Tag: The Sporting News

Texas A&M predicted to face Big Ten opponent in future bowl game

One outlet is predicting Texas A&M to punch their ticket back to a bowl game for the first time since the 2020 season, with a matchup versus a Big Ten foe on the docket.

With no shortage of talent throughout the roster it’s not a stretch to say that a winning record is the expectation for Texas A&M in 2023. A bowl game appearance feels in order as well, and one outlet is already predicting the Aggies’ future opponent.

According to The Sporting News‘ annual preseason bowl projections, Texas A&M is forecasted to face Minnesota in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl on December 30. The post-season bowl game has been played in Nashville since 1998, and following tie-ins with the ACC, Big Ten, and SEC, the matchup has exclusively featured a showdown between the Big Ten and SEC since 2020.

The Gophers are coming off a 9-4 season (5-4 Big Ten) under P.J. Fleck, a campaign in which they ranked fourth in the country in defensive scoring (13.8 ppg allowed). Minnesota is coming off its second consecutive bowl game appearance, a 28-20 win over Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl.

The Aggies are looking to compile a bounce-back campaign following their 5-7 finish (2-6 SEC) last season, which marked the first losing season under Jimbo Fisher since he arrived in College Station. Texas A&M did not go bowling for the second consecutive season after reaching three straight bowl games in Fisher’s first three seasons with the Aggies.

The Maroon and White’s last bowl game appearance came in the 2020 Orange Bowl, a 41-27 win over North Carolina in which Aggies running back Devon Achane tallied 12 carries for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

Truth be told a bowl game appearance, coupled with a winning record, should be the standard barometer of success for an Aggies roster that is packed with four and five-star talent. Tough matchups like LSU on the road and Alabama (at Kyle Field) highlight this season’s schedule, but Texas A&M’s roster construction has the makings of being a dark-horse contender in the SEC this year.

So while outlets agree that the Aggies should be set for a bowl game return this year, it’s not far-fetched to hope for a potential New Year’s Day Six berth so long as the pieces fit this coming season.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Pete on Twitter: @PeteThreee.

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Vikings select top ranked corner in latest mock draft from The Sporting News

The Vikings go out west in their latest mock draft

There is still plenty of time for the Minnesota Vikings to fill the holes on their roster ahead of the NFL season. While free agency has yet to begin, many experts believe the Vikings will look to take a corner with their first-round selection in April’s NFL Draft.

Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News released a mock draft that had the Vikings selecting Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

“The Vikings need to give Cam Dantzler better help on the back end with Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan heading into free agency. Gonzalez also offers good size and can get physical with his agile coverage.”

Gonzalez is currently one of the top-ranked cornerbacks in this draft class. He brings with him good size for a cornerback, but he can still move fluidly. He can play press coverage or zone coverage and could turn into a star under the tutelage of new defensive coordinator Brian Flores. This would be a solid pick for the Vikings in April’s draft.

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NFL Power rankings: Eagles hold steady at No. 2 in Week 12 roundup

The Philadelphia Eagles landed behind the Chiefs and ahead of the Miami Dolphins in Week 12 NFL power rankings.

The Week 12 NFL power rankings are out, and Philadelphia has a familiar face roaring up behind them entering Tuesday.

After a 17-16 win over the Colts on Sunday, Philadelphia will host Green Bay in what is expected to be a black-out celebration of the new alternate black helmets.

The Eagles are the consensus No. 2 two team this week, but it appears the Cowboys and Dolphins are making power moves.

NFL Power rankings: Are the Eagles still No. 1 after Week 10 loss to the Commanders?

The Philadelphia Eagles tumbled in the Week 11 NFL Power Rankings after suffering their first loss of the season to the Washington Commanders

It wasn’t a Roman Reigns-level winning streak. Still, the Philadelphia Eagles went almost a full calendar year without suffering a regular season loss, which should be applauded.

The Birds are now 8-1 after a shocking 32-21 loss to the Commanders that saw every bad scenario take place, and yet Philadelphia was still in a position to win with under two minutes left in regulation.

