Thursday's Report: Georgia College, FVSU, Mercer; UGA, Tech, Falcons; Christmas Day TV, college football headquarters/bowls, NFL, college basketball, NBA, MLB, golf, soccer, boxing
📰C📰O📰V📰E📰R📰A📰G📰E📰
Honor Roll
Georgia College puts six on Academic All-District
Around/About Central Georgia
Mercer’s Okojie on Henson Award list
Around/About Georgia
Smart challenges players on transfer portal, re-signing announcement culture
Georgia focused on execution, not psychology, in rematch with Ole Miss
Forever a son, Smart leads Georgia back to New Orleans, determined to create new memories
BYU, Georgia Tech players enjoy Pop-Tarts Bowl kids event at Fun Spot Orlando
Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes is unlikely to return from ankle injury against the high-scoring Rams
Merry Christmas
Christmas Day sports: Here’s a look at the premier matchups on the holiday
College Football/Playoffs
Why Mark Fletcher Jr. is staying at Miami after his best game yet
Patricia’s first season at Ohio State exceeds expectations going into College Football Playoff
Friday
GameAbove Sports Bowl (Ford Field, Detroit), Central Michigan vs. Northwestern, 1 p.m., ESPN
Rate Bowl (Chase Field, Phoenix) New Mexico vs. Minnesota, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl (Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas)
Florida International vs. Texas-San Antonio, 8 p.m., ESPN
Saturday
Military Bowl, Annapolis, Md., Pittsburgh vs. East Carolina, 11 a.m. (ESPN)
Pinstripe Bowl, Bronx, N.Y., Clemson vs. Penn St., noon (ABC)
Fenway Bowl, Boston, UConn vs. Army, 2:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Pop-Tarts Bowl, Orlando, Fla., No. 12 BYU vs. No. 24 Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Arizona Bowl, Tucson, Ariz., Fresno St. vs. Miami (OH), 4:30 p.m. (CW Network)
New Mexico Bowl, Albuquerque, No. 23 North Texas vs. San Diego St., 5:45 p.m. (ESPN)
Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, Fla., No. 25 Missouri vs. No. 20 Virginia, 7:30 p.m. (ABC)
Texas Bowl, Houston, LSU vs. No. 21 Houston, 9:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Simpson ‘pissed off’ Alabama analysis only focuses on past, not 2025 team
College Football/Postseason/Bowls
Hawaii stuns Cal in 35-31 in Hawaii Bowl on backup QB Drew Weaver’s last-minute TD pass
Louisville eats Bush's beans out of Boca Raton Bowl trophy after victory vs. Toledo
Why Southern Miss’ Anderson blamed himself for loss in New Orleans Bowl
College Football/Coaching carousel
Brohm on potential contact with Michigan: 'I don't speak on other jobs, I'm happy with this one'
College Football/SEC/ACC
Saban addresses ‘one of the biggest fears’ he had about retirement
South Carolina football transfer portal needs for 2026 roster
Florida State QB Castellanos drops NCAA appeal, enters NFL draft
South Carolina’s Stewart follows Sellers back to school with huge payday
College Football
Lane Kiffin, Nick Saban and rest of college football get Christmas gifts
Trojans legend blasts USC, Riley over interrupting series with Notre Dame
New report paints unsavory picture of Sherrone Moore's alleged online activities
Ratings: ESPN, ABC draw strong viewership for CFP 1st round
CFP games with Group of 5 teams, NFL overlap drew significantly less viewership in 1st round
Loyalty over luxury: Kenny Dillingham's plea for financial support proves his love for Arizona State
NFL/Christmas
Lions-Vikings matchup has lost some luster, but the playoffs are still possible for ailing Detroit
Broncos eye AFC West title as Chiefs face uphill battle with injuries in Christmas night
Commanders turn to 39-year-old Josh Johnson on Christmas with Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota hurt
NFL/NFC
Packers QB Willis says he’ll be ready if Love isn’t available against Ravens
Bears QB Williams aims higher after making his partnership with coach Ben Johnson work
NFL/AFC
Parity is one of the pillars of the NFL. Steelers have spent a record 22 years defying it
Harbaugh comments on his job security: 'Day-to-day job'
Jets place QB Fields on injured reserve, ending disappointing season
NFL/USFL/UFL/Football
Gregorian: Chiefs' move to Kansas for more money abandons legacy that made them special
Picks: Bills will edge Eagles and 49ers will beat the Bears
This is not what Netflix or the NFL had in mind when Cowboys-Commanders was scheduled for Christmas
College Basketball/SEC/ACC/South
Why holiday break comes at good time for Clemson basketball after tight win
College Basketball/Men
Conference seasons kick into gear following light AP Top 25 holiday week
NBA/Basketball
Christmas schedule: Cavs-Knicks, Spurs-Thunder, Mavs-Warriors, Rockets-Lakers, Wolves-Nuggets
Spurs celebrate big win over Thunder, but matchup with reigning champs not a rivalry yet
Baseball/MLB
Harper plans to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic
Hockey
From football to hockey: Saban’s new role with the Nashville Predators
Golf
Koepka is first player to defect from LIV. The next step is if PGA Tour will take him back
Soccer
NWSL creates rule allowing clubs to sign stars such as Trinity Rodman over the salary cap
Olympic Sports
2026 Winter Olympics Sport-By-Sport Schedule
Boxing/UFC/MMA/WWE
Will Jake Paul follow doctor's orders? Return to boxing at issue
Scoreboards