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Trump appears to debut darker hair, sparking online buzz
President Donald Trump appeared to debut a darker hair color Friday, sparking widespread speculation online after stepping off Air Force One in New Jersey ahead of a weekend at his Bedminster golf club.
Known for his signature blond hairstyle, Trump was photographed arriving at Morristown Municipal Airport with what appeared to be a noticeably darker, more brunette look —prompting a flood of reactions across social media.
"Trump becoming a brunette was definitely not on my 2026 bingo card," one user wrote on X.
"This was Donald Trump yesterday while departing to New Jersey for the weekend! Look at the appearance of his hair! Is he getting a new hair color?" another user wrote.
HOUSE DEMS PLOT TRUMP INVESTIGATION BLITZ IF THEY SEIZE MAJORITY
"Seems brown is the new blonde ...," a third user added.
"Trump is now a brunette!" another post read.
Photos shared on Instagram by internet personality Michael Solakiewicz showed Trump golfing Saturday in a red hat that covered most of his hair, making it difficult to tell whether the darker look remained.
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The online speculation comes just days after Trump pushed back on allegations that he wears a wig, pointing to a windy 2024 campaign rally in Ohio, according to The Hill.
"I don’t wear a wig. But that night, they found out I did not wear a wig because if you did, it was not going to be on your head very long," Trump said Wednesday.
Trump has rarely made noticeable changes to his appearance while in office.
In 2019, he sparked similar speculation after appearing with what looked like a slicked-back hairstyle during a surprise visit to a Virginia church.
That hairstyle was short-lived. Trump spoke to reporters later in the day wearing his usual hairdo.
The White House could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment.
Fox News Digital's Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
Kansas State Wildcats' mascot forced to complete absurd amount of push-ups during 71-3 victory
If you were one of the lucky ones to see your college football team score more than 70 points this weekend - and judging by the offenses we saw on Saturday, that likely isn't many of you - then you're probably feeling pretty good right now.
Everyone loves watching the scoreboard light up and the ball get marched up and down the field (as long as it's your team doing the scoreboard lighting and ball marching).
One guy - or anthropomorphic cat - who isn't feeling too great about all that scoring is Willie the Wildcat.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL'S FIRST FULL SATURDAY IS HERE AND IT'S A CELEBRATION OF AMERICA AT ITS BEST
You see, he's the mascot for the Kansas State Wildcats, and his boys had themselves a night on offense.
71 points to be exact, all at the expense of poor little Nicholls State.
The Colonels got absolutely smoked, but the only person more upset than their defense about that offensive performance is probably dear old Willie.
That's because Willie had to do some work, busting out a set of push-ups to match the scoreboard after every scoring drive.
TENNESSEE TITANS REVAMPED THEIR MASCOT AND SOCIAL MEDIA CERTAINLY HAD SOME THOUGHTS
And by the end of the night, our calisthenically inclined mascot could barely go through his range of motion.
71 points is a lot on its own, but 394 push-ups (someone else did the math for me) in one night is downright mental unless you're prime Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Willie might be the only mascot in America that will be joining the players in the cold tub Sunday morning.
I know some people are clowning him for his form, but I'd like to see you keyboard warriors bang out 400 push-ups and still be able to even raise your arms above your head, let alone drop and give me seven more.
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If the Wildcats ever need a backup middle linebacker, Willie might be able to fill in admirably.
I'm sure Willie will be thrilled to see his team play a defense with a pulse, but K-State plays in the Big 12, so he might want to ice up and hit the protein shakes a little harder this season.
Good luck, buddy! We are rooting for you!
Group of fans kicked out of Portland Thorns NWSL match over pro-women apparel labeled 'transphobic'
A group of eight people was confronted at their seats and ejected from a Portland Thorns match at Providence Park after stadium security flagged their pro-women apparel.
Footage obtained by OutKick shows Amy E. Sousa attempting to speak with a venue staff member for about a minute as the group sat in their assigned seats for the NWSL match against the Washington Spirit.
Attendees were wearing gear from XX-XY Athletics alongside shirts bearing slogans such as "Save Women's Sports," "Girls just wanna have fundamental rights," "Woman," and "It's common sense."
