College Football Wrap-Up recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examine...

<p><em>College Football Wrap-Up recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.</em></p><h3>Marcus Freeman's got an upset problem</h3><p>Sometimes the roller coaster gives you the thrill of a lifetime and sometimes it sends you to the closest trash bin to vomit the day's lunch.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/501" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/501"> Notre Dame</a> fans have experienced both with Marcus Freeman so far this season. After going on the road and delivering a statement win at Texas A&amp;M last week, the Fighting Irish laid an absolute egg at home Saturday, losing to 28.5-point underdog <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/488" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/488">Northern Illinois</a>.</p><p>To make matters worse, the Huskies were paid $1.4 million for the pleasure of coming and posting a historic win for their program. The loss was shocking - but it's also the latest data point in a trend that's developed at Notre Dame since Freeman took the head coaching job in 2022.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>Sep. 10, 2022:</strong> Lost to 20.5-point underdog Marshall, paid $1.25 million for the game<br><strong>Oct. 15, 2022:</strong> Lost at home to 16-point underdog Stanford, the Cardinal's first FBS win in a year</p><p>Including Saturday's setback, Freeman's Irish now account for three of the 28 losses by a home favorite of 16 points or more since 2022. Postgame, he acknowledged this wasn't uncharted territory.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Marcus Freeman: "We've been here before." <br><br>Unfortunately, very true in his short Notre Dame tenure. Not where you wanna be."</p>— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) <a href="https://twitter.com/tbhorka/status/1832554854234939853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Notre Dame's performance can be picked apart in a number of areas, but the most glaring problem was the lack of offensive production. The Irish couldn't crack the 300-yard mark and were outgained by more than 100 yards on offense. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/163464" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/163464">Riley Leonard</a> and the passing attack simply weren't good enough, and his second interception of the day led to the game-winning points by Northern Illinois.</p><p>Last week, most of the media - this outlet included - gushed about Notre Dame as a virtual lock for the 12-team playoff given its win over the Aggies and a very favorable schedule the rest of the way. Saturday provided a harsh reminder of why predicting wins is a fool's errand when it comes to most college programs - but especially Notre Dame.</p><h3>Thomas Hammock is college football</h3><p>No, Northern Illinois won't make a deep playoff run, and there likely isn't a pro prospect on the roster. That didn't matter Saturday. The MAC program's upset is one for the ages, and Huskies fans will never forget it. Afterward, head coach Thomas Hammock provided the latest example of why we love college football.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"All these guys have been with our program, lived through the ups and downs and have continued to fight. It's like they're my kids...I just couldn't be more proud."<br><br>An emotional NIU coach Thomas Hammock moments after the Huskies beat Notre Dame. <a href="https://t.co/3nSI7Sm7MY">pic.twitter.com/3nSI7Sm7MY</a></p>— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) <a href="https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing/status/1832554492497166530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 7, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Texas makes case for No. 1</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744142/cropped_GettyImages-2170711054.jpg?ts=1725754656" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744142/w220xh124_GettyImages-2170711054.jpg?ts=1725754656 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744142/w320xh180_GettyImages-2170711054.jpg?ts=1725754656 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744142/w640xh360_GettyImages-2170711054.jpg?ts=1725754656 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744142/w768xh432_GettyImages-2170711054.jpg?ts=1725754656 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744142/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2170711054.jpg?ts=1725754656 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Aaron J. Thornton / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/634" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/634">Texas</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/407" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/407">Michigan</a> both qualified for last year's four-team College Football Playoff. The Longhorns fell to Washington while the Wolverines won the title, but it's fair to say there wasn't much of a gap between the two. Just eight months later, that gap is about as wide as the distance from Austin to Ann Arbor.</p><p>Saturday at Michigan, the visitors were ready to play from the jump and the hosts were woefully unprepared. Texas absolutely dominated in the opening 30 minutes as Steve Sarkisian's elite play-calling diced up Michigan's defense. The Longhorns had the ball five times in the opening half; they scored three touchdowns, kicked a field goal, and missed another field-goal attempt. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/166550" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/166550">Quinn Ewers</a> repeatedly showed why he's a future first-round pick with high-level tosses all over the field.</p><p>The Texas defense, which lost a number of key contributors from last year, forced back-to-back turnovers in the half and stifled any form of Michigan offense. That resulted in an outrageous 39-of-46 plays happening inside the host's territory. Michigan managed to score a touchdown in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter - otherwise, the Longhorns would have snapped the program's 10-year streak of scoring a touchdown in every game.</p><p>There's still plenty of football left, but barring injury, Texas looks poised to be one of the last teams competing for the championship again.</p><h3>Michigan's offense is lost</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744114/cropped_GettyImages-2170710947.jpg?ts=1725741604" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744114/w220xh124_GettyImages-2170710947.jpg?ts=1725741604 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744114/w320xh180_GettyImages-2170710947.jpg?ts=1725741604 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744114/w640xh360_GettyImages-2170710947.jpg?ts=1725741604 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744114/w768xh432_GettyImages-2170710947.jpg?ts=1725741604 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744114/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2170710947.jpg?ts=1725741604 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Aaron J. Thornton / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>First, let's honor the fact that Michigan piled up 23 straight home wins at the Big House heading into Saturday's game. That achievement needs to be recognized ... because it might be a very long time before the Wolverines faithful see anything like that again.</p><p>Yes, Michigan lost half its coaching roster (including a particularly ambitious low-level staffer) and a number of top players to the NFL after its dream title run. However, the Texas sideline also features plenty of new faces who weren't key contributors last year.</p><p>Michigan entered the offseason knowing it needed to replace first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy and top-two receivers Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson. The program's plan appears to be sitting tight with what it has - which failed miserably versus Texas and wasn't particularly successful in Week 1 against Fresno State. The Wolverines' inaction is especially damning compared to how fellow Big Ten powerhouses Ohio State and Oregon attacked those positions in the offseason.</p><p>The Buckeyes added <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/148298" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/148298">Will Howard</a> as their starting quarterback and nabbed the nation's top-ranked receiver, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/195944" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/195944">Jeremiah Smith</a>, in recruiting. The Ducks hit the portal to replace Bo Nix by taking <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/138036" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/138036">Dillon Gabriel</a> from Oklahoma. Oregon also beefed up a receiver group that lost Troy Franklin by bringing in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/171460" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/171460">Evan Stewart</a> from Texas A&amp;M.</p><p>Michigan looked at a quarterback battle between former walk-on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/168297" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/168297">Davis Warren</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/172128" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/172128">Alex Orji</a> and decided that was good enough. Warren eventually won and is averaging 161 yards passing through two games with more interceptions than touchdowns. The receivers routinely fail to get separation downfield, often hanging Warren out to dry. Take away the Wolverines' final two drives, when the game was already out of reach, and they put up under 160 yards of total offense.</p><p>Their defense remains a star-laden outfit that's among the best in the country, but the offense's inability to move the ball left that unit exposed for far too long Saturday. That needs to change if Michigan has any hope of making the 12-team playoff in Sherrone Moore's first season as head coach.</p><h3>Alabama's 'ugly' 26-point win</h3><p><a href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/40">Alabama</a> honored Nick Saban on Saturday by emblazoning the legendary coach's name on the playing surface at Bryant-Denny Stadium. But those who thought it would be a joyous event for Saban don't know him very well.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Once an Alabama coach, always an Alabama coach. <a href="https://t.co/D9nGOiZSsZ">pic.twitter.com/D9nGOiZSsZ</a></p>— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) <a href="https://twitter.com/BryanDFischer/status/1832579018757173295?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>It's probably a safe bet new coach Kalen DeBoer felt the same way for a large part of the contest against South Florida. For the second year in a row, Alabama struggled mightily against the Bulls for most of the outing. While the 42-16 final score suggests domination, it was a 14-13 game with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Despite the 42 points, the biggest takeaway from the win is that the offense seriously needs to work on its consistency.</p><p>The Tide had 14 drives in the contest, and seven ended in punts after five plays or less. Taking away the touchdowns and one end-of-half kneeldown, the other nine drives gained just 37 yards on a total of 35 plays. It didn't hurt Alabama on Saturday, but that lack of production leaves a weary defense on the field for far too long. That'll have to change by the time the Tide get into the SEC portion of their schedule.</p><h3>Colorado is a dud</h3><p>This year, the calendar didn't even flip to October before we could write off <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/164" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/164">Colorado</a> as a serious program. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/457" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/457">Nebraska</a> bulldozed the Buffaloes on Saturday, demonstrating the huge difference in these programs' trajectories. They faced off last year in Boulder with both Deion Sanders and Matt Rhule in their first seasons as head coach. Colorado emerged from that sloppy contest with a victory to keep the hype train rolling. While the train derailed not long after, Sanders could at least point to that success as a highlight from Year 1.</p><p>It was immediately apparent that this year's game wouldn't be a highlight for Colorado. Sanders had pledged to improve the offensive line to keep <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/160938" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/160938">Shedeur Sanders</a> healthy after last season, and the early returns are discouraging: The Cornhuskers had four sacks and five hurries in the first half alone. Nebraska outgained the Buffaloes 213-112 in the half to build a 28-0 advantage and essentially end the game before the break.</p><p>Colorado <em>should</em> have a good chance to beat Colorado State next week, but Saturday's dismal showing makes it borderline impossible to imagine the Buffaloes finding any form of success in Big 12 play. They've shown virtually no progression from last year's team - the direct opposite of a much-improved Nebraska that's starting true freshman quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/198414" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/198414">Dylan Raiola</a> in Rhule's second year with the program.</p><p>The Buffaloes have two of the sport's elite talents in quarterback Shedeur and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/179519" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/179519">Travis Hunter</a>. However, not even the world's best driver can save a vehicle with a malfunctioning engine and a crew chief who doesn't know how to fix it.</p><h3>Tennessee's got more than just electric offense</h3><p>Any team with Josh Heupel as head coach is going to get plenty of attention. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/630" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/630">Tennessee</a> boss is one of the most prolific offensive minds in the county - which is on full display virtually any time the Volunteers take the field. It was no different on Saturday when the SEC outfit exploded for 51 points against NC State. But, while that was certainly impressive, the defense is the area to focus on.</p><p>The Volunteers held the Wolfpack to an absurd 143 offensive yards on the night at a paltry 2.9 yards per play. That effort included an 85-yard pick-6 in the opening half and an eye-popping 13 tackles for loss. The only touchdown the Wolfpack scored on the night was a late pick-6 off a deflected pass.</p><p>While its opening game was against FCS Chattanooga, it's still worth highlighting Tennessee's outrageous 120-13 point differential on the season. The only touchdown wasn't on the defense, so that unit has now played 120 minutes without allowing a major score. Combine that with the prolific offense and the rest of the SEC should be very worried about a date with the Volunteers.</p><h3>McCord shines for Syracuse</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744157/cropped_GettyImages-2170690055.jpg?ts=1725765086" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744157/w220xh124_GettyImages-2170690055.jpg?ts=1725765086 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744157/w320xh180_GettyImages-2170690055.jpg?ts=1725765086 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744157/w640xh360_GettyImages-2170690055.jpg?ts=1725765086 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744157/w768xh432_GettyImages-2170690055.jpg?ts=1725765086 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744157/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2170690055.jpg?ts=1725765086 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Bryan Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>If <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/161696" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/161696">Kyle McCord</a> keeps lighting up the opposition, it could be a very boozy season for Ryan Day.</p><p>After the quarterback shone in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/625" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/625">Syracuse</a>'s Week 1 victory, Orange coach Fran Brown joked that he "should send Ryan Day a bottle of champagne for allowing us to get him," according to <a href="https://x.com/AshleyWenskTV/status/1830053185102164381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1830053185102164381%7Ctwgr%5E0cbfecabe422394eda4d6a0476d4786555d2b403%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dispatch.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fcollege%2Ffootball%2F2024%2F09%2F01%2Fsyracuse-coach-fran-brown-thanks-ryan-day-for-quarterback-kyle-mccord-bottle-of-champagne%2F75040400007%2F">CNY Central's Ashley Wenskoski</a>. The Ohio State head coach should make sure to hold out for something premium this week after McCord torched Georgia Tech at home in an upset win.</p><p>Despite a fairly strong opening season as starter, Day and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/507" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/507">Ohio State</a> didn't guarantee the Buckeyes' starting quarterback job to McCord for 2024. That spurred McCord to enter the portal and ultimately join Brown in his first season as Orange head coach.</p><p>That move looks like an absolute steal. McCord threw for a whopping 381 yards and four touchdowns in Saturday's 31-28 victory over the Yellow Jackets. That came on the heels of his 354-yard, four-touchdown showing in the season opener against Ohio. Considering the Orange ranked 123rd in the country with 152 passing yards per game last year, it's tough to argue that any 2024 college football transfer has made a bigger impact so far this season.</p><h3>A very on-brand Cy-Hawk hero</h3><p>Of course a kicker was the star of the Cy-Hawk rivalry game Saturday. The annual contest between <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/306" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/306">Iowa</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/307" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/307">Iowa State</a> is steeped in a rich tradition of standout defense, smashmouth football, and excellence on special teams. That was once again the case as the Cyclones rode the brilliance of kicker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/191364" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/191364">Kyle Konrardy</a> to a comeback victory.</p><p>Konrardy drilled a 46-yard field goal to bring Iowa State within two points in the fourth and then hammered home a game-winning 54-yard boot in the dying seconds for Matt Campbell's program. A college kicker comfortably making a 54-yard kick to win a game is rare enough, but Konrardy had zero career field goals to his name entering play, making his performance even more impressive.</p><p>The victory is also another sign that the balance of power is shifting in the state. Campbell lost his first five meetings to Kirk Ferentz as Cyclones head coach but has now claimed two of the last three - both on the road - in the series.</p>

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CFB Wrap-Up: Takeaways from Week 2's biggest games

Matt Chapman is staying on the West Coast for the foreseeable future after the third baseman sign...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5380" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5380">Matt Chapman</a> is staying on the West Coast for the foreseeable future after the third baseman signed a six-year extension with the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/teams/28" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/teams/28">San Francisco Giants</a>, the team announced Wednesday.</p><p>The contract is for $151 million and wipes out the final two years of his current deal with the club, sources told <a href="https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1831564139271004254">ESPN's Jeff Passan</a>. There's no deferred money and the contract also includes a no-trade clause for the eight-year veteran, <a href="https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1831565188799033465">Passan</a> adds.</p><p>Chapman inked a three-year, $54-million pact with the Giants in the offseason after spending the last two years with the Toronto Blue Jays. The deal had player opt-outs following each of the first two seasons - $17 million in 2025 and $18 million in 2026.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"(San Francisco) feels like home for me, it feels like I've been here a lot longer than one season," Chapman said during a press conference Thursday, per <a href="https://x.com/PavlovicNBCS/status/1831748472107851939">Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area</a>.</p><p>The 31-year-old is one of the best defensive infielders in baseball, winning his fourth Gold Glove last season in the American League. He's slashing .247/.333/.445 with 22 home runs and 69 RBIs this season. </p>

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 13: Matt Chapman #26 of the San Francisco Giants looks on while at bat against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park on July 13, 2024 in San Francisco, California.

