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  • Future of the College Football Playoff hinges on touchy subject among power conferences: Automatic qualifiers

    Future of the College Football Playoff hinges on touchy subject among power conferences: Automatic qualifiers

    SANDESTIN, Florida — The College Football Playoff’s power players are locked in a showdown on the future format of the postseason tournament, and High Noon is fast approaching.

    The CFP’s executives have conducted several meetings over the last several months to attempt to finalize the format for the 2026 postseason and beyond. The lack of unanimity in discussions has led to an alliance between the ACC and Big 12 to counter the Big Ten and SEC’s power. The nature of the arrangement, as was described to CBS Sports, sets the stage for a showdown between two wildly different 16-team formats.

    During an in-person meeting of power conference heavy-hitters on May 15, reps from the ACC and Big 12 presented a 16-team playoff proposal that would reward automatic berths to the five highest-ranked conference champions with 11 at-large spots. Sources tell CBS Sports the ACC and Big 12 prefer the 5+11 format over the one floated by the Big Ten and SEC: a 4-4-2-2-1 format that would reward four automatic-qualifiers for the Big Ten and SEC, two for the ACC and Big 12, one for the highest ranked Group of Six champion and three at-large teams.

    The Big Ten and SEC’s discussions have happened internally and have yet to be socialized formally with the four autonomous conferences or the CFP Management Committee. 

    “We’re not committed at this point to something,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said Monday evening, the day before his conference’s annual spring meetings.

    One factor behind the Big Ten and SEC’s format preference is that it paves the way for lucrative playoff play-in games in each power conference. Both the Big Ten and SEC would send their top two teams — both in the conference championship game — to the playoff, and would schedule play-in games…

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  • NFL teams likely to fall short of projected 2025 win total: Mike Tomlin-led Steelers face first losing season

    NFL teams likely to fall short of projected 2025 win total: Mike Tomlin-led Steelers face first losing season

    With the player acquisition portion of the NFL offseason in the rearview mirror, organized team activities kicking off around the league and training camps seemingly just around the corner, it’s time for everyone to turn the page. We’re at the point in the offseason where “this season” now refers to 2025, rather than 2024.

    And because that’s the case, we’re going to do some prognosticating around these parts. We’re taking a look at what we can expect from each NFL team this season, from a whole host of different angles.

    One of the ways we want to do that is by trying to peg some teams down on either side of their over/under win totals. We’re using the lines at FanDuel sportsbook and, in the space below, identifying five teams most likely to come up short of their number.

    Over/Under 5.5

    Here’s what I wrote last week about Cleveland’s over/under: “The Browns do not have a quarterback. They also have the second-toughest strength of schedule in the league, based on opponent over/unders. They are going to be really, really bad. They should be in the mix for a top-three pick, and it would be shocking if they got to six wins.” 

    I see no real reason to have changed my tune.

    Over/Under 5.5

    The Saints, much like the Browns, seemingly do not have a quarterback. They’re giving offseason reps to each of Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener and second-round rookie Tyler…

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  • Wisconsin football class of 2026 recruiting OL Kamari Blair visit

    Wisconsin football class of 2026 recruiting OL Kamari Blair visit

    Wisconsin football top-ranked class of 2026 offensive line target Kamari Blair will officially visit Madison the weekend of May 30.

    Considered a four-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals, Blair received his offer from UW on May 7. The Clarksville, Tennessee, native will also officially visit the South Carolina Gamecocks (June 6), Florida State Seminoles (June 9), Ole Miss Rebels (June 13) and Tennessee Volunteers (June 20) throughout the summer.

    Wisconsin also landed in Blair’s list of final schools on May 16, a group that includes the Gamecocks, Seminoles, Rebels, Volunteers, Badgers and Kentucky Wildcats. The 6-foot-6 lineman also received offers from notable programs, including Penn State, Indiana, North Carolina, Missouri, Louisville and Cincinnati.

    247Sports currently ranks Blair as the No. 287 overall player in the class of 2026, the No. 25 offensive tackle and the No. 9 player from his home state of Tennessee. While the outlet’s analysts have yet to produce a crystal ball prediction for his landing spot, On3’s recruiting prediction machine pegs Tennessee as the favorite at 30.7% — an alteration from its May 16 forecast with South Carolina as the frontrunner at 36.4%.

