Greg Schiano didn’t come into the 2026 season on the hot seat, but he quickly found himself on it after Rutgers got dominated in their home opener by lowly UMass — which hadn’t beaten a Power Four team since joining FBS in 2012 and hadn’t won against any FBS opponent since 2023. 

The Scarlet Knights looked hapless on defense and weren’t much sharper on offense, and while Schiano is comfortably the most accomplished coach at Rutgers since Frank Burns in the 1970s, a loss like that to UMass is enough to raise questions about one’s job security. A slow start on the road at Boston College on Friday night only accelerated the frustration among the Rutgers faithful, as they began to ponder the possible reality that they were the worst team in a Power Four conference. 

That’s not a position Rutgers wants to be in and was a major reason it brought Schiano back in 2020. However, in his second stint in New Jersey, Schiano has not managed to win more than seven games in a season with the Scarlet Knights. 

With Schiano yet to recapture the magic from his first tenure at Rutgers and the Scarlet Knights seemingly plummeting back into football obscurity in 2026, many have wondered if the program might look to make a change. 

Greg Schiano on hot seat after Rutgers upset by UMass: Scarlet Knights struggling in coach’s second stint

Shehan Jeyarajah

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Greg Schiano buyout, contract details 

Schiano signed an extension in 2023 after a 7-6 season that culminated in a Pinstripe Bowl victory that would keep him at Rutgers through the 2030 season. 

Schiano is scheduled to make $6.75 million in 2026 and has three years and $22.5 million remaining on his contract, with his buyout clause calling for him to get paid the extremely specific amount of 76.875% of the remainder of that contract — which would be $17,296,875. Schiano’s contract includes a mitigation clause where the buyout is offset by any football coaching contract he signs in the future, but the 60-year-old is not required to pursue other employment. 

That is not a massive buyout by Big Ten standards as a whole, but for a Rutgers program that is already underwater when it comes to finances, it might not be reasonable to pay a coach more than $17 million to go away after a couple of bad games. At the very least, Schiano figures to get the remainder of 2026 to see if he can turn things around and get the Scarlet Knights back to respectability. 

If a turnaround isn’t on the horizon for Rutgers and they go 1-11 with their lone win coming against Howard, then there could be phone calls made to see about raising the funds to make a change. 

Cronulla welcomes back several important players for a challenging elimination final against a North Queensland side capable of producing plenty of points.

When: Saturday September 12, 2026 at 7:50 pm

Where: Allianz Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys Odds

Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys Preview

Cronulla begins this elimination final under pressure after losing four of its past five matches, but several important returns strengthen the side for another postseason meeting with North Queensland. Braydon Trindall is back to partner Nicho Hynes, while KL Iro, Blayke Brailey and Teig Wilton are recalled after being rested. Thomas Hazelton also returns to the pack. The Cowboys regain Griffin Neame, Jeremiah Nanai and Zac Laybutt, although their defence remains a concern after conceding 50 points against Canberra last week and more points than any other top-eight team across the season. North Queensland did beat Cronulla 46-34 in Round 8, while the Sharks won their most recent finals clash 26-18 in 2024. Ronaldo Mulitalo’s seven-game try-scoring streak against the Cowboys adds a clear edge threat. With its first-choice spine restored, Cronulla has the firmer foundation at Allianz Stadium.

Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Santiago Ponzinibbio (red gloves) fights Muslim Salikhov (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

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The two-day Irish Champions Weekend begins at Leopardstown on Saturday, with action the following day at The Curragh.

Saturday’s bumper 9-race card at the South County Dublin venue includes three Group 1 races, with the highlight, the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, the weekend’s feature, going to post at 5.00pm. The three Group 1s are backed up by a Group 2, a Group 3 and a Listed race, while there are also three Premier Handicaps down for decision.

The Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes is usually one of the season’s highlights. The 1m 2 furlong contest for three-year-olds and upwards has seen Aidan O’Brien win six of the last seven editions of the race, with Delacroix (2025), Auguste Rodin (2023), Luxembourg (2022), St Mark’s Basilica (2021), Magical (2019 & 2020).

First three in Juddmonte International re-oppose

On Saturday, the Ballydoyle handler’s main hope will be the Coral-Eclipse winner at Sandown, Constitution River – beaten on his last outing in the Juddmonte International at York last month.

Item, the winner of the Juddmonte International, and Almaqam, the runner-up, will represent Andrew Balding and Ed Walker respectively. There was only a head between the two English-trained runners at York last time, with three lengths back to Constitution River – though Aidan O’Brien did later blame poor race tactics for the defeat of the son of Wootton Bassett.

The 2025 Betfred Derby and Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner, Lambourn, has also been declared by the Coolmore partners, as has Hawk Mountain, with both likely to set the pace at different stages of the race.

