The College Football Playoff quarterfinals are starting, with the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels playing the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss's former coach, who now leads LSU, might attend the game with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, causing some concern among Ole Miss fans.
Key Facts
The College Football Playoff quarterfinals feature the Cotton Bowl and three other games, including the Sugar Bowl.
Ole Miss will face Georgia in the Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.
Lane Kiffin, former head coach of Ole Miss and now at LSU, left Mississippi but allowed six former assistants to finish the playoff run with Ole Miss.
Kiffin may attend the Sugar Bowl with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry on Thursday night.
Kiffin's possible presence at the game may cause discomfort among Ole Miss fans.
The NCAA transfer portal opens on January 2, and LSU might be active in this period.
Lane Kiffin has expressed public support for Ole Miss since leaving, but fans haven't always agreed with how he departed.
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The Sleeper promo code NEWSWEEKXL offers new users bonuses for playing daily fantasy sports, focused on NBA and college football games. Users can choose between a $20 immediate bonus or up to $100 in deposit match bonuses. The promotion encourages participation in various basketball and football games happening soon.
Key Facts
Sleeper offers a promo code, NEWSWEEKXL, giving bonuses to new users.
Users can select a $20 immediate bonus or up to $100 in deposit match bonuses.
The promotion is applicable for both NBA and college football games.
Three college football bowl games are scheduled: Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana Tech, Tennessee vs. Illinois, and USC vs. TCU.
NBA games include matchups like 76ers vs. Grizzlies and Pistons vs. Lakers.
Players can make fantasy picks on player statistics such as rebounds, assists, and points.
Two payout options are available: "max" for potentially higher total winnings but requiring all picks to be correct, and "flex" offering partial winnings based on the number of correct picks.
Users must sign up using the promo code to access these offers.
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DraftKings offers a promotion where placing a $5 bet can give you a $200 bonus, usable on any sports game listed. To qualify, you must sign up, deposit money, and place a bet with specific odds. The focus includes NBA matchups such as Detroit Pistons vs. Los Angeles Lakers.
Key Facts
DraftKings has a promotion giving a $200 bonus from a $5 winning bet.
You can use the promotion on any sports game available on DraftKings.
No special code is needed for this offer during the sign-up.
To get the bonus, a qualifying bet must be placed on odds of -500 or longer.
The $200 bonus is given as eight $25 bonus bets.
The promotion covers NBA games like the Pistons vs. Lakers.
To participate, users sign up, deposit funds, and place a bet.
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English player Justin Hood has advanced to the quarter-finals of the PDC World Championship by defeating Josh Rock. Hood, ranked 86th in the world before the tournament, showcased a strong performance, which will earn him at least £100,000. He will face either Michael van Gerwen or Gary Anderson in his next match.
Key Facts
Justin Hood eliminated 11th seed Josh Rock to reach the quarter-finals.
Hood completed his first 11 doubles attempts successfully in the match.
He is ranked 86th in the world but is now provisionally in the top 50.
Hood plans to play a quarter-final match against either Michael van Gerwen or Gary Anderson.
His earnings from the tournament so far amount to at least £100,000.
Welsh player Jonny Clayton also advanced to the quarter-finals, defeating Andreas Harrysson.
The tournament continues with more matches to determine all quarter-finalists.
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The Detroit Tigers might trade pitcher Tarik Skubal to the Atlanta Braves because they may not afford his next contract. Skubal, who will become a free agent, could attract a significant offer, and a trade might help both teams.
Key Facts
Tarik Skubal is a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers.
Skubal is in the last year of his current contract.
He might seek a new contract worth at least $300 million.
The Tigers may not be able to afford Skubal's expected new contract.
Sports predictions suggest the Tigers might trade Skubal to the Atlanta Braves.
Skubal's addition could improve the Braves' chances next season.
The Braves need pitching help as one of their pitchers, Chris Sale, ages.
Skubal's agent is Scott Boras, who is known for securing large contracts for his clients.
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The Toronto Blue Jays have signed pitcher Cody Ponce for a three-year, $30 million deal. Ponce has excelled internationally, winning the KBO MVP award but struggled in his last Major League Baseball appearance. MLB.com predicts he might have a breakout season with the Blue Jays.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays signed pitcher Cody Ponce to a three-year, $30 million contract.
Ponce last played in Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2021 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
During his MLB stint, Ponce had a 7.98 ERA in 15 games.
Ponce succeeded internationally, winning the KBO MVP and Choi Dong-won Award.
MLB.com predicts Ponce could have a breakout season with the Blue Jays.
Ponce is known for 252 strikeouts over 180 2/3 innings in his last season abroad.
The Blue Jays aim to improve after losing in the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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A recent trade involving pitcher Shane Baz has set a high bar for acquiring top pitchers in Major League Baseball. Yankees expert Adam Weinrib suggests the New York Yankees consider trading for Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta to boost their pitching lineup. Peralta, a strong performer, might be available due to his contract situation.
