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No. 4 Florida State looks to end Clemson’s streak, ACC title chances

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:49 GMT

No. 4 Florida State (3-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) at Clemson (2-1, 0-1), Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (ABC)Line: Florida State by 2 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Florida State leads 20-15. WHAT’S AT STAKE?Florida State puts its early hopes of an ACC title and College Football Playoff berth on the line at Clemson. The Tigers, who began the year ranked ninth, were preseason favorites to take their eighth ACC crown in the past nine seasons. They can revive those hopes with their eighth straight victory over the Seminoles. KEY MATCHUPFlorida State QB Jordan Travis vs. Clemson’s defensive front. Travis threw a scare into Seminole fans when he took a hard hit and missed a couple of series in a 31-29 win at Boston College last week. But Florida State coach Mike Norvell said he’s not worried about Travis’ health going forward. Clemson front four will look to make thins uncomfortable for Travis and his offensive teammates with talent and experience led ...

Zelenskyy makes his case at the US Capitol for more war aid as some Republican support softens

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:49 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a whirlwind return visit to Washington on Thursday to shore up U.S. support for Ukraine, this time facing some Republicans who are now questioning the flow of American dollars that for 19 months has helped keep his troops in the fight against Russian forces. Zelenskyy, in long-sleeve olive drab, came to the Capitol to talk privately with Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate at a time that the world is watching Western support for Kyiv. He will also meet with President Joe Biden at the White House and will speak with U.S. military leaders at the Pentagon.House Republican leaders promised tough questions for Zelenskyy on how he plans to win Ukraine’s counteroffensive against invading Russian forces. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other Republicans notably chose not to join in greeting the Ukrainian president before the cameras, leaving House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries to escort Zelenskyy into the ...

A potential tropical system is headed toward North Carolina; Hurricane Nigel remains at sea

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:49 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Nigel was moving quickly northeastward over the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday as a Category 1 storm, and at the same time a potential tropical cyclone appeared to be forming off the southeastern coast of the United States.Nigel was centered about 505 miles (815 kilometers) southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland, the National Hurricane Center said. It had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph) and was moving northeast at 30 mph (48 kph).Forecasters expected Nigel would weaken over the next couple of days. It could become a post-tropical cyclone on Thursday night or early Friday.Meanwhile, forecasters issued an advisory for Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen. The disturbance was centered 370 miles (595 kilometers) southeast of Charleston, South Carolina. Maximum sustained winds were 35 mph (55 kph) and the system was moving north at 9 mph (15 kph).A tropical storm warning has been issued from Cape Fear, North Carolina, to Fenwick Island, Delaw...

Bulgaria expels a Russian and 2 Belarusian clerics accused of spying for Moscow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:49 GMT

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgaria is expelling one Russian and two Belarusian nationals for carrying out activities against Bulgaria’s national security and interests, authorities said on Thursday.The country’s agency for national security said in a press release that the three had worked to “purposefully influence the social and political processes in Bulgaria in favor of Russian geopolitical interests.” It added that the three have been stripped of the right of residence and barred from entering Bulgaria for a period of five years. The statement did not elaborate and provided only initials of the three.The Russian Embassy in Sofia reacted angrily in a Facebook post to the expulsions, calling the move a “rude, blatant action by Bulgarian authorities.” It sad the three expelled were members of the clergy — the prior of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia, Archimandrite Vassian, and two ministers of the Church of St. Nicholas of Myra.“We are indignant at the fact and format of t...

No. 1 Georgia heavy favorites against UAB despite several injuries on offense

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:49 GMT

UAB (1-2) at No. 1 Georgia (3-0), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)Line: Georgia by 41 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Georgia leads 3-0.WHAT’S AT STAKE?After rallying from an 11-point halftime deficit to beat South Carolina 24-14 in their Southeastern Conference opener last week, the Bulldogs are big favorites against the Blazers from the American Athletic Conference. Georgia will be looking to gain momentum before beginning a stretch of seven straight SEC games next week at Auburn. Georgia has allowed only 24 points in three games but its offense, led by quarterback Carson Beck, needs a strong showing after a slow start last week. The Blazers, one of the nation’s top passing teams under first-year coach Trent Dilfer, will need a major upset in their first game against a No. 1 team.KEY MATCHUPUAB nickel back Keondre Swoopes vs. Georgia’s WRs. Swoopes, a senior, had a pick 6 for the Blazers’ only touchdown in their 56-7 loss at Georgia in 2021. Swo...

