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No. 17 Mississippi hosts Georgia Tech trying to avoid becoming latest SEC team to fall

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

Georgia Tech (1-1) at No. 17 Mississippi (2-0), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)Line: Ole Miss by 18 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Ole Miss leads 3-2.WHAT’S AT STAKE?Even as double-digit favorites, the Rebels don’t want to join the crowd of Southeastern Conference teams already with nonconference losses. Just in the Western Division, Alabama, LSU and Texas A&M have dropped games. Ole Miss opens SEC play next week at No. 10 Alabama after beating a ranked Tulane team on the road. Georgia Tech would love to gain some redemption after losing to Ole Miss 42-0 last season in Atlanta. KEY MATCHUPThe Ole Miss defense against Georgia Tech’s (so far) balanced offense. The Rebels’ offense gets most of the attention, but the defense has allowed only 27 points through two games. The Yellow Jackets are averaging 533 yards and 41 points and producing 312 passing yards a game. The Rebels have eight players with one sack apiece and have registered 17 t...

No. 20 North Carolina hosts Minnesota on Saturday in the first game between the schools

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

Minnesota (2-0) at No. 20 North Carolina (2-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)Line: North Carolina by 7 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: First meeting.WHAT’S AT STAKE?Both teams are looking to stay unbeaten in a matchup for the Tar Heels from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Gophers from the Big Ten. UNC is coming off a double-overtime win against Appalachian State, while Minnesota beat Eastern Michigan.KEY MATCHUPMinnesota’s defense against UNC’s offense. The Tar Heels have a Heisman Trophy candidate in quarterback Drake Maye and a running back coming off a 234-yard day in Omarion Hampton for the No. 2 total in any FBS game this season. UNC ranks ninth in the Bowl Subdivision ranks in rushing (243.5) and 24th in total offense (482.0) while ranking among the best at converting third downs. The Gophers are ranked eighth in FBS allowing 223.5 yards per game and tied for 10th by allowing just 16 points through two games. PLAYERS TO WATCHMinnesota: RB Darius...

Ken Paxton’s defense begins in the Texas attorney general’s impeachment trial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, left, listens to legal counsel Lana Myers, right, during the impeachment trial for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)(AP/Eric Gay) Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, left, listens to legal counsel Lana Myers, right, during the impeachment trial for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Senate Chamber at the Texas Capitol, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)(AP/Eric Gay) AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Lawyers for impeached Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton began calling witnesses Thursday as the trial that will determine whether the Republican is removed from office ...

Former firearms executive Busse seeks Democratic nomination for Montana governor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Former firearms executive turned gun industry critic Ryan Busse is seeking the 2024 Democratic nomination to challenge first-term Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte in Montana.Busse told The Associated Press about his intentions in advance of a planned public announcement Thursday. It’s his first run for public office.If the 53-year-old from Kalispell makes it past next June’s primary, he faces an uphill battle in trying to unseat Gianforte, who is able to draw from immense personal wealth to bankroll his campaign and whose party has dominated Montana during recent election cycles. Former President Donald Trump won the state in 2020 with a 16-point advantage over Joe Biden.But Busse suggested that Republicans are vulnerable in the state after failing to keep housing prices affordable, not taking action to prevent potential property tax increases and threatening women’s health care by passing several abortion restrictions.“To me this is a narrative about ...

A look at where the United Auto Workers union, Detroit’s three automakers stand in contract talks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

With a deadline looming just before midnight Thursday, the United Auto Workers union and Detroit’s three automakers, General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, remain far apart in contract talks and the union is preparing to strike.Here’s where each side currently stands.UAWThe union is demanding a 36% boost in pay. The union initially started out demanding 40% raises over the life of a four-year contract, or 46% when compounded annually. In addition to general wage increases, the union is seeking restoration of cost-of-living pay raises, an end to varying tiers of wages for factory jobs, a 32-hour week with 40 hours of pay, the restoration of traditional defined-benefit pensions for new hires who now receive only 401(k)-style retirement plans, pension increases for retirees and other items.The strikes would be targeted to a small number of factories of each automaker. Union President Shawn Fain said the final decision on which plants to strike won’t be announced until 10 p.m. Easte...

