Defending a college football national championship can be as difficult as winning one in the first place, with only three teams managing the feat since 1996 at the FBS level.

For the first two months of the season, Ohio State made it look easy, with a 7-0 record that included six wins by at least 18 points.

Watch Ohio State vs. Penn State football live with Fubo (free trial)

That ruthlessly efficient march continued this weekend.

Behind a near flawless performance from quarterback Julian Sayin, the No. 1 Buckeyes overcame a slow start to blow past Penn State 38-14 on Nov. 1 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Sayin completed 20 of his 23 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns, further bolstering the sophomore’s Heisman Trophy candidacy. Much of that output ended up in the hands of Jeremiah Smith (six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns) and Carnell Tate (five catches for 124 yards and a touchdown).

Defensively, Ohio State allowed just 200 total yards and 3.3 yards per play to the Nittany Lions, who got 76 rushing yards and a touchdown from Kaytron Allen. One of Penn State’s touchdowns came off a short field, with the Nittany Lions beginning their drive at the Ohio State 13-yard line after forcing a fumble.

The game had lost much of the luster it had as recently as one month ago, when both teams were ranked in the top 10 of the US LBM Coaches Poll. Since then, the Nittany Lions have lost four games in a row, lost quarterback Drew Allar to a season-ending injury and, most notably, fired coach James Franklin in his 12th season at the helm.

The win was the Buckeyes’ 13th in the past 14 games against Penn State, including their ninth in a row.

USA TODAY Sports brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow along.

Ohio State vs Penn State score

This section will be updated throughout the game

Ohio State vs Penn State updates

This section will be updated throughout the game

Ohio State vs Penn State highlights

Julian Sayin stats

Julian Sayin entered the game with an 80% completion percentage on the season and somehow managed to improve on that, completing 20 of his 23 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns.

Jeremiah Smith stats

Jeremiah Smith, the Ohio State phenom wide receiver, had six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ victory.

FINAL: Ohio State 38, Penn State 14

Ohio State runs out the clock and caps off a 38-14 victory over Penn State, improving the No. 1 Buckeyes to 8-0.

Caleb Downs end-zone INT ends Penn State scoring threat

A promising Penn State drive ends with no points. The Nittany Lions go 68 yards in 11 plays, but on a fourth-and-goal from the Ohio State 7-yard line, Ethan Grunkemeyer throws a pass into heavy Buckeye coverage, with Caleb Downs coming down with an interception.

Ohio State will take over at its own 20-yard line with 4:29 left.

Caleb Downs targeting call overturned

It looked for a moment like Ohio State might be without its best defensive player for the first half of its game against Purdue, with star safety Caleb Downs getting whistled for targeting on a big hit on Khalil Dinkins over the middle. Upon review, the targeting call was overturned, though Downs was hit for a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty.

Jeremiah Smith scores TD on circus catch

Even when things don’t go exactly according to plan for the Ohio State offense, it still works out. On a first-and-10 from the Penn State 11-yard line, Julian Sayin has a pass deflected into the air, but it still finds its way to Jeremiah Smith, who hauls in the catch with a remarkable one-handed grab and gets into the end zone to extend the Buckeyes’ lead to 38-14.

Sayin now has four touchdown passes today while Smith has six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

Penn State goes three-and-out

The Nittany Lions have been stifled offensively much of the second half, with just seven yards across three drives. After the latest punt, Ohio State will take over at its own 38-yard line with 10:38 left.

Ohio State punts

For the first time today, the Buckeyes punt after failing to convert on a third-and-4 from their own 47-yard line. A 15-yard penalty for kick catch interference will give Penn State the ball at its own 25-yard line with 12:23 left.

End of third quarter: Ohio State 31, Penn State 14

Penn State is forced to punt after Ethan Grunkemeyer is dropped for an 11-yard loss on a sack, with Ohio State taking over at its own 30-yard line as the third quarter comes to an end.

Julian Sayin’s third TD pass puts Ohio State up 17

It took a minute, but Ohio State’s starting to pull away. The Buckeyes go 84 yards in seven plays, a drive punctuated by a 1-yard touchdown pass from Julian Sayin to Bennett Christian on third-and-goal to extend the Ohio State lead to 31-14.

The biggest gain of the drive came on a 57-yard pass from Sayin to Jeremiah Smith, who made his way behind the Penn State secondary and got all the way to the Nittany Lions’ 21-yard line.

Sayin has completed 18 of his 21 passes today for 301 yards and three touchdowns, further bolstering the Heisman Trophy resume for the first-year starter.

Penn State punts

The Nittany Lions pick up a couple of first downs, but don’t get past their own 37-yard line, as Ethan Grunkemeyer is sacked for an 8-yard loss on third-and-6, forcing a punt. It was the first sack of the day for either team.

Ohio State will take over at its own 16-yard line with 7:52 left in the third quarter.

Ohio State pushes lead back to 10 on opening-drive TD

The Buckeyes come out about as forcefully as they can, with C.J. Donaldson Jr. plowing into the end zone from one yard out on third-and-goal to push his team’s lead over Penn State back to 10, 24-14, with 12:18 left in the third quarter.

The big play on the drive came courtesy of Carnell Tate, who hauled in a 57-yard pass from Julian Sayin down to the Penn State 4-yard line. Tate now has four catches for 125 yards, more than double the yardage of his next-closest teammate.

Ohio State vs Penn State stats

Here’s a look at some of the key stats at halftime, with Ohio State leading Penn State 17-14:

• Total yards: Ohio State 221, Penn State 140
• Passing yards: Ohio State 168, Penn State 64
• Rushing yards: Penn State 76, Ohio State 53
• First downs: Ohio State 12, Penn State 8
• Yards per play: Ohio State 7.6, Penn State 4.4
• Third downs: Ohio State 4-5, Penn State 5-8
• Penalties: Ohio State 0-0, Penn State 1-15
• Turnovers: Ohio State 1, Penn State 0

Halftime: Ohio State 17, Penn State 14

Julian Sayin takes a knee and Ohio State heads to the locker room with a 17-14 lead over Penn State at halftime, with some audible groans from the Buckeye faithful at Ohio Stadium.

Ohio State will receive the kickoff to open the second half.

Kaytron Allen TD gets Penn State within three

Penn State is able to capitalize on the fumble, with Ethan Grunkemeyer getting an 8-yard completion to Kaytron Allen on third-and-5 from the Ohio State 9-yard line. One play later, Allen barges just over the goal line, getting the Nittany Lions within a field goal, 17-14, with 20 seconds left in the half.

Penn State forces fumble, takes over in Ohio State red zone

Just when it looked like Ohio State could add to its two-possession lead, Penn State comes in with a potential game-changing play.

On the first play of the Buckeyes’ possession, running back CJ Donaldson Jr. is stuffed, but while he keeps fighting for yardage, the Nittany Lions rip the ball away from him and recover the fumble.

The referees hadn’t ruled the play dead and, because of that, Penn State will get the ball at the Ohio State 13-yard line with a chance to get within a score.

Penn State punts

After giving up the touchdown on its previous defensive possession, Ohio State holds firm, forcing an Ethan Grunkemeyer incompletion on third-and-10. Penn State punts the ball into the end zone, meaning the Buckeyes will start at their 20-yard line with two minutes remaining before halftime — more than enough time for Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith and company to add on to their lead.

