Pep Guardiola fought back tears on the sideline as he brought 10 years at Manchester City to an end.
His final game ended in a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on a day charged with emotion as he said goodbye to the fans he gave so much joy during a decade of dominance in English soccer.
“I never could have imagined the amount of love I’ve found,” said Guardiola, standing in the centre of the field at the Etihad Stadium and addressing the crowd on Sunday.
“It is an incredible, tremendous honor to be your manager, to be here 10 years.”
The tears started long before the final whistle, with Guardiola welling up and rubbing his eyes as two of his most loyal servants, Bernardo Silva and John Stones, also said farewell and were given guards of honor when substituted in the second half.
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Then it was his turn to receive a guard of honour of his own.
“This is the man who changed everything,” the stadium announcer said as Guardiola ran onto the field wearing khakis and a cream T-shirt, with fans cheering wildly.
“10 more years,” they chanted, prompting Guardiola to shake his head in defiance.
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After 17 major trophies and records galore, on Friday he confirmed he could do no more. After turning City into the most dominant Premier League team of its generation and a champion of Europe for the first time, he said the time was right to hand over the reins.
“I will not miss it for a while,” he said on Sunday. “I feel deeply… it is the right decision.”
Guardiola’s day
Former Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca, who won the Club World Cup last year, is favorite to take over with an announcement possibly in the coming week.
Guardiola did not confirm his replacement, but said he would call his successor to offer advice.
“Be yourself… be free with your ideas and work a lot. Everything will be fine,” he said.
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That is for another day. This day was about Guardiola and the chance for supporters to show their appreciation.
“He means everything to me and this club. It’s absolutely brilliant what he’s done for it,” City fan Fred Taylor, 82, told The Associated Press.
“I can’t think of another manager that’s done what he’s done in the 10-year period he’s been here.”
Guardiola joined City in the summer of 2016 and has led the Abu Dhabi-owned team to six Premier League titles and a first Champions League crown in 2023.
“That’s what we always wanted … we’d never done it,” said Taylor.
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“That was probably the highlight of his tenure.”
Guardiola’s trophy haul included a domestic double this season of the English League Cup and the FA Cup. He led City to the treble in 2023, winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup – matching Manchester United’s feat from more than 20 years earlier in 1999.
First to 100 points
There were other benchmarks. City became the first team to win four straight English leagues and the first to amass 100 points in a single season in 2018. The following year City was the first team to win the domestic treble of the league, FA Cup and League Cup in the same season.
Those are big shoes to fill, but Guardiola said expectations of his successor should be realistic.
“Fans don’t forget that winning the treble, doubles is exceptional,” he said.
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“It is so difficult, this business is so complicated. That’s why when you come here, you win one game, here in the Etihad – enjoy it. Celebrate it.”
More than just trophies, Guardiola has connected with City fans, telling them Sunday to hug him if they ever see him in the future, saying “I will need it.”
“It’s hard to describe, it’s someone you don’t actually know, but you feel like you do know,” City fan Richard Wilbourn said.
“When I heard the news (he was leaving) I got a bit emotional. What he’s done for the club has been absolutely unreal, and it’s something that we’ve never seen in our lifetime.
“Growing up through my mid-20s to mid-30s (he’s been) a massive part of my life.”
City has honoured Guardiola by naming its newly developed north stand after him. He will also take up a role as global ambassador.
“I’m sad he’s leaving, but I think he’s leaving at the right time,” said Taylor.
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“He’s done everything and he can’t go any further in this club, but I think he’s done brilliant and I wish him all the best.
