The Los Angeles Lakers needed someone to supply the offense against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night and Austin Reaves was willing to take on the challenge.

He set a new career-high of 51 points, surpassing his previous mark of 45, in the Lakers’ 127-120 victory over the rival Kings. He became the 12th player in Lakers history to record 50-plus points in a single game.

Reaves had the opportunity to lead the offense following the absence of Luka Doncic, who was ruled out in the hours leading up to the game due to a finger sprain and a lower left leg contusion and will miss at least a week.

‘He was fantastic and did a little bit of everything tonight,’ Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters after the game. ‘He was all over the place and scored the basketball at an incredible level. … He lives in the moment and is ready for every moment that comes.’

Reaves filled in the void left behind and nearly produced a triple-double performance and finishing with 11 rebounds and nine assists for the Lakers.

The fifth-year player also had a career-high night from the free-throw line, shooting 21-of-22. He also became the eighth player in franchise history to make 20-plus free throws in a game.

The Lakers players celebrated with Reaves in the moments after the game and in the locker room to acknowledge his big night.

‘It means a lot,’ Reaves said. ‘We play basketball for those moments, and for them to treat me like that is special.’

Lakers vs. Kings highlights

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

TORONTO — Blue Jays fans, it turns out, have been wasting all of their time booing and mocking the wrong Japanese star who spurned them in free agency.

It’s Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto who is ruining the Blue Jays’ dreams of their first World Series title in 32 years.

Yamamoto carved his way into postseason history Saturday night, and tore the heart out of the Blue Jays’ high-powered attack, pitching a four-hit complete game as the Dodgers took a 5-1 victory over the Blue Jays, tying the World Series at one game apiece with the Series returning Monday night to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Yamamoto, who retired the final 20 batters he faced, became the first pitcher since Curt Schilling for the 2001 World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks to throw back-to-back complete games in the playoffs. The last pitcher to throw consecutive complete games that included at least one World Series contest was Hall of Famer Tom Glavine with Atlanta in 1992.

And no Dodger has accomplished the feat since Orel Hershiser, who won the 1988 World Series MVP award.

It was a magnificent sequel to Yamamoto’s complete game performance in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, when he gave up just one run and three hits, striking out seven batters.

Yet, as good as that outing was in Milwaukee, this one was even better.

The Blue Jays’ best chance to get to Yamamoto was in the first inning when George Springer led off with a double and Nathan Lukes followed with a single, putting runners on the corners.

Yamamoto shrugged his shoulders, struck out Vladimir Guerrero, induced a soft lineout by Alejandro Kirk, and then struck out Daulton Varsho, ending the inning.

Yamamoto gave up just two hits the rest of the way, including one that was simply a blunder with a 100% catch probability when Ernie Clement’s second-inning infield popup landed harmlessly over charging first baseman Freddie Freeman’s head.

Yet, after Guerrero’s third-inning single and Alejandro Kirk’s sacrifice fly, Yamamoto was perfect.

Twenty up, 20 down.

Five strikeouts, zero walks.

Yamamoto was so dominant that the Blue Jays managed only two balls out of the infield during the 23-batter stretch.

“He’s been great all year,’ said Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith, who drove in three runs, including his first extra-base hit of the postseason with his seventh-inning homer that broke open a 1-1 tie. “He’s had the experience from last year. He is so focused right now.

“I have high expectations for him as always, but he’s just a competitor. He throws Strike 1. Gets ahead. He’s got nasty stuff. Just really makes it tough on hitters.’’

Make it virtually impossible.

It’s why the Dodgers shelled out $325 million two years ago to Yamamoto, who spurned the Blue Jays and their willingness to match the offer or go even higher.

“Whether it is a regular-season game, the playoffs or the World Series,’’ Yamamoto said, “I take every one as similarly as possible. Right now, I think I’m in a pretty good position mentally.”

So are the Dodgers.