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Giants sign Chapman to 6-year deal worth reported $151M

<p><em>College Football Wrap-Up recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.</em></p><h3>New faces, same old Georgia </h3><p>There are few constants in life, but <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/255" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/255">Georgia</a> being an utterly dominant college football program is certainly one of them. The Bulldogs kicked off the campaign with their 40th straight regular-season victory, embarrassing Clemson 34-3 in Atlanta. All the staples of a Georgia team under Kirby Smart were on full display from the opening kick.</p><ul>
<li>
<strong>Smothering defense:</strong> Clemson totaled just 188 yards of offense</li>
<li>
<strong>Balanced offense:</strong> 278 yards passing, 169 yards rushing</li>
</ul><p>Smart once again showed his ability to reload after heavy roster turnover, with the Bulldogs replacing Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, and their top two rushers from last season. The top two running backs on the depth chart also missed out Saturday, creating an opportunity for freshman Nate Frazier to star - and that's exactly what the 5-foot-10, 210-pounder did. Frazier rushed 11 times for 83 yards and a score and added 24 receiving yards. London Humphreys and Arian Smith combined for seven catches and 119 yards. Frazier, Humphreys, and Smith certainly aren't the first three names one would expect to carry Georgia's attack, but with 233 yards of total offense, that's precisely what happened.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>It's important to remember that Smart and Georgia haven't lost to a team coached by someone other than Nick Saban since 2021. With Saban now hugging a topless Pat McAfee on College GameDay instead of stalking the Alabama sideline, don't be shocked if Georgia runs through the 2024 slate and reclaims the title.</p><h3>Clemson's slide continues</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743304/cropped_GettyImages-2168855527.jpg?ts=1725138317" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743304/w220xh124_GettyImages-2168855527.jpg?ts=1725138317 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743304/w320xh180_GettyImages-2168855527.jpg?ts=1725138317 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743304/w640xh360_GettyImages-2168855527.jpg?ts=1725138317 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743304/w768xh432_GettyImages-2168855527.jpg?ts=1725138317 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743304/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2168855527.jpg?ts=1725138317 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Last year, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/158" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/158">Clemson</a> went into Duke to begin the season and suffered a shocking 28-7 upset loss. The Tigers were able to move the ball but failed to capitalize, leaving Dabo Swinney to say the following after the contest:</p><p>"That's the weirdest game I've ever been a part of," Swinney said. "I've been beat. I've had my butt kicked. But that's the strangest game I've ever been a part of."</p><p>The 2024 season saw a much stiffer test in the form of No. 1 Georgia, and we'll let Swinney's comments tell you how the contest broke for the ACC program:</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dabo Swinney post-game: "When you get beat like that, that’s on the head coach. Complete ownership of an absolute crap second half. Sometimes you get your butt kicked and we did today."</p>— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) <a href="https://twitter.com/RossDellenger/status/1829971019580498275?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>A butt-kicking, indeed. Clemson failed to crack the 200-yard mark against Georgia's dominant defense, looking nothing like the perennial national title contender it used to be under Swinney. Simply put, the talent gap between the two teams is large and getting wider by the year.</p><p>Swinney once again ignored the transfer portal when constructing his roster in the offseason. No transfer has started a game for the program since 2018, making Clemson the only school not a service academy to operate in that fashion. While Swinney used to be able to rely on elite high school recruiting to stay atop the sport, that is no longer the case, and Saturday proved it once again. On the other side, Georgia is very active in the portal on a yearly basis, with two transfer receivers scoring touchdowns Saturday.</p><p>The Tigers still have plenty of talent compared to most programs in the country, but Clemson shouldn't be content with just being one of the top programs in the ACC. Swinney set the standard of competing for national titles in the late 2010s and failed to live up to that over the last few years. It doesn't appear that will change in 2024.</p><h3>Miami looks incredible</h3><p>Mario Cristobal's reputation as an elite recruiter might be at an all-time high after Cameron Ward's performance in the Swamp. Cristobal convinced the former Washington State quarterback to pull out of the NFL draft and join <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/405" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/405">Miami</a> for his final collegiate season. It looks like a brilliant decision for both parties after Week 1.</p><p>Ward was electric against the Gators, throwing for 385 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-17 blowout. The numbers are impressive enough, but the highlights really hammer home how good Ward was in his Miami debut.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">CAM WARD TO JACOLBY GEORGE<br><br>TD CANES <a href="https://t.co/wnYlTgDx1K">pic.twitter.com/wnYlTgDx1K</a></p>— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) <a href="https://twitter.com/NMDgrant/status/1830003262344585227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>However, it wasn't just Ward who impressed, as the defense was dominant from start to finish in Gainesville. Despite a 71-yard touchdown run, the Gators were held to under 200 yards of total offense on the day.</p><p>Barring a drastic change, the Hurricanes will now be favored in every game for the remainder of the season. The home date with Florida State later in the calendar doesn't look nearly as difficult following the Seminoles' shocking loss last week to Georgia Tech. Miami will simply need to avoid the stunning loss out of nowhere that has plagued the program under Cristobal. Having Ward and a dominant defense looks like a pretty effective way to make sure that won't happen.</p><h3>Napier can probably start packing up his office</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743338/cropped_GettyImages-2168873658.jpg?ts=1725150374" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743338/w220xh124_GettyImages-2168873658.jpg?ts=1725150374 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743338/w320xh180_GettyImages-2168873658.jpg?ts=1725150374 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743338/w640xh360_GettyImages-2168873658.jpg?ts=1725150374 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743338/w768xh432_GettyImages-2168873658.jpg?ts=1725150374 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/743338/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2168873658.jpg?ts=1725150374 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Let's review how Saturday went for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/233" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/233">Florida</a>. The program got pounded 41-17 by an in-state rival. The 41 points are the most Florida's ever allowed in an opening-week game. It was the program's first loss in a home opener since 1989, and former coach Dan Mullen took to social media to chime in.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dan Mullen is LAUGHING at Florida right now 😭 <a href="https://t.co/EeELTP54fR">pic.twitter.com/EeELTP54fR</a></p>— College Football Report (@CFBRep) <a href="https://twitter.com/CFBRep/status/1830011233736523997?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Billy Napier's make-or-break season began in the worst way possible for a Florida team that has one of the most difficult schedules in college football history. Not only did the Gators lose, but they looked overmatched in every facet of the game. Graham Mertz struggled to get anything going in the passing game before exiting with a concussion. Highly touted quarterback DJ Lagway - whose commitment to Florida is likely single-handedly keeping Napier employed - entered for his first action in college, but even he struggled with an interception.</p><p>After Samford next week, the Gators' schedule kicks into hyperdrive the rest of the way with dates against Texas A&amp;M, UCF, Tennessee, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, and Texas highlighting the slate. It feels more than ever like it's not a case of if, but when Napier is relieved of his duties.</p><h3>Notre Dame immediately sets up playoff run</h3><p>The calendar is just about to flip to September, but <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/501" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/501">Notre Dame</a> made a massive statement Saturday that it'll be involved come playoff time. Texas heat and humidity, a supercharged Aggies defensive line, and over 100,000 screaming Texas A&amp;M fans presented a daunting test, but the No. 7 Fighting Irish pulled off a huge road win with supreme execution down the stretch.</p><p>One of the biggest offseason transfer acquisitions in college football was quarterback Riley Leonard joining Notre Dame from Duke, and the talented senior showed why in the late stages. Leonard drove the Irish 85 yards in under five minutes before Jeremiyah Love scampered in from 20 yards out for the game-winning score with two minutes to play.</p><p>Marcus Freeman's defense is once again stout, but it's Leonard that might give Notre Dame the edge. He showed his dual-threat capabilities on the clinching drive, rushing for 20 yards and throwing for 29 before Love found paydirt. The Irish will now likely be favored in every game for the rest of their schedule and should comfortably secure a spot in the 12-team playoff.</p><h3>Kotelnicki has the launch codes</h3><p>Through 60 minutes of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/521" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/521">Penn State</a> football, it's clear Andy Kotelnicki has the Drew Allar launch codes and isn't afraid to use them. Allar had a solid but unspectacular debut season last year, averaging 6.7 yards per pass attempt to rank 93rd nationally. In Kotelnicki's first game as Nittany Lions offensive coordinator, Allar almost doubled that number, averaging 12.7 yards per pass to finish with 216 and three touchdown tosses in a 34-12 win over West Virginia.</p><p>Penn State paid Kotelnicki almost $8 million over four years to leave Kansas, money that appears to be very well spent at the earliest possible marker. He's already unlocked a version of Allar we rarely saw in 2023, one that will have him flying off the draft board early should he repeat it throughout the year. The win should also have Penn State firmly in the absurdly early playoff chatter, with the Nittany Lions clearly looking like a top-five team in the country.</p><h3>No Ferentz, all fun for Iowa</h3><p>Think back to your grade school years for a moment and remember how much fun it was when a substitute filled in for your regular teacher. One could easily get away with things the regular teacher never would have allowed because the substitute didn't know any better. In <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/306" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/306">Iowa</a> football terms, that would mean throwing touchdown passes when it usually seems to be forbidden. That was on full display during Iowa's season opener, with Kirk Ferentz missing his first game in 26 years as head coach due to suspension.</p><p>With Kirk out - and son Brian Ferentz no longer with the program after being fired as offensive coordinator last year - the sideline was Ferentz-free in Iowa City. Safe to say the Hawkeyes' offense felt liberated, piling up an astonishing 40 points in a blowout of Illinois State. It was an impressive debut for new offensive coordinator Tim Lester, helping lead the offense to one of its best showings in the last five years.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Iowa has 340+ yards of offense for just the fifth time in three seasons. First time the Hawkeyes have passed for three TDs in a game since Oct. 1, 2021.</p>— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) <a href="https://twitter.com/BryanDFischer/status/1829952502458171433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Yes, the competition was FCS Illinois State, but that hasn't mattered in previous years. The Hawkeyes barely sneaked by South Dakota State in 2022 by a 7-3 margin with Ferentz on the sideline. He'll be back for next week's rivalry game against Iowa State; whether the explosive offense we saw Saturday also returns will be something worth watching.</p><h3>Freshman receivers ain't scared</h3><p>It used to take freshmen multiple games, sometimes even a season, before contributing regularly in college. It also used to be acceptable to smoke on an airplane. We figured out the latter was a bad idea long ago, and Saturday proved the latest reminder that the former is also a thing of the past. The star freshmen receivers from the 2024 class hit the ground running in Week 1 and showed immediately that they're ready to dominate like they did in high school.</p><p>Ohio State's five-star standout Jeremiah Smith got things going early with a blistering performance against Akron, leading the team with six catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Then it was No. 1 overall receiver Ryan Williams shining for Alabama. Williams, who was born in 2007 and reclassified from the 2025 class, lit up Western Kentucky with touchdown catches of 84 and 55 yards in the opening half. Ryan Wingo of Texas had four grabs for 77 yards, and the Auburn pair of Cam Coleman and Perry Thompson combined for 144 yards and two scores.</p>

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CFB Wrap-Up: Takeaways from Week 1's biggest games

After a tumultuous offseason that led to massive overhaul felt throughout the entire sport, the 2...

