News Archives - Saturday Down South

Without Alex Golesh, South Florida ends 2025 season with Cure Bowl loss

Parker Gillam — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 03:06:12 +0000

The harsh realities of bowl season in the modern era of college football hit South Florida hard Wednesday evening, as the Bulls fell to Old Dominion by a score of 24-10 without their head coach or quarterback from the regular season.

Third-year coach Alex Golesh left to take the Auburn job in late November, while star quarterback Byrum Brown opted out of the game and acted as an extra assistant coach on the sideline.

But without Golesh’s expertise and Brown’s dual-threat abilities, USF’s normally prolific offense stalled. The Bulls turned the ball over 5 times (4 of which came through the air), only mustered 52 rushing yards, and converted just 5 of their 16 third down attempts.

Those statistics, as well as the 10-point total, were all unheard of numbers for the AAC’s top offense during the regular season. With Brown at the helm and Golesh still contributing to the offense, South Florida ranked second in the nation by scoring 43 points per game and ranked in the top 10 in both passing and rushing yards per outing.

Of course, former Ohio State wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline is set to take over in Tampa, and he hopes to maintain the trend of strong recruiting and offensive efficiency within the Bulls’ program.

The post Without Alex Golesh, South Florida ends 2025 season with Cure Bowl loss appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Texas A&M reveals availability report ahead of CFP first-round matchup with Miami

Parker Gillam — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 02:45:51 +0000

College Station will be hosting what may go down as the biggest sporting event in its history when Texas A&M welcomes Miami for an opening round clash in the College Football Playoff on Saturday, and the Aggies hope to be fully healthy when doing so.

Ahead of the game — which is set for a noon ET kickoff — A&M released its first availability report Wednesday night, and the Aggie faithful were likely encouraged by what they saw.

Linebacker Scooby Anderson and safety Bryce Anderson, two key pieces of Mike Elko‘s defense, were both listed as ‘probable.’ But what may have had Texas A&M fans even more excited was the fact that running back Le’Veon Moss was listed as ‘questionable.’

The senior out of Walker, Louisiana, ranks third on the team in rushing despite not having played since A&M’s 34-17 win over Florida back on Oct. 11. Moss has missed the last 5 games after he averaged 5.6 yards per carry and found the endzone 6 times in as many contests to start the season.

In 2024, Moss ran for 765 yards and 10 touchdowns on 6.3 yards per touch as one of the featured backs within the Aggies’ offense.

If Moss is able to suit up, he will join sophomore Rueben Owens (team-high 618 yards) in taking on a vaunted Hurricanes defensive front.

A&M is a 3-point favorite, per bet365.

The post Texas A&M reveals availability report ahead of CFP first-round matchup with Miami appeared first on Saturday Down South.

David Pollack predicts who will win 2025 College Football Playoff

Parker Gillam — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 02:25:22 +0000

With the 12-team College Football Playoff set to get underway this Friday, analysts across the nation are laying down their picks for the upcoming bracket.

Former Georgia defensive lineman/linebacker David Pollack took to Yahoo Sports Daily to reveal his selection for the field, and he notably did not have his alma mater coming out on top.

Instead, Pollack sees the Bulldogs losing to Ohio State in the semifinals, and he believes that the Buckeyes are the best bet to win it all.

“If you ask me to pick, I would take Ohio State with their combination of weapons at receiver,” Pollack said. “The thing about Georgia is, they got into a shootout with Ohio State a couple years ago and won, but can they get into a shootout this year? They did it against Tennessee, but against a really good Ohio State defense, I think it would be harder to do.”

Pollack went on to add that there are 4 teams in the field that he believes can win it all, listing off Ohio State, Georgia, Indiana, and Oregon. He also emphasized that 3 of those schools hail from the Big Ten, keying in on one reason why that is the case.

“The quarterback play is really elite. Fernando Mendoza, No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Dante Moore will be a top-10 pick when he decides to come out to the draft. Julian Sayin, first-round pick.” Pollack said. “Gunner Stockton has an elite defense and supporting cast, so he’s not even remotely in that conversation. So the talent and way they can win is different than everyone else.”

.@davidpollack47 predicts Ohio State will defend its CFP title

(via Yahoo Sports Daily) pic.twitter.com/vFYIwwx5Pr
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 16, 2025

The latest national championship odds back up Pollack’s claim, showing Ohio State as the favorite to win it all. Grab this BetMGM bonus code to bet on the postseason.

The post David Pollack predicts who will win 2025 College Football Playoff appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Alabama, Oklahoma release availability reports ahead of CFP first-round game

Parker Gillam — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 02:04:53 +0000

Alabama and Oklahoma are set to open the 2025-2026 College Football Playoff when they meet Friday night in Norman, and fans received some insight on who will be suiting up for the game.

The CFP’s availability reports were revealed Wednesday evening, and both sides have plenty of players featured on the list.

For the visiting Crimson Tide, defensive backs Kameron Howard and Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., defensive linemen LT Overton and Jeremiah Beaman, linebacker Jah-Marien Latham, and running back Kevin Riley were all listed as ‘out.’ Tight ends Josh Cuevas and Danny Lewis Jr. were both under the ‘questionable’ tab.

Overton has missed time this season and continues to be a major loss for the Alabama pass rush, while Cuevas’ status will be worth monitoring over the coming days. The senior tight end has hauled in 30 passes for 341 yards and 4 touchdowns this season.

And for the Sooners, defensive backs Gentry Williams, Kendel Dolby, and Jeremiah Newcombe joined offensive lineman Troy Everett as ‘out.’ Offensive lineman Jake Maikkula was shown as ‘questionable’ heading into the game.

Alabama and Oklahoma will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday night, with the game being broadcast by ESPN in a megacast across the network’s various channels. Fans in both states can wager on the game using one of several promos from the best DFS apps.

The post Alabama, Oklahoma release availability reports ahead of CFP first-round game appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Sherrone Moore had ‘long history’ of domestic violence against Michigan staffer, per report

Derek Peterson — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 01:43:02 +0000

Former Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore had a “long history” of domestic violence against a female football staffer during their relationship, according to a report from The Athletic on Wednesday.

Last Friday, Moore was arraigned on charges of third-degree home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering. Moore, who was fired by Michigan last week after an investigation found credible evidence he was engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a Michigan staffer, was arrested later that same day after allegedly breaking into the staffer’s home and threatening to kill himself.

The Athletic obtained a transcript of a complaint authorization hearing that took place last Friday, during which Detective Jessica Welker of the Pittsfield Township Police Department testified about the circumstances that led to Moore’s ouster and arrest.

The woman told police that she disclosed her relationship with Moore to the University of Michigan early in the day on Dec. 10. She was preparing to leave town when Moore barged into her home and picked up multiple knives, according to Welker’s testimony.

According to Welker’s testimony, Moore denied assaulting the staffer or “threatening her with any weapons” in his interview with police the night of his arrest. Moore was not charged with assault. According to The Athletic, the charges brought against Moore indicated his intent to “terrorize and harass the victim,” but there was not sufficient evidence to prove any intent to assault or batter the victim.

Moore’s case remains under active investigation. Charges could be added or amended, according to the report, but the prosecutor’s office told The Athletic it has not received “any requests for charges for any previous incidents involving Mr. Moore.”

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Joey Aguilar remains coy on Tennessee future ahead of bowl game

Parker Gillam — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 01:10:55 +0000

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar has a lot on his mind at the moment, but he’s trying his best to just focus on the Vols’ upcoming bowl game against Illinois.

Tennessee will meet the Fighting Illini in the Music City Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 30, but while Aguilar has plenty to think about when it comes to Bret Bielema’s team, he also has his future to ponder.

As the Knoxville News Sentinel reported, Aguilar joined the ongoing lawsuit that was filed by Diego Pavia in late November. That legal action aims to eliminate junior college seasons from counting towards the NCAA’s 4-year eligibility rule.

With Aguilar awaiting a potential injunction that would grant him the ability to spend another season with coach Josh Heupel and the Vols, he was asked during a post-practice interview about any news he had heard.

He emphasized that he’s just focusing on the Music City Bowl.

“Not much,” Aguilar said of recent news regarding the lawsuit. “I’m focused on the season, and I’ll pursue what I want to pursue afterwards.”

Reporters also inquired as to whether Aguilar would consider turning pro as opposed to returning for another year of college ball, and he responded in similar fashion.

“I guess I’ll figure that out after the bowl game,” Aguilar said.

The post Joey Aguilar remains coy on Tennessee future ahead of bowl game appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Ryan Grubb says he has pressed every button to ignite sputtering Alabama run game

Parker Gillam — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:45:02 +0000

Alabama’s running game has been as maligned as any in the nation this season, and the finger-pointing has been ongoing throughout the fall.

Some blame the offensive line’s lack of perceived push, others look at the injuries and inconsistencies of the tailbacks, while the rest have their sights set on offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.

The former Washington Huskies and Seattle Seahawks play-caller was asked about the schemes he’s employed to get the Crimson Tide’s stagnant ground game going, and he explained that he’s truly emptied the playbook.

“I’ve used ’em all,” Grubb said of the strategies he’s used.

"I've used 'em all." – Ryan Grubb on strategies to help Alabama's struggling run game #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/dyUv5Cfv8V
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) December 17, 2025

Ty Simpson and the Alabama aerial attack have done well to bail the offense out in many scenarios because the running game has been lackluster in many ways. The Tide average just 116.2 rushing yards per game, which comes on 3.6 yards per carry.

No current tailback has topped 500 yards on the ground yet this season, as veteran Jam Miller leads the way with 493 yards despite having missed multiple games due to injury.

The Alabama running game enjoyed great success to end the regular season, as the offense racked up 507 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in its final three outings. But the SEC Championship Game brought with it a different reality, as Grubb’s group accounted for -3 yards on the ground.

The Crimson Tide’s opponent in the opening round of the College Football Playoff is Oklahoma, which happens to rank fifth in the nation in allowing 81.4 yards per game on the ground. The Sooners gave up just 80 during their upset win in Tuscaloosa earlier this season.

The post Ryan Grubb says he has pressed every button to ignite sputtering Alabama run game appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Mizzou set to lose another receiver to transfer portal, per report

Derek Peterson — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:13 +0000

Missouri wide receiver Marquis Johnson plans to enter the transfer portal, according to a report from PowerMizzou. He is not expected to play in the Gator Bowl against Virginia on Dec. 27, according to the report.

Johnson’s father, Domonique, confirmed the news of his departure to the outlet. Domonique Johnson then posted on social media that his family has “much respect” for Mizzou head coach Eli Drinkwitz.

“Sometimes a man just needs a change of scenery for HIS wellbeing,” Domonique Johnson wrote on social media.

Johnson, a 5-foot-11 receiver from Dickinson, Texas, started 7 times for the Tigers this season. He brought in 28 receptions for 340 yards and 2 touchdowns. Johnson will depart Columbia with 66 career catches for 1,075 yards and 6 scores.

After an encouraging true freshman season, during which Johnson caught 13 passes for 383 yards and 3 scores, excitement was high for Johnson’s future with the Tigers.

He played in 12 games with 2 starts as a sophomore, and he doubled his receptions, but he averaged half as many yards per catch as he did in his first year. Still, the 2025 season was pegged as a breakout campaign for Johnson.

