Category: College Football

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are riding a wave of momentum.

The Longhorns flipped a few recruits over the last month to add to their already stacked 2024 class. On top of that, Texas added Houston wide receiver Matthew Golden and Clemson defensive back Andrew Mukuba via the transfer portal.

On Saturday, Texas kept the momentum rolling with a commitment from former UTSA edge Trey Moore. The elite player reportedly chose Texas over Alabama, LSU and others.

In 2023, Moore recorded the second most sacks in the country with 14.5. He also added on 17.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one interception. According to 247Sports, Moore was rated the No. 3 edge in the transfer portal and No. 12 overall player.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Story originally appeared on Longhorns Wire

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UCF stays close to home to face off against Georgia Tech in a battle of plucky upstarts in the Gasparilla Bowl, played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Knights managed to push through and become the only Big 12 newcomer to reach bowl eligibility after winning three of their final four games. After dropping a heartbreaking 24-23 loss to Texas Tech on Nov. 18, running back RJ Harvey rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-13 win over Houston to reach the postseason. 

The Yellow Jackets had an even crazier path to bowl eligibility, upsetting previously ranked Miami and North Carolina and giving No. 1 Georgia a scare late. Despite playing one of the nation’s top rushing defenses, GT ran for more than 200 yards against the rival Bulldogs in a 31-23 loss. The bowl game is a perfect opportunity to build momentum for next season. 

Georgia Tech and UCF played each other twice in the past four seasons. The Knights beat the Yellow Jackets in both matchups, including a 27-10 victory in Orlando in 2022. While not every player has announced, UCF and Georgia Tech have fewer than five major contributors expected to opt out of the bowl game. UCF cornerback Corey Thornton is the biggest loss after ranking top 10 on the team in tackles. However, the vast majority of playmakers should participate in the bowl game. 

Follow along with LIVE bowl game updates as Georgia Tech and UCF face off in the Gasparilla Bowl

How to watch Gasparilla Bowl live

Date: Friday, Dec. 22 | Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium — Tampa, Florida
TV: ESPN | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
For a limited time, new subscribers can save $20 on Fubo’s Pro, Elite and Premier plans.

Georgia Tech vs. UCF: Need to know

High motivation: The level of…

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The Badgers football team is gearing up for the ReliaQuest Bowl against LSU on January 1 in Tampa, Florida, and safety Hunter Wohler announced Thursday that the bowl game will not be his final contest with Wisconsin.

The safety will be back in Madison for his senior season in 2024 to address some “unfinished business” with the Badgers. Wohler became a superstar for Wisconsin this year, recording 113 tackles (73 solo), including a sack, while also intercepting two passses and deflecting four others over the team’s 12 regular season contests.

His return in 2024 provides the Badgers with one of the more formidable pairs in the secondary, as cornerback Ricardo Hallman (six interceptions in 2023) will also be back.

Here is Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler’s response when I asked if he would be returning for his senior season rather than pursuing the NFL. He also said he received feedback on his pro prospects from Luke Fickell. Wohler is all-in on the Badgers. pic.twitter.com/iVJipvvoGM

— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) December 21, 2023

Story originally appeared on Badgers Wire

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USATSI

Oregon State and Washington State have reached an agreement with the departing 10 Pac-12 schools to end their legal battle. While full details of the truce are still being finalized, the agreement ends what has been a contentious conflict that has played out across multiple months and courts. 

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement in principle that ends litigation,” all 12 members schools said in a joint statement. 

Oregon State president Jayathi Murthy and Washington State president Kirk Schulz told ESPN that the departing members have agreed to “forfeit a portion of distributions” during the 2023-24 school year and “provide specific guarantees” against potential upcoming liabilities that the conference could encounter. The “Pac-2” is also guaranteed the rights to all existing assets and revenues heading forward. 

“This agreement ensures that the future of the Pac-12 will be decided by the schools that are staying, not those that are leaving,” the presidents’ statement to ESPN reads. “We look forward to what the future holds for our universities, our student-athletes, the Pac-12 Conference and millions of fans.” 

Washington State and Oregon State were given voting control of the Pac-12 on Dec. 15 after the Washington State Supreme Court declined to hear arguments. The decision to pass on the case affirmed a previous decision made in Whitman County (Washington) Court that Oregon State and Washington State should be the only two voting members of the Pac-12 board. The schools pointed to the precedent of USC and UCLA’s removal as voting members after declaring…

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Another busy National Signing Day is in the books and with that are winners and losers on the day. Rivals national recruiting director Adam Gorney takes a look:

WINNERS

Alabama

Aeryn Hampton (Rivals.com)

The Crimson Tide surged to third in the team rankings after a phenomenal – and busy – day for coach Nick Saban as it was predicted things could pick up on signing day. Did it ever. Alabama landed four-star defensive ends Jayshawn Ross and Steve Mboumoua, flipped four-star athlete Aeryn Hampton from Texas and flipped local four-star running back Kevin Riley out of Northport (Ala.) Tuscaloosa County.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ALABAMA FANS AT TIDEILLUSTRATED.COM

