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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Penn State Football Preview 2025: James Franklin is Better Than You Think - And His Nittany Lions Should Prove It
Are you ready to admit that James Franklin is a great college football coach?No? Is it because he hasn't won a national title? Is it because last year was the first time he got the Nittany Lions into the College Football Playoff?It doesn't matter how many football games a coach wins; everyone wants more. X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFN Penn State Offense BreakdownPenn State Defense BreakdownSeason Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season Haven't we all learned from the last few years how silly it is to jump all over coaches who win a ton of games, but haven't won it all?Remember that Jim Harbaugh guy? Everyone forgets that he was super-close to being launched/leave for the NFL in 2020 after years of making Michigan very, very good. And then what happened?That. Forgetting how the sausage was allegedly made, 30-3 over his last three years, three College Football Playoff appearances, and a national title. Ryan Day won an insane 80% of his games, but there was more than an insignificant chunk of the Ohio State base that put him on a flaming hot seat because he couldn't take the team to the next level. And then what happened?That. The Buckeyes won the national title, and no coach is even close to his current winning percentage of 87.5%. And James Franklin can't win the big been a rough run against Ohio State and Michigan over the last few years. You know who else has had a hard time against those two since 2021? Everyone, including Day against the and Penn State have lost eight games over the last three seasons. The combined record of those eight was 102-12, and all finished with 11 or more out the first year of 2014, when Penn State started the Franklin era under NCAA sanctions and was way-close to being hammered with some sort of coma penalty, and throw out the 2020 season that screwed up everyone, and 27 of 31 losses came to teams that won ten games or more. But you're still not happy. You still don't care about the 2016 Big Ten Championship, or the 2023 Rose Bowl win, or the two playoff wins and CFP Semifinal appearance last season, or the 2019 Cotton Bowl win, or the 2017 Fiesta Bowl victory. Okay …Other than Franklin, how many coaches still around who started in 2014 or earlier have won at least 70% of their games?Dabo. That's it. So I'll ask the same question I posed when everyone wanted Harbaugh sacked, and when Day was getting destroyed late last year. Who's this magical coach ready to step in and win more than 70% of his games over the next decade?(And unless your answer is Lane Kiffin, no, you don't have that guy.)But with all of that said, Harbaugh did come through and take Michigan to a whole other level. Day and his team were fueled by the screamy types and won a national title. This year, Franklin has the team everyone will have to chase. He has the experience, the team, the schedule, and everything in place to do nothing less than get back to the Big Ten Championship, get back to the College Football Playoff, get back to the semifinals, and this year, play for the national let's put it this way. The bar for Franklin isn't winning "the big one" after winning everything else. It's getting Penn State to The Big One in Miami Gardens on January 19th. Penn State Offense BreakdownPenn State Defense BreakdownSeason Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
USA Today
29-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Week-by-week predictions for 2025 ESPN 'College GameDay' locations
Even in retirement, former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is still on television's every single week via his role on ESPN's flagship weekly college football show, "College GameDay." After recently winning a sports Emmy Award for his role a year ago on the ESPN show, Saban will return for year two this upcoming fall as one of the headline stars on "College GameDay," joined by the normal group that includes the likes of Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, and Desmond Howard, among others. However, which locations might Saban and the crew be visiting throughout the 2025 season, and if so, when? Well, there is only one destination currently announced for the upcoming 2025 season, but it never hurts to take a look at the remainder of the schedule to try and predict where the show might go, right? Here is a week-by-week prediction for where ESPN's "College GameDay" will be throughout the 2025 season. Week 1 - Ohio State vs. Texas (Columbus, Ohio) The Week 1 "College GameDay" location has already been announced for this upcoming season, as ESPN's flagship show is heading to Columbus, Ohio for a massive showdown between Ohio State and Texas on Aug. 30. A rematch of the 2024 CFP Semifinal, this will also reportedly be the final show for legendary analyst Lee Corso. Week 2 - Oklahoma vs. Michigan (Norman, Oklahoma) Why not another SEC vs. Big Ten matchup for "GameDay" in Week 2, this time with the former hosting the latter as Oklahoma welcomes Michigan to Memorial Stadium? Yes, there could be some potential sleeper matchups such as Iowa State vs. Iowa, but it's hard to look past this showdown in Norman. Week 3 - Tennessee vs. Georgia (Knoxville, Tennessee) "College GameDay" could very fell feature from an all-SEC matchup during Week 3 as Tennessee hosts Georgia in Knoxville. There are a few other prominent matchups that could be options as well, most notably LSU