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Marcus Spears Argues Why Notre Dame Can Win the National Championship Despite Ohio State Being the “Most Talented Team”


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The No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish didn’t exactly shock the world by beating the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday. The way they beat them, however—with a complete shutdown of the Georgia offense, winning by a score of 23-10—was a bit of a stunner. ESPN pundit Marcus Spears was so impressed that he now believes they can go all the way.

Georgia was depleted by injuries in this game. However, as Spears said, “nobody thought Notre Dame would win this game” even despite the fact that the Bulldogs were trotting out a backup QB. They proved the doubters wrong and they did so emphatically.

“I think they can win it all. We were talking about the Georgia game in the green room and I said, ‘Don’t be surprised if Georgia doesn’t walk out of there with a win.’ Experience gotta matter at some point, I know Georgia wasn’t at full strength, but they’ve been here before. And nobody thought Notre Dame would win this game even with Georgia’s backup QB playing in the game.”

According to Spears, many expected Georgia’s vaunted defense to shut down Notre Dame’s less-than-explosive offense. Instead, it was the trenches of Notre Dame that won the day for the Fighting Irish.

He did admit that the Ohio State Buckeyes are still the hottest and most talented program. However, the best team isn’t usually the one that wins the championship. Spears claimed that’s what makes the chase so “enticing” to watch for fans.

“What I saw last night was a defensive line that can change the game. I saw an offensive line that can grind out a win, and a quarterback’s legs that can be effective in any game. I’m with ya’ll, Ohio State is the most talented team in college football… But for that three-hour window, it’s about what couple plays you can make in order to get a championship. It ain’t necessarily always about the best team, I think that’s what makes championships more enticing for people.”

For Spears, who played nine years in the NFL from 2005-2013 as an interior defensive lineman, it all goes back to football being a “line of scrimmage game.” Notre Dame’s defensive and offensive lines proved that they can make a huge difference even against an experienced, well-coached defensive unit like that of the Bulldogs. That was especially true late in the game during crunch time.

“Football will never not be a line of scrimmage game. You can make a hard argument that Notre Dame’s, both lines of scrimmage, can dominate games from a physicality standpoint, and from a control the game standpoint, like they did against Georgia.”

Spears is not alone in his “line of scrimmage” philosophy. The best teams in the NFL are the ones that have solid lines on both sides of the ball. Apart from QBs and WRs, the highest-paid players in the NFL are the offensive linemen who protect the QB and the defensive linemen who hunt him.

Penn State is on a high-flying roll. However, if this rough-and-tumble Notre Dame Fighting Irish program can get the Nittany Lions to play a slog of a game at the Orange Bowl on Thursday—one that’s decided in the trenches—as they did against Georgia, they could prove Marcus Spears right.

The post Marcus Spears Argues Why Notre Dame Can Win the National Championship Despite Ohio State Being the “Most Talented Team” appeared first on The SportsRush.



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Helmut Marko Exposes F2’s Harsh Reality to Hail Liam Lawson’s Mental Strength: “He Didn’t Give Up”


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The common conception among fans is that F2 cars are almost equal and the playing field is almost level. However, that is not the case. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has exposed an unknown fact about F2 and in the process lauded Liam Lawson for his incredible mental strength by reminding fans how difficult of a battle the New Zealander had with Logan Sargeant when they were teammates.

“In F2, there are sometimes big differences between the engines,” the Austrian said (as quoted by PitDebrief). He then gave an example of how just the fitting of a new engine to Sargeant’s car helped him go three to five-tenths quicker on the straights than Lawson despite the two having the same car.

With such a huge difference in performance between a new and an old engine, it was clear that Lawson would not be able to match Sargeant. Despite that, Marko revealed that Lawson did not give up.

“Knowing that there was nothing he could do about this, he didn’t give up; he continued to fight,” Marko added. “He only placed third in the championship, but others would have despaired and told themselves that they did not have a shot with that engine”.

[PitDebrief] (Helmut Marko): ”In F2, there are sometimes big differences between the engines. Liam Lawson’s teammate was American Logan Sargeant, who recieved a new engine after it was clear that he was headed for F1. After that, he was three to five-tenths quicker on straights.”
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In the competitive world of motorsports, it is rare for drivers to not feel downbeat when they realize that an added variable out of their control is proving to be the difference between them and their rival (in this case teammate).

So, it is commendable that Lawson did not give up despite not receiving a new engine back then, and this is perhaps also why Red Bull decided to promote him instead of Yuki Tsunoda.

Lawson has been highly impressive in his short F1 stint so far

Lawson will have his work cut out for him next year when he partners Max Verstappen at Red Bull — arguably one of the most difficult tasks in the sport if recent history is taken into account. However, from what Lawson has demonstrated via his short stint in F1 so far is that if there is any driver who could be up to the task, it is him.

