Tag: ESPN

Monday Night Football schedule: Is there a ‘ManningCast’ tonight?

Peyton and Eli are back with another ‘ManningCast’ for the Texans-Cowboys showdown on ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 11.

Peyton and Eli Manning have returned for a fourth season of the ManningCast with the two former quarterbacks set to provide commentary for 11 weeks of Monday Night Football games this fall.

The brothers released a funny 10-minute musical to promote the upcoming ManningCast season in September. The 2024 slate continues tonight with the Texans-Cowboys game on ESPN2, which is available to stream on fuboTV (try it free).

Peyton and Eli will welcome new guests on the program each week there is a ManningCast, and Bill Belichick will be featured on every episode this fall.

In addition to 10 weeks of regular-season action, Peyton and Eli will also provide commentary for a Wild Card game in January.

Check out the full schedule below.

ManningCast 2024 Schedule

NFL Week Date Game TV
1 Sept. 9 Jets @ 49ers ESPN2, ESPN+
2 Sept. 16 Falcons @ Eagles ESPN2
5 Oct. 7 Saints @ Chiefs ESPN2
6 Oct. 14 Bills @ Jets ESPN2
7 Oct. 21 Ravens @ Bucs ESPN2, ESPN+
8 Oct. 28 Giants @ Steelers ESPN2, ESPN+
9 Nov. 4 Bucs @ Chiefs ESPN2
11 Nov. 18 Texans @ Cowboys ESPN2
12 Nov. 25 Ravens @ Chargers ESPN2
14 Dec. 9 Bengals @ Cowboys ESPN2, ESPN+
Wild Card Jan. 13 TBD ESPN2, ESPN+

The ManningCast is televised on ESPN2. The primary MNF broadcast will continue to feature Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Lisa Salters on ESPN.

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Notre Dame-USC football game now has three possible kickoff times

Stop leaving us hanging!

(This story has been updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

It’s typical for games on certain networks to not have their kickoff times announced until a week before kickoff. It’s a maddening practice that forces college football fans to put other plans for those days on hold until they can get clarity.

Well, this just took this absurdity to another level. The Notre Dame football team announced on social media that its regular-season finale at USC will kick off at one of three possible times. Those times are 3:30 p.m. EST, 7 p.m. EST or 7:30 p.m. EST.

It’s understandable networks want to lay out their weekly college football schedule based on how important each game is. After all, they do not want to have a game with two four-loss teams locked into the most ideal viewing situation.

But this goofiness shouldn’t be happening at the cost of fans’ sanity. At least the NFL announces game times well before flexing any games into prime time. Why can’t TV networks follow suit with their college football coverage?

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89

Shaq reportedly does not have a contract for Inside the NBA before its big ESPN syndication

Would this show even work without Shaq?

Now that we know Inside the NBA will air on ESPN, the good news is that the iconic TV program will continue beyond just this season.

There is still a lot we do not know, however, and that includes whether or not Shaquille O’Neal is part of the team. While there was some talk that Charles Barkley would retire from sports media at the end of the 2024-25 season, he has since change his mind and will return to Turner Sports.

Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith will also remain with the network and will continue the show during its migration to ESPN. But as for Shaq, his future is actually uncertain.

Here is more from Jimmy Traina (via Sports Illustrated):

“Sources say O’Neal’s contract with WBD expires on July 1, 2025.

O’Neal has a slightly different deal than his three castmates because they do other things for WBD, including the NCAA tournament. Shaq’s deal is strictly for the NBA and it’s up in about eight months.

While sources say Shaq wants to remain on the show, he’s frustrated that there has been congratulations and press releases hyping that Inside the NBA is remaining the same while he is currently not under contract to be with the company next season.”

The show would simply not be the same without Shaq, whose chemistry especially with Barkley is unparalleled.

Shaq still has plenty of time to strike a deal with either Warner Brothers Discovery, ESPN, Amazon, or NBC before next season begins.

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Alabama-Auburn kickoff time, TV info announced for 89th Iron Bowl on Nov. 30

Here’s what time Alabama will play Auburn in the 89th edition of the Iron Bowl on Nov. 30 at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and what channel the game will be on.

The SEC on Monday announced kickoff times and TV info for Week 14 games, including the Iron Bowl showdown between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers on Nov. 30 in Tuscaloosa.

The Tide and Tigers will will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT from Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be televised on ABC, making it the first Iron Bowl to air on that network since 1994.

