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This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Oakland RaidersOverall: 85 Title track: 41 Ownership: 104 Coaching: 24 Players: 48 Fan relations: 69 Affordability: 54 Stadium experience: 119 Bang for the buck: 86 Change from last year: +20The Oakland Raiders last trip to the playoffs -- let alone their last winning record -- came when quarterback Derek Carr was 11 years old, in sixth grade and watching his older brother David get sacked 76 times as the NFLs No. 1 overall draft pick. In other words, it was in 2002. Raiders fans are betting on the younger Carr having learned from the struggles of his older brother to get this proud franchise back up and running ... wherever its future home is, be it Oakland, Las Vegas, Los Angeles or parts unknown.Whats goodThe much critiqued plan of owner Mark Davis and general manager Reggie McKenzie appears to be coming to fruition, and fans judged this new-and-improved roster a vast upgrade, boosting it 51 spots in the players category (to 48th). All it took was two years of deconstruction and two more building back up. Oakland has finally again become a destination for sought-after free agents like OL Kelechi Osemele, LB Bruce Irvin, CB Sean Smith and FS Reggie Nelson. And McKenzies recent drafts, selecting the likes of Carr, receiver Amari Cooper and defensive end Khalil Mack, have given Oakland a strong, young nucleus around which to build a competitive team -- and give fans hope for the immediate future.Whats badWas it merely karma that on the 50th anniversary of the September day the Oakland Coliseum opened, the Raiders laid a silver and black egg in a deflating loss to the Falcons? The Coliseum is not quite quaint, not yet old enough to be seen as historic and, well, it has severe and well-publicized plumbing issues. In these standings, the Raiders placed second-to-last in sports in having a great stadium (the only team worse? Uh, the As). The narrow concourse areas are exercises in claustrophobia for fans during games and, as the lone remaining facility to still host NFL and major league baseball games, the torn-up grass and baseball dirt infield is not pleasurable for players in either sport in the crossover months of August and September. Football players have to deal with losing traction -- and skin on their elbows and forearms -- on the slippery dirt. Still wondering why the Raiders want (and need) a new stadium?Whats newEveryone knows the denizens of Raider Nation are among the most loyal in all of sports. Theyd have to be, given what theyve endured since getting thumped in Super Bowl XXXVII -- the team has gone a combined 63-145 (.303) since. So its a testament to the fans and front office that fan relations is up 22 spots since last year, thanks in large part to coach Jack Del Rio, in his second season in Oakland, who has changed the culture and is a major reason why the excitement and optimism surrounding the team feels different. And Las Vegas move be damned: The fans have bought in, selling out season tickets and parking passes this season. Thats loyalty.Next: Philadelphia Eagles?| Full rankingsStarling Marte Jersey . 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Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup.ATLANTA -- Georgia Tech will bring momentum generated by two straight wins and encouraging injury news into Saturdays rivalry game against Georgia.The return of leading rusher Dedrick Mills from a two-game suspension provides an added boost.An undisclosed violation of team rules forced Mills to sit out the Yellow Jackets wins over Virginia Tech and Virginia the last two weeks. Marcus Marshall, who ran for 127 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown run, in last weeks 31-17 win over Virginia, may retain the starting job at the B-back position he has shared with Mills.Mills, a freshman, also served a one-game suspension for a violation of team rules earlier in the season. He leads Georgia Tech with 578 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns despite missing the three games.It gives us some more depth, coach Paul Johnson said Tuesday when asked about Mills return. Most games weve played both those guys, and Im sure thats what will happen again. Its good to have him back. I think hes a good player.Added Johnson: It never hurts to have one of your better players back playing.Marshall ran for 270 yards the last two games and said after the Virginia game the success made him a more confident runner.It definitely feels good to get some things going, Marshall said. In the game, especially as a running back, once you get some positive plays, it helps you with your confidence and helps you play better. I think it helps me play better.Johnson also expects to have some key players return from injuries.Brad Stewart, tied for second on the team with 115 catches, is expected to play after leaving last weeks game with an ankle injury.ddddddddddddStewart also is the teams punt returner.Freshman left tackle Jahaziel Lee, who missed last weeks game with an undisclosed upper body injury, also is expected to play.Lee and another freshman, left guard Parker Braun, are listed as starters. A third first-year offensive lineman, center Kenny Cooper, started against Virginia Tech.Johnson said Mills, Lee, Braun, Cooper and receiver Jalen Camp have made this a strong class of freshmen on offense.I think that class is going to turn out to be a big class for Georgia Tech, Johnson said.Georgia Tech (7-4) might move up a notch on the Atlantic Coast Conferences pecking order of bowl-eligible teams by beating Georgia. The bigger goal is winning the state rivalry.Beating then-No. 18 Virginia Tech gave the Yellow Jackets a boost. Even so, Saturdays game at Georgia could define the Yellow Jackets season.Johnson said the season could end up being really good or could end up being dead average.Johnson took a win over Georgia in 2008, his first season at Georgia Tech, but then suffered five straight losses in the series before the Yellow Jackets took a 30-24 overtime win in Athens in 2014.Georgia (7-4) has won 13 of the last 15 in the series, including a 13-7 win in Atlanta last year.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 ' ' '