But that’s not the only game to pay attention to. Missouri looks to keep its streak alive and an away game against Ole Miss would continue to send a statement to the world. LSU is in a must-win situation from here on out and the Tigers host Mississippi State for the third top-25 matchup.

Here’s how all three of those games might play out, along with the rest of the SEC.

MORE: College Football SEC power rankings entering Week 7

No. 13 Missouri vs. No. 9 Ole Miss

The stat that’s circled in this game is that Ole Miss has the worst rushing defense in the SEC. What does Missouri have? The Tigers may not have Ahmad Hardy yet, but Jamal Roberts has been sensational, and he’s among the top running backs in the country.

Ole Miss has to be more sound in the run game, or the Tigers are going to churn out a lot of yards against the Rebels. On the other hand, Trinidad Chambliss throws the ball all over the yard, and the Tigers’ defense hasn’t fared well against elite quarterbacks.

There are two clear flaws here, but home-field advantage could be the deciding factor.

Final score: Ole Miss 34, Missouri 30

No. 16 Mississippi State vs. No. 22 LSU

There are a lot of unknowns in this game, and that starts with quarterback Kamario Taylor for Mississippi State. He is listed as ‘Questionable’ on the initial availability report, but he could be a game-time decision. Even if Taylor plays, how healthy is he?

Taylor was clearly not 100% when he played against Alabama a couple of weeks ago. The Bulldogs were hopeful the bye week would’ve cleared that up, but heading into LSU, Mississippi State could be without its star.

The Tigers, on the other hand, are playing for their College Football Playoff lives. With two losses, another one will send Lane Kiffin packing from a playoff spot. Being the home team, LSU can’t afford to lose this one.

Final score: LSU 38, Mississippi State 24

No. 6 Alabama vs. No. 14 Tennessee

It’s the second time this season that Tennessee will host one of the top teams in the country. But the Volunteers have a quarterback conundrum, and freshman Faizon Brandon is listed as ‘Questionable’, while George MacIntyre is in line to start again.

MacIntyre tossed two picks against Arkansas last weekend, and he can’t do that this week against an opportunistic Alabama defense. On top of that, the Crimson Tide have a bad taste in their mouth after losing to Georgia last weekend.

Keelon Russell and Co. are out for blood, and the Vols will need to play a clean game in order to win this one.

Final score: Alabama 31, Tennessee 24

The rest of the games will be quick-hitter style:

• No. 7 Texas 27, Florida 17
• Texas A&M 51, The Citadel 7
• No. 1 Georgia 34, Auburn 17
• Vanderbilt 31, Arkansas 24
• No. 15 Kentucky 24, Oklahoma 21

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

Heading into the 2026-27 season, which gets underway Tuesday, Oct. 20, some of the most fun teams to watch are led by guys who haven’t even hit their peak yet.

Being young isn’t enough on its own, of course. You still have to get stops on defense, score when it matters and keep your cool in close games. But when a team finds the right group of young guys, things can turn around fast. A breakout star starts putting up big numbers, the rest of the guys learn how to win together, and bringing in a veteran or two helps tie it all together.

MORE: Top 10 NBA centers heading into 2026-27 season

Oklahoma City already proved that a young team can win right away. San Antonio has a once-in-a-generation talent ready to run the league. Others have also built deep, tough rosters, while Dallas is counting on its newest star to take that next leap.

All five teams are in slightly different spots, but they all have young talent capable of influencing the league this season.

5. Utah Jazz: New core needs to fix defense

Utah finished 22-60 last season, landing 15th in the Western Conference after three consecutive rebuilding years of 31, 17 and 22 wins. Their patience was rewarded when the Jazz leaped from fourth to second in the draft lottery, allowing them to draft combo guard Darryn Peterson to headline their backcourt of the future.

The current group features Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George and Ace Bailey. Jackson returned from knee surgery and played three games for Utah last season. George earned a five-year, $157.5 million extension after averaging 24 points per game. Bailey also showed promise, averaging 16.2 points and 4.9 rebounds from Jan.1 onward.

Defense remains the biggest concern. Utah allowed 126 points per game, the most in the league, and ranked 29th in defensive efficiency. Opponents took 45.1 percent of their shots from 3-point range, while the Jazz surrendered 15.3 made threes per game. Losing Walker Kessler in a trade with the Lakers adds another concern.

Jackson brings proven defensive ability, while Josh Green and Josh Okogie offer additional options.

4. Washington Wizards: Can vets help young players grow?

Washington went 17–65 last season, dropping 27 of its final 28 contests. That disastrous finish secured the Wizards the No. 1 overall pick, which they used to draft consensus top prospect AJ Dybantsa. Now, front office leadership has paired that prize rookie with battle-tested veterans to accelerate the timeline.

