Hurricanes’ run, sad Dolphins, World Cup draw, Stanton bidders lead new Hot Button Top 5
1. HURRICANES: UM-Clemson for ACC title, now CFP set Sunday: Canes and Clemson faced a Saturday night play-in game for one of four spots in the College Football Playoff, with semifinal matchups to be set Sunday. UM went in a big underdog, but it was close to no-lose situation coming out: Either alive for a national championship, or in their home stadium for Orange Bowl.
2. DOLPHINS: Sad Fins host Denver in moribund matchup: How’s this for a weekend contrast, Miami? First your Hurricanes play Clemson for ACC title and spot in college playoffs. And then your Dolphins host Broncos in a duel of hopelessness between teams with a combined 12 straight losses. Hasn’t been a dropoff that sharp since Thelma and Louise drove over the cliff.
3. SOCCER: 2018 World Cup sets group play: The 32 qualifying nations were drawn into eight four-team groups for next summer’s men’s tournament in Russia. But I’m still trying to figure something out so maybe you can explain: The United States and Italy failed to qualify but Iceland got in!? Aurora, Colorado has more people than Iceland. Do they play soccer on skates over there?
4. MARLINS: Giants, Yankees, others in play for Stanton: I heard the Marlins have now decided to not trade Giancarlo Stanton and that Miami also will spend big to go after Japanese hit/pitch sensation Shohei Ohtani. And then I woke up from that dream and it was back to reality. With baseball’s winter meetings approaching, Stanton is like one of his home runs: Going, going ... gone!
5. HEAT: Erratic team a mystery even to Spo: The 5-spot could go to FAU in C-USA title game, Tiger Woods’ latest comeback, UM men in the Hoophall Miami Invitational or Gulfstream opening its winter racing meet, but let’s stick with the up-and-down Heat. Coach Erik Spoelstra says he doesn’t know what to make of his team and can’t figure ‘em out. Right there with you, bud!
This story was originally published December 1, 2017 at 8:22 PM with the headline "Hurricanes’ run, sad Dolphins, World Cup draw, Stanton bidders lead new Hot Button Top 5."