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How Jordan Spieth once found himself in an NFL Draft war room

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With the 2026 NFL Draft kicking off this week in Pittsburgh — and watched on millions of TVs around the globe — long-time NFL coach Sean Payton joined this week’s episode of GOLF’s Subpar podcast to discuss exactly what it’s like in the lead-up to the draft and what happens in the team room during it.

Payton, the current head coach of the Denver Broncos, was the New Orleans Saints coach from 2006 to 2021, and he led the Saints to a Super Bowl victory in 2009.

But the NFL Draft often aligns with Zurich Classic of New Orleans week on the PGA Tour, and one year, in 2017, Payton had some company in the Saints’ draft night war room: Jordan Spieth and Ryan Palmer.

On this week’s Subpar, Payton explained how that moment came to life — especially with two Texans and lifelong Dallas Cowboys fans. Payton played in the Zurich pro-am with Spieth and Palmer that year, and he extended them an invite for Thursday’s first round of the draft.

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But before the draft even started, they had a little fun, too.

“I think Spieth made [caddie Michael] Greller run a 100-yard dash wearing a helmet,” Payton said. “And not a 40 — a 100.”

Payton set up the visitors with a table in the draft room, handed them draft books and let them take in the action. The Saints had the 11th pick and a big decision to make: cornerback Marshon Lattimore or quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“Lattimore was a candidate; Patrick certainly was a candidate,” Payton said. “We had been to their pro days, been to their private workouts. And if you are picking 11, the old adage is you better have 11 players you like, or you trade back … there’s been a lot of back and forth on who would have been selected.”

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But the Saints never had to choose between the two. The Kansas City Chiefs swooped in at No. 10 and traded with Buffalo to take Mahomes. That meant the Saints took Lattimore.

“Right when they made that trade I knew it had to be for Patrick,” Payton said. “…Those guys had a chance to see it live.”

Lattimore was voted NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and made four Pro Bowls in his 7 1/2 years with the Saints. Mahomes? He has three Super Bowl MVPs.

For more from Payton, including what it’s like in the lead-up to the draft, you can listen to the episode here or watch on YouTube below.

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MLB Roundup: Torkelson walk-off homer lifts Tigers over Brewers

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Spencer Torkelson hit a walk-off home run and Riley Greene had two hits, including a two-run homer, to rally the Detroit Tigers to a 5-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.

He blasted the solo shot to left-center off reliever Abner Uribe (1-1). It was the second straight game that Torkelson homered.

Detroit tied the game at 4 in the eighth inning off Jahmai Jones’ second home run of the year.

Reliever Brant Hurter (2-0) shut down Milwaukee in the ninth to set up the Tigers’ win.

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The Brewers rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the seventh. Blake Perkins tied the game with a double off of Tarik Skubal that scored Gary Sanchez and Luis Matos. David Hamilton then put the Brewers up 4-3 when his single off reliever Tyler Holton brought home Perkins.

Skubal had been dominant early in the game, retiring the first 11 batters and throwing strikes on 24 of his first 26 pitches. He finished allowing four runs on seven hits and striking out five.

Greene gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead in the first with his homer into left-center that scored Kevin McGonigle from third.

William Contreras doubled in the fourth inning and scored when Gary Sanchez drove him in on a double to right.

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The Tigers went up 3-1 in the seventh when Dillon Dingler’s grounder drove in Colt Keith.

WASHINGTON — JR Ritchie allowed a home run to James Wood on his first major league pitch, then rebounded to allow one more run over seven innings and lead Atlanta over Washington for its eighth win in nine games.

Ozzie Albies homered and had four RBIs for the Braves, who broke a 2-2 tie with four runs in the seventh.

A 22-year-old right-hander selected 35th overall in the 2022 amateur draft, Ritchie (1-0) struck out seven, walked two and threw 54 of 89 pitches for strikes. He averaged 94.4 mph with 24 fastballs and also mixed in 25 curves, 19 changeups, 10 sliders, seven cutters and four sinkers.

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Wood homered on a fastball over the middle of the strike zone, his National League-leading 10th home run of the season, and CJ Abrams went deep on a changeup below the strike zone in the fourth. Washington did not get a hit after Daylen Lile’s two-out single in the fourth.

