And none for Jeremiah
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
What a week!
ICYMI, we just announced our digital media partnership with the NWSL (!!!), an official kickoff of our joint commitment to leveling the playing field.
- Not a bad way to head into the long weekend — we’ll be off on Monday for Labor Day and will see you back here on Wednesday. Now without further ado, LFG.
— Washington Spirit and USWNT star Trinity Rodman, trolling her boyfriend, world No. 6 tennis pro Ben Shelton, after his second-round US Open win on Wednesday. She has high standards — sorry, not sorry.
NCAA football
🎓🏈 Wake up, it’s (almost) game day
The GIST: Clear your schedule, because college football is back, baby. And this isn’t just any Week 1 slate — it might be the biggest opening weekend ever with a mind-boggling three top-10 matchups, all of which will likely have major implications for the 12-team College Football Playoff this winter. Never too early to start that postseason push.
- The most anticipated game is without a doubt the No. 1 Texas Longhorns’ visit to the reigning national champ, the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes, tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET on FOX. Here’s what you need to know ahead of the blockbuster bout.
🤘 Spotlight shines on untested Longhorns quarterback (QB) Arch Manning: Expectations are sky-high for Peyton and Eli’s nephew — the redshirt sophomore is already a favorite for the Heisman Trophy, college football’s MVP, despite only starting two games (with mixed results) last season.
- The Manning hype helped the Longhorns capture their first preseason No. 1 ranking in program history…which has rankled their Week 1 opponent.
🔴 Buckeyes look to run it back despite revamped roster: Ohio State graduated many of the stars that brought them the championship in January, including 14 NFL Draft picks, not to mention their offensive and defensive coordinators have moved on. That dropped them down to the No. 3 preseason spot, and fans are crashing out.
- But one key player did stick around for a shot at another ring: Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is also in the Heisman conversation, leading an all-star receiving staff that also includes returner Carnell Tate. First-time starting QB Julian Sayin will have plenty of targets.
NFL
🏈 Even the breakups are bigger in Texas
The GIST: Turns out couples counseling was not effective for the Dallas Cowboys and All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, because the divorce is officially official: A blockbuster deal sent Parsons to the Green Bay Packers yesterday. Here’s the tea on the messiest breakup of the summer.
👀 The summer Parsons tried to get an extension: This was quite the saga for the two-time All-Pro, who’s been hoping to reach a contract extension with the Cowboys since 2023. Instead, the non-stop drama culminated with Parsons, who racked up a stunning 52.5 sacks in just four seasons in the league, requesting a trade from the team at the beginning of August.
- Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones told Dallas fans not to lose sleep after the trade request made headlines. Then, one month later, he dealt Parsons to the Packers in exchange for two first-round picks and three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Kenny Clark.
💪 Parsons to have immediate impact in Green Bay: There’s a reason the 26-year-old was holding out for a more lucrative extension: He’s really good. Parsons is just the second player in NFL history to record at least 12 sacks in each of his first four seasons. That’s why the Packers are giving him what Dallas wouldn’t, a record four-year, $188M contract.
💔 Dallas sports fans can’t catch a break: Think you’ve seen this film before? You definitely have — it’s eerily similar to the midnight Dallas Mavericks trade that sent NBA superstar Luka Dončić to the LA Lakers. The deals, both of which brought notoriously underwhelming returns, were a direct result of front office mismanagement. Can’t spell disappointment without the Big D.
🏎️ It’s a two-McLaren race for the World Drivers’ Championship (WDC)
After a two-week international break, Sunday’s 9 a.m. ET Dutch Grand Prix marks the start of the second half of the F1 schedule. And it’s shaping up to be a doozy, with a mere nine points separating the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the WDC standings and just 10 races to go.
- ICYMI: Piastri dominated early in the season, opening up a 22-point lead. But Norris has since bounced back, using a string of good luck to secure three of the final four Grand Prix wins before the summer break.
🎾 World No. 3 Coco Gauff survives turbulent second-round match
Gauff is trying to do the near-impossible: revamp her faulty serve while competing in the fourth and final Grand Slam of the season. Armed with a new coach, the 2023 champ was actively working through the kinks last night, recording eight double faults in a mentally and emotionally exhausting straight-set win. And, exhale.
