Everyone was writing obituaries. Predicting a new coach at Ohio State. Calling this group of Buckeyes a $20 million flop.
They had just lost an unthinkable game to bitter rival Michigan in Columbus, Ohio, as a 20.5-point favorite. Tennessee and its fans were supposedly going to overrun The Horseshoe in the opening round of the expanded College Football Playoff.
A few weeks later, everything has changed. Day’s job is no longer on the line. Eighth-seeded Ohio State looks like it is capable of winning its first national championship in a decade after throttling No. 1 Oregon. It has won its two playoff games by a combined score of 83-38, treating Tennessee and Oregon like sparring partners.
Ryan Day celebrates after Ohio State won the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2025. Imagn ImagesRyan Day celebrates with Brandon Inniss (11) during Ohio State’s Rose Bowl win against Oregon on Jan. 1. Imagn Images
Day deserves an immense amount of credit. You always learn about a coach when his back is against the wall. The same could be said for his players, who were hearing about how much talent was being wasted.
After a tumultuous season filled with unexpected losses and disappointing performances, everything has changed for the Ohio State Buckeyes and head coach Ryan Day.
Once considered a top contender for the College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes suffered a shocking defeat to unranked Purdue and were subsequently written off by many analysts and fans. The team’s once-promising season seemed to be in shambles, with their hopes of a national championship appearance fading fast.
However, in a stunning turn of events, Ohio State has managed to turn their season around in dramatic fashion. With impressive wins over top-ranked opponents and a renewed sense of determination, the Buckeyes are now back in the playoff conversation and poised to make a run at the title.
Under the leadership of Ryan Day, the team has shown resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Day’s strategic coaching decisions and ability to rally his players have been instrumental in Ohio State’s resurgence, proving that anything is possible in college football.
As the regular season comes to a close and the playoffs loom on the horizon, one thing is certain: everything has changed for the Ohio State Buckeyes and Ryan Day. They have defied the odds and silenced their critics, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with in the world of college football.
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Ohio State football, Ryan Day, college football, Ohio State Buckeyes, NCAA, Big Ten, football season, sports news, Ohio State program, coaching changes, team updates
Perimeter shooting has never been more utized or valuable than it is in the sport of basketball right now with good teams like Duke, Alabama and Marquette — not to mention the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics — taking roughly half of their field goal attempts from 3-point range.
Don’t tell that to Tom Izzo, though.
At Michigan State, the Spartans are barely taking a 3-pointer every third possession, making them at an even lower rate, and this should be a real problem — but it’s not. Izzo’s team won again Friday night, 69-62 at Ohio State, while taking only 18 3-pointers and making just three of them. The Quadrant 1 victory over an Ohio State team that’s 27th in the NET pushed Michigan State’s record to 12-2 overall, and 3-0 in the Big Ten, despite the Spartans shooting just 28% from 3-point range on the season.
That number ranks 342nd nationally.
“An ugly win is better than a pretty loss,” Izzo said following Friday’s victory.
Who could argue with that?
Michigan State is No. 9 in Saturday morning’s updated CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 daily college basketball rankings, where Tennessee remains No. 1 for the 31st consecutive day. The Spartans are one of three teams still perfect in Big Ten play with the others being UCLA and Michigan. Given that three of Michigan State’s next four games are at home, and that the Spartans aren’t currently projected as underdogs again until their Feb. 4 game at UCLA, this seven-game winning streak could reasonably reach double-figures regardless of whether the shooting improves, as long as Michigan State continues to guard at an elite level.
Is it the prettiest, most modern style of basketball?
Nope.
But, like Izzo said, ugly wins are better than pretty losses. And, either way, “ugly” and “pretty” aren’t terms the selection committee concerns itself with, point being that winning will ultimately be the only thing that matters. And if the Spartans keep doing it at this rate, the seed they’ll get on Selection Sunday, after possibly winning a Big Ten title, will have them set up to take a shot at what would be Izzo’s ninth trip to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.