Trae Young, Anthony Davis, Khris Middleton and DeAndre Ayton headline the roster. Young signed a four-year, $212 million deal, while Davis offers a potential defensive anchor. The young group includes Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson and Will Riley, with Dybantsa also part of the rebuild.

Davis showed his scoring ability late last season with the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 30 points and 15 rebounds on 58 percent shooting across three December games. However, he played only five more games afterward and never appeared for Washington. His availability could decide how far this team goes.

The bigger question is whether the young players will get enough time to develop. Sharing the floor with several veterans could limit their chances to handle the ball and close games.

MORE: Top 10 NBA small forwards heading into 2026-27 season

3. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg could take another big step

Dallas finished 26-56 last season, but Cooper Flagg gave the franchise a reason for hope. The rookie averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists across 70 games. He shot 46.8 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from 3-point range.

Flagg won Rookie of the Year with 56 first-place votes, finishing ahead of college teammate Kon Knueppel. He also became the first teenager to score 50 points in an NBA game. His all-around impact stood out, as he joined Michael Jordan as the only rookies since steals were first tracked in 1973-74 to lead their teams in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

His production improved after the All-Star break, reaching 22.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. Yahoo Sports also counted averages of 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists across his final 26 full games.

Dallas has more help coming. Kyrie Irving is expected to return after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. The Mavericks also added Santi Aldama and Zaccharie Risacher, while Masai Ujiri and coach Dusty May lead the new setup.

Three-point shooting remains a weakness. Dallas ranked 26th in percentage and 27th in attempts last season. Even so, the team’s projected win total has risen to 34.5. If Flagg continues improving and Irving stays healthy, Dallas could exceed expectations.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder: Young talent must replace lost depth

Oklahoma City went 64-18 last season, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s 31.1 points per game and second straight MVP award. The Thunder reached the Western Conference Finals before losing Game 7 to San Antonio, 111-103.

Their roster remains one of the league’s youngest, with an average age of 24.84. However, the front office made difficult decisions to manage the team’s finances. Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins were traded, while Isaiah Hartenstein signed a new three-year deal. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren begin their max contracts this season at $41.2 million each.

Oklahoma City also added rookies Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz with the No. 12 and 16 picks, respectively. Holmgren finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, showing the team’s strength on both ends.

The challenge is replacing experienced rotation players with younger options. Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, Mara and Stirtz could receive bigger roles. Williams’ health is another concern after he played only 38 games last season. He and Mitchell also missed the Game 7 loss.

The Thunder have the talent to remain near the top. Their NBA season will depend on whether their younger reserves can handle bigger responsibilities.

1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama leads title-ready core

San Antonio is the clearest example of a young team moving ahead of schedule. The Spurs went 62-20 last season, improving from 34-48 and recording their first 60-win campaign since 2016-17. They reached the NBA Finals but lost 4-1 to the New York Knicks.

Victor Wembanyama led the rise with 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 blocks per game. He shot 51.2 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from three across 64 appearances. His unanimous Defensive Player of the Year award made him the first player to earn that distinction. He also finished third in MVP voting.

The supporting cast gives San Antonio room to improve. Stephon Castle, the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year, and Dylan Harper, the No. 2 pick in 2025, provide young talent around Wembanyama. Harper averaged 11.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 22.6 minutes per game as a rookie.

Wembanyama has also agreed to a five-year extension that could exceed $250 million. His decision to leave some potential money on the table reportedly gives the franchise more flexibility to build around its core.

Health remains important, because he has played 71, 46 and 64 games across his first three seasons. Perimeter shooting is another concern, particularly with Castle, Harper and De’Aaron Fox. Still, San Antonio’s 59.5 projected win total reflects its standing among the league’s top teams.

Wembanyama is also a leading MVP favorite entering the season. If he stays healthy and the young supporting cast improves, the Spurs have a strong chance to return to the NBA Finals. Their rise makes San Antonio the team to watch in a season that could belong to the NBA’s young cores.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

Jeremiah Smith stepped onto campus at Ohio State and was instantly one of the best wide receivers in college football. Meanwhile, Dylan Raiola immediately started at Nebraska as a true freshman, but often struggled and is now relegated to the bench at Oregon. Every now and then, there are some players that are in an eternal “failure to launch” state.

You see flashes of the potential turning into reality, but it hasn’t fully realized itself yet. This is where Arch Manning finds himself. And now that he’s over a season into being a starting college football quarterback, it’s time for Arch to either get better or get benched.