Julian Sayin TD pass pushes Ohio State lead back to 10

Ohio State responds to Penn State’s touchdown with a score of its own, with Julian Sayin connecting with Carnell Tate for a 45-yard touchdown to push the Buckeyes’ lead back to 10, 17-7, with about four minutes left in the first half.

Things initially looked dicey for Ohio State, with a third-and-5 from its own 30-yard line, but Sayin escaped a collapsing pocket for a 9-yard scramble for a first down before finding an open Tate streaking down the field three plays later.

Nicholas Singleton TD pulls Penn State closer

We’ve got a game, folks. What had looked like a lifeless Penn State offense for much of the game comes alive with a 15-play, 75-yard drive that ends with a Nicholas Singleton 3-yard touchdown run on third-and-goal.

The key play for the Nittany Lions came on a 9-yard completion from Ethan Grunkemeyer to Devonte Ross on a third-and-9 from the Penn State 26-yard line. Instead of a three-and-out, Penn State takes 7:50 off the clock and gets within three with 6:18 left in the quarter.

Ohio State settles for field goal

After getting a first-and-goal from the Penn State 6-yard line, Ohio State’s offense sputters, with Julian Sayin rushed into an incompletion on third-and-goal from the Penn State 4. Rather than going for it, Ryan Day opts for the multi-possession lead, with Jayden Fielding knocking through a 22-yard field goal.

It’s 10-0 Buckeyes with 14:08 left in the second quarter.

End of first quarter: Ohio State 7, Penn State 0

Ohio State’s threatening to double its lead, with a second-and-goal at the Penn State 7-yard line as the first quarter comes to a close.

Penn State punts again

Two drives and two punts for Penn State. This time, the Nittany Lions go three-and-out, with Ethan Grunkemeyer getting flushed out of the pocket on a third-and-3 and throwing an incomplete pass.

A 43-yard punt results in a fair catch at the Ohio State 25-yard line, where Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith and the Buckeyes will take over.

Jeremiah Smith TD gets Ohio State on the board

One of the nation’s best and most talented offenses makes it look easy on its first drive. After forcing the Penn State punt, Ohio State goes 89 yards in 11 plays, capped off by a 14-yard Jeremiah Smith touchdown catch from Julian Sayin on a third-and-3.

Smith had three catches for 42 yards on the touchdown march while Sayin went a perfect 6-for-6 for 71 yards.

Penn State punts on opening drive

The Nittany Lions get the ball first and get off to a strong start, with a Kaytron Allen 26-yard rush on the first play from scrimmage. Their drive stalls from there, though, and rather than go for it on a fourth-and-3 from the Ohio State 42-yard line, interim head coach Terry Smith opts to punt.

A 31-yard Penn State punt is downed at the Ohio State 11, where the Buckeyes will take over from.

Jim Knowles makes return to Ohio State

After helping lead Ohio State to a national championship last season, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles left the Buckeyes for the same position at Penn State, putting the Philadelphia native back in his home state (or, technically, commonwealth). Today, he makes his return to Ohio Stadium, albeit under circumstances few would have realistically envisioned when he left for Happy Valley earlier this year.

Ohio State injury updates

Here’s a look at Ohio State’s injury situation heading into its game against Penn State, according to the Big Ten’s availability report:

Out

• #9 Malik Hartford
• #11 Quincy Porter
• #16 Mason Maggs
• #21 Anthony Rogers
• #48 Logan George
• #59 Ahmed Tounkara
• #93 Maxwell Roy

Penn State injury updates

Here’s a look at Penn State’s injury situation heading into its game against Ohio State, according to the Big Ten’s availability report:

Out

• #7 Kaden Saunders
• #13 Tony Rojas
• #14 Jaxon Smolik
• #15 Drew Allar
• #18 Max Granville
• #19 Josiah Brown
• #23 Tikey Hayes
• #30 Kari Jackson
• #34 Owen Wafle
• #38 Jackson Pryts
• #42 Mason Robinson
• #58 Kaleb Artis
• #59 Brady O’Hara
• #61 Liam Horan
• #81 Donte Nastasi
• #84 Peter Gonzalez
• #93 Bobby Mears
• #95 Jordan Mayer

What TV channel is Ohio State vs Penn State on today?

• TV channel: Fox
• Streaming: Fubo (free trial)

Penn State-Ohio State will air live on Fox, with streaming options available on Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Ohio State vs Penn State start time today

• Time: Noon ET
• Date: Saturday, Nov. 1
• Location: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)

Ohio State vs Penn State predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Oct. 31.

• Spread: Ohio State (-19.5)
• Over/under: 44.5
• Moneyline: Ohio State -1400 | Penn State +825

Prediction: Ohio State 36, Penn State 13

Even under much better circumstances, the Nittany Lions would have faced an uphill battle in this game, having to go on the road to take on a deep and talented Buckeyes team that has shown few, if any, flaws this season. Given where Penn State finds itself now, that challenge is even bigger.

Defending a college football national championship can be as difficult as winning one in the first place, with only three teams managing the feat since 1996 at the FBS level.

For the first two months of the season, Ohio State made it look easy, with a 7-0 record that included six wins by at least 18 points.

Watch Ohio State vs. Penn State football live with Fubo (free trial)

That ruthlessly efficient march continued this weekend.

Behind a near flawless performance from quarterback Julian Sayin, the No. 1 Buckeyes overcame a slow start to blow past Penn State 38-14 on Nov. 1 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Sayin completed 20 of his 23 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns, further bolstering the sophomore’s Heisman Trophy candidacy. Much of that output ended up in the hands of Jeremiah Smith (six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns) and Carnell Tate (five catches for 124 yards and a touchdown).

Defensively, Ohio State allowed just 200 total yards and 3.3 yards per play to the Nittany Lions, who got 76 rushing yards and a touchdown from Kaytron Allen. One of Penn State’s touchdowns came off a short field, with the Nittany Lions beginning their drive at the Ohio State 13-yard line after forcing a fumble.

The game had lost much of the luster it had as recently as one month ago, when both teams were ranked in the top 10 of the US LBM Coaches Poll. Since then, the Nittany Lions have lost four games in a row, lost quarterback Drew Allar to a season-ending injury and, most notably, fired coach James Franklin in his 12th season at the helm.

The win was the Buckeyes’ 13th in the past 14 games against Penn State, including their ninth in a row.

USA TODAY Sports brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow along.

Ohio State vs Penn State score

This section will be updated throughout the game

Ohio State vs Penn State updates

This section will be updated throughout the game

Ohio State vs Penn State highlights

Julian Sayin stats

Julian Sayin entered the game with an 80% completion percentage on the season and somehow managed to improve on that, completing 20 of his 23 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns.

Jeremiah Smith stats

Jeremiah Smith, the Ohio State phenom wide receiver, had six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ victory.

FINAL: Ohio State 38, Penn State 14

Ohio State runs out the clock and caps off a 38-14 victory over Penn State, improving the No. 1 Buckeyes to 8-0.

Caleb Downs end-zone INT ends Penn State scoring threat

A promising Penn State drive ends with no points. The Nittany Lions go 68 yards in 11 plays, but on a fourth-and-goal from the Ohio State 7-yard line, Ethan Grunkemeyer throws a pass into heavy Buckeye coverage, with Caleb Downs coming down with an interception.