Top 25 And 1 rankings
Michigan State continued their hot streak in the Big Ten with a hard-fought victory over Ohio State, picking up what some are calling an “ugly win.” Despite not playing their best game, the Spartans were able to grind out a win and improve their conference record.
The win solidifies Michigan State’s spot near the top of the college basketball rankings, as they now boast an impressive record in one of the toughest conferences in the country. With standout performances from key players and a relentless defense, the Spartans are proving to be a force to be reckoned with this season.
As they continue to rack up wins and climb the rankings, Michigan State is quickly becoming a team to watch in the college basketball world. Stay tuned to see if they can maintain their hot start and make a run for the top spot in the Big Ten.
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college basketball rankings, Michigan State, ugly win, Ohio State, Big Ten, hot start, NCAA basketball, college sports, Spartans basketball, college basketball updates
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Michigan State basketball opened the new year with a hard-fought road win in its return to Big Ten play, in big part thanks to its big men.
Xavier Booker delivered two critical second-half scores after Ohio State rallied back from a 14-point deficit, combining with Szymon Zapala and Jaxon Kohler for 32 points and 15 rebounds to lift the 15th-ranked Spartans to a 69-62 victory Friday night at Value City Arena. It was their seventh straight win.
“A big win for us, to come on the road and to win a game like this, especially the way it went,” MSU coach Tom Izzo said. “There was some disappointing things. But as my man, Jimmy Jackson said, an ugly win is better than a pretty loss. So we’ll take it.”
Zapala had his best performance since transferring to MSU in the offseason, finishing with 15 points on 7-for-8 shooting. He is the eighth different player to lead the Spartans in scoring this season. Booker had nine points, including a three-point play and an alley-oop as part of a momentum-swinging 8-0 run, while Kohler had eight points and 10 rebounds.
Jaden Akins added 14 points and Coen Carr scored 11, while Jeremy Fears Jr. had six points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Spartans, who overcame 3-for-18 shooting from 3-point range and 16 turnovers. They finished with a 38-22 scoring edge in the paint.
“Last year, we would have found ways to lose games like this, like being up and they come back on a run,” Akins said. “But this year, I feel like we got the team and the poise to find ways to win at the end.”
MSU (12-2, 3-0) returns home for the first visit from new Big Ten foe Washington on Thursday night (8 p.m., Big Ten Network).
Detroit native Micah Parrish (River Rouge) had 13 points for Ohio State (9-5, 1-2) and Bruce Thornton added eight of his 10 points in the second half.
Spartans bigs produce in half-court offense
MSU entered Friday as the nation’s best team on the fastbreak. But the Spartans showed they can be pretty dangerous in the half-court as well, going inside early and often to Kohler and Zapala.
The 6-foot-9 Kohler got the ball on the Spartans’ first two possessions, the first a traveling call that was one of nine in the opening half. On the second, Kohler scored in deep then put back an Akins missed 3-pointer and hit another layup over Devin Royal, accounting for MSU’s first six points.
Then it was Zapala’s turn, as the 7-footer got his first basket on a drive and lob from Fears, then converted off a high-low pass from Kohler and followed that with a three-point play through a Sean Stewart foul. Then Carr went to work down low, following his own miss for a layup and then getting fouled on another offensive board and hitting both free throws to put MSU up 31-23 with 5:12 to go before half.
The Buckeyes followed with six straight points, with a Royal layup with 2:28 to go cutting the Spartans’ cushion to two. But MSU closed out the half with an answer, getting two more Carr free throws and an Akins layup before Fears drove into the paint again and delivered an alley-oop lob to Zapala to make it 37-29.
Zapala had nine points at the break, Akins scored seven, and Kohler and Carr each had six. The Spartans shot 48.1% in the first half despite going just 2-for-11 from 3-point range — the only deep makes came from Akins and Fears, who had four points, four assists and three rebounds in the opening period. MSU’s defense made up for the poor outside shooting by limiting Ohio State to just 2-for-14 from deep, limiting Thornton, the Buckeyes’ leading scorer entering Friday, to just two points on 1-for-4 shooting.
Szymon szays
Zapala carried his momentum into the second half, extending the Spartans’ scoring run to 12 straight by duplicating Kohler’s earlier efforts and scoring the first six baskets out of the locker room.