MORE: College Football’s biggest risers after Week 6

Arch Manning has failed to find consistency

The trials and tribulations of Arch Manning’s career have been well-documented. He was a mega-recruit who waited his turn in line behind Quinn Ewers for two seasons, was labeled a “flop” by the New York Times, and earned his first signature win with his 4th-quarter comeback against Ohio State. Then, last week, he regressed with one of his worst games as a starter in a 27-24 loss to Oklahoma.

The frustrating part about Arch is his inconsistency. Every now and then, he will show you why he was the big-time recruit and how talented he is. The 4th quarter against Ohio State, with multiple key 4th-down conversions, is a great example. Against Oklahoma, he threw two perfectly-placed passes to Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo to help Texas jump out to an early lead.

But he never seems to sustain this level for a whole game. Oklahoma is a perfect example – he threw arguably the worst pass of his career with a ball that overthrew Cam Coleman by about 10 yards, and it led to a pick-six that allowed Oklahoma to take a 24-17 lead in the 4th quarter. Watching him this season, Arch has just never looked fully confident and comfortable at any point. He has made some great throws and had some great moments, but it never looks easy.

His decision-making has also been very puzzling. As a whole, he makes aggressive decisions when he could be conservative, and conservative decisions when he should be aggressive. There are way too many 3rd-and-longs for this Texas offense that end with Arch throwing a route that is well too short of the sticks.

MORE: College Football biggest fallers after Week 6

Florida presents the perfect bounce-back opportunity

So, how will Arch respond to adversity? The Oklahoma game also showed us some inconsistency in this regard. After his game-changing pick-six, Arch drove the Longhorns right down the field with a drive that ended with a perfectly timed and placed pass to Jermaine Bishop for a touchdown.

But after that, with a chance to win the game, he blindly threw in the direction of Cam Coleman, and the pass was intercepted, giving Oklahoma the opportunity to kick a game-winning field goal. There is nothing certain about Arch; you never know what you are going to get. What we do know is that this week Texas matches up with Florida. The Florida defense has been thoroughly shredded against SEC opponents, and they are currently giving up 26.2 points per game.

They rank 98th nationally in passing yards allowed per game. This secondary has major concerns, and Brad White is not getting glowing reviews as the new defensive coordinator. This is the perfect bounce-back spot for Arch. If he can’t bounce back this week, against this opponent, it may be time to finally admit that Arch is in the Dylan Raiola category of guys who had major potential but busted.

Texas has another highly-ranked recruit waiting in the wings with Dia Bell. If Arch doesn’t get the job done this week, it may be finally time to punt on Arch and hit the reset button with Dia Bell as the new Texas quarterback.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

Two losses can get you into the College Football Playoff, but the Buckeyes already have one loss this season, and Ryan Day doesn’t want to chance the rest of the season. A big road win would go a long way for Ohio State, while the Hoosiers want to show why they are defending national champions.

Here’s how every Big Ten game might play out this weekend.

MORE: 3 best Week 7 College Football matchups

No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Indiana

There are a couple of keys in this game. But the biggest one starts with the Ohio State offensive line against the Hoosiers’ defensive front. Indiana leads the Big Ten with 20 sacks, and the Buckeyes haven’t been great at protecting Julian Sayin. Ohio State has allowed 11 sacks, which ranks 14th in the Big Ten.

To make matters worse, starting lineman Austin Siereveld has been ruled OUT for Ohio State and that only makes matters worse. The Buckeyes are going to need to scheme quick passes to keep the Hoosiers’ defense at bay.

But Ohio State does have Jeremiah Smith, who has been literally unstoppable this season. Smith gets tripled team and still comes down with a catch. You can guess Curt Cignetti and Co. will have some sort of a game plan on Saturday, and even with a talent like Smith, the Buckeyes’ line might be too undermanned to protect Sayin.

Final score: Indiana 27, Ohio State 24

Penn State vs. Michigan

Both of these teams are reeling, but Michigan had a chance to regroup after a bye week, while the Nittany Lions dropped their third game in a row last Saturday.

Michigan has been preaching about getting its run game going. The Wolverines have been trying to do too much fancy stuff, running side to side, instead of getting downhill. Michigan’s personnel is made to run downhill.

This is the week for Michigan to get its run game going. The Nittany Lions have one of the worst run defenses in the country, and Northwestern ran for over 400 yards against PSU a couple of weeks ago. Penn State can stay in the game if Bryce Underwood continues to throw interceptions, but this feels like the week the Wolverines can get their run game rolling.

