Tag: usa today sports

Vols basketball ranked No. 17 in USA TODAY latest poll

Vols basketball ranked No. 17 in latest USA TODAY poll.

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball team is ranked No. 17 in the latest USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll. The Vols moved up eight spots from their previous rank of No. 25.

The team has started off the year a perfect 3-0 after their first major test of the season, defeating the previously ranked No. 20 Washington Huskies on Saturday.

Tennessee also joins SEC teams Kentucky (10) and Auburn (18) in the Top 25. While conference foes No. 6 Florida and No. 24 Louisiana State dropped out of the rankings.

USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll

  1. Duke
  2. Louisville
  3. Michigan State
  4. UNC
  5. Kansas
  6. Virginia
  7. Maryland
  8. Gonzaga
  9. Ohio State
  10. Kentucky
  11. Oregon
  12. Texas Tech
  13. Seton Hall
  14. Arizona
  15. Villanova
  16. Utah State
  17. Tennessee
  18. Auburn
  19. VCU
  20. Memphis
  21. Xavier
  22. Texas
  23. Baylor
  24. Washington
  25. Colorado

Schools dropped out

No. 6 Florida; No. 20 St. Mary’s; No. 22 Purdue; No. 24 Louisiana State.

Others receiving votes

Oklahoma 47; St. Mary’s 46; Florida 40; Marquette 25; Florida State 22; Louisiana State 20; Purdue 19; Michigan 15; Kansas State 14; Butler 11; Vermont 10; Penn St. 9; Arkansas 9; Evansville 8; Wisconsin 7; Dayton 7; Utah 5; Creighton 5; Syracuse 3; San Diego St. 3; Southern California 2; Missouri 2; Mississippi 2; Tulane 1; Oklahoma State 1; Cincinnati 1.

Oklahoma rises one spot in newest Amway Coaches Poll

Following their historic come-from-behind win over Baylor, the Sooners jumped up one spot in the Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY.

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Following their historic come-from-behind win over Baylor, Oklahoma (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) jumped up one spot to No. 7 in the Amway Coaches poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

On Saturday night, Oklahoma erased a 25-point deficit to come back and defeat Baylor 34-31 and keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Both the Sooners and now No. 13 ranked Bears are now 9-1, and are headed on a collision course for their second meeting in a Big 12 championship game. 

Minnesota was the only top ten team to lose in Week 12, as they fell from No. 7 to No. 11 following their loss to No. 20 Iowa. 

The top-five remained the same, as LSU, Ohio State, Clemson, Alabama, and Georgia all remained the top teams. Georgia narrowly defeated Auburn, who fell from No. 13 to No. 16.

Big 10 titans Ohio State and Penn State will meet next week.

Next week, Oklahoma takes on TCU at 7 p.m. on FOX in their final home game of the regular season before finishing the season with Bedlam in Stillwater.

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Twitter reacts as Georgia beats Auburn, punches ticket to SEC Championship Game

Twitter reacts as Georgia football beat Auburn and punched its ticket to the third straight SEC Championship Game.

For the third year in a row, the Georgia Bulldogs are headed to the SEC Championship.

On Saturday night, No. 4 Georgia defeated No. 12 Auburn 21-14 in a game that came down to the wire, even though Georgia dominated the first three quarters.

But in the end, the Dawgs did enough to hold off the pesky Tigers in a deafening Jordan-Hare Stadium.

A few quick stats before we show you our favorite Twitter reactions:

Georgia:

QB Jake Fromm: 13/28, 110 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions

RB D’Andre Swift: 17 carries, 106 yards

WR Dominick Blaylock: 2 catches, 50 yards, 1 touchdown

P Jake Camarda: 11 punts for 558 yards (50.7 yards per), 4 inside the 20, long of 67

Auburn:

QB Bo Nix: 30/50, 245 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 fumble

RB D.J. Williams: 8 carries, 26 yards

WR Seth Williams: 13 catches, 121 yards

WR Anthony Schwartz: 7 catches, 48 yards

Favorite tweets:

 

 

Georgia football: Score, stat predictions for UGA vs Auburn

Here are some Georgia football score and stat predictions for the UGA vs Auburn game.

No. 4 Georgia and No. 12 Auburn square off on The Plains at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS from the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.