It started with a putback after an Akins late shot-clock drive and miss, then Fears again penetrated the paint and lofted another dunk ball for Zapala. The big man did it himself on MSU’s next trip, driving right and throwing down another thunderous jam that forced first-year Buckeyes coach Jake Diebler to call timeout just 1:44 into the final period as the Spartans’ lead swelled to 14, 43-29.
“We knew we had an advantage at (center),” said Zapala, whose previous MSU scoring high was 10. “We didn’t expect them to double, we thought they were going to go one-on-one. … There was a few opportunities for me to score, and I just took advantage of it.”
Ohio State would not go away, however. And MSU’s turnovers helped. A lot.
The Spartans coughed the ball up five times in the first eight minutes of the second half. A Fears foul on a Thorton 3-point attempt and the ensuing free throws sparked an eight-point Buckeye burst. It also forced Izzo to burn a timeout after a casual Frankie Fidler pass to Zapala was stolen for a breakaway dunk by OSU’s Stewart.
After a Carr dunk out of the timeout, John Mobley drilled a deep 3-pointer off another Buckeye offensive board to cut MSU’s cushion to a point. Then Thornton continued his second-half surge, hitting a free-throw line jumper to put OSU back ahead by a point with 8:45 left. The 15-2 run had the Spartans staggered.
“We handled the adversity of the game, I felt like, really well to get that lead in the second half…” Diebler said. “I thought for the most part, great toughness and togetherness to fight back when they had really all the momentum.”
But Booker delivered two key plays, picking up a loose ball under the Buckeyes’ basket and driving the length of the floor for a layup through a foul. After a Holloman 3-pointer, set up by a kickout pass from Jase Richardson, Booker elevated for a lob from Fears and cocked back a two-handed slam that prompted another Diebler timeout with MSU back in front, 57-50, with just over six minutes to play.
“Those are momentum changing plays right there” Booker said of the sequence. “I feel like those kind of basically made the outcome of the game.”
The Buckeyes got back within four on five straight points from Parrish, a former Oakland University star. But Carr made three of four free throws, with an Akins driving layup and a pair of Kohler free throws sandwiched between.
The Spartans did not turn the ball over in the final 7:59, and they forced the Buckeyes into five of their 16 giveaways in the final 8:16 after taking their final lead. Both of Booker’s buckets in the eight-point run came off OSU turnovers.
“There’s no question we lose a game like this last year. For whatever reasons,” Izzo said. “Maybe it’s maturity, maybe it’s guys rallying together, maybe the coaches are doing a better job, maybe all the above. But for the most part, Jaden said it and I couldn’t agree with him more.”
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In a thrilling matchup on Tuesday night, Michigan State basketball showcased their depth and talent as they defeated Ohio State 69-62. The Spartans were led by a balanced scoring attack, with six players reaching double figures in points.
Junior guard Aaron Henry led the way for Michigan State with 14 points, while senior guard Joshua Langford and freshman guard A.J. Hoggard each added 12 points. Sophomore forward Julius Marble chipped in with 11 points off the bench, and junior forward Gabe Brown and freshman guard Max Christie contributed 10 points apiece.
The Spartans’ defense was also a key factor in the victory, holding Ohio State to just 38% shooting from the field. Michigan State forced 15 turnovers and capitalized on them, scoring 19 points off of turnovers.
With the win, Michigan State improved to 10-4 on the season and 4-2 in Big Ten play. The Spartans will look to build on this momentum as they continue their conference schedule.
A major winter storm is in the forecast for central Ohio from Sunday into Monday, but heavy snow and ice is something Columbus prepares for year-round, according to Scott Tourville, the city’s Division of Infrastructure Management administrator.
Tourville oversees all things road maintenance for the city of Columbus, including dealing with roads covered with ice and snow (which he said he loves).
The city’s dedicated “snow warriors,” or plow drivers, are ready for the anywhere from three to 10 inches of snow that forecasters had predicted heading into the weekend could get dropped on Columbus and central Ohio by Monday, Tourville said.
