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  • MSU has no chance of reaching 2025 College Football Playoff

    MSU has no chance of reaching 2025 College Football Playoff

    Michigan State football has been given a near zero percent chance of reaching the College Football Playoff in 2025 by one metric system.

    While the betting odds are posted at +1800 for Michigan State to make the 2025 College Football Playoff (which isn’t as high as I personally would have thought), ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) is giving the Spartans essentially no chance of reaching the playoff. ESPN’s FPI rating system gives the Spartans a 1% chance of reaching the College Football Playoff this year — which is one of the lowest of all the power four teams.

    Per ESPN’s FPI, these are the only power four teams with a lower percentage to reach the College Football Playoff:

    Oklahoma State (0.9%)Vanderbilt (0.9%)West Virginia (0.8%)Mississippi State (0.7%)Arizona (0.5%)Stanford (0.5%)Syracuse (0.5%)Houston (0.3%)Northwestern (0%)Purdue (0%)Wake Forest (0%)

    FPI is a predictive rating system used by ESPN to measure and project the strength of college football teams. These ratings take a lot of things into consideration and can help predict how things will play out this fall.

    While I’m not expecting a College Football Playoff run for the Spartans in 2025, I would personally give them a much higher chance than 1% of making it happen. I wrote recently how there is a path for the Spartans to be this year’s Indiana and reach the College Football Playoff, and I simply wouldn’t have written that article if I thought it was a 1% chance of happening. So with all due respect to ESPN’s FPI ratings, I’m going to pass on these odds and give the Spartans more of a fighting chance of shocking the college football world in 2025.

    Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.

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  • 8 Proven Strategies to Boost Your Real‑Money Bonuses This Summer at Verywell 1

    8 Proven Strategies to Boost Your Real‑Money Bonuses This Summer at Verywell 1

    Summer brings longer days, hotter nights, and more time to enjoy your favorite online casino games. If you’re chasing extra cash, the right bonus can turn a casual spin into a solid win. Compared to other platforms, https://verywell-casino-online.co.uk/ shines with its welcome bonus, generous free spins, and lightning‑fast payouts.

    Verywell 1’s summer promo package is built for players who want real‑money action without the usual waiting. Whether you’re a slots fan or a live dealer enthusiast, the casino tailors rewards to keep your bankroll healthy. Below we break down how to make the most of these offers while staying safe and in control.

    8 Proven Strategies to Maximize Your Real‑Money Bonuses at Verywell 1

    1. Claim the Welcome Bonus Right Away – Sign up and deposit within the first 24 hours to unlock a 100 % match up to £200 plus 50 free spins on selected slots. This gives you double the play money right from the start.

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    8. Stay Informed About Seasonal Promotions – The casino rolls out special summer tournaments with bonus pools worth up to £5,000. Joining these events can multiply your earnings without extra spend.

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    Verywell 1’s edge comes from a combination of higher match percentages, more free spins, and the fastest payout times in the market. While other sites may lure you with flashy graphics, they often lag on cashouts and limit game selection.

    Fast Withdrawals & Secure Play

    When you turn bonus cash into real money, the last thing you want is a long waiting period. Verywell 1 processes withdrawals within 24 hours on most e‑wallets and 48 hours for bank transfers. The platform holds a UK Gambling Commission license, ensuring fair play and player protection.

    Example: Imagine you win £120 from a series of free‑spin rounds on the Book of Dead slot. You meet the 30x wagering requirement in two days, request a payout, and receive the funds in your e‑wallet by the next afternoon.

    Mobile & Live Dealer Experience

    Playing on the go is essential during summer vacations. Verywell 1’s mobile‑optimized site works smoothly on iOS and Android, letting you spin slots, claim free spins, and join live dealer tables anywhere. The live dealer lobby features real‑time video streams, chat functions, and a cashback program that rewards you for every bet placed.

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    Responsible Gaming & Final Thoughts

    Enjoying bonuses should never come at the cost of your wellbeing. Verywell 1 offers self‑exclusion tools, deposit limits, and reality checks to help you stay in control. Always set a budget before you start, and remember that bonuses are meant to enhance, not replace, your own skill and strategy.

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  • Which jersey number will Aaron Rodgers wear with Steelers? Here are QB’s top 2025 options in Pittsburgh

    Which jersey number will Aaron Rodgers wear with Steelers? Here are QB’s top 2025 options in Pittsburgh

    After months of rumors, reports and rampant speculation, it’s official: Aaron Rodgers is the new quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The longtime Green Bay Packers star and recent New York Jets castoff agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Steelers on Thursday, days before the kickoff of the team’s mandatory minicamp.

