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🐆 Five essential takeaways for Friday
- The Jaguars completely overpowered a depleted Ravens squad. The outlook for Baltimore appeared grim prior to Week 9, yet the actual outcome proved even more one-sided than anticipated. Operating without Lamar Jackson on injured reserve and missing Tyler Huntley for the rest of the campaign, the Ravens sent out undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano as 10-point underdogs. Fagnano piloted an offensive unit that only managed to reach the end zone during garbage time in a crushing 33-10 loss. Reinforcements are incoming with Jacoby Brissett expected to join the team over the weekend, though it remains questionable if his arrival will come too late. Conversely, Jacksonville handled business decisively as heavy favorites, further cementing their status as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
- Carson Wentz will take over as starting quarterback for the Vikings in Week 9. A strained hamstring will keep Kyler Murray off the field for the “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Bills, forcing a change under center that might stretch past a single game. While the decision is partly precautionary, Murray had been underperforming even when fully healthy, which opens the door for Wentz to potentially capture the permanent starting role. Minnesota urgently requires a more efficient offense to take full advantage of their top-ranked defense, and this quarterback switch could be the spark they need. Additionally, it could significantly boost the fantasy prospective of Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison.
- The long-term NBA prospects for Bronny James remain uncertain. The Lakers have reassigned James along with rookie Cameron Carr down to the G League, marking the third straight season that James has spent significant time away from the primary NBA roster. While James has a fully guaranteed deal through the end of the current season, his future beyond that is unprotected, raising the possibility that Los Angeles could part ways if he fails to secure a spot in the main rotation. With LeBron James no longer part of the organization, the franchise has far less motivation to retain his son past this year.
- LIV Golf is officially shutting down its operations. This marks the end of the road for the league, which fell into severe financial distress after a major backer rescinded its promised $300 million investment. BC Partners chose to pull out its funding due to disappointing enthusiasm and the lack of top-tier player commitments for “LIV Golf 2.0.” The unwinding of the league will commence next week. Formerly a disruptive power in global golf that presented a direct challenge to the PGA Tour, the circuit previously financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is no longer sustainable, forcing premier talent like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau to seek new landing spots. Their next destinations remain undecided.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has officially made his final appearance for the Portuguese national team. One of soccer’s premier global icons announced his departure from international play, concluding an extraordinary run that yielded the Euro 2016 trophy alongside a pair of UEFA Nations League titles. Ronaldo’s international departure comes shortly after a fallout with manager Jorge Jesus that resulted in a 30-day disciplinary suspension. Although his international tenure ended on a tumultuous note, the five-time Ballon d’Or recipient leaves behind a legacy defined by championship hardware, 146 goals scored for his home country, and an unprecedented global influence that made him the most famous athlete on Earth during his prime.
💭 Must-read analysis: Key questions shaping the MLB offseason
Adam Eargle, CBS Sports Design
Unless an unpredicted miracle occurs, baseball is headed toward a turbulent offseason filled with huge uncertainties regarding the sport’s future. It is practically guaranteed that MLB will enter a labor shutdown at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 1. A lockout is imminent. The primary unknown is simply how long this stoppage will persist. That stands as the single most critical question everyone hopes to see resolved as quickly as possible.
Labor negotiations will almost certainly introduce fundamental shifts to Major League Baseball, whether through the introduction of a hard salary cap, a reduced regular season schedule, or several other proposed structural overhauls.
Undoubtedly, fans will grow weary of labor agreement discussions before long. So what can be expected on the field? Questions abound regarding free agency and trades as the Hot Stove period intensifies. Dayn Perry broke down why an otherwise modest free agent pool could ultimately turn out to be historically significant.
- Perry: “Tarik Skubal, who turns 30 years old on Nov. 20, continues to lead the conversation for top pitcher in baseball, and his upcoming paycheck will reflect that status. The consensus expectation is that he will end up signing the wealthiest contract ever awarded to a pitcher in MLB history, while potentially securing the highest average annual value for the position as well. It is entirely realistic that Skubal’s new deal could push toward or even surpass the $400 million mark overall.”
☑️ College football Week 10 game predictions
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Prepare yourself for what promises to be the most critical weekend of the college football calendar so far. The slate features five matchups between ranked opponents, two battles between top-10 teams, and massive Playoff ramifications throughout. With the selection committee releasing its inaugural rankings of the season, we now know precisely which games carry the heaviest weight and how these signature contests will reshape playoff resumes across the nation.
