Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Jermaine Mathews across Football.
Preseason polls place Ohio State at the top, Iowa at eighth, and highlight All‑Big Ten selections and player of the year favorites as media days begin in Chicago.
The USA TODAY NETWORK released its preseason Big Ten football outlook, projecting the Wisconsin Badgers to finish 13th. Sophomore linebacker Mason Posa is the only Badger recognized on the preseason all‑conference team, while the program adopts a wait‑and‑see approach despite roster upgrades.
From Notre Dame’s standout cornerback to emerging units at Texas Tech and beyond, McElroy’s rankings highlight key players, coaching shifts and the continuity that could reshape college football’s defensive landscape.
Ohio State enters 2026 as a 49.5‑point favorite against Ball State, marking the first meeting between the programs and the seventh MAC opponent under head coach Ryan Day. Defensive standouts Kenyatta Jackson and Jermaine Mathews appear on the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list, while the game’s betting landscape features DraftKings and the Dallas Cowboys’ recent trophy winner.