Ohio State will take over at its own 20-yard line with 4:29 left.

Caleb Downs targeting call overturned

It looked for a moment like Ohio State might be without its best defensive player for the first half of its game against Purdue, with star safety Caleb Downs getting whistled for targeting on a big hit on Khalil Dinkins over the middle. Upon review, the targeting call was overturned, though Downs was hit for a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty.

Jeremiah Smith scores TD on circus catch

Even when things don’t go exactly according to plan for the Ohio State offense, it still works out. On a first-and-10 from the Penn State 11-yard line, Julian Sayin has a pass deflected into the air, but it still finds its way to Jeremiah Smith, who hauls in the catch with a remarkable one-handed grab and gets into the end zone to extend the Buckeyes’ lead to 38-14.

Sayin now has four touchdown passes today while Smith has six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

Penn State goes three-and-out

The Nittany Lions have been stifled offensively much of the second half, with just seven yards across three drives. After the latest punt, Ohio State will take over at its own 38-yard line with 10:38 left.

Ohio State punts

For the first time today, the Buckeyes punt after failing to convert on a third-and-4 from their own 47-yard line. A 15-yard penalty for kick catch interference will give Penn State the ball at its own 25-yard line with 12:23 left.

End of third quarter: Ohio State 31, Penn State 14

Penn State is forced to punt after Ethan Grunkemeyer is dropped for an 11-yard loss on a sack, with Ohio State taking over at its own 30-yard line as the third quarter comes to an end.

Julian Sayin’s third TD pass puts Ohio State up 17

It took a minute, but Ohio State’s starting to pull away. The Buckeyes go 84 yards in seven plays, a drive punctuated by a 1-yard touchdown pass from Julian Sayin to Bennett Christian on third-and-goal to extend the Ohio State lead to 31-14.

The biggest gain of the drive came on a 57-yard pass from Sayin to Jeremiah Smith, who made his way behind the Penn State secondary and got all the way to the Nittany Lions’ 21-yard line.

Sayin has completed 18 of his 21 passes today for 301 yards and three touchdowns, further bolstering the Heisman Trophy resume for the first-year starter.

Penn State punts

The Nittany Lions pick up a couple of first downs, but don’t get past their own 37-yard line, as Ethan Grunkemeyer is sacked for an 8-yard loss on third-and-6, forcing a punt. It was the first sack of the day for either team.

Ohio State will take over at its own 16-yard line with 7:52 left in the third quarter.

Ohio State pushes lead back to 10 on opening-drive TD

The Buckeyes come out about as forcefully as they can, with C.J. Donaldson Jr. plowing into the end zone from one yard out on third-and-goal to push his team’s lead over Penn State back to 10, 24-14, with 12:18 left in the third quarter.

The big play on the drive came courtesy of Carnell Tate, who hauled in a 57-yard pass from Julian Sayin down to the Penn State 4-yard line. Tate now has four catches for 125 yards, more than double the yardage of his next-closest teammate.

Ohio State vs Penn State stats

Here’s a look at some of the key stats at halftime, with Ohio State leading Penn State 17-14:

• Total yards: Ohio State 221, Penn State 140
• Passing yards: Ohio State 168, Penn State 64
• Rushing yards: Penn State 76, Ohio State 53
• First downs: Ohio State 12, Penn State 8
• Yards per play: Ohio State 7.6, Penn State 4.4
• Third downs: Ohio State 4-5, Penn State 5-8
• Penalties: Ohio State 0-0, Penn State 1-15
• Turnovers: Ohio State 1, Penn State 0

Halftime: Ohio State 17, Penn State 14

Julian Sayin takes a knee and Ohio State heads to the locker room with a 17-14 lead over Penn State at halftime, with some audible groans from the Buckeye faithful at Ohio Stadium.

Ohio State will receive the kickoff to open the second half.

Kaytron Allen TD gets Penn State within three

Penn State is able to capitalize on the fumble, with Ethan Grunkemeyer getting an 8-yard completion to Kaytron Allen on third-and-5 from the Ohio State 9-yard line. One play later, Allen barges just over the goal line, getting the Nittany Lions within a field goal, 17-14, with 20 seconds left in the half.

Penn State forces fumble, takes over in Ohio State red zone

Just when it looked like Ohio State could add to its two-possession lead, Penn State comes in with a potential game-changing play.

On the first play of the Buckeyes’ possession, running back CJ Donaldson Jr. is stuffed, but while he keeps fighting for yardage, the Nittany Lions rip the ball away from him and recover the fumble.

The referees hadn’t ruled the play dead and, because of that, Penn State will get the ball at the Ohio State 13-yard line with a chance to get within a score.

Penn State punts

After giving up the touchdown on its previous defensive possession, Ohio State holds firm, forcing an Ethan Grunkemeyer incompletion on third-and-10. Penn State punts the ball into the end zone, meaning the Buckeyes will start at their 20-yard line with two minutes remaining before halftime — more than enough time for Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith and company to add on to their lead.

Julian Sayin TD pass pushes Ohio State lead back to 10

Ohio State responds to Penn State’s touchdown with a score of its own, with Julian Sayin connecting with Carnell Tate for a 45-yard touchdown to push the Buckeyes’ lead back to 10, 17-7, with about four minutes left in the first half.

Things initially looked dicey for Ohio State, with a third-and-5 from its own 30-yard line, but Sayin escaped a collapsing pocket for a 9-yard scramble for a first down before finding an open Tate streaking down the field three plays later.

Nicholas Singleton TD pulls Penn State closer

We’ve got a game, folks. What had looked like a lifeless Penn State offense for much of the game comes alive with a 15-play, 75-yard drive that ends with a Nicholas Singleton 3-yard touchdown run on third-and-goal.

The key play for the Nittany Lions came on a 9-yard completion from Ethan Grunkemeyer to Devonte Ross on a third-and-9 from the Penn State 26-yard line. Instead of a three-and-out, Penn State takes 7:50 off the clock and gets within three with 6:18 left in the quarter.

Ohio State settles for field goal

After getting a first-and-goal from the Penn State 6-yard line, Ohio State’s offense sputters, with Julian Sayin rushed into an incompletion on third-and-goal from the Penn State 4. Rather than going for it, Ryan Day opts for the multi-possession lead, with Jayden Fielding knocking through a 22-yard field goal.

It’s 10-0 Buckeyes with 14:08 left in the second quarter.

End of first quarter: Ohio State 7, Penn State 0

Ohio State’s threatening to double its lead, with a second-and-goal at the Penn State 7-yard line as the first quarter comes to a close.

Penn State punts again

Two drives and two punts for Penn State. This time, the Nittany Lions go three-and-out, with Ethan Grunkemeyer getting flushed out of the pocket on a third-and-3 and throwing an incomplete pass.

A 43-yard punt results in a fair catch at the Ohio State 25-yard line, where Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith and the Buckeyes will take over.

Jeremiah Smith TD gets Ohio State on the board

One of the nation’s best and most talented offenses makes it look easy on its first drive. After forcing the Penn State punt, Ohio State goes 89 yards in 11 plays, capped off by a 14-yard Jeremiah Smith touchdown catch from Julian Sayin on a third-and-3.