With the departures of Luther Burden III and Theo Wease Jr., Johnson was expected to take a step as a junior. He caught a career-best 28 receptions, but the breakout never fully materialized.

Johnson is the third receiver to opt for the transfer portal, joining redshirt freshman James Madison II and junior Joshua Manning. Mizzou is also set to lose its leading receiver, Kevin Coleman Jr., who has exhausted his eligibility.

Following offensive coordinator Kirby Moore’s move to Washington State, Mizzou’s offense figures to look much different next season.

The post Mizzou set to lose another receiver to transfer portal, per report appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Former Alabama QB AJ McCarron ends lieutenant governor bid

Derek Peterson — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 23:15:52 +0000

Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron will no longer be seeking the Republican nomination for the lieutenant governor seat in 2026.

In a press release on Wednesday announcing the decision, McCarron said he was stopping his campaign to accept a “new career opportunity” in football that will require his full focus. McCarron said details about his new football position will be made public later this week.

“With a double-digit lead in the polls and solid fundraising lined up, I was eager to bring a fresh voice and new leadership to the Alabama State House, but football is calling my name again,” McCarron said in a statement.

McCarron entered the race in October. His campaign page cites the death of political activist Charlie Kirk as a motivating factor in McCarron’s decision to “get off of the sidelines and get into the game.”

He did not rule out a return to the political sphere in the future, saying he could “return to the political playing field once my career on the football field has truly run its course.”

According to a report from the AP, McCarron first registered to vote in the state of Alabama days before announcing his candidacy. He also endorsed former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville for governor of Alabama while claiming a need for “political newcomers” and “conservative outsider candidates” to enter politics.

McCarron led Alabama to national championships in 2011 and 2012. He finished second for the Heisman Trophy in 2013 and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He appeared in 19 games across 7 seasons in the NFL.

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Steve Sarkisian says CFP committee didn’t stick to ‘principles’ this season

Derek Peterson — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 22:32:43 +0000

In a media availability with reporters in Orlando ahead of the Citrus Bowl, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian called the upcoming 9-game SEC schedule “unheard of,” suggested Texas should get credit for scheduling tough out-of-conference games when it comes to the College Football Playoff, and said if that doesn’t happen, Texas will look “long and hard” at its future out-of-conference scheduling.

Sarkisian said Texas plans to honor upcoming games against Ohio State and Michigan in 2026 and 2027. But the Texas head coach was still clearly bothered by his team’s exclusion from the CFP this season after playing what he felt was one of the most difficult schedules in the country.

And Sarkisian felt like the ways the Longhorns challenged themselves were in keeping with the things the CFP selection committee said it would value… until it didn’t.

“We need to get clear criteria for what the committee is looking for,” Sarkisian said, per KVUE’s Cory Mose. “Tell us what the criteria is, and then stick to the criteria. If we’re not going to value strength of schedule, then surely that’s going to adjust what we do moving forward.”

Sarkisian hasn’t been shy about criticizing the selection committee since Texas was left out of the field.

The Longhorns finished 13th in the final Top 25 from the committee. Even had Tulane and James Madison not received auto-bids into the field as conference champions, Texas would have been left out in favor of 10-2 Notre Dame and 11-2 BYU.

“This year, you look at the principles of the CFP, the first bullet point is strength of schedule. Then, we need to honor what the criteria and the principles are of the CFP,” Sarkisian said. “If we can lay the foundation for that, then that will directly impact what we do moving forward. And then they have to follow through with what they say is important to them.

“Clearly, this year, we didn’t feel like they followed through with what the principles of the CFP were. That’s why we fought for our case.”

Sarkisian cited a winning record against top-10 teams. Texas played 5 teams in the regular season that were ranked in the AP Top 10 at the time of the game, winning 3 and losing 2.

Texas 2 wins against teams that finished in the CFP selection committee’s top 10. Vanderbilt was an AP Top 10 team when Texas played it, but Vanderbilt finished 14th in the CFP committee’s rankings.

According to ESPN’s FPI, Texas played the seventh-toughest schedule in the country and produced the 12th-strongest record against that schedule.

“I don’t feel bad about fighting for our case,” Sarkisian said. “We played 5 top-10 ranked teams in 12 regular-season games.”

The post Steve Sarkisian says CFP committee didn’t stick to ‘principles’ this season appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Underdog Promo Code SDS: Claim $75 for Bulls vs. Cavs, NBA Games This Week

Ethan Stone — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 22:15:00 +0000

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While college football bowl games are also on the schedule Wednesday, the playoff action doesn’t start until Alabama and Oklahoma take the field Friday night. That coupled with NFL Week 16 not starting until Thursday means it’s all eyes on the hardwood tonight. Still, with the Cavaliers and Bulls going head-to-head in a strong Eastern Conference matchup, this game figures to draw plenty of attention.

Looking to make some pick on tonight’s games? We’ve listed some of our favorites down below. Keep scrolling for a look at our picks and more information on this Underdog Promo Code.

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All eyes will be on the stars tonight, and the projections reflect that. Donovan Mitchell enters his matchup against the Bulls with a points projection of 29.5. He’s averaging 30.7 points per game this season and faces a Chicago defense that allows 122.4 points per contest. However, he’ll be without key frontcourt teammates Evan Mobley and Larry Nance Jr.
In the other matchup, Anthony Edwards has a projection set at 28.5 points, right in alignment with his 28.6 PPG average. It’s crucial to monitor his status, as he is listed as questionable with a foot injury. His teammate Julius Randle, averaging 23.1 PPG, has a target of 23.5 points against a Grizzlies team that has been decimated by injuries.
The Bulls will need their backcourt to produce against the shorthanded Cavs. Coby White (21.7 PPG) has a projection of 21.5 points, while his teammate Josh Giddey (20.1 PPG) is looking at a target of 19.5 points. Giddey has been a triple-double threat all season, recording five of them already. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant (17.7 PPG) is also questionable with an ankle injury, and his projection sits at 17.5 points against a tough Timberwolves defense that allows 114.5 PPG.

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Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price opts for NFL Draft

Derek Peterson — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:22:22 +0000

Notre Dame is losing both parts of its dynamic backfield.

On Wednesday, running back Jadarian Price announced on his Instagram page that he plans to forgo his senior season and enter the 2026 NFL Draft.

“Notre Dame has truly been a blessing in my life,” Price wrote in a lengthy message shared on social media. “Choosing to be a student-athlete here for the past four years is something I will always be grateful for.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jadarian Price (@jadariandprice)

Price’s backfield running mate, Jeremiyah Love, declared for the draft Tuesday night.

The Denison, Texas, native spent 4 seasons at Notre Dame. In 2024 and 2025, he spelled Love in the Irish backfield to give coach Marcus Freeman one of college football’s best 1-2 punches at running back. Price ran 120 times for 746 yards and 7 scores in 2024, helping Notre Dame to a runner-up finish in the College Football Playoff.

This season, Price ran for 674 yards and a career-best 11 touchdowns on 113 carries. He ran for a season-high 87 yards in the win over USC on Oct. 18, and he produced 121 scrimmage yards with 2 scores in the 56-13 bludgeoning of Arkansas on Sept. 27.

Love and Price are RB1 and RB2, respectively, in Mel Kiper Jr.’s positional rankings for the upcoming NFL Draft. Love is the third overall prospect on Kiper’s big board. Though Price is not in the top 25, he’s not expected to wait long to hear his name called.

The post Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price opts for NFL Draft appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Will Stein announces hiring of Jay Bateman from Texas A&M as new Kentucky DC

Andrew Olson — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:02:24 +0000

Kentucky has made its hiring of Jay Bateman as defensive coordinator official. The program announced the hiring on Wednesday with quotes from Bateman and head coach Will Stein.

“Jay Bateman is one of the most respected defensive minds in college football,” Stein said in a statement released via Kentucky. “His ability to develop players, create disruptive defenses, and consistently compete at a high level has stood out everywhere he’s been. Jay brings energy, experience, and a clear vision for how we want to play defense, and we’re excited to welcome him to Kentucky.”

Bateman comes to Kentucky having spent the past 4 seasons in the SEC. He was on staff at Florida as inside linebackers coach in 2022 and ’23 before heading to Texas A&M as defensive coordinator.

“In 2023, I was coaching at Florida, and we came up to Kentucky and they beat the brakes off of us,” Bateman said via UK. “I remember thinking, ‘Wow! This is an incredible place.’ With Will Stein being one of the brightest young stars in the profession, it was a major reason I would leave Texas A&M. I’m excited to work with one of the sharpest head coaches in the country.”

Bateman is currently still in College Station with the Aggies, who are gearing up to host Miami in the College Football Playoff First Round on Saturday.

Welcome to #BBN, @CoachBateman

– https://t.co/y2S1dSIPAS pic.twitter.com/oPnPJhzpmH
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) December 17, 2025

The post Will Stein announces hiring of Jay Bateman from Texas A&M as new Kentucky DC appeared first on Saturday Down South.

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Ethan Stone — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:57:46 +0000

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Heisman voter shreds Diego Pavia for antics: ‘It was a punk move’

Derek Peterson — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:49:35 +0000

In a few weeks time, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia went from one of college football’s beloved figures to one of its easiest players to root against. Pavia’s heel turn was completed the night of the Heisman Trophy ceremony when, in defeat, the super-senior posted a message on social media disparaging voters who cast ballots for Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and then partied with a sign that read “f*** Indiana.”

Pavia has since apologized for what he called “disrespectful” antics.

One Heisman voter in particular was not satisfied with the apology.

Chase Goodbread, a columnist for The Tuscaloosa News, penned a piece this week that took Pavia to task for his behavior in the hours after the Heisman ceremony.

Goodbread referred to Pavia’s behavior as “jackassery” and wrote that, “after 6 years in college, you’d think Pavia would’ve signed up for at least one course in humility by now.”

From Goodbread’s column, which can be read in its entirety here:

He’s a big boy now. Old enough to have more than one college degree. Old enough to beat the NCAA in court to gain extra eligibility, and old enough to make the pile of NIL money that came with that. Old enough to know better. And old enough to handle some criticism.

It was a punk move, Diego. This voter wasn’t sitting right next to Mendoza Saturday night, but my congrats for him are at least genuine.

Mendoza finished with 643 first-place votes for the Heisman, more than 3 times as many as Pavia garnered. It was a landslide victory for Mendoza.

Pavia will have one final chance to cleanse the narrative surrounding him when Vandy meets Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31.

The post Heisman voter shreds Diego Pavia for antics: ‘It was a punk move’ appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Kirk Herbstreit apologizes for social media post about ‘not having college football’ on Saturday of Army-Navy game

Andrew Olson — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:26:32 +0000

Kirk Herbstreit says that a mistake made on his social media account is being taken the wrong way, and he’s apologizing to college football programs that felt disrespected.

Promoting his podcast Nonstop with Joey Galloway, in a since-deleted post, Herbstreit’s account posted a clip with the caption “Saturday not having college football threw us for a loop.” The ESPN personalities were referring to not having to work any games on the weekend between conference championships and the College Football Playoff, giving them their first “off” Saturday since August.

There were, of course, college football games played this past Saturday, including the Army-Navy game and the LA Bowl. Navy football’s official account quoted Herbstreit’s post with a photo from the game. In a lengthy social post, Herbstreit apologized to programs that felt disrespected while also explaining that the caption was widely taken out of context as it related to the clip from Nonstop.

