Deadspin | No. 8 Oregon minding own business with Minnesota in sights

Deadspin | No. 8 Oregon minding own business with Minnesota in sights

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Oct 25, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jordon Davison (0) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The top of the College Football Playoff standings feature Big Ten teams at No. 1 and No. 2, and one-loss Oregon might not have enough time to close the gap.

Ranked No. 8 in this week’s CFP rankings released Tuesday, Oregon gained one spot from last week and carries visions of a return to the Big Ten title game into Friday night when the Ducks host Minnesota in Eugene, Ore.

The Ducks (8-1 overall, 5-1 in Big Ten) scored a gritty 18-16 win at now-No. 21 Iowa last week. Ohio State is No. 1 in the rankings with Indiana, the only team to beat Oregon this season, ranked second.

Oregon received a lot of praise across the nation for being able to go into Iowa, deal with poor weather and put together a game-winning drive inside of two minutes to play that resulted in a field goal to retake the lead with three seconds left. The Ducks were without wide receiver Dakorien Moore and tight end Kenyon Sadiq, and turned to their running back depth on offense.

It’s not clear if Moore, Sadiq, starting offensive tackle Alex Harkey or linebacker Devon Jackson will be able to play on Friday as they work their way back from injuries. Oregon could also be without wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr., who was injured during the Iowa game.

That could mean another week of relying on a corps of running backs led by veteran Noah Whittington, who rushed for 117 yards at Iowa, plus Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr., who’ve combined for 14 touchdowns this season.

“Every year is different and unique. You try to play to your team’s strengths and what they do well,” Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said. “We’ve also had some games that the environment dictated that we’re going to run the ball a little bit more. But really proud of our offensive staff and their creativity in the run game and what they’ve done.”

Since a 30-20 loss to Indiana last month, Oregon has three victories in a row. The Ducks gave up a combined 32 points in wins over Iowa, Wisconsin and Rutgers.

Minnesota faces Oregon for the first time since the Ducks jumped to the Big Ten. The Golden Gophers (6-3, 4-2) are coming off a bye, and before that, a 23-20 come-from-behind win over Michigan State at home in overtime.

Minnesota’s defense has 32 sacks in nine games, which leads the Big Ten. But the Gophers are 0-3 on the road this season, outplayed at Cal and dominated by Ohio State and Iowa.

On offense, redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey is in his first season as the starting quarterback, and isn’t a major threat to run with the ball. Lindsey, however, has a 62 percent completion rate with 10 touchdown passes and six thrown interceptions.

Minnesota doesn’t have the scoring potential that the Ducks have shown, but its defense could keep the game close. The Gophers will be making their second trip out to the West Coast this season.

“Whether it’s here (in Minneapolis) or whether it’s in Eugene, Oregon, you’ve got to find a way in November to play your best football,” head coach P.J. Fleck said.

“They (the Ducks) don’t have many flaws, that’s for sure.”

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Kevin Durant takes spotlight as Rockets try to even series with Lakers Apr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) and forward Kevin Durant (center) watch during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images All eyes will be on the great Kevin Durant when his visiting Houston Rockets seek to square the ledger against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of their best-of-seven playoff series Tuesday. Durant was unable to play Saturday’s first-round series opener after accidentally bumping knees with a teammate at practice three days earlier. The 16-time All-Star attempted to warm up a few hours before tipoff, but he ultimately didn’t feel his right knee was good enough to play. Durant led Houston with an average of 26 points per game this season and is No. 5 on the NBA’s all-time leading scorers list. In his absence, the fifth-seeded Rockets struggled offensively in a 107-98 loss to the Lakers in Game 1. Houston had 27 more shot attempts but misfired badly, connecting at 37.6% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range and 68% from the free-throw line. Rockets coach Ime Udoka didn’t hesitate when asked about the qualities that Durant brings to the table, which were sorely lacking Saturday. “Efficiency and consistent scoring,” Udoka said. “On a nightly basis, he (Durant) shoots at a good, high clip. He doesn’t have too many nights like this (Houston in Game 1), struggling-wise. With all the young guys, he kind of calms you down … Regardless, if he’s back or not, if we’re shooting that poorly, it’s going to be tough to win.” Alperen Sengun led the Durant-less Rockets with 19 points. Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard added 17 apiece, and Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason both had 16. Durant is expected to be fit to take his place as the Rockets endeavor to overcome their 1-0 deficit, but the Lakers showed they are able to adapt whether or not Houston’s main man is on the court. “I don’t think it (Durant not playing Game 1) affected our mentality,” Los Angeles coach JJ Redick said. “This is all we’ve talked about for two months, is our playoff mentality. You can’t worry about who’s in or out of a line-up. It’s our gameplan, it’s our standard, it’s how we play and we’ve built towards that.” That standard saw the Lakers shoot a sizzling 60.6% from the floor, including 52.6% from deep. The star was Luke Kennard, who produced a playoff career-high 27 points and went 5-of-5 from three. Thompson admits the Rockets should have been more dialed in on Kennard, a key reserve and the NBA’s most accurate 3-point shooter, who the Lakers acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in February. “Just respect other players,” Thompson said when asked where his team can improve. “I knew what Kennard could do. But I’ve got to be more locked in for it — locked in for that match-up.” LeBron James posted 19 points and 13 assists, while Deandre Ayton paired 19 points with 11 boards for Los Angeles. The Lakers are without their two leading scorers — Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (left oblique strain) — which means greater production is required from more sources. “We don’t have a choice,” said James, who is participating in his 19th postseason. “It has to be that way — it has to be the collective group. When you’re missing so much firepower like we are right now with AR and Luka being out, we all have to pitch in. We all have to do our job, and even do a little bit more.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Kevin #Durant #takes #spotlight #Rockets #series #LakersApr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) and forward Kevin Durant (center) watch during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