<p><em>After a tumultuous offseason that led to massive overhaul felt throughout the entire sport, the 2024 college football season is officially upon us.</em></p><p><em>With significant changes across the landscape, theScore is tackling 25 pertinent questions to get everybody set for kickoff.</em></p><p><em>After previous installments covered <a href="https://thescore.com/news/3050431">conference realignment</a>, the <a href="https://thescore.com/news/3054101">high-profile coaching changes</a>, some of the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3054533" href="https://thescore.com/news/3054533">nation's most important players</a>, and teams outside the AP top 10 who <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3057232" href="https://thescore.com/news/3057232">could make a national title run</a>, the final edition tackles the championship favorites.</em></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>5. Can Kotelnicki make Penn State explosive?</h3><p>It's a safe bet that champagne bottles were popped at James Franklin's house when the Big Ten expanded and did away with divisions as a result. It was a fairly consistent script for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/521" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/521">Penn State</a> under Franklin the past few years - pound everyone on the schedule not named Ohio State or Michigan, and then get crushed by one of the Big Ten giants. The Nittany Lions unfortunately resided in the same division as the Buckeyes and Wolverines and are a dismal 4-16 against those two programs.</p><p>But that's no longer the case in 2024, and while Ohio State remains on the schedule this year, there will be no Michigan matchup in the regular season. That, and perhaps the most important assistant hire in the country, should have both Franklin and the Penn State faithful feeling pretty good about a berth in the 12-team CFP and perhaps even more.</p><p>The hiring of offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas came with a clear task - drive highly touted quarterback Drew Allar like the Ferrari he projects to be and not the used 2012 Toyota Camry that Franklin treated him as. At 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, Allar possesses both the prototypical size and arm strength that grabs the attention of NFL scouts. However, Penn State's offense rarely let him put the pedal down in his first season as starter. He averaged under seven yards per completion, ranking ninth in the Big Ten among qualified passers - a very disappointing finish considering the lack of even average quarterback play in the conference last year.</p><p>Enter Kotelnicki, who followed Lance Leipold from Buffalo to Kansas in 2021 and turned the lowly Jayhawks into an offensive juggernaut during his three years with the program. Considering the amount of standout players the Nittany Lions return from a dominant defense, if Kotelnicki can get Allar and the offense cooking, a deep run at the title could be in the cards for Penn State.</p><h3>4. Does Penix's exit clear way for Oregon?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/550171/cropped_GettyImages-1445574985.jpg?ts=1671642929" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/550171/w220xh124_GettyImages-1445574985.jpg?ts=1671642929 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/550171/w320xh180_GettyImages-1445574985.jpg?ts=1671642929 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/550171/w640xh360_GettyImages-1445574985.jpg?ts=1671642929 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/550171/w768xh432_GettyImages-1445574985.jpg?ts=1671642929 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/550171/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1445574985.jpg?ts=1671642929 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Ali Gradischer / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Nobody is happier that Michael Penix Jr. took his talents to the NFL than Dan Lanning. The former Washington star had been <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/514" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/514">Oregon</a>'s kryptonite the past two seasons with a 3-0 record against the Ducks, and those losses proved incredibly costly for Oregon's chances at making a push to the playoff. While Washington still resides on the Ducks' schedule in the first season of Big Ten action for both teams, Penix, coach Kalen DeBoer, and essentially the entire roster have moved on. That, along with a stacked squad and favorable schedule, make Oregon a prime candidate to both make the 12-team playoff and seriously contend for a title.</p><p>The two big dates on Oregon's schedule are a home game against Ohio State and a road trip to Michigan. Those also happen to be the only two ranked opponents on the schedule. The Buckeyes will certainly be a massive challenge, but the game is in Eugene, which should level the playing field. A road game against the Wolverines is equally daunting, but Michigan's roster from last season suffered significant turnover. The Ducks will be favored in every other contest on the calendar and should be able to overcome the loss of Bo Nix and Troy Franklin thanks to some excellent work in the transfer portal.</p><p>Nix starred with the Ducks, but Lanning didn't just grab anybody out of the portal to replace him. He locked in the Heisman trophy favorite in Dillon Gabriel. The Ducks also added UCLA passer Dante Moore as insurance and grabbed a new explosive weapon on offense with Evan Stewart from Texas A&amp;M. With those pieces joining an experienced offensive line and defensive unit, the Ducks' first season in the Big Ten should be one to remember.</p><h3>3. Texas or Alabama to avenge semifinal loss?</h3><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/634" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/634">Texas</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/40" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/40">Alabama</a> both found themselves on the losing end of the CFP semifinals last season, but they face very different tasks in returning there in 2024. The schools are now conference foes after the Longhorns made the move to the SEC, and Nick Saban no longer patrols the sidelines in Tuscaloosa. When taking that into consideration, it's clear that Texas has the better shot at getting back to the final four.</p><p>Thanks to the neutral-site contest with Oklahoma, the Longhorns actually play just four true road games this season, and one of those comes against SEC basement dwellers Vanderbilt. The Week 2 trip to Michigan will be difficult, but Arkansas and Texas A&amp;M provide the other SEC road contests. Steve Sarkisian's outfit also gets to host mighty Georgia, while the Crimson Tide must make the trip to Athens this year. Add in the continuity of both the coaching staff and Quinn Ewers, and we'll take the Longhorns to make another playoff push.</p><p>Meanwhile, it's borderline impossible to replace Saban at Alabama, but that's the task awaiting DeBoer in Tuscaloosa. The man has won everywhere he's gone in college, but just winning isn't enough for the rabid Crimson Tide fans. They expect championships. The schedule didn't break too friendly in Year 1, with tough conference road trips to Tennessee, Oklahoma, and LSU on the schedule and a home date against Georgia to end September. There's also the challenge of replacing the leading three receivers on the squad and the insane production of star safety Caleb Downs.</p><p>It would be shocking for Alabama to experience a significant drop-off given the talent still around in Tuscaloosa, but Texas feels like a safer bet to hit the semifinal once again in 2024.</p><h3>2. Will Ohio State's spending pay off?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/738003/cropped_GettyImages-2162551519.jpg?ts=1721759926" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/738003/w220xh124_GettyImages-2162551519.jpg?ts=1721759926 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/738003/w320xh180_GettyImages-2162551519.jpg?ts=1721759926 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/738003/w640xh360_GettyImages-2162551519.jpg?ts=1721759926 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/738003/w768xh432_GettyImages-2162551519.jpg?ts=1721759926 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/738003/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2162551519.jpg?ts=1721759926 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Ryan Day boasts a 53-8 mark as head coach but might have less job security than anyone with such a sparkling record in recent history. That's simply what happens when three of those losses were against rival Michigan. The defeats caused <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/507" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/507">Ohio State</a> and Day to make some changes to both the coaching staff and on-field lineup for the 2024 season, and the final bill, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/40979635/ohio-state-college-football-20-million-offseason-michigan-motivated">ESPN's Jake Trotter</a>, came to over $20 million in NIL funding.</p><p>Chip Kelly was willing to leave a Big Ten head coaching job for a coordinator role on offense. His $2-million salary along with defensive boss Jim Knowles' $2.2-million pact puts the Buckeyes on the hook for over $4 million in annual pay for assistants. On the field, there are plenty of returnees who could have left for the NFL, but it's the new shiny names that are attracting most of the attention.</p><p>Caleb Downs left Alabama for Columbus on the heels of Saban's retirement in what was a massive addition for Ohio State after his incredible freshman season in the SEC. The offense brought in Ole Miss star Quinshon Judkins to a backfield that already featured TreVeyon Henderson, and quarterback Will Howard will now be at the controls after the Buckeyes decided Kyle McCord wasn't the answer.</p><p>Road trips to Oregon and Penn State will present a challenge, and the annual rivalry game with Michigan will bring some drama to the end of the season, but it's hard to see anybody but the Buckeyes competing with Georgia for the title this season.</p><h3>1. Can anybody stop Georgia?</h3><p>In the team's last 48 games, only one man has been able to stop Kirby Smart and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/255" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/255">Georgia </a>- his former boss, Saban. The Bulldogs haven't lost to a non-Saban team since Dan Mullen and Florida knocked them off in 2020. Their record since then is an absurd 46-2, a run that coincides with two national titles. With Saban now off the sideline and at the television desk, Smart is free to run all over college football yet again, and the oddsmakers certainly expect him to do so.</p><p>Carson Beck returns after a brilliant first season as starting quarterback in which Georgia's offense was fifth in the country in scoring and pass efficiency, even though offensive coordinator Mike Bobo was in his first year with the program. Yes, Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey are gone, but an experienced offensive line and great depth at the receiver position should ease those losses.</p><p>The staple of Georgia teams under Smart has been a lights-out defense, and that will once again ring true in 2024. Expect Mykel Williams to insert himself into the top of the NFL draft discussion with a monster season off the edge, and this campaign's game-breaker is Malaki Starks at the safety position. Starks rarely looked like a freshman last season and projects to compete for SEC defensive player of the year honors.</p><p>The only thing giving pause for a Georgia romp is one of the toughest schedules in the conference. Besides a Week 1 contest with Clemson, the Bulldogs have to travel to Alabama, Texas and Ole Miss - three teams that ranked inside the top seven of the AP preseason poll. Nevertheless, none of those teams are currently coached by Saban, so that should ease any concerns Georgia fans have this time around.</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/28171484/related

CFB countdown: 25 questions entering the 2024 season, Part 5

After a tumultuous offseason of upheaval, the 2024 college football season is officially upon us....

<p><em>After a tumultuous offseason of upheaval, the 2024 college football season is officially upon us.</em></p><p><em>With significant changes across the landscape, theScore is tackling 25 pertinent questions to get everybody set for kickoff.</em></p><p><em>After previous installments covered <a href="https://thescore.com/news/3050431">conference realignment</a>, high-profile <a href="https://thescore.com/news/3054101">coaching changes</a>, and some of the nation's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3054533" href="https://thescore.com/news/3054533">most important players</a>, today's looks at teams outside the AP top 10 that could make a run at a national title.</em></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>10. Will Cam Ward stabilize Miami?</h3><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/405" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/405">Miami</a>'s 2023 season was perfectly summed up by its epic collapse in the final moments of an astonishing home loss to Georgia Tech. The Hurricanes still have an incredibly talented roster, which has often been held back by poor in-game coaching from Mario Cristobal and his high-priced staff. Perhaps their largest failing was the downfall of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke after a strong freshman season in South Florida. Van Dyke has since moved on to Wisconsin with the prolific Cam Ward coming to Miami from Washington State after initially declaring for the NFL draft.</p><p>The reason behind the pursuit of Ward is simple: The Hurricanes were held back too often by lackluster quarterback play. Last year, Miami ranked 59th in passer rating and averaged 250 passing yards per game. Ward threw for over 320 yards per contest to rank sixth nationally and boasted a passer rating more than 10 points higher than Miami's team number. With Ward now throwing behind an experienced offensive line and to the electric Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George, expect the Hurricanes' offensive output to skyrocket.</p><p>It's getting close to make-or-break time for Cristobal at Miami. He was brought back to his alma mater amid great fanfare only to go 12-13 in his first two seasons. With Ward now on board, the Hurricanes are well positioned to return to the days when "The U" ran wild over anyone in their path.</p><h3>9. Is Clemson still an elite program?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/598369/cropped_GettyImages-1752260586.jpg?ts=1698531110" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/598369/w220xh124_GettyImages-1752260586.jpg?ts=1698531110 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/598369/w320xh180_GettyImages-1752260586.jpg?ts=1698531110 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/598369/w640xh360_GettyImages-1752260586.jpg?ts=1698531110 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/598369/w768xh432_GettyImages-1752260586.jpg?ts=1698531110 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/598369/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1752260586.jpg?ts=1698531110 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Megan Briggs / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Dabo Swinney and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/158" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/158">Clemson</a> went 69-5 over a five-year stretch from 2015-19 with two national titles. The Tigers' insane run slowed slightly with a 31-8 mark over the next three seasons, but it's the last 19 games that has people questioning whether Clemson is still among the nation's elite programs. The Tigers are just 12-7 over that stretch with last year's nine-win total the program's lowest since 2011. That drop-off makes Clemson one of the most interesting teams to watch heading into the season.</p><p>Swinney continues to show strongly on the recruiting trail, but his refusal to use the transfer portal to acquire talent as the rest of the sport goes Black Friday shopping is shocking. While the parallels aren't exact, it borders on an NFL team opting against free agency and deciding to build its roster strictly through the draft. As the transfer portal has exploded, Clemson's performance has fallen off, which can't be a coincidence. However, that can all be put aside with a push to the 12-team playoff this year.</p><p>The defense once again should be among the ACC's best, but the offense will determine whether the Tigers are in the playoff or not. The coordinator-quarterback duo of Garrett Riley and Cade Klubnik must be better in Year 2. To help with that, Clemson brought in highly regarded offensive line coach Matt Luke to improve Klubnik's protection. That should give the former five-star recruit time to operate and show his ability from the pocket. Add in the rushing attack of Phil Mafah, and Clemson should be ready to get back to where it belongs.</p><h3>8. Will Oklahoma's defense hold up in SEC?</h3><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/509" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/509">Oklahoma</a>'s decision to hire Brent Venables to replace Lincoln Riley in 2022 essentially guaranteed improvements on defense. Venables' lengthy career as arguably the sport's best defensive coordinator was what got him the job, and he was expected to change the culture around the program in Norman. To say the 2022 campaign was a disappointment would be an understatement as the defense ranked 76th in yards allowed per play. Venables was able to improve to 51st last year, and that should get even better despite the move to the SEC.</p><p>Venables' defense will be a veteran-laden lineup led by returning star linebacker Danny Stutsman and seven defensive backs capable of starting in the back end. With the additions of some highly touted freshmen on the defensive line, it's easy to see the personnel bringing better results in 2024.</p><p>While the SEC slate is much tougher than the Big 12, Oklahoma's schedule is very favorable for its debut in the new conference. The Sooners host Tennessee and Alabama and play Texas in the usual neutral site of the Cotton Bowl. They also get a bye before both the Longhorns and Crimson Tide matchups and play FCS Maine the week before a trip to Missouri. Road trips to Ole Miss and LSU will stress the defense but come in the back half of the schedule.</p><h3>7. Can Utah immediately establish Big 12 supremacy?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/597245/cropped_GettyImages-1235501990.jpg?ts=1697950184" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/597245/w220xh124_GettyImages-1235501990.jpg?ts=1697950184 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/597245/w320xh180_GettyImages-1235501990.jpg?ts=1697950184 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/597245/w640xh360_GettyImages-1235501990.jpg?ts=1697950184 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/597245/w768xh432_GettyImages-1235501990.jpg?ts=1697950184 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/597245/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1235501990.jpg?ts=1697950184 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Chris Gardner / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>After winning two of the last three Pac-12 titles, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/677" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/677">Utah</a> now heads to the Big 12 and has instantly been installed as the betting favorite to claim the title. One of the main reasons is the return of quarterback Cameron Rising. The 25-year-old is back for a seventh season with the Utes after coming to the collegiate ranks in the same recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence, Will Levis, Brock Purdy, Michael Penix Jr., and Zach Wilson.</p><p>Rising didn't play at all in 2023 due to his ongoing recovery from knee surgery but has shown during his time at Utah that he's a difference-maker. Tight end Brant Kuithe and running back Micah Bernard also opted to remain in school for one last ride.</p><p>Utah's schedule could present a stat-padding bonanza. Only Iowa State returns a top-50 defensive unit among the conference opponents, and eight FBS opponents on the slate ranked outside the top 80 in yards allowed per play last year.</p><p>With the Big 12 champion getting an automatic berth to the 12-team playoff, Utah has to be thrilled with how things are lining up.</p><h3>6. Can Tennessee make a surprise SEC push?</h3><p>We've highlighted quarterback Nico Iamaleava previously in this series, but he's not the only one to watch on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/teams/630" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/teams/630">Tennessee</a> as it looks to make a surprise SEC title push. The Volunteers may only have the seventh-shortest odds to win the conference, but if Iamaleava delivers on his immense promise, Tennessee could be a real problem.</p><p>Josh Heupel can get offensive production out of 11 random guys off the street, but he's got a number of top weapons back to help Iamaleava's transition to starter. Leading receiver Squirrel White returns, as does 2022 standout Bru McCoy after playing just five games last year. And with a veteran offensive line, you can expect fireworks like we saw two years ago.</p><p>The offense will be explosive, but it's the defense that might turn the Volunteers from a solid team to a title threat. The pass rush is as lethal as any in the country with projected top-five pick James Pearce Jr. leading the way. The Vols were top 10 nationally in both tackles for loss and sacks last year and project to be right back in that area this time around. If the offense can get early leads - something it thrived at in 2022 - the defense should be able to tee off on opposing quarterbacks.</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/28163299/related

