Tag: College Football

ESPN airs woman’s NSFW flashing on Bourbon Street during Sugar Bowl

Just about anything can happen when you’re walking down Bourbon Street in New Orleans, and ESPN learned that the hard way Monday night, 

The network gave its viewers more than just a scenic shot of the famed NOLA street during a commercial break, as ESPN camera operator caught a woman flashing her right breast toward a balcony above her. 

“We regret that this happened and apologize that the video aired in the telecast,” an ESPN spokesman told The Associated Press.

While the network didn’t catch the sight before they aired it to a national television audience, viewers quickly caught it and took to social media to voice their disbelief. 

The exposed breast aired for roughly a second and it appeared the woman had been hoping to obtain beads from an onlooker above. 

The reactions ranged from uncontrollable laughter to using the moment to take shots at some of the personalities that regularly appear on the network. 


ESPN shows a woman flashing her breast on Bourbon Street during the Sugar Bowl broadcast. X/@NickyT27

“ESPN casually broadcasting boobs to start the year,” one user on X wrote, accompanied by a crying laughing emoji. 

“Nice job on the commercial break getting the boob flash ESPN…. lol,” another person wrote. 

“Aaaaand ESPN just broadcast to millions of people a woman on Bourbon St showing her boobs for beads,” a third person wrote. 

“My timeline is talking about seeing boobs on ESPN like putting boobs on television hasn’t been their business model since they first hired Skip Bayless,” a person joked about the now-FS1 host. 

It’s unclear if the footage had been live or was taped b-roll footage that had aired during the game or how much scrutiny was given to the footage before it aired.

The Sugar Bowl matchup, which saw Washington hold off Texas 37-31, was being held in New Orleans at the Superdome on Monday night. 


exas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) makes a touchdown catch against Washington cornerback Elijah Jackson (25) during the second half of the Sugar Bowl.
AP

Washington punched its ticket to the national title game next Monday in Houston against the Michigan Wolverines.



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Washington survives Texas’ last-minute comeback try for CFP semifinal win

Washington kept its undefeated season intact Monday, and now the Huskies will get a chance to face Michigan for the national championship.

Michael Penix Jr. threw for over 400 yards and two touchdowns to outduel Quinn Ewers as they held off a late Texas rally to win the Sugar Bowl, 37-31 on Monday night.

Washington had a nine-point lead late in the fourth quarter.


Michael Penix Jr. threw for two touchdowns in Washington’s Sugar Bowl win. Getty Images

Even after Texas kicked a field goal to trim their deficit to six, the Huskies recovered the onside kick and just needed a first down to secure a spot in the national championship.

But a Washington injury on third down, a costly penalty on the ensuing punt gave Texas a chance.

The Huskies’ defense allowed Texas to march down the field but kept them out of the end zone.

The Huskies and Longhorns traded touchdowns in the first half and were tied at 21 after 31 minutes, but Washington outscored Texas, 10-0, in the third quarter to take control. 


Quinn Ewers reacts after a costly fumble during Texas’ loss to Washington on Monday. Getty Images

Texas pulled within six points after a late field goal with less than 90 seconds remaining, but Washington recovered the ensuing onside kick.

The Huskies, as the No. 2 seed, will now have a chance to win the program’s first national championship since 1991.

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Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M

This is Part 2 of the Post Action College Bowl Guide. 

Sometimes, it seems foolish to risk hard-earned money on bowl games. Dozens of teams show up after multiple weeks off, unrecognizable from the groups that spent the fall together. Coaches are gone. Stars have too much to lose to show up. Backups and role players are weighing offers in the transfer portal. 

So, why even bother making predictions? 

Because it beats the alternative. 

Military 

Tulane (+10.5) over Virginia Tech

By now — after watching the past few weeks, after watching the past few years of games impacted by opt-outs — you should know not to overreact to the absence of any coach or player this time of year.

Tulane will be without head coach Willie Fritz and quarterback Michael Pratt, but the Green Wave will have much of their 11-win core, which took down Caleb Williams and USC in last season’s Cotton Bowl. Backup quarterback Kai Horton has seen few snaps, but has made the most of them, leading Tulane to an overtime win at Houston last year and during a close battle against No. 11 Ole Miss this season. 

