Coming into this new season I had penned in this defense as Top 5 and one that might need to be closer to #1 if the Texans Offensive Line again crashed and kept Offense from doing much damage on the scoreboard. The Texans Offense has shown some life finally but the Defense has been lights out again this season and the past 2 games it was ‘85 Bears Defense craziness.
They are ranked (#3) allowing only (91) rush yards per game and only (175) passing yards per game. The past two games they held the Titans to 82R/93P and last week held the Ravens to 44R/163P and have 4 Interceptions the past 2 games as well as forcing so many 3 and outs they were only on the field for 22 and 23 mins. This will really help down the road as they will have fresh legs for a good portion of the middle part of the season. Rested Defensive players tackle much better and allow way less big plays off tired missed tackles (which is now an epidemic in the league in 2025). I fully expect them to make a push for #1 Defense soon.
2). ATLANTA FALCONS TEAM
Ok the (2-2) record may fool many of you but this team has been so much better than their (.500) record thus far. I wouldn’t want my favorite team getting their “Bye” in week 5 but for now this team will be very well rested and since so early to get that Bye week they could immediately make any changes that were costing either side of the ball.
The Falcons are the (#1) Defense in the league allowing only (244) total yards per game. They are off charts vs. Passing attacks allowing an incredibly low (135) pass yards per game. You clearly aren’t beating the Falcons with huge pass plays and that means they are forcing you to make long drives to score points. With how poor most Offensive Lines are any long drive usually ends up with a holding penalty and so far the Falcons have gotten great pressure on opposing QB’s (10 sacks in 4 games).
The Falcons Offense is (#7) and have run the ball extremely well (137 rush yards per game) thanks to the Offensive line really opening some wide lanes for the running backs. When you lead the league (#2 right now) in what I call the “Pac Man” stats you are also doing the best thing possible for your team’s Defense keeping them resting on sidelines for 4th quarters when so many players are tiring. This team has some solid playmakers on both sides of the ball and really only having one of the worst HC’s can stop them from a Playoff spot down road.
“STOCK DOWN” TEAMS OF WEEK 6
1). MIAMI DOLPHINS TEAM / HEAD COACH
This team had high hopes with a healthy QB Tua Tags back and some very solid playmakers to work with on the Offensive side of the ball. The Defense finished last season at (#4) and allowing only (314) total yards per game. Right now the Defense is being run over like a Mack Truck driving over beer cans. They may have the worst Head Coach and really the mistakes are too many to count. They have made terrible throws, missed so many tackles, made penalties at very worst times
The Offense is (#28) and what is so head scratching to me is the HC/OC “supposed Guru Playcaller has been atrocious starting games calling plays. Most teams first 20-25 plays are scripted and practiced over and over all week long in practices. The Dolphins though have only scored (13) points in 5 games in the first quarter (second only to Titans 9 points).
Then when the best HC’s go to Halftime and adjust to what just transpired in the first half once again this supposed guru McDaniel has led the team to only 20 points in the third quarter. Clearly not exploiting any weakness seen in the first halves of games. They are only rushing it for (82) yards per game (3rd worst) and 1 of only 6 teams not rushing for 100 yards per game.
The Fins QB Tua Tags has thrown 4 interceptions and a few at worst times in the game and they have lost the Time of Possession battle in 4 of their 5 games. The Defense is allowing an insane (174) rush yards per game (DEAD LAST) and the worst part of this is that the Team pace is so slow (avg only 51 plays on Offense per game) that there are so many fewer plays happening. Losing your speedster stud WR Hill for the season was the worst luck ever.
When you can’t stop the run (not a lick) and you counter that with your Offense runs ball for only (82) you are so badly losing the battle in the trenches you almost need a miracle to win games. With 5 of their next 6 games vs. top teams it’s gonna be a tall task for this HC to not lose his job.
2). NEW YORK JETS TEAM / HEAD COACH
Once again the ole HIGH HOPES that this is our year was out in full force with a new sheriff in town, new HC Glenn. The team clearly lacked discipline and structure and needed a new culture. So the Jets go out and grab a guy from the Lions where they have the best team culture in the league. Now add in a new QB (Fields) who you are basically giving the full reins to and no look over his shoulder at all and a Defense with some of the finer young players in the league and things were positive all the way around in Gotham City.