CFB countdown: 25 questions entering the 2024 season, Part 4

<p><em>After a tumultuous offseason of upheaval, the 2024 college football season is officially upon us.</em></p><p><em>With significant changes across the landscape, theScore is tackling 25 pertinent questions to get everybody set for kickoff.</em></p><p><em>After previous installments covered <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3050431" href="https://thescore.com/news/3050431">conference realignment</a> and the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3054101" href="https://thescore.com/news/3054101">high-profile coaching changes</a>, today's looks at some of the most important players in the country.</em></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>15. Can Colorado's star duo get wins?</h3><p>The amount of attention Colorado received in Deion Sanders' first season coaching the program would have one believing the Buffaloes were one of the top programs in the nation. However, that couldn't be further from the truth, as abysmal offensive line play and the nation's 119th-ranked defense doomed Sanders' outfit once conference play hit. Then the blame game started, and out the door went offensive coordinator Sean Lewis and defensive coordinator Charles Kelly. Now, a new cast of characters has descended on Boulder, but it's up to the two most notable mainstays - Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter - to deliver on the Colorado hype.</p><p>Sanders and Hunter both offered plenty of highlight moments in their first season with Colorado, but those were few and far between after the opening month of the season. Sanders showed he's as talented as any quarterback in the country but was brought down by a besieged offensive line and a penchant for holding onto the ball for far too long. Hunter wowed the college football world by playing both cornerback and wide receiver in multiple games, even topping the 130-play mark on numerous occasions.</p><p>Now, a beefed-up offensive line and a host of receiving talent are on hand to help Sanders move the ball, with the talented passer looking to improve both his team's record and his draft stock - not necessarily in that order. Hunter has shown he'll dominate if he's able to stay on the field, and it's up to Coach Prime to pick his spots on both sides of the ball to help ensure his long-term health.</p><p>The star duo will certainly make headlines once again with Heisman consideration likely from the start of the season. However, the biggest question in Boulder is whether their play can translate to more wins as the program begins life in the Big 12.</p><h3>14. Is Howard the answer for Ohio State?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742412/cropped_GettyImages-2147786543.jpg?ts=1724536176" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742412/w220xh124_GettyImages-2147786543.jpg?ts=1724536176 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742412/w320xh180_GettyImages-2147786543.jpg?ts=1724536176 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742412/w640xh360_GettyImages-2147786543.jpg?ts=1724536176 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742412/w768xh432_GettyImages-2147786543.jpg?ts=1724536176 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742412/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2147786543.jpg?ts=1724536176 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The 2023 season was a puzzling one for Ohio State. The Buckeyes had six games in which they scored fewer than 25 points and finished with the nation's 35th-ranked scoring offense and No. 39 passing attack. That marked the first time since 2016 that Ohio State didn't field a top-10 offense. Perhaps most importantly in Columbus, all of this occurred in the same campaign that the Buckeyes fell for the third straight year to Michigan as their bitter rival won the national title. That clearly didn't sit well with Ryan Day, who made some dramatic changes. First was the departure of starting quarterback Kyle McCord to Syracuse. Then, the blockbuster moves of hiring Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator and landing Kansas State transfer quarterback Will Howard.</p><p>We've touched on Kelly's hire in a previous preview post, but it will be how Howard is deployed that could decide whether Ohio State can reign supreme in the Big Ten once again. The best bet is to expect a heavy dose of the 237-pounder in the running game. Howard rushed for 351 yards and nine touchdowns last season, a significant difference from McCord's negative-65 yards and zero touchdowns on the ground.</p><p>With Howard in the fold, expect Kelly to devise a game plan that sees the Buckeyes absolutely run over teams like his Oregon squads used to do. The addition of Howard and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins to a backfield that already has returnee TreVeyon Henderson gives the offense the personnel necessary to do such a thing.</p><h3>13. Which new starting QB will shine brightest?</h3><p>There's a changing of the guard at the quarterback position in college football with Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix, JJ McCarthy, and Bo Nix all departing as first-round NFL draft picks. That leaves plenty of opportunity for young first-time starters to make the leap into the national spotlight - with five players in such a situation ranked inside the preseason AP top 20.</p><p>The two true sophomores on the list garnering the most hype are undoubtedly Nico Iamaleava of Tennessee and Jackson Arnold of Oklahoma. Iamaleava saw limited action behind Joe Milton in his freshman season but showed flashes of why he was a five-star recruit in starting the bowl win over Iowa. The 6-foot-6, 215-pounder threw for 151 yards and a touchdown while also scoring three times on the ground. Expect plenty of fireworks from Iamaleava in Josh Heupel's quarterback-friendly system.</p><p>How high is Oklahoma on Arnold? Consider the fact the program opted against bringing back Dillon Gabriel, who's now the Heisman favorite at Oregon. Like Iamaleava, Arnold was a highly-touted recruit who made his first start in the bowl game last year. While he offered plenty of reasons to be hyped about his potential, his final line of 361 yards passing and two touchdowns was dampened by three interceptions.</p><p>In a fun scheduling twist, the two quarterbacks will face off against one another in Oklahoma's first-ever SEC game. Tennessee makes the trip to Norman on Sept. 21 for the first meeting between the programs since 2015.</p><h3>12. What about the other quarterbacks?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742411/cropped_GettyImages-2166232141.jpg?ts=1724536088" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742411/w220xh124_GettyImages-2166232141.jpg?ts=1724536088 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742411/w320xh180_GettyImages-2166232141.jpg?ts=1724536088 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742411/w640xh360_GettyImages-2166232141.jpg?ts=1724536088 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742411/w768xh432_GettyImages-2166232141.jpg?ts=1724536088 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/742411/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2166232141.jpg?ts=1724536088 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Gus Stark/LSU / University Images / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The other three passers in the preseason top 20 who are opening-day starters for the first time in their careers include Garrett Nussmeier at LSU, Avery Johnson at Kansas State, and Alex Orji at Michigan.</p><p>While Nussmeier may be new to starting, he's been at LSU for three seasons already and should slide right into Brian Kelly's system with plenty of talent at his disposal. Replacing the reigning Heisman winner Daniels won't be easy, but Nussmeier showed in the bowl win over Wisconsin last year that the offense should still cook. He finished the day with 395 yards passing and three touchdowns against the Badgers.</p><p>Johnson also has experience after seeing lots of action in certain packages last season for the Wildcats. He also starred in the bowl game, finishing with 149 total yards and three total touchdowns in a win over NC State. While he has work to do as a passer, he's an elite runner who found the end zone seven times on the ground in limited action last season.</p><p>Orji falls on the other end of the spectrum with zero pass completions to his name entering the 2024 season. He also hasn't officially been given the Wolverines' starting job, although ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Saturday on College GameDay that Orji has been taking the majority of the first-team snaps for the defending national champs.</p><p>"Well, (head coach Sherrone Moore is) playing a little coy publicly ... but sources have told me that Michigan has given Alex Orji the majority of first-team reps in practice," Thamel said, according to <a href="https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/espn-pete-thamel-update-michigan-wolverines-quarterback-battle-alex-orji-college-gameday">Matt Lounsberry of Sports Illustrated</a>. "He's the expected starter right now within that program."</p><p>While he's unproven as a passer, Orji is one of the biggest quarterback running threats in the country. The massive 6-foot-3, 238-pounder should pace the Michigan offense with a punishing running style in the Big Ten.</p><h3>11. Can Milroe make a Penix-type leap?</h3><p>In just two seasons with the program, Kalen DeBoer took Washington from the 70th-ranked passing attack to the nation's best and turned Penix from an Indiana transfer fighting for the job to a Heisman finalist and top-10 NFL draft pick. His quarterback project with his new job at Alabama is to fine-tune the electric Jalen Milroe to a more consistent passer and boost his Heisman and NFL chances in the process.</p><p>It's clear DeBoer knows what he's doing with the quarterback position, as evidenced by his track record with Penix. DeBoer coached Penix for one season at Indiana and two with Washington, and the difference in Penix's production with DeBoer around is staggering.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Stat</th>
<th>With DeBoer</th>
<th>Without DeBoer</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Yards per game</td>
<td>321.7</td>
<td>200.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Touchdowns</td>
<td>77</td>
<td>19</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Completion %</td>
<td>65.7</td>
<td>55.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Interceptions</td>
<td>23</td>
<td>11</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Crimson Tide receiver room is also stocked with talent to help Milroe even further, as Germie Bernard, Kobe Prentice, Kendrick Law, and star freshman Ryan Williams are set to thrive under DeBoer.</p><p>Milroe already finished sixth in Heisman voting last year without DeBoer's coaching, so that could be the difference in pushing him up both the award voting and draft boards. Should Milroe take a Penix-like leap in 2024, the Crimson Tide should be set up to contend for the title in the first season without Nick Saban at the controls.</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/28156905/related

CFB countdown: 25 questions for the 2024 season, Part 3

<p><em>After a tumultuous offseason of upheaval, the 2024 college football season is officially upon us.</em></p><p><em>With significant changes across the landscape, theScore is tackling 25 pertinent questions to get everybody set for kickoff.</em></p><p><em>After the first five questions <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3050431" href="https://thescore.com/news/3050431">focused on conference realignment</a>, today's installment tackles the seismic coaching changes across the sport.</em></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>20. What is Alabama without Nick Saban?</h3><p>The last time a college football season started without Nick Saban on the Alabama sideline, George W. Bush was the president and Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe was 3 years old. After arguably the most successful coaching career in NCAA history, Saban rode off into the sunset following a narrow semifinal loss to Michigan. While we'll still see plenty of Saban as an ESPN studio analyst on Saturdays, the sideline eruptions are now a thing of the past.</p><p>To replace the GOAT, Alabama promptly convinced Kalen DeBoer to leave Washington after a title game loss to Michigan. While he'll certainly look to keep many of Saban's traditions, DeBoer will add his own spin on things for the SEC champs.</p><p>Milroe is likely the happiest player on the roster with the coaching change given DeBoer's history of developing quarterbacks. The Texas native can look at Michael Penix Jr.'s evolution from Indiana transfer to top-10 NFL Draft pick and hope to follow a similar path in 2024.</p><p>As for DeBoer, the honeymoon won't last long in Tuscaloosa: The first month of the season ends with a date against Kirby Smart and Georgia in one of the year's most anticipated games.</p><h3>19. Can Michigan still win Big Ten without Harbaugh?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741753/cropped_GettyImages-1937883105.jpg?ts=1724088723" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741753/w220xh124_GettyImages-1937883105.jpg?ts=1724088723 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741753/w320xh180_GettyImages-1937883105.jpg?ts=1724088723 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741753/w640xh360_GettyImages-1937883105.jpg?ts=1724088723 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741753/w768xh432_GettyImages-1937883105.jpg?ts=1724088723 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741753/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1937883105.jpg?ts=1724088723 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jamie Schwaberow / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>Saban isn't the only playoff coach to leave the sport, as Jim Harbaugh finally sealed the NFL deal after flirting with the pros in recent offseasons. One might think his departure leaves a gaping hole in Ann Arbor after he delivered a title, but Michigan is well-versed in operating without Harbaugh due to all of his suspensions last year. Sherrone Moore showed he's more than capable of leading the program and cemented his place as the permanent head coach thanks to wins over Penn State and Ohio State down the stretch.</p><p>So, it should be business as usual for Michigan, right? Not exactly. Seventeen starters from the title-winning team are now gone. Moore will be forced to replace the starting quarterback, top two receivers, leading rusher, the entire offensive line, and eight starters on defense. Oh, and Wink Martindale is now the defensive coordinator.</p><p>Still, several key contributors are back, including All-American corner Will Johnson. Add the dynamic defensive line duo of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, and it's safe to assume the defense will be among the nation's best.</p><p>Whether Moore can keep the offense cooking with Alex Orji under center and new faces across the depth chart will likely be the deciding factor in Michigan's quest to win a fourth straight Big Ten title.</p><h3>18. Why did Chip Kelly demote himself to offensive coordinator?</h3><p>Last year, Chip Kelly was making just under $6 million living in Los Angeles as the UCLA head coach. In the offseason, he decided to leave the gig and join Ohio State as offensive coordinator for $2 million per year. A pay cut of over 60% and a move from head coach to coordinator - in your own conference, no less - is virtually unprecedented in recent college football history. So why did Kelly decide to make the change?</p><p>"I actually coached the quarterbacks for the bowl game, and I just started to think: I hadn't actually coached a position since 2008," Kelly said. "I think my wife remarked, she was like, 'I haven't seen you this happy in a long time.' And, to me, the best part of football is football. You got to do football and not do some of the things involved with the head coaching deal."</p><p>Kelly's desire to leave a head coaching job could be a huge benefit to Ohio State's championship aspirations. There's no doubting Kelly's offensive prowess, and the weapons at his disposal in Columbus could lead to an explosive season. The biggest order of business will be getting Kansas State transfer Will Howard to provide stronger quarterback play than Ohio State got last year.</p><h3>17. Can Mike Elko fix Jimbo's mess?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741754/cropped_GettyImages-2162558675.jpg?ts=1724088796" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741754/w220xh124_GettyImages-2162558675.jpg?ts=1724088796 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741754/w320xh180_GettyImages-2162558675.jpg?ts=1724088796 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741754/w640xh360_GettyImages-2162558675.jpg?ts=1724088796 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741754/w768xh432_GettyImages-2162558675.jpg?ts=1724088796 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/741754/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2162558675.jpg?ts=1724088796 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Omar Vega / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>How much did Texas A&amp;M want out from the Jimbo Fisher reign? The boosters came up with his astronomical $77.6-million buyout. Add the amount of money it cost to terminate his assistants and hire a new coach, and the Aggies are in for over $100 million to make the change. The man tasked with getting Texas A&amp;M over the top is Mike Elko, who was the program's defensive coordinator before a highly successful two-year run as Duke's head coach.</p><p>Elko's biggest task will be to turn talent acquisition into results on the field to satisfy both the administration and the boosters. Fisher was prolific on the recruiting trail but suffered miserably when it came to in-game results. Elko's made a career of getting more with less, so he should be more than capable of helping top talent reach their potential.</p><p>Success in Elko's debut season might not be measured in overall wins, but rather a specific victory. For the first time since 2011, Texas A&amp;M will face former rival Texas in the season finale on Nov. 30. The schools met every year from 1915 to 2011 only for the 118-meeting series to end after the Aggies left the Big 12 for the SEC. With the Longhorns now having made that move, the all-Texas series is back on for 2024.</p><h3>16. Can Jedd Fisch sustain Washington's momentum?</h3><p>Everyone affiliated with Washington football will likely be rocking name tags to start the season. The Huskies underwent a massive offseason transformation following their national title game appearance. Not only is Washington now in the Big Ten, but DeBoer left for Alabama and almost the entire starting lineup departed. That includes the top 14 players in terms of snap count from the prolific offense - including star passer Penix - all five offensive linemen, and the talented receiver trio of Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan.</p><p>That leaves a massive rebuild for new coach Jedd Fisch, who comes to the Pacific Northwest after an impressive run with Arizona. Fisch's track record of fielding explosive offensive units will be tested with the roster turnover, and it'll be up to Mississippi State transfer quarterback Will Rogers to lead the way.</p><p>The schedule is friendly off the jump, with Washington State, Rutgers, and Northwestern representing the toughest matchups. However, October begins with Michigan coming to town in a rematch of the national title game. Dates against Iowa, USC, Penn State, and Oregon highlight a very tough back half of the slate. Fisch better get the wins early, or it could be a dismal debut season in Seattle.</p>

