First-year NC State basketball coach Will Wade passionately defended Darrion Williams after the Wolfpack’s win over Wake Forest on Wednesday, Dec. 31 as the five-star transfer draws criticism for his inconsistent play as of late.

Williams, one of the top-rated transfer portal recruits last offseason after averaging over 15 points per game at Texas Tech in 2024-25, is 10-of-37 shooting in his last three games combined. He has been held to 11 points or fewer in five of NC State’s last six games.

Wade said everybody needs to ‘shut the hell up about him’ after NC State’s 70-57 win over Wake Forest in response to a question on Williams’ recent struggles.

‘Absolutely zero,’ Wade said of his concern level with Williams. ‘I’m tired of hearing about fricking Darrion. He’s (expletive) playing well, alright. It’s a terrible question. It’s a terrible question. Let me be frank with you. He affects winning. And everybody’s out here (expletive) about him and stuff, he affects winning.

‘He was plus-13 against Ole Miss and didn’t hit a shot. And everybody’s acting like the world’s caving in. The guy’s a damn good player. He didn’t shoot it well today. What’d he have? He had zero turnovers for us today. Darrion Williams. Six rebounds, four assists, zero turnovers. Everybody needs to shut the hell up about him. He’s a damn good player and the shot’s going to fall.

‘I’m tired of answering questions about him. He’s really good. We’re thankful to have him.’

Wade mentioned Williams is playing through a shoulder injury that he claimed is severe enough for most players to sit out from, especially those getting paid as much as Williams.

Williams is shooting 41% from 3-point range this season, up from his 34% mark a season ago. He’s also shooting 45.9% from the field, despite his recent shooting struggles. He shot 43.9% for the year last season at Texas Tech.

It’s not the first time Wade, who led McNeese to a first-round NCAA Tournament win last season, has had a passionate postgame press conference. Wade called out his team’s ‘casual personalities’ after NC State’s 108-72 win over Texas Southern on Dec. 17.

Williams scored 20 or more points in three of his four games during Texas Tech’s run to the Elite Eight last season, also averaging two steals and 2.8 blocks per game. Wade and the Wolfpack are hoping he gets back to that level once healthy.

‘I’m tired of people picking on the kid, man,’ Wade said. ‘I got it. He makes a lot of money for us, but there are about 10 other schools that have paid as much or more than we paid for the kid. The kid is not perfect. I understand that. The kid is not perfect, but he is a damn good player, and we are lucky to have him at NC State.

‘He picked us over a lot of schools with a lot better situations than we had at the time he picked us. Let’s be fricking appreciative. Let’s support the kid. Let’s help the kid.’

Two years ago, Alabama facing Indiana in the College Football Playoff would have been an unthinkable matchup. A lot has changed. Nick Saban retired. Curt Cignetti was hired by the Hoosiers. The Hoosiers that are the No. 1 seed entering the Rose Bowl with a Heisman-winning quarterback. The Crimson Tide are prohibitive underdogs.

That’s the weird reality of the upside down that is the strange world of college football. Indiana is unbeaten after winning its first Big Ten title since 1967. QB Fernando Mendoza leads the offense that is equal parts power and precision passing. But it’s the defense that goes unnoticed as the unit held Ohio State to just 10 points in winning that long-awaited conference title.

Meanwhile, Alabama had a roller coaster of a season, losing to Florida State in the opener then winning four games against ranked opponents before offensive woes led to a home defeat against Oklahoma and another stumble against Georgia in the SEC title game. Kalen DeBoer’s team did bounce back to beat the Sooners in the first round. This task will be more difficult.

So who emerges victorious in Pasadena? Our experts offer their score predictions.

Alabama vs. Indiana predictions for Rose Bowl

Matt Hayes

There were offensive plays to be made by Oklahoma against Alabama, but the Sooners’ offense couldn’t execute. Indiana’s offense is night and day different, in both the run and pass games. If the Hoosiers can continue Alabama’s early struggles of late on offense, the deficit will be too difficult to overcome. Indiana 31, Alabama 16.