Ritchie started the season at Triple-A Gwinnett and went 3-1 with a 0.99 ERA in five starts. Atlanta selected the contracts of Richie and right-hander Carlos Carrasco from the Stripers before the game, optioned right-hander Didier Fuentes to Gwinnett and placed left-hander Dylan Dodd on the 15-day injured list retroactive to Wednesday because of left spine inflammation.

Ritchie became the first Braves pitcher to allow two runs or fewer over seven-plus innings in his debut since Matt Wisler in 2015.

CUBS 8, PHILLIES 7, 10 INNINGS

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CHICAGO — Dansby Swanson had his first game-ending hit in five years, and Chicago rebounded from a pair of blown leads to beat Philadelphiain 10 innings for their ninth straight win and the Phillies’ ninth loss in a row.

Chicago led 6-2 before Philadelphia closed with three runs in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Edmundo Sosa had a tying single off Jacob Webb in the eighth, Seiya Suzuki put Chicago back ahead 7-6 when he homered against Brad Keller in the bottom half and pinch-hitter Adolis García retied the score when he went deep off Caleb Theilbar in the ninth.

Swanson’s opposite-field, one-out single to right-center off Tanner Banks (0-2) drove in automatic runner Ian Happ from third for Swanson’s first walk-off hit with the Cubs, giving the win to Javier Assad (2-1).

Chicago had a season-high 18 hits and is on its longest winning streak since taking 11 in a row from July 31 through Aug. 12 in 2016 – the year the Cubs won their first World Series since 1908.

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Philadelphia has lost nine straight for the first time since Sept. 20-28, 2018. The Phillies haven’t lost 10 in a row since an 11-game skid from Sept. 4-14, 1999.

SAN FRANCISCO — Tyer Glasnow and Tanner Scott combined on a one-hitter and Los Angeles avoided a three-game series sweep with a win over San Francisco.

Kyle Tucker and Hyeseong Kim had two hits apiece as the NL West-leading Dodgers won for the second time in six games. Kim and Dalton Rushing each had an RBI. Shohei Ohtani finished 0 for 5 with two strikeouts.

Glasnow (3-0), who has never pitched a complete game in the majors, struck out nine and allowed one hit and a walk in eight innings. The 32-year-old right-hander threw 105 pitches, 69 for strikes, and retired the final 14 batters he faced.

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Scott got the final three outs in his first save of the season as the Dodgers notched their second shutout of the season.

WHITE SOX 4, DIAMONDBACKS 1

PHOENIX — Andrew Benintendi hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the ninth inning that lifted Chicago over Arizona for their third win in four games.

With the score 1-1, Chase Meidroth drew a four-pitch walk from Paul Sewald (0-3) and moved up on Tristan Peters’ sacrifice. Pinch-hitter Edgar Quero walked and Benintendi, who is hitting .216, followed by driving a 2-2 fastball 410 feet into the swimming pool area in right-center for his second homer this season.

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Grant Taylor (1-0) stranded runners at second and third by striking out Jose Fernandez to end the seventh, then worked around a leadoff single in the eighth to pitch 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Seranthony Domínguez pitched a perfect ninth for his fifth save.

DENVER — Gavin Sheets hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the ninth inning and Miguel Andujar had three RBIs as San Diego rallied to beat Colorado.

The Padres trailed 8-5 entering the ninth inning before Xander Bogaerts and Andujar hit RBI singles, cutting the deficit to a run. Then, with runners on first and third, Sheets launched a slider from Victor Vodnik 379 feet over the right field wall for his third homer of the season. The game-winning swing came on Sheets’ 30th birthday.

It was the second blown save of the season for Vodnik (0-2).

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Football gossip: Fernandez, Van de Ven, Martinez, Sancho, Anderson, Diomande, Terzic, Leao, Ponomarenko

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Enzo Fernandez is wanted by Manchester City, Aston Villa have identified James Trafford as a potential replacement for Emiliano Martinez, Manchester United are keen on Micky van de Ven and Carlos Baleba.

