SOUTHERN COLORADO — Friday Football Fever kicks off Thursday with two matchups in Colorado Springs and Pueblo.
This week’s Game of the Week is the Cannon Game between the Pueblo East Eagles and the Pueblo South Colts. Both teams are 1-1 on the season, looking to pick up their second win and claim the cannon.
The Colts are currently in possession of the cannon after defeating the Eagles last year 26-13.
News5 Sports will be live with a preview at 6 p.m., followed by full coverage in our 10 p.m. newscast.
Friday Football Fever – Week 3 Schedule Thursday: FINAL: Palmer Terrors 12, Doherty Spartans 47 FINAL: Alamosa Mean Moose 0, Pueblo Central Wildcats 43
Friday: Cedaredge Bruins VS Center Vikings 1:00 PM Custer County Bobcats VS Holly Wildcats 6:00 PM Falcon Falcons VS Farmington (NM) Scorpions 6:00 PM Walsenburg Panthers VS Questa (NM) Wildcats 7:00 PM Bennett Tigers VS Lamar Thunder 7:00 PM Canon City Tigers VS Summit Tigers 7:00 PM Sterling Tigers VS Banning Lewis Academy Stallions 7:00 PM Elizabeth Cardinals VS The Classical Academy Titans 7:00 PM Pine Creek Eagles VS Loveland Red Wolves 7:00 PM Luthern Lions VS Pueblo West Cyclones 7:00 PM Sierra Grande Panthers VS Kiowa Indians 7:00 PM Calhan Bulldogs VS Crowley County Chargers 7:00 PM Colorado Springs Christian Lions VS Woodland Park Panthers 7:00 PM Primero Bulldogs VS La Veta Redhawks 7:00 PM La Junta Tigers VS Strasburg Indians 7:00 PM Air Academy Kadets VS Widefield Gladiators 7:00 PM Hanover Hornets VS Miami-Yoder Buffaloes 7:00 PM Sargent Farmers VS Hoehne Farmers 7:00 PM Pueblo East Eagles VS Pueblo South Colts 7:00 PM Pueblo County Hornets VS Harrison Panthers 7:00 PM Denver South Ravens VS Vista Ridge Wolves 7:00 PM Flatirons Academy Bison VS Peyton Panthers 7:00 PM Denver East Angels VS Liberty Lancers 7:00 PM Florence Huskies VS Salida Spartans 7:00 PM Palmer Ridge Bears VS Lewis-Palmer Rangers 7:00 PM Cheyenne Mountain Red-Tailed Hawks VS Coronado Cougars 7:00 PM Cheraw Wolverines VS Granada Bobcats 7:00 PM Eads Eagles VS Wiley Panthers 7:00 PM Genoa-Hugo Pirates VS Kit Carson Wildcats 7:00 PM
Saturday: Rampart Rams VS Discovery Canyon Thunder 12:00 PM Akron Rams VS Fowler Grizzlies 1:00 PM Ellicott Thunderhawks VS Platte Canyon Huskies 1:00 PM Soroco Rams VS Las Animas Trojans 1:00 PM Branson/Kim Bearcats VS Cotopaxi Pirates 1:00 PM Walsh Eagles VS Cheyenne Wells Tigers 2:00 PM Fountain-Fort Carson Trojans VS Overland Trailblazers 4:00 PM The Pinnacle Timberwolves VS Mitchell Marauders 6:00 PM Simla Cubs VS McClave Cardinals 6:00 PM Sierra Stallions VS Pueblo Centennial Bulldogs 7:00 PM
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Alabama’s first road game under new coach Kalen DeBoer is a trip to Madison to face Wisconsin.
These teams play with contrasting styles. Alabama has special talents on offense with a game plan that’s about pushing the ball down the field, while using its uber-athletic quarterback in the run game as an outlet. Alabama’s defense is ninth in points per drive, which is acceptable after playing Western Kentucky and USF.
It’s hard to find an angle I like for this Big Noon Kickoff battle. This is Alabama’s first game with a new staff and there’s bound to be operational issues working through the noise and environment in Madison. Alabama has 89 rush attempts to only 44 pass attempts this season, and on the road, this trend should continue — protecting a new passing offense while focusing on winning in the trenches. Alabama has offensive line concerns at one position and that’s limiting its ability to pass protect.
Wisconsin is into Year 2 of Phil Longo’s offense, and through two weeks, it is still finding its rhythm. It’s fair to argue if this offense was holding things back for Alabama, but even then, I’d still be disappointed with the lack of points through two weeks. Wisconsin has been unable to generate any explosive plays, and you’re not going to score on Alabama by playing pickleball on offense.
This game feels like a first-half Under, with Alabama starting slow playing on the road and running the football to protect the offensive line, while Wisconsin plays ball control, hoping for some offensive explosion or an Alabama mistake.
Lastly, I’d look to live wager on Alabama at a better number at some point in this game. Its talent should take over in the second half.
PICK:First half Under 26.5 points scored by both teams combined
With conference realignment changing schedules to feature conference rivalry games to end the season, the Civil War and Apple Cup have been moved to the third weekend in September. I like the favorite to cover in both of these games.
Let’s start in Seattle, with the Washington Huskies playing the Washington State Cougars at Luman field, home of the Seahawks.
