Plenty is at stake for the Wolverines in 2014 and the schedule isn't forgiving. Michigan plays three non-conference teams that have beaten them in recent years. SN's Matt Hayes ranks the toughest Big Ten non-conference schedules.
Matt Hayes
FSU won the final BCS title last season and Jimbo Fisher doesn't want his team being content. Scheduling Oklahoma State to kick off the season will do that. SN's Matt Hayes ranks the ACC's non-conference schedules.
Jameis Winston staying for two more years? Playing football and baseball and majoring in engineering? There aren't enough hours in the day, writes Matt Hayes, unless not all athletes refuse to take the "easy way out."
The NCAA is not doomed as the O'Bannon trial continues. Instead, Matt Hayes says changes will be made — and that could shake up the structure of the amateur model considerably.
James Franklin coached in the SEC. He recruited well and won at Vanderbilt. Now, facing challenges at Penn State, he's taking advantage of a loophole that is creating ire in his former conference, Matt Hayes writes.
It's time for draft stock to take a back seat to life stock with student-athletes. With 37 underclassmen left uncalled by the NFL, an option to pull out of the draft must be available, SN's Matt Hayes says. You will agree.
Adding Tom Bradley doesn't solve all of West Virginia's problems, writes Matt Hayes in this week's Mail Bonding. He also discusses the brutal Big Ten East and (lack of) punishment for Jameis Winston.
Is Steve Spurrier worthy of being SN's No. 2 ranked coach? You bet he is, says Matt Hayes in this week's Mail Bonding. What he's done at Duke, Florida and now South Carolina rivals top-ranked Nick Saban's accomplishments.
When the playoff was announced, integrity and transparency were buzzwords. Now, we find out that committee members' votes won't be public. That's the opposite of transparency.
RB Leonard Fournette isn't out of high school yet, but the LSU commit already draws Adrian Peterson comparisons. Should he? SN's Matt Hayes answers the difference-maker question and more in this week's Mail Bonding.
George O'Leary is just the latest AAC coach to come up with a big bowl win. He tops SN's list of the league's best head men.
Bob Stoops talked a big game and beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl last year. The rest of the league has't done the same.
SN's Matt Hayes answers readers questions about Kirk Ferentz rankings in his latest Big Ten story and the NCAA handing out a big meal ticket, among other things.
With the Bulldogs, all you need is one name: Herschel. He leads SN's 10 greatest in the football program's history.
Wisconsin beat Arizona in overtime to reach the Final Four, yet that is only a footnote to Saturday night's biggest story: The officials have taken over March — again — and not for the better — again, SN's Matt Hayes writes.
Arizona's Nick Johnson was held scoreless for 37-plus minutes but still ended up leading his team in scoring in a hard-fought win vs. San Diego State. SN's Matt Hayes explains how Johnson did not shrink from the moment.
Bo Ryan is usually all business on the side of the court, but even he had to smile over his team's defensive effort in Wisconsin's 69-52 beatdown of Baylor. SN's Matt Hayes explains the beauty of this brand of Badger ball.
Arizona and San Diego State can use some of the info they gathered from their November meeting, but SN's Matt Hayes stresses that the matchup won't tell us much about what will happen Thursday in the West Region semis.
Saint Louis won an NCAA tournament game it had no business winning. And North Carolina State blew a game it couldn’t possibly lose. The happenings were so strange and surreal, SN's Matt Hayes can't even explain them.
David always takes his swing at the sports world’s one true impossible (beating a No. 1 seed) to become its only immortal. But he rarely gets this close. With a perfect gameplan, Albany and coach Will Brown were different.
Near 300-pound QB originally signed with LSU and was heavily recruited by SEC powers.
Not having a title game can hurt Big 12 in playoff era, but look for that to be resolved soon.
A psychologist had zero to do with big plays in the Iron Bowl last season — it's about talent and coaching.
Coaches take plenty of heat for off-field behavior, but blame the four Georgia players for trying to cash stipend checks twice, not Richt.