Jordan Mendoza

Alabama’s second half resurgence against Oklahoma should give some optimism it can carry some of that into the Rose Bowl. While it will have some success, Indiana is just too loaded to let the Crimson Tide control this. The Hoosiers don’t let a No. 1 seed lose in the quarterfinals again. Indiana 34, Alabama 20.

Paul Myerberg

Indiana will in no way, shape or form be intimidated by the Crimson Tide. In fact, Alabama is the underdog in a matchup that doesn’t necessarily play to its strengths. That’s because the Hoosiers have the ability to control the line of scrimmage defensively and force Ty Simpson to make tough throw after tough throw to keep the Tide’s offense afloat. Indiana 21, Alabama 16.

Erick Smith

Last year, all four teams that had first-round bye lost in the quarterfinals, illustrating the importance of momentum. Alabama is riding high after its comeback defeat of Oklahoma. Indiana has been dormant for almost four weeks. Could this portend an upset? The Hoosiers will get tested and will need Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza to play well. Otherwise, it will be the Tide advancing. Indiana 24, Alabama 23.

Eddie Timanus

There’s a ‘prove it’ element on both sidelines; this is still new territory for the Indiana program, while Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer has won in the playoff, he’s still under pressure to deliver a championship to a fan base that expects them. All that aside, however, Indiana has been the more complete team this season and will show it here. Indiana 23, Alabama 13.

Blake Toppmeyer

As Kalen DeBoer put it, Indiana is undefeated for a reason. He’s right. The Hoosiers are more complete than Alabama, and that advantage will help them pull away from the Crimson Tide into the semifinals.  Indiana 28, Alabama 17.

Texas Tech and Oregon meet for a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals when they match up at the Orange Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 1.

The No. 4 Red Raiders (12-1) secured a first-round bye after winning the Big 12 Conference Championship in dominant fashion over BYU, 34-7. No. 5 Oregon hosted No. 12 James Madison in Eugene, Oregon, in the first round, taking down the Dukes 51-34, allowing over 500 total yards and 28 points in the second half.

Watch Oregon vs. Texas Tech in CFP quarterfinals live with Fubo (free trial)

Texas Tech secured one of the best transfer portal classes nationally last offseason, adding key pieces such as All-American edge rusher David Bailey, fellow edge rusher Romello Height and interior defensive lineman Lee Hunter to a unit that ranks No. 3 nationally in total defense (254.4 yards per game).

Oregon (12-1) hardly missed a beat this season offensively despite losing Heisman Trophy finalist Dillon Gabriel and multiple other weapons to the NFL. Quarterback Dante Moore has been one of the best passers in the country this season, passing for 3,046 yards with 28 touchdowns to eight interceptions while completing 72.4% of his passes.

USA TODAY Sports is bringing live updates and highlights from Texas Tech vs. Oregon at the Orange Bowl. Follow along.

Oregon vs Texas Tech score

This section will be updated live.

Oregon vs Texas Tech live updates

This section will be updated.

Jacob Rodriguez featured on ‘College GameDay’

ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ aired a feature on Texas Tech star linebacker Jacob Rodriguez on his unique path to being one of the best players in the sport. Here’s the full story:

Behren Morton stats

Morton missed two games this season as he dealt with a hairline fracture in his leg that still lingers.

Here’s a look at his stats this season:

Passing: 201 of 300 passing (67%) for 2,643 yards with 22 touchdowns to four interceptions

What time does Oregon vs Texas Tech start?

Time: Noon ET
Date: Thursday, Jan. 1
Location: Orange Bowl (Miami Gardens, Florida)

What TV channel is Oregon vs Texas Tech on today?

TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app, Fubo (free trial)

Oregon-Texas Tech will air live on ESPN, with streaming options available on the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Oregon vs Texas Tech predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Dec. 31.

Spread: Oregon (-2.5)
Moneyline: Oregon -140 | Texas Tech +115
Over/under 51.5

Prediction: Oregon 24, Texas Tech 20

Texas Tech can’t come up with enough offense, as its defense holds up as much as it can against Oregon’s high-powered attack. The Ducks pull away late to reach the semifinals.