In today’s fast-scoring T20 cricket, batters are happy to get runs in any manner possible. While cleanly-timed drives and big sixes remain the most pleasing shots for batters, the aggressive nature of the format often forces players into false shots. Yet, some batters have managed to combine attacking cricket with remarkable control.KL Rahul has been one such batter for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. The opener scored 593 runs in 14 matches at an average of 45.61 and a career-best strike rate of 174.41. His season included a century, a record 152 not out against Punjab Kings — the first 150-plus score by an Indian in IPL history — and five fifties.Rahul has also hit 31 sixes this season, the second-highest by a DC batter after Rishabh Pant, who struck 37 sixes in the 2018 season.Despite batting at a high strike rate, Rahul has the lowest false shot percentage this season at 12.1, according to CricViz, as cited by news agency ANI. That means nearly 88 per cent of his shots were properly connected.Among the players closest to him are Dhruv Jurel of Rajasthan Royals and Heinrich Klaasen of Sunrisers Hyderabad, both with a false shot percentage of 12.6.Jurel scored 458 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of more than 149, including five fifties, while Klaasen made 606 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate above 159 with six fifties.Rajasthan Royals batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has also shown impressive control despite his attacking style. The 15-year-old has scored 583 runs in 14 matches at an average of 41.64 and a strike rate of more than 232, including a century, three fifties and 53 sixes. His false shot percentage stands at 17.8, the same as Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.On the other hand, some batters have managed strong numbers despite making more errors. Cooper Connolly of Punjab Kings has the highest false shot percentage this season at 25.6. He has still scored 491 runs in 13 innings at an average of 44.63 and a strike rate of 163.12, including a century and two fifties.Orange Cap holder Sai Sudharsan of Gujarat Titans has a false shot percentage of 18.1. He has scored 638 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 157.92, with a century and seven fifties, managing to make the most of his scoring opportunities despite a higher error rate.
Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull said he would continue with Venkatesh Iyer as opener alongside Virat Kohli for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Tuesday, saying it would not be easy for England batter Phil Salt to return immediately after a long injury break.
Qualifier 1 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans will decide the first finalist of IPL 2026. RCB are currently facing a selection debate over their opening pair, with the management needing to decide whether to bring back Salt after injury or continue with Venkatesh following his strong performances against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Jacob Bethell, who crossed the 20-run mark only twice during Salt’s absence, has been ruled out of the tournament because of injury and has returned to England.
Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Doull said, “I would stick with Venkatesh Iyer as the opener alongside Virat Kohli. Phil Salt has been out for three and a half weeks. Coming back from a long layoff, especially with a finger injury, is never easy. He is a quality player and has done well for RCB and England in T20s, but match fitness and shot-timing take time to return. The playoffs are not the place to test that,” he said.
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Doull also referred to Venkatesh’s 19-ball 44 against SRH and his half-century against Punjab Kings, saying the batter had built a good rhythm with Kohli.
“Yes, Salt has a stronger partnership record with Virat, but in cricket, you always go with the player in form. Form matters more than reputation, especially in knockout games. The biggest risk is bringing in someone who hasn’t played competitive cricket for weeks. I would continue with Venkatesh at the top. Phil Salt is too good an option to have on the bench, but right now, Venkatesh deserves to keep his place,” he signed off.
In five IPL matches and four innings across opening and middle-order roles, Venkatesh has scored 158 runs at an average of 79.00 and a strike rate of 177.52, including one half-century and a best score of 73 not out.
Salt, meanwhile, has made 202 runs in six innings at the top of the order at an average of 33.66 and a strike rate above 168, with two fifties and a highest score of 78.
Zheng Qinwen suffered a shocking early exit at the 2026 French Open after losing to Maja Chwalinska in the opening round. The defeat left Zheng visibly emotional, with the Chinese star later breaking down in tears during her post-match press conference.
Zheng has struggled to find consistency this season and is still searching for a major breakthrough campaign in 2026. Her best results so far have been Round of 16 appearances at the Qatar Open and the Miami Open. The Chinese star arrived in Paris following a Round of 32 exit at the Italian Open and was drawn against Chwalinska in the opening round.
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World No. 114 Chwalinska, who battled through three rounds of qualifying to enter the main draw, produced a dominant display and even handed Zheng a bagel during the 6-4, 6-0 loss. The Pole showed little mercy throughout the contest and sealed a stunning victory to book a second-round clash against 23rd seed Elise Mertens.
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After the defeat, Zheng attended her mandatory press conference, where she was repeatedly questioned by reporters about the disappointing result. While responding, the Chinese star became emotional, suddenly breaking down in tears before saying:
“This is definitely a heavy loss. Maybe it can give me a different perspective and help me come back stronger next time.”