Washington is just under a touchdown favorite against the Cougars, and I’m surprised this number isn’t higher. The Huskies have a rebuilt two deep with first-year head coach Jedd Fisch, and it’s gone better than I expected. Washington beat Weber State 35-3 and Eastern Michigan 30-9. While neither of those teams are challenging for a team like the Huskies, they have looked far more together and cohesive than other squads with a brand new roster. They have legit talents at quarterback and running back, plus a coach who can scheme for success.
On defense, UW is 16th in points per drive and have done a good job creating havoc.
Washington State is 2-0, having beaten Portland State 70-30 and Texas Tech 37-16. Texas Tech was without its best player on offense and had four turnovers. It outgained the Cougars and was better on third down.
The Cougars are a feisty team that will relish handing their bitter rivals their first loss of the season, but I don’t see that happening on Saturday. It’s hard to find an advantage the Cougars have in this game or something they can exploit. The Washington defense is far better than WSU’s previous two opponents and I do not expect the Cougars to run all over the Huskies like they ran over Texas Tech.
I like the Huskies to cover the -5.
PICK: Washington (-5) to win by more than five points
Oregon has narrowly won two games, after escaping with a 37-34 win against Boise State. It now travels to Corvallis to play a 2-0 Beaver squad that’s got the same mindset as its Pac-2 compadres up north: defeat their rival in embarrassing fashion.
Sadly, that’s not happening this weekend.
Oregon’s “issues” are all self-inflicted, a combination of mistakes, turnovers and dumb play. A flip of the switch towards cleaner football and Oregon is on its way back, and this is the weekend for that for one reason.
Oregon’s offensive line has not played to standard, calling for it to adjust some of the pieces for parts of the Boise St. game. It resulted in it playing much better as a group. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel was not hit, and the Ducks ran the ball. This group is going to start the game Saturday and I expect Oregon’s offense to start fast. The Ducks have better players on that side of the ball than Oregon State.
If Oregon starts fast, that puts Oregon State into throw mode on offense and that’s not where it would like to be. The Beavers have 41 pass attempts to 109 rushes this season. If you turn this game into a passing attack for the Beavers, the Oregon defensive line will cook.
I think Oregon finally breaks out of this slump and routs the Beavers.
PICK:Oregon (-16.5) to win by 17 points or more
Geoff Schwartz is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He played eight seasons in the NFL for five different teams. He started at right tackle for the University of Oregon for three seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection his senior year. Follow him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz.
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About the Barbs: DeKalb led in the fourth quarter against Sycamore and lost in Week 1. The Barbs led Plainfield South in the fourth quarter in Week 2 and lost. Coach Derek Schneeman said the team is still learning how to win and they’re in a good spot heading to Maple Park to face their old Northern Illinois Big 12 foes for the first time since a 21-20 loss in 2018. Davon Grant had a 1-yard rushing touchdown last week and had five catches for 57 yards. Quarterback Cole Latimer had a 10-yard scramble to stake DeKalb to an early lead.
About the Knights: There are seven 2023 playoff teams on the Knights’ schedule this year, and the Barbs are one of the two teams that failed to qualify for the postseason. But Kaneland coach Michael Thorgesen said he considers DeKalb a playoff-caliber team with one of the strongest passing offenses the Knights will face this year. Kaneland has already knocked off two teams that reached the second round or further in the playoffs last year with wins against Washington and Wauconda. He said the team is definitely happy heading into Week 3.
Friday Night Drive pick: Kaneland
Sycamore’s head coach Joe Ryan talks with Sycamore’s Burke Gautcher (10) during the game on Friday Sept. 6, 2024, while taking on Oswego east held at Sycamore High School. (David Toney for Shaw Local News /David Toney)
About the Spartans: The Spartans have come from behind in both games this year, beating DeKalb 35-28 and Oswego East 15-9. Now they face a school their size for the first time with the 2½ hour trip to Mahomet. Burke Gautcher has led the offense this year, completing 17-of-27 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception. Carter York has hauled in five passes for 121 yards, while Josiah Mitchell has five catches for 47 yards. Dylan Hodges has been the lead back with 43 carries for 219 yards and two touchdowns.
About the Bulldogs: They’re coming off a barn-burner, 42-41 loss in double overtime to Highland. They were down eight with 1:07 left in regulation, with quarterback Luke Dyer orchestrating a tying drive to send things into overtime. Dyer attempted 39 passes, completing 21 for 276 yards and has thrown for 869 yards this year. Trey Peters and Gavin Hammerschmidt have been the main targets. The Bulldogs are 29-5 in the last three years, including a 7-3 mark last year. They made the playoffs every year from 2002 to 20014 and have 18 playoff appearances this century.
FND pick: Sycamore
Genoa-Kingston’s Owen Zaccard (33) runs the ball in for a touchdown during the game in August 2024 while being held back by Leo High School defender played at Genoa-Kingston High School. (David Toney for Shaw Local News /David Toney)
About the Cogs: The Cogs moved to 2-0 last week after beating North Boone 34-0. Five Cogs each scored a touchdown in the win, and the defense stepped up with Cody Cravatta nabbing two picks. Owen Zaccard had a touchdown and an interception. G-K started the year with a 41-22 win against Chicago Leo as they search for a return to the postseason after missing last year. Coach Cam Davekos said facing a team in Oregon’s situation – 0-2 after making the postseason a year ago – is always a dangerous task. He said they’re going back to their wing-T roots of the 2000s and run more under center, and the Cogs will have to play assignment sound to come away with the win.
