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By Marc Lawrence
Weekend, Dec 27-28

Maybe he’s not such an ass after all.

During the ESPN College GameDay segment at Kyle Field on December 20, 2025 (ahead of the Texas A&M vs. Miami CFP first-round game), Texas A&M freshman Austin Roberts attempted a 33-yard field goal for increasing prize money funded by ESPN personality Pat McAfee.

He missed the first attempt (originally for $1 million).

After missing the first attempt, Roberts got another try for $1.5 million. He missed that one, too.

However, before the kick, McAfee again teased the end of the segment, saying: “One more kick. Final kick of the season. Final kick, maybe, of the field goal kicking contest.”

McAfee gave him a second chance, raising the amount to $1.5 million—he missed again.

A third attempt (still at $1.5 million) was allowed, but it was affected by wind and also missed (described as "blown away" or narrowly missed in reports and video titles).

Despite the misses, McAfee donated $500,000 to charity, as Roberts had planned to give most winnings away.

Multiple sources, including Sporting News, Front Office Sports, Awful Announcing, and YouTube clips from College GameDay, confirm all attempts were unsuccessful.

McAfee has given away more than $2.7 million to students and charities this year. The money comes out of his own pocket.

Sounds like he’s a big teddy bear with deep pockets.

Enjoy the games and have a great weekend.

ON TODAY'S SCORECARD
Michigan Hits The Lottery

MLC

The University of Michigan sure lucked out. The Wolverines were facing a dire timeline and unfortunate circumstances.

They were short on options, and the ones they did have looked substandard. 

Hold up.

Kyle Whittingham to Michigan? It’s a jackpot hire. 

Michigan needed to shift the culture and distance itself from fired coach Sherrone Moore. The Wolverines needed a coach who would walk through the door, instill confidence, and change the view of the program.

He didn't retire from Utah; he stepped down. He wanted another coaching gig, and he nailed it with the biggest job available in the cycle - yes, in terms of prestige, this includes LSU, Penn State, and Florida. 

Biff Poggi just wasn’t going to do. Nor was Jedd Fisch. It’s no fault of those guys. They’re too closely associated with the Jim Harbaugh era, the sign-stealing scandal, suspensions, and the mess Moore left on his way to jail.

Whittingham is expected to average $8.2 million in salary over the duration of his deal, which runs through 2030 and is worth $41 million. That would make him the 7th-highest paid coach in the Big ten behind Ryan Day (Ohio State, $12.5m), Curt Cignetti (Indiana, $11.6m), Lincoln Riley (USC, $11.5m), Dan Lanning (Oregon, $10.4m), Matt Campbell (Penn State, between $9-10m), Matt Rhule (Nebraska, $8.5m), and Illinois (Bret Bielema, $8.4m).

Whittingham, 66, was 177-88 all-time at Utah with three conference championships

Look out, Big Ten. You’ve been warned.

Whittingham has to be the new hire of the year.


GRINDING OUT THE PROFITS
Down for the Count

From this week’s PLAYBOOK Football Newsletter

Tampa Bay over MIAMI by 3

So, what’s wrong with Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers’ offense? Plenty. The Bucs have won the NFC South division title each of the last five years, but that streak is now in serious jeopardy. They were knocked out of first place in the NFC South after Sunday’s loss in Charlotte to the Carolina Panthers, and Mayfield has been limited to fewer than 200 passing yards in five of his last six starts, despite having most of his offensive weapons back. And the MIDWEEK ALERT reminds us that Tampa has been outgained in nine of its last 11 games and is 1-5 straight up and 0-6 against the spread since their bye week in early November. Yet, they can steal the NFC South division with season-ending wins against Miami and Carolina. Keep that in mind, as they are 9-1 straight up and 6-1 outright against the Panthers and Dolphins – their final two opponents, respectively. So, while the Pewter Pirates are 7-0 ATS in this series, they are also 3-9 ATS in post-Panther performances. Instead, we’ll look to the Dolphins’ 6-1 ATS mark in the second of back-to-back homers while we take the points.

MLC




MLC

BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW
We Want Snoop

MLC

Bad Bunny faced criticism after being named Super Bowl LX halftime performer, sparking a petition.

The petition argues for broader musical appeal; fans prefer Snoop Dogg for halftime over Bad Bunny.

Snoop Dogg impressed with recent performances, but his Super Bowl return remains uncertain.

There were countless people who criticized Bad Bunny, including Green Bay Packers legend Brett Favre.