Being winless after 5 games is the worst nightmare for Coaches, Players and fans. No team made the Playoffs going (0-5) to start so now it’s a matter of keeping guys from quitting. The Jets Offense has fumbled the ball (7x) this season already and that simply is a big “No No”. The Offensive Line had one really great game but the rest are failing grades.
QB Fields has been sacked (16x) and when you commit (8.6) penalties per game (bottom 5) you are basically a team of so many mistakes you almost can’t win any game playing so poorly in all the most important phases. When you have already faced one of the weakest Defenses in the league (Pitt 28 D, Miami 29 D and Dallas Last D) and you have no wins and in 3 of the next 4 games you face #2 Cleveland D, #5 Denver D and a pretty solid #12 Carolina D you are in some serious trouble unless Broadway Joe Namath and some of the past superstars somehow come walking back through your door. This Jets team is a disaster in every possible way across the board. Jets you might soon be “On the clock”.
TEAM CRASHED
1). BALTIMORE RAVENS
So much for this is the best team in the NFL as (1-4) is more like one of the very worst and right now the Defense has so many key injuries they can’t stop the kids in the neighborhood. Hard to believe a team that started 2025 with a loaded roster has 1 win and a Defense allowing 409 total yards per game. But 2 major stats, and maybe the worst I’ve ever seen in my career through 5 games, is the Total Plays and Time of Possession differences.
The Ravens have lost Time of Possession by a whopping margin in all 5 games as the Offense has been on the field only (128) minutes and the Defense has been on the field (172) minutes. The Total Plays difference is blood bath level as they have disadvantages of (48-77, 50-77, 47-66, 50-69 and 39-64 last week). I can’t remember an Offense running only 39 plays so this team is past rock bottom at this point as so many stars are out and going to be out for a good while. OUCH!
The Bulls charge into Conference Play rested and ready for the Friday night lights.
South Florida (9-3; 6-2 American) faces Old Dominion (9-3; 6-2 Sun Belt) in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl on Dec. 17 at Camping World Stadium, Orlando. The Bulls pursue a third straight bowl win and a historic 10-win season.
South Florida (9-3; 6-2 American) will look to capture a third straight bowl victory for just the second time in program history when it faces Old Dominion (9-3; 6-2 Sun Belt) in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl on December 17 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The game, presented by Coca-Cola, will kick off at 5 p.m. and air nationally on ESPN.
Cure Bowl Supports Cancer Research
The Cure Bowl is more than just football—it’s a fundraising event hosted by the Orlando Sports Foundation to support cancer research. Since its inception in 2015, the event has raised over $6.35 million for the cause. Tickets start at $25 plus fees, and fans are encouraged to secure seats for this meaningful matchup.
Bulls Nation Ready for Orlando
USF Athletics CEO Rob Higgins emphasized the importance of the game: “The Cure Bowl supports a tremendous cause that we are excited to champion, and we look forward to our Bulls taking on a very talented Old Dominion team on Dec. 17. It’s a short drive for Bulls Nation to Camping World Stadium, and I look forward to a great turnout in Green and Gold as we pursue a third straight bowl win for just the second time in program history.”
Program Milestones for South Florida
This marks South Florida’s 13th bowl appearance, tied for the third-most in the first 25 seasons of bowl eligibility. The Bulls’ 8-4 bowl record ranks fourth nationally in winning percentage among programs with 10 or more appearances. Interim Head Coach Kevin Patrick noted the team’s focus on finishing strong and chasing a rare 10-win season.
Pursuit of a 10-Win Season
The Bulls aim to reach 10 wins for only the third time in program history, last achieved in 2017. They also seek a third consecutive bowl win, following victories in the 2023 Boca Bowl (45-0 vs. Syracuse) and 2024 Hawaii Bowl (41-39 in 5OT vs. San Jose State). The only other three-bowl streak came between 2008–2010.
Old Dominion’s Strong Season
Old Dominion enters the Cure Bowl with a 9-3 record, finishing second in the Sun Belt East Division. The Monarchs closed the regular season with five straight wins, including victories over Virginia Tech, Liberty, and Coastal Carolina. They boast the nation’s No. 7 rushing offense (236.9 ypg), No. 16 total offense (460.8 ypg), and No. 20 scoring defense (19.3 ppg).