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CFB countdown: 25 questions entering the 2024 season, Part 2

<p><em>After a tumultuous offseason of upheaval, the 2024 college football season is officially upon us.</em></p><p><em>With significant changes across the landscape, theScore is tackling 25 pertinent questions to get everybody set for kickoff.</em></p><p><em>The first five deal with the biggest offseason story of the year: conference realignment.</em></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>25. Who joined the Big Ten?</h3><p>In last season's college football finale, we watched Michigan dominate Washington to win the national title game. Though the schools are almost 2,300 miles apart, their next meeting - on Oct. 5 in Seattle - is now a conference game.</p><p>Oregon, USC, and UCLA join Washington in the Big Ten, a conference that resides mostly in the Midwest. Their additions give the Big Ten some serious punch and put it right alongside the SEC for supremacy in the sport. Backed with Phil Knight's Nike-filled war chest, Oregon can certainly compete with the best the Big Ten has to offer, but the remaining three schools will be in tough to immediately thrive in the conference.</p><p>It'll be particularly interesting to see how the California schools handle the elements in November road games, but the conference threw both UCLA and USC a lifeline by not scheduling them for road trips to the Midwest in the latter weeks of the month.</p><h3>24. Wait, Stanford and Cal are in the ACC?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/740686/cropped_GettyImages-2150710879.jpg?ts=1723352295" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/740686/w220xh124_GettyImages-2150710879.jpg?ts=1723352295 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/740686/w320xh180_GettyImages-2150710879.jpg?ts=1723352295 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/740686/w640xh360_GettyImages-2150710879.jpg?ts=1723352295 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/740686/w768xh432_GettyImages-2150710879.jpg?ts=1723352295 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/740686/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2150710879.jpg?ts=1723352295 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">David Madison / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>That's right, the Atlantic Coast Conference now features two schools that are mere miles from the <em>Pacific</em> Ocean. Of all the nonsensical moves in conference realignment, there's nothing sillier than Cal and Stanford joining a league on the Atlantic coast. The Cardinal's first ACC road game is a 2,800-mile trip to Syracuse, a distance 300 miles further than the Orange's campus is from Iceland. SMU is also joining the two California schools in the ACC to bring the conference's membership to 17. Welcome to college football in 2024.</p><p>The California programs finished a combined 9-16 last season. The Mustangs could eventually join the conference's elite, with boosters already contributing more than $100 million following their move. The usual suspects - Florida State, Clemson, and Miami - should still compete for the title, with the elimination of divisions prior to last year paving the way for a blockbuster conference title game.</p><h3>23. Is the Red River Rivalry now an SEC conference game?</h3><p>Arguably the weirdest change to come from the realignment will come during October's annual Red River Rivalry game at the Cotton Bowl. For the first time since 1996, Texas and Oklahoma will face off without the Big 12 logo emblazoned on the field.</p><p>In the move that started the avalanche of recent realignment, the Longhorns and Sooners will now be members of the mighty SEC. Adding two of the six winningest programs in the sport's history provides more pop to the nation's best conference and adds a significant footprint in Texas.</p><p>The Red River Rivalry is the Longhorns' second SEC game of the season after they host Mississippi State, while the Sooners face conference mainstays Tennessee and Auburn in the opening month of the season.</p><h3>22. Where does that leave the Big 12?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/598663/cropped_GettyImages-1762565339.jpg?ts=1698679492" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/598663/w220xh124_GettyImages-1762565339.jpg?ts=1698679492 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/598663/w320xh180_GettyImages-1762565339.jpg?ts=1698679492 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/598663/w640xh360_GettyImages-1762565339.jpg?ts=1698679492 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/598663/w768xh432_GettyImages-1762565339.jpg?ts=1698679492 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/598663/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1762565339.jpg?ts=1698679492 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images / Denver Post / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The bad news for the Big 12 is definitely the loss of its two biggest programs in Texas and Oklahoma. The good news? The resulting conference movement has left the league up for grabs in an absolute sweepstakes that might just be the most fun viewing experience in the country.</p><p>The Big 12 went shopping in the Pac-12 aisle to scoop up Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado, bringing its total membership to 16. While the Utes and Wildcats represent a bigger threat to the conference title, Deion Sanders' Buffaloes have added an increased spotlight to the league. How Colorado fares after a 4-8 showing in Coach Prime's first season will likely be the biggest national storyline from the Big 12.</p><p>In terms of the important stuff, expect Utah to compete for the title, led by seventh-year quarterback Cameron Rising. Kansas State, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Arizona, and UCF all hold odds of 10-1 or less to hoist the trophy at the end of the campaign.</p><h3>21. Does the Pac-12 still exist?</h3><p>Yes - sort of. The raging house party that was the Pac-12 conference has now been reduced to an intimate dinner gathering; Oregon State and Washington State are the only ones left in the so-called "Conference of Champions." The two were well-compensated by the 10 schools that exited the Pac-12.</p><p>While it'd be very interesting if the two schools just played each other 11 times, that won't happen. The Cougars and Beavers will play each other to end the regular season but will otherwise participate in a Mountain West Conference slate.</p><p>The most important thing for Washington State and Oregon State fans is that the rivalry games against Washington and Oregon, respectively, will continue despite their moves to the Big Ten.</p>

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CFB countdown: 25 questions for the 2024 season, Part 1

MONTREAL (AP) — Alexei Popyrin of Australia, who turned pro in 2017, defeated fifth-ranked Andrey...

<p>MONTREAL (AP) — Alexei Popyrin of Australia, who turned pro in 2017, defeated fifth-ranked Andrey Rublev of Russia 6-2, 6-4 on Monday night to win the National Bank Open men’s singles title. </p><p>The match took 90 minutes.</p><p>Popyrin, who lost in the men’s singles round-of-16 at the Paris Olympics, had 10 aces and only three double faults against Rublev. The Australian knocked off four seeded players to win the ATP 1000 event.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Rublev had four aces, five double faults and 15 unforced errors.</p><p>___</p><p>AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis</p>

MONTREAL, CANADA - AUGUST 12: Alexei Popyrin of Australia reacts after defeating Andrey Rublev during the Men's Singles Final match against Alexei Popyrin of Australia on day seven of the ATP Masters 1000 National Bank Open at Stade IGA on August 12, 2024 in Montreal, Canada.

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Popyrin beats Rublev in straight sets to win National Bank Open

Xander Schauffele closed out another Open Championship with his second major win of the season th...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1213" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1213">Xander Schauffele</a> closed out another Open Championship with his second major win of the season thanks to a brilliant closing 6-under 65 at Royal Troon.</p><p>His final-round charge helped him pull away from the field and become the first player with two majors in the same season since Brooks Koepka did it in 2018.</p><p>Schauffele's push to victory capped an incredible week of viewing at the iconic western Scotland course that provided the backdrop for a tournament to remember.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Here are ten unforgettable moments from the week at Troon.</p><p><strong>1. Xander's Sunday charge</strong></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1540" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1540">Scottie Scheffler</a> might have six wins on the year, but you can easily argue that Schauffele has had the better season. When he's on his A-game, it's tough for anybody to keep up - which was on full display Sunday. After five comfortable pars to open his round, Schauffele fired off a birdie barrage with six from holes 6-16 to pull away from the field and set up a very anti-climatic ending. His 65 matched the final-round score from Valhalla and grabbed a slice of history in the process.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Players to shoot 65 or lower multiple times in the final round of major championship wins<br><br>Jack Nicklaus<br>1967 U.S. Open<br>1986 Masters<br><br>Xander Schauffele<br>2024 PGA<br>2024 Open</p>— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinRayGolf/status/1815073519220232376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><strong>2. Xander's steadiness</strong> </p><p>Nothing's going to rattle Schauffele, who remains the best all-around player in golf. The lights-out scoring and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/437" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/437">Bryson DeChambeau</a>'s run at Valhalla couldn't do it. The wind and the rain at Troon didn't knock the American off his stride either. Windy and rainy conditions caused volatile scoring all over The Open's leaderboard, but Schauffele was solid, with rounds of 69, 72, 69 and 65 securing his second major in three starts. Schauffele entered the year as the best golfer who had yet to win a major but, seven months later, he's nabbed two and is heading to the Olympics in Paris looking like the favorite to repeat as a gold medalist.</p><p><strong>3. Rose's competitive fire</strong></p><p>Schauffele was just three years old when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1013" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1013">Justin Rose</a> tied for fourth as a 17-year-old amateur qualifier at the 1997 Open Championship. Over $100 million in career earnings later, the 43-year-old could have skipped The Open this time around since he wasn't exempt at Troon. Instead, the Englishman went through qualifying - which many veterans opted against - to secure his place in the field this week. From there it was vintage Rose, with steady iron play, clutch putting, and fiery reactions catapulting him up the leaderboard. While he eventually fell short, the 27-year gap between top-four finishes at The Open is an incredible achievement for the affable Rose.</p><p><strong>4. Billy's back-nine Saturday</strong></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1771" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1771">Billy Horschel</a>'s magic act on the back nine Saturday was something to behold. Playing in the worst conditions over that stretch, Horschel showed off outrageous short-game ability, saving par from off the green on six of his final nine holes.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Billy Horschel's back 9 pars...<br><br>13th: Up and down from 61 yards<br><br>14th: Up and down from awkward greenside bunker (below)<br><br>15th: Up and down from 40 yards<br><br>16th: Up and down from 20 yards in a plugged lie in greenside bunker <a href="https://t.co/CMS0BMv9Py">pic.twitter.com/CMS0BMv9Py</a></p>— Jamie Kennedy (@jamierkennedy) <a href="https://twitter.com/jamierkennedy/status/1814731427671638136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Horschel's ability to battle in the worst of conditions helped him hold the 54-hole lead and won him plenty of fans on both sides of the Atlantic.</p><p><strong>5. Scheffler's Saturday 3-wood into 17</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">238 yards into the wind 👀<br> <br>Scottie Scheffler delivers a beauty with a 3-wood at the 17th <a href="https://twitter.com/TheOpen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheOpen</a>.<br><br>📺 Watch live now: <a href="https://twitter.com/nbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBC</a> <a href="https://t.co/NfnpO0MQCr">pic.twitter.com/NfnpO0MQCr</a></p>— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) <a href="https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1814732944478527564?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The weather late on Saturday presented some of the worst conditions we've seen in recent memory at The Open. Gusts of up to 25 miles per hour with torrential rain pounding the players made the 238-yard par-3 17th play incredibly long, and several struggled to even make the green despite pulling driver off the tee. Scheffler showed why he's the world's best ball-striker with an absolute rope of a 3-wood to three feet for birdie.</p><p><strong>6. Scheffler's 3-putt from seven feet Sunday</strong></p><p>This week was the same old story for Scheffler - he was otherworldly in getting to the green and abysmal with the putter. The Masters champ ranked first by a wide margin in strokes gained: approach at over 11 for the week while sitting a whopping 133rd in putting. A stunning three-putt from seven feet on the ninth hole Sunday essentially ended his chances at a second major this season and will likely send him back to the lab to try and fix the putting woes that have kept his incredibly successful season from being the stuff of legend.</p><p><strong>7. Dan Brown smoking on 18</strong></p><p>The unlikely first-round leader, journeyman pro <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/2367" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/2367">Dan Brown, </a>hung around into Sunday and caused a stir both with his play and his habit of smoking on the golf course. The Englishman - who was making his major debut - was seen multiple times stealing a drag from a cigarette behind his caddie on Saturday, and snuck one walking up the 18th hole before stopping to pose for a selfie with fans. Why was he so secretive about it? He didn't want his parents to see him.</p><p>"They do know, but I don't do it in front of them, or I don't want to do it in front of them, so I try and hide it," Brown said afterwards.</p><p>Whether Brown contends in another major or fades back into relative obscurity, he certainly made an impact this week at Troon.</p><p><strong>8. Rory's errant wedge</strong></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/599" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/599">Rory McIlroy</a> can be an effective wind player. He has a very strong record in The Open and produced one of the most impressive shots in the wind to win the Scottish Open last year. However, the 35-year-old looked lost in the blustery conditions this week. A 93-yard wedge Friday on the par-5 sixth summed up his tournament.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rory hit this shot HERE <a href="https://t.co/yRmCDaYxBk">pic.twitter.com/yRmCDaYxBk</a></p>— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) <a href="https://twitter.com/NoLayingUp/status/1814329446645858496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Tour pros are usually lethal from that distance, even in that kind of weather, but McIlroy was forced to yell 'Fore' immediately off the club face. His shot ended up some 30 yards from the flag.</p><p><strong>9. Rory's vacation quote</strong></p><p>McIlroy's struggles on the course were shocking, but something he said after missing the cut might have been even more surprising. McIlroy admitted he started thinking about where he would head on vacation in the coming week after he triple-bogeyed the fourth hole Friday to sit five shots off the eventual cutline. That made <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2941099" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2941099">some question his competitive fire</a>, especially after several players overcame difficult starts to make the cut. However you feel about the comments, they'll likely follow McIlroy around as he continues his quest to end his major drought, which now sits at 10 years.</p><p><strong>10. Superstars miss cut</strong></p><p>McIlroy wasn't the only superstar to miss the cut at Troon: Seven of the world's top 12 players didn't make the weekend in the season's final major. DeChambeau, the U.S. Open champion, struggled to adapt to the changing conditions, ending his brilliant major run after he finished sixth, second and first in the other three events this year. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/5384" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/5384">Ludvig Aberg</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/4453" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/4453">Wyndham Clark</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/678" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/678">Tommy Fleetwood</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/5297" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/5297">Viktor Hovland</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/891" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/891">Cameron Smith</a> were among the other big names to exit before the weekend, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1637" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1637">Tiger Woods</a> struggled once again and finished eight shots off the cutline.</p>