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao delegation parades during the opening ceremonies of the Palarong Pambansa 2026 at the Datu Lipus Makapandong Governor DO Plaza Sports Complex in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. (Photo courtesy of the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur page)
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — A 33-year dream finally came to fruition on Sunday, May 24, as host Agusan del Sur formally opened the 66th Palarong Pambansa 2026 at the Datu Lipus Makapandong Governor DO Plaza Sports Complex.
Before more than 14,000 athletes, coaches, delegates, officials, and guests, Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. described the province’s hosting of the country’s largest grassroots sporting event as a historic milestone for Agusanons.
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“Today is the tomorrow that the people of Agusan del Sur dreamed about,” Cane said in his welcome address, recalling how the sports complex was once only an aspiration and has since become a symbol of progress, unity, and perseverance.
Cane said the successful staging of the Palarong Pambansa was not only the result of improved infrastructure but also the collective effort of communities across the province.
He credited farmers, teachers, tribal leaders, barangay officials, school personnel, volunteers, and residents who helped prepare Agusan del Sur for the national event.
“When the country came to our door, we opened it with pride and love,” Cane said, underscoring the province’s hospitality.
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The governor said the hosting fulfilled a vision first championed by the late governor and congressman Democrito O. Plaza and later carried forward by his son, Agusan del Sur 2nd District Rep. Adolph Edward Plaza, who initiated the rehabilitation of the P1.7-billion sports complex.
Addressing the student-athletes, Cane described them as the “heart” of the Palarong Pambansa and urged them to give their best in every competition.
“You have worked hard enough. This is your time to realize your dream,” he told the young competitors.
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Cane, a former national athlete in weightlifting and track and field, said he understood the sacrifices, discipline, and perseverance required to excel in sports.
Despite the province’s distance from major urban centers, Cane said Agusan del Sur had proven that communities outside big cities could successfully host a national sporting event of major significance.
His remarks drew loud applause from delegates and spectators, setting a tone of pride and optimism for the weeklong games.
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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who did not attend the opening ceremony, sent Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo as his representative. In a video message, Marcos urged student-athletes, para-athletes, and coaches to compete with discipline, determination, and joy.
“You carry not only the name of your region, but also the dreams and inspiration of your fellow youth,” Marcos said.
He also underscored the role of sports in shaping character, saying lessons learned in competition extend beyond the playing field.
“Here, you will learn discipline, hard work, and values that will guide you beyond the playing field,” he added.
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Marcos assured participants of continued government support for Filipino athletes through training programs and incentives.
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara, for his part, commended the student-athletes during the opening ceremony, recognizing their sacrifices in training, academics, and preparation for the national competition.
He emphasized that simply reaching the national stage is already a major achievement, noting that discipline, teamwork, respect, and resilience define the true spirit of the Palarong Pambansa.
For the first time in the history of the games, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) turned over P10 million in incentives for gold medalists in this year’s national meet.
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PSC Chair John Patrick Gregorio formally handed the fund to Angara, who will oversee its distribution to winning athletes.
Marcos said the incentives would cover both regular sports and para-games athletes, reinforcing the government’s push for inclusivity and equal recognition in sports development.
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Carrying the theme “Unlocking the Future Through Sports,” the 66th Palarong Pambansa brings together thousands of delegates from across the country in a celebration of athletic excellence, unity, resilience, and youth empowerment. INQ
Indian-origin youngster Nishesh Basavareddy produced one of the biggest shocks of the opening round at the French Open 2026 after defeating seventh-seeded Taylor Fritz in a four-set battle at Roland Garros.
The 21-year-old wild card stunned the higher-ranked American 7-6(5), 7-6(5), 6-7(9), 6-1 to seal the first victory of his career against a top-10-ranked player.
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Basavareddy relied on sharp backhands, clever drop shots and fearless shot-making to outplay one of America’s leading stars. He will meet his countryman Alex Michelsen in the second round on Wednesday, May 27.
Who is Nishesh Basavareddy?
Basavareddy is an American tennis player of Indian origin, born in Newport Beach, California, in 2005. His parents moved to the United States from Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, in 1999. He turned professional in 2024 and soon established himself as a rising prospect, even breaking into the top 100 early in his career. Coming into Roland Garros as a wild card, he had played only a handful of tour-level matches this season.
