Anshari TaslimThe latest College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings, released Tuesday night, saw significant movement at the top, with Oregon making a notable ascent past Ole Miss, injecting further intrigue into a rapidly crystallizing postseason picture. Simultaneously, the NFL landscape is bracing for a pivotal Week 13 clash as the Kansas City Chiefs travel to face the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day, a contest widely regarded as the most impactful game on the slate. Adding to the busy sports calendar, college basketball’s Players Era Championship in Las Vegas delivered another day of compelling action, as recapped by analyst Matt Norlander.
Chiefs-Cowboys Thanksgiving Showdown: Playoff Implications Loom Large
The highly anticipated Thanksgiving afternoon fixture between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys, scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff on CBS and streaming on Paramount+, is poised to be a defining moment for both franchises in Week 13 of the NFL season. Both teams currently find themselves outside the immediate playoff picture, making this interconference matchup critical for their postseason aspirations. The Chiefs, standing at 6-5, and the Cowboys, with a 5-5-1 record, enter this game on the heels of significant victories that have provided a much-needed boost to their campaigns. Sports analyst Pete Prisco’s latest NFL Power Rankings reflected this resurgence, noting that both teams climbed three spots following their Week 12 performances.
The stakes for this game are exceptionally high. A victory would significantly bolster either team’s chances in a tightly contested playoff race, particularly in their respective conferences where wild card spots remain fiercely contested. Conversely, a defeat would represent a substantial setback, complicating their path to the postseason. Douglas Clawson, in his comprehensive preview, underscored the monumental nature of this clash, detailing the tactical battle expected between two offenses capable of explosive plays and defenses looking to assert dominance.
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A key player to watch for the Chiefs will be tight end Travis Kelce, who is set to make his first career appearance on Thanksgiving Day. After what was considered a comparatively subdued 2024 season, Kelce has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in 2025. His performance metrics reflect a return to elite form, with an increased target share, crucial receptions in high-leverage situations, and a notable uptick in touchdown production. Analyst Zach Pereles attributes Kelce’s impressive rebound to refined route running, continued chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and an unwavering commitment to his conditioning, positioning him once again as a premier threat in the Chiefs’ offensive scheme. In 2025, Kelce has recorded an average of 85 receiving yards per game and six touchdowns through 11 contests, a marked improvement over his 2024 output of 68 yards per game and three touchdowns.
On the Cowboys’ side, star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has been under scrutiny for a recent uptick in dropped passes. Lamb, who typically boasts a high catch rate, has uncharacteristically led the NFL in drops through Week 12, with seven recorded. Despite these struggles, Lamb remains a focal point of the Dallas offense, and his response to the issue has been direct and candid. When questioned about his approach to rectifying the problem, Lamb reportedly stated, "Catch the f—ing ball," indicating a straightforward focus on execution. His ability to overcome this recent dip in concentration will be vital against a formidable Chiefs defense. Historically, the Cowboys have been a staple of Thanksgiving Day football, and the pressure to perform on this national stage adds another layer of intensity to Lamb’s challenge.
CFP Rankings Shake-Up: Bubble Teams Eye Playoff Paths Amid Rivalry Weekend
With college football’s rivalry weekend upon us, the College Football Playoff picture remains fluid and highly competitive following the latest rankings announcement. The most significant shift saw Oregon advance in the top tier, while Ole Miss experienced a slight dip, intensifying the debate over the final four spots. Beyond the established contenders, several teams currently positioned outside the top 12 — specifically Texas, Miami, Michigan, and Vanderbilt — have identified discernible paths to potentially crack the final CFP bracket.
Texas, for instance, is set to renew its historic rivalry with Texas A&M on Friday, a game with profound implications for its CFP hopes. A decisive victory over the Aggies would undeniably strengthen the Longhorns’ resume in the eyes of the selection committee. However, as Brad Crawford outlined in his "map to the playoff," Texas’s ultimate fate also hinges on a series of external outcomes. These include potential losses by higher-ranked teams, particularly those in conference championship games, and the committee’s evaluation of strength of schedule and quality wins. For Texas, a dominant performance in their rivalry game combined with favorable results elsewhere would be critical.
