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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

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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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Deadspin | Panthers yet to pick up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) and wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (15) reacts in the fourth quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan expects the Panthers to pick up the fifth-year option on quarterback Bryce Young before the deadline next month. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft is on hold while No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud, No. 3 pick Will Anderson Jr., No. 5 pick Devon Witherspoon of the Seahawks and Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (8th overall) had the options for 2027 picked up. No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson (Colts) will not have his option exercised by the May 1 deadline. “Obviously, the player’s not in the building yet. So, once Bryce gets in the building, and we’re busy with the draft, it’s offseason,” Morgan said of why Young’s option decision wasn’t made official yet. “So we’ll get that done as soon as he gets back in the building.” Young’s fifth-year option could be a precursor to a long-term contract, Morgan said, pointing to Carolina taking the “long view” on his development. The fifth-year option would guarantee Young’s 2027 salary at .5 million. Young had his best season as a pro in 2025, guiding the Panthers to their first NFC South division title in 10 seasons. He had a career-high 23 touchdown passes and threw for 3,011 yards. The Panthers acquired the No. 1 pick from the Chicago Bears prior to the 2023 draft and before Morgan and head coach Dave Canales were in their current positions. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Panthers #pick #Bryce #Youngs #fifthyear #optionJan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) and wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (15) reacts in the fourth quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan expects the Panthers to pick up the fifth-year option on quarterback Bryce Young before the deadline next month.

The No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft is on hold while No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud, No. 3 pick Will Anderson Jr., No. 5 pick Devon Witherspoon of the Seahawks and Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (8th overall) had the options for 2027 picked up. No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson (Colts) will not have his option exercised by the May 1 deadline.

“Obviously, the player’s not in the building yet. So, once Bryce gets in the building, and we’re busy with the draft, it’s offseason,” Morgan said of why Young’s option decision wasn’t made official yet. “So we’ll get that done as soon as he gets back in the building.”


Young’s fifth-year option could be a precursor to a long-term contract, Morgan said, pointing to Carolina taking the “long view” on his development. The fifth-year option would guarantee Young’s 2027 salary at $26.5 million.

Young had his best season as a pro in 2025, guiding the Panthers to their first NFC South division title in 10 seasons. He had a career-high 23 touchdown passes and threw for 3,011 yards.

The Panthers acquired the No. 1 pick from the Chicago Bears prior to the 2023 draft and before Morgan and head coach Dave Canales were in their current positions.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Panthers #pick #Bryce #Youngs #fifthyear #option">Deadspin | Panthers yet to pick up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) and wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (15) reacts in the fourth quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan expects the Panthers to pick up the fifth-year option on quarterback Bryce Young before the deadline next month. The No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft is on hold while No. 2 pick C.J. Stroud, No. 3 pick Will Anderson Jr., No. 5 pick Devon Witherspoon of the Seahawks and Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (8th overall) had the options for 2027 picked up. No. 4 pick Anthony Richardson (Colts) will not have his option exercised by the May 1 deadline. “Obviously, the player’s not in the building yet. So, once Bryce gets in the building, and we’re busy with the draft, it’s offseason,” Morgan said of why Young’s option decision wasn’t made official yet. “So we’ll get that done as soon as he gets back in the building.” Young’s fifth-year option could be a precursor to a long-term contract, Morgan said, pointing to Carolina taking the “long view” on his development. The fifth-year option would guarantee Young’s 2027 salary at .5 million. Young had his best season as a pro in 2025, guiding the Panthers to their first NFC South division title in 10 seasons. He had a career-high 23 touchdown passes and threw for 3,011 yards. The Panthers acquired the No. 1 pick from the Chicago Bears prior to the 2023 draft and before Morgan and head coach Dave Canales were in their current positions. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Panthers #pick #Bryce #Youngs #fifthyear #option

FIFA’s leadership discussed the possibility of its president, Gianni Infantino, asking United States President Donald Trump to pause ICE ​raids during this summer’s World Cup in North America, according to ‌a report from The Athletic.

Infantino was receptive to the ​idea and was planning a “president-to-president” request to ⁠Trump for ICE’s role surrounding the World Cup to be reduced, per the report. It has not yet been reported if Infantino has formally ‌made the request or how Trump and the U.S. administration would respond.

During Trump’s second term, ICE ‌has raided multiple U.S. cities in an effort to deliver ‌on ⁠the President’s message of mass deportation he ⁠campaigned on ahead of the 2024 election. In addition to deportations, these raids have led to conflicts with protestors, including the killings of Renee Good ​and Alex Pretti earlier this ‌year in Minneapolis.

Acting ICE (U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) director Todd Lyons previously said agents would be involved in security at matches for this summer’s event, the largest World Cup ‌in FIFA history with 48 teams.