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10 things we'll remember from the week at Troon

Xander Schauffele's first two rounds at The Open this week came in the same group as Tiger Woods....

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1213" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1213">Xander Schauffele</a>'s first two rounds at The Open this week came in the same group as Tiger Woods. That prompted the media to ask the PGA champion if Woods passed along any messages as he attempted to chase down his second major title of the season.</p><p>"No, you have to win these things to get a text from him," Schauffele responded.</p><p>On Sunday, Schauffele secured both a congratulatory message from Woods and the Claret Jug, as a sizzling final-round 65 vaulted the American to a two-shot win over <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1013" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1013">Justin Rose</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1771" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1771">Billy Horschel</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Place</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Total to par</th>
<th>Round 4 score</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Xander Schauffele</td>
<td>-9</td>
<td>65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Justin Rose</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>67</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Billy Horschel</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Thriston Lawrence</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Russell Henley</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6</td>
<td>Shane Lowry</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Jon Rahm</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Scottie Scheffler</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>72</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Sungjae Im</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-10</td>
<td>Matthew Jordan</td>
<td>Even</td>
<td>71</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-10</td>
<td>Adam Scott</td>
<td>Even</td>
<td>71</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-10</td>
<td>Dan Brown</td>
<td>Even</td>
<td>74</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Schauffele entered the 2024 season with a very accomplished resume but held the dreaded title of best player to never win a major among the top-ranked golfers in the world. He shed that label by claiming the PGA Championship in dramatic fashion with a brilliant performance at Valhalla, and it now appears that victory opened the floodgates.</p><p>Schauffele rose above the fray in trying conditions this week in Scotland to become the first player with two majors in the same season since Brooks Koepka in 2018. The unflappable Schauffele was exactly that, unbothered by blustery winds and heavy rain, and he was just one shot off Horschel's 54-hole lead entering Sunday.</p><p>After a comfortable start of five straight pars, Schauffele kicked it into a gear nobody else could match, pouring in six birdies over his final 13 holes to run away from a very bunched leaderboard. He didn't hesitate to put the performance into its proper context when asked where it ranks in his career.</p><p>"At the very tip top. Best round I've played." Schauffele told reporters.</p><p>The victory sees Schauffele become just the sixth man to win the PGA Championship and The Open in the same year, and he admitted that the triumph in May helped him in his quest on Sunday.</p><p>"I think winning the first one helped me a lot today on the back nine. I had some feeling of calmness come through," Schauffele said. "It was very helpful on what has been one of the hardest back nines I've ever played in a tournament."</p><p>Rose did his best to keep pace with Schauffele - the two played in the same group - but the 43-year-old simply didn't have the birdies to stay afloat. While he ultimately fell short, it's a nod to Rose's longevity that he has two top-four finishes in The Open a whopping 27 years apart - he finished tied for fourth as a 17-year-old in 1997.</p><p>"I'll have a few more chances, of course, but you know that this is a great opportunity today. You want to walk off the golf course going, yeah, I didn't squander that," Rose told reporters. "I ran putts at the hole today. I feel like I had opportunities. I felt like I took a lot of them. But I felt super comfortable out there - which, the fact that I haven't really been in contention much this year, that gives me a lot of heart."</p><p>Horschel held the lead for a long portion of the opening nine after he posted three birdies on his opening six holes. But the dreaded Postage Stamp immediately put a dent in his fortunes, as a bogey on the 100-yard par-3 knocked him off his perch. The 37-year-old nonetheless battled down the stretch, finishing with three straight birdies to register his best major finish in over a decade.</p><p>He admitted that his results gave him mixed emotions.</p><p>"I'm disappointed. I should feel disappointed. I had a chance to win a major. I was in a really good position. I just didn't play - I just made a few too many mistakes today when I didn't need to," Horschel said. "But we'll look back on this in an hour, I'll be very happy with how I played, I'll be very happy with what I did this week. I did a lot of great things that I can take on to the next few years of majors, and hopefully one of these will be my time to step through the door and hold one of them."</p>

US golfer Xander Schauffele poses with the Claret Jug, the trophy for the Champion golfer of the year after winning the 152nd British Open Golf Championship at Royal Troon on the south west coast of Scotland on July 21, 2024.

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Xander wins The Open for 2nd major title of 2024

Justin Thomas' historic rollercoaster ride at Royal Troon continued Saturday.  After opening with...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1747" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1747">Justin Thomas</a>' historic rollercoaster ride at Royal Troon continued Saturday.</p><p>After opening with an impressive 3-under 68 on Thursday and ballooning to a 7-over 78 on Friday, Thomas rebounded Saturday with a sizzling 4-under 67.</p><p>As a result, Thomas became just the second player in the last 10 years to record a 10-shot swing between Rounds 1-2 and 2-3.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Justin Thomas: 68-78-67<br><br>He's the second player in the last decade at The Open to have a 10-shot swing in both rounds 1-2 and 2-3.<br><br>Paul Casey shot 67-77-67 in 2017.</p>— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinRayGolf/status/1814674146342645848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>When asked what changed from round to round, Thomas had a simple response.</p><p>"Golf. Golf is how I would sum it up," he told reporters with a smile. "It's a crazy sport, and a lot of things can happen in a lot of conditions. But that's what I signed up for, I guess."</p><p>Thomas also explained the difference between playing poorly and turning in a good score.</p><p>"You're in a lot better place mentally," he admitted. "You have a lot more confidence of where the ball is going to go, of things that's going to happen. It's a very, very fine line in terms of the score and the actual shots that you hit. I would say it's just more in you head, and your thought process on everything is definitely different."</p><p>Thomas finished his day inside the top 15 as conditions worsened at Royal Troon, which could help him hold his spot and give him a chance to make a charge Sunday.</p><p>The Kentucky native last recorded a major victory at the 2022 PGA Championship, where he came back from seven shots off the lead entering the final day to win in a playoff.</p>

TROON, SCOTLAND - JULY 20: Justin Thomas of the United States looks across the 12th green on day three of The 152nd Open championship at Royal Troon on July 20, 2024 in Troon, Scotland.

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JT's Royal Troon rollercoaster continues with 67 in Round 3

Billy Horschel leads the Open Championship by one stroke heading into the final round, but if the...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1771" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1771">Billy Horschel</a> leads the Open Championship by one stroke heading into the final round, but if there was one winner from Saturday at Royal Troon, it's the closing nine holes at the iconic course.</p><p>That stretch is one of the toughest challenges on the rotation of courses that host The Open, with the test made exponentially harder by the prevailing wind blowing into the players' faces.</p><p>However, the opening two rounds at this year's event saw the wind shift direction behind the players on the closing stretch. That led to 400-yard drives being hit on the 18th hole - turning the 450-plus-yard challenge into a pitch-and-putt.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The wind turned for Saturday and took up a more familiar direction, bringing carnage to the final holes as a result. The back side played almost two full shots over par for the day, a number that would have been significantly higher if the rain the final 12 groups faced was around the entire day.</p><p>Here's what some of the players in the final groups had to say about the test at Troon.</p><p><strong>Scottie Scheffler: 1-over 36</strong></p><p>"I think that was probably the hardest nine holes that I'll ever play. I shouldn't say ever, but it's definitely the hardest that I've played to this point, I think."</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1540" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1540">Scottie Scheffler</a> actually produced <a href="https://x.com/TheOpen/status/1814730841399976277">one of the shots of the day </a>on the 238-yard par-3 17th in very difficult conditions. The World No. 1 absolutely pounded a 3-wood that ended up just three feet from the hole - a remarkable shot under the circumstances. The final group of the day was Shane Lowry and Dan Brown, who both opted for drivers on the hole and failed to find the green.</p><p><strong>Justin Rose: 1-over 36</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thoughts on the playing conditions, <a href="https://twitter.com/JustinRose99?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustinRose99</a>? <a href="https://t.co/nrviG8tM9Q">pic.twitter.com/nrviG8tM9Q</a></p>— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) <a href="https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1814744817047392459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1013" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1013">Justin Rose</a> made the humorous description of "sadistically enjoyable" in a television interview after a remarkable par save on the 18th hole. When he was asked to delve deeper into the experience, the 43-year-old needed to harken back to his days as a junior golfer for comparison.</p><p>"I mean, the cumulative clubs that I hit into the green in terms of length of club, I don't think I've ever - not since I was a junior have I played a round of golf where I've hit 4-iron into 10, 2-iron short at 11, 8-iron into 12, 3-wood into 13, 4-iron into 14, 3-wood into 15. Sixteen is a par-5, 3-wood into 17, 2-iron into 18."</p><p><strong>Shane Lowry: 5-over 40</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/637676/cropped_GettyImages-2162188611.jpg?ts=1721510010" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/637676/w220xh124_GettyImages-2162188611.jpg?ts=1721510010 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/637676/w320xh180_GettyImages-2162188611.jpg?ts=1721510010 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/637676/w640xh360_GettyImages-2162188611.jpg?ts=1721510010 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/637676/w768xh432_GettyImages-2162188611.jpg?ts=1721510010 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/637676/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2162188611.jpg?ts=1721510010 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Zac Goodwin - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/325" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/325">Shane Lowry</a> struggled more than anybody on the closing stretch among the names at the top of the board. His 5-over 40 saw him fall from the lead all the way back to ninth place, three shots behind Horschel. Unsurprisingly, he didn't have many glowing remarks about the stretch after the round.</p><p>"Driver, driver into 15. Sixteen playing ridiculously long. Driver into 17. Then you're standing on the 18th tee wondering if you can actually hit the fairway, if you can reach the fairway, and it's 230 yards to the fairway. Bear in mind, my driver pitched about 220 yards on the 17th hole. So, yeah, it's not much fun out there."</p><p><strong>Dustin Johnson: 1-over 36</strong></p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1317" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1317">Dustin Johnson</a> usually wouldn't be thrilled with a round of 1-over, but the 40-year-old was quite pleased with his day before offering the stark assessment of the closing stretch.</p><p>"I mean, the back nine, that's the hardest nine holes I think you could ever play in golf right now, into the wind and rain. I mean, it's so long I could barely reach the par 4s. I had to smash two to get there, same with Brooks (Koepka). That's how long it was playing."</p><p>The good news for the field on Sunday is that there's little to no rain in the forecast throughout the day. The wind is also supposed to lessen slightly from what they've experienced thus far in the week but will be the same as we saw Saturday.</p><p>That will likely mean whoever emerges victorious Sunday will do so thanks to strong play over the treacherous finish at Troon.</p>

Ireland's Shane Lowry chips out of a bunker on the 17th as England's Daniel Brown watches on during day three of The Open at Royal Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland. Picture date: Saturday July 20, 2024.

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'Sadistically enjoyable': Troon's back 9 bites back hard on Saturday

A pair of Olympic gold medalists in the third-to-last group highlight the final round tee times f...

