Ohio State, ranked No. 3, may need one thing to do with that, being the defending champion of school soccer
Think about that you simply’ve been positioned atop the preseason school soccer rankings for the primary time in your historical past, however then oddsmakers are choosing you to lose your first recreation.
Texas doesn’t must think about that. That’s the Longhorns‘ actuality. Ranked No. 1 with 25 first-place votes in The Related Press’ High 25, the Longhorns discover themselves in unfamiliar territory — and particularly with a brand new quarterback taking the reins. Granted he has NFL DNA working by way of his physique as Arch Manning, the grandson of former NFL nice Archie Manning and nephew of Peyton Manning and Eli Manning.
The Longhorns have a wealth of younger expertise, particularly on protection the place linebackers Colin Simmons and Anthony Hill Jr. are anticipated to wreak havoc. Additionally they have a very good goal for Manning on offense with DeAndre Moore Jr. anticipated to haul in a very good variety of passes.
Texas edges previous Penn State for No. 1
All that expertise however, nevertheless, they barely outrank No. 2 Penn State. No. 3 Ohio State is the rationale many received’t be stunned if the Longhorns’ keep at No. 1 doesn’t survive opening week.
The Buckeyes have confirmed their level. The final time they met, within the semifinals of the faculty soccer playoffs, the Buckeyes pulled away with two touchdowns within the fourth quarter for a 28-14 victory and went on to turn into nationwide champions. Statistically talking, the percentages towards beginning No. 1 and ending No. 1 are higher than common. Solely 12 groups have performed it for the reason that AP Ballot was initially unveiled in 1950. The final workforce to do it was Alabama in 2017.
The Longhorns’ SEC pedigree little doubt earned them some credibility. They’re the fifth consecutive SEC workforce to open the season at No. 1, becoming a member of Georgia (2023 and 2024) and Alabama (2021 and 2022). However with solely 5 starters returning on offense and three on protection, Texas has a tricky job forward.
The primary week of the season guarantees to be an ideal one, not solely with Texas visiting Ohio State, however LSU touring to Loss of life Valley to satisfy Clemson and Alabama taking over Florida State in Tallahassee.
Preseason isn’t all the time about anticipation
Most of us need to see the preseason finish already, however not like this: It seems to be like Dolphins working again Alexander Mattison is completed for the season already after present process neck surgical procedure in Chicago. This follows the scary damage that Detroit’s Morice Norris suffered within the preseason opener in Atlanta, which suspended the Lions recreation with the Falcons. Norris stays below the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Get ’em, Shedeur
Is each week going to be an I-told-you-so for Shedeur Sanders? I ain’t mad at him whether it is. The Cleveland rookie confirmed off his arm and legs within the Browns’ 30-10 rout of the Carolina Panthers, and if he can lead three landing drives whereas not wanting notably stellar all day, think about what he’s going to appear to be when he’s on level.
Different objects of notice …
Rookie Josaiah Stewart out of Michigan impressed in his first motion with the Los Angeles Rams, getting a sack that helped L.A. beat the Dallas Cowboys 31-21. … One other rookie, Nick Jackson, had six tackles and a one-handed interception to steer the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 29-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans. … We’ll get our first glimpse of the NBA schedule on Tuesday, with a number of the high-profile video games to come back within the 2025-26 season after which extra will likely be unveiled on Thursday. Keep tuned. … The Minnesota Lynx, who appear to be working away from the remainder of the WNBA, tried to make sure their reign atop the league’s energy rankings by buying guard/ahead DiJonai Carrington – the 2024 Most Improved Participant and All-Defensive First Workforce choice – from Dallas. The Wings acquired future enchancment within the deal, getting former No. 2 general decide Diamond Miller, an injured Karlie Samuelson and a 2027 second-round decide. The Lynx are the WNBA’s prime defenders in 4 classes and, including a robust on-ball defender, they only bolstered their pursuit of a document fifth WNBA title.
