some points.’

Michigan, Texas trade stops

After five consecutive scoring drives, both teams exchange punts as their defenses get third-down stops. Bryce Underwood trots back out with the Wolverines offense at their own 11-yard line with 4:52 remaining until halftime in a tied 17-17 game.

Arch Manning throws TD pass to tie game

Arch Manning delivers a 17-yard pass to a wide-open Jack Endries in the end zone for his 25th touchdown pass of the season. It’s another well-constructed and poised drive by Manning, who is now 12-of-18 passing for 134 yards and a touchdown on the day.

Both teams have scored 21 points in the second half. Got a fun one brewing in Orlando!

Bryce Underwood throws TD pass

Bryce Underwood hits Andrew Marsh with a quick throw for a 4-yard touchdown pass to give Michigan the quick response to Texas’ touchdown score. It’s the fourth touchdown catch for Marsh on the season.

The Wolverines have now scored on each of their last three drives since starting the game with a punt. Underwood looks to be playing rather free and loose to begin this one, as he has two touchdown passes and 121 total yards of offense.

Texas ties game with Christian Clark TD

Texas responds to Michigan’s touchdown with a 3-yard rushing touchdown from Christian Clark, who is getting action with Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter both opting out of the game. The scoring drive was 11 plays for 75 yards and took 4:32 off the game clock.

Arch Manning set Clark’s score with a pickup of 19 yards on a quarterback keeper on fourth-and-1. Texas ties the game at 10-10 with 13:43 remaining in the second quarter.

End of first quarter: Michigan 10, Texas 3

Arch Manning picks up three yards on a quarterback scramble for the final play of the first quarter. The Longhorns quarterback surpassed the 3,000 passing yard mark on the season two plays earlier with a 20-yard pass to Emmett Mosley V.

The Longhorns will start the second quarter with the ball on the Wolverines’ 27-yard line down 10-3.

Michigan takes lead on Bryce Underwood TD pass

It appears that Michigan had a touchdown called back, but after review, Bryce Underwood gives Michigan its first lead of the game with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Kendrick Bell. It’s an impressive catch by Bell in the end zone.

Michigan recovers fumble on Texas kickoff return

Michigan comes away with its first takeaway of the afternoon, and it comes on special teams as Cole Sullivan lands a big hit on Ryan Niblett to force the ball out of his hands on the kickoff return. The Wolverines take over deep in the Longhorns’ territory.

Michigan ties game with field goal

Dominic Zvada hits the 53-yard field goal attempt to tie the game at 3-3 with 4:01 remaining in the first quarter. The scoring drive was eight plays for 40 yards and took 3:49 off the game clock.

Michigan forces punt in response

Now Michigan forces a Texas three-and-out. The Longhorns put themselves into third-and-1 but go backwards, and Michigan will start on its own 25-yard line.

Promising Michigan drive ends in punt

Michigan gets a first down and gets into Texas territory, but the next series of downs ends in disaster with a false start, a tackle for a loss, and a sack. Michigan is forced to punt, and Texas returns the ball just past the 20-yard line where it will begin its next possession.

Texas hits field goal to take early lead

Texas puts together a nice drive to start the game, but it sputters in Michigan territory. Mason Shipley hits a field goal to make it a 3-0 Texas lead after the opening series.

Michigan wins coin toss, elects to defer

Texas will get the ball first, as Michigan wins the coin toss and elects to defer. Arch Manning will begin the game against the Michigan defense.

Pregame

Michigan, Texas take the field

Michigan and Texas are nearly underway, as both sides take the field.

Is Bryce Underwood playing today?

True freshman Bryce Underwood is getting the start of Michigan on Dec. 31.

The quarterback has had his ups and downs in his first season with Michigan, throwing for 2,229 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions. He has been stymied by elite defenses so far this year, so Texas will be an interesting litmus test for the young QB.

Sherrone Moore fired, revisited 

Michigan fired Sherrone Moore with cause on Dec. 10 after a university investigation found credible evidence that Moore was having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.