    Blair joins a sizable list of 2026 prospects with plans to officially visit Madison the weekend of May 30. That list includes four-star wide receiver Jayden Petit, offensive tackle Evan Goodwin, athlete Jackson Ford and running back Amari Latimer, all of whom have emerged as significant recruiting targets for Luke Fickell and the Badgers’ staff.

    As of May 25, Wisconsin’s class of 2026 features seven athletes, with two offensive linemen committed — three-star interior lineman Benjamin Novak and three-star tackle Maddox Cochrane. If he chooses the Badgers, Blair would immediately become their highest-rated addition to the class, regardless of…

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  • Mike North calls Joe Burrow’s complaint about another prime-time game in Baltimore “fair”

    Mike North calls Joe Burrow’s complaint about another prime-time game in Baltimore “fair”

    Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had two bones to pick about the 2025 schedule: (1) he wanted to play a game overseas; and (2) he didn’t want another night game near the Inner Harbor.

    Burrow’s wish list came up empty. The Bengals don’t play in one of the seven international games, and the Bengals play a prime-time road game against the Ravens in Baltimore, again.

    “Playing in Baltimore for the fourth straight year in prime time isn’t ideal,” Burrow said this week. “Maybe we can get one of those in Cincinnati. Please.”

    It’s also the third straight year the Bengals visit the Ravens on a Thursday night, after playing on the prior Sunday.

    NFL V.P. of broadcast planning & scheduling Mike North doesn’t take issue with the criticism.

    “It’s fair,” North told Geoff Hobson of the team’s official website. “It’s not a one-or-two years sort of a league where you fix every problem every other year or every two years. Once you start getting to the same thing three years in a row, four, or five years in a row, whether it’s a short week Thursday on the road or opening on the road.”

    North said that if he could have one game to change on the schedule, he’d “wave a magic wand” and remove the third straight short-week trip by the Bengals to Baltimore for a Thanksgiving night game.

    North explained that the rivalry nevertheless required one of the games to be in primetime.

    “I’m sure Bengals fans would have preferred it in Cincinnati, but it should be fun for you guys to ruin Baltimore’s Thanksgiving,” North said.

    Baltimore has won four in a row against the Bengals, and three in a row against Cincinnati at home. The rematch comes only two weeks later, at 1:00 p.m. ET on the Sunday of Week 15.

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  • Rizk Casinolla maksavat kolikkopelit – RTP‑opas ja pääsiäisen ilmaispyöräytystaktiikat

    Rizk Casinolla maksavat kolikkopelit – RTP‑opas ja pääsiäisen ilmaispyöräytystaktiikat

    Monet pelaajat hämmentyvät, kun he eivät tiedä, miten valita kannattavia kolikkopelejä. Yksi suurimmista haasteista on löytää pelit, jotka maksavat pitkällä aikavälillä eniten. Tämä on erityisen turhauttavaa, jos olet uusi kasinolle tai haluat varmistaa, että jokainen panostus on mahdollisimman tuottoisa.

    Rizk Casino on suunnitellut alustan, jossa RTP‑tiedot ovat helposti löydettävissä ja peli­valikoima on täynnä korkeaa tuottoa tarjoavia slotteja. Sivustolla on myös selkeä bonussysteemi ja nopea nostoprosessi, mikä poistaa monet turhat viiveet ja piilokulut. Jos etsit paikkaa, jossa voit pelata turvallisesti ja maksaa nopeasti, Rizk Casino on usein juuri se ratkaisu, jonka monet pelaajat kaipaavat.

    RTP‑perusteet ja miten ne vaikuttavat pelikokemukseesi

    RTP eli “Return to Player” kertoo, kuinka suuri prosenttiosuus panostetusta rahasta palautuu pelaajille pitkällä aikavälillä. Jos esimerkiksi slotin RTP on 96 %, se tarkoittaa, että jokaisesta 100 eurosta odotetaan keskimäärin palautuvan 96 euroa. Tämä luku ei takaa voittoa jokaisessa pelikierroksessa, mutta se on tärkeä mittari, kun vertaa erilaisia pelejä.