Members of Congress ​have raised concerns about ICE’s presence surrounding the World Cup leading instead to immigration-enforcement raids. Los Angeles-based workers ⁠at SoFi Stadium — where the U.S. team will play two of its three group-stage games — threatened to strike last week ‌over similar concerns.

ALSO READ: Matt Crocker quits as US football federation sporting director just 2 months before World Cup

According to the report, a number of FIFA member federations, particularly in Europe, have shared their concerns about the presence of ICE agents around the event.

FIFA originally believed that limiting ICE activity in the 11 American cities that will be hosting matches would suffice. However, with travel ‌expanding well beyond those locations with teams setting up base camps across ​the country in cities that won’t be hosting matches, FIFA now desires a total suspension of all ICE ⁠raids during the entire World Cup, which is being held from ⁠June 11 through July 19.

Trump and Infantino have struck up a relationship which could pay off ‌with the request being honored. FIFA has an office in New York’s Trump Tower and the organization gave the ​President the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December during the World Cup draw event.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#FIFA #Trump #pause #ICE #raids #World #Cup #reports">FIFA could ask Trump to pause ICE raids during World Cup – reports FIFA’s leadership discussed the possibility of its president, Gianni Infantino, asking United States President Donald Trump to pause ICE ​raids during this summer’s World Cup in North America, according to ‌a report from The Athletic.Infantino was receptive to the ​idea and was planning a “president-to-president” request to ⁠Trump for ICE’s role surrounding the World Cup to be reduced, per the report. It has not yet been reported if Infantino has formally ‌made the request or how Trump and the U.S. administration would respond.During Trump’s second term, ICE ‌has raided multiple U.S. cities in an effort to deliver ‌on ⁠the President’s message of mass deportation he ⁠campaigned on ahead of the 2024 election. In addition to deportations, these raids have led to conflicts with protestors, including the killings of Renee Good ​and Alex Pretti earlier this ‌year in Minneapolis.Acting ICE (U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) director Todd Lyons previously said agents would be involved in security at matches for this summer’s event, the largest World Cup ‌in FIFA history with 48 teams.Members of Congress ​have raised concerns about ICE’s presence surrounding the World Cup leading instead to immigration-enforcement raids. Los Angeles-based workers ⁠at SoFi Stadium — where the U.S. team will play two of its three group-stage games — threatened to strike last week ‌over similar concerns.ALSO READ: Matt Crocker quits as US football federation sporting director just 2 months before World CupAccording to the report, a number of FIFA member federations, particularly in Europe, have shared their concerns about the presence of ICE agents around the event.FIFA originally believed that limiting ICE activity in the 11 American cities that will be hosting matches would suffice. However, with travel ‌expanding well beyond those locations with teams setting up base camps across ​the country in cities that won’t be hosting matches, FIFA now desires a total suspension of all ICE ⁠raids during the entire World Cup, which is being held from ⁠June 11 through July 19.Trump and Infantino have struck up a relationship which could pay off ‌with the request being honored. FIFA has an office in New York’s Trump Tower and the organization gave the ​President the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December during the World Cup draw event.Published on Apr 14, 2026 #FIFA #Trump #pause #ICE #raids #World #Cup #reports

Matt Crocker quits as US football federation sporting director just 2 months before World Cup

According to the report, a number of FIFA member federations, particularly in Europe, have shared their concerns about the presence of ICE agents around the event.

FIFA originally believed that limiting ICE activity in the 11 American cities that will be hosting matches would suffice. However, with travel ‌expanding well beyond those locations with teams setting up base camps across ​the country in cities that won’t be hosting matches, FIFA now desires a total suspension of all ICE ⁠raids during the entire World Cup, which is being held from ⁠June 11 through July 19.

Trump and Infantino have struck up a relationship which could pay off ‌with the request being honored. FIFA has an office in New York’s Trump Tower and the organization gave the ​President the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December during the World Cup draw event.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#FIFA #Trump #pause #ICE #raids #World #Cup #reports">FIFA could ask Trump to pause ICE raids during World Cup – reports

FIFA’s leadership discussed the possibility of its president, Gianni Infantino, asking United States President Donald Trump to pause ICE ​raids during this summer’s World Cup in North America, according to ‌a report from The Athletic.

Infantino was receptive to the ​idea and was planning a “president-to-president” request to ⁠Trump for ICE’s role surrounding the World Cup to be reduced, per the report. It has not yet been reported if Infantino has formally ‌made the request or how Trump and the U.S. administration would respond.

During Trump’s second term, ICE ‌has raided multiple U.S. cities in an effort to deliver ‌on ⁠the President’s message of mass deportation he ⁠campaigned on ahead of the 2024 election. In addition to deportations, these raids have led to conflicts with protestors, including the killings of Renee Good ​and Alex Pretti earlier this ‌year in Minneapolis.

Acting ICE (U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) director Todd Lyons previously said agents would be involved in security at matches for this summer’s event, the largest World Cup ‌in FIFA history with 48 teams.

