Will transformed Alabama challenge Georgia’s quest for three-peat?

ATLANTA — No. 1 Georgia can extend its all-time SEC record for consecutive wins to 30 on Saturday in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but the toughest test of the Bulldogs dynasty yet waits in No. 8 Alabama. This will be a 60-minute battle between a program looking to extend its reign of dominance and one that has, on this rare occasion, fallen just outside of the upper-most rung of the college football hierarchy.

Despite its pristine record, Georgia has come out on the right side of some close calls. It needed a late Brock Bowers touchdown to escape the clutches of Auburn earlier this season. The win over Ohio State in last year’s Peach Bowl national semifinal came down to a missed Buckeyes field goal in the waning seconds. It topped an average Missouri team last season in one of the sloppiest games of the Kirby Smart era.

The big one, however was the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship against Alabama. That thriller came down to the wire before Bowers and former defensive back Kelee Ringo iced the game away for the Bulldogs’ first national title since 1980. The Tide were led by Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, Biletnikoff Award winner Jameson Williams stretching the field deep, fellow 1,000-yard receiver John Metchie III helping him out and 1,300-yard back Brian Robinson taking the handoffs.

Current quarterback Jalen Milroe is more than just an effective quarterback, but he’s no Bryce Young. The wide receivers aren’t close to the 2021 group, and this year’s running back-by-committee approach pales in comparison to what they had two seasons ago.

The one thing that the 2023 Crimson Tide team has that the 2021 version didn’t: Desperation.

The Crimson Tide dynasty may feel like a thing of the past, but a win over Georgia could set the foundation for another one to close out the Nick Saban era. Smart knows that the way that Alabama has progressed from the start of the year to Game 12 has been a remarkable journey, and one of the most impressive coaching jobs of his mentor’s career.

“He does it with different formats of teams,” Smart said on Sunday. “I think just like us, every team has a different identity … It’s a different identity than previous years. They certainly have talented players. They got talented players all over the place on the offense and defensive line. Their line of scrimmages are big and physical, which that always is an identity of an Alabama team. You know that. But this one has been very unique. They play really hard. They play well together. They respond for each other. They’ve been in some tight ball games, made some big-time comebacks in games.”

Saban thinks about that 33-18 loss to Georgia on January 10, 2022 often, adding to the revenge factor heading into this one.

“I think we were at 18-13 with, I don’t know, 10 or 11 minutes to go in the game. They just outplayed us tremendously in the last 10, 11 minutes of the game,” Saban said on Monday. “You always want to be able to finish. We lost on the last play of the game to Clemson way back when. I felt like I should have called timeout and didn’t. So there’s always things that haunt you when you don’t have success.”

This Alabama team has its back against the wall. It struggled against a remarkably average Auburn team last week and can’t afford a loss in the race for the CFP. However, it has enough of an upside to rip the mighty Bulldogs off of their pedestal and show the world that they dynasty was left in Indianapolis nearly two years ago is still simmering below the surface.

Does Mike Elko fit at Texas A&M?
The Mark Stoops era at Texas A&M lasted all of two hours as rumors ripped across social media on Saturday night suggesting that the Kentucky coach was on his way to College Station, Texas. While Stoops would have been awesome at Texas A&M considering its wealth of resources and NIL support in comparison to Kentucky’s, Elko provides a lot of the same attributes. He brings all of the same hard-nosed characteristics, which is what the program needs. He’s a program-builder who can get multiple parties to coalesce around a shared vision. As a program often overshadowed by basketball, the Blue Devils achieved rare heights under Elko.

Elko’s lack of head coaching experience makes him a little risky. However, it’s nice to see Texas A&M go after true football coaches who can transform the culture into one of hard work and accountability rather than pursuing the flashiest hire.

What about Jeff Lebby at Mississippi State?
Lebby is a fantastic offensive coordinator who has had success pretty much everywhere he has been. Unlike Mike Leach, though, Lebby is an unknown commodity and far from a legend who changed the landscape of college football. The SEC will add Texas and Oklahoma next year and eliminate divisions in the conference’s most significant change since 2012. How patient is the Mississippi State administration going to be with Lebby after firing Zach Arnett so quickly? Lebby can scheme with the best of them, but this is a difficult job for a first-time head coach.