About the Hawks: The Hawks dominated time of possession in the first quarter, but couldn’t recover from a 99-yard touchdown from Dixon in a 35-0 loss last week. Oregon was without their top two quarterbacks due to injury and illness, and Logan Weems managed 60 yards on 21 carries. The Hawks fell to 0-2 after an 18-13 loss to North Boone in Week 1. They were playoff qualifiers a year ago, finishing 5-5 to make the postseason for the first time since 2014.
FND pick: Genoa-Kingston
Hiawatha’s Tommy Butler catches a pass during practice in August 2024 at the school in Kirkland. (Mark Busch)
About the Hawks: Hiawatha fell 54-0 to West Carroll last week. The Hawks were without leading tackler Tommy Butler in the game. But beyond missing their starting middle linebacker, coach Kenny McPeek said there were other things to clean up heading into the game Friday. Offensively, he said the team needs to sustain its blocking. He said the team schematically was blocking the right guys, but they need to sustain them longer. Defensively, he said the Hawks need to be less reliant on arm tackles. He said fixing those two issues will fix a lot of the overall issues the team had.
About the Marcos: Off their run to the semifinals last year, they’ve started the year with a 44-8 win against South Beloit and a 56-0 win against River Ridge last week. Noah Dewey had two rushing touchdowns and a fumble recovery for a score. Quentin Hurt had two rushing touchdowns for the Marcos.
CHEBOYGAN – One team delivered a huge statement. A couple others had major setbacks, while another didn’t even play.
Any way you look at it, things happened during Week 2 of the Cheboygan-area high school football season. With Week 3 approaching, it gives us a chance to examine last week and prepare for what’s ahead.
JEREMIAH HUNTLEY:‘I like challenges’: Huntley becoming a quality two-way contributor for Cheboygan football
CHEBOYGAN OBSERVATIONS:More observations from Cheboygan football’s dominating victory at Sault Ste. Marie
CHEBOYGAN (1-1)
Last Week: The Chiefs unleashed their most dominant performance in recent years by crushing Sault Ste. Marie with a 35-12 victory. After struggling to convert offensive chances in the first half, the Chiefs showed vast improvement over the last two quarters, scoring four times and pulling away. It was a landmark triumph for Cheboygan, which snapped a nine-game losing skid to the Sault.
This Week: There’s no doubt the Chiefs have momentum. The challenge is sustaining it, and that won’t be easy against a decent Elk Rapids squad. Though the Elks (1-1) were blown out by Boyne City last week, they still have playmakers who are capable of hurting the Chiefs. What the Chiefs will need to do is play a cleaner game, as they committed double-digit penalties last week.
INLAND LAKES (2-0)
Last Week: It ended was a frustrating week for the Bulldogs. For the second straight fall, one of I-L’s opponents had to forfeit. This time, it was Forest Area, which forfeited because it didn’t have enough players. You only get so many Friday nights to shine in a season, and unfortunately for Inland Lakes, it didn’t get the chance to do so in Week 2.
This Week: Thankfully for the Bulldogs, they will play this week when they head to Central Lake on Thursday. The three-time defending Ski Valley champions have an opportunity to move to 3-0. While the Trojans are 0-2, they’ve been a formidable foe in recent seasons. What I’ll be watching for is if the Bulldogs show any signs of rust after not playing for two weeks.
FOOTBALL LANDING PAGE:High school football in the Cheboygan area: Complete coverage of 2024 season
DIEM SCHLEY:‘We wouldn’t be this good without her’: Schley making early impact with Cheboygan volleyball
ONAWAY (0-2)
Last Week: The Cardinals showed improvement on offense, but defensively, it was still a struggle in a loss at Bellaire. At least for the Cardinals, they capitalized on some offensive drives, unlike Week 1’s shutout loss to Inland Lakes.
This Week: Onaway travels to the U.P. to clash with another 0-2 squad – Engadine. The Eagles are also struggling, so this could be a great opportunity for the Cardinals to pick up their first win. Of course, showing improvement defensively is necessity if Onaway wants to come out on top.
CHEBOYGAN GIRLS GOLF:Markham earns spot in top 10, leads Cheboygan girls at home golf invitational
VOTE FOR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK:Cast your vote for the Cheboygan Daily Tribune’s Athlete of the Week for Sept. 2-7
PELLSTON (1-1)
Last Week: Not much went right for the Hornets, who were blasted at Cedarville in Week 2. The Hornets failed to get anything going offensively, while their defense was overwhelmed by a Trojans team that appears to be dangerous.
This Week: Pellston has a shot to rebound quickly, but it’ll have to come on the road against undefeated Bellaire (2-0). The Eagles have plenty of confidence right now, especially after a big win over Onaway last Friday. This is going to be a challenge for Pellston’s defense, which takes on a Bellaire offense that’s scored 30 points or more twice already.
BRACH TAYLOR:Pellston football’s Brach Taylor voted Daily Tribune’s Athlete of the Week for Aug. 26-31
WEEK 2 FOOTBALL UPDATE:Scores and updates from Week 2 of the Cheboygan area football season
Week 3 Cheboygan-area football matchups
Inland Lakes (2-0) at Central Lake (0-2), Thursday, 7 p.m.
Elk Rapids (1-1) at Cheboygan (1-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
By Ariyana Griffin AFRO Staff Writer agriffin@afro.com
Zero Waste Week, Sept. 4-8, serves as a time to bring awareness to pollution and waste that goes into the environment as well as provide resources for people to do their part in being more sustainable.