Basavareddy’s fearless display stuns Fritz
Playing against Fritz for the first time on the ATP Tour, Basavareddy dictated rallies with aggressive baseline hitting and well-executed drop shots. His backhand precision repeatedly put Fritz under pressure, while his calmness in crucial points helped him edge two close tie-breaks. Even though Fritz struck 71 winners, Basavareddy responded with 51 of his own to complete a memorable victory.
Fritz credits Basavareddy’s variety and touch
After the defeat, Fritz acknowledged that Basavareddy had played at a very high level and admitted the youngster’s drop shots were difficult to counter. He said Basavareddy repeatedly used sharp and well-timed touch shots, even from deep positions, which disrupted his rhythm throughout the match. Fritz also noted that he was impressed by the youngster’s feel and control under pressure.
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Another early Roland Garros exit for Fritz
The loss marked Fritz’s second consecutive first-round exit at Roland Garros. Although he fought back strongly in the third set and saved a match point in the tie-break, he struggled physically as the match progressed.
Fritz later said he did not feel his overall level was poor, but admitted there were areas where he could have served and returned better. For Basavareddy, meanwhile, the win stands as a major breakthrough as he heads into the second round against fellow American Alex Michelsen with growing confidence.
When you get a look at the green from the fairway, it’s tempting to take dead aim at the flagstick, but it’s not always the best play.
When the pin is guarded by a hazard — like on No. 4 at TPC Sawgrass (see main photo above) — going for it can bring a big number into play. The key to posting a low score is avoiding mistakes rather than pulling off hero shots. Remember these four things when facing a tucked pin.
4 keys to remember when attacking a tucked pin
1. Aim for the fat. Make your target line the widest part of the green. This gives you the largest margin for error.
2. Don’t over-curve it. When shaping the shot toward the flagstick, don’t overdo it or you’ll be short-sided (or worse).
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3. Take extra club. It’s smart to take a little more club than the number calls for. Even if you miss your start line, you’ll carry the trouble.
4. Accept a long putt. There’s nothing wrong with hitting an approach to 45 feet and two-putting. Par will never hurt your scorecard.
Joe Plecker is the director of instruction at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club in Savannah, Ga.
Former French Open champion Stan Wawrinka bowed out of his 21st and final Roland Garros on Monday with a four-set defeat to Jesper de Jong.
The 41-year-old Swiss will hang up his racquet at the end of the current season and had hoped for one last swansong at the major he won in 2015 but his goodbye was cut short in the first round.
Wawrinka went down in just over three hours on court under a blazing sun 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to Dutch lucky loser De Jong.
After the match, Wawrinka was presented with a glass case containing a section of a clay court and two video tributes to his career were displayed on big screens around the stadium – the latter featuring messages directed to Wawrinka from former champions Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, among other luminaries of the sport.
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“It’s hard, I don’t want to say goodbye to you here,” Wawrinka said, before also thanking the people who work behind the scenes at the tournament.
“Unfortunately, it’s my last match at Roland Garros, but thank you.”
“Me too, I love you,” he added in response to cries from the spectators of ‘we love you, Stan’.
“Thanks to all your support, I wanted to go on as long as possible, to 41 years of age, to continue living moments like this.”
Despite the mercury tipping over 30C, there were few empty seats to spare on Court Simonne Mathieu to see the hugely-popular former world number three appear for the final time on the red dirt in Paris.
A crushing forehand by De Jong earned the 106th-ranked player the crucial break to get ahead 5-4 in the fourth set.
His every point roared on by the crowd, Wawrinka forced a break-back opportunity but his best efforts to prolong his stay in Roland Garros, which at one moment left him lying panting on his back, were in vain as De Jong battled into the second round.
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“To be honest, it’s not about me today,” the 25-year-old said. “Funny story about Stan, he was playing against my coach when I was a ball kid!
Jan 20, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi (11) skates during warm up prior to a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi is out indefinitely due to complications from an offseason surgery, the team announced Monday.
Domi, 31, will continue working with the Maple Leafs’ medical staff and will be re-evaluated at the start of training camp. The team said he played through the injury during the 2025-26 season but did not provide specific details about the injury or surgery.
Domi recorded 36 points (12 goals, 24 assists) in 80 games during the regular season and added seven points (three goals, four assists) in 13 playoff contests.