Manchester City are considering a move for 25-year-old Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer. (Athletic – subscription required), external

Aston Villa are interested in Manchester City and England goalkeeper James Trafford, 23, as a potential replacement for Emiliano Martinez if the 33-year-old Argentina goalkeeper decides to leave. (Times – subscription required), external

Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Real Madrid are keeping tabs on AC Milan and Portugal winger Rafael Leao, 26, who is valued at about £60m. (Mail), external

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Manchester United are monitoring Tottenham and Netherlands defender Micky van de Ven, 25, along with Brighton‘s 22-year-old Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba. (Athletic – subscription required), external

Manchester City are in pole position to sign Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 23, despite interest from clubs including Manchester United and Arsenal. (Sky Sports, external)

Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, currently on loan at Aston Villa, has given his approval for a return to Borussia Dortmund in the summer, with both parties holding concrete talks over a deal. (Sky Sport – in German, external)

Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande’s agents have already held discussions with Liverpool and Paris St-Germain, but RB Leipzig are keen on keeping the 19-year-old at the club for at least one more season. (Bild – in German, external)

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Brighton centre-back Igor Julio could be set for a return to Brazil with Cruzeiro exploring the situation of the 28-year-old, who spent the first half of the season on loan at West Ham. (ESPN – in Portuguese, external)

Athletic Club are set to appoint former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic as their manager to replace Ernesto Valverde. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish, external), external

Wolves, Bournemouth and Sunderland are among the clubs interested in signing 25-year-old Queens Park Rangers and Jamaica striker Rumarn Burrell. (Football Insider, external)

Brentford have taken a strong interest in Dynamo Kyiv and Ukraine striker Matviy Ponomarenko, 20, as a potential replacement for 24-year-old Brazilian Igor Thiago, who could be a summer target for Chelsea and Tottenham. (Teamtalk, external)

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Nottingham Forest will attempt to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels in the summer after having a bid of £25m for the 22-year-old Belgian rejected by the Scottish club in February. (Teamtalk, external)

Tottenham are in talks with Sebastian Kehl over becoming their new co-sporting director after the 46-year-old German left Borussia Dortmund last month. (Sun), external

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Austin Reaves is upgraded to questionable for Lakers in first-round Game 3 against Rockets

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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Austin Reaves has been upgraded to questionable for Game 3 of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.

The Lakers made the designation on their high-scoring guard Thursday while the team flew to Houston. Los Angeles has a surprising 2-0 series lead heading into Game 3 on Friday night despite playing without Luka Doncic and Reaves, its top two scorers.

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Reaves hasn’t played since he strained his oblique muscles and Doncic strained his hamstring in a game at Oklahoma City on April 2, but Reaves returned to on-court basketball activities over the past few days. Before the Lakers’ flight, coach JJ Redick said he had no update on the schedule for his injured starters’ return to play.

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Reaves averaged 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds during an impressive regular season for the Lakers, although he played in only 51 games due to two lengthy injury absences. In his fifth season with Los Angeles, the former undrafted free agent cemented his status as a prolific secondary scorer and dependable offensive facilitator while the Lakers won 53 games and the Pacific Division.

But Reaves and NBA scoring champion Doncic were both injured during the Lakers’ blowout loss to the Thunder three weeks ago.

Doncic is still out for Game 3, but Redick said earlier this week that the Slovenian superstar is expected to begin initial on-court work soon. The Lakers haven’t publicly speculated on the date of either guard’s return.

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After losing three straight games following the injuries, the Lakers have regrouped and won five in a row. Los Angeles stunned the NBA by claiming the first two games of its first-round series at home over the Rockets, who were perceived as the strong favorites in the series due to the Lakers’ injury problems.

Although 41-year-old LeBron James is leading the way, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart also have stepped up impressively in the absence of the Lakers’ starting backcourt. Kennard scored 27 points in Game 1 and 23 in Game 2, and Smart scored 25 points with five 3-pointers in Game 2 while leading Los Angeles’ impressive defensive effort against Kevin Durant, who managed only three points after halftime.

Reaves will be eligible for a big new contract this summer if he declines his option for next season, as expected. Both Reaves and team officials have said they believe the guard will remain with the Lakers, his favorite team since childhood.

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Why a ‘throwing motion’ can help your golf swing

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The golf swing is a unique motion, but certain components do have similarities to motions from other sports. One such example is a baseball throwing motion.

When you throw a baseball, you load into your trail side, shift your weight forward as you finish your coil and then sling your arm around your body, much like the motion in a properly sequenced golf swing. You can also use the baseball throwing motion as a model for how the structure of your trail arm should look at the top of the backswing.

If you want to feel the proper position for your trail arm at the top of the backswing, try thinking of throwing a baseball. Take your arm back like you would to start your throwing motion, and then pause when you get to the top.