Due to the smaller snowstorm Thursday night into Friday morning, the city has already treated major roadways with anti-icing liquids.
A Columbus Department of Public Utilities snow plow pictured at the Central Ohio Snow Plow Roadeo on Nov. 14, 2024.
How Columbus handles heavy snow
When four or more inches of snow falls, the city plows all 4,600-plus lane miles of Columbus roadways, Tourville said. It might just take longer for the plows to reach your street if you live on a quiet, residential road.
Columbus is prepared to have at least 55 of its about 70 dump trucks equipped with plows on the road at all times during the upcoming storm, Tourville said.
The city has about 130 operators ready to work rolling 12-hour shifts. Most personnel will drive plows, but some will load salt or perform related work to get plows ready.
This will also be the third winter that Columbus has used workers from other city departments to help. The city Department of Public Service has trained about 100 other city workers to use plow-equipped pickup trucks. But they can’t all be called up at once because many of their departments around the city can’t shut down, Tourville said.
As sleet coats the roads in a layer of ice, a snow plow clears Olentangy River Road near OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus in this Feb. 3, 2022, Dispatch file photo.
Which streets are prioritized for plowing in Columbus?
The city prioritizes clearing arterial and high-traffic roads first. The Ohio Department of Transportation is responsible for most freeways in the city. Columbus maintains portions of U.S. 33 and State Routes 315, 104 and 161.
Roads around schools are also prioritized, Tourville said.
The city uses a three-level system to prioritize streets:
Priority 1: arterial roadways that carry high traffic volumes and connect the city
Priority 2: residential collector roadways that connect local residential roads to arterial roads
Priority 3: residential roads or all other remaining roads
If it snows for a long time, high-priority streets may get plowed more than once. If this storm is as bad as predicted, priority 1 streets may get plowed three or four times, Tourville said.
How to stay safe
Tourville offered some tips for motorists.
If you have to drive during a snowstorm, pay attention to the level one-two-three warnings from your county sheriff’s office, Tourville said. Drive safely, as always, and give yourself extra travel time.
And absolutely do not crowd the plow.
“When we are out there working, please give us space,” Tourville said. “These vehicles are 15 tons. They do not stop or turn on a dime. And visibility is restricted, especially when it’s snowing hard.”
As winter weather approaches, central Ohio residents are bracing for a potentially big snowstorm headed their way. The city of Columbus has already begun preparing for the impending weather event by outlining their plan to keep residents safe and roads clear.
The city’s Department of Public Service has announced that they will have crews working around the clock to treat and plow roads as needed. They have also urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm and to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.
In addition to road maintenance, the city is also making sure that emergency services are prepared for the storm. Police and fire departments will have extra staff on hand to respond to any emergencies that may arise.
Residents are encouraged to stock up on supplies such as food, water, and medications in case they are unable to leave their homes during the storm. They are also advised to check on their neighbors, especially the elderly or those with limited mobility, to ensure they are safe and have everything they need.
While the exact timing and severity of the snowstorm are still uncertain, Columbus officials are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of their residents. By following their plan and staying informed, central Ohioans can weather the storm with minimal disruption.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Two more family members convicted in the killings of eight members of an Ohio family received lengthy prison terms on Friday for their roles in the 2016 shootings, as prosecutions near completion in what has been described as the most heinous crime in modern Ohio history.
Visiting Judge Jonathan Hein sentenced Edward “Jake” Wagner to life in prison with the chance of parole in 32 years — after 12 years on gun charges and then 20 for the murders of five of the eight victims.
It was a surprising turn, given that Wagner had pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and other charges and agreed earlier to serve eight consecutive life sentences with no chance of parole. However, Hein said he took into account other participants’ sentences in the case, as well as Wagner’s cooperation with authorities in solving the murders of seven adults and a teenager from the Rhoden family in southern Ohio’s Pike County.
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Hein sentenced Wagner’s mother, Angela Wagner, to 30 years including credit for six years served. She had pleaded guilty to her role in helping plan the slayings.
