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Ole Miss vs. Miami CFP Semi-Final Preview

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CFP PLAYOFFS

We are set for a battle of the underdogs in Phoenix Saturday night as both Ole Miss and Miami upset their quarter-final opponents. Miami was able to take down Ohio State as a 9.5-point underdog. Ole Miss beat Georgia as a 5.5-point underdog. Both are considered unlikely to be here, yet the least likely matchup is the one we are gearing up for. While Miami was the less likely of the two, they answered a lot of questions about their identity going forward…

SPORTS TALK GEORGIA

SPORTS TALK FLORIDA

Why Miami will win a National Title

PHYSICALITY. Plain and simple. Miami had an argument for the best lines of scrimmage in the country entering the year. But those in-season losses to Louisville and SMU made us forget who they were. All of their wounds were self-inflicted. Penalties, ill-timed turnovers, and lots of turnovers at times all played a factor in Miami’s losses.

But they have found their identity once again in the College Football Playoffs. Their penalties are down, and they have won the turnover battle in both of their CFP matchups. Which has allowed them to flex the talent that they have on this roster.

The lines of scrimmage have gotten a lot of shine thus far. But do not let that overshadow their defensive backs and skill position players, who have won them football games with explosive plays. When I think about that Texas A&M game, I think of Malachi Toney’s touchdown and Bryce Fitzgerald’s 2 interceptions. When I think of the Ohio State game, I think of Keionte Scott’s pick-6.

They are an extremely well-rounded team whose play style has mirrored that of Saban’s early teams at Alabama. Miami has not been asking Carson Beck to do a whole lot, mainly because they haven’t needed him to. They have won games on the ground and through their defense. However, this Ole Miss team might be the offense that could derail that play style…

How Ole Miss can ruin Miami’s homecoming

Ole Miss is going to have to start by sustaining drives. This is not going to be an easy task against this Miami front 4. Ruben Bain and the boys are going to create interior pressure at a much higher rate than Georgia could. That will, in turn, allow Miami to have more effective containment of Trinidad Chambliss. Back to sustaining drives, though, Ole Miss’s longest scoring drive was in the first quarter against Georgia when they took 4:27 off the clock and kicked a field goal.

Ole Miss also needs to create turnovers and hope that Miami commits a higher number of penalties than they have in the first two games of the playoffs. This doesn’t exactly bode well for Ole Miss, seeing as how they are T-80th in the country in turnover margin and T-75th in penalties per game.

So what does go in Ole Miss’s favor? Trinidad Chambliss is miles ahead of Julian Sayin at this point in their careers. As a whole, Ole Miss’s offense is a better, more complete unit than Ohio State’s offense was this year. But all totaled they key factor in this game for Ole Miss is Kewan Lacy. He has been one of the best running backs in college football this year and will have to be on Thursday night if the Rebels are going to win. The best way to slow down a great pass rush is with a good running game. This will also lead to balance on offense and longer drives overall for the Rebels.

Ole Miss’s defense needs to have a bend but don’t break mentality. It is what won them the Sugar Bowl. Twice, Georgia was in the red zone against the Rebels and came away with three. Meanwhile, Ole Miss’s offense was perfect on its red zone possessions against Georgia. A perfect 4/4. Those trends will need to continue for the Rebels if the dream season is to live on.

Final Thoughts+ Prediction/Betting lines

As much as I would love for Ole Miss to win a National Title and really stick it to Lane Kiffin and the ginormous yapper he has on him. I do not see how they will be able to hang with the physicality of Miami for 60 minutes. I think the people of South Florida will be feeling like it’s 2001 all over again and right some wrong that occurred the last time they played in the Fiesta Bowl.

Prediction: Miami

Line: Miami -3, Over/Under is 52.5





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The Golf Landscape Shifts as the LPGA and TMRW Sports Announce the launch of WTGL—the Women’s Tomorrow’s Golf League.

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Building on the tech-infused, arena-based success of the men’s TGL, this new league is designed to bring women’s golf into a high-octane, prime-time environment. Here is everything you need to know about the launch, the players, and the financial landscape of WTGL.

