Oregon Soars to No. 2 in AP Poll; NFL Highlights from Dublin

The latest Associated Press college football poll has seen significant shifts, with Oregon rising to the No. 2 spot behind Ohio State, who retains the top position for the fifth consecutive week. Oregon’s ascent follows a thrilling two-overtime victory against Penn State, marking their highest ranking since last year. The Buckeyes secured 46 first-place votes, while Alabama made a return to the top 10. Additionally, Virginia has entered the Top 25 for the first time in six years, adding to the weekend’s excitement in college football.

Oregon’s impressive performance has placed them just behind Ohio State, while Miami now sits at No. 3. Mississippi and Oklahoma round out the top five. The shifting landscape of the rankings is expected to continue as several top teams faced defeats over the weekend.

Steelers Triumph in Historic Dublin NFL Game

In a historic moment for the National Football League, the Pittsburgh Steelers secured a 24-21 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the league’s first regular-season game held in Dublin. Kenneth Gainwell shone with a remarkable performance, rushing for 99 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Notably, DK Metcalf contributed significantly with five receptions for 126 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown.

Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz, filling in for the injured J.J. McCarthy, completed 30 of 46 passes for 350 yards, along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. This win improved the Steelers’ record to 3-1 as they head into their bye week.

Compounding the drama, the Steelers confirmed that backup quarterback Skylar Thompson was involved in an incident on Friday night, where reports indicated he was robbed in Dublin. The team stated they are collaborating with NFL security to gather more information regarding the situation. Thompson was briefly hospitalized with minor injuries but did not participate in the game against the Vikings.

Ryder Cup and College Football Updates

As the U.S. Ryder Cup team seeks an improbable comeback, captain Keegan Bradley has decided to send Cameron Young out first for the singles matches. The U.S. trails the European team 12-5, the largest deficit under the current format since 1979. Young’s opening match will see him face Justin Rose as the Americans aim to turn the tide on the final day.

In college football, the AP Top 25 is bracing for significant changes after a weekend of upsets. Four teams in the top 10 lost, including Penn State and Florida State, both falling in double overtime. LSU and Georgia also faced defeats. Oregon’s victory against Penn State positions them to rise further in the rankings, while Alabama’s strong performance against Georgia is expected to boost their standing. Meanwhile, teams like Notre Dame benefited from big wins, while Florida State and TCU may see a drop after their losses.

In the NFL, Jaxson Dart made an impressive debut as the starting quarterback for the New York Giants, scoring a 15-yard touchdown on a 90-yard opening drive against the undefeated Los Angeles Chargers. Dart, who replaced Russell Wilson, received a warm welcome from the crowd at MetLife Stadium as the Giants looked for their first victory of the season.

In Major League Baseball, the race for the final National League playoff spot is heating up. Heading into the last day of the regular season, the Cincinnati Reds will secure the National League’s third and final wild card if they win against the Milwaukee Brewers or if the New York Mets lose against Miami. Both teams hold identical 83-78 records, but Cincinnati holds the head-to-head tiebreaker after winning four of six matchups against the Mets this season.

In the Premier League, Arsenal clinched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Newcastle, with Gabriel scoring a last-minute winner. This result has moved Arsenal up to second place, just two points shy of league leaders Liverpool. The victory came on the heels of Liverpool’s first defeat of the season, a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace.

Lastly, in a significant coaching change, Arkansas has fired head coach Sam Pittman after a 32-34 record, following a disappointing 56-13 loss to Notre Dame. Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino has been named interim head coach, and a national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.