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Matt Baker

@mattbakercfb.bsky.social
1.1K followers 247 following 1.3K posts

National college sports reporter for The Athletic

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Reposted by Matt Baker
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 29/09/2026
NEWS: The Senate has passed the Protect College Sports Act, 77-22 It will go to the House, which likely won't take it up until after the midterm elections, making its passage chances TBD. But a historic step. Here's a basic rundown of what's in the bill: www.nytimes.com/athletic/749...
nytimes.com
What’s actually in the Senate bill that’s supposed to stop the madness in college sports? (Gift Article)
Changes to the bill have it inching toward a final vote in the Senate, meaning the possibility of something passing is closer than ever.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Four games into the Lane Kiffin era, what do we know about LSU and Lane? My thoughts, after covering the Tigers' 3 biggest games thus far (Clemson, Ole Miss, Texas A&M): www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...
nytimes.com
What I learned from three up-close looks at Lane Kiffin's first month at LSU
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
LSU is four games into the Lane Kiffin Era. I’ve covered three of them, including last night’s takedown of Texas A&M. Here’s what I’ve seen and where I think the Tigers are going. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...
nytimes.com
What I learned from three up-close looks at Lane Kiffin’s first month at LSU (Gift Article)
LSU has an entertaining team with an energized fan base and an electrifying coach who remains unapologetically himself.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Initial takeaways on LSU 35, Texas A&M 6 www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...
nytimes.com
One week after heartbreak, Lane Kiffin’s LSU is back on track, and Texas A&M is in crisis (Gift Article)
Lane Kiffin and the Tigers bounced back from last week’s emotional loss at Ole Miss in style, sending the Aggies spiraling.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
A couple seen at LSU-A&M
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
You'll hear "Rocky Top" a lot today between GameDay and Tennessee-Texas. Did you know a trombone player has been counting every "Rocky Top" performance since the 1990s?!?! The official count on a Google Sheet since 2013: 4,533. On the earwormy tradition: www.nytimes.com/athletic/762...
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
These are awesome
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Reposted by Matt Baker
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 22/09/2026
Every sentence of this column is completely on point and what makes me worry about not only the future of CFB, but sports in general.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I was mildly surprised that Florida is favored to beat Ole Miss in The Swamp this weekend. Apparently, I wasn't alone! www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
nytimes.com
Florida coach jokes about being favored vs. No. 4 Ole Miss: 'A lot of good drugs out there'
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
In his weekly presser, Florida HC Jon Sumrall calls Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss as good a player as he's ever seen. The Gators host Ole Miss on Saturday.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
We only spent the entire offseason talking about Lane Kiffin's return to Ole Miss. Now that it's over, some final thoughts from me and the teammates I accompanied to Oxford. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
nytimes.com
Ole Miss-LSU exit survey: What were the most memorable things we saw in Oxford?
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Now that all *that* is over … what should we make of LSU? The short answer is, let’s wait because more tests are coming (A&M, Mississippi State, Bama, Texas). The longer answer (gift link): www.nytimes.com/athletic/761...
nytimes.com
With Lane Kiffin’s haters watching, his first LSU team debuted fatal flaws at the worst time (Gift Article)
Kiffin’s long history suggests the odds of him receding during an uneventful, good-but-not-that-good season are low. So what now?
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The scene outside the tunnel of Lane Kiffin’s return to Ole Miss
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Our live blog for LSU-Ole Miss is up and running. Our crew @theathletic.com is en route to Oxford. www.nytimes.com/athletic/col...
nytimes.com
LSU Tigers vs Ole Miss Rebels Box Score - September 19, 2026 - The Athletic
Get real-time NCAAF coverage and scores as the LSU Tigers take on the Ole Miss Rebels at 7:30pm EDT on September 19, 2026. The Athletic brings you the latest stats, scores, and analysis of your favori...
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
What’s the view of the Lane Train in Louisiana? The shop Sweet Baton Rouge can’t keep Kiffin Orgeron ‘26 shirts in stock. The screenprinter can’t keep up with demand. www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
nytimes.com
LSU and Lane Kiffin: Will it all be worth it in the end?