Final score: Michigan 24, Penn State 14

Wisconsin vs. No. 12 UCLA

Just when it was looking like UCLA was going to do something special, the Bruins’ season got turned around with news of quarterback Nico Iamaleava likely missing the remainder of the 2026 season. During the Bruins’ win over Oregon, Ducks defender Bear Alexander appeared to take a cheap shot at Iamaleava and that likely finished his season.

Now, UCLA will turn to Cal Poly transfer Ty Dieffenbach, who threw nine touchdowns and nine interceptions last season. Wisconsin has a chance to really attack defensively and get Dieffenbach rattled early.

However, teams don’t always fare well going out West and UCLA still has Wayne Knight at running back, who has been the Big Ten’s best. If the Bruins can slow down quarterback Colton Joseph, they have a real chance to win the game on Saturday.

Final score: UCLA 31, Wisconsin 27

The rest of the games will be quick-hitter style:

• Purdue 30, Washington 24
• No. 25 Northwestern 34, Michigan State 24
• Maryland 31, Rutgers 27
• Oregon 24, Nebraska 20

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

“This weekend, our family experienced an unimaginable tragedy,” Orlovsky wrote in a lengthy post on his X account. “My brother-in-law, Fed, passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind my sister and their three amazing boys.”

MORE: Netflix’s ‘Untold’ announces Daejon Love film after fake 49ers player’s indictment

Why is Dan Orlovsky raising money?

Orlovsky didn’t disclose a cause of death. Instead, he focused on the financial and emotional weight now resting on his sister.

“In the midst of trying to process this devastating loss, my sister is now facing the overwhelming reality of navigating life as a solo parent and a single-income household, all while helping her boys cope with the loss of their dad,” Orlovsky wrote.

He added that no family “should have to worry about how they will manage financially while trying to put the pieces of their lives back together.”

Dan Orlovsky’s fundraiser request to fans

“Any donation, no matter the amount, will help ease some of the financial burden and allow them the time and space they need to grieve, heal, and begin navigating this new reality,” Orlovsky wrote.

“If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser and keeping our family in your thoughts means more than you know,” he added.

The post drew roughly 3,900 likes, 373 reposts and 254 replies within its first hour. ESPN host Laura Rutledge, who works alongside Orlovsky on “NFL Live,” was among those who reposted it.

Orlovsky closed by thanking supporters “for showing up for my sister and my nephews when they need it most,” adding that his family is “so grateful for the love and support surrounding them during this unimaginable time.”

Dan Orlovsky’s family and faith

Orlovsky, 43, has made his own household a visible part of his television career. The Bridgeport, Conn., native and his wife, Tiffany, have four children: triplet sons Madden, Hunter and Noah, born in 2011, and daughter Lennon, born in 2015.

Madden, who is autistic, joined “NFL Live” in April for World Autism Awareness Day for a second straight year. When Madden asked whether he was crying on set, Orlovsky answered, “Yeah, because I love you.”

The former UConn quarterback has been open about his Christian faith at ESPN. He led an on-air prayer on “NFL Live” for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin while Hamlin was hospitalized.

Orlovsky spent 12 NFL seasons, primarily as a backup, after the Detroit Lions drafted him in the fifth round in 2005. He also played for the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining ESPN, where he appears on “First Take” and “NFL Live.”

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

Now, let’s take a spin through our expected top-15 wide receivers entering Week 6 of the NFL season. And then, we can see how much things change on a weekly basis.

MORE: Bold predictions for Week 6 of 2026 NFL season

Wide Receivers 15-11

15. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers

Following the only game this season in which he didn’t catch a touchdown, Watson bounced back in a large way. It came in the form of two big touchdown catches as he finished with six catches for 143 yards on eight targets. It’s clear he’s the main option for Watson, and his success should continue this week against the Dallas Cowboys.

14. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams

Adams is off to a slow start this season. After catching two touchdown passes in a wild game against the Buffalo Bills to conclude Week 5, he only has four on the season. We shouldn’t let that detract from the fact that he has 441 receiving yards and is averaging 16.3 yards per game this season. This week, Adams should add to that as the Arizona Cardinals have allowed 10 touchdowns to wide receivers so far this season.

13. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

Higgins isn’t 100% healthy, but he made it through Sunday’s game without issue. He really wasn’t needed as he caught two of four targets for 22 yards. With a bye week to get healthy, I’m not concerned about Higgins or his place in our ranks.

12. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens

While having Lamar Jackson and not Tyler Huntley is helpful, Flowers still caught eight of nine targets last week. He’ll continue to be the main receiving threat in Baltimore, and we don’t have to worry about targets, speed, or production here.

11. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

McMillan went into his bye week with a ton of momentum following a monster game. The hope is that the Carolina offense comes back even stronger than it was as the connection between McMillan and Bryce Young only improves.

Top 10 Wide Receivers

10. Nico Collins, Houston Texans

Especially this week, I’m not worried about the impact of Marvin Harrison on Collins. In fact, it might benefit Collins, but this week is a prime opportunity for him to find success against a Jacksonville Jaguars team that struggles in the secondary. The Texans didn’t need anything more than five catches for 56 yards last week, but in Week 6, we should see a lot more.

9. Malik Nabers, New York Giants

Who cares about the weather? Just give Nabers the ball. He got exactly what he asked for as Nabers was targeted 20 times in Week 5. He caught 11 of those targets for a touchdown and his second straight game of over 100 yards (121). I’m not sure there’s any turning back now.

8. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

By all indications, the ankle is fine. After missing a week, Jefferson returned to catch six passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. He now has his bye week to regain health and return even stronger for the rest of the season.

7. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons

At this point, you have to laugh. London is just shy of averaging 100 yards per game this season, 488 over five, while averaging 18.1 yards per reception. However, he’s still looking for his first touchdown of the year. There’s a good chance it comes this week against the Chicago Bears as they struggle against opposing wide receivers. The chemistry between London and Michael Penix is only growing.

6. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints

I’m not surprised to see the Saints passing offense struggle against the Minnesota Vikings last week. Olave was a part of that as he caught just four passes for 46 yards on six targets. That came after he hadn’t had less than 86 yards in his first four games of the season. The expectation is that gets back on track this week.

MORE: 3 NFL teams that should be worried after Week 5

Top 5 Wide Receivers

5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions

It’s now two straight weeks without touchdowns for St. Brown, but he’s still been targeted 22 times in that stretch. For most other receivers, 14 catches for 144 yards would be strong, but St. Brown has set the bar too high. He now heads into his bye week.

4. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase heads into Cincinnati’s bye week with a clean bill of health following a solid performance against the Miami Dolphins. The receiver finished with six catches for 77 yards and his fourth touchdown of the season. He’s yet to break the century mark this season, but we know it’s coming.

3. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

Despite only catching two passes for nine yards last week while dealing with a quadriceps injury, Lamb appears to be fine moving forward. It’s not a great matchup this week against the Green Bay Packers, but Lamb is still an explosive and dangerous option.

2. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams

Nothing against Nacua, but it’s hard to even be phased at this point. However, his performance in Week 5 was pretty wild. Nacua was targeted an insane 24 times and emerged with 17 catches for 138 yards and a touchdown. And this week he gets to face the Arizona Cardinals, so look out.

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

Order was restored as Smith-Njigba got back over 100 receiving yards as he caught five passes for 102 yards and his seventh touchdown of the season. Yes, it’s a tough matchup against the Denver Broncos, but how can we not trust the best receiver in the league?   

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

Speaking at a midterm rally at Majestic Valley Arena in Kalispell, Trump told the crowd, “I don’t know that much about women’s basketball. I don’t even know if she can play. I assume she can. She’s probably good.”

MORE: Donald Trump gives ‘beautiful’ Sophie Cunningham scouting report during rally speech

What did Trump say in Montana?

Trump opened the riff by asking the crowd, “Don’t you like Sophie Cunningham, by the way? I think she’s beautiful.” He added, “There’s something about her that’s really great. I sort of like her, I must tell you.”

He then described the Missouri native as a supporter. “You know, she’s a big fan of ours, I heard,” Trump said, before pointing to a young fan and adding, “Look, the girl’s screaming, ‘Sophie, we love you, Sophie.’” He finished with, “I don’t know if she’s any good at basketball, but she’s good at sanity. She’s good at bringing sanity to life.”

The comments came two days after a rally at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio, where Trump campaigned for Sen. Jon Husted and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. There, he called Cunningham “a beautiful young woman” and joked that teams would want her for attendance rather than points.

Sophie Cunningham’s politics and profile

Trump’s “big fan of ours” claim doesn’t match what the 30-year-old has said publicly. In a July interview with ESPN’s Hallie Grossman, she pushed back on the “MAGA Barbie” nickname and said, “I’m very much in the middle. I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides.”

That same interview included her opposition to transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, a stance that aligns with the Trump administration and sparked rallies and protests at Fever games. After the Ohio rally, she reshared an Instagram story with the Bible verse, “Encourage and build up one another.”

Author Chuck Klosterman predicted on The Bill Simmons Podcast in July that she’d become vice president by 2050.