The New Zealander seems to be a driver who is not easily intimidated despite competing in a sport where he lacks experience compared to many of his rivals. As seen last year, the 22-year-old did not back down from taking the fight to Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso, both of whom are multiple-time race winners and the latter a two-time world champion.

While Lawson seems to have the mentality to take the highest of pressures, he also possesses the skill set to deliver results on track. When he first stepped in for an injured Daniel Ricciardo in 2023, Lawson managed to score a couple of points in just his third F1 race. The Kiwi driver also carried on a similar level of form to 2024 as he scored four more points for RB.

With Red Bull showcasing more faith in Lawson, it does not bode well for Tsunoda. Some F1 experts have even predicted that the Japanese racer may be relegated to a reserve driver role in 2026 if Red Bull do not offer him a seat on their main team this season.

The post Helmut Marko Exposes F2’s Harsh Reality to Hail Liam Lawson’s Mental Strength: “He Didn’t Give Up” appeared first on The SportsRush.



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Rob Gronkowski Reveals His Favorite Memory of 2024, and It Heavily Involves Tom Brady


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The year 2024 brought many surprises to the football world, and Tom Brady’s roast was one of them. Some of the funniest personalities in sports and comedy came together for one night to celebrate the greatest quarterback of all time with good-natured jabs. Brady’s long-time teammate, Rob Gronkowski, has now shared on Instagram that it was his favorite moment of last year.

“Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year! What was your favorite 2024 memory?? Mine was the Roast!!” Gronk wrote under a post.

Gronk’s post featured a carousel of pictures, mostly from him hosting the New Year’s Rockin Eve in Las Vegas. He snapped photos with popular dance groups like the Blue Man Group and the Jabbawockeez. Gronkowski also involved a few photos from what he says was his favorite event of the year, the Roast of Tom Brady on Netflix.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rob Gronkowski (@gronk)

The post naturally got a like from Brady himself, who has since come out and said he regrets doing the event. On The Pivot podcast with Ryan Clark, Brady opened up about how the show has affected his kids more than he had considered.

“I loved when the jokes were about me. I thought they were so fun,” Brady explained. “But I didn’t like the way they affected my kids. You don’t see the full picture all the time.”

Regardless, Brady was paid $25 million to sit on the hot seat, so it’s hard to feel bad for him. He also should’ve watched some roasts of other celebrities and recognized that no topics were off-limits. His version was bound to be similar. Brady got roasted hard for his breakup with Gisele Bundchen, Deflate-Gate, and many other topics that left the viewers stunned.

Gronkowski was involved in many of the jokes too, as he was Brady’s partner in crime for many years. So much so, that Gronk even demanded that he be compensated like Brady. Nikki Glaser went after the former tight end ruthlessly. She had some of the hit jokes of the night, like when she talked about his perceived low IQ.

“Rob Gronkowski is…not all here. No, Rob, you’re not really as dumb as you look, and sound, and act, and are. He might be dumber. Is it true you were the first person born with CTE? Is that real?”

The roast got a prickly smile out of Gronk at the time. He talked about how, after the show, he was surprised to receive as many “zingers” as Brady. But it was all in good fun, and Gronkowski knows that.

Glaser also had the best joke of the night that involved both Gronk and Brady. She took more shots at the two after it was revealed Tom lost $30 million in Cryptocurrency.

“Tom also lost $30 million in crypto. Tom, how did you fall for that? I mean, even Gronk was like, ‘Me know that not real money.’”

It was a hilarious joke that made Gronkowski facepalm as he cackled about his perceived intelligence. Surprisingly, this still marks his favorite moment of the year, but it says a lot about Gronk. He knew the jokes were meant in jest and not to take them too seriously. He’s a party-first person, and the party couldn’t get started without the jokes.

Maybe Brady can learn a thing or two when it comes to taking the roast on the chin.

The post Rob Gronkowski Reveals His Favorite Memory of 2024, and It Heavily Involves Tom Brady appeared first on The SportsRush.



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Max Verstappen Holds the ‘Worst and Best’ Win Rate as a World Champion in Turbo-Hybrid Era


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Only three drivers have been World Champions in F1 since the turbo-hybrid era began in 2014. Other than Nico Rosberg’s 2016 win, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen dominated, winning the remaining 10 titles.

Hamilton reaped the highest rewards from Mercedes’ good mechanical package at this time, dominating with what were mostly the best cars on the grid. Verstappen, on the other hand, had to struggle at times. In fact, two of his four World Championship wins came with cars that were in no way the undisputed fastest.

As a result, the Dutchman boasts of having the best win rate across a season as well as the worst, which came in 2024 itself.