Duke’s Mayo 

North Carolina (+6.5) over West Virginia

Drake Maye is off to prepare for his selection as a top-two pick in the NFL draft, triggering overwhelming action on the Mountaineers. Yet, the line hasn’t budged. North Carolina will still put up points, with the nation’s fifth-leading rusher (Omarion Hampton) and a dual-threat quarterback — “I feel like I can do everything,” Conner Harrell said. “West Virginia doesn’t have much film, they’re going to have a tough time, not really knowing.” — going against the nation’s 79th-ranked defense. 


Kevin Coleman #3 of the Louisville Cardinals. Getty Images

Holiday 

Louisville (-7) over USC

The Trojans have allowed an average of 42.4 points over their past eight games. Best of luck keeping pace without a former Heisman-winning quarterback (Williams), as well as the team’s leading rusher (Marshawn Lloyd) and receiver (Brenden Rice). 

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Texas 

Oklahoma State (-2) over Texas A&M

Continuity counts for something. While the Cowboys — who have won five of their past seven bowl games under Mike Gundy — will have virtually their entire roster available, Jimbo Fisher’s former team will be missing double-digit players who have either opted out or entered the transfer portal, including their starting quarterback and tight end, top-two receivers, leading tackler, three cornerbacks and a pair of five-star defensive linemen from their top-10 defense. 

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First Responder Bowl odds, pick, best bet

The 7-5 Texas State Bobcats battle the 6-6 Rice Owls in the First Responder Bowl on the day after Christmas, and it’s among the easiest bowl games to handicap this Holiday season. 

Two combined players for these squads entered the transfer portal – both for Texas State – and both coaching units remain intact. 

These are two fully-formed squads, save for one major exception. 

Rice starting quarterback JT Daniels “medically” retired from college football after Week 11, thrusting backup quarterback AJ Padgett into action. 

I think the quarterback matchup will be the difference-maker in this bowl game. 

Texas State vs. Rice odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Texas State -3.5 (-110) -180 o60 (-110)
Rice +3.5 (-110) +152 u60 (-110)
(Via Caesars)

Teas State vs. Rice prediction

(5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Daniels had a pretty good year. He threw for 2,500 yards and 21 touchdowns while leading an Owls unit that finished top 20 nationally in EPA per Pass. 

He completed deep balls, making the Owls’ aerial attack explosive. Top wideout Luke McCaffery – Christian McCaffery’s younger brother – almost touched 1,000 yards on over 14 yards per reception with 12 scores. 

But that same explosive passing offense hasn’t been there with Padgett.

The second-year signal-caller has a career Pro Football Focus passing grade under 53. He’s managed five big-time throws to nine turnover-worthy plays. He’s averaging a meager 6.5 yards per attempt. 

Behind Padgett, the Owls threw for a combined 384 yards over their final three contests. 

The dropoff from Daniels to Padgett is exacerbated in this matchup because the Bobcats’ secondary is their weakest unit. 

The Bobcats couldn’t stop the aerial attack this year, ranking 96th nationally in Pass Success Rate allowed, 111th in Pass Explosiveness allowed and 123rd in EPA per Pass allowed. 


Rice Owls head coach Mike Bloomgren. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

But I don’t think Padgett can exploit the one monstrous glaring weakness. 

I don’t trust Rice head coach Mike Bloomgren to out-coach Texas State head coach GJ Kinne. Kinne transformed the Bobs in his inaugural season, while Bloomgren’s Owls failed to beat a single Bowl team this year. 

Conversely, I think Texas State’s starting quarterback, TJ Finley, can make plays against Rice. 

Rice’s pass defense is passable but not elite, as the Owls finished the regular season around 50th nationally in EPA per Pass allowed. Their pass rush isn’t great, as they finished 101st in total pressures created – that’s unfortunate when playing against Finley, who struggles mightily under pressure. 

Finely averaged 8.5 yards per attempt with 24 touchdowns on 17 big-time throws this year. The Bobcats ranked top 30 nationally in Pass Success Rate and EPA per Pass. Finley was especially good in Passing Downs, ranking 10th among qualified quarterbacks in Passing Downs Success Rate and Catchable Throw Rate. 