Four turnovers and a lackluster performance on defense took the Eagles out of the historic 17-0 sweepstakes, but all is not lost for a team firmly in control of their own destiny.

The Week 11 NFL power rankings are out, and even after a loss, several experts have the Eagles as the top team in the league, with no ranking lower than third overall.

Week 10 NFL power rankings roundup: Eagles land top spot after Bills loss to Jets

The Philadelphia Eagles are the top overall team in Week 10 NFL Power Rankings after the Buffalo Bills’ loss to the New York Jets

NFL power rankings don’t offer a true barometer of the hierarchy around the league, but it provides exciting banter every Tuesday morning.

After weeks of being the league’s only undefeated team and yet still trailing Buffalo and Kansas City in power ranking, Philadelphia sits alone at No. 1 overall after the Bills stunning loss to the Jets.

The Eagles pounded out a hard-fought 29-17 win over the Texans in Jalen Hurts’ Houston homecoming just four days after defeating the Steelers at home.

With Philadelphia looking ahead to the Commanders, here are your Week 10 rankings roundup.

Week 9 NFL power rankings roundup: Eagles and Bills on a collision course

The Experts have unveiled their Week 9 NFL power rankings, and the Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills are alternating in the top spot

The Eagles and Bills appear to be on a collision course, and if the NFL power rankings are any indication, the matchup will be a toss-up.

The Week 9 NFL power rankings are out, and either Philadelphia or Buffalo is the top team depending on which site or expert you ask.

Add to that both teams have MVP candidates at quarterback, and this duo will be something to watch moving forward.

Week 8 NFL power rankings roundup: Eagles land behind Bills ahead of matchup vs. Steelers

The undefeated Philadelphia Eagles are the consensus No. 2 team behind Buffalo in Week 8 NFL Power Rankings

The Eagles are 6-0 and heading into 11 weeks straight of football after a much-needed bye.

The Week 8 power rankings are out, and even as the NFL’s only unbeaten team, Philadelphia has landed behind the Bills again and the Chiefs in specific platforms.

Buffalo is 5-1 and riding high after a win over the Chiefs in Kansas City in Week 6, and they’re returning from a Week 7 bye.

Here are your power rankings for the Eagles as they prepare for an in-state matchup against the Steelers.

Week 7 NFL power rankings roundup: Eagles land behind Bills after win over Cowboys

The undefeated Philadelphia Eagles are the consensus No. 2 team behind Buffalo in NFL Power Rankings

The Eagles are 6-0 and heading into the bye week on a high note after a 26-17 win over the rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.

The Week 7 power rankings are out, and even as the NFL’s only unbeaten team, Philadelphia has landed behind the Bills again and the Chiefs in specific platforms.

Buffalo is 5-1 and riding high after a win over the Chiefs in Kansas City.

Here are your power rankings for the Eagles entering the bye week.

Week 6 NFL power rankings roundup: Eagles slip below Bills and Chiefs after tough win

The Philadelphia Eagles appeared to tumble from the top spot in some NFL power rankings after a hard-fought 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals in week 5

Perfection isn’t always an acknowledgment of success and as the 5-0 Eagles prepare for the Cowboys in Week 6, there seems to be some confusion among the national media.

The Birds are the NFL’s only undefeated team.

Yet, they landed behind Kansas City and Buffalo in multiple power rankings, with the 3-2 Buccaneers hovering right below Philadelphia in some listings.

With Jalen Hurts and the Eagles set for a return to the NovaCare Complex on Wednesday, here’s a look at the Week 6 NFL power rankings.

Week 5 NFL power rankings roundup: Eagles sit at No. 1 ahead of matchup vs. Cardinals

The Philadelphia Eagles sit atop the throne as the No. 1 team in the Week 5 NFL Power Rankings

The Eagles are headed out West for an exciting NFC matchup against Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals.

The matchup will feature two dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks, and it’ll be the second time Hurts and Murray have matched up since the 2020 season.

With Week 4 of the regular season in the rear view mirror, experts from around the league have revealed their power rankings, and Philadelphia is the top team in every ranking except two.