Sports
Our experts’ midseason College Football Playoff, national championship and Heisman picks
How much has the outlook for the college football season changed since the preseason?
It may not feel like a lot, but The Athletic’s consensus midseason national championship pick received zero votes two months ago in the preseason, and the Heisman Trophy favorite is now a running back from a Group of 5 team.
In August, we surveyed 28 of The Athletic’s college football writers and editors for their preseason national title, Playoff and Heisman predictions. After seven eventful weeks of the regular season, we surveyed 30 writers and editors for updated thoughts on how the 2024 college football season will play out. Here are the results — and how opinions have changed.
Who will win the national championship?
|
Team
|
Midseason
|
Preseason
|
|---|---|---|
|
50.0% |
0.0% |
|
|
36.7% |
57.1% |
|
|
6.7% |
10.7% |
|
|
3.3% |
0.0% |
|
|
3.3% |
28.6% |
|
|
0.0% |
3.6% |
Fifteen of our 30 voters predict that Texas, the top-ranked team in the AP poll, will win its first national championship since 2005 — a big change after the Longhorns received zero votes in the preseason. Ohio State, our preseason favorite with more than half of the votes in August, still comes in second with 11 votes despite its loss last week to Oregon, which received just two votes after getting three in the preseason. Clearly, most of our staff believes the Buckeyes are capable of getting revenge in the Big Ten title game and beyond.
Clemson and Georgia rounded out our national championship picks with one vote apiece. We asked one voter for each team to explain their choice:
Why Texas?
The Longhorns have been the most complete team in the country this season, ranking 11th in yards per play on offense and first in yards per play allowed on defense. They dominated Michigan on the road, they dominated rival Oklahoma in Dallas, and they have a chance to earn a statement win back home vs. Georgia this week. They also have depth, with the offense not skipping a beat when Arch Manning had to replace starting quarterback Quinn Ewers for two weeks, and it doesn’t even feel like they’ve hit their ceiling yet. — Matt Brown
GO DEEPER
No. 1 Texas hasn’t peaked yet. What happens when it does?
Why Ohio State?
The Buckeyes were my preseason pick, and it’s hard to move off that after they played what was essentially a draw with another top-five team on the road. I would like to see more from Ohio State’s supposedly vaunted defense, but facing Oregon could be a pivot point where defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and the Buckeyes get a better idea of how they need to play against elite competition. The loss of left tackle Josh Simmons is worrisome. Maybe I’ll feel different if Texas womps Georgia on Saturday. I still think Ryan Day and Ohio State complete the mission. — Ralph Russo
Why Oregon?
We were all curious about how Oregon would handle the moment in a marquee matchup against Ohio State, and boy did the Ducks live up to the hype. Dan Lanning’s team got its signature win and officially has everyone’s attention as a frontrunner to pull this off. Yes, it’s hard to pick against Texas, given how the Longhorns have played thus far. But Dillon Gabriel has the experience Oregon needs down the stretch, and the Ducks’ schedule sets up nicely for them to win the Big Ten and earn a coveted first-round bye. — Grace Raynor
GO DEEPER
Oregon’s epic win a testament to Dan Lanning’s elite talent-stacking
Why Georgia?
Talent and continuity win out. No team is elite this year, but Georgia isn’t far from it. Even with their flaws, the Bulldogs are a great bet. I can’t believe I’m the only one who picked them. Games are won on the line of scrimmage, and Texas may be the only team that can rival the Bulldogs’ fronts on both sides of the ball. Carson Beck still can play his way to QB1 in the NFL draft next year, and if he does, it’ll be because of his ability and not because his receivers made plays for him. Plus, he has a solid run game supporting him. — David Ubben
Why Clemson?
