Bill Connelly
@espnbillc.bsky.social
ESPN writer, professional nerd. SP+. Author of three books (Study Hall, 50 Best* and Forward Progress). College football, soccer, tennis. Puma addiction.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BKvo23DyGppxvRifqFgwkUoflPLQX5wabjUDIV4qUZA/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BKvo23DyGppxvRifqFgwkUoflPLQX5wabjUDIV4qUZA/edit?usp=sharing
Pinned
Bill Connelly
@espnbillc.bsky.social
· Sep 2
Forward Progress: The Definitive Guide to the Future of College Football
Amazon.com: Forward Progress: The Definitive Guide to the Future of College Football: 9781637278703: Connelly, Bill: Books
www.amazon.com
Hello, friends. It's FORWARD PROGRESS DAY.
"A cinematic celebration of college football’s exploding influence and a rigorous look at how and why the sport may look totally new once again," according to whoever wrote the summary blurb on Amazon.
www.amazon.com/Forward-Prog...
"A cinematic celebration of college football’s exploding influence and a rigorous look at how and why the sport may look totally new once again," according to whoever wrote the summary blurb on Amazon.
www.amazon.com/Forward-Prog...
One of the better calls and crowd pops I’ve heard in a while. Glorious last few minutes.
Scotland [4] - 2 Denmark - K. McLean 90+8'
It's done! No Playoff! Straight through! And WHAT A GOAL TO FINISH IT OFF!!!!
It's done! No Playoff! Straight through! And WHAT A GOAL TO FINISH IT OFF!!!!
November 18, 2025 at 10:01 PM
One of the better calls and crowd pops I’ve heard in a while. Glorious last few minutes.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SP+ TOP 766, WEEK 13
* Ohio State -153 Oberlin
* Harding PK Okla St
* UTRGV (new program) -2 ULM 😬
* SWOSU was 527th nine weeks ago and finishes at 313! 🥹🥹
* With a 35-0 loss to No. 649, Oberlin narrowly holds onto the 766 spot over Maine Maritime!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
* Ohio State -153 Oberlin
* Harding PK Okla St
* UTRGV (new program) -2 ULM 😬
* SWOSU was 527th nine weeks ago and finishes at 313! 🥹🥹
* With a 35-0 loss to No. 649, Oberlin narrowly holds onto the 766 spot over Maine Maritime!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
November 18, 2025 at 12:17 PM
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SP+ TOP 766, WEEK 13
* Ohio State -153 Oberlin
* Harding PK Okla St
* UTRGV (new program) -2 ULM 😬
* SWOSU was 527th nine weeks ago and finishes at 313! 🥹🥹
* With a 35-0 loss to No. 649, Oberlin narrowly holds onto the 766 spot over Maine Maritime!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
* Ohio State -153 Oberlin
* Harding PK Okla St
* UTRGV (new program) -2 ULM 😬
* SWOSU was 527th nine weeks ago and finishes at 313! 🥹🥹
* With a 35-0 loss to No. 649, Oberlin narrowly holds onto the 766 spot over Maine Maritime!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Just finished Forward Progress by @espnbillc.bsky.social Magnificent read and gave a simple British fan an amazing insight into where he sees the future of the game. I've been following CFB for the last 13 years and don't think anyone captures the nature of college football like he does.
November 17, 2025 at 9:20 PM
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Reposted by Bill Connelly
Week 12 ruled. I looked back at my favorite games, from Marcel Reed's best/worst game, to OU in T-Town, to epic Tuesday MACtion, to GT saving itself, to the SECRETARIES' CUP, to wild smaller-school finishes.
Also: SP+ movers and Hardy for Heisman!
WEEK 12 RECAP: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Also: SP+ movers and Hardy for Heisman!
WEEK 12 RECAP: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Connelly's 25 favorite games: How they went down and what they mean
From A&M's historic comeback to heart-stoppers at all levels, Week 12 was packed with games to remember.
www.espn.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Week 12 ruled. I looked back at my favorite games, from Marcel Reed's best/worst game, to OU in T-Town, to epic Tuesday MACtion, to GT saving itself, to the SECRETARIES' CUP, to wild smaller-school finishes.
Also: SP+ movers and Hardy for Heisman!
WEEK 12 RECAP: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Also: SP+ movers and Hardy for Heisman!
WEEK 12 RECAP: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Week 12 ruled. I looked back at my favorite games, from Marcel Reed's best/worst game, to OU in T-Town, to epic Tuesday MACtion, to GT saving itself, to the SECRETARIES' CUP, to wild smaller-school finishes.
Also: SP+ movers and Hardy for Heisman!
WEEK 12 RECAP: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Also: SP+ movers and Hardy for Heisman!