The ex-Wolverines coach was then detained by police on Dec. 10 after the Pittsfield Township Police Department — with the reported help of the Saline Police Department — responded at 4:10 p.m. ET ‘for the purposes of investigating an alleged assault.’ He was then charged on Dec. 12 with felony third-degree home invasion, misdemeanor stalking-domestic relationship, and misdemeanor breaking and entering.

In court, prosecutor Kati Rezmierski alleged that Moore entered the home of a woman he had a relationship with, grabbed butter knives and scissors from a kitchen drawer and threatened to harm himself. The police report also stated Moore and the victim engaged in a verbal argument that escalated to Moore threatening self-harm.

He posted his $25,000 bond on Dec. 12, and is set to return to court on Jan. 22. 

Who’s coaching Michigan in Citrus Bowl? 

Associate head coach Biff Poggi will serve as the Wolverines’ interim head coach in the Citrus Bowl against Texas. It will be the third game this season that Poggi will serve as the interim head coach, as he coached Michigan in Week 3 and Week 4 while ex-Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore served a two-game, self-imposed suspension for his involvement in the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal. 

Is Arch Manning going to the NFL draft? 

No, Manning will not declare for the NFL draft following the Citrus Bowl, as he is set to return to the Longhorns for the 2026 college football season. 

Arch Manning’s father, Cooper Manning, confirmed his son’s decision in a text message to ESPN’s Dave Wilson on Monday, Dec. 15.

‘Arch is playing football at Texas next year,’ the text to ESPN read.

Michigan-Texas series history 

Series record: Texas leads 2-0
Texas’ last win: 2024 (31-12)
Michigan’s last win: N/A

Wednesday’s Citrus Bowl is the third overall meeting between Michigan and Texas. The Longhorns took a 2-0 lead in the all-time series record with a 31-12 win over the Wolverines in Ann Arbor last season. 

What time does Texas vs Michigan start?

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Where: Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Fla.)

Texas and Michigan are set for a 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

What TV channel is Texas vs Michigan on today?

TV channel: ABC
Streaming options: Fubo (free trial)

ABC will broadcast the Citrus Bowl between Texas and Michigan on Dec. 31. Mark Jones and Roddy Jones will broadcast the game from the booth at Camping World Stadium, with Alyssa Lang reporting from the sidelines

Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Stream Citrus Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)

Texas vs Michigan predictions in Citrus Bowl

Here’s who experts within the USA TODAY Sports Network picked to win the Citrus Bowl:

Matt Hayes: Texas
Jordan Mendoza: Texas
Paul Myerberg: Texas
Erick Smith: Texas
Eddie Timanus: Texas
Blake Toppmeyer: Texas

Texas vs Michigan odds, spread for Citrus Bowl

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as Tuesday, Dec. 30

Spread: Texas -7
Over/under: 48.5
Moneyline: Texas (-300) | Michigan (+250)

Texas football opt-outs for Citrus Bowl vs Michigan

Here’s a look at the Texas opt-outs for the Citrus Bowl, according to Longhorn Wire:

NFL draft

LB Anthony Hill Jr.
DB Michael Taaffe
DB Malik Muhammad
DB Jaylon Guilbeau
EDGE Ethan Burke
LB/DE Trey Moore

Transfer portal

RB Quintrevion Wisner
RB CJ Baxter
WR DeAndre Moore
QB Trey Owens
WR Aaron Butler
CB Santana Wilson
OL Connor Stroh
DT Melvin Hills III
DB Derek Williams Jr.
LB Liona Lefau
RB Jerrick Gibson
K Will Stone

Michigan football opt-outs for Citrus Bowl vs Texas

Here’s a look at the Michigan opt-outs for the Citrus Bowl, according to Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press, part of USA TODAY Network:

EDGE Derrick Moore (NFL draft)
LB Jaishawn Barham (NFL draft)
OL Gio El-Hadi (NFL draft)

Note: The Wolverines will also be without Justice Haynes (season-ending injury) and Ernest Hausmann (personal matter) for the Citrus Bowl.

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LSU reeled in Lane Kiffin. Mostly, though, SEC schools hired unproven up-and-comers. Big Ten schools like Michigan and Penn State landed veteran winners.
Kyle Whittingham, Matt Campbell and Pat Fitzgerald have a lot of notches on the belt.
For SEC to claim victory in this hiring cycle, coaches like Jon Sumrall and Alex Golesh need to prove they’re up to the challenge.