WNBA ADMITS SECURITY IN ATLANTA WAS WRONG TO MAKE FANS COVER SHIRTS AT DREAM-FEVER GAME
In the video, venue staff hand the group a card notifying them of an infraction of the Providence Park and NWSL Code of Conduct before escorting them out of the building.
The notice gave venue staff 72 hours to contact the group about additional penalties. It also warned that refusing to provide personal information on the spot could lead to a ban from all future events at the stadium.
Sousa later told OutKick that she was accused of being transphobic.
ADF SENDS LETTER TO WNBA AFTER CONTROVERSIES OVER TREATMENT OF SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SUPPORTERS
Following the ejection, Sousa took to social media to push back against any claim that the group caused a disturbance inside the venue before security stepped in.
"We did nothing. We had not even shown our shirts. We were dressed like this when ejected," Sousa posted on X in response to the incident.
The episode at Providence Park, which is owned by the City of Portland but operated by a private company, raises questions about how speech rules are enforced at a publicly owned stadium.
Fans face a core question: Who polices game-day gear, and when does safety cross into overreach? The incident also highlights a contrast in how Portland’s sports teams handle fan attire.
Sousa previously attended a WNBA game at the Moda Center between the Portland Fire and Indiana Fever wearing her XX-XY Athletics shirt. She was even featured on the arena’s massive jumbotron during the live broadcast, while the Thorns later booted Sousa and the other fans from Providence Park for wearing similar pro-women apparel.
"I didn't take it seriously," Sousa said regarding online warnings she received before Sunday's match. "I was like, what are they going to do? Arrest us for watching soccer?"
SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM SHARES TOUCHING MOMENT WITH YOUNG FEVER FAN AFTER GAME AGAINST PORTLAND
The security response at Providence Park followed public social media posts from a local LGBT group organizer, Hannah Perry, who lobbied municipal and state officials to intervene at the city-owned stadium.
Ahead of game time, Perry fired off a Facebook message to Sousa letting him know she’d already put the Portland PD, the mayor and Gov. Tina Kotek on notice.
Perry added that she was contacting Providence Park directly, alongside local organizations, to demand the group be removed. She called Sousa a "pathetic excuse of a human being" and wrote, "I hope that you're not allowed into the stadium."
Under the NWSL Fan Code of Conduct, spectators are prohibited from displaying signs, symbols, words or imagery used for political campaigning or advocacy. However, neither the league nor venue rules provide an objective standard for what turns basic slogan apparel into banned political expression, leaving enforcement largely to staff discretion.
Requests for comment sent to Providence Park venue management, Portland Thorns and NWSL league headquarters were not immediately returned.
Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela
Why Tasers sometimes fail to stop suspects — and what weight has to do with it
Multiple Taser deployments failed to stop Pamela Cisneros, 49, during a roughly four-minute standoff in Times Square last Monday, after she allegedly stabbed two people. The attack left a 32-year-old woman dead and a 68-year-old man wounded.
"As multiple officers discharged Tasers, which proved to be ineffective, the subject continued to advance toward our officers with the knives," Jessica Tisch, New York City police commissioner, said in a news conference that evening.
When the Tasers failed to subdue Cisneros — who stated, "I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you" — two officers opened fire, striking her. Cisneros was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
NYPD IDENTIFIES WOMAN KILLED IN TIMES SQUARE STABBING SPREE
The incident sparked broader questions about why Tasers sometimes fail and whether obesity or body composition can impede their effectiveness.
A standard Taser is designed to fire two small, barbed probes connected to the device by insulated, conductive wires, according to Axon, the manufacturer.
"Electrical pulses travel along those wires and into the body, triggering involuntary muscle contractions," Axon’s website states. "For NMI to occur, it is best that two probes make contact 12 inches (30 cm) or more apart."
Steve Keller, a retired police sergeant in Blue Ash, Ohio, said the most common causes of Taser failure include clothing, probe placement, substance abuse by the perpetrator and connectivity between probes.
However, obesity can affect the Taser, he said, as a large layer of body fat could interfere with the connectivity.
"The purpose of the Taser is neuromuscular in capacity," Keller told Fox News Digital.
"Your large muscle masses are your back and thighs. Officers are trained to aim for those areas," he said, just as they are also trained to adjust their aiming for clothing and the distance between them and the subject.
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If one of the probes hits the abdomen and the person is obese, it can affect the connectivity of the two probes, according to Keller.
