NFL preseason Week 2 takeaways; coaches predict college basketball’s best teams

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🏈 Five things to know Monday

1. NFL preseason Week 2 might have settled the Browns’ quarterback battle. Although Shedeur Sanders was only decent in his first start of the preseason, he was significantly better than Deshaun Watson, and it’s no overreaction to say that might be enough to win him the job. Browns fans booed Watson off the field, so it’s safe to say the Cleveland community is ready for Sanders to settle in as the starter. Meanwhile, in Atlanta, Michael Penix Jr. is cleared for 11-on-11 drills and could push Tua Tagovailoa over the coming weeks. And while the Raiders have not formally named Kirk Cousins their starter, all signs point to him leading the offense in Week 1 instead of Fernando Mendoza. Speaking of all these quarterbacks, we graded all 15 of the rookies who saw the field in this week’s preseason action. Elsewhere, Harrison Butker drilled a 69-yard field goal, which would be an NFL record if it happened in the regular season. Also, Ashton Jeanty sustained an injury in practice and could be in danger of missing time.
2. Class of 2022 athletes are ineligible for college sports again — or are they? A federal court granted the NCAA’s appeal to the lawsuit that gave some athletes a fifth year of eligibility. But a large group of football and basketball players remain cleared to return to school, as the ruling does not apply to those who filed individual lawsuits. That means linebacker Trent Hendrick is allowed to transfer to UCLA after going through minicamp with the Browns, and it paves the way for former Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos to enter the transfer portal. In college basketball, Mark Mitchell committed to Kentucky for his extra year, which gives the Wildcats a boost in our just in Top 25 And 1.
3. Enes Kanter Freedom was ejected from his courtside seat at the Fever-Sky game. The WNBA has become an arena for the debate surrounding transgender athletes, and Kanter Freedom is outspoken in the discourse. The former NBA player requested eligibility for the WNBA Draft and sat courtside Sunday night, and after he got into a verbal altercation with Sky guard Natasha Cloud, a game official and security personnel removed him from his seat. This incident came just three days after commissioner Cathy Engelbert denounced those who seek to use the WNBA to “sow divisiveness.”
4. The Premier League season kicked off with a few shocking results. Nobody was surprised to see Arsenal take care of business with a dominant 3-0 win over Coventry City. But Hull City’s 2-0 upset of Manchester United? Yeah, that one was a stunner. Sound the alarm bells for United, and while you’re at it, check Aston Villa’s pulse — the 4-0 loss to Brighton suggests they might be in for a rough start to the season. If you still haven’t decided who to root for this year, check out our guide to European soccer and determine your best fit. Or maybe just support the team with the best kits.
5. Wyndham Clark fended off Rory McIlroy to win the BMW Championship. The 30-man field for the Tour Championship is set following the second event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Clark entered the final round with a five-stroke lead and bounced back from a shaky start with birdies on the last three holes to hold off second-place Patrick Cantlay and third-place Rory McIlroy. In addition to the No. 3 spot in the cup standings, Clark won himself a $3.6 million payday. He stands behind only Matt Fitzpatrick and Scottie Scheffler, the latter of which battled hand, foot and mouth disease during his struggles at the BMW Championship.

🏀 Do not miss this: Coaches predict college basketball’s top teams

Every year, our Matt Norlander and Gary Parrish survey coaches across Division I men’s basketball on a number of topics. One of the most highly anticipated sections of the Candid Coaches series each preseason is the one in which coaches pick the best teams for the upcoming campaign. While nine schools received votes this year, there is a consensus on the top few.

Just one year removed from a national championship, Florida decidedly has the best squad in America heading into 2026-27. Of the nearly 100 coaches Norlander and Parrish surveyed, 55% voted for the Gators as the top team in the land.

• Anonymous coach: “Not even close, in my opinion. The combination of great returning players along with Todd Golden and Carlin Hartman at the helm is unmatched. (Denzel) Aberdeen being somewhat cleared to play a fifth year is just icing on the cake. Really tough schedule obviously, but I could see them dropping only four games before SEC tournament starts in March.”

