Latest news with #MarkSchlabach
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN believes that Notre Dame will have a very early swing game for the 2025 season
If you haven't looked ahead to what Notre Dame football's first few weeks of the 2025 season look like, it's a very front-loaded schedule. The Irish open the season on the road against Miami, then hosting Texas A&M in the home opener. Starting the season against two ranked teams will be a big test for Notre Dame, and ESPN believes that the first game of the year will be its swing game. Mark Schlabach went into details on why this is such an important game for the Irish as he said 'Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman won't have to wait long to learn if his team is a CFP (College Football Playoff) national title contender.' He isn't wrong, and due to the fact that this 'will be a tremendous test for Notre Dame's new starting quarterback, presumably redshirt freshman CJ Carr,' as Schlabach said, it won't be an easy contest. Unfortunately for Freeman, he hasn't done all that well early in the season, in his first the Irish lost the initial two games, then his second was much better, but the competition wasn't nearly at the same level. Last year Northern Illinois knocked off the Irish in the second game, but Notre Dame did win the opener on the road against A&M. There will be a much different focus for the Irish this coming fall, as the expectations for the program have risen significantly due to its impressive 2024 run in the CFP. Don't expect Freeman to ask Carr or even Kenny Minchey to do all that much in the opener, as they'll both still be getting their feet wet at this level. He'll lean on the elite defense, and hopefully the Irish return to South Bend with an early swing game victory. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN Ranks Top 25 Teams Ahead Of 2025 College Football Season
ESPN Ranks Top 25 Teams Ahead Of 2025 College Football Season originally appeared on The Spun. Believe it or not, we're roughly a month away from the start of the 2025 college football season. Fans will get to watch five matchups during Week 0, which includes a showdown between Iowa State and Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland. One week later, fans will be treated to a loaded slate that's headlined by a potential playoff preview between Texas and Ohio State. With the 2025 season almost here, ESPN's Mark Schlabach has unveiled his top 25 rankings for the fall. Interestingly enough, he has Penn State ranked No. 1 in the country. "After finally turning the corner under coach James Franklin in 2024, the Nittany Lions look loaded for bear this coming season. With Allar, Allen and Singleton returning, Penn State should have one of the most balanced offenses in the FBS, especially if Allar takes the next step as a downfield passer. Adding Pena, Ross and Hudson was critical; Penn State's receivers didn't have a reception in a 27-24 loss to Notre Dame in a CFP semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl. Pena, a slot receiver, had 84 catches for 941 yards with nine scores in 2024," Schlabach wrote. "Ross was one of the top receivers in the portal after hauling in 76 passes for 1,043 yards with 11 scores last season. Penn State's most important offseason addition might be new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who helped guide Ohio State to a CFP national title last season. He's the highest-paid coordinator in the FBS at $3.1 million per season." Clemson, Texas, George and Ohio State rounded out the top five for Schlabach, which isn't exactly a huge surprise. Here's the top 25: Penn State Clemson Texas Georgia Ohio State LSU Notre Dame Oregon Alabama BYU Illinois Arizona State South Carolina Iowa State SMU Texas Tech Indiana Kansas State Florida Michigan Miami Louisville Texas A&M Ole Miss Oklahoma It's only a matter of time before ESPN shakes up its rankings for the 2025 season. Until then, Penn State is apparently the team to beat this Ranks Top 25 Teams Ahead Of 2025 College Football Season first appeared on The Spun on Jul 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wyndham Clark Banned From Oakmont Country Club After Damaging Property
Usually, Wyndham Clark makes headlines for his ability on the golf course, where he won the U.S. Open in 2023. Clark has compiled a total of three PGA Tour wins and another on the European Tour, but today, the 31-year-old isn't generating headlines for his performance on the green. Instead, the professional golfer is trending because of ESPN's Mark Schlabach report that the Oakmont Country Club has now banned Clark from their course. The shutout comes after Clark left his locker damaged after he missed the cut at last month's U.S. Open. The decision to ban Clark from the premises may not have come easily, as the club reportedly held 'multiple discussions' with the United States Golf Association and the group's board members. 'Several of you have inquired about the situation involving Wyndham Clark and the steps being taken in response to his recent behavior. Following multiple discussions with the USGA and the OCC Board, a decision has been made that Mr. Clark will no longer be permitted on OCC property. This decision will remain in effect unless formally reconsidered and approved by the Board.' Oakmont president John Lynch on Wyndham Clark However, Clark isn't entirely out of luck. The ban could still be lifted. But only if he agrees to pay for the damages while also making a 'meaningful contribution' to a hand-picked charity of the Oakmont Country Club's choosing, and seeking counseling and/or anger management therapy. Clark's frustration was understandable and even a bit expected after he missed the cut by just one stroke. While he later apologized for his behavior, there are clearly still some unpaid dues. Related: Related Headlines Ohio State Burned by 5-Star Recruit as Texas Scores Big Win Over Buckeyes Before Week 1 Clash ESPN NBA Expert: Lakers 'Stressed' About Luka Doncic Deal Soccer games today: Wednesday's MLS schedule, Liga MX fixtures and more 10 Storylines to Watch at The Open Championship's Return to Royal Portrush
