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In a recent Big Ten football preview from ESPN, four experts -- Max Olson, Adam Rittenberg, Jake Trotter and Paolo Uggetti --answered questions about the 2025 season, including some specifically about UCLA. So, let's answer some of those same questions with a different perspective.
Who is this year's Indiana?
As much as I like to give original answers, I have to go with Illinois. While Washington is my sleeper team, it just made the College Football Playoff two seasons ago, so the Huskies wouldn't count. Iowa would make a lot of sense, and I do have it making the playoff, but it has been such a successful program for a long time that it doesn't feel like an Indiana.
Illinois is rolling, winning 10 games in 2024. It returns a bunch of starters, has continually improved as a program under Bret Bielema and has a winnable schedule.
New coaches/schemes to watch?
Ryan Walters at Washington may be must-watch TV. Forget Walters' time at Purdue; this was a man who commanded a fear-inducing defense at Illinois that sent Devon Witherspoon, Sydney Brown and Quan Martin to the NFL. With Arizona transfer cornerback Tacario Davis, Washington could be stomping opponents in 2025.
UCLA Position of intrigue?
Wide receiver. Obviously, this is a position that has been talked about time and time again, but the pass-catching talent currently possessed by the Bruins is jaw-dropping. I'm calling my shot, UCLA will have one receiver with conference honors at the end of next season. My guess is Mikey Matthews.
UCLA Player to watch?
Anthony Woods. We haven't seen him play at this level yet but Idaho has been producing top portal talent under then head coach Jason Eck. Eck has a smart philosophy in his approach for player retainment, often encouraging players to seek opportunities at the right time.
While things did not work out at Utah, that may be a benefit as Woods' body has not had to endure the physical challenge of daily contact as he overcame injury. Woods was electric with Idaho and may be the man to run UCLA back to the glory days.
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Major college football coach says athletes, society 'softer'
West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez didn't hold back on what he thought of his team and the "society" of the United States in general following the Mountaineers' second day of practice on Thursday. "I'm not trying to go on a political rant or whatever but, generally, we're softer as a society," Rodriguez told reporters, via Chris Anderson of 247Sports. "We're softer as athletes...b/c everything they're around is 'How can we make it easier for them' instead of make it hard on them to learn to get through hard times." The comments came after a practice where only two of the Mountaineers' running backs completed practice, per Mike J. Asti. Rodriguez is in his first season in his second stint with WVU. Things were a little different when he last coached the Mountaineers in 2007. There was no NIL, and coaches had more power over players in their program. Rodriguez thinks coaches and players are spoiled in the modern era of college football, as shared by Anderson. "Have you been through this building? Have you seen how we eat? They got it pretty well," Rodriguez said. "They live in a fantasy world. Coaches do, too. We want for nothing. "You want food? You want medical health? You want job help? You want financial help? Cold tubs? Hot tubs? We even got an ice cream machine...free! Probably even got the sprinkles to put on it. They got it pretty good, and now they're getting paid." College athletes do have it better than ever, at least materially. Based on the lucrative TV contracts surrounding the sport, the product hasn't suffered despite the increasing entitlements for players. But that can easily change if the new generation refuses to practice.
Wisconsin Badgers transfer edge rusher impressing teammates with speed at 290 pounds
Yankees continue to enhance bullpen with Jake Bird acquisition
The New York Yankees have continued to fortify their bullpen, acquiring right-handed reliever Jake Bird from the Colorado Rockies, per YES Network's Jack Curry. This trade marks the second recent deal between the Yankees and Rockies, following New York’s July 25 trade for infielder Ryan McMahon. In return, Colorado receives a pair of New York's prospects, second baseman Roc Riggio (No. 10 in the Yankees' system) and left-handed pitcher Ben Shields (No. 28). Both players advanced through the Yankees’ system this season, rising from rookie ball to Double-A. Bird, 29, has posted a 4.73 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings this season. With team control through 2028, Bird represents a long-term asset for New York rather than a short-term rental. Unlike most power arms in the Yankees' bullpen, Bird relies on finesse. His repertoire centers around an 84 mph sweeper — his most used pitch, thrown 39.5% of the time — complemented by an 80.5 mph changeup and a 94.4 mph sinker. Bird will join a revamped bullpen that now includes David Bednar, acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates less than an hour prior to the Bird transaction.
