The Auburn Tigers enter this season seeking redemption after four consecutive non-winning campaigns. For a program with such a rich tradition, mediocrity is no longer acceptable—and now, for the first time in years, expectations are rising. With six returning starters on offense and five on defense, there’s cautious optimism that Auburn could break into the Top 25. The infusion of talent through the transfer portal has certainly generated buzz, but between the unknowns on the roster and a tough SEC schedule, it’s unclear whether this is truly the year the Tigers take a big leap forward. Let’s break it down.
Quarterback play has been average at best for Auburn in recent seasons, but that may change this year with a much-needed talent boost. Most notably, former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold has transferred in, and he brings a sense of stability and potential to the position. While Arnold didn’t light up the stat sheet in Norman—posting a modest 12-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio—he played behind a banged-up offensive unit. The Sooners’ receiving corps was ravaged by injuries, and the offense as a whole never found its rhythm. A fresh start at Auburn could be exactly what Arnold needs to unlock his potential.
Stanford transfer Ashton Daniels will compete for the job, though his 21-to-20 touchdown-to-interception ratio over two years leaves much to be desired. Former Notre Dame commit Deuce Knight is also in the mix, but the job is clearly Arnold’s to lose.
The good news for Arnold? This will be the most talented group of receivers he’s worked with. Returning wideouts Cam Coleman and Malcolm Simmons provide playmaking experience, while transfers Horatio Fields (Wake Forest) and Eric Singleton (Georgia Tech) add depth and explosiveness. The offensive line returns intact and gains a boost with the addition of Xavier Chaplin from Virginia Tech, making this a deep and promising unit.
At running back, Auburn has some uncertainty. Damari Alston hopes to take a big step forward, but he’ll be joined by a group of largely unproven transfers. It’s possible that Arnold and Alston end up leading the team in rushing, which highlights both the potential and unpredictability of this offense. The Tigers have weapons—they just need their quarterback to play with poise and consistency.
Defense: Solid but Needs a Spark
Auburn’s defense wasn’t the problem last year. The unit allowed just 21 points per game, ranking 28th nationally. Five starters return, including sack leader Keldrick Faulk, who posted seven sacks a year ago. The defensive line should be serviceable, but the Tigers need more than just average—especially when it comes to creating turnovers and getting off the field on third downs.
The linebacker group is a concern and will need improved play from Robert Woodyard and DeMarcus Riddick. Auburn is also hoping Maryland transfer Caleb Wheatland can provide some much-needed energy and athleticism. Cornerback Camp Anthony returns from a serious injury and, if healthy, could help elevate the secondary into one of the team’s strengths.
The Turnover Battle and the Road Ahead
Turnover differential has been a recurring issue for the Tigers. Over the last three years, Auburn has posted a negative turnover margin each season: -9, -2, and -9. There was a slight improvement toward the end of last season, as the Tigers committed just eight turnovers and forced ten in their final eight games. Ball security will be critical this year if Auburn wants to stay competitive in the SEC.
So, is Auburn a Top 25 team in 2025? Not yet—but they could be on the right track. This is still a program with something to prove, and while the roster is more talented, the Tigers need to show consistency, especially at quarterback. The season opens with a trip to Baylor—a winnable game that could set the tone. After two early tune-ups, the real challenge begins in SEC play. Georgia and Alabama both visit Jordan-Hare Stadium, while Auburn avoids Tennessee and Texas this year. A road trip to Oklahoma will be a true test for Jackson Arnold and a fun subplot against his former team.
With a few upsets and growth at key positions, a 7-5 season and a bowl appearance is within reach. However, unless the quarterback play takes a major leap, this doesn’t look like the year Auburn returns to the Top 25. Still, the foundation may finally be in place for better days ahead.
Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles Opens Up to Dan Sileo: Cutdown Day, Baker Mayfield, and Buccaneers Legacy
Todd Bowles walked into the postgame press conference knowing the truth: his future in Tampa Bay now rides on the final three games of the season. The Buccaneers blew a 28–14 fourth‑quarter lead and handed the Atlanta Falcons a 29–28 win, a collapse that mirrored the team’s month‑long freefall. Bowles didn’t hide his frustration, and his message hit harder than any hit delivered on the field.
Mike Evans returned from a broken clavicle and played like a man determined to drag the Buccaneers forward. He caught six passes for 132 yards, drew multiple penalties, and showed visible disgust as he walked off the field after the loss. Bowles praised him with purpose.