Smith had three catches for 42 yards on the touchdown march while Sayin went a perfect 6-for-6 for 71 yards.

Penn State punts on opening drive

The Nittany Lions get the ball first and get off to a strong start, with a Kaytron Allen 26-yard rush on the first play from scrimmage. Their drive stalls from there, though, and rather than go for it on a fourth-and-3 from the Ohio State 42-yard line, interim head coach Terry Smith opts to punt.

A 31-yard Penn State punt is downed at the Ohio State 11, where the Buckeyes will take over from.

Jim Knowles makes return to Ohio State

After helping lead Ohio State to a national championship last season, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles left the Buckeyes for the same position at Penn State, putting the Philadelphia native back in his home state (or, technically, commonwealth). Today, he makes his return to Ohio Stadium, albeit under circumstances few would have realistically envisioned when he left for Happy Valley earlier this year.

Ohio State injury updates

Here’s a look at Ohio State’s injury situation heading into its game against Penn State, according to the Big Ten’s availability report:

Out

• #9 Malik Hartford
• #11 Quincy Porter
• #16 Mason Maggs
• #21 Anthony Rogers
• #48 Logan George
• #59 Ahmed Tounkara
• #93 Maxwell Roy

Penn State injury updates

Here’s a look at Penn State’s injury situation heading into its game against Ohio State, according to the Big Ten’s availability report:

Out

• #7 Kaden Saunders
• #13 Tony Rojas
• #14 Jaxon Smolik
• #15 Drew Allar
• #18 Max Granville
• #19 Josiah Brown
• #23 Tikey Hayes
• #30 Kari Jackson
• #34 Owen Wafle
• #38 Jackson Pryts
• #42 Mason Robinson
• #58 Kaleb Artis
• #59 Brady O’Hara
• #61 Liam Horan
• #81 Donte Nastasi
• #84 Peter Gonzalez
• #93 Bobby Mears
• #95 Jordan Mayer

What TV channel is Ohio State vs Penn State on today?

• TV channel: Fox
• Streaming: Fubo (free trial)

Penn State-Ohio State will air live on Fox, with streaming options available on Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Ohio State vs Penn State start time today

• Time: Noon ET
• Date: Saturday, Nov. 1
• Location: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)

Ohio State vs Penn State predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Oct. 31.

• Spread: Ohio State (-19.5)
• Over/under: 44.5
• Moneyline: Ohio State -1400 | Penn State +825

Prediction: Ohio State 36, Penn State 13

Even under much better circumstances, the Nittany Lions would have faced an uphill battle in this game, having to go on the road to take on a deep and talented Buckeyes team that has shown few, if any, flaws this season. Given where Penn State finds itself now, that challenge is even bigger.

TORONTO – It might have been easier – for the mind and soul – if the Toronto Blue Jays simply offered token resistance in the bottom of the ninth inning of World Series Game 6, down 3-1 and assured of a Game 7 and November baseball, regardless.

Succumb meekly to Los Angeles Dodgers rookie closer Rōki Sasaki, and the postgame vibes would’ve been muted but rote after right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto mastered them for the second time in eight days.

Get ‘em tomorrow. Sometimes you just gotta tip your cap. All hands on deck in Game 7.

Alas, these are the 2025 Blue Jays, MLB leaders in comeback wins, incapable of anything but big feelings and bigger goals that almost always, against the odds, come to fruition.

Yet this time, one sinking line drive and the ultimate youthful mistake on the basepaths left one of the greatest hitters in postseason history on deck, robbed of the chance to tie or win the game. And now everyone – the Dodgers and Blue Jays, a collection of 44,710 title-hungry Toronto fans, the hundreds of cops deployed in anticipation of championship bedlam in The Six – must come back tomorrow night and try again.

Game 7, the greatest words in sports?

Tell that to a club that got the tying runs on base and the World Series-winning run to the plate with nobody out, the temporary stage Major League Baseball constructs for championship celebrations poised and ready for a strike force to guide it onto the ersatz surface of Rogers Centre, where, if the ball fell properly, Rob Manfred would award the Commissioner’s Trophy to the Blue Jays.

That stage never moved.

If only Addison Barger did the same when Andrés Giménez’s sinking fly to shallow left field got hauled in by Dodgers playoff legend Kiké Hernández.

The ever-heady Hernández spotted Barger drifting too far off second base, jacked up and too eager to score the game-tying run. Instead, it was an unprecedented World Series  walk-off result of the worst kind for the home team: 7-4 double play, game over, and George Springer – he of the 23 career postseason home runs, including a three-run shot to win ALCS Game 7 – on deck for his Joe Carter moment.

Instead, Barger drifted too far off the second base bag, dead man’s land. Hernández, promptly yet casually, spiked a one-hop throw to second baseman Miguel Rojas.

And Barger, all limbs and long hair flailing into second base, was out by a mile.

You could say Rogers Centre was deflated, but then again, it hardly had a chance to get fully going, so quick was the rally, so sudden the end.

The Blue Jays, winners of 105 games, regular season and playoffs, have done more than enough to deserve a championship. Yet the tiniest fraction of it – nine innings of winning baseball in a year they’ve done it dozens of times – still remains to be completed.

“Saying you deserve it is kind of tricky. To deserve something, you have to finish the job,” says Blue Jays rookie starter Trey Yesavage, whose epic postseason may yet require one more climb up the Rogers Centre mound. “You can have all these accolades in the regular season and thus far in the playoffs.

“But deserving something only gets you so far. We need to show up tomorrow.”

Barger has shown up throughout October for these playoffs, just a week removed from busting open World Series Game 1 with a grand slam. He put the Blue Jays in position to steal a game by scorching a ball 105.5 mph into the left field gap, so hard it wedged into the wall.

The ground-rule double didn’t change what would have been: Barger on second as the tying run, nobody out. Ernie Clement’s pop-up against Tyler Glasnow brought up Giménez, a No. 9 hitter but a playoff savior this month.

He did what he could against Glasnow, stroking the ball toward left. Given Giménez’s dearth of opposite-field power, Hernández was playing shallow and closing quickly.

If only Barger could see what almost everyone else could: That it was a relatively routine fly ball, that freezing and retreating almost immediately was the move.

“I was pretty surprised he got to it,” Barger said in the Blue Jays clubhouse. “Off the bat, I thought it was going to go over the shortstop’s head.

“I didn’t think it was going to travel that far. It was kind of a bad read.”

And not the way any club wants to go into a Game 7.

In a funereal Blue Jays clubhouse, some tried covering for Barger.

“I thought it was a hit. I thought it was getting down, a thousand percent,” says infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa of his vantage point on the play. “Kiké made a great play right there. Aggressive mistake.

“You make a mistake, you want it to be aggressive. That’s how we play. It didn’t work out for us tonight.”

And there was the sense the Blue Jays still possessed that esprit de corps, this notion that no cause is ever lost, that victory – second and third, nobody out – was expected, and will come their way next time.

‘Throughout the regular season, we’re in that spot, it’s a walk-off win,’ says Gausman. ‘Nobody out, guys on second and third. We’ve come back so many times. Everybody kind of just expecting, yeah, we’re going to win this game.’We didn’t, obviously. But we did have an opportunity to win. At least we didn’t kind of go down with no fight.’

