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WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader-in-waiting John Thune plans to have the chamber in session for 10 straight weeks to start 2025. That’s according to the Senate’s 2025 legislative calendar released by the South Dakota Republican on social media Thursday. The calendar has senators in session for five days a week for most of the year, which, if adhered to, would be a change in the chamber’s current flow of usually eschewing Friday votes. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
On Saturday at 3 p.m. ET, Cole Gonzales and the Western Carolina Catamounts (6-5) will take on the Samford Bulldogs (4-6). Below we dive into all of the info you need before this contest starts, including how to watch on ESPN+. Watch college football live without cable. Stream ACC, SEC, ESPN and more with Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Start your risk free trial today and start watching college football games now. Stop missing games and start streaming college football right now on Fubo. Stop missing games and start streaming college football right now on ESPN+. Get tickets for any college football game this season at Ticketmaster. Rep your favorite players with officially licensed gear. Head to Fanatics to find jerseys, shirts, hats, and much more.As the Colorado football team awaits its bowl destination, Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders are piling up awards. On Thursday, Hunter was named the Big 12 defensive player of the year, while Sanders was named the Big 12 offensive player of the year, giving the 23rd-ranked Buffaloes (9-3, 7-2 Big 12; No. 20 AP) a sweep of the top two honors in the conference. The Big 12 honors were voted on by league coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own players. This is the third time in CU history that the Buffs have had the conference offensive and defensive players of the year in the same season. In 1989, Darian Hagan (offense) and Alfred Williams (defense) were honored by the Big Eight; and in 1990, Eric Bieniemy (offense) and Williams (defense) were honored by the Big Eight. Sanders (quarterback), Hunter (cornerback and receiver) and BJ Green II (defensive line) all received first-team all-conference honors for the Buffs. Green was named the Big 12’s defensive newcomer of the year. Hunter, widely considered the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, was the preseason choice for Big 12 defensive player of the year and he certainly didn’t disappoint. He led the Big 12 in passes defended with 15 (four interceptions, 11 passes broken up), despite rarely being targeted in coverage. He also has 31 tackles and had a game-sealing forced fumble in an overtime victory against Baylor. Hunter is just the seventh conference defensive player of the year from CU and only the second in the last 32 years (Jordan Dizon, Big 12 in 2007). The only full-time two-way player in college football, Hunter also received honorable mention for offensive player of the year honors. He leads the Big 12 in receptions (92) and receiving touchdowns (14) and is second in receiving yards (1,152). Sanders is the first CU quarterback to be named first-team all-conference since Koy Detmer in 1996. A senior, Sanders leads the Big 12 in completion percentage (74.2%), passing yards (3,926), touchdown passes (35) and quarterback rating (168.79). He’s also the only quarterback in the country who ranks top five nationally in those four categories. Sanders is the seventh conference offensive player of the year from CU and the second in the last five seasons, joining running back Jarek Broussard (Pac-12, 2020). A transfer from Arizona State, Green led the Buffs and is tied for second in the Big 12 with 7.5 sacks. He’s also third in the conference with a team-high 12 tackles for loss. He also has 30 tackles, a team-high 12 QB hurries and two forced fumbles, as well as a blocked kick. Green is the first Buff to receive conference newcomer of the year honors since Dizon in 2004 in the Big 12. Linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green earned second-team honors, after posting 82 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions. Eight other Buffs received honorable mention at the their positions: defensive backs Preston Hodge, DJ McKinney and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig; defensive lineman Chidozie Nwankwo; offensive lineman Jordan Seaton; receiver LaJohntay Wester; kicker Alejandro Mata; and punter Mark Vassett. In addition, defensive end Taje McCoy received honorable mention for defensive freshman of the year; Nwankwo honorable mention for defensive lineman of the year; Seaton honorable mention for offensive freshman of the year; and Wester received honorable mention for offensive newcomer of the year. While CU took home the top player honors, Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham was named the Big 12 coach of the year. The 15th-ranked Sun Devils (10-2, 7-2) were projected to finish last in the conference, but will play Iowa State in the Big 12 title game on Saturday. BYU kicker Will Ferrin and Iowa State returner Jaylin Noel were named the co-special teams players of the year. ASU receiver Jordyn Tyson, a transfer from CU, was named the offensive newcomer of the year, and Sun Devils QB Sam Leavitt was the offensive freshman of the year. West Virginia’s Josiah Trotter is the defensive freshman of the year and his teammate, Wyatt Milum, is the offensive lineman of the year. Kansas State’s Brendan Mott was named the defensive lineman of the year. Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks and Kansas QB Jalon Daniels were named the scholar-athletes of the year. On Thursday, Sanders was named as one of 10 finalists for the Manning Award, which honors the top quarterback in the country. It is the only one of the three main quarterback awards to take bowl games into consideration, and the winner will be announced in January. ... According to 247Sports, CU defensive lineman Rayyan Buell is entering the transfer portal. A transfer from Ohio this year, Buell was limited to four games this year because of injury and finished with three tackles and a QB hurry.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan's defense of the national championship has fallen woefully short. The Wolverines started the season ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25, making them the third college football team since 1991 to be ranked worse than seventh in the preseason poll after winning a national title. Michigan (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) failed to meet those modest expectations, barely becoming eligible to play in a bowl and putting the program in danger of losing six or seven games for the first time since the Brady Hoke era ended a decade ago. The Wolverines potentially can ease some of the pain with a win against rival and second-ranked Ohio State (10-1, 7-1, No. 2 CFP) on Saturday in the Horseshoe, but that would be a stunning upset. Ohio State is a 21 1/2-point favorite, according to the BetMGM Sportsbook, and that marks just the third time this century that there has been a spread of at least 20 1/2 points in what is known as "The Game." Michigan coach Sherrone Moore doesn't sound like someone who is motivating players with an underdog mentality. "I don't think none of that matters in this game," Moore said Monday. "It doesn't matter the records. It doesn't matter anything. The spread, that doesn't matter." How did Michigan end up with a relative mess of a season on the field, coming off its first national title since 1997? Winning it all with a coach and star player contemplating being in the NFL for the 2024 season seemed to have unintended consequences for the current squad. The Wolverines closed the College Football Playoff with a win over Washington on Jan. 8; several days later quarterback J.J. McCarthy announced he was skipping his senior season; and it took more than another week for Jim Harbaugh to bolt to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. In the meantime, most quality quarterbacks wanting to transfer had already enrolled at other schools and Moore was left with lackluster options. Davis Warren beat out Alex Orji to be the team's quarterback for the opener and later lost the job to Orji only to get it back again. No matter who was under center, however, would've likely struggled this year behind an offensive line that sent six players to the NFL. The Wolverines lost one of their top players on defense, safety Rod Moore, to a season-ending injury last spring and another one, preseason All-America cornerback Will Johnson, hasn't played in more than a month because of an injury. The Buckeyes are not planning to show any mercy after losing three straight in the series. "We're going to attack them," Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer said. "We know they're going to come in here swinging, too, and they've still got a good team even though the record doesn't indicate it. This game, it never matters what the records are." While a win would not suddenly make the Wolverines' season a success, it could help Moore build some momentum a week after top-rated freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. "You come to Michigan to beat Ohio," said defensive back Quinten Johnson, intentionally leaving the word State out when referring to the rival. "That's one of the pillars of the Michigan football program. "It doesn't necessarily change the fact of where we are in the season, but it definitely is one of the defining moments of your career here at Michigan." AP Sports Writer Mitch Stacy in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report.Macron set to announce new French prime ministerKane hat trick against Augsburg hides Bayern’s concerning lack of goals