The Big Ten is thriving so far this postseason. (OK, so maybe Southern Cal’s tackling isn’t thriving, but the rest of the B1G is doing just fine.)

With a couple of exceptions, the SEC is wilting.

And what of the coaching carousel? Did the Big Ten club the SEC there, too? You could make that case.

LSU scored the big fish by securing Lane Kiffin. Mostly, though, SEC schools hired promising but largely unproven up-and-comers, while Big Ten schools like Michigan and Penn State landed veteran winners with solid resumes.

On this edition of ‘SEC Football Unfiltered,’ a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams evalute which conference did it better in this hiring cycle.

They also debate which conference has the better complete roster of coaches. And they discuss which SEC schools would have been well-served by hiring Kyle Whittingham, who wound up at Michigan.

Coaching hires in the SEC

LSU: Lane Kiffin (Mississippi)
Auburn:Alex Golesh (South Florida)
Florida: Jon Sumrall (Tulane)
Arkansas:Ryan Silverfield (Memphis)
Kentucky:Will Stein (Oregon offensive coordinator)
Ole Miss: Pete Golding (promoted from defensive coordinator)

Overview: LSU made the splashiest hire of this coaching cycle, plundering Kiffin from a conference rival and luring him away from a playoff team. Elsewhere, three SEC schools hired coaches from the American Conference, while two schools went the coordinator route.

Coaching hires in the Big Ten

Michigan:Kyle Whittingham (Utah)
Penn State: Matt Campbell (Iowa State)
Michigan State: Pat Fitzgerald (formerly at Northwestern)
UCLA:Bob Chesney (James Madison)

Overview: This marks a sharp pivot from the SEC’s strategy of raiding the American. UCLA went the Group of Five route with Chesney, but the other three Big Ten schools making hires turned to veterans. Whittingham is the winningest coach in Utah history. Campbell is the winningest coach in Iowa State history. Fitzgerald is the winningest coach in Northwestern history.

Which conference hired better?

Advantage goes to the Big Ten. Bravo to LSU for securing Kiffin, but the rest of the SEC hired less proven coaches than Whittingham, Campbell or Fitzgerald. That doesn’t mean someone like Sumrall or Golesh won’t succeed, but any of the SEC’s hires not named Kiffin seems riskier than someone who’s as accomplished as Campbell.

Which conference has better roster of coaches?

Toppmeyer: The Big Ten has the better full roster of coaches. At the top, the SEC is just as good. I’d put an SEC five-pack of Kirby Smart, Kalen DeBoer, Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian and Josh Heupel up against the Big Ten’s Ryan Day, Curt Cignetti, Dan Lanning, Whittingham and Campbell.

In the middle of the conferences and in the lower-third, I give the nod to the Big Ten. Consider, Bret Bielema (Illinois) probably ranks somewhere in the No. 8 range of the Big Ten’s pecking order of coaches. Bielema beat South Carolina and Tennessee in bowl games in the past two seasons. He’s won 19 games with the Illini the past two years. That’s no small feat, and he’s just one example of the Big Ten’s solid collection of down-ballot coaches.

A few years from now, we might say the SEC’s coaches are as good or better than the Big Ten’s, but we can’t say that now. Too many unproven figures.

Adams: Toppmeyer is right. The Big Ten enjoys the edge.

The SEC remains strong at the top, but it can’t match the Big Ten’s quality in the middle or lower ranks. The Big Ten upgraded its roster of coaches in this hiring cycle. The SEC took ambitious shots on younger candidates. That might work, so we reserve the right to re-evaluate this in a couple of years. For now, I’d take the Big Ten’s coaching roster.

Later in the episode

∎ The hosts unpack the College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchups, including what’s at stake for Kalen DeBoer in Alabama-Indiana and whether Mississippi plays with house money in a rematch with Georgia.

Where to listen to SEC Football Unfiltered

Apple
Spotify
iHeart
Google

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. John Adams is the senior sports columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Subscribe to the SEC Football Unfiltered podcast, and check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.