Kevin McGuire's Notebook

I used to write about college football for NBC Sports. Now I edit USA TODAY Sports Media Group's Nittany Lions Wire. You can catch me on Twitter @KevinOnCFB.

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LSU QB Joe Burrow wins Heisman Trophy for 2019

LSU QB Joe Burrow wins Heisman Trophy for 2019

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow has won the Heisman Trophy for the 2019 college football season. Burrow was officially named this year’s Heisman Trophy winner at a ceremony in New York City Saturday night.

The quarterback of the LSU Tigers has had a monster season. While leading LSU to a No. 1 ranking and seed in the College Football Playoff with an unblemished 13-0 record that includes a victory in…

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UNC gives Mack Brown one-year extension on contract

UNC gives Mack Brown one-year extension on contract

It appears North Carolina was satisfied with the return of the Mack. Mack Brown and UNC have agreed on a one-year contract extension, the school announced Saturday evening.

Brown is now under contract with UNC through the 2024 season as a result of this contract extension.

“Mack’s return has had an outstanding impact — not just in Kenan Stadium, but throughout the Carolina community,” UNC AD Bubb…

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Malcolm Perry powers No. 23 Navy past army in Army-Navy Game

Malcolm Perry powers No. 23 Navy past army in Army-Navy Game

After three consecutive years of having to endure the agony of singing its alma mater first, No. 23 Navy (10-2, 7-1 AAC) once again beamed with joy and the thrill of victory over rival Army (5-8). Malcolm Perry carried the Midshipmen to a 31-7 victory on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Perry had big runs all game long for Navy as he broke record after record in the Army-Navy Game. Perry set a school…

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Following pregame speeches from President Trump, Navy leads Army at halftime

Following pregame speeches from President Trump, Navy leads Army at halftime

For the second consecutive year, President Donald Trump is taking in the annual Army-Navy Game in person in Philadelphia. And, as is typically the case in this storied rivalry, it’s been a tight contest after 30 minutes of play in Lincoln Financial Field with Navy leading Army 14-7 at halftime.

Army quarterback Christian Andersonbecame the first quarterback to make his first career start for Army…

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Florida State RB Cam Akers declares for NFL draft, will skip bowl game

Florida State RB Cam Akers declares for NFL draft, will skip bowl game

One of college football’s most talented running backs is moving on to the NFL. Florida State running back Cam Akers has declared for the NFL draft. As most players do, Akers announced his decision with a statement released on his Twitter account on Saturday afternoon.

“I have decided to enter the 2020 NFL Draft and will not play in the Sun Bowl, ” Akers confirmed, ruling himself out of the bowl…

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Joe Burrow has historic night for LSU at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show

Joe Burrow has historic night for LSU at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show

College football’s awards circuit took center stage at the College Football Hall of Fame Thursday night, and LSU quarterback Joe Burrowwas a big winner. Burrow, who already has been named the AP Player of the Year and many feel will be putting his hands around the Heisman Trophy this weekend, was awarded the Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year and the Maxwell Award for two-thirds…

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Tyler Biadasz wins first Rimington Trophy in Wisconsin Badgers history

Tyler Biadasz wins first Rimington Trophy in Wisconsin Badgers history

Wisconsin may be known for the offensive linemen (and running backs) it produces, but the Badgers never had a Rimington Trophy winner until Thursday night. Tyler Biadasz was named the recipient of the 2019 Rimington Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s top center in college football.

While this is the first Rimington Trophy won by a player from Wisconsin, Biadasz is the 8th player from the…

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Texas A&M DT Justin Madubuike leaving for NFL, will skip bowl game

Texas A&M DT Justin Madubuike leaving for NFL, will skip bowl game

Texas A&M defensive tackle Justin Madubuike has played his last down as an Aggie. In an announcement on his Twitter account Thursday afternoon, the junior confirmed he will be declaring for the NFL draft in 2020. In addition, he announced he will not participate in Texas A&M’s bowl game.

After speaking with my family, praying and thinking about the next step, I have decided to forego my senior…

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OT Devery Hamilton is 11th Stanford player to enter transfer portal in December

OT Devery Hamilton is 11th Stanford player to enter transfer portal in December

The Stanford Cardinal are likely to lose an offensive lineman to a transfer. Senior offensive tackle Devery Hamilton has reportedly entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal. Cole Cubelic of SEC Network was among the first to report the transfer portal news on Thursday afternoon.

Stanford OL Devery Hamilton has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) December 12,…

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Ex-South Carolina QB Jake Bentley announces grad transfer to Utah

Ex-South Carolina QB Jake Bentley announces grad transfer to Utah

After a few weeks on the graduate transfer market, quarterback Jake Bentley has come to a decision. In an update posted on his Twitter account Monday evening, Bentley announced he will be transferring to Utah.

Excited for this next step, can’t wait to be a part of the Utah family! #GoUtes @Utah_Football pic.twitter.com/sxgpUcgbsq

— Jake Bentley (@JakeBentley19) December 9, 2019

Bentley injured…

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Joe Burrow, Justin Fields, Jalen Hurts, Chase Young named Heisman Trophy finalists

Joe Burrow, Justin Fields, Jalen Hurts, Chase Young named Heisman Trophy finalists

The Heisman Trophy will be awarded to college football’s best player on Saturday evening in New York City. Four players will attend the ceremony as finalists for the award.

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts, and Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields and defensive end Chase Young were the four finalists announced by The Heisman Trust Monday evening.

http://twitter.com/Hei…

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President Donald Trump to attend Army-Navy Game in Philadelphia

President Donald Trump to attend Army-Navy Game in Philadelphia

For the second time this season, President Donald Trump will attend a college football game. Trump will