*Picks use SportsLine consensus odds and were made on Instagram since SEC Smothered & Covered started in Week 2

Alabama vs. Georgia -6 (in Atlanta): The Bulldogs are an absolute machine, and that machine will crank itself up in Mercedes-Benz Stadium on both sides of the ball. Their offensive line ranks sixth in sacks allowed — fewer than one a game — and No. 11 nationally in tackles for loss allowed (3.92). That offensive line will hold up against the Crimson Tide, and expect running back Kendall Milton to put up his third 100-yard game in the last four. If Auburn can have success on the ground vs. the Tide without the threat of a passing game, the Bulldogs should be able to at least match that effort.

Speaking of the passing attack, the week off for tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Ladd McConkey vs. Georgia Tech will allow quarterback Carson Beck to take pressure off of Milton and Co. and balance one of the most dangerous offenses in the country. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe will do enough to make it a game in the fourth quarter, but Georgia will force Milroe into a late mistake or two and move on to its third straight CFP appearance.

Oklahoma promotes Seth Littrell, Joe Jon Finley to offensive coordinator roles after Jeff Lebby departs

Oklahoma has elevated analyst Seth Littrell to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, while tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley has been promoted to co-offensive coordinator, the school announced on Wednesday. The pairing replaces Jeff Lebby, who left to take the head coaching job at Mississippi State after two seasons.

Both coordinators played for Oklahoma during Sooners coach Brent Venables’ tenure as an assistant with the program. Littrell was a running back on the Sooners’ national championship team in 2000. Finley played tight end next to Adrian Peterson before spending five years in the NFL.

Littrell spent seven years as head coach at North Texas, compiling a 44-44 record with five bowl games in six seasons. He has a varied offensive background with coaching stints under Mark Mangino, Mike Leach, Kevin Wilson and Larry Fedora. At UNT, Littrell’s offenses oscillated between pass and run-heavy based on personnel. During his final season in 2022, with Littrell as playcaller, North Texas ranked top 40 in both passing and rushing offense.

“I’m thrilled to announce two former OU players as our new brain trust on offense,” Venables said in a statement from the school. “Seth and Joe Jon are going to make an amazing duo and lead a fantastic group of offensive coaches.”

Finley has primarily worked as a tight ends coach since returning to college football coaching, but added a one-year stint next to Lebby as passing game coordinator at Ole Miss. One year later, he returned to Oklahoma under Lincoln Riley. He has never worked as an offensive coordinator.

Lebby led the Sooners to the No. 4 total offense at more than 500 yards per game in his second season with the program. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel ranks No. 5 in passing offense. Continuity remains a priority as the Sooners heading into their first SEC campaign with young stars quarterback Jackson Arnold, running back Gavin Sawchuk and receiver Nic Anderson emerging.

Oklahoma also boasts the No. 7 recruiting class in 2024, led by blue-chip running back Taylor Tatum, tight end Davon Mitchell and wide receiver Zion Kearhey.

Seasoned QB expected to draw major interest

Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall has entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer, 247Sports reports. McCall has spent the past four seasons as the Chanticleers’ starter, passing for 10,005 yards and 88 touchdowns with just 14 interceptions.

It’s McCall’s second time dipping into the transfer portal. He tested the waters in December 2022, but later withdrew his name and returned to Coastal Carolina. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

McCall started seven games for Coastal Carolina in 2023, missing the final five contests of the regular season due to a head injury. He ended the year passing for 1,919 yards and 10 touchdowns while committing a career-high six interceptions. McCall passed for a career-best 2,873 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2021 while rushing for 290 yards and four scores. That came after he quarterbacked the Chanticleers to an improbable Sun Belt co-championship as a first-year starter in 2020, passing for 2,488 yards and 26 touchdowns, rushing for an additional 569 yards and seven touchdowns.

McCall joins a group of starting quarterbacks including Arkansas’ K.J. Jefferson, Mississippi State’s Will Rogers and Kansas State’s Will Howard that also either have entered or plan to enter the portal, and are expected to garner widespread interest. McCall, a North Carolina native, did not receive any known Power Five offers during his initial recruitment, but his production over the years at Coastal Carolina makes him the type of player that can instantly plug a hole for those seeking a veteran presence at quarterback.

Coastal Carolina still has a to-be-determined bowl game on the docket after going 7-5 in the regular season, which was the program’s first under coach Tim Beck.

Paths for eight contenders still in hunt for four-team field

With the penultimate College Football Playoff Rankings released Tuesday, it is time to examine the prospects for the teams still in the hunt for the four-team field. This has undoubtedly been the chalkiest season of the CFP era. For the first time ever, the top four teams entering conference championship weekend are all undefeated. That allows for the possibility of the first-ever such playoff field, but it also creates the potential for chaos this weekend because it’s going to be competitive at the top of the rankings.

