Pittsburgh’s win over Miami ends the Hurricanes’ playoff hopes and sends the Panthers to the ACC championship.
Several potential ACC championship game matchups are discussed, including scenarios involving Virginia, SMU, and Miami.
Other bold predictions include Michigan beating Ohio State and Texas A&M defeating Texas.

Three months of the season have come and gone, and the race for the College Football Playoff and conference championships have reached their final stage.

Week 14 – or rivalry weekend to others – will tell the tale for the teams that win and get into the playoff field or earn an opportunity in a title game next week. The pressure of having postseason hopes and bragging rights at stakes can be both a benefit or cause disappointing results.

It’s also notable that nine of the teams in the top 10 of the US LBM Coaches Poll are on the road, meaning teams including Ohio State, Oregon, Mississippi, Alabama and Miami could have challenges. Where will the upsets come?

The USA TODAY Sports college football staff of Matt Hayes, Jordan Mendoza, Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus and Blake Toppmeyer offer their bold predictions for Week 13 of the college football season.

Pittsburgh ends Miami’s playoff hopes with home win

After all the back and forth between Notre Dame and Miami, Pittsburgh ends the argument with a win over the Hurricanes. The Panthers advance to the ACC championship game with an attacking defense that forces multiple Miami turnovers in the cold environment at home. — Matt Hayes

Virginia and Pittsburgh win way to ACC title game

The ACC has been a total mess all season. Why not have another wild week to cap off the regular season? It starts with Miami, which is entering dangerous territory playing at Pittsburgh. The Hurricanes have a slim shot at the College Football Playoff, but that ends with the Panthers winning. Then Southern Methodist has to travel West to play California, which just fired its coach. Surprisingly, the Golden Bears put it together to deny the Mustangs a shot at the ACC crown. In this scenario, it’ll be Virginia vs. Pittsburgh for a chance at the playoff. Good luck to all. — Jordan Mendoza

Upsets set up the best-possible ACC title game

Virginia Tech beats Virginia, Wake Forest beats Duke and Miami beats Pittsburgh to send the Hurricanes into a matchup with SMU in the ACC title game. This would be a surprising way for the ACC to backdoor into a pretty good title game pairing: While the league’s been a disaster zone nearly all season, the ACC’s two best teams would end up playing for the title and a playoff berth. — Paul Myerberg

Ohio State can’t end losing streak to Michigan

Something weird is going to happen on rivalry weekend. It almost always does. That means a playoff contender will go down. But which one? Vanderbilt is a possibility at Tennessee. Oregon faces a tricky trip to Washington. But if history is going to guide us, and we are really going to be bold then Michigan extends its win streak to five against Ohio State. With cold weather forecast and an emphasis on the running game, look for the mobility of Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood to be the key differentiator in a four-quarter slugfest — Erick Smith

Texas A&M quiets upset talk with defeat of Texas

Texas over Texas A&M is going to be a popular upset choice on this rivalry weekend. The Longhorns have to have it, after all, and the Aggies wouldn’t be damaged much by a loss as far as their playoff aspirations are concerned. But A&M is going to win it anyway. I could try and find statistical data to back up this assertion, but really it just comes down to the fact that the Aggies have done whatever it takes to get the job done all season long. — Eddie Timanus

Ole Miss defeats distraction, beats Mississippi State

Perhaps it would be an even bolder prediction to declare where Lane Kiffin will land, but I’m not going there in this space. Instead, let’s focus on the game itself. There’s every reason to think this is a trap game for Mississippi. Rivalry game. Morning kickoff, one day after a gluttonous holiday. Uncertainty surrounding Kiffin’s future. And still, I can’t ignore that this just seems like a bad matchup for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have the SEC’s worst rushing defense. They allowed 326 yards on the ground in a recent loss to Missouri. The Rebels’ star tailback Kewan Lacy and dual-threat quarterback Trinidad Chambliss can feast one day after Thanksgiving against this flimsy defense. — Blake Toppmeyer

Officials granted Packers coach Matt LaFleur a timeout despite a false start penalty on the play.
The controversial call negated a penalty that would have moved Green Bay back from the 2-yard line.
Following the timeout, the Packers scored a touchdown to make the score 17-7.

The referees are feeling might generous to start this holiday season.