Members of Congress ​have raised concerns about ICE’s presence surrounding the World Cup leading instead to immigration-enforcement raids. Los Angeles-based workers ⁠at SoFi Stadium — where the U.S. team will play two of its three group-stage games — threatened to strike last week ‌over similar concerns.

ALSO READ: Matt Crocker quits as US football federation sporting director just 2 months before World Cup

According to the report, a number of FIFA member federations, particularly in Europe, have shared their concerns about the presence of ICE agents around the event.

FIFA originally believed that limiting ICE activity in the 11 American cities that will be hosting matches would suffice. However, with travel ‌expanding well beyond those locations with teams setting up base camps across ​the country in cities that won’t be hosting matches, FIFA now desires a total suspension of all ICE ⁠raids during the entire World Cup, which is being held from ⁠June 11 through July 19.

Trump and Infantino have struck up a relationship which could pay off ‌with the request being honored. FIFA has an office in New York’s Trump Tower and the organization gave the ​President the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize in December during the World Cup draw event.

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#FIFA #Trump #pause #ICE #raids #World #Cup #reports
Deadspin | Sergio Garcia apologizes for meltdown at Masters Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sergio Garcia lines up a putt on the second green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images Sergio Garcia apologized on Tuesday for his behavior at the Masters, where he received a code of conduct warning following his meltdown at the second hole on Sunday. Garcia, 46, had little to say to reporters following his final round at Augusta National before opting to open up on social media two days later. “I want to apologize for my actions on Sunday at the Masters tournament. I respect and value everything that the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to Golf,” wrote Garcia, a 2017 Masters champion. “I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game. It doesn’t reflect the respect and appreciation I have for the Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world.” Having already absorbed a bogey on his first hole — the first of five on the day — Garcia lined up for his tee shot on No. 2, found the shot not to his liking as it made a beeline for the fairway bunker and promptly took two heavy swings at the turf in frustration. Apparently not content until his driver had lost its head completely, the Spaniard swung the blunted instrument into a cooling stand a few moments later, then snapped the dangling head of the damaged driver off himself shortly after that. Garcia ultimately finished with the third-highest score among players to make the cut, as his 3-over-par 75 left him at 8 over for the tournament. Only Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark (10 over) and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa (12 over) were worse. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sergio #Garcia #apologizes #meltdown #MastersApr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sergio Garcia lines up a putt on the second green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Sergio Garcia apologized on Tuesday for his behavior at the Masters, where he received a code of conduct warning following his meltdown at the second hole on Sunday.

Garcia, 46, had little to say to reporters following his final round at Augusta National before opting to open up on social media two days later.

“I want to apologize for my actions on Sunday at the Masters tournament. I respect and value everything that the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to Golf,” wrote Garcia, a 2017 Masters champion.


“I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game. It doesn’t reflect the respect and appreciation I have for the Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world.”

Having already absorbed a bogey on his first hole — the first of five on the day — Garcia lined up for his tee shot on No. 2, found the shot not to his liking as it made a beeline for the fairway bunker and promptly took two heavy swings at the turf in frustration.

Apparently not content until his driver had lost its head completely, the Spaniard swung the blunted instrument into a cooling stand a few moments later, then snapped the dangling head of the damaged driver off himself shortly after that.

Garcia ultimately finished with the third-highest score among players to make the cut, as his 3-over-par 75 left him at 8 over for the tournament. Only Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark (10 over) and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa (12 over) were worse.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sergio #Garcia #apologizes #meltdown #Masters">Deadspin | Sergio Garcia apologizes for meltdown at Masters Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sergio Garcia lines up a putt on the second green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images Sergio Garcia apologized on Tuesday for his behavior at the Masters, where he received a code of conduct warning following his meltdown at the second hole on Sunday. Garcia, 46, had little to say to reporters following his final round at Augusta National before opting to open up on social media two days later. “I want to apologize for my actions on Sunday at the Masters tournament. I respect and value everything that the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club is to Golf,” wrote Garcia, a 2017 Masters champion. “I regret the way I acted and it has no place in our game. It doesn’t reflect the respect and appreciation I have for the Masters, the patrons, tournament officials and golf fans around the world.” Having already absorbed a bogey on his first hole — the first of five on the day — Garcia lined up for his tee shot on No. 2, found the shot not to his liking as it made a beeline for the fairway bunker and promptly took two heavy swings at the turf in frustration. Apparently not content until his driver had lost its head completely, the Spaniard swung the blunted instrument into a cooling stand a few moments later, then snapped the dangling head of the damaged driver off himself shortly after that. Garcia ultimately finished with the third-highest score among players to make the cut, as his 3-over-par 75 left him at 8 over for the tournament. Only Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark (10 over) and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa (12 over) were worse. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sergio #Garcia #apologizes #meltdown #Masters

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