Angela’s mother, Rita Holcomb, was also sentenced, receiving five years of probation, a $750 fine and a suspended 180-day jail sentence, seven days of which she’s already served, for lying to investigators.
“Each generation has its own people who can prove the depths of depravity of human nature, and that’s what this case did,” the judge said before handing down the sentences in a Waverly courtroom, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) south of Columbus. “It showed the boundless depravity of people who have no respect for others, only their own self-interest in mind.”
During the emotional hearing, Andrea Shoemaker, the mother of shooting victim Hannah Gilley, scorned Jake Wagner as the “spawn of Satan” and his mother as “evil.” A group of the victims’ supporters later walked out of the packed courtroom in protest as Wagner went on at length about Christian forgiveness during his final statement to the judge.
Wagner told the courtroom that two or three weeks after the murders, he prayed the most sincere prayer of his life.
“I asked God, I said, ‘Put me and my family back on the straight and narrow path, by any means necessary,” he said. “I can tell you today I am not sorry that I got caught. I am sorry for what I’ve done, but I’m glad I got caught. I 100% believe that it was Jesus who made me get caught to answer my prayer.”
George Wagner IV, who is Angela’s son and Jake’s brother, was sentenced in June to eight consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole. The judge said he wanted to distinguish Jake’s sentence from his brother’s, since Jake had cooperated with authorities while George chose to go to trial. Hein said he also took into account that Angela was facing a maximum sentence of 30 years, even though she had the power to put an end to the vicious murder plot with a single phone call and chose not to.
According to prosecutors, George Wagner, his brother and their parents plotted the killings amid a dispute over custody of Wagner’s niece, whose mother was among those slain.
The April 2016 shootings at three mobile homes and a camper near Piketon terrified residents in that part of rural Ohio and initially prompted speculation about drug cartel involvement. The resulting multimillion-dollar investigation and prosecution is among the state’s most extensive.
The victims were 40-year-old Christopher Rhoden Sr. and his ex-wife, 37-year-old Dana Rhoden; their three children, 20-year-old Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 19-year-old Hanna Rhoden and 16-year-old Christopher Rhoden Jr.; 20-year-old Hannah Gilley, who was Clarence Rhoden’s fiancee; Christopher Rhoden Sr.’s brother, 44-year-old Kenneth Rhoden; and a cousin, 38-year-old Gary Rhoden.
The patriarch of the Wagner family, George “Billy” Wagner III, is the last of four family members facing charges in the case. Hein recently agreed to move his trial out of Pike County, a small rural community intimately familiar with the case.
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This story has been updated to correct Edward “Jake” Wagner sentence to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 32 years, not 32 years in prison.
A mother and son have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in the brutal killings of 8 family members in Ohio. The two were convicted of planning and carrying out the massacre, which shocked the small community where the family lived.
The mother, who was described as the mastermind behind the killings, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Her son, who was her accomplice in the crime, was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
The motive for the killings remains unclear, but prosecutors believe it was related to a long-standing family feud. The victims, which included children as young as 16 years old, were found shot to death in their homes.
The judge described the crimes as “heinous and premeditated” and said that the mother and son showed no remorse for their actions. The community has been left reeling from the tragedy, and many are struggling to come to terms with the loss of so many loved ones.
As the mother and son begin their long prison sentences, the community is left to grapple with the aftermath of the senseless violence that has torn apart so many lives. May justice be served for the victims and their families.
If you’re a fan of Michigan State basketball and don’t want to miss a moment of the action as they take on Ohio State, here’s how you can watch the game:
1. Tune in to your local sports network: Many cable and satellite providers offer channels that broadcast college basketball games. Check your TV guide or contact your provider to see if the Michigan State vs. Ohio State game is being aired on a sports network.
2. Watch online: If you prefer to stream the game online, you can use platforms like ESPN, CBS Sports, or the Big Ten Network to watch the game live. Simply visit their websites or download their apps to access the live stream.
3. Check out social media: Follow Michigan State basketball on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook for live updates and highlights from the game. You might also find links to live streams or game coverage on their official pages.