Key Facts
Shane Baz was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Baltimore Orioles.
The trade set a high market price for starting pitchers.
The Yankees are considering acquiring pitcher Freddy Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Peralta had a strong record in 2025, becoming a significant player for the Brewers.
Weinrib suggests the Yankees offer Luis Gil and a prospect, Dillon Lewis, for Peralta.
Peralta is entering the last season of his contract, which makes him a potential "rental" player.
The suggested trade aims to strengthen the Yankees' injury-hit pitching rotation.
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Nick Saban, a well-known former college football coach, predicted that Ohio State will beat Miami in their upcoming College Football Playoffs quarterfinal game. Saban believes Miami needs to improve its offense to compete with Ohio State's strong team.
Key Facts
The College Football Playoffs quarterfinal game is between No. 2 seed Ohio State and No. 10 seed Miami.
Nick Saban has won seven claimed national titles and is known for his accurate game predictions.
Saban appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" and shared his views about the Ohio State vs. Miami matchup.
Saban thinks Miami has to improve offensively and create more explosive plays to win.
Ohio State's quarterback, Julian Sayin, is highlighted by Saban as a strong player.
Ohio State has a top defense and is filled with potential future NFL players.
The game is set to take place on December 31 at the Cotton Bowl.
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The article discusses a special promotion available for new players signing up with the sports betting platform Betr using the promo code NEWSWEEK. The promotion offers bonuses for those making their first deposit, with a maximum bonus potential of $210. This offer is particularly relevant for fans of college football and the NBA, as these sports are highlighted for betting opportunities.
Key Facts
The promotion is available for first-time players who use the promo code NEWSWEEK.
New users get a $10 bonus upon creating an account.
A 50% bonus match is offered on cash deposits, up to a maximum of $200.
The total potential bonus for new players is $210.
The promotion highlights betting opportunities on college football bowl games and the NBA.
A specific focus is placed on upcoming NBA matchups and star players.
The article mentions that Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if users sign up through their links.
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ESPN BET has rebranded to theScore Bet following the end of a partnership with PENN Entertainment. The platform offers a promotion where users can receive a $100 bonus when they win a $10 bet using a special promo code. The platform features profit boosts for various sports, including NBA, college basketball, and college football.
Key Facts
ESPN BET is now called theScore Bet after a rebranding on December 1st.
Users can get a $100 bonus by winning an initial $10 bet using the promo code NEWSWEEK.
The minimum odds for the bet are -500.
The offer includes promotions for NBA and college basketball games.
There are additional odds boosts, such as a boosted bet on NBA players combining for a certain number of points.
Users can find profit boosts for college basketball parlays and other sports events.
The platform includes features like a personalized "For You" page and a "Parlay Lounge."
The promotion is available to users aged 21 and over in eligible states.
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Tennessee Volunteers will play against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Music City Bowl on December 30, 2025. This is their first meeting, and the game will take place at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, starting at 5:30 PM ET and televised on ESPN.
Key Facts
Tennessee is playing against Illinois in the Music City Bowl.
The game is on December 30, 2025, at 5:30 PM ET.
The location of the game is Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
Tennessee's interim defensive coordinator is William Inge.
Key Tennessee players opting out include Chris Brazzell II and Joshua Josephs.
Illinois players not playing include Gabe Jacas and JC Davis.
This is the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
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Bo Bichette, a talented shortstop, is currently a free agent. There's speculation that he might leave the Toronto Blue Jays and sign with another team, possibly the Detroit Tigers. This potential move depends on other player signings involving Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays nearly won the World Series, falling short in Game 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Blue Jays signed pitcher Dylan Cease in a big offseason deal.
Bo Bichette is currently a free agent and not yet signed with any team.
CBS Sports' RJ Anderson predicts Bichette might leave the Blue Jays for the Detroit Tigers.
This prediction depends on whether the Blue Jays sign Kyle Tucker.
The Tigers need a shortstop and have been involved in trying to sign star infielders.
If Bichette joins the Tigers, it could address their need for a solid shortstop.
Bichette's move is uncertain and depends on the decisions of other players like Tucker and Bregman.
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The Texas Longhorns are set to play against the Michigan Wolverines in the Citrus Bowl on December 31st. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian expressed disappointment that his team did not make it to the College Football Playoff but is eager to see how many people watch the game. The game features two teams with large fan bases, which could lead to high viewership numbers.
Key Facts
The Texas Longhorns will play against the Michigan Wolverines in the Citrus Bowl.
Texas aimed to play in the College Football Playoff but did not qualify.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian hopes the game will have a large number of viewers.
The Citrus Bowl game is scheduled for December 31, right before the College Football Playoff.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning has committed to stay with the team.
Michigan's interim head coach for the game is Francis "Biff" Poggi.
Michigan's former coach Sherrone Moore was removed, and Kyle Whittingham will take over later.
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Bet365 is offering new users bonus opportunities when they place bets on sports like NBA and college football. Users can use the bonus code WEEK365 to claim bonuses starting from $150. Special offers vary depending on the user's location.