Pac-2 clash on the Palouse as No. 14 Oregon State travels to No. 21 Washington State

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:49 GMT

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — No. 14 Oregon State (3-0, 0-0 Pac-12) at No. 21 Washington State (3-0, 0-0), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (Fox)Line: Oregon State by 2 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Washington State leads 56-48-3.WHAT’S AT STAKE?In a strange bit of synergy, the only two schools that will still be part of whatever the Pac-12 looks like in 2024 will meet to open the conference slate as No. 14 Oregon State travels to No. 21 Washington State. It’s a matchup thick with story lines going on off the field and an on-field clash that could have implications to the Pac-12 championship chase. The Cougars will close out a stretch of three straight games at home that included an upset of Wisconsin. The Beavers were sluggish last week but still dispatched of San Diego State, setting up an important two weeks facing the Cougars followed by a Friday night home game with No. 11 Utah.KEY MATCHUPThe best defense in the Pac-12 through three weeks faces the team that has one of the bes...

Baylor and No. 3 Texas clash in start of Longhorns’ last tour through the Big 12

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:49 GMT

No. 3 Texas (3-0) at Baylor (1-2), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)Line: Texas by 14 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Series record: Texas 80-28-4.WHAT’S AT STAKE?Texas is 3-0 for the first time since 2012 and enjoying its highest ranking since 2009. But now the Longhorns start their final season in the Big 12 at Baylor and they know it won’t be friendly. Saturday marks the 113th and likely last meeting between the rivals who are 100 miles apart. Baylor coach Dave Aranda has said fans have told him if the Bears win just one game this season, make it this one.KEY MATCHUPTexas defensive back Jerrin Thompson vs. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson. Thompson has been the Longhorns’ game killer in the fourth quarter the last two weeks. His interception return against Alabama set up a late touchdown, and his TD return against Wyoming last week capped a 31-10 win. Robertson, a transfer from Mississippi State, is making his third start in place of injured starter Blake Sh...

New coaches square off as Wisconsin chases 17th straight victory over Purdue

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:49 GMT

Wisconsin (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) at Purdue (1-2, 0-0), Friday, 7 p.m. ET (FS1)Line: Wisconsin by 5 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: Wisconsin leads 52-29-8.WHAT’S AT STAKE?This game will be the first head-to-head matchup between new Big Ten coaches. Luke Fickell wants to put his stamp on a Badgers program that’s reached 21 straight bowl games, owns four West Division crowns and has more conference wins (54) than any team aside from Ohio State since 2014. Ryan Walters leads the defending West champs but needs to turn around an 0-2 home record to get the Boilermakers back on track.KEY MATCHUPWisconsin’s ground game vs. Purdue’s run defense. Fickell has brought his version of the “Air Raid” to Madison, but, so far, it doesn’t seem much has changed. RBs Chez Mellusi and Braelon Allen have a combined 523 yards and eight TDs through three games. Add QB Tanner Mordecai’s two TD runs and the Badgers have a league best 10 TDs on the ground. The Bo...

No longer in top 10, Alabama hosts Ole Miss in an SEC West showdown between two ranked foes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:49 GMT

Lane Kiffin was offensive coordinator the last time Alabama lost in September.The Crimson Tide fell to Mississippi in the third game of 2015 and didn’t lose again en route to a national championship. Now, Kiffin is on the other side taking the 15th-ranked Rebels to Tuscaloosa to face No. 13 Alabama, which is looking to produce a glimmer of hope that another national title run is still a reasonable goal.“In my three years there, we lost only one time at home and that was to Ole Miss,” said Kiffin, who was the Tide’s OC from 2014-16. “Sometimes that can kind of humble the team, can reset things. You see that often. People have a loss early, people start discounting them and all of the sudden they start playing better and they fix the issues.”It’s what happened in 2015 after a 43-37 loss to the Rebels. This time, Alabama is outside the AP top 10 for the first time since that loss resulted in a two-week absence.Then, the Tide also had a lingering quarterback question, but Jake Cok...

Armstrong, Wolfpack head to Scott Stadium for Friday night battle with winless Virginia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:49 GMT

North Carolina State (2-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) at Virginia (0-3, 0-0), Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)Line: N.C. State by 9 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.Series record: N.C. State leads 36-22-1.WHAT’S AT STAKE?The Wolfpack got their new offense untracked last week in a 45-7 victory against VMI as they gained 498 yards while also scoring on an interception return and a kickoff return. Virginia started fast against Maryland, scoring the first 14 points behind freshman QB Anthony Colandrea, then went cold as the Terrapins scored the game’s last 42 points.KEY MATCHUPN.C. State QB Brennan Armstrong against his former program. Armstrong put up big numbers in five seasons at Virginia, setting 15 program records, including passing attempts (1,131), passing yards (9,034), passing TDs (58) and total offense (10,301). He transferred to North Carolina State after struggling last year in Tony Elliott’s new system, and now he’s reunited with Robert Anae — the coord...