4. Attend the game in person: If you’re lucky enough to be in the area, consider heading to the game in person to cheer on the Spartans as they take on the Buckeyes. Check the Michigan State basketball website for ticket information and game details.
No matter how you choose to watch the game, be sure to show your support for Michigan State basketball as they face off against Ohio State. Go Spartans! #GoGreen
Now that the NHL’s Winter Classic between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks is over, college hockey takes the stage outdoor rink for their “Big Ten Hockey Series.” Four games will be played at the Friendly Confines today and tomorrow.
Today’s games feature Ohio State vs. Michigan, at 5:00 pm (ET), followed at 8:30 pm by Penn State vs. Notre Dame, to be followed on Saturday with Wisconsin’s women’s team taking on Ohio State at 5:30 pm (ET), and the UW men’s team playing Michigan State at 9:00 pm (ET).
Considering the venue, it’s probably not surprising that most of the schools playing will be sporting “baseball-inspired” uniforms. The Michigan Wolverines will also be sporting a uniform with a nod to America’s pastime. Specifically, the Wolverines will be wearing an outfit influenced by the “Chicago Cubs 1980s uniform.”
The Chicago Cubs 1980s uniform inspired the Michigan Frozen Confines uniform that the Wolverines will wear Friday at Wrigley Field#GoBluepic.twitter.com/UICMOD1C8k
The team didn’t unveil any still shots, but they did produce a hype video which is below. I’ve taken some screengrabs from there to show off the details of the uniform.
UM will be wearing a maize-colored sweater, with a blue block M on the upper left chest, mimicking where the Cubs “C” logo is located on their blue 1980s jersey. Collar is white, with blue trim, and the sleeves will have two thin stripes, in white over blue. Breezers are solid blue, with a maize block M on the front right side of the pants. Player NOB and number font are blue with white outlines, which themselves seek to replicate the look of the Cubs’ 1980s jerseys.
The lower leg stylings are what caught my eye. Although the graphic posted on TwitterX shows the team wearing maize socks with blue “openings,” the model shown in the video has those colors reversed. The effect, of course, is to emulate the ribbon stirrups which were de rigueur back in the 1980s.
The remainder of the uniform is rather plain. Michigan has a “Sailor Wolverine” logo on the left sleeve, while the right sleeve contains a TV number.
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As with all the special uniforms for these outdoor games at Wrigley, I’ll need to see them on the ice and in action to render a full opinion, but in theory I love this approach. Aside from Paul and Comrade Marshall, there may be no one more in love with the stirrup than I. However, just as how individual players style their stirrups, execution is crucial. From what I’m seeing, unfortunately, the faux-stirrups look more like “two-in-ones” that plagued baseball at the time than an actual stirrup. Of course, that may be intentional: if you searched for Cubs players who starred for the team back in the day, that’s the way the players wore their hosiery. So, I’m willing to give them a pass, and I love the concept (if not the execution).
As for the rest of the uniform, if mimicking a pullover/sansabelt look is one’s jam, then these UM hockey uniforms probably work just fine. Personally, I prefer hockey sweaters to have a large crest centered on the jersey, so the Wolverines’ special sweaters don’t quite fit that bill. But I realize their goal wasn’t to create a classic-looking jersey so much as to try to replicate, to the extent possible, a baseball uniform template onto a hockey uniform.
And boy, do I hate that collar. Is it just me, or does it look like a regular wool sweater worn atop a collared white buttonfront dress shirt with a navy colored tie? Like, seriously, do you get this vibe?
With UM in maize and Ohio State in anthracite, the game will be color-vs-color. I’m not sure the two schools’ hockey rivalry is up there with that of their football teams, but I’m sure it’s up there.
What do you think of UM’s uniform for the outdoor game? Do you think it’s kinda gimmicky, or fun for a special one-off? What do you think of the “stirrup” look?
Fire away down in the comments below.
Michigan Hockey fans, get ready to see your Wolverines hit the ice in style for the upcoming outdoor game against Ohio State! The team has just unveiled special uniforms that are sure to make a statement on the ice.