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
There has, unquestionably, been a lot around LSU and Lane Kiffin. It prompts the question: Is this all worth it? The answer I got from Baton Rouge was clear: www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
nytimes.com
Lane Kiffin has LSU wearing the black hat. Will it all be worth it? (Gift Article)
Although the trade-off won’t work at every program, not every program is LSU. What makes LSU suited to embrace Lane Kiffin?
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
One new nugget we can report in the light of today's UNC/Lombardi investigation news: Soon after Lombardi took over, staffers felt pressured to misrepresent UNC's academic offerings to recruits. www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
nytimes.com
Steve Belichick resigns after investigation finds ‘certain actions’ by UNC football disregarded standards
UNC said the actions the investigation found were "isolated" and "not a systematic failure."
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Reminder: Ole Miss will be playing against two LSU players it has sued Saturday. I think that's a first? www.nytimes.com/athletic/760...
nytimes.com
Star LSU transfer Princewill Umanmielen served with Ole Miss lawsuit papers ahead of game
On Tuesday, Ole Miss served LSU's Princewill Umanmielen with court papers from the Rebels’ breach of contract lawsuit against hi,
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
We here on @theathletic.com college football team spent a lot of time over the last few weeks/months trying to find the roster payroll for every P4 team. The figures are inexact, but here's what we came up with and where we think your school ranks: (gift link) www.nytimes.com/athletic/int...
nytimes.com
Does your college football roster cost $8M or $50M? Here's our report on 68 teams (Gift Article)
The best teams are, on average, the ones paying players the most, but there's a wide disparity between the schools at the top and the bottom of major conferences.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
I understand FSU's situation better now than I did at the start of the day. Our updated story, after a chat with Florida State's president and BoT chairperson: www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...
nytimes.com
Florida State fires athletic director Michael Alford. Is Mike Norvell next? (Gift Article)
Norvell’s seat is the hottest in the country. The Seminoles have finished with losing records in four of his six full seasons.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Updated analysis: FSU fires AD Michael Alford. Is Mike Norvell next? I'm reminded of what Miami did in 2021 after FSU's fourth-and-14 victory over the Canes... (gift link) www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...
nytimes.com
Florida State fires athletic director Michael Alford. Is Mike Norvell next? (Gift Article)
Norvell’s seat is the hottest in the country. The Seminoles have finished with losing records in four of his six full seasons.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Michael Alford is out as Florida State's AD. The obvious follow-up question: Is Mike Norvell next? I'll be updating this quickie story, but: www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...
nytimes.com
Florida State fires athletic director Michael Alford
The decision prompts the question: Is football coach Mike Norvell next?
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Reposted by Matt Baker
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 14/09/2026
This week's Athletic 138: 1. Texas 10. BYU 21. Oklahoma State 53. North Carolina 70. FAU 135. Rutgers Full rankings (free): www.nytimes.com/athletic/759...
nytimes.com
Re-ranking 138 college football teams after Week 2: Texas vaults to No. 1, then it gets weird (Gift Article)
Two weeks into the college football season, it feels like we know nothing. Ain’t it great?
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Reposted by Matt Baker
Tim Graham @bytimgraham.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
In their first substantive interviews since it all went down in Madison four years ago, Jim Leonhard and Paul Chryst get candid about their Wisconsin football exits. www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
nytimes.com
Jim Leonhard, Paul Chryst get candid about their Wisconsin football exits (Gift Article)
For the first time in four years, Chryst and Leonhard gave substantive interviews about their Wisconsin departures.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Is 2026 Oregon the 2025 Penn State? I made the case for and against after the Ducks' loss to Oklahoma State. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
nytimes.com
Is Oregon this year’s Penn State? The case for and against a Ducks free fall (Gift Article)
Preseason No. 2 Oregon's upset loss at Oklahoma State on Saturday couldn't help but feel a bit like 2025 Penn State. What's next?