The 11-year NHL veteran has recorded 486 points (150 goals, 336 assists) and 801 penalty minutes in 815 games with seven different teams. He just completed his third season with Toronto.
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A first-round draft pick (12th overall) in 2013, the Winnipeg native has two seasons remaining on a four-year, $15 million contract he signed in July 2024.
Odds are you’ve never heard the term, but it’s how Jim Wagner describes the course he and Gil Hanse recently completed at the southern tip of a sandy ridge that runs for 100 miles through otherwise flat central Florida.
The label fits. In a state where most courses play to type (palm-fringed; real estate–flanked), High Grove bucks and rolls. More than 65 feet of elevation change mark the property, lending uncommon movement to holes that climb and dip across a rumpled canvas.
The terrain makes High Grove unusual. The setting makes it singular. Most of the holes spill through a working citrus grove, so the air is perfumed with blossoms and the backdrop bustles with handpicking.
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A standout stretch from 6 through 9 plays over and along a sandy spine that bisects the site, delivering scenery and shotmaking demands rare for Florida too.
The first 18 opened in December and a short course in March, equidistant from Naples and Jupiter, in a setting that feels both peacefully removed and central to the state’s booming golf belt.
College football has always been a sport driven by outrageous numbers, but entering the 2026 season, several statistical realities across the country feel almost impossible to comprehend. In an era shaped by NIL, the transfer portal and expanded playoff expectations, roster continuity and returning production have become more important than ever — and some programs are entering the fall with noticeable advantages over the rest of the sport.
From national title contenders returning nearly their entire offensive lines to bluebloods replacing a heavy chunk of meaningful snaps from a year ago, the numbers paint a fascinating picture ahead of the 2026 season. Several playoff hopefuls rank among the nation’s leaders in returning production, while others are attempting to reload after massive roster turnover.
There are also individual player trends, historic streaks and program-defining stats that show just how dramatically college football continues to evolve as it enters another season.
Whether it’s an SEC heavyweight bringing back nearly every offensive contributor, a Big Ten threat returning unprecedented experience or a powerhouse facing alarming regression signs, these numbers help explain why preseason expectations across the country are soaring — or crumbling.
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Here are 26 of the most mind-blowing stats entering the 2026 college football season.
1. Kirby Smart has more first-round picks (21) than losses at Georgia (20). Former Bulldogs offensive tackle Monroe Freeling became Smart’s 21st first-rounder in April, surpassing the number of total losses he’s had between the hedges during an illustrious tenure that includes two national titles. Many wondered whether Georgia would suffer a setback in 2025 after losing three Day 1 defensive picks, but the Bulldogs fielded a top-15 defense nationally and won their fourth SEC title under Smart.
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2. Indiana hasn’t lost a home game under Curt Cignetti (15-0). Guess who holds the nation’s longest home winning streak entering the 2026 season? Indiana has become a terror to beat in Bloomington under Cignetti, clobbering nine Big Ten opponents by an average of 33.3 points per game. The Hoosiers went 14-17 at Memorial Stadium over the previous five years combined prior to Cignetti’s arrival. The only ranked opponent Indiana has toppled at home during this unbeaten run was No. 9 Illinois last season — so the schedule’s been considerably favorable relative to Big Ten standards.
3. Kalen DeBoer is college football’s winningest active coach against top 25 opponents (20-6, .769). Alabama’s third-year leader has always gotten the most out of his players against the best teams on his schedule. He won four straight games against ranked opponents last season prior to a 1-3 slip down the stretch, including a blowout loss to Indiana in the CFP. Smart at 42-17 (.711) and Ohio State’s Ryan Day (27-11, .710) are close behind.
4. Kirk Ferentz has more wins (209) and NFL Draft picks (101) than any active coach. Success leads to longevity, and Ferentz has led a successful program at Iowa since the turn of the century. After producing seven draft picks last month, he surpassed 100 career NFL selections, making him the only active coach with that number. After leaving the Baltimore Ravens as their associate head coach in 1998, Ferentz has two Big Ten titles with the Hawkeyes and has been named conference coach of the year four times.