Mets finally fix hole in outfield in trade with Orioles
Center field has been a glaring weakness in the New York Mets lineup this season. That is no longer the case after Thursday's trade. Anthony DiComo from MLB.com reported that the Mets have acquired outfielder Cedric Mullins from the Orioles. In exchange, pitching prospects Raimon Gomez, Anthony Nunez and Chandler Marsh are heading to Baltimore. Mullins gives the Mets another dynamic presence in the lineup. He had posted a .229/.305/.433 batting line in 355 plate appearances for the Orioles, hitting 15 homers and 19 doubles while stealing 14 bases. Mullins' overall numbers were torpedoed by a dreadful two month slump in April and May where he had a .169/.204/.338 batting line in 158 plate appearances. The Orioles receive a trio of intriguing pitching prospects highlighted by Nunez. The Mets' 14th-ranked prospect at the time of the trade, Nunez spent two seasons in the San Diego Padres' system as an infielder before going to Division II University of Tampa. A two-way player in 2024, he signed with the Mets as an undrafted free agent and has rapidly ascended through their system. Nunez has a solid arsenal highlighted by a plus sweeper and changeup, helping his cutter and mid-90s fastball play up. His command is a work in progress but he may have a future as a late-inning weapon in the Orioles bullpen. Gomez, the Mets' 30th-ranked prospect, has the type of velocity that few pitchers can match. His 80-grade fastball regularly sits in the triple digits and has been clocked as high as 104.5 mph. His plus slider can make opposing hitters look foolish, especially if they are gearing up for the fastball. Gomez has question marks — his command is questionable at best and he is coming off of a Tommy John surgery in 2023. Nonetheless, his pure stuff is the type that teams dream about. Marsh was unranked in the Mets system and is another relief prospect with a fastball/slider profile. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and he has a solid slider, however, both play down due to a lack of control.
Cubs Target Gets Traded To Yankees In Blockbuster Deal
With things moving quickly at the trade deadline, a potential target for the Chicago Cubs has come off the board. The Cubs have done a nice job so far of improving their pitching staff, but there have been some notable relievers who have moved so far. While Chicago has already added Andrew Kittredge, he is more of a middle reliever than a potential eighth or ninth inning pitcher. Adding an impact arm like Jhoan Duran or Ryan Helsley would have been ideal yesterday, but they have also now reportedly missed out on David Bednar. According to Jeff Passan, the talented right-hander from the Pittsburgh Pirates is going to be heading to the New York Yankees. After Duran and Helsley came off the board, Bednar was the next best option, and it was the Yankees who won the bidding war. So far this year, he has totaled a 2.37 ERA and 17 saves in 42 appearances. Due to the struggles of the Pirates, there haven’t been a ton of save opportunities for Bednar, but he has no doubt been one of the best closers in baseball this campaign. This would have been the type of impact addition that many are expecting Chicago to make before the deadline. However, with the former All-Star off the board, there aren’t many closers left that can help the Cubs. With that being said, it will be interesting to see if Chicago looks to get more in the starting pitcher market to improve the team in that area, rather than the bullpen. The Latest Chicago Cubs News Cubs Refusing To Include Top Prospect In Talks Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline Long-Rumored Cubs Bullpen Trade Target Gets Shipped To Tigers Cubs Among Teams Still Attempting To Acquire Nationals Pitcher Cubs Reveal Special Ryne Sandberg Tribute Jerseys To Be Worn Saturday
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