USC loses veteran WR Kyron Hudson to transfer portalPresident-elect Donald Trump has announced many of his picks for potential nominees for his Cabinet and other White House administration roles since winning the 2024 presidential election. While the picks still have to be officially nominated and approved in many cases, voters were recently asked to share whether they approve or disapprove of his current selections. What Happened: Trump's announced picks have generated plenty of discussion on social media and across the political spectrum with the announced pick of Matt Gaetz as attorney general eventually saw the former Congressman withdraw his name due to concerns of being a distraction and fears of not getting approval. A new Morning Consult poll asked voters for their approval ratings on Trump and his picks for the new White House administration. The poll found Trump had an approval rating of 53%, down from 54% in the poll published on Nov. 17. Split by political party, Republicans gave Trump a 91% approval rating, down from 93%, Independents gave an approval rating of 44%, down from 46% and Democrats gave an approval rating of 21%, up from 20%. Personnel Pick Ratings : Here are the approval and disapproval ratings of recent personnel picks by Trump for his next White House term. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State: 45% approval, 34% disapproval, 21% no opinion Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , Health and Human Services Secretary: 44% approval, 39% disapproval, 17% no opinion Mike Huckabee, U.S. ambassador to Isreal: 44% approval, 31% disapproval, 25% no opinion Mehmet Oz, CMS administrator: 41% approval, 38% disapproval, 20% no opinion Tulsi Gabbard , Director of National Intelligence: 39% approval, 33% disapproval, 29% no opinion Pam Bondi , Attorney General: 39% approval, 29% disapproval, 33% no opinion Elise Stefanik , U.S. ambassador to the United Nations: 38% approval, 29% disapproval, 33% no opinion Kristi Noem, Homeland Security secretary: 37% approval, 33% disapproval, 30% no opinion Pete Hegseth , Defense secretary: 36% approval, 32% disapproval, 32% no opinion Linda McMahon , Education secretary: 36% approval, 36% disapproval, 28% no opinion Scott Bessent , Treasury secretary: 36% approval, 25% disapproval, 39% no opinion Doug Collins , Veterans Affairs secretary: 35% approval, 25% disapproval, 40% no opinion Doug Burgum , Interior secretary: 35% approval, 26% disapproval, 39% no opinion Janette Nesheiwat , Surgeon General: 35% approval, 25% disapproval, 40% no opinion Matt Whitake r, NATO ambassador: 34% approval, 28% disapproval, 38% no opinion Sean Duffy , Transportation secretary: 34% approval, 28% disapproval, 38% no opinion Chris Wright , Energy secretary, 34% approval, 29% disapproval, 37% no opinion Lee Zeldin , EPA administrator: 34% approval, 29% disapproval, 37% no opinion Brooke Rollins , Agriculture secretary: 34% approval, 24% disapproval, 43% no opinion Marty Makary , FDA commissioner: 33% approval, 27% disapproval, 40% no opinion Dave Weldon , CDC director: 33% approval, 27% disapproval, 40% no opinion Howard Lutnick , Commerce secretary: 33% approval, 25% disapproval, 42% no opinion Russell Vought , Office of Management and Budget director: 33% approval, 26% disapproval, 41% no opinion Scott Turne r, Housing and Urban Development secretary: 33% approval, 26% disapproval, 41% no opinion Brendan Carr , FCC chair: 32% approval, 26% disapproval, 42% no opinion The new results did not include Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, co-leaders of the Department of Government Efficiency. In the previous poll , Musk had approval rating of 45%, 40% disapproval and 15% said no opinion. Ramaswamy had a 39% approval rating, 34% disapproval and 27% said no opinion. Did You Know? Congress Is Making Huge Investments. Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool Why It's Important: McMahon received a 36% approval and 36% disapproval as the only candidate to not have a higher approval than disapproval. This could be bad news for the former WWE executive as the last poll saw Gaetz as the only person with a higher disapproval than approval rating at 41% and 34% respectively. With Gaetz and Musk, who had a disapproval of 40% previously, no longer in the poll, it is Kennedy who has the highest disapproval followed by Oz and McMahon. The highest approval ratings go to Rubio, Kennedy and Huckabee. The last poll also saw Rubio and Kennedy have the highest approval ratings. Huckabee again has the highest net approval rating at 13 points, followed by Rubio at 11 points. Read Next: Trump HHS Pick Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Wealth Comes From Family, Law Practice, Oil, Bitcoin Photo: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Kalkbrenner had five rebounds for the Bluejays (8-5, 1-1 Big East Conference). Neal Jamiya added 20 points while going 7 of 11 (6 for 7 from 3-point range) while they also had six assists. Steven Ashworth shot 6 for 11 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line to finish with 20 points, while adding 11 assists. The Wildcats (8-5, 1-1) were led in scoring by Eric Dixon, who finished with 27 points. Wooga Poplar added 19 points and 10 rebounds for Villanova. Jhamir Brickus finished with 16 points and four assists. The loss ended a five-game winning streak for the Wildcats. Creighton took the lead with 16:12 to go in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 40-38 at halftime, with Kalkbrenner racking up 10 points. Creighton turned a three-point second-half lead into a 10-point advantage with a 7-0 run to make it a 56-46 lead with 14:40 left in the half. Neal scored 14 second-half points in the victory. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Mechanized AI Announces Expansion of Executive Team With Appointment of Amy Green as COO