Kalen DeBoer’s team is ranked No. 7 in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 poll and defeated Mercer 52-7 over the weekend at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama is 8-2 overall and 4-2 in SEC play and has a chance to reach the SEC Championship Game with a win in its final two regular season contests.

RELATED: Alabama has highest percentage chance to win SEC title according to ESPN FPI

Alabama visits the Oklahoma Sooners this week for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff. That game will be televised on ABC, as well.

Auburn is 4-6 overall and 1-5 in SEC play in coach Hugh Freeze’s second year on the Plains. The Tigers defeated UL Monroe, 48-14, over the weekend at Jordan-Hare Stadium and will host No. 14 Texas A&M (8-2) this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Alabama has won four straight in the Iron Bowl rivalry, including a thrilling 27-24 win at Jordan-Hare last season on an improbable fourth-and-31 touchdown from Jalen Milroe to Isaiah Bond with 32 seconds left to keep the Tide’s College Football Playoff hopes alive.

Alabama leads the all-time series against Auburn, 50-37-1. The Crimson Tide have won six straight Iron Bowl games at Bryant-Denny Stadium, including a 49-27 victory in 2022.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Alabama news and notes, plus opinions. 

Here’s what SP+ predicts for the Florida-Ole Miss matchup in Week 13

The Gators have quite an obstacle to overcome this Saturday in the Swamp. Here’s what SP+ predicts.

Just a pair of games remain on Florida football’s regular season docket and one remaining home game. That matchup comes this weekend in the Swamp against the Ole Miss Rebels who now stand between the Gators and a winning season.

The Orange and Blue are 5-5 overall entering the weekend with a 3-4 mark against fellow Southeastern Conference schools. The Rebs have amassed an 8-2 total tally with four wins in six tries in SEC play; Ole Miss is also ranked ninth in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly released his SP+ predictions for college football’s Week 13 slate, which favors the Rebels by 16.1 points over the Gators while giving Ole Miss an 84% chance of winning and a projected final score of 35-19. Compare that with the initial spread for the game (Mississippi, -6.6 points) for a difference of 9.5 between the two.

Billy Napier and Co. sit at No. 31 out of 134 FBS schools (9.0 overall rating) in the SP+ rankings coming into Saturday’s final home game, while the visiting squad is fourth in the nation (27.6).

About SP+ predictions

“SP+ is intended to be predictive and forward-facing,” according to ESPN. “It is not a résumé ranking that gives credit for big wins or particularly brave scheduling — no good predictive system is.

“It is simply a measure of the most sustainable and predictable aspects of football. If you’re lucky or unimpressive in a win, your rating will probably fall. If you’re strong and unlucky in a loss, it will probably rise.”

How to watch Gators-Rebels

The Gators play their final home game of the season against the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, Nov. 23. Kickoff is set for noon ET and will be broadcast on ABC.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

ESPN’s Lee Corso sticks to Texas national title prediction

ESPN’s Lee Corso has set his eyes on Texas winning the National Championship

This season, the No. 3 Texas Longhorns (9-1) have been Corso’s choice to win the national championship in their inaugural SEC season, and as Week 12 unfolded, he remained steadfast in his prediction.

“Now, Texas is my pick to win the national championship. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it,” Corso declared on Saturday’s broadcast.

Corso made his championship prediction before the season began, choosing Texas over other national contenders. With the Longhorns set to face the Arkansas Razorbacks (5-4) on Saturday, GameDay host Rece Davis pressed Corso on whether he’d reconsider his pick if Texas were upset in Fayetteville.

“Are you sticking to it if Arkansas gets them today?” Davis asked.

“Texas is winning the national championship,” Corso reaffirmed confidently.

Corso highlighted the Longhorns’ well-rounded performance as the foundation for his prediction. He emphasized that Texas is the only team in the nation ranked in the top 10 in rushing offense, pass offense, and pass defense. Additionally, the Longhorns boast nine consecutive road victories.

“Two things that make Texas special,” Corso said. “Texas is the only team in the nation that is top ten in rushing offense, pass defense, pass offense. And they’ve won nine straight road games.”

Texas is currently ranked #3 in the Week 13 AP Poll, as well as, #1 in the Southeastern Conference standings at 9-1 (5-1 Conference). Texas will look to host Kentucky at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday at 2:30pm. After that, it’s all eyes on Kyle Field for the Lone Star Showdown.