2025 Mike Ehrmann/TGL

What is WTGL? The Future of Women’s Golf

WTGL is a tech-driven, indoor simulator league that features the world’s best LPGA stars. Unlike traditional 72-hole stroke play across vast courses, WTGL matches are held in a custom-built arena, combining a massive simulator for long shots with a dynamic, motorized chipping and putting complex for the short game.

Key Dates for 2026 and Beyond

 * Inaugural Season: The league is scheduled to debut in Winter 2026-27.

 * The Schedule: Matches will take place during the LPGA offseason (typically between late November and January), ensuring no conflict with the traditional tour schedule.

 * Venue: All matches will be played at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida—the same state-of-the-art, 1,500-seat venue used by the men’s TGL.

Who’s Involved? Teams and Ownership

While the full roster of players and team names is still being finalized, the “founding fathers” and investors of the league are already making waves.

The Power Players

 * TMRW Sports: Led by Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and CEO Mike McCarley, the group provides the technological backbone and the SoFi Center venue.

 * The LPGA: Commissioner Craig Kessler has championed WTGL as a “pillar of visibility” to grow the fan base and commercial value of the athletes.

Early Ownership & Investors

The team structure will mirror the men’s league, with city-based franchises.

 * Alexis Ohanian: The Reddit co-founder and lead owner of Los Angeles Golf Club (LAGC) has expressed “first right of refusal” for a women’s team in LA.

 * Celebrity Backing: Current TGL investors like Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Michelle Wie West are expected to play significant roles in the expansion of the women’s division.

Nelly Korda

Athletes: Who Will Compete?

While the official roster will be released throughout 2026, the league is built specifically for LPGA Tour Stars. Fans can expect to see the biggest names in the game—potentially including icons like Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, or Rose Zhang—competing in a “mic’d up” environment that emphasizes personality and team strategy.

Money, Profits, and Sponsorships

The financial outlook for women’s golf in 2026 is at an all-time high, and WTGL is a major catalyst.

2026 Financial Landscape

A record-breaking $132 million across 33 events.

WTGL Commercial Model is Expected to follow the TGL blueprint: high-value media rights and “simulcast” sponsorship.

Title Sponsor will be SoFi which remains the primary venue partner, with more league-wide sponsors to be named in mid-2026.

Investment Strategy will include Teams being sold as high-growth tech/sports assets, similar to NWSL or WNBA franchises.

Sponsorship Value

The draw for sponsors like FM Global, Ally Financial, and KPMG (who are already heavily invested in the LPGA) is the demographic. TGL’s inaugural season drew the second-youngest audience in sports (behind only the NBA). WTGL aims to capture that same Gen Z and Millennial interest, offering brands a “prime-time” window that traditional golf often misses.

Craig Kessler LPGA Commissioner

Why It Matters: The Growth of the Game

WTGL isn’t just a new tournament; it’s a shift in how golf is consumed. By moving the game into a 2-hour, fast-paced format, the LPGA is looking to:

 * Increase Visibility: Putting female athletes on national TV during the winter months.

 * Highlight Personalities: Using mic’d up players to build “fan-to-athlete” connections.

 * Drive Innovation: Proving that women’s sports can lead in the “Sportainment” category.

> “WTGL creates another global stage for our athletes—one that helps fans connect more deeply with them and continues to elevate the visibility and growth of women’s golf.” — Craig Kessler, LPGA Commissioner

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2026 WTA Tour season set to explode into action this January in Australia and New Zealand  – Athletica Sports

Viorica Bruni Editor Athletica Sports Web Publication





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How The 1969 Jets Super Bowl Win Changed The NFL

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Joe Namath in a 1988 interview

Very few football experts in January of 1969 thought the Jets could be competitive against Baltimore.

On January 11th, 1969, the thinking about the nearly officially named Super bowl was this. Baltimore was going to beat the New York Jets and the game would not be close. The National Football League would continue to show its superiority in the biggest game of them all, the Super Bowl. In 1967, Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers easily beat the American Football League’s Kansas City and in 1968, Lombardi’s Packers defeated the American Football League’s Oakland Raiders. Of course, what was omitted in that thinking was that Lombardi’s Packers beat almost everyone and won NFL Championships in 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966 and 1967.