"If one probe hits the person and the other probe misses, the Taser will not work," he said.
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For example, if one probe hits a subject in the thigh and the other probe hits a thick bubble jacket, there’s a good chance the officer won’t have good connectivity, Keller said.
"The same could be considered if there is a large layer of body fat — they could still feel it, but it might not be as effective."
Referring to Cisneros’ case, Keller emphasized that mental health may also play a significant role in how a person responds to a Taser.
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Tisch confirmed at the press conference that the suspect had a documented mental health history with the NYPD, with one incident in 2018 and another in 2019.
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, agreed that body composition can affect the Taser’s effectiveness.
"Tasers are much more effective for muscle than fat because muscle conducts electricity much better, and the Taser delivers a high voltage," he said. "In an obese person, it is more difficult to find an area that conducts electricity."
Fox News Digital reached out to Axon, the NYPD and obesity organizations requesting comment.
MLB legend Alex Rodriguez reveals the foods he keeps in his kitchen fridge
Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Alex Rodriguez, better known as A-Rod, hasn’t swung a bat professionally in a decade, and he revealed he eats a lot less than he did when he was a full-time athlete.
"During my 25-year career, I ate a lot more," the legendary MLB slugger, three-time MVP and World Series champion told Men’s Health in a video showing what he keeps in the refrigerator and pantry of his Los Angeles, Calif., home.
"I used to eat six times a day — a lot of steak, a lot of potatoes, a lot of rice, beans," A-Rod said. "You’re burning so much calories when you’re playing 162 games."
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These days, the 51-year-old businessman, sports-team owner and broadcaster eats a wide variety of foods, with healthy options always on hand along with a stash of indulgent snack items.
The staples A-Rod told Men’s Health are always in his fridge include plenty of water — "some sparkling, but not too much" — eggs, spring lettuce mix and fruit, including bananas, apples and oranges, which the athlete called "very important."
He said he usually eats three or four meals a day and mixes in a protein shake.
His refrigerator still contains a few "pop sodas" (his term) for friends who visit, because A-Rod gave up drinking soft drinks five years ago.
Other items A-Rod said he must have in his fridge are blueberries — "always fresh, organic" — strawberries, greens — including salad and some broccoli — and hummus for a late-night snack.
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A-Rod said he is a "chips expert."
In his pantry, he unveiled an assortment of salty, greasy goodness in the form of barbecue chips, Doritos, Cheetos, Tostitos, Corn Nuts and cashews.
"This is where I do my best work — at 2 a.m.," he joked. He also acknowledged eating in bed.
One item A-Rod said you’ll never see in his kitchen is liver.
His standard breakfast includes eggs, some oatmeal, bacon, a little glass of orange juice and lots of water.
For lunch, he usually has some salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing and chicken or fish.
For dinner, he likes steak or salmon with sweet potato fries — or "any type of fries, actually" — and said he doesn’t cook any of it, joking that he would probably start a fire.
A-Rod said he’s never tried a diet.
"I love to eat," he said. "I have a great relationship with food."
He added that while he was playing in the MLB, he used to "overeat" because he needed the energy.
"Today I probably under-eat," he said, "which is not good. I need to eat more, especially some healthy proteins, more fruit, more water, more fuel."
A-Rod said his favorite pregame meal was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with barbecue chips and two bottles of water.
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To celebrate big wins, he said he enjoyed eating a big steak with a sweet potato "or some good sushi."
His go-to comfort foods reflect his Dominican heritage and include rice and beans, plátanos maduros — sweet, ripe plantains that are fried until caramelized — and tostones — twice-fried, crispy green plantains.
Revealing his go-to burger meal, A-Rod said it’s a double Whopper with cheese. He noted that he likes Burger King’s burgers but prefers McDonald’s French fries.
The sports star is a big coffee drinker, estimating he consumes between seven and eight cups a day. He also likes a Celsius energy drink before hitting the gym.
A-Rod said he incorporates protein shakes with protein powder, fruit and a little bit of peanut butter into his day.
He also takes vitamin C supplements, a multivitamin and, to help him sleep, some magnesium.
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His preferred ballpark food is a hot dog, specifically a Dodger Dog (served at Los Angeles Dodgers baseball games at Dodger Stadium).