According to the Zero Waste International Alliance, zero waste is defined as “the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.”
The first week in September celebrates Zero Waste Week, an initiative to help bring awareness to sustainability. (Photo courtesy of Instagram/ EPAGOV)
However, over time, the definition has changed to include new solutions and ideas. The definition also may differ from state to state as it depends on the policies that the individual state upholds when it comes to the environment and sustainability.
Below are five tips to utilize this week and beyond to practice zero waste.
Buy in bulk
Purchase food in bulk with the least amount of single use plastic when possible as this reduces the amount of waste from packaging. Also, keep an eye out for recyclable packaging. An example is purchasing a large bag of trail mix and transferring it to reusable containers to take to work instead of buying smaller individual bags of trail mix.
Turn off water while brushing your teeth
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, by “turning off the tap while you brush your teeth in the morning and before bedtime, you can save up to eight (8) gallons of water.” This totals to more than 200 gallons of wasted water a month.
Use What You Have
Before going out and purchasing something new, try to use something you already have. There are also options to trade, thrift or repair, which is a sustainable way to obtain something new.
Use Reusable Items
Reusable bags and water bottles have the potential to keep tons of single use plastic out of landfills and oceans each year. According to Plasticoceans.org, “annually approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide. More than one million bags are used every minute.” They also share that “a plastic bag has an average ‘working life’ of 15 minutes.”
Look into Eco Friendly Swaps
Some simple swaps that can be made without disrupting day-to-day activities is swapping plastic out with bamboo. An example would be a bamboo toothbrush, making the toothbrush compostable once it is time to swap it out. There are also other options such as bamboo cutlery, dish scrubbers, hair brushes and more.
Editor’s note: The Athletic 134 is a weekly ranking of all FBS college football teams.
It took just two weeks for college football to descend into chaos.
We’ve had two top-10 teams lose to unranked opponents. Notre Dame appeared to have a clear path to the College Football Playoff, then lost to Northern Illinois. Oregon needed a last-second field goal to beat Boise State. Alabama battled USF deep into the fourth quarter for the second consecutive year.
But after a week full of thrillers, the headliner is Texas moving up to No. 2 — and having a case for No. 1 — after a 31-12 win at reigning national champion Michigan. The Longhorns look like a team that could win it all, and they host No. 1 Georgia in a little more than a month.
A reminder: The rankings will be volatile early. Wins against quality and competent teams are rewarded and skewed. Teams can make big jumps quickly with good wins. Teams that beat up on inferior competition won’t move much or might even “drop,” but that’s simply because someone else jumped with a notable win. Several people in last week’s comments didn’t get this.
A lot of teams happened to “drop” this week after a win because of surprising results. Don’t worry. Relax. It’s all in a limited context. It will take a few weeks for everything to sort out once everyone has played at least one game of note. I try to emphasize results, and it takes time for everyone to have one.
Here is the Week 3 edition of The Athletic 134.
1-10
Georgia stays No. 1, and the win over Clemson last week looks even better a week later. Texas moves up to No. 2 after its domination at Michigan. Ohio State has been a machine for two weeks, but the Buckeyes lack a good win like the other two, and unfortunately won’t have one for several weeks. They’ll be fine. This top three feels like it’s ahead of everyone else.
Alabama drops to No. 7 after needing a four-touchdown fourth quarter to pull away from USF, and Penn State drops to No. 8 after holding on 34-27 against Bowling Green. Oregon moves up a spot but needed a last-second field goal to beat Boise State, and the Ducks have shown concerning issues for two weeks after being my preseason No. 3.
As a result of those Alabama and Penn State issues, plus Notre Dame’s and Michigan’s losses, Miami slides up to No. 5. Tennessee also rises to No. 6 after a 51-10 win against NC State.
11-25
Iowa State moves up to No. 13 after a last-second win at Iowa, and the Hawkeyes drop to No. 24. Oklahoma looked shockingly poor against Houston but stays at No. 14 as a result of the teams behind it. No. 16 Kansas State escaped Tulane, No. 17 Oklahoma State allowed 648 yards but somehow won a bizarre game against Arkansas, and No. 18 Clemson has a loss.
Welcome to the top 25, Nebraska, after a 28-10 win against Colorado that was never close. Also welcome, Northern Illinois! The Huskies beat a Notre Dame team that won at Texas A&M and make one of the biggest one-week jumps in the history of these rankings, from No. 106 to No. 21. Why shouldn’t NIU be ahead of the Fighting Irish?
Michigan stays in the top 25 at No. 23 because I think Texas is really good, but the Wolverines are trending down. Arizona drops a few spots to No. 25 after trailing Northern Arizona at halftime.
26-50
There are a lot of new teams at the top of this group. Illinois makes a huge jump to No. 27 after beating a ranked Kansas team. No. 28 Syracuse similarly has a big rise after beating Georgia Tech 31-28. No. 30 Arizona State and No. 31 Cal jump here after wins against the SEC’s Mississippi State and at Auburn, respectively.