Featuring a sleek design with the iconic maize and blue colors, these uniforms are a nod to the rich tradition of Michigan Hockey. The players will be donning these special threads as they take on their rivals from Ohio State in a highly anticipated outdoor game.
So mark your calendars and get ready to cheer on the Wolverines in these one-of-a-kind uniforms. It’s sure to be a game you won’t want to miss! Let’s go blue! #MichiganHockey #OutdoorGame #SpecialUniforms #GoBlue
CHICAGO — Two rivals take their icy hatred outdoors on Friday night, as the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes get set to do battle at the Frozen Confines of Wrigley Field.
Michigan, along with rival Michigan State, kickstarted the outdoor hockey craze in North America in 2001, when they had that classic battle in East Lansing. Since then, the Wolverines are 4-4-1 in outdoor games. Ohio State is 1-4 in its first five outdoor games.
The last time both of these teams played outdoors came against one another at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland in Feb. 2023, with Ohio State coming away with a 4-2 win. The Wolverines beat the Buckeyes at Progressive Field in Jan. 2012.
Each team has been off for the past three weeks. The Wolverines last split with Wisconsin at Yost to close out 2024, with their win on Dec. 14 snapping a three-game losing streak. In fact, Michigan has lost four of its last six contests.
On the other side, the Buckeyes enter 2025 on a four-game winning streak, having swept Penn State and Notre Dame before the holiday break. OSU has won six of its previous eight games, with a pair of losses to Princeton, which is their only slip-up since American Thanksgiving.
This will be the first of four meetings this season between the Wolverines and Buckeyes. Michigan went 3-0-1 against OSU last year.
Are you ready for an epic showdown on the ice? Michigan and Ohio State will face off in the NCAA Men’s Hockey Frozen Confines, and you won’t want to miss a minute of the action. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the game:
Channel: The game will be broadcast on ESPN, so tune in to catch all the excitement.
Stream: If you prefer to stream the game, you can watch it on the ESPN app or website. Just log in with your cable provider information and you’ll be all set to watch the game from anywhere.
Preview: Michigan and Ohio State have a long-standing rivalry on the ice, and this game is sure to be intense. Both teams are coming off strong seasons and will be looking to secure a crucial win in this matchup. With fierce competition and high stakes, this game is sure to be a nail-biter from start to finish.
Don’t miss out on this thrilling matchup between Michigan and Ohio State in the NCAA Men’s Hockey Frozen Confines. Tune in or stream the game to see all the action unfold. Let the battle on the ice begin!
UNDATED (WKRC) – Broccoli sold at Walmart locations in 20 states was recalled.
According to Newsweek, citing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Braga Fresh voluntarily recalled certain 12-ounce bags of Marketside Broccoli Florets sold at Walmart locations across the United States.
The product was recalled due to a possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, the outlet reported. The FDA states that Listeria can cause “serious and sometimes fatal infections” in the elderly, young children and people with weakened immune systems.
The affected product was distributed to Walmart locations in the following states:
Tri-State
Other states
Citing a notice shared Tuesday,Newsweek reported that the affected broccoli has a best-by-date of December 10, and is no longer on the shelves. Some customers, however, may still have the product in their freezers, the outlet noted.
The UPC code on the affected “washed and ready-to-eat” bags is “6 81131 32884 5.” The lot code is “BFFG327A6.”
“This voluntary advisory does not apply to any other Marketside or Braga Fresh produced products. Consumers who have this product in their possession should not consume and discard the product,” Braga Fresh wrote when the recall was initiated, per Newsweek.
The company said no illnesses have been reported as of December 27. Those who purchased the affected product or those with concerns can call Braga Fresh at 877-456-7445 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific Time Monday through Friday. You can also email the company at WeCare@bragafresh.com.
Attention all Walmart shoppers in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and 17 other states – be cautious when purchasing broccoli from Walmart! The popular retailer has issued a recall on certain batches of broccoli due to potential contamination.
The affected broccoli, sold under various brand names at Walmart stores, may contain harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses. Customers are advised to check their refrigerators for any broccoli purchased from Walmart recently and to discard it immediately.