The Series may be tied at 1-apiece but all of the momentum – and home-field advantage – are right back in the Dodgers’ court.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

A week after one of the best NASCAR Cup Series drivers of all time to not win a title clinched a spot in the 2025 Championship 4 race, Chase Briscoe earned a spot in his first title race.

The Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driver earned his third win of the season and second of the playoffs with a race to victory in the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

Briscoe took the lead in the final lap of overtime and held off two non-playoff drivers, Todd Gilliland and Ty Gibbs, to get his second playoff in win in eight races.

This means two Joe Gibbs Racing drivers will be in the hunt for the title in Phoenix in the season finale, Briscoe and Denny Hamlin.

‘I don’t know what’s more unbelievable – the fact that we’re going to the Championship 4 or that I won a superspeedway race,’ Briscoe said. ‘What an amazing day.’

Two of four spots in the Championship 4 are now set. This week, NASCAR heads to one of the oldest tracks on the calendar – Martinsville Speedway – to potentially secure a third contender.

It’s the penultimate round of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Here’s everything you need to know to get ready for the Xfinity 500 on Sunday, Oct. 26:

What time does the NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville?

The Xfinity 500 is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 26 at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia.

What TV channel is the NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville?

The Xfinity 500 will be broadcast on NBC, the channel for the final three races of the Cup Series playoffs. Pre-race coverage will start at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville?

Yes, the Xfinity 500 will be streamed on Peacock, HBO Max, Sling TV and Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.

Stream the NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville on Fubo

How many laps is the NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville?

The Xfinity 500 is 500 laps around the 0.526-mile track for a total of 263 miles. The race will have three segments (laps per stage) — Stage 1: 130 laps; Stage 2: 130 laps; Stage 3: 240 laps.

NASCAR Cup Series playoff standings

Here’s how things look with one race left in the Round of 8. The bottom four drivers will be eliminated after Martinsville ahead of the finale in Phoenix. Drivers who have secured a spot in the Championship 4 are marked with an asterisk.

1. Chase Briscoe*
2. Christopher Bell (+9)
3. Kyle Larson (+10)
4. Denny Hamlin (+13)*
5. William Byron (+46)
6. Joey Logano (+48)
7. Ryan Blaney (+57)
8. Chase Elliott (+72)

Who won the NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville last year?

The race wasn’t without controversy, though, as Christopher Bell’s late pass on Bubba Wallace was ruled illegal because of ‘wall-riding’ and that kept Bell out of the Championship 4.

NASCAR playoff race at Martinsville starting lineup

1. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
2. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
3. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
4. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
5. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
6. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
7. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
8. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
9. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
10. Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
11. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
12. Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
13. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
14. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
15. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
16. Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
17. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
18. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
19. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
20. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
21. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
22. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
23. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
24. Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports Ford
25. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
26. Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
27. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
28. Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
29. Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford
30. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
31. Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
32. Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
33. Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing Toyota
34. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet
35. Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
36. Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford

Real Madrid and Barcelona face off in El Clasico on Sunday, Oct. 26 at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick received a red card last week and assistant coach Marcus Song will take charge for the heated rivalry match. ‘It’s an honor to be on the bench leading this team,’ Song told reporters.

Last season, Barcelona beat Real Madrid in four consecutive meetings in three competitions.

‘The match has a special flavor and is the most important one right now,’ Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said. ‘There will be similar situations, but it is completely different (from last season).’

What time is El Clasico Barcelona vs Real Madrid?

Sunday’s Real Madrid-Barcelona game kicks off at 11:15 a.m. ET.

How to watch El Clasico: Barcelona-Real Madrid TV channel, stream

The match will air on ESPN2 and can be streamed on Fubo.

Watch El Clasico LIVE on Fubo

Lamine Yamal stirs up El Clasico

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso declined to comment on Saturday after Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal suggested the capital club ‘cheat’ and ‘complain’ in a televised interview on Friday.

Alonso faced repeated questions from reporters regarding Yamal’s remarks, made during an appearance on a Kings League program alongside former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique.