“He played winning football. He cares,” Todd Bowles said. “He’s one of the guys that cares. He gave his heart. He gave his all.”
Todd Bowles didn’t need to say the rest out loud. His tone made it clear: not enough players match Evans’ urgency. When pressed on who lacks that edge, Bowles backtracked, but the message already landed.
“They all care. It’s just a matter of execution,” Bowles said. “There’s nobody out there trying to mess it up. But at some point you’ve got to get it right. This is a player‑driven team in the last four or five weeks. You’ve got to execute. They’ve got to hold each other accountable.” (Reporting supported by NFL.com’s transcript of Bowles’ comments NFL and USA Today’s coverage of his postgame remarks USA TODAY.)
Mayfield Takes the Blame and Challenges the Locker Room
Baker Mayfield didn’t dodge responsibility. He threw a late interception and owned it immediately. He also echoed Bowles’ challenge to the roster.
“We have talent. Talent doesn’t get you anything,” Mayfield said. “Doing the work and executing on game day does. We didn’t do that.”
Mayfield didn’t sugarcoat the stakes.
“We have to win out to get to the playoffs. To win the division, we have to win out. If the guys don’t handle this the right way, then we have a much deeper issue.
What’s Working: The Run Game Shows Life
The Buccaneers produced 88 yards on 22 carries and created opportunities to control the clock. They didn’t lean on the run game enough, especially with a late lead. The ground attack gave them balance, but Bowles and the offense never fully committed to it.
What Needs Help: The Defense Collapses Again
The defense failed in every critical moment. Tampa Bay couldn’t pressure the quarterback, couldn’t cover tight ends, and couldn’t tackle in space. Atlanta faced third‑and‑28, gained 14 yards, and then converted fourth‑and‑14 on the game‑winning drive — a sequence that defined the night.
The Bucs surrendered 365 passing yards and recorded only one sack on an immobile Kirk Cousins. The numbers matched the eye test: the defense broke when it mattered most.
Stock Up: Mike Evans
Evans returned with fire, production, and leadership. His 132 yards and emotional edge set the tone. He played like a captain trying to save a season.
Stock Down: The Offensive Line
The offensive line allowed five sacks and constant pressure. The unit never settled, and its struggles disrupted the rhythm of the offense throughout the night.
Injuries Continue to Pile Up
The Buccaneers lost CB Zyon McCollum (hip) during the game. LG Ben Bredeson remained out after landing on injured reserve. DB Tykee Smith (neck/shoulder), LB SirVocea Dennis (hip), TE Cade Otton (knee), and CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) all missed the matchup.
Next Steps: A Season on the Brink
Tampa Bay travels to Carolina next, while the Panthers play at New Orleans on Sunday. The Buccaneers still control their playoff path, but control means nothing if they can’t finish games.
The Final Word: Bowles and the Bucs Still Hold Their Fate — But Time Is Running Out
The Buccaneers created this crisis, but they also hold the power to escape it. Bowles’ future, the team’s playoff hopes, and the direction of the franchise all hinge on the final three games. The ship hasn’t sunk yet. The question now is simple:
Under the bright lights of Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room, the New York Athletic Club formally presented the 2025 Heisman Memorial Trophy to Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The redshirt junior from Miami stood at the podium on December 13, 2025, visibly emotional as he became the first Cuban American and the first Hoosier in history to win college football’s most prestigious award. The ceremony marked a defining moment not only for Mendoza but for Indiana University football as a whole.
Mendoza’s journey to the Heisman was nothing short of remarkable. In his first season as Indiana’s starting quarterback after transferring from California, he guided the Hoosiers to a perfect 13-0 record and their first Big Ten Championship since 1967. His statistics were equally impressive: – 2,980 passing yards – 33 touchdown passes (nation’s best) – 71.5% completion rate – Only six interceptions
These numbers not only shattered school records but also placed Mendoza among the elite quarterbacks in college football. His ability to deliver in clutch moments—such as Indiana’s 13-10 victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten title game—cemented his reputation as a leader and playmaker.
The Voting and Competition
The Heisman race featured a competitive field, including Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, and Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. Mendoza, however, claimed 2,362 first-place votes, outdistancing his rivals by a wide margin. His victory also ended a long drought for the Big Ten, making him the first conference quarterback to win the award since Ohio State’s Troy Smith in 2006.
