〽️ A-Maize-ing

Rise and Shine! Great news, Ohio State fans: you landed an awesome running back in the transfer portal last night. Unfortunately, a team up north also won a fairly important football game. The Michigan Wolverines are your 2023-24 national champions, as the Maize and Blue bullied Washington to win their first outright title since the Harry Truman administration. We'll recap the Victors’ timeless night and then look back at the 2023 college football season with a fan-favorite section that the kids are calling "By The Numbers." We also have some stunning injury news in the NBA, and another NFL head coach was fired to wrap up Black Monday. “Who’s got it better than us? Nobody!”

WTF Stat: Michigan football held all 15 of their opponents this season under 25 points, joining 1903 Minnesota as the only FBS team to ever do so - is that good?

🏀 Grizzlies PG Ja Morant will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder which he suffered during a training session on Saturday - Morant, who had recently returned from a 25-game suspension, averaged 25.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 8.1 assists in nine games this season 

🏈 Commanders fired HC Ron Rivera after four seasons with the team and have added former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers and former Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman to assist the new ownership group in their search for a head coach and new head of football operations - Rivera went 26-40-1 with one playoff appearance and zero winning seasons with the team

🏈 Jaguars fired DC Mike Caldwell and several other staff members after being eliminated from postseason contention with a loss to the Titans on Sunday - Caldwell held the defensive coordinator role for two seasons

🏈 Former Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins, a two-time All-SEC selection, announced he is transferring to Ohio State - Judkins ran for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns in just two seasons with the Rebels

⛳️ Tiger Woods announced that his longtime partnership with Nike has ended after 27 years, closing the most iconic brand relationship in golf history - Woods, who first signed with Nike in 1996, is at the end of his 10-year, $200M deal signed in 2013

🏈 Michigan Mountain Top

College Football - National Championship

• #1 Michigan (15-0) 34, #2 Washington (14-1) 13: The winningest program in college football history is back on top! In an intriguing title bout between two programs seeking their first national championship in over 25 years, Michigan gashed Washington out of the gate and used a pair of long Donovan Edwards (6 CAR, 104 YDS, 2 TDs) touchdown runs to take a commanding 14-3 lead in the 1st quarter. But despite their early dominance, the Wolverines entered the half only up 17-10 after Michael Penix Jr. (27/51, 255 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs) found Jalen McMillan (6 REC, 33 YDS, 1 TD) in the endzone with 42 seconds left in the 2nd quarter. However, Penix Jr. could never truly find a rhythm, and although the Huskies hung on to a seven-point deficit throughout the 3rd quarter, their high-octane offense failed to produce when it mattered most, and Blake Corum (21 CAR, 134 YDS, 2 TDs) eventually ran for two late scores to put the game away, giving the Maize and Blue their first national title since 1997 (shared with Nebraska) and their first outright championship since 1948

• Quick Hits: Michigan ran for 174 yards in the 1st quarter and finished the game with 303 yards on the ground, the most by any team in a BCS/CFP championship game. Washington scored a season-low 13 points. Penix Jr. was under pressure all night and threw an interception on the first play of the second half before being picked off by Mike Sainristil with 4:29 left in the game to set up Corum’s second touchdown. Michigan is the fourth team in the CFP era to finish 15-0, and it’s the program’s 10th national title, tied for the sixth-most all time.

See the full box score here and the season’s final AP rankings here.

2023 College Football Season - By The Numbers

• 0 teams beat Michigan, and only three of their opponents lost by a touchdown or less - Maryland (24-31), Ohio State (24-30), and Alabama (20-27/OT)

• 0 (again) because no Pac-12 games will ever be played again. It was the conference’s final football season before dissolution - thank you, Pac-12 After Dark!

