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Why the Peach Bowl is one of the College Football Playoff’s greatest games

Why the Peach Bowl is one of the College Football Playoff’s greatest games

The College Football Playoff is underway and now that New Year’s Day is complete, the semifinal matchups will be set.

Notably between the two will be the Peach Bowl and as an Arizona State alum I can tell you how awesome it is to be a part of the game in question (please don’t ask me how awesome it is to lose it).

Recently I had the chance to catch up with Peach Bowl President and CEO Gary Stokan about the upcoming game (we spoke on New Year’s Eve before the Cotton Bowl for context, before we knew we’d be in for an Indiana-Oregon matchup) and the world of college athletics as a whole. If you are someone who loves college football, any collegiate sports, or great conversation then I think you will enjoy it. Gary is getting set to retire and has a wealth of knowledge.

The Peach Bowl is an incredibly charitable bowl game and exists in a special space relative to the other bowls that all know and love. As it is Atlanta-based it shares a city with the College Football Hall of Fame and has created a bit of a universe for itself relative to college football overall.

Our thanks to Gary and to the Peach Bowl for the time!

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#Peach #Bowl #College #Football #Playoffs #greatest #games

Novak Djokovic ​reached an eighth straight Wimbledon semifinal after grinding down Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) in ‌an epic battle on Tuesday to set up a showdown with reigning champion Jannik ​Sinner.

Having surpassed Roger Federer for most match victories at the All England Club ⁠with his 106th win in the last round, the 39-year-old eclipsed the Swiss again by becoming the first man to reach the last four eight straight times.

Djokovic got there by coming through the longest quarterfinal in Wimbledon history, ‌at five hours and 15 minutes, with a gutsy display against a determined opponent who proved hard to break down for much of the contest.

“I won with a ‌racket and a lot of heart,” Djokovic said.

“I guess it’s the management of the nerves ‌and ⁠the extreme tension you feel in these kinds of matches. Towards the end, it ⁠was anybody’s game. The scoreline was even all the way through. It was anybody’s game in the super tiebreak in the fifth.

“What can I say? I mean, these are kinds of moments that I still play tennis for. I wish it ​was the final, you know, so I ‌don’t need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow. But yeah… I’m happy that I won.”

ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER CLASH WITH SINNER

Djokovic’s hunt for an eighth crown to match retired rival Federer and a 25th major trophy to move past Australian Margaret Court will continue when he ‌meets Sinner in what promises to be another blockbuster chapter in their rivalry.

RELATED | Sinner aces Struff challenge to advance to semis

“It’s just another ​semifinal for me. I’m going to look at the numbers and everything when I finish my career,” he said.

“Right now, it’s all business. I still have to ⁠recover. I’m still in the tournament, and I have the best player in the world in a few days.”

Djokovic, the seventh seed, chuckled after several missed chances in a long opening-set tiebreak, and had ‌the last laugh when Auger-Aliassime blasted a volley long to surrender a set that he should have comfortably won.

A double fault from Djokovic gifted Auger-Aliassime a break to go up 5-3 in the next set and the Canadian held his nerve and serve in the next game to draw level in the contest, before the Centre Court roof was closed at around 7.40 p.m. local time.

DJOKOVIC COMPOSED AFTER COMPLAINTS

The move prompted complaints from Djokovic, but he composed himself as the third set got underway ‌and produced cleaner ball-striking to finally break Auger-Aliassime in the sixth game and then tighten his grip on the match.

Auger-Aliassime ​lost his opening service game in the fourth set and let his frustrations boil over when he whacked his chair with his racket, but put up a brave ⁠display and got back on level terms via the tiebreak to force a decider.

There was no separating ⁠the pair for 12 games of the final set until Djokovic drew on his experience in the match tiebreak to finally overcome Auger-Aliassime and soak up the deafening applause from ‌a thoroughly-entertained crowd.

“You know, I was telling my kids to go to sleep after the fourth set but they didn’t want to listen,” Djokovic added.

