Updated Cowboys, Chiefs playoff picture after Thanksgiving tilt: DVOA, The Athletic, and ESPN model odds

The University of South Florida (USF) football program is set to hire Brian Hartline, the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach from Ohio State, as its new head coach. This decision follows the departure of Alex Golesh, who was appointed as the head coach at Auburn University on November 30. Hartline, a former Ohio State player, is recognized for his successful tenure with the Buckeyes, particularly as a play-caller.

The New York Knicks faced a disappointing defeat against the Boston Celtics, losing 123-117 at TD Garden after a promising start. Despite strong initial performance, the Knicks struggled with consistency, leading to frustration among players, including Josh Hart, who issued a warning about the team's focus and energy levels.

USC has successfully flipped a 4-star wide receiver who had been committed to Ohio State since May, marking a significant recruitment victory for the Trojans under head coach Lincoln Riley. This development comes amid Riley's assertions of his commitment to USC, despite interest from other programs.

The Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly considering trading starting pitcher Freddy Peralta as part of their strategy to remain competitive by 2026, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. This move may seem counterintuitive given Peralta's status as one of the better pitchers in baseball, but the team believes they can still contend without him.

Kansas State football is facing a significant transition as head coach Chris Klieman is reportedly considering retirement after a disappointing 6-6 season, which left the team tied for seventh in the conference. This follows a season filled with unmet expectations and challenges for the Wildcats.

Actor George Clooney, a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals, expressed his frustration with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce during a recent episode of the podcast New Heights, stating that Kelce has 'broken' him due to the Chiefs' repeated victories over the Bengals. Clooney acknowledged his friendship with Jason Kelce, Travis's brother, but emphasized his issues with Travis and the Chiefs.

The St. Louis Blues are struggling near the bottom of the NHL standings as December begins, facing significant challenges with injuries. Recent incidents include a wrist surgery for Jimmy Snuggerud and an off-ice injury to Alexey Toropchenko, alongside a heated exchange between Jordan Binnington and Jim Montgomery, highlighting the team's turmoil.

The New York Rangers are grappling with the significant loss of defenseman Adam Fox, who has been placed on long-term injured reserve due to an upper-body injury. In his absence, head coach Mike Sullivan has highlighted the need for collective offensive production from the blueline, particularly from Vladislav Gavrikov, despite his limited offensive history.