It’s hard to blame anyone who closed the door on taking Clemson seriously after Georgia hit the after-burners in the season opener, but the Tigers have cruised since then thanks to a deep defense, a bruising workhorse back in Phil Mafah and steady play from quarterback Cade Klubnik, who has thrown just one interception since Malaki Starks’ highlight-reel pick in Week 1. With tighter turnarounds and less certain matchups than its four-team predecessor, the 12-team Playoff is going to reward multi-dimensional teams that know how to peak in December. For all the concerns about the ceiling lowering on Dabo Swinney’s program in recent years, those are two areas in which you can still count on Clemson. — Eric Single
What does our projections model say?
Ohio State is still on top of the national championship race in Austin Mock’s College Football Playoff projections model, winning the national title in 21 percent of our simulations. The Buckeyes are followed by Georgia (16 percent), Texas (15 percent), Oregon (11 percent), Penn State (10 percent), Alabama (8 percent), Miami (5 percent) and Clemson (5 percent).
GO DEEPER
College Football Playoff 2024 projections: Texas, Oregon at top; Indiana moves into bracket
Who will lose in the national title game?
Not only is Texas our most popular national championship pick, but it’s also our most popular runner-up. Twenty-six of 30 voters picked the Longhorns to get to the national title game in Atlanta, with 11 of those voters calling for a Texas loss.
Including the one championship vote for Clemson above, our staff voted for only five teams to appear in the national title game. Texas vs. Ohio State (16) is the most common matchup with more than half the votes, while Oregon vs. Texas (six) is the only other pairing to receive more than two votes.
National title game matchups
| Matchup | Votes |
|---|---|
|
Ohio State vs. Texas |
18 |
|
Oregon vs. Texas |
6 |
|
Georgia vs. Ohio State |
2 |
|
Georgia vs. Texas |
2 |
|
Clemson vs. Oregon |
1 |
|
Georgia vs. Oregon |
1 |
Who we’re picking to make the Playoff
Even with half the season remaining, there’s not a lot of variety in our predictions. Only 18 teams received at least one vote to make the 12-team Playoff, with Texas, Ohio State, Boise State, Penn State and Miami going 30-for-30. Oregon surprisingly was left off one ballot but is still viewed as almost a lock, along with Georgia (29 votes) and Clemson (28). Three people picked Boise State to earn a first-round bye — remember, there are five automatic bids and the byes go to the four highest-ranked conference champions, not necessarily all four Power 4 conference champions.
Alabama (24), Iowa State (22) and Notre Dame (20) appeared on at least two-thirds of ballots. And shout out to Indiana, which appeared on three ballots in Curt Cignetti’s first season — after surely not being considered on any in the preseason.
The two teams that have plummeted from the Playoff race are Utah (71.4 percent of ballots in the preseason) and Florida State (67.9 percent), which are nowhere to be found on ballots now.
GO DEEPER
Which college football teams’ Playoff odds have changed the most at midseason?
Who will earn automatic Playoff bids?
All percentages are the share of our staff’s votes, not odds of winning. Find full Playoff projection and conference title odds based on our model here.
ACC
|
Team
|
Midseason
|
Preseason
|
|---|---|---|
|
63.3% |
7.1% |
|
|
36.7% |
35.7% |
|
|
0.0% |
46.4% |
|
|
0.0% |
7.1% |
|
|
0.0% |
3.6% |
After five ACC teams received conference championship votes in the preseason, only two did at midseason: Miami (19 of 30) and Clemson (11). Nobody opted for a sleeper pick like Pitt (6-0 overall) or SMU (5-1).
Big 12
|
Team
|
Midseason
|
Preseason
|
|---|---|---|
|
46.7% |
10.7% |
|
|
30.0% |
0.0% |
|
|
23.3% |
25.0% |
|
|
0.0% |
57.1% |
|
|
0.0% |
7.1% |
Utah was the pick of more than half of our staff in the preseason but has fallen off to zero with two losses and quarterback Cam Rising out for the season. At the top now are the two surprise undefeated teams, Iowa State and BYU. But Kansas State is still lurking right behind them.
