Who is NUMBER ONE in College Football Power Rankings? 🏈

With college football starting on Saturday, it’s time to take a look at our Top 50 Power Rankings.

We know which schools have been included in the AP Top 25, but that poll excludes a sizable group of teams that can wreak havoc and provide us with massive upsets.

Find out why the Oregon Ducks look like a team to watch this year.

📋 BACK OFFICE BUZZ: THE RUNDOWN 8/20/24

• Fantasy Football Rankings

• NBA Power Rankings

• NBA Schedule Release

• Plus Daily MLB Picks

⛔ Fade Justin Jefferson in Fantasy Football

FANTASY FOOTBALL EXPERT, FRANK AMMIRANTE: 

There’s no question that Justin Jefferson is one of the three best wide receivers in the NFL, but it’s a good year to avoid the Vikings’ star in fantasy football.

This is a player who routinely goes in the top five of drafts despite question marks at quarterback with Sam Darnold starting for the entire season now that J.J. McCarthy is out for the year.

With Darnold under center, it’s reasonable to wonder if the Vikings will have one of the worst offenses in the NFL this season.

When you look at other players available in the first round, each one plays on an offense that can finish in the top 10:

Christian McCaffrey (49ers), CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys), Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals), Bijan Robinson (Falcons), A.J. Brown (Eagles), Breece Hall+Garrett Wilson (Jets), and Amon-Ra St. Brown+Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions).

Why take the risk with Jefferson when there are so many other good players available? Do you really want to deal with Darnold’s potentially erratic play at quarterback?

The opposing argument could be that Jefferson should see a ton of targets. Sure, but so did Davante Adams last season. The former Packer had 175 targets in 2023, but still only ranked as WR18 in fantasy PPG.

With that in mind, it’s easy to fade Jefferson as his current top-five ADP, which is why he’s lower in my rankings.

🏀 NBA Power Rankings

NBA EXPERT, GARRETT CHORPENNING: 

The Knicks are going to be a PROBLEM this year.

This team went 50-32 this past season despite getting 69 combined appearances from Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, the latter of whom was acquired via an in-season trade.

New York's impressive campaign ended with a second-round exit, but it's clear that this team has yet to reach its peak.

The franchise continued building this summer, bringing in defensive-minded forward Mikal Bridges before re-signing Anunoby to a five-year deal.

Bridges is a seamless fit on both ends of the floor, and his history with Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart should help to minimize any growing pains.

New York still needs to find another big to replace Isaiah Hartenstein, but assuming it can effectively shore up its depth, this team will be well-positioned to make a run at its first NBA title since 1973.

Expect some epic battles with the Celtics and Sixers.

Find out where the Knicks rank in our NBA Power Rankings.

👀 Top 10 Best NBA Games This Season

Our NBA Expert Garrett Chorpenning ranked the top 10 NBA games on this year’s schedule.

Here’s one of his favorites:

4. Philadelphia 76ers @ Boston Celtics

Wednesday, Dec. 25 (5 p.m. ET, ABC)

Why it matters: The NBA's annual Christmas Day slate is generally one of the most exciting days of the season, and this year is no exception. In addition to the aforementioned tilt between the Lakers and Warriors, we'll also be treated to Sixers-Celtics.

Boston will serve as a significant measuring stick for Philadelphia, which added Paul George to an already-stellar core of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey this offseason.

All the pieces are seemingly there for the 76ers, but dating back to 2017-18, Embiid has yet to lead the team beyond the second round of the playoffs.

This game has every reason to be an instant classic. Expect plenty of drama.

Find out which game ranks number one this year.

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