They don’t consider the Grammy winner to be a patriot who people can relate to. Clearly, they’re not alone.

After all, a petition to get the “Titi Me Pregunto” singer removed from the Super Bowl halftime show gained a lot of traction earlier this year.

The Super Bowl Halftime Show is one of the most iconic events in entertainment, drawing millions of viewers from all around the globe. For decades, it has been a platform to celebrate music that unites people.

Snoop Dogg performed at halftime for this year’s Christmas game between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.  He shared the stage at U.S. Bank Stadium with country star Lainey Wilson, HUNTR/X and Andrea Bocelli.

He was also was part of the Super Bowl LIV halftime show at SoFi Stadium back in 2022. He was with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige.

TRENDING TODAY
QB Roulette

MLC

We may never get a more interesting battle of 2-13 teams than what's coming Sunday when the New York Giants visit the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Giants currently have the edge for the No. 1 draft pick due to a weaker strength of schedule. A victory against Vegas, who is also on a nine-game losing streak, would drop New York in the pecking order with one game left in the season.

Week 17 continues (with help from Tankathon.com) for 17 teams, 16 of whom have been eliminated from the postseason race.

(The Los Angeles Rams own the first-round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons, who were eliminated in Week 14.)

Here’s a look at the bottom 10 teams...

1. New York Giants (2-13)

Remaining schedule:
Week 17 — at Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)
Week 18 — Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1)

Strength of schedule: .530

Do they have a QB for the future? Yes, especially if Jaxson Dart learns how to slide and/or get out of bounds.

2. Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)

Remaining schedule:
Week 17 — New York Giants (2-13)
Week 18 — Kansas City Chiefs (6-10)

Strength of schedule: .542

Do they have a QB for the future? No, the Geno Smith-Pete Carroll reunion has been a colossal bust in a town known for them.

3. Cleveland Browns (3-12)

Remaining schedule:
Week 17 — Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)
Week 18 — at Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)

Strength of schedule: .492

Do they have a QB for the future? That's a loaded question.

4. New York Jets (3-12)

Remaining schedule:
Week 17 — New England Patriots (12-3)
Week 18 — at Buffalo Bills (11-4)

Strength of schedule: .543

Do they have a QB for the future? No.

5. Tennessee Titans (3-12)

Remaining schedule:
Week 17 — New Orleans Saints (5-10)
Week 18 — at Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4)

Strength of schedule: .572

Do they have a QB for the future? Yes, and Cam Ward isn't as bad as you might think.

6. Arizona Cardinals (3-12)

Remaining schedule:

Week 17 — at Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)
Week 18 — at Los Angeles Rams (11-4)

Strength of schedule: .578

Do they have a QB for the future? No, as the sun appears to be setting on the Kyler Murray Experience.

7. Washington Commanders (4-12)

Remaining schedule:
Week 18 — at Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)

Strength of schedule: .504

Do they have a QB for the future? Yes, despite a rough sophomore season from Jayden Daniels.

8. New Orleans Saints (5-10)

Remaining schedule:
Week 17 — at Tennessee Titans (3-12)
Week 18 — at Atlanta Falcons (6-9)

Strength of schedule: .498

Do they have a QB for the future? Let's not quickly write off Tyler Shough.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)

Remaining schedule:
Week 17 — Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
Week 18 — Cleveland Browns (3-12)

Strength of schedule: .517

Do they have a QB for the future? Yes, and it's a bummer we didn't get Joe Burrow for the full season.

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-10)

Remaining schedule for Chiefs:
Week 17 — Denver Broncos (13-3)
Week 18 — at Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)

Strength of schedule: .513

Do they have a QB for the future? Yes, although when Patrick Mahomes will be ready for the 2026 season remains to be seen.


ASK MARC

Mikey from Philly wanted to say – Marc, Colleen and entire Playbook personnel: Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.  You guys are the best, better than all the rest.

Marc Says: Right back at you, Mike, you’re the best. Thanks for the kudos and you continued support.


STAT OF THE DAY
28-5 ATS

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin’s
record in division road games
that Pittsburgh wins outright.


QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The NFL got greedy and started adding Christmas games. We used to have this day to ourself, but Roger Goodell and them pigs  at the NFL always want to
hog every day of the week now.
Christmas is an NBA day.”

- Charles Barkley



SONG OF THE WEEKEND

With over One Billion Views, this Iconic Christmas Tune Just Became the No. 1 Song in the World for the First Time.


Click Here to See and Hear It Now.

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