• 1 undefeated Power Five conference champion was left out of the College Football Playoff for the first time ever: Florida State

• 1 (again) because one live mascot was consumed - both 1s are equally significant

• 3, the number of games Michigan has lost since the start of the 2021 season, and also the number of times they’ve consecutively beaten rival Ohio State and won the Big Ten title - after a 2-4 record in 2020, the Wolverines have gone 40-3

• 4th and 31: The down and distance that led to the “Milroe Miracle,” another iconic Iron Bowl moment that will never be forgotten

• 5, the number of minutes Clemson HC Dabo Swinney’s epic rant lasted after “Tyler from Spartanburg” asked him about his $11.5 million salary when the Tigers were 4-4

• 6, the total number of games Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh was suspended this year for committing NCAA and Big Ten violations - the NCAA’s investigation regarding alleged sign stealing within the program is still ongoing

• 10.21, the average points per game allowed by Michigan this season, which led the country

• 11, the number of games Colorado lost in 2022, finishing with a 1-11 record before Deion Sanders led the team to a 4-8 record this season - the Buffs began the season 3-0, only to lose eight of their last nine games

• 14 years had passed since Texas won 12 or more games in a season. The streak is now over - Texas is back.

• 12 teams will make the College Football Playoff next year, marking a new era in the sport with a four-round postseason - who else can’t wait to see a 10-2 Penn State team play for a national title every year after losing their only two tough games of the season?!

• 13, the number of points Washington scored last night, their fewest team total this season

• 21, the number of games Washington had won in a row entering last night, the longest active winning streak in the FBS - the Huskies went 4-8 in 2021 before hiring HC Kalen DeBoer

• 26, the number of games Georgia had won in a row before losing to Alabama in the SEC title game, leaving the Bulldogs out of the playoffs

• 43 bowl games were played - and over 200 players opted out

• 50 touchdowns were accounted for by LSU QB and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, who also totaled 3,812 passing yards and 1,134 rushing yards

• 619 points were scored by Oregon this year, which led the nation - LSU actually averaged more points per game (44.5) than the Ducks (44.2), but Oregon played one more game

• 1,732 rushing yards from Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon, the most in the country

• 2,000+ players entered the transfer portal during the official fall transfer period from Dec. 4, 2023 to Jan. 2, 2024 - rule proposal: move the window after the national championship so it doesn’t ruin bowl season and make all second-time transfers sit out a season

•  27,200,00 viewers tuned into the Rose Bowl between Michigan and Alabama, making it the most-watched CFP Semifinal since 2015, when Alabama and Ohio State drew 28.2 million - it was the most viewed college football game in general since 2017

• 77,000,000, the total dollar amount of former Texas A&M HC Jimbo Fisher’s buyout after being fired, the largest buyout in college football history by over $50 million

• Infinite memories.

Until next time, College Football — Thank you.

(PS: Final CFB 2023 Pick Record: 33-31-1)

A Golf Newsletter We Love

Yes, it’s January, and snow is starting to fall in the Northeast, but that’s why they have simulators — and Golf Insider Newsletter. Whether you’re working on your tempo in the office or making your way south for some winter rounds, if you’re a golfer, Golf Insider Newsletter is a must-read!

NBA - Top Games

• Indiana Pacers 133, Boston Celtics 131: In a controversial ending, Kristaps Porzingis’ (19 PTS, 6 REB, 7 AST) foul on Bennedict Mathurin’s (26 PTS, 4 REB) three-point attempt with 0.6 seconds left was upheld after a replay review, and Mathurin went two-for-three from the stripe to give Indiana the win. However, the big story of the night was Tyrese Haliburton (13 MIN, 7 REB, 6 AST), as the Pacers superstar had to be carried off the floor late in the 2nd quarter after slipping on a drive and suffering a hamstring injury - Jaylen Brown (40 PTS, 17-26 FG, 5 REB) scored a season-high with Jayson Tatum out due to a minor ankle sprain

• Utah Jazz 132, Milwaukee Bucks 116: Giannis Antetokounmpo (25 PTS, 10 REB, 11 AST) notched a triple-double, but the Bucks suffered a wire-to-wire loss at the hands of Lauri Markkanen (21 PTS, 14 REB) and the Jazz, dropping Milwaukee to 5-5 in their past 10 games - the Bucks are still second in the East with a 25-12 record

• Chicago Bulls 119, Charlotte Hornets 112 (OT): Terry Rozier (39 PTS, 7-13 3PT, 8 AST) went stupid and hit the game-tying shot with 46 seconds left to force overtime, but the Bulls scored the first eight points in the extra frame to grind out a late win in Charlotte - Coby White (27 PTS) was outstanding for Chicago, and the Hornets have lost 13 of their past 14 games

See the full NBA scoreboard here and the current standings here.