5. Dabo Swinney’s four national championship game appearances are more than any active coach. Swinney’s run at Clemson will never be forgotten, even as the NIL and transfer portal era has leveled the playing field a bit in recent years. At one point in Clemson’s climb, the Tigers won 12 or more games for five consecutive seasons and finished inside the top four of the final rankings every year from 2015 through the 2020 campaign. Both of Swinney’s national championships came against Saban and Alabama. It was a stretch that rivaled the ACC’s best ever, previously displayed by Bobby Bowden at Florida State from 1992 to 2000.
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6. Bill Belichick is the nation’s oldest coach (74) and could join elite company with a historic season. Florida State legend Bobby Bowden is the only coach at 75 or older to win a Power Five conference title, doing so in 2005 before retiring a few years later following a 7-6 finish. Entering his second campaign at North Carolina, Belichick hopes to bring the Tar Heels their first ACC championship since 1980 and would produce another feather in the cap if he does so after winning six Super Bowls as a head coach at the NFL level with the New England Patriots. Florida Atlantic’s Zach Kittley is college football’s youngest coach. He’ll turn 35 three weeks before the Owls’ opener this season at Florida.
Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer is college football’s winningest active coach against AP Top 25 competition.
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Team success
7. In the AP poll era, 9 SEC and 9 Big Ten programs have won conference titles. Competitive balance abounds. However, since the CFP began in 2014, each of these leagues has a clear top tier, followed by teams in contention, with the middle and bottom filling out the schedule. Alabama or Georgia has won 11 of the last 12 SEC championships, with LSU (2019) being the only outlier. There’s been a bit more parity in the Big Ten over that stretch, thanks to the recent surge from Oregon and Indiana. Six programs have won league titles in the CFP era, led by Ohio State’s six crowns and Michigan’s three.
8. Georgia has won 48 straight against unranked opponents, the most nationally by a long shot. Since losing in double overtime to South Carolina in 2019 in Athens, the Bulldogs haven’t lost a game against an unranked team. However, they have a long way to go to beat the SEC record — 100 by Alabama under Saban. The next closest Power Four program is Oregon. The Ducks are sitting on 33 straight wins over teams outside the top 25 under Dan Lanning.
9. Chances are high we see another first-time playoff participant in 2026. After numerous first-timers — including SMU, Arizona State, Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Miami — made the 12-team bracket in each of its first two seasons, let’s summon more parity this fall. UNLV, Memphis, Louisville, BYU, Houston and Utah are just a few of the programs with rosters competitive enough to get there in 2026 with a couple breaks. Thank you, revenue share and NIL spending for making rosters a bit more comparable for many.
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Dubious distinctions
10. Matt Rhule is 0-9 against top 25 opponents at Nebraska. After losing three games last fall to ranked teams with the Huskers, Rhule is now 2-25 overall in his career against top 25 opponents. Despite a winless mark in the category at Nebraska, Rhule signed a two-year extension in October amid worries he could leave for the Penn State vacancy. If you include retention bonuses, Rhule’s salary over the entire contract has an AAV of over $11.7 million. Rhule’s last victory over a ranked team came against Navy on Dec. 3, 2016, during his tenure at Temple.
11. The Big 12 is 1-8 all-time in the playoff, including TCU’s 58-point loss to end the 2022 season. One of Texas Tech’s best seasons in program history ended with a thud last fall in the form of a shutout loss to Oregon, the Big Ten’s third-best team, in the CFP quarterfinals. That was the Big 12’s third straight playoff setback dating back to the Horned Frogs’ loss to Georgia in the 2023 title game. That TCU team outlasted Michigan in the semifinals for the league’s first CFP win. The Big 12’s worst in CFP action had been Oklahoma. The Sooners were 0-4 under Lincoln Riley, including a couple of blowout losses.
12. Only one preseason No. 1 since 2005 has won the national championship. Nick Saban won six titles at Alabama, but his 2017 team was the only squad to go front-to-back as America’s best. Seven of the 20 teams ranked No. 1 over the last two decades finished outside of the top 5, including Texas last season at No. 12 and 2012 USC, which was unranked. Teams vying for this year’s preseason No. 1 in August include Ohio State, Texas, Georgia and Notre Dame. The Buckeyes’ last preseason top billing came in 2015 before Ryan Day’s tenure.