"I also like a great pretzel," he said. "Nice and warm and big."
The "A-Rod special" is an unusual item you likely won’t find on a restaurant menu.
The baseball star’s "weird" favorite food combination is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with deli turkey on it.
Amy Acton campaign says armed individual lunged at Ohio governor candidate, injuring multiple people
An armed individual lunged at Ohio gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton and injured multiple people Sunday in a burst of violence at the Canfield Fair, her campaign said.
"While attending the Canfield Fair, an armed individual lunged at Dr. Acton, injuring multiple people," Acton campaign communications director Addie Bullock said in a statement.
"Dr. Acton and Eric are grateful for the swift and decisive action of law enforcement and are praying for the recovery of those injured," Bullock added. "This kind of violence has no place in Ohio. Dr. Acton will always stand up to the chaos, hate and vitriol that pits us against one another."
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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine later confirmed that Acton was not hurt and said he and first lady Fran DeWine spoke with her following the incident.
"Fran and I are thankful Dr. Amy Acton was not hurt, and we send our thoughts to those who were injured," DeWine said. "We spoke to Dr. Acton this afternoon and she said to share with Ohioans that she is ok."
DeWine said a man "tried to forcefully push himself toward Dr. Acton" as she was speaking and injured other attendees at the Mahoning County Democratic booth.
"We are grateful for the quick work of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and other law enforcement on the scene at the Canfield Fair today," the governor said.
"Violence or the threat of violence at political or public events is always unacceptable," DeWine added. "This case is now in the hands of law enforcement and will be investigated thoroughly."
Officials did not immediately identify the man or say whether he had been arrested. Acton’s campaign described him as armed, although DeWine did not mention a weapon. The conditions of those injured were also unclear.
It was also unclear what prompted the confrontation and whether anyone had been arrested.
The incident came as Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned that candidates and other public figures continue to face threats as campaign season kicks into high gear.
"You’re never safe in the public eye," Mullin told Fox News’ Peter Doocy during an interview on "The Sunday Briefing."
Doocy asked Mullin whether candidates were safe heading into the traditional Labor Day weekend kickoff to campaign season, citing the political assassinations and assassination attempts that have rocked the country in recent years.
"If you read any of the social media posts, which I choose not to, but you see the type of rhetoric and the hatefulness that’s out there," Mullin said.
DEM SENATE HOPEFULS UNDER SCRUTINY FOR ‘CHOKE THEM OUT’ RHETORIC AFTER TRUMP ATTACK SCARE
"The threats to our elected officials, they don’t go away," he continued. "We’ve got to bring down the temperature, but the temperature is not going to go down on itself."
Mullin said Americans must accept that political disagreements are part of the country’s system of government while drawing a firm line at violence.
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"The American people have to realize that we do have a republic, and the republic has different opinions, and it’s OK to have different opinions," he said.
"When you cross a line and say that that different opinion needs to be silenced — it needs to be silenced through violence — that’s where Homeland comes into place," Mullin added. "Free speech is something we all protect, but there’s a line that you can cross that goes from free speech to inciting dangerous behavior."
Mullin was speaking broadly about political threats and was not responding directly to the reported confrontation involving Acton.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy and his running mate, Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, condemned the Canfield Fair incident.
"Candidates should be able to meet with voters without having to worry about threats or violence," Ramaswamy campaign communications director Connie Luck said in a statement.
"What happened today is completely unacceptable and has no place in politics, and we hope that no one was hurt," she added.
Acton and Ramaswamy are facing off in November’s closely watched race to replace term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine.
Acton, a physician, became a household name in Ohio while serving as director of the Ohio Department of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The Associated Press. She appeared alongside DeWine during televised briefings as the state imposed shutdowns and other public-health restrictions.
Her handling of the pandemic has since become a central campaign issue, The AP reported. Ramaswamy and other Republicans have criticized Acton over the restrictions, while her campaign has defended her work with DeWine as necessary to protect Ohioans.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office for additional information.
Fox News' Peter Doocy contributed to this report.
Andrew Garfield faces backlash after telling billionaires to be 'scared' of his new movie
Andrew Garfield took heat on X after calling out "billionaires" while discussing his new movie, "The Uprising," Thursday at a Los Angeles film screening.