You should notice that it looks quite similar to the position your trail arm is in at the top of the backswing.

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“When your trail arm works back and up and gets to the top of the backswing, the arm is in the correct throwing position,” says GOLF Top 100 Teacher Krista Dunton. “If I were throwing a ball overhand, my trail arm [throwing arm] is going to move downward towards the ball and then release around the body.”

Now, from the top of the backswing, your arm will work more down toward the ball and around your body, so the comparison is not exactly apples to apples, but you can see how the movements have certain similarities.

The release of your trail hand and wrist is also similar to the throwing motion. In both of them, you want your wrists to be somewhat soft in order to create that whip-like motion to generate maximal power.

“Feel like the trail arm works back and sets the club,” Dunton says. “Then on the downswing, feel that trail arm creating that same motion sending the clubhead working downward and around the body. If you keep the trail arm working down and around like you are throwing a ball to the left, that delivers the center of the clubface right down into the back of the ball.”

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If you’re someone with a background in baseball — or any throwing sport — try incorporating this feel into your golf swing. Those baseball skills may end up helping your golf game, too.

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Man United transfer approved as manager gives ‘green light’

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Manchester United could be close to finally saying goodbye for good to one of their biggest-ever transfers this summer

Jadon Sancho’s return to Borussia Dortmund has reportedly been given the green light by manager Niko Kovac which would spell the end of his torrid Manchester United career.

The winger, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa, hasn’t played for United since their 2024 Community Shield defeat to Manchester City and has failed to match expectations at Old Trafford since his £73million arrival in 2021.

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Likely to end his United career with just 12 goals and six assists in 83 games across all competitions, the 26-year-old’s contract is set to expire this summer, with the club taking a colossal loss on a player who was once their fourth-biggest transfer ever. United do, though, have the option to extend Sancho’s deal by 12 more months.

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Despite the impressiveness of Aston Villa’s season as Unai Emery’s side look set to clinch Champions League football while being in the semi-finals of the Europa League, Sancho has played a bit-part role in their success.

Sancho has scored just one goal and contributed three assists in 33 games while going goalless in the Premier League, meaning he’s netted just three goals in England’s top-flight in the past three years.

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Amid his uncertain future, Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has claimed that Sancho is set for a third stint at Dortmund with the ex-England ace agreeing to a return to Germany – seemingly on a free transfer.

Plettenberg reports that Sancho’s agreement has come despite fielding different offers and Dortmund boss Niko Kovac has already given his approval for the winger’s arrival. However, he did say the final decision to bring Sancho back to the Bundesliga rests with sporting director Ole Book and CEO Lars Ricken.

Ricken – who spent the entirety of his 15-year playing career with Dortmund – already confirmed the club’s interest in Sancho when speaking to Sport Bild. The executive recently revealed: “We are currently looking at a lot of players and analysing them. We check whether they can make us better. We are doing the same with Jadon.

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“Of course, we are looking for an offensive player who brings quality, can help us immediately, and doesn’t require an unrealistic transfer fee. In defense, Niklas Süle is leaving us, and Emre Can will be out for a while. So we are thinking about that area as well.”

With 53 goals and 67 assists in 158 appearances for Dortmund in his two stints, Sancho’s best moments of his career came when wearing the black and yellow and was even told to represent the club again by former team-mate Marco Reus.

The ex-Germany international left Dortmund in 2024 after 12 years to sign for LA Galaxy and advised his former team-mate to reignite his career at the club while waxing lyrical about his footballing talent.

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Speaking to Sport Bild, the 36-year-old said: “My main advice to Jadon is to look for a place where he feels at home again and can rediscover his form. And if that’s at BVB, then it would be good for both him and Dortmund! I have rarely played alongside a player who made such good decisions instinctively and in tight situations.”

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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Udi Urges Eric Chelle to Drop Stanley Nwabali from Super Eagles Squad

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Former Nigeria international Duke Udi has advised Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to leave out Stanley Nwabali from the squad for the upcoming Unity Cup and June friendly matches.

Nwabali impressed at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he kept three clean sheets in six games and helped Nigeria secure third place. The 29-year-old also saved penalties against Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush during the competition.

However, after the tournament, Nwabali delayed his move until the January transfer window closed before leaving Chippa United, a decision that surprised many.

