"He's getting treatment and he's going to play," Meyer said of Barrett on Tuesday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Last year an Ohio State quarterback sprained his MCL. This year an Ohio State quarterback sprained his MCL.

Last year, Braxton Miller missed two full games after getting hurt against San Diego State. This year, J.T. Barrett is on track to play against Illinois on Saturday, coach Urban Meyer said Tuesday.

"He's getting treatment and he's going to play," Meyer said.

Meyer said he asked the team trainer and Barrett will be "somewhat limited" in practice Tuesday and full-go for practice Wednesday.

"I'm anxious to see him go," Meyer said.

But the plan is for him to go.

(To be honest, I hoped to have a little more information for this story from Meyer's availability on the Big Ten coaches call on Tuesday. But I must not have pushed the button in time to ask a question, because my turn never came around. Meyer was asked a general injury question about Barrett, which yielded the answer above, but not about a direct comparison.

And, honestly, I didn't think to ask about the comparison Monday at Meyer's news conference. It will be at the top of my list when we meet with him Wednesday after practice. But I wanted to put what we do know out there.)

There are three degrees of sprain, from a relatively minor first-degree sprain to a more serious third-degree. That certainly may be the case. But regardless, the injury affects a quarterback more as a runner. That's what Meyer said about Barrett.

And it was the case with Miller. When he returned against Wisconsin last year, he said the next week against Northwestern that he still wasn't feeling normal when he ran.

"I wasn't fully myself throughout that whole game," Miller said after that win, noting that he still wasn't cutting comfortably. "I just wasn't my old self, I felt like. I just have to keep getting healthy, getting treatment on it and get back to my old ways."

Yet early on, there seemed to be more hope Miller would be fine. After he sprained his MCL early in the second game, as the Buckeyes prepared for game three against Cal, Meyer thought maybe his quarterback would be available.

"It's an MCL and it's a little unstable," Meyer said last year. "He has to get used to that brace."

As it turned out, Miller missed both the Cal game and Florida A&M. He didn't return until three weeks later against Wisconsin.

Meyer made it clear Monday how impressed he was that Barrett handled the injury halfway through the game and still made the plays in overtime.

"How many guys could have done that?" Meyer said. "He had a very serious injury, an MCL is a serious injury, and to go in, he got hit on the 3-yard line ... it was unbelievable, he bulls his way in against the Penn State defense and wins the game.

"I think each player is different (dealing with injury issues), and he's a guy that's not going to say anything. He's one of the toughest cats I've ever been around."

So Meyer expects Barrett to be ready for practice Wednesday and the game three days later.

Chris Haynes says Dion Waiters is the X-Factor of this Cleveland Cavaliers team and he explains why.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – Dion Waiters has taken his shots during the preseason, literally and figuratively.

He led the Cavaliers in field goal attempts in exhibition play and fans, along with some media pundits, voiced their displeasure. With LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love in that starting lineup, you can certainly understand their rationale.

If you're familiar with Waiters, you know that he brushes off criticism like it's dandruff. He keeps it moving.

"You know me, man," Waiters said to Northeast Ohio Media Group. "I don't let too much bother me. It's nothing to me."

The truth of the matter is that if the Cavaliers are to have any high level of success this season, Waiters, as the team's starting two-guard, is going to have to play smart, team basketball. He's got the skill-set to provide a valuable service. He has the opportunity to re-brand himself as a top perimeter defender, not just an offensive force.

"Defense is where I can make an impact on this team," Waiters said last week. "Somebody has to do that job and why not me? I'm looking forward to it."

If the Cavaliers struggle out the gate, he'll likely to receive the lion's share of the blame due to his aggressive nature. James agrees, as he mentioned early in camp.

That's why I'm labeling Waiters the "X-Factor" of this team. He is the one player I figure is going to have a direct correlation to wins or losses. His nature is to force the issue and it's the reason he is the player that he is.

There are some hiccups that come along with his game: His shot selection is sometimes questionable and keeping him focused has been an issue in the past. It will be interesting to see if and how Waiters adapts to his new surroundings.

When asked about being the team's X-Factor, he smiled and gave a patented Waiters response.

"I'm just going to do my job and play my game," he said. "As long as I'm helping my teammates win games, that's all that matters to me."

This is a big year for Dion.

---

Who is your X-Factor?

Some MAC basketball coaches have interesting comments about their teams with two weeks to go before the start of the season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The first Mid-American Conference basketball coaches teleconference offered a chance to get an update on teams expected to have strong seasons in 2014-15, including the Toledo Rockets, a team picked to win it all playing in the West Division, and the Akron Zips, a team expected to rise to the top of the rugged East.

Following are some quick-hit updates from some coaches, with records from last season.

Akron (21-13, 12-6): Akron coach Keith Dambrot said a key to the season will be getting massive 6-10, 280-pound sophomore center Isaiah Johnson back on the court after recovering from a broken wrist.

"The biggest thing is we had him under 300 before he was injured,'' Dambrot said. "The last week he got his cast off, but he's still probably another week from practice. He is ready to run.

"We feel like if we can get him in condition we have a special player. That changes our team. We become like everybody else without him."

Toledo Rockets (27-7, 14-4): The Rockets were strong in the regular season before fading in the MAC Tournament. Now this veteran team, with seven of the top eight returning, is picked to finish the job, which head coach Todd Kowalczyk said his Rockets embrace.

"I'm excited about the returners, all seven, in my opinion, got better,'' Kowalczyk said. "Defensively, that's the area we need to concentrate on. It's nice to have the target on our back. Our players deserve it."