“Just wanted to address a mistake that we made on my socials earlier this week related to last weekends CFB Saturday,” Herbstreit wrote. “We posted a video where @Joey_Galloway and I were talking about how strange it was to be home and not traveling on a CFB weekend since end of August and how we felt like we didn’t know what to do with ourselves. We posted the video with a caption that was very misleading about ‘weird not having any CFB this weekend’. Some took that out of context and ran with it-that’s on me..my apologies for any disrespect (albeit unintentional) to the teams that played last weekend-especially @ArmyWP_Football and @NavyFB.

“Not sure there is a game I personally look forward to more EVERY year than Army and Navy-they play for the love for each other and love for the game-and anybody who has ever watched me for the last 30 years on TV knows how I feel about that game. Sorry for any confusion and again any disrespect that this created-it was a simple case of miscommunication.”

Herbstreit will be on the call for Friday’s CFP showdown between No. 9 Alabama and No. 8 Oklahoma.

Just wanted to address a mistake that we made on my socials earlier this week related to last weekends CFB Saturday. We posted a video where @Joey_Galloway and I were talking about how strange it was to be home and not traveling on a CFB weekend since end of August and how we… pic.twitter.com/Vb4k4jeJQS
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) December 17, 2025

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LSU OL, former top-75 recruit, reportedly planning to enter transfer portal

Andrew Olson — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 19:39:24 +0000

One of LSU‘s top signees out of the Class of 2025 is reportedly looking at continuing his college football career elsewhere.

Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports is reporting that Carius Curne is planning to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal. The portal opens for entry in January.

LSU freshman offensive lineman Carius Curne (@CurneCarius) is entering the transfer portal, a source tells @CBSSports.

Was a Class of 2025 top recruit and made starts at both tackle posts for the Tigers this season. pic.twitter.com/63gaFscyRx
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 17, 2025

As a freshman, Curne logged snaps at right and left tackle in his debut season, making 5 total starts. Out of Marion (Arkansas) High School, Curne was rated 4-stars, the No. 1 player in the state, No. 3 interior offensive lineman and No. 71 prospect overall in the Class of 2025 on the 247Sports Composite.

Curne was recruited to LSU by offensive line coach Brad Davis. The Tigers won out over Arkansas, Florida, Georgia and others to sign Curne. One of new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin‘s first staff moves was to bring in Eric Wolford as the Tigers’ new OL coach. Wolford has 3 decades of coaching experience, including SEC stops at South Carolina, Kentucky and Alabama.

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Ohio fires head coach for cause ahead of bowl game

Andrew Olson — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:47:50 +0000

There’s a new college football head coaching job open. Less than a week before its bowl game, Ohio has announced the dismissal of full-time head coach Brian Smith.

The school announced Wednesday that Smith is being terminated for cause after “an administrative review of allegations that Smith violated the terms of his employment agreement by engaging in serious professional misconduct and participating in activities that reflect unfavorably on the University.”

Ohio University Head Football Coach Brian Smith relieved of his duties https://t.co/ORMaEDPzxk pic.twitter.com/j3vt7Gx4eL
— Ohio Bobcats (@OhioBobcats) December 17, 2025

Ohio announced that Smith was being placed on indefinite leave on Dec. 1. Defensive coordinator John Hauser was named the interim head coach, and will serve in that role for Tuesday’s bowl game against UNLV in the Frisco Bowl. The program says that it will begin a national search immediately for the next full-time head coach.

Smith was in his first season as the program’s head coach. He had been with the Bobcats for 3 previous seasons, serving in roles including associate head coach, offensive coordinator, passing game coordinator and running backs head coach. Ohio is 8-4 on the 2025 season heading into the bowl game.

Ohio joins Michigan as the other current open FBS job.

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Florida baseball announces Kevin O’Sullivan’s return after leave of absence

Andrew Olson — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:04:22 +0000

Kevin O’Sullivan is back with the Florida baseball team, UF announced Wednesday. O’Sullivan took a leave of absence on Oct. 22, saying he needed time away to address personal and family issues.

“I want to thank the University and athletic department for their support,” O’Sullivan said in a statement released via UF. “I am excited to be back and am ready to get to work with our team as we prepare for the upcoming 2026 season.”

Head Baseball Coach Kevin O'Sullivan Returns to Program

: https://t.co/qCYkXnr5kA pic.twitter.com/svS3QqwA8q
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) December 17, 2025

When O’Sullivan took leave, Chuck Jeroloman took over as the interim head coach. Jeroloman, however, left before the end of October to become the associate head coach at Tennessee, reuniting with Josh Elander, who took over as Vols head coach after Tony Vitello’s departure to become an MLB manager.

O’Sullivan heads into his 19th season leading Gator baseball. His staff is set up of associate head coach Tom Slater, assistant coach Taylor Black and pitching coach David Kopp. Slater, 57, was previously an assistant at Florida in 2004 and the head coach for Auburn from 2005 to 2008. Before returning to Gainesville, he was in the Philadelphia Phillies organization as a hitting coach with the Reading Phillies.

Florida has a 756-371 record under O’Sullivan, reaching 17 straight NCAA Tournaments. The Gators open the 2026 on Feb. 13 against UAB. but O’Sullivan will be serving a suspension during the season-opening series for his actions during the Conway Regional at Coastal Carolina.

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Tennessee QB, former 4-star recruit, reportedly plans to enter transfer portal

Luke Greco — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:44:48 +0000

Tennessee quarterback Jake Merklinger plans to enter the transfer portal, according to On3 Sports. The Savannah, Georgia, native will have 2 years of eligibility remaining.

Merklinger joined the Vols in 2024. Over the course of the past two seasons, Merklinger has thrown 33 passes and completed 19 of them, totaling 221 yards and 2 touchdowns. His best game came this season against East Tennessee State, as he completed 9 of his 14 passing attempts for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound QB will be looking for a new home come next season.

BREAKING: Tennessee QB Jake Merklinger plans to enter the @TransferPortal, source tells @On3Sports

The 6’3 215 QB will have 2 years of eligibility remaining https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/VQyIYWroX1
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 17, 2025

Merklinger was a part of the 2024 class coming out of high school. He was ranked as a 4-star and the No. 11 QB in the entire class on the 247Sports Composite. After being the backup the past 2 seasons, Merklinger will likely look to shine somewhere he can be the starter.

Tennessee was the only school Merklinger officially visited coming out of high school. He held offers from numerous schools such as Auburn, Florida, Georgia, and Miami.

Tennessee will look to finish its season on a high note as it takes on Illinois in the Music City Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 30.

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Miami Dolphins reportedly benching Tua Tagovailoa for Quinn Ewers

Andrew Olson — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:16:27 +0000

Tua Tagovailoa’s time in Miami appears to be coming to an end. The Dolphins are reportedly benching the former Alabama star and giving ex-Texas standout Quinn Ewers the start on Sunday.

A former 1st-round pick in 2020, Tagovailoa is in his sixth professional season. Ewers is in his rookie year and was a 7th-round pick in this year’s draft.

This season, Miami is 6-7 in Tagovailoa’s 13 starts. Tagovailoa’s numbers are down from last season, with his passer rating at a career low of 86.4.The QB is completing 66.9% of his passes, down from 72.9% in 2024 and 69.3% in 2023. His yards per attempt have dipped to 6.8, after being 8.9 (2022), 8.3 (2023) and 7.2 (2024). Through 13 games, Tagovailoa has thrown 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He last threw 14 INTs in 2023 through 17 games when he also threw 29 TDs.

If Miami is moving on from Tagovailoa, it comes with a major financial impact. Coming off a career year in 2023 in which he led the league with 4,624 passing yards, Tagovailoa signed a massive 4-year extension.

The numbers game:

Tua Tagovailoa already has $54 million guaranteed to him in 2026.

On March 15, $3M of his 2027 salary becomes guaranteed.

Cutting him would leave $99M in dead money.

Post June 1 cut would equal $67.4M in dead money in 2026, $31.8M in 2027. https://t.co/DowBg5XZCR
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2025

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South Carolina starting OL reportedly opts for transfer portal

Luke Greco — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:40:45 +0000

South Carolina offensive lineman Trovon Baugh is expected to enter the transfer portal after spending the past 3 seasons with the Gamecocks. The OL is a former Freshman All-SEC selection who started 11 games in 2025.

Baugh will be one of the sought-after OL in the transfer portal. He’s 6-foot-4 with a 337-pound frame and 11 games started this past season in the SEC. With those numbers, one would expect many teams will have interest.

Baugh is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, where he came out of high school as a 3-star ranked as the 49th interior offensive lineman according to 247Sports.

NEW: South Carolina OL Trovon Baugh is entering the transfer portal, his rep @RocNationSports tells @PeteNakos.

The 6-foot-4, 337-pound OL is a former Freshman All-SEC selection who started 11 games in 2025. https://t.co/9POq3cXPuo pic.twitter.com/bmRXSU7jbo
— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal) December 17, 2025

Baugh will join Mac Walters and Nick Sharpe as the other Gamecock offensive linemen that have entered the portal. South Carolina currently has 8 outgoing transfers, with 3 of those being from the offensive line.

Considering quarterback LaNorris Sellers was the most sacked QB in the SEC this season, there’s clearly some dysfunction in that unit up front. In 12 games played this season, Sellers was sacked 42 times. This means that, on average, Sellers was being sacked 3.5 times per game.

Rebuilding the line up front will be crucial for a South Carolina team that will be looking to bounce back. With Sellers electing to return, keeping their quarterback upright should be the Gamecocks’ biggest priority.

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Kentucky expected to hire former Louisville standout, Arkansas assistant as RB coach, per report

Luke Greco — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:20:04 +0000

The Kentucky Wildcats are expected to hire former Louisville and NFL running back Kolby Smith as their new running backs coach, per CBS Sports. Smith has spent the past two years with Arkansas as its running backs coach.

Smith spent 4 seasons at Louisville before being drafted in the fifth round by the Kansas City Chiefs. In college, Smith totaled over 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns. His best season came as a senior when he rushed for 862 yards and 7 touchdowns. He had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage that season and averaged 5.6 yards a carry.

Smith started his coaching career in 2012 as a graduate assistant for Arkansas. He then proceeded to join Western Kentucky, Louisville, and Rutgers, all as the running backs coach. He spent 3 years coaching with the Dolphins as an offensive quality control coach and an offensive assistant before he returned to Arkansas in 2024.

Kentucky is expected to hire Kolby Smith as its new running backs coach, sources tell @CBSSports.

The former Louisville and NFL running back was running backs coach at Arkansas the last two years. Previously worked in the NFL with the Dolphins. pic.twitter.com/0FE5qiIUne
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 16, 2025

The Razorbacks had two running backs this past year who averaged over 5 yards per carry with at least 100 total carries. The Razorbacks as a team rushed for over 2,300 yards during the 2025-2026 college football season.

Will Stein has found his new coach for running backs, who have been a huge part of his offensive scheme with Oregon the past couple of seasons.

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Travon Walker weighs in on 2026 Georgia Bulldogs, talks Playoff run

Jeff Moeller — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000

These days, Travon Walker is having fun playing football for the upstart Jacksonville Jaguars, who have risen to the ranks of the NFL elite with a 10-4 record and a current 5-game winning streak.