    Kun valitset pelin, tarkista sen RTP‑prosentti ja vertaa sitä muihin vaihtoehtoihin. Korkeampi RTP tarjoaa paremmat mahdollisuudet voittoa pitkällä aikavälillä, erityisesti jos pelaat säännöllisesti. Useimmat suurimmat pelivalmistajat, kuten NetEnt, Play’n GO ja Microgaming, julkaisevat RTP‑tiedot jokaisesta slotistaan.

    Pro Tip: Valitse aina pelit, joiden RTP on vähintään 95 %. Ne tarjoavat parhaan tasapainon riskin ja mahdollisen tuoton välillä.

    Lisäksi on hyvä tietää, että pelin volatiliteetti vaikuttaa siihen, kuinka usein ja kuinka suuria voittoja saat. Korkea volatiliteetti tarkoittaa harvempia, mutta suurempia voittoja, kun taas matala volatiliteetti antaa useammin pieniä voittoja. Tämä tieto auttaa sinua valitsemaan juuri sinulle sopivan pelityylin.

    Rizk Casinon parhaat maksavat slotit – vertailu

    Rizk Casino tarjoaa laajan valikoiman kolikkopelejä, joista monet erottuvat erityisen korkealla RTP‑arvolla. Alla olevassa taulukossa on kolme suosituinta slotia, joilla on korkea palautusprosentti ja hyvät bonukset.

    Slotin nimi RTP % Volatiliteetti Erikoisominaisuus
    Starburst (NetEnt) 96,1 Matala Wild‑symboolit
    Book of Dead (Play’n GO) 96,2 Korkea Ilmaispyöräytykset
    Mega Joker (NetEnt) 99,0 Matala Super‑bonus pelit

    Industry Secret: Slotit, joiden RTP ylittää 96 %, tarjoavat pitkällä aikavälillä parempia tuottoja kuin keskimääräiset pelit.

    Kun pyrit maksimiin voittoon, kokeile näitä pelejä yhdessä Rizk Casinon tarjoaman ilmaiskierrosbonuksen kanssa. Usein bonukset kohdistuvat juuri näihin suosittuihin slotteihin, jolloin voit saada ylimääräisiä kierroksia ilman lisäpanosta.

    Pääsiäisen ilmaispyöräytystaktiikat – miten hyödyntää bonusja parhaalla mahdollisella tavalla

    Pääsiäinen on loistava aika kerätä lisää ilmaispyöräytyksiä ja maksimoida voitot. Rizk Casino järjestää säännöllisesti erikoiskampanjoita, joissa tarjotaan ylimääräisiä ilmaiskierroksia suosituissa peleissä. Tässä muutama askel, joilla saat kaiken irti näistä kampanjoista:

    1. Rekisteröidy ja vahvista tili – Usein rekisteröitymisen jälkeen saat heti bonuksen, jossa on 10–20 ilmaiskierrosta.
    2. Seuraa kampanjasivuja – Rizk Casinon “Promotions”-osio päivitetään viikoittain. Täällä näet kaikki pääsiäisen tarjoukset.
    3. Pelaa oikeita pelejä – Ilmaiskierrokset on yleensä sidottu tiettyihin slotteihin, kuten Book of Dead.
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    5. Nosta voitot ajoissa – Jos voitto ylittää 100 €, nostat sen heti, jotta vältät ylimääräisiä kierrätysvaatimuksia.

    Did You Know? Useimmat ilmaispyöräykset voidaan käyttää 2–3 kertaa per päivä, jos kampanja on aktiivinen.

    Vinkkilista ilmaispyöräysten hallintaan

    • • Aseta aikaraja jokaiselle ilmaispyöräytykselle
    • • Käytä matalan volatiliteetin slotteja alussa
    • • Tarkista kierrätysvaatimukset huolellisesti
    • • Älä pelaa ainoastaan suurilla panoksilla, keskity pitkäjänteisyyteen

    Vastuullinen pelaaminen ja pankkivarat – miten pitää huolta sekä pelikassasta että itsestä

    Pelaaminen voi olla hauskaa, mutta on tärkeää pitää kontrolli. Rizk Casino tarjoaa useita vastuullisen pelaamisen työkaluja, kuten talletusrajoitukset, pelineston rajoitukset ja itsearviointitesti. Näiden avulla voit säilyttää tasapainon hauskanpidon ja taloudellisen turvallisuuden välillä.