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VANCOUVER — The search and rescue organization for Metro Vancouver's North Shore mountains is warning people to do their research after international visitors became stranded in two separate incidents while relying on hiking apps to plan their routes. North Shore Rescue was called in on Nov. 28 to rescue a man from Norway who the organization said "seriously underestimated the difficulty" of a route marked in an online hiking app. Rescuers were back on a nearby mountain three nights later for a "virtually identical" operation, the group said in a social media post. Allan McMordie with North Shore Rescue managed the Sunday night rescue of a man at Goat Ridge, a backcountry area behind Grouse Mountain. He said the man from France told rescuers he had not been expecting snow, despite two of the local ski hills opening with fresh powder last month. "All you had to do was look at the top of the mountains from Vancouver and know there's snow up there," he said in an interview. "To be in running shoes and not even expecting any snow was pretty naive." The man had set out on a marked route, then decided to make his way through very rough, steep terrain to a separate trail at significantly higher elevation. "This is rugged backcountry," McMordie said. "It's almost impassable." McMordie could not confirm which apps the hikers in both recent rescues were using, but said a lack of any marked route or trail reports is a good indication to stop and turn around, and in any case, trip planning should involve multiple sources of information. If the man from France had done any research, McMordie said he would have discovered the backcountry area where he was rescued is closed for the winter. In both recent cases, he said there were signs at each trailhead with maps showing trails and topography, along with reminders about key steps in trip planning, he said. Both men were lucky to have been able to make 911 calls, McMordie added, as service is patchy in the area and their phone batteries had nearly run out. Above all, he said hikers should tell someone else where they're going and when they expect to return, so that person can alert local authorities if necessary. "Absolutely nobody knew where this person was and what he was doing that day," McMordie said of the man from France. "If he had not been able to get that (911) call out, he would still be there." North Shore Rescue said the course taken by the man from Norway was "barely a trail" in the summer and "nothing whatsoever" in the winter, making for "full mountaineering conditions" at this time of year. He called for help after hiking for eight hours that left him "tired, soaked (and) hypothermic" as the sun was setting," it said. It's doubtful the man would have survived the night in the Mount Seymour backcountry if he hadn't been able to make the call, the rescue group added. The man had been staying in a short-term accommodation and had taken an Uber to the trailhead. Only his girlfriend in Norway knew where he was, and he was not wearing or carrying adequate gear for the conditions, McMordie said. Vancouver-based Stephen Hui, the author of several B.C. hiking guidebooks, said the rough, mountainous terrain steps away from urban Metro Vancouver and the extent of the snowpack in winter is a surprise for many visiting hikers. Hui said online apps can be helpful and often provide commentary about trail conditions from other hikers, but it's crucial to look at additional sources of information, including complete maps and provincial and national park websites. He said local authorities and outdoor groups have some responsibility for people heading into the backcountry, and there is room for more signage and education. Ultimately, though, he said people must be responsible for themselves. "We can't handhold everybody," he said. "There's always going to be dangers in hiking." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. Brenna Owen, The Canadian PressMunicipal by-elections are set to be held in December, and while some municipalities have many candidates, others have none. 16 seats became vacant in recent months, including for some local politicians to run provincially. With more responsibilities downloaded onto this level of government, Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick President Brittany Merrifield said it’s getting hard to get people involved in municipal politics. “We certainly have more work than we ever had before through the local governance,” she said in an interview. “I know that personally my work has not quite doubled, but it’s certainly approaching that.” In Saint John, 10 candidates are vying for Ward 3. Meanwhile, Campobello and Tracy both saw no candidates running. At least four municipalities saw councillors be acclaimed, meaning only one candidate submitted it’s papers in those wards. This is the second time Campobello has been unable to fill its candidate seat. Mayor Harvey Matthews said it is a lot of work for a small island like Campobello for not a lot of compensation. “The government has dropped so much in our laps since amalgamation (and) that has put our taxes up now this year,” he said speaking with CHCO-TV. “Our RCMP coverage is going up considerably. It’s hard to decide to pay councillors more.” Municipalities are limited in the sources of funding they can pull from. The sole source is property tax revenue, which means any increase in the budget must