Sports
Week 3’s top 10 college football games: Pac-12 ghosts and Friday Night Lights
Let’s be honest: It isn’t the most tantalizing, blockbuster slate of games this weekend, with only two ranked matchups. But there are some rivalries and pairings that should help to define (or expose?) a number of teams that have been tough to pin down through the first couple of games. And as we see just about every week in college football, there’s always something unexpected on the menu.
Here are the top 10 games of Week 3, starting with a few honorable mentions and counting down.
Honorable Mention: UNLV at Kansas (Fri.), No. 18 Notre Dame at Purdue, No. 1 Georgia at Kentucky, Colorado at Colorado State, UCF at TCU
(All point spreads come from BetMGM; click here for live odds. All kickoff times are Eastern and on Saturday unless otherwise noted.)
10. Washington State (2-0) at Washington (2-0), 3:30 p.m., Peacock
So …. the Pac-12 is back? Sort of? Still, this game is a too-soon reminder of those realignment scars. The Apple Cup is supposed to be played after Thanksgiving, with some Pac-12 implications on the line. Saturday won’t be that, though at least we’re still getting the rivalry. Quarterback Will Rogers and running back Jonah Coleman have looked solid under new Washington coach Jedd Fisch, but beware of a meaningful upset for Wazzu. Quarterback John Mateer has been a dual-threat dynamo (467 passing yards, 252 rushing yards, 8 total TDs) and should give the Cougars a chance on the road.
Line: Washington -4.5
9. Tulane (1-1) at No. 15 Oklahoma (2-0), 3:30 p.m., ESPN
The Green Wave almost took down Kansas State last weekend in New Orleans, derailed by a controversial offensive pass interference that wiped out a late touchdown. The Sooners labored to a 16-12 win over a Houston squad that lost 27-7 at home to UNLV in Week 1. Oklahoma was outgained on offense and needed a late safety to stave off the Coogs, with quarterback Jackson Arnold completing 19 of 32 passes for just 174 yards. The Sooners enter the weekend a top 15 team, but start a stacked SEC schedule next weekend when they host Tennessee and can’t afford a nonconference letdown. Tulane isn’t out of the race for that Group of 5 Playoff spot just yet, but probably needs to run the table.
Line: Oklahoma -13.5
8. No. 16 LSU (1-1) at South Carolina (2-0), noon, ABC
Everyone focused on the misleading Alabama–South Florida final score, but it also took LSU until midway through the fourth quarter to put away Nicholls. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier put up strong numbers (302 yards, 6 TDs), but the offense struggled to establish the run with John Emery Jr. hurt, and the defense gave up back-to-back 13-play touchdown drives and a 67-yard touchdown run. The Tigers need to find a rhythm against a similarly confounding South Carolina. The Gamecocks scraped past Old Dominion in Week 1 then dominated Kentucky on the road last Saturday, allowing under 200 yards. So … good luck predicting this one.
Line: LSU -7
7. Texas A&M (1-1) at Florida (1-1), 3:30 p.m., ABC
Billy Napier’s hot seat got some time off in a 45-7 win over Samford, a game that presented Napier’s best shot at salvaging things in Gainesville. True freshman quarterback DJ Lagway set a school record with 456 passing yards and three touchdowns, starting in place of the injured Graham Mertz. The five-star prospect and top-three recruit in the 2024 class has injected a ray of hope into a season and program that felt derailed by the opening loss to Miami. Napier said this week that both quarterbacks will play (a Florida tradition!), so watch how the snaps get distributed against A&M. Because any chance of Napier having a future in The Swamp likely depends on Lagway being the real deal, right away.
Line: Texas A&M -4.5
6. West Virginia (1-1) at Pitt (2-0), 3:30 p.m., ESPN2
Neither team is ranked. Neither is among the top contenders in their respective conference. But we love a spicy rivalry, and the Backyard Brawl certainly qualifies. The teams split this matchup the past two years, and WVU needs a road win to avoid a disappointing 1-2 start. West Virginia ran all over FCS Albany last week in a 49-14 victory, but the Mountaineers did allow 306 passing yards after struggling to contain Drew Allar and Penn State. Pitt threw for 302 yards in a wild 21-point second-half comeback victory at Cincinnati.
Line: West Virginia -2
5. No. 24 Boston College (2-0) at No. 6 Missouri (2-0), 12:45 p.m., SEC Network
An unexpected ranked showdown, at the SEC Network’s quirky kickoff time. Credit to new BC head coach Bill O’Brien, who followed the upset of Florida State with a 56-0 shutout of Duquesne and has breathed new life into the Eagles. It’s a coach-program pairing that makes all sorts of sense. But the headliner is a Mizzou squad that has climbed to No. 6 after outscoring its opponents 89-0 across two games. The Tigers’ schedule is manageable by SEC standards — no Georgia, Ole Miss, Tennessee or LSU — but they now have a surprise chance at a Top-25 win before entering league play. It’s also a chance to get wide receiver Luther Burden III going after seven catches for 64 yards through two blowout wins.
