PMS 2.0 1619 - NFL Kickoff Eve, Ian Rapoport, Miami Head Coach Mario Cristobal, Taylor McGregor, SMU Head Coach Rhett Lashlee, Darius Butler, & AJ Hawk

SMU won despite losing the turnover battle, time of possession, and having more penalties, which is statistically improbable.

The power outage was caused by a transformer blowing after a reset attempt, with no contingency plan in place.

Coaches agreed to play without technology after about 30 minutes notice, reverting to old-school signaling and huddles.

The Patriots added pieces to the offensive line and secondary, making them better than last year despite a tougher schedule.

AJ Brown will likely be force-fed targets early, and Romeo Dobbs is a significant addition as a number two receiver.

Sam Darnold faces a new play caller and must prove himself despite leading the Seahawks to a Super Bowl last year.

The Patriots moved from $33.75 million to nearly $34 million per year to finalize the deal late in negotiations.

The cornerback market has skyrocketed, with players like Stingley and Horn setting new benchmarks that benefit others.

George Kittle has a chance to play after practicing well, but his status is not officially confirmed.

Tyler Smith will miss four to six weeks after thumb surgery, with TJ Bass filling in.

Joey Porter Jr. has not practiced much, making his Week One status uncertain despite ramping up recently.

The team made progress but has a long way to go, with many areas needing improvement despite the win. Carson Beck demonstrated elite talent, precision, and leadership, fitting perfectly into the offensive system. Malachi Toney added 12-14 pounds of muscle and improved his acceleration and durability in the offseason.

Miami is number one because they checked all boxes against Stanford in a potentially sleepy environment.

Oregon dropped in the poll due to turnovers and sloppy play despite outgaining Boise State.

Underdogs cover at 58% in Weeks One and Two because public perception bets high on teams with offseason hype.

Teams like the Commanders, Dolphins, and Browns are undervalued by the public and will likely cover as underdogs.

George Kittle will play because he traveled to Australia and is practicing, which injured players typically avoid. Aaron Donald will dominate immediately after a two-year break, as his practice reports indicate he is back to form.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground setup looks normal for football, with tight corners and a strong turf surface.

Judge is returning without a rehab assignment because the Yankees need him immediately for the playoff race. Judge's rib injury was severe but not thoracic outlet syndrome, allowing for a quicker recovery.

The Steelers have a policy of not negotiating during the season, but a deal could happen before kickoff.

Porter Jr. is ramping up in practice and is listed as a starter, making a pre-Sunday contract signing likely.

Criticism of Freeman for jogging onto the field is unwarranted, as it is a long-standing football tradition.

New fans misunderstand football traditions and unfairly criticize coaches for standard leadership behaviors.

The ACC has six to eight teams that can win the conference, with parity top to bottom. SMU is well-positioned with alignment and resources to build long-term success after past setbacks.