Let that sink in for a minute: The most hyped team in America this preseason is now projected to watch the playoff from home. ESPN Analytics gives Texas the fourth-best chance to reach the SEC championship game (26%) behind Georgia, Ole Miss and Alabama. The Longhorns' season-opening road loss to Ohio State isn't the problem -- it's the product on the field.
Texas running back CJ Baxter, the Longhorns' leading rusher, was injured on the first play of the game against UTEP and is not expected to return, according to a school spokesman. Baxter, who leads the team with 104 yards on 24 carries, limped off after carrying the ball on the first play of the game and was able to walk to the locker room on his own.
Everyone has an opinion on nepotism, although most of us probably wouldn't mind benefiting from it. In popular culture, the term nepo babies most often refers to well-connected Hollywood offspring pursuing entertainment careers of their own (shout-out to New York Magazine for helping cement this vernacular). But the term can be applied to the children of famous people in just about any field, from politics to sports.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day has one message for freshman quarterback Julian Sayin, who will be making his first career start for the No. 3 Buckeyes against top-ranked Texas on Saturday. 'Just win,' Day said Tuesday. 'Find a way to win.' All eyes will be on Sayin and new Texas starting quarterback Arch Manning in the showdown at Ohio Stadium.
After an exciting Day 1 saw walkoff wins for both Oklahoma and UCLA, Day 2 came with elimination stakes for four teams. No. 3 Florida was the first team to exit after No. 7 Tennessee scored seven times in the first inning and run-ruled the Gators 11-3 in five innings.
