If Mateer builds on his 2024 season – especially against high-level SEC opponents – and shores up his weaknesses, don’t be surprised if he goes higher than the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

A former five-star recruit, this kid is about to become a household name this season. And any worries about Lagway’s shoulder (he couldn’t throw in the spring) are gone as he’s reportedly 100 per cent healthy now.

The newly expanded college football playoffs begin on Friday with the seventh seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish taking on 10th seed Indiana.

Talk about a turnaround. The Indiana Hoosiers have gone 2-10, 4-8 and 3-9 over the last three seasons, respectively. What about that run could have prepared anyone for them to post an 11-1 mark this year, finishing tied for second in the Big 10 while ranking eighth in the AP poll (and at one point, as high as fifth)?

After a horribly disappointing 2023 season, the South Carolina Gamecocks have bounced back big time, winning their final six games to finish the regular season at 9-3, ranked 13th in the country — its highest since being a top 10 program a decade ago.

After a disappointing 2023 season (5-7), the Illinois Fighting Illini have bounced back big time so far this season, getting off to a 3-0 start to rank third in the Big Ten and No. 24 in the country.