Yet there was the undeniable residue that comes with opportunity lost. Not that all is lost: These fellows bounced back from an 18-inning loss in Game 3 to win the next two at Dodger Stadium, putting them in this enviable position in the first place.

The chins will be up come Saturday evening. Yes, there’s still a chance. But it’s impossible to ignore that a golden one just passed them by.

“We had a chance to close them out. But we didn’t so we’ll just turn our attention to tomorrow,” says infielder Bo Bichette. “Game 7, Game 60 in the regular season, we’ll show up ready to play, ready to compete, and give it everything we got.

“We thought we had a chance to win it today. But we didn’t get it done.”

TORONTO — Hall of Fame outfielder Vladimir Guerrero walked in the corridor Friday night of the Rogers Centre with a few friends, greeted a familiar face, and simply uttered: “Game 7.’

He spread his hands out, exhaled, and shook his head.

Guerrero played in only one World Series in his 16 year-career and never won a title, and his son Vladimir Jr. has a chance to go where he never went, playing in Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night after losing 3-1 in Game 6.

The Blue Jays are now going to have to do it the hard way – with Shohei Ohtani officially announced Sunday as the Game 7 starter.

The original plan was for Tyler Glasnow to start, but he came on in the ninth of Game 6 after rookie Rōki Sasaki tired, and closed out the game.

“That was pretty cool,’ Glasnow said, producing the first save of this World Series.

It now sets the magical stage for Ohtani, who saved the World Series Baseball Classic for Team Japan, win he struck out Angels teammate Mike Trout to end win the gold medal.

Neither team has much Game 7 experience, with the Blue Jays never playing a Game 7 while the Dodgers lost their last seven-game World Series in 2017 against the Houston Astros.

“It’s going to be electric here,’ Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.

“We had our chances with guys on base kind of as the game went on. But we’re going to be ready to play [Saturday]. Everyone’s going to be ready to play. I expect them to be playing cards around 1:00 p.m., kind of shooting the [stuff] with everyone. It’s going to be fun here. But to the fans. See you [Saturday] night. Be loud, be rowdy. We’re going to be ready to play.’

If they had their druthers, of course, the series would already be over. But Yoshinobu Yamamoto never gave them a chance. He gave up just five hits and one run in six innings, with their bullpen hanging on for dear life, and even using Glasnow, who originally was expected to start Game 7.

That honor now goes to Ohtani.

Ohtani has never pitched on three days’ rest in his MLB career, but this is the World Series.

“This is Game 7, so there’s a lot of things that people haven’t done,’ Roberts said. “You’ve just got to trust your players and try to win a baseball game.

What’s another Ohtani super-human feat to go down in the history books?

“We’re going to leave it out there,’ Roberts said. “I don’t think that the pressure, the moment’s going to be too big for us. We got to go out there and win one baseball game. We’ve done that all year. Everyone’s bought in. So I don’t know how the game’s going to play out, but as far as kind of the moment, winning a game, I couldn’t be more excited to get to sleep and wake up to play a baseball game.’

Game 7, there’s nothing like it.

‘It’s going to be three or four or five hours of mayhem and great baseball,’ Schneider said. “These guys are going to be ready for it. Hopefully they get to slow some things down but enjoy it.

“It’s Game 7 of the World Series at your home stadium. I mean, what the hell else do you want?’

This story was updated with new information.

The MLS Cup Playoffs continue on Saturday, Nov. 1, with five matchups, including Lionel Messi and Inter Miami visiting Nashville SC in Game 2 of their first-round series.

Messi has already posted his customary Instagram story to preview the match and confirm he will play at GEODIS Park in Nashville.

Inter Miami has a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series – hoping to move onto the conference semifinals for the first time in the franchise’s brief history since joining MLS in 2020.

However, a win by Nashville would force Game 3 at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium on Nov. 8.

Here’s everything you need to know about today’s match, and stay tuned as USA TODAY Sports provides live updates from the Nashville-Inter Miami match:

What time is the Nashville vs Inter Miami match?

The match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. in Nashville, 8:30 p.m. in Argentina) at GEODIS Park in Nashville.

How to watch Nashville vs Inter Miami on TV, live stream link?

The match will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

Is Messi playing today?

Yes, Messi is expected to play. His status as a starter will be confirmed when Inter Miami announces its starting lineup an hour before the match.

What to know about Inter Miami vs Nashville

It’ll be their third time facing each other in as many weeks: Messi had a hat trick with an assist in a 5-2 win on the final day of the regular season in Nashville on Oct. 18, then scored two goals with an assist in a 3-1 win in Game 1 at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium on Oct. 24.

Overall, Inter Miami has not dropped any of its last 10 matches against Nashville.

‘We know despite having had two positive results against them in the last two weekends, we have to understand that Nashville has put us in many difficult moments,’ Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said of Nashville before practice on Friday, Oct 31. ‘We’ve dealt with it well, but they’ll surely put us in a difficult moment again. We have to be prepared for that.’

Nashville hopes to bounce back

Nashville, which won the 2025 U.S. Open Cup, is led by MVP finalist Sam Surridge, and 2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar. They’ve won 14 of 20 matches across all competitions at their home stadium, and hope to extend the series against Inter Miami.

‘They’re a really good team,’ Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan said of Inter Miami on Friday, Oct 31. ‘They’ve challenged us in different ways, and I think we’ve been able to spend this week learning some things from the last game, improving some areas, and focusing on what we do well.’

Mukhtar scored in Game 1 of the series, while Surridge and Jacob Shaffelburg scored in the regular-season finale against Inter Miami.

Messi, Inter Miami stars to appear on Tik Tok Player Spotlight

Inter Miami’s Messi, Luis Suarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Serigo Busquets and Jordi Alba will be featured on TikTok live dedicated live stream during Game 2 in Nashville.

Messi joins Luis Suarez on Watch Party live stream before Nashville game

Messi and Rodrigo De Paul joined Luis Suarez on a live stream of a Uruguayan soccer match between Deportivo LSM against Montevideo Boca Juniors before Game 2 in Nashville. Suarez and Messi started the Deportivo LSM club earlier this year.

Inter Miami, MLS Cup playoff schedule

• Nov. 8: Game 3 at Inter Miami, Time TBD (if necessary)
• Nov. 10-18: FIFA international window
• Nov. 22-23: Conference semifinals
• Nov. 29-30: Conference finals
• Dec. 6: MLS Cup Final

A down Longhorns team that entered 2025 as one of the most hyped teams in the season lost its luster after losses to Ohio State and Florida in the early part of the season has awakened over the past five quarters, storming back to beat Mississippi State on Oct. 25 and dominating Vanderbilt for 56 minutes before struggling to a 34-31 win after giving up 21 unanswered points.

Arch Manning had his best game as a Longhorn against the No. 11 Commodores, throwing for 328 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. As such, the Longhorns have suddenly reinserted themselves as CFP contenders for the third year in a row.

The win moves Texas to 7-2 (4-1 SEC) and gives it the tiebreaker over the Commodores. While there are too many moving pieces to know exactly where Texas stands at this point in the year, there’s one objective fact: Texas may be a classic example of a team clicking at the right time.

When do CFP rankings release?

The first CFP rankings release Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. CT. As such, that will be the truest test of where Texas is at.