<p>A pair of Olympic gold medalists in the third-to-last group highlight the final round tee times for the Open Championship at Royal Troon.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1213" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1213">Xander Schauffele</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1013" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1013">Justin Rose</a> both sit one shot behind leader <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1771" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1771">Billy Horschel</a> and will be off at 2:05 p.m. local time (9:05 a.m. ET) in Scotland. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/867" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/867">Thriston Lawrence</a> will join Horschel in the final pairing at 2:25 p.m. local, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1319" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1319">Sam Burns</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1700" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1700">Russell Henley</a> make up the penultimate group at 2:15 p.m.</p><p>World No. 1 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1540" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1540">Scottie Scheffler</a> will make his push from two shots off the pace in a group with first-round leader <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/2367" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/2367">Dan Brown</a> at 1:55 p.m. local.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Here's the full tee sheet for the final day:</p><h3>Round 4 groups (all times ET)</h3><p>Game 1, 2:35 a.m. - Darren Fichardt, Andy Ogletree</p><p>Game 2, 2:45 a.m. - Luis Masaveu (A), Younghan Song</p><p>Game 3, 2:55 a.m. - Darren Clarke, Tom McKibbin</p><p>Game 4, 3:05 a.m. - Ryan Fox, Hideki Matsuyama</p><p>Game 5, 3:15 a.m. - Aaron Rai, Rickie Fowler</p><p>Game 6, 3:25 a.m. - Tommy Morrison (A), Corey Conners</p><p>Game 7, 3:35 a.m. - Brooks Koepka, Marcel Siem</p><p>Game 8, 3:45 a.m. - Jeung-Hun Wang, Matthieu Pavon</p><p>Game 9, 4 a.m. - Thorbjorn Olesen, Jorge Campillo</p><p>Game 10, 4:10 a.m. - Matthew Fitzpatrick, Richard Mansell</p><p>Game 11, 4:20 a.m. - Rasmus Hojgaard, Kurt Kitayama</p><p>Game 12, 4:30 a.m. - Nicolai Hojgaard, Jordan Spieth</p><p>Game 13, 4:40 a.m. - Jacob Skov Olesen (A), Alex Cejka</p><p>Game 14, 4:50 a.m. - Phil Mickelson, Robert MacIntyre</p><p>Game 15, 5 a.m. - Harris English, Guido Migliozzi</p><p>Game 16, 5:10 a.m. - Joaquin Niemann, Mackenzie Hughes</p><p>Game 17, 5:25 a.m. - Tom Hoge, Adrian Meronk</p><p>Game 18, 5:35 a.m. - Austin Eckroat, Brian Harman</p><p>Game 19, 5:45 a.m. - Davis Thompson, Si Woo Kim</p><p>Game 20, 5:55 a.m. - Matt Wallace, Abraham Ancer</p><p>Game 21, 6:05 a.m. - Jason Day, Max Homa</p><p>Game 22, 6:15 a.m. - Sepp Straka, Eric Cole</p><p>Game 23, 6:25 a.m. - Cameron Young, Emiliano Grillo</p><p>Game 24, 6:35 a.m. - Joe Dean, Ewen Ferguson</p><p>Game 25, 6:50 a.m. - Dean Burmester, Patrick Cantlay</p><p>Game 26, 7 a.m. - Gary Woodland, MK Kim</p><p>Game 27, 7:10 a.m. - Padraig Harrington, Brendon Todd</p><p>Game 28, 7:20 a.m. - Calum Scott (A), Matteo Manassero</p><p>Game 29, 7:30 a.m. - Dustin Johnson, Collin Morikawa</p><p>Game 30, 7:40 a.m. - Jon Rahm, Alex Noren</p><p>Game 31, 7:50 a.m. - Laurie Canter, Chris Kirk</p><p>Game 32, 8 a.m. - Sean Crocker, John Catlin</p><p>Game 33, 8:15 a.m. - Daniel Hillier, Shubhankar Sharma</p><p>Game 34, 8:25 a.m. - Byeong Hun An, Sungjae Im</p><p>Game 35, 8:35 a.m. - Matthew Jordan, Justin Thomas</p><p>Game 36, 8:45 a.m. - Adam Scott, Shane Lowry</p><p>Game 37, 8:55 a.m. - Scottie Scheffler, Daniel Brown</p><p>Game 38, 9:05 a.m. - Justin Rose, Xander Schauffele</p><p>Game 39, 9:15 a.m. - Sam Burns, Russell Henley</p><p>Game 40, 9:25 a.m. - Thriston Lawrence, Billy Horschel</p>

DUBLIN, OHIO - JULY 10: Xander Schauffele of the United States and Justin Rose of England reacts on the fourth green during the second round of the Workday Charity Open on July 10, 2020 at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.

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Schauffele, Rose highlight chasers in Round 4 tee times

Golf fans are accustomed to seeing the names Xander Schauffele, Billy Horschel, Sam Burns, Scotti...

<p>Golf fans are accustomed to seeing the names Xander Schauffele, Billy Horschel, Sam Burns, Scottie Scheffler, and Justin Rose on the first page of leaderboards. However, with 18 holes to play in the Open Championship at Royal Troon, one name near the top is a surprise.</p><p>One hears the name <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/2367" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/2367">Dan Brown</a> and probably thinks of the author whose book "The DaVinci Code" has sold over 80 million copies.</p><p>This week, the Dan Brown stage belongs to a golfer who's making his major debut but is still somehow just one back of the lead at the Open Championship with one round remaining.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>It's his major debut</strong></p><p>Brown claimed his first DP World Tour victory last year, but to say his contention at Royal Troon this week is a surprise would be a vast understatement. The 29-year-old isn't just making his first start in an Open Championship; this doubles as his debut in any major. Brown is looking to become the fourth player since 1900 to win a major in his first event. He's actually the second player this year with a chance to accomplish that feat after Ludvig Aberg entered the final round of the Masters three shots off the lead before finishing runner-up.</p><p><strong>Qualified in dramatic fashion</strong></p><p>Brown initially planned on playing in Lake Tahoe this week in the Barracuda Championship as he didn't have an exemption for The Open. After an opening-round 71 in final qualifying, the cards were stacked against him with 18 holes to play. However, Brown fired the lowest round of the entire field at West Lancashire in his second 18, sealing his spot in The Open with a 20-footer for birdie on his final hole.</p><p><strong>Poor form entering the week</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/637646/cropped_GettyImages-2162686682.jpg?ts=1721499154" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/637646/w220xh124_GettyImages-2162686682.jpg?ts=1721499154 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/637646/w320xh180_GettyImages-2162686682.jpg?ts=1721499154 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/637646/w640xh360_GettyImages-2162686682.jpg?ts=1721499154 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/637646/w768xh432_GettyImages-2162686682.jpg?ts=1721499154 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/637646/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2162686682.jpg?ts=1721499154 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Luke Walker/R&amp;A / R &amp; A / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>It's been a rough season for Brown on the DP World Tour, battling through knee issues before eventually having surgery and missing nine weeks. His return to golf didn't go as planned, with six missed cuts and a withdrawal in seven straight events entering the Scottish Open last week. Brown made the cut on the east coast of Scotland but finished well off the mark in 61st.</p><p>Despite the poor results, Brown seemed confident he'd shake the rust off.</p><p>"I wouldn't say I've actually had a change in form," he said Friday, <a href="https://www.asapsports.com/show_interview.php?id=199392">according to ASAP Sports</a>. "I think it's just a case of results, really. I had a bit of a knee injury and had a few weeks out and haven't really gotten going since. … It was more just rustiness really from having six, seven weeks off. So, I feel like the results have been coming. I've just had to stay patient, and I wasn't very patient when I came back from injury at all."</p><p>Regardless of how he finishes Sunday, Brown appears accurate in his judgment despite his struggles lately.</p><p><strong>Manchester United supporter</strong></p><p>Brown's allegiances in soccer-mad England fall with Manchester United after he grew up 100 miles from the city, in Burneston.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcdlPhdlfBq/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcdlPhdlfBq/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
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</div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcdlPhdlfBq/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Dan Brown (@danbrown212)</a></p>
</div></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></figure><p>That adds a soccer rivalry to his attempt to chase down Horschel, who leads after three rounds. The American hails from Florida but is such an impassioned supporter of West Ham United that his golf bag this week is emblazoned with a massive logo of the club.</p><p>Brown isn't the only Manchester United backer looking to take over the lead. Lowry also supports the Red Devils and <a href="https://www.thesun.ie/sport/12133610/shane-lowry-west-ham-billy-horschel-manchester-united/">hasn't been shy</a> in the past about poking fun at Horschel's fandom of West Ham.</p>

England's Daniel Brown walking off the 1st tee during day three of The Open at Royal Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland. Picture date: Saturday July 20, 2024.

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Dan Brown, The Open's unlikely contender at Troon

The first two days at Royal Troon brought wind, but it was the rain's turn to batter the coast an...

<p>The first two days at Royal Troon brought wind, but it was the rain's turn to batter the coast and bring true Scottish conditions on Saturday at the Open Championship.</p><p>At the end of a rain-swept day,<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1771" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1771"> Billy Horschel</a> stood alone above the fray at 4-under after a round of 69. The American showed off an incredible short game throughout a closing stretch that seemed borderline impossible, getting up and down for par from off the green on six of the eight holes.</p><p>That was enough to outlast the rest of the field and take his first-ever 54-hole lead at a major in 42 previous starts. However, a host of top talent lurks just below the veteran, waiting to pounce and set up an incredible Sunday at the season's final major.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1319" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1319">Sam Burns</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1213" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1213">Xander Schauffele</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1013" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1013">Justin Rose</a> headline a group of six players one shot off the pace. Burns and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/867" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/867">Thriston Lawrence</a> took advantage of benign weather earlier in the day to shoot 65s and fly up the leaderboard, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1700" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1700">Russell Henley</a> did the same with a 66. Schauffele, Rose, and first-round leader <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/2367" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/2367">Dan Brown</a> battled through the worst of the elements in outstanding displays of golf to remain firmly in the mix.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Place</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Total to par</th>
<th>Round 3 score</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Billy Horschel</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Dan Brown</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>73</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Sam Burns</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Thriston Lawrence</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Xander Schauffele</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Russell Henley</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>66</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Justin Rose</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>73</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8</td>
<td>Scottie Scheffler</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>71</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>Shane Lowry</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>77</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-10</td>
<td>Justin Thomas</td>
<td>Even</td>
<td>67</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-10</td>
<td>Matthew Jordan</td>
<td>Even</td>
<td>71</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-10</td>
<td>Adam Scott</td>
<td>Even</td>
<td>66</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The final 12 groups of the day battled torrential rains throughout their round, with only Horschel and Schauffele posting under-par scores from the bunch. While Schauffele is no stranger to major success, Horschel's in unchartered territory for his lengthy career. He has just one top-10 result in a major in the past decade and six missed cuts in nine starts at The Open.</p><p>Many would guess Horschel dislikes the wet and windy conditions The Open can bring based on his resume, but he insisted afterward that isn't the case.</p><p>"I've always embraced the toughness of anything. I've always enjoyed it," Horschel told reporters. "I think that's the best way you can do to have a chance to play well. I enjoy hitting little bunt shots. I get tired of golf where you're making full swings, and you're landing to a certain number, and it stops. I like when you have to be creative and get around the golf course."</p><p>One thing in Horschel's favor is the tournament's history at Royal Troon. The previous four winners of The Open at the West Scotland venue were all first-time major champions.</p><p>If Horschel loved the poor conditions, the opposite can likely be said for 36-hole leader <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/325" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/325">Shane Lowry</a>. The Irishman actually stretched his advantage to three shots early in the day but bogeyed six of his final 11 holes to fall three shots behind at 1-under.</p><p>"This is going to take me a couple hours to get over today," Lowry said afterward. "On the way in, I felt like I couldn't make a par. Obviously, it was hard. It's harder in that situation, but it is what it is."</p><p>Should the 2019 winner make a charge at a second title, Lowry will have to do so while passing previous major winners <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1540" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1540">Scottie Scheffler</a>, Schauffele, and Rose.</p><p>Scheffler is likely to grab the most attention among the chasers despite the World No. 1 sitting alone behind seven players. Scheffler again leads the field in strokes gained: approach but sits 114th in putting. Should he pour in some putts Sunday, he could be holding his second major title for the season.</p>

TROON, SCOTLAND - JULY 20: Billy Horschel of the USA during the third round of the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon, on July 20, 2024, in Troon, Scotland.

