The Best of the Sports Shop

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss if Alabama could miss the CFP.

The Alabama Crimson Tide jumped the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the last College Football Playoff Rankings before the final CFP rankings. Alabama is ninth in the rankings. What should the final rankings look like? Should Alabama be ahead of Notre Dame in the CFP Rankings? Could Alabama miss the CFP?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Alabama Football and the CFP.

The Alabama Crimson Tide jumped the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the last College Football Playoff Rankings before the final CFP rankings. Alabama is ninth in the rankings. What should the final rankings look like? Should Alabama be ahead of Notre Dame in the CFP Rankings?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the Clippers cutting ties with Chris Paul. 

Chris Paul was abruptly sent home by the Los Angeles Clippers late last night in a surprising mid-season move. Paul confirmed the decision himself around 3 a.m. ET with a social-media post. According to reporting, the Clippers insisted the move was not due to Paul’s individual play but rather part of broader changes amid the team’s disappointing 5-16 start. 40-year-old Paul in what he has called his final NBA season, had been playing limited bench minutes, averaging about 2.9 points and 3.3 assists. The decision effectively ends his brief return to the Clippers and raises questions about what comes next. What happened? What’s next for Chris Paul? Was this handled correctly? Was CP3 disrespected?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss UNC’s win over Kentucky in the ACC/SEC Challenge.

North Carolina defeated Kentucky 67-64 in a tightly contested ACC/SEC Challenge matchup that featured 14 lead changes and nine ties. The game came down to the final minute, where UNC freshman Derek Dixon took over, hitting a clutch three-pointer with 53 seconds left and then scoring the go-ahead layup with 16 seconds remaining. UNC secured the win with a defensive stop and rebound on Kentucky’s final possession. The Tar Heels were led by Henri Veesaar’s 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Luka Bogavac chipped in 12 points and Caleb Wilson added 15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists despite a tough shooting night. Ultimately, UNC’s late-game execution allowed them to claim their first road win of the season and their first victory at Kentucky since 2007. How good is this UNC team?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Duke’s win over Florida last night in the ACC/SEC Challenge.

Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils defeated Todd Golden and the reigning national champion Florida Gators 67-66 in a dramatic ACC/SEC Challenge game that came down to the final seconds. After Florida’s Boogie Fland hit a late three to put the Gators ahead 66-64, Duke sophomore Isaiah Evans, who had been 0-for-7 from deep, drained a clutch go-ahead three with under 20 seconds remaining. Florida still had a chance to win, but Maliq Brown tipped away the inbounds pass with 1.4 seconds left to seal the victory. Duke was led by Cameron Boozer, who scored 29 points, while Evans contributed 13 points and a career-high five blocks and Patrick Ngongba added 11 points, five rebounds and five blocks. Despite Duke’s struggles from three-point range, the team showed poise in the final moments, an encouraging sign for a young team learning how to close tight games. The win keeps Duke unbeaten at 9-0 and provides valuable momentum moving forward. How good is this Duke team? How good is Cameron Boozer?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Lane Kiffin leaving Ole Miss to coach at LSU.

Lane Kiffin has officially left Ole Miss to become the head coach at LSU, a move confirmed yesterday. The decision ends his six-year run with the Rebels, during which he compiled a 55-19 record and led the team to an 11-1 regular season this year. Despite Ole Miss being in position for a College Football Playoff berth, Kiffin will not coach the team through the postseason, as LSU requested he start immediately. Reports indicate that LSU is giving him a seven-year deal worth around $12M annually, placing him among the highest-paid coaches in the country. The move stirred controversy among Ole Miss fans and players, many of whom expected him to finish the season. What does the Sports Shop crew think about Kiffin’s move and the way he handled it?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the college football playoffs, Alabama defeating Auburn and more.

College Football was in action this weekend! How will the CFP look tomorrow? Will the ACC get two teams in? 

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the NFL, Aaron Rodgers and Tennessee sports.

The Buffalo Bills defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 26-7 yesterday in a dominant performance. Buffalo’s ground game was unstoppable, racking up 249 rushing yards, the most ever allowed by Pittsburgh at home since 1975. Pittsburgh struggled to move the ball consistently, committing multiple turnovers and failing to mount a second-half comeback. The loss drops Pittsburgh to 6-6 on the season, just five losses in seven games after a 4-1 start. Is Aaron Rodgers over the hill?