Like his Georgia playing days, Walker has been reeking havoc on the field and has played an instrumental part in the Jaguars’ success. Through 11 games, Walker’s numbers may not be luminous with 29 tackles and 2.5 sacks, but he has 15 tackles over the last 5 weeks.

Last season, Walker had his best season with 61 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 60 pressures and 15 quarterback hits, but he has reached a comfort level in Jacksonville, adopting more of a leadership role in his fourth season after being the 2022 top overall draft pick.

Yet, Walker’s progression hasn’t deterred him from keeping a watch on his beloved Georgia Bulldogs, who will meet the winner of the Ole Miss-Tulane matchup in the Orange Bowl.

Walker never had any doubts about Kirby Smart’s team being invited to the Big Dance. He also believes the Dawgs’ current defensive unit, highlighted by CJ Allen, Raylen Wilson and Chris Cole, has benefitted from the groundwork laid by himself and former teammates and current NFL standouts Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith and others.

“It was expected, and I knew they would get in (the Playoff),” stated Walker. “I feel like these guys are really playing well together, and they have really grown together. I believe the current guys have benefitted from the foundation that we laid.

“I see a lot of similarities with guys like Allen and Cole to guys I played with (in) Davis and Dean. The defense seems to be coming together at the right time.”

Walker liked what he saw from the Bulldogs in their 28-7 victory over Alabama in the SEC title game, and it rekindled some of his memories in beating the Crimson Tide 33-18 in the national championship game.

In that game, Walker had 3 tackles, 1 sack, and 7 quarterback hits.

“It’s always nice to beat Alabama,” Walker mused. “We had a great defensive effort against them in the championship game, and we had fun out there. I knew I had to give it all I had, being it was my last college game, and I left it all out there.

“When you saw what these guys did this year, it really reminded me of our year. We felt we came together in the middle of the season and realized what we could do. We finally started to realize our potential. Not to take anything away from our offense that year, but we felt we helped win a lot of games.”

Walker sees the current Georgia defense following a similar blueprint as his 2021 unit.

In 2021, the Bulldogs had the top overall SEC defensive unit, allowing just 78.9 yards rushing and 189.7 yards passing per game. This season, the Bulldogs are ranked in the SEC, first in rushing defense (79.2) and seventh in passing (205.3).

“Early in the season, you want to build up to get to the peak point where they are now,” Walker said. “But I feel like they aren’t at their peak yet.

“They have a great coaching staff down there and they are going to do their part to keep the guys on the top of their game. The players also have to continue to do their part and continue to wrap things up when needed in games.”

Walker believes the current unit has raised their level of play.

“They have started off games faster than they were at the beginning of the season,” stressed Walker. “These guys have to continue to do their part, and now ramp it up even more in the playoffs.”

So, can Georgia win another national championship?

Like the Jaguars peaking at the right time, Walker is confident the Bulldogs can follow a similar script to bring another title home to Athens.

“I believe they can,” beamed Walker. “They have the right pieces, and they haven’t peaked yet. We put it all together at the right time, and I think they can do it, too.”

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Eli Drinkwitz calls out rampant tampering ahead of transfer portal window

Luke Greco — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:50:25 +0000

Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz went off on the current state of college football and the level of tampering that is in the sport.

The Mizzou Tigers are slated to face Virginia on Dec. 27 in the Gator Bowl. Ahead of their matchup, Drinkwitz was asked about the current state of college football and if coaches are discussing it or keeping to themselves about everything. Drinkwitz proceeded to say that college football is sick right now and that there are signs pointing to the sport cracking soon.

RELATED: Looking for a bet365 Missouri bonus code? SDS is your go-to source for Missouri sports betting promos!

He continued talking about tampering in the sport and how every single one of his players on his roster has been called. Some have been given dollar amounts to transfer, and Mizzou still has another game left on its schedule.

“I had a dad call me and say that, and I’ve called the head coaches at their schools, this school, and this school, and this school called, and they are offering this much money,” Drinkwitz said. “We’ve worked around the system and then tried to create that as the system.”

Eli Drinkwitz says CFB is sick right now and says there are signs that the sport is cracking:

"Tampering is at the highest levels – there is no such thing as tampering, because there's no one that's been punished for tampering.

"Everyone on my roster is being called." pic.twitter.com/uNmqWi52YG
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) December 16, 2025

Drinkwitz went on to say that his job is to ensure that the kids are in a better position after playing football than they were before. He stated that he’s not sure that’s happening anymore with kids transferring 4 times in their college careers.

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Betting Stuff: Best bets for the 2025 College Football Playoff First Round

Derek Peterson — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000

On Friday, the opening round of the College Football Playoff begins. A rematch of SEC blue bloods gets us rolling ahead of a weekend that should produce at least a couple of down-to-the-wire games.

Here’s how to bet the action.

The best price at the time of publication is listed in parentheses, but shop around at any of your preferred sports betting apps.

Last week: 1-2
2025 season: 19-27-1
2024 season: 33-37

CFP First Round schedule, odds

SDS is your one-stop shop this season, with live, up-to-date college football odds. You can find point spreads, game totals, and money line odds for every postseason game below.

Alabama team total under 20.5 points (-120 via BetMGM)

We know what Alabama is, and we know what Oklahoma is. We know how both of these teams have to play to win big games. Neither wants to see an up-tempo, high-possession game. Alabama can’t run the football and it can’t create pressure on the other side. Oklahoma can’t move the ball with any degree of consistency. Both have shown a proclivity for turning the football over.

The script here should be a grind-it-out game. The point total (40.5) is one of the lowest in CFP history. Since beating Bama in Tuscaloosa, OU has managed only 17 points in each of its last 2 games. Quarterback John Mateer has completed just 54.4% of his passes with 3 interceptions, but Oklahoma has won both because the defense has been nearly unbreakable.

Mizzou managed 6 points. LSU mustered 13. In 9 games against power conference opponents this season, OU has forced opposing offenses to gain 18.0 yards for every point they score. For a single, solitary touchdown, an offense needs to gain 126 yards. Teams are averaging only 64 plays against the Sooner defense this season, and just 4.3 yards per play.

Do you trust this painfully one-dimensional offense to crack the code against the Sooners? I don’t.

The Sooners have arguably college football’s most difficult defense to go against. Head coach Brent Venables has 3 weeks to prepare for what Alabama does. Mateer has nearly 3 weeks to rest and heal. And Alabama’s starting quarterback is rumored to be less than 100%.

(Those rumors are just that — rumors — and Simpson said Monday he was feeling “great,” but you have to at least listen to the noise here. No one is truly healthy at this point in the season.)

Ole Miss -17 vs. Tulane (-110 via Fanatics)

Lane Kiffin may have high-tailed it out of Oxford, but unfortunately for Tulane, the major pieces that made the Rebels a terror for teams to deal with all remain. Oddsmakers suggested they would downgrade Ole Miss if Kiffin left, but that hasn’t really happened. The Rebels were a 12.5-point favorite over Tulane when they met back in September. For the rematch, they’re hovering around the 17-point key number.

Normally, you’d look at that and sell on the Rebels, who could come out a little flat given everything that has changed with the coaching staff. I don’t buy it. Ole Miss should be plenty motivated to come out and make a statement. This group beat Tulane by 35 points the first time, and the Green Wave are dealing with coaching changes of their own.

If Ole Miss jumps out to a hot start, the Rebels can lean on Tulane and turn this into a blowout. If Ole Miss is flat to open the game, it should still be able to find a rhythm. Tulane doesn’t stop the run. Tulane is 95th nationally in rushing success rate allowed. The line gets no push and the team tackling leaves plenty to be desired.

Oregon first quarter team total over 8.5 points vs. James Madison (+120 via Fanatics)

The spread is huge, and it’s certainly understandable to be wary of laying those points with an Oregon team that is A) dealing with coach turnover, B) recovering from a rash of injuries at the end of the regular season, and C) facing a pretty proud defense. James Madison ranks fourth nationally in adjusted EPA per play faced. Texas Tech, which the Ducks would meet in the quarterfinals with a win, ranks third.

If Oregon comes out ready to go and puts the game out of reach before the fourth, it would make sense to save things for the Red Raiders.

Expect the Ducks to take plenty of swings in the first quarter. Coach Dan Lanning loves to go for 2 on early scores to set the tone. And his Ducks will likely be fired up after last year’s one-and-done showing at the Rose Bowl.

With 21 days between games, the Ducks should be in a much better place. Star receiver Dakorien Moore hasn’t played since Oct. 25. Gary Bryant Jr. hasn’t played since Nov. 8. Evan Stewart, the team’s top wideout, hasn’t played in a game yet this season. All 3 were at practice on Monday.

Will Stein will also still call the plays for the offense despite accepting the Kentucky job.

The Ducks have averaged 8 first-quarter points across 11 games against FBS competition this season. They have cleared 8.5 first-quarter points 4 times. Against a James Madison team that will probably need some time to adjust to the team speed of the Ducks, I like Oregon’s chances to do it a fifth time.

Derek Peterson

Saturday Down South • December 15, 2025 at 7:58pm

Pick

Odds

Over +8.5

Team Prop

CFB • James Madison Dukes @ Oregon Ducks

120 on Fanatics

SCHEDULED • 12/21/2025

Betslip #1765828697774-a44e-515

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Predictions for each Round 1 Playoff game

Connor O'Gara — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Finally, the Playoff is here. Well, Playoff week is at least here.

Starting Friday night with Alabama traveling to Oklahoma, the 2025 College Football Playoff will begin. We’ve got 2 Round 1 matchups that are nearly coin flips with 2 Round 1 matchups that are … not. Even if that plays out, it’ll give us 2 more competitive games than we had last year when Round 1 games were decided by an average of 18.8 points, and all of them were double-digit margins.

Of course, the post-Year 1 tweak of changing the byes with the 4 highest-ranked conference champs no longer earning automatic quarterfinal berths could impact that. For all we know, we’ll get 4 down-to-the-wire games that’ll make even the greatest 12-team Playoff skeptics grateful that the field expanded.

So what’s in store for Round 1?

Here’s a prediction for all 4 of those games (odds via BetMGM):

No. 9 Alabama (-1) at No. 8 Oklahoma

There’s a chance that the takeaway after the first Playoff game is that Brent Venables simply has Kalen DeBoer‘s number. A 3-0 record against the Alabama coach would indicate such a trend, especially if DeBoer’s offense once again looks like it’s stuck in the mud. While you could argue that kicking was the difference in their matchup earlier in the season, it feels like we need to see significant adjustments made from DeBoer and Ryan Grubb to jump-start an offense that faded down the stretch. Doing that against perhaps a top-3 defense in the sport in what figures to be a hostile atmosphere could change that.

So what suggests that Alabama could actually flip the script? That Oklahoma offense is the weakest unit of any that’ll take the field on Friday. The OU faithful, while glad to be back in the Playoff for the first time since 2019, could grow restless if that group is ineffective at home once again. The Sooners got into the Playoff because they could occasionally hit on that chunk pass play and wipe away a slew of 3-and-outs. Who has allowed the second fewest 20-yard pass plays in America, you ask? Alabama. That proves to be a huge asset working in the Tide’s favor.

And on the other side of the ball, Jam Miller’s potential return doesn’t necessarily turn the Alabama offense into a juggernaut, but a healthier unit does what DeBoer said it would do moments after the blowout loss in the SEC Championship. It takes advantage of the opportunity. DeBoer improves to 4-0 vs. AP Top 10 teams in true road games, and Alabama earns a trip to the place that hosted the final game of the Nick Saban era, the Rose Bowl.