Bowling Green (12-20, 6-12): New head coach Chris Jans said getting his team ready to play at a high level from the start of the season will be key.

"If I had to focus on one area, I want them to compete on game day. Regardless of the score or the outcome, that they are competing. We got a long way to go, but I'm hoping by Nov 15 they understand how hard we have to play.

"There are a lot of different ways to skin the cat. The key is to get individual players bought in, but you have to get them to believe in first."

Buffalo (19-10, 13-5): The Bulls, after being upset in the MAC Tournament, decided to take their East Division title and go home, turning down post-season tournament overtures. Now it's a rebuild for head coach Bobby Hurley, sans 2014 MAC Player of the Year Javon McCrea, among others.

"This Buffalo team has a different look from last year's group,'' Hurley said. "We're trying to figure out how to replace roughly 50 percent of our scoring from last year.''

One plus is expected to be a very talented backcourt, including 6-3 freshman point guard Lamonte Bearden.

"He hasn't disappointed us one bit," Hurley said. "People are going to like watching him play."

Kent State (16-16, 7-11): The Golden Flashes look to return to their more physical ways this season after discovering reliance on the jump shot is fool's gold.

"We're trying to run a lot through the post this year and not settle on jump shots,'' head coach Rob Senderoff said. "We have to do a better job getting the ball inside. We have to get to the foul line which is a huge, huge key for us. We have to make sure we pound the ball inside."

Miami (13-18, 8-10): A strong run to end the season got this team near .500 in league play. An influx of talent should be a major boost for 2014-15.

"One of the things that certainly sticks out is six new faces will have an opportunity to contribute; three junior college players and three high school,'' head coach John Cooper said. "We brought in a nice mix of kids. We feel comfortable with our group. We have competition and we have depth which is something we haven't had."

Ohio University (25-12, 11-7): Arguably the best team down the stretch as the emergence of 6-9, 245-pound freshman Antonio Campbell made life a lot easier for 6-9, 220-pound dervish Maurice Ndour. New head coach Saul Phillips can break into the league with veterans, both inside and on the perimeter, and a humble approach.

"I've got three seniors that have played for three college coaches,'' Phillips said. "We're certainly not perfect. Got a lot of things we're still working on. But I've been absolutely thrilled with the leadership of our seniors.''

Western Michigan (23-10, 14-4): After struggling the first half of last season,  the Broncos captured the MAC Tourney. Coach Steve Hawkins now has to replace one big cog in 6-11 Shane Whittington, but feels he has a pair of young players to get that job done in 6-9 Drake LaMont and 6-10 Khadim Dieng.

"The one thing I like out of our big guys is they have good personalities," Hawkins said. "They are good communicators. They are sponges, and they have high motors. You don't have to worry about getting them ready. They are energy givers, not energy sappers.

"I'm most worried about (losing/replacing) what Shane gave us defensively."

Super shooters from area golf courses.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here is the list of holes-in-one and double eagles as reported by golf courses for the past week.

Bob Beres aced the 138-yard third hole at Fox Meadow C.C. using an 8-iron.

Dale Crilley aced the 130-yard seventh hole at Fox Meadow C.C. using an 8-iron.

Mark DeMarino of Berea aced the 158-yard 10^th hole at Big Met G.C. using a 6-iron.

Carlos Guzman aced the 132-yard 10th hole at Pine Brook G.C. using a 9-wood.

Joe Kaderabek aced the 125-yard fourth hole at St. Bernard G.C. using a 6-iron.

Bill McCullough of Parma aced the 134-yard 18th hole at Valleaire G.C. using a driver.

Larry Raidl aced the 110-yard fifth hole at Hilliard Lakes G.C. using a 9-iron.
 

The Browns and Raiders had similar needs in the draft. After seeing the teams head to head, which one did a better job of addressing them based on their first three picks?

BEREA, Ohio – The Browns defeated the Raiders, 23-13, on Sunday and, given the vagaries of the NFL schedule, it's uncertain when the two teams will meet again.

It doesn't mean, however, the clubs won't continue to be measured against each other. Not just because of the staggering number of head coaches (15) and starting quarterbacks (35) they have combined to employ since 2002.

It's never too early or late to discuss the NFL Draft in Cleveland even as the Browns are enjoying a surprising 4-3 start. When assessing past picks, it's usually something as simple as why did the Browns take Gerard Warren ahead of LaDainian Tomlinson in 2001 or pass up one high-risk motorcyclist (Ben Roethlisberger) for another (Kellen Winslow II) in 2004?

Rarely do we break down multiple rounds involving two teams, but the Browns and Raiders offer an interesting case study. The locals selected a cornerback, quarterback and guard with their first three selections. The Raiders chose an outside linebacker, quarterback and guard.

There are plenty of "winners and losers" draft stories. This isn't one of them. It takes at least two seasons to make an informed decision, especially in a case like this one when the Browns acquired the Bills' first-round pick in 2015 for trading down five spots and allowing Buffalo to take receiver Sammy Watkins at No. 4.

Instead, it's more of clip-and-save analysis and it will be fun to track the progress of these players. In each case, the Browns had the opportunity to take the prospects the winless Raiders eventually picked. Lets take a look:

Khalil Mack

View full sizeRaiders rookie Khalil Mack is the top ranked outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, according to ProFootballFocus.com.ProFootballFocus.com graphics 

The Raiders picked the University of Buffalo product No. 5 overall. Browns coach Mike Pettine said a week ago if they had made a pick at No. 4 it would have been Watkins. But Pettine has spoken highly of Mack in the past, and his assessment didn't change after the linebacker made six tackles, including two for loss, against the Browns on Sunday.

