1) No. 6 Miami Blows 21-Point Lead as Syracuse Rallies to Secure Stunning Upset
The No. 6 University of Miami’s ACC title hopes—and potentially its College Football Playoff chances—were dashed in a shocking 42-38 loss to the University of Syracuse on Saturday.
The Hurricanes raced to a 21-0 lead within the first 18 minutes but crumbled under the Orange’s relentless comeback. Syracuse scored 28 points in the second half, including a game-changing 56-yard fumble return for a touchdown by defensive back Devin Grant in the third quarter.
Kyle McCord powered Syracuse with 380 passing yards and three touchdowns, while LeQuint Allen added two rushing scores and converted two key first downs during a final clock-draining drive.
Miami quarterback Cam Ward threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns, but the Hurricanes (10-2, 6-2 ACC) were outscored 21-7 in the third quarter and could not recover. With the loss, Miami will be eliminated from ACC title contention, as Clemson will face SMU in the championship game. The Hurricanes now await their fate, hoping for an at-large bid in the expanded 12-team playoff, while Syracuse (9-3, 5-3 ACC) notched its third upset of a ranked opponent this season.
2) Michigan Hands No. 2 Ohio State a Crushing 13-10 Loss, Knocking Buckeyes Out of Big Ten Title Race
The University of Ohio State’s College Football Playoff hopes took a massive hit as the No. 2 Buckeyes suffered a stunning 13-10 loss to Michigan, marking their fourth straight defeat in the rivalry. The Wolverines capitalized on Ohio State’s mistakes early, with Aamir Hall returning an interception to the Buckeyes’ 2-yard line to set up Kalel Mullings’ short touchdown run.
Mullings led the Wolverines with 116 rushing yards as Michigan outran Ohio State 172-77. The Buckeyes struggled offensively, with star freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith limited to just one second-half catch for 3 yards after an early 10-yard touchdown grab. The loss eliminated Ohio State from the Big Ten title game and saw them fall four spots in the College Football Playoff rankings.
3) Donovan Mitchell’s 35-Point Explosion Lifts Cavaliers Over Celtics in Thrilling Comeback
Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points, including 20 in a dominant fourth quarter, to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 115-111 comeback win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday, Dec. 1.
The Cavaliers erased a 14-point second-half deficit to avenge a recent narrow loss to Boston in a battle of the NBA’s top teams. Mitchell hit all six of his field-goal attempts in the final frame, including four three-pointers, and sealed the game with clutch free throws after a critical Celtics turnover in the final seconds.
Point guard Darius Garland added 22 points and eight assists, while small forward George Niang contributed 13 off the bench, showcasing Cleveland’s depth and defensive grit. Boston, playing without shooting guard Jaylen Brown and guard Derrick White, was led by power forward Jayson Tatum’s 33 points, guard Peyton Pritchard’s 24 off the bench and power forward Kristaps Porzingis’ 21 points and eight boards. Despite the absences on both sides, Cleveland’s ability to rally under pressure marked this as a significant confidence boost, though not necessarily a playoff preview.
4) Eagles Earn Statement Win Over Ravens, Extend Streak to Eight Games
The Philadelphia Eagles overcame an early 9-0 deficit and a sluggish start to secure a 24-19 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Dec. 1, marking their eighth straight win and first-ever triumph in Baltimore.
Running back Saquon Barkley led the charge with a standout 100-yard rushing performance, highlighted by a 25-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that gave the Eagles a 21-12 lead. Baltimore’s usually reliable kicker, Justin Tucker, had an uncharacteristically rough outing, missing two field goals and an extra point, leaving seven critical points on the board.
Despite the Ravens’ defense holding the Eagles to just six plays for three yards in the third quarter, their offense couldn’t capitalize, with Tucker’s misses preventing them from retaking the lead. Philadelphia’s second-quarter surge, fueled by touchdowns from tight end Dallas Goedert and quarterback Jalen Hurts, proved decisive.
Although Baltimore added a late touchdown with three seconds left, it wasn’t enough to stop the Eagles from improving to 10-2 and making a strong statement against a quality Ravens team.
5) Steelers Outlast Bengals in High-Scoring Duel, Secure 21st Straight Winning Season
The Pittsburgh Steelers clinched their 21st consecutive season without a losing record with a thrilling 44-38 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Dec. 1 tying the 1965-85 Dallas Cowboys for the NFL’s longest streak.
Quarterback Russell Wilson, who is now 5-1 as the Steelers starter, led the way for the Steelers, throwing for 414 yards and three touchdowns on 76.3% completions in one of his best performances of the season. Wide receiver George Pickens contributed 74 receiving yards and a touchdown, while running back Najee Harris added 75 rushing yards and a score.
The Steelers’ 44 points marked their highest output since 2015, and the 82 combined points set the season’s high mark in the NFL. Defensively, Pittsburgh’s defensive back T.J. Watt recorded two of the team’s four sacks and played a key role in forcing two fumbles by quarterback Joe Burrow, both recovered by the Steelers.
Despite Burrow’s impressive 309 passing yards and three touchdowns, the Bengals fell to 4-8 and are now 1-5 at home, jeopardizing their playoff chances for the second consecutive year. The win helped the Steelers bounce back from last week’s loss to Cleveland and maintain their lead atop the AFC North.
