JOHN ZENOR

AP Sports Writer
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against Georgia Tech during the first half of the Birmingham Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Vanderbilt beats Georgia Tech 35-27 in Birmingham Bowl for first postseason win in 11 years
Diego Pavia threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more scores and Vanderbilt secured its first winning season since 2013 with a 35-27 victory over Georgia Tech on Friday in the Birmingham Bowl.
 
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) waves to fans as he leaves the field after an NCAA college football game against Tennessee Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee won 36-23. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Pavia leads Vanderbilt against King, Georgia Tech in Birmingham Bowl
Georgia Tech knocked off two Top 10 teams while Vanderbilt toppled then-No. 1 Alabama. The two opponents in Friday’s Birmingham Bowl have each taken highly ranked teams into multiple overtimes.
 
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, front, reacts to the video replay during the first half in the first round of the College Football Playoff against Tennessee, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 1 Oregon and No. 8 Ohio State gear up for rematch of thriller won by Ducks
Oregon and Ohio State have already produced one heck of a game this season. Now, the top-seeded Ducks and eighth-seeded Buckeyes are gearing up for a rematch more than 10 weeks later in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
 
Auburn forward Johni Broome dribbles the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Purdue, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
No. 2 Auburn’s Broome returns from injury scare with dominant performance
Johni Broome’s 3-pointer just over a minute into the game was a quick sign that the Auburn star’s right shoulder was plenty healthy.
 
Auburn forward Johni Broome, second from left, looks to shoot as Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn, left, looks to block him during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Broome has 23 points, 11 rebounds as No. 2 Auburn beats No. 16 Purdue 87-69
Johni Broome had 23 points and 11 rebounds in his return from a shoulder injury, and No. 2 Auburn beat No. 16 Purdue 87-69.
 
Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson (6) celebrates the team's 36-23 win against Vanderbilt after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson, South Carolina’s Kyle Kennard headline AP’s All-SEC team
Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is the Associated Press offensive player of the year in the Southeastern Conference and South Carolina defensive lineman Kyle Kennard is the top defensive player.
 
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, center, celebrates with his team after the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Big Ten wins playoff selection derby, followed by SEC despite notable Alabama omission
College football’s conference shakeup left concerns about two super conferences dominating the playoff field. They weren’t totally unfounded, or 100% born out. The Big Ten, not the Southeastern Conference, was the biggest winner.
 
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) salutes the crowd after an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Milroe, No. 13 Alabama keep playoff hopes alive with 28-14 win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl
Jalen Milroe passed for 256 yards and ran for 104 yards and three touchdowns to lead No. 13 Alabama to a 28-14 victory over Auburn to keep the Crimson Tide’s playoff hopes alive.
 
Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin, left, questions an official on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
No. 15 Ole Miss nurses slim playoff hopes into Egg Bowl against rival Mississippi State
This was supposed to be the capper on Mississippi’s playoff-worthy season. Win, and in. Things aren’t nearly so cut and dry now for the 15th-ranked Rebels entering Friday’s Egg Bowl against in-state rival Mississippi State.
 
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) bobbles a snap during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Texas A&M-Texas vie for SEC Championship Game spot in renewal of traditional rivalry
Texas A&M and Texas renew their rivalry in a high-stakes matchup. The third-ranked Longhorns and 20th-ranked Aggies play for a spot in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia. It’s their first meeting since 2011.
 
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer watches his team play against Oklahoma during the second half of a NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
SEC title hopes dashed, No. 13 Alabama hosts Auburn team seeking bowl eligibility in Iron Bowl
Kalen DeBoer and Hugh Freeze are finding it’s awfully hard to win in the Southeastern Conference these days. Now, they can try to beat each other.
 
Auburn fans storm the field after defeating Texas A&M during the fourth overtime of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn wins 43-41, four-OT thriller over playoff hopeful No. 15 Texas A&M
Payton Thorne hit KeAndre Lambert-Smith for a two-point play in the fourth overtime to lift Auburn to a 43-41 victory over No. 15 Texas A&M, capping a brutal day for Southeastern Conference playoff contenders.
 
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed (10) reacts after scoring a rushing touchdown against New Mexico State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
No. 15 Texas A&M trying to keep focus on Auburn, not potentially huge finale against Texas
It would be easy for Texas A&M to overlook slumping Auburn. Even coach Mike Elko had a verbal slip when talking about the Aggies’ focus on Saturday’s game with the Tigers, mistakenly referring to Auburn as Texas.
 
Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) shoots over Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
No points from Sears, no sweat for No. 8 Alabama in win over No. 25 Illinois
Alabama didn’t slow down even with a scoreless night from star Mark Sears. The preseason All-American guard watched from the bench as the eighth-ranked Crimson Tide held off No. 25 Illinois 100-87.
 
Alabama forward Grant Nelson (4) shoots a three-point shot against Illinois during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Nelson scores 23 to lead No. 8 Alabama past No. 25 Illinois, 100-87
Grant Nelson scored 23 points and Aden Holloway had 18 to lead No. 8 Alabama to a 100-87 win over No. 25 Illinois in a matchup of Elite Eight teams from last season.
 
Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) runs the ball for a touchdown against Mercer during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Milroe, Williams lead No. 9 Alabama to 52-7 win over Mercer, an FCS team
Jalen Milroe passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third in just over two quarters to help No. 9 Alabama beat FCS team Mercer 52-7.
 
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer reacts on the sideline in the first half an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Coach DeBoer, No. 9 Alabama attempt rebound roll vs Mercer, similar to his days leading Washington
The last time a Kalen DeBoer team lost two games by mid-October, his Washington Huskies suddenly went on a tear. DeBoer and No. 9 Alabama would love a repeat after a dominant road win over then-No. 14 LSU.
 
Auburn forward Johni Broome (4) shoots over Kent State forward Magnus Entenmann (14) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Broome, Johnson score 18 apiece to lead No. 5 Auburn to 79-56 win over Kent State
Johni Broome had 18 points and 12 rebounds and Chaney Johnson also scored 18 points to lead No. 5 Auburn to a 79-56 win over Kent State.
 
Mississippi fans brings down the goal post at the end of an NCAA college football game against Georgia on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 28-10. (AP Photo/Randy J. Williams)
Kiffin believes Ole Miss Rebels are ‘playing as well as anybody in the country’
Mississippi was limping along after a second three-point loss left the team’s playoff and Southeastern Conference hopes on life support. The 10th-ranked Rebels then fell behind to Oklahoma at halftime.
 
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook (12) is hit by Alabama linebacker Que Robinson (34) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama loses edge rusher Que Robinson to season-ending injury
Alabama’s defense suffered a major blow heading into the final games of the regular season with edge rusher Que Robinson out for the rest of the season with a left arm injury.
 
Mississippi coach Lane Kiffin reacts after an offensive pass interference call in the end zone against them during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
No. 2 Georgia visits No. 16 Ole Miss team that faces must-win situation for playoffs, SEC title
Lane Kiffin typically steers clear of talk about playoffs and championships. This week is an exception.
 
Alabama guard Mark Sears (1) celebrates after his 3-point basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina Asheville, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Led by Mark Sears, No. 2 Alabama is perhaps SEC’s best hope to end national title drought
Alabama entered the season as perhaps the Southeastern Conference’s best hope to end its national title drought in men’s basketball.
 
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia celebrates as he runs off the field after they defeated Auburn in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Vanderbilt becomes bowl eligible for first time since 2018 with 17-7 win over Auburn
Eli Stowers caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Diego Pavia with 4:18 left and Vanderbilt became bowl eligible for the first time since 2018 with a 17-7 win over Auburn.
 
Alabama defensive lineman LT Overton (22) celebrates after a stop against Missouri during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Miller rushes for 2 TDs, No. 15 Alabama picks off 3 passes in 34-0 win over No. 21 Missouri
Jamarion Miller rushed for two touchdowns and No. 15 Alabama’s defense had three interceptions in a 34-0 victory over No. 21 Missouri, which played much of the way without starting quarterback Brady Cook.
 
Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables, center, watches play against Texas late in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
No. 18 Mississippi and Oklahoma meet with both slumping teams seeking rebound wins
Mississippi and Oklahoma are both coming off frustrating losses, but they happened in much different fashion. The 18th-ranked Rebels enter Saturday’s game having lost two of their last three games, by only a field goal apiece.
 
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook, left, spins away from Auburn linebacker Austin Keys during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won 21-17. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Once top 10 teams, Alabama and Missouri square off as they fight for their playoff lives
Those Ttp 10 rankings have fallen by the wayside for Alabama and Missouri. Still clinging to playoff hopes, the 15th-ranked Crimson Tide and No. 21 Tigers meet Saturday in Tuscaloosa for what amounts to a virtual elimination game.
 
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer watches as his team warms up before an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
DeBoer’s first Alabama team falls from No. 1 to brink of playoff elimination
Alabama football looked every bit the Nick Saban-style juggernaut through the first 15 minutes against fellow Southeastern Conference power Georgia.
 
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley speaks during NCAA women's college basketball Southeastern Conference Media Day, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
SEC newcomers represent major challenges to league powers South Carolina, LSU
South Carolina and LSU have two major new challengers for Southeastern Conference supremacy. The programs that have combined for the past three national championships are joined by two other preseason Top 10 teams, SEC newbies No. 4 Texas and No. 10 Oklahoma.
 
Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell speaks during NCAA women's college basketball Southeastern Conference Media Day, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Kim Caldwell navigating first season as Tennessee Lady Vols coach with ‘Baby Caldwell’ on the way
Kim Caldwell had two rounds of huge news this year: getting the job as coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols and finding out that she’s pregnant. Caldwell announced on social media Sept. 3 that “Baby Caldwell” was on the way.
 
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea yells to an official during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Vanderbilt’s Lea, Alabama QB Jalen Milroe, South Carolina DE Kennard nab AP midseason SEC honors
The first half of the Southeastern Conference season has featured a stunner from Vanderbilt, with three teams rising to No. 1 and Texas now the only unbeaten team.
 
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