The 18-year-old Barca forward compared Real to Porcinos, a Kings League team, stating: ‘Of course! Yes, they cheat, they complain …’ The comments, which Pique supported, stirred debate in the build-up to one of soccer’s most iconic fixtures. — Reuters

TORONTO — Of the 82 pitches Kevin Gausman threw in Game 2 of the World Series, almost all of them were either untouchable or produced no damage.

Yet two swings by Will Smith did, and that was the very narrow margin between Gausman and Los Angeles Dodgers stalwart Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as Smith’s go-ahead home run in the seventh inning broke up a fantastic pitching duel and Yamamoto pitched a four-hitter, lifting the Dodgers to an eventual 5-1 victory at Rogers Centre.

This World Series is now tied, 1-1, as the clubs flee Canada for the sunny climes of Los Angeles and the middle three games of seven. In squaring the Series, the Dodgers buried some of the demons from their Game 1 shellacking at the hands of the Blue Jays.

Yamamoto briefly followed in Game 1 starter Blake Snell’s footsteps, throwing 23 pitches in a high-stress first inning that resulted in no runs and a pair of Blue Jays stranded on base. Yet unlike Snell, Yamamoto did not wear any residual damage from hanging that zero: He gave up a game-tying sacrifice fly to Alejandro Kirk in the third inning, starting a string of 20 consecutive batters retired to finish the game. 

On a night World Series walk-off legend Joe Carter threw out the first pitch and 44,607 fans at the Rogers Centre roared as the game remained 1-1, Yamamoto methodically rocked them to sleep – one night after the Blue Jays roared for 11 runs on 14 hits in an 11-4 Game 1 romp.

Yamamoto wasn’t having any of that. His pitch counts every subsequent inning after his sketchy first bordered on the absurd: 10, 13, six, eight, 11, eight and then 14 as he struck out the side in the eighth inning, unleashing every weapon in his arsenal: A curveball to set down Andrés Giménez, and then 96-mph fastballs to set down George Springer swinging, and Nathan Lukes looking.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers finally got to Gausman, as Max Muncy followed Smith out to left field two batters later, his opposite-field drive ending the right-handers night trailing 3-1. They tacked on two more runs off reliever Louis Varland in the eighth, giving Yamamoto space to complete his wizardry and keep the Dodgers bullpen idled.

The Dodgers stayed away from their weakness, and leaned into their strength: Yamamoto, who’s now led them to victory in seven of his eight postseason outings over two World Series runs. 

– Gabe Lacques

Here’s how Game 2 unfolded in Toronto:

Yoshinobu Yamamoto dominates through eight, Dodgers up 5-2

Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out the side in the bottom of the eighth, sending Game 2 to the ninth inning with the Dodgers up 5-1. Yamamoto is at 93 pitches and Dave Roberts may send him back out to finish off a second consecutive complete game.

Dodgers tack on two in the eighth, lead 5-2

The Dodgers loaded the bases with one out in the top of the eighth against Louis Varland, who gave way to Jeff Hoffman with the Blue Jays trailing 3-1. Hoffman threw a wild pitch that brought Andy Pages in to score from third and make the Dodgers’ lead 4-1. After intentionally walking Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers got their fifth run across on Will Smith’s RBI groundout. It’s 5-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth.

Will Smith, Max Muncy home runs finally break Gausman

TORONTO – Nearly six innings of perfection from Kevin Gausman got spoiled by one swing from Will Smith. 

Smith hooked a full-count fastball just inside the left field foul net to snap a string of 17 consecutive batters retired. Two batters later, Max Muncy went to the same spot, but the opposite field, and dropped a solo homer into the Blue Jays bullpen, giving the Dodgers a 3-1 lead into the middle of the seventh in World Series Game 2. 

Gausman and Dodgers counterpart Yoshinobu Yamamoto were locked in an epic standoff featuring two of the greatest split-finger fastballs in the game. Only Smith had gotten to Gausman: He provided an RBI single in the first, and then no Dodger reached base again until Smith’s one-out homer in the seventh. 

