The Ohio State Buckeyes lost to the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, ending their season. Miami advances to the semifinals, while Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is likely heading to the NFL. Downs had an impressive game and is expected to be a top draft pick.
Key Facts
The game took place on December 31 during the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, known as the Cotton Bowl.
Miami Hurricanes defeated Ohio State Buckeyes with a score of 24-14.
Miami will move on to play in the semifinals against the winner of the Georgia vs. Ole Miss game.
Ohio State's season ended with this loss, marking the end of the college careers for some players.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is expected to enter the 2026 NFL Draft and might be a top-10 pick.
During the Cotton Bowl, Downs recorded seven solo tackles and 10 combined tackles.
Over his past two seasons with Ohio State, Downs averaged two interceptions and 75 combined tackles each season.
Kyle Whittingham, now coaching at Michigan, is using the transfer portal to strengthen the team. The portal opens on January 2, 2026, allowing players to switch schools in a short time. John Henry Daley, a top defensive player, might join Michigan to boost their defense.
Key Facts
Kyle Whittingham became the coach of Michigan after previously coaching at Utah.
Michigan lost to Texas in the Citrus Bowl in 2025.
The transfer portal allows players to transfer between schools in a 15-day period.
John Henry Daley, a strong defensive player, plans to enter the transfer portal.
Daley previously played for BYU and then transferred to Utah.
Michigan aims to use the transfer portal to improve its defense for the 2026 season.
Belfast boxer Paul McCullagh Jr has died at the age of 25 after a brief illness. He was a notable figure in the boxing community with achievements as both an amateur and a professional boxer.
Key Facts
Paul McCullagh Jr was a Belfast boxer who passed away at 25.
He had a short illness before his death.
McCullagh Jr was an Ulster Elite heavyweight champion as an amateur in 2019.
He won both of his professional fights.
McCullagh’s family has a strong boxing background; both his father and grandfather were champion boxers.
His grandfather was a renowned boxing coach in Belfast.
Tributes were paid by notable boxing figures, including Carl Frampton and Aidan Walsh.
The Irish Amateur Boxing Association extended condolences to his family.
Ole Miss and Georgia are set to compete in the Sugar Bowl, with Ole Miss aiming to continue their strong season under new coach Pete Golding. Lane Kiffin, the former Ole Miss coach now at LSU, supported his previous team on social media after ESPN analysts predicted a Georgia win. Ole Miss enters the game with a 12-1 record after defeating Tulane.
Key Facts
Ole Miss will play against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl game.
The game is part of the College Football Playoff.
Ole Miss has a new head coach, Pete Golding, who took over after Lane Kiffin left for LSU.
Lane Kiffin showed support for Ole Miss on social media despite leaving the team.
ESPN's "College GameDay" crew, including Nick Saban, predicted Georgia would win.
Ole Miss has a strong record of 12 wins and 1 loss this season.
The Sugar Bowl game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Chris Jones, a defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, discussed his future with the team despite a challenging season. While some speculate about a possible team change, Jones expressed his desire to remain with the Chiefs. Meanwhile, there is anticipation regarding teammate Travis Kelce's potential retirement decision.
Key Facts
The Kansas City Chiefs had a disappointing season with a 6-10 record.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes had a late-season injury, and Travis Kelce's retirement may be impending.
Chris Jones joined the Chiefs in 2016 and has won three Super Bowls with the team.
Jones expressed his intent to stay with the Chiefs and retire with the team, inspired by Kobe Bryant's loyalty to one organization.
In his 10 years with the Chiefs, Jones has played in at least 13 games each season.
Travis Kelce's potential retirement announcement may come after the season ends.
Jones described the season as a time of "adversity" but appreciates what it taught him.
The Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time in Jones's career with the team.
The article discusses a special offer from theScore Bet using the promo code NEWSWEEK. New users can place a $10 bet on sports, such as the NBA or College Football Playoff games, and potentially receive a $100 bonus if the bet wins. Various betting options and odds for New Year's Day college football games are also provided.