“I’m glad they stayed up, because it ​was, honestly, one of the best matches I was part of on this court, in my career.”

Published on Jul 08, 2026

#Wimbledon #Racket #heart #Djokovic #tames #AugerAliassime #enter #semifinals">Wimbledon 2026: ‘Racket and heart’ as Djokovic tames Auger-Aliassime to enter semifinals  Novak Djokovic ​reached an eighth straight Wimbledon semifinal after grinding down Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) in ‌an epic battle on Tuesday to set up a showdown with reigning champion Jannik ​Sinner.Having surpassed Roger Federer for most match victories at the All England Club ⁠with his 106th win in the last round, the 39-year-old eclipsed the Swiss again by becoming the first man to reach the last four eight straight times.Djokovic got there by coming through the longest quarterfinal in Wimbledon history, ‌at five hours and 15 minutes, with a gutsy display against a determined opponent who proved hard to break down for much of the contest.“I won with a ‌racket and a lot of heart,” Djokovic said.“I guess it’s the management of the nerves ‌and ⁠the extreme tension you feel in these kinds of matches. Towards the end, it ⁠was anybody’s game. The scoreline was even all the way through. It was anybody’s game in the super tiebreak in the fifth.“What can I say? I mean, these are kinds of moments that I still play tennis for. I wish it ​was the final, you know, so I ‌don’t need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow. But yeah… I’m happy that I won.”ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER CLASH WITH SINNERDjokovic’s hunt for an eighth crown to match retired rival Federer and a 25th major trophy to move past Australian Margaret Court will continue when he ‌meets Sinner in what promises to be another blockbuster chapter in their rivalry.RELATED | Sinner aces Struff challenge to advance to semis“It’s just another ​semifinal for me. I’m going to look at the numbers and everything when I finish my career,” he said.“Right now, it’s all business. I still have to ⁠recover. I’m still in the tournament, and I have the best player in the world in a few days.”Djokovic, the seventh seed, chuckled after several missed chances in a long opening-set tiebreak, and had ‌the last laugh when Auger-Aliassime blasted a volley long to surrender a set that he should have comfortably won.A double fault from Djokovic gifted Auger-Aliassime a break to go up 5-3 in the next set and the Canadian held his nerve and serve in the next game to draw level in the contest, before the Centre Court roof was closed at around 7.40 p.m. local time.DJOKOVIC COMPOSED AFTER COMPLAINTSThe move prompted complaints from Djokovic, but he composed himself as the third set got underway ‌and produced cleaner ball-striking to finally break Auger-Aliassime in the sixth game and then tighten his grip on the match.Auger-Aliassime ​lost his opening service game in the fourth set and let his frustrations boil over when he whacked his chair with his racket, but put up a brave ⁠display and got back on level terms via the tiebreak to force a decider.There was no separating ⁠the pair for 12 games of the final set until Djokovic drew on his experience in the match tiebreak to finally overcome Auger-Aliassime and soak up the deafening applause from ‌a thoroughly-entertained crowd.“You know, I was telling my kids to go to sleep after the fourth set but they didn’t want to listen,” Djokovic added.“I’m glad they stayed up, because it ​was, honestly, one of the best matches I was part of on this court, in my career.”Published on Jul 08, 2026  #Wimbledon #Racket #heart #Djokovic #tames #AugerAliassime #enter #semifinals

Sinner aces Struff challenge to advance to semis

“It’s just another ​semifinal for me. I’m going to look at the numbers and everything when I finish my career,” he said.

“Right now, it’s all business. I still have to ⁠recover. I’m still in the tournament, and I have the best player in the world in a few days.”

Djokovic, the seventh seed, chuckled after several missed chances in a long opening-set tiebreak, and had ‌the last laugh when Auger-Aliassime blasted a volley long to surrender a set that he should have comfortably won.

A double fault from Djokovic gifted Auger-Aliassime a break to go up 5-3 in the next set and the Canadian held his nerve and serve in the next game to draw level in the contest, before the Centre Court roof was closed at around 7.40 p.m. local time.