I know Louisville is ranked in the AP and Coaches Poll. The simple explanation for the Cards’ position here at No. 35 is that they’ve beaten up on Austin Peay and Jacksonville State, so they haven’t moved much from their preseason No. 32 ranking. Like Ohio State, they need to play notable opponents, which begins next week with Georgia Tech. Other teams won and “dropped” in here as well, like No. 33 Texas A&M and No. 34 Memphis. This is because the loss to Notre Dame looks worse for A&M now, and other teams got better wins to leap over various teams that haven’t played a game of note yet.
I have no idea what to do with South Carolina. The Gamecocks barely escaped Old Dominion at home in Week 1 and then rocked Kentucky 31-6 on the road. They’re back up to No. 41, around their original preseason ranking. Tulane slips only one spot to No. 45 after taking Kansas State to the limit, but the Green Wave look like a team that should contend for the AAC again. Liberty tumbles to No. 46 after needing a fourth-quarter comeback to beat New Mexico State.
After struggling to get past Western Michigan in Week 1, Wisconsin followed up with another concerning performance against South Dakota, dropping to No. 49. Next up? Alabama.
51-75
This group also sees several teams “drop” after a loss, but again, that’s just because of notable wins by other teams.
Arkansas put almost 650 yards of offense on Oklahoma State and still somehow lost, as the Hogs stay put at No. 52. Kentucky’s lopsided loss to South Carolina sees the Wildcats drop to No. 54. Texas State put it on UTSA 49-10 in a statement win to move up to No. 57 with Arizona State coming to town on Thursday.
BYU beat SMU 18-15 in an ugly affair but picked up a valuable road win to move up to No. 58. Oregon State and Washington State are 2-0 and ranked No. 62 and No. 63 with Civil War and Apple Cup rivalries coming this weekend. Michigan State’s last-second field goal against Maryland sees the Spartans move up to No. 64, and the Terrapins slide 10 spots to No. 66. Texas Tech drops to No. 72 after a 37-16 loss at Washington State, while Pitt moves into the top 75 after a fourth-quarter comeback at Cincinnati.
76-100
The top part of this group includes several teams that lost and dropped out of the top 75. But No. 81 Virginia is 2-0 after squeaking out a win against Wake Forest. No. 84 Georgia Southern beat Nevada in a matchup of teams that may be better than we expected.
No. 90 Houston is another team I have no idea where to rank. The Cougars were blown out by UNLV in Week 1 and then stayed close with Oklahoma 16-12 this week. Old Dominion followed up its close loss to South Carolina with a 20-14 loss to East Carolina, so the Monarchs move down to No. 97 as ECU moves up to No. 95.
Shoutout to ULM. The Warhawks beat UAB 32-6 and move into the top 100 of these rankings for the first time in a very long time.
101-134
Ohio moves up to No. 103 after beating South Alabama, and I’m wondering if the Bobcats are going to make a lot of noise in the MAC race. Troy dropped to No. 104 after an 0-2 start following a 38-17 loss to Memphis. Pitbull Stadium was rocking as FIU beat Central Michigan 52-16 to move up to No. 106. Wyoming drops all the way to No. 118 after an alarming 0-2 start. The Cowboys have a 48-7 loss to Arizona State and a 17-13 loss to FCS Idaho, though it’s the same Idaho team that battled Oregon in Week 1. UTEP also lost to Southern Utah for another FBS-FCS loss, as the Miners drop to No. 133.
Lastly, we already have our third No. 134 of the season. Kent State takes over the bottom spot after losing to FCS St. Francis (Pa.), which was a below-.500 team last year. Next up for the Golden Flashes: Tennessee and Penn State.
The Athletic 134 series is part of a partnership with Allstate. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
To assist with your most difficult lineup decisions, you’ll find my Week 1 fantasy football rankings below. Toggle between standard, half PPR (point per reception), and full PPR to see where players rank in your league’s format.
Our team at the USA TODAY Sports Network also has you covered for all your fantasy football needs. Looking for up-to-date player news? We’ve got it. Need to know who the best starts and sits of the week are? We have an article for that. We also have a Week 1 stock watch and a forecast for who the priority waiver claims will be.
Given the volatility of this league and fantasy football in particular, these rankings will be updated up until a half hour before the Sunday afternoon games kick off. Let’s get to it.
Trevor Lawrence finished as a QB1 in 7 of his last 11 starts last season. Over the final six games in 2023, the Dolphins allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks, and that includes a matchup with the Jets where Zach Wilson and Trevor Siemian combined for -2.6 points.
Justin Herbert was a top-15 quarterback in all six healthy home games in 2023, including five top-eight finishes. He has never finished lower than QB12 in seven career starts versus the Raiders.
Matthew Stafford finished the 2023 season on a tear, posting top-10 performances in four of his final six games. He matches up with a Lions team that ceded the most fantasy points to the position over the second half of the season.
I like them less…
Dak Prescott struggled on the road in 2023, finishing as the QB15 or worse in six of his eight road games. He faces a Browns squad that surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to the position.
Baker Mayfield never finished higher than QB10 at home last year, including five performances of QB14 or worse. Washington’s defense was awful in all phases, but they funneled a bit toward the run at the end of 2023.
Week 1 fantasy football running back rankings
I like them more…
Rachaad White gets a mouthwatering matchup versus the Commanders. Over their final nine games last season, Washington ceded a league-high 29.7 half-PPR points to backs per game. White was fantasy’s RB2 over the second half of 2023.
James Cook squares off with the Cardinals, the most generous team to running backs in 2023. Once Joe Brady took over as offensive coordinator for Buffalo in Week 11 last year, Cook averaged 19.6 touches per game. That volume should play in this matchup.