"Khalil Mack, I think, is a special player," the coach said Monday. "We knew that in the draft process, and he's shown that he was very deserving of being picked when he was picked. You're just looking for the respect and you don't have to take it from me. Just ask our guys that went against him. I think he's a future star in this league, if not one right now."

Mack is yet to register a sack, but ProFootballFocus.com ranks him as the league's top outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He's likely to merit consideration for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year although linebackers C.J. Mosely (Ravens), Anthony Barr (Vikings) and cornberback Kyle Fuller (Bears) are among the front runners.

Justin Gilbert

The Browns are feeling better about his selection (No. 8 overall) in the past few weeks. He struggled mightily in the season's first month, getting beat routinely, earning "tough love" from veterans and losing playing time to undrafted free agent K'Waun Williams.

Cornerback is considered the toughest position other than quarterbacks for a rookie. But Gilbert has played well in back to back weeks and broke up a pair of passes against the Raiders. The schedule begins to stiffen again after this week's game with the Buccaneers, but Gilbert should take renewed confidence into the season's second half.

"I think he's really improving," safety Donte Whitner said. "He's going out there and not thinking. He's going out there to make plays and not going out there not to get beat. Hopefully, he continues to get better and better and better and we're going to need him for the long haul."

I lobbied the Browns to take Mack, but as long as they didn't use the No. 4 pick on a quarterback I was OK with the selection. Obtaining the Bills' first rounder for Watkins also leaves the Browns well positioned for next year.

Johnny Manziel

The Browns chose the most hyped player in the draft at No. 22 overall. What do they have in Manziel? We don't know yet as he's played less than a handful of regular-season snaps in serving as Brian Hoyer's apprentice.

Pettine seemed hesitant to start a rookie quarterback and Manziel appeared unready as the calendar turned from August to September. Every move the kid makes is hyper-analyzed and easing into the league may be the best thing for Manziel long term.

Hoyer hasn't played as well in recent weeks after All Pro center Alex Mack broke his leg and the potent running game sputtered. But barring a Hoyer injury or a string of losses, Manziel likely will remain the backup. The big question is whether the Browns decide to commit to Hoyer, a free agent at season's end.

Manziel will get his chance eventually. The football world can't wait to see what he makes of it.

Derek Carr

The Raiders waited until the second round to take the Fresno product No. 36 overall. Carr didn't have ESPN chronicling his every training-camp pass, but he's emerged as the best rookie quarterback in the season's first half despite not winning a game.

He's poised, strong-armed and processes the game quickly. Carr plays behind a mediocre offensive line and he lacks playmakers at the skill positions. He completed 34 of 54 passes for 328 yards and a garbage-time touchdown against the Browns. Overall, he's registered nine TDs against just five interceptions with a 61.0 completion percentage.

Will the Raiders surround him with talent before the league's pass rushers start hammering him? Carr was sacked three times by the Browns' Paul Kruger after suffering just four sacks in the first six weeks. Kruger thought the rookie was "spooked" by game's end.

Former league MVP Rich Gannon told cleveland.com the Raiders finally have their quarterback of the future and based on Sunday's performance it's hard to argue. The decision to take Manziel ahead of Carr might haunt the Browns, but again we're only halfway through their rookie seasons.

Joel Bitonio

View full sizeBrowns rookie Joel Bitonio is ranked among the NFL's top five guards, according to ProFootballFocus.comProFootballFocus.com graphics 

The Browns took some grief for picking a guard No. 35 overall instead of a wide receiver. Bitonio has made General Manager Ray Farmer look smart for trusting his draft board. The Browns rank 12^th in total offense and the 6-foot-4, 305 pounder is among the reasons.

ProFootballFocus.com ranks the Nevada product as the league's fifth-best guard. Bitonio is nasty, athletic and plays like a veteran. His name could surface in NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year balloting. Fellow guard Zach Martin (Cowboys) and Watkins (Bills) rate among the favorites.

Bitonio enjoyed the good fortune of starting his career between a pair of All Pros in Mack and left tackle Joe Thomas. Let's see how he plays with Mack out of the lineup.

Gabe Jackson

The Raiders chose the Mississippi State product No. 81 overall, and he's been a nice addition to a unit that's yielded just eight sacks. The left side of Raiders' line has been solid with tackle Donald Penn and Jackson.

The rookie isn't in the same class as Bitonio and Martin or as noticeable as Khalil Mack and Carr, but you won't hear many complaints about him in Oakland.

The Browns also are getting production from a pair of third-round picks -- inside linebacker Chris Kirksey and haifback Terrance West. Same is true for the Raiders with defensive tackle Justin Ellis (fourth) and cornerback Travis Carrie (seventh).

Neither the Browns nor the Raiders have reached the playoffs since 2002. A big reason for the long drought is poor drafting. We won't know for another season or two if the Class of 2014 was ultimately kind to either. But given their similar needs and draft-place proximity it will be interesting to see which team got the greater value with their top picks.

LeBron James is the "X" factor for the Cleveland Cavaliers because he will have the greatest impact on how they play and he is facing some questions.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – LeBron James is the "X" factor for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season.

Of course, naming as an unknown commodity a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player who is roundly considered the game's best player is, well, unique. But how James does this season will be the determining factor in whether the Cavaliers win their first championship in franchise history. And James has a lot to do.