For Georgia, everything rides on this game. A win secures the Bulldogs a spot in the SEC Championship and gets them one step closer to making a trip to the College Football Playoff.

For Auburn, the Tigers pretty much dictate how the rest of the college football season plays out. Both Georgia and Alabama need to beat Auburn if either want to head to the playoff, meanwhile Oregon, which lost to Auburn early in the season, is hoping that the Tigers can win at least one of two games vs UGA and Bama. If Auburn can win, Oregon’s lone loss becomes a lot more forgivable and gives the Ducks a better argument to the committee at season’s end.

This should be your classic SEC matchup. A good ole fashion bloodbath featuring two of college football’s most physical teams.

Here’s what I see happening today:

Here are a few predictions previewing today’s game.

Georgia (-2.5) at Auburn:

I’m taking Georgia to cover.

Over/Under (43.5)

Taking the under.

Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now at BetMGM.

Score: Georgia, 17-10

Stats…

QB Jake Fromm:

18/25, 227 yards, 1 TD

RB D’Andre Swift:

18 carries, 91 yards, 1 TDs

RB Brian Herrien:

8 carries, 52 yards

WR Lawrence Cager:

5 catches, 88 yards

WR George Pickens:

6 catches, 71 yards

DB J.R. Reed:

5 solo tackles, 1 INT

OLB Azeez Ojulari

2 sacks

LB Monty Rice:

9 solo tackles

LB Tae Crowder:

8 solo tackles

K Rodrigo Blankenship:

1/1 field goals, 2/2 PATs

Georgia offensive line:

One sack allowed.

On Georgia’s first drive of the game:

The place will be deafening and Georgia will surprise us all with a deep shot. Next thing we know, Georgia is just past midfield. The drive will stall after two runs and an incomplete pass. Jake Camarda pins Auburn inside its own 15 yard line.

On Auburn’s first drive of the game:

Nowhere to go. Auburn had a bye week to prepare for Georgia’s defense, but you can’t prepare for speed and physicality. Georgia allows one first down and then forces a punt.

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Georgia Football Week 12: Expert picks and predictions (UGA vs Auburn)

Georgia football expert picks and predictions for UGA vs Auburn. Stats, score, betting predictions.

The Georgia Bulldogs have a chance to go the their 3rd straight SEC Championship game with a win over Auburn this Saturday.

They have already proven that they control their own destiny, winning three straight SEC East games following an overtime loss to South Carolina.

Many counted Georgia out, saying its season was over with that loss, but the Dawgs kept barking and scrapped their way back into the top 4 and in perfect position to make a trip to the SEC Championship, likely against LSU.

But first, Georgia’s focus is on Auburn. A win, and the Dawgs not only secure a trip back to Atlanta, but can start thinking College Football Playoff – though Kirby Smart would never admit that.

This Saturday in Auburn is going to be a bloodbath, as these are two of the most physically dominant teams in college football.

UGA Wire compiled a list of staff predictions, including the game score, spread, over/under, stat lines and more to get you ready for the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.

Here are the picks:

The money makers:

#4 Georgia (-2.5) @ #12 Auburn: Against The Spread

(Game pick: If you think Georgia will win and cover, Georgia. If you think Georgia will win, but not cover, Georgia*. If you think Auburn will win and cover, Auburn. If you think Auburn will win, but not cover, Auburn*)

Jackson Fryburger: UGAWire.com- Georgia

Joe Vitale: UGAWire.com-  Georgia

James Morgan: UGAWire.com- Georgia*

Jackson Stone: UGAWire.com- Georgia

Henry Sillen: UGAWire.com- Georgia

Garrett Shearman: UGAWire.com- Georgia*

Over/under (40.5) 

Jackson Fryburger: UGAWire.com- Under

Joe Vitale: UGAWire.com-  Under

James Morgan: UGAWire.com- Over

Jackson Stone: UGAWire.com- Under

Henry Sillen: UGAWire.com- Over

Garrett Shearman: UGAWire.com- Over

Score prediction:

Jackson Fryburger: UGAWire.com- Georgia 24, Auburn 13

Joe Vitale: UGAWire.com- Georgia 17, Auburn 10

James Morgan: UGAWire.com- Georgia 21, Auburn 20

Jackson Stone: UGAWire.com- Georgia 17, Auburn 14

Henry Sillen: UGAWire.com- 27 – 23 Georgia

Garrett Shearman: UGAWire.com- Georgia 21, Auburn 20

Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 12:30 p.m.

Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now at BetMGM.

NEXT: STAT PREDICTIONS

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Georgia football injury report for UGA vs Auburn game

UGA football is banged up heading into the Georgia vs Auburn football game.

The No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs are coming off of a 27-0 smackdown of Missouri, as well as a massive win over Florida the week prior.  The Dawgs have been rolling with a three game win streak since the hiccup of South Carolina.

Approaching week 12 comes Georgia’s biggest game thus far, a chance to secure its 3rd straight trip to the SEC Championship.

Auburn is currently ranked No. 12 with a record of 7-2, 4-2 in SEC. Its two loss season is not to be overlooked as the Tigers lost close games at No. 10 Florida and No. 1 LSU.

Last weekend vs Missouri, Georgia won, but it came at cost. The Dawgs lost a few players to injuries throughout the game, but for the most part nothing looks too serious.

Here’s a look at the Dawgs injury report prior to the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.

Full injury report:

Probable: WR Lawrence Cager

Cager aggravated his shoulder last game and did not return.  The Dawgs leading receiver has been practicing this week and is expected to play on Saturday.  Having Cager against Auburn will be crucial, as he has become Fromm’s favorite target this season.

Probable: WR Tyler Simmons

Simmons’ shoulder has been bothering for a majority of the season but he should be good to go.

Probable: OL Cade Mays

Mays left the Missouri game with a hurt ankle but has indicated that he is fine.

Probable: CB Tyson Campbell

Campbell missed a significant chunk of the season with turf toe but played vs Missouri and said he felt great out there.

NEXT: QUESTIONABLE

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Twitter reacts to Chiefs’ WR Mecole Hardman’s 63 yard TD

Mecole Hardman Jr. scores his 5th TD of the Chiefs’ NFL season and twitter reacts to the rookie’s speed.

Mecole Hardman Jr. is starting to become a NFL Sunday household name.

The rookie wide receiver out of Georgia has been making highlight play after highlight play this season for the Kansas City Chiefs and did it yet again this Sunday.

On Sunday, Hardman caught a jump pass from Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and took it to the house for a 63 yard touchdown, leaving defenders in his dust and looking foolish.

WATCH:

Twitter started to buzz over the rookie’s wheels.

Hardman has also been putting in more work than most, showing up hours before games and hours before any other players to catch punts from the Chiefs’ assistant equipment manager.

Hardman has been nothing short of entertaining this year, and with Mahomes back after suffering a dislocated kneecap, the two have the potential to be one of the leagues top QB-WR threats.

Georgia football HC Kirby Smart updates Lawrence Cager and Trey Hill injuries

Kirby Smart briefed the press in regards to WR Lawrence Cager and C Trey Hill’s injury status, following Saturdays 27-0 win over Missouri.

With the departure of former Bulldogs receiver JJ Holloman prior to the 2019 season, there were some question marks surrounding the team on who would be Fromm’s new favorite receiver.  Enter Lawrence Cager, the senior wide receiver out of Baltimore, Maryland who has fit in just perfectly to that roll.

Cager, who has established himself as the Dawgs #1 wide receiver option this season, aggravated his shoulder in the second quarter of last weeks game against Missouri, and would not return.

Along with the Cager injury came an injury to center Trey Hill, who suffered a ankle sprain in the first quarter of the game.  Hill would also not return to the game.

In Kirby Smart’s Monday press conference he was asked about the health of both Cager and Hill.

“We’re expecting Lawrence to practice today,” said Smart. “And Trey has an ankle (sprain), but he’s going to be able to practice today, as far as we know.”

“They are both cleared to practice.”

Exciting news from Coach Smart.

#5 Georgia comes into the matchup with a record of 8-1, and 5-1 in the SEC.  The Dawgs will secure a spot to their 3rd straight SEC Championship with a win this week over Auburn.

Cager has averaged 14.7 yards per catch and has 4 touchdowns on the year, even with missing some time.  Kirby Smart will need to manage these injuries very closely if he wants Cager and Hill to help him beat the #13 Auburn Tigers this Saturday.

A full injury update will come later in the week, including updates on the status of both Cager and Hill.