Neil PaineJun 8, 2024, 07:50 AM ET CloseNeil Paine writes about sports using data and analytics. Previously, he was Sports Editor at FiveThirtyEight. This year’s Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers, with Game 1 on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+), comes with many fascinating unknowns. For instance, it’s unknown whether the battle of best player …

The Steelers launched the offseason by blowing up their quarterback depth chart. They could wrap up preparations for 2024 by adding someone who will catch plenty of passes from one or more of the new quarterbacks. Mark Kaboly of TheAthletic.com believes that the Steelers will add a “legit No. 2” receiver before the season starts. For now, the candidates to …

Five-star tight end recruit Elyiss Williams has confirmed his commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs. Williams is one of two five-star recruits that is currently committed to the University of Georgia’s football program. Williams has been committed to Georgia football since April 2023, but that is not stopping top college football programs from recruiting the elite tight end. Williams recently said, …

Wisconsin football class of 2025 defensive line target Abu Tarawallie announced his commitment to Minnesota on Friday. Tarawallie became the latest Wisconsin class of 2025 target to commit elsewhere this past week, joining several three-star recruits like WR Vernon Allen III, iOL N’Kye Wynn and RB Bo Jackson, to name a few. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive lineman recently included Wisconsin …

The “Fantastic Four,” they called it. The Big 12 rested on the brink of change in 2011 – much as it does now. Colorado and Nebraska had their bags packed for new conferences. Missouri and Texas A&M weren’t far behind, soon to be off to the SEC. The 2011 Women’s College World Series provided a moment of celebration and conference …

Rutgers secured a commitment from Braxton Kyle last weekend, adding a player who was very much under the radar but fills a significant need in the 2025 recruiting class. Kyle was the second commitment for Rutgers during the official visit weekend. There is no denying his production, as over the last two seasons he had 75 total tackles and 13 …

Greg Wyshynski, ESPNJun 8, 2024, 08:00 AM ET CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. After nearly two months of Stanley Cup playoffs, we are down to two teams left. The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers begin the final series of the season on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+), with the ultimate prize in hockey on the line. As a …

Steve McMichael plans to be at home as he is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. McMichael’s family released a statement saying that as he continues to battle ALS, he is not healthy enough to make the trip to Canton, Ohio. “Steve McMichael will not be able to travel to Canton, Ohio for his Pro Football …

Kechaun Bennett had his target in his crosshairs. But just as he closed in to ensnare him, Alex Orji wiggled free. Michigan football’s junior quarterback veered right, looping around the first line of defense as he found an alley along the sideline before picking up steam. Enow Etta chased from behind but couldn’t catch Orji, flailing as he extended his …

Joey McGuire had no choice but to start three quarterbacks in each of his first two seasons as Texas Tech football coach. No other way around it, thanks to injuries. And when Tyler Shough and Behren Morton both were sidelined two years in a row, it merely extended a pattern. The last season in which the Red Raiders didn’t have …

Wisconsin top class of 2025 running back target Byron Louis is on campus for his official visit this weekend. The four-star running back has the Badgers’ in his top 10 schools along with Miami, Penn State, Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, Tennessee, USC, Florida State and Oklahoma. 247Sports notes that he has three official visits scheduled: May 31 to Miami, this …

The Auburn football program is continually trying to make its mark on the recruiting trail and make itself known across the nation. It has been successful thus far, and continues to be on a good track with many big official visits in the past few days. In fact, the official visits have gone so well that the Tigers landed a …

A former Nebraska quarterback has been named to the inaugural All-United Football League team. Adrian Martinez was officially named All-UFL quarterback on Wednesday afternoon. During the year, Martinez threw 1,749 yards and 15 touchdowns with three interceptions. He’s also run for a UFL league-leading 528 yards and three touchdowns with an average of 9.8 yards per rush. The quarterback played …

The Colorado Buffaloes’ season opener against the North Dakota State Bison scares me, maybe even more than CU’s other two nonconference games. The Bison have been the class of the Football Championship Subdivision ranks for a long time, claiming nine national championships since 2011. NDSU has also taken care of business when it decides to play Football Bowl Subdivision opponents, …

The Lions apparently bit a few too many of their own kneecaps during organized team activities. The team violated player work rules regarding on-field physical contact, the Lions announced Friday night. As punishment, the Lions will forfeit Monday’s scheduled OTA practice. “On Friday evening, the organization was made aware by the NFL and NFLPA that Organized Team Activities (OTA) practices …