13. Over the Group of Six’s four all-time playoff games, the average margin of defeat is 21.5 points. Those requesting more CFP entries from the non-Power Four ranks, beware. Talent discrepancies between the haves and have-nots are noticeable in the postseason, which started with Cincinnati’s 27-6 loss to Alabama in the 2021 playoff and culminated in blowout losses by James Madison and Tulane last fall in the first round. Oregon jumped out to a 31-point lead on the Dukes last season and pushed ahead 48-13 midway through the third quarter before Bob Chesney’s Sun Belt champions trimmed the gap and made it somewhat respectable.
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14. Will James Franklin overcome ranked opponent woes at Virginia Tech? Franklin was fired at Penn State for not beating enough quality opponents. His loss to Oregon last season at home was the Nittany Lions’ 15th straight defeat to a team inside the AP poll’s top 6, and his career mark of 2-21 against such opponents is the second-worst by any FBS head coach all time (minimum 20 contests). Later, Penn State became the first FBS team since 1978 to drop consecutive games as a 20-plus-point favorite, leading to his immediate exit. At Virginia Tech, previous coach and current defensive coordinator Brent Pry was 0-6 against ranked opponents over his three-plus-year tenure.
15. If history repeats, nearly half of the preseason AP Top 25 will find themselves struggling in November. According to numbers from The New York Times, an average of 9.5 teams ranked in the preseason have finished unranked in each of the AP polls since the rankings expanded to 25 teams in 1989. Last season, 11 teams capsized and were not included in the final AP rankings: Clemson, Penn State, Illinois, LSU, SMU, South Carolina, Florida, Kansas State, Iowa State, Boise State and Tennessee. Until the preseason poll drops in August, you can check out our post-spring top 25 for an early glimpse.
Matt Rhule is 2-25 in his coaching career against AP Top 25 opponents, and 0-8 at Nebraska.
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Roster quirks
16. USC returns more offensive starters (nine) than 93 FBS programs return total starters. With a nation-leading 15 returning starters this season, the Trojans should have their most complete team under Lincoln Riley. Jayden Maiava is the star at quarterback, and he can breathe easy knowing USC’s offense is loaded along the front lines and backfield with Waymond Jordan and King Miller back. Miller rushed for 972 yards and eight touchdowns while Jordan averaged 6.5 yards per carry last fall. Early-round wideouts Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane are the only two starters not returning on offense.
17. Iowa State and North Texas return zero starters from last season’s bowl teams. Nearly all of the Cyclones’ impact players followed Matt Campbell to Penn State, while North Texas was gutted of its talent after Eric Morris bolted for the Oklahoma State vacancy. The Cowboys signed an FBS-leading 55 transfers this cycle to finish with a top-15 haul, highlighted by 17 former Mean Green players, including standouts Drew Mestemaker (quarterback), Caleb Hawkins (running back) and Wyatt Young (wide receiver).
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18. Notre Dame leads the nation in returning snap percentage. No team brings back more experience than the Fighting Irish, with 66% of their returning snaps back at their respective positions, including a staggering 73% of defensive snaps under Marcus Freeman. Leonard Moore, Christian Gray and others are back in a loaded secondary that also features Colorado transfer D.J. McKinney. Considering Notre Dame replaces two first-round picks — Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price — at the running back position, it’s quite surprising the Fighting Irish can still flex enhanced experience on that side of the football.
19. Three different schools have signed three No. 1-rated transfers at various positions in a single cycle. LSU has pushed all of its 2026 roster resources toward the center of the table this offseason after coming to terms with quarterback Sam Leavitt, edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen and offensive tackle Jordan Seaton as portal five-stars. During the 2024 portal cycle, Ohio State landed top-ranked safety Caleb Downs, No. 1 quarterback Julian Sayin and No. 1 running back Quinshon Judkins before riding that star-driven roster — along with Will Howard — to a national championship. Lane Kiffin hopes to do the same in Baton Rouge. In 2021, Georgia signed Arik Gilbert (tight end), Derion Kendrick (cornerback) and Tykee Smith (safety) as three of the top-10 prospects that cycle and each No. 1 at their positions.
20. The Power Four’s turnover margin leader has played in the national title game three straight years. Indiana’s plus-22 turnover margin last season was the best in FBS and bested the Power Four’s top team in each of the previous two seasons (Notre Dame in 2024 at plus-18 and Michigan in 2023 at plus-19). Takeaways are not something you can coach, but Hoosiers defensive coordinator Bryant Haines and staffs with the Fighting Irish and Wolverines did stress going after the football and bringing the pain. Those three also keyed on not coughing it up, too.