    Pro Tip: Aseta itsellesi talletusraja, joka on enintään 10 % kuukausittaisesta tulostasi. Tämä estää yllättävät menetykset ja pitää pelikassasi vakaana.

    Lisäksi on suositeltavaa pitää erillinen pelikassa, jonka voit käyttää vain kasinon bonuksiin ja ilmaispyöräytyksiin. Näin erotat oikean rahankäytön ja bonusrahan selvästi toisistaan.

    Vastuullisen pelaamisen perusohjeet

    • • Käytä talletusrajoituksia
    • • Seuraa peliaikaa
    • • Aseta itsellesi voiton- ja tappiorajat
    • • Hyödynnä “Self‑exclusion” -toimintoa tarvittaessa

    Maksutavat, nostojen nopeus ja asiakaspalvelu – mitä odottaa Rizk Casinolta

    Rizk Casino on saanut kiitosta nopeista nostoista, jotka käsitellään tavallisesti 24–48 tunnin sisällä. Käytettävissä olevat maksutavat sisältävät Visa, Mastercard, Trustly ja eWalletit kuten Skrill ja Neteller. Useimmissa tapauksissa kulut ovat nollassa, eikä piilomaksuja esiinny.

    Asiakaspalvelu on saatavilla 24/7 live‑chatin kautta. Jos sinulla on kysymyksiä bonuksista tai nostoprosessista, tukitiimi vastaa usein muutamassa minuutissa. Tämä on yksi syy, miksi monia pelaajia vetää puoleensa Rizk Casino – he tuntevat, että heidän rahansa ovat turvassa ja että apua on saatavilla nopeasti.

    Industry Secret: Jos teet talletuksen Trustlyn kautta, voit saada nostot lähes samassa aikataulussa, koska molemmat toiminnot käsitellään samalla pankkiverkostolla.

    Yhteenveto – onko Rizk Casino oikea valinta sinulle?

    Rizk Casino tarjoaa laajan valikoiman korkeaa RTP‑arvoa omaavia slotteja, nopeita nostoja, läpinäkyvät bonukset ja vastuullisen pelaamisen työkalut. Erityisesti pääsiäisen aikaan tarjottavat ilmaispyöräytykset antavat lisäarvoa, jos osaat hyödyntää ne oikeilla taktiikoilla.

    Jos olet valmis panostamaan aikaa ja energiaa pelien valintaan, kannattaa tutustua Rizk Casinon tarjoamiin korkeaan RTP:hen perustuviin peleihin. Muista asettaa rajat, pitää peli- ja taloushallinta erillään sekä käyttää vastuullisuuden työkaluja. Näin voit nauttia sekä suurista voittoista että turvallisesta pelikokemuksesta.

    Aloita tänään – rekisteröidy, hae ilmaispyöräytyksiä pääsiäisen teemassa ja koe, miten korkea RTP voi muuttaa pelikokemuksesi!

  • Why Penn State coach James Franklin is in Vanderbilt’s dugout at the SEC Baseball Tournament championship game

    Why Penn State coach James Franklin is in Vanderbilt’s dugout at the SEC Baseball Tournament championship game

    Imagn Images

    Penn State football coach James Franklin got a premium seat for Sunday’s SEC Baseball Tournament championship game clash between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss in Hoover, Alabama. Franklin, who just wrapped up his 12th spring practice with the Nittany Lions, is hanging out in the Commodores’ dugout as they take on the Rebels. 

    Franklin, who coached at Vanderbilt from 2011-13, remains close friends with Commodores skipper Tim Corbin, dating back to their time together in Nashville. 

    “I was in Destin (Florida) with my family, we checked the schedule, saw that they were playing today, so we got up early this morning and drove down,” Franklin said in a mid-game interview with the ESPN broadcast. “Me and Tim have been very close since my first year at Vanderbilt.” 