MORE: Atlanta Dream avoid WNBA Finals nightmare with State Farm Arena news

How good is Sophie Cunningham?

The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 7.9 points across 43 regular-season games in 2026 and made 41.9% of her 3-point attempts, which ranked fifth in the WNBA. She started just three games but finished as Indiana’s top bench scorer before the Las Vegas Aces eliminated the Fever 2-1 in the first round.

Cunningham played 2026 on a one-year, $665,000 contract and is now an unrestricted free agent, and Fever general manager Amber Cox said Indiana plans to talk with her about returning.

The Athletic columnist Candace Buckner argued Oct. 6 that “Cunningham has to go” if the Fever want to refocus on basketball. Cunningham answered on her No Hesitation podcast, saying, “I literally don’t even care what anyone says about me anymore.” The WNBA’s free-agent negotiating period opens Feb. 4.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

Here are four player props worth targeting ahead of Seahawks-Broncos.

MORE: Bold predictions for Week 6 of 2026 NFL season

Bo Nix and Sam Darnold interceptions

Bo Nix OVER 0.5 interceptions

Nix has struggled to consistently push the ball downfield this season, and Thursday presents a particularly difficult matchup. Seattle owns the NFL’s best interception total with seven and ranks among the league leaders in both pass defense and overall defensive efficiency.

Nix has already thrown three interceptions through five games, and Seattle’s defense has generated seven picks during the same stretch. The Seahawks are also allowing just 150.8 passing yards per game, while Nix has produced only 6.0 air yards per attempt, the lowest figure among qualified quarterbacks, according to Next Gen Stats.

Sam Darnold OVER 0.5 interceptions

Darnold’s matchup is also worth attacking. Denver has recorded five interceptions this season, tied for sixth in the NFL, while Darnold has already thrown five interceptions through five games.

Denver’s defense should have opportunities to pressure Darnold, particularly if Seattle is forced into obvious passing situations. With Darnold averaging nearly 30 pass attempts per game, another turnover-worthy opportunity is likely to present itself.

Emanuel Wilson and RJ Harvey props

Emanuel Wilson UNDER 66.5 rushing yards

Wilson enters Thursday as Seattle’s leading rusher, with 251 yards on 73 carries through five games. However, Seattle’s rushing attack has struggled overall, and Denver’s defensive front represents a difficult matchup.

Seattle ranks near the bottom of the league in rushing efficiency, while Wilson has averaged just 3.4 yards per carry this season. Another major factor is game environment: Denver is at home, and the Seahawks could lean more heavily on Darnold and the passing game if they fall behind.

RJ Harvey OVER 2.5 receptions

Harvey’s reception prop stands out because the Denver offense could have difficulty sustaining traditional rushing production against Seattle’s defense. The Seahawks are allowing only 251.2 total yards per game and have been particularly effective against opposing passing games.

That could force Denver to utilize its running backs in the short passing game. Harvey’s involvement as a receiving option gives him a path to clearing three catches even if Denver struggles to move the ball vertically.

****Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.****

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

West recently celebrated being 10 months sober after years of concern about his well-being following several viral videos showing him out on the streets, and now he’s back in the public eye. West recently revealed that former teammate LeBron James and James’ mother Gloria checked on him during his struggles and road to recovery, which reignited talks of a past rumor.

During his playing days, rumors were circulating that West had a relationship with James’ mother, though it was never confirmed. Those rumors once again popped up during a pre-fight press conference on Wednesday.

Viral comedy rapper Supa Hot Fire, who is also fighting on the Brand Risk boxing card, got the mic and asked West a direct question, and the former NBA sharpshooter responded with a cryptic answer.

WATCH: Austin McBroom brutally KOs FaZe Temperrr at Brand Risk 15

Delonte West Asked About Rumored Relationship With LeBron James’ Mom

Delonte West didn’t deny sleeping with LeBron James’s mother after getting asked on Adin Ross’ Brand Risk press conference 👀 https://t.co/grwYEJeAP6

— views (@viewsceo) October 15, 2026

“Delonte West, did you have sexual relations with LeBron James’ mother?” Supa Hot Fire asked.

West responded, “A gentleman never tells…”

Of course, that will do nothing to stop the rumors, and only brings them back into the spotlight. It’s only a matter of time until someone presses LeBron to try to get a reaction.

In the meantime, if you want to see West battle it out in the ring against Michael Beasley at Adin Ross’ Brand Risk 16 on Friday, October 16, at the Brand Risk Warehouse in Miami, Florida, it will be streaming live on Kick, Twitch, YouTube, X, and TikTok beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET.

