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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Greg McGarity had reason to be concerned. The Gator Bowl president kept a watchful eye on College Football Playoff scenarios all season and understood the fallout might affect his postseason matchup in Jacksonville. What if the Southeastern Conference got five teams into the expanded CFP? What if the Atlantic Coast Conference landed three spots? It was a math problem that was impossible to truly answer, even into late November. Four first-round playoff games, which will end with four good teams going home without a bowl game, had the potential to shake up the system. The good news for McGarity and other bowl organizers: Adding quality teams to power leagues — Oregon to the Big Ten, Texas to the SEC and SMU to the ACC — managed to ease much of the handwringing. McGarity and the Gator Bowl ended up with their highest-ranked team, No. 16 Ole Miss, in nearly two decades. "It really didn't lessen our pool much at all," McGarity said. "The SEC bowl pool strengthened with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma. You knew they were going to push traditional SEC teams up or down. Texas ended up pushing just about everyone down." The long waiting game was the latest twist for non-CFP bowls that have become adept at dealing with change. Efforts to match the top teams came and went in the 1990s and first decade of this century before the CFP became the first actual tournament in major college football. It was a four-team invitational — until this year, when the 12-team expanded format meant that four quality teams would not be in the mix for bowl games after they lose next week in the first round. "There's been a lot of things that we've kind of had to roll with," said Scott Ramsey, president of the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee. "I don't think the extra games changed our selection model to much degree. We used to look at the New York's Six before this, and that was 12 teams out of the bowl mix. The 12-team playoff is pretty much the same." Ramsey ended up with No. 23 Missouri against Iowa in his Dec. 30 bowl. A lot of so-called lesser bowl games do have high-profile teams — the ReliaQuest Bowl has No. 11 Alabama vs. Michigan (a rematch of last year's CFP semifinal), Texas A&M and USC will play in the Las Vegas Bowl while No. 14 South Carolina and No. 15 Miami, two CFP bubble teams, ended up in separate bowls in Orlando. "The stress of it is just the fact that the CFP takes that opening weekend," Las Vegas Bowl executive director John Saccenti said. "It kind of condenses the calendar a little bit." Bowl season opens Saturday with the Cricket Celebration Bowl. The first round of the CFP runs Dec. 20-21. It remains to be seen whether non-CFP bowls will see an impact from the new dynamic. They will know more by 2026, with a planned bowl reset looming. It could include CFP expansion from 12 to 14 teams and significant tweaks to the bowl system. More on-campus matchups? More diversity among cities selected to host semifinal and championship games? And would there be a trickle-down effect for everyone else? Demand for non-playoff bowls remains high, according to ESPN, despite increased focus on the expanded CFP and more players choosing to skip season finales to either enter the NCAA transfer portal or begin preparations for the NFL draft. "There's a natural appetite around the holidays for football and bowl games," Kurt Dargis, ESPN's senior director of programming and acquisitions, said at Sports Business Journal's Intercollegiate Athletics Forum last week in Las Vegas. "People still want to watch bowl games, regardless of what's going on with the playoff. ... It's obviously an unknown now with the expanded playoff, but we really feel like it's going to continue." The current bowl format runs through 2025. What lies ahead is anyone's guess. Could sponsors start paying athletes to play in bowl games? Could schools include hefty name, image and likeness incentives for players participating in bowls? Would conferences be willing to dump bowl tie-ins to provide a wider range of potential matchups? Are bowls ready to lean into more edginess like Pop-Tarts has done with its edible mascot? The path forward will be determined primarily by revenue, title sponsors, TV demand and ticket sales. "The one thing I have learned is we're going to serve our partners," Saccenti said. "We're going to be a part of the system that's there, and we're going to try to remain flexible and make sure that we're adjusting to what's going on in the world of postseason college football."The fireworks keep coming for Penn State , this time in the class of 2026. Three-star wide receiver Jerquaden Guilford of Northrop High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, announced his commitment to Penn State on Friday. The pledge came just about an hour after Penn State received a massive commitment from No. 1 2025 Pennsylvania prospect and tight end Andrew Olesh . Guilford, ranked as Indiana’s No. 4 player and the No. 105 receiver early in the 2026 class, has visited Penn State twice. He went to Happy Valley in July for a camp at which he earned his official offer, while he returned for the Maryland game at the end of the regular season. By looking at his list of offers, though, Guilford could turn into a hidden gem. Among other Power Four schools, he holds