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Horschel thrives in rain to take 54-hole Open lead

Shane Lowry will continue his quest for a second career Open Championship in the final tee time S...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/325" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/325">Shane Lowry</a> will continue his quest for a second career Open Championship in the final tee time Saturday alongside Englishman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/2367" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/2367">Daniel Brown</a>.</p><p>The 2019 champion - who leads by two stokes - and the major championship debutant will be off the first tee at 3:45 p.m. local time in Scotland, 10:45 a.m. ET. That duo will be behind the penultimate group of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1771" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1771">Billy Horschel</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1013" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1013">Justin Rose</a>, who go off 10 minutes prior.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1540" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1540">Scottie Scheffler</a> headlines the chasers in the third-to-last group with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/662" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/662">Dean Burmester</a>, while the pair of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1213" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1213">Xander Schauffele</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1451" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1451">Patrick Cantlay</a> make a star-studded tee time at 10:05 a.m. ET.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Here's the full tee sheet for Round 3 of The Open.</p><p>Game 1, 3:55 a.m. - Darren Fichardt, Tommy Morrison (A)</p><p>Game 2, 4:05 a.m. - Max Homa, Guido Migliozzi</p><p>Game 3, 4:15 a.m. - Shubhankar Sharma, Sungjae Im</p><p>Game 4, 4:25 a.m. - Abraham Ancer, Luis Masaveu (A)</p><p>Game 5, 4:35 a.m. - Matthew Fitzpatrick, Darren Clarke</p><p>Game 6, 4:45 a.m. - Rickie Fowler, Jorge Campillo</p><p>Game 7, 4:55 a.m. - Robert MacIntyre, Harris English</p><p>Game 8, 5:05 a.m. - Aaron Rai, Matt Wallace</p><p>Game 9, 5:20 a.m. - Adam Scott, Daniel Hillier</p><p>Game 10, 5:30 a.m. - Younghan Song, Andy Ogletree</p><p>Game 11, 5:40 a.m. - Si Woo Kim, Hideki Matsuyama</p><p>Game 12, 5:50 a.m. - Davis Thompson, Phil Mickelson</p><p>Game 13, 6:00 a.m. - Alex Cejka, Jacob Skov Olesen (A)</p><p>Game 14, 6:10 a.m. - Ewen Ferguson, John Catlin</p><p>Game 15, 6:20 a.m. - Sean Crocker, Brian Harman</p><p>Game 16, 6:30 a.m. - Chris Kirk, Austin Eckroat</p><p>Game 17, 6:45 a.m. - Justin Thomas, Matteo Manassero</p><p>Game 18, 6:55 am. - Calum Scott (A), Joe Dean</p><p>Game 19, 7:05 a.m. - Cameron Young, Kurt Kitayama</p><p>Game 20, 7:15 a.m. - Byeong Hun An, Brendon Todd</p><p>Game 21, 7:25 a.m. - Rasmus Hojgaard, Ryan Fox</p><p>Game 22, 7:35 a.m. - Richard Mansell, Thriston Lawrence</p><p>Game 23, 7:45 a.m. - Thorbjorn Olesen, Laurie Canter</p><p>Game 24, 7:55 a.m. - Tom McKibbin, Emiliano Grillo</p><p>Game 25, 8:10 a.m. - Jordan Spieth, Sam Burns</p><p>Game 26, 8:20 a.m. - Padraig Harrington, Eric Cole</p><p>Game 27, 8:30 a.m. - Adrian Meronk, MK Kim</p><p>Game 28, 8:40 a.m. - Matthieu Pavon, Russell Henley</p><p>Game 29, 8:50 a.m. - Nicolai Hojgaard, Alex Noren</p><p>Game 30, 9:00 a.m. - Jeung-Hun Wang, Tom Hoge</p><p>Game 31, 9:10 a.m. - Sepp Straka, Gary Woodland</p><p>Game 32, 9:20 a.m. - Marcel Siem, Jon Rahm</p><p>Game 33, 9:35 a.m. - Mackenzie Hughes, Collin Morikawa</p><p>Game 34, 9:45 a.m. - Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson</p><p>Game 35, 9:55 a.m. - Joaquin Niemann, Matthew Jordan</p><p>Game 36, 10:05 a.m. - Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele</p><p>Game 37, 10:15 a.m. - Corey Conners, Jason Day</p><p>Game 38, 10:25 a.m. - Scottie Scheffler, Dean Burmester</p><p>Game 39, 10:35 a.m. - Billy Horschel, Justin Rose</p><p>Game 40, 10:45 a.m. - Daniel Brown, Shane Lowry</p>

TROON, SCOTLAND - JULY 19: Shane Lowry of Ireland reacts on the 13th hole on day two of The 152nd Open championship at Royal Troon on July 19, 2024 in Troon, Scotland.

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Lowry, Brown form final group for Round 3 tee times

The 11th hole at Royal Troon is one of the toughest in major championship golf, named "The Railwa...

<p>The 11th hole at Royal Troon is one of the toughest in major championship golf, named "The Railway" thanks to a set of train tracks marked out of bounds all down the right side.</p><p>For over 30 minutes of his round at the Open Championship on Friday, it looked as though the challenging hole might derail <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/325" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/325">Shane Lowry</a>'s hopes. However, not even a smother-hook into the gorse, a 20-minute discussion with his caddie about where to drop, and an eventual double-bogey could stop Lowry's charge to the top of the leaderboard in Scotland.</p><p>Lowry stands atop the field through two rounds of a blustery Open Championship five years after he held the same position at Royal Portrush en route to his first major win. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Irishman righted the ship after the struggles at No. 11 with four straight pars and birdies on holes 16 and 18 to post 7-under and hold a two-shot edge over <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1013" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1013">Justin Rose</a> and<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/2367" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/2367"> Daniel Brown</a> as the weekend beckons.</p><p>World No. 1 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1540" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1540">Scottie Scheffler</a> is lurking ominously alongside <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1771" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1771">Billy Horschel</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/662" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/662">Dean Burmester</a> five shots back, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1213" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1213">Xander Schauffele</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1451" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1451">Patrick Cantlay</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1907" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1907">Corey Conners</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1177" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1177">Jason Day</a> sitting at 1-under.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Place</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Total to par</th>
<th>Round 2 score</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Shane Lowry</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Dan Brown</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>72</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Justin Rose</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Billy Horschel</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Scottie Scheffler</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Dean Burmester</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Jason Day</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Xander Schauffele</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>72</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Patrick Cantlay</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Corey Conners</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-11</td>
<td>Joaquin Niemann</td>
<td>Even</td>
<td>71</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-11</td>
<td>Matthew Jordan</td>
<td>Even</td>
<td>71</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Lowry pointed to his patience throughout the process as one reason the ordeal on the challenging hole barely set him back.</p><p>"I felt like through that whole process of that 20 minutes, it was whatever it was, of taking the drop, seeing where I could drop, and I felt like I was very calm and composed and really knew that I was doing the right thing, and I felt like Darren (Reynolds, caddie) did a great job too, just kind of - he kept telling me, 'We have loads of time,'" Lowry explained in the press center. "To be honest, I was happy enough leaving there with a 6. It was not like - it wasn't a disaster. I was still leading the tournament."</p><p>Lowry didn't have any time to sulk about his issues on No. 11, as the 12th hole at Royal Troon was playing as the third toughest Friday - a lengthy par 4 straight into the wind. He admitted afterward that two quality shots to find the green there helped him steady things for the inward stretch.</p><p>"I think the 12th hole for me was key. Twelve was playing very difficult, straight into the wind. I hit driver, 4-iron there too, the best shots I've hit all week, to about 30 feet and made par there," Lowry said. "From then on, I felt like down out of the left coming in, it was playing quite difficult, but I felt like you could give yourself chances on the way in, and that's what I did."</p><p>Lowry held the lead heading to the closing par 4 at Troon and once again hit an excellent approach to birdie the final hole and punctuate his round.</p><p>That set him two clear of Brown - who backed up his first-round lead with a solid 72 in just his second career major round - with the afternoon wave hitting the course. </p><p>Conditions would only worsen as the day grew longer, with Rose's exceptional 68 a full eight shots better than the average from the later group. The Englishman holed over 130 feet of putts - including a 41-footer for birdie on the final hole - to charge up the leaderboard and grab his share of the second spot. The 43-year-old didn't hold an exemption to The Open this year and was forced to make it through qualifying just to participate. He did just that and now sees himself in an excellent place to make a run at a second career major.</p><p>While Rose and Brown are the only players within four of Lowry's lead, he knows there's serious firepower lurking even further down the leaderboard.</p><p>"I'm not sure Scottie Scheffler is too worried about anyone with the form he's in," Lowry said. "He's obviously on the leaderboard, and he's one person that people are going to be talking about."</p><p>While Scheffler has a chance to make a run, many of the other top players in the world won't have the opportunity after missing the cut. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/437" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/437">Bryson DeChambeau</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/599" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/599">Rory McIlroy</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/5384" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/5384">Ludvig Aberg</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/4453" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/4453">Wyndham Clark</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/5297" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/5297">Viktor Hovland</a> are among the top 10 players in the OWGR who won't be around this weekend.</p>

TROON, SCOTLAND - JULY 19: Shane Lowry of Ireland shakes hands with his caddie Darren Reynolds after finishing his round on the 18th green during day two of The 152nd Open championship at Royal Troon on July 19, 2024 in Troon, Scotland.

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Lowry overcomes double on 11 to hold Open lead

Daniel Brown's first career round at the Open Championship is one he'll never forget as the 29-ye...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/2367" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/2367">Daniel Brown</a>'s first career round at the Open Championship is one he'll never forget as the 29-year-old birdied the final hole at Royal Troon to hold the overnight lead.</p><p>Brown's bogey-free 65 on Thursday was one shot better than <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/2367" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/2367">Shane Lowry</a> and three clear of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1747" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1747">Justin Thomas</a> in third place. It's a stunning display from a man who missed seven of his last eight cuts on the DP World Tour, with a 61st-place finish his best showing in that span.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1213" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1213">Xander Schauffele</a> headlines a group of players at 2-under, while World No. 1 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1540" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1540">Scottie Scheffler</a> and five-time major winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1461" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1461">Brooks Koepka</a> are among those four off the pace.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Place</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Total to par</th>
<th>Round 1 score</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Dan Brown</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Shane Lowry</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>66</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Justin Thomas</td>
<td>-3</td>
<td>68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Alex Noren</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Nicolai Hojgaard</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Justin Rose</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Xander Schauffele</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Mackenzie Hughes</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Nicolai Hojgaard</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Joe Dean</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Russell Henley</td>
<td>-2</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-11</td>
<td>Scottie Scheffler</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-11</td>
<td>Brooks Koepka</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-11</td>
<td>Adam Scott</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-11</td>
<td>Matt Wallace</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-11</td>
<td>Matthew Fitzpatrick</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-11</td>
<td>Chris Kirk</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-11</td>
<td>Sepp Straka</td>
<td>-1</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>To call Brown's spot on the leaderboard surprising would be one of the understatements of the summer, as the Englishman's debut at The Open also marks his first-ever major. In addition, he's in the middle of a very poor run of form with just one top-20 finish on the DP World Tour this calendar year. One would never know it from his performance so far as he navigated a difficult Royal Troon with ease in the second-to-last group of the day.</p><p>Lowry - who looked to be the likely overnight leader until Brown's late charge - was a wizard on the greens, making 126 feet of putts and leading the field by over half a shot in strokes gained: putting. Lowry sits outside the top 100 on the PGA TOUR in that category, but said afterward that a scouting trip to Royal Troon helped him greatly.</p><p>"I came here two weeks ago, and sometimes I struggle when I come back here from playing a season on the PGA TOUR with the speed of the greens, but for some reason I got here, it was my first golf outside of America in a while, and I played a couple of practice rounds here, and I was really happy with how my speed was," Lowry said in his press conference after the round. "My speed control was very good, and I seen my lines great. I feel like links greens, when you start to see your lines, the hole feels quite big, so it felt like that today, and long may it continue."</p><p>Thomas is among the best wind players on the planet, and the other major champion in the top three places shone in blustery conditions on the western coast of Scotland in Thursday's early wave. His 3-under 68 was almost good enough to hold the first-round lead for the second straight week in Scotland before Lowry and Brown got past him late in the day.</p><p>While PGA Championship winner Schauffele headlines the group at 2-under, a host of major champions lurking at 1-under will keep Lowry's attention. Scheffler eagled the 16th and birded No. 18 to get under par on his round, while Koepka poured in four birdies in a row on the opening nine to mount his charge. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/808" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/808">Matthew Fitzpatrick</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/2124" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/2124">Adam Scott</a> also sit within shouting distance.</p><p>The same can't be said for a number of big names who struggled mightily on Day 1, highlighted by the star duo of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/599" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/599">Rory McIlroy </a>and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/437" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/437">Bryson DeChambeau</a> from June's U.S. Open. McIlroy fought his swing all day and made double-bogeys on both of Troon's signature holes - Nos. 8 and 11 - to post a 7-over 78. DeChambeau got off to a horrendous start with a 6-over 42 on the opening nine before closing with a 1-under score on the back to shoot 76. Both players will need to go low Friday afternoon to secure a spot on the weekend.</p>

England's Daniel Brown reacts to making a birdie putt on the 16th green on the opening day of the 152nd British Open Golf Championship at Royal Troon on the south west coast of Scotland on July 18, 2024.

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Brown leads Lowry by 1 after first round at The Open

It was another tough day for Tiger Woods in a major championship, as the 48-year-old struggled ag...

<p>It was another tough day for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1637" href="https://www.thescore.com/pga/players/1637">Tiger Woods</a> in a major championship, as the 48-year-old struggled again Thursday en route to an 8-over 79 at Royal Troon.</p><p>The performance leaves Woods 13 strokes off the Open Championship lead held by Shane Lowry as he looks set to miss his third straight cut at a major championship.</p><p>While Woods insisted he felt better physically entering the week in Scotland, his play suffered throughout the day, with few highlights after a birdie on the third hole. Perhaps most deflating for Woods is that his entire game seems to be struggling and that he can't just focus on one or two areas to improve.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I didn't do a whole lot of things right today," Woods said in a press conference afterward. "I made that putt on the third hole, and then I think I had, what, three 3-putts today? I didn't hit my irons very close, and I didn't give myself a whole lot of looks today."</p><p>The stats certainly back up Woods' assessment, with strokes gained: off the tee the only category in which he ranked inside the top 75 of the field. His approach play and putting - two staples throughout his legendary career - let him down significantly as he ranks 146th and 144th out of 155 players in those categories.</p><p>Woods is now 37-over par in his last seven rounds after he set the record in April for consecutive Masters cuts made.</p><p>He reiterated after the round that he has continued to improve physically from the beginning of the season, but the lack of tournament reps is an issue.</p><p>"Yeah, I'm physically feeling a lot better than I did at the beginning of the year. At the end of last year, it was tough, and I haven't played a whole lot," Woods said. "I think that, as the year has gone on, I have gotten better. I just wish I could have played a little bit more, but I've been saving it for the majors just in case I do something pretty major and then take myself out of it."</p><p>Woods faces a difficult battle to make the weekend at The Open, as he'll need something in the mid-to-low 60s to have a chance. He hasn't broken 70 in a tournament since the third round of the 2023 Genesis Invitational 17 months ago.</p>

TROON, SCOTLAND - JULY 18: Tiger Woods of United States on the 11th hole on day one of The 152nd Open championship at Royal Troon on July 18, 2024 in Troon, Scotland.

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Tiger: 'I didn't do a whole lot of things right' in opening-round 79

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