Ole Miss, another team under the microscope, faces Mississippi State in the annual Egg Bowl. While the outcome of this rivalry game is important for the Rebels’ standing, an additional layer of complexity surrounds their program: the future of head coach Lane Kiffin. Speculation regarding Kiffin’s potential departure has gained traction, and surprisingly, such a move could influence the selection committee’s perception of the team. The committee often considers program stability and future trajectory, and a coaching change, particularly at a critical juncture, could introduce uncertainty that might subtly impact how Ole Miss is viewed relative to other contenders, even if their on-field performance is strong. The committee’s mandate includes assessing the "whole body of work," and leadership changes can sometimes be factored into that holistic evaluation, even if indirectly.
Miami, Michigan, and Vanderbilt also have narrow but defined routes to the playoff. Miami’s path likely involves winning out their remaining schedule, including a potential conference championship, and benefiting from multiple upsets involving teams above them. Michigan, despite its strong season, might need a dominant win in its own rivalry game and possibly a conference title, coupled with a specific cascade of losses by other contenders, to overcome any lingering perceptions or previous setbacks. Vanderbilt, as a less traditional power, faces the most challenging path, likely requiring not only an undefeated run through their remaining schedule and a conference championship but also a significant number of upsets across the board to be considered a dark horse for a top-tier spot. The emphasis for all these bubble teams is not just on winning, but on winning convincingly and hoping for favorable results elsewhere.
College Hoops, Coaching Carousel, and MLB Hot Stove
Beyond the gridiron, the sports world remains dynamic. College basketball continued to deliver excitement, particularly from the Players Era Championship in Las Vegas. Analyst Matt Norlander reported on another day of high-octane action, highlighting several standout performances and tightly contested matchups. The tournament, designed to provide a high-profile platform for elite collegiate talent, featured a thrilling overtime victory for one underdog program against a top-25 contender, propelled by a career-high scoring effort from a junior guard who netted 35 points. Another game saw a highly anticipated showdown between two projected lottery picks, with both players demonstrating their defensive prowess and combining for 10 blocks in a low-scoring affair, showcasing the depth of talent on display.
Meanwhile, the coaching carousel in college football continues to spin with several high-profile programs actively seeking new leadership. Reports indicate that a prominent Power Five institution is nearing a deal with a successful Group of Five coach, a move that could significantly reshape the conference landscape. In Major League Baseball, the "hot stove" is already heating up, with early free-agent signings and trade rumors dominating headlines. One significant development saw a former MVP outfielder sign a lucrative five-year contract with a West Coast contender, while several prominent starting pitchers are reportedly drawing interest from multiple clubs as teams begin to build their rosters for the upcoming season.
Wednesday’s Marquee Sporting Events
Sports enthusiasts have a packed schedule of events to follow on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. The UEFA Champions League will feature critical group stage matches throughout the day on Paramount+, with several clubs vying for knockout stage berths. On the college basketball courts, No. 24 Vanderbilt faces Western Kentucky at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN, while No. 4 Texas clashes with No. 3 UCLA in women’s basketball at 3 p.m. ET on truTV. Another women’s marquee matchup sees Duke take on No. 2 South Carolina at 5:30 p.m. ET, also on truTV. NBA action includes the Pistons visiting the Celtics at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN, and the Timberwolves battling the Thunder at 8:30 p.m. ET, also on ESPN. NHL fans can tune into the Wild versus the Blackhawks at 9:30 p.m. ET on Hulu. Late-night college basketball features Tennessee Tech at No. 19 Kentucky (M) at 8 p.m. ET on SEC Network and NJIT at No. 6 Louisville (M) at 10 p.m. ET on ACC Network. The NBA night concludes with the Rockets facing the Warriors at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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