If Finley produces against Rice’s pass defense, it’s curtains for the Owls because their rush defense is relatively weaker, ranking 66th nationally in Rush Success Rate allowed and 89th in Rush PPA per Play allowed. 

Meanwhile, Texas State lead running back Ismail Mahdi created 38 double-digit-yard rushes this year on 47 missed tackles. 

Even better, he’s a threat in the return game: 

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Mahdi’s pure explosiveness can exploit a mediocre front seven. 

Overall, I’ll happily lay the points with Kinne, Finley and Madhi against Bloomgren and Padgett, mainly because Rice won’t exploit the Bobcats’ one significant weakness.

Texas State vs. Rice Pick

Texas State -3.5 (Caesars) | Play to -5

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Georgia’s Kirby Smart matches Nick Saban’s elusive Alabama feat

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — A year ago, Kirby Smart became just the second of Nick Saban’s assistant coaches to beat him. On Monday, Smart became perhaps the first coach since Saban re-entered college football back in 2007 who can lay claim to owning the sport in the way he has for so long. 

Each and every time someone has looked likely to put a halt to Alabama’s year-over-year dominance, Saban endured and his opposition faded. There was Dabo Swinney’s Clemson, which twice beat Alabama in national title games, but sans-Trevor Lawrence hasn’t made it back to the playoff. There was Jimbo Fisher’s Florida State and Urban Meyer’s Ohio State. Ever so briefly, there was Ed Orgeron’s LSU. All success stories. None relevant for nearly as long as Saban’s Alabama. 

Now? Smart has done what no one could since Saban all the way back in 2011 and ’12. He’s won two straight national titles, the second of those coming on Monday night at SoFi Stadium with a 65-7 mauling of TCU. Alabama’s season finished all the way back on New Year’s Day with a victory in the Cotton Bowl, the sort of game long rendered irrelevant by the standard Saban has set in Tuscaloosa. 

Kirby Smart celebrates after Georgia’s national championship win.
Charles Baus/CSM/Shutterstock
Nick Saban was the last coach to win two straight national titles.
Getty Images

Alabama will be back, of course. Saban hauled in the No. 2 recruiting class in the nation last month, and no one in their right mind expects the Tide to go down easy. But at least as of Tuesday morning, it’s Smart whose program sets college football’s standard. 

“The disease that creeps into your program is called entitlement. I’ve seen it firsthand,” Smart said, not an hour after reaching the mountaintop. “If you can stomp it out with leadership, then you can stay hungry. And we have a saying around our place: We eat off the floor. And if you’re willing to eat off the floor, then you can be special.” 

That might as well be the Saban of yesteryear talking. 

“He gets everything out of us,” receiver Kearis Jackson said of Smart. “We’re all on scholarship and he’s gonna get that scholarship out of us.” 

This national championship game domination looked remarkably like Saban’s 42-14 shellacking of Notre Dame in 2012, another decimation that delivered a back-to-back title. 

That one saw Alabama cement itself as the center of the sport. This one saw Georgia take up the Crimson Tide’s mantle, with Saban relegated to sitting and watching as an ESPN analyst. Right down to players citing imaginary doubters postgame, though, this was a work of art out of Saban’s book. 

“Really just instilling in us that we’re not gonna be hunted here at the University of Georgia,” right tackle Warren McClendon told The Post about Smart’s impact. “We’re gonna be the ones doing the hunting. And we’re gonna be the aggressors and we’re gonna come at our opponents every week.” 

At Smart’s Georgia, that’s the right mindset to have against anyone. Sonny Dykes’ TCU, certainly. And yes, even Saban’s Alabama.

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Bahamas Bowl odds and pick

Seasoned bettors will know that weird stuff tends to happen at the Bahamas Bowl.

In fact, a few may shudder at the mere mention of the 2018 edition of this game between Florida International University (FIU) and Toledo, which has gone down in betting infamy thanks to a ridiculously bad beat for Under 57 bettors. 

In that contest, FIU led 28-25 with less than 50 seconds left and just needed a first down to end the game. Instead, FIU scored to make it 35-25 and gave the ball back to Toledo, who would hit a last-second Hail Mary pass to make it 35-31. Initially, the refs said that play ended the game, but they put two seconds back on the clock and allowed Toledo to kick the PAT, which burned basically every under ticket that was available from the time the market opened.