Big Ten
|
Team
|
Midseason
|
Preseason
|
|---|---|---|
|
66.7% |
85.7% |
|
|
33.3% |
14.3% |
Ohio State and Oregon were the only teams to receive votes in the preseason, and they’re still the only teams to receive votes now, even though Penn State and Indiana are undefeated.
And even though Oregon beat Ohio State last week, two-thirds of our staff likes the Buckeyes’ chances if they get to Indianapolis.
SEC
|
Team
|
Midseason
|
Preseason
|
|---|---|---|
|
96.7% |
14.3% |
|
|
3.3% |
82.1% |
|
|
0.0% |
3.6% |
Texas has become the runaway favorite, receiving all but one vote to win the SEC championship at midseason. The other went to Georgia, which visits the Longhorns on Saturday. Alabama beat Georgia, but it didn’t garner a single SEC championship vote after its loss to Vanderbilt and a close call against South Carolina.
Group of 5
|
Team
|
Midseason
|
Preseason
|
Conf
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
100.0% |
17.9% |
MWC |
|
|
0.0% |
39.3% |
AAC |
|
|
0.0% |
21.4% |
CUSA |
|
|
0.0% |
10.7% |
SBC |
|
|
0.0% |
7.1% |
SBC |
|
|
0.0% |
3.6% |
MWC |
All 30 voters picked Boise State to be the highest-ranked Group of 5 conference champion. The Broncos have a Heisman Trophy candidate in tailback Ashton Jeanty and lost only by three points at Oregon. They have a pivotal game next week at UNLV, which is also in the mix from the Mountain West.
Army, Navy and Liberty are the three other undefeated teams. Army and Navy both have a game against Notre Dame to impress the selection committee, while Liberty continues to have a quiet season against one of the nation’s weakest schedules, which makes it a long shot despite continuing to win.
Who will win the Heisman Trophy?
| Player | Team | Pos | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ashton Jeanty |
RB |
40.0% |
|
|
Cam Ward |
QB |
30.0% |
|
|
Travis Hunter |
WR/CB |
16.7% |
|
|
Dillon Gabriel |
QB |
13.3% |
Eight players received votes in the preseason, and that number is down to just four. The favorite to win the award in December, at 12 votes out of 30, is Jeanty, who also topped our midseason straw poll showing how our staff would vote right now. Jeanty has 1,248 yards and 17 touchdowns through six games. If he keeps up that pace, it may be hard to deny him.
A pair of quarterbacks for undefeated teams in Cam Ward (nine votes) and Gabriel (four votes) make the list, in addition to a handful of votes going to Hunter (five votes), Colorado’s two-way star.
(Top photos: Gregory Shamus and Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
Sports
Deputies shatter Tiger Woods’ back windshield after he requests to keep prized possession, bodycam shows
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
When Tiger Woods crashed his car last Friday, arguably his most prized possession was with him in the trunk: his golf clubs.
Woods’ 2025 Range Rover turned onto its driver’s side in the crash and nearly two hours later, the 15-time major champion was arrested for driving under the influence.
Authorities arrived on the scene and talked with Woods’ manager, Rob McNamara, who said the clubs were extremely important.
Golfer Tiger Woods checks his cellphone while sitting in an unmarked police vehicle after a car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida, on March 27, 2026. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
“I understand,” a deputy said, as bodycam footage revealed. “Worth more than my house.”
“The putter is worth more than all of our houses,” McNamara replied.
Woods later said that the “sticks” were the only thing he needed, especially the putter, which he “won 14 majors” with. Woods used another putter for the 1997 Masters, his first major victory, which he won by 12 strokes.
TIGER WOODS’ TEAMMATE CALLS GOLFER’S DUI ARREST ‘VERY DISTURBING’
The deputy on camera told a tow employee that there was “expensive s—” in the trunk from a “high-profile person” that needed to be extracted from the vehicle. However, as a result of the crash, the trunk was unable to be opened. So, a member of a local fire department shattered the back windshield, and authorities slipped the clubs through the windshield and gave them to McNamara, keeping them safe and sound.
The clubs were in a Monster Energy branded bag, and his driver was covered with Woods’ notorious tiger cover head.