ARLINGTON, TX — No. 10 seed Miami controlled the line of scrimmage and forced No. 2 Ohio State out of its comfort zone to score a 24-14 Cotton Bowl win and the first upset of this year’s College Football Playoff.

After sneaking into the tournament as the last at-large seed, the Hurricanes proved they belonged by handling the defending national champions. The loss was the second in a row for Ohio State after a 12-0 start.

Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. had 90 yards on 19 carries. Carson Beck completed 19 of 26 attempts for 138 yards and added 23 yards on the ground. Defensively, the Hurricanes notched five sacks and held OSU to just 45 rushing yards.

‘We keep getting better and better up front,’ Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. ‘We don’t think we have arrived by any stretch, but we certainly think we’re getting better. When you play a team like that that’s been the number one defense in the country the entire year, you have to.’

Star receiver Jeremiah Smith delivered for the Buckeyes, pulling down 157 yards on seven grabs. Julian Sayin had two interceptions, one that changed the complexion of the game, and finished with 287 yards on 22 of 35 passing with a score. Bo Jackson led OSU with 55 rushing yards.

Miami advances to the national semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl against the winner of Thursday night’s Sugar Bowl between No. 3 Georgia and No. 6 Mississippi.

After both teams traded punts on the game’s opening possessions, Miami put together a promising 42-yard drive that advanced to the Buckeyes’ 19-yard line before Fletcher was stripped by linebacker Payton Pierce on third down to give the ball back to the Buckeyes.

Miami’s offense would get back on track on its next drive. After forcing an Ohio State punt and taking over at their 17-yard line, the Hurricanes needed 13 plays to score the game’s first points on Fletcher’s 9-yard touchdown grab with 13:31 left in the second quarter.

One of the game’s key moments came on the ensuing possession. After hitting Smith for a 59-yard gain on the first snap from scrimmage, Sayin was intercepted two plays later by Miami’s Keionte Scott, who ran it back 72 yards for a pick-six and a 14-0 Miami lead with 11:49 left in the half.

‘It was on film for sure, but I think in the moment, with all the skill players on one side of the ball, so, obviously, knew the ball was coming in that area,’ Scott said of his decision to jump the screen pass. ‘And then as soon as the tight end motioned, I kind of confirmed in my head — made up in my mind that I was going at that moment.’

The Buckeyes would gain some momentum before the break by clamping down on a Miami drive that reached the 30-yard line before a sack and a 6-yard loss dropped the Hurricanes out of field goal range. But after taking over at its 2-yard line and moving into Miami territory, Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding’s 49-yard try with two seconds left in the second quarter drifted left.

The 14-point deficit was the largest for the Buckeyes since its 45-23 loss to Michigan to end the 2022 regular season. The Buckeyes hadn’t been held scoreless in the first half since a 31-0 loss to Clemson in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl.

Ohio State would find some answers in the locker room. Keyed by a 23-yard completion to Smith, the Buckeyes would march 82 yards in 11 plays, capped by a 1-yard Jackson touchdown run, to make the score 14-7 with 8:05 to play in the third quarter. The drive featured 35 rushing yards after OSU had managed minu-2 yards on the ground in the first half.

‘I felt like it took us a while to get into the rhythm of the game,’ Ohio State coach Ryan Day said about the team’s 25-day layoff after the Big Ten title game. ‘I thought we did coming out in the second half and by then it was going to take a very, very efficient second half to win the game.’

Miami answered with a 49-yard field goal from Carter Davis to make it 17-7 with 3:01 remaining in the quarter. Previously, the most points the Buckeyes had allowed in a game this season was 16 in a win against Illinois.

Davis was 6 of 10 from 40-plus yards heading into Wednesday night and had missed three of four attempts in the opening round against No. 7 Texas A&M. The Hurricanes were able to move into his range after freshman receiver Malachi Toney was stripped by Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs on the previous down but then recovered his own fumble and gained another two yards.