Key Facts
theScore Bet offers a $100 bonus for a $10 bet if the bet wins, using promo code NEWSWEEK.
This offer is available for bets on NBA, College Football Playoff, and NHL games.
The article suggests betting on specific College Football Playoff games happening on New Year's Day.
To qualify for the bonus, users must win their $10 bet.
The College Football Playoff games include Oregon vs. Texas Tech, Alabama vs. Indiana, and Ole Miss vs. Georgia.
Instructions to sign up include entering the promo code and placing an initial $10 bet.
Users must use any bonus received within seven days before it expires.
Newsweek may receive a commission if users sign up through their links.
Penn State's football team is dealing with significant changes after a disappointing season. Following the firing of their head coach, James Franklin, and hiring of Matt Campbell from Iowa State, the team has seen over a dozen players enter the transfer portal. The team hopes new hires and strategies will help rebuild their roster.
Key Facts
Penn State did not qualify for the College Football Playoff this year.
Coach James Franklin was fired midseason following a disappointing performance.
Matt Campbell, the new head coach, was previously with Iowa State.
Over a dozen Penn State players entered the transfer portal recently.
The team lost several key defensive players, including Chaz Coleman and Zuriah Fisher.
The transfer portal allows players to switch schools, and it opens officially on January 2, 2026.
Penn State is hoping to improve quickly with the help of rumored new staff, including USC defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn.
The Dallas Cowboys traded star player Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers before the 2025 NFL season after failing to agree on a long-term contract. Following the trade, a public disagreement between Parsons and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has intensified, with Parsons expressing his dissatisfaction on social media. Parsons suffered a season-ending injury but had a strong start with the Packers.
Key Facts
The Dallas Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.
The trade occurred because Parsons and the Cowboys could not agree on a contract extension.
Micah Parsons and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones have had a public falling out, with Parsons criticizing Jones on social media.
Parsons reunited with former Cowboys teammate Trevon Diggs at the Packers.
Micah Parsons suffered a season-ending torn ACL while playing for the Packers but plans to return next season.
In his first season with Green Bay, Parsons played 14 games and recorded 41 tackles, 12.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a defended pass.
The Dallas Cowboys missed the playoffs and need to improve their defense after Parsons' departure.
Miami defeated defending national champion Ohio State in a college football quarterfinal game with a score of 24-14. Keionte Scott made a significant interception return touchdown, helping Miami advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Miami will face either Georgia or Ole Miss next.
Key Facts
Miami beat Ohio State 24-14 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
Keionte Scott returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown early in the game.
Miami was the 10th seed and has now won two playoff games to reach the semifinals.
Carson Beck, Miami's quarterback, completed 19 of 26 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown.
The Hurricanes aim for their first national title since 2001.
Miami will play either Georgia or Ole Miss in the semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl on January 8.
Ohio State, favored to win by 9 1/2 points, could not secure back-to-back national titles.
Coach Mario Cristobal, a former Miami player, is leading the team in his fourth season.
Enzo Maresca has left his job as Chelsea's head coach after 18 months. Although Maresca initially led the team to success, a recent series of poor performances caused the club to fall out of the Premier League title race. The club and Maresca decided a change was needed to improve their chances for the rest of the season.
Key Facts
Chelsea and Enzo Maresca have parted ways after 18 months.
Maresca joined Chelsea in 2024 after helping Leicester City get promoted to the Premier League.
Under Maresca, Chelsea won the Conference League trophy and the Club World Cup and qualified for the Champions League.
Chelsea struggled in recent weeks, winning only one of their last seven league games.
The team has fallen to fifth place in the league, 15 points behind leaders Arsenal.
Maresca expressed frustration with a lack of support from the club, mentioning a difficult period after a win over Everton.
Fans expressed dissatisfaction during Maresca's final match, a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
Chelsea has not announced who will manage their next game against Manchester City.
