SI.COM

FOR SEPT. 1, 2014

Frosh Start

In each of the past two seasons the Heisman Trophy winner—and college football's most exciting player—has been a freshman. Can it happen again in 2014? This week SI.com takes a look at 10 first-year players poised to make an impact this season. Is LSU running back Leonard Fournette, who has been branded the next Adrian Peterson, all hype or is he ready to deliver in Baton Rouge? Can Texas A&M wide receiver Speedy Noil help College Station get over the loss of Johnny Football? Will Michigan cornerback Jabrill Peppers be the next Charles Woodson? Check out SI.com/college-football for the complete list and for the latest news on your favorite teams.

FanNation

PLAY DAILY. WIN BIG

The new FanNation fantasy sports app allows you to select a set of MLB players each day for the Baseball Throwdown. Challenge your friends for cash prizes or just for bragging rights. To learn more, go to fannation.si.com

RISING STARS

To see a video interview with this week's Rising Star, Browns linebacker Barkevious Mingo, and SI.com's entire Rising Stars series presented by Symetra, go to SI.com/risingstars

120 SPORTS

Put Up or Shut Up

Which NFL quarterback has the most to prove this season? 120 Sports hosts Ovie Mughelli and Tyler Jacobs have two names in mind: Eli Manning (10) and Jake Locker. Says Mughelli, a former NFL fullback, "People think this is the year that Eli comes back, but have you seen him this preseason? It hurts to watch." Adds Jacobs, "Locker has had three years in the league and has only proven he's a great athlete. But how good of a QB is he? That's what he has to answer this year." For more from Mughelli's and Jacobs's Point/Counterpoint, and 24-hour access to video highlights and analysis, go to 120sports.com or download the free mobile or tablet app.

COUNTDOWN TO NFL 2014

Check out SI.com and TheMMQB.com for the latest analysis and predictions from our NFL experts

8.28 / THURSDAY

Chris Burke's 2015 NFL Draft Big Board 1.0. Yep, we're thinking about it already

8.29 / FRIDAY

Roundup: Preseason highs (Blake Bortles!) and lows (Johnny Manziel!)

9.1 / MONDAY

Preseason All-Pro picks, plus Peter King kicks off the 18th season of his Monday Morning Quarterback column

9.2 / TUESDAY

Prediction Tuesday! The staffs at SI.com and TheMMQB.com reveal their Super Bowl picks and postseason awards

9.3 / WEDNESDAY

Debut: 2014 Power Rankings

9.4 / THURSDAY

Don Banks: Opening night preview, Packers vs. Seahawks. (Remember what happened last time they met?)

9.5 / FRIDAY

Don Banks: Week 1 picks, from ATL-NO to SD-AZ

NEED MORE SPORTS?

Download and open the Google app and then say, "Ok Google," to ask a question about your favorite topics. Look for the Google icon and search tips throughout this issue.

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GERALD HERBERT/AP (FOURNETTE)

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ROB FOLDY/GETTY IMAGES (BORTLES)

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MADDIE MEYER/GETTY IMAGES (MANNING)

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STACY REVERE/GETTY IMAGES (LOCKER)

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DAVID RICHARD/AP (MINGO)

TWO PHOTOS

ILLUSTRATION