offers from Georgia, Tennessee and Ohio State. Penn State and wide receivers coach Marques Hagans have felt the external pressure surrounding the position’s performance, and they’ve targeted receiving prospects early and often. They signed four in the 2025 class, and in the early goings of the 2026 cycle, Penn State now has three promising commitments. Three-stars Lavar Keys of Maryland and Jahsiear Rogers of Delaware made their pledges over the summer. The Nittany Lions’ 2026 group now features eight prospects. Though it is indeed early in the process, Penn State ranked third nationally before Guilford’s commitment. The class is headlined by two Harrisburg stars, offensive tackle Kevin Brown (No. 1 in Pa.) and Messiah Mickens (No. 4). BETTING: Check out our guide to the best PA sportsbooks , where our team of sports betting experts has reviewed the experience, payout speed, parlay options and quality of odds for multiple sportsbooks. Sign up for the PennLive’s Penn State newsletters, the daily Penn State Today and the subscriber-exclusive Penn State Insider ©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit pennlive.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Rape allegation against Jay-Z will not affect NFL relationship, says chief“Gladiator II” asks the question: Are you not moderately entertained for roughly 60% of this sequel? Truly, this is a movie dependent on managed expectations and a forgiving attitude toward its tendency to overserve. More of a thrash-and-burn schlock epic than the comparatively restrained 2000 “Gladiator,” also directed by Ridley Scott, the new one recycles a fair bit of the old one’s narrative cries for freedom while tossing in some digital sharks for the flooded Colosseum and a bout of deadly sea-battle theatrics. They really did flood the Colosseum in those days, though no historical evidence suggests shark deployment, real or digital. On the other hand (checks notes), “Gladiator II” is fiction. Screenwriter David Scarpa picks things up 16 years after “Gladiator,” which gave us the noble death of the noble warrior Maximus, shortly after slaying the ignoble emperor and returning Rome to the control of the Senate. Our new hero, Lucius (Paul Mescal), has fled Rome for Numidia, on the North African coast. The time is 200 A.D., and for the corrupt, party-time twins running the empire (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger), that means invasion time. Pedro Pascal takes the role of Acacius, the deeply conflicted general, sick of war and tired of taking orders from a pair of depraved ferrets. The new film winds around the old one this way: Acacius is married to Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, in a welcome return), daughter of the now-deceased emperor Aurelius and the love of the late Maximus’s life. Enslaved and dragged to Rome to gladiate, the widower Lucius vows revenge on the general whose armies killed his wife. But there are things this angry young phenom must learn, about his ancestry and his destiny. It’s the movie’s worst-kept secret, but there’s a reason he keeps seeing footage of Russell Crowe from the first movie in his fever dreams. Battle follows battle, on the field, in the arena, in the nearest river, wherever, and usually with endless splurches of computer-generated blood. “Gladiator II” essentially bumper-cars its way through the mayhem, pausing for long periods of expository scheming about overthrowing the current regime. The prince of all fixers, a wily operative with interests in both managing gladiators and stocking munitions, goes by the name Macrinus. He’s played by Denzel Washington, who at one point makes a full meal out of pronouncing the word “politics” like it’s a poisoned fig. Also, if you want a masterclass in letting your robes do a lot of your acting for you, watch what Washington does here. He’s more fun than the movie but you can’t have everything. The movie tries everything, all right, and twice. Ridley Scott marshals the chaotic action sequences well enough, though he’s undercut by frenetic cutting rhythms, with that now-familiar, slightly sped-up visual acceleration in frequent use. (Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo are the editors.) Mescal acquits himself well in his first big-budget commercial walloper of an assignment, confined though he is to a narrower range of seething resentments than Crowe’s in the first film. I left thinking about two things: the word “politics” as savored/spit out by Washington, and the innate paradox of how Scott, whose best work over the decades has been wonderful, delivers spectacle. The director and his lavishly talented design team built all the rough-hewn sets with actual tangible materials the massive budget allowed. They took care to find the right locations in Morocco and Malta. Yet when combined in post-production with scads of medium-grade digital effects work in crowd scenes and the like, never mind the sharks, the movie’s a somewhat frustrating amalgam. With an uneven script on top of it, the visual texture of “Gladiator II” grows increasingly less enveloping and atmospherically persuasive, not more. But I hung there, for some of the acting, for some of the callbacks, and for the many individual moments, or single shots, that could only have come from Ridley Scott. And in the end, yes, you too may be moderately entertained. “Gladiator II” — 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: R (for strong bloody violence) Running time: 2:28 How to watch: Premieres in theaters Nov. 21. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is weighing whether to issue sweeping pardons for officials and allies who the White House fears could be unjustly targeted by President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, a preemptive move that would be a novel and risky use of the president’s extraordinary constitutional power. The deliberations so far are largely at the level of White House lawyers. But Biden himself has discussed the topic with some senior aides, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday to discuss the sensitive subject. No decisions have been made, the people said, and it is possible Biden opts to do nothing at all. Pardons are historically afforded to those accused of specific crimes – and usually those who have already been convicted of an offense — but Biden’s team is considering issuing them for those who have not even been investigated, let alone charged. They fear that Trump and his allies, who have boasted of enemies lists and exacting “retribution,” could launch investigations that would be reputationally and financially costly for their targets even if they don’t result in prosecutions. While the president’s pardon power is absolute, Biden’s use in this fashion would mark a significant expansion of how they are deployed, and some Biden aides fear it could lay the groundwork for an even more drastic usage by Trump. They also worry that issuing pardons would feed into claims by Trump and his allies that the individuals committed acts that necessitated immunity. Recipients could include infectious-disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was instrumental in combating the coronavirus pandemic and who has become a pariah to conservatives angry about mask mandates and vaccines. Others include witnesses in Trump’s criminal or civil trials and Biden administration officials who have drawn the ire of the incoming president and his allies. Some fearful former officials have reached out to the Biden White House preemptively seeking some sort of protection from the future Trump administration, one of the people said. It follows Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter — not just for his convictions on federal gun and tax violations, but for any potential federal offense committed over an 11-year period, as the president feared that Trump allies would seek to prosecute his son for other offenses. That could serve as a model for other pardons Biden might issue to those who could find themselves in legal jeopardy under Trump. Biden is not the first to consider such pardons — Trump aides considered them for him and his supporters involved in his failed efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election that culminated in a violent riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But he could be the first to issue them since Trump’s pardons never materialized before he left office nearly four years ago. Gerald Ford granted a “full, free, and absolute pardon” in 1974 to his predecessor, Richard Nixon, over the Watergate scandal. He believed a potential trial would “cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States,” as written in the pardon proclamation. Politico was first to report that Biden was studying the use of preemptive pardons. On the campaign trail, Trump made no secret of his desire to seek revenge on those who prosecuted him or crossed him. Trump has talked about “enemies from within” and circulated social media posts that call for the jailing of Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Vice President Mike Pence and Sens. Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer. He also zeroed in on former Rep. Liz Cheney, a conservative Republican who campaigned for Harris and helped investigate Jan. 6, and he promoted a social media post that suggested he wanted military tribunals for supposed treason. Kash Patel, whom Trump has announced as his nominee to be director of the FBI, has listed dozens of former government officials he wanted to “come after.” Richard Painter, a Trump critic who served as the top White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, said he was reluctantly in support of having Biden issue sweeping pardons to people who could be targeted by Trump’s administration. He said he hoped that would “clean the slate” for the incoming president and encourage him to focus on governing, not on punishing his political allies. “It’s not an ideal situation at all,” Painter said. “We have a whole lot of bad options confronting us at this point.” While the Supreme Court this year ruled that the president enjoys broad immunity from prosecution for what could be considered official acts, his aides and allies enjoy no such shield. Some fear that Trump could use the promise of a blanket pardon to encourage his allies to take actions they might otherwise resist for fear of running afoul of the law. “There could be blatant illegal conduct over the next four years, and he can go out and pardon his people before he leaves office,” Painter said. “But if he’s going to do that, he’s going to do that anyway regardless of what Biden does.” More conventional pardons from Biden, such as those for sentencing disparities for people convicted of federal crimes, are expected before the end of the year, the White House said.