Score prediction: Alabama 24, Oklahoma 20

No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M (-3.5)

History is working against Miami in a couple ways. For starters, Mario Cristobal has 1 career true road win vs. an AP Top 10 team. It was back in 2021 when he led Oregon to an impressive win at Ohio State (it was also in early September). But this is perhaps the more startling reality entering this matchup. Miami is trying to become the first ACC team to win a New Year’s 6/Playoff game since 2019 Clemson. Don’t believe me? Read ’em and weep:

2020 Rose Bowl: Alabama 31, Notre Dame 14*
2020 Sugar Bowl: Ohio State 49, Clemson 28
2020 Orange Bowl: Texas A&M 41, UNC 27
2021 Peach Bowl: Michigan State 31, Pitt 21
2022 Orange Bowl: Tennessee 31, Clemson 14
2023 Orange Bowl: Georgia 63, Florida State 3
2024 CFP First Round: Texas 38, Clemson 24
2024 CFP First Round: Penn State 38, SMU 10

*Spent 2020 COVID season as ACC team

To recap, that’s an 0-8 mark with 0 games decided by single digits and an average margin of defeat of 22.6 points. Woof. That’s why the ACC will be a 1-bid league until further notice. So how is it that a team that couldn’t even play for an ACC title in a league that crowned a 5-loss conference champ have any chance of going on the road and winning in front of 108,000 people?

Well, that’s far from a given, but there’s a path. Miami’s ground game is the key to this. Specifically, a healthy Mark Fletcher Jr. is the key after he was banged up mid-season, but is expected to be good to go for Saturday after he forced 40 missed tackles on 141 carries. Miami would prefer not to let Cashius Howell and that Texas A&M pass rush pin its ears back against Carson Beck, who has benefited from the lowest pressure rate among FBS quarterbacks (14.7%). What’s the best way to do that? Run the football. Like, run the football against the A&M run defense that surrendered over 200 yards on 4 different occasions, 3 of which were in the latter half of the season.

Miami can lean on A&M and take the Marcel Reed-led offense out of rhythm. That leads to a couple of timely mistakes by A&M. Instead of this being a coronation for the promising start to the Mike Elko era, it turns into a painful reminder that ascending into Tier 1 in college football is no small feat. Miami ends the ACC drought.

Score prediction: Miami 31, A&M 24

No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Ole Miss (-17.5)

We all want to know how big of a difference it’ll be for Ole Miss without Lane Kiffin. That storyline will be evident considering that this was a 45-10 Ole Miss beatdown when these teams met in Oxford back in September. The context that’ll be lost is the fact that Kiffin wouldn’t necessarily be guaranteed to lead another 35-point victory against a Tulane team that Ole Miss seeing for the second time. BYU transfer Jake Retzlaff now has more experience in this offense, and like we’ve seen with plenty of Jon Sumrall teams, that defense has been much improved since the calendar turned from October to November even amid speculation that their head coach was off to his next job.

You get it. This doesn’t feel like it’ll be another 45-10 game. That’s not an indictment of the Ole Miss offense, which won’t have Kiffin but will still have Charlie Weis Jr. and several members of that offensive staff to guide Trinidad Chambliss and Co. It’s more a testament to a Tulane defense that allowed an average of 18 points and 60.4 rushing yards/game in its last 5 contests. Will Tulane suddenly shut down an Ole Miss offense that averaged 8 yards per play in the first matchup? No way. Tackling Kewan Lacy is still going to be a tall task after he forced the most missed tackles of any Power Conference running back, and getting pressure on Chambliss will be an uphill battle after he had 419 scrimmage yards (307 passing, 112 rushing) in the first matchup.

There’s too much of an established identity on the Ole Miss side of the ball to think that Kiffin’s absence will flip a 5-touchdown result, but much like we’ve seen throughout this season, it’s perhaps another game in which things are never truly out of reach. Ole Miss survives its first game of the post-Kiffin era.

Score prediction: Ole Miss 28, Tulane 17

No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon (-21.5)

Let me get out ahead of something here. We don’t need to bang the drum for change if James Madison is blown out in Eugene. I already outlined how much the ACC has struggled to be competitive in the biggest games in the 2020s. Even if Notre Dame, Vanderbilt or Texas would’ve given us a better game, this still only happened this way because the ACC had a 5-loss conference champ. We don’t need to gate-keep JMU just because there could be a 2-hour stretch in our lives in which we realize that 2 teams aren’t on the same level. Shoot, we forget how many moments that we had that in semifinals of the 4-team Playoff.

OK, that’s out of the way, right? Good.

Yeah, I don’t think this will be particularly close. Among the Playoff quarterbacks, Alonza Barnett III has the worst adjusted completion percentage (54%) under pressure. That’s advantage, Oregon. This year’s version of the Ducks hasn’t had a dominant pass-rush, but in a 1-game scenario against an inferior opponent, Dan Lanning can dial up some pressure. Meanwhile, Dante Moore’s biggest improvement since his arrival at Oregon has been throwing under pressure. His 73.5% adjusted completion percentage ranks No. 3 among those Playoff quarterbacks, and he’s only taken 13 sacks this season.

Oregon has a better chance of staying on schedule, which will open things up for those chunk plays. For a team that was No. 2 in America in 20-yard scrimmage plays per game, that bodes well. Yes, there’s some concern that Oregon’s Playoff outlook took a hit with both coordinators, Will Stein and Tosh Lupoi, taking Power Conference head coaching jobs. But in this matchup, I fully expect Lanning’s team to show up prepared and look the part in a lopsided home win.

Score prediction: Oregon 45, James Madison 21

Get in on the action this weekend by checking out our list of the best real money betting apps ahead of kickoff.

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LSU interim HC to join Ole Miss staff, per report

Sydney Hunte — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 02:57:46 +0000

LSU interim head coach and running backs coach Frank Wilson’s status was up in the air after Lane Kiffin was hired.

It looks like Wilson is heading to familiar territory when the season comes to a close.

Wilson will reportedly join Pete Golding‘s staff at Ole Miss after LSU faces Houston in the Texas Bowl, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz and Chris Hummer. That game is set for Dec. 27.

Oxford was previously home to Wilson, as he was the Rebels’ running backs and special teams coach from 2005 to 2007 under Ed Orgeron. It’s also a reunion for Wilson and Golding. Golding was Wilson’s defensive coordinator at UTSA in 2016 and 2017 before taking the same role at Alabama under Nick Saban.

Wilson informed LSU players and staff during a meeting earlier today that he will be departing after the Tigers’ bowl game against Houston, a source tells @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/CikCpZhm3u
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 17, 2025

Wilson was a popular figure around the Tigers program. He was previously LSU’s associate head coach, running backs coach, and recruiting coordinator from 2010 to 2015. After serving as head coach at McNeese State and then UTSA, he returned to Baton Rouge, serving as associate HC and RBs coach once more.

Wilson was 2-2 as the Tigers’ interim head coach. LSU lost to Alabama in his first game before beating Arkansas and Western Kentucky. It ended its regular season with a loss to Oklahoma.

The post LSU interim HC to join Ole Miss staff, per report appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Eli Drinkwitz says Mizzou’s focus is on bowl prep ahead of OC search

Sydney Hunte — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 02:41:17 +0000

Eli Drinkwitz will need to hire a new offensive coordinator at Mizzou after Kirby Moore was hired as head coach at Washington State.

First, though, is the Tigers’ bowl game, as they face Virginia in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 27 in search of a ninth and final win on the season.

“Everybody who’s in this building’s focus has to be, what do we got to do to win the bowl game?” Drinkwitz, who will be the offensive playcaller during the game, said, via KMIZ-TV’s Nathalie Jones. “And with Kirby getting his opportunity, my entire focus for the last 72 hours has been preparing and getting this offense in the best position possible for us to win.”

From there, Drinkwitz said, the search for a new OC will begin in earnest. Whoever it is will need to have plenty of experience.

They’ll also need to help the Tigers put together a legitimate passing attack. While Mizzou’s 234.1 rushing yards per game led the conference and was eighth in FBS — thanks to Ahmad Hardy — its 195.3 passing yards per game was at the bottom of the league.

“This league doesn’t allow for training wheels. There’s not a lot of first-time play callers having a lot of success in this league,” Drinkwitz said. “You’ve got to have some battle scars. You’ve got to have a level of toughness. You’ve got to have an understanding of who you are, what your identity is. For me, that’s going to be a priority in this thing.”

#Mizzou HC Eli Drinkwitz is focusing on getting a win in the bowl game, before hiring a new offensive coordinator.

In terms of what he's looking for: "This league doesn't allow for training wheels. There's not a lot of first-time play-callers have a lot of success…You've got… pic.twitter.com/zL80sBVoBu
— Nathalie Jones (@NathalieABC17) December 16, 2025

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Alabama, Oklahoma release initial injury reports ahead of first-round Playoff game

Sydney Hunte — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 02:12:40 +0000

Alabama and Oklahoma fans both received some good news on the injury front on Tuesday night.

Alabama RB Jam Miller, who was hurt during the Iron Bowl and missed the SEC Championship Game, and Oklahoma defensive lineman R. Mason Thomas, who suffered a hamstring injury against Tennessee on Nov. 1, aren’t on the first player availability report ahead of the Crimson Tide and Sooners’ College Football Playoff first-round game on Friday.

Miller has totaled 493 yards and 3 touchdowns on 123 carries for the Tide in 2025. During the Tide’s last game against the Sooners on Nov. 15, he was held to just 27 yards on nine attempts. He had 15 carries for 83 yards before leaving against Auburn two weeks later.

Thomas has been a key run stopper for a Sooners team that’s allowed the fifth-fewest yards per game on the ground. The first-team All-SEC selection has 9.5 tackles for a loss, third among Oklahoma players. He also leads the team with 6.5 sacks.

The Tide and Sooners are set to meet for the third time in just over a year. During the Tide’s last trip to Norman in 2024, Jalen Milroe threw three interceptions as they fell 24-3.

Here’s the initial College Football Playoff availability report.

As expected, Bama’s Jam Miller and OU’s R Mason Thomas are not listed and ready to roll.

Both LT Overton and Kevin Riley remain out for Bama. pic.twitter.com/tNoLnzpe5H
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 17, 2025

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Jeremiyah Love announces decision on future with Notre Dame program

Sydney Hunte — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 01:48:12 +0000

Jeremiyah Love is declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Notre Dame junior, who was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy after rushing for over 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns, announced on Tuesday that he will forgo his final year of eligibility. Love revealed the news via a statement.

“Those who know me best know that I am very direct, so I am going to get straight to the point and share that I have made the decision to declare for the NFL Draft,” Love wrote.

Love, a four-star recruit out of St. Louis and considered a top-five high school running back, signed with the Fighting Irish out of the class of 2023. He played behind starting RB Audric Estime, totaling 385 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman.

After Estime entered the draft, Love emerged as the starter in 2024 and finished with 1,125 yards as the Irish appeared in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. His 17 rushing touchdowns were tied for ninth in the country.

In 2025, Love put together his best season. His 1,372 rushing yards, the fourth-highest single-season total in program history, ranked fourth in FBS. He ran for 228 yards against USC, the Irish’s sixth-most yards in a single game. After the season, he finished third behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Vanderbilt‘s Diego Pavia in voting for the Heisman Trophy.

