NFL preseason begins; The best college football team in every state

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Good morning to everyone, but especially to …

TEAM USA

What a Wednesday it was for Team USA at the Paris Olympics. Let’s start with the women’s basketball team, which extended its Olympic winning streak to 59 games with an 88-74 win over Nigeria in the quarterfinals. The final score doesn’t reflect the Americans’ dominance; they led by 30 late in the third quarter. Arguably the biggest development, though, was someone outside A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart getting going offensively, Jack Maloney writes.

• Maloney: “Jackie Young was moved into the starting lineup against Nigeria and finished with 15 points and three rebounds on 6 of 10 from the field. That performance came just days after she went for 19 points and four rebounds in the final group stage game versus Germany. Given her size, versatility and toughness, as well as her comfort with fitting in alongside other extremely talented players, it’s strange that Young wasn’t playing much early in the tournament. The fifth starting spot alongside Wilson, Stewart, Chelsea Gray and Napheesa Collier should be hers the rest of the way.”

As for Team USA members pulling off stirring comebacks, Quincy Hall‘s late kick propelled him to the gold in the men’s 400 meters. He passed three runners in the final straightaway. Kenneth Rooks, meanwhile, stunned the world (and his competitors) by emerging from the back of the pack to take silver in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Team USA also got golds from Sarah Hildebrandt (women’s 50-kilogram freestyle wrestling) and the women’s team pursuit cycling team. Today, the men’s basketball team aims to advance to the gold medal game when it faces Nikola Jokic and Serbia. Here’s what you need to know:

• Live blog
• Medal tracker
• How to watch
• Men’s basketball power rankings
• Imane Khelif goes for gold tomorrow. Here’s the background on the controversy surrounding her.

Honorable mentions

• Five-star 2025 wide receiver Kaliq Lockett committed to Texas.
• Justin Fields will start the Steelers‘ preseason opener.
• The Jets activated Mike Williams from the PUP list.
• Could the Browns move to a dome?
• Lauri Markkanen officially signed his five-year, $238-million extension.
• Welcome back, Eduardo Rodriguez! 
• The 2022 U.S figure skating team retroactively received their gold medals. Russia originally won gold, but Kamila Valieva tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance, causing her and her team to forfeit.
• No, the Home Run Derby does not ruin players’ swings.

And not such a good morning for …

JIM HARBAUGH

Former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, now with the Chargers, was given a four-year show-case penalty and one-year suspension by the NCAA for his role in the Wolverines’ recruiting violations case.

According to the NCAA …

• Harbaugh “violated recruiting and inducement rules, engaged in unethical conduct, failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance and violated head coach responsibility obligations.”
• Violations included contacting recruits during the COVID-19 dead period, analysts performing on-field coaching and coaches watching workouts over Zoom during the shutdown.
• Harbaugh’s “unethical conduct,” “failure to cooperate” and “provision of false or misleading information” constituted a Level I violation

This case is not related to the sign-stealing scandal, which is expected to bring additional penalties.

Essentially, this bans Harbaugh from college athletics until 2028. Harbaugh left Michigan for the Chargers shortly after winning the national championship and got a five-year deal from Los Angeles. It’s possible — perhaps even likely — he would not return to college within the show-cause order, which runs through Aug. 6, 2028.

However, if he were to return to the college ranks before then, the school hiring him would have to show cause (explain to the NCAA committee on infractions) for hiring him. He would then be suspended for the entirety of his first season at that school. After that suspension ended, he would still be banned from athletics-related activities — travel, practice, film study, recruiting, team meetings, etc. — until the order expires.

Not so honorable mentions

• Kyle Shanahan was reportedly bothered by Brandon Aiyuk‘s behavior during his hold in.
• The Yankees pushed back Marcus Stroman‘s start amid his struggles.
• The Lions and Giants were both fined $200,000 for fighting at joint training camp practices.
• Rondale Moore (leg) was carted off the field in an air cast, causing the Falcons to end practice.
• Draymond Green took a shot at Rudy Gobert. Who’s surprised? No one.
• C.J. Baxter (torn LCL, PCL) is out for the season.
• Grayson Rodriguez (lat/teres discomfort) is on the IL.

NFL preseason schedule, storylines, players to watch as Week 1 begins

Rejoice, NFL fans! Week 1 of the preseason gets underway tonight, and with apologies to the Hall of Fame game, this feels like things are getting going for real. Here’s the full schedule, and here are top storylines.

Tonight, we turn our attention to Lions at Giants (whose joint practice fights have cost both teams $200,000) and Panthers at Patriots. We talked a bit about how excited we are for Drake Maye two days ago, and one of his pass catchers makes Josh Edwards’ list of rookies to keep an eye on.

• Edwards: “WR Javon Baker, Patriots — Baker was one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft and the conversation often centered around his ability to create separation. I was personally higher on Baker than the consensus. He has made some plays early in training camp but, will that translate to a live game setting? The UCF product by way of Alabama is good in jump-ball situations and will be given every opportunity to win a prominent role among a New England receiver room that lacks qualified pass catchers.”

Chris Trapasso, meanwhile, looked at under-the-radar non-rookies he’s interested in.

Here’s who else I’m interested in tonight.

• Panthers: Bryce Young won’t play, and Xavier Legette (foot) probably won’t either. But if Ikem Ekwonu plays, I’ll be interested in seeing if he shows improvement after a tough sophomore year.
• Lions: Detroit won’t play its established players, but if first-round rookie Terrion Arnold is in there, he’s the one to watch.
• Giants: Malik Nabers has dominated practices. Can that carry over to a game, potentially against Arnold.

Best college football team in every state

College football is SO back. Sure, kickoff is still 16 days away, but the best way to tell a season is just around the bend is when we release our annual best team in every state picks. This is the perfect way to get the juices and the trash talk flowing, and David Cobb has once again done a magnificent job. Here’s my favorite pick:

• Cobb: “Colorado — Air Force: Air Force has won 29 games over the past three seasons under coach Troy Calhoun, who is entering Year 18 on the job. Meanwhile, Colorado could be in for a tough transition year in the Big 12. The Falcons continue flying above the Buffaloes and Colorado State.”

I love it, and if this is still the case by the end of the season, it’ll be hilarious given the hype — and pressure — Deion Sanders‘ Buffaloes have. Arguably the toughest call, though, belongs to the Sunshine State.

• Cobb: “Florida — Florida State: Florida State finished 13-1 in 2023, posting its best season since winning the 2014 national title. Though the Seminoles were snubbed from the College Football Playoff, they proved to be the state’s top team by a wide margin. Expectations are high at Miami this season, but the Hurricanes have ground to make up after a 12-13 beginning to coach Mario Cristobal‘s tenure.”

There’s also an underrated battle brewing among two Big 12 dark horses.

• Cobb: “Kansas — Kansas State: Both Kansas and Kansas State finished 9-4 in 2023, but K-State gets the nod. The Wildcats have won 15 straight in the series and are picked to finish second in the Big 12 this season. The Jayhawks aren’t far behind — picked to finish fourth — but need to break through for a victory in the Sunflower Showdown before they can claim the No. 1 spot in the state.”

The picks are awesome, and the graphic of the 48 logo-filled states (sorry, Alaska and Vermont) is a sight to behold for any college football fan. Can this season just get here already?!

What we’re watching Thursday

We’re watching the Olympics. Here’s how.
Men’s Basketball: Semifinals — USA vs. Serbia, 3 p.m. on USA Network
Panthers at Patriots, 7 p.m. on NFL Network