Scott Van Pelt: ‘Zero issue’ with Group of 5 inclusion in College Football Playoff

Dave Portnoy has accepted Stephen A. Smith's public apology regarding comments made about quarterback Drake Maye, who was accused by Smith of lying about not knowing which show Cam Newton was on. This apology comes after Portnoy demanded Smith take responsibility for his remarks, which sparked significant media attention and public discourse.

Cam Newton unexpectedly missed the start of the ESPN show 'First Take,' leading to confusion regarding his scheduled appearance. This incident follows Newton's recent controversial comments about the New England Patriots, where he labeled their impressive 9-2 record as 'fool's gold,' prompting a defensive response from current quarterback Drake Maye.

Jordon Hudson, girlfriend of NFL coach Bill Belichick, has announced her intention to sue sports podcaster Pablo Torre for defamation. This announcement follows her claims made on social media, where she outlined her reasons for pursuing legal action against Torre, who has gained recognition for his podcast 'Pablo Torre Finds Out.'

ESPN and the College Football Playoff (CFP) are finalizing an agreement to extend the deadline for determining a new playoff format to January 23, 2026. This decision allows more time for discussions regarding the playoff structure that will be implemented in the upcoming seasons.

Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was seen flipping the bird at an ESPN camera ahead of the Steelers' game against the Chicago Bears. This incident occurred during a pre-game segment, drawing attention to Rodgers' frustrations amidst ongoing scrutiny regarding his performance and injury status.

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is projected to secure a spot in the upcoming College Football Playoff, countering recent speculation about its potential exclusion from the postseason. This assertion comes as the college football season nears its conclusion, with teams vying for playoff positions amid critical matchups.

In a recent NFL matchup, the New York Giants faced criticism from radio analyst Carl Banks for their decision-making during overtime against the Detroit Lions, which resulted in a 34-27 loss. Banks highlighted the team's failure to capitalize on opportunities, particularly in the fourth quarter, where they had a double-digit lead before ultimately losing the game in overtime.

Fox One has reportedly surpassed ESPN Unlimited in subscription numbers just three months after its launch, indicating a strong market entry for the new streaming service. Both platforms had set modest subscriber goals prior to their launches in late August, and initial data suggests they are on track to meet these targets.