BYU and Texas Tech Enter Top 10 as Big 12 Teams Shine
The Big 12 Conference has two teams in the top 10 of the Associated Press Top 25 college football poll for the first time in two years. Brigham Young University (BYU) and Texas Tech have secured spots, alongside Notre Dame, which has returned to the top 10 after a two-month absence. This shakeup follows notable victories, with Oklahoma and Texas both climbing seven positions after their recent wins.
The top seven teams in the rankings remain unchanged, with Ohio State holding the number one position for the tenth consecutive week. The losses by Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, and Miami have led to a reshuffle in the eighth, ninth, and tenth positions, now occupied by BYU, Texas Tech, and Notre Dame.
In another development, Auburn has terminated the contract of head coach Hugh Freeze following a disappointing performance. The Tigers lost their twelfth game in their last fifteen Southeastern Conference (SEC) matchups, culminating in a 10-3 defeat at home against unranked Kentucky. Freeze’s tenure, lasting three years, failed to resolve the team’s offensive struggles, as they managed to score 24 or fewer points in 17 of 22 league games.
Meanwhile, Marcedes Lewis made history as the oldest tight end to ever play in an NFL game at age 41. The Denver Broncos player entered the game against the Houston Texans during the fourth snap of the first drive, also marking the oldest player in franchise history. Lewis, who was signed to the practice squad just days before, has become the second-oldest active player in the league, trailing behind Aaron Rodgers, who will turn 42 in December.
In baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers emerged victorious in a thrilling Game 7 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, winning 5-4 in 11 innings. Late homers from Miguel Rojas and Will Smith propelled Los Angeles to victory, overcoming deficits of 3-0 and 4-2. This triumph makes the Dodgers the first team to secure back-to-back championships since the New York Yankees achieved three consecutive titles from 1998 to 2000.
In the NFL, the Chicago Bears secured a dramatic 47-42 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, thanks to a 58-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Williams to Colston Loveland with just 17 seconds remaining. This thrilling game saw three touchdowns in the final two minutes, showcasing the intense competition between the teams.
The Carolina Panthers defeated the Green Bay Packers 16-13, with Rico Dowdle rushing for 130 yards and setting up a last-second 49-yard field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald. The win halted the Packers’ three-game winning streak and marked a significant moment for the Panthers.
In the realm of soccer, Erling Haaland led Manchester City to a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth, scoring twice. His goals helped City climb to second in the Premier League standings, with Arsenal currently leading by six points.
The New York City Marathon witnessed a remarkable performance as Hellen Obiri set a women’s course record, finishing in 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 51 seconds. Meanwhile, Benson Kipruto claimed victory in the men’s race, edging out Alexander Mutiso by a mere three-hundredths of a second.
In tennis, Jannik Sinner reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in men’s tennis by defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the final of the Paris Masters. This victory signifies Sinner’s fifth title of the year and his 23rd career title, solidifying his position at the top of the sport.