Yamamoto, meanwhile, was touched for a third-inning sacrifice fly from Alejandro Kirk, starting his own string of 11 batters retired. 

The question now: At just 59 pitches through six innings, can Yamamoto keep the porous Dodgers bullpen idled long enough for them to square the series, 1-1?

Kevin Gausman retires 16 in a row

Kevin Gausman retired Andy Pages, Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts in the top of the sixth and has now retired 16 straight batters since giving up a run-scoring single in the first inning.

Halfway through six, it’s still 1-1.

To the sixth: Dodgers 1, Blue Jays 1

Kevin Gausman hasn’t given up a hit since the first inning and is through five in Toronto, holding the Dodgers scoreless since the opening frame. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has four strikeouts in his five innings of work for the Dodgers.

Alejandro Kirk sac fly ties Game 2 in the third

Yoshinobu Yamamoto hit George Springer to lead off the bottom of the third and with one out, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drilled a ball off the left-field wall that got Springer to third. Alejandro Kirk followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, tying the game 1-1 at Rogers Centre.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto pulls off first-inning Houdini

TORONTO – Once again, the legends are out and the vibes are electric at Rogers Centre. And down on the field, World Series Game 2 is taking on the feel of hand-to-hand combat. 

For the second consecutive night, the Los Angeles Dodgers struck first, as Will Smith’s RBI single off Kevin Gausman gave them a 1-0 lead after one inning. 

Yet while the Dodgers tallied single runs in the second and third inning of Game 1, a high-stress first inning in which Blake Snell threw 29 pitches eventually came back to haunt them. 

So far, the script has held in Game 2. 

The Blue Jays put runners on first and third with nobody out and, although starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto punched out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts, he needed 23 pitches to do it. 

Both George Springer – who hit a leadoff double – and Vlaidimir Guerrero Jr. fouled off a pair of two-strike pitches and Daulton Varsho took Yamamoto to a full count before striking out looking to end the inning. 

So, the Dodgers drew first blood. But will it once again be a Pyrrhic victory? 

Dodgers take first-inning lead

After Freddie Freeman doubled with two outs against Kevin Gausman in the top of the first, Dodgers catcher Will Smith lashed a single up the middle to score the game’s first run.

Freeman’s double came on the eighth pitch of his at-bat, extending the inning to bring All-Star Smith to the plate.

Dodgers lineup today

1. Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
2. Mookie Betts (R) SS
3. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
4. Will Smith (R) C
5. Teoscar Hernández (R) RF
6. Max Muncy (L) 3B
7. Enrique Hernández (R) LF
8. Tommy Edman (S) 2B
9. Andy Pages (R) CF

Blue Jays lineup today

1. George Springer (R) DH
2. Nathan Lukes (L) LF
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
4. Alejandro Kirk (R) C
5. Daulton Varsho (L) CF
6. Ernie Clement (R) 3B
7. Addison Barger (L) RF
8. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) 2B
9. Andrés Giménez (L) SS

Yoshinobu Yamamoto stats vs Blue Jays

Yoshinobu Yamamoto has a 2.82 ERA in seven career postseason starts and a 1.83 ERA in three starts in the 2025 playoffs. Last time out,the right-hander tossed a complete game in Game 2 of the NLCS, giving up just three hits in the Dodgers’ win.

‘He is so focused right now, it’s going to be a fun night for him,’ catcher Will Smith said before Game 2. ‘I have high expectations for him as always.’

Dodgers World Series roster 2025

Pitchers (12): LHP Anthony Banda, LHP Jack Dreyer, RHP Tyler Glasnow, RHP Edgardo Henriquez, LHP Clayton Kershaw, RHP Will Klein, RHP Roki Sasaki, RHP Emmet Sheehan, LHP Blake Snell, RHP Blake Treinen, LHP Justin Wrobleski, RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Position, two-way players (14): SS Mookie Betts, OF Alex Call, OF Justin Dean, INF/OF Tommy Edman, 1B Freddie Freeman, INF/OF Kiké Hernández, OF Teoscar Hernández, INF/OF Hyeseong Kim, 3B Max Muncy, DH/P Shohei Ohtani, OF Andy Pages, INF Miguel Rojas, C Ben Rortvedt, C Will Smith.

