#college-football-playoff

#college-football-playoff

'If you want to make everybody happy, don't coach and get involved in football. Go sell ice cream, because the ice cream man makes everybody happy,' Cristobal said, recalling the Saban line. 'In football, not everybody's going to be happy.'

Alabama tailback Jam Miller is facing long odds to play in Saturday's SEC Championship game against Georgia, sources tell ESPN's Pete Thamel. Miller, who has 493 yards rushing on 123 carries this season, is dealing with an apparent lower-leg injury suffered in last week's Iron Bowl win over SEC rival Auburn. He was seen after the game leaving Jordan Hare Stadium on crutches.

Diaz said Sunday that Duke "absolutely" belongs in the title game thanks to a 6-2 conference record and that, if the Blue Devils win Saturday, they should one of the five highest-ranked conference champions and receive a berth in the playoff.

It's hard to imagine Texas A&M fans asking for more from their season through the first 11 games. An undefeated record that has gifted them pole position for the SEC championship game and a first College Football Playoff appearance, in addition to a No. 3 national ranking. Thrilling victories, from a last-second win on the road against Notre Dame to a dramatic second-half comeback against South Carolina. But there's one missing piece that matters more than just about any other element of a truly perfect season in College Station: beating Texas.

"Vince Young was high-fiving me," Sarkisian said of the legendary Longhorns quarterback. "He said, 'Man, I wish I would've had that play.'"

Another big game, another big stink. Another loaded season, another lost season. Four years after Lincoln Riley arrived at USC amid gaudy promises to return the football program to national prominence, well, two words. Still waiting. Needing a win at Oregon's Autzen Stadium Saturday to have a chance at its first college football playoff berth, the Trojans once again fell short, fell deep and basically fell on their faces. Still waiting.

Baylor is expected to announce the departure of athletic director Mack Rhoades in the near future, sources told ESPN on Thursday. Rhoades, who has been the athletic director at Baylor since July of 2016, suddenly took a leave of absence from the position for personal reasons last week, and the sides are planning to announce he's stepping away. Baylor didn't identify the reason for Rhoades' leave, other than to say it was for personal reasons.