Jon Walters takes 'full responsibility' as Stoke sack manager after 19 gamesArguments about past presidents shape the nation’s present understanding of itself, and hence its unfolding future. In recent years, biographies by nonacademics have rescued some presidents from progressive academia’s indifference or condescension: John Adams (rescued by David McCullough), Ulysses S. Grant (by Ron Chernow), Calvin Coolidge (by Amity Shlaes). The rehabilitation of those presidents’ reputations have been acts of justice, as is Christopher Cox’s destruction of Woodrow Wilson’s place in progressivism’s pantheon. In “Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn,” Cox, former congressman and former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, demonstrates that the 28th president was the nation’s nastiest. Without belaboring the point, Cox presents an Everest of evidence that Wilson’s progressivism smoothly melded with his authoritarianism and oceanic capacity for contempt.None

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Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine took part in his first regular season game in nearly a year, and while it wasn’t perfect, we saw a lot of the qualities that makes him a special player. It was an encouraging start, bolstered by the fact that Laine followed up his Habs debut by scoring a powerplay goal in the very next game. If the 6’4′′ winger can add explosiveness and speed to the mix, and recover some stamina sooner than later, his addition to the Habs could prove a deal that moves the needle for a franchise in desperate need of offensive reinforcements. Regardless of how fast he manages to find his former game shape, there still are five aspects of his game that shone through in Laine’s first two matches with the Canadiens. PATRIK LAINE AGAIN Two goals in two games in a @CanadiensMTL uniform! pic.twitter.com/nCnMb0i1Ur — NHL (@NHL) December 6, 2024 Lethal Weapon It’s no secret, Laine has a fantastic shot. Much like the league’s top powerplay goalscorers, such as Alex Ovechkin, he can find twine even when the opposing team pays close attention to him in the offensive zone. We saw a perfect example of that against the Islanders, as goaltender Ilya Sorokin squared up to the shot, only to see the puck fly by him before he could get a good read on the shot’s destination. Laine exploited a miniscule area of opportunity — a sharpshooter’s goal. His accuracy and the velocity powering his shots makes it rather difficult to defend against, even more so when you’re trying to figure out where he’ll shoot. WELCOME BACK, PATRIK LAINE!! pic.twitter.com/eB119eOQBD — NHL (@NHL) December 4, 2024 Furthermore, by moving Laine to Caufield’s former spot on the powerplay, it allows head coach Martin St-Louis to have all his players sitting in the right chair. So far in his young career, Caufield hasn’t seen extended success as the left dot trigger man. Prior to joining the Canadiens, Caufield was often seen at the bumper position, notably with Team USA, and looked dangerous there. On top of moving Lane Hutson to the first powerplay unit, adding Laine on the dot and moving Caufield to the bumper cold mean improved conversion rates with the special units. Controlled Entries One thing Laine likes to do above all, is hold on to the puck. When his confidence is high, he uses his soft hands to deke defenders, and gain the offensive zone. Remember, a controlled entry leads to a much more high-danger chances than a dump-in. We saw a few examples of this against the Islanders, whereas lesser talented players might have simply lobbed the puck in the zone. Improving controlled zone entries should yield more possession time when it matters, yet another area of weakness for the Montreal Canadiens that should improve with Laine’s addition to the lineup. It’s no secret that you win more games when the puck is on your stick, in the offensive zone. MONTREAL LOVES LAINE The @CanadiensMTL crowd really gave Patrik Laine a warm welcome. pic.twitter.com/3ViIj62dT4 — NHL (@NHL) September 24, 2024 Patty’s Puck Protection Generating controlled entries is just the beginning for Laine, as he also has a tendency to drive the offence with the puck on his stick in high-danger scoring areas, drawing defenders toward him, which, in turn, makes life a little easier on his linemates. With his big frame and long reach, it becomes very difficult for defenders to force turnovers. on a bien senti ce « wooo » we felt that “wooo” #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/ZaFMHBI3SQ — Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 4, 2024 There was one particular shift against the Islanders where Laine spent two whole minutes (!) in the offensive zone, as he and linemates Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovsky played keep away, seemingly toying with their opponents. This style of play is also a strong suit for these two young players, showing that Laine can adapt to the pieces already in place, rather than forcing a re-tool of the team’s offensive strategies. Before long, this line could very well be too good to dismantle, and having a legitimate second line would be a welcome sight for all involved, including St-Louis, who is enjoying a healthy lineup for the first time since his taking over. It’s a rare opportunity to share the wealth throughout the lineup. Consequently, coaches formulating a game plan to shut down the Canadiens would no longer have to simply focus on a few players, or one line. Montreal Canadiens Aura The Bell Centre was electric both times they got a chance to watch Laine in action. Unsurprisingly, the crowd went berserk when two goals in two games. The re-invigoration goes beyond the fans, who definitely deserve a little more excitement in the mix considering the high prices of NHL tickets. Laine’s stoic, yet positive personality has started to spread among Montreal Canadiens players, energizing them at a time when the team risks of falling by the wayside due to the struggles involved in playing for a rebuilding organization. It’s almost like his presence inspired the rest of the team to step up, work harder, and focus on not only individual growth, but team-wide improvements as well. #Habs Patrik Laine on the ovation he received from the fans at the Bell Centre tonight: “that was the most outrageous thing I’ve ever heard in my life” – says he felt he didn’t deserve it but will remember it for the rest of his life. — Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 4, 2024 Hockey Humans, Not Hockey Robots Laine’s recent health issues are well documented, and while mental health remains stigmatized in the professional sports setting, having a player openly discussing his use of a therapist is an important reminder that once the uniforms come off, hockey players also deal with difficult situations that can cast a dark cloud on their day-to-day lives. Everyone stumbles once in a while, that’s to be expected. It’s the manner in which you get back up that really counts, and you’d be hard-pressed to argue Laine did not take all the right steps to get back to doing what he loves most, playing hockey. It makes rooting for the 26-year-old Finn a rather easy proposal. #Habs Patrik Laine: “I talked with my therapist about this when I was a little nervous yesterday and decided putting this jersey on today is an achievement after everything and everything that comes after that is a plus.” — Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 4, 2024 What are your impressions of the newest member of the Montreal Canadiens, Patrik Laine ? This article first appeared on Montreal Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission.Oyo APC to Makinde: Conversion of public library facilities to shopping malls unacceptable

‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained?