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Boise State with a fourth-down touchdown pass to cut Memphis' lead to 17-10 late in the first half. A fun game with very early CFP implications to keep an eye on
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Initial thoughts/takeaways on Michigan's win over Oklahoma. Bryce Underwood improved, and the Sooners look about the way they did last year (maybe pretty good in the end but not a serious contender) www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
nytimes.com
As Michigan gets an ugly win to celebrate, does Oklahoma have the bigger QB question?
Michigan took down No. 11 Oklahoma 17-10 in a game in which Bryce Underwood outplayed John Mateer in a day dominated by defense.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Michigan's Troy Bowles had the fumble recovery a few minutes ago against OU. That gives me an excuse to bring up and share one of the most Jim Harbaugh stories of Jim Harbaugh's Michigan tenure: www.tampabay.com/sports/high-...
tampabay.com
Why Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh squatted during a recruiting trip to Jesuit
Yes, the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is involved. Why wouldn’t it be?
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Through the first 5 quarters and change of the season, Rutgers has been outscored 54-21 by UMass and Boston College.
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Reposted by Matt Baker
Bruce Feldman @brucefeldmancfb.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
What we’re hearing in college football Week 2: Is Bryce Underwood ‘seeing ghosts’? Rival coaches on why the former No. 1 recruit is really struggling at Michigan. Why Arch has improved so much from last year; and an interesting CJ Carr comp: Free link: www.nytimes.com/athletic/758...
nytimes.com
What we’re hearing in college football Week 2: Is Bryce Underwood ‘seeing ghosts’? (Gift Article)
Plus, notes on star QBs Arch Manning and CJ Carr, and some early playmakers to watch for Matt Campbell's first Penn State team.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Florida State fans have reached the “crowdsource coach buyout” stage
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Good news for those of you who care about "football" rather than "lawsuits" or "jurisdictional disputes" or "legal debates over sovereign immunity or 12b1 motions." The SEC/LSU/Lane Kiffin et al spat is cooling. Gift story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...
nytimes.com
LSU-SEC feud shows signs of cooling as lawsuit hearing postponed
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The hearing in the SEC's lawsuit against Lane Kiffin et al is continued (legalese for delayed), per an online court entry.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Louisiana AG Liz Murrill, semi out of context but not really, in an interview right now to Tiger Rag Radio on the SEC/LSU/Whoever legal spat: "The whole thing is kind of strange"
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I'm still trying to see the off-ramps in the LSU-SEC saga. LSU can't withdraw the Louisiana suit; it's not a party in that case. If it doesn't roster the 2 players, what happens in La. court? If La. judge says SEC can't punish LSU, what other options are there besides expulsion?
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Reposted by Matt Baker
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 08/09/2026
✍️ This week's Athletic 138, ranking every FBS team: 1. LSU 9. Ole Miss 37. Michigan 38. Western Michigan 69. NDSU 100. UMass (in my top 100 for the first time ever!) Full rankings: www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...
nytimes.com
Re-ranking 138 college football teams after Week 1: LSU starts on top, Rutgers hits a new low (Gift Article)
LSU's dominant performance against Clemson jumps them up the rankings. Rutgers blowout loss to UMass sets a new low for Power 4 teams.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
When I made the case for why Mike Norvell could get off the hot seat this season, (turnover) luck was one of my reasons. Tonight, FSU has recovered a fumble, intercepted a pass in the end zone and recovered that deflected punt www.nytimes.com/athletic/754...
nytimes.com
Four reasons why Mike Norvell might not be doomed at Florida State
Many seem to believe the Norvell era at FSU is destined to end this fall. Here's why his tenure could actually be saved.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Florida State is 0-for-6 on third down. The fewest third down conversions for the Noles under Norvell? 1 (loss at Wake in 2021, win over BC in 2023)
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
What was one of the most anticipated coaching debuts in recent memory like? A literal dog and pony show. A weather delay in a place it never rains. A 1-of-1 souvenir for a fan of 66 years. Oh, and a 41-point domination. The scene from Lane Kiffin’s LSU: www.nytimes.com/athletic/756...
