Tag: American Football

Michigan Overcomes Alabama—and Recent History—to Reach National Title Game
World

Michigan Overcomes Alabama—and Recent History—to Reach National Title Game

Updated Jan. 1, 2024 9:45 pm ETPASADENA, Calif.—Michigan arrived at the Rose Bowl with plenty of baggage. There was the coach, Jim Harbaugh, once again dogged by rumors that he will imminently depart for the National Football League, and with a dismal bowl game record of one win in seven tries. There was its recent history—two previous trips to the College Football Playoff that both ended in losses. There were the twin scandals, yet to be resolved by the NCAA.Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
It’s the Same Old Nick Saban. It’s a Brand New Alabama.
World

It’s the Same Old Nick Saban. It’s a Brand New Alabama.

For the better part of two decades, Nick Saban and his Alabama football team have been college football’s model of consistency.Through an era of unprecedented change, when the sport has been rocked by conference realignment and the whole notion of amateurism has begun to unravel, Alabama has remained stubbornly the same. The Crimson Tide recruit the best players, they win the biggest games, they roll into the playoffs pretty much every year as favorites to win the championship.Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Robert Kraft Matches $100 Million Donation to Fight Antisemitism
World

Robert Kraft Matches $100 Million Donation to Fight Antisemitism

In the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks that plunged Israel into war, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is matching a $100 million donation to his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism—giving the project $200 million in new funding that he says will sustain the cause for decades to come. Kraft’s donation equals one made by the Norman R. Rales and Ruth Rales Foundation, and he says the donations will allow FCAS to significantly expand its operations with permanent financing. Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Alabama Plunges College Football Into Chaos
World

Alabama Plunges College Football Into Chaos

Updated Dec. 3, 2023 12:11 am ETATLANTA—Heading into this week’s conference championship matchups, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee looked like it could take the weekend off. The top four teams in the nation—Georgia, Michigan, Washington and Florida State—were all Power 5 schools with perfect records. Win one more game, and the final four would pick itself.Then Nick Saban’s Alabama marched into Atlanta and plunged the entire sport into chaos.Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Ohio State Can Still Reach the College Football Playoff—With a Lot of Help
World

Ohio State Can Still Reach the College Football Playoff—With a Lot of Help

Asked to describe how it felt to lose to Michigan by throwing an interception in the final seconds, Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord only needed one word. “Hurts. That’s the only word for it,” he said.What comes next for the Buckeyes will be no less nerve-racking: waiting for everyone else to determine whether they still stand a chance of making the 2023 College Football Playoff.Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Michigan Holds Off Ohio State to Win Again Without Jim Harbaugh
World

Michigan Holds Off Ohio State to Win Again Without Jim Harbaugh

ANN ARBOR, Mich—Defending itself against scandal a few weeks ago, Michigan’s top brass was ready to argue in a court of law that it would be impossible for the Wolverines to win their biggest games without head coach Jim Harbaugh. It especially needed him on the sidelines for the annual shootout against Ohio State. The panic levels were apocalyptic, the predictions dire.In the end, however, Michigan stared down the biggest game of a title-chasing season by doing what it had already done five times this year: win without its head coach. Copyright ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8