Eight teams are still in play for the College Football Playoff. The only sure thing is that the Pac-12 champion will make the CFP for the first time since Washington was the No. 4 seed in 2016. It is also exceedingly likely that we will have a playoff with only conference champions for the first time since 2019. Basically, the four unbeaten teams and No. 6 Oregon control their own playoff fate.

Without further ado, here is list of the remaining CFP contenders in order of their current ranking along with an explanation of what each team can accomplish this weekend. Let’s take a look how those teams stack up with Championship Week and the final CFP Rankings ahead.

College Football Playoff paths
1
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Georgia
Win and the Bulldogs are the No. 1 seed as they seek a third straight national title. Lose and things get dicey. Alabama and the three other undefeated teams would be ranked ahead of the Dawgs, at a minimum, so they would need some chaos to get back to No. 4. Texas losing to Oklahoma State, Washington beating Oregon and Florida State falling to Louisville would send the Longhorns, Ducks and Seminoles packing. Michigan and Washington would stand as the lone undefeated teams with Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State as the only other one-loss teams. Georgia would likely be chosen over FSU and Oklahoma State in that scenario. An Oregon win would keep it ahead of Georgia while adding Washington to the list of one-loss teams, but I still like the Dawgs over the Huskies in that case. A Michigan loss would not matter as the Wolverines advance either way in this scenario.
2
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Michigan
If the Wolverines win, they are in as no worse than the No. 2 seed. Should Michigan lose to Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game, it would still finish above Ohio State and any two-loss teams, but nothing else is guaranteed. That’s not the case for Georgia, which would fall behind Alabama should it lose the SEC title game. The best-case scenario for Michigan with a loss is that Alabama, Oregon and either Florida State or Texas lose.
3
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Washington
Win and the Huskies are in as no worse than the No. 3 seed. This may look like an upset if they lose the Pac-12 title game, but the Ducks enter as a 9.5-point favorite. Washington will be behind Oregon, for sure, and obviously any undefeated team with a loss. Its best-case scenario with a loss is for Georgia, Michigan, Louisville and Oklahoma State to win. That eliminates Alabama, Florida State and Texas, leaving Washington to fight with 11-1 Ohio State for No. 4. I believe the Huskies would be chosen.
4
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Florida State
Florida State is in if it wins, out if it loses. It’s as simple as that. The ‘Noles would be the lowest-rated one-loss team, and could conceivably end up behind a two-loss team. That is more because of the quality of their loss and overall schedule — which did not include the next three best teams in the ACC — rather than the loss of star quarterback Jordan Travis.
5
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Oregon
With one loss already, it’s win or go home, but a win should lock up a spot. The committee has been high on the Ducks all season, and it’s hard to imagine a team jumping them even with a better win.
6
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Ohio State
The Buckeyes are in the same position as last season: 11-1 and done playing. The difference this season is they have a lot more competition for a spot in the playoff. At a minimum, Michigan and the Pac-12 champion will finish ahead of Ohio State. It can back in but will need a lot of help, including wins by Georgia and Washington (just to eliminate the Ducks from the discussion) and losses by FSU and Texas. That would leave just three teams ahead of Ohio State: Georgia, Michigan and Washington.
7
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Texas
Like Oregon, it’s win or go home, but Texas still needs help. The Longhorns have the advantage of a head-to-head road win over Alabama, the best win any team has this season. Beating Oklahoma State in the Big 12 title game should jump Texas ahead of Ohio State and the loser of the Pac-12 title game. Then, a loss by Georgia, Michigan or Florida State should move Texas to fourth.
8
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Alabama
The Crimson Tide need to win and move up four spots in the rankings. Beating Georgia would take care of three spots. Alabama would go past the Bulldogs, the Pac-12 loser and Ohio State. A loss then by Texas, Florida State or Michigan would be required to get the Tide to No. 4.
Beyond this list of contenders, CBS Sports released my updated bowl projections for the 2023-24 season last Sunday. Reminder: These projections are not how things stand now but rather how I expect them to look following the conference championship games Saturday.

Oregon vs. Washington prediction, pick, spread, Pac-12 Championship Game odds, live stream, watch online, TV

The final Pac-12 Championship Game before 10 of the league’s 12 members leave for other conferences carries mammoth implications as No. 3 Washington and No. 5 Oregon square off Friday with a College Football Playoff spot potentially on the line. Washington won the first meeting 36-33 at home on Oct. 14 on its march to an undefeated regular season, but Oregon has been building toward revenge ever since.