Chuba Hubbard finished as a top 30 back in each of his final eight games last season, including seven finishes of RB25 or higher. He faces a Saints defense that was bottom-10 against running backs over the last 11 games of the 2023 season.
I like them less…
Jahmyr Gibbs faces one of the most pass-funnel defenses in the league. After Christian McCaffrey did his thing against them in Week 2 last year, only one other running back finished higher than RB11 against the Rams. Gibbs is still a fine start, but his upside could be capped in a pass-heavy script.
D’Andre Swift was not particularly efficient in a golden situation last year. After averaging nearly seven yards a carry through his first three games with the Eagles, that number dropped to just 4.03 over his final 184 attempts in 2023. He now joins a backfield with two other capable backs (Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson) and will face a Titans front that gave up the seventh-fewest fantasy points to the position.
Week 1 fantasy football wide receiver rankings
I like them more…
Cooper Kupp has a delicious matchup with the Lions, who were the ultimate pass-funnel defense in 2023. While no team surrendered fewer fantasy points to the running back position than Detroit, only two teams were more generous to wideouts. Kupp finished as a top-30 receiver in four of his final five games last year, including two top-five performances.
Josh Palmer should be the Chargers’ de facto WR1 in 2024, and he starts with a matchup he feasted on last year. In two dates with the Raiders, Palmer totaled 77 yards and 113 yards, respectively. The 24-year-old has averaged 11.3 half-PPR points per game when he’s played more than 75% in his career, which should be the case in Week 1.
Christian Kirk was healthy for 11 games last season, and he finished as the WR31 or higher in all but three of them. He’ll face a Dolphins secondary that was seventh-worst against receivers in 2023.
I like them less…
Michael Pittman Jr. had just three games in 2023 where he finished worse than WR45 and two of them came against the Texans. Houston was tough on receivers all year, ceding the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the position.
George Pickens had weird home/road splits last year. All five of his touchdowns came at home, and he finished as the WR39 or lower in six of his eight road games. He matches up with a Falcons defense that was seventh-best against wideouts in 2023.
Week 1 fantasy football tight end rankings
I like them more…
Dalton Kincaid gets a juicy matchup to start the season. Over the final 11 games of the 2023 season, the Cardinals allowed the fifth most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. With Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis gone, Kincaid should get a larger part of the pie in 2024.
Taysom Hill finished as a top 10 “tight end” in 7 of his last 11 games in 2023. The 34-year-old was the TE8 during that stretch despite missing a game.
I like him less…
David Njoku enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, but most of that came without Deshaun Watson behind center. In five games with Watson, Njoku averaged 38.3 yards per game, compared to 65.2 yards in all other games. It doesn’t help that the Cowboys allowed a league-low 6.7 half-PPR points per game to tight ends over the final 11 games last season.
AUSTIN, TEXAS: Quinn Ewers of the Texas Longhorns and Michael Taaffe celebrate after defeating the … [+] Colorado State Rams at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The second full week of the college football season does not offer the quantity of games among ranked teams that fans enjoyed over the extended Labor Day weekend. It does, however, feature a top 10 matchup, opportunities for the Group of Five, and a team playing its first conference game in two decades.
Saturday, September 7
No. 3 Texas (1-0) at No. 10 Michigan (1-0)
The Wolverines’ 23-game win streak in the Big House will be put to the test big time in this week’s lone top 10 matchup. It will be the second meeting between the schools with the first coming in the 2005 Rose Bowl when No. 6 Texas topped No. 13 Michigan on Dusty Mangum’s 37-yard field goal as time expired in the Longhorns’ 38-37 win.
This time around, UT is among the favorites to win the national title and defeating the defending national champs on the road would be a nice hurdle to scale. Who knows? Maybe the teams meet again in the expanded playoff.
A matchup to watch is Longhorns’ quarterback Quinn Ewers, who is among the Heisman favorites and did nothing diminish that projection (20-27, 260 yards, 3/1) in a rout of Colorado State last week, going up against a Michigan secondary anchored by preseason All-American corner Will Johnson.
No. 14 Tennessee (1-0) at No. 24 NC State (1-0)
The faithful in Raleigh might be more nervous than excited for this game considering the Wolfpack trailed FCS member Western Carolina after three quarters last week before prevailing, 38-21, in quarterback Grayson McCall’s NCSU debut. The Vols had no such issues as they piled up 718 yards in a 69-3 rout of Chattanooga, also of the FCS.
The story for Josh Heupel’s Vols is at quarterback, where 6-foot-6 Nico Iamaleava made his first regular season start and threw for 341 yards and three scores. A matchup of this magnitude is a good measuring stick for Dave Doeren’s Wolfpack, who went 9-4 last season and have designs on battling for a playoff spot.
Tennessee leads the all-time series 2-1 with the most recent meeting in 2012 when the Vols won a season opener in Atlanta. That was the first meeting since the 1930s.
Boise State (1-0) at No. 7 Oregon (1-0)
After struggling to get past Idaho last week, the Ducks have a nice test in Boise State, the reigning Mountain West champs. Running back Ashton Jeanty put on a show in setting school records with 267 yards rushing and six touchdowns in outslugging (56-45) Georgia Southern.