All eyes will be on the great Kevin Durant when his visiting Houston Rockets seek to square the ledger against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of their best-of-seven playoff series Tuesday.

Durant was unable to play Saturday’s first-round series opener after accidentally bumping knees with a teammate at practice three days earlier.

The 16-time All-Star attempted to warm up a few hours before tipoff, but he ultimately didn’t feel his right knee was good enough to play.

Durant led Houston with an average of 26 points per game this season and is No. 5 on the NBA’s all-time leading scorers list.

In his absence, the fifth-seeded Rockets struggled offensively in a 107-98 loss to the Lakers in Game 1.

Houston had 27 more shot attempts but misfired badly, connecting at 37.6% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range and 68% from the free-throw line.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka didn’t hesitate when asked about the qualities that Durant brings to the table, which were sorely lacking Saturday.

“Efficiency and consistent scoring,” Udoka said. “On a nightly basis, he (Durant) shoots at a good, high clip. He doesn’t have too many nights like this (Houston in Game 1), struggling-wise. With all the young guys, he kind of calms you down … Regardless, if he’s back or not, if we’re shooting that poorly, it’s going to be tough to win.”


Alperen Sengun led the Durant-less Rockets with 19 points. Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard added 17 apiece, and Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason both had 16.

Durant is expected to be fit to take his place as the Rockets endeavor to overcome their 1-0 deficit, but the Lakers showed they are able to adapt whether or not Houston’s main man is on the court.

“I don’t think it (Durant not playing Game 1) affected our mentality,” Los Angeles coach JJ Redick said. “This is all we’ve talked about for two months, is our playoff mentality. You can’t worry about who’s in or out of a line-up. It’s our gameplan, it’s our standard, it’s how we play and we’ve built towards that.”

That standard saw the Lakers shoot a sizzling 60.6% from the floor, including 52.6% from deep. The star was Luke Kennard, who produced a playoff career-high 27 points and went 5-of-5 from three.

Thompson admits the Rockets should have been more dialed in on Kennard, a key reserve and the NBA’s most accurate 3-point shooter, who the Lakers acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in February.

“Just respect other players,” Thompson said when asked where his team can improve. “I knew what Kennard could do. But I’ve got to be more locked in for it — locked in for that match-up.”

LeBron James posted 19 points and 13 assists, while Deandre Ayton paired 19 points with 11 boards for Los Angeles.

The Lakers are without their two leading scorers — Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (left oblique strain) — which means greater production is required from more sources.

“We don’t have a choice,” said James, who is participating in his 19th postseason. “It has to be that way — it has to be the collective group. When you’re missing so much firepower like we are right now with AR and Luka being out, we all have to pitch in. We all have to do our job, and even do a little bit more.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Kevin #Durant #takes #spotlight #Rockets #series #Lakers">Deadspin | Kevin Durant takes spotlight as Rockets try to even series with Lakers Apr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) and forward Kevin Durant (center) watch during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images All eyes will be on the great Kevin Durant when his visiting Houston Rockets seek to square the ledger against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of their best-of-seven playoff series Tuesday. Durant was unable to play Saturday’s first-round series opener after accidentally bumping knees with a teammate at practice three days earlier. The 16-time All-Star attempted to warm up a few hours before tipoff, but he ultimately didn’t feel his right knee was good enough to play. Durant led Houston with an average of 26 points per game this season and is No. 5 on the NBA’s all-time leading scorers list. In his absence, the fifth-seeded Rockets struggled offensively in a 107-98 loss to the Lakers in Game 1. Houston had 27 more shot attempts but misfired badly, connecting at 37.6% from the field, 33.3% from 3-point range and 68% from the free-throw line. Rockets coach Ime Udoka didn’t hesitate when asked about the qualities that Durant brings to the table, which were sorely lacking Saturday. “Efficiency and consistent scoring,” Udoka said. “On a nightly basis, he (Durant) shoots at a good, high clip. He doesn’t have too many nights like this (Houston in Game 1), struggling-wise. With all the young guys, he kind of calms you down … Regardless, if he’s back or not, if we’re shooting that poorly, it’s going to be tough to win.” Alperen Sengun led the Durant-less Rockets with 19 points. Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard added 17 apiece, and Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason both had 16. Durant is expected to be fit to take his place as the Rockets endeavor to overcome their 1-0 deficit, but the Lakers showed they are able to adapt whether or not Houston’s main man is on the court. “I don’t think it (Durant not playing Game 1) affected our mentality,” Los Angeles coach JJ Redick said. “This is all we’ve talked about for two months, is our playoff mentality. You can’t worry about who’s in or out of a line-up. It’s our gameplan, it’s our standard, it’s how we play and we’ve built towards that.” That standard saw the Lakers shoot a sizzling 60.6% from the floor, including 52.6% from deep. The star was Luke Kennard, who produced a playoff career-high 27 points and went 5-of-5 from three. Thompson admits the Rockets should have been more dialed in on Kennard, a key reserve and the NBA’s most accurate 3-point shooter, who the Lakers acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in February. “Just respect other players,” Thompson said when asked where his team can improve. “I knew what Kennard could do. But I’ve got to be more locked in for it — locked in for that match-up.” LeBron James posted 19 points and 13 assists, while Deandre Ayton paired 19 points with 11 boards for Los Angeles. The Lakers are without their two leading scorers — Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (left oblique strain) — which means greater production is required from more sources. “We don’t have a choice,” said James, who is participating in his 19th postseason. “It has to be that way — it has to be the collective group. When you’re missing so much firepower like we are right now with AR and Luka being out, we all have to pitch in. We all have to do our job, and even do a little bit more.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Kevin #Durant #takes #spotlight #Rockets #series #Lakers