If the NFL season ended today after 13 weeks, the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams would be the top 4 teams in the NFL. Would you bet your salary on any of those teams to win the Super Bowl?

What's going on with Tennessee sports?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the Panthers' win over the Rams, the Bears' win over the Eagles, UNC sports and more.

The Carolina Panthers pulled off a 31-28 upset win over the Los Angeles Rams yesterday highlighted by a strong performance from Bryce Young, who completed 15 of 20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, including two on critical fourth-down plays. Carolina’s defense was the difference, forcing three turnovers from Matthew Stafford, two interceptions and a late strip-sack by Derrick Brown that sealed the game. One of the interceptions was returned 48 yards for a touchdown by Mike Jackson, giving the Panthers early momentum despite Stafford opening the game by setting an NFL record for consecutive touchdown passes without an interception. The Panthers’ win snapped the Rams’ six-game winning streak and boosted Carolina’s playoff hopes. Are the Panthers legit?

The Chicago Bears defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-15 in the Black Friday game. With this win, Chicago improved to 9-3, strengthening their hold on first place in the NFC North, while Philadelphia fell to 8-4 and faces increased pressure in the NFC East and the wild-card race. Are the Eagles in trouble?

What's going on with UNC Sports?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the college football playoffs, Alabama defeating Auburn and more.

College Football was in action this weekend! How will the CFP look tomorrow? Will the ACC get two teams in? 

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Thanksgiving, Cowboys winning, Panthers win over Rams and more.

We are back! How was your Thanksgiving?!

The Carolina Panthers pulled off a 31-28 upset win over the Los Angeles Rams yesterday highlighted by a strong performance from Bryce Young, who completed 15 of 20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, including two on critical fourth-down plays. Carolina’s defense was the difference, forcing three turnovers from Matthew Stafford, two interceptions and a late strip-sack by Derrick Brown that sealed the game. One of the interceptions was returned 48 yards for a touchdown by Mike Jackson, giving the Panthers early momentum despite Stafford opening the game by setting an NFL record for consecutive touchdown passes without an interception. The Panthers’ win snapped the Rams’ six-game winning streak and boosted Carolina’s playoff hopes. Are the Panthers legit?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss what we are thankful for.

Today is Thanksgiving Eve and tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day! What are you thankful for?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss if Trei Oliver should leave NCCU to coach at Southern University.

Rumors connecting Trei Oliver to the head coaching vacancy at Southern University have been circulating since Southern fired its coach mid-season in 2025, prompting speculation about potential replacements. Oliver, currently the head coach at North Carolina Central University, has been frequently mentioned because of his successful run at NCCU, which includes conference titles, a Celebration Bowl championship, and MEAC Coach of the Year honors, as well as his previous experience at Southern as a defensive coordinator. Should Oliver leave NCCU?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss HBCU band rankings, the Iron Bowl and NFL action for the next coming days. 

Which of the 4 is likely to lose this week's rivalry game: Ohio State vs 15 Michigan, Indiana vs Purdue, Texas A&M vs 16 Texas or Georgia vs 23 Georgia Tech?

The 2025 Iron Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers is scheduled for this weekend Saturday, November 29 at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn’s home field.  A win or loss in this matchup could have ripple effects across the college football landscape, affecting postseason hopes and, of course, bragging rights. Who will win?

Recent Division I rankings for HBCU bands (as of late 2024 and 2025) show North Carolina A&T and Florida A&M frequently at or near the top, with other bands like Jackson State, Southern University, and Norfolk State also consistently ranked high. What about now?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the college football playoff rankings.

The latest College Football Playoff rankings shook up one of the most talked-about matchups in the playoff hunt. Leading the pack are Ohio State Buckeyes, Indiana Hoosiers, Texas A&M Aggies, Georgia Bulldogs and Texas Tech Red Raiders (the top five remain unchanged this week).Notably, the Oregon Ducks moved up one spot to No. 6 with a 10-1 record, leap-frogging Ole Miss Rebels, who now sit at No. 7 despite also being 10-1. That shift down for Ole Miss, coached by Lane Kiffin, has stirred up plenty of conversation. What do we think about Ole Miss, Oregon and Lane Kiffin?

The next CFP rankings are next due Tuesday, December 2, and the final official playoff field will be revealed on Sunday, December 7.