Love leaves Notre Dame with 2,882 rushing yards, No. 7 all-time in school history. His 36 rushing touchdowns are tied for the third-highest single-season total among Irish players, with his 18 TDs in 2025 tied with Estime atop the program record books.

Love is widely considered a first-round pick in the NFL Draft.

Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love announced he is declaring for the NFL draft. pic.twitter.com/BIAWDZqCNX
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2025

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Germie Bernard explains how stadium lights affected him during Alabama’s last visit to Oklahoma

Sydney Hunte — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 01:27:54 +0000

Germie Bernard doesn’t want a repeat of what happened to Alabama the last time it played Oklahoma on the road.

In 2024, the Crimson Tide took a 3-0 first-quarter lead in what was just the program’s second-ever visit to Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The Sooners took over from there, pitching a shutout the rest of the way en route to a 24-3 win.

After losing to the Sooners again in 2025 — this time in Tuscaloosa — the Tide hope to come out on top when the two teams meet in Norman on Friday, this time in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Playing there last time was a bit of a struggle for a couple of reasons, including the configuration of the stadium lights, Bernard said on Tuesday.

“Their lights, it kind of got me last time that we played,” Bernard said, via a video from AL.com. “The lights were kind of, I don’t know, in a weird position, I guess you could say.”

The senior, who had four catches for 60 yards against the Sooners in 2024, also mentioned issues with the playing surface.

“I think our equipment staff has done a great job at putting us in the right cleats and whatnot, so we won’t have that issue (on Friday),” he said.

Bernard, to his credit, had a decent performance. Outside of that, though, Jalen Milroe was just 10-of-26 for 102 yards and threw three interceptions as his receivers dropped five passes during that game, per 247Sports’ Mike Rodak. Alabama couldn’t run the ball either, going for just 70 yards on 30 carries. Meanwhile, Oklahoma rolled up 257 yards on 50 carries as both Jackson Arnold and Xavier Robinson ran for over 100 yards.

Kickoff from Norman on Friday night is set for 8 p.m. ET.

Alabama WR Germie Bernard says the lights at Oklahoma ‘got him’ during last year’s loss.

The Tide returns to Norman for the first round of the College Football Playoff on Friday. #rolltide pic.twitter.com/wjNbvKO4i1
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) December 17, 2025

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Keyron Crawford, Auburn DE, announces decision on 2026 season

Sydney Hunte — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 01:02:21 +0000

Keyron Crawford has just wrapped up his second season at Auburn. He’s now set to enter the NFL Draft.

Crawford announced the news on Tuesday night via a post on X, as you can see below:

The UNDERDOG STORY pic.twitter.com/c8C7HDqeyi
— Keyron Crawford (@KeyronCrawford3) December 16, 2025

A Memphis area native, Crawford’s story is interesting. As he said in his post, he didn’t start playing football until transferring to Briarcrest Christian Academy as a senior in high school, instead playing basketball.

He ultimately received nine offers before signing with Arkansas State out of the 2022 recruiting class. There, he totaled 58 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, and 6.5 sacks across two seasons. That included 2023, when he made 44 stops, 10.5 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks. His TFL and sack totals were second among Red Wolves players.

He then entered the transfer portal before signing with Auburn. In his first season on The Plains, he made 22 tackles. His involvement increased in 2025 as he recorded 9.5 TFLs and 5.0 sacks, both second on the team. He earned 3rd team All-SEC honors when the season came to a close.

With his college career behind him — one that included a pair of seasons in the SEC — Crawford now will hope to land on an NFL roster in the spring.

The post Keyron Crawford, Auburn DE, announces decision on 2026 season appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Florida LB Myles Graham confirms return for 2026, speaks on new Gator coaches

Andrew Olson — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:36:15 +0000

The Florida defense is getting a key piece back for 2026. Linebacker Myles Graham confirmed his decision to return for his junior season via UF collective Florida Victorious on Tuesday.

As a Florida legacy, it’s no surprise that Graham will be back in orange and blue. He wears No. 5, the same number his father, Gator great Earnest Graham, wore playing running back for Steve Spurrier. Beyond the family legacy, Graham is also excited about the new staff in Gainesville.

Graham told Florida Victorious about hearing from new head coach Jon Sumrall after his hiring.

“We loved him, man. He was intense. He told us straight up that he wasn’t going to back down,” Graham told the collective. “He was ready for the challenge and we loved him. I feel like a lot of guys bought into that.”

Since that first meeting, Sumrall has also added his coordinators. Former Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White will be the new Florida DC, and Graham strongly approves.

“He preached to me that he needs me here and, you know, the defense is going to run through me,” Graham told Florida Victorious. “So he has a great appreciation for the linebacker position and him playing it. We can relate in that way and we can build our relationship in that way.”

Running the defense through Graham is a smart decision by White. Graham started every game for the Gators in 2025, recording 76 total tackles (7 TFLs), 2 sacks, 7 QB hurries and 4 pass breakups.

The post Florida LB Myles Graham confirms return for 2026, speaks on new Gator coaches appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Legend Bey reportedly makes decision on future after release from Tennessee NLI

Sydney Hunte — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:24:32 +0000

Legend Bey will reportedly sign a National Letter of Intent with Ohio State after being released from his NLI at Tennessee. Bey informed Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett of his decision on Tuesday night.

Bey’s recruitment has been a roller-coaster. He initially committed to play at Tennessee after taking an official visit there. He later visited Ohio State in November, ultimately flipping his pledge.

However, when the Early Signing Period came around, he surprisingly decided to sign with Tennessee after all. That was reportedly after his mother wouldn’t sign off on his NLI since Tennessee, not Ohio State, was said to be her preference. Since Bey was 17 years old, he needed the signature of a parent or legal guardian before his paperwork could be submitted.

On Tuesday, Bey was released from his NLI. That has paved the way for him to sign with Ohio State when the regular signing period commences in February.

A 5-foot-10.5, 175-pounder, Bey played quarterback at North Forney (Tex.) but signaled his desire to play wide receiver in college. According to 247Sports, he is the No. 24 player in the state of Texas and the 175th-ranked player in the country.

Ohio State’s class is ranked No. 6 in the nation by 247Sports. Tennessee is at No. 7.

The post Legend Bey reportedly makes decision on future after release from Tennessee NLI appeared first on Saturday Down South.

BetMGM Promo Code SDS150: Claim $150 Bonus for NBA Cup, College Basketball

Danny Small — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:22:16 +0000

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Sign up in other states to secure a $1,500 first bet. Anyone who loses on that initial wager will receive up to $1,500 back in bonuses. Of course, anyone who picks a winner on this first bet will receive straight cash winnings.

BetMGM Sportsbook will have tons of options for basketball fans this week. There are dozens of college basketball games to choose from, but the NBA is taking center stage with the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. New players can sign up and start reaping the rewards in a matter of minutes.

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Creating a new account on BetMGM Sportsbook is a breeze. Here is a quick walkthrough of the registration process for new players:

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Other Ways to Bet on the NBA Cup: Knicks vs. Spurs

This game won’t count towards the regular season standings, but this is a big game for the Knicks and Spurs nonetheless. Victor Wembanyama was on a minutes limit against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but anytime he was on the floor he was a complete game-changer on both ends. San Antonio will need his length in the paint to slow down Jalen Brunson, who is averaging 34.8 points in his five NBA Cup games.

BetMGM Sportsbook will have an odds boost token, pre-built same game parlays and other unique offers available for this matchup. Take a look at the current BetMGM Sportsbook odds for the NBA Cup final:

San Antonio Spurs: +2.5 (-105) // Over 234.5 (-110) // +115
New York Knicks: -2.5 (-115) // Under 234.5 (-110) // -140

21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.

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Le’Veon Moss returns to practice for Texas A&M ahead of first-round Playoff matchup

Sydney Hunte — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 23:54:13 +0000

Le’Veon Moss hasn’t made an appearance for Texas A&M since Oct. 11 against Florida. That might change in the first round of the College Football Playoff against Miami.

Moss was on the practice field in College Station on Tuesday, with the Aggies gearing up to face the Hurricanes at Kyle Field at noon on Saturday. The winner plays second-seeded Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl semifinal on Dec. 31.

Needless to say, the Aggies are hoping to have their top running back on the field as they embark on their first-ever Playoff appearance, with offensive coordinator Collin Klein — who takes the reins at Kansas State at season’s end — calling Moss a “sledgehammer.”

“It’s probably a little unfair, just because our running back room, we’ve been able to run the ball through the course of the season, even since he got hurt, at a really, really high clip. So, obviously, really excited about him,” Klein said, according to KBTX-TV’s Travis L. Brown. “Happy for him to be able to finish this season and be able to get back out there on the field and want him to finish strong. And obviously, he’s a difference-maker with the ball in his hands.”

Moss accumulated 70 carries, 389 yards, and six touchdowns in six games in 2025. But a leg injury against Florida means he’s been sidelined up until this point.

Rueben Owens Jr. has taken over as the Aggies’ lead back, totaling 112 carries for 618 yards and five touchdowns.

The post Le’Veon Moss returns to practice for Texas A&M ahead of first-round Playoff matchup appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Legend Bey granted release from NLI at Tennessee, per report

Sydney Hunte — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 23:25:31 +0000

Legend Bey, the Dallas-Fort Worth area recruit who signed with Tennessee during the Early Signing Period, won’t be a Volunteer after all.

Bey was granted his release from his NLI on Tuesday, according to KnoxNews’ Adam Sparks. But how things got to this point in the first place makes for an interesting story.

The North Forney (Tex.) product was a dynamic dual-threat quarterback in high school but opted to switch to wide receiver in college. After collecting a host of offers, including from Tennessee, he committed to Josh Heupel and the Vols in June, weeks after an official visit.

That was before he took an official visit to Ohio State in November, leading him to flip his pledge to the Buckeyes. With all signs pointing to him signing for Ryan Day’s program during the Early Signing Period, though, he instead signed with the Volunteers, reportedly because his mother wouldn’t sign off on his NLI to play for Ohio State.

It didn’t end there, though, per Sparks:

As a coveted recruit, Bey undoubtedly signed a lucrative NIL deal with Tennessee. But by rule, a university cannot pay direct school-to-player NIL money until the student-athlete is enrolled and on campus, which means UT had not paid him any money yet.

That brings us to Tuesday. With Bey no longer part of Tennessee’s 2026 recruiting class, all signs point to him signing with the Buckeyes in February. That is, of course, barring any more twists and turns.

The post Legend Bey granted release from NLI at Tennessee, per report appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Alabama expected to hire former Auburn, Ole Miss assistant as WR coach, per report

Andrew Olson — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 22:59:13 +0000

Derrick Nix is reportedly changing sides in the Iron Bowl rivalry.

Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports is reporting that Nix is set to be the new wide receivers coach at Alabama. Nix has been on staff at Auburn for the past two seasons.

Alabama is expected to hire Derrick Nix as its new wide receivers coach, sources tell @CBSSports.

Was offensive coordinator at Auburn the last two seasons. Before that, was assistant head coach and receivers coach at Ole Miss. pic.twitter.com/mQzdIwUYTG
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 16, 2025

An Attalla, Alabama native, Nix got into coaching after a playing career at Southern Miss. Since 2008, he has been coaching in the SEC.