- Meanwhile, the unseeded women’s doubles team of Canadian Leylah Fernandez and American legend Venus Williams upset the No. 6 seed in yesterday’s first-round match, sending them through to tomorrow’s second round. Not done yet.
🏉 World No. 9 USA to face No. 7 Australia in crucial Women’s Rugby World Cup clash
A record-setting 42K fans watched the Americans fall 69–7 to top-ranked England in last weekend’s tourney opener, which means tomorrow’s match is all about redemption — and staying alive in the group stage. If at first you don’t succeed…
⚽ Orlando Pride eager to end skid against Gotham FC
The hits keep coming for defending champ Orlando, who lost their star striker and last season’s championship MVP, Barbra Banda, to a season-ending injury last week and find themselves on a five-game winless skid.
- But tonight at 8 p.m. ET, they have a chance to turn the tide as two prolific goal scorers, the Pride’s Marta and Gotham’s Esther González, go head-to-head on Prime Video in the U.S. and NWSL+ in Canada.
🏀 Las Vegas Aces notch 12th straight win, tying franchise record
It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish — something the playoff-bound Aces are embodying after moving up to second in the WNBA standings with Wednesdays’ 81–75 win over the impressive Atlanta Dream. Three-time league MVP A’ja Wilson scored 34 points in the dub, while her teammate Jackie Young secured her second triple-double of the season. The push to September continues through the weekend.
Together With Merit Beauty
✈️ Wedding and vacation season are nearing their ends, but all that traveling can be disruptive — especially when you can’t pack all your skincare products. That’s why you need a simple, three-step kit to easily slip in your carry-on. Enter: the Merit Beauty Great Skin Trio.
- The Merit Beauty cleanser, serum, and moisturizer are all under 100ml (aka TSA–safe) and perfect for day and night, saving you crucial packing space. Grab yours now and thank us later.
🎐 Spokane Zephyr FC vs. 👊 DC Power FC — Tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET — Peacock
- DC is the team to beat after a strong 3–1 opening weekend win over Sporting JAX, highlighted by a brace from forward Gianna Gourley. That said, DC has never beaten Spokane, adding extra spice to this East vs. West Coast showdown.
🌄 Carolina Ascent FC vs. 😎 Fort Lauderdale United FC — Tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. ET — Peacock
- The Ascent claimed last year’s inaugural Players’ Shield after closing out the regular season with the best record. Now they’ll play their first game since crashing out in last season’s semis, where they lost to…Fort Lauderdale.
🌴 Sporting JAX vs. ☀️ Tampa Bay Sun FC — Tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET — Peacock
- Reigning league champ Tampa’s home opener will be an all-Florida battle as they take on expansion team JAX, led by forward Jade Pennock, who scored the club’s first-ever goal last week.
🍎 Brooklyn FC vs. 🤠 Dallas Trinity FC — Tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. ET — Peacock
- Both of these squads were victorious during opening weekend, setting up what should be a very even match. The potential difference-maker? Dallas forward Allie Thornton, who leads the league in all-time goals.
Here’s what has GIST HQ buzzing:
👟 What’s toeing the start line
The Sydney Marathon, which will make its World Marathon Major debut tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. ET (Sunday at 6:30 a.m. ET Aussie time), featuring star runners like Eliud Kipchoge and Olympic champ Sifan Hassan. On your mark, get set…
🏀 What to watch
Year 1 - Built For This. The new docuseries follows WNBA rookies like Dominique Malonga, Georgia Amoore, and Saniya Rivers as they trade their college threads for professional ones. The show offers exclusive behind-the-scenes access to their emotional and physical journeys.
💍 What to check out
Gorjana Sport Club. The California jewelry brand is launching its first athlete-focused initiative with a roster of professional and collegiate women athletes, including LA Sparks star Cameron Brink, to celebrate the pivotal moment for women's sports and how jewelry is used to express themselves on and off the court.
Question of the Day
It’s almost time to say goodbye to salty air and hello to dancin’ in September. With a full slate of sports on deck, which one are you most excited for in the month ahead? If your top pick is not listed, reply to this email and let us know.
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