Danny Wuerffel led Florida to a national title and won the Heisman and Tim Tebow redefined the quarterback position.
Lane Kiffin didn't work out at all for USC, plus UCLA is now on the rise thanks to Jim Mora. So why might things be different under Steve Sarkisian? SN's Matt Hayes says Sarkisian's charisma could be a reason for better results under this regime.
Steve Spurrier knows the drill: Get the most out of a player, start over. With Connor Shaw done, The Ol' Ball Coach has a new QB at South Carolina. SN's Matt Hayes says that doesn't equal lower expectations.
College used to be about a real-world education, the stuff that makes us who we are. But now, SN's Matt Hayes writes, all that has been pushed aside for a money grab — litigation.
Bow to the god of Empirical Evidence all you want, but college football's 10-second rule didn't have a prayer. SN's Matt Hayes punches holes in rows around it, the demonizing of Nick Saban and self-serving theories.
Don't expect to see a freshman win the Heisman Trophy again in 2014. But if you're looking for potential winners off the main stage, SN's Matt Hayes has three choices. Start with Oklahoma's Trevor Knight.
It's time for March Madness, but Matt Hayes says don't be too enamored with it, college football still is better. Death Valley, Iron Bowl, Bevo, Ralphie, The Song Girls ... and 63 more reasons why oblong rules over roundball.
Here's the thing about little brothers: Pick on them now, but they will grow up. And then, look out. SN's Matt Hayes tells how Mark Dantonio, the right man at the right time, made Michigan State a Big Ten titan.
His physical attributes are trumpeted on NFL Network and ESPN. Jadeveon Clowney, no doubt, looks the part of a future dominating defensive end. But when every play counts, will he step up?
The first College Football Playoff will arrive with lots of hype. But the early contenders — FSU, Auburn and Alabama — have flaws. Watch Michigan and Florida, writes Matt Hayes. If the QBs step up, they can get in the mix.
Does Nick Saban have a big ego? Certainly. But is he the puppeteer behind this awful rules proposal? Matt Hayes says that's ridiculous. The Crimson Tide coach doesn't need another advantage.
Preventing teams from snapping the ball for the first 11 seconds of the play clock sounds good, but SN's Matt Hayes wonders if it will really stop the offensive onslaught in college football.
Are Frank Beamer's days at Virginia Tech numbered? Is Alabama sliding back to the pack? These are among questions SN's Matt Hayes takes on this week. Four readers make the cut; did you?
The Ohio State coach is no stranger to winning championships. Urban Meyer did it at Florida. His recruiting focus: Get speed everywhere. He says the Buckeyes are "getting closer" to building the right mix, writes Matt Hayes.
The NFL talks tough on gambling, yet it takes money from casinos. It knows that action on the game is good for business.
Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL speak out against gambling, yet it's what makes the wildly successful league stronger each year. The impact of sports wagering on the game is undeniable, SN's Matt Hayes says.
SN's Matt Hayes will be reporting all week from Las Vegas on the game inside the Big Game — bettors vs. bookmakers.
Consecutive losses are a stain for the Crimson Tide. To wash it away, Nick Saban needs a quarterback who can scare Alabama opponents. And that man, SN's Matt Hayes says, is Florida State exile Jacob Coker.
You won't find Florida coach Will Muschamp dwelling on what went wrong in 2013. In fact, he believes the Gators aren't that far off — "Every game on our schedule next year is winnable," he tells SN's Matt Hayes.
James Franklin takes over Penn State's football program at a critical time. Not everyone on campus is happy with the move. SN's Matt Hayes examines the criticism and advises against throwing stones.
By hiring the coach who broke its heart and left a mess behind for everyone to clean up, Louisville is telling everyone that winning is all that matters, writes Matt Hayes. Because of that, Petrino will be looking before too long.