ESPN computer predicts Penn State win probability at Minnesota

The ESPN win probability is trending up for Penn State at the right time this weekend.

Penn State will play one final road game this regular season before closing out the season at home, and a chance to host a first-round College Football Playoff game is coming into view. Of the two final games of the regular season, the more challenging of the two continues to appear to be this week’s road game at Minnesota. But as the game has finally arrived, it seems the trends for this week’s Big Ten road trip are swinging back in Penn State’s favor at just the right time.

ESPN’s win probability figures are giving Penn State a 75.1% chance of coming home with a win against the Gophers this week. That figure is notable because the projected win probability for Penn State in this particular matchup had been decreasing on a weekly basis since the start of October.

On October 1, Penn State’s win probability was calculated at 77.9% according to ESPN’s computers. That figures dropped to 74.2% the following week, then to 72.1% the following week, and eventually down to 68.1% after Penn State lost to Ohio State.

Penn State was always viewed as the favorite according to ESPN’s calculations, but the trends were going against the Nittany Lions and favoring the Gophers. This was largely because Minnesota was stringing together some solid wins and the home-field advantage was playing a factor. But Minnesota lost its last game against Rutgers before heading into the bye week, and Penn State has dominated each of its last two opponents after losing to the Buckeyes.

Penn State opened as a nearly two-touchdown favorite this week against the Gophers. A win would put Penn State at 10-1 with one final game at home against Maryland to play. Penn State is currently in a great spot to host a first-round College Football Playoff game, and a win against Minnesota would potentially go a long way to securing a first-round playoff game in Beaver Stadium in December.

So there is a lot on the line for Penn State this weekend, even if a spot in the Big Tne championship game may be just out of reach.

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‘Train wreck’: ESPN College Gameday crew rips Cowboys during Monday Night Football promo

From @ToddBrock24f7: Kirk Herbstreit & Co. didn’t hold back on their thoughts on the Cowboys as they promoted this week’s Monday Night matchup with the Texans.

Saturday mornings are great. For football fans, it’s a time to sleep in a bit, turn on the TV, and then see where ESPN College GameDay is this week in what has become a ritual for millions: preview the day’s collegiate matchups, break down some Xs and Os with Nick Saban, listen to a possibly-shirtless Pat McAfee get riled up, throw in a tearjerker story from somewhere, watch some kid (probably) shank a field goal try, read some clever signs, and wait for Lee Corso to maybe put on a silly mascot head before settling in for a day’s worth of the sport we love.

Even if the pro team you follow is in the middle of an unequivocal stinker of a season, Saturday morning is a safe space where you can soak in all the competitive spirit and rich pageantry of the gridiron without being reminded of how badly your Sunday squad sucks.

Unless you’re a Cowboys fan.

With the GameDay crew broadcasting live from Athens, Ga. in advance of the Bulldogs-Volunteers clash later in the day, ESPN also took a moment to tease their upcoming programming- namely, the Week 11 installment of Monday Night Football that will pit the 3-6 Cowboys against the Houston Texans in a primetime battle for bragging rights within the Lone Star State.

And hoo boy, Kirk Herbstreit had things to say.

Coming back from a commercial break, Rece Davis read his scripted voiceover of the obligatory promo… and then absolutely teed up his deskmate and Thursday-night NFL color man.

“Boy, things are going great in Dallas,” Davis snipped.

“Just keep putting Dallas in those high-profile windows,” Herbstreit taunted, to the snickers of the other hosts. “They just keep losing games. That is a train wreck. A train wreck.”

“And they keep talking,” prodded McAfee.

“Great body language, if you watch them play,” Herbstreit added.

“Other than that,” Davis wrapped up, “what’s your opinion on the Cowboys?”

“Awful,” concluded Herbstreit.

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Enjoy your Saturday, Cowboys fans. Heck, this week we even get a bonus Sunday to just be casual observers.

But sadly, the train is going to just keep coming.

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Nick Saban jokingly uses ‘rat poison’ line on College GameDay to motivate Alabama

Alabama football legend Nick Saban is now the one who’s using the ‘rat poison’ against his former team.

During an appearance on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” which is live in Athens for tonight’s Top 10 matchup between the fourth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers and 10th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs, former Alabama football coach Nick Saban dusted off one of his greatest hits.