He enters with career averages of 27.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game. There is little doubt he could post those kinds of numbers at age 29. But will he, playing along side fellow All-Stars Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving?

Who is going to handle the ball when the game is on the line, James or Irving? It's probably not Irving's choice to make.

How James chooses to impact the game, especially early this season, with Love and Irving on the floor is one reason he's an "X" factor. Another: This is the first season in which James is playing the role of unquestioned, wise-elder, ruler-supreme of the Cavaliers' locker room.

Love doesn't like where he is getting the ball? James has to police that.

Dion Waiters is taking too many shots? James can encourage him to change, or to keep shooting.

Complaints begin to surface about first-year coach David Blatt? They'll stop if James makes it so.

How will he do in the role of Cavaliers' top cop?

Given that most prognosticators have predicted rosy times for Cleveland this season, the answers to these questions will probably be good ones for James and the Cavaliers.

But there are some questions. That's why James is the "X" factor.

Kevin Love's personality will be overshadowed with the Big Three, but he's just fine with that.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio – The Cleveland Cavaliers' Big Three has a unique blend of star-studded personalities.

LeBron James' disposition is flamboyant and energetic. Throughout his illustrious NBA career, we've witnessed multiple facets and layers to his character.

Kyrie Irving has a mellow personality, but he knows how to turn it up a notch. That's apparent when he plays the character of "Uncle Drew," an athletic, trash-talking, senior-citizen dribbling machine that visits random parks schooling people for the fun of it.

Then there's Kevin Love, who, well, can't even characterize his own persona.

"My personality?" he asked. "I don't know. It's tough to describe."

He glanced across the locker room a few times and spotted Irving finishing up getting dressed.

"Hey Ky, am I quiet?" Love shouted to his point guard. Irving stared him down with a puzzled look on his face, confused to why he was being asked this question at this moment in time.

"You don't talk at all," Irving responded. Love nodded in agreement.

"I guess I'm the guy that's reserved," Love said. "I don't talk much. I like to have a good time but I just want to make sure this transition with this team goes as quickly and smoothly as it can. I'm a little different, but I'm fine with it."

When Miami's Big Three came together, they were inseparable. They had a solid relationship before they teamed up but in that first season, they went through it all and then some, which brought them even closer.

Cleveland's version not only is going to have to adjust on the court, but figure each other out off it as well.

"This is going to be a feeling-out process as far as how our personalities mesh," Love said while pointing in the direction of James and Irving. "But we have to check our egos at the door, but bring them as well because that's what got us here. That's why we're in the NBA because without confidence, you don't really have much."

With two big personalities in the Big Three, will Love be overshadowed? Maybe. Nonetheless, he believes what he brings to the table will be useful.

"Different guys have ways of making an impact," he said. "It goes on and off the court. Look at Andy [Varejao], he's been here so long and he has kind of like that goodness flowing around him at all times. That's his personality. Hopefully what I bring is valuable, too."

For multiple All-Stars to come together for a common goal, it takes sacrifice and patience. Each player is accustomed to a certain level of treatment on and off the court. If not adjusting properly, this is where personalities can clash.

Love doesn't foresee this being an issue. He says he is very comfortable in his role with the Big Three and is looking forward to a productive year.

"My whole life really, I've always played on teams where there's at least some personnel that's been very good and guys that have big personalities," he said. "For me, to mesh with that, it's never been hard for me and I don't anticipate it being a problem here."

Glenville has been a pipeline for Ohio State and is just one of many prospect-rich programs around the country.

Glenville High School in Cleveland has sent 22 football players to Ohio State in the last 13 years, a trend that started with the recruitment of future Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith in 2002.

Cleveland.com began a series today examining that pipeline between Glenville and Ohio State, which has borne so much fruit for the Buckeyes. That got us thinking about other high school programs which have been consistent producers of college talent, to one school or many. Here are a few of the top pipelines out there:

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Florida): No school outproduces this South Florida power, which has had at least five players sign with FBS programs every year since the late 1990s.

The stars run through generations. There was Brian Picolo. There was Michael Irvin. Currently, there's Joey Bosa at Ohio State. No school has more NFL players.

Long Beach Polytechnic High School (Long Beach, California): This traditional powerhouse has put players like DeSean Jackson and Willie McGinest in the NFL and the pipeline hasn't slowed.

The Pac-12 has benefited from the program's strength. Locals USC and UCLA have each gotten tons of players from there, while out-of-state programs like Arizona State and Oregon State have also mined significant talent from the school that Sports Illustrated once named the top sports school of the 20th century.

Dutchtown (Geismar, Louisiana): This school has only been in existence since 2002, when it was opened to accommodate a population boom in suburban Baton Rouge.

It hasn't taken long for it to make its mark. In 2013, it became the first high school with two players taken in the first round in the same NFL draft when Alabama running back Eddy Lacy and LSU defensive back Eric Reid both went in the first round.

The Griffons should soon add a third NFL player in ex-Alabama defensive back Landon Collins.

Dutchtown continues to produce major talent. Last year, two players, running backs Torrance Mosley and wide receiver Corey McBride, signed with TCU. This year, Reid's younger brother, safety Justin Reid, is a top recruit who participated in Nike's The Opening while fellow safety Alonzo Craighton has already committed to Minnesota.

Woodland Hills (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania): Much has been made of the decline of football in Western Pennsylvania in the Rust Belt era, but that's certainly not the case at Woodland Hills, which at one time had seven NFL players, including All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski.