Key Facts
Bet365 offers a $150 bonus for new users who place a $5 bet.
In Missouri, a $10 bet can lead to a $365 bonus.
Select states offer a $1,000 safety net bet, where users can recover up to $1,000 in bonuses if their initial bet loses.
The relevant states for the safety net offer include AZ, CO, IA, IN, KY, LA, MD, NC, OH, and VA.
Users must create a new account and make a minimum of $10 deposit to access promotions.
Bet365 provides additional 'bet boosts' for NBA and college football games on Tuesdays.
Bonuses apply regardless of the outcome of the user's first wager.
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The Philadelphia Phillies are considering re-signing J.T. Realmuto, a 34-year-old catcher who is a free agent. Despite a decline in his performance, Realmuto is still considered one of the best in his position. Sports analyst R.J. Anderson predicts that he will return to the Phillies.
Key Facts
J.T. Realmuto is a 34-year-old free agent catcher.
Realmuto has been with the Philadelphia Phillies for the past seven seasons.
He is a three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner.
His performance dipped last season, with a batting average of .257 and 12 home runs.
There is little reported interest in Realmuto from other teams.
Sports analyst R.J. Anderson predicts Realmuto will return to the Phillies.
The Phillies have made the playoffs in each of the last four seasons.
Re-signing Realmuto could help the Phillies continue their playoff success while planning for a future catcher.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are awaiting the clearance of T.J. Watt, who is recovering from surgery, for their crucial game against the Baltimore Ravens. Watt's participation could influence the outcome of the game, which will determine a playoff spot and title in their division.
Key Facts
The Pittsburgh Steelers need to win against the Baltimore Ravens to secure a playoff spot and the AFC North title.
T.J. Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung after dry-needling treatment and had surgery on December 11.
Watt has missed the past three Steelers games but returned to limited practice recently.
Head coach Mike Tomlin is more hopeful about Watt playing this week.
Watt needs to fully participate in practice and pass medical checks before he can play.
Through 13 games this season, Watt has 53 tackles, 7 sacks, and several other key defensive plays.
A win for either the Steelers or Ravens in the upcoming game will determine who advances to the playoffs.
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Wrestling star Chad Gable is expected to return to WWE after being out with a shoulder injury since summer 2025. He has been training and might reappear on TV by the Royal Rumble event in January, or possibly sooner.
Key Facts
Chad Gable, a WWE wrestler, has been out due to a shoulder injury since summer 2025.
He underwent surgery to fix the shoulder issue.
Gable has been training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
His return is expected around the Royal Rumble event in January.
During his absence, another wrestler, Ludwig Kaiser, took over Gable's "El Grande Americano" character.
This character change kept the storyline active, setting up a future rivalry.
Gable's comeback is anticipated during the "Netflix Raw" era, starting January 5.
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A fan group has raised concerns that England supporters have not used their full ticket allocation for the World Cup 2026 semi-final and final. Ticket prices have been criticized as too high, leading some fans to feel excluded. Fifa has offered some cheaper tickets, but many fans still feel priced out.
Key Facts
The 2026 World Cup will have 48 teams and take place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
England fans have not used all their allocated tickets for the semi-final and final games.
Most tickets for the final available to England fans cost £3,094.
A limited number of cheaper tickets are available at £45.
Fifa's ticket prices have faced criticism, especially compared to the 2022 World Cup.
Fifa President Gianni Infantino says there is very high demand with 150 million ticket requests received.
The Football Supporters' Association says some loyal fans are priced out.
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South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown intends to transfer to a different college football program. Brown, who has gained over 10,000 yards, is expected by many to join a Southeastern Conference (SEC) team, possibly the Florida Gators. The transfer portal opens on January 2, 2026.
Key Facts
Byrum Brown is a quarterback from South Florida.
He has gained more than 10,000 yards across different playing methods (passing, running).
Brown plans to transfer to a different college football program.
The transfer portal, where players can change teams, will open on January 2, 2026.
Many expect Brown to join a Southeastern Conference (SEC) team.
There is speculation about whether he will join Auburn or the Florida Gators.
Brown’s move is part of a large transfer period in college football starting after the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day.
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The Boston Red Sox have a strong group of young players, including 18-year-old outfielder Justin Gonzales. Gonzales performed well in the minor leagues last season and shows potential to be a future star, though he is still developing his skills.
Key Facts
The Boston Red Sox have a strong minor league system despite trading some players and promoting others to the major leagues.
Justin Gonzales, an 18-year-old prospect, is gaining attention for his potential.
Gonzales performed well in the Dominican Summer League and U.S. minor leagues in 2025.
In 81 games at Single-A, Gonzales had a batting average of .298 and hit 29 extra-base hits.
He is known for his size and potential to hit home runs and steal bases.
Gonzales is considered a "raw" talent, meaning he is still developing his skills.
If Gonzales improves next season, he could move up quickly in the minor leagues.
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