    The pen-to-paper moment brings a long-anticipated resolution to one of this offseason’s most unusual free agent pursuits, with Rodgers repeatedly declining to make firm commitments regarding his football future. Now, however, it’s time to look forward: The Steelers finally have a legitimate starter at quarterback, even if Rodgers is past his prime at 41, entering Year 21.

    There are big questions to be answered: How much does Rodgers actually have left in the tank? Will his abbreviated offseason affect his acclimation to Pittsburgh’s system? How many games can the Steelers win with such a proven veteran in tow? Only time will tell. In the meantime, let’s tackle a milder question: Which jersey number might the big name wear in Steel City?

    Here’s a look at Rodgers’ options for 2025 when it comes to his new uniform:

    Note: NFL rules mandate that quarterbacks must wear a number between 0-19.

    Ranking top options for Rodgers

    3. No. 12

    The Steelers haven’t issued this jersey since Terry Bradshaw retired as the most accomplished quarterback in team history, leaving after the 1983 season with four Super Bowl titles. It seems almost unfathomable they would change course now, given Bradshaw himself recently torched the franchise for its pursuit of Rodgers, calling the team a “joke” and “failure” for such short-sighted efforts. But Bradshaw and current Steelers coach Mike Tomlin haven’t really been on warm terms for a while, at least publicly, and Tomlin was reportedly the catalyst for Rodgers’ entry. Considering how much drama has surrounded the Steelers over the last…

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  • Former Eagles teammates Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson will be opposing coaches in HBCU game in Philadelphia

    Former Eagles teammates Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson will be opposing coaches in HBCU game in Philadelphia

    Two former Philadelphia Eagles teammates will be making a return to their former home, this time as opposing coaches. Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson are both first-year coaches at rival Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and they will be facing off against each other at Lincoln Financial Field this fall.

    Jackson coaches the Delaware State Hornets while Vick leads the Norfolk State Spartans. The game will take place on Thursday, Oct. 30, and tickets to attend this matchup will go on sale on Tuesday, June 17. 

    Frank Gumienny, Eagles Chief Operating Officer, said they are “thrilled” to host the game. 

    “Led by first-year head coaches and all-time Eagles greats, DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick are blazing new trails in their respective careers that we are all so incredibly proud of. Lincoln Financial Field is excited to serve as the host venue for this highly anticipated HBCU matchup. We look forward to shining a much-deserved spotlight on the Delaware State and Norfolk State football programs,” Gumienny said.

    Jackson, whose many accomplishments include the first walk-off punt return in league history and the first player to earn a Pro Bowl nod at two positions, explained why his post retirement plans included coaching. He called it a “new phase” of his career at a school that he’s seen help transform students’ futures. 

    “A part of that transformation is opening our students and scholar athletes up to a whole new set of experiences at the highest level. For our teams to be playing in Philly, at the Linc, on the field Coach Vick and I called home for many years will be special for our players, our coaching staffs, our alumni and fans, and for HBCU culture around the country,” Jackson said.

    Vick echoed Jackson’s thoughts,…

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  • Aaron Rodgers to Steelers winners and losers, from Kirk Cousins and Mike Tomlin to Justin Jefferson

    Aaron Rodgers to Steelers winners and losers, from Kirk Cousins and Mike Tomlin to Justin Jefferson

    The Pittsburgh Steelers had been waiting for this domino to fall.

    And they were far from the only members of the NFL world keeping close eyes on Aaron Rodgers’ next move.

    On Thursday, Rodgers’ roughly three-month dalliance with free agency came to end. The four-time MVP quarterback and Steelers agreed to a one-year deal pending a physical, the team confirmed, with the expectation that Rodgers will report to Pittsburgh ahead of the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp next week.

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    The ramifications of this budding marriage ripple broadly for players, coaches, league executives and more in the NFL. Who comes out ahead? Here are our Yahoo Sports winners and losers as Aaron Rodgers prepares to sign with the Steelers:

    Winners

    The NFL schedule makers

    NFL vice president of broadcasting and scheduling Mike North and his team faced a challenge when compiling the 2025 NFL schedule: Should they create a schedule with the expectation Rodgers signs with the Steelers and risk underwhelming prime-time games, or should they operate based on existing rosters and potentially bury prestige matchups? They did the former, and their bet pays off. Rodgers is now slated to play his first game in a Steelers uniform against the New York Jets team that discarded him this offseason. And Oct. 26 on Monday Night Football, the Steelers will host the only NFL club Rodgers hasn’t yet played against: the Green Bay Packers he represented for 18 years. North has reason to toast.