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss UNC’s win over St. Bonaventure, Thanksgiving and more.

It is Thanksgiving Eve! What’s your favorite holiday?

UNC's next game is tomorrow (Thanksgiving) against Michigan State at 4:30 PM. Is this UNC team different than last year's team? What does Reese think?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the Panthers loss to the 49ers and what the game taught us. 

Reese, Kmac and Pam picked the Panthers to win last night and defeat the Niners. Alex (A-Town) with his infinite wisdom, correctly picked the 49ers to win. What did we learn about the Niners and Panthers last night?

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Carolina Panthers 20-9 last night on Monday Night Football. The Niners controlled the game on both sides of the ball and showcased a dominant defensive performance paired with a steady, efficient offensive approach. The crew breaks down how the Panthers struggled to generate rhythm offensively, with stalled drives, inconsistent protection and missed chances preventing them from fully capitalizing on their possessions.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss what the criteria should be for the Heisman Trophy winner. 

Reese is a voter this year for the Heisman. What should be the criteria for the Heisman Trophy winner? What is Reese’s criteria?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss NC State’s loss to Seton Hall and the eve of Thanksgiving Eve.

The No. 23 NC State Wolfpack dropped their 1st game of the season to the unranked Seton Hall Pirates in a 85-74 loss in the opening round of the Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. NC State struggled to match Seton Hall’s efficiency, despite a strong performance from Ven-Allen Lubin, who finished with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Turnovers proved costly for the Wolfpack, especially in the second half where they committed seven, helping Seton Hall pull away as the Pirates exploded for 50 second-half points. Did the loss tell us anything about Will Wade and the Pack? 

Today is the eve of Thanksgiving Eve! What Thanksgiving topics will the Sports Shop crew hit tomorrow?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the upcoming USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp in Durham and more.

USA Basketball announced that its Women’s National Team will hold a training camp from December 12-14 at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. The camp will feature 18 players, including ten first-time invitees at the senior-team level: Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, Lauren Betts, Sonia Citron, Veronica Burton, Kiki Iriafen, Rickea Jackson and JuJu Watkins. Several veteran players with Olympic and World Cup experience will also participate. The camp will be led by head coach Kara Lawson, with WNBA coaches Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts, and Stephanie White serving as court coaches. USA Basketball’s managing director Sue Bird will use the camp to evaluate players for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin. Will the Sports Shop crew be there?

What happened in college basketball last night?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the 49ers win over the Panthers.

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Carolina Panthers 20-9 last night on Monday Night Football. The Niners controlled the game on both sides of the ball and showcased a dominant defensive performance paired with a steady, efficient offensive approach. The crew breaks down how the Panthers struggled to generate rhythm offensively, with stalled drives, inconsistent protection and missed chances preventing them from fully capitalizing on their possessions.

Who is to blame for the loss?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss 2024 quarterbacks and compare Bryce Young and Caleb williams.

Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and Bo Nix were all in the same draft class. The Chicago Bears are 8-3 and the New England Patriots are 10-2. All 4 of these quarterbacks have been playing pretty well. How important is coaching?

The Carolina Panthers (6-5) face the San Francisco 49ers (7-4) tonight on Monday Night Football at 8:15 PM ET at Levi’s Stadium. Major storylines include Christian McCaffrey’s role as the focal point of San Francisco’s offense and the continued development of Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young, who has been leading a fast-paced, aggressive attack with strong fourth-down efficiency. Will the Panthers win?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the Cowboys win ove the Eagles.

The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 24-21 yesterday, completing a comeback from a 21-point deficit. Dak Prescott led the rally with 354 passing yards, two touchdowns and an 8-yard rushing score, while George Pickens added nine catches for 146 yards and a touchdown. Philadelphia had built its early lead behind Jalen Hurts, who threw a touchdown to A.J. Brown and ran for two more in the first half, but the Eagles’ offense stalled, and key mistakes set up a Cowboys victory. The comeback boosted Dallas to 5-5-1 and handed Philadelphia a frustrating loss. What happened to the Eagles? Are they in trouble? Can the Cowboys keep winning? Can they make the playoffs?

The New York Ginats lost to the Detroit Lions yesterday in overtime. Although they lost the game, Jameis Winston and the Giants looked pretty good. Was Brian Daboll the problem?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the passing of Rodney Rogers and Shedeur Sanders' performance yesterday.