DJOKOVIC COMPOSED AFTER COMPLAINTS

The move prompted complaints from Djokovic, but he composed himself as the third set got underway ‌and produced cleaner ball-striking to finally break Auger-Aliassime in the sixth game and then tighten his grip on the match.

Auger-Aliassime ​lost his opening service game in the fourth set and let his frustrations boil over when he whacked his chair with his racket, but put up a brave ⁠display and got back on level terms via the tiebreak to force a decider.

There was no separating ⁠the pair for 12 games of the final set until Djokovic drew on his experience in the match tiebreak to finally overcome Auger-Aliassime and soak up the deafening applause from ‌a thoroughly-entertained crowd.

“You know, I was telling my kids to go to sleep after the fourth set but they didn’t want to listen,” Djokovic added.

“I’m glad they stayed up, because it ​was, honestly, one of the best matches I was part of on this court, in my career.”

Published on Jul 08, 2026

#Wimbledon #Racket #heart #Djokovic #tames #AugerAliassime #enter #semifinals">Wimbledon 2026: ‘Racket and heart’ as Djokovic tames Auger-Aliassime to enter semifinals

Novak Djokovic ​reached an eighth straight Wimbledon semifinal after grinding down Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) in ‌an epic battle on Tuesday to set up a showdown with reigning champion Jannik ​Sinner.

Having surpassed Roger Federer for most match victories at the All England Club ⁠with his 106th win in the last round, the 39-year-old eclipsed the Swiss again by becoming the first man to reach the last four eight straight times.

Djokovic got there by coming through the longest quarterfinal in Wimbledon history, ‌at five hours and 15 minutes, with a gutsy display against a determined opponent who proved hard to break down for much of the contest.

“I won with a ‌racket and a lot of heart,” Djokovic said.

“I guess it’s the management of the nerves ‌and ⁠the extreme tension you feel in these kinds of matches. Towards the end, it ⁠was anybody’s game. The scoreline was even all the way through. It was anybody’s game in the super tiebreak in the fifth.

“What can I say? I mean, these are kinds of moments that I still play tennis for. I wish it ​was the final, you know, so I ‌don’t need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow. But yeah… I’m happy that I won.”

ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER CLASH WITH SINNER

Djokovic’s hunt for an eighth crown to match retired rival Federer and a 25th major trophy to move past Australian Margaret Court will continue when he ‌meets Sinner in what promises to be another blockbuster chapter in their rivalry.

RELATED | Sinner aces Struff challenge to advance to semis

“It’s just another ​semifinal for me. I’m going to look at the numbers and everything when I finish my career,” he said.

“Right now, it’s all business. I still have to ⁠recover. I’m still in the tournament, and I have the best player in the world in a few days.”

Djokovic, the seventh seed, chuckled after several missed chances in a long opening-set tiebreak, and had ‌the last laugh when Auger-Aliassime blasted a volley long to surrender a set that he should have comfortably won.

A double fault from Djokovic gifted Auger-Aliassime a break to go up 5-3 in the next set and the Canadian held his nerve and serve in the next game to draw level in the contest, before the Centre Court roof was closed at around 7.40 p.m. local time.

DJOKOVIC COMPOSED AFTER COMPLAINTS

The move prompted complaints from Djokovic, but he composed himself as the third set got underway ‌and produced cleaner ball-striking to finally break Auger-Aliassime in the sixth game and then tighten his grip on the match.

Auger-Aliassime ​lost his opening service game in the fourth set and let his frustrations boil over when he whacked his chair with his racket, but put up a brave ⁠display and got back on level terms via the tiebreak to force a decider.

There was no separating ⁠the pair for 12 games of the final set until Djokovic drew on his experience in the match tiebreak to finally overcome Auger-Aliassime and soak up the deafening applause from ‌a thoroughly-entertained crowd.

“You know, I was telling my kids to go to sleep after the fourth set but they didn’t want to listen,” Djokovic added.