Florida State and Auburn proved in the BCS Championship Game that offense rules the college game. Gone are the days of handing a game over to the defense — instead, it's last team with the ball wins, writes Matt Hayes.
Chris Davis' career came together in 2013, a lot like the season has for Auburn. Now Davis — the Tigers' kick return hero vs. Alabama — is ready for one more performance that you can't explain, but only watch.
Charlie Strong had it all at Louisville. Now, he steps into a job that demands media attention, wins and, above all, titles.
Charlie Strong had it all at Louisville — big salary, stability, less meddling from boosters. Now, he steps into a job that demands media attention, demands wins and, above all, championships.
Watch Jimbo Fisher, watch the Seminoles and you can see it — Nick Saban's influence. Fisher believes in the 'process' he learned from Saban and it's driven FSU within one victory of a BCS championship.
Florida State QB Jameis Winston talks about winning the BCS title by blowout, following Jimbo Fisher to Texas and being the next Bo, among other things. The sky is the limit for the redshirt freshman, writes Matt Hayes.
"No one should have to go through what Jay has," Auburn OC Rhett Lashlee says of senior fullback Jay Prosch. His mother, Iris, who died of cancer, helped teach Prosch and his sisters that tomorrow is another day.
Michigan State caps a great season, beating Stanford in the Rose Bowl. But it's the Texas vacancy that remains the talk with coaches, including MSU's Mark Dantonio, conducting unofficial auditions, SN's Matt Hayes writes.
In the final season of the BCS, there's no controversy in placing No. 1 vs. No. 2. But what if the playoff model was in place, asks Matt Hayes. Then the selection committee would have some real controversy on its hands.
Florida State began the BCS era losing to Tennessee in the first title game. The No. 1 Seminoles get their shot to end the SEC's 7-year streak, but stopping this Auburn offense is easier said than done, SN's Matt Hayes writes.
Auburn and Tre Mason put on an offensive show and then watch Ohio State lose the Big Ten title game.
Auburn and Tre Mason put on an offensive show — one that SN's Matt Hayes says the Tigers needed — and then watch Ohio State lose the Big Ten title game. This dream season now will end with a BCS title showdown vs. FSU.
FSU QB was not charged with sexual assault. But after watching the press conference, why would future victims speak up?
FSU quarterback Jameis Winston will not be charged with sexual assault — the case is closed. But after watching Thursday's press conference in Tallahassee, why would future victims of sexual assault speak up?
Does Ohio State deserve a BCS title game berth over a one-loss SEC team? Ask undefeated Utah, Boise State and TCU teams. Voters should choose the best teams — exactly what the BCS was designed to do.
The greatest play in college football's greatest rivalry gives Auburn bragging rights over Alabama and shakes up the BCS.
You didn't expect Auburn to not make it entertaining, did you? The greatest play in college football's greatest rivalry gives the Tigers bragging rights over Alabama for 365 days, writes Matt Hayes.
This year has been a bust for Michigan. Now, with Brady Hoke on the hot seat, Ohio State could make a bad season worse.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke says every season brings championship expectations, but this year has been a bust. Now, with Hoke on the hot seat, a bad season could get worse with Ohio State coming to town.
You want BCS chaos? The timing of the decision on whether Jameis Winston is charged will put pressure on voters.
You want chaos in the final season of the BCS? The timing of the decision on whether Jameis Winston is charged is going to put pressure on the voters, who will be held accountable for their votes. SN's Matt Hayes has details.
Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State: It's as easy as 1-2-3 to see why they top the BCS Standings. SN's Matt Hayes says if those schools win out they will stay in place. Trouble is, who knows what chaos lurks.
Imagine what USC, Texas or Florida would be like with Mike Gundy as head coach. After Oklahoma State's impressive win against No. 3 Baylor, one thing's for sure — Gundy will be a wanted man, writes SN's Matt Hayes.
Johnny Manziel is college football's best player. He can join Archie Griffin as the only two-time Heiman Trophy winners if he leads Texas A&M to road victories against LSU and Missouri, SN's Matt Hayes writes.
