We’re still not exactly sure if Notre Dame is that good or if Indiana was overhyped, either way, I think Georgia will be able to answer that question next week. It’s another Saturday full of big games, but this time we have some NFL mixed in their too. While you’re soaking in the College Football Playoff, don’t forget all the other action across the sporting world. Buckle up folks, we have everything you need to get prepped for today.

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Today’s Trivia🧠

(answer at the bottom of the Stump)

On This Day…

🏀 On this day in 1891, the first game of basketball, based on rules created by James Naismith, was played by 18 students in Springfield, Massachusetts.

I can’t imagine what Mr. Naismith would think about the game today, high flying action, dunking, three pointers all over the court, with some of the largest men and women in the world.

Today’s Stump Story…

🏈 Welcome, to the College Football Playoff

That’s right folks, the three game slate we’ve all been waiting for is finally here. Let’s breakdown each game quick for you...

SMU @ Penn State (12:00 PM on TNT): One of the least talked about games of the weekend comes in the form of the Mustangs at the Nittany Lions. Both of these teams have kind of felt like little brothers in the world of college football. Penn State has fallen behind in the Ohio State and Michigan world of the Big Ten, but entered the first 12-team CFP as the highest-ranked of the three. SMU is in the first year of its time in a big boy conference, and ended up as the runner-up. They want to prove they belong.

This game will surely be won in the trenches, as Penn State has two elite running backs and SMU boasts one of the best rush defenses in the country. I’d guess this game goes in favor of Penn State, whose home crowd will be ROCKING! I wouldn’t put SMU out of the question though, they showed some really impressive fights in the ACC Championship and have won 10 straight away games.

Clemson @ Texas (4:00 PM on FOX): The last time Texas QB Quinn Evers and Clemson QB Cade Klubnik met on the football field was the Texas Class 6A state championship game. They were two of the highest-rated recruits in the nation that day, but it was Klubnik who won that day. 3 years later, the two meet again, with the stakes that much higher.

Klubnik and Clemson won the ACC to sneak into the playoff, but must now go to Austin to play Texas on their home field. Clemson should get a boost from a healthier Phil Mafah, their leading rusher who’s been dealing with a nagging shoulder injury. On the flip side, Texas gets back their star offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who missed the SEC Championship with an ankle injury. By my estimation, if Texas can protect Quinn Ewers, they should be able to handle Clemson and advance to the next round.

(9) Tennessee @ (8) Ohio State (8:00 PM on ABC): The primetime matchup comes at you live from the Shoe! The Buckeyes are still reeling from a fourth-straight loss to their archrival Michigan, and Ryan Day surely feels the heat from fans to perform. Tennessee enters its first CFP as 7-point underdogs on the road, but the Volunteers have one of the most feared defenses in the country.

That’s where the game will be won, in the trenches. Ohio State has lost three of their offensive lineman to season-ending injuries this year and it has been obvious as the Buckeyes have struggled to run the football down the stretch. Tennessee has arguably the best defensive line in the country and will look to bow their necks against Ohio State and force them to throw the ball. In my head, if Ohio State can run the football just enough, they can win. IF Tennessee can get some help from their QB Niko Iamaleava, they’ll get the road win. It’s going to be hard for OSU to handle Dylan Sampson and the impressive Tennessee run game. I just don’t think is a great matchup for Ohio State, give me the Volunteers on the road.

Quick Hitters

🏈 Indiana vs Notre Dame: It was Notre Dame from start to finish, once Notre Dame scored a 98-yard touchdown, we could’ve called the game. Notre Dame’s defense was too much for Indiana, and the rushing offense for the Irish vaulted them into the endzone multiple times. Indiana’s defense actually did a pretty good job, but the lack of offense to match just left the Hoosiers defense exposed. There wasn’t really much of a competition, and the game was a bit of a dud. So we look forward to today and hope and pray that there will be some really good ball today. Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17.