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Touchless trash cans are one of the latest innovations in automated kitchen technology. They use infrared motion sensors to automatically lift the lid, allowing users to dispose of trash without touching the can. This hands-free operation makes them not only efficient and easy to use but also improves kitchen hygiene as it helps reduce contact with germs, bacteria and parasites that are often found in household waste. Choosing the ideal touchless trash can for your home will depend on several factors, from the number of people in your household to the shape, size and material that best suits your decor. As with regular trash cans, there are many different shapes and styles available. The most common shapes are round, oval, square or rectangular. While shape can play a factor in determining which trash can to get, it is more important to find the right size trash can for your space. A 13-gallon trash can is standard for a kitchen. However, a smaller 5- to 10-gallon option would be better if you want to place it in a cabinet. For large families that generate a lot of waste, a larger 20 to 30-gallon trash can may be preferable. The most common materials are either metal or plastic. While plastic is certainly the cheaper option, metal trash cans are more durable. A stainless steel trash can is a good option, as it will match kitchen appliances and won’t rust or tarnish with time. However, metal trash cans are more pricey, retailing between $100 and $200, depending on their size and features. There are only two choices when it comes to a power source: battery or mains. A mains-powered trash can requires a permanent power source, restricting its location options. Battery-powered trash cans can be placed wherever you like and are particularly suitable for bathrooms. Look for a model that gives a warning when the batteries need replacing to avoid any inconvenience. The features of a trash can significantly impact the price, so it is important to decide which features you would like. Some trash cans have carbon filters that absorb unpleasant odors; however, remember that the filters must be replaced periodically. Other trash cans may feature a locking mechanism, which is handy if you have pets or small children because the lid will remain closed even if it’s knocked over. simplehuman 45 Liter / 12 Gallon Semi-Round Automatic Sensor Trash Can What you need to know: An elegant-looking option available in a range of metallic and colored finishes. What you’ll love: It has a smooth and quiet motor. The surface is protected with an antimicrobial coating that inhibits the growth of bacteria. What you should consider : At 36 inches tall, it’s too big to fit inside a cabinet. iTouchless 13 Gallon Kitchen Trash Can with Lid and Odor Filter What you need to know: It is available in a range of shapes and sizes, and it has a fingerprint-proof stainless steel body. What you’ll love: A choice of either battery or mains power provides versatility. It has a built-in natural carbon odor filter and a lockable lid. What you should consider : It doesn’t come with batteries or a mains adapter. SensorCan MT04SS-9 Touchless Trash Can What you need to know: With a 4-gallon capacity, this trash can is ideal for use in a kitchen cabinet or a bathroom. What you’ll love: It effectively filters odors and comes with a lemon-scented fragrance cartridge. What you should consider : Although the body is made from metal, the lid is made from plastic, so it may not be as durable. iTouchless 16 Gallon Touchless Sensor Kitchen Trash Can and Recycle Bin with Wheels What you need to know: This versatile option makes separating your recyclables from your waste easy because it has two removable inner buckets with handles. What you’ll love: This trash can can be powered by batteries or an AC adapter. It can be easily moved around the kitchen with optional casters. What you should consider : The battery compartment is below the trash level, so you need to be careful to avoid getting the batteries wet. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

This Week in AI: AI Opens Door for Retailers to Gather Insights and Drive SpendingB.C. minister wants new safety plan for Victoria schools, threatens board removalArguments about past presidents shape the nation’s present understanding of itself, and hence its unfolding future. In recent years, biographies by nonacademics have rescued some presidents from progressive academia’s indifference or condescension: John Adams (rescued by David McCullough), Ulysses S. Grant (by Ron Chernow), Calvin Coolidge (by Amity Shlaes). The rehabilitation of those presidents’ reputations have been acts of justice, as is Christopher Cox’s destruction of Woodrow Wilson’s place in progressivism’s pantheon. In “Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn,” Cox, former congressman and former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, demonstrates that the 28th president was the nation’s nastiest. Without belaboring the point, Cox presents an Everest of evidence that Wilson’s progressivism smoothly melded with his authoritarianism and oceanic capacity for contempt.