Matt Schick, Ivan Maisel & Adam Rittenberg discuss the scheduling issues that led to such a weak slate (3:10), the upsets we'd love to see (12:19) and more. Plus, Fill-In-The-Blanks (23:26), Phil Steele's Picks (36:14), Talk Nerdy To Me (45:59), Walk-Ons (53:09) and Extra Points (59:28).
Left tackle Tyron Smith (back) and right guard Zack Martin (knee) were back to practice after sitting out Wednesday's work. Both are expected to play Sunday at Atlanta. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (knee) was back to practice but Taco Charlton (shoulder), Daniel Ross (calf), Antwaun Woods (concussion) and David Irving (ankle) are not practicing.
Who will win when No. 12 Syracuse meets No. 3 Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium? Our reporters pick that game, plus West Virginia-Oklahoma State, Iowa State-Texas and Cincinnati-UCF.
The linebacker has the instincts of a wily veteran, and they were on display on a national stage in Sunday night's win over the Eagles .
West Virginia's sneaky tweak off the jet sweep. Alabama's double play-action and bomb. Hey, NFL teams: Put these in your playbook.
Who wins Packers-Seahawks, Cowboys-Falcons, Titans-Colts, Vikings-Bears and Chiefs-Rams?
Jahmal McMurray scored a career-high 34 points and SMU rolled past winless Western Carolina 98-65 on Wednesday night.
Harrison Barnes scored 19 points and the Dallas Mavericks handed the Jazz their worst loss since moving to Utah, 118-68 on Wednesday night.
The Jazz's 118-68 loss to the Mavericks marked the lowest-scoring game by any team this season. The Rockets had the previous low with a 98-80 loss to the Thunder. Utah scored only 22 in the second half, the fewest points the Mavs have ever allowed in a half.
New Rangers manager Chris Woodward's staff will include three returning coaches and add Luis Ortiz as hitting coach.
Left tackle Tyron Smith was one of nine Cowboys not to practice Wednesday. Smith had his back tighten up, but the expectation is he will be able to play Sunday at Atlanta. The bad news is he has had back troubles the last two seasons. Smith has played in every game this season and had his best game last week against Philadelphia. His absence in last year's game against the Falcons' contributed mightily to the eight times Dak Prescott was sacked with four coming against Smith's replacement, Chaz Green.
Heading into last week's game against Philadelphia, Ezekiel Elliott called it a must win. Heading into this week's game against Atlanta, Elliott said the Cowboys' mindset is not changed. “It's hard to need extra motivation. We're going into the game 4-5,” he said. “For the rest of the season our backs are going to be against the wall. We have to do the best we can to go out there and try to win every one of these last games. I'm sure those guys on the other side are the same way.”
Even with the College Football Playoff selection committee's top 25 still battling for semifinal and New Year's Six bowl positions, it's never too early to look ahead to next season.
The Cowboys do not have five defensive linemen practicing Wednesday: Daniel Ross (calf), David Irving (ankle), Maliek Collins (knee), Taco Charlton (shoulder) and Antwaun Woods (concussion). There is hope Collins, Charlton and Woods will be available for Sunday's game but the Cowboys could have to call up defensive linemen from the practice squad.
Want to make a hot stove splash? Start with these bold trades and free-agent additions.
Jarrett Culver scored 21 points, Norense Odiase grabbed a career-best 13 rebounds and Texas Tech shrugged off Southeastern Louisiana for a 59-40 victory Tuesday night.
Joseph Broadnax's condition isn't concussion-related, but TCU coach Gary Patterson said the player is going "to have an opportunity to live a lot longer because they caught it."
The College Football Playoff's top 10 is unchanged from last week -- the first time that has happened in the rankings' history.
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 8 | 5 | .615 | - | W1 |
| San Antonio | 7 | 6 | .538 | 1 | L2 |
| New Orleans | 7 | 7 | .500 | 1.5 | L1 |
| Houston | 6 | 7 | .462 | 2 | W2 |
| Dallas | 6 | 8 | .429 | 2.5 | W3 |
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 103 | 59 | .636 | - | L1 |
| Oakland | 97 | 65 | .599 | 6 | L1 |
| Seattle | 89 | 73 | .549 | 14 | W3 |
| Los Angeles | 80 | 82 | .494 | 23 | W1 |
| Texas | 67 | 95 | .414 | 36 | L3 |