💍 Bowl Games: StaffDNA Cure Bowl: The Ohio Bobcats get a BIG TIME effort in the run game from their QB and RB, able to handle Jacksonville State, 30-27. Ohio got out to a big lead and went into halftime up 27-7, but Jacksonville clawed back into the game by holding Ohio to 3 points in the second half. In the end, Ohio survives. Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl: It was all Florida. All. Day. Long. The Gators were led by their star QB DJ Lagway, who tossed for 305 touchdowns and took over the second half. Tulane really stood no chance as most of their roster is either in the portal or entering the draft. Florida 33, Tulane 8.

⚾️ The Houston Astros and free agent first basemen Christian Walker agreed yesterday to a three-year, $60 million contract. While this isn’t a massive splash move by the Astros, but with this signing, it’s unlikely the Astros will bring back their All-Star Alex Bregman, who’s a free agent, and are most likely now out of the Nolan Arenado sweepstakes. It’s certainly a changing of the guard in Houston.

Other News:

• 🥊 Tyson Fury weighs in at a career-high

• 👋 Ravens waive Diontae Johnson

• 🤯 9 MLB teams are over the luxury tax in 2025

Top Performers:

• 🏀 Joel Embiid (PHI): 34 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds

• 🏈 Parker Navarro (OH): 357 total yards, 4 total TDs, bowl W

• 🏈 Florida Defense (UF): Zero points allowed until 8 seconds left in game

• 🏒 Dylan Guenther (UTAH): 2 goals, road win!

Stump Favorites

☘️ 98-yards to the house for Notre Dame

🏈 450lbs running back?

🏀 The Cavs are having FUN

🤯 GUERSCHON YABUSELE POSTER. ALERT THE PRESS.

💯 Full Scoreboards: MLB, Soccer, PGA, NFL, WNBA, NCAAF, NHL

Today’s Slate

*All times are ET*

🏈 College Football Playoff: (11) SMU vs (6) Penn State (12:00 PM on TNT), (12) Clemson @ (5) Texas (4:00 PM on TNT), (9) Tennessee @ (8) Ohio State (8:00 PM on ESPN)

🏈 NFL Saturday: Texans @ Chiefs (1:00 PM on NBC), Steelers @ Ravens (4:30 PM on FOX)

🏀 NBA: Lakers @ Kings (6:00 PM), Magic @ Heat (7:00 PM), 76ers @ Cavs (8:00 PM), Warriors @ Timberwolves (8:00 PM), Clippers @ Mavs (8:30 PM), Pistons @ Suns (9:00 PM), full schedule

🏀 NCAAM: (5) Duke @ Georgia Tech (12:00 PM), (9) Marquette @ Xavier (!2:00 PM on FOX), (11) UConn @ Butler (12:00 PM), Mississippi State @ (21) Memphis (2:00 PM on CBSSN), (18) UCLA @ UNC (3:00 PM), Ohio State @ (4) Kentucky (5:30 PM on CBS), (10) Oregon @ Stanford (8:00 PM), full schedule

🏀 NCAAW: (23) Nebraska @ (17) Georgia Tech (5:30 PM), (7) USC @ (4) UConn (8:00 PM on FOX), full schedule

🏒 NHL: Blackhawks @ Flames (4:00 PM), Penguins @ Devils (7:00 PM), Wild @ Jets (7:00 PM), Kraken @ Golden Knights (10:00 PM), full schedule

⚽️ LALIGA: Aston Villa @ Man City (7:30 AM on USA), Ipswich Town @ Newcastle (10:00 PM), West Ham @ Brighton (10:00 AM) ; LALIGA: Barcelona vs Atletico (3:00 PM) ; Serie A: Genoa vs Napoli (12:00 PM), full schedule

Trivia Answer:

B. 1979. The NBA added the three-point line right before the 79-80 season. It has since changed the game of basketball forever.

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