Though there might be only one quarterback drafted in this year’s first round, multiple are expected to be square in the first-round mix in the 2027 NFL draft.

Quarterbacks already on the NFL’s radar for 2027 include Oregon’s Dante Moore, Texas’ Arch Manning, Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss, Miami’s Darian Mensah, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, LSU’s Sam Leavitt, UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava and Oklahoma’s John Mateer. Not all of those players will be first-round picks, but there are great expectations for many of them, and it provides a glimpse of the potential.

But some teams aren’t even waiting. At least evaluator acknowledged that, while they were out at pro days scouting the prospects for this year’s draft, they took a long hard look at some of the aforementioned quarterbacks in next year’s class. At least one team put in some extra work with a few of these QBs while it was in those college towns, and chances are, that team was not the only one. The NFL is already thinking about the Class of 2027.

#class #impacting #NFL #Draft">How the 2027 QB class is impacting the 2026 NFL Draft Though there might be only one quarterback drafted in this year’s first round, multiple are expected to be square in the first-round mix in the 2027 NFL draft.Quarterbacks already on the NFL’s radar for 2027 include Oregon’s Dante Moore, Texas’ Arch Manning, Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss, Miami’s Darian Mensah, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, LSU’s Sam Leavitt, UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava and Oklahoma’s John Mateer. Not all of those players will be first-round picks, but there are great expectations for many of them, and it provides a glimpse of the potential.But some teams aren’t even waiting. At least evaluator acknowledged that, while they were out at pro days scouting the prospects for this year’s draft, they took a long hard look at some of the aforementioned quarterbacks in next year’s class. At least one team put in some extra work with a few of these QBs while it was in those college towns, and chances are, that team was not the only one. The NFL is already thinking about the Class of 2027. #class #impacting #NFL #Draft

Spencer Johnson, the Australian left-arm pacer who had been signed as Nathan Ellis’ replacement ahead of the season, joined Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Mumbai on Tuesday ahead of its marquee clash against Mumbai Indians.

Johnson may be drafted into the XI for the injured Khaleel Ahmed for Thursday night’s clash.

CSK has had an underwhelming start to its season with just two wins from its opening six games. Injuries have further weighed down its hopes of fighting back.

In its previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Ayush Mhatre suffered a hamstring injury which ruled him out of the remaining tourament.

The five-time champion is already without talisman M.S. Dhoni, who had been ruled out for two weeks even before the side’s first game. However, the 43-year-old is yet to feature in the tournament despite being a regular presence at the team’s practice sessions.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#IPL #Spencer #Johnson #joins #CSK #squad #ahead #clash">IPL 2026 — Spencer Johnson joins CSK squad ahead of MI clash Spencer Johnson, the Australian left-arm pacer who had been signed as Nathan Ellis’ replacement ahead of the season, joined Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Mumbai on Tuesday ahead of its marquee clash against Mumbai Indians.Johnson may be drafted into the XI for the injured Khaleel Ahmed for Thursday night’s clash.CSK has had an underwhelming start to its season with just two wins from its opening six games. Injuries have further weighed down its hopes of fighting back.In its previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Ayush Mhatre suffered a hamstring injury which ruled him out of the remaining tourament.The five-time champion is already without talisman M.S. Dhoni, who had been ruled out for two weeks even before the side’s first game. However, the 43-year-old is yet to feature in the tournament despite being a regular presence at the team’s practice sessions.Published on Apr 21, 2026 #IPL #Spencer #Johnson #joins #CSK #squad #ahead #clash

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