BetMGM is offering two types of bonuses for sports betting to start the year 2026. These bonuses can be used for NBA and College Football Playoff games on January 1st. Users can either get a $150 bonus or a $1,500 first bet safety net by signing up and placing bets in eligible states.
Key Facts
BetMGM offers two bonuses: a $150 bonus and a $1,500 first bet safety net.
The bonuses are valid for NBA and College Football Playoff games on January 1st, 2026.
To get the $150 bonus, a user must win their initial $10 bet.
The $1,500 first bet safety net applies if the first bet loses.
Eligible states for the $150 bonus are Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Users need to sign up and place their bets before the games start to qualify for these offers.
Additional in-app promotions include odds boost tokens for different sports, such as basketball and football.
There is a current promotion for users of the Underdog app, offering a $75 bonus for making a $5 entry, available for NBA and College Football Playoff games. This involves using the promo code NEWSWEEK when registering on the app. Several college football and NBA games are scheduled for users to place their bets on.
Key Facts
Underdog app offers a $75 bonus with a $5 entry using promo code NEWSWEEK.
The promotion applies to both NBA and College Football Playoff games.
Users must select picks for 2-8 players from at least two different teams.
The college football games on New Year's Day include Oregon vs. Texas Tech and Alabama vs. Indiana.
NBA games include matchups like Rockets vs. Nets and Heat vs. Pistons.
The promotion is aimed at new users and requires them to register with identifying information.
The bonus helps users engage with the app without spending more than $5.
Newsweek earns a commission from sign-ups through the article links.
Ohio State Buckeyes lost to the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, ending their season. Following the game, Ohio State's backup quarterback Lincoln Kienholz announced he will enter the transfer portal, seeking a starting position elsewhere. Teammate Jeremiah Smith sent Kienholz a supportive message after the announcement.
Key Facts
The Ohio State Buckeyes lost to the Miami Hurricanes, ending their football season.
The loss was part of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
The transfer portal is opening on Friday, allowing players to change schools more easily.
Lincoln Kienholz, a backup quarterback for Ohio State, plans to enter the transfer portal.
Kienholz has been a backup quarterback for three seasons at Ohio State.
Julian Sayin is expected to be the starting quarterback for Ohio State next season.
Jeremiah Smith, a wide receiver for Ohio State, sent Kienholz a supportive message.
On December 31, 13 Michigan State University football players entered the NCAA transfer portal, which lets college athletes transfer to different colleges. This comes after Pat Fitzgerald was hired as the new head coach and means he will need to fill several key spots on the team.
Key Facts
The NCAA transfer portal is used by college athletes to declare their interest in transferring to other schools.
On December 31, 13 athletes from Michigan State University's football team entered the transfer portal.
Some of the players transferring include wide receivers and offensive and defensive linemen.
Pat Fitzgerald was hired as Michigan State's new head coach on December 1.
This brings Michigan State's total number of players in the transfer portal to 32.
The transfer portal will close on January 16, but players in the national championship get five extra days.
Fitzgerald is also adding new staff, including Max Bullough as co-defensive coordinator.
FanDuel is offering a promotion where users can bet on college football playoff games. By placing a $5 bet, users can earn a $25 bonus if their bet wins, with the chance to get a $250 bonus overall. The article discusses upcoming games and various betting options, including player performance specials for the Rose Bowl.
Key Facts
FanDuel offers a promotion for betting on college football playoff games.
Users can place a $5 wager and earn a $25 bonus if the bet wins.
The total potential bonus is $250, which can be used over several games.
Key games include Oregon vs. Texas Tech, Alabama vs. Indiana, and Ole Miss vs. Georgia.
Indiana is the current favorite to win the championship.
FanDuel provides different types of bets, including props and player specials for games like the Rose Bowl.
Users need to be 21 or older and in participating states to use the FanDuel promotion.
New users must verify their identity with personal information before placing bets.
