Good Morning,
It’s a midweek rankings edition once more, but the college basketball season is off and running. Tuesday night’s Champions Classic featured a pair of nail-biters and an early-season upset. Plus, we’re just days away from the World Cup. Let’s rank ‘em…
Letter Rip!
NFL
Week 11 Power Rankings
Vikings Surge Into Top Spot; Eagles, Cowboys & Bills All Fall After Losses
Another week in the NFL’s ongoing saga shook up the hierarchy at the top. The first loss for the Eagles spelled chaos at the top, while the Bills and Cowboys also lost. It’s the Vikings who garner the top spot in this week’s rankings, but roughly 11 teams are neck-and-neck in the race for home-field advantage in the playoffs. Here’s where they stand after Week 10.
NFL Power Rankings (Week 11)
1. Vikings (8-1) | ↑1
2. Chiefs (7-2) | ↑3
3. Eagles (8-1) | ↓2
4. Bills (6-3) | ↓1
5. Ravens (6-3) | —
6. Giants (7-2) | ↑1
7. Dolphins (7-3) | ↑1
8. Titans (6-3) | ↑3
9. 49ers (5-4) | ↑2
10. Cowboys (6-3) | ↓4
Teams 11-20: 11. Jets (6-3) | 12. Buccaneers (5-5) | 13. Seahawks (6-4) | 14. Commanders (5-5) | 15. Chargers (5-4) | 16. Bengals (5-4) | 17. Packers (4-6) | 18. Patriots (5-4) | 19. Cardinals (4-6) | 20. Rams (3-6)
Teams 21-32: 21. Browns (3-6) | 22. Falcons (4-6) | 23. Lions (3-6) | 24. Colts (4-5-1) | 25. Broncos (3-6) | 26. Steelers (3-6) | 27. Jaguars (3-7) | 28. Bears (3-7) | 29. Raiders (2-7) | 30. Panthers (3-7) | 31. Saints (3-7 | 32. Texans (1-7-1)
Biggest Risers: Chiefs, Bucs, Commanders, Titans
Biggest Fallers: Eagles, Cowboys, Rams, Falcons
Editor’s Note: Do you agree or disagree with any of today’s Power Rankings? Reply to today’s newsletter to share your thoughts.
Additional Storylines
B/R: Vikings Cement Legitimate Super Bowl Contender Status After Week 10
ESPN: NFL Week 11 Power Rankings: 1-32, Hot Seat Update & More
USA Today: Week 11 Power Rankings: Does Chaos Ensue With Eagles, Bills & Cowboys Losing?
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CFB
Playoff Rankings 3.0
College Football Playoff Remains the Same, But Oregon’s Tumble Leaves
The third rendition of the CFB Playoff Rankings yielded no change among the top five teams in the nation. Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan and TCU remain in the driver’s seat with Tennessee still hopeful. No. 6 Oregon tumbled to No. 12 and allowed the door to open for LSU and USC to slide up into contention. All eyes are on the Michigan-Ohio State clash ten days from now, namely Tennessee and LSU. Don’t count out the Trojans if they go unscathed through the Pac-12.
CFB Playoff Rankings 2.0
1. Georgia (10-0)
2. Ohio State (10-0)
3. Michigan (10-0)
4. TCU (10-0)
Rest of Top-10: 5. Tennessee (9-1) | 6. LSU (8-2) | 7. USC (9-1) | 8. Alabama (8-2) | 9. Clemson (9-1) | 10. Utah (8-2) | Full Top-25
Additional Storylines
B/R: USC, You’re the Pac-12’s Only Hope
ESPN: Analysis of the 3rd College Football Playoff Rankings
USA Today: Georgia Maintains No. 1 Spot in 3rd College Football Playoff Rankings
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MLB
Managers of the Year
Terry Francona (Guardians) & Buck Showalter (Mets) Win MLB Manager of the Year Awards
The MLB’s awards week threw out the first pitch on Tuesday, and there will be more hardware to dish out in the days to come. Terry Francona (Guardians) and Buck Showalter (Mets) earned the Manager of the Year awards. Francona earned the American League honor after leading Cleveland to the AL Central crown with a 92-70 record. Showalter nabbed the National League title after the Mets shocked everyone with 101 wins.
Seasoned Vets: Tito & Buck
Both of the winning managers are no stranger to the Manager of the Year honor. Francona captured his third award while Showalter became the first manager to win it with four different teams (Yankees, Rangers, Orioles & Mets).
Rookie of the Year Award Winners (Monday)
Julio Rodriguez (Mariners) & Michael Harris II (Braves)
MLB Awards Week Schedule
Wednesday: Cy Young
Thursday: Most Valuable Player
Additional Storylines
NY Times: Buck Showalter & Terry Francona Are MLB’s Top Managers
ESPN: MLB Awards Week: Predictions & Everything You Need to Know for MVP, Cy Young & More
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NCAA
Champions Classic Stunner
Michigan State Shocks No. 4 Kentucky in Double Overtime (86-77, 2OT) in Champions Classic
The Champions Classic tipped off a week later this year, but college basketball’s big bash wasn’t void of drama. The four iconic programs who usually kickstart the year came together for a pair of epic showdowns in Indianapolis. Michigan State withstood 4th-ranked Kentucky and Oscar Tshiebwe (22 points, 18 rebounds) to steal a double-overtime upset. In the nightcap, Kansas and Duke went head-to-head in a top-10 matchup where the Jayhawks gave Duke coach Jon Scheyer his first loss. Jalen Wilson had 25 points and 11 boards for KU.
Champions Classic Highlights
Michigan State def. #4 Kentucky (86-77, 2OT)
#6 Kansas def. #7 Duke (69-64)
Tonight’s Schedule
#2 Gonzaga vs. #11 Texas (9:30 pm ET)
Additional Storylines
USA Today: Kansas Hands Duke Its First Loss Under New Coach Jon Scheyer
CBS Sports: College Basketball Rankings: Villanova, Oregon Fall Out of 1st AP Top-25 Poll
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THE HIGHLIGHTS
NBA: Kings Crush Nets With 153 Points
The Kings continued their hot start with a point-scoring blitz against the Nets on Tuesday (153-121), tallying the most points the Nets have given up in franchise history. Terence Davis exploded for 31 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists off the bench, and the Kings are a surprising 7-6 to open the year.
NHL: Devils Deliver 10th Straight
Jack Hughes tallied two goals and an assist to spearhead a 5-1 win for the Devils over the Canadiens last night and give New Jersey its 10th straight victory. They’re 13-3-0 and tied for the second-best record in the NHL after a 3-3-0 start. Watch out, Eastern Conference. New Jersey is for real.
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THE STORYLINES
Hours after three football players were killed and two additional students were injured in an on-campus shooting, thousands united at a vigil of support and solidarity. (Sports Illustrated)
The Major League Baseball offseason is up and running. We’re now more than a week removed from the end of the World Series and free agency is officially underway. (CBS Sports)
How USMNT Restored Its Culture
With the words “together we are better” emblazoned on the large screen behind him, USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter delivered an important reminder to his squad. (FOX Sports)
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THE HEADLINES
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