Michigan out-Harbaughs itself in win over USC. Plus, Week 3 NFL watch guide

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Good morning! Much to remember from the 21st night of September. Onward:

Slugfests: Running the ball is so back

Even as the NFL bends itself to caveman-football enthusiast Jim Harbaugh's will, his previous employer is discovering new levels of knuckle-draggery.

Yesterday, No. 18 Michigan welcomed No. 11 USC to the Big Ten (still feels messed up to type) by passing 12 times for 32 yards — and winning 27-24 anyway. Oh, it gets even burlier: Since hiring Harbaugh in 2015, Michigan is now 6-0 when throwing for fewer than 100 yards.

Against USC, new coach Sherrone Moore's Wolverines controlled the trenches to the gruesome tune of 290 rushing yards while almost entirely bottling up the Trojans' ground game, other than one long breakout. Now the 3-1 defending champs have a fair shot at the 12-team playoff.

For USC, the day was both encouraging and full of what-ifs . Can't count out the Trojans yet, either.

Elsewhere:

Other big winners: No. 6 handled business at No. 15 Oklahoma, embarrassed No. 13 Kansas State and No. 12 overcame its usual injury curse (plus No. 14 Oklahoma State). Full FBS scores here .

Stunner of the week: James Madison dumped a 53-point first half on UNC in Chapel Hill, finishing with a record-setting 70-50 takedown . Great time to read Justin Williams' profile of the Dukes, a Group of 5 fast riser .

Noted nephew Arch Manning got his first start for the Longhorns , finishing with two TDs and two INTs in a breezy win over lowly ULM. What'd we learn ?

Yep, you should see yet another Colorado thing: Every time I try not to give Deion Sanders' Buffs any more attention, they go and do something like this :

That 43-yard heave from Shedeur Sanders sent it to overtime, where two-way star Travis Hunter sealed the win over Baylor by forcing a goal-line fumble . Heisman finalist? After all that fuss, Colorado is 3-1.

For much more CFB, prepare your inbox to receive Until Saturday .

NFL Watch Guide: Just don't go 0-3 today

Before we get to today's brewing NFL news, let's set the proverbial table:

Eagles at Saints — Easily the best game of this window, for different reasons that we could ever imagine coming into this season. New Orleans has a chance to cement its status as a real contender, while Philadelphia badly needs a rebound game after crumbling against the Falcons late last week. Read why Saints QB Derek Carr may have finally found the right play caller fit . TV: FOX

Giants at Browns

Broncos at Buccaneers

Packers at Titans

Bears at Colts

Texans at Vikings

Chargers at Steelers

Ravens at Cowboys — Most eyes here should be on Baltimore, who cannot stomach an 0-3 start with such a promising roster. Dallas desperately needs hope after last week's shellacking against the Saints . Already a must-win game in Week 3? Maybe. TV: FOX

Dolphins at Seahawks

Panthers at Raiders

Chiefs at Falcons — I know who Kansas City is , but I'm extremely unsure about Atlanta, particularly Kirk Cousins. The big-name free-agent addition looked largely uncomfortable through most of two games until a spectacular game-winning drive in Philadelphia last week. TV: NBC

Notebook Dump: What Dianna's hearing

So you've got your NFL viewing schedule down. Now? Fresh intel from our Dianna Russini from her weekly Saturday notes column :

Some gamesmanship from Green Bay : After missing last week's game with a sprained MCL, quarterback Jordan Love was at practice — albeit limited — all week and listed as questionable today. Per Dianna, though, the team made its decision Friday but doesn't want the Titans to know the final call.

It's so over for Bryce Young : In Carolina, Dianna reports the benching of the 2023 No. 1 pick isn't an experiment — it's a full-fledged "Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston"-type of split. Also, in the days since, the Panthers have started getting trade inquiries .

Is it the year of the kicker? Making long field goals is so in this season. A common theory as to why is that weather conditions and playing surfaces have been ideal, Dianna says. But for some around the league, the answer is deeper than that.

Read the full column for updates on Justin Fields, Derek Carr, the Vikings' QB development program and the 0-2 Colts' game plan. And if you're not already subscribed, sign up here for the Scoop City newsletter and get daily nuggets like these.

News to Know

Verstappen pulls a Marshawn On Friday, Max Verstappen was told he must complete community service for Formula One's governing body as punishment for swearing — he called his car "a bit f–ed" — during his pre-Singapore Grand Prix news conference. So yesterday, he deliberately gave brief answers in his post-qualifying presser, saying he feared getting fined, then told journalists he would talk to them outside of the formal setting. And he did — it was quite the scene .

More news

From Friday: The Joel Embiid agreed to a max extension worth $301 million.

A one-of-a-kind Caitlin Clark WNBA Draft autograph card sold at auction for $84,000, breaking the record for the most expensive women's basketball card .

Rockets forward A.J. Griffin, a 2022 first-round pick, is stepping away from basketball .

NASCAR trade! Spire Motorsports and Rick Ware Racing will swap their drivers , Corey LaJoieJustin Haley, beginning with next weekend's Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway.

WNBA : Fever at Sun3 p.m. ET on ABC Caitlin Clark's first playoff game comes on a national broadcast. Overall, Indiana might be the most interesting team heading into the postseason. This is a must-watch.

MLB : Phillies at Mets7:15 p.m. ET on ESPN We're into the last two weeks of the MLB season and the Mets, authors of an incredible comeback season , still need to clinch a playoff berth.

Stream games like these here and get tickets here .

"The Athletic FC" previewed today's showdown between Man City and Arsenal (11:30 a.m. ET), the top two teams in the Premier League the last two seasons.

Pulse Picks

Three days later, we are still agape at Shohei Ohtani's performance Thursday night. Fabian Ardaya expounded on it with a query: Was this the best baseball game ever played?

In his always excellent Sliders column, Tyler Kepner makes the argument that should reframe the Quality Start statistic .

Aaron Portzline has an important, heart-wrenching story about how, in the wake of Johnny Gaudreau's sudden death, two teams dealt with the loss of beloved teammates .

Men's golf is still a divided sport. Brody Miller wonders if it can still even work at this point .

Meg Linehan has an insightful review of Netflix's new Hope Solo documentary.

Most-clicked in the newsletter Friday: Our story on the Aaron Rodgers-Robert Saleh shove/hug .

Most-read on the website yesterday: Fabian's story on Ohtani's 50/50 game .

:The Bounce The Windup Full Time The Athletic FC |Prime Tire Until Saturday | Scoop City

(Top photo: Aaron J. Thornton / )