If you have consumed the recalled broccoli and are experiencing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, please seek medical attention right away.
Stay safe and stay informed, folks! Let’s all do our part to ensure the safety of our food supply.
The first College Football Playoff semifinal matchups of the 12-team era are set as 7-seed Notre Dame will face 6-seed Penn State in the Orange Bowl and 8-seed Ohio State will play 5-seed Texas in the Cotton Bowl with berths in the national championship game on the line.
After a lackluster first round, it was good to see at least a couple of competitive contests in the CFP quarterfinals. Penn State beat 3-seed Boise State 31-14, but the Broncos hung around for over three quarters. Texas eked out a 39-31 win against 4-seed Arizona State after two field goal misses in the final 2 minutes of regulation and two overtime periods.
Not every quarterfinal game was filled with intrigue, however. Ohio State continued its rampage and decimated top-seeded Oregon 41-21 in the Rose Bowl, avenging a 32-31 regular-season loss to the Ducks in the process. Notre Dame handled business against 2-seed Georgia and gradually built on a lead throughout to walk out of the Sugar Bowl with a 23-10 win, securing its first College Football Playoff semifinal appearance since 2020.
Below are the opening lines for the 2024-25 College Football Playoff semifinal round, which begins on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 9. Times below Eastern.
2025 Orange Bowl odds
(7) Notre Dame -1.5 vs. (6) Penn State — Thursday, Jan. 9 (7:30 p.m.): Though Notre Dame has other true rivals in the Big Ten, there’s some history between the Fighting Irish and Nittany Lions. The two sides have met 19 times since 1926 and played annually from 1981-92. That means a pair of program legends in ex-Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz and former Penn State boss Joe Paterno had the opportunity to meet quite a few times. This upcoming showdown is, without a doubt, the biggest.
Notre Dame’s run has been admirable thus far given the still-mounting injuries the Fighting Irish have had to battle through all year. In the quarterfinal, they lost sacks leader Rylie Mills to a knee injury. Against Georgia, running back Jeremiyah Love — who has been dealing with a knee injury all year — barely played in the second half while sporting a bulky brace on his leg. Still, the Irish are a tough team with ferocious play on both lines of scrimmage. Penn State isn’t too shabby in trenches, either, where it has injury concerns of its own. Star edge rusher Abdul Carter exited Penn State’s win against Boise State with an injury and his status is up in the air.
2025 Cotton Bowl odds
(8) Ohio State -6 vs. (5) Texas — Friday, Jan. 10 (7:30 p.m.): Ohio State’s been the hottest team in college football since the postseason started. The Buckeyes won each of their first two College Football Playoff games by a combined score of 83-38. In both, they jumped out to early 21-plus point leads in the first half and never looked back while cruising to their second semifinal appearance in the past three seasons.
Texas is back in the semifinal for a second consecutive season, though its path has been a bit more fraught with danger. The Longhorns led by 24-8 in the fourth quarter of their quarterfinal match up against Arizona State before the Sun Devils roared back behind offensive star Cam Skattebo and forced two overtimes. Both defenses in this game are stocked with a tremendous amount of talent, particularly along the line of scrimmage, so matching up on the perimeter with wide receivers like Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith could decide the final outcome.
The College Football Playoff is just around the corner, and the odds are already out for the semifinal matchups. Ohio State and Notre Dame are the early favorites in their respective games, but anything can happen in the high-stakes world of college football.
In the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State will take on Utah as a 7.5-point favorite. The Buckeyes have been dominant all season, boasting one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Utah, on the other hand, is coming off an impressive win over Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship game and will be looking to pull off the upset.
In the Orange Bowl, Notre Dame will face off against Baylor as a 6.5-point favorite. The Fighting Irish have had a strong season, with their only loss coming to Cincinnati in a closely contested game. Baylor, meanwhile, is coming off a Big 12 Championship win over Oklahoma State and will be looking to keep their momentum going.
Both games are sure to be thrilling matchups, and college football fans are eagerly anticipating the action. Stay tuned for more updates on the College Football Playoff odds, games, and lines as we get closer to kickoff.