While it went through a relative dry spell, it's back with deep classes in 2014 and 2015.

Miami Northwestern (Miami, Florida): You won't find many areas in the country with the per capita production of talent that South Florida can boast, and Northwestern is right there with St. Thomas Aquinas.

Stars to wear the school's uniform include quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and wide receiver Antonio Bryant.

Others: Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J.; John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La.; Lincoln High School, Tallahassee, Fla.; Mater Dei High School, Santa Ana, Calif.; Valdosta High School, Valdosta, Ga.; Carroll High School, Southlake, Texas; South Panola High School, Batesville, Miss.; Hoover High School, Hoover, Ala.

Patrick picks Florida State
Florida State added to an already talented recruiting class when 4-star running Jacques Patrick picked the Seminoles over Alabama, Ohio State and others.

Patrick, the No. 3 running back and No. 40 overall player in the 247Sports Composite Rankings, which takes into account all the major recruiting rankings, becomes the second-highest rated player in a class that's already ranked second in the country behind Alabama.

With Patrick off the board, seven of the top 10 running backs and 14 of the top 17 running backs are committed. The good news for those who don't have a running back is that the top two -- Damien Harris (Berea, Kentucky) and Soso Jamabo (Plano, Texas) -- are still uncommitted.

Notre Dame, Ohio State get big LB commitments
Both Notre Dame and Ohio State added 4-star linebackers to their respective classes.

The Fighting Irish landed Tevon Coney, the No. 10-rated inside linebacker in the country out of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, while Ohio State flipped Florida outside linebacker commit Jerome Baker to the Buckeyes' class.

Their additions help strengthen two of the top three classes in the midwest. Notre Dame's class is ranked No. 10 while Ohio State is No. 12.

Take a look at how local boys soccer teams stack up against their opponents in the OHSAA regional semifinals.

Take a look at how local boys soccer teams stack up against their opponents in the OHSAA regional semifinals.

The SEC has three teams in the top four.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The College Football Playoff Committee selection committee released its first top 25 of the season on Tuesday night. The announcement on ESPN, was as expected, overhyped.

It was like waking up on the morning of Sept. 19th and having your parents tell you what they might buy you for Christmas. It's early.

This was the first time the new committee, part of the new four-team playoff, had ever done this. From now on, the committee will release these rankings every Tuesday night, until the four playoff teams are announced on Sunday, Dec. 7.

Ohio State came in at No. 16, as the third Big Ten team, behind No. 8 Michigan State and No. 15 Nebraska.

The SEC has three teams in the top four to start, with Mississippi State, Auburn and Ole Miss in, along with No. 2 Florida State.

Here's the full top 25 from the committee:

No. 1 Mississippi State

No. 2 Florida State

No. 3 Auburn

No. 4 Ole Miss

No. 5 Oregon

No. 6 Alabama

No. 7 TCU

No. 8 Michigan State

No. 9. Kansas State

No. 10 Notre Dame

No. 11 Georgia

No. 12 Arizona

No. 13 Baylor

No. 14 Arizona State

No. 15 Nebraska

No. 16 Ohio State

No. 17 Utah

No. 18 Oklahoma

No. 19 LSU

No. 20 West Virginia

No. 21 Clemson

No. 22 UCLA

No. 23 East Carolina

No. 24. Duke

No. 25 Louisville

The Giants can win their eighth World Series title in franchise history with a victory Tuesday night over Kansas City in Game 6.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Game 6 of the World Series is here. It begins at 8:07 p.m. at Kauffman Stadium and the goal for the Royals and Giants couldn't be simpler.

If the Giants win, they will be World Series champions for the third time in five years and the eighth time in franchise history, following titles in 1905, 1921, 1922, 1933, 1954, 2010 and 2012.

For the Royals, Game 6 is more elemental. They must win to force a seventh and deciding game Wednesday night. They trail the Giants, 3-2, in the best of seven series.

The Giants, at least for the night, are playing with house money. Recent history favors the Royals. Since 1982, 10 teams have returned home trailing, 3-2, in the series. Eight of those teams have gone on to win the final two games.

The Giants will send veteran right-hander Jake Peavy to the mound to try and clinch it. Peavy started the season 1-9 for Boston before they sent him to the Giants. He went 6-4 down the stretch and is 1-1 in the postseason.

The Royals have drawn a bead on Peavy. He's 1-6 with a 5.60 ERA in his last nine starts against them. Billy Butler (.424 with three homers and eight RBI), Alcides Escobar (.409 with one homer an eight RBI) and Alex Gordon (.357 with one homer and five RBI) have hit Peavy well.

Rookie right-hander Yordano Ventura will make his second World Series start against the Giants. He is 0-0 with a 4.42 ERA in four postseason appearances this year.

During the regular season, Ventura went 14-10.

If there is a Game 7, Kansas City will start Jeremy Guthrie against Tim Hudson.

Join Paul Hoynes, Indians beat writer for Northeast Ohio Media Group, for live updates and a chat during Game 6.

The Royals and Giants are playing the ninth seventh game of the World Series in the last 29 years. Here's a look at the first seven.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Giants and Royals will play Game 7 of the World Series Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium. It is the best and fairest way to bring the endless season to a close.

The Royals played 28 games in spring training, the Giants 29. They each played 162 games during the regular season. In the postseason, the wild-card Royals and Giants have played 14 and 16 games, respectively. They are each one win shy of postseason victory No.12, which will be decided in a few hours.