With six straight victories, most in dominant fashion, the Ducks are surging at the right time. The Huskies, meanwhile, have been grinding their way through a tough schedule in business-like fashion while seeking to make their first CFP appearance since 2016.

Washington’s 2016 CFP appearance was the last time any Pac-12 team has made the four-team field. Now, in the final season before the league splinters apart, the Pac-12 has two legitimate national title contenders meeting for a conference title. The game will be the first since 1976 between Pac-12 schools both ranked in the top five of the AP Top 25 poll, and if it’s anything like the first meeting between this teams this season, we’re in for a thriller.

Oregon vs. Washington: Need to know
Heisman Trophy implications: Both Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. are squarely in the Heisman Trophy conversation entering Championship Week. While LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels has more impressive stats, he doesn’t have a showcase opportunity like Nix and Penix do this week. Nix has thrown for 3,906 yards, 37 touchdowns and two interceptions while completing a whopping 78.6% of his passes. Nix has also run for six touchdowns. Penix has thrown for 3,899 yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 65.6% of his passes. He also has three rushing touchdowns. Heisman voters bring differing criteria to the selection process, and for those voters who prioritize big-game performance and team success, this game could have a significant impact on the pecking order.

All day to throw: Oregon has allowed just five sacks this season, the fewest given up by any FBS team. Washington ranks 110th in sacks defensively, mustering just 19 on the season. Nix should have plenty of time to throw the football — not that he necessarily needs it since he often gets the football out quickly. The Huskies sacked Nix just once in the first meeting, and it helped lead to one of the Ducks’ two punts on the day. So while there is an obvious payoff to bringing pressure, the Huskies need to realize it’s a mostly fruitless endeavor against Oregon. Washington may be better served dropping seven or eight men into coverage and forcing the Ducks to drive methodically.

Dramatic first meeting: Penix made a statement in Washington’s 36-33 win over Oregon on Oct. 14 when he led a game-winning touchdown drive highlighted by a 35-yard completion to Ja’Lynn Polk and an 18-yard touchdown strike to Rome Odunze. It was one of four passing touchdowns for Penix, who got some help from his defense in clutch situations. The Ducks failed to covert on all three of their fourth-down conversion attempts and missed a potential game-tying field goal as time expired.

How to watch Oregon vs. Washington live
Date: Friday Dec. 1 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Allegiant Stadium — Paradise, Nevada
TV: ABC | Live stream: Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
For a limited time, new subscribers can save $20 on Fubo’s Pro, Elite and Premier plans.

Oregon vs. Washington prediction, picks
This is the final football game of the Pac-12 as we know it. The league has been excellent during its swan song, and the first meeting between these teams was a classic. While Oregon has been among the nation’s most dominant teams since losing to the Huskies in October, Washington has simply refused to lose. There’s a grit and toughness about UW that should keep it close in this game, even though the oddsmakers seem to think a two-possession Oregon victory is possible.

Spencer Rattler, former top QB prospect with Oklahoma, South Carolina, declares

A lengthy career with meaningful stops at Oklahoma and South Carolina has come to an end for Gamecocks quarterback Spencer Rattler, who declared for the 2024 NFL Draft following the end of the team’s 5-7 season. The top quarterback prospect from 247Sports’ Class of 2019 arrived with plenty of fanfare, but flash quickly turned to grit for a signal-caller who endured plenty of career challenges, particularly this past season.

“These two years have by far been the best times of my football life,” Rattler shared in a statement. “The relationships made with my teammates, the big wins together, and getting to experience this great city of Columbia and the best fan base in college football each and every weekend. I want to thank Coach Beamer for bringing me here to South Carolina and letting me be a part of this family. His support and vision for this program and its players is something special.”

Though he arrived at Oklahoma from Pinnacle High School (AZ) with enormous hype, Rattler sat behind Jalen Hurts as a freshman. He did, however, validate the expectations with a 3,000-yard passing effort in his first year as a starter during the COVID-impacted season. That proved to be difficult to replicate; he was benched midway through the 2021 season at Oklahoma in favor Caleb Williams, the eventual Heisman Trophy winner at USC.

A fresh start with South Carolina had its highs, the pinnacle being a three-game hot streak at the end of 2022 with back-to-back wins over Tennessee and Clemson and a Gator Bowl barn burner to boot. Within that stretch, Rattler hit 1,000 yards passing and threw 10 touchdowns.