Blue Jays World Series roster

Pitchers (12): RHP Chris Bassitt, RHP Shane Bieber, RHP Seranthony Dominguez, RHP Braydon Fisher, LHP Mason Fluharty, RHP Kevin Gausman, RHP Jeff Hoffman, LHP Eric Lauer, LHP Brendon Little, RHP Max Scherzer, RHP Louis Varland, RHP Trey Yesavage.

Position players (14): C Tyler Heineman, C Alejandro Kirk, INF/OF Addison Barger, INF Bo Bichette, INF Ernie Clement, INF Ty France, INF Andrés Giménez, INF Vladimir Guerrero Jr., INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa, OF Nathan Lukes, OF Davis Schneider, OF George Springer, OF Myles Straw, OF Daulton Varsho.

World Series announcers

• Joe Davis, play-by-play
• John Smoltz, color commentary
• Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci, dugout reporters

2025 World Series umpires

MLB announced the umpires and full schedule for the crew chosen to call this year’s World Series. Mark Wegner has been designated as crew chief for the first time. It’s his third World Series overall overall during a 25-year career.

Here’s how the umpires will line up for Game 2:

• Home plate: Adrian Johnson
• First base: John Tumpane
• Second base: Alan Porter (crew chief)
• Third base: Adam Hamari
• Left field: Jordan Baker
• Right field: Will Little
• Reserve: Mark Wegner

World Series national anthems for Game 2

Bebe Rexha is performing the American national anthem before Game 2 in Toronto while Alessia Cara is singing the Canadian anthem.

World Series schedule 2025

• Game 1: Blue Jays 11, Dodgers 4
• Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25 in Toronto – 8 p.m. ET, FOX
• Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27 in Los Angeles – 8 p.m. ET, FOX
• Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28 in Los Angeles – 8 p.m. ET, FOX
• *Game 5: Wednesday, Oct. 29 in Los Angeles – 8 p.m. ET, FOX
• *Game 6: Friday, Oct. 31 in Toronto – 8 p.m. ET, FOX
• *Game 7: Saturday, Nov. 1 in Toronto – 8 p.m. ET, FOX

World Series winners by year

• 2024: Dodgers
• 2023: Rangers
• 2022: Astros
• 2021: Braves
• 2020: Dodgers
• 2019: Nationals
• 2018: Red Sox
• 2017: Astros
• 2016: Cubs
• 2015: Royals
• 2014: Giants
• 2013: Red Sox
• 2012: Giants
• 2011: Cardinals
• 2010: Giants

How many times have the Dodgers won the World Series?

The Dodgers have won eight World Series titles in franchise history – one in Brooklyn and seven in Los Angeles

• 1955 vs. Yankees
• 1959 vs. White Sox
• 1963 vs. Yankees
• 1965 vs. Twins
• 1981 vs. Yankees
• 1988 vs. Athletics
• 2020 vs. Rays
• 2024 vs. Yankees

Blue Jays World Series appearances

Toronto won back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 (vs. Braves) and 1993 (vs. Phillies), the only times in franchise history the club has reached the Fall Classic since coming into existence in 1977.

When did the Dodgers move to LA?

The Dodgers left Brooklyn after the 1957 season, playing their first game in Los Angeles in 1958.

The Giants departed New York for San Francisco at the same time, bringing the historic rivalry to the West Coast.

Did Vladimir Guerrero win a World Series?

Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero never won a World Series title, making his only Fall Classic appearance for the Texas Rangers in 2010, the penultimate of his 16-year MLB career.

Dodgers vs Blue Jays tickets

The irony is so perfectly profound, it’s almost as if someone in the great gridiron in the sky is moving the puzzle pieces.

With a sick sense of humor.