Tiger Woods’ clubs were extracted from his car after officers broke his back windshield. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
TIGER WOODS UTTERS SARCASTIC 3-WORD REMARK AFTER GETTING PLACED IN BACK OF COP CAR DURING DUI ARREST
The deputy found one of Woods’ Sun Day Red shirts, which he joked was more than one of his paychecks.
Woods was placed in the vehicle after failing a field sobriety test, taken after he showed “signs of impairment” and was “lethargic.” He blew “triple-zeroes” in a breathalyzer, but after he failed to submit a urine test, he was hit with another charge. Officers found two pills that were later identified as hydrocodone, a prescription opioid used for pain relief.
Woods previously told law enforcement prior to the field sobriety tests that he underwent seven back surgeries and “over 20 operations on his leg.” He told law enforcement that “I take a few” prescription medications. In 2021, he got into a wreck that resulted in serious leg injuries that kept him off the golf course for the entire year.
Woods told officers he was “hoping to” play in the Masters, but in a statement earlier this week, Woods said he would pause his quest to get back on the golf course to “seek treatment.”
A deputy joked that Woods’ clubs were “worth more than my house.” (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
“I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I am stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my well-being and work toward lasting recovery,” Woods said in a statement Tuesday posted to social media.
“I’m committed to taking the time needed to return in a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support, and ask for privacy for my family, loved ones and myself at this time.”
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Sports
Luka Doncic’s hamstring injury will test Lakers’ depth on eve of NBA playoffs
OKLAHOMA CITY — In the aftermath of their worst loss of the season, few Lakers players or coaches had spoken to Luka Doncic after he limped off the court in the third quarter Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Austin Reaves didn’t know the extent of Doncic’s hamstring injury, but he knew how the Lakers superstar would approach the latest hurdle in this winding season.
“He’s a competitor,” Reaves said of Doncic, “so he’ll do all he can do to put himself in a position to come back when he can.”
Doncic will undergo an MRI on Friday on the left hamstring injury he suffered in a 43-point loss to the Thunder. He already missed four games before the All-Star break with the same injury, but the Lakers withheld expectations on his status for the final five regular-season games.
After Sunday’s game in Dallas, the Lakers face the Thunder at home Tuesday, play consecutive games at Golden State on Thursday and against Phoenix at home Friday and finish the regular season April 12 against Utah.
Doncic’s injury left the Lakers backcourt extra shorthanded Thursday as Marcus Smart missed his sixth consecutive game Thursday. The veteran guard could return against Dallas, coach JJ Redick said. He has been day-to-day since injuring his right ankle against Orlando on March 21.
If Smart is unable to return in Doncic’s absence, the Lakers could shift even more ball-handling responsibility to Reaves and LeBron James while relying on Bronny James as an additional guard off the bench. The 21-year-old James has played in five consecutive games, tying his longest stretch of his second pro season.
The Lakers (50-27) are already guaranteed a top-six seed in the Western Conference, but are still jostling for seeding. They have a one-game lead for the No. 3 seed over No. 4 Denver, which is on a seven-game winning streak.
Approaching the end of the regular season, the Lakers looked at Thursday’s game against the defending NBA champions as a test, forward Jake LaRavia said. They were 15-2 in March with 13 wins in their last 14 games. The Lakers were playing like an evolved form of the team that lost by 29 to the Thunder in Oklahoma City in November.
But like that first rout, Thursday’s featured a flurry of Lakers turnovers, suffocating Oklahoma City ball pressure and an efficient masterclass from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“This close to the end of the season, we would’ve wanted it not to go that way,” said LaRavia, who had six points and a team-high eight rebounds Thursday. “It was pretty much the same story, I feel like, the first time we played here this year.”
The Lakers built much of their March success on successful revenge performances. They bounced back after previous losses to the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and the Orlando Magic. They lost by seven to the Nuggets on March 5 then responded with nine consecutive wins, their longest winning streak of the season, including an overtime thriller against Denver that clinched the head-to-head tiebreaker that could factor into the tight standings.