nytimes.com
Lane Kiffin’s LSU debut brought drama and hoopla. The actual football validated it all (Gift Article)
After all of the controversy of LSU's offseason, a 51-10 shellacking of Clemson offered an example of why the Tigers hired Kiffin.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Other than that, I'll keep most of my thoughts over here on our live blog. All are welcome! www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
nytimes.com
Clemson vs. LSU score, live updates: Lane Kiffin era arrives in college football Week 1
Follow our live coverage as Lane Kiffin and LSU host Clemson to open the season.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Nearing kickoff here at Tiger Stadium. It is indeed Saturday night in Death Valley. A pregame read, if you'd like, on why Lane Kiffin is always at the center of everything...including the biggest game of Week 1. www.nytimes.com/athletic/756...
nytimes.com
Lane Kiffin made himself college football’s main character again. LSU is his biggest stage
Kiffin has built a head-coaching career around extreme main character energy. He finally has the setting to match.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Our LSU-Clemson live blog is up and going. I’ll spend most of my time there, but if anyone knows where I can find the person selling these, let me know www.nytimes.com/athletic/col...
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Hello. We made it. Football
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Reposted by Matt Baker
Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Pick your favorite/least favorite CFB storyline over the last few years. Satellite camps? NFL guys returning? The portal? Up-tempo offenses? Lane Kiffin is right there in them. Why? Why is it always Kiffin? I asked a bunch of people and got this: www.nytimes.com/athletic/756...
nytimes.com
Lane Kiffin made himself college football’s main character again. LSU is his biggest stage (Gift Article)
Kiffin has built a head-coaching career around extreme main character energy. He finally has the setting to match.
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Reposted by Matt Baker
Chris Vannini @chrisvannini.com · 04/09/2026
✍️ An insurance company bet on LSU to win big. Is it tied to Lane Kiffin’s bonus? Story with @slmandel.bsky.social and @mattbakercfb.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/756...
nytimes.com
An insurance company bet on LSU to win big. Is it tied to Lane Kiffin’s bonus? (Gift Article)
A series of Kalshi transactions predicting LSU to have a great season emerged. The potential payout is close to Kiffin's contract bonuses.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Pick your favorite/least favorite CFB storyline over the last few years. Satellite camps? NFL guys returning? The portal? Up-tempo offenses? Lane Kiffin is right there in them. Why? Why is it always Kiffin? I asked a bunch of people and got this: www.nytimes.com/athletic/756...
nytimes.com
Lane Kiffin made himself college football’s main character again. LSU is his biggest stage (Gift Article)
Kiffin has built a head-coaching career around extreme main character energy. He finally has the setting to match.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Yesterday's drama (one freshly filed lawsuit, one hearing elsewhere) was a reminder of what we've known for a while. No one is in charge of college sports. Still. This matters more than one backup tight end or DT www.nytimes.com/athletic/756...
nytimes.com
In LSU and the SEC’s dizzying court battle, one thing is clear: No one’s really in charge (Gift Article)
Who makes the rules in college sports? LSU and the SEC are frantically trying to find out with mere hours until the season kicks off.
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Rank the following updates today from least surprising to most surprising: SEC sues LSU UNC GM Michael Lombardi resigns UMass leads Rutgers by 17 at halftime
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Indiana fans went from cheering for 1 of college football's worst programs to celebrating 16-0 national champions. So...now what? What are reasonable expectations for Hoosiers fans moving forward? We asked a bunch to give you this answer (gift link) www.nytimes.com/athletic/754...
nytimes.com
What does a college football national title do to a fan base that expected nothing? Ask Indiana (Gift Article)
“If things went to hell in a handbasket,” said one Indiana fan, “I would die happy knowing we got this far.”
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Matt Baker @mattbakercfb.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
FWIW, I don't see anything on the agenda for tomorrow's LSU's board of supervisors meeting about a new athletic financial model. It's possible it's on there in a way that's not clear to me, but see for yourself: www.lsu.edu/bos/docs/age...
lsu.edu
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