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College Football Playoff Controversy

Remember a year ago when the College Football Playoff committee made a bewildering decision by snubbing 13-0 Florida State. Throughout the four-team era, Alabama seemed invincible. But last year, it was a different story. Now, with the 12-team playoff era here, the main contention is whether Alabama should make it again. After yesterday's conference title games, the first 10 seeds are set. Big Ten champ Oregon (13-0) beat Penn State yesterday 45-37. SEC champ Georgia (11-2) beat Texas 22-19 in OT with an injury to QB Carson Beck. Mountain West champ Boise State (12-1) beat UNLV 21-7. Big 12 champ Arizona State (11-2) beat Iowa State 45-19. Texas (11-2) and Penn State (11-2) lost. Notre Dame (11-1), Ohio State (10-2), Tennessee (10-2), and Indiana (11-1) are also in the mix. As for the final two spots, ACC champion Clemson (10-3) is guaranteed an autobid. It all comes down to either SMU (11-2) or Alabama (9-3). SMU only lost to the ACC champ and 2-loss BYU by a field goal each. But Alabama beat SEC-champ Georgia, plus No. 14 South Carolina and No. 19 Missouri. The Tide played a tougher schedule, and SMU's best win was 9-3 Duke. Alabama lost to two 6-6 teams, one by 21 points. If the committee rejects SMU, teams might start skipping conference title games. "That's a Playoff football team," said Dabo Swinney. Austin projects SMU to make it as the No. 11 seed. Now, let's see if the committee does the right thing.

NFL Watch Guide: Stakes and Two Ways

Some teams have waited 13 weeks for their bye this weekend with just a few weeks left in the regular season. Those playing continue to jockey for position, whether in the playoff race or for the No. 1 pick. All times ET: 1 p.m. - Falcons (6-6) at Vikings (10-2), a strange homecoming for Kirk Cousins who left in free agency and has been inconsistent in Atlanta. Minnesota is a QB haven, and Cousins needs this win. TV: Fox. 4 p.m. - Seahawks (7-5) at Cardinals (6-6), a momentous game in the tense NFC West gives Seattle the chance to take a two-game lead. Arizona scored just six points in the previous matchup. Expect this one to be close. TV: CBS. 8:20 p.m. - Chargers (8-4) at Chiefs (11-1), Jim Harbaugh's crew could use a win in the AFC wild-card race. I wonder when Kansas City's luck will run out. Maybe it never will. Star rookie Ladd McConkey is ailing for the Chargers, helping that luck. TV: NBC.

MLS News and More

The LA Galaxy won their sixth MLS Cup final, beating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 last night on home soil. They were without injured superstar Riqui Puig but managed a 2-0 lead within the first 13 minutes. The Red Bulls got their lone goal in the 28th minute. Elsewhere in MLS news, Lionel Messi was announced as the 2024 league MVP on Friday. The Golden State Valkyries took players from 11 of the 12 other teams in the WNBA expansion draft. Their roster is headlined by former Aces guard Kate Martin, Connecticut Sun guard Veronica Burton, and New York Liberty forward Kayla Thornton. They need to figure out a direction for their roster.

Football-Inspired Holiday Films

Did you know the most-watched show on cable last Saturday was a Kansas City Chiefs-themed Hallmark movie? It was one of two new Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce-inspired Christmas rom-coms. Hallmark's "follows Chiefs superfan Alana, whose family and their magic hat are in the running for Fan of the Year. In a stunning twist, the Chiefs' director of fan engagement is both handsome and single. You do the Christmas math! Lifetime's "Christmas in the Spotlight" is what happens when you prompt ChatGPT to write a Christmas movie about Swift and Kelce. Which has better football? "Holiday Touchdown" exists in a world where real football is played. "Christmas in the Spotlight" doesn't know or care about football. The Kelce character is a wide receiver built like a tank who has won several league MVPs but can't afford his own home? Which has more cameos? "Holiday Touchdown" with appearances including Donna Kelce, head coach Andy Reid, current and former Chiefs players, the mayor of Kansas City, and even Jenna Bush Hager. Which one wins? I'll give it to "Holiday Touchdown." It's more of a family affair with a fun supporting cast. The Taylor-Travis one is sexier, even the puzzle scene.

Pulse Picks

How does a powerhouse like Florida State go from 13-0 to 2-10? Matt Baker and Bruce Feldman have the definitive story of an incredible collapse. Before today's final CFP rankings reveal, Stewart Mandel pointed out that the committee has not been rewarding strength of schedule. John Hollinger premiered his first All-Disappointment Team before the NBA turns the calendar year. A certain GOAT makes an appearance. The NFL's "Simpsons" broadcast debuts tomorrow. Andrew Marchand gave us an idea of what to expect with input from the showrunner. An unopened case of hockey cards containing dozens of Wayne Gretzky rookies sold again after the original buyer failed to pay, and now legal action could follow. On a special episode of "The Athletic Football Show," Robert Mays and guest Brad Spielberger discuss the evolution of QB contracts and how close we are to seeing the $60 million annual threshold broken. Most-clicked in the newsletter Friday: Colton Pouncy's breakdown of Lions coach Dan Campbell's gutsy decisions in Thursday's win over the Packers. Most-read on the website yesterday: The live look at the Georgia-Texas SEC Championship Game. Relive the action here.