No game carries greater significance on the schedule than top-ranked Miami traveling to face No. 11 Notre Dame. While the injury to Malachi Toney disrupted the Heisman Trophy dynamic and will certainly affect whether the Hurricanes can maintain their perfect record and potentially eliminate the Fighting Irish from postseason contention, Miami still holds the advantage in offensive playmakers. For that reason, Brandon Marcello selected the nation’s premier team to cover the 5.5-point line.
Regarding 5.5-point spreads, Tom Fornelli’s Six Pack selections highlights another one with a breakdown for No. 5 Alabama visiting No. 14 LSU.
- Fornelli: “The main factor that could aid Alabama’s cause is if LSU turns the ball over, and we are well aware that Sam Leavitt is prone to those mistakes. However — However! — Sam has displayed much better ball security in recent weeks. The return of Trey’Dez Green alongside the development of Jackson Harris has provided major support in this area, while Alabama’s defensive unit has yielded numerous big plays through the air this season. The Pick: LSU -5.5 (-110) at FanDuel”
We have placed No. 2 Georgia on upset watch, and the Bulldogs’ road test against No. 10 Ole Miss represents another key contest we have analyzed ahead of this massive Saturday slate. Here are our full game picks:
🚨 NFL Week 9 potential upsets
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Sunday’s slate features a high-stakes international fixture among its top five games, largely because it represents a dangerous trap for the Bengals taking on a Falcons squad that is also actively chasing a postseason berth. Cincinnati enters as a three-point favorite, but is that line justified? Joe Burrow’s offensive group faces serious upset potential against a defensive front that welcomes back James Pearce Jr. from suspension this week.
Tyler Sullivan envisions a scenario where Bijan Robinson experiences a massive bounce-back performance against a Cincinnati defense that was recently shredded on the ground by a struggling Titans team.
- Sullivan: “Week 9 offers a prime opportunity for Robinson to return to the elite production level he demonstrated throughout the first month. Heading into this international matchup in Madrid, Cincinnati is surrendering 122.3 rushing yards per game, placing them just outside the league’s top 10 worst defenses. A deeper dive into the metrics reveals an even more favorable matchup for Robinson, as the Bengals are giving up 4.8 yards per carry (tied for fourth-highest in the NFL).”
Do not let last week’s zero-point output mislead you; Atlanta’s offense remains effective when they aren’t playing through severe downpours. That reality led Jordan Dajani to pick the outright upset in Madrid.
- Dajani: “I recognize the Falcons just suffered one of the most embarrassing defeats of the year in Tampa, but I am willing to discount that given the extreme weather conditions. I have genuine concerns regarding the Bengals. Cornerback DJ Turner is dealing with a heel issue, while Cashius Howell recently suffered a broken wrist. Prediction: Falcons 27, Bengals 23″
👍👎 Highlights and lowlights of everything else
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📺 Weekend broadcast schedule
Friday
⚽ Coventry City visiting Everton, 3 p.m. on USA Network
🏀 (M) Northeastern facing No. 9 Virginia, 5 p.m. on ACC Network
🏈 Virginia Tech taking on SMU, 7 p.m. on ESPN
🏈 South Florida playing East Carolina, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2
🏀 NBA Cup: 76ers visiting Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m. on Prime Video
🏈 Nebraska playing Illinois, 8 p.m. on Fox
🤼 WWE SmackDown, 8 p.m. on USA Network
🏀 (M) Hall of Fame Series: No. 16 Michigan playing No. 4 UConn, 8 p.m. on TNT
🏀 (W) Texas Southern visiting No. 9 LSU, 8 p.m. on SEC Network+