In his acceptance speech, Mendoza thanked his teammates, coaches, and community, saying: “If you told me as a kid in Miami that I would be here on stage holding this prestigious trophy, I would have laughed or cried, just like I am now. I accept this award with humility and gratitude.”
Indiana’s Rise to National Prominence
Indiana’s football program, long considered an underdog in the Big Ten, has now ascended to the pinnacle of college football. Mendoza’s leadership has transformed the Hoosiers into the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, earning them a quarterfinal matchup in the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2026. The team’s offensive surge under Mendoza broke program records for touchdowns and points, signaling a new era for Indiana football.
Closing Thoughts: Mendoza and the CFP Playoffs
As Fernando Mendoza hoisted the Heisman Trophy in New York City, he not only etched his name into college football history but also carried the hopes of an entire program into the postseason. Indiana, undefeated and brimming with confidence, now turns its attention to the College Football Playoff, where Mendoza’s arm and leadership will be tested against the nation’s best. For the Hoosiers, the Heisman is more than an individual honor—it is a symbol of their arrival on the national stage, with Mendoza at the helm of a team chasing a championship.
Sports Talk in Baltimore, MD – In front of a sellout crowd of 75,000 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, the Navy Midshipmen rallied from a 16-10 deficit in the fourth quarter to edge the Army Black Knights 17-16 as the two did battle for the 126th time in one of the most storied rivalries in American sports. Played under sunny skies with temperatures in the high 30s and a brisk wind rolling off the Chesapeake Bay, the game was a showcase of tradition, honor, and fierce competition. The Army–Navy Game is more than just football—it is a celebration of service academies, their cadets and midshipmen, and the enduring pageantry that makes this matchup one of the most unique rivalries in sports history. Navy’s narrow victory added another unforgettable chapter to a contest that has captivated generations.
The game began with Navy marching 75 yards on its opening possession, capped by Blake Horvath’s 5-yard touchdown run to seize a 7-0 lead. Army answered in the second quarter with a steady drive finished by Cale Hellums to tie the score, then added a 45-yard field goal just before halftime to carry a 13-7 advantage into the locker room. Early in the third quarter, Justin Weaver intercepted Horvath and nearly returned it for a touchdown, setting up another Army field goal that stretched the margin to 16-7. Navy clawed back with a field goal to make it 16-10, but the decisive moment came midway through the fourth quarter. Facing fourth-and-goal from the 8, Horvath lofted a strike to Eli Heidenreich in the end zone, completing the comeback and giving Navy a 17-16 lead. Army had one final chance in the closing minutes, but Navy’s defense held firm, and Alex Tecza’s late first down sealed the victory. The win capped Navy’s season at 10-2, while Army finished 6-6, their missed extra point looming as the difference in a game defined by razor-thin margins.
Florida’s Deep Military Connection to the Rivalry
While the game was played in Baltimore, its significance resonates strongly in Florida. The Sunshine State is home to 23 military bases, including MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, where both U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) are headquartered. Florida also boasts one of the largest veteran populations in the nation, with over 1.5 million retired military members living across the state. For Floridians, the Army–Navy Game is more than a spectacle—it is a deeply personal event, reflecting the service and sacrifice of countless men and women who call Florida home. The rooting interest extends far beyond alumni, touching families and communities tied to the military presence in the state.
More Than Just a Game: A Historic Rivalry
The Army–Navy Game dates back to 1890, making it one of the oldest and most revered rivalries in college football. Over the decades, the matchup has symbolized the spirit of competition and camaraderie between two branches of the U.S. military. From iconic moments like the “instant classic” finishes to the unforgettable flyovers and march-ons, the game embodies tradition unlike any other. It is a contest where the outcome matters deeply to the academies, but the shared respect between Army and Navy players underscores the larger mission they will one day serve together.
Navy’s Victory and Brotherhood Beyond the Field
Navy’s 17-16 triumph in Baltimore was hard-fought, with highlights including a late defensive stand that sealed the win. Yet, as the final whistle blew, the rivalry’s true meaning came into focus. Both teams stood together, singing each other’s alma maters, a tradition that symbolizes unity and respect. While Navy celebrated victory, the players from both sides will soon stand shoulder to shoulder as brothers in arms, defending the nation together. That bond makes the Army–Navy Game not only one of the most unique rivalries in sports but also a powerful reminder of service, sacrifice, and shared destiny.
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