But as a team, South Carolina had one of the most-sacked offenses in the entire FBS this season. Though Rattler had a statistically significant season with another 3,000-yard effort, it was tough sledding on a down-to-down basis. On many occasions, he was forcing plays for better or worse. Overall, he finishes his college career with 10,807 yards passing and 77 touchdowns.

Rattler’s draft stock
After putting together an impressive 2020 season with the Sooners, many speculated Rattler would be a surefire first-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. Amid a disappointing end to his time with the Sooners and the reboot in Columbia, South Carolina, Rattler’s stock has cooled. However, there are still reasons to believe his name will be called at some point during the draft’s weekend.

So happens, Williams projects as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft while Rattler is likely to end up as a potential Day 3 selection, according to CBS Sports NFL Draft expert Ryan Wilson.

“I actually like Rattler a lot and think he did a good job for South Carolina with little around him (with the exception of WR Xavier Legette),” said Wilson. “I’d take him in Round 3, but he may end up as a Day 3 guy. Really good arm, good athlete, but can force too many throws when trying to make plays late and oftentimes they result in turnovers.”

Who fills in for Rattler at South Carolina?
With Rattler off to the NFL, Beamer’s next priority should be finding his quarterback for next fall. An early candidate will be backup quarterback Luke Doty, who appeared in a handful of games last season for the Gamecocks. Another option for Beamer would be to hit the transfer portal for a plug-and-play starter. A potential name that could fill that role is Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson, who is expected to hit the transfer portal when the window opens next week.

Liberty vs. New Mexico State prediction, pick, spread, football game odds, live stream, watch online, TV

The Conference USA crown is on the line Friday night when No. 24 Liberty — one of five remaining undefeated teams in the FBS — hosts New Mexico State for the 2023 Conference USA Championship Game on CBS Sports Network. The Flames enter the contest seeking perfection in their first season under coach Jamey Chadwell. A New Year’s Six berth is also still on the table if the dominoes fall in the right direction.

For New Mexico State, 2023 has been the continuation of an impressive turnaround under second-year coach Jerry Kill. A program that posted a dismal 35-114 record under the two previous regimes from 2009-2021 has already won 17 games in less than two seasons under Kill’s watch. Now comes a chance for New Mexico State to secure a conference title in its first season as Conference USA member.

Storylines, viewing information and more for the 2023 Conference USA Championship Game follow

Liberty vs. New Mexico State: Need to know
Liberty won’t stop winning: Luring Chadwell away from Coastal Carolina is looking like more and more like home-run hire for Liberty. Not only do the Flames just keep winning, but they often do so comfortably. Each of their last five victories have come by multiple scores, and only twice all season has Liberty found itself in a game decided by a touchdown or less. The Flames also beat New New Mexico State in the regular season, 33-17. Chadwell has won nine or more games in each of the last four seasons. He was 31-6 in his final three years at Coastal Carolina, including 11-win seasons in 2020 and 2021.

Aggies on the rise: Kill may have seemed past his prime when he arrived New Mexico State in time for the 2022 campaign, but the former Power Five coach as quickly proven all skeptics wrong by guiding the Aggies to consecutive winning seasons for the first time since the 1960s. New Mexico’s 10 wins includes a stunner at Auburn in Week 12 after entering as 23.5-point underdog. The total is already the program’s most in a single season since it finished 11-0 in 1960. If the Aggies pull the upset Friday and win their to-be-determined bowl game, Kill will have engineered a historic and improbable finish.

Top scoring offense vs. top scoring defense: Much of the Liberty’s success in 2023 can be attributed to an offense that is in a class of its own within Conference USA. The Flames lead the league at an average of 40.1 points per game. That is more 10 than points better than Western Kentucky and Jacksonville State, who are tied for second at 29.8 points per contest. However, Liberty’s high-powered offense will be tested Friday against a New Mexico State defense that is holding opponents to just 19.7 points per game. The Aggies surrendered 10 points or less three times in the final six games of the regular season, so they’re playing with confidence entering Friday.