Cure Bowl Legacy
Now in its 11th season, the Cure Bowl has become a staple of postseason college football. Last year, Ohio defeated Jacksonville State, while Tulane remains the only American Conference team to win the Cure Bowl (2018).
USF Offensive Firepower
South Florida’s offense ranks No. 2 nationally in total yards (501.7 per game) and No. 4 in scoring (43.0 points per game). The Bulls set a program record with five games scoring 50+ points this season. Eleven players earned all-conference honors, including First Team selections Mac Harris and De’Shawn Rucker.
Looking Ahead
USF will formally introduce Brian Hartline as the seventh head coach in program history on December 8 at the Sam and Martha Gibbons Alumni Center in Tampa. The event is open to the public and marks a new era for Bulls football.
college championship weekend The 2025 college football season kicks off with one of the most electrifying Week 1 slates in recent memory. With playoff contenders
By: Matthew Weatherby
White smoke has risen from the Nittany Lion atop Beaver Stadium. Penn State has its new Head Coach in Matt Campbell. It was 54 long days since the Nittany Lions fired now Virginia Tech Head Coach James Franklin. They got turned down, people paid, and honestly publicly humiliated throughout the process. Now Campbell from Iowa State is set to take over in Happy Valley. Hoping to calm the mobs coming for Pat Kraft and his job.
This report came a few minutes ago from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who said Penn State was finalizing a deal for Matt Campbell to become the head coach.
Penn State has finally found its guy, and funny enough, it is a similar route they took when they hired James Franklin in 2014. Franklin’s pedigree was that of a guy who appeared to do more with less. He was the most successful Vanderbilt Head coach until Clark Lea.
Campbell is the same. He won at his first stop, being Toledo’s Head Coach, where he went 35-15, good for a .700 winning percentage. Since he took the job at Iowa State, he has enjoyed some similar success, going 72-55 from 2016-25.
Now to the doing more with less portion. Over the 11 recruiting classes that he brought in at Iowa State, the average ranking was 55.8 in the national standings. Not exactly that of a top-tier program. He has developed that talent, however, with guys like Brock Purdy and Breece Hall being stars in the NFL now.
He also won Coach of the Year 3 times in the BIG 12, receiving the award in 2017, ’18, and ’20. Campbell was also the 2015 MAC Coach of the Year.
With the influx of cash I expect Campbell to receive, in terms of NIL money for the roster, it is not unreasonable to think of this as a great hire. With his coaching pedigree, you would expect the results he was able to give at Iowa State to only be magnified with a bigger brand and budget at Penn State.
What Campbell means for Penn State
It means that Pat Kraft might actually be able to sleep peacefully tonight. He has been contacting seemingly everyone, trying to get them to come to Happy Valley. None of those came to fruition; instead, he was getting them paid at the places they were already employed.
Here, the question that reigns supreme: will it be enough?
This search was an unmitigated disaster, from the inability to get anyone to take their money, all of the negative press, and the rumors of Jimmy Sexton freezing Penn State out for the way they handled Franklin. It could not have been worse for Penn State. You pair that with a group of Paterno people who wanted Terry Smith to be the Head Coach. I wonder if this hire is enough to calm the waters in Happy Valley.
One thing I do know for sure is that winning cures all. Matt Campbell might just be the guy to save Pat Kraft.
Capital Sports Network will be your home for Let ’em Run Happy Hour
Let ’em Run is breaking down races at some new venues, and we will continue to expand our horizons with a variety of tracks, as we listen to what our viewers and readers have to say.
We are breaking down interesting races at Laurel Park and Turfway Park (a little nighttime action) that will be run on Saturday. Then we turn our attention to Aqueduct on Saturday, where there is The Remsen Gr2, a Kentucky Derby prep, and the signature race…The Cigar Mile.
Saturday Roundup Reminder
Be sure to tune into the Saturday “Let ’em Run Roundup” at 12:30 where we will bring even more insight after any scratches and other changes. So catch us this weekend on multiple streaming apps and social channels!!