Individual accolades
21. Jeremiah Smith needs 20 touchdown receptions to set the all-time Power Four mark. Ohio State’s unstoppable junior would become the most potent wideout in Power Four history by reaching the end zone 20 times, a feat that’s only been done twice since 2019. Former Alabama Heisman winner DeVonta Smith ranks fifth in FBS history in scoring catches (46) behind four standouts from the Group of Six — Jarett Dillard, Corey Davis, Troy Edwards and Darius Watts. Jeremiah Smith is the Power Four’s active leader in touchdown receptions with 27 entering what is likely his final campaign. DeVonta Smith’s 23 touchdown catches in 2020 and 20 from Ja’Marr Chase at LSU in 2019 are the highest marks in a single campaign.
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22. The last four Heisman winners have been transfers. Sign of the times, right? Fernando Mendoza (Indiana, 2025), Travis Hunter (Colorado, 2024), Jayden Daniels (LSU, 2023) and Caleb Williams (USC, 2022) all struck gold at different programs from where they originally signed, which is great news for the quarterbacks at Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Miami and LSU, should history repeat itself. Three of those elites added new signal callers this offseason, while returning starters Julian Sayin and Dante Moore for the Buckeyes and Ducks, respectively, were once transfers themselves.
23. Why is Missouri’s rushing prowess so often overlooked? Since Eli Drinkwitz brought his outside zone run game to the Tigers in 2020, Missouri has seen three of its running backs surpass 1,600 yards rushing in a single season — the most by any FBS program during that time. Tyler Badie (1,604 yards in 2021), Cody Schrader (1,627 in 2023) and Ahmad Hardy (1,649) last season all led the SEC in rushing, and all were underrated recruits. Badie signed with the Tigers as a three-star, Schrader as an unranked Division II All-American transfer and Hardy out of Louisiana-Monroe. Ole Miss All-America running back Kewan Lacy, who ranked third nationally in rushing yards with 1,464 yards and 23 touchdowns last fall, originally signed with Missouri in 2024 and appeared in six games as a reserve. That’s how adept this coaching staff is at identifying top-flight talent in the backfield.
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24. Julian Sayin is gunning for the all-time quarterback efficiency honor. During his first season as Ohio State’s QB1 last fall, the former Alabama transfer led the nation in completion percentage (78.4%) and passing efficiency (182.05). His current completion percentage prior to going 22-of-35 against Miami in the CFP was better than the all-time NCAA record of 77.4% by Oregon’s Bo Nix (2023) and Alabama’s Mac Jones (2020). However, Sayin’s final outing pushed him to 77% for the season, so Nix stayed on top. Putting Sayin’s numbers further in perspective, new Ohio State offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is under pressure to ensure Sayin’s second year as the starter tops his first.
25. ‘The Big House Streak’ will continue under Kyle Whittingham. Official “sellouts” aren’t tracked at Michigan. However, the Wolverines have announced an attendance of 100,000-plus at 329 consecutive home games since 1975. Nebraska has sold out 410 consecutive home games entering the 2026 season, which is believed to be the longest streak in college football. Oklahoma has a recognized sellout streak of 161 games, which includes last fall’s CFP first-round loss to Alabama. In 2019, Notre Dame’s home sellout streak of 273 ended against Navy.
26. On-field play this fall means more than any 2027 NFL mock draft evaluation can provide. By now, you’ve likely digested your share of various first-round mocks for next cycle. And as a fan of those, you know there’s nothing set in stone with 12 (or more) games’ worth of sample size upcoming for scouts and evaluators to dissect prior to the combine. Before falling in love with a projected Day 1 quarterback, left tackle or elite edge rusher, let things play out. Garrett Nussmeier and Drew Allar were locks to go early this time last summer, and look what happened to those two quarterbacks, along with the emergence of Fernando Mendoza. Will Arch Manning, Dante Moore, LaNorris Sellers and others deliver, or will we see another in-season whiff from the game’s perceived best under center? This is what makes this time of year so difficult to project — and exciting — across the sport.
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