F1 statistics spotter Daniel Valente pointed out that Verstappen had a win rate of 86.4% in 2023, which was the best across 11 seasons since turbo-hybrid engines came into use. That year, the Red Bull driver won 19 out of 22 races but this performance withered away in 2024.

Verstappen started the year well, winning seven out of the opening 10 Grand Prix, but the juggernaut came to a halt when the RB20 started developing handling issues. In the last 14 races, Verstappen managed to muster just two wins. With only nine race wins out of 24, his win rate went down to 37.5%.

 

Heading into 2025, if Red Bull’s performance trajectory doesn’t improve, Verstappen could face a repeat of the challenges he endured in the latter half of 2024.

The reigning champion might struggle to defend his title, with both McLaren and Ferrari drivers widely expected to challenge for the 2025 World Championship in cars that appear to have the edge over Red Bull’s machinery.

Verstappen may be behind the McLarens and the Ferraris in 2025

Verstappen managed to defend his title successfully in 2024, but with McLaren and Ferrari expected to be right at the front from the get-go this year, the upcoming campaign could have a different script in store.

Ferrari ended 2024 with a bang, narrowly missing out on the Constructors’ title (by just 14 points) and they will now have what is arguably the strongest driver pairing, on paper at least, in Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

Meanwhile, Lando Norris will be looking to win the Drivers’ Championship after making Verstappen break his sweat this year. In 2025, his aim will be to turn that challenge into a successful conquest, which would be achievable, if McLaren fields a car as competitive as last season.

Oscar Piastri too, could be in the running. The Aussie developed into a race winning driver in 2024, and there is little doubt that he is World Championship material. Eager to step it up a notch, both McLaren drivers cold make a push for the individual crown.

The 2025 season could crown a new World Champion, especially with Verstappen and Red Bull not as dominant as in recent years. This would mark the fourth and final World Champion of the turbo-hybrid era, with new engine regulations arriving in 2026.

The post Max Verstappen Holds the ‘Worst and Best’ Win Rate as a World Champion in Turbo-Hybrid Era appeared first on The SportsRush.



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“A Better 2nd Chair Guy”: Matt Barnes Speaks on Kings’ Firing Mike Brown


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On December 28, the Kings shocked the NBA by firing head coach Mike Brown following a 13-18 start to the season. Only two seasons ago, Brown won Coach of the Year while leading Sacramento to its first playoff appearance since 2006. However, the NBA teams have a short memory, and only the ongoing season and results matter, but it was still surprising when Brown was laid off. Since his firing, the media world has been abuzz with speculations of what was and what will be.

With no offers in his hand, Brown’s coaching future also remains uncertain. According to former player Matt Barnes, he should actually never become a head coach again. He believes Mike Brown would instead make a great lead assistant instead.

Barnes joined the Bleav In Kings Podcast to discuss the current situation in Sacramento. He used his understanding of the circumstances and his previous experiences with Brown to provide an educated opinion on the coach. He said,

“I think Mike is a better second chair guy meaning lead assistant. I think Mike flourishes when he’s in that second spot where the pressure of running the team isn’t on him. He can focus on what he’s been known as a kind of defensive juggernaut. I think that’s when Mike is at his best.”

The 14-year NBA veteran spent two seasons under Brown during his tenure with the Lakers. Therefore, Barnes witnessed firsthand Brown’s strengths and weaknesses as a head coach.

Regardless of Barnes’ opinion on Brown as a coach, he shares his utter distaste towards the Kings for their handling of the matters. The former Kings forward called out Sacramento for allowing Brown to run a full practice and not even firing him in person.

“The way it happened from what’s being reported is kind of weak,” Barnes said. “To allow this man to run a practice and then head to the plane and be [fired] is garbage.” 

There is no confirmation of what Brown will do next, but another stint as an assistant coach may be the best move for the time being.

Brown’s most successful years

Mike Brown’s most successful seasons as a coach came as an associate coach. His first isn’t in that position came with the Spurs under legendary coach Gregg Popovich between 2000-2003. He served as a member of the coaching staff during San Antonio’s 2003 title run.

However, Brown is notorious for his magnificent work as the lead assistant coach of the Warriors during their dynasty. He joined the team in 2016 and helped contribute to three championships during that time. His responsibilities consisted of establishing a dominant defense, which the Warriors possessed over those years.

Brown’s impact on the Warriors was night and day once he left for the Kings. In the 2021-22 season when the Warriors won the championship, they were the second-best defensive team in the league. However, once Brown left the following season, they dropped to 14th in defense.

There will certainly be teams calling Brown for his services as he impacts winning. There aren’t any open head coaching opportunities, but many contending teams would love to have him on their coaching staff.

The post “A Better 2nd Chair Guy”: Matt Barnes Speaks on Kings’ Firing Mike Brown appeared first on The SportsRush.