A year after whining and moaning about Indiana’s viability in the College Football Playoff race, after spending the entire offseason badgering the CFP selection committee into focusing more on strength of schedule, the SEC now has its own one-loss, historically lovable loser trying to crash the joint. 

Without a resume to show for it.  

Vanderbilt, meet Indiana, 2024. And never the twain shall be compared, if the SEC has anything to do with it.

Because what was once a hill to die on, has now become an exit ramp to avoiding all of that CFP traffic. Don’t believe what your eyes tell you, everyone.

Just look at the record. The ― I can’t believe I’m writing this after the SEC’s tantrum last November ― wins.

Hell, Vanderbilt nearly lost Saturday afternoon to Missouri, which lost its starting quarterback in the middle of what can only be described as a game of two teams who think they’re playoff worthy, but aren’t.

Indiana won 11 games and beat one team with a winning record in 2024, yet was awarded one of the seven precious at-large CFP spots. Vanderbilt, if it finishes the regular season with an 11-1 record, will have beaten (maybe) one ranked team — depending on how the seasons at LSU and Tennessee unfold. 

Before we go further, I recognize the overall schedule Vanderbilt will have faced is more difficult than what Indiana went through. But to be fair the Hoosiers, they beat the ever-loving crap out of everyone they played, with the exception of Ohio State.

Vanderbilt is winning one-possession games. 

Indiana had brash and boorish coach Curt Cignetti telling everyone to go suck it. Vandy has calm and stoic Clark Lea, the Mr. Clean of college football.

“They fought down the stretch,” Lea told the ESPN sideline reporter moments after yet another Vandy gut-check win. “If we can build off this, there’s a lot to learn.”

If that doesn’t make you want to root for the program that has never won the SEC championship, never won 10 games in a season, and isn’t that far behind Indiana in the annals of suck, I don’t know what will.

Indiana has more losses (715) than any other program in Division I history. Vanderbilt (671) is close in the Crimson wake. 

Indiana did what it was told it had to do in 2024 to reach the CFP, and then got blasted for doing it. So if I was a card-carrying member of the you’ve got to be kidding me club then (I was), I can’t very well back off now.

Because you better believe the narrative from the SEC is going to be wins, wins, wins — when last year with Indiana, it was some good losses are better than wins. It’s almost like we were all living through our own Animal Farm. 

All college football games are equal, the great George Orwell wrote, but some college football games are more equal than others. Or something like that. 

Forget that Alabama last year lost three times as a double-digit favorite, the last by 21 points to the worst Oklahoma team in three decades — with a spot in the CFP on the line. 

Or that Ole Miss lost to a putrid Kentucky team at home, then lost to a reeling Florida team (that nearly fired its coach) — with a spot in the CFP on the line. 

Then, when those arguments didn’t hold water, the SEC shifted to South Carolina, whose resume was no better than Indiana’s. But the Gamecocks, everyone, were the “hottest team” in college football. 

Absurd. All of it. 

So now we’re going to hear the SEC spin of Vanderbilt beating South Carolina when the now five-loss (and counting) Gamecocks were ranked. And beating LSU when the Tigers — who have beaten no one — were ranked.

Or the gutty, gritty win against No.15 Missouri, which lost its starting quarterback early in the second half and wasn’t the same thereafter. Frankly, Missouri hasn’t beaten anyone either. 

“That’s a really good Missouri team,” Lea said after the game. 

Of course it is, because it’s on the Vanderbilt schedule. And from here moving forward, everyone on the Vandy schedule is or was world beaters.

Which brings us all the way back to Indiana, this season’s bully on the block. A year after fighting weekly for his team that played no one, Cignetti has the best team in college football. 

They’ve left no doubt in big games, and if all goes as planned, will be playing Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game for the No. 1 seed in the CFP. Meanwhile, the SEC will be fighting for Vanderbilt to reach the big show, highlighting those wins against teams that were better when the Commodores beat them. 

Really, they were. 

What a wicked sense of humor from the college football gods. 

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.