In a video uploaded by film review website, The Movie Report, Garfield and director Paul Greengrass answered questions about the historical action drama that depicts England's 1381 Peasants' Revolt. The story takes place in the aftermath of the Black Death, when heavy taxes imposed by King Richard II's court to fund the Hundred Years' War push impoverished commoners to a breaking point.
"What's your dream takeaway for people in the audience when they go home?" an audience member asked Garfield, adding, "What are you hoping for?"
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"Well, first I hope they come and see it, first thing," Garfield responded. "Secondly, I hope it's galvanizing. I hope there's some awakening that people feel … that we all feel like our own struggles are being reflected in the struggles of these characters from a distant time and place and that it could be directive."
"And I hope that if any billionaires watch it, they're scared sh--less," Garfield added.
Garfield’s remarks sparked swift backlash, with critics highlighting the substantial wealth the movie star has accumulated throughout his career.
"When I first heard they were making a period film about Wat Tyler, I was pretty excited. But the more Andrew Garfield talks, the more it sounds like it's just going to be socialist garbage," said Rick Davis, an associate pastor at Providence Church in Lynchburg, Virginia. (Garfield plays a fictional lead character named Ploughman in the film, while actor Cosmo Jarvis portrays historical rebel leader Wat Tyler).
Spencer Pratt, a former candidate for mayor in Los Angeles, pointed out what he viewed as irony in Garfield’s statement.
"You mean…like the billionaires who greenlight your movies and stroke all your multi-million dollar paychecks? Or they good?" Pratt wrote. He added, "Ironically, Garfield just got paid like $5M for playing billionaire Sam Altman in Artificial."
SPENCER PRATT DUBS HIMSELF THE 'FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR' IN SPOOF CAMPAIGN VIDEO FOR LA MAYOR RACE
"Hilarious that world-famous, multi, multi millionaire Andrew Garfield is cosplaying as a put upon member of the working class," Substack columnist John William Sherrod posted.
"More billionaires were involved in making this than will probably ever watch it," Noam Blum, chief technology officer at Tablet Magazine also posted.
Garfield has starred in major blockbuster films including "Spider-Man: No Way Home," "Hacksaw Ridge," and "The Amazing Spider-Man."
Neither Garfield nor Greengrass responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Team USA basketball survives scare against Italy in FIBA Women's World Cup, secures quarterfinal berth
Team USA got all it could handle from Italy in Sunday's FIBA Women's World Cup game.
The Stars and Stripes jumped out to a 19-8 lead by the end of the first quarter and held on to win by a score of 55-52, though the contest wasn't without its fair share of lead changes and controversies.
Italy led by three midway through the fourth quarter and even had a chance to tie the game on the final shot where an Italian player looked like she may have been fouled.
CAITLIN CLARK NOT IN TEAM USA'S STARTING 5 FOR FIBA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL WORLD CUP OPENER VS CHINA
But the game-tying attempt sailed to the left of the rim and landed harmlessly into the arms of Breanna Stewart, ending the threat.
Team USA shot a putrid 1-12 from beyond the arc (8%) and only made 29% of their field goals overall, highlighting just how much work still needs to be done if this team wants to make a run at the title.
ANGEL REESE VS. 7'3" DOUGHY CHINESE TOWER ZHANG ZIYU WAS A BATTLE FOR THE AGES AT THE FIBA WORLD CUP
Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini led all scorers with 14 points to go along with seven rebounds and was the unquestioned star in a game full of them.
For the Americans, Jackie Young led with a team-high 10 points and was the only player to shoot above 40% from the field.
Had the Italians hung on to win, it would have been one of the most monumental upsets in FIBA Women's World Cup history.
With the win, the U.S. women improved to 2-0 in group play and have now qualified for the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Time will tell if this group of women has what it takes to bring some hardware home from Germany, but if they don't want to leave empty-handed, they will need their heavy hitters to step up, namely Caitlin Clark, who finished with just one point and was held without a field goal for the entire game.
Has National Championship picture in college football already changed after a stunning first week?
Week one of the 2026 college football season isn't fully in the books, and already the playoff and National Championship picture has already been turned upside down. And the balance of power within the two top conferences might have shifted, unexpectedly, after some shocking performances, both good and bad.