Europe’s central bank hikes key interest rate to record high even as recession threat grows

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Central Bank hiked its key interest rate to a record high Thursday, pressing its fight against stubbornly high inflation that has been plaguing consumers — even as worries grow that higher borrowing costs could help push the economy into recession.The increase of a quarter-percentage point comes as central banks around the world, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, try to judge how much anti-inflation medicine is too much — and what’s the right point to halt their swift series of rate rates before the economy tips into a downturn and people lose their jobs.“Inflation has declined, and we want it to continue to decline and to reinforce that process,” ECB President Christine Lagarde said at a news conference. “And we are doing that not because we want to force a recession, but because we want price stability to be there for people who are taking the brunt of inflation.”Nevertheless, the bank signaled that its 10th straight hike could ...

No. 6 Ohio State hosts Western Kentucky in tune up for next week’s road clash with No. 9 Notre Dame

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

Western Kentucky (2-0) at No. 6 Ohio State (2-0), Saturday, 4 p.m. ET (FOX)Line: Ohio State by 29 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: First meeting.WHAT’S AT STAKE?The Buckeyes have one more chance to tune up before the Sept. 25 collision with No. 9 Notre Dame at South Bend. They’re still trying to smooth out the early season wrinkles that come with a new starting quarterback and three new starters on the offensive linemen. The defense has allowed a total of 10 points in the first two games. Western Kentucky hasn’t had trouble scoring. The Hilltoppers’ 93 points in the first two weeks is second best in Conference USA.KEY MATCHUPWR Marvin Harrison Jr. against Western Kentucky secondary. Harrison, arguably the best wideout in the nation, had seven catches for 160 yards and his first two touchdowns of the season last week. The Hilltoppers have limited opponents to about 189 passing yards per game.PLAYERS TO WATCHWestern Kentucky: Quarterback Austin Ree...

No. 3 Florida State aiming for big win when it plays Boston College in Red Bandanna Game

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

No. 3 Florida State (2-0, 0-0 ACC) at Boston College (1-1, 0-0), Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (ABC)Line: Florida State by 26 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Florida State leads 15-5.WHAT’S AT STAKE?Florida State is coming off of a 66-13 victory over Southern Mississippi in which it scored the most points of the Mike Norvell era. The Seminoles get to ease into ACC play with Boston College, which struggled to put away FCS Holy Cross before winning 31-28 in overtime. A big victory would help FSU maintain its No. 3 ranking and remain on track for the College Football Playoff. Boston College has scheduled its annual Red Bandanna Game, which honors former BC lacrosse player Welles Crowther, who died saving others in the Sept. 11 attack. BC is 4-5 in the Red Bandanna Game since 2014, when the Eagles beat No. 9 Southern California in the inaugural edition.KEY MATCHUPBoston College must establish its running game to have any chance of competing. Top back Pat Garwo injured his ank...

No. 1 Georgia carries 19-game winning streak into start of SEC play vs. South Carolina

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

South Carolina (1-1, 0-0 Southeastern Conference) at No. 1 Georgia (2-0, 0-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)Line: Georgia by 27 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Georgia leads 54-19-2.WHAT’S AT STAKE?After a pair of blowout victories over non-conference opponents, the Bulldogs face a tougher test in the SEC opener. The two-time reigning national champions are big favorites, and they want to show they’ve picked up right where they left off a season ago. For South Carolina, this is a chance to take a big step up in the SEC hierarchy. The Gamecocks knocked off Georgia between the hedges in 2019, but failed to build any momentum off that stunning upset. KEY MATCHUPSouth Carolina QB Spencer Rattler vs. the Georgia defense. The Bulldogs will have Rattler in their sights after he was sacked nine times by North Carolina in the season opener. If Georgia limits the quarterback’s time in the pocket, it could be a very long day for the Gamecocks. Then again, Rattler...

Ranked for first time in 4 years, No. 23 Washington State hosts Northern Colorado

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:30 GMT

No. 23 Washington State (2-0) vs. Northern Colorado (0-2), Saturday, 5 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network)Line: No line, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Washington State leads 1-0.WHAT’S AT STAKE?Washington State is back in The AP Top 25 after last week’s upset victory over Wisconsin and now faces FCS program Northern Colorado. It’s a bridge between the emotional high of knocking off the Badgers and next week’s Pac-12 Conference opener against No. 16 Oregon State. Northern Colorado is winless in its first two games under new coach Ed Lamb and plays three of its first four games of the season on the road.KEY MATCHUPWashington State vs. complacency. Coach Jake Dickert spoke this week of the Cougars needing to be a hungry, mature team to handle the attention from the win over Wisconsin and not look ahead to Oregon State. Getting caught looking ahead and making major mistakes seems the only way the Cougars could find themselves in trouble in this matchup.PLAYERS TO WATCHNorthern Col...