Jessica Harrington’s recent German Group 1 winner Hotazhell is also among the field, as is A Boy Names Susie, who finished behind Constitution River in both the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, and the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

Interestingly, English handler George Scott supplemented his Deauville Group 3 winner Wimbledon Hawkeye at a cost of €75,000, and will be hoping to get some return for the outlay.

Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes

The Group 1 Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes at 3.55pm is for fillies and mares over a mile. Eight different trainers have won this prize since 2018, and twice it has gone for export – to Karl Burke – with Fallen Angel last season, and Laurens in 2018. Both Donnacha O’Brien (2024, Porta Fortuna) and his brother Joseph (2019, Iridessa) have claimed this contest in recent years, though their father, Aidan, hasn’t won since Hydrangea in 2017.

The race has been good for favourites in recent times, with the past three winning, namely Fallen Angel (9/4), Porta Fortuna (5/4) and Tahiyra (5/6).

English trainers hold strong hand in Matron Stakes

English trainers, Andrew Balding and Karl Burke, hold a strong hand in this year’s renewal. Balding’s Blue Bolt goes in search of a third Group 1, and has had the upper hand this season on four-time Group 1 winner Precise, who re-opposes on Saturday.

LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

– Minor premier Penrith begins its finals campaign against a refreshed Roosters team welcoming back a host of frontline players.

When: Sunday September 13, 2026 at 4:05 pm

Where: CommBank Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters Odds

Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters Preview

Minor premier Penrith hosts the Roosters at CommBank Stadium after claiming top spot on points differential with a 38-10 win over the Tigers. Casey McLean’s hat-trick highlighted the Panthers’ attacking sharpness, while Isaah Yeo now returns to the starting side and Scott Sorensen is back from a calf issue. Sydney has lost three consecutive matches since its 12-6 win over Penrith in Round 24, although last week’s heavy defeat to South Sydney came with many frontline players rested. James Tedesco, Daly Cherry-Evans, Reece Robson and Lindsay Collins are among the returning starters, Victor Radley is back from concussion, and Angus Crichton has been named on the bench after a lengthy foot injury. Penrith won the other meeting 40-4 and has won its past 10 home finals. The Roosters’ restored side raises the challenge, but Penrith’s continuity and finals control remain compelling.

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Trailing 2-1 to Slavia Prague in the 88th minute, few could have imagined that Lens would go on to win. Yet, in just three minutes, the French side turned the game around, led by their captain Florian Thauvin.

Gilas Pilipinas’ rough loss to Bahrain cast more doubt on its chances of retaining the gold medal in men’s basketball as the country’s campaign in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games officially got going on Friday.

Coach Tim Cone refused to sugarcoat much of the 89-85 loss, a scoreline that wasn’t reflective of the difficulty Gilas endured for most of the contest.

“We expected more from ourselves, [especially having a lot of] basketball-crazy fans,” Cone said. “So we’re disappointed.”

A decisive stretch during the waning moments of the second quarter all the way to the third spelled doom for Gilas, as it was left helpless with Bahrain’s combination of size advantage and outside conversions, all the while with the Filipinos struggling to make shots reminiscent of their two blowout defeats in an exhibition series with South Korea.

Calvin Oftana was one of the few, if not the lone bright spot, for Gilas, making good on Cone’s belief as a “plug-and-play guy” being a part of his system for the long term.

Oftana showed no signs of rust or injury concerns, having missed the last three months with hamstring and toe injuries, firing 31 points on 11-of-19 shooting in undoubtedly his best performance in a Gilas uniform.

But Oftana’s big game went for naught, as the rest of the team struggled to find its rhythm to end up shooting at a cold 38-percent clip.

Defensive match-up problems were also evident, with three of Bahrain’s four naturalized players in ex-NBA player JaKarr Sampson, big-bodied Elijah Thomas and even Uros Ilic proving too much to handle.

“We had a hard time with their size,” said Cone. “Even though we won the rebounds (51-35), we had a hard time defending their size. [They] forced us to collapse down on their bigs because we are undersized.”

“And that either allowed them to score inside or allowed them to kick out for three-point shots and we couldn’t cover both,” added Cone.

And now Gilas has no course but to play with a sense of urgency on Saturday against Kazakhstan, as another loss will likely end all chances of even advancing to the quarterfinals as a top two finisher in Group C or as two of the best three third-place finishers.

Cone said he and the rest of the team can’t dwell on the narrow loss longer.

“At some point, you can be disappointed only long enough,” said Cone. “And then, you got to move on.”

“This is the first game of the tournament, so we got to move on,” he said. “But we feel like we know that we can be better than we did today. And I think we will.”