That does not, however, mean it’s impossible to estimate. The Longhorns were Nos. 19 and 20 in last week’s Coaches and AP polls, respectively. Ahead of them are the likes of Cincinnati, Louisville, Virginia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt itself.

Oklahoma and Tennessee play each in a classic case of mutually assured destruction, and while Texas might not jump Vanderbilt due to the dramatic gap between the two, it should be closed a bit.

Ultimately, with games against Georgia, Arkansas, and Texas A&M, the path for the Longhorns is exceptionally difficult. If they win out, it would be difficult to impossible to keep them out. If they win two of three, they’re firmly on bubble watch.

Texas football remaining schedule

All times CT

• Aug. 30: Lost to Ohio State, 14-7
• Sept. 6: Won against San Jose State, 38-7
• Sept 13: Won against UTEP, 27-10 
• Sept. 20: Won against Sam Houston, 55-0
• Oct. 4: Lost to Florida, 21-29
• Oct. 11: Won against Oklahoma, 23-6
• Oct. 18: Won against Kentucky, 16-13
• Oct. 25: Won against Mississippi State, 45-38
• Nov. 1: Won against Vanderbilt, 34-24
• Nov. 15 at Georgia: TBD
• Nov. 22 vs Arkansas: TBD
• Nov. 28 vs Texas A&M: 6:30 p.m.

Biggest obstacles to Texas CFP case

Texas’ second-biggest obstacle to overcome is going to be its slow start. While losing to Ohio State in Week 1 ultimately ends up being a wash, a loss to a Florida team that went on to fire its coach is a hard one to overcome perception-wise.

Texas dropped precipitiously, and though it manhandled Oklahoma, the Sooners were shorthanded with an injury-effected John Mateer and the loss to the Gators kept a stigma over the Longhorns. Incredibly close shaves against Kentucky and Mississippi State hardly bolster Texas’ argument, but a statement win over Vanderbilt — a college football darling this season — is a boon.

Even so, the bigger obstacle is what lies ahead: Texas’ actual schedule. A road game in Athens and hosting a tough Texas A&M team, with a punji pit game against Arkansas lying in wait in between, is nothing to scoff at. If Texas wins out, the resume will be there. It will depend on who is around it in the standings.

Texas College Football Playoff chances bottomline

It feels crazy to say with how it started the year, but in some way Texas holds the keys to its playoff path. If it wins out, the committee will look favorably upon a team winning two of its past three games against top-10 and possibly top-5 opponents. While the SEC itself is going to be exceptionally difficult to take, Texas has a good look as an at-large team.

C’est tout for an era in Baton Rouge.

On Oct. 30, LSU completed a bit of a facelift in its athletic department with the departure of Scott Woodward, who had served as AD since 2019. Woodward, who hired championship coaches Kim Mulkey (women’s basketball) and Jay Johnson (baseball), ultimately missed on football with the hiring of Brian Kelly, who was lured from Notre Dame in what was thought at the time to be a caper for LSU.

Of course, in college athletics, football remains king.

In the wake of Kelly’s firing, there was a great deal of finger pointing toward who was responsible for LSU’s underperformance during his tenure. LSU went 34-14 with Kelly at the helm, but a lack of appearances in the College Football Playoff and a virtual elimination from another one Oct. 25 vs Texas A&M – combined with a serious image problem exacerbated by Kelly foisting blame for LSU’s shortcomings onto others – led to his firing in expedited fashion on Oct. 26.

In the week that has followed, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has been extremely critical of Woodward’s hiring of Kelly. While some of Landry’s assertions have been outside the bounds of reality – specifically the money for Kelly’s buyout falling on the shoulders of the people of Louisiana and Woodward being responsible for the extension that led to Jimbo Fisher receiving $77 million in buyout money from Texas A&M (despite hiring Fisher, the extension was the work of now-Ohio State AD Ross Bjork) – Landry is correct that the hiring of Kelly simply did not work out.

With the LSU athletic department seemingly in turmoil, punctuated by a hastily organized press conference at 8 a.m. local time on Halloween to discuss Woodward’s Oct. 30 departure from the university and announce Verge Ausberry as the interim AD, here’s a look at how arguably the best college coaching job available has become tainted by political grandstanding and outsized expectations.

LSU athletics timeline

April 17, 2019: Joe Alleva resigns from LSU athletic director position

Joe Alleva was the embattled predecessor to Scott Woodward at LSU. The former Tigers athletic director was oft-criticized despite overseeing the department during LSU’s 2009 baseball national championship, 2015 golf national championship, and many individual track and field champions.

The biggest blemish on Alleva’s record, however, are championships bookending his tenure in football. LSU won the national championship in 2007 under Les Miles and then again in 2019, the year of Alleva’s resignation, with Ed Orgeron steering the ship. Orgeron was promoted from the interim role when Miles was fired in 2016 following a loss to Auburn. He was named the head coach Nov. 26, two days after the season ended with a win against Texas A&M. The promotion sparked criticism of Alleva for his coaching search – or lack thereof – as then-‘it’ candidate Tom Herman went to Texas and other viable candidates stayed put.

Basketball was also an issue. Wholly uninspiring hires Trent Johnson and Johnny Jones never made it out of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, and though Will Wade brought relevance back to the program, scandal followed him in 2019. Reported recruiting violations stemming from an FBI wiretap preceded Alleva’s resignation a month later on April 17.

April 18, 2019: Scott Woodward hired as new LSU AD

LSU had a succession plan in place. Just a day after Alleva’s resignation, the university hired university alum Scott Woodward away from Texas A&M.

Woodward, who had hired Fisher to the Aggies during his tenure there, also hired Buzz Williams away from Virginia Tech to helm TAMU basketball.

‘After stops in Washington and Texas, I’m back home,’ Woodward said when he was hired. ‘But let me be clear, and very clear, I’m not solely back at LSU because it’s my alma mater. I did not return because this is home to me and my entire multigenerational family, and I’m not – I did not come back because of the pull of any one individual. I am at LSU because I believe in who we are and what we can accomplish together, and I stress together. And because LSU means so much to me and it means so much to many people here in this great state.’

He added: ‘We will win SEC and NCAA championships. We will not only graduate our student athletes but we will provide them with a world-class experience and with world-class help after they graduate.’

Jan. 13, 2020: LSU football wins national title, Woodward makes good on promise

LSU football was an utter Death Star in 2019, and less than a year after his hiring, Woodward made good on his promise to bring titles to Baton Rouge.

Behind the offensive juggernaut of Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson, and JaMarr Chase, who headlined a roster that saw a then record-tying 14 players to drafted, LSU went 15-0 in Orgeron’s third full season en route to a national championship.

The Tigers became a national sensation, with even their White House visit grabbing headlines.

April 25, 2021: Woodward hires Kim Mulkey from Baylor

Woodward’s first high-profile hire at LSU practically fell into his lap.

Mulkey, already a women’s college basketball legend because of her time in Waco, had led the Bears to three national titles to add onto her two championships whe won as a guard while playing at Louisiana Tech.

Mulkey supplanted Nikki Fargas, who resigned after a 9-13 2020 season.

“Kim Mulkey is a champion and a Hall of Famer, and we are thrilled to welcome her home,’ Woodward said at the time. “Her accomplishments are unprecedented, her passion is unrivaled, and her commitment to winning in all aspects of life – in the classroom, on the court, and in the community – is unparalleled. We look forward to working with her as she instills that championship culture at LSU.”

