Latest news with #Backus
USA Today
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Check out the watchability rankings for Florida football's top 2025 matchups
Check out the watchability rankings for Florida football's top 2025 matchups The upcoming schedule for Florida football's 2025 campaign appears to be an exciting one — as well as immensely challenging — as the Gators look to build on their success last season. It took Billy Napier three seasons to snap the program's three-season streak of finishing under the .500 mark, breaking through with an 8-5 final record thanks to some superlative efforts on both offense and defense. Among those wins were a few thrilling finishes that will live long in the lore of the Orange and Blue. As for the upcoming season, Florida has a handful of games that CBS Sports writer Will Backus selected for his watchability ratings for every week on the 2025 college football schedule. Specifically, there are seven matchups that ranked among the following tiers: Tier 1 : Become one with your couch: Put your phone on do not disturb. Tell your loved ones not to be concerned if they don't hear from you until Sunday. Make sure your fridge is stocked. : Become one with your couch: Put your phone on do not disturb. Tell your loved ones not to be concerned if they don't hear from you until Sunday. Make sure your fridge is stocked. Tier 2 : Finish that project you've been putting off: So long as it doesn't take you away from the house and also doesn't take you all day. : Finish that project you've been putting off: So long as it doesn't take you away from the house and also doesn't take you all day. Tier 3: If you HAVE to plan for a fall wedding: Not ideal, but you could make it work during these weeks if absolutely necessary. Still, keep a screen handy. Florida at LSU (Tier 1): Week 3 "SEC play starts with a bang this season. Florida's a College Football Playoff dark horse thanks to a strong offseason under coach Billy Napier. The Gators will have a real chance to prove their worth against an LSU team with national title aspirations," Backus offers. Florida at Texas A&M (Tier 1): Week 7 The Aggies embarrassed the Gators in the Swamp last season during the program's championship reunion weekend, marking TAMU's second win in three tries at Florida Field. However, UF also has two wins in three tries at Kyle Stadium and will be looking for revenge — as well as a much-needed victory to wrap the first half of the season. Florida vs Georgia (Tier 1): Week 10 The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is perennially the top matchup on the Gators' schedule, and while UGA has held the edge in recent years, UF looked like it had a chance in last year's game before DJ Lagway was knocked out of the game before the end of the first half. A healthy quarterback, along with the offseason's reinforcements, nearly guarantees an epic battle in Jacksonville. Florida at Miami (Tier 2): Week 1 "Last season, Miami used an early-season immolation of Florida to catapult itself to a 10-win season. Could the Gators do something similar this in a pivotal year for Billy Napier and the program?" Backus rhetorically questions. Florida at Ole Miss (Tier 2): Week 12 "Both Florida and Ole Miss have playoff upside in 2025 — and both could very well make it — but a head-to-head result could prove crucial when deciding at-large bids," Backus notes. Florida vs Texas (Tier 3): Week 6 "This is one of those weeks, earlier in the season, where the conference pairings don't move the needle much. Florida could make a real statement against Texas," Backus said. Florida vs Tennessee (Tier 3): Week 13 "College football's rivalry weekend is one of the most exciting weeks in sports. The week beforehand? Not so much. Plenty of power football programs tend to schedule a "cupcake" opponent — one that it should beat with ease — in this spot after a long and arduous regular season," Backus concludes. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former MSU head coach Mel Tucker included on list of worst hires in the past decade
Former MSU head coach Mel Tucker included on list of worst hires in the past decade Michigan State football made one of the worst coaching hires in the past decade, according to CBS Sports One CBS Sports writer believes former Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker was one of the worst hires in all of college football in the past decade. Will Backus of CBS Sports released a list of his top 15 worst coaching hires over the past decade, and to little surprise Tucker was included. Of the 15 coaches included in Backus' list, Tucker came in at No. 11 -- which ranks as the fourth worst among former Big Ten coaches included on the list behind only Purdue's Ryan Walters (No. 3 on the list), Nebraska's Mike Riley (No. 7) and Washington's Jimmy Lake (No. 8). Here's what Backus had to say about Tucker: "Tucker had a positive record at Michigan State, so surely his tenure couldn't have been that bad? Right? Well, 11 of those wins came in 2021 on the back of Doak Walker-award winning running back Kenneth Walker III, a grand-slam transfer acquisition from Wake Forest. That means Tucker won a combined seven games in his other two full seasons. Even worse, Tucker was ousted from the program in 2023 after Michigan State launched an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment." The inclusion of Tucker on this list is an obvious choice with his lack of success on the field outside of 2021 and the sexual harassment investigation as Backus stated. But I always like to point out that Tucker inherited a mess of a program, and did experience some success on the recruiting trail that, at one point before his off the field scandal, made me believe he would turn around Michigan State. We will never truly know if Tucker's plan for the program would have worked out in his favor due to the sexual harassment investigation and firing the followed, but with everything consider, it's fair to include him on this list of worst coaching hires in the last decade. Click here to read the full story from Backus and see the rest of his list for worst coaching hires in the past decade. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘There will be serious consequences': Lansing mayor says about street racing crash
