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Why the Big Ten is the big winner of college football so far
Week 1 of college football can only reveal so much about teams. While some Power Four teams challenge a fellow Power Four program, many open the season with a cupcake, paid thousands of dollars to suffer a beatdown by the big boys. A season can't be won or lost in Week 1, but it can pay dividends moving forward. For the Big Ten, it did just that.
All 18 teams played and 17 won — the highest win percentage of the Power Four conferences. Regular-season wins in college football have always mattered more than any other sport and an expanded College Football Playoff hasn't changed that. The five highest-ranked conference champions and seven at-large teams will qualify for the playoff. With seven at-large bids up for grabs, the CFP committee will look at teams' complete resumes, including who they beat in nonconference games. When judging which conferences are stronger than others, it will matter how nonconference matchups played out.
And that's why the Big Ten is sitting pretty. USC's thrilling win over LSU will matter down the line, as will Penn State's win at West Virginia. Minnesota, the lone Big Ten to lose, fell at home against North Carolina, but the ACC has already taken its fair share of hits with Virginia Tech losing to Vanderbilt, Stanford losing to TCU and Clemson putting up little resistance against No. 1 Georgia.
The power struggle that is the Big Ten and SEC will take center stage Saturday as No. 10 Michigan hosts No. 3 Texas. It is the first time the conferences will meet this season with additional matchups in Week 3 when Alabama travels to Wisconsin and in Week 4 when UCLA visits LSU. These games are a measuring stick of how the leagues stack up against each other. It's likely that Wisconsin and UCLA will lose their respective matchups, making Saturday's game in Ann Arbor all the more important for Michigan and the Big Ten.
NEXT STOP: ANN ARBOR FOR TEXAS-MICHIGAN‼️@TexasFootball | @UMichFootball pic.twitter.com/QTAneg5l1c
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) August 31, 2024
With larger conferences and deeper leagues, there are going to be fewer high-profile Power Four nonconference matchups so the small sample size available will be important. Thus far, the Big Ten has taken care of business while the SEC lost three marquee matchups in Week 1. Besides Texas, the SEC has five games against Power Four teams this week — a chance to redeem the league's mishaps from a week ago.
Nothing is decided after a week, but currently bigger is better and the Big Ten is atop the throne.
More must-reads:
- Top five Week 2 college football games: TV info, predictions, start time
- College football power rankings: Georgia holds steady while Big Ten team rises
- The 'NFL Defensive Players of the Year ' quiz
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Updated Recruiting Rankings After Colorado Buffaloes Latest Commitment
The Colorado Buffaloes landed a commitment from three-star offensive line prospect Josiah Manu, giving Colorado coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes 11 total commits in the 2026 recruiting class. With the commitment of Manu, Colorado moved up slightly to No. 78 in 247Sports' recruiting rankings for the class of 2026. Earlier in the summer, the Buffaloes were as low as No. 93 in 247Sports' rankings. There is still some time remaining for Sanders and Colorado's coaching staff to continue recruiting top prospects, but the Buffaloes currently have the lowest-ranked recruiting class in the Big 12. Big 12 Recruiting Rankings: Here are the current Big 12 recruiting rankings (overall ranking in parentheses) as of Aug. 10: 1. BYU Cougars 2. Texas Tech Red Raiders 3. Baylor Bears 4. TCU Horned Frogs 5. Kansas Jayhawks 6. Houston Cougars 7. Arizona State Sun Devils 8. West Virginia Mountaineers 9. Arizona Wildcats 10. Iowa State Cyclones 11. Utah Utes 12. Oklahoma State Cowboys 13. Kansas State Wildcats 14. Cincinnati Bearcats 15. UCF Knights 16. Colorado Buffaloes Despite Colorado's low ranking relative to other Big 12 teams, the Buffaloes are ranked above ACC schools like Virginia and Virginia Tech as well as Missouri, from the SEC. If Sanders and the Buffaloes can sustain success without former Colorado stars like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, will more recruiting success follow? Under "Coach Prime," Colorado has added fewer high school recruits than transfer portal prospects. Still, the Buffaloes' 2025 recruiting class had 14 commits and was ranked No. 2 in the Big 12, only behind TCU, according to On3's rankings. In 2025, Colorado's recruiting class was headlined by quarterback Julian "JuJu" Lewis and offensive lineman Carde Smith. Colorado's Recent Recruiting Momentum: Despite Sanders' absence from Boulder, Colorado, for most of the offseason, the Buffaloes had some success on the recruiting trail over the summer. Gula is Colorado's second commitment of August after interior offensive line prospect Ben Gula pledged to the Buffaloes on Aug. 1. In June and July, Sanders and his coaching staff landed the following prospects: Four-star safety Preston Ashley Four-star linebacker Rodney Colton Three-star linebacker Carson Crawford Three-star offensive tackle Xavier Payne Three-star safety D'Montae Tims Three-star offensive lineman Colby Johnson Meanwhile, the Buffaloes had one of the larger transfer portal classes in the country in 2025, adding 33 new players to the roster. Colorado's transfer portal class was ranked No. 19 overall by 247Sports. During the spring, Sanders spoke about recruiting to Colorado and how the Buffaloes attract top recruits from around the country: "I don't think I have to explain 'Why Colorado?' I think they see that on an everyday basis. Why Colorado? I don't think I have to sit up there and sell us to anybody. I think by the time they get here, they're looking for confirmation. Our program sells itself. . . . We do a great job of really exposing our program. We did a great job on pro day," said Sanders.