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    Mike Tomlin, the coach

    Mike Tomlin’s Super Bowl championship and two AFC titles will one day be headlines in his Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy. But expect the committee to discuss not only Tomlin’s ceiling but also his floor. Tomlin has remarkably never coached a losing season in 18 years at the Pittsburgh helm. Rodgers should help extend that trend as a clear upgrade over OTAs leader Mason Rudolph. Even at 41 years old, Rodgers is coming off a 3,897-yard, 28-touchdown campaign with a spiraling…

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  • Former Bills DT compares J.J. McCarthy’s confidence, leadership to Josh Allen: ‘He’s doing a fantastic job’

    Former Bills DT compares J.J. McCarthy’s confidence, leadership to Josh Allen: ‘He’s doing a fantastic job’

    Being compared to reigning MVP Josh Allen is something any young quarterback would love, especially if it’s a comparison made by someone who has played with the Buffalo Bills star. Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips joined the league, and the Bills, the same year Allen did in 2018 and the two were teammates until 2021.

    After spending four seasons with Allen, Phillips knows what made the quarterback successful from his on-field work and his approach as a leader. Phillips sees some of the same qualities he saw in Allen in his new quarterback, J.J. McCarthy.

    Phillips spoke on what he’s seen from McCarthy, saying it’s reminiscent of what he saw Allen doing as he became a leader in the Bills’ locker room. 

    “He’s got some confidence,” Phillips said. “And he reminds me of Josh Allen when I was with him in Buffalo, coming into his own and understanding the power that he has to lead this organization, and he’s doing a fantastic job doing that.”

    McCarthy, the 2024 No. 10 overall pick, missed his entire rookie year due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. After a year of recovery, he is set to be QB1 for his sophomore season.

    The DT continued, commenting on how McCarthy goes the extra mile and how he’s grown year-to-year.

    “I’ve commented before about (how) he came to me the week after his injury to try to learn more about the defense,” Phillips said. “Asking those great questions. He’s really stepped up in the personal power role (this year). In the locker room, I’m constantly seeing him go up to new guys, to new players, dapping each other up, sitting on the couches and just having conversation. Where last year it was off to rehab, off to meetings. He understands that we have to build a family here and that you can’t have unique results without unique relationships.”

    McCarthy is off to the right start, with players saying he has similar qualities as Allen off the…

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  • Five programs that are punching above their weight in recruiting

    Five programs that are punching above their weight in recruiting

    © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

    Commitment season is here and there will be massive changes to the 2026 team rankings over the next month and a half. Taking a look at the team rankings as they stand right now, there are programs near the top of the list that haven’t been associated with elite recruiting classes in recent years.

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    Here are five programs that are currently punching above their weight in the team rankings.

    RECRUITING RUMOR MILL: Latest buzz on nearly three dozen prospects | June kicks off with a bang | Baltimore | Detroit

    NEW RIVALS250 RELEASED: Ranking | Top storylines | Ten prospects who could rise with a big June

    CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State

    CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State

    TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker

    RIVALS CAMP SERIES: Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy | Rivals Five-Star roster | Schedule/info

    ARIZONA STATE

    Marshall Levenson/Rivals.com

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    RELATED: Arizona State 2026 commit list

    Head coach Kenny Dillingham has certainly “activated the valley” with this recruiting class, which currently sits at No. 15 in the team rankings. It’s been more than 10 years since the Sun Devils have finished with a top-20 recruiting class and it’s not out of the question to think Arizona State could reach that threshold this year.

    Just one season after its unlikely run to the College Football Playoff, Arizona State currently holds commitments from three four-star prospects, which is more than in any Arizona State class since the 2021 recruiting cycle.

    The Sun Devils may not be known as a recruiting power but the arrow is certainly pointing up.

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    SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH ARIZONA STATE FANS AT DEVILSDIGEST.COM

    ILLINOIS

    Nick Lucero/Rivals.com

    RELATED: Illinois 2026 commit list

    Head…

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  • Former NFL pass rusher Greg Hardy is arrested for assaulting a family member

    Former NFL pass rusher Greg Hardy is arrested for assaulting a family member

    Former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy has been arrested for assaulting a family member.

    Via TMZ.com, Hardy was taken into custody on Wednesday afternoon. He remains jailed pending a bail hearing.

    A sixth-round pick of the Panthers in 2010, Hardy spent five seasons in Carolina before signing with the Cowboys in 2015. He had a career-high 15.0 sacks in 2013, earning a Pro Bowl berth and a spot on the All-Pro second team.

    In 2014, he spent all but one game on the Commissioner-Exempt list while domestic violence charges against him were pending. He was suspended four games to start the 2015 season.

    After his NFL career ended, he took up various forms of competitive fighting.

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