Nix was on staff at Ole Miss from 2008-23. From 2008-19, Nix coached Rebels running backs. When Lane Kiffin took over as Ole Miss head coach in 2020, Nix made the move to coaching wide receivers.

In 2024, Nix reunited with former Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, taking the offensive coordinator position at Auburn. In addition to his OC responsibilities, Nix also coached Tiger running backs.

Nix got his coaching start at Southern Miss, his alma mater, in 2003 as a graduate assistant. He then coached tight ends (2004-05) and running backs (2006-07) for the program.

Kalen DeBoer has been searching for a new wide receivers coach with JaMarcus Shephard taking the head coaching job at Oregon State.

The post Alabama expected to hire former Auburn, Ole Miss assistant as WR coach, per report appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Auburn starting CB, 2024 SEC All-Freshman selection to reportedly enter transfer portal

Andrew Olson — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 22:26:39 +0000

Auburn is likely to lose a talented member of its secondary after 2 seasons on The Plains.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports, per a source, that Jay Crawford is expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Thamel notes that Crawford would be one of the top available cornerbacks.

Source: Auburn starting corner Jay Crawford intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal. He earned freshman All-American honors in 2024 and has 13 passes defended in two seasons. He's started 18 games for the Tigers and will be among the top corners available in the portal. pic.twitter.com/3zRBmx4abo
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 16, 2025

Out of Lilburn (Georgia) Parkview High School, Crawford was a 4-star prospect. He picked up 33 scholarship offers in his recruitment, electing to sign with Auburn.

Crawford made an immediate impact in his first season at Auburn, making the SEC All-Freshman Team and receiving True Freshman All-America recognition from On3. He started 8 games in his debut season, logging 15 total tackles including 13 solo stops. In coverage, Crawford posted 7 pass breakups and 1 interception as a true freshman.

This season, Crawford started 10 times in 11 appearances. He once again posted 15 total tackles, this time with 11 solo stops and his first TFL. Crawford had 5 passes defended, including 1 pick, as a sophomore.

The post Auburn starting CB, 2024 SEC All-Freshman selection to reportedly enter transfer portal appeared first on Saturday Down South.

FBS passing leader expected to enter transfer portal, per report

Andrew Olson — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:43:07 +0000

The most productive FBS quarterback of the 2025 season could be looking for a new home.

Multiple outlets, including CBS Sports, are reporting that North Texas QB Drew Mestemaker is expected to enter the transfer portal. This is far from official, as the transfer portal does not open until Jan. 2 and the report states that Mestemaker has not made a final decision. If Mestemaker enters as expected, though, the highly productive passer will likely have numerous interested teams.

North Texas star QB Drew Mestemaker is considered likely to enter the transfer portal, sources tell @mzenitz and me for @CBSSports. A final decision is not expected until after UNT's bowl game.

Mestemaker led the FBS with 4,129 passing yards this year. https://t.co/Z3FtwitikL pic.twitter.com/fmNiMqtnPR
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) December 16, 2025

A product of Austin (Texas) Vandegrift, is 2 seasons removed from high school. He enrolled at North Texas as a walk-on in June 2024. This season, Mestemaker won the Burlsworth Award for best player who began his career as a walk-on.

Mestemaker redshirted in 2024, appearing in only 4 regular-season contests and the Mean Green’s bowl game. In the bowl game, he offered a preview of what was to come in the 2025 season, throwing for 393 yards while completing 63.4% of his passes.

In 2025, Mestemaker has completed 70.2% of his passes (292-of-416) for 4,129 yards and 31 touchdowns with just 7 interceptions. He threw for 608 yards in North Texas’s win against Charlotte on Oct. 24.

Mestemaker’s 4,129 passing yards are after 13 games. He’s the leader in passing yards per game with 317.6, over 10 yards per game better than Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson, who is second at 306.8. Mestemaker’s 9.9 yards per attempt is No. 1, a half yard better than Diego Pavia and Fernando Mendoze at 9.4.

North Texas posted an 11-2 record in the 2025 regular season. The Mean Green are set to play in the New Mexico Bowl under interim head coach Drew Svoboda. Head coach Eric Morris accepted the job at Oklahoma State.

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Nick Saban joins ownership group of NHL franchise

Cory Nightingale — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:02:14 +0000

Nick Saban is continuing to reinvent himself in the aftermath of his legendary college football coaching career.

First, it was branching out into broadcasting as an ESPN college football analyst. But now, Saban has decided to enter another sports world entirely, albeit in a familiar place for him. Saban, who controls Dream Sports Ventures LLC with Joe Agresti, recently finished the purchase of a minority stake in the NHL’s Nashville Predators.

Yes, the 7-time national championship college football coach who won 6 titles at Alabama and 1 at LSU before that is trying his hand at hockey now. Predators franchise chairman and majority owner Bill Haslam announced Nick Saban‘s newly purchased minority stake in his franchise on Tuesday afternoon. Saban and partner Agresti will become a piece of the Predators’ ownership pie that is made up mostly of team season-ticket holders and residents of the Nashville area.

Saban released this statement on Tuesday proclaiming the excitement surrounding his new sports venture:

Although I am now retired as a coach, I still possess a competitive nature and a great passion for sports. Being involved in a sports team in Nashville has always been a goal and the opportunity to partner in the Predators with a class act like Bill Haslam created the perfect scenario for us. The Preds are a great organization with a fantastic brand, and we are excited to be part of the future success of the franchise.

Smashville just got that much better

Nick Saban and partner Joe Agresti have joined the #Preds ownership group via Dream Sports Ventures LLC with a minority stake in the franchise!

» https://t.co/6Y5EK0I6qA pic.twitter.com/1FXqW4O5tx
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) December 16, 2025

Saban has partnered with Agresti in many business ventures, including Dream Motor Group, which has turned into 1 of the most successful dealer groups in the southeastern part of the United States.

Now, the legend who made his name in Baton Rouge and Tuscaloosa will have a sports presence in Nashville, yet another SEC city that’s home to Vanderbilt. But this time, that presence won’t involve college football. It’ll be his new world of professional hockey.

The post Nick Saban joins ownership group of NHL franchise appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Tennessee vs. Louisville: Preview and best bet

Adam Spencer — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:44:50 +0000

A compelling nonconference showdown awaits as the No. 11 Louisville Cardinals venture into hostile territory to battle the No. 20 Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Cardinals arrive in Knoxville riding high with an impressive 9-1 record, but they’ll face a motivated Tennessee squad desperate to snap a 3-game skid. The Volunteers enter at 7-3 and hungry to defend their home court where they’ve been perfect this season.

This game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday night and can be seen on ESPN.

Louisville Cardinals vs. Tennessee Volunteers Odds

Here’s how the betting market shapes up for this SEC-ACC showdown, courtesy of BetMGM:

Bet Type	Odds
Spread	Louisville +3.5 (-110) / Tennessee -3.5 (-110)
Moneyline	Louisville +135 / Tennessee -161
Total	Over 156.5 (-110) / Under 156.5 (-110)

Odds subject to change

The oddsmakers clearly respect Thompson-Boling Arena’s home-court advantage, installing Tennessee as 3.5-point favorites despite Louisville’s superior record. The Volunteers’ -161 moneyline translates to roughly 59.2% implied probability after removing the vig, while the Cardinals sit at 40.8% – a reflection of both Tennessee’s desperation and venue advantage.

Statistical Breakdown: Louisville vs. Tennessee

This matchup perfectly illustrates the classic basketball chess match between explosive offense and disciplined defense, with each team’s statistical profile telling a distinct story:

Category	Louisville Cardinals	Tennessee Volunteers
Overall Record	9-1	7-3
RPI Ranking	41st	49th
Strength of Schedule	0.507	0.568
Points Per Game	94.3	80.9
Points Allowed	68.1	66.0
Point Differential	+26.2	+14.9
Record vs RPI Top 25	0-1	0-1
Record vs RPI Top 50	0-1	1-2
Home Record	7-0	5-0
Road Record	0-1	0-1

The numbers reveal Louisville’s offensive juggernaut averaging a blistering 94.3 points per game, creating that +26.2 scoring margin that’s made its games look like video game simulations. However, that dominance comes with an asterisk – their 0.507 strength of schedule suggests they’ve been feasting on lesser competition.

Tennessee’s path has been considerably rockier, evidenced by its 0.568 SOS rating that’s battle-tested the Vols against legitimate competition. The Volunteers already own a quality win over a Top 50 RPI opponent, something Louisville is still chasing. Tennessee’s calling card remains their stingy defense allowing just 66 points per game, the kind of unit that can disrupt rhythm and force opponents into uncomfortable possessions.

Best Bet: Tennessee -3.5

While Louisville’s gaudy 9-1 record screams bet-the-favorite, the situational dynamics strongly favor backing Tennessee -3.5 (-110) in this spot.

The Volunteers are precisely where SEC teams thrive — desperate, at home, and facing a talented opponent that hasn’t been truly tested in hostile territory. Thompson-Boling Arena has been Tennessee’s fortress this season (5-0), and there’s no better elixir for a 3-game slide than facing a Cardinals team that’s 0-1 on the road.

Expect Rick Barnes to have his squad locked in defensively, using crowd energy to disrupt Louisville’s offensive flow and force the Cardinals into the kind of half-court grind that hasn’t defined their season. The Volunteers need this game more, have home-court advantage, and possess the defensive chops to make life difficult for a Cardinals offense that has already lost a game when it has faced this level of resistance in a hostile environment.

Take Tennessee -3.5 and trust the SEC program to defend its home court when it matters most.

Sign up with BetMGM today to get in on the action for tonight’s game. Click here to get started. And check out our list of the best Tennessee sports betting apps.

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Chalkboard Promo Code SOUTH: Get $100 Match Bonus for Knicks-Spurs NBA Cup

Alex Payton — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:42:20 +0000

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Chalkboard Promo Code	SOUTH
Welcome Offer	100% Deposit Match Up to $100
Bonus Last Verified On	December 16, 2025
Information Confirmed By	Saturday Down South

The in-season tournament comes to an end on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. The Spurs were able to take out the Thunder in the Western Conference, while the Knicks beat the Magic to advance in the Eastern Conference.

Get in your pre-game picks before tip at 8:30 pm ET. There are several promos that give customers a better chance at a win.

Victor Wembanyama: Over 11.5 points
De’Aaron Fox: Over 11.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns: Over 0.5 points + rebounds + assists

The totals are lowered, but the multipliers remain the same. Add other picks for Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, Stephon Castle and Harrison Barnes to increase your potential winnings.

Claim bonus on this popular DFS app by taking these steps to create an account:

Follow the links on this page to use the Chalkboard promo code SOUTH.
Fill in your email address, full legal name and date of birth.
Make a deposit up to $100 with an accepted payment method.

The amount of your initial deposit will determine the bonus. Score the max $100 bonus with a $100 deposit.

Use Bonus for NFL, NHL and College Basketball Picks

Your bonus can be used for more than just the NBA. Try making picks on NFL, NHL and college basketball games. There is a promo for the top NCAAB matchup on Tuesday between Louisville and Tennessee.

Week 16 of the NFL season begins on Thursday with a crucial NFC West matchup between the Rams and Seahawks. Find markets for Matthew Stafford, Sam Darnold, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Puka Nacua and others. There is a promo for Stafford, so you can take the quarterback to have over 159.5 passing yards.