The refs threw the flag on Belton but huddled to discuss as LaFleur protested his tardy timeout. The officials ultimately granted the Packers the timeout, saving them precious penalty yards in that portion of the field. LaFleur kept his offense on the field and quarterback Jordan Love found Romeo Doubs for the 3-yard score on the next play to make it 17-7 with 2:12 left in the second quarter.

‘They got a break,’ FOX play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt said.

The Lions scored in their two-minute drill to make it 17-14 at halftime.

Washington, D.C., could host some World Cup games after all.

In 2031.

The still-to-be-built Washington Commanders stadium was among 14 U.S. sites listed as potential hosts for the women’s World Cup in 2031 in the bid book submitted Friday, Nov. 28, to FIFA by the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica. The four countries have the only bid for what will be an expanded, 48-team tournament, and FIFA will officially announce the host April 30, 2026.

FIFA also released the bid book for the 2035 tournament, a joint bid by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. That tournament also will be awarded in April.

The United States and Mexico are co-hosting the men’s World Cup with Canada next summer, and the 2031 tournament would make use of many of the same stadiums. But Charlotte, Denver, Minneapolis, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego and Washington, D.C., are also on the list of cities and stadiums for FIFA to evaluate as possible 2031 hosts.

Washington was famously snubbed when the final list of host cities for the men’s World Cup in 2026 was released, the omission blamed on the state of Northwest Stadium and the toxicity of then-Commanders owner Dan Snyder. But Snyder is gone, and new Commanders owner Josh Harris is planning a $3.7 billion stadium on the old RFK Stadium site.

Washington is also an epicenter for women’s soccer in the United States. The Washington Spirit played in the NWSL final for a second consecutive year last weekend, and Spirit owner Michele Kang has invested heavily in the game in the United States and Europe.

‘Washington will use this platform to create safe places to play, elevate women in leadership, and ensure every girl can see herself in the game,’ according to the description of Washington in the bid book.

Seattle, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and New York/New Jersey, all of which will hold games in 2026, are also listed as potential hosts. Mexico added Torreón to 2026 hosts Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.

Costa Rica and Jamaica identified one host city each, San José in Costa Rica and Kingston in Jamaica.

The tournament will be held in mid-June through late July, though specific dates were not given. The bid book also did not specify which countries would host which games. Given Costa Rica and Jamaica’s stadiums seat a maximum of 37,000, however, it’s likely the United States would host the latter knockout-round games, including the final.

In 2026, Mexico and Canada are hosting games through the round of 16. The quarterfinals, semifinals and final are all in the United States, with the final to be played at MetLife Stadium.

As Nebraska football’s 2025 season draws to a close with a second bowl-eligible squad under Matt Rhule, it looks like the Cornhuskers will have to grapple with one major question: Will quarterback Dylan Raiola — whose season ended with a broken fibula Nov. 1 against USC — return for his junior year or will he enter the transfer portal?

The question was piqued by a CBS Sports report that Raiola may be considering hitting the portal to steer a team looking to make a College Football Playoff run, a position Nebraska simply isn’t in for the moment. Though the Cornhuskers can compete with most teams in the country with regards to NIL, they’re playing for bowl appearances at the moment.

Fueling the rumors is Raiola’s younger brother Dayton decommitted from Nebraska and reopened his recruitment. Dayton is a 3-star prospect who may well end up heading to a lower-FBS school where he’ll be able to compete for playing time.

With regards to the rumors about Dylan, Rhule told reporters he was outside the loop of any conversation about a possible Raiola transfer.

‘I haven’t seen that report. Yeah, I haven’t seen that,’ he said to the media Nov. 26 when the rumors surfaced. ‘I would never get up here and talk about a player. I love Dylan like I love all my guys. He’s in there in treatment right now. So I don’t know about that. I don’t know anything about that.’

Raiola threw for 2,000 yards with a 72.4% completion percentage in 2025, along with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions, three of which in a four-touchdown showing against Maryland. He was perceived to have taken real strides from 2024, where he threw for 2,819 yards on 67.1% passing with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Nebraska closes out its season on Black Friday, Nov. 28 against Iowa, as the Cornhuskers look for their first eight-win season since 2016 when Mike Riley won nine games and went 6-3 in the Big Ten.

The transfer portal opens Jan. 2 and will close Jan. 16, 2026.

The Milwaukee Bucks are in the midst of a losing streak and their star player is pushing team officials to return from injury as fast as possible.