Redick praised his team’s “playoff mentality” during the run. It was also when the team was largely its healthiest.
Doncic had played all but one game since the All-Star break. Reaves, who missed six weeks with a calf injury this season, has started in 22 consecutive games. When James returned from an elbow injury, the star trio found a clear hierarchy that lifted the team to new heights.
Doncic, who became just the 10th player in NBA history to score 600 points in a single month, is the “head of the snake,” said James, who is averaging just 12.3 shots in the last 12 games but is shooting 54.4% from the field. Doncic’s brilliant March unified the team behind his most valuable player push, his thrilling shot-making and even his smiling dunk against Washington.
With the team exuding the type of joy that often characterizes Doncic’s game, James believes the Lakers can maintain their momentum despite Doncic’s uncertain status and a deflating loss.
“Nothing is rattled,” James said. “It’s one game, it’s part of the NBA season, it’s the defending champions. We get it. We understand.”
Sports
Phil Mickelson withdraws from the Masters, joins Tiger Woods in sitting out signature major
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
As Tiger Woods steps away from golf and won’t be playing in the Masters next week, another golf legend won’t be on the grounds at Augusta National Golf Club.
Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson released a statement Thursday saying he won’t be playing in this year’s tournament.
“Unfortunately, I will not play in the Masters Tournament next week and will be out for an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter,” Mickelson’s statement on social media said.
Phil Mickelson plays a shot from the fifth tee during LIV Golf South Africa at The Club at Steyn City in Johannesburg March 20, 2026. (Johan Rynners/Getty Images)
“I wish everyone the best of luck and will be watching.”
Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley also released a statement after Mickelson’s decision.
TIGER WOODS DECLINES RYDER CUP CAPTAINCY AFTER DUI, CAR CRASH
“We know how much Phil loves the Masters tournament, and he will be missed by everyone in Augusta next week,” Ridley’s statement said. “He has our complete supports as he takes time to be with his family.”
The 55-year-old Mickelson missed four LIV Golf events earlier this year, and he noted he was dealing with a “family health matter.”
Phil Mickelson walks the 16th fairway during LIV Golf Indianapolis at The Club at Chatham Hills in Westfield, Ind., Aug. 16, 2025. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
He was on the course in South Africa two weeks ago, leading his HyFlyers GC squad for the event. Mickelson finished tied for 48 in the event.
Mickelson’s Masters announcement comes after Woods stepped away from golf “to seek treatment” following a DUI arrest after a rollover crash Friday in Jupiter Island, Florida.
Woods, a 15-time major winner and five-time Masters champion, and Mickelson sat atop the golf world, beginning in the late 1990s and through the 2010s. While Woods usually sat atop the world golf rankings, Mickelson was his toughest competitor, winning six majors over his storied career.
Phil Mickelson of HyFlyers GC walks on the first green during the semifinals of the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship at The Cardinal at Saint John’s Resort Aug. 23, 2025. (Aaron Doster/Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
So, two golf icons won’t be at Augusta National come next week, when the 90th edition of the Masters tees off Thursday, April 9.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
-
Culture1 week agoWil Wheaton Discusses ‘Stand By Me’ and Narrating ‘The Body’ Audiobook
-
South-Carolina6 days agoSouth Carolina vs TCU predictions for Elite Eight game in March Madness
-
Culture1 week agoWhat Happens When We Die? This Wallace Stevens Poem Has Thoughts.
-
Miami, FL1 week agoJannik Sinner’s Girlfriend Laila Hasanovic Stuns in Ab-Revealing Post Amid Miami Open
-
Minneapolis, MN1 week agoBoy who shielded classmate during school shooting receives Medal of Honor
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Transgender Athletes Barred From Women’s Olympic Events
-
Vermont6 days ago
Skier dies after fall at Sugarbush Resort
-
Politics6 days agoTrump’s Ballroom Design Has Barely Been Scrutinized