🏈 New Mexico taking on Nevada, 9 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
🏀 NBA Cup: Trail Blazers facing Lakers, 10 p.m. on Prime Video
⚽ NWSL Quarterfinals: Royals vs. Wave, 10 p.m. on Prime Video
🏈 TCU playing No. 22 Arizona, 10:15 p.m. on ESPN
Saturday
⚽ Tottenham Hotspur visiting Leeds United, 7:30 a.m. on USA Network
⚽ Bayern Munich facing Mainz 05, 9:30 a.m. on Peacock
🏈 No. 9 BYU visiting No. 3 Utah, noon on ABC
🏈 No. 7 Texas taking on No. 18 Missouri, noon on ESPN
🏈 No. 8 UCLA visiting Minnesota, noon on Fox
⚽ NWSL Quarterfinals: Angel City facing Current, noon on CBS/Paramount+
🥊 Zuffa Boxing 12: Billam-Smith vs. Clarke, noon on Paramount+
🤼 WWE Crown Jewel, noon on ESPN Unlimited
⚽ Manchester City playing Nottingham Forest, 12:30 p.m. on NBC
🥊 WBC light heavyweight title: Buatsi vs. Hutchinson, 2 p.m. on DAZN
🏈 Texas A&M taking on No. 21 South Carolina, 3 p.m. on ESPN
⚽ Troyes visiting Paris Saint-Germain, 3 p.m. on beIN Sports
🏈 No. 5 Alabama facing No. 14 LSU, 3:30 p.m. on ABC
🏈 Cincinnati taking on No. 17 Houston, 3:30 p.m. on Fox
🏈 Merrimack visiting No. 16 Wake Forest, 3:30 p.m. on ACC Network
🏈 No. 23 Oregon playing No. 12 Ohio State, 3:30 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+
⚽ Nashville taking on Cincinnati, 4 p.m. on Apple TV
🤼 UFC Fight Night: Cortes Acosta vs. Walker, 5 p.m. on Paramount+
🏀 NBA Mexico City Game: Nuggets facing Pacers, 5 p.m. on NBA TV
🏈 No. 25 Boise State at Colorado State, 6 p.m. on USA Network
🏈 No. 6 Kentucky at No. 13 Tennessee, 6:15 p.m. on ESPN
⚽ LAFC visiting Sounders, 7 p.m. on Apple TV
🏈 Air Force at Army, 7:30 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+
🏈 No. 2 Georgia visiting No. 10 Ole Miss, 7:30 p.m. on ABC
🏈 No. 19 Iowa playing Northwestern, 7:30 p.m. on Fox
🏈 No. 1 Miami taking on No. 11 Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. on NBC
🏈 Oklahoma at No. 24 Florida, 7:45 p.m. on SEC Network
🏀 Knicks taking on Cavaliers, 8 p.m. on NBA TV
🏈 West Virginia visiting No. 15 Texas Tech, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN
Sunday
⚽ Lazio taking on Napoli, 6:30 a.m. on CBS Sports Golazo Network/Paramount+
⚽ Real Betis playing Elche, 8 a.m. on ESPN+
⚽ Chelsea visiting Sunderland, 9 a.m. on USA Network
🏈 Bengals taking on Falcons in Madrid, 9:30 a.m. on NFL Network
⚽ Rayo Vallecano visiting Real Sociedad, 10:15 a.m. on ESPN+
⚽ Como playing Inter Milan, noon on CBS Sports Golazo Network/Paramount+
⚽ NWSL Quarterfinals: Reign facing Gotham, 12:30 p.m. on ABC
🏈 Jets visiting Chiefs, 1 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+
🏈 Cowboys taking on Colts, 1 p.m. on Fox
🏀 (M) Capital Showcase: No. 12 Arkansas vs. No. 9 Virginia, 1 p.m. on ESPN
🏒 Panthers visiting Bruins, 1 p.m. on NHL Network
⚽ Schalke 04 playing TSG Hoffenheim, 1:30 p.m. on Peacock
🏀 (W) No. 10 Iowa visiting No. 2 UConn, 2 p.m. on FS1
🏀 (W) Wright State taking on No. 5 Michigan, 2 p.m. on B1G+
🏀 (W) The Foundry Classic: No. 4 Duke at North Texas, 2 p.m. on ESPNU
⚽ Juventus playing Fiorentina, 2:45 p.m. on CBS Sports Golazo Network/Paramount+
🏁 NASCAR event at Homestead, 3 p.m. on NBC
⚽ NWSL Quarterfinals: Thorns facing Spirit, 3 p.m. on ABC
🏀 (W) Ally Tipoff: No. 14 Kentucky vs. No. 25 NC State, 3 p.m. on ESPN2
🏈 Texans playing Chargers, 4:05 p.m. on CBS/Paramount+
🏈 Packers visiting Patriots, 4:25 p.m. on Fox
🏀 (W) Ally Tipoff: No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 12 North Carolina, 5:30 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 Lakers taking on Pistons, 6 p.m. on NBA TV
🏀 (W) Northern Colorado playing No. 6 Texas, 8 p.m. on SEC Network+
🏀 (W) Utah State taking on No. 3 USC, 8 p.m. on Big Ten Network
🏈 Buccaneers visiting Bears, 8:20 p.m. on NBC
🏀 (M) Lake Tahoe Classic: No. 10 Houston vs. California, 8:30 p.m. on The CW