come from an increase in assessment or increasing the tax rate. Matthews said the council is attempting to remove the ward-based system to potentially entice more candidates to sign up. In municipal politics, the candidate is required to live in the area they serve, and with a ward system, they must live in that ward. “Hopefully someone from one of the other parts of Campobello would run,” he said. Merrifield said people often forget that municipal government is the one that impacts your day-to-day life the most. “Public service is absolutely the backbone of everything that happens in a municipality,” she said. We’re the level or the order of government that is closest to the people.” She said it is imperative people become active in the local government, which decides things like garbage pickup and recycling, what roads and streets are repaired, how your tax rate is set, and what services you receive locally like recreation. “I think being engaged in civic government, whether it’s voting, whether it’s watching council meetings, and whether it’s serving your community, it’s absolutely one of the most important things a person can do to make sure that your community is the best that it can be,” she said. Alongside the increased workload though, Merrifield said municipal politicians are facing harassment as well. “That is an impediment to people in terms of putting their name out to serve or maybe even re-offering,” she said. “There’s been a real shift in terms of municipal staff and elected officials being subjected to negative treatment from the public and sometimes even within councils as well. So, we’re working hopefully with the new provincial government on addressing this problem that affects all orders of government.” Ultimately, Merrifield hopes that people see the value in being a part of local government. “They call it the government of proximity and that is so true,” she said. “We deal with all of those services that are so critical to your everyday life.”Here’s the Average RRSP Balance at 45 in Canada
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DETROIT — Dan Campbell's gambles paid off. Detroit went for it on fourth down for a fifth time to set up Jake Bates' 35-yard field goal as time expired, Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes and the Lions clinched a playoff spot with a 34-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. Campbell has been perhaps the NFL's most aggressive coach since taking over what was a league laughingstock in 2021, but he turned it up a notch against the Packers with a short-handed defense that he wanted to keep off the field. “That was how I wanted to play that team with where we are at,” Campbell said. The NFC-best Lions (12-1) broke a franchise record with their 11th straight win — including two over the Packers (9-4) — to stay ahead of Minnesota (10-2) in the highly competitive NFC North. “This will be one of those you’ll never forget,” Campbell said. Campbell kept his offense on the field on a fourth-and-1 at the Green Bay 21 with 43 seconds left. David Montgomery ran for 7 yards, barely getting a handoff from Goff after the quarterback got his feet tangled up and was falling toward the turf. Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Green Bay Packers during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. Credit: AP/Duane Burleson “It's a bad feeling,” Goff said. The play ensured the Lions could try a field goal without giving Green Bay the ball back, and Bates hit his third-game winning kick this season. “I just felt like we needed to end it on offense,” Campbell said. “I did not want to give the ball back and I believed we could convert. I trust the O-line. I trust David.” Goff threw two touchdown passes on fourth-and-goal, one to Tim Patrick, who had two TD catches. He also threw an interception in the third quarter to set up one of Josh Jacobs’ career-high matching three TD runs. Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) makes a catch for a touchdown in front of Green Bay Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (58) during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. Credit: AP/Carlos Osorio Goff found Jahymr Gibbs open in the end zone for a 2-yard pass on a fourth down with 11 seconds left in the first half to put Detroit ahead 17-7. Goff later connected with Patrick on a go-ahead, 1-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter. Green Bay took advantage of the only time Campbell’s aggressiveness didn’t pan out, denying Gibbs on a fourth-down run late in the third quarter from the Detroit 31. Jacobs scored for a third time on a 3-yard run on the ensuing drive. “The risk was there,” Campbell said. Brandon McManus made a 32-yard field goal with 3:38 left to pull the Packers into a 31-all tie in a game that had four lead changes earlier in the second half. “That’s exactly the kind of game we expected,” Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur said. “It was tough and it went back and forth. There were just a couple plays that didn’t go our way.” The Lions' final drive began with Goff’s 19-yard pass to Jameson Williams. He also connected with Amon-Ra St. Brown for 16 yards on the decisive possession. Goff finished 32 of 41 for 283 yards, and six Lions had at least five receptions, the