Good morning and happy Friday! Who’s ready for a monumental weekend of football? Carter Bahns here to preview college football’s conference championship games and an NFL slate loaded with playoff implications. We’ll also take a look ahead to this afternoon’s highly anticipated FIFA World Cup Draw and Saturday’s potentially historic UFC 323 event.
Oh, and the coaching carousel is still spinning. I know, I know, the sky is blue. But you won’t want to miss the latest updates.
馃張 Five things to know Friday
- Lions’ playoff hopes get brighter while Cowboys’ hopes dim with a loss on ‘TNF.’ Thursday night’s game was crucial for playoff paths. The Cowboys now struggle to maintain postseason prospects after losing 44-30 to the Lions, with Jahmyr Gibbs scoring three touchdowns, equaling Barry Sanders’ record for scrimmage touchdowns before age 24. Dallas lost CeeDee Lamb (concussion) during the game.
- Penn State may have found its coach amid ongoing search. Athletic Director Pat Kraft focuses on Matt Campbell after missing out on other candidates. Kansas State hired Collin Klein, while Buster Faulkner is set to join Florida.
- Today’s FIFA World Cup draw is crucial. The 42 qualified teams will be grouped, impacting future matches as the U.S. prepares to host next summer.
- College football’s conference championships begin tonight, including pivotal games affecting the College Football Playoff bracket.
- NFL playoff implications abound as the regular season nears its end. With divisions tightly contested, this Super Bowl race could be the most competitive in NFL history.