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Lansing Mayor Andy Schor is speaking out about Thursday night's that left 13 people injured, including a child. According to police, the drivers of two vehicles were speeding while racing each other southbound on MLK Jr. Blvd. when another driver made a lawful turn from Pierce Rd. onto MLK Jr. Blvd. This led to the speeding drivers hitting the turning vehicle, followed by those three vehicles colliding with two other vehicles. During the crash, two people from one of the speeding vehicles were ejected. These are the two unnamed people who are in critical condition, police say. Street racing crash injured 13 people, including child, Lansing police say Less than a day later, the mayor says those involved will be held accountable. I am angry that these selfish, reckless drivers created an unsafe situation that led to such a horrible accident on S MLK, inflicting so much harm to innocent bystanders. Chief Backus and I have talked several times today about last evening. The parties involved have been identified and there will be serious consequences for the harm they caused. The Lansing Police Department will recommend all charges possible, as found by the evidence, to the Prosecutor to hold those responsible accountable. The Chief and I have also talked about having extra patrols on the road, especially in hot spot areas. LPD has several recruits in the academy now, so we will have more officers on the streets soon. And in my budget recommendation to Council, I have called for adding more officers using funding from the state Public Safety Trust Fund once it is signed into have 100,000 calls per year and our police cannot be on all of our 400 miles of streets to catch speeders, so I am supportive of using red light cameras to catch excessive speeders. But cities are prevented from doing this by state law. I know legislation has been proposed, and I hope the Legislature will review those bills for consideration. Many cities across the country use them very successfully to hold careless drivers accountable for their actions and allow officers to respond to calls at the same time. LPD officers are the best in the state, but they are a very busy department and we need every tool and resource from the state to help. Andy Schor, Lansing Mayor Police closed all roads in the area of the crash overnight for the investigation and reopened them around 4 a.m. Friday. Police are not releasing any names of those involved at this time, or who or how many people were in each vehicle, including the child. Police are also not confirming the condition of the other 11 people involved in this crash. As of 9:30 a.m., no one has been arrested, according to police, and it is unknown if anyone has been ticketed. If you have video or photos of this – or any other news event – please send them to us through Pics on 6. You can also submit them below. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jack Backus honored with Chamber Appreciation Award
OGDENSBURG, N.Y. (WWTI) – The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce will honor Jack Backus with the Chamber Appreciation Award at its annual Membership Breakfast Meeting on Tuesday, April 15, at the Inn at Gran View in Ogdensburg. Starbucks' summer menu leaks early — here's what's new Georgia man arrested over alleged threats to kill Tulsi Gabbard Watertown hosts Motor City in FPHL Playoff game Strong geomagnetic storm could bring northern lights to NNY: forecast 'Home Alone 2' director Chris Columbus wishes he could remove this from classic movie The Chamber says 'Chamber Appreciation Award' is presented yearly at the membership meeting to a partner individual or organization who has gone above and beyond to assure the chamber's success, mission and members. Backus has served on the Chamber's Board of Directors for decades, is being honored for his long-standing contributions to the Chamber, dedication to the county's communities and leadership at Mort Backus & Sons, a family-owned business with community support at its core. One nomination for Backus noted that even in his retirement, he 'still shows up to every meeting and event and is a bright and shining staple in the St. Lawrence County community…He is a great ambassador for the chamber and really cares about the community and small business.' Another nomination said Backus was always 'vocal about our members and supporting local businesses, making sure their best interests are being looked after.' Others expressed their appreciation for the thoughtful insights and questions he brings to his fellow Board members, along with recognition of the great things about St. Lawrence County. The annual breakfast meeting, which begins at 8:30 a.m., will also include appointments to the Board of Directors and Officers, as well as updates from Chamber leadership on previous accomplishments and goals for the coming year. North Country Easter Guide More information regarding the Chamber's annual membership meeting is available in the member events on Visit STLC's website. Additional information about this and other St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce events and programs is also available on their website or by calling 315-386-4000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
13-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
CBS Sports shares top question surrounding Auburn ahead of spring practice
CBS Sports shares top question surrounding Auburn ahead of spring practice Will Backus of CBS Sports says that he is keeping an eye on Auburn's offense this spring. Auburn football begins its spring practice period later this month with plenty of juicy storylines to follow. Auburn will enter the season with the same offensive and defensive coordinator as last season for the first time in several years, there will be a battle for the right tackle spot that will include two experienced transfers, and a transfer wide receiver has joined the Tigers' receiving room to provide adequate support to sophomore Cam Coleman. Which storyline is the most intriguing? Will Backus of CBS Sports says that the quarterback situation has his attention. Backus revealed the top question for every SEC program ahead of spring practice, with transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold at the forefront for the Auburn Tigers. Backus will watch Arnold to see if he is the "answer" for the Tigers' offense. Auburn needs stable quarterback play this season, and Backus feels that Arnold has the potential to be the answer. "(Arnold) was actually benched midway through the 2024 season before returning later and, notably, leading Oklahoma to a huge upset win against Alabama. He finished his sophomore campaign with a respectable 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns to just three interceptions. Arnold is also a legitimate rushing threat, adding an extra dimension to Auburn's offense. Maybe Freeze has the key to fully unlock Arnold's potential. The next month will provide some indication as to how he fits." As a high school recruit, Arnold was a five-star quarterback from Denton, Texas from the class of 2023. He was the No. 4 quarterback from the cycle, trailing just Arch Manning from Texas, Nico Iamaleava from Tennessee, and Dante Moore, who signed with UCLA originally before transferring to Oregon. Arnold won Gatorade Player of the Year for Texas in 2023 after completing 69% of passes for 3,496 yards and 33 touchdowns during his senior season at Guyer High School. Arnold will compete with Stanford transfer Ashton Daniels, South Carolina transfer Tanner Bailey, and four-star signee Deuce Knight for the starting quarterback job this spring. Auburn begins spring practice on March 25 and will conclude on April 12 with the annual A-Day game.