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“It’s Not the Same Place”: James Vowles Vows to Turn Williams’ Fate on the Back of Ongoing Overhaul


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As the 2024 season wrapped up, Williams team principal, James Vowles sat down to answer some fan questions on social media. Having suffered a disappointing season, with the team finishing ninth in the championship, Vowles was asked by a fan about his expectations from 2025 and whether the team would be able to improve. The former Mercedes man was confident that they would and explained why.

The Williams F1 team is an institutional name in Formula 1. Having dominated the sport in the ’80s and ’90s, they fell into financial and infrastructural doldrums in the last twenty years. But Vowles has revealed that under his stewardship, there has been a transformational change to the team.

“It’s just not the same place [Grove factory] as it was a year ago. There’s just so much change with infrastructure, people, culture [and] technology. It’s a sign of a team that is completely transforming,” he explained in a video uploaded by the team on YouTube.

Responding to the fan, the 45-year-old also explained that the team have made some “fantastic developments” for 2025 and beyond. Safe to say, the signature of Carlos Sainz from Ferrari is a big part of this ongoing project at the Grove-based team.

Vowles has reinvented Williams’ F1 operations

Signing the #55 driver will go down as one of the biggest wins of Vowles’ F1 career. With names such as the Audi project firmly in talks with the Spanish racing ace, it was the former Mercedes man’s vision for the Williams F1 project that finally convinced the Sainz to hedge his bets with them.

But what is this vision? 2024 showed that the team’s fortunes in terms of out-and-out pace haven’t improved much. But that is what the 30-year-old is expected to work on as a team leader and with the engineers. Other than that, Vowles has indeed transformed how Williams operates — logistically and on track.

One of the biggest problems that the team faced was with their obsolete inventory system. This meant they were bleeding parts while using Excel spreadsheets to keep track of them. But with Vowles’ arrival, they have sorted that problem out by installing state-of-the-art software for the same.

Now, with two strong drivers in their ranks, the Grove-based team will look to build on car performance and work harder in the background to ensure that they operate truly as a championship-winning side.

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“That’s a Pretty Bold Statement”: NFL Fans React as Jayden Daniels Reportedly Emits “Patrick Mahomes 2.0” Vibe to Other Players


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Jayden Daniels has played well in his rookie season with the Washington Commanders. The number #2 overall pick out of LSU has already turned into a star by leading the team to their first playoff appearance since 2020. He’s also starting to catch the attention of players around the league, who are ready to crown the rookie the next Patrick Mahomes 2.0, as reported by James Palmer.

It’s the highest praise a rookie quarterback can get, as Mahomes has turned into the best-winning QB in the league. Some even already call him the GOAT.

It’s not a crazy take. It might be a little early to deem Daniels in the Mahomes tier after just 16 games, but what a stretch it’s been.

The Commanders have the most wins (11) since 1991 when they were 14-2. Oh yeah, and they also won the Super Bowl that season. The last year before ’91 when they had 11+ wins was 1987, a year they also won the Super Bowl. Vibes are good in Washington and fans think they’ve found an elite QB.

But non-Commanders fans aren’t ready to commend Daniels just yet. While many think Daniels has been great, they don’t want to jump the gun and place him on the pedestal of Patrick Mahomes before his rookie season is even over.

One fan thinks it’s so early that we could be walking into a trap like we once did with another great rookie dual-threat QB. He, too, played in Washington.

Robert Griffin III had an incredible rookie year for the Redskins (now-Commanders) back in 2012. He had 27 total TDs and only five interceptions. He ended up winning Rookie of the Year and led the team to their first playoff birth since 2007… Is this starting to sound familiar?

History rarely repeats itself when it comes to these things, but surely Commanders fans just want to make it through this season before claiming Daniels as the next Mahomes. He’s got the city buzzing, but they should know better than any fanbase not to count their chickens before they hatch.

However, it’s hard not to, especially after the last two wins and Daniels’ performance. The Commanders defeated a division rival in the Eagles and then survived an OT thriller against the Falcons to secure a playoff berth. Daniels had to deliver clutch moments in both wins and came through each time.

When you see a player playing the way Daniels is in their rookie season, it’s hard to not begin to imagine the future possibilities. He’s got a great arm, speed, and leadership qualities, and seems to understand the game at a complex level.

But let’s let the kid finish the season before we start comparing him to Mahomes. Daniels has shown his clutch ability in winning moments, but we’re comparing him to a guy who has three Super Bowls, all with MVPs, to go along with two regular season MVPs.

It’s been a great start for Daniels. Yet sometimes, it’s not how you start, but how you finish. It’ll be interesting to see how he fairs in the high-pressure situations of the playoffs.

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