June 25, 2021: LSU hires Jay Johnson away from Arizona

While Mulkey may have been a relatively easy slam dunk hire for Woodward, the hiring of Jay Johnson was truly a pilfering.

Johnson, a West Coast mainstay who made his bones at Nevada before making Arizona into a baseball power in its own right, was 208-114 in six seasons with the Wildcats with two College World Series appearances. Johnson replaced the retired Paul Mainieri, who had won a title in 2009. LSU, a baseball superpower in the 1990s, signed Johnson to lofty expectations.

“I am humbled and honored to be the head baseball coach at LSU and serve as the steward of the next generation of national champions,” Johnson said in his opening press conference. “LSU is a phenomenal University and athletics department, and I am very thankful to Scott Woodward and Stephanie Rempe for entrusting me to lead this storied program into its next winning chapter. I view this as the opportunity of my lifetime and will do everything in my power to have our team playing a brand of baseball that makes everyone at LSU, the Baton Rouge community, and the entire state of Louisiana incredibly proud. Geaux Tigers!”

2021 football season: LSU parts ways with Orgeron

Fewer than two years after leading one of the best teams in college football history, Orgeron was let go by the program after a swift fall from grace and mounting scandal.

LSU went 5-5 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season before going 6-7 in 2021. Orgeron and LSU agreed to part ways following the regular season. While the death knell may have been a hapless 42-21 loss to Kentucky, scandal off the field also mounted against Orgeron.

Though Orgeron always kept up a rah-rah demeanor as the LSU coach, sexual harassment allegations against both him and his players that he failed to address and the abrupt firing of offensive line staffer James Cregg – which led to a lawsuit from Cregg claiming the firing was retaliatory for admitting to recruitment violations during the COVID-19 dead period – marred on the field results, which were also below par.

Upon Orgeron’s departure from LSU, the vacancy gave Woodward his highest-profile search to date.

Nov. 30, 2021: LSU hires Brian Kelly as new football head coach

In a stunning move, LSU replaced Orgeron with 11-year Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly.

Kelly, a decorated coach in his own right, was given high praise by Woodward upon his introduction.

‘He’s a winner through and through, which makes Coach Kelly so successful, and that he knows success is a habit, and he shows up in everything he does, from the smallest acts to the biggest transformations,’ Woodward said in Kelly’s introductory press conference. ‘He knows that success in football requires success in the classroom and in the community. He knows that high standards don’t confine themselves to the football field, that elite performances on Saturdays is the product of elite preparation in every walk of life, and he knows what winning can do, how it can uplift a university, elevate a state and transform the lives of millions.’

Dec. 1, 2021: The family incident

The first sign LSU and Kelly may be a match made somewhere under heaven came during Kelly’s opening comments at an LSU basketball game.

Kelly was ridiculed mercilessly for putting on what appeared to be a Southern drawl – or an attempt at one – when he addressed the LSU crowd.

‘This is a great way to get started, and I haven’t won all of my games yet,’ he said, pausing to let the crowd get a cheer in. ‘It’s a great night to be a Tiger. I’m here with my family, and we are so excited, to be in the great state of Louisiana.’

The truly bizarre pronunciation of family, which had the uncanny feeling of a dream, kicked off memes that would persist through Kelly’s entire tenure at LSU.

March 21, 2022: LSU hires Matt McMahon as basketball coach

In yet another high-profile signing, LSU found its new basketball coach in Matt McMahon after Wade’s scandal and departure.

McMahon, a longtime coach at Murray State, was hired after three NCAA Tournament appearances with the Racers, including two first-round victories.

“It was essential for us to hire a coach with a winning standard of performance, as well as the consistency and character to elevate our men’s basketball program to new heights. Matt is exactly what we were looking for. His vision for our program and his values as a leader align perfectly with ours as an institution, and he has a proven track record of identifying talent, developing student-athletes, and building championship basketball programs. We are excited to welcome, Matt, Mary, and their three children to Baton Rouge, and we are ready to work together to write the next championship chapter for LSU Basketball.” 

April 2, 2023: LSU women’s basketball wins first national title

Amid the Caitlin Clark hype, LSU women’s basketball became the spoiler to end all spoilers.

With Mulkey at the helm, the team had established an identity. After a second-round exit in 2021, LSU went 34-2 in Mulkey’s second season and entered the 2023 tournament as a No. 3 seed in the Greenville regional.

LSU traipsed through the NCAA Tournament, ultimately defeating Iowa 102-85 in a barnburner of a performance. LSU star Angel Reese and Clark became appointment viewing when they played each other, with Reese doing John Cena’s ‘can’t see me’ celebration – a Clark signature – in Clark’s face in the waning moments of the game.

June 26, 2023: LSU wins College World Series

Much like their respective hirings, Johnson wasted no time following in Mulkey’s footsteps.

LSU won the College World Series behind eventual first overall pick Dylan Crews and budding superstar Paul Skenes, now one of the faces of Major League Baseball.

Johnson marked the second Woodward hiring to win a championship in less than three months, and LSU looked like a legitimate superpower of a school.

Sept. 1, 2023: Brian Kelly slams table

Some cracks began to show early in Kelly’s second season when the coach suffered a season-opening loss to USC.

After the 27-20 loss, an impassioned Kelly slammed the table in his postgame press conference airing out his frustrations, saying we’re ‘sitting here again, we’re sitting here AGAIN’ as he slammed the table for emphasis. ‘Talking about the same things. About not finishing when we have our opponents in a position to put ’em away. But what we’re doing on the sideline is feeling like the game’s over.’

‘And I’m so angry about it,’ he continued. ‘That I gotta do something about it. I’m not doing a good enough job as a coach.’

2023 college football offseason: LSU overhauls coaching staff after disappointing year

Despite the overwhelming success other sports were enjoying, however, the Golden Goose still wasn’t laying eggs.

After his second season with LSU, Kelly had two bowls to show, but no CFP appearances. In Baton Rouge, that’s short of expectations. While there was promise – LSU made the SEC Championship Game in 2022 with wins over Ole Miss and Alabama – 2023 felt like a step back. Losses to those same two schools, in which the Tigers gave up 97 combined points, saw LSU overhaul its defensive staff following the season.

Joe Sloan and Brock Baker were brought on as offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively, with former OC Mike Denbrock joining Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame. In addition to the firing of DC Matt House, cornerbacks coach Robert Steeples, safeties coach Kerry Cooks, and defensive line coach Jimmy Lindsey were let go by LSU.

2024 season: LSU football takes another step back

The new staff did not help matters. The Tigers went 9-4 (5-3 SEC) with a three-game losing streak to Texas A&M, Alabama, and Florida tanking their postseason aspirations.

When the season ended, whispers began to swirl around Kelly’s future with the Tigers.

“We’re taking receipts … And we’ll see you at the national championship,’ he blustered at his regular season-ending press conference after a win over Oklahoma.

June 22, 2025: LSU baseball wins second championship under Jay Johnson

While LSU football sputtered, baseball continued to thrive.

The Tigers won their second championship in three years under Johnson, defeating Coastal Carolina 2-0 in the College World Series.