The AFL’s New York Jets-NFL’s Baltimore Colts game was the turning point in the popularity of the Super Bowl. The National Football League and most of the football media thought the old league would just be better all the time and that dominance was going to carry on well into the 1970s. There was a thought that somehow the NFL needed to come up with a new formula so that just NFL teams would appear in the Super Bowl. That would make the game more competitive and appealing.

The New York Jets franchise led by the owner Sonny Werblin was the free spending rebels from the rebel league although Werblin was gone as one of the Jets organization’s owners in 1968. New York quarterback Joe Namath had a large contract, wore long hair and played in white shoes. The Colts quarterbacks, Earl Morrall and Johnny Unitas both had crew cuts. Namath was known as Broadway Joe, a nickname given to him by former Colt and Jet offensive lineman Sherman Plunkett. Unitas was known as Johnny U and wore black high-top shoes.

Namath had a public perception of being a playboy who enjoyed New York life to its fullest and was a braggart. Unitas had little to say.

While the Jets coach Weeb Ewbank was studying films of the Colts and analyzing why the Chiefs and Raiders lost, Namath was talking and was ahead of his time as a trash talk pioneer. Except Namath only said two things and was probably only echoing what his coaching staff and teammates were thinking.

Namath said there were four quarterbacks in the AFL who were better than Morrall, the Colts starter and then said, “We are going to win this game. I guarantee it.”

Ewbank had to convince his Jets to keep quiet and play football and not say a thing about beating Baltimore. He was in one way seeking NFL respect but in another way laughing at the Super Bowl. Weeb knew his Jets could win and the AFL was a quality league.

“They weren’t giving the AFL anything,” he said years later. “I thought there were two great teams in Super Bowl I and II. They were fine ball clubs. I don’t think there has ever been much better material than they had at Kansas City. They had great athletes and the Raiders were a good football team.

“In both games, they let themselves get upset. In the first game, they had an interception in the third quarter and the Chiefs weren’t any good in the ballgame after that after Green Bay scored. Then the Raider game, they had a dropped punt and a recovery and then they weren’t in the game anymore.

“When we went into out game, we said no matter what happened, we weren’t going to let it upset us. Whether it be an official call, an interception, a fumble or what. Why we weren’t going to let that upset us. We were going to stick to the game plan.”

But one thing Ewbank didn’t count on was Namath sounding more like Muhammad Ali than the average football player.

Ewbank brought the Jets to Fort Lauderdale to work out prior to the game. The Jets stayed at the Galt Ocean Mile Hotel where Namath was given the same room that Vince Lombardi used the year before. The Jets trained at the New York Yankees Fort Lauderdale spring training complex and he was given Mickey Mantle’s locker. Twists of fate?

Maybe, but Namath broke the athlete’s code. He guaranteed a win. Ewbank was not amused.

“We had gone down there as 17 points underdogs which I liked,” he recalled. “I told the guys don’t pay any attention to what I say because I want to try to make it 21 if I can. Don’t you guys do anything to stir them up. Well, I could have shot Joe when he said that.”

But Namath and the Jets were confident and really believed they were better than the Colts.

“That’s true and I understood Coach Ewbank,” said Namath. “The next day I saw Coach Ewbank and he said my goodness these guys (the Colts) are overconfident and I have been working on that and here you are giving them fuel to get fired up for the game.

“I simply said, Coach if they need clippings to fire them up, then they are in trouble. That was that. He made me aware that he was very upset that I had said what I did and I felt badly about it after that. Fortunately we won.”

The Jets did go out and won 16-7. The AFL had arrived nearly 10 years after Hunt and Bud Adams decided to go ahead with their plan.

The Jets apparently didn’t think too highly of the Tiffany Trophy the organization received for winning the game. The team left it behind in Miami’s Orange Bowl in a backroom and returned to New York.

“The important thing was we won,” said Namath.