While the Indiana Hoosiers are defending national champions, finished off a 16-0 season, and brought in another impressive transfer portal class under Curt Cignetti, most have expected that the Big Ten Championship will run through two other programs: the Ohio State Buckeyes and Oregon Ducks.
Ohio State lived up to the billing, with an overwhelmingly dominant win over Ball State. Far from a top opponent, sure, but the Buckeyes did exactly what they needed to as the country's number one team in their opening game. Oregon though? Not exactly.
OREGON RALLIES FROM SLOW START, THWARTS BOISE STATE'S UPSET BID IN SEASON OPENER
The Ducks struggled for most of the first half against Boise State, then found themselves tied with just over eight minutes to go in the game after a Broncos field goal. But after a quick touchdown drive to take a 34-27 lead, the Oregon defense stiffened, and closed out the win with back-to-back stops. That said, the Ducks dominated more than the scoreline indicated. They averaged nearly eight yards per play, allowing just 4.2 to Boise State. They had 10 yards per attempt passing, with 28 completions on 38 attempts for 378 yards, while adding three sacks and four tackles for loss on defense. The scoreline was close, but Ducks fans can be encouraged that they "deserved" a more decisive outcome.
Then there's the "second tier" of the Big Ten, teams that have hoped coaching staff changes and another year of development for start quarterbacks will make the difference: Michigan and USC. SC brought in defensive coordinator Gary Patterson to finally make the Trojans defensive unit championship quality. Michigan, after a year of turmoil after the firing of Sherrone Moore, hired Kyle Whittingham away from Utah, a head coach known for his consistency and steadiness.
Their outcomes on Saturday couldn't have been more different.
Nobody who watched Michigan, outside fans of the program, thinks they escaped Western Michigan with a last-second win. They were outplayed, couldn't get the Broncos offense off the field, frequently benefited from questionable officiating, then required a miraculous Hail Mary, that should never have happened, to escape with the win. Even including that 47-yard pass, the Wolverines had just 276 yards of offense. At home. Against Western Michigan as a 28-point favorite.
CLOCK CONTROVERSY ALLOWS MICHIGAN WOLVERINES TO AVOID MASSIVE UPSET AGAINST WESTERN MICHIGAN
They averaged 5.8 yards per play, again, with that 47-yard pass included. Bryce Underwood, making an enormous amount of money after a high-profile recruiting war, looked awful. Excluding the Hail Mary, Underwood had 11 completions on 21 pass attempts for 123 yards. Against Western Michigan, at home. The Michigan running game, long a point of pride in Ann Arbor, had 16 attempts from its running backs, for 59 yards. At home. Against Western Michigan. Broncos running back Jalen Buckley had 19 carries for 62 yards. By himself.
A sloppy early season performance isn't enough to fully end a team's season, just ask Notre Dame in 2024, who lost 16-14 to Northern Illinois, then played in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. But with most observers treating Michigan's performance as a loss, and a tough schedule with Oklahoma next weekend, games against Iowa, Penn State, Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State, it's hard to see the Wolverines as a realistic contender for a playoff spot.
USC though? Their defense finally put in the type of performance fans have been waiting for.
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Fresno State isn't Oregon, of course, but the Bulldogs were expected to be one of the better Group of Six teams. They finished 2025 at 9-4, beat Boise State 30-7 and Oregon State 36-27. Many believed they could compete near the top of the newly reconfigured Pac-12 Conference, with analyst Greg McIlroy picking them as the G6 playoff representative.
But the Trojans ran them off the field. SC were 21-point favorites, then outgained the Bulldogs 552-116. They averaged 8.1 yards per play, while allowing just 2.6. Most of Fresno's offensive stats came from the last drive of the game against the SC backups. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Trojans defense had allowed just over 50 total yards on offense and 1.7 yards per play. Fresno State isn't an FCS team. They were No. 73 in preseason SP+, one of the best analytics-driven ranking systems available. That's ahead of teams like Stanford and USF, and not far off from Colorado and Iowa State.
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USC has a tough road ahead too, with games against Oregon, Washington, Ohio State, Indiana, and Penn State ahead, but if the Trojans defense is for real, they might suddenly be, finally, "back."