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

No. 10 Texas Tech lays 14.5 points against an Arizona State team that beat the Red Raiders 26-22 last season, and Pitt is a 6.5-point favorite at Boston College with quarterback Holden Geriner making his second career start. Five of the seven total picks take the under.

Hat tip to Game On Paper and ESPN FPI for providing a lot of the advanced stats and matchup data.

MORE: Week 7 CFB DFS picks: LSU’s Sam Leavitt top value on DraftKings, FanDuel

Pittsburgh (-6.5) vs. Boston College

• Kickoff: Saturday, October 17, 12 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Pitt (5-1, 2-1 ACC) lost its unbeaten record in a 21-17 home loss to North Carolina, when the Panthers were stopped on fourth down three times in the second half. Geriner completed 27 of 44 passes for 219 yards and two interceptions in his first college start after sophomore Mason Heintschel tore the ACL in his right knee against Virginia Tech.

Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said Geriner “will get better and better just from the experiences.”

Boston College (2-3) is still looking for its first ACC win, and it committed 11 penalties for 95 yards in a 25-16 loss at SMU before its bye. “We work very hard to coach a disciplined team,” Eagles coach Bill O’Brien said afterward.

BC has outscored opponents 40-9 in the first quarter, but it trails 108-55 the rest of the way and hasn’t scored more than 28 points in a game. Pitt allows 3.00 yards per rush, so the Eagles should face plenty of long passing downs. A Panthers defense that controls the line of scrimmage and an offense still adjusting to a new quarterback point to the under 42.5.

Picks: Pittsburgh 27-13, Pittsburgh -6.5, U42.5

Northwestern (-7.5) vs. Michigan State

• Kickoff: Saturday, October 17, 12 p.m. ET, Peacock

No. 25 Northwestern (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) beat Ball State 45-14 as quarterback Aidan Chiles threw three touchdown passes and ran for another. Chiles started 20 games over two seasons at Michigan State before transferring to Evanston, and he has nine touchdown passes and six rushing scores this season. Wildcats receiver Griffin Wilde caught eight passes for 144 yards against Ball State.

Northwestern also beat Penn State 34-13 on Oct. 2, and its only loss came 29-23 at Indiana.

Michigan State (2-4, 0-3) lost 38-37 in overtime to Illinois when Alessio Milivojevic’s two-point pass fell incomplete. First-year Spartans coach Pat Fitzgerald, who spent 17 seasons as Northwestern’s head coach, said: “This week and this game is not about me.” Northwestern coach David Braun added, “This isn’t about Aidan playing his former program.”

Northwestern ranks first nationally in offensive adjusted EPA per play, and Michigan State lost its first two Big Ten games to Nebraska and Wisconsin by 18 and 28 points. The Spartans scored 37 against Illinois, though, and the Wildcats’ defense is less dominant than their offense, which points to the over 49.5.

Picks: Northwestern 34-21, Northwestern -7.5, O49.5

MORE: College fantasy football Week 7 rankings: Nate Sheppard, Sam Leavitt climb

Arizona State vs. Texas Tech (-14.5)

• Kickoff: Saturday, October 17, 3:30 p.m. ET, Fox

No. 10 Texas Tech (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) returns from a bye after a 29-7 win at Colorado, when the Red Raiders intercepted four passes and scored 29 unanswered points. Linebacker John Curry returned one of those interceptions for a touchdown. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire called it “some really ugly football at times,” and quarterback Will Hammond threw for just 134 yards.

Still, Tech allows 91.4 rushing yards per game and brings an 11-game home winning streak into homecoming in Lubbock.

Arizona State (3-2, 1-1) rallied from a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Tech 26-22 in Tempe last October. This Sun Devils roster brought in 48 newcomers, however, and it lost 48-20 at Texas A&M and 55-19 at home to Baylor. Freshman running back Cardae Mack ran for 154 yards on 13 carries against Hawaii, and receiver Reed Harris has 34 catches for 590 yards.

Tech’s run defense should put the game in quarterback Cutter Boley’s hands against a secondary with seven interceptions in its last two games. The Red Raiders’ offense hasn’t consistently pulled away from opponents, so the defense carries this cover, and the under 48.5 fits that script.

Picks: Texas Tech 31-13, Texas Tech -14.5, U48.5

Missouri (+5.5) vs. Ole Miss

• Kickoff: Saturday, October 17, 3:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network

No. 13 Missouri (5-1, 2-1 SEC) has beaten Florida and Texas A&M by 28 and 21 points since blowing a late lead at Mississippi State. Quarterback Austin Simmons returns to Oxford, where he opened 2025 as the Rebels’ starter before an ankle injury handed the job to Trinidad Chambliss. Simmons has thrown for one yard fewer than Chambliss this season, with more touchdowns and fewer interceptions.