Namath, Ewbank and the rest of the Jets permanently etched the term Super Bowl into the American mindset. Namath, the quarterback, became a TV host, sex symbol, rebel, hero and salesman. The Jets victory that day might have been crushing for old line NFL owners and the sports media that fawned over the NFL, but NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle saw a silver lining.  In the NFL Publication, The Super Bowl, Celebrating a Quarter of a Century of America’s Greatest Game, Rozelle admitted the Jets’ upset that day mushroomed interest in football.

An excerpt from the book “America’s Passion: How a Coal Miner’s Game Became the NFL in the 20th Century”.

Joe Namath and the Jets





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Oregon vs. Indiana Semi-Final Preview

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This game might be something similar to the Peach Bowl back in 2022. Remember when Georgia and Ohio State played in that instant classic that ended as the clock struck midnight? After what happened in Los Angeles, roughly 10 days later, left everyone realizing the National Championship had been played in Atlanta. I think that may be a road we are headed down once again, with a clash of titans in Atlanta (Yes, Indiana is a titan). So who wins and how do they do it?

SPORTS TALK GEORGIA

SPORTS TALK FLORIDA

Notes on Oregon

I’m curious to see what form of Dan Lanning we get Friday night. For all of his success he hasn’t been fantastic in big games. He struggled to close out the season in his first year losing 2 of his last 3 when the CFP was in sight. In 2023 he couldn’t beat Washington and last year after beating Ohio State and winning the BIG 10 he got ran out of Pasadena by Ohio State. I’m not saying that he can’t win these games or hasn’t won games like these in the past but his track record hasn’t been fantastic in these moments.

Oregon is thin at running back, with reports coming out that they have moved two defenders to offense to help with the lack of depth at that position. They have 4 running backs out of this game, and Noah Whittington was a late add to the injury report as questionable. Aside from Whittington, the backs available for the Ducks on Friday are Dierre Hill Jr. and Jay Harris (who is transferring). Oregon dealt with injuries all year at receiver, and just when that room starts to get healthy, their running backs start to drop like flies.

All that said, there are still two things I believe/know to be true. The first is that it is hard to beat a good team twice. I know this is cliché and coach speak, but it is absolutely true. The second is, despite all of the injuries Oregon has in its backfield, this is still the best offense that Indiana has seen in a while. The health of that receiver room is big, and they still have probably the best tight end in the country in Kenyon Sadiq. Oh yeah, and their defense is pretty good too.

Notes on Indiana

Everyone has seemingly been waiting for Indiana to be proven fraudulent. To be honest, I am not quite sure why. Alabama was a popular upset pick in the Rose Bowl, and Indiana is now the only team in the 12-team format to not lose after having a bye (teams with a bye in the 12-team CFP format are 1-7). No one picked them against Ohio State (myself included). Oregon was expected to blow them out in Eugene earlier this year. None of that happened, though, and Curt Cignetti and his staff just keep chugging along.

On the Injury front, Indiana has no surprises, unlike Oregon, which had in their backfield. Their kickoff specialist is listed as doubtful, but I think they’ll probably be able to survive that. So Indiana has won the injury report at least. Compared to their last matchup with Oregon, they have had a couple of in-season injuries, specifically along the D-line. So that will be something to watch for tonight. Does that D-line do as good a job against the Oregon O-line as they did in Eugene?

Prediction + Betting Lines

I think this game comes down to the coaching staff more than anything else. These rosters from a talent standpoint are extremely close (although it may not look like it on paper). I would say Oregon definitely drew the short end of the stick when it comes to injuries. I do hope that will not play a factor in the game tonight. The last thing I want to see is an Oregon DB taking a handoff in a CFP Semi-Final game because we cannot get the college football calendar right. (Oregon has multiple running backs in the portal, along with their injuries)

When you look at the two coaching staffs, Indiana’s has been the best in the country all year, and when you pair that with the fact that Tosh Lupoi and Will Stein have been working double duty this week, I definitely give the edge to Indiana on the sidelines and on the field.

Prediction: Give me the Hoo-Hoo-Hoo-Hoosiers

Betting: Indiana -3, Over/Under is 50.5





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