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This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide to every day in sports. You can sign up to get it in your inbox every weekday morning here.


⚽ Good morning to everyone but especially ...

U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM FANS

The USMNT has a new man in charge, and it's a high-profile hire. Mauricio Pochettino is set to take the reins of a team entering a crucial juncture ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Mexico and Canada.

If you're a casual soccer fan who only tunes in for major international events and never heard the name "Mauricio Pochettino" before, fear not. Francesco Porzio has what you need to know:

  • Pochettino, 52, was born in Argentina and started his playing career there. He went on to play in Europe at Espanyol (Spain), PSG (France) and Bordeaux (France).
  • Pochettino started his coaching career at Espanyol before moving to the Premier League at Southampton, Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea.
  • He led Tottenham to a second-place Premier League finish in 2017 and a Champions League final in 2019. He also won Ligue 1 at PSG. Chelsea finished sixth in the Premier League last year, second in goals scored.

Pochettino is a departure from recent USMNT hires in many senses. First, he's expected to live in Europe, which makes sense when you consider many of the USMNT's play professionally overseas. Second, he's the first hire this millennium who hasn't played or coached in the U.S. prior to his assuming the role. And finally, after a long list of excuses for not making the most of a talented group, the USMNT has no more excuses, Pardeep Cattry writes.

  • Cattry: "Pochettino is well-known for a pressing, attack-minded style of play that, at its best, makes his team an entertaining watch. Most impressively, though, he is familiar with the task of coaching a team to punch above their weight ... His ability to deliver an entertaining and effective tactical approach is an aspirational way to combat the USMNT's recent plateau and perhaps lay the groundwork for the memorable World Cup performance the federation has long targeted."

Speaking of soccer over in Europe, the Big Five leagues begin this weekend, and we have ...

👍 Honorable mentions

🏈 And not such a good morning for ...

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Getty Images

MATT MILANO AND THE BUFFALO BILLS

Can we just turn injuries off? At least for the preseason? Former All-Pro linebacker Matt Milano tore his biceps -- his second major injury in as many seasons -- in a major blow to the Bills and their new-look defense.

  • It's unclear whether Milano will return this season, and even if he does, it would likely be late in the campaign. For now, he's out indefinitely.
  • Last season, Milano fractured his leg and suffered a knee injury in Week 5, ending his season.

Milano emerged as a force in 2022 earning first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. Using expected points added, the Buffalo defense has been about 2.5 points per game better with Milano on the field over the past two seasons.

Milano's return was expected to help offset the departures of multiple veteran defenders, including Tre'Davious White, Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. Now, Buffalo will turn to youngsters Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams at linebacker ... and hope for a speedy recovery from Milano.

👎 Not so honorable mentions

🏈 NFL preseason Week 2 top storylines, games to watch

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USATSI

It's still not the real thing, but it's getting closer. Week 2 of the NFL preseason began last night with Drake Maye scoring his first "unofficial" NFL touchdown in the Patriots' 14-13 loss to the Eagles.

As for quarterbacks elsewhere, Russell Wilson will make his Steelers debut and start against the Bills as he hopes to win the starting job over Justin Fields. That contest is among Bryan DeArdo's top five games of the week.

Jeff Kerr, meanwhile, has one thing to watch in every game, and there's another quarterback battle afoot in Las Vegas.

  • Kerr: "Hard to tell who's the leader in the clubhouse for the Raiders starting quarterback job. Gardner Minshew went 6 of 12 for 117 yards and a touchdown (20-yard throw to DJ Turner) and had bigger throws, but Aidan O'Connell was careful in his decision making in going 7 of 9 for 76 yards. Perhaps Antonio Pierce makes a decision based on this game."

🏀 NBA schedule release: Top 10 games, Christmas Day action

The NBA released its entire 2024-25 schedule on Thursday. Here are the key dates to know:

  • Oct. 22: Opening night (Knicks at Celtics and Timberwolves at Lakers)
  • Nov. 12: NBA Cup begins
  • Dec. 17: NBA Cup championship
  • Feb. 6: Trade deadline
  • Feb. 14-16: All-Star Weekend
  • April 13: Regular season ends
  • April 15-18: Play-In Tournament
  • April 19: Playoffs begin

Jack Maloney has 10 must-see games, and a Bay Area reunion is in the cards less than a month into the season.

  • Maloney: "Nov. 12: Mavericks at Warriors -- Klay Thompson's departure from the Warriors after 13 years with the organization was ultimately not surprising by the time it happened. Still it will be strange to see him in a new jersey this season. His first trip back to the Bay Area with the Warriors is sure to be an emotional night."

A big part of Thursday's schedule release, of course, was the Christmas reveal, and No. 1 in Sam Quinn's Christmas Day game rankings. No. 1 is ...

  • Quinn: "1. 76ers at Celtics -- Come on, what did you expect? The defending champions against the team that had the best offseason? Two northeastern cities with a literal century of bad sports blood? Joel Embiid against the team that has knocked him out of the playoffs three times? ... A Christmas bout between perhaps the two best teams in the conference is one of the best games on the entire regular-season schedule."

🏈 College football preseason bowl projections

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Claire Komarek, CBS Sports

All right, fellow college football fans. We have one last weekend to get through before the season begins. Jerry Palm's bowl projections are here to help us. Here's his full projected 12-team playoff:

  1. Georgia
  2. Ohio State
  3. Utah
  4. Florida State
  5. Texas
  6. Oregon
  7. Alabama
  8. Texas A&M
  9. Penn State
  10. Miami
  11. Kansas State
  12. Boise State

You'll notice Boise State slides in at 12 because the CFP reserves a one spot for the top-ranked Group of Five champion. That means no more going undefeated and not being able to play for a title. Shehan Jeyarajah has the five most dangerous Group of Five teams who could nab that spot ... or ruin someone else's season.

Even with the expanded playoff, bowl season will still hold plenty of fun, as Will Backus writes. And I agree.

📺 What we're watching this weekend

Friday

 Dodgers at Cardinals OR Twins at Rangers, 8:05 p.m. on MLB Network

Saturday

🏈 Bengals at Bears, 1 p.m. on NFL Network
Yankees at Tigers, 1:10 p.m. on MLB Network
🏀 Lynx at Mystics, 2 p.m. on CBS
🏈 Lions at Chiefs, 4 p.m. on NFL Network
🏀 Liberty at Aces, 4 p.m. on CBS
🏈 Bills at Steelers, 7 p.m. on CBS
Dodgers at Cardinals OR Guardians at Brewers, 7:15 p.m. on Fox
Braves at Angels, 9:36 p.m. on MLB Network
🏈 Cowboys at Raiders, 10 p.m. on NFL Network

Sunday

Red Sox at Orioles, 1:35 p.m. on MLB Network
🏀 Storm at Fever, 3:30 p.m. on ABC
🏀 Sparks at Aces, 6 p.m. on NBA TV
Yankees at Tigers, 7 p.m. on ESPN
🏈 Saints at 49ers, 8 p.m. on Fox
🏈 Packers at Broncos, 8 p.m. on NFL Network