If there was any debate left, it ended in a shower of cheers and water — on the shoulders of teammates and celebrated by the Minnesota Vikings’ social media account — in full view of head coach Kevin O’Connell, who looked on with a smile as he watched Sam Darnold get hoisted into the air. The Vikings have their quarterback. …

The Brigham Young Cougars celebrate their win over the Colorado Buffaloes during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. BYU won 36-14. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Given the opportunity to make a case that BYU should have received more respect in terms of the College Football Playoff rankings this …

NFL power rankings: Where 49ers sit heading into matchup vs. Lions originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area The playoff field is just about set. However, it wouldn’t be the final week of the NFL season without a little bit of drama. Five teams are fighting for two playoff spots. For the final time this season … Here is where …

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Penn State coach James Franklin has long campaigned for college football to have a commissioner oversee the sport because of NIL and transfer portal issues, among others. Sunday at the Fiesta Bowl’s Media Day, Franklin named who he would like to see fill that role. “I think (former Alabama coach) Nick Saban would be the obvious choice,” …

There was a shakeup in the NFL Draft order after Week 17. The New York Giants played their way out of the top overall pick with a surprising victory Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, an outcome that benefitted the New England Patriots who moved into the draft’s top position. Here are some of the ramifications of that Giants victory, which …

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Matt Millen was the Penn State MVP of the 1977 Fiesta Bowl after he made 18 tackles in a 42-30 victory over Arizona State. Forty-seven years later, Millen is back in the Phoenix area covering Tuesday night’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal between the Nittany Lions and Boise State for the Big Ten Network. The assignment is giving …

Getty Images Every year, the NFL waits as long as possible before announcing the full Week 18 schedule and that announcement finally came on Sunday night.  The final week of the NFL season will kick off on Saturday with a doubleheader and then close out on Sunday night with the Lions and Vikings battling in Detroit. That will be the …

ORLANDO, Fla. — As more of the nation’s top athletes roll into Orlando for the 2025 Under Armour Next All-America Game, Rivals check in on where their individual recruiting processes’ stand. MORE FROM ORLANDO: Signees share which teams came up just short in their recruitment | Media Day Rumor Mill | Big Ten, SEC battle brewing for Jackson Cantwell | …

5 things I care about Sam Darnold, going through his progressions When we talk about “quarterback whisperer” offensive play-callers, we often frame it as the head coach setting up a “quarterback-proof” system. There is no question that Kevin O’Connell’s offense is exceptionally well-designed and this is one of the premiere quarterback ecosystems in the NFL. But the Darnold reclamation season …

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Nick Singleton will decide whether to return to Penn State for his senior year or make himself available for the NFL draft whenever this season ends. Singleton has many factors to consider, including financial ones. But he believes he can work on much in his game if he does come back. “Everything,” he said Sunday. “There’s no …

The NFL regular season is starting to come to a close with some exciting storylines as the postseason draws near. Saquon Barkley is going for Eric Dickerson’s rushing record while the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions each have 13+ wins and will fight in a winner-take-all Week 18 battle for the NFC North and home-field advantage in the NFC.  The …

It was a sweltering summer’s day in Jefferson City, Missouri, as I sat on the track at Jefferson City High School. It was time for the MSHSAA Class 5 100-meter dash state finals. It was worth sweating through an outfit to see just how fast Christian Brother’s College High School star and Notre Dame signee Jeremiyah Love was. Well, until …

The Commanders took the second half kickoff and went 69 yards in 15 plays to draw within 17-14 of the Falcons. Washington scored on Jayden Daniels’ 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Zach Ertz on third-and-8. Ertz also had a 37-yard catch on the drive after receiver K.J. Osborn was called for a holding penalty. The Commanders also converted a …

Dec 28, 2024; San Antonio, TX, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after a penalty is called during the second quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Saturday’s disappointing performance in the Alamo Bowl shouldn’t take away from what was an otherwise special season for the Colorado football team. Quarterback Shedeur …

Patriots’ 2025 opponents set after Week 17 games originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston The New England Patriots’ list of opponents for the 2025 NFL season is set in stone. As the last-place team in the AFC East, the Patriots (3-13) will schedule matchups against the last-place squads in the AFC South, AFC West, and NFC East. Those teams are …