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Auburn

The only big news that came on signing day for Auburn was when four-star defensive end Amaris Williams flipped from Florida but there were other important storylines that never materialized. The only news that didn’t go well was five-star KJ Bolden flipped to Georgia instead but four-star receiver Perry Thompson stayed with the Tigers as he and five-star receiver Cam Coleman along with four-stars Malcolm Simmons and Bryce Cain form one of the best receiver groups in the country.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH AUBURN FANS AT AUBURNSPORTS.COM

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Georgia

KJ Bolden

It was not a busy day for the Bulldogs, who are in prime position to win another team recruiting championship, but only one piece was needed. Georgia pulled off a stunner by flipping five-star safety KJ Bolden from Buford, Ga., who had been committed to Florida State since the summer. If a flip was to happen it looked like Auburn was in the best spot. But Bolden told reporters that he had secretly planned to pick Georgia for three weeks.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH GEORGIA FANS AT UGASPORTS.COM

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Nebraska

The confetti is still being…

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All eyes in the college football world will be on FAU Stadium on Thursday night when the Syracuse Orange (6-6) take on the South Florida Bulls (6-6) in the 2023 Boca Raton Bowl. Both programs needed wins in their final regular season games to become bowl eligible. Syracuse knocked off Wake Forest 35-31, while USF beat Charlotte 48-14. Syracuse will be playing its final game under interim head coach Nunzio Campanile, after Dino Babers was fired prior to the team’s win over Wake Forest. Syracuse starting quarterback Garrett Shrader (shoulder) will not play.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. The Orange are 3.5-point favorites in the latest USF vs. Syracuse odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under is 56.5. Before making any South Florida vs. Syracuse picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine’s Jimmie Kaylor. 

Kaylor is a NFL, college football and DFS expert for SportsLine, who has covered the NFL and college football for close to a decade as a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. His background as a former college football All-American and NFL player gives him a unique perspective when building his fantasy lineups and locking in his betting picks. He has his finger on the pulse of the college football landscape and has been cashing in big for the last two years. 

Kaylor has been red-hot all season, going 78-32-2 overall on his college football best bets for SportsLine this season so far. He is up over 46.65 units, returning a profit of $4,665 for $100 bettors. Anyone who has followed his picks this season is way up.

Now Kaylor has dialed in on Syracuse vs. USF and just revealed his coveted picks and predictions. You can head to…

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If Monday was any indication, as three different high-profile flips went down, the rest of National Signing Day Week will be extremely busy.

It will be hard to top No. 1 quarterback Dylan Raiola’s change of heart, switching from UGA to Nebraska on Monday, which is right up there with Travis Hunter as one of the biggest last-minute flips of all time.

But there are several top prospects potentially on the verge of making a similar move come Wednesday. Here are the 10 highest-ranked we have close eyes on as Wednesday approaches.

FLIP MONDAY: Dylan Raiola | Jordan Lyle | Xavier Filsaime

Ohio State has lost traction on multiple commitments down the home stretch, but it’s the nation’s top prospect who could push the perception one way or the other. Hold onto the south Floridian and the day could be viewed as a win. Lose him and no matter what else happens it’s a rough end to the cycle.

Smith has been committed to the Buckeyes for more than a calendar year and has always maintained his plans to attend the university come January barring something unforeseen. Most think Brian Hartline is the most critical cog in Ohio State’s court and he’s still in Columbus, so a move toward Florida State, Miami or Florida would present as that much more crushing.

All things even, Smith is fairly likely to stick but Florida State’s undefeated season and Miami’s recruiting success aren’t to be overlooked until things are official Wednesday afternoon.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT DOTTINGTHEEYES.COM

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Like Smith, Bolden has remained on course with his commitment. He is saying the right things about Mike Norvell’s program and was in Tallahassee over the weekend for his final visit of the recruiting process.

Still, Rivals sources have both Auburn and Georgia continuing to press for the top safety projection in…

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Nebraska has landed a game-changing commitment from quarterback Dylan Raiola, the No. 1 signal-caller in the Top247 rankings. Raiola flipped from Georgia after a late charge from the Cornhuskers, he told ESPN on Monday. Raiola becomes the highest-rated recruit in program history. 

Raiola had a whirlwind recruitment featuring three commitments and four high schools across the country. He originally committed to Ryan Day and Ohio State in May 2022. After one year, however, he flipped his commitment to Georgia.

Matt Rhule made Raiola a high priority from the the first moment he was hired as Nebraska coach. He is the son of Nebraska consensus All-American Dominic Raiola, whose No. 54 is retired by the program. Dylan’s uncle, Donovan Raiola, is the offensive line coach under Rhule at Nebraska and was retained after Scott Frost was fired in 2022. Even after Raiola committed to Georgia, Nebraska stayed in his ear and managed to schedule an official visit. 

Raiola moved to state powerhouse Buford High School in Georgia for his senior season in an effort to be closer to the Bulldogs program. He threw for 2,819 yards, 34 touchdowns and just one interception as a senior during an 11-2 campaign that ended in the state quarterfinals. He previously enrolled at high schools in Arizona and Texas. He played for former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna at Burleson (Texas) as a sophomore. 

“A big-armed passer that has what it takes to be the centerpiee of an offense given how he can sling it around the yard from the pocket or on the move,” 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins wrote of Raiola. “Ability to drop the elbow and use baseball-like angles to work around traffic is certainly tantalizing, but regular release is just as impressive as he mirrors…

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