This time led by the devastating 1-2 pitching punch of Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson, LSU was able to reclaim the baseball throne from Tony Vitello and Tennessee.

July 1, 2025: LSU President William Tate leaves for same position at Rutgers

After an announcement in May, LSU President William Tate officially stepped down at the end of June to take the same position at Rutgers. Though it didn’t appear at first blush to have much bearing on the sports side of things, it will soon be hugely important.

Sept. 15, 2025: Kelly calls reporter ‘spoiled’ after win

Following a 20-10 win over Florida, Kelly was displeased with a question about LSU’s struggles on offense in its second year under Sloan.

‘Stop. Really?’ he said. ‘Is that the first question? We won the game 20-10. Try another question. What do you want me to tell you? I just laid it out for you. We played the game to win the game.’

Kelly continued:

‘You’re looking at this from the wrong perspective. LSU won the football game, won the game. I don’t know what you want from me. What do you want? You want us to win 70-0 against Florida to keep you happy?

‘Those are ridiculous questions and I’m getting tired of it. That football team just worked their tail off to get an SEC win and you want to know what’s wrong. You know what? You’re spoiled, you’re spoiled.’

Kelly would later apologize for the tirade.

Oct. 18, 2025: LSU loses to Vanderbilt

After a 5-1 start, LSU found itself utterly manhandled against SEC darlings Vanderbilt.

In a 31-24 loss, it never for a moment felt like the Tigers were in control. While things were not yet dire for Kelly, there began to be more talk about his long-term prospects.

Oct. 25, 2025: LSU loses to Texas A&M

Then came the Aggies.

Texas A&M has been a veritable force under Mike Elko this year, but LSU’s completely uninspiring performance in a night game at home in front of an uncharacteristically placid LSU crowd saw the Kelly rumors hit a fever pitch.

The Tigers lost to Texas A&M 49-25, and somehow looked even worse than the score indicated, bringing calls for change.

Oct. 26, 2025: Brian Kelly gets fired by LSU

Even Kelly’s firing had an odd tinge to it.

It looked like Kelly might survive LSU’s bye week, but more and more reports began rolling in about closed-door meetings surrounding Kelly’s future and a contentious discussion with Woodward.

By the end of Sunday, Kelly was out at LSU, adding yet another twist to an insane 2025 coaching carousel, and a spot many might call a throne to boot.

Oct. 29, 2025: Jeff Landry makes himself known

Enter Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry.

Remember that LSU lost its President earlier this year? Well here’s where that comes into play. Because Matt Lee is an interim and does not possess certain decision-making powers, Landry has stepped in as a power player since Kelly’s firing.

In a highly unusual press conference, Landry took aim at several high-profile names at LSU, including Woodward, less than a week after he said LSU should reconsider raising ticket prices due to on-field performance.

Most notably Landry – a Louisiana-Lafayette alum – said Woodward would not be picking Kelly’s successor, and it would instead come down to a board.

“I can tell you right now, Scott Woodward is not selecting the next coach,” he said. “Hell, I’ll let (President) Donald Trump select it before I let him do it.”

Landry expounded upon the board later, while alluding to Lee’s position as interim.

“Now, look, I have no animus against Brian Kelly…’ Landry said. ‘…But I think that it had gotten to the point … that the spirit of the team needed a change. And so that change was made and we’re going to move on. We’re without a president right now at LSU, and I’m hoping that the board of supervisors gets us (a coach) very quickly.”

Landry did make several incorrect claims in his press conference. He implied LSU taxpayers were on the hook for Kelly’s buyout, which is only true if private donations fall through, and he said Woodward was responsible for Texas A&M’s exorbitant buyout to Fisher, which Ross Bjork actually penned despite Woodward enticing Fisher from Florida State. More humorously, Landry said in a separate appearance with ESPN’s Matt Moscona that LSU would not be able to make the Bowl Championship Series, which, while technically true, is not a particularly pressing issue in 2025.

Oct. 30, 2025: LSU and Scott Woodward part ways amid pressure from Jeff Landry

On the evening of Oct. 30, it was reported and later confirmed Woodward was going to be parting ways with LSU.

“We thank Scott for the last six years of service as athletic director,” Board of Supervisors Chair Scott Ballard said in a statement. “He had a lot of success at LSU, and we wish him nothing but the best in the future. Our focus now is on moving the athletic department forward and best positioning LSU to achieve its full potential.”

In a letter to LSU fans, Woodward did not address speculation on his exit.

“Others can recap or opine on my tenure and on my decisions over the last six years as Director of Athletics, but I will not,” he wrote. “Rather, I will focus on the absolute joy that LSU Athletics brings to our state’s residents and to the Baton Rouge community. I will cherish the incredible relationships I have built within the University community and beyond our campus borders. And I will fondly remember the national and SEC championships for the joy that they brought to our student-athletes, coaches, staff, campus community and our incredible fans.”

Mulkey skipped a press conference after an exhibition game, with assistant coach Bob Starkey saying she was ‘heartbroken’ in a fill-in appearance.

Oct. 31, 2025: LSU names Verge Ausberry interim AD in early-morning press conference

With the ousting of Woodward, LSU wasted no time naming its next AD.

On the morning of Halloween, LSU hosted an 8 a.m. local time press conference with Ballard and John Carmouche.

‘Our concern is trying to get the best football coach we have here and making sure this department is stable,’ Ausberry said. ‘That’s my job. I’m not looking to do anything further from that, but right now it’s just stabilizing the department, making sure the coaches and the executive team is okay with everything they do, and they’re getting our support, and hiring a football coach.’

There was more grandstanding about the lofty expectations at LSU, but the future is, of course, cast into question with Landry’s involvement. Questions about the size of Kelly’s buyout, an interim president, and an interim AD will inevitably lead to a challenging interviewing process.

Will the next head coach be safe or will the new AD want to bring their own person in at the first sign of struggle? Can LSU pony up what will be necessary to sign a deal with a premiere candidate, particularly with Landry’s comments about buyouts? And, perhaps most importantly of all, will Louisiana politics play an impact on the field?

There are two carousels happening: The one in college football and whatever is happening inside the Big Top in Baton Rouge. But the overarching question is clear and reasonable: If the guy who hired Kim Mulkey and Jay Johnson isn’t safe, who is?

Arch Manning is heating up as the 2025 college football season hits the stretch run.

Following a career-best performance against Mississippi State last week in an overtime win, Manning followed up with another 300-yard passing day in Texas football’s win 34-31 over No. 11 Vanderbilt on Saturday, Nov. 1, which saw the Commodores outscore the Longhorns 21-0 in the fourth quarter.

Manning had his best performance despite opening the week missing practice on Monday due to being in the concussion protocol.

He started the game with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo, which set the tone for the rest of the game for the Longhorns’ offense. The 328 yards against the Commodores comes a week after he posted his career high of 346 yards last weekend against the Bulldogs.

Here’s a look at Manning’s stats today vs. Vanderbilt:

Arch Manning stats today vs Vanderbilt

Here’s a full look at Manning’s line on Nov. 1 vs. Vanderbilt:

• Completions: 25
• Attempts: 33
• Percentage: 76%
• Passing yards: 328
• Touchdowns: 3
• Interceptions: 0
• QB Rating: 189.2
• Rush attempts: 1
• Rushing yards: 4
• Yards per carry: 4.0