Race 6 — 2:23 EST — The Maryland Juvenile — 125K — 7 Furlongs (Dirt) Some talented 2 y.o.’s line up for this race, at the always tricky distance for young runners at 7 furlongs. I am going to lean on #3 Sometime 9-2. Was ambitiously placed in the Iroquois against some of the best milers in the division. Breeding out of Take Charge Indy, who came in 1st at The Florida Derby and The Clark Handicap, so the talent is there. The #4 Biker Bailey 4-1 came out of a Md 20k, but took over the field and posted a 70 BSF. Could go to the front and not look back. Bet = $10 Ex Box 3,4 = $20
Saturday 12/6 — Turfway Park
Race 7 — 8:55 EST — The Boone County — 125K — 1 ¼ (Synthetic) Big field to choose from gives us plenty of options and value to boot. Jockey Fernando De La Cruz hops aboard #10 Swift Delivery 5-1, 1 of 2 Mark Casse entrants. A failed turf experiment, in between two Gr3 races on synthetic, make this horse the one to beat. Tough post, but De La Cruz can work out a trip and close on the field. The #1 Funtastic Again 5-1, is the horse for course and surface. Has ran in a steady diet of 6 Graded races last 6x, and now gets relief and a good post to go to the front. Jockey Gerado Corrales is very familiar with this runner.
Saturday 12/6 — Aqueduct (Races 7–11)
Race 7 — 2:11 EST — Alw 88K N1X — 1 Mile (Dirt)
Nice start to the late P5 for Let ’em Run, with a big field of 12 runners. Hard to look past #6 Life and Times 8-5. As a student of pace figures, this runner has an early pace figure of 142!! Out of Justify, and 2nd time out runners for that sire often improve…scary. Likely to have some company up front, but just too fast. Bet = P5 = 6 / All / All / 6 / 2 = $78 (based on current entries)
Race 8 — 2:39 EST — The NY Stallion Series — 500K (Fillies) — 7 Furlongs (Dirt)
Another full field of 2 y.o. fillies running at 7 furlongs. Going with #12 Daniella Marie 6-1, the entry for the “other Chad”… trainer Chad Summers, who is heating up and excellent with 2.y.o’s. Jockey Kendrick Caramouche stays on, and never really asked her in last, when she won by 9 ¼ lengths. Likely post time fave #10 Hot Currency 7-2, looking to improve with stud jockey Flavian Prat retaining the mount.
Race 9 — 3:08 EST — The Remsen Gr2 — 250K — 1 ⅛ (Dirt)
Kentucky Derby prep race, with 12 runners ready to go. The #11 Talkin 5-1 for trainer Danny Gargan is my top choice. Gargan is looking to hit the Derby trail again with a good one here, out of top Sire Good Magic. Runner beat Further Ado in Maiden, and that runner is labeled as a Derby favorite, so why not this guy. Jockey Kendrick Caramouche has options from a tough post, with interesting Brisnet early and late pace figures both high, and nearly the same (early 106 / late 102). Once again the Flavian Prat runner #2 Paladin 3-1 will get much deserved attention.
Race 10 — 3:37 EST — The Cigar Mile Gr2 — 500K — 1 Mile (Dirt)
Really can’t see anyone beating the fast and talented #6 Phileas Fogg 8-5. Two new wrinkles; with blinkers going on and jockey Joel Rosario taking the mount. Trainer Rodriguez Gustavo gave him a break pointing to this race, and said “it’s showtime“; when asked how he was doing!!
Two notes per Brisnet, lone E speed, and best pace to the 6 furlong distance, by a lot. So should have company early, but will then pull away to the wire.
Race 11 — The NY Stallion Series — 500K — 7 Furlongs
Once again the Big A putting out a big field for bettors. Trainer Butch Reid has #2 Parker Boone 8-5 ready to make some noise. Runner won by 12 ¼ 1st time out and was under wraps early. Naysayers will say “who did he beat”, but runners out of Solomini are often very good, very early. Will have other speed to deal with, but a ground saving post should seal the deal.
Final Notes
Stay tuned as we continue to grow, and tune in on Saturday for our 12:30 Podcast, with scratches and changes affecting our picks. And as the saying goes, Let ‘em Run.
Politics8 years ago