WNBA Playoffs: Top Contenders, Key Dates, and Predictions

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The WNBA playoffs are here, with the top four teams earning the chance to host a best-of-three first-round series. The New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx have already clinched their spots, while the Connecticut Sun, Seattle Storm, Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever, Phoenix Mercury, and Atlanta Dream are still in the running. The Liberty and Sun have been the most consistent teams this season, but the Aces are the two-time defending champions. The Fever, led by rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Key remaining dates include the regular season end on September 19, playoffs start on September 22, and the last possible finals date on October 20. Who will take home the championship?

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Luke Littler Moves Forward in World Darts Championship

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Tragic Loss of Olympic Snowboarder Sophie Hediger in Avalanche

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In a heartbreaking turn of events, Swiss Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger, 26, passed away in an avalanche at the Arosa resort in the Swiss Alps on December 24, 2024. Hediger, who was part of Switzerland's snowboard cross team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, was in her prime and had achieved two World Cup podium finishes in the 2023-24 season, with her best result being a second place in St. Moritz in January. The Swiss skiing federation has expressed its deepest condolences to Hediger's family, stating that her life 'came to a tragic, sudden and far too early end.'

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The College Football Playoff committee has released its second set of rankings, with Oregon leading the pack. Colorado has a clear path to the CFP and the national title, while Indiana's strength of schedule argument is becoming harder to ignore. Washington State and Army also have a case for an at-large bid. The final set of rankings will be released on Dec. 8, determining the 12-team bracket.

  1. Oregon remains No. 1 in the CFP rankings.
  2. Colorado has a path to the CFP and the national title.
  3. Indiana's strength of schedule argument is becoming harder to ignore.
  4. Washington State and Army have a case for an at-large bid.

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The first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff rankings have been released!
Here's a quick summary of the top 4 seeds:

  1. **Oregon (9-0, 6-0; Big Ten leader)
  2. **Georgia (7-1, 5-1; SEC leader)
  3. **Miami (9-0, 5-0; ACC leader)
  4. **BYU (8-0, 5-0; Big 12 leader)
    The next four teams will host playoff games:
  5. **Ohio State (7-1, 4-1)
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  7. **Penn State (7-1, 4-1)
  8. **Tennessee (7-1, 4-1)
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  10. **Notre Dame (7-1)
  11. **Alabama (6-2, 3-2)
  12. **Boise State (7-1, 4-0)
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A Thrilling Match-Up: Yankees vs. Dodgers in the 2024 World Series

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