Volume 20

Vol. 20 August 9, 2025 

Cole Times College Football Top 25 

The college football season is almost here. The Cole Times has assembled a Top-25 rankings for this upcoming season, with projected records. 

1) Texas Longhorns 11-1 

2) Penn State Nittany Lions 12-0 

3) Clemson Tigers 11-1 

4) Georgia Bulldogs 11-1 

5) Ohio State Buckeyes 10-2 

6) Notre Dame Fighting Irish 10-2 

7) LSU Tigers 8-4 

8) Miami Hurricanes 10-2 

9) Alabama Crimson Tide 9-3 

10) Arizona State Sun Devils 11-1 

11) Oregon Ducks 10-2 

12) Missouri Tigers 10-2 

13) South Carolina Gamecocks 8-4 

14) Tennessee Volunteers 9-3 

15) Illinois Fighting Illini 10-2 

16) SMU Mustangs 8-4 

17) Florida Gators 7-5 

18) Indiana Hoosiers 9-3 

19) Texas A&M Aggies 8-4 

20) Kansas State Wildcats 9-3 

21) Ole Miss Runnin’ Rebels 9-3 

22) Oklahoma Sooners 7-5 

23) Michigan Wolverines 9-3 

24) Texas Tech Red Raiders 9-3 

25) BYU Cougars 9-3 

Others considered: Iowa State, Baylor, Tulane, Louisville, Boise State, USC, Utah, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Memphis, Nebraska, TCU, Minnesota, Vanderbilt, Washington, Kansas

Lillard To Portland 

Damian Lillard is heading back to Portland Trailblazers after the Milwaukee Bucks waived him. Lillard played for the Bucks last season and suffered two injuries, one being a torn ACL which ended his season. Lillard played for the Blazers before– he played in Portland before being traded to Milwaukee two years ago. Lillard is hoping to help Portland develop its young players. He is expected to return for the 2026-2027 season. 

Cole Times Fantasy Football Preview 

The fantasy football season is almost here. Who does the Cole Times say are the 50 best players for Non-PPR Leagues? 

1. Ja’Marr Chase WR CIN

2. Bijan Robinson RB ATL

3. Justin Jefferson WR MIN

4. Saquon Barkley RB PHI

5. Ceedee Lamb WR DAL

6. Puka Nacua WR LAR

7. Derrick Henry RB BAL

8. Ashton Jeanty RB LV

9. Jahmyr Gibbs RB DET

10. Malik Nabers WR NYG

11. Amon-Ra St. Brown WR DET

12. Josh Jacobs RB GB 

13. Nico Collins WR HOU

14. Drake London WR ATL

15. Jonathan Taylor RB IND

16. Brian Thomas Jr. WR JAX

17. Brock Bowers TE LV 

18. Trey McBride TE ARI 

19. A.J. Brown WR PHI 

20.Bucky Irving RB TB 

21. Kyren Williams RB LAR

22. Devon Achane RB MIA

23. Ladd McConkey WR LAC

24.Josh Allen QB BUF 

25. Davante Adams WR LAR 

26. Tee Higgins WR CIN 

27. Lamar Jackson QB BAL

28.Jalen Hurts QB PHI 

29. Joe Burrow QB CIN 

30.Terry McLaurin WR WAS

31. James Cook RB BUF

32. Tyreek Hill WR MIA 

33. Mike Evans WR TB 

34.Kenneth Walker III RB SEA

35. Chubba Hubbard RB CAR

36. Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR SEA

37. Chase Brown RB CIN

38. George Kittle TE SF 

39. Alvin Kamara RB NO

40.Marvin Harrison Jr. WR ARI

41.Omarion Hampton RB LAC

42.James Conner RB ARI

43.Jayden Daniels QB WAS

44.Breece Hall RB NYJ 

45.DK Metcalf WR PIT 

46.Xavier Worthy WR KC

47. Joe Mixon RB HOU 

48.Zay Flowers WR BAL

49.Calvin Ridley WR TEN

50.Courtland Sutton WR DEN

Cole Times NFL Power Rankings 

1) Buffalo Bills 

2) Detroit Lions 

3) Baltimore Ravens 

4) Philadelphia Eagles 

5) Kansas City Chiefs 

6) Los Angeles Rams 

7) Houston Texans 

8) Minnesota Vikings 

9) Washington Commanders 

10) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

11) Cincinnati Bengals 

12) Green Bay Packers 

13) Denver Broncos 

14) Los Angeles Chargers 

15) Pittsburgh Steelers 

16) San Francisco 49ers 

17) Atlanta Falcons 

18) Dallas Cowboys 

19) Miami Dolphins 

20) New England Patriots 

21) Arizona Cardinals 

22) Chicago Bears 

23) Indianapolis Colts 

24) Carolina Panthers 

25) Las Vegas Raiders 

26) New York Jets 

27) Seattle Seahawks 

28) New York Giants 

29) Tennessee Titans 

30) Cleveland Browns 

31) Jacksonville Jaguars 

32) New Orleans Saints

MLB Winding Down - AL East Edition 

Only 1.5 months are left in the MLB regular season. What is each team’s most important remaining series? 

Toronto Blue Jays (68-49 1st in AL East): 9/23-9/25 vs. Boston Red Sox The Blue Jays and Red Sox are separated by a three-game gap. This very late series could determine the AL East winner. 

Boston Red Sox (65-52 2nd in AL East): 9/23-9/25 vs. Toronto Blue Jays The Blue Jays and Red Sox are separated by a three-game gap. This very late series could determine the AL East winner. 

New York Yankees (61-55 3rd in AL East): 8/21-8/24 and 9/12-9/14 vs. Boston Red Sox 

They have seven games left against the Red Sox, who are only 3.5 games ahead of the Yanks. New York is barely holding on to a Wild Card spot, with Boston holding the first Wild Card spot. These seven games versus the Red Sox could be very important for the Yankees playoff hopes. 

Tampa Bay Rays (57-60 4th in AL East): 8/19-8/20 vs. New York Yankees and 9/4-9/7 vs. Cleveland Guardians 

The Rays have an outside shot at the postseason. But to get there they need to pass the Guardians and Yankees. These six games could be the deciding factor on Tampa making the playoffs or not. 

Baltimore Orioles (53-63 5th in AL East): 9/23-9/25 vs. Tampa Bay Rays The Orioles pretty much have nothing to play for anymore. This series is just to see if the Orioles can pass the Rays for 4th place in the division and perhaps play spoiler on some playoff hopes.