“I’m glad they stayed up, because it ​was, honestly, one of the best matches I was part of on this court, in my career.”

Published on Jul 08, 2026

#Wimbledon #Racket #heart #Djokovic #tames #AugerAliassime #enter #semifinals
Deadspin | Athletics activate SS Jacob Wilson from IL  Jun 17, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) hits a single during the sixth inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images   The Athletics activated shortstop Jacob Wilson from the injured list Tuesday while left-hander Jacob Lopez also was added to the active roster.  In corresponding moves, the club optioned catcher Brian Serven and right-hander Kade Morris to Triple-A Las Vegas.  Wilson, 24, has not played since June 26 because of right thumb inflammation. One season after Wilson was named an American League All-Star and finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting, he is batting .277 with four homers and 26 RBIs in 50 games. Wilson also has missed time with a shoulder injury this season.  Lopez, 28, is 4-3 with a 6.75 ERA in 12 appearances (10 starts) for the A’s this season. In parts of four major league seasons, he is 12-10 with a 4.99 ERA in 41 appearances (29 starts) for the Tampa Bay Rays (2023-24) and A’s.   Serven, 31, has played one game for the A’s this season, his first major league action in two years. In parts of four seasons, he is a career .188 hitter with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 102 games for the Colorado Rockies (2022-23), Toronto Blue Jays (2024) and A’s.  Morris, 24, made his major league debut June 6 and went 0-1 with an 11.70 ERA over his first three appearances (one start).  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Athletics #activate #Jacob #WilsonJun 17, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) hits a single during the sixth inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

The Athletics activated shortstop Jacob Wilson from the injured list Tuesday while left-hander Jacob Lopez also was added to the active roster.

In corresponding moves, the club optioned catcher Brian Serven and right-hander Kade Morris to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Wilson, 24, has not played since June 26 because of right thumb inflammation. One season after Wilson was named an American League All-Star and finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting, he is batting .277 with four homers and 26 RBIs in 50 games. Wilson also has missed time with a shoulder injury this season.


Lopez, 28, is 4-3 with a 6.75 ERA in 12 appearances (10 starts) for the A’s this season. In parts of four major league seasons, he is 12-10 with a 4.99 ERA in 41 appearances (29 starts) for the Tampa Bay Rays (2023-24) and A’s.

Serven, 31, has played one game for the A’s this season, his first major league action in two years. In parts of four seasons, he is a career .188 hitter with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 102 games for the Colorado Rockies (2022-23), Toronto Blue Jays (2024) and A’s.

Morris, 24, made his major league debut June 6 and went 0-1 with an 11.70 ERA over his first three appearances (one start).

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Athletics #activate #Jacob #Wilson">Deadspin | Athletics activate SS Jacob Wilson from IL  Jun 17, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) hits a single during the sixth inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images   The Athletics activated shortstop Jacob Wilson from the injured list Tuesday while left-hander Jacob Lopez also was added to the active roster.  In corresponding moves, the club optioned catcher Brian Serven and right-hander Kade Morris to Triple-A Las Vegas.  Wilson, 24, has not played since June 26 because of right thumb inflammation. One season after Wilson was named an American League All-Star and finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting, he is batting .277 with four homers and 26 RBIs in 50 games. Wilson also has missed time with a shoulder injury this season.  Lopez, 28, is 4-3 with a 6.75 ERA in 12 appearances (10 starts) for the A’s this season. In parts of four major league seasons, he is 12-10 with a 4.99 ERA in 41 appearances (29 starts) for the Tampa Bay Rays (2023-24) and A’s.   Serven, 31, has played one game for the A’s this season, his first major league action in two years. In parts of four seasons, he is a career .188 hitter with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 102 games for the Colorado Rockies (2022-23), Toronto Blue Jays (2024) and A’s.  Morris, 24, made his major league debut June 6 and went 0-1 with an 11.70 ERA over his first three appearances (one start).  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Athletics #activate #Jacob #Wilson

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