Chris Jericho posted a new photo online, sparking rumors of his return to WWE wrestling. He recently became a free agent, and reports suggest he might appear at a wrestling event soon. WWE might be planning a series of matches for him similar to a retirement tour.
Key Facts
Chris Jericho is 55 years old and recently became a free agent after leaving All Elite Wrestling.
He posted a photo with American TV host Matthew Pinfield, showing he is in good shape.
Jericho's last appearance on TV was in April during an AEW event, where he announced a break from wrestling.
There is speculation he might return to WWE on January 5, 2026, in Brooklyn.
This return date aligns with the one-year anniversary of "Monday Night Raw" on Netflix.
WWE might create a "retirement tour" for Jericho, similar to what they did for John Cena, allowing him to have final matches.
Alabama's football team is preparing for a playoff game against Indiana. The current coach, Kalen DeBoer, continues to follow the successful path set by former coach Nick Saban. Saban advised the team to change its defensive strategy to succeed against Indiana’s strong quarterback.
Key Facts
Alabama is playing in the second round of the College Football Playoff.
Kalen DeBoer is the head coach of Alabama, following Nick Saban's successful tenure.
Saban won six national titles with Alabama.
Saban recommended that Alabama switch to man-to-man defense against Indiana.
Indiana's quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, is a Heisman Trophy winner.
Alabama is considered the underdog in the game against Indiana.
If Alabama wins, they will play the winner of the Oregon-Texas Tech game.
There are rumors about the San Francisco 49ers potentially trading for Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders to strengthen their team. Despite these rumors, the 49ers are hesitant due to previous experiences with big trades and their current strategy of maintaining a younger, cost-effective team. The 49ers are also performing well this season, which may influence their decision.
Key Facts
The San Francisco 49ers are considering options to improve their pass rush.
Maxx Crosby plays for the Las Vegas Raiders and is reportedly in conflict with the team.
Crosby is a five-time Pro Bowler and has impressive stats, including 10 sacks this season.
The 49ers have a history of making aggressive trades, such as those for Christian McCaffrey and Chase Young.
The team wants to maintain a younger and cheaper lineup based on recent successes.
Crosby's contract averages $35.5 million annually, and he is signed through 2029.
A trade for Crosby would require the 49ers to give up significant draft picks.
The 49ers are currently 12-4 this season and have a game against the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West title.
The Green Bay Packers have already secured a spot in the NFL playoffs. Quarterback Jordan Love suffered a concussion but has now cleared concussion protocol. He will not play in the upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings, as the team plans to save him for the playoffs.
Key Facts
The Packers have clinched a playoff spot in the NFL and will play either the Chicago Bears or Philadelphia Eagles in the first postseason game.
Jordan Love, the Packers' starting quarterback, suffered a concussion against the Chicago Bears several weeks ago.
Love cleared concussion protocol and practiced fully with the team, but he will not play in the regular season game against the Vikings.
The Packers plan to start backup quarterback Clayton Tune for the game against Minnesota.
Malik Willis and Clayton Tune both played as quarterbacks in Love's absence during the Packers' previous game against the Ravens.
The Week 18 game against the Vikings holds little importance for playoff standings since the Packers are already locked into the No. 7 seed.
Tatsuya Imai, a Japanese pitcher, signed a three-year contract with the Houston Astros. This came as a surprise since his connection to the Astros was not widely known. The deal could be worth up to $63 million, and Imai has the option to leave after each of the first two seasons.
Key Facts
Tatsuya Imai is a 27-year-old pitcher from Japan.
Imai signed a three-year contract with the Houston Astros.
The agreement could reach a value of $63 million.
Imai is guaranteed $18 million in salary each year.
He can opt-out of the contract after each of the first two years.
Imai had an ERA of 1.92 last year in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
The Astros needed a new pitcher because Framber Valdez left the team.
The Astros did not make the playoffs last year for the first time since 2016.