How to watch Liberty vs. New Mexico State live
Date: Friday, Dec. 1 | Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Williams Stadium — Lynchburg, Virginia

TV: CBSSN | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (Try It Free)

Liberty vs. New Mexico State prediction, picks
Odds via SportsLine consensus

Defense may win championships, but we already saw Liberty put up points at home on New Mexico State once this season, and both teams have improved since they met back in early September. That’s not to say that the Aggies can’t or won’t put up a better fight this time around, but it’s worth asking just how much a stout defense will matter against what is far and away the conference’s best offense. New Mexico State has surprised more than once this season, but Liberty has come too far to let off the gas with an undefeated season and league title at stake. The Flames’ offense will be enough to get the job done as they capture their first conference title at the FBS level and inch closer to a potential 14-0 finish. Pick: Liberty -10.5

Notre Dame expects to target Duke QB after injury-shortened 2023 season

Duke star Riley Leonard has entered the transfer portal after emerging as one of college football’s top quarterbacks over the past two seasons, according to multiple reports. Though hobbled by injury in 2023, Leonard should be a hot commodity in the portal after helping engineer an impressive turnaround with the Blue Devils. It’s no surprise, then, that Notre Dame is among the schools expected to target Leonard as an impact transfer. Of note: Leonard is entering the portal with a “do not contact” tag, according to 247Sports’ Chris Hummer, indicating he has an idea of where he will go.

Leonard’s entry into the portal comes as Duke grapples with Mike Elko’s departure for Texas A&M. A successor has not been named, and the Blue Devils are currently under the direction of interim coach Trooper Taylor as they prepare for a bowl appearance with a 7-5 record.

Though following Elko to Texas A&M could also be an option for Leonard, there are several other Power Five programs in need of a quarterback. The Fighting Irish are enjoying (maybe a little too much, if you ask Dave Clawson) a successful year with Sam Hartman, who transferred in after a prolific career at Wake Forest. A leader of Leonard’s caliber is desirable for a lot of high-level programs.

Leonard threw for 2,967 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 699 yards and 13 touchdowns during his lone full season as a college starter in 2022. A driving force behind this year’s 5-1 start, Leonard’s injuries against Notre Dame and Florida State eventually cost him the season.

Impact on Duke
Leonard’s emergence helped the Blue Devils go from 3-9 in 2021 to 9-4 in 2022 in Elko’s first season. His departure is another blow to the program that just took a gut punch by losing a promising coach. But his extended, injury-related absence this season allowed the Blue Devils to get a look at a couple of other quarterback options.

The one who rose to the top was Grayson Loftis, who took over the job in November and helped the Blue Devils win two of their final four games. The former three-star prospect threw for 823 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions in seven appearances while completing 53.7% of his passes. In a win over Pittsburgh to close the regular season, he completed 20 of 37 passes for 248 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Of course, more transfers are a given for Duke amid the coaching transition, and a new coaching staff could have its own ideas for what to do with the position.

Quarterback transfers mounting
With the regular season concluded, the number of quality quarterbacks flocking to the portal is quickly rising. In addition to Leonard, among the most notable so far are former high-profile starters KJ Jefferson (Arkansas), Will Howard (Kansas State), Will Rogers (Mississippi State), Tyler Van Dyke (Miami), Max Johnson (Texas A&M) and Grayson McCall (Coastal Carolina).

Five-star DT Justin Scott flips commitment from Ohio State to Hurricanes

With less than three weeks until the start of the Early Signing Period, Miami scored a major recruiting win by flipping five-star DL Justin Scott from Ohio State. The No. 7 overall player in the 2024 recruiting cycle changed his pledge after previously committing to the Buckeyes this past summer. The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder’s addition rockets the Hurricanes’ 2024 class ranking up to No. 5, according to 247Sports.

Scott’s commitment is another big win for Miami assistant Joe Salave’a. Salave’a established himself as an elite recruiter during during his time as a defensive line coach at Oregon, landing the likes of Kayvon Thibodeaux, Noah Sewell and Penei Sewell.

247Sports’ Allen Trieu praised Scott’s athleticism in his scouting report:

Bends well, gets off the ball quickly and can beat blockers with initial quickness. Closes to the ball with speed as well. For a taller interior defensive lineman, he generally does a good job with pad level and his flexibility helps with that. Not often challenged in high school with offensive linemen with similar size and talent. Will have to show he can disengage from Power Five level offensive linemen. Has great upside though and actually could play high-level offensive line if he wanted to also, but projects as a defensive tackle that can play for any school and in any scheme in the country.

Scott is the fifth top-100 player Miami coach Mario Cristobal has landed this cycle, with the others being athlete Zaquan Patterson, edge rusher Marquise Lightfoot, receiver Ny Carr and receiver Joshisa Trader.