The Buckeyes’ offense would have another response on a drive bridging the third and fourth quarters. After driving to the Miami 14-yard line, Ohio Sate came up short on a Jackson run on third down and decided to go for it on fourth-and-2. Sayin delivered over the middle to Smith, who weaved through the secondary to cut the lead to 17-14 with 13:28 left in the game.

Taking over after a touchback, the Hurricanes would manage a first down via a Beck scramble. The drive then petered out, though, and Miami’s punt went out at the Ohio State 25-yard line. But the Buckeyes’ own herky-jerky drive slowed by a holding penalty went just six yards in seven plays and took over four minutes off the clock, giving the Hurricanes the ball at their 30-yard line with 5:56 to play.

Behind Beck and Fletcher, Miami would then deliver the knockout blow. A 70-yard drive that started with a 19-yard Fletcher run and two key third-down conversions on Beck completions — the biggest a 14-yard toss to CJ Daniels on third-and-4 at the OSU 20-yard line — ended with a 5-yard score from running back CharMar Brown to put Miami ahead 24-14 with 55 seconds left. Sayin was then intercepted by Jakobe Thomas to seal the win.

Ryan Williams burst onto the scene in his freshman season at Alabama, and landed on the cover of EA Sports College Football 26.
Ryan Williams had had a tough sophomore season, not being a major factor as he’s dealt with injuries and drops passes.
Despite the up-and-down season, Ryan Williams remains confident and his team plans to get him in the ball in the Rose Bowl against Indiana.

LOS ANGELES — What happened to Ryan Williams?

Last season, the Alabama receiver burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old freshman, running wild over Georgia en route to becoming one the sport’s most electric freshmen. His performances landed on the cover of EA Sports College Football 26.

Since then, it’s felt like the “Madden curse” has migrated into the college game.

After a promising start, a sophomore slump has hit the young star. Even though it hasn’t gone the way many envisioned, Williams isn’t losing confidence, and he remains determined to impact the game as Alabama faces Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl.

“That’s pretty much all seasons of life,” Williams told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s not always gonna go your way, and it’s not always gonna be bad for as long as you think it’s gonna be bad. It’s just an opportunity for growth.”

Why has Ryan Williams struggled?

Williams was the bright spot in Kalen DeBoer’s somewhat disappointing first season in Tuscaloosa. He capturing the nation’s attention with his 177 yard day and game-winning score against Georgia. He finished the season with 48 catches and team-high 865 yards with eight touchdowns.

Williams was set to be a leader for a Crimson Tide team trying to get back in the title picture. If you had told someone before the season Alabama would be in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, there’s a good chance they’d believe Williams had a big hand in it.

Instead, it’s been the opposite. 

Williams has seen his totals dip, heading into the Rose Bowl with 43 catches, 636 yards and four touchdowns. Those are some solid figures, but not anything near what was expected. 

To start, injuries have played a part. He dealt with a concussion early in the season and has had lower body injuries in recent weeks. It’s come during a bad stretch where he’s had just three catches for 38 yards in the last three games, including a shut out against Auburn.

Obviously, being the cover athlete of the sport helps bring more attention, and there has been the focus of opponents not letting Williams impact games.

What has made it worse are the misses; Williams has 13 drops, the most in the country. Those miscues limit signature explosive plays form happening. It’s resulted critics saying he doesn’t deserve to be one of the top 10 rated receivers in the game he’s on the cover on.

“You always want better for yourself. I always want to impact the game as much as possible,” he said. “I would like to make those plays and help out the squad even more, but I know the opportunity will come.”

It hasn’t been a dominant showing, but his coaches and teammates praise Williams’ never wavering mindset. Quarterback Ty Simpson and receiver Isaiah Horton call him one of the most selfless people they’ve met. DeBoer added “you can’t help but root for” a person like Williams.

If he’s not stuffing the stat sheet, Williams said there are other ways he can make an impact, like running routes that draw attention so other guys get open and have opportunities.

“I don’t think you could honestly, really remove me from a game, because there’s other ways that I can affect the game,” he said.

That’s why Simpson doesn’t buy into any of the slump talk.