first time that's happened in NFL history, according to OptaSTATS. “They have great playmakers and they just get them the ball,” LaFleur said. “Jared Goff is an excellent quarterback and we gave him time to throw.” Jordan Love was 12 of 20 for 206 yards with a touchdown pass to Tucker Kraft early in the third quarter. “They have a really good offense, but so do we,” Love said. “I don’t think there was any extra pressure on us. We just got off to a slow start.” Odd scene LaFleur lamented that someone holding the American flag during the national anthem ended up shouting at the Packers and had to be separated from them by officials before the game. “He was yelling at our players and giving the throat-slash gesture,” LaFleur said. “I’ve never seen anything like that. I would just like security to step in there and get him off the field.” Injuries Packers: S Evan Williams (concussion), S Javon Bullard (ankle), DE Lukas Van Ness (thumb) were hurt during the game. CB Jaire Alexander (knee), LB Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring), CB Corey Ballentine (knee) and WR Romeo Doubs (concussion) were inactive. Lions: DL Alim McNeill left with a head injury after he was evaluated for a concussion and returned to play briefly. OT Taylor Decker (shoulder), DT DJ Reader (shoulder), DE Josh Paschal (knee) and DL Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) were inactive. Up next Packers: At NFC West-leading Seattle in a Sunday night game on Dec. 15. Lions: Host AFC East-leading Buffalo on Dec. 15.199 Cuban doctors arrive in Mexico; they will work in IMSS Bienestar hospitals
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Ingram scores 29 points and healthier Pelicans top the Suns 126-124 to snap a 9-game skidANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan's defense of the national championship has fallen woefully short. The Wolverines started the season ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25, making them the third college football team since 1991 to be ranked worse than seventh in the preseason poll after winning a national title. Michigan (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) failed to meet those modest expectations, barely becoming eligible to play in a bowl and putting the program in danger of losing six or seven games for the first time since the Brady Hoke era ended a decade ago. The Wolverines potentially can ease some of the pain with a win against rival and second-ranked Ohio State (10-1, 7-1, No. 2 CFP) on Saturday in the Horseshoe, but that would be a stunning upset. Ohio State is a 21 1/2-point favorite, according to the BetMGM Sportsbook, and that marks just the third time this century that there has been a spread of at least 20 1/2 points in what is known as "The Game." Michigan coach Sherrone Moore doesn't sound like someone who is motivating players with an underdog mentality. "I don't think none of that matters in this game," Moore said Monday. "It doesn't matter the records. It doesn't matter anything. The spread, that doesn't matter." How did Michigan end up with a relative mess of a season on the field, coming off its first national title since 1997? Winning it all with a coach and star player contemplating being in the NFL for the 2024 season seemed to have unintended consequences for the current squad. The Wolverines closed the College Football Playoff with a win over Washington on Jan. 8; several days later quarterback J.J. McCarthy announced he was skipping his senior season; and it took more than another week for Jim Harbaugh to bolt to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. In the meantime, most quality quarterbacks wanting to transfer had already enrolled at other schools and Moore was left with lackluster options. Davis Warren beat out Alex Orji to be the team's quarterback for the opener and later lost the job to Orji only to get it back again. No matter who was under center, however, would've likely struggled this year behind an offensive line that sent six players to the NFL. The Wolverines lost one of their top players on defense, safety Rod Moore, to a season-ending injury last spring and another one, preseason All-America cornerback Will Johnson, hasn't played in more than a month because of an injury. The Buckeyes are not planning to show any mercy after losing three straight in the series. "We're going to attack them," Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer said. "We know they're going to come in here swinging, too, and they've still got a good team even though the record doesn't indicate it. This game, it never matters what the records are." While a win would not suddenly make the Wolverines' season a success, it could help Moore build some momentum a week after top-rated freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. "You come to Michigan to beat Ohio," said defensive back Quinten Johnson, intentionally leaving the word State out when referring to the rival. "That's one of the pillars of the Michigan football program. "It doesn't necessarily change the fact of where we are in the season, but it definitely is one of the defining moments of your career here at Michigan." AP Sports Writer Mitch Stacy in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. Get local news delivered to your inbox!