NHL - Top Games

• Vancouver Canucks 6, New York Rangers 3: In a battle of first-place teams, Vincent Trocheck (2 G) opened the game with an early goal for New York, but Nils Hoglander (2 G) and Vancouver finished the 1st period on a three-goal run and didn’t look back to blowout the Blue Shirts at MSG - Elias Pettersson (2 G, 2 A) led all skaters with four points and Thatcher Demko (39 SC) was huge for Vancouver in goal

• Dallas Stars 4, Minnesota Wild 0: Matt Murray (23 SV) got the shutout, Tyler Seguin (1 G, 1 A) and Roope Hintz (1 G, 1 A) each posted a pair of points, and the Stars used three goals in the 3rd period to close out the Wild and snap their three-game skid

• Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Philadelphia Flyers 1: The Pens held a 2-1 lead entering the first intermission before Chad Ruhwedel (1 G) buried in the 2nd period and Evgeni Malkin (1 G, 1 A) buried in the 3rd to ice Owen Tippet (1 G) and the struggling Flyers - Pittsburgh has won nine of their last 13 games

See the full NHL scoreboard here and the current standings here.

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Who holds the best odds to win next year’s college football national championship?

A. Georgia

B. Alabama

C. Texas

D. Ohio State

On January 9, 1952, Red Sox OF Ted Williams was notified that he had been selected by the US Marines from a list of inactive reserves to serve in the Korean War. Williams had already missed three years of his baseball career due to service in World War II and would go on to fly in 39 combat missions in Korea. During his second tour, he earned an Air Medal with two Gold Stars and even survived a crash landing after being shot down. On many of his missions, Williams served as a wingman for future astronaut and Ohio senator John Glenn, who described his partner as one of the best pilots he ever knew. Williams returned to the Red Sox late in the 1953 season after being withdrawn from flight status with pneumonia. Altogether, Williams lost approximately five MLB seasons to military service. He likely would have exceeded 600 career home runs (521) if he hadn't served and may have even approached Babe Ruth's then-record of 714.

NBA

• Minnesota Timberwolves @ Orlando Magic 7:00pm ET, Local

• Memphis Grizzlies @ Dallas Mavericks 8:30pm ET, NBA TV

• Toronto Raptors @ Los Angeles Lakers 10:30pm ET, Local

• Full Schedule

NHL

• Los Angeles Kings @ Tampa Bay Lightning 7:00pm ET, NHLPP / ESPN+

• Vancouver Canucks @ New York Islanders 7:30pm ET, NHLPP / ESPN+

• Boston Bruins @ Arizona Coyotes 9:00pm ET, NHLPP / ESPN+

• Full Schedule

College Basketball

• NCAAM: #2 Houston @ Iowa State 7:00pm ET, ESPN2

• NCAAM: Missouri @ #6 Kentucky 7:00pm ET, ESPN

• NCAAM: #1 Purdue @ Nebraska 9:00pm ET, Peacock

• NCAAM: #11 Duke @ Nebraska 9:00pm ET, ESPN

• NCAAM: Full Schedule

• NCAAW: Maryland @ Michigan State 6:00pm ET, BTN

• NCAAW: Full Schedule

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Trivia Time Answer

A. Georgia. The Dawgs, winners of the 2022 and 2023 national titles, have the best odds to win their third championship in four years at +350. Alabama (+550) has the next-best odds, followed by Ohio State (+500), Texas (+850), and Michigan (+1000) - the Wolverines have over 25 players who are either fourth-, fifth-, or sixth-year seniors.

Prime Lock of the Day

Subscribe to Blitz Prime to unlock this betting slip. For those already signed up, enjoy the winner!

I know, I didn’t include enough storylines in the college football recap. Sorry if I missed your team!