Two playmakers took over the Texas scrimmage Saturday. Is this the next big Longhorns duo?
Rasmus Andersson Turns Down Huge Long-Term Offer from an NHL Team
Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson is entering the final year of his six-year, $4.55 million AAV contract, and uncertainty surrounds his future. Speaking with Sweden’s Expressen, Andersson shot down false rumors about where he’s willing to go, and revealed he turned down a lucrative long-term offer from another NHL team. All of this took place roughly six weeks ago, says the blueliner. He cited family reasons as to why he’s being particular about his next move. Still, as picky as he might be, rumors he’s only willing to go to Vegas are not true. “But I have not given Calgary a team, that I only want to play with one team,” he said. “That is not true…” He did get an offer from another team, likely not the Golden Knights. “I wasn’t keen on moving my family there and signing a long-term contract,” Andersson explained, adding that he provided the Flames with a list of teams he’d consider signing with if traded. However, the team that offered him a deal wasn’t on that list. He explained, “I communicated that decision to Calgary. I said if you want to trade me, this is the number of teams I can think of signing for. But this wasn’t one of them.” The Flames and Andersson Aren’t Talking Any Longer Talks with Calgary have since gone silent. Speculation is that he’s not heard about a trade option or extension in over a month. Whether the Flames have stopped looking for now, or teams haven’t lined up with trade offers, it sounds like nothing is imminent. All that said, Andersson is expected to draw significant trade interest before the 2026 deadline if an extension isn’t reached. His situation will be one of Calgary’s most closely watched storylines this season.
A Hidden Prospect Could Open Big Trade Doors for the Oilers
With a stacked blue line and limited roster spots, Edmonton could turn one of its top young, somewhat undiscovered, defensemen into a key bargaining chip when the trade deadline approaches. That prospect is Beau Akey, and he’s looking to make a name for himself this season. The Oilers have a luxury most teams can’t claim — a veteran-heavy, Cup-contending blue line. But that depth also potentially blocks the path for Akey, who is one of their most intriguing young defense prospects. Akey is coming off a strong bounce-back season in junior after double shoulder surgery. A full season of good health could do wonders for his reputation as someone who has a bright future. Last year with the OHL’s Barrie Colts, he posted 32 points in 52 games, added five assists in the playoffs, and wore a leadership role. Known for his elite skating and crisp passing, he’s now set to make the leap to pro hockey in Bakersfield (AHL). “I’m 100 percent now,” Akey said during camp. “I’m looking to make the step to professional hockey (this season), so I’m looking to show the Oilers that at training camp. I want to give my all to try and make the Oilers and try to prove to them I can make an NHL roster.” Oilers development staff already love his mobility and offensive instincts, but they want him to sharpen the defensive side of his game. In the meantime, he’s a premium asset waiting in the wings — a 20-year-old right-shot defenseman with top-four potential. The Oilers know he can be a future impact player for them. That means he can also be an impact player for someone else. Edmonton won’t be looking to move the youngster. That said, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if he pops up on radars around the league. Oilers senior director of player development Kalle Larsson said, “A healthy Beau Akey is an elite skater, he can break the puck out well and he has offense.” He added, “I think in pro, he’ll be a two-way defenseman that will need to be more reliable defensively.” Akey Will Be a Trade Piece that Other Teams Look At For a team chasing a Stanley Cup, players like this are gold. They can grow into future cornerstones or become the centerpiece of a trade for immediate help. If Edmonton needs a deadline boost — be it a depth scorer, penalty-kill specialist, or injury insurance — Akey could headline a package that draws serious interest from rebuilding teams or clubs on a timeline where they’ll be contenders in two or three seasons. The Oilers will decide later whether to keep him for the long haul or flip him for a win-now piece. Either way, they’re holding a hidden card that could make all the difference come spring.
Yankees legend suffers major injury at team's Old-Timers' game
The New York Yankees brought back their Old-Timers' game for the first time since 2019, and it did not go well for one of the team's greatest all-time players. Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera suffered a torn Achilles while trying to chase down a fly ball. Rivera hit one time in the game and delivered a single off of former teammate Andy Pettite before injuring himself in the field. Rivera's agent said surgery will take place this week (via the Associated Press). It is not the first time Rivera has suffered a major injury while playing in the outfield. He tore his ACL during the 2012 season while shagging fly balls during batting practice and missed the remainder of that season. Rivera is one of the most decorated relief pitchers — and Yankees — in league history, finishing his career as Major League Baseball's all-time saves leader (652) while also having the honor of being the only unanimous Hall of Fame selection. He was also a part of five World Series-winning teams with the Yankees, including their back-to-back-to-back championship teams in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Saturday's Old-Timers' game celebrated the 25th anniversary of the 2000 team. While several teams have days to honor former players, and while some have the occasional game involving former players, the Yankees are the only team that routinely holds an actual game. It is typically one of the highlights of the regular season. Before the game, Rivera said he had planned to speak to the Yankees' current closer, Devin Williams, given his recent struggles coming out of the team's bullpen.
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