No question though, the most impressive of the weekend had to be the LSU Tigers. Despite the controversy surrounding the program, Lane Kiffin's debut couldn't have been better. LSU obliterated Clemson, who were hopeless offensively, and barely able to provide opposition defensively. The Tigers treated the other Tigers like an FCS team, and immediately cemented themselves as top contenders in the SEC, along with Texas and Georgia.
Nothing's decided in week one, but we did, already, see the playoff picture get a shakeup. LSU and USC might be better than expected, with both providing more competition for Ohio State and Georgia than many believed heading into the season.
Oregon, while they clearly "deserved" the win, seem a bit further away from championship quality than many projected based on the talent Dan Lanning's accumulated. And Michigan, well, if poll voters were honest about what everyone saw, they deserve to fall out of the top-25 entirely.
Hasan Piker brushes off Dems who see him as a liability, names his '28 choice
Hasan Piker hears the growing chorus of Democrats condemning him for incendiary statements, and he has a message for the party: "My job is not to make the Democratic Party look good."
The far-left Twitch streamer has boosted socialist candidates even as he created headaches for the broader Democratic Party in a midterm election cycle where it hopes to make major gains. The 35-year-old Piker — whose polarizing stances range from defending communist Chinese dictator Mao Zedong to comparing Zionism to "Nazism" — is a darling of the Democratic Socialists of America, but a potential liability for mainstream Democrats as November approaches.
Piker said Democratic Party officials have not reached out to coordinate a strategy.
"I have not had a conversation with anyone from the DNC," Piker said. "That would be very funny."
JAMES CARVILLE DECRIES 'IDIOT' HASAN PIKER, ORDERS DSA TO CHANGE ITS NAME
In an exclusive interview at the 2026 Socialism Conference in Chicago, Piker told Fox News that, while he tries "to be as careful as possible" when it comes to choosing his words, his hours-long streams present his opponents with the "perfect opportunity to create viral media moments."
Some of those moments include intense backlash over Piker’s 2019 statement that America "deserved 9/11," a comment which has been widely condemned by politicians on both sides of the aisle.
HASAN PIKER CALLS REPUBLICAN PARTY THE 'BIGGEST DOMESTIC TERRORIST' IN THE COUNTRY
Piker acknowledged that he should not have used the word "deserved," but said his point was that "[America’s] meddling in the affairs in the Middle East actually transpired these horrifying events."
"It's not a controversial thing [to argue]," Piker said. "It was the language that I used that was controversial."
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Piker's brash commentary gives him credence with the far-left DSA, which pulled off a host of primary victories against more moderate Democrats, but party elders have disavowed him.
"There’s two things that I know about Hasan Piker," longtime Democratic Party consultant James Carville told Fox News Channel last week. "One, he’s an idiot, and two, he’s not a Democrat. So, I don’t answer for idiots, and I don’t answer for people who are not Democrats."
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Key Democrat lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Hakeen Jeffries, senators Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., and several House members have condemned Piker's past rhetoric.
As he crosses the country, joining campaign rallies and canvass launches for liberal challengers to establishment-backed candidates, Piker acknowledged that even his allies have urged him to moderate his rhetoric for the sake of their electoral chances.
But Piker told Fox News the press is overstating his association with the progressive political candidates and wondered why the media had not "demanded condemnations from establishment Republicans for collaborating with Charlie Kirk or using him as a campaign surrogate."
Piker campaigned hard for Abdul El-Sayed, the progressive Michigan Democratic Senate nominee who pulled off a major upset victory against the establishment-backed Rep. Haley Stevens, D- Mich., in August. While his active support for El-Sayed may have generated buzz among Piker's base, it's also led El-Sayed to face a barrage of questions and criticism about his association with Piker.
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Piker said that while he is confident El-Sayed – who distanced himself from Piker in recent weeks – will win this fall, "if people want to blame me" in the event El-Sayed loses, "they can blame me," adding, "I think that's the goal."
Piker's role in the midterms may prove to be a warmup for the 2028 presidential election, and he said he has no plans to moderate his stances or stay on the sidelines. He said he will back socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. if she launches a bid for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.
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"I think she's great," Piker said. "She would have some difficulties, of course, but hurdles can be climbed over, and I think she can do it."
Piker believes his influence will continue to grow, and predicted even Democrats now condemning him will "try to utilize the platform that I have" if they seek higher office in 2028.
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"And I'm not talking about my ideological allies or people who are associated with me right now," he added.