Giannis Antetokounmpo hasn’t played in an NBA game since suffering a strained adductor in the Bucks’ Nov. 17 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee is winless since then as it enters another NBA Cup matchup against the New York Knicks on Friday, Nov. 28. But he wants to return soon. So soon that Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers and the Bucks’ medical team elected to slow Antetokounmpo down before their most recent setback, a three-point loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday.

Antetokounmpo’s injury status was nonetheless upgraded earlier this week, and he wants to come back with the Bucks sliding down the Eastern Conference standings after an encouraging start to the 2025-26 season. Here’s the latest on Antetokounmpo’s injury situation as Milwaukee tries to snap its six-game losing skid:

Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing today?

Maybe. For the second game in a row, the Bucks have listed Antetokounmpo as questionable ahead of their NBA Cup game against the New York Knicks on Friday, Nov. 28.

Antetokounmpo was listed as questionable before the Bucks’ NBA Cup game on Wednesday, but was ruled out before tip off as Milwaukee suffered a 106-103 loss to the Miami Heat.

Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update

The 30-year-old forward has missed Milwaukee’s past four games after suffering an adductor strain in a Nov. 17 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Antetokounmpo was initially expected to miss one to two weeks of action, according to ESPN, and he’s made tangible progress in recent days.

After Antetokounmpo was upgraded to questionable for the Heat game after participating in a pregame workout before the Bucks’ loss to the Portland Trail Blazers two days earlier. He participated in shootaround at Kaseya Center in Miami, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, but coach Doc Rivers told reporters Antetokounmpo did not finish the session. Rivers later clarified this was at the behest of the medical staff, and to his relief, and not related to a setback in Antetokounmpo’s recovery.

‘I was very happy we decided what we decided,’ Rivers said after the Bucks’ Nov. 26 game against the Heat. ‘I was very uncomfortable with it. He really wanted to push, and that’s who Giannis is. I was very happy with our medical team today. They decided at the end of the day, let’s wait. And, obviously as a coach I can’t get involved but so much, but I told Giannis that, this morning, it should be a no tonight. Then the medical team told him as well. What makes Giannis great is it (is) yes from him. We just thought it was the right thing to do.”

Giannis stats

Antetokounmpo is averaging 31.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 13 games for the Bucks this season.

Survivor Series is one of the most prominent premium live events in WWE and could give huge momentum going into the new year.

So, who will seize the opportunity?

There will be plenty of big names in the two WarGames matches taking place in San Diego on Saturday, Nov. 29, and each of them needs a victory to maintain their status in the pecking order of the company. Meanwhile, can John Cena go into the final match of his career with the Intercontinental Championship in his possession? That, plus Stephanie Vaquer defending her title against Nikki Bella, could lead to ramifications for the Royal Rumble in January.

What will happen at Survivor Series 2025? USA TODAY Sports’ wrestling experts gives their predictions on what will happen at Petco Park:

Men’s WarGames match

Jordan Mendoza: Even with CM Punk, Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns leading a stacked squad, The Vision desperately need to assert themselves as an elite group without Seth Rollins. The addition of Brock Lesnar makes a big difference as WWE doesn’t seem interested in him looking inferior. Winners: Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Brock Lesnar, Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre.

Richard Morin: Team Vision has the advantage and simply possesses too much firepower to lose this match. Infighting between Rhodes, Punk and Reigns will ultimately fell their team. Winners: Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Brock Lesnar, Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre.

Women’s WarGames match

Jordan Mendoza: We know one thing is going to happen: Iyo Sky is going to fly in a match she thrives in. She and Rhea Ripley really want to best The Kabuki Warriors, and this match felt like it could go either way for a while. But when AJ Lee joined the fold, that sealed the result. Winners: Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and AJ Lee.

Richard Morin: It’s a shame this story didn’t get the proper build due to Ripley’s injury, but what we got is still great. Ripley and Sky are deserving of a major tandem push and that should be the focal point in wake of this match. We should also set up an entertaining singles feud between Lee and Lynch. Winners: Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and AJ Lee.

Women’s World Championship match: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Nikki Bella

Jordan Mendoza: Stephanie Vaquer’s meteoric rise on the main roster has kind of calmed down, which presents a prime opportunity for a veteran like Nikki Bella to knock her from the top of the women’s division. Bella will have some chances with some sneaky tactics, but Vaquer is just too dominant in the ring. It be a bad mistake to strip her of the title, as this win likely means Vaquer heads into WrestleMania season as a champion. Winner: Stephanie Vaquer.