“It frustrates me when people say he’s had a down year. He really hadn’t,” Simpson said. “All he cares about is the other guys around him. If we win, it doesn’t matter if he gets zero catches for zero yards, or if he gets 10 catches for 250 yards. Whatever it takes for the team to win, and that’s why I love being his teammate.”

Opportunity at Rose Bowl

While Alabama has been able to win games without Williams making a heavy impact, the Crimson Tide will certainly need him against Indiana. 

The Hoosiers will be the best passing defense Alabama will face this season. They allow 179.5 passing yards per game. Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith – also on the cover of the video game with Williams – is the only player to record at least 100 receiving yards against Indiana this season.

DeBoer said Alabama is “going to be intentional” with its gameplan to make sure Williams gets the touches he needs to leave his mark on the game. Simpson echoed the sentiment, adding he has to make sure “I understand my read and the intent of the play, and then get (Williams) the ball.” If that happens, Horton said that’s when the explosive plays will go down.

It sounds like the Crimson Tide are making it a point to make sure Williams isn’t silenced in the Rose Bowl. It coincidentally is where that cover photoshoot took place, and he’ll return to the stadium – this time filled with a semifinal spot on the line – with a chance to prove why he belonged on it.

A golden opportunity, yet Williams isn’t chasing a huge day. His mindset going into it?

“Just do what I do because at the end of the day, it’s a child’s game,” Williams said. “Just help my team in any way that I can.”

DeBoer knows an amazing future is ahead for Williams and he’ll be playing football for a long time. It hasn’t been the perfect year, but it’s only a matter of time before Williams breaks out. Alabama just hopes it comes on Jan. 1, 2026, because the rest of the season could depend on it.

“He’s going to have a game like he’s had at different times, where he goes off and I’m just waiting for that moment. Because when it is, it’s going to be awesome, and we’re all going to be super happy for him,” DeBoer. “I know that it’s coming sooner than later.”

The first College Football Playoff quarterfinal on New Year’s Day matches No. 4 seed Texas Tech and No. 5 seed Oregon. While the two programs rarely meet, they do have some recent history with the Ducks taking a 38-30 decision at the Red Raiders in 2023. N

Not many of the prominent players remain from that game, but the coaches – Dan Lanning of Oregon and Joey McGuire of Texas Tech – remain, so there is some familiarity.

The Ducks enter off a blowout defeat of James Madison in the first round. Their only loss came at the hands of Indiana that kept them out of Big Ten title game. The Red Raiders won their first Big 12 title behind a strong defense and the play of quarterback Behren Morton. Their lone defeat was when Morton did not play at Arizona State.

It shapes up to be an intriguing matchup with the winner advancing to the Peach Bowl against either Indiana or Alabama. Who will emerge victorious. Our experts offer their predictions.

Oregon vs. Texas Tech predictions for Orange Bowl

Matt Hayes

Still not convinced that the Ducks are more than the third-best team in one of the top two conferences — with a fortunate schedule. Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton is healthy for the first time this season, and the Red Raiders’ defense will pressure Oregon quarterback Dante Moore much like Indiana did. Texas Tech 24. Oregon 20.

Jordan Mendoza

The poor second half against James Madison may have been what Oregon needed to give itself a reality check that it can’t expect a win if it happens again. The Ducks defense is suspect and plenty is going to have to be put on the offense, a tough ask considering how good the Red Raiders are. Yet, Oregon comes out red hot and Texas Tech isn’t able to keep up as the Ducks’ revenge tour continues. Oregon 31, Texas Tech 27.

Paul Myerberg

Texas Tech has a chance to prove itself against one of the top teams in the Big Ten. The Red Raiders have the talent to do just that, especially if they can make Dante Moore uncomfortable. But Oregon can match Tech’s physicality and has the speed on the outside to land the explosive plays that will mean the difference. Oregon 38, Texas Tech 24.

Erick Smith

The reality is we don’t really know how good Texas Tech is. The Red Raiders dominated the Big 12 and should be credited for that. However, Oregon is the most-difficult test for their outstanding defense against an elite offense. Tech should hang around. Look for the Ducks to be too explosive and pull away. Oregon 31, Texas Tech 20.

