Matt Baker
@mattbakercfb.bsky.social
National college sports reporter for The Athletic
Memphis finishing 4-4 in the American (pending a miraculous comeback) feels underwhelming.
November 28, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Memphis finishing 4-4 in the American (pending a miraculous comeback) feels underwhelming.
Reposted by Matt Baker
In the Lane Kiffin Sweepstakes, both LSU and Florida are putting on confident fronts. But Florida appears more prepared for backup options, per sources. Does it mean anything?
Coaching carousel intel: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Coaching carousel intel: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
November 26, 2025 at 3:10 PM
In the Lane Kiffin Sweepstakes, both LSU and Florida are putting on confident fronts. But Florida appears more prepared for backup options, per sources. Does it mean anything?
Coaching carousel intel: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Coaching carousel intel: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
As we all await Lane Kiffin's decision, my colleagues and I made the case for why he should choose Florida, LSU, Ole Miss and a few wildcards. I put on the Gators visor for this exercise.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
What should Lane Kiffin do? Let’s make the case for LSU, Florida, Ole Miss and … chaos
Trying to figure out what Kiffin is going to do feels like a game. So let's make it one. What do you think he'll do?
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:43 PM
As we all await Lane Kiffin's decision, my colleagues and I made the case for why he should choose Florida, LSU, Ole Miss and a few wildcards. I put on the Gators visor for this exercise.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
And another update on this: Daniel Mincey was released from jail last night, according to jail records. His bond was set at $90K
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
November 26, 2025 at 2:27 PM
And another update on this: Daniel Mincey was released from jail last night, according to jail records. His bond was set at $90K
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
My 8 YO is cackling at the 6-7 thing that just happened on the CFP rankings show. Sigh
November 26, 2025 at 1:11 AM
My 8 YO is cackling at the 6-7 thing that just happened on the CFP rankings show. Sigh
Why didn't ESPN put the CFP rankings show between MACtion games? We all could have watched the end of UMass-Bowling Green, seen some rankings and then watched the kickoff of EMU-WMU? Much better!
November 26, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Why didn't ESPN put the CFP rankings show between MACtion games? We all could have watched the end of UMass-Bowling Green, seen some rankings and then watched the kickoff of EMU-WMU? Much better!
UMass loses to Bowling Green 45-14 to complete an 0-12 season.
Only two of UMass' losses were by less than 18 points, and one of them was to Bryant.
I've thought a lot about my trip to Amherst from the spring...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...
Only two of UMass' losses were by less than 18 points, and one of them was to Bryant.
I've thought a lot about my trip to Amherst from the spring...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...
Is college football's losingest program ready to sell hope?
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:34 AM
UMass loses to Bowling Green 45-14 to complete an 0-12 season.
Only two of UMass' losses were by less than 18 points, and one of them was to Bryant.
I've thought a lot about my trip to Amherst from the spring...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...
Only two of UMass' losses were by less than 18 points, and one of them was to Bryant.
I've thought a lot about my trip to Amherst from the spring...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...
My goodness. UMass is already down 14-0 to Bowling Green midway through the first quarter after a long catch-and-run TD.
November 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
My goodness. UMass is already down 14-0 to Bowling Green midway through the first quarter after a long catch-and-run TD.
Reposted by Matt Baker
SOURCE: Oklahoma State is targeting North Texas head coach Eric Morris to be its next head coach, @theathletic.com has learned.
North Texas is 10-1 this year, and Morris would finish the rest of the season with the Mean Green, including a potential conference title and CFP bid.
North Texas is 10-1 this year, and Morris would finish the rest of the season with the Mean Green, including a potential conference title and CFP bid.
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 PM
SOURCE: Oklahoma State is targeting North Texas head coach Eric Morris to be its next head coach, @theathletic.com has learned.
North Texas is 10-1 this year, and Morris would finish the rest of the season with the Mean Green, including a potential conference title and CFP bid.
North Texas is 10-1 this year, and Morris would finish the rest of the season with the Mean Green, including a potential conference title and CFP bid.
Once again, all the national intrigue around the Florida-Florida State game is off the field. So here's a question: Which coaching job is better, UF or FSU?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Would you rather be the football coach at Florida or Florida State?
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Once again, all the national intrigue around the Florida-Florida State game is off the field. So here's a question: Which coaching job is better, UF or FSU?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Update: UAB's Daniel Mincey is accused of stabbing two fellow defensive linemen, according to court documents.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
UAB lineman Daniel Mincey charged with attempted murder in stabbing of 2 teammates
Mincey, 20, is accused of stabbing fellow defensive linemen JaSire Peterson and Joshua Underwood with a knife, according to court records.
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Update: UAB's Daniel Mincey is accused of stabbing two fellow defensive linemen, according to court documents.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
Reposted by Matt Baker
🐻 The Cal Job Report Card + Candidate Hot Board
You can make bowl games, but money is a big problem. And can anyone keep JKS around?
Tosh Lupoi, Jim Mora, Sean Lewis and other names to watch: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
You can make bowl games, but money is a big problem. And can anyone keep JKS around?
Tosh Lupoi, Jim Mora, Sean Lewis and other names to watch: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
November 24, 2025 at 8:32 PM
🐻 The Cal Job Report Card + Candidate Hot Board
You can make bowl games, but money is a big problem. And can anyone keep JKS around?
Tosh Lupoi, Jim Mora, Sean Lewis and other names to watch: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
You can make bowl games, but money is a big problem. And can anyone keep JKS around?
Tosh Lupoi, Jim Mora, Sean Lewis and other names to watch: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Reposted by Matt Baker
Lane Kiffin is asked about his Friday meeting with AD Keith Carter: "Very fair question, but we're not answering if it doesn't have to do with the game, the team and the season."