vs. Florida in Baton Rouge, as well as Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M in South Bend. Week 4 - Miami vs. Florida (Miami Gardens, Florida) ESPN's flagship college football show could make its' way down to Florida for the first time during Week 4 when the Miami Hurricanes host the Gators coming off an impressive victory a year ago in Gainesville. Another option for this week could be Oklahoma hosting Auburn in a SEC showdown, but it feels like this Week 4 showdown in the sunshine state should be the pick, one that will likely feature DJ Lagway vs. Carson Beck. Week 5 - Georgia vs. Alabama (Athens, Georgia) Week 5 across college football is a significant one in which there are two massive showdowns as Georgia will host Alabama in Athens, while Penn State also hosts Oregon, both of which "College GameDay" could end up attending. Yes, the show will likely be at one of those two, but there are simply numerous options during Week 5, as Ole Miss vs. LSU, Texas A&M vs. Auburn, Arkansas vs. Notre Dame, and Colorado vs. BYU could all be significant matchups in their own right. Week 6 - North Carolina vs. Clemson (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) Yes, the biggest game during Week 6 is likely Texas traveling to face Florida in Gainesville, but the pick here actually is for this all-ACC contest between North Carolina and Clemson that will likely be the biggest up to that point for Bill Belichick in Chapel Hill, and will be an intriguing matchup should the Tar Heels start strong. There will also be other potential options in Week 6 such as Florida State vs. Miami, as well as Notre Dame vs. Boise State. Week 7 - LSU vs. South Carolina (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) A case can be made for the SEC to host the Week 7 edition of "College GameDay" in some form, with this matchup between LSU and South Carolina an intriguing one to watch for after an entertaining game a year ago in Columbia. Alongside this showdown, Texas vs. Oklahoma, Auburn vs. Georgia, and Texas A&M vs. Florida could all be one's to keep an eye on, as is the Big Ten matchup out west as USC hosts Michigan. Week 8 - Alabama vs. Tennessee (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) "College GameDay" could make its' way to Tuscaloosa for the first time in 2025 ahead of the annual "Third Saturday in October" matchup in Week 8 between Alabama and Tennessee. The other big SEC game this week is likely to be Georgia hosting Ole Miss, while Notre Dame also hosts USC in a matchup that will garner national interest. Week 9 - Iowa State vs. BYU (Ames, Iowa) Week 9 is yet another that could provide some significant SEC matchups, but keep an eye on this potential contest in the Big 12 where Iowa State hosts BYU in Ames. As for the SEC, South Carolina hosts Alabama this week, as well as LSU hosting Texas A&M and Oklahoma welcoming Ole Miss to town. Week 10 - Ohio State vs. Penn State (Columbus, Ohio) "College GameDay" will likely return to Columbus, Ohio for the second time this season during Week 10 when Ohio State hosts Penn State in a battle of Big Ten heavyweights. This same week, the SEC will be headlined by Florida vs. Georgia, Ole Miss vs. South Carolina, and Tennessee vs. Oklahoma, while a Big 12 showdown between Iowa State and Arizona State will also take place. Week 11 - Alabama vs. LSU (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) Could the flagship ESPN show potentially return to Tuscaloosa for a second time in 2025 for the LSU game? If not, then other potential options include Penn State vs. Indiana, Clemson vs. Florida State, and Texas Tech vs. BYU. Week 12 - Georgia vs. Texas (Athens, Georgia) A return trip to Athens for the second time in 2025 could potentially be in the works during Week 12 where Georgia will host Texas in a rematch of last season's SEC title game. The SEC seems like a prime spot this week, as other matchups include Alabama vs. Oklahoma, Ole Miss vs. Florida, and Texas A&M vs. South Carolina. Week 13 - Oregon vs. USC (Eugene, Oregon) Week 13 could be headlined by this noteworthy Big Ten showdown between Oregon and USC in Eugene, while there is a Big 12 matchup that could also be notable in Colorado vs. Arizona State. The SEC's top game is likely Florida vs. Tennessee that could be an option. Week 14 - Michigan vs. Ohio State (Ann Arbor, Michigan) The final week of the regular season, "Rivalry Week" will likely see the show visit the Big Ten heavyweight battle between Michigan and Ohio State this season in Ann Arbor. Other options include the likes of Auburn vs. Alabama in the Iron Bowl, as well as Florida vs. Florida State and South Carolina vs. Clemson, especially the latter if both are ranked highly at the time. Week 15 - SEC Championship Game Conference championship week will likely bring "College GameDay" to either the SEC or Big Ten title games. The location of this matchup will likely depend on where the participating teams are ranked at the time. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
15-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Top 7 tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft
Top 7 tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft Breaking down the top 7 tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft, a very good overall class of TEs We're just over a week away from the 2025 NFL Draft, and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders continues to dominate pre-draft headlines. While his stock is presumably falling by the second, other position groups deserve some attention. Tight end isn't as deep as running back this year, but the top of the group should contribute early and often in their rookie year. Like running backs, there's a clear-cut No. 1, but the gap to No. 2 isn't as severe. Let's take a look at the top seven tight ends and see how they can impact the NFL in year one. Tyler Warren, Penn State Talk about an all-time glow-up when it mattered most. Warren can do just about everything on a football field, and Penn State essentially let him in 2024. In his first four years in college, Warren had 49 receptions, 606 yards, 11 receiving touchdowns, and two rushing scores. He posted 104 receptions, 1,233 yards, and eight receiving touchdowns last year and added 218 yards and four scores on the ground. Warren was leaned on by Penn State's offense to a CFP Semifinal appearance and likely did it with a smile on his face. He's the epitome of a football player, being highly productive with the ball in his hands while grinding out backside zone blocks. The one knock is his top speed, but this kid has the athleticism, quickness, size, and strength to be a highly effective NFL tight end. Colston Loveland, Michigan Loveland would be the first tight end off the board in many other years, but he has the bad luck of coming out the same year as Warren. He's a modern-era tight end who is more comfortable playing detached than in-line. He measured just under 6'6', 248 at the Combine, and has uncanny suddenness as a route runner. In 10 games last season, Loveland hauled in 56 receptions (career-high), 582 yards, and five touchdowns (career-high). Michigan had a down year, but Loveland came to play in his true junior season. His hands and route running are excellent, but he will leave you wanting more as a blocker. His age keeps the door open for him to be the first tight end taken, but he'll be a weapon in whatever offense he goes to. Elijah Arroyo, Miami Arroyo measured just over 6'5', 250 at the Combine, and is similar to Loveland with how he produces. Arroyo lacks some of the suddenness and compact route running as the Michigan product, but he gets open with speed and instincts. His technique will need work, but he has the size to develop into a competitive blocker. His biggest issue is durability. Arroyo played only 11 games between 2022 and 2023 because of an ACL tear. Teams will likely hold that against him with his draft position, but he played all 13 last season, posting 35 receptions, 590 yards, and seven touchdowns. Arroyo has been blessed with many natural tools that teams love to develop, but will he maximize his potential? Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green Fannin was on a mission in 2024, leading FBS with 117 receptions and 1,555 yards en route to being named an All-American. He added 11 total touchdowns (10 receiving, one rushing) and is one of the more intriguing prospects in this year's class. He measured 6'3 ¼', 241 at the Combine, and will have to align off the ball in the NFL. Luckily, that's where Fannin was at his best in college. Despite looking awkward athletically, he wins with straight-line speed and quickness. His length makes him struggle against physical defenders, but he's risen to the occasion every step of his college career. He went toe-to-toe with Warren last year, hauling in 11 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown at Penn State. Fannin's youth and versatility make him a highly coveted prospect. Mason Taylor, LSU The son of a Hall of Famer, Taylor carved out a name for himself as one of the most reliable tight ends in the nation during his time at LSU. The career numbers aren't overly impressive (career highs in receptions (55) and yards (546) in 2024), but he has the tools to become a three-down player in the NFL. Taylor measured just over 6'5', 251 at the Combine, and uses his size and athleticism to shield defenders as a blocker. He'll likely produce as a pass catcher first in the NFL as he adjusts to next-level physicality, but he has the natural gifts to become a well-rounded tight end. Taylor is another young guy, so teams will fall in love with his age and size, but Fannin is higher due to his proven production. Terrance Ferguson, Oregon Ferguson is another big-bodied tight end with positional versatility. He measured 6'5 ⅜' 247 at the Combine, but lacks the same level of athleticism and big-play ability as some of the guys higher on this list. He posted 43 receptions, 591 yards, and three touchdowns last season, playing in 12 of Oregon's 14 games. He'll hang his hat on his strength running routes and at the point of attack, but he's also very consistent catching the ball, so he has the potential to be a reliable possession receiver. His technique as a blocker needs work, but his toughness at the point gives him a strong base at a difficult position. Ferguson isn't a flashy prospect but should develop into a solid contributor. Gunnar Helm, Texas Helm rounds out the list as another non-flashy guy. He measured 6'5', 241 at the combine, and was a bit of a one-hit-wonder in 2024. Helm totaled 60 receptions, 786 yards, and seven touchdowns, all of which were career highs by a wide margin. His calling card is what he does after the catch, despite his below-average speed. The instincts and feel with the ball in his hands make him somewhat unique in the class, but his overall athletic profile could limit him. For being as big as he is, he plays smaller at the point of attack. Blocking as a tight end is one of the hardest things to do in the NFL, but he'll need more time to adjust than most of the guys higher on the list. He has the skillset to produce at the next level, but don't expect it immediately.