Line: Missouri -17
4. No. 9 Oregon (2-0) at Oregon State (2-0), 3:30 p.m., Fox
A more interesting rivalry matchup than we anticipated a couple of weeks ago. The Beavers and new head coach Trent Bray are coming off a 21-0 win over San Diego State, and Idaho transfer QB Gevani McCoy has shown promise. The Ducks, after slogging through a 10-point win over Idaho, McCoy’s former team, needed a fourth-quarter comeback and last-second field goal to beat Boise State and Ashton Jeanty at home. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been very efficient — he’s completed 84.3 percent of his passes through two games — but allowing 221 rushing yards to Jeanty and the Broncos may have exposed some defensive issues that could hinder the Ducks once Big Ten play ratchets up.
Line: Oregon -16.5
3. Memphis (2-0) at Florida State (0-2), noon, ESPN
This was supposed to be a tilt between one of the top Group of 5 teams and an ACC contender. Memphis has held up its end of the bargain, but FSU desperately needs a win to hold the sky in place. Unfortunately for the Tigers, a win or close loss no longer burnishes that G5 Playoff resume in any significant way. The Seminoles are coming off an idle week and still have plenty of time to turn the vibes around, but very little about the performances against Georgia Tech and BC suggest they will have their way with Memphis and QB Seth Henigan. The Tigers can either make a statement with a resounding win or bruise those Playoff hopes with a loss.
Line: Florida State -6.5
2. No. 4 Alabama (2-0) at Wisconsin (2-0), noon, Fox
Bama, a 30.5-point favorite over USF last week, did end up winning by 26. But the 42-16 final score was a deceptive margin of victory for what was a 14-13 game entering the fourth quarter. The Tide have some things to clean up, but so does Wisconsin, which hasn’t exactly inspired in wins over Western Michigan and South Dakota. The Badgers are still finding their way in year two under Luke Fickell, and how they fare on Saturday, win or lose, could reveal a lot about the vibes in Madison. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (60.3 percent completion, 6.4 yards per attempt, 1 passing TD) and the Wisconsin offense need to be far more explosive for what our Wisconsin writer Jesse Temple writes could be “the most significant nonconference home clash in program history.” Jesse has you covered on the 1928 matchup, too.
Line: Alabama -16.5
1. No. 20 Arizona (2-0) at No. 14 Kansas State (2-0), Friday, 8 p.m., Fox
We’ve got Wildcats against Wildcats under the Friday night lights. And even though this is the first leg of a nonconference series that was scheduled prior to realignment, it should help set the tone for Big 12 play. After hanging 61 points on New Mexico while Tetairoa McMillan hauled in 304 receiving yards, Zona then had some trouble in a 22-10 win over Northern Arizona, including just two catches for 11 yards for TMac. Regardless, the special connection between him and quarterback Noah Fifita should keep Arizona in the Big 12 title race. Kansas State is in that mix too, though the close call against Tulane highlighted a group that hasn’t totally found its groove. Dual-threat quarterback Avery Johnson looked more comfortable throwing the ball last Saturday, but the main concern is a defense that gave up 342 passing yards to the Green Wave and now has to defend one of the best receivers in college football.
Line: Kansas St. -7.5
(Photo of Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson: Peter Aiken / Getty Images)
Sports
High school basketball: Boys’ and girls’ scores from Wednesday, Dec. 17
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
BOYS
CITY SECTION
AMIT 59, Sun Valley Magnet 38
Bernstein 71, Contreras 26
Crenshaw 55, King/Drew 39
Fulton 50, Vaughn 48
Hollywood 104, Belmont 10
LA Hamilton 71, Downtown Magnets 69
MSAR 67, Valor Academy 56
MSCP 84, Larchmont Charter 25
Northridge Academy 59, VAAS 12
Orthopaedic 69, Animo Bunche 34
RFK Community 73, Jefferson 70
Royal 54, Mendez 52
View Park 55, Bell 48
Wilmington Banning 62, Elizabeth 26
SOUTHERN SECTION
Arroyo 54, South El Monte 50
Chadwick 91, Paramount 63
Damien 66, Aquinas 41
Downey 57, Workman 22
Edgewood 52, West Covina 43
Flintridge Prep 80, ISLA 15
Gabrielino 91, Mountain View 46
Garden Grove 58, Irvine University 56
Hemet 56, Valley View 55
Highland 68, Lancaster 34
Hillcrest 57, Orange Vista 56
Indian Springs 64, Citrus Valley 55
Laguna Beach 70, Costa Mesa 46
Lakeside 54, Canyon Springs 50
La Palma 69, Westminster 18
Maricopa 47, Laton 17
Moreno Valley 52, Arlington 42
North Torrance 75, Bellflower 30
Pasadena Marshal 75, El Monte 51
Peninsula 65, Redondo Union 63
Perris 63, Riverside North 62
Pilgrim 71, Westmark 39
Public Safety Academy 51, River Springs Charter 44