“He prepared like he was a starter if he ever got his moment,” Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said of Simmons.

No. 9 Ole Miss (4-1, 2-1) beat Vanderbilt 52-17 last week but gave up 52 points at Florida in its previous game. The Rebels also rank last in the SEC in run defense at 176.4 yards per game, and Tigers running back Jamal Roberts leads Power 4 players with 828 rushing yards.

Ole Miss has the better offense, but a Missouri defense that allows 4.85 yards per play can keep Chambliss from turning this into a shootout. Roberts running behind that line should shorten the game, which points to a one-possession finish and the under 58.5.

Picks: Missouri 30-27, Missouri +5.5, U58.5

MORE: College football Week 7 prediction market picks: Missouri, UNC upset potential

Oklahoma State vs. Houston (-4.5)

• Kickoff: Saturday, October 17, 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox

No. 20 Houston (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) beat Kansas State 35-16 as quarterback Conner Weigman threw four touchdown passes to tight end Patrick Overmyer. TDECU Stadium hosts its first ranked-vs.-ranked game since 2015, and Houston coach Willie Fritz said the game has “a lot of implications for the Big 12 race.”

No. 18 Oklahoma State (4-1, 2-0) has won four straight under first-year coach Eric Morris since a 24-10 opening loss at Tulsa. Cowboys quarterback Drew Mestemaker threw for 304 yards in a 42-28 win over UCF, and Fritz expects him to run as well.

Houston won 39-17 in Stillwater last season, and Weigman’s passing efficiency gives the Cougars a steadier offense than an Oklahoma State team still learning a new system. The Cowboys have the better defense, so the margin should stay within reach of 4.5. With both teams scoring at least 35 points last week, the over 62.5 is the play.

Picks: Houston 35-30, Houston -4.5, O62.5

MORE: ESPN College GameDay Week 7 location announced, breaks 17-year hiatus

Wake Forest (-9.5) vs. California

• Kickoff: Saturday, October 17, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2

No. 21 Wake Forest (5-1, 3-1 ACC) has won three straight, including road wins at Louisville and NC State. Quarterback Gio Lopez completed 26 of 33 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns in the 38-14 win in Raleigh. The Demon Deacons haven’t allowed a second-half point in two straight games.

Cal (3-3, 2-1) beat Virginia Tech 25-20 on Ashten Emory’s 2-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left. Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele missed that game with a concussion from the loss at UNLV. When Cal coach Tosh Lupoi pulled him because he saw his quarterback come off the field “literally wobbling.”

Starting running back Adam Mohammed also sat with a foot injury. Cal ran for just 82 yards with backup Jackson Brousseau under center. The Bears allow 6.24 yards per carry. Wake should be able to sustain drives on the ground and protect a lead. Wake’s results have also come against a tougher schedule than Cal’s. The Demon Deacons defense has shut down second-half points, pointing to the under 53.5.

Picks: Wake Forest 31-20, Wake Forest -9.5, U53.5

Nebraska (+7) vs. Oregon

• Kickoff: Saturday, October 17, 11 p.m. ET, Fox

Nebraska (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) led then-No. 7 Indiana 17-6 early in the fourth quarter before losing 20-17. That outcome came despite outgaining the Hoosiers 391-328. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea threw for 263 yards and broke a 39-yard touchdown run. The loss was Nebraska’s 31st straight against a Top 25 opponent. Six of the Huskers’ 10 losses to ranked teams under Nebraska coach Matt Rhule have been decided by seven points or fewer.

Oregon (3-2, 1-1) fell out of the AP Top 25 after a 17-15 home loss to UCLA in which it committed seven turnovers. Ducks starter Dante Moore missed that game with a concussion sustained against USC on Sept. 26, and former Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola completed 6 of 19 passes for 43 yards and two interceptions before being benched for Brock Thomas.

Rhule declined to discuss facing his former quarterback. “I’m best if I talk about our team,” he said.

Nebraska leads Oregon in adjusted EPA differential, +0.28 to +0.18. The Ducks still hold the edge on defense and special teams at Autzen Stadium. So a full seven points is the value here. Oregon’s quarterback uncertainty and Nebraska’s 37-point game against Indiana point to the under 51.5.

Picks: Oregon 27-24, Nebraska +7, U51.5

MORE: Florida State dismisses top 2026 signee Chuck Kennon days before Miami showdown

— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.