All that's at stake is a World Series championship, the second in Royals history, or the eighth for the Giants.

In the 246 days since the Giants opened the Cactus League season on Feb. 26, they have played 207 games counting Wednesday. For the Royals, the deciding game represents their 204^th game in 245 days.

In baseball there is always another game to play, except for tonight. This one brings down the curtain on 2014. Last one out of The K, please turn out the lights. That's why it's unique.

The Giants and Royals will play the ninth Game 7 in the World Series in the last 29 years. Here are some memories from the previous eight.

Oct. 28, 2011, St. Louis beats Texas, 6-2: The Cardinals' victory in Game 7 was anticlimactic following their 10-9 win in Game 6. The Rangers were one strike away from the World Series title when David Freese hit a two-out triple over Nelson Cruz's head in right field to tie the game in the ninth inning, 7-7.

Josh Hamilton put Texas back on top, 9-7, with a two-run homer in the 10^th. St. Louis tied the scored in the bottom of the 10^th and won it on David Freese's homer in the 11^th off Mark Lowe.

Oct. 27, 2002, Anaheim beats San Francisco, 4-1: Rookie John Lackey went five innings to beat the Giants and give the Angels their first and only World Series championship. The Giants should have won the series in Game 6 when they had a 5-0 lead in the seventh inning, but the Angels rallied for a 6-5 victory to force Game 7.

San Francisco's Kenny Lofton made the last out of the series on a long fly ball to center field with two on. For a moment, it looked like a game-tying three-run homer, but it was caught at the track.

After the game, former Giant great Bobby Bonds shouted to clear a path in San Francisco's crowded locker room as he and his son, Barry, headed for the door. Barry Bonds hit .471 (8-for-17) with four homers and six RBI in the series. The Angels walked him 13 times.

Nov. 4, 2001, Arizona beats the Yankees, 3-2: The thing that most people remember is the rain -- in the middle of the desert in a ballpark with a retractable roof that was left open because, well, it's the desert.

It was the seventh inning and a light rain fell, but didn't last. The Yankees took a 2-1 lead on Alfonso Soriano's homer in the eighth off Curt Schilling. Manager Joe Torre, who finally had a lead, called for Mariano Rivera for a two-inning save. Rivera, who had converted 23 straight postseason saves at that time, got through the eighth, but lost it in the ninth when he gave up two runs.

Jay Bell scored the winning run on a bloop single by Luis Gonzalez over a drawn-in Yankee infield. The ball barely touched the outfield grass behind shortstop.

Oct. 26, 1997, Florida beats the Indians, 3-2 in 11 innings: It was Charles Nagy's turn to start, but he didn't. Manager Mike Hargrove, riding the hot hand, went with rookie Jaret Wright. It was the right move, but Nagy still would up the loser.

Wright, on three days rest, pitched into the seventh inning. He left with a 2-1 lead.

The Indians still held that margin in the bottom of the ninth when closer Jose Mesa, needing two outs to give the franchise its first World Series title since 1948, allowed a game-tying sacrifice fly to Craig Counsel. Nagy, who started the 11^th in relief, lost it when Edgar Renteria lined a soft single over the mound and into center field.

Mesa said he stayed in bed days after the loss. Four months later, when the Indians opened spring training in Winter Haven, Fla., Hargrove was asked how long it took him to get over Game 7. Hargrove paused for a long moment and said, "I'll let you know."

Oct. 27, 1991, Minnesota beats Atlanta, 1-0, in 10 innings: In the bottom of the 10^th, with Dan Gladden on third, Gene Larkin singled to give the Twins the world championship.

As Gladden sprinted home, Jack Morris was the first Twin to reach him at the plate. Morris pitched 10 scoreless innings, striking out eight, for the victory. He threw 126 pitches, allowed seven hits and walked two.

Manager Tom Kelly said Morris was going out for the 11^th inning if the Twins hadn't scored.

Native Americans protested Atlanta's nickname and its fans use of the Tomahawk Chop outside the Metrodome throughout the series. A protester was told that the rubber tomahawks used by Atlanta fans were made by Native Americans.

He smiled and said, "Custer had Indian scouts, too."

Oct. 25, 1987, Minnesota beats St. Louis, 4-2: This was the first World Series played indoors. The crowd noise at the Metrodome was deafening. A study said it was akin to the noise made by a jumbo jet on take off.

In Game 7, Series MVP Frank Viola went eight innings for the victory. The home team won every game.

Oct. 27, 1986, the Mets beat Boston, 8-5: Everyone remembers Game 6 when the Mets, down to their last strike, scored three times in the 10^th to force Game 7. Yes, that was the game when Mookie Wilson's grounder went through Bill Buckner's legs at first.

But there was a Game 7 and the Red Sox even led, 3-0, through five innings before the Mets rallied. After the devastating loss in Game 6, there was a rainout, which led to extra time before Game 7. During a tense press conference, a reporter that Boston manager John McNamara didn't know asked a question about Game 6.

"Who are you with?" snapped McNamara.

Like Hargrove, McNamara will let you know when he gets over it.

Oct. 27, 1985, Kansas City beat St. Louis, 11-0: After benefiting from a controversial call at first base in the ninth inning of Game 6 by umpire Don Denkinger, the Royals pounded the Cardinals, 11-0, in Game 7 to win their first World Series title.

In the game, Cardinals lefty John Tudor, feuding with reporters, was knocked out early in the game. An unhappy Tudor punched an electric fan and injured his hand after being relieved.