WEEK 12 RECAP: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Connelly's 25 favorite games: How they went down and what they mean
From A&M's historic comeback to heart-stoppers at all levels, Week 12 was packed with games to remember.
www.espn.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Week 12 ruled. I looked back at my favorite games, from Marcel Reed's best/worst game, to OU in T-Town, to epic Tuesday MACtion, to GT saving itself, to the SECRETARIES' CUP, to wild smaller-school finishes.
Also: SP+ movers and Hardy for Heisman!
WEEK 12 RECAP: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Also: SP+ movers and Hardy for Heisman!
WEEK 12 RECAP: www.espn.com/college-foot...
WEEK 13 SP+ PICKS
Oregon 33, USC 23
OU 27, Mizzou 22
Horns 33, Hogs 23
BYU 29, Cincy 25
Duke 29, UNC 23
SMU 28, Louisville 25
Vols 33, Gators 23
Cal 28, Stanford 21
Irish 44, Orange 11
A&M 75, Samford 0 😳
A 33-23 kind of week, apparently. FULL LIST: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Oregon 33, USC 23
OU 27, Mizzou 22
Horns 33, Hogs 23
BYU 29, Cincy 25
Duke 29, UNC 23
SMU 28, Louisville 25
Vols 33, Gators 23
Cal 28, Stanford 21
Irish 44, Orange 11
A&M 75, Samford 0 😳
A 33-23 kind of week, apparently. FULL LIST: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
November 16, 2025 at 11:18 PM
WEEK 13 SP+ PICKS
Oregon 33, USC 23
OU 27, Mizzou 22
Horns 33, Hogs 23
BYU 29, Cincy 25
Duke 29, UNC 23
SMU 28, Louisville 25
Vols 33, Gators 23
Cal 28, Stanford 21
Irish 44, Orange 11
A&M 75, Samford 0 😳
A 33-23 kind of week, apparently. FULL LIST: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Oregon 33, USC 23
OU 27, Mizzou 22
Horns 33, Hogs 23
BYU 29, Cincy 25
Duke 29, UNC 23
SMU 28, Louisville 25
Vols 33, Gators 23
Cal 28, Stanford 21
Irish 44, Orange 11
A&M 75, Samford 0 😳
A 33-23 kind of week, apparently. FULL LIST: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Reposted by Bill Connelly
You know a game was stupid when the winning team dropped three spots in S&P and fell behind the team they beat (on the road)
November 16, 2025 at 4:22 PM
You know a game was stupid when the winning team dropped three spots in S&P and fell behind the team they beat (on the road)
SP+ is updated! Texas Tech's back up to 3rd, Georgia's rising, only a TD separates No. 5 from No. 21, and ... yuck, NC State/UCF/Purdue/La Tech.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
Updated SP+ rankings for all 136 FBS teams
The latest SP+ rankings, plus strength of schedule and résumé SP+, following this weekend's results.
www.espn.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:17 PM
SP+ is updated! Texas Tech's back up to 3rd, Georgia's rising, only a TD separates No. 5 from No. 21, and ... yuck, NC State/UCF/Purdue/La Tech.
www.espn.com/college-foot...
www.espn.com/college-foot...
LOWEST POSTGAME WIN EXPECTANCY IN A WIN, WEEK 12:
OU > Bama 4.8%
Clemson > Louisville 13.4%
UNLV > USU 15.8%
SHSU > Delaware 31.3%
LSU > Hogs 36.0%
Navy > USF 36.8%
USC > Iowa 44.6%
K-State > OSU 47.2%
SDSU > Boise 47.8%
Another funky week! We like funk!
Full list: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
OU > Bama 4.8%
Clemson > Louisville 13.4%
UNLV > USU 15.8%
SHSU > Delaware 31.3%
LSU > Hogs 36.0%
Navy > USF 36.8%
USC > Iowa 44.6%
K-State > OSU 47.2%
SDSU > Boise 47.8%
Another funky week! We like funk!
Full list: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
2025 SP+
docs.google.com
November 16, 2025 at 1:35 PM
LOWEST POSTGAME WIN EXPECTANCY IN A WIN, WEEK 12:
OU > Bama 4.8%
Clemson > Louisville 13.4%
UNLV > USU 15.8%
SHSU > Delaware 31.3%
LSU > Hogs 36.0%
Navy > USF 36.8%
USC > Iowa 44.6%
K-State > OSU 47.2%
SDSU > Boise 47.8%
Another funky week! We like funk!
Full list: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
OU > Bama 4.8%
Clemson > Louisville 13.4%
UNLV > USU 15.8%
SHSU > Delaware 31.3%
LSU > Hogs 36.0%
Navy > USF 36.8%
USC > Iowa 44.6%
K-State > OSU 47.2%
SDSU > Boise 47.8%
Another funky week! We like funk!