November 24, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Lane Kiffin is asked about his Friday meeting with AD Keith Carter: "Very fair question, but we're not answering if it doesn't have to do with the game, the team and the season."
An update on the story about the incident that injured two UAB players at the football facility over the weekend.
Online jail records now list a complaint of aggravated assault, non-family, knife for a player. Bond is $90,000.
A lot of unanswered questions still.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
Online jail records now list a complaint of aggravated assault, non-family, knife for a player. Bond is $90,000.
A lot of unanswered questions still.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
Two UAB football players injured by teammate ahead of South Florida game
UAB said the suspect is in custody and there is no threat to campus. An investigation is underway.
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
An update on the story about the incident that injured two UAB players at the football facility over the weekend.
Online jail records now list a complaint of aggravated assault, non-family, knife for a player. Bond is $90,000.
A lot of unanswered questions still.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
Online jail records now list a complaint of aggravated assault, non-family, knife for a player. Bond is $90,000.
A lot of unanswered questions still.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
ICYMI:
"Frankly, 6-6 isn't good enough..." is what FSU's then-AD said when he fired Willie Taggart to hire Mike Norvell.
By that standard, Norvell has failed in 4 of his 6 seasons. He's getting a seventh anyway.
My column on yesterday's decision:
t.co/1quAWZsw48
"Frankly, 6-6 isn't good enough..." is what FSU's then-AD said when he fired Willie Taggart to hire Mike Norvell.
By that standard, Norvell has failed in 4 of his 6 seasons. He's getting a seventh anyway.
My column on yesterday's decision:
t.co/1quAWZsw48
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6831188/2025/11/23/mike-norvell-florida-state-decision-contract/
t.co
November 24, 2025 at 3:55 PM
ICYMI:
"Frankly, 6-6 isn't good enough..." is what FSU's then-AD said when he fired Willie Taggart to hire Mike Norvell.
By that standard, Norvell has failed in 4 of his 6 seasons. He's getting a seventh anyway.
My column on yesterday's decision:
t.co/1quAWZsw48
"Frankly, 6-6 isn't good enough..." is what FSU's then-AD said when he fired Willie Taggart to hire Mike Norvell.
By that standard, Norvell has failed in 4 of his 6 seasons. He's getting a seventh anyway.
My column on yesterday's decision:
t.co/1quAWZsw48
"Frankly, 6-6 isn't good enough..."
That's what FSU's then-AD said when he fired a coach after a double-digit loss to a middling ACC opponent to hire ... Mike Norvell.
But apparently 6-6 is now good enough at Florida State. My column on today's news:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
That's what FSU's then-AD said when he fired a coach after a double-digit loss to a middling ACC opponent to hire ... Mike Norvell.
But apparently 6-6 is now good enough at Florida State. My column on today's news:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Baker: Florida State's expectations clearly aren't what they used to be
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 10:03 PM
"Frankly, 6-6 isn't good enough..."
That's what FSU's then-AD said when he fired a coach after a double-digit loss to a middling ACC opponent to hire ... Mike Norvell.
But apparently 6-6 is now good enough at Florida State. My column on today's news:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
That's what FSU's then-AD said when he fired a coach after a double-digit loss to a middling ACC opponent to hire ... Mike Norvell.
But apparently 6-6 is now good enough at Florida State. My column on today's news:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Here's the part (from board of trustees chairperson Peter Collins) that jumps out to me in the news release from Florida State saying Mike Norvell will remain at FSU for 2026:
November 23, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Here's the part (from board of trustees chairperson Peter Collins) that jumps out to me in the news release from Florida State saying Mike Norvell will remain at FSU for 2026:
Now official: Mike Norvell is staying at Florida State for the 2026 season.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
Mike Norvell will return to Florida State for 2026 season: Sources
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Now official: Mike Norvell is staying at Florida State for the 2026 season.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/672...
As Yahoo! first reported, Mike Norvell is returning to Florida State next year.
November 23, 2025 at 5:51 PM
As Yahoo! first reported, Mike Norvell is returning to Florida State next year.
Reposted by Matt Baker
Pitt's wild win at GT reshuffles ACC race with 1 week to go
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Tennessee beats Florida in The Swamp for the first time since 2003.
The Gators will finish with four (or fewer) wins for the third time in the last 13 years
The Gators will finish with four (or fewer) wins for the third time in the last 13 years
November 23, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Tennessee beats Florida in The Swamp for the first time since 2003.
The Gators will finish with four (or fewer) wins for the third time in the last 13 years
The Gators will finish with four (or fewer) wins for the third time in the last 13 years
A weird game for Pitt (goes without saying), but a two-score win over a top-20 team on the road is impressive, especially without Desmond Reid
November 23, 2025 at 3:36 AM
A weird game for Pitt (goes without saying), but a two-score win over a top-20 team on the road is impressive, especially without Desmond Reid
Well, well, well, Bees.
November 23, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Well, well, well, Bees.
Florida hits a 46-yard field goal to make it 31-3 Vols.
The Gators' NCAA-record streak of not being shut out continues, so that's something.
The Gators' NCAA-record streak of not being shut out continues, so that's something.
November 23, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Florida hits a 46-yard field goal to make it 31-3 Vols.
The Gators' NCAA-record streak of not being shut out continues, so that's something.
The Gators' NCAA-record streak of not being shut out continues, so that's something.
Wow, Pitt with a 100-yard pick-six. What a swing at GT
November 23, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Wow, Pitt with a 100-yard pick-six. What a swing at GT