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN identifies Georgia's top weakness
The Georgia Bulldogs have several positions of concern entering the 2025 college football has a new projected starter in football's most important position, quarterback, but ESPN's Mark Schlabach does not think Gunner Stockton and the quarterback position are Georgia's top area of he identifies the pass rush as Georgia's top weakness. We have been harping all offseason of Georgia's lack of returning pass rush returns just 21.6% of its sack production (eight of 37 sacks) from 2024. The Dawgs had an outstanding pass rush in 2024, but lost their two top front seven talents (Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams) to the first round of the 2025 NFL fact, seven of Georgia's top eight sack producers from last season are no longer on the team. The Bulldogs appear to be set at inside linebacker in the front seven, but it is fair to be concerned about Georgia's defensive line and outside linebackers who does Georgia need to help replace all the lost pass rush production?'Georgia feels good about Gabe Harris Jr., and it added Army transfer Elo Modozie, who had 6.5 sacks for the Black Knights last season,' said other top player in the trenches is Christen Miller, who is expected to be a 2026 NFL draft pick. Redshirt freshman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, Nasir Johnson, Justin Greene, Nnamdi Ogboko and Jordan Thomas will be among the Bulldogs thrust into a larger role this fall. UGA can count on redshirt sophomore Xzavier McLeod absorbing a significant amount of snaps. The Dawgs are also hoping for former five-star defensive tackle Jordan Hall to be healthier for the 2025 campaign. Sophomore Quintavius Johnson is another name to watch. Georgia also will hope to get contributions from five-star freshman defensive lineman Elijah Griffin and edge rusher Isaiah Gibson. Follow UGAWire on Instagram or Threads for more Georgia football coverage!
USA Today
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
ESPN has Clemson outside of the Top 10 in their 2025 preseason outlook
ESPN has Clemson outside of the Top 10 in their 2025 preseason outlook ESPN's newly released Football Power Index may have sparked some buzz, but its view on Clemson is raising eyebrows for all the wrong reasons. The Tigers came in at No. 11 overall — and, even more puzzling, behind Miami in the ACC pecking order. Despite finishing last season with momentum and boasting one of the most complete rosters in the country, Clemson finds itself ranked behind a Hurricanes team that just swapped out a Heisman finalist for a quarterback recovering from a torn UCL. Even ESPN's own experts think the FPI got it wrong. 'I think you can argue that Clemson is one of the two best teams in the FBS entering the season (along with Penn State), and it's certainly one of the best 10, so it's surprising to see them in at No. 11,' said ESPN's Mark Schlabach. 'In our colleague Jordan Reid's initial 2026 NFL mock draft, he had four Tigers going in the first round, including quarterback Cade Klubnik at No. 1.' Klubnik's rise has been meteoric. Once a question mark, he's now viewed as a potential No. 1 overall pick after throwing for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just six interceptions last season. He'll lead an offense that ESPN still ranks as the eighth-best in the country — but somehow not good enough to crack the FPI's Top 10. Defensively, Clemson is as loaded as it gets. Tackle Peter Woods and edge rusher T.J. Parker are projected top-10 picks, anchoring what many view as the most dominant defensive front in the nation. Yet, ESPN's FPI has the Tigers' defense rated just No. 15 nationally. That's a head-scratcher, especially considering Clemson's relatively favorable schedule. While the Tigers open with a high-profile matchup against No. 12 LSU, the rest of the slate features only two other opponents in the Top 20 (No. 15 South Carolina and No. 20 SMU). Florida State, Louisville, North Carolina, and the rest of the ACC trail far behind. Even ESPN's Paolo Uggetti questioned Miami's spot at No. 9, saying, 'I'm having a hard time with Miami all the way up at No. 9... Count me among the skeptics.' Clemson still holds the seventh-best odds to make the College Football Playoff (47.3%) and win the national title (3.8%), according to the FPI — but that's a ceiling far below what many think the Tigers are capable of reaching. So while the metrics may say No. 11, the eye test — and ESPN's own analysts — suggest Clemson should be firmly in the national title conversation. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
