{"id":36139,"date":"2025-12-31T10:51:54","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T15:51:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/12\/31\/college-football-playoff-showdown-miami-vs-ohio-state-contenders-and-the-latest-nfl-power-rankings-update\/"},"modified":"2025-12-31T10:51:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T15:51:54","slug":"college-football-playoff-showdown-miami-vs-ohio-state-contenders-and-the-latest-nfl-power-rankings-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/12\/31\/college-football-playoff-showdown-miami-vs-ohio-state-contenders-and-the-latest-nfl-power-rankings-update\/","title":{"rendered":"College Football Playoff Showdown: Miami vs. Ohio State Contenders and the Latest NFL Power Rankings Update"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/12\/31\/college-football-playoff-showdown-miami-vs-ohio-state-contenders-and-the-latest-nfl-power-rankings-update\/#5_Key_Sports_Updates_for_Wednesday\" >5 Key Sports Updates for Wednesday<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/12\/31\/college-football-playoff-showdown-miami-vs-ohio-state-contenders-and-the-latest-nfl-power-rankings-update\/#Top_25_Sports_Stories_of_2025\" >Top 25 Sports Stories of 2025<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/12\/31\/college-football-playoff-showdown-miami-vs-ohio-state-contenders-and-the-latest-nfl-power-rankings-update\/#College_Football_Playoff_Quarterfinal_Expert_Picks\" >College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Expert Picks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/12\/31\/college-football-playoff-showdown-miami-vs-ohio-state-contenders-and-the-latest-nfl-power-rankings-update\/#Pete_Priscos_NFL_Power_Rankings_The_49ers_Impress\" >Pete Prisco\u2019s NFL Power Rankings: The 49ers Impress<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2025\/12\/31\/college-football-playoff-showdown-miami-vs-ohio-state-contenders-and-the-latest-nfl-power-rankings-update\/#What_to_Watch_on_Wednesday\" >What to Watch on Wednesday<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a rewritten version of the content:<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>This article is the written version of the CBS Sports HQ AM newsletter, your daily sports briefing. Sign up to get it delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.<\/p>\n<p>Good morning and Happy New Year! I&#8217;m Austin, bringing you the final sports update of 2025. I hope everyone enjoys a safe and joyful holiday season. This is an exciting time for sports enthusiasts with the College Football Playoff kicking off tonight alongside a host of NFL, NBA, and college basketball developments. Also, we&#8217;ve wrapped up 2025 by ranking the top 25 sports stories of the year.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s get started.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Key_Sports_Updates_for_Wednesday\"><\/span>5 Key Sports Updates for Wednesday<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is expected to be out for about four weeks due to a left knee hyperextension.<\/strong> While this is a blow to the Nuggets, it opens doors for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to make a strong MVP contention case.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs faces charges of strangulation and assault.<\/strong> The December 2 incident involves an altercation with a personal chef over money. Diggs firmly denies these allegations and will appear in court on January 23, shortly before the AFC Championship Game.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>The Cowboys have released cornerback Trevon Diggs after six seasons.<\/strong> Diggs, who carried a $97 million contract, was let go due to surprising conduct. If he hits free agency, there&#8217;s interest from teams prepared to take on his contract.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Duke Basketball\u2019s 2026 recruiting class moves to the top nationally, boosted by the addition of 4-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr.<\/strong> Rippey chose Duke over NC State, Miami, Tennessee, and Texas, helping Duke leapfrog Purdue, Maryland, Kansas, and Michigan State.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Northwestern announces the hiring of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator.<\/strong> After parting ways with the Raiders, Kelly returns to college football, joining David Brown\u2019s staff. Kelly\u2019s last college stint in 2024 saw him orchestrate Ohio State\u2019s national championship-winning offense.