    Franklin was seen celebrating after Vanderbilt third baseman Brodie Johnston hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning to give the Commodores a 2-0 lead. 

    Current Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea is also in attendance at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, though he’s occupying a seat behind Vanderbilt’s dugout. 

    Here’s Lea’s reaction in the stands to a fifth-inning homer from Jacob Humphrey, who went on to receive a congratulatory high five from Franklin at the end of the dugout. 

    In three seasons at Vanderbilt, Franklin amassed a 24-15 record with three bowl appearances (and two wins) prior to his hiring at Penn State ahead of the 2014 season. Before Franklin’s arrival, Vanderbilt had four bowl appearances in program history. 

    Franklin has remained a steady Vanderbilt baseball supporter…

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  • Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter marries fiancée Leanna Lenee, surprises her with six-figure gift

    Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter marries fiancée Leanna Lenee, surprises her with six-figure gift

    Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter married fiancée Leanna Lenee on Saturday in Tennessee, just weeks after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

    During the celebration, video posted to social media showed the newlyweds cutting a ribbon that was holding up a white covering around a Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 Brabus 800 — a luxury SUV reportedly worth up to $700,000. The high-end vehicle appeared to be a wedding gift from Hunter to his new wife.

    The couple began dating in 2022 and continued their relationship while Hunter starred at both Jackson State and Colorado, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 2024. Their relationship drew public scrutiny late last year after a viral video from the Heisman ceremony and resurfaced social media clips sparked criticism, prompting both to briefly deactivate their various accounts.

    Lenee attended the NFL Draft in Green Bay with Hunter and his mother. 

    Hunter’s historic two-way talents shine in college

    Hunter was the top player in college football last season at Colorado, becoming the first to win the Heisman Trophy as a dual-position standout since Michigan’s Charles Woodson won in 1997 as a defensive back, return specialist and part-time wide receiver. Hunter also won both the Bednarik Award as the best defensive player in college and Biletnikoff Award as the most outstanding receiver.

    He logged 1,483 total snaps — the most of any FBS player — with 714 on offense, 748 on defense and another 21 special teams, showcasing elite endurance, even at high altitude in Boulder, Colorado. Offensively, Hunter led the Buffaloes with 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns, ranking top-five nationally in all three categories. He also had a team-high four interceptions and 11 passes defensed. 

    Hunter launched his college career at Jackson State in 2022, committing to play for Deion Sanders in a historic recruiting twist. A five-star…

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  • Ocala Star-Banner Flag Football Team, Player of the Year nominees

    Ocala Star-Banner Flag Football Team, Player of the Year nominees

    Flag football is changing the landscape of college athletics. With growing numbers of four year universities building teams in the next five seasons it’s opened the door for players throughout the country.

    The 2024-25 season certainly opened up for the eyes to several flag football players in Marion county. With the level of talent the all county football teams have several players you’ll be able to follow at the next level.

    Game statistics and more were considered when choosing the 2025 Star-Banner All-County Girls Flag Football team. On May 27, every Athlete of the Year winner will be announced at the MESPY’s. We’re announcing our finalists with their accolades and feats to hold you over until the big day.

    Flag Football player of the year nominees

    Jakyra Bostick, Belleview, Senior

    Some athletes break records and other put them out of reach. Bostick falls in the second category after compiling the first 1,000-receiving-yard, 25-touchdown season in Marion County flag final history.

    On top of being one of the most dynamic offensive players in the state she was one of the best defenders. Her 10 interceptions are second in the county and she had the most pass break ups in the county with 17.

    Tony’ah Boggs, Dunnellon, Sophomore

    In Boggs’ debut flag football season she turned a winless Dunnellon team into a district champion. She was one of the best offensive players in the state totaling 1,965 yard and 27 touchdowns.

    On the defensive end of the field she was a ball hawking play stopper. Boggs led the Tigers with seven interceptions and a team second 42 flag pulls.

    Hannah Mason, Belleview, Senior

    Mason has it all when she’s under center. She led the county with 50 total touchdowns, 44 in the air, 5 on the ground and 1 as a receiver.

    She total 3,000 total yards of offense, including 335 rushing yards. Mason’s 33 flag pulls…

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