It's what the Bears wanted: Everything in front of them with everybody watching. Baylor is close behind Ohio State in this week's BCS standings, but don't expect the battle for No. 3 to end soon, SN's Matt Hayes writes.
The Auburn team that built a 20-point lead Saturday can beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl in two weeks. But the Tigers that showed up in the fourth quarter won't keep the top-ranked Tide from taking control, writes Matt Hayes.
Texas has a tough stretch of games, but it might not be wise to bet against the Longhorns' coach. Plus, can Duke shock the ACC?
It's time the process in cases such as the one surrounding Jameis Winston is changed and players become better educated.
Florida State's Jameis Winston isn't charged with a crime. He's the subject of a sexual battery case. SN's Matt Hayes says it's time the process in these cases is changed and student-athletes become better educated.
Talk about prime-time gigs. USC is looking for a head coach and two of the nation's elite programs — Texas and Florida — could follow. This offseason could be a wild one, writes SN's Matt Hayes, if dominoes start falling.
Several teams still have a chance to make it to Pasadena. But it's FSU and Alabama on top now.
Several teams still have a chance to make it to Pasadena. But if Florida State and Alabama win out, we'll see those two meet for what could be the best BCS Championship Game of all time, SN's Matt Hayes writes.
A convincing win against LSU and three BCS championships in a row is that much closer for top-ranked Alabama, writes Matt Hayes, who says AJ McCarron is the reason it's happening — again.
College football fans better pay attention. Because Baylor needs to be taken seriously after routing Oklahoma.
It's college football in November and you know what that means — anything can happen. Thursday night was a perfect example, writes SN Matt Hayes, who says Baylor needs to be taken seriously after routing Oklahoma.
Offense wins championships these days. The game has changed and if you can't score a lot, you're not in the title discussion.
Offense wins championships these days. The game has changed and if you can't score a lot, you're not in the title discussion. Just watch Thursday when the nation's top two offenses in Oregon and Baylor play (in separate games).
Alabama is No. 1 and FSU is No. 2 in the latest BCS standings. But fans should pay attention to Baylor in November.
Alabama remains No. 1, while Florida State leaps idle Oregon in BCS Standings. SN's Matt Hayes suggests wise fans pay attention to a team aiming at a special November run: Bryce Petty's Baylor Bears.
Jameis Winston told his defense that he would not throw another pick in the second half. He kept his word as FSU thumped Miami.
FSU redshirt freshman QB Jameis Winston told his defense that he would not throw another pick in the second half. He kept his word and the Seminoles turned their game vs. rival Miami into a rout, Matt Hayes writes.
After losing to Minnesota last week and with five straight four-loss seasons, something has to give at Nebraska.
What's up in the Big Ten? SN's Matt Hayes asks if anyone cares about the state of Nebraska football and wonders about fallout from Ohio State's Urban Meyer challenging a ball placement while leading by 49.
Oregon is No. 2 in the latest BCS standings, but to stay there, it must play defense like it did against UCLA.
Oregon is No. 2 in the latest BCS standings, but here's what the Ducks must do to stay there. Study the tape of their defense against UCLA, and mimic the second half. SN's Matt Hayes lays out the underrated and overrated.
Even after a 28-point win over No. 15 UCLA, Oregon is explaining why it wasn't perfect. Maybe it's premature to chant for the SEC.
Everyone expects big things and lots of points every time the Ducks take the field. Even after a 28-point win over No. 15 UCLA, Oregon is explaining why it wasn't perfect. Maybe it's premature to chant for the SEC.
Missouri's first season in the SEC was a disaster: no postseason for the first time since 2004 and a 5-7 record. But look at the Tigers in Year 2: undefeated, No. 5 and on track to play for the SEC title, writes Matt Hayes.
The SEC will be its own worst enemy when no one—not even Bama—goes undefeated, and the 7-year BCS title streak ends.