Full list: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Alright, looks like there were some issues with calculating records in here, and it missed a few, so deleting. Let's try something different instead...
November 15, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Alright, looks like there were some issues with calculating records in here, and it missed a few, so deleting. Let's try something different instead...
Many of the best teams in the country looking awful at the moment. A&M ... Indiana ... Pitt ... Harvard ...
November 15, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Many of the best teams in the country looking awful at the moment. A&M ... Indiana ... Pitt ... Harvard ...
Reposted by Bill Connelly
* Remember: Most teams will lose another game
* New SEC vs. old bosses
* It's been a while since Pitt ruined a season (besides its own)
* 9-4 Duke, ACC champ: still on the table
* USC-Iowa could be REALLY good
* Superfecta! Playlist! CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP!
WEEK 12 PREVIEW: www.espn.com/college-foot...
* New SEC vs. old bosses
* It's been a while since Pitt ruined a season (besides its own)
* 9-4 Duke, ACC champ: still on the table
* USC-Iowa could be REALLY good
* Superfecta! Playlist! CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP!
WEEK 12 PREVIEW: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Old SEC vs. new SEC, Notre Dame's last test and more ACC chaos ahead in Week 12
Texas-Georgia, Oklahoma-Bama and Notre Dame-Pitt highlight another weekend of high-stakes matchups.
www.espn.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:31 PM
* Remember: Most teams will lose another game
* New SEC vs. old bosses
* It's been a while since Pitt ruined a season (besides its own)
* 9-4 Duke, ACC champ: still on the table
* USC-Iowa could be REALLY good
* Superfecta! Playlist! CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP!
WEEK 12 PREVIEW: www.espn.com/college-foot...
* New SEC vs. old bosses
* It's been a while since Pitt ruined a season (besides its own)
* 9-4 Duke, ACC champ: still on the table
* USC-Iowa could be REALLY good
* Superfecta! Playlist! CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP!
WEEK 12 PREVIEW: www.espn.com/college-foot...
* Remember: Most teams will lose another game
* New SEC vs. old bosses
* It's been a while since Pitt ruined a season (besides its own)
* 9-4 Duke, ACC champ: still on the table
* USC-Iowa could be REALLY good
* Superfecta! Playlist! CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP!
WEEK 12 PREVIEW: www.espn.com/college-foot...
* New SEC vs. old bosses
* It's been a while since Pitt ruined a season (besides its own)
* 9-4 Duke, ACC champ: still on the table
* USC-Iowa could be REALLY good
* Superfecta! Playlist! CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP!
WEEK 12 PREVIEW: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Old SEC vs. new SEC, Notre Dame's last test and more ACC chaos ahead in Week 12
Texas-Georgia, Oklahoma-Bama and Notre Dame-Pitt highlight another weekend of high-stakes matchups.
www.espn.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:31 PM
* Remember: Most teams will lose another game
* New SEC vs. old bosses
* It's been a while since Pitt ruined a season (besides its own)
* 9-4 Duke, ACC champ: still on the table
* USC-Iowa could be REALLY good
* Superfecta! Playlist! CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP!
WEEK 12 PREVIEW: www.espn.com/college-foot...
* New SEC vs. old bosses
* It's been a while since Pitt ruined a season (besides its own)
* 9-4 Duke, ACC champ: still on the table
* USC-Iowa could be REALLY good
* Superfecta! Playlist! CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP!
WEEK 12 PREVIEW: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Reposted by Bill Connelly
UMass radio: “This one is for the die hards. This one is for the degenerates. This is for the Sickos.”
November 12, 2025 at 11:58 PM
UMass radio: “This one is for the die hards. This one is for the degenerates. This is for the Sickos.”
Personal update: We’re a Mail-Order Beans family now.
November 12, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Personal update: We’re a Mail-Order Beans family now.
Reposted by Bill Connelly
At the start of October, I ranked how every P4 quarterback had performed to date. You hated it so much that I had no choice but to do it again.
📈 Julian Sayin, Haynes King, Gunner Stockton
📉 Dante Moore, Carson Beck, John Mateer
RANKING QBs: www.espn.com/college-foot...
📈 Julian Sayin, Haynes King, Gunner Stockton
📉 Dante Moore, Carson Beck, John Mateer
RANKING QBs: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Reranking all 68 Power 4 QBs: Who rose and who fell after two months
What have we learned about the quarterbacks as we race to the end of the season?
www.espn.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:27 PM
At the start of October, I ranked how every P4 quarterback had performed to date. You hated it so much that I had no choice but to do it again.
📈 Julian Sayin, Haynes King, Gunner Stockton
📉 Dante Moore, Carson Beck, John Mateer
RANKING QBs: www.espn.com/college-foot...