Eddie Timanus

The Red Raiders dominate from start to finish most of the time, but in the one game they didn’t they lost. That formula won’t work against the Ducks, who will be there for 60 minutes and have enough to advance. Oregon 31, Texas Tech 20.

Blake Toppmeyer

The Red Raiders are legit, particularly on defense. Oregon scored at will against James Madison. Texas Tech’s defense is in a different league from the Dukes and that will be the difference. Texas Tech 27, Oregon 14.

Kingsley Ikeke and Jake Paul are bound by a brutal injury.

Ikeke, a retired Nigerian-born boxer who once fought for a world title, suffered a broken jaw in 2010 while sparring. About 16 years later, Ikeke said, he watched Anthony Joshua break Paul’s jaw in two places with a knockout punch that ended the heavyweight fight on Dec. 19 in Miami.

“Now he’s going to realize that boxing is not a joke,’’ Ikeke, 52, told USA TODAY Sports of Paul, “because he was underestimatng the boxers.’

Ikeke’s story helps explain resentment directed at the 28-year-old Paul and why there’s no guarantee he will box again.

It’s been nearly two weeks since Paul underwent emergency surgery at the University of Miami hospital for his own jaw injury.  He has vowed to fight again, and multiple doctors say there’s no reason Paul can’t.

But then there is Ikeke.

A 37-year-old super middleweight when his jaw was broken, Ikeke remained hopeful of boxing again. But complications following surgery ended his career and dreams of winning a world title, according to Ikeke and one of his former trainers, Eric Brown.

“You don’t hear about those types of stories.’’ said Peter Quillin, the boxer who broke Ikeke’s jaw.

‘I was so stubborn’

Jake Paul grew up in Westlake, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, with his older brother, Logan. He left home for Hollywood before he graduated from high school — and he was a multimillionaire social media star and Disney Channel actor years before he started boxing.

In Nigeria, Ikeke said, his father had 12 children. But Ikeke said he did not know them well and grew up with his grandparents. His grandfather had a wood-hauling business and his grandmother ran restaurants, according to Ikeke.

“At the age of three years old, I tell my grandfather, I want to be a boxer,’’ Ikeke said. “You know what he tell me? He said, ‘White man will kill you.’ Because I was so skinny. But at the same time I was so stubborn.’’

By 1994, Ikeke stood 6-foot-4 and was a promising 21-year-old boxer. That year, at the Commonwealth Games in Canada, Ikeke won his opening bout, lost an elimination bout and then left the Nigerian team.

He settled in Canada and eventually moved to Los Angeles.

“I left everybody behind,’’ Ikeke said. “You have to keep on fighting, going your own.’’

Fighting inside, outside the ring

Jake Paul started his pro career 12-1. Ikeke started his pro career 14-0. But that’s where story diverges again.

For his second pro bout, Paul fought on the undercard of the exhibition fight between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. It was the first clear sign his social media stardom would lead to high-profile fights that most boxers will never get.

Ikeke, for example, was just fighting for what he was promised. By contrast, Ikeke found himself fighting inside and outside the ring.

He filed paperwork stating his manager had failed to obtain good faith offers of a boxing match, exhibitions or contests. In 2003, an arbiter ruled in Ikeke’s favor and the California State Athletic Commission declared the contract null and void.

Paul had the help of Netflix in setting up mega fights, like his bout with Tyson in 2024 and with Joshua last month. Ikeke went looking for someone to get a fair shot.

He was 23-1 in 2005 when he got his first big shot — a fight against Arthur Abraham with the vacant IBF world middleweight championship at stake and legendary trainer Freddie Roach in Ikeke’s corner.

Ikeke got knocked out in the fifth round.

He did not return to the ring for almost 20 months.

Then he lost again before four straight victories created hope of a second world title fight.

‘Yeah, he had a shot, for sure,” said Brown, one of Kingsley’s former trainers.

