Today: Intel from Michigan, CFP bracket predictions, top players to transfer, and early March Madness projections.

~6 minute read (1,480 words)

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NCAA FOOTBALL

Inside the Michigan turmoil: Moore's firing leads to scrutiny of AD Warde Manuel

Michigan's program is entering one of its most turbulent stretches in years. Less than a month before the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, the Wolverines fired head coach Sherrone Moore with cause and now face a rapidly evolving set of challenges on and off the field. His dismissal, the circumstances surrounding it, and the administrative fallout have created uncertainty at every level of the program.

New developments surrounding Sherrone Moore's firing

Michigan fired Moore on Wednesday after a university investigation found credible evidence that he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Hours later, alarming details emerged about Moore's detainment.

Moore allegedly broke into the staffer's home, grabbed a knife, and threatened harm before being taken into protective custody by mental health professionals. Moore was detained in Saline, transferred to Pittsfield Township police, and booked in the Washtenaw County Jail. He remains in custody and is expected to be arraigned today. 911 dispatch audio was released publicly yesterday and can be heard here.

Scrutiny turns to Warde Manuel

Attention quickly shifted to how Michigan leadership handled Moore's firing. NBC Sports reported that the administration had been alerted that Moore was dealing with mental health issues before Wednesday. However, Warde Manuel met with and fired him without HR or security present.

With a coaching search now underway, Manuel's own future is being discussed by the Board of Regents, according to John U. Bacon. Michigan is already operating with an interim president. If Manuel's status changes, the Wolverines could be attempting to hire their next head coach with both an interim president and an interim athletic director, a level of instability that could complicate the search.

Michigan bowl outlook and roster intel

Michigan is slated to play in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31, though the roster outlook remains fluid. ESPN's Pete Thamel explained that a recent transfer portal rule change will help stabilize things in the short term. Players can enter the portal within five days of a new coach being hired, but the general window does not open until Jan. 2.

That timing limits immediate departures, including for quarterback Bryce Underwood. On3's Pete Nakos reports that the next coaching hire will play a critical role in Underwood's decision. The latest intel on Underwood's future can be found here.

Thamel added that it is too early to know how significantly the roster will be affected before the bowl, but there is no indication the Wolverines will be unable to compete. The Big Ten is incentivized to play, and the roster is expected to remain intact enough for the Wolverines to move forward.

Get the latest on the situation in Ann Arbor.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF

J.D. PicKell predicts the College Football Playoff bracket

The College Football Playoffs are a little over a week away, and the final sprint to the finish is about to begin. On3's J.D. PicKell has offered his own prediction for how the bracket unfolds, picking every matchup straight up and naming his 2025 national champion. J.D. dove into each game on his show this week.

Below is the bracket as PicKell sees it. We begin with the quarterfinal round and work our way through to the title game.

Quarterfinal: No. 1 Indiana beats No. 9 Alabama

The first major matchup of the Playoff pits a traditional blueblood against one of the sport's fastest-rising programs. Curt Cignetti has delivered every step of the way, and this is another chance to show Indiana belongs at the very top. On paper, Alabama may need to be more well-balanced to spring an upset. A key variable is running back Jam Miller's health, which could shift the dynamic. Still, Indiana is the steadier team.

Quarterfinal: No. 5 Oregon over No. 4 Texas Tech

Texas Tech has surged into national relevance by building a deep, well-rounded roster that thrives in the NIL era. The defense, in particular, has routinely outperformed expectations. Oregon and quarterback Dante Moore face a tall task in figuring out that group. One subtle advantage for Oregon is rhythm: playing a week earlier could help the Ducks settle in faster. PicKell leans toward Oregon finding answers.

Quarterfinal: No. 2 Ohio State beats No. 7 Texas A&M

Despite a setback in the Big Ten Championship Game, Ohio State remains one of the most complete teams in the bracket. Texas A&M could push the Buckeyes if it enters with momentum and forces Ohio State into mistakes. The Aggies have thrived on capitalizing when opponents slip. Even so, PicKell views Ohio State as too strong across all position groups.

Quarterfinal: No. 3 Georgia beats No. 6 Ole Miss

A rematch of a 43-35 Georgia win, this pairing gives Ole Miss a chance to flip the script. The Rebels controlled long stretches of the first meeting before fading late. Georgia, meanwhile, arrives playing its best football of the season. Time off could either cool that momentum or make the Bulldogs even healthier.

Semifinal: No. 5 Oregon over No. 1 Indiana

PicKell calls for Oregon to pull its first major upset by avenging an earlier loss. Indiana handled the Ducks on the road in the regular season, which only adds fuel to Oregon's motivation. Dan Lanning's track record in these spots matters, and the Ducks are projected to peak at the right time.

Semifinal: No. 3 Georgia beats No. 2 Ohio State

Two of the most complete rosters in college football meet here. The quarterback matchup is particularly fascinating, with both teams waiting for a breakout performance on the national stage. PicKell sides with Georgia's overall structure.