Richard Morin: Keeping the belt on Vaquer might seem like the logical move, but there is an opportunity here to build a fun, long-term story and give Petco Park a shocking result. Vaquer never got a proper championship build — due to Naomi vacating the title — so the best long-term play may actually be for a heel Bella to steal the title and for Vaquer to chase it back down. Bella has said this will be her final run in WWE, so it isn’t crazy for WWE to give her one more title reign before putting over Vaquer down the road. Winner: Nikki Bella.

Intercontinental Championship match: John Cena (c) vs. Dominik Mysterio

Jordan Mendoza: We’ve known this was the path for Cena for awhile. Cena finally got the one title that’s eluded him, but does it make sense for him to still hold the title going into his final match? It doesn’t make much sense, and should be the chance for Mysterio to shine back in his hometown. He reclaims the title and get thrusted further to stardom by pinning the 17-time WWE Champion, even if it takes some lying, cheating and stealing. Winner: Dominik Mysterio.

Richard Morin: Cena putting over Mysterio in the former’s final PLE appearance is the correct call. WWE undoubtedly views Mysterio as someone who can be the company’s top heel for the next 20 years. The only wrinkle here is Mysterio’s father, Rey Mysterio, who does not have a match at his hometown Survivor Series. The guess here is Rey attempts to help Cena but has his efforts ultimately thwarted. Winner: Dominik Mysterio.

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Today’s Egg Bowl feels less about Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State, and more about Lane Kiffin and what happens after the game.

Kiffin is a clear target for LSU and Florida as the SEC rivals look to fill their coaching vacancies.

Ole Miss AD Keith Carter said on Nov. 21, ‘an announcement on Coach Kiffin’s future is expected the Saturday following the game.’

So is this it for Lane in Oxford? If he does go, will he stick around the College Football Playoff? (Assuming the Rebels take care of business against Bulldogs today.) Or will Lane stay and surprise some folks? The intrigue.

‘Today is about this game,’ Kiffin told SEC Network’s Marty Smith prior to Friday’s game. ‘Eleven wins, potentially for the first time in school history. That’s the first time with 11 wins in the state for any program. A lot on the line. Our guys are focused and ready to play. And this noise thing you’ve been referring to, this has been going on for weeks. This is nothing new for us.’

Asked about a timeline, Kiffin responded, ‘I’m looking forward to kickoff in an hour, that’s all I’m worried about today, and after that let’s go watch Knox (Kiffin) beat Tupelo in high school.’

As for today’s game, it’s a win-and-you’re-in for Ole Miss (10-1, 6-1 SEC). Beat Mississippi State (5-6, 1-6) for a third straight time and the Rebels can carry the Golden Egg Trophy into the CFP.

Kickoff is scheduled for a noon EST from Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville.

After that? Who knows…

The Oklahoma City Thunder are off to the best start in the NBA again and the defending champions are about to get their second-leading scorer.

Jalen Williams, who emerged as a vital sidekick beside league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the Thunder’s rise to the top of the standings, has yet to play this season ahead of Oklahoma City’s 20th game on the schedule against the Phoenix Suns in NBA Cup action on Friday, Nov. 28. But that appears to be changing soon after the team upgraded the status of their second-leading scorer earlier this week.

Here’s the latest on Williams’ potential 2025-26 season debut, as well as an injury update now that the Oklahoma City Thunder are preparing to welcome him back to the lineup:

Is Jalen Williams playing today?

Yes. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard is set to make his 2025-26 season debut against the Phoenix Suns in an NBA Cup game on Friday, Nov. 28.

Jalen Williams injury update

The Thunder removed Williams from their injury report for the first time this season before Friday’s game against the Suns, an indication the 24-year-old has been given full clearance to return to NBA action.

Williams underwent offseason surgery on his right wrist after playing through a torn ligament during last year’s championship run. He then had an additional procedure on Oct. 31 to remove a screw that had been causing irritation during the final portions of his rehab process. Thunder officials said at the time he would be re-evaluated in 10 to 14 days.

Thunder coach Mark Daignault told reporters on Wednesday Williams was ‘day-to-day’ and praised his work ethic in getting back onto the court.

Jalen Williams contract

Jalen Williams stats

Williams averaged 21.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game during the 2024-25 regular season last year. He averaged 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists during the 2025 NBA playoffs. Williams also earned all-NBA and all-defense honors for the first time last season.