Infectious happiness and wounds

Winning a fifth straight victory was the plan in June 2010 when Ikeke was training for an upcoming fight. Suddenly he headed from Wild Card Boxing Club, the Los Angeles-gym owned by Roach, and for a nearby emergency room.

By the time he was healthy enough to attempt a comeback, it was too late, according to Brown..

‘Because he was inactive for so long, he lost his ranking and his age was another factor,” the trainer said.

Ikeke said he still sees specialists after his jaw failed to heal after the emergency surgery. His pro boxing record stands at 27-3 with 14 KOs.

In September 2022, Ikeke returned to Wild Card Boxing Club. In a group photo, Ikeke stood next to Roach and smiled.

“The happiness was infectious and mutual,’’ said Roach’s wife, Marie Spivey, who took the photo.

But not all of the wounds have healed for Ikeke, who said he works with disadvantaged children, including those with autism, and has five children of his own. “There’s too much politics in boxing,’’ he grumbled, lamenting the inability to get bigger fights before his career ended.

Ikeke says he no longer watches boxing but made an exception for the fight between Paul and Joshua.

“He may not come back,’’ Ikeke said, referring to the broken jaw, “But if he meet the right doctors, he will come back.’’

The best quarterfinal of the College Football Playoff might be saved for last It’s a rematch of one of the better games of the regular season when Georgia rallied past Mississippi 43-35 in the lone loss of the season for the Rebels.

Both quarterbacks shined in the game with Gunner Stockton throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns in a winning effort. The Rebels got 263 yards passing from Trinidad Chambliss, who led five consecutive touchdown drives to start the game. But Ole Miss didn’t score the rest of the game and the Bulldogs prevailed on their way to another SEC title.

Now the two teams meet nearly 10 weeks later with both looking very different. Mississippi saw Lane Kiffin leave for LSU and the promotion of defensive coordinator Pete Golding. Some of the the coaches that are following Kiffin remain to help assist Golding, but how they mesh against the challenge of the improved Georgia defense will be critical. The Bulldogs held Texas, Georgia Tech and Alabama to a combined 26 points in their last three games against Power Four opponents.

The matchup promises to be an intriguing rematch with a place in the semifinals on the line. Who will advance? Our expects make their forecasts for the winner.

Georgia vs. Mississippi predictions for Sugar Bowl

Matt Hayes

The Ole Miss run game in October consisted of QB Trinidad Chambliss and hidden yardage on scrambles. Georgia will contain Chambliss’ escape, setting up unmanageable down and distance where the pass rush will take over. And Dawgs QB Gunner Stockton will continue his late-season pass game surge.  Georgia 24, Mississippi 23.

Jordan Mendoza

This might be the most fun matchup of the entire quarterfinal. Fireworks should be going off just like the first meeting these two had. Unfortunately for the Rebels, it ends in the same result with the Bulldogs making the key fourth quarter plays to prevail. Georgia 37, Mississippi 31.

Paul Myerberg

Georgia has made noticeable gains on defense since beating Ole Miss in October. While the Rebels looked good against Tulane, the Bulldogs have rounded into form as a complete team on both sides after a sluggish start. The Rebels have to hope for an edge in the turnover battle to score the upset. Georgia 31, Mississippi 21.

Erick Smith

After 78 points were scored in the first game between these teams, look for the defenses to make some adjustments to slow this game down. But with Georgia having the advantage on that side of the ball and questions about how the Ole Miss offense will function without Lane Kiffin, expect the Bulldogs to repeat its win from October. Georgia 30, Mississippi 20.

Eddie Timanus

The Rebels win in a rematch against Tulane in the first round was basically a rerun. Unfortunately for Ole Miss, this second matchup against Georgia will follow the same script as well as the Bulldogs march on to the Fiesta Bowl. Georgia 35, Mississippi 27.

Blake Toppmeyer

Trinidad Chambliss might need to have the game of his life for Ole Miss to spring an upset. And even if he does, the Rebels’ defense can be a liability. That showed when these teams met in the regular season. Georgia 34, Mississippi 28.