Here’s a rewritten summary of the CBS Sports HQ AM newsletter content:
—
Good morning and happy Wednesday! Austin Nivison here to guide you through one of the most exciting periods in sports as we near a long four-day weekend. The action is intense with the latest College Football Playoff rankings released, coaching changes underway, and Major League Baseball’s offseason trade activity picking up steam.
Here are five key sports updates for Wednesday:
1. Oregon State has jumped ahead of Ole Miss in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. After beating USC, the Ducks are now sixth, pushing Ole Miss down to seventh. Ole Miss faces mounting pressure before the Egg Bowl, as slipping two more spots could see them start playoffs on the road.
2. The Players Era Championship saw intense competition in Las Vegas on Day 2, with Tennessee rallying to beat Houston, Michigan State defeating Auburn, and St. John’s dominating Baylor. Matt Norlander breaks down the standout moments from this thrilling day of college basketball.
3. The Boston Red Sox bolstered their pitching staff by trading for veteran starter Sonny Gray from the Cardinals. Boston sent two pitchers in exchange, aiming to strengthen their rotation for the upcoming season. Gray posted decent numbers last year and the deal could benefit both teams.
4. Panthers defensive back Trevon Mehlig received a one-game suspension for delivering a low blow to 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings during Monday’s game. The incident sparked frustration, and Mehlig will now miss Week 13 against the Rams after league review.
5. Oklahoma State has hired North Texas coach Eric Morris to succeed longtime coach Mike Gundy. Morris is highly regarded for leading North Texas to a 10-1 record this season and is considered the perfect choice to revitalize the Cowboys program.
—
On Thanksgiving Day, the NFL’s Cowboys host the Chiefs in what might be the biggest Week 13 matchup. Both teams are fighting to get back into playoff contention after recent wins. The game kicks off at 4:30 PM ET on CBS and Paramount+. Analyst Douglas Clawson says the outcome will significantly impact postseason hopes, especially for Dallas. Star Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will make his Thanksgiving debut, having bounced back impressively this season. Meanwhile, Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb is advised to improve his catching.
—
In college football, rivalry weekend heats up with several bubble teams like Texas, Miami, Michigan, and Vanderbilt vying for playoff spots. Texas faces a critical game against Texas A&M that could shape their playoff chances, though they still need some breaks. Ole Miss is also in the spotlight with uncertainty around coach Lane Kiffin’s future, a factor that might influence how the selection committee views the team.
—
What to watch on Wednesday: UEFA Champions League all day on Paramount+, college basketball games featuring Vanderbilt vs Western Kentucky, Texas vs UCLA, Duke vs South Carolina, and NBA matchups like the Pistons vs Celtics and Timberwolves vs Thunder.
—
Fan Take: Basketball fans should pay close attention to the Players Era Championship action because it highlights emerging college talent that could shape the future of the sport. These high-stakes matchups also show how quickly teams can rise or fall, making college basketball thrilling to follow and a crucible for future NBA stars.