A few takeaways from the poll, in which Duke, Tennessee, UConn and Illinois were also highly regarded:

• The Blue Devils might have the sport’s deepest roster.
• This could be the best offense Rick Barnes has rostered since joining the Volunteers.
• Braylon Mullins and Silas Demary Jr. give UConn one of the nation’s top backcourts.
• The Fighting Illini could again have a top-two offense.

⚾ Brewers stand tall atop MLB Power Rankings

Last week, the Brewers asserted themselves as the best team in baseball with a 3-1 series win over the Dodgers. That’s a tough act to follow. All they did in their next time out was demolish the Mariners in a 22-0 laugher. And then they won that series and their three-game set with the Braves. This team is cooking.

Milwaukee is not only on pace for its first 100 season, but it also has a realistic chance of winning its first World Series. It strengthened its grip on the No. 1 spot in our MLB Power Rankings, which Matt Snyder justified by listing some absurd stats:

• Snyder: “They have one of the best defenses in baseball (sitting sixth in defensive efficiency, for example). Despite sitting in last in home runs, they are in the top five in batting average and top 10 in OPS, checking in as one of the most prolific run-scoring teams in baseball. They sit third in stolen bases and are one of the best baserunning teams in baseball. They are second in the majors in ERA, too.”

As for the teams the Brewers cruised past over the past week, they are trending in all sorts of directions.

2. Dodgers (↑2)
6. Braves (↓3)
20. Mariners (↑3)

👍👎 The best (and not-so-best) of the rest

• Klay Thompson is set to join the Heat following his buyout agreement with the Mavericks, and DeMar DeRozan is bound for the Nuggets on a minimum contract.
• Alabama named Keelon Russell its starting quarterback, which might raise the Crimson Tide’s ceiling.
• Citing his ongoing knee issue, Jannik Sinner unveiled his withdrawal from the U.S. Open.
• Teofimo Lopez is a three-division world champion thanks to his 12-round win over Rolly Romero.
• Andy Pages broke his hand, Giancarlo Stanton suffered another calf injury, Ryan Weathers strained his left forearm flexor and Casey Mize has a sprained ankle. Plus the off-field drama surrounding Ketel Marte took another turn.
• The 49ers finally received good injury news. Things are looking up for George Kittle.
• Here’s how Sergio Garcia’s meltdown at the Masters might have played a role in LIV Golf’s financial struggles.
• Rashod Bateman faces multiple misdemeanor charges, including family violence, following his arrest in June.
• Gregory Rodrigues defeated Anthony Hernandez by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night and now wants a bout with Dricus du Plessis. Also, there’s a new main event for Noche UFC on Sept. 12 as Jose Delgado replaces the injured Yair Rodriguez.
• We graded the Saints-49ers trade that broke in the final hours of preseason Week 2.
• Can anyone stop A’ja Wilson from running away with her third consecutive MVP award? Caitlin Clark and Olivia Miles could have a say in the race.
• You won’t want to miss the 10 best coaching matchups of the college football season.
• CM Punk successfully defended the undisputed WWE championship, but he largely has Sami Zayn to thank.
• After eight seasons and four Pro Bowl selections, Nick Chubb called it a career.
• In another team ownership shakeup, Marc Stad purchased a majority stake in the Timberwolves and Lynx. Don’t expect the Dodgers to hit the market, though, in the wake of Mark Walter‘s sale of the Lakers.

📺 What we’re watching Monday

⚽ Lazio at Bologna, 12:30 p.m. on Paramount+
⚾ LLWS: Panama vs. Canada, 1 p.m. on ESPN
⚽ Chelsea at Fulham, 3 p.m. on USA Network
⚾ LLWS: Ohio vs. Texas, 3 p.m. on ESPN
⚾ LLWS: Czechia vs. Japan, 5 p.m. on ESPN
🤼 WWE Raw, 6 p.m. on Netflix
⚾ Rays at Tigers, 6:40 p.m. on FS1
⚾ LLWS: Pennsylvania vs. Alabama, 7 p.m. on ESPN
🏀 Valkyries at Lynx, 8 p.m. on USA Network
⚾ Reds at Giants, 9:45 p.m. on FS1
🏀 Dream at Sparks, 10 p.m. on NBC Sports Network