Dillon Gabriel had a strong Oregon debut in completing 41 of 48 passes for 380 yards and two touchdowns. With an average of 9.3 yards per completion, the desire would be to get the ball down field more effectively against a Boise State defense that yielded 461 yards to Georgia Southern, including 322 yards on 28 completions through the air.
The Broncos have won all three matchups, including the 2017 Las Vegas Bowl, which is the most recent meeting.
USF (1-0) at No. 4 Alabama (1-0)
Last year’s tight game in Tampa had Tyler Buchner starting at quarterback for Alabama, Jalen Milroe glued to the sideline and a weather delay of about an hour. A 17-3 Alabama win, which was 3-3 at the half and 10-3 heading into the final minute to play, may also have been the most important game of Nick Saban’s final season. After all, beginning with the following week’s visit from Ole Miss, ‘Bama was an entirely different team and ultimately rolled into the playoff.
Speaking of Saban, the great coach will be honored Saturday as the field at Bryant-Denny will be named after him before Kalen DeBoer’s team looks to go 2-0. Meanwhile, the nation will get a look at USF quarterback Byrum Brown, and in a primetime slot. Still all of 19, the redshirt sophomore was eighth nationally in total offense (316 yards) last season.
In addition to last year’s encounter, Alabama won (40-17) the only other meeting in 2003. That was Mike Shula’s debut on the Tide sideline and the game was also the last one Alabama played at Legion Field.
ATLANTA, GA: Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney reacts on the sideline during the AFLAC Kickoff … [+] college football game against the Georgia Bulldogs on August 31, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Appalachian State (1-0) at No. 25 Clemson (1-0)
Many teams have appeared inept when playing Georgia in recent years. Clemson certainly did last week during a 34-3 loss in Atlanta. Appalachian State, which has given fits to many power conference opponents since elevating to the FBS in 2014 – and even before then as Michigan fans will recall – is not some patsy that will take its $1.25 million and quietly go home to Boone, N.C. That is why Dabo Swinney’s Tigers must play a clean game in all three phases, which is all the more critical following last week’s debacle.
Clemson has won all five matchups, including the most recent in 2015. The previous four, played 1984 to 1997, were with App State as a member of I-AA/FCS.
Colorado (1-0) at Nebraska (1-0)
A series dating to 1898 that the Cornhuskers lead, 49-21-2, brings to mind many great Big 8/Big 7 battles of yesteryear. This season’s encounter features an intriguing quarterback matchup between Shedeur Sanders and freshman Dylan Raiola, who performed admirably (238 yards, 2 TDs) in his collegiate debut against UTEP last week. Last year, the second game for Deion Sanders and Matt Rhule leading their respective programs, Shedeur torched the Nebraska defense to the tune of 393 yards and three total touchdowns in CU’s 36-14 win in Boulder.
The Cornhuskers, who have lost three straight in the series for only the second time and first since the 1950s, are seeking to go 2-0 for the first time since 2016 when they opened 7-0 under Mike Reilly.
Army (1-0) at FAU (0-1)
It is not a top matchup, per se, but notable for what it represents to one of the major military academies. As a new member of the American Conference this season, the matchup in Boca Raton marks the Black Knights’ first conference tilt since 2004. That was their final season of a dreadful seven years as a member of Conference USA, a stretch that yielded a 13-67 mark, including 9-41 in conference play.
Texas Longhorns football headlines Week 2 action with a Top 25 matchup at Michigan against the … [+] defending national champions. Top 25 betting report, odds and information you can bet on for 2024 college football. (Photo by The University of Texas Athletics/University Images via Getty Images)
University Images via Getty Images
The second full week of the college football season is always an adjustment period for both the leading online sportsbooks and bettors. There are changes and adjustments from the opening AP Top 25 poll and point spreads, and it includes the top 10 after Florida State lost a second-straight ACC contest as a double-digit favorite to drop out of the Top 25.
Other big Top 25 matchups to kick off Week 1 included mini upsets by Notre Dame over Texas A&M out of the SEC, 23-13 in a game that was tied with less than 2 minutes remaining in the contest. So was the LSU-USC game in the Vegas Kickoff Classic until the Trojans went 75 yards in eight plays to score the go-ahead TD in the closing seconds for a 27-20 win in their first game as a member of the Big Ten.
FanDuel is the official odds provider for The Associated Press, who selects voters for the AP Poll from sports reporters around the country who cover college football.
AP Top 25 Week 2 Matchups and Odds
College football odds from FanDuel Sportsbook refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live betting. All times Eastern and betting favorites (-) listed. Check back for select picks.
Georgia received 57 first place votes and Ohio State the other 5 to start Week 2.
Saturday, Sept. 7
No. 1 Georgia (NL) vs. Tennessee Tech | 12 p.m. ET | SEC Network
No. 2 Ohio State (-37.5) vs. Western Michigan | 7:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network
No. 3 Texas (-7.5) at No. 10 Michigan | 12 p.m. | FOX
No. 4 Alabama (-30.5) vs. South Florida | 7 p.m. | ESPN
No. 5 Ole Miss (-41.5) vs. Middle Tennessee | 4:15 p.m. | SEC Network
The top teams in the ACC moved up and down sharply. Florida State makes the biggest fall after an 0-2 start dropping from No. 10 out of the Top 25 and not receiving others receiving votes. The Seminoles were undefeated in the regular season in 2023. Clemson falls from No. 14 to No. 25 after an embarrasing 34-3 loss to No. 1 Georgia. Miami moves up sharply from No. 19 to No. 12.