When word of the Tudor's misguided punch reached the pressbox, a reporter called out, "The (bleep) has hit the fan."

Watch our Cavaliers roundtable as we preview the 2014-2015 edition of the team with Scott Sargent, Joe Lull and Brendan Bowers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It may be the most anticipated season in Cleveland sports history -- or at least in recent memory. The Cleveland Cavaliers open up their 2014-15 season on Thursday night against the New York Knicks at Quicken Loans Arena.

Waitingfornextyear.com's Scott Sargent, SLAM Magazine's Brendan Bowers and 92.3 The Fan's Joe Lull joined host Dan Labbe to preview the Cavaliers season. The four discussed expectations for the team, made predictions and more.

Also discussed:

• How many games will this team win?


• Will Dion Waiters fit in with the Big Three?


• Is David Blatt a good fit for this team?


• Who are the biggest threats to the Cavaliers winning a title?

A look at a few players with rising value in fantasy football leagues this week.

*This content is provided by our sister site, PennLive.com. For additional resources, check out PennLive.com's complete fantasy football coverage.

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A look at three players whose stocks are rising in fantasy football leagues:

Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers: Mathews is on the verge of a return and said he's just waiting for clearance from the team to play after missing six games with a knee injury, according to U-T San Diego. Mathews could poach snaps from Branden Oliver this week while making a push toward full game participation after San Diego's Week 10 bye.

Oliver has been a revelation in the absence of Mathews and could pose a threat on Mathews' workload moving forward. But Mathews is still the head of a three-headed monster that also includes Donald Brown and could relegate Oliver to mostly third-down work. Mathews rushed for 71 yards on 23 carries against tough Arizona and Seattle defenses in two games this season.

Mathews is only signed through this season, so the Chargers have an interesting dilemma ahead of them. Could they give more work to Oliver and Brown, who will both be in the picture in 2015? It's a possibility, but San Diego also has big playoff aspirations and will ride its top rusher. Despite the recent rise of Oliver, an undrafted rookie, Mathews is still that guy.

Andrew Hawkins, WR, Cleveland Browns: Hawkins has significant momentum on his side after back-to-back dismal efforts coming out of the Browns' Week 4 bye. The speedy wideout has caught 12 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown in the last two weeks, quietly getting back on an early pace for 82 catches, 142 targets and 1,074 receiving yards.

The Browns entered the season woefully undermanned at the wide receiver position, in no small part because of Josh Gordon's lengthy suspension. The emergence of Hawkins, a free agent who began his career in Cincinnati, has helped keep the passing game afloat for one of just four offenses in the NFL to attempt more rushes (220) than passes (219).

Gordon's return from a 10-game suspension is approaching, at which point the dynamic of Cleveland's offense will change. But for now, enjoy the ride with Hawkins, particularly as he goes into a Week 9 home matchup with Tampa Bay, which ranks 30th in the NFL in pass defense (286 ypg) and has allowed the third-most passing touchdowns (16).

Kenny Britt, WR, St. Louis Rams: The Rams lost leading receiver Brian Quick to a season-ending shoulder injury last week, creating the need for someone, ANYONE, to play a bigger role in the passing game. Britt, who's fallen short of the promise that made him a first-round pick in the 2009 draft, figures to have a better chance than Tavon Austin or Stedman Bailey.

Britt has prototypical No. 1 receiver attributes, but they have yet to translate into dominant numbers in his five-plus NFL seasons. Britt showed promise his first two seasons under current Rams coach Jeff Fisher while in Tennessee, but his production fizzled before ultimately falling out of favor. Britt caught 42 passes for 775 yards and nine touchdowns in 2010.

The Rams' wide receiver situation is dicey, at best, and Fisher is just as likely to abandon it completely, if given the choice. Tight end Jared Cook and the backfield committee of Tre Mason, Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham could see more work. But Britt is clearly the most talented perimeter option, and he's at least shown big-play potential, averaging 15.6 yards per catch.

The Royals and Giants meet Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium in the seventh and final game of the World Series.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – It's Game 7 and that's it for baseball in 2014.

Can the Royals retrace the steps of their 1985 forefathers, who won Games 6 and Game 7 after trailing St. Louis to capture its first and only World Series championship?

Or can the resilient and often underappreciated Giants of manager Bruce Bochy proclaim themselves a dynasty by winning their eighth world championship in franchise history and third in the last five years?

The answer begins to reveal itself tonight at 8:07 p.m. at Kauffman Stadium when KC right-hander Jeremy Guthrie faces Tim Hudson in the 37^th Game 7 in World Series history.

Guthrie and Hudson are veterans pitching in their first World Series, but Guthrie is the hotter of the two. He went 8-2 in his last 12 starts of the regular season. This will be only his third start of the postseason for the wild-card Royals, but he's coming off a win against Hudson and the Giants in Game 3 at AT&T Park.

Hudson, meanwhile, finished the season by going 0-4 in September with a 8.72 ERA. He went 1-7 in his last eight decisions while pitching with a sore hip for the wild-card Giants.

The 39-year-old right-hander, the oldest player to ever start an elimination game in the World Series, has improved in the postseason. In three starts during the Giants run to the World Series, he's 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA. He has 15 strikeouts and one walk in 19 1/3 innings.

Lurking in the Giants' bullpen is the threat of Madison Bumgarner, who gave the Giants a 3-2 lead with a four-hit shutout Sunday. Bumgarner is 2-0 in the World Series.

The Royals forced Game 7 with a 10-0 victory Tuesday night.