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Top_25_Sports_Stories_of_2025\"><\/span>Top 25 Sports Stories of 2025<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As we approach 2026, it\u2019s worth reflecting on a remarkable sports year. Whether it\u2019s NHL record-breaker Alex Ovechkin surpassing Wayne Gretzky, Rory McIlroy\u2019s intense golf season including a \u2018Rory Slam\u2019, or Luka Doncic stirring NBA rumors that shocked fans in Texas, 2025 was full of memorable moments. Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Florida Panthers repeated as champions, while others such as the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami\u2019s Inter Miami claimed first-time multiple titles. Stars like Saquon Barkley, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Rodgers, and Micah Parsons changed teams or reached new heights.<\/p>\n<p>The CBS Sports team compiled, summarized, and ranked the top 25 stories of the year\u2014check out the full list for a comprehensive look back.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"College_Football_Playoff_Quarterfinal_Expert_Picks\"><\/span>College Football Playoff Quarterfinal Expert Picks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Tonight\u2019s College Football Playoff quarterfinals kick off with No. 10 Miami facing No. 2 Ohio State at the Cotton Bowl. Before the games begin, review expert predictions both straight and against the spread. The Orange Bowl will see No. 5 Oregon go up against No. 4 Texas Tech, with a majority of experts favoring Texas Tech to cover the 2.5-point spread. Analyst Chip Patterson trusts Oregon\u2019s quarterback Dante Moore to shine in this tight matchup.<\/p>\n<p>Following the quarterfinals, the transfer portal reopens on January 2nd, promising a dynamic off-season focused on roster upgrades, highlighted by the escalating costs for recruiting certain positions.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pete_Priscos_NFL_Power_Rankings_The_49ers_Impress\"><\/span>Pete Prisco\u2019s NFL Power Rankings: The 49ers Impress<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Despite a slew of injuries, the 49ers are in strong contention to win the NFC West, capturing Pete Prisco\u2019s attention. They currently rank No. 5 in his power rankings and could climb even higher with a win over the Seahawks. Prisco praises Kyle Shanahan\u2019s coaching, especially considering Brock Purdy missed eight games.<\/p>\n<p>The Niners\u2019 momentum is crucial as Super Bowl LX will be hosted at their home stadium, presenting a golden opportunity to end a 30-year championship drought if they secure the top seed.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Watch_on_Wednesday\"><\/span>What to Watch on Wednesday<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>No. 23 Iowa vs. No. 14 Vanderbilt \u2014 12 PM on ESPN  <\/li>\n<li>Hornets vs. Warriors \u2014 1 PM on NBA TV  <\/li>\n<li>Arizona State vs. Duke \u2014 2 PM on CBS  <\/li>\n<li>No. 21 Virginia Tech (M) \u2014 2 PM on ACC Network  <\/li>\n<li>No. 18 Michigan vs. No. 13 Texas \u2014 3 PM on ABC  <\/li>\n<li>Suns vs. Cavaliers \u2014 3:30 PM on NBA TV  <\/li>\n<li>Nebraska vs. No. 15 Utah State \u2014 3:30 PM on ESPN  <\/li>\n<li>Knicks vs. Spurs \u2014 7 PM on NBA TV  <\/li>\n<li>CFP Quarterfinal: No. 10 Miami vs. No. 2 Ohio State \u2014 7:30 PM on ESPN<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Fan Take:<\/strong> Nikola Jokic\u2019s injury is a significant story for basketball fans, as his absence could reshape the NBA MVP race and open new opportunities for players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to emerge as frontrunners. This shift might lead to a more competitive and unpredictable season, keeping basketball enthusiasts highly engaged.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here&#8217;s a rewritten version of the content: This article is the written version of the CBS Sports HQ AM newsletter, your daily sports briefing. Sign up to get it delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Good morning and Happy New Year! I&#8217;m Austin, bringing you the final sports update of 2025. I hope everyone [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36140,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[39],"class_list":{"0":"post-36139","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-basketball","8":"tag-basketball"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36139","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36139"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36139\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36139"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36139"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}