There is a scores tab that easily allows users to follow along with multiple games and stats. And the entries page will display all your active contests and history.

The post Chalkboard Promo Code SOUTH: Get $100 Match Bonus for Knicks-Spurs NBA Cup appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Texas A&M DC Jay Bateman explains why he’s leaving for same title at Kentucky

Cory Nightingale — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:23:14 +0000

Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman is still in College Station while he stays in his current job of preparing the Aggies for that talented Miami offense in Saturday’s College Football Playoff first-round game.

But Bateman, who joined Mike Elko‘s staff at Texas A&M in January 2024, will soon be joining another program and an SEC rival no less. Whenever the Aggies’ Playoff run ends, that will be the end of Bateman’s time in College Station. He’ll be heading to Kentucky to join new head coach Will Stein as the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator for the 2026 season.

Stein managed to lure Bateman away from Texas A&M to become part of a rebuilding program in Lexington that’s getting used to life without longtime former head coach Mark Stoops. This is a transition time for Kentucky football, and Bateman will be a big part of that hopeful transition from losing to winning.

On Tuesday, Bateman shared with reporters what he was thinking in deciding to move from a Playoff team to a program very much in rebuilding mode.

“I think I was really intrigued with Will Stein, the new head coach and when he reached out to me, just his vision. … It’s a really nice place. I think they’ve (got a) chance to be, you know, kind of autonomy as his defensive coordinator, was really important to me,” Bateman said.

Texas A&M DC Jay Bateman on his decision to move on to Kentucky after this season:

“I think I was really intrigued with Will Stein, the new head coach and when he reached out to me, just his vision… It’s a really nice place. I think they’ve chance to be, you know, kind of…
— 𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕤 𝕃. 𝔹𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕟 (@Travis_L_Brown) December 16, 2025

The hard work is going on right now for Bateman in trying to get Texas A&M into the Playoff quarterfinals. But soon enough for Bateman, there will be a different kind of work in trying to build Kentucky into a relevant program in the SEC.

The post Texas A&M DC Jay Bateman explains why he’s leaving for same title at Kentucky appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Betr Promo Code SOUTH: Get $210 Bonus for Knicks vs. Spurs NBA Cup

Ethan Stone — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:55:03 +0000

Daily Fantasy Sports are taking the country by storm, and there’s no ‘betr’ app than Betr Picks for tonight’s NBA Cup title game and Betr promo code SOUTH will score up to a $210 bonus. The Knicks and Spurs face off for a shot at $500,000 per player, so you’d better believe the two sides are going to bet giving it their all.

Users who are new to Betr Picks can claim $210 in bonus credit for tonight’s action, the College Football Playoff this weekend and anything else offered by Betr by utilizing our latest Betr Promo Code SOUTH. Just click below and enter this code SOUTH to claim this offer today:

This offer won’t be around forever, and neither will some top-tier sports events like the NBA Cup, College Football Playoff or, very soon, the NFL postseason. Now’s the time to hop on board and get started with your picks with $210 in bonus credit at your disposal.

Keep scrolling for more information about this Betr Promo Code SOUTH.

Betr Promo Code	SOUTH
New User Offer	50% Deposit Match up to $200 + $10 sign-up credit
Bonus Last Verified	December 16, 2025
Information Confirmed By	Saturday Down South

Betr is gaining traction among DFS apps today thanks to its top-notch welcome bonus, ease of use and specials picks that keep the action fun and entertaining. Not to mention, you can win real cash by making picks on our favorite sports, including tonight’s NBA Cup matchup.

Refer below to get started today with Betr Promo Code SOUTH:

Follow the links on this page to use this Betr promo code SOUTH.
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Once you’ve utilized your 50% deposit match, snag a $10 credit.

Best Betr Picks for NBA Tuesday

Here’s a look at our favorite picks for tonight’s NBA Cup title.

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs – More 25.5 points + rebounds

Victor Wembanyama is an actual alien disguised as a human, and there’s a very real chance he reaches this total with points alone. You can actually find this pick at a discount, because the usual projection for Wembanyama is 31.5 points + rebounds. Either way, I’m confident Wemby will be above this number when it’s all said any done. Who is supposed to stop him?

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks – Less 6.5 assists

You could ask the same question about Brunson, to be fair. In fact, the reason I’m choosing Brunson to be below this total is because I think the Knicks are going to need Brunson to be a little selfish to win this one.

Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs – More 17.5 points

Stephon Castle is on a heater right now, and he’s scored more than this total in his past 3 games. In fact, he’s blown by this total in 2 of those 3 games.

The post Betr Promo Code SOUTH: Get $210 Bonus for Knicks vs. Spurs NBA Cup appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Ryan Grubb gives optimistic update on Jam Miller ahead of CFP game vs. Oklahoma

Cory Nightingale — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:43:47 +0000

Ryan Grubb would love to have Jam Miller at his disposal with everything on the line on Friday night in Norman, and it looks like Alabama‘s offensive coordinator might get his wish.

With Miller once again on the mend after missing the SEC title game loss to Georgia, Grubb told reporters on Tuesday that the Crimson Tide leading rusher has a great chance to return to action when it absolutely matters most. Alabama will face Oklahoma in an all-SEC first-round College Football Playoff game, with the blue blood programs colliding in an 8 p.m. ET kickoff on ABC and ESPN.

The Crimson Tide’s rushing attack has been feeble this season even when Miller has been available, which hasn’t always been the case. But getting Miller back for the Playoff game would still be huge for Alabama, and the first-year coordinator who’s in charge of making Miller successful believes the Tide’s leading rusher will be available.

“Jam (Miller) looks great. He was out there running around (Tuesday) … I feel like he’ll be full go,” Grubb told reporters.

Ryan Grubb: "Jam (Miller) looks great. He was out there running around today … I feel like he'll be full go."
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) December 16, 2025

Miller has been through a ton this season, starting with a collarbone injury in fall camp that kept him out of the season’s first 3 games. He returned for the SEC opener against Georgia but was inconsistent to say the least throughout the year.

Then the injury bug struck again in the Iron Bowl when Miller suffered a lower leg injury, which kept him out of the following week’s rematch with Georgia in the SEC title game.

Miller has still managed to scratch out 493 yards rushing this season with 3 touchdowns, and judging by what Grubb said on Tuesday it appears that Miller has a great chance to be available when his team needs him the most.

The post Ryan Grubb gives optimistic update on Jam Miller ahead of CFP game vs. Oklahoma appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea wins National Coach of the Year Award following 10-2 season

Cory Nightingale — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:14:08 +0000

Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea was honored with 1 of the most prestigious awards in college football coaching, capturing the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year award on Tuesday.

Lea led Vanderbilt to 1 of the best seasons in program history this fall, as the Commodores went 10-2, capping their outstanding regular season with a victory at rival Tennessee. That not only got Vandy to double-digit wins in 2025, it gave the Commodores a 6-2 final record in the SEC.

Speaking of SEC honors, Lea is adding the Eddie Robinson award to his back-to-back SEC Coach of the Year honors. He is the first Vanderbilt coach to win SEC Coach of the Year in consecutive seasons. Now, Lea has made more history for himself in Nashville, becoming the first Vandy coach to capture a National Coach of the Year award.

He is also the first SEC coach to win the Eddie Robinson award since Ed Orgeron did it with LSU during its magical 2019 national championship season.

Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year

Coach Lea pic.twitter.com/iEYHGqBI04
— #14 Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) December 16, 2025

Lea won the Eddie Robinson award among a group of 12 finalists, and he’ll receive the prestigious award named for the late Grambling coaching legend during a reception in Miami on Jan. 17 in the leadup to the national title game 2 days later.

The Vanderbilt coach has 1 more chance to add to his budding legend on the field this season when Lea’s Commodores face Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa on New Year’s Eve (noon ET, ESPN).

The post Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea wins National Coach of the Year Award following 10-2 season appeared first on Saturday Down South.

Eli Drinkwitz announces 2 key players who will miss Gator Bowl vs. Virginia

Cory Nightingale — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:41:33 +0000

Eli Drinkwitz held court with local reporters on Tuesday in his pre-Gator Bowl press conference, and there was some less-than-ideal news to share as Mizzou prepares to face Virginia on Dec. 27 in Jacksonville.

The Tigers head coach revealed that starting linebacker Josiah Trotter and starting tight end Brett Norfleet will both miss the postseason matchup with injuries.

“Obviously, those are 2 significant injuries for us,” Eli Drinkwitz told reporters.

Trotter has been dealing with a knee injury that he sustained in Mizzou’s victory over Arkansas to end the regular season. He had surgery on the knee and will be forced to watch as the 8-4 Tigers try to finish with a victory later this month. Trotter’s future in Columbia is up in the air, too, with the sophomore being eligible to enter next spring’s NFL Draft.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, Norfleet also had recent surgery for a shoulder injury that occurred in early November. Like Trotter, he’ll be forced to watch as the Tigers and Cavaliers (10-3) kick it off later this month at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

#Mizzou LB Josiah Trotter (knee) and TE Brett Norfleet (shoulder) will miss the Gator Bowl vs. Virginia, per HC Eli Drinkwitz.
— Eli Hoff (@byEliHoff) December 16, 2025

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Trotter was a tackling machine for Mizzou this season, finishing with 84 total tackles, 43 of them solo. He also had 2 sacks.

The junior Norfleet finished with 31 catches for 254 yards and 5 touchdowns this year, so the Tigers will be without a mainstay on both sides of the football as they face Virginia in primetime in Jacksonville.

The post Eli Drinkwitz announces 2 key players who will miss Gator Bowl vs. Virginia appeared first on Saturday Down South.

ESPN’s SP+ predicts final score of Tennessee-Illinois bowl game

Luke Greco — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:34:51 +0000

No. 23 Tennessee is set to face off against Illinois in the 2025 Music City Bowl in what will essentially be a home game for the Vols.

The Music City Bowl takes place in Nashville, Tennessee, and we’re likely to see some stars sit out for both sides in this contest. Tennessee is expected to be without star wide receiver Chris Brazell II, who posted his intentions of entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Illinois will likely be without star linebacker Gabe Jacas, who will also begin prepping for the NFL Draft.

Star left tackle JC Davis will also likely miss the Music City Bowl for Illinois, as he is also prepping for his NFL career.

ESPN’s SP+ predicts that we will have a close one, with Tennessee projected to win 32-28.

SP+ BOWL (AND ARMY-NAVY, AND CFP) PICKS

OU 24, Bama 21
A&M 29, Miami 26
Rebs 39, Wave 21
Ducks 34, Dukes 19
Arch 25, Underwood 24
Pitt 29, ECU 28 (gonna be wonderfully stupid, can't wait)

14 of 40 games proj. w/in 3 pts, 29 w/in one score. I'll take it.https://t.co/oNFJb9ec9k pic.twitter.com/iago4fTOeI
— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) December 8, 2025

Looking to bet on college football during bowl season? Here’s a full breakdown of all the best Tennessee betting apps on the market!

However, both quarterbacks will suit up and play in the Music City Bowl. Illinois’ Luke Altmyer will look to finish his career on a high note, and Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar will look to do the same.

The Vols took a step back from their 2024 campaign, which saw them end their season in the College Football Playoff. Hype has already started for next year as Tennessee brought in Jim Knowles to help turn around the Vols’ defense.

Kickoff against Illinois is set for 5:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 30.

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