Please join Paul Hoynes, Indians beat writer for Northeast Ohio Media Group, for live updates and a chat for Game 7 Wednesday night.

"Braxton was like, 'Mine was way more stiff and sore,' and things like that. So that's why he felt the need to miss two games," Barrett said. "And mine, that just wasn't the case."

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer isn't a doctor. He said that twice Wednesday night.

So the explanation of why Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett is planning to play Saturday after spraining his left MCL against Penn State, while Braxton Miller sat out two games last year with a sprained MCL, isn't coming from the medical community.

It's a question worth asking. Basically, as expected, Meyer said it's just not as bad. And every player is different.

(One point to note -- this is Barrett's left knee, and he was wearing a brace on it Wednesday. In high school, the ACL he tore as a senior was his right knee.)

So though Barrett has been limited in practice Tuesday and Wednesday, with Meyer expecting him to be full-go in Thursday's practice, the redshirt freshman said he'll be ready for Illinois.

"It would have to be something drastic to happen between now and Saturday at 8 o'clock, but I plan on playing Saturday," Barrett said.

The Buckeyes were initially optimistic last year after Miller sprained his MCL against San Diego State, thinking he might play, but he then missed full games against Cal and Florida A&M. Barrett said he spoke to Miller this week to compare injuries.

"He was saying everybody is different, and that's what the trainers are saying," Barrett said. "Braxton was like, 'Mine was way more stiff and sore,' and things like that. So that's why he felt the need to miss two games. And mine, that just wasn't the case."

So, despite not taking part in full practices, Meyer characterized Barrett's progress as "good, real good." And though he said the injury is "similar" to what Miller had, the expectations are different.

"It's not as severe, I guess," Meyer said, acknowledging that a sprained MCL is a common injury he has seen players deal with many times.

"The severity ... I just do what (the doctors and trainers) say. At halftime they said he's got an MCL sprain. I said, 'How bad?' and they said, 'We'll see how he goes.'"

Barrett went on to lead the Buckeyes to a double overtime win, rushing for both overtime touchdowns. So the Buckeyes expect to see that again on Saturday.

So far, Barrett said he has been dropping back in passing drills, jogging, doing normal things -- though not everything. The knee is still sore and he has some swelling. He said he hasn't really played with an injury like this before -- the ACL tear ended his high school career. But once he got on the field after the injury at Penn State, Barrett said he didn't even think about his knee.

The brace on J.T. Barrett's injured left knee #ohiostate #buckeyes

A photo posted by cleveland.com/osu (@clevelanddotcomosu) on Oct 10, 2014 at 5:12pm PDT

See all the Week 10 football matchups involving Northeast Ohio Conference teams.

See all the Week 10 football matchups involving Northeast Ohio Conference teams.

Listen to football coaches from Chagrin Falls, Garfield Heights, Keystone and Perry talk about playoffs and other topics during the Forward Progress podcast heading into Week 10.

Listen to football coaches from Chagrin Falls, Garfield Heights, Keystone and Perry talk about playoffs and other topics during the Forward Progress podcast heading into Week 10.

"The issue is not talent with Illinois," Meyer said of Saturday's Ohio State opponent. "You can see that on videotape."

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Quick hits from Ohio State coach Urban Meyer after the Buckeyes' Wednesday night practice. They host Illinois at 8 p.m. Saturday. The biggest news dealt with J.T. Barrett's limited practice reps so far, but his plan to play Saturday.

• Meyer and the Buckeyes have addressed the dismissal of senior running back Rod Smith from the team. Meyer said there is no other known player discipline on the horizon as it relates to suspensions or anything else.

• Backup running back Bri'onte Dunn isn't yet all the way back from a leg injury, so Warren Ball will be elevated to the No. 3 tailback, which had been Smith's role. Ezekiel Elliott and Curtis Samuel are the clear top two.

"There's some other guys who can run the ball," Meyer said. "Jalin Marshall, we are kind of using him on some things. And obviously Dontre Wilson."

The Buckeyes have used both those players to take direct snaps in the shotgun, with Barrett sliding out to receiver for a play.

• Meyer is tired of playoff poll questions. He said he knew the Buckeyes were ranked No. 16 in the poll released Tuesday night, but ... honestly, there isn't really anything else for him to say at this point.

• In the past, Meyer admitted to resorting to tricks when his team was preparing for an inferior opponent.

"You've got to be creative. Don't even show the film or just chew them out or something," Meyer said with a smile.

But Meyer said that isn't the case with Illinois this week, pointing out in particular return man V'Angelo Bentley, a Glenville grad. He returned a punt for a touchdown against the Buckeyes last year.

"The issue is not talent with Illinois," Meyer said. "You can see that on videotape."

LeBron James goes to Twitter to let fans decide on chalk toss.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- True to his word, LeBron James asked fans via Twitter whether or not he should toss chalk into the air upon taking the floor against the New York Knicks Thursday night.

The ask came around 8 p.m. Wednesday, about 24 hours before the Cleveland Cavaliers open the 2014-15 season and James's return debut with the team after four years away commences.

My fans here's your chance to vote and tell me either to do it or not. http://t.co/vWKGk5BXdH #ChalkToss #ChalkedOut

— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 29, 2014

The chalk or powder toss was a staple of James' pregame routine in seven seasons with the Cavaliers, but it ended some time after he left Cleveland to join the Miami Heat four years ago.

James said Friday he would let the fans decide. To vote, click on the link in the @KingJames tweet.