Enzo Maresca has given the latest Man City injury news ahead of the clash against Man United at Old Trafford

Manchester City have been handed an injury boost for this weekend’s Manchester derby, with Nico O’Reilly expected to be fit for the clash with Manchester United. The 21-year-old has been absent for the last two games with a back injury.

City make the short journey to Old Trafford on Sunday to take on United. They will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Premier League under Enzo Maresca.

The results see City sit top of the early Premier League table, above expected title rivals Arsenal on goals scored. The two teams are the only two to have won all of their three games so far.

City were also in Champions League action this week. They kicked off their European campaign in the perfect way with a brace from Erling Haaland giving them a 2-0 away win.

Attentions now turn back to the Premier League and the Manchester derby with City looking to secure early bragging rights.

Ahead of the game, Maresca has given the latest injury update on his squad. In good news, it seems that the treatment room is becoming increasingly empty.

Nico O’Reilly

Injury: Back.

O’Reilly was forced to pull out of the line-up shortly before last weekend’s win over Coventry City due to a back problem. He sat out this week’s Champions League win over Porto, but will be available for the Manchester derby.

What Maresca has said: “Nico is 100% available.”

Expected return date: Vs Manchester United (A) – Sunday 13 September.

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Jeremy Doku

Injury: Calf.

Doku suffered a caf injury during the Community Shield clash against Arsenal last month. He is yet to make an appearance in the Premier League or Champions League this season.

What Maresca has said: “Jeremy needs some more days.”

Possible return date: Vs Sunderland (H) – Sunday 20 September.

Two East Coast foes looking to bounce back from ugly Week 1 performances meet in Boston Friday night with the Boston College Eagles hosting the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Eagles lost 34-15 at Cincinnati while Rutgers had maybe the worst loss of any team in Week 1, losing at home to UMass 37-21. UMass didn’t win a single game in 2025 and hadn’t won in nearly 700 days. This is an important year for both teams, as Greg Schiano is in his 18th total season at Rutgers and his seventh in this second stint as head coach, while Bill O’Brien is in Year 3 at Boston College and won just two games last season. Bet on Rutgers vs. Boston College and more Week 2 college football at DraftKings and get $200 in bonus bets when you spend $5+:

If you’re looking to wager on this Rutgers at Boston College matchup in Week 2, you should first see what the SportsLine Projection Model has to say. The model simulates every FBS game 10,000 times and is on a 33-20 run on top-rated CFB money-line picks on betting sites since the 2024 season. It has been upgraded for the 2026 season to even better factor in the transfer portal. Anybody following its picks on college football betting sites could have seen strong returns.

Rutgers vs. Boston College betting odds (via DraftKings)

Rutgers vs. Boston College betting preview

There’s nowhere to go but up, right? These teams really struggled in Week 1, with Boston College getting outgunned by a more talented Cincinnati team while Rutgers’ loss to UMass was one of the worst of the entire weekend. 

The Scarlet Knights have up 37 points and nearly 400 yards to a UMass team that hadn’t won a game since Oct. 26 2024. The biggest issue was on the ground, where Rutgers gave up 200 rushing yards. The Scarlet Knights also had four turnovers on offense, with quarterback Dylan Lonergan tossing three interceptions. AJ Surace came in and threw a touchdown last week, and he’ll start for Rutgers against Boston College on Friday. 

As for the Eagles, nothing seemed to go right last year in a 2-10 campaign. The same was true over the weekend against Cincinnati. The Bearcats basically had that game handed to them as the Eagles actually outgained them 388-339, but Cincinnati rushed for a whopping 254 yards, and Boston College had two turnovers on offense while not registering a takeaway on defense. BC also went 1-for-4 on fourth down. Quarterback Mason McKenzie had 223 passing yards and a team-leading 78 rushing yards. 

Use the BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS to get up to $1,500 in bonus bets for Rutgers vs. Boston College in Week 2 college football:

Rutgers vs. Boston College picks, prediction

Rutgers-Boston College Over 53.5 points

These defenses were among the worst in the nation last year, and it doesn’t appear much has changed on that front this season. BC allowed the 14th-most points per game at 32.8 in 2025 and Rutgers was close behind, allowing 31.8 per contest. 

There’s some intriguing talent on offense on both sides, with McKenzie showing his dual-threat nature for the Eagles in a losing effort last week. Surace played well in relief of Lonergan for Rutgers last week, tossing a score and completing six of his nine passes. Boston College was able to run the ball against Cincy last week, while Rutgers had no rushing attack against UMass. Facing a team that just gave up more than 250 yards on the ground in Week 1, the Scarlet Knights should be able to get the run game going here.

Given the state of each side’s defense, we’ll target an Over/Under bet in what could be a high-scoring affair. Over 53.5 hits in more than 60% of the SportsLine Projection Model’s simulations.