📈 Julian Sayin, Haynes King, Gunner Stockton
📉 Dante Moore, Carson Beck, John Mateer
RANKING QBs: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Second-most underrated (and maybe second-best?) PJ album behind Yield. Save You, Love Boat Captain, I Am Mine, Thumbing My Way and 1/2 Full are all on my top-20 list.
November 12, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Second-most underrated (and maybe second-best?) PJ album behind Yield. Save You, Love Boat Captain, I Am Mine, Thumbing My Way and 1/2 Full are all on my top-20 list.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SP+ TOP 766, WEEK 12
* Harvard -2 Michigan State
* Harding -1 Oklahoma State
* Buffalo -98 Buffalo State
* Oberlin's still clinging to a slight lead for 766th! Down to the wire!
Almost forgot to post this week! My bad!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
* Harvard -2 Michigan State
* Harding -1 Oklahoma State
* Buffalo -98 Buffalo State
* Oberlin's still clinging to a slight lead for 766th! Down to the wire!
Almost forgot to post this week! My bad!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
November 12, 2025 at 5:50 PM
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SP+ TOP 766, WEEK 12
* Harvard -2 Michigan State
* Harding -1 Oklahoma State
* Buffalo -98 Buffalo State
* Oberlin's still clinging to a slight lead for 766th! Down to the wire!
Almost forgot to post this week! My bad!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
* Harvard -2 Michigan State
* Harding -1 Oklahoma State
* Buffalo -98 Buffalo State
* Oberlin's still clinging to a slight lead for 766th! Down to the wire!
Almost forgot to post this week! My bad!
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Hell yeah, good to see someone else catching WIAC Fever...
Wisconsin-River Falls has the most prolific offense in the country, nearly 600 yards per game. They beat powerhouse Wisconsin-Whitewater 52-14, for the first time since 2001.
Meet 32-yr-old OC Joe Matheson and his Top Gun offense, one of CFB's best stories.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Meet 32-yr-old OC Joe Matheson and his Top Gun offense, one of CFB's best stories.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
November 12, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Hell yeah, good to see someone else catching WIAC Fever...
This ruled. Mikel Merino: stud pass rusher.
I watch a lot of ⚽
I watch a lot of 🏈
And honestly, I sometimes feel like I'm watching one become the other. A piece on that for @espn.com:
I watch a lot of 🏈
And honestly, I sometimes feel like I'm watching one become the other. A piece on that for @espn.com:
How Premier League teams are borrowing NFL plays for set piece success
Set piece mania has taken over the Premier League but it seems that teams are taking plays from the NFL. Here's what they have learned.
www.espn.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:02 PM
This ruled. Mikel Merino: stud pass rusher.
At the start of October, I ranked how every P4 quarterback had performed to date. You hated it so much that I had no choice but to do it again.
📈 Julian Sayin, Haynes King, Gunner Stockton
📉 Dante Moore, Carson Beck, John Mateer
RANKING QBs: www.espn.com/college-foot...
📈 Julian Sayin, Haynes King, Gunner Stockton
📉 Dante Moore, Carson Beck, John Mateer
RANKING QBs: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Reranking all 68 Power 4 QBs: Who rose and who fell after two months
What have we learned about the quarterbacks as we race to the end of the season?
www.espn.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:27 PM
At the start of October, I ranked how every P4 quarterback had performed to date. You hated it so much that I had no choice but to do it again.
📈 Julian Sayin, Haynes King, Gunner Stockton
📉 Dante Moore, Carson Beck, John Mateer
RANKING QBs: www.espn.com/college-foot...
📈 Julian Sayin, Haynes King, Gunner Stockton
📉 Dante Moore, Carson Beck, John Mateer
RANKING QBs: www.espn.com/college-foot...
Akron kicked a FG and has just recovered a fumble. Meanwhile, Ohio-WMU (an actual IMPORTANT MAC game) is within 4 points. The MACtion has been *dynamite* tonight.
November 12, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Akron kicked a FG and has just recovered a fumble. Meanwhile, Ohio-WMU (an actual IMPORTANT MAC game) is within 4 points. The MACtion has been *dynamite* tonight.
Reposted by Bill Connelly
If Duke beats UVA this week and a "deciding between 9-4 Duke and 12-1 JMU" scenario becomes more realistic, look out...
bsky.app/profile/jeff...
bsky.app/profile/jeff...
How close are we to the ACC being left out of the playoff?
November 10, 2025 at 4:20 PM
If Duke beats UVA this week and a "deciding between 9-4 Duke and 12-1 JMU" scenario becomes more realistic, look out...
bsky.app/profile/jeff...
bsky.app/profile/jeff...