Championship: No. 3 Georgia over No. 5 Oregon

In a showdown of student versus teacher, Kirby Smart gets the edge over Dan Lanning. Georgia's all-around form entering the playoff carries through the title game, even against an Oregon team firing on all cylinders. PicKell ends with Georgia as his national champion.

Read PicKell's full breakdown here.

TRANSFER PORTAL

The top players expected to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal

The NCAA Transfer Portal does not officially open for another three weeks, but that has not stopped hundreds of players from announcing their intentions to enter. Players can be entered into the portal beginning January 2 and will have a two-week window until January 15. For players competing in the College Football Playoff beyond those dates, there is an additional five-day window after their team's final game.

More than 300 players have already expressed plans to enter, and On3's rankings team has graded the entrants as of Dec. 11. Last year, more than 4,900 FBS players, including walk-ons, entered between the two windows. With the move to a single window, the total could drop, or it could become a frantic rush into college football's version of free agency.

The ranking below is a snapshot of the top 10 players expected to enter, and the full list can be viewed here.

5. Miami (Ohio) EDGE Adam Trick

Despite coming from the MAC, Trick is the highest-rated pass rusher currently in the portal. Across his last two seasons, he appeared in 27 games for the RedHawks and totaled 96 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks. The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder also forced three fumbles and earned first-team All-MAC honors this year.

4. Notre Dame QB Kenny Minchey

A late addition to Notre Dame's 2023 class, Minchey sat behind Sam Hartman and Riley Leonard during his first two seasons. He battled with redshirt freshman CJ Carr for the starting job this year, with Carr ultimately getting the nod. Minchey completed 23 of 29 passes for 212 yards during his time in South Bend and will be one of the more intriguing quarterback options in January.

3. Tennessee DB Boo Carter

Carter's winding career in Knoxville appears to be over after two seasons. An early commit who briefly entertained other programs, he made an immediate impact as a freshman with 38 tackles, three tackles for loss, and an interception. Issues surfaced last offseason, and he was nearly dismissed from the team. He appeared in nine games as a sophomore in a reduced role and will be searching for a fresh start.

2. Michigan State WR Nick Marsh

Despite very up-and-down quarterback play, Marsh became one of the Big Ten's premier receivers. His 41 catches for 649 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman remain school records for a true freshman. This year, he hauled in 59 catches for 662 yards and six touchdowns. With two years of eligibility, he will be heavily pursued.

1. Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt

Leavitt entered 2025 as a darkhorse Heisman candidate after a breakout redshirt freshman season. Injuries sidelined him for the final five regular-season games, and reporting from On3 indicated he was being shopped by his representatives. He did not attend the team's end-of-season banquet and is expected to headline the portal's quarterback class.

See the full top 10 ranking here.

🚨Headlines

NCAA BASKETBALL

2026 NCAA Tournament Predictions: Bracketology as non-conference play continues

March is closer than you think. The non-conference season continues to reshape the early Bracketology outlook, with top teams beginning to separate while the bubble remains crowded and volatile. On3's latest 2026 field shows clarity forming at the top of the bracket, even as a cluster of programs battle for position beneath them. Here is where things stand entering the second half of December action.

Projected 1-seeds: Early separation at the top

The latest edition of On3's 2026 Bracketology shows early clarity forming at the top of the field, with Michigan, Duke, Iowa State, and Purdue occupying the projected 1-seeds. Michigan continues to look like the nation's most dominant team behind multiple 40-point wins, earning the No. 1 overall position. Duke remains a steady top-tier presence with strong metrics and a profile capable of reaching the bracket's top spot. Iowa State rides impressive early results and a statement win over Purdue to secure its place on the 1-line, while Purdue holds steady despite its first loss, thanks to an overall resume that remains among the country's best.

Last four byes

Miami, NC State, Ohio State, and LSU sit as the "last four byes," staying out of immediate bubble danger. Miami and NC State continue to add solid wins, while Ohio State and LSU have built balanced resumes that keep them above the fray. All four, however, remain close enough to the cut line that early conference results will play a major role in whether they hold this position.

Last four in

The "last four in" group currently features Oklahoma State, Washington, Missouri, and Butler. Each team has shown promise but carries enough inconsistency to land on the bubble for now. Upcoming non-conference opportunities will be pivotal for separating themselves before league play ramps up.

First four out

Just outside the projected field sits VCU, UCF, Texas A&M, and Wake Forest. All four have pieces of tournament-caliber profiles but lack the finishing touches needed to jump into the bracket. One signature win or a steadier stretch of play could be enough to push any of them across the line.

Get the full March Madness projection here.

TRIVIA

Now here's a guy...

Below, you'll find 3 facts about a random college football player. You'll try to guess who the player is based on the facts. Let's go.

Before choosing West Point, I was recruited by Illinois, Michigan, and Northwestern, all of which asked me to switch positions and play cornerback.
I was a three-year starting quarterback at Army and rushed for a service academy record 1,746 yards in 2017 while leading the Black Knights to a 10-3 season and the Commander in Chief's Trophy.
I became the first Army quarterback since Ronnie McAda to defeat Navy in back-to-back seasons, and I ended a 14-year losing streak to the Mids in 2016.

Answer at the bottom.

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