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⏫ A hoppy MLB debut

Sleepers: In August, they’re all Playoff contendersAnother harbinger of a college football season coming anew: We’re digging through the crates to find the hidden gems that could contend for a title — or at least make the Playoff — this season. Dark horses, sleepers, sneaky contenders. Things of that nature. And, at this time, everyone is 0-0, fueling hopes via curated social media highlights that will never contain a mistake. So let’s sort through who should be on your radar with three weeks before the season begins, separated into three categories: a sleeper, a surprise contender and a true blueblood that can win a ring. Favorite sleeper pick: South Carolina

As I type this, my body is revolting. It’s a trap, it’s always a trap. The Gamecocks have been a favorite of pundits for the last two years due to mega-talents on both sides of the ball. And yet this team went 4-8 last year. What gives? For one, South Carolina played six ranked teams last year, including three straight games against top-10 opponents. And as we noted in our full list of sleeper picks, the team has been overhauled around superstar QB LaNorris Sellers. Don’t expect a title run in Columbia, but an 11-seed in the CFP? Sure. See the rest of our selections here. Big-spending longshot: Penn State