Three teams move from unranked and into the Top 25 – Lousiville, Georgia Tech and NC State. Oregon drops from No. 3 to No. 7 with the least impressive, or margin win in Week 1. Southern Cal (USC) has one of the more impressive wins against another top-rated team LSU and the Trojans move up from No. 23 to 13 in the AP Top 25 poll.
Notable Line Moves Week 2
Point spread moves from early Week 2 opening odds.
Ohio State -36 to -37.5
Texas -5 to -7.5
Ole Miss -40.5 to -41.5
Notre Dame -29.5 to -28.5
Oregon -20 to -18.5
Utah -17 to -14.5
Oklahoma -28.5 to -29.5
Oklahoma State -9 to -7.5
Kansas -3 to -7.5
Louisville -24 to -28.5
Non Top 25 games had biggest line moves along with Louisville. Also, 12 college football game totals moved at least 4.5 points so far from the opening over/under numbers at Circa Sports in Las Vegas.
According to ESPN’s 2024 College Football Power Index, Georgia ranks tops in the nation at 29.6 followed by Alabama and Texas.
Texas at Michigan
No. 3 Texas from the SEC at No. 10 Michigan in the Big Ten at the Big House in Ann Arbor headlines the biggest games in Week 2 action and just the second time these two storied progams meet on the gridion. Last time was 2005 Rose Bowl, and it was a thrilling win for Texas 36-35. The Longhorns were not looking ahead to this matchup last week as they crushed Colorado State 52-0. Texas took early money vs. Michigan with the line opening -5 and now up to -7.5. It’s the first time since late Nov. 2021 that Michigan is a home underdog, and they beat the Buckeyes in that role and contest in 2021. The Wolverines have also won 16 games in a row, 41-3 their last 44 contests including the national championship win, and 23 straight home wins in Ann Arbor.
Tennessee at NC State
Neutral field in Charlotte for No. 14 Tennessee vs. No. 24 NC State from the ACC. The Volunteers will wear their smokey gray uniforms with orange trim. Former five-star prospect QB Nico Iamaleava passed for 314 yards and 3 TD’s in Tennessee’s Week 1 romp over FCS foe Chattanooga, 69-3. Head coach Josh Heupel’s frenetic offense is back at it after playing at the fastest pace last year (tied with TCU among Power conference teams) running a play every 21.3 seconds. NC State had just a 4-point lead last week into the 4th quarter against FCS Western Carolina before pulling away for a 38-21 win with more than 500 yards total offense and similar 318 passing yards and 3 TD’s for QB Grayson McCall.
Last year at this time, Kentucky became the 37th state to legalize sports betting in the United States and the 20th state where FanDuel offers mobile sports betting. Rabid SEC fans know it’s never been better to be betting on sports, games, and player prop offerings as more fans engage in the excitement of college football.
Dosa isn’t just a staple in South Indian cuisine; it’s a crispy, savoury treat loved by folks everywhere. Whether you’re munching on it with some spicy sambar and tangy coconut chutney or using the batter to whip up uttapam or idli, dosas are a crowd-pleaser. Making dosa batter involves a bit of fermentation magic, but with ready-made options available, you can have dosas anytime. Still, if you’re like many who swear by homemade batter, you might end up with leftovers. No worries! We give you not one, not three but five awesome tips to keep your dosa batter fresh and tasty.
Also Read: This Oats Beetroot Masala Dosa Is The Ultimate Weight Loss Recipe You Must Try
Here Are 5 Mind-Blowing Hacks to Keep Your Dosa Batter Fresh All Week Long:
1. Betel Leaf Trick
Fermentation can make dosa batter go sour faster than you’d like. To keep your batter from turning tangy too soon, drop a betel leaf with its stem into the batter before sealing it. This simple trick can help you store your batter for up to a week without it losing that perfect taste.
2. Airtight Container Hack
An airtight container is your best friend when it comes to storing dosa batter. Once you’ve made your batter, give it a good mix to remove any air bubbles, then transfer it to your container. Seal it tightly and pop it in the fridge. This keeps the batter smooth and ready for your next dosa craving.
3. Add Coconut Milk
Ever noticed how leftover dosa batter can turn sour and weird? Solve this by adding a splash of coconut milk before storing. This keeps the batter from getting tangy and adds a delicious twist to your dosas when you use it next.
4. Zip Lock Bag Save
For an easy storage solution, grab a zip lock bag. Fill it with dosa batter, squeeze out as much air as possible, and seal it tightly. Store the bag in the fridge, and you’ll have a ready-to-go batter that’s not only fresh but also takes up less space.
5. Curry Leaves Secret
Curry leaves are a staple in South Indian cooking, but they’re also great for storing dosa batter. Just toss a sprig of curry leaves into your batter. This little trick helps extend the shelf life and keeps the batter flavorful.
Pro Tip: Don’t leave dosa batter out at room temperature, as it speeds up fermentation. Always take it out of the fridge a couple of hours before use to let it warm up. With these hacks, your batter will stay delicious for a whole week.
About PayalFood in the mind, Bollywood in the heart – these two things often shimmer in Payal’s writing. Besides penning thoughts, Payal enjoys a playful tango with new and delicious recipes. Roaming around is her jam; whether catching up on the latest flicks or grooving to the beat, Payal knows how to keep her empty moments brimming with flavour and rhythm.