During a segment discussing which team GameDay panelists thought was the best in the SEC, Saban tried to give a somewhat cagy answer and attempted to reiterate something that guest analyst Tim Tebow had said moments earlier during the roundtable discussion.

“I want to make a point that Tim made about every team has a hole. Ole Miss probably is the best right now, but the reason they have a hole is because Georgia had recruited really, really well. Alabama recruited really, really well. They get high-profile players that leave after a year if they’re not playing. So, you lose your backup so you don’t have any depth left on your team. You have your frontline players, but you don’t have any depth. And you can’t recruit depth out of the portal because those guys want to come (start), so you’re not going to recruit any backup players. That’s why I think everybody’s got some holes.”

Saban’s fellow “GameDay” analysts Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee commented on Saban’s lack of a definitive answer as to who he thought was the best team in the SEC.

That’s when Saban dropped his iconic “rat poison” line.

“Look, man, I’ve got to use the rat poison every now and then… I love Alabama. That’s my team, that’s my guys, that’s who I’m rooting for. I said Ole Miss is playing really well.”

Saban first used the rat poison phrase during the 2017 season after No. 1 Alabama defeated Texas A&M, 27-19, in a tough night game environment at Kyle Field in College Station.

Saban said after that game:

“I’m trying to get our players to listen to me, instead of listening to you guys. You know, all that stuff you write about how good we are, and all that stuff they hear on ESPN, it’s like poison. You know what I mean? It’s like taking poison — like RAT poison,” an animated Saban said at the time.

We’ll see if Saban’s own brand of rat poison helps Alabama. For now, the Crimson Tide face the Mercer Bears today at Bryant-Denny Stadium at 1 p.m. The game can be seen on SEC Network+.

All 32 NFL teams (including the Saints) ranked by FPI ratings

Looking into where the Saints — and all of the rest of the NFL’s 32 teams — sit in ESPN’s FPI ratings going into Week 11:

The New Orleans Saints where able to catch a breath of much-needed fresh air following Sunday’s 20-17 upset victory over the Atlanta Falcons, who have been one of the NFL’s biggest rising teams in 2024.

It also marked the first game of the Darren Rizzi era after the team parted ways with Dennis Allen in a move that hardly surprised anyone.

Now, the Saints hold a -1.3 FPI rating, good for 21st in the NFL. They will host the Cleveland Browns at home this weekend, who head into the matchup with a -0.3 FPI rating, 18th in the NFL.

FPI is described as “a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season,” according to ESPN.com.

“FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 10,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule.”

So without further adieu, here’s a look at how the league’s 32 teams stack up based on FPI heading into Week 11:

  1. Detroit Lions (8-1): 7.5
  2. Baltimore Ravens (7-3): 7.0
  3. Buffalo Bills (8-2): 6.0
  4. Kansas City Chiefs (9-0): 5.4
  5. San Francisco 49ers (5-4): 4.4
  6. Green Bay Packers (6-3): 4.4
  7. Philadelphia Eagles (7-2): 4.2
  8. Minnesota Vikings (7-2): 2.3
  9. Washington Commanders (7-3): 2.0
  10. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2): 1.9
  11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6): 1.7
  12. Arizona Cardinals (6-4): 1.5
  13. Houston Texans (6-4): 1.2
  14. Atlanta Falcons (6-4): 0.8
  15. Cincinnati Bengals (4-6): 0.7
  16. Los Angeles Chargers (6-3): 0.7
  17. New York Jets (3-7): 0.2
  18. Cleveland Browns (2-7): -0.3
  19. Los Angeles Rams (4-5): -0.4
  20. Miami Dolphins (3-6): -0.7
  21. New Orleans Saints (3-7): -1.3
  22. Seattle Seahawks (4-5): -1.4
  23. Chicago Bears (4-5): -1.4
  24. Indianapolis Colts (4-6): -1.6
  25. Denver Broncos (5-5): -2.8
  26. New York Giants (2-8): -4.6
  27. Las Vegas Raiders (2-7): -4.8
  28. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8): -5.1
  29. Tennesee Titans (2-7): -5.2
  30. New England Patriots (3-7): -6.5
  31. Carolina Panthers (3-7): -7.4
  32. Dallas Cowboys (3-6): -8.0

The Saints will look to build upon last week’s statement victory and increase their rating as they prepare to face the Cleveland Browns at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 17.

Kickoff is set for Noon CT/1 p.m. ET at the Caesars Superdome.

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