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Chelle did not include the former NPFL-winning goalkeeper in his last squad. Instead, Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, and Adebayo Adeleye were selected and featured in the March friendlies against Jordan and Iran.

Speaking ahead of the Unity Cup in London, Udi said players without clubs should not be picked for the national team. He urged Nigeria to follow the example of countries like England and Senegal, where selections are based strictly on form and performance.

According to Udi, every player must earn a place in the team through consistent displays at club level. He stressed that the national team is not a place for players to regain form, adding that while Nwabali is a good goalkeeper, his current lack of a club should count against him.

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Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs and Simba SC are reportedly interested in signing the Super Eagles goalkeeper, but no deal has been completed yet.

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Report: George Pickens signing franchise tag with Cowboys

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George Pickens is ready to put pen to paper.

The talented wide receiver will sign his franchise tag with the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.

By signing the tag, Pickens will play next year on a one-year deal worth $27.3 million.

“We’ve made a decision that we’re going to have George play under the franchise tag, which won’t be a first for us,” executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said on Wendesday. “So there won’t be negotiations on a long-term deal. But that’s certainly not a first for this organization and certainly won’t be a first in the league in terms of this decision as we move forward.”

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The timing of the news is curious, as it comes just hours before the first round of the NFL Draft kicks off in Pittsburgh.

As soon as he officially signs the deal, Pickens is eligible to be traded. He will also now face financial penalties if he doesn’t report to mandatory minicamp in June.

Pickens, acquired last off-season in a trade with Pittsburgh, had career highs in catches (93), yards receiving (1,429) and touchdowns (nine) for one of the best offences in the NFL last season. Dallas had one of the worst defences in the league and finished 7-9-1, missing the playoffs for the second year in a row.

The Cowboys own the No. 12 and No. 20 picks in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday.

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— With files from Associated Press

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Kiara Romero’s star potential showed in unexpected moments at Chevron

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McLaughlin: Do the Ducks Have the Nation’s Best QB Room?

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Big Ten logoOregon’s quarterback room blends a mix of talent, experience, and depth, unlike most in college football.

The Ducks have the best room in the country.

On today’s episode of Locked On Ducks, I break down the tight end room that Oregon’s QBs will throw the ball to this Fall.

Jamari Johnson is going to have a lot of weight on his shoulders.

espn%2Bohio%2Bstate.pngJosh Pate recently discussed the Oregon-Ohio State matchup this Fall and said that it feels like a rivalry.

Is that really the case, or is that title only reserved for Washington?

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00:00 Oregon’s quarterback lineup details
03:03 Dylan Raiola as Oregon’s backup
07:29 Quarterback depth chart discussion
13:15 Analyzing Oregon’s tight end options
17:28 Evaluating tight end performance
23:24 Oregon vs Ohio State analysis

/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

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David Benavidez says one man ‘must face him’ after Zurdo Ramirez: “I’m taking all his belts”

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David Benavidez challenges for Gilberto Ramirez’s unified cruiserweight crown next weekend and should he pass that test, there is only one man on the mind of ‘The Mexican Monster’.

Benavidez has established himself as one of the most fan-friendly fighters in the sport, not only through his enthralling fight style but also because of his mentality to take on all comers and accept the most arduous challenges.

Having ruled at both super-middleweight and light-heavyweight, the reigning WBC 175lb champion is now stepping up to cruiserweight, hoping to hand ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez a second career defeat, in what will be the titleholder’s 50th career outing.

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The only other man to have defeated Ramirez is unified light-heavyweight ruler, Dmitry Bivol, and in an interview with Ariel Helwani, Benavidez made it clear that he intends to move back down to light-heavyweight and take on the Russian next.

“I don’t want to make it seem like he is scared or nothing, but he knows what it is when it comes to David Benavidez. He has seen me up close and personal and I have seen him up close and personal, as well.

“He is a great fighter, we have had some great sparring sessions but he knows I am not coming to play. He knows that, when David Benavidez steps in that ring, all of those belts are leaving with David Benavidez.

“I think that he knows the dangers and the severity of this fight and that is why he took a tune-up fight first. I respect Dmitry Bivol, he is a great fighter, but he is definitely going to have to come see me after this fight.”

Whilst Benavidez fights next weekend, Bivol makes a mandatory defence of his titles against Germany’s Michael Eifert on Saturday, May 23, in what will be his first fight on home soil since 2021.

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