Quartz Hill 76, Antelope Valley 44
Redondo Union 76, Peninsula 18
Riverside King 61, Chaparral 55
Riverside Poly 54, Liberty 43
Samueli Academy 49, Bolsa Grande 48
San Fernando Academy 71, Summit View 19
Segerstrom 66, Loara 38
Sierra Vista 62, Covina 58
Temple City 51, El Rancho 46
Thousand Oaks 65, Shalhevet 38
Torrance 76, El Segundo 37
Vista del Lago 57, Heritage 51
INTERSECTIONAL
Dorsey 60, Lawndale 55
Grace 68, Panorama 34
LA Roosevelt 42, Alhambra 39
San Gabriel 50, Maywood CES 23
Westchester 48, Compton Centennial 36
GIRLS
CITY SECTION
AMIT 25, Sun Valley Magnet 20
Bernstein 56, Contreras 13
Cleveland 64, North Hollywood 24
Hollywood 63, Belmont 13
King/Drew 60, Crenshaw 12
Larchmont Charter 36, MSCP 33
MSAR 42, Valor Academy 29
Orthopaedic 28, Animo Bunche 5
Rancho Dominguez 31, Elizabeth 20
South East 51, Lakeview Charter 23
Washington 65, Fremont 10
SOUTHERN SECTION
Agoura 65, Simi Valley 38
Buena Park 78, Westminster 29
Citrus Valley 43, Indio 24
Covina 56, Garey 25
CSDR 71, Victor Valley 33
El Modena 37, Edison 29
Flintridge Prep 85, Westridge 9
Gabrielino 81, Mountain View 4
Hemet 51, Valley View 24
Jurupa Valley 29, Indian Springs 20
Knight 81, Littlerock 8
Lancaster 60, Highland 40
Laton 29, Maricopa 8
Liberty 59, Citrus Hill 28
Los Altos 59, Anaheim 42
Los Amigos 39, Saddleback 19
Mira Costa 54, West Torrance 50
Newbury Park 53, Oxnard Pacifica 34
Oxnard 50, Santa Paula 42
Quartz Hill 57, Antelope Valley 18
Rancho Verde 46, Perris 19
Ramona 56, Gahr 29
Rancho Christian 100, Heritage 41
Riverside North 47, Vista del Lago 34
Riverside King 63, Xaxier Prep 38
Riverside Poly 73, Paloma Valley 38
River Springs Charter 35, Public Safety Academy 15
San Gabriel 46, Edgewood 26
San Gabriel Academy 63, Compton Centennial 62
Savanna 52, Costa Mesa 38
South El Monte 24, Arroyo 21
Thousand Oaks 69, Shalhevet 39
Torrance 74, El Segundo 36
Upland 44, Rosemead 27
Woodbridge 48, Century 6
Yorba Linda 64, Placentia Valencia 44
Sports
Josh Allen reflects on growth he’s made since joining Bills and becoming expectant father
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has had a terrific 2025.
He and his wife, actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld, got married in June and last week he announced the two were expecting their first child together. Not to mention, he started the year being awarded the NFL MVP trophy.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes against the New England Patriots during the second half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Allen expressed some appreciation for how he’s grown as a person since he arrived in Buffalo in 2018 as his life took him from a small town in California to Wyoming to the NFL and on the brink of leading a championship-starved city to a Super Bowl appearance.
“Yeah, I guess it’s like the evolution of life,” he said Wednesday. “I consider this place my home. It’s where I’ve done a lot of growing up. And it’s a place that I’ll raise a family. It’s really cool.”
As his work-life balance becomes more rigid, The Associated Press noted a curious comment he made in October during “Monday Night Football.” He was asked what Steinfeld has taught him during their relationship. He responded, “Maybe I am more than a football player.”
Allen confirmed to The Associated Press that Steinfeld’s pregnancy factored into his response.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
“Overjoyed, absolutely overjoyed,” he said, while confirming that he knew he was going to be a dad before the ESPN interview occurred.
Allen is a three-time Pro Bowler and coming off an MVP season. While he’s done more than enough to warrant talk of back-to-back MVPs, Allen shook that notion off going into Week 16.
“I’m just trying to do my job, just trying to find a way to get in the playoffs here,” he said.
Beating the New England Patriots last week after being down 21 points was a good first step. Buffalo has had ups and downs all season long but the team seems to be hitting its stride now with four wins in their last five games.
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Buffalo will go up against the Cleveland Browns on the road on Sunday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Sports
NFL Week 16 picks: Rams defeat Seahawks; Broncos edge Jaguars
Sunday, 10 a.m. TV: CBS, Paramount+.
Line: Bills by 10½. O/U: 41½.
After an amazing comeback against a really strong New England team last Sunday, the Bills are emboldened and Josh Allen is on an MVP pace. Cleveland relies on its stout defense, but that unit didn’t show up in Week 15 against Chicago, surrendering 31 points. Buffalo, which is 7-2 outside the division, wins this going away.
Pick: Bills 27, Browns 16
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