Will this year’s Bahamas Bowl bring more betting chaos? The game is slated to begin at 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday, being broadcasted on ESPN.

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Miami (Oh) RedHawks wide receiver Mac Hippenhammer
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Miami (Ohio) vs. UAB prediction

It’s hard to imagine a more appropriate way to begin bowl season than an 11:30 a.m. ET kick-off between a pair of 6-6 teams in the Bahamas. That’s right, baby, break out the Pina Coladas and sunblock because the UAB Blazers and Miami (Ohio) Redhawks are ready to get this party started. 

The first thing that stands out in this game is that bettors are dealing with a pretty big spread in a game with a low total. At the time of writing, UAB is a 10.5-point favorite but the Over/Under is sitting at just 44.5 points and has ticked down already.

And it makes sense that scoring could be at a premium in this contest. For one thing, the wind in the Bahamas looks like it could play a part in the passing game for both teams. At the time of writing, the forecast is calling for winds around 10 MPH. Still, Mother Nature is particularly unpredictable in the West Indies, so if you notice the total crash, you’ll know the wind is expected to pick up.

The on-field matchup also looks like it ticks a lot of boxes for a play on the under. 

For one thing, both of these offenses move at a snail’s pace — Miami ranks 109th in seconds per play, and UAB is 119th. Additionally, both coaching staffs want to keep the ball on the ground, which keeps the clock moving. UAB rushes the ball 62.8% of the time, which is the 10th-highest mark in the nation, while Miami ranks 25th at 58.8%. 

UAB Blazers quarterback Dylan Hopkins
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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Furthermore, neither offense seems to be set up to put up some crooked numbers on Friday. Miami’s offense ranks 99th in passing success rate, 129th in rushing success rate, and 111th in finishing drives so it won’t be able to take advantage of a pedestrian UAB defense, and the Blazers will be going up against a stout Redhawks unit that was 20th in rushing success rate and 10th in finishing drives. Miami struggled to stop the pass, but that shouldn’t be a huge deal against a team that runs the ball like it’s going out of style.

What better way to start bowl season than a bet on the Under 44.5 in a game in the Bahamas?

Miami (Ohio) vs. UAB pick

Under 44.5 (FanDuel)

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Hugh Freeze dealing with social media questions after Auburn hiring

Controversial new Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze is denying a report that he had to cede control of his social media accounts upon taking the job.

Freeze, the former Liberty and Ole Miss coach, responded to a report in Sports Illustrated that his hiring at Auburn was contingent on him staying off social media.

“That’s not accurate,” Freeze said, per The Athletic. “There may be some wisdom in it, though.”

The 53-year-old has gotten into trouble at basically every stop of his NCAA career – but most recently on Twitter. Earlier in 2022, Chelsea Andrews – one of 20 women who sued Liberty over the school’s alleged mishandling of sexual assault and misconduct – posted a screengrab purported to be a direct message from Freeze defending Ian McCaw, the athletic director at the center of the scandal.

“You don’t even know Ian McCaw. He is the most Jesus like leader I have…” the preview of the message made available in the screenshot reads.

Hugh Freeze
Getty Images

McCaw was also the athletic director at Baylor during their wide-ranging sexual assault scandal and resigned in 2016, along with head football coach Art Briles, after being accused of taking part in the cover-up.

Freeze, 53, has plenty of additional baggage. He resigned in disgrace from Ole Miss in 2016 over numerous recruiting and academic violations, as well as using a university-issued phone to call an escort service.

He’s now back in the SEC spotlight after taking the Auburn job. The university fired head coach Bryan Harsin after compiling a 9-12 record in less than two seasons, and hired Freeze over the weekend.

Freeze went 34-15, including three bowl wins, in his time at Liberty.

It remains to be seen if he can restrain his Twitter fingers.



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Virginia football team to attend funerals of three teammates

The entire Virginia Cavaliers football team will attend the funeral service of D’Sean Perry on Saturday in Miami. The memorial is the first of three services for their late teammates. The full team will be at each funeral, according to ESPN.

Virginia will be at the memorial service for Devin Chandler on Sunday in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and the celebration of life service for Lavel Davis Jr. on Wednesday in North Charleston, South Carolina. Perry, Chandler and Davis were shot and killed on a charter bus Nov. 13 after returning home from a class trip. 

The entire Virginia football team will attend the funerals of Lavel Davis Jr., D’Sean Perry and Devin Chandler.
Getty Images, AP

The University has been in mourning and held a memorial service for the three players last Saturday at John Paul Jones Arena. More than 9,000 people were in attendance including family, friends, and the entire team. 

Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. There is a case status hearing scheduled for Dec. 8. Jones Jr. has also bee charged with two counts of malicious wounding and additional gun-related charges related to the shooting.

Virginia was scheduled to play their final game of the season at Virginia Tech on Saturday. However, the game was canceled because the Cavaliers wanted to attend their teammates funerals.

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Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker out for season with torn ACL

Volunteers star quarterback Hendon Hooker will miss the rest of the college football season with a torn ACL, Tennessee announced in a statement.

Hooker went down with the injury during the fourth quarter of a 63-38 loss against South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium. The potential NFL draft pick limped back to the locker room after needing assistance getting off the field.

The redshirt senior helped revive a failing Volunteers football team and transformed Tennessee (9-2) into the No. 9 team in the country and a College Football Playoff contender.

“Hendon’s incredible journey has been defined by faith, perseverance and strength,” Tennessee said in the statement. “Obstacles have never stood in the way on his path to greatness.”

Hooker cemented himself as one the best Tennesee QBs of all time by putting up Heisman Trophy-worthy numbers in 2022. The senior notched 3,135 yards with 27 touchdowns. He also averaged an 89.6 quarterback rating — the second-best in college football.

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) is assisted off the field after suffering an injury.
USA TODAY Sports

Backup quarterback Joe Milton replaced Hooker on Saturday. The Tennessee senior will likely start against Vanderbilt next weekend.



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Tennessee, Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson

Tennessee, Ohio State, Georgia, and Clemson were the top four teams in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season released Tuesday night, four days before the Volunteers and Bulldogs square off on the field.

Michigan was fifth, followed by Alabama and unbeaten TCU.

Tennessee is No. 1 in the CFP rankings for the first time, starting ahead of a group of teams that have become regulars at the top of the selection committee’s top 25. The Volunteers have already beaten the Crimson Tide and LSU, which was ranked 10th.

Tennessee has been one of the season’s biggest surprises, starting the season unranked in the AP poll and jumping out to an 8-0 start for the first time since the Vols won their last national title in 1998.

“We’ve tried to enjoy the journey,” second-year Tennessee coach Josh Heupel told ESPN. “Three years ago, it didn’t look like this.”

Heupel took over after Jeremy Pruitt was fired following a 3-7 season.

Jaylen Wright celebrates during unbeaten Tennessee’s win over Kentucky.
USA TODAY Sports

Only one team that has been No. 1 in the committee’s initial rankings has not made the playoff, but only about half the teams in first top four managed to finish there.

The committee began its weekly in-person meetings at hotel in Grapevine, Texas, on Monday and revealed the first of six weekly rankings.

The final rankings that set the CFP field of four are set for Dec. 4. The 13-person panel is led by a first-time chairman Boo Corrigan, the athletic director of North Carolina State.

Corrigan said there was some consideration for Ohio State and Georgia as No. 1, but Tennessee’s victories against Alabama and at LSU won the day.

C.J. Stroud
USA TODAY Sports

The Buckeyes’ explosive offense and overall dominance gave them a slight edge on Georgia.

He said Michigan’s weak nonconference schedule (Hawaii, Colorado State and Connecticut) and Clemson’s 5-0 record against teams with winning records gave the Tigers the nod for the fourth spot.

“The wins at Wake (Forest), at Florida State, over N.C. State, over Syracuse, really did push (Clemson) over the top,” Corrigan said.

Oregon was eighth followed by Pac-12 rival Southern California at ninth.

The highest ranked team from outside the Power Five conferences was Tulane at No. 19. The highest ranked champion from the Group of Five conferences earns a spot in New Year’s Six bowl.

The CFP semifinals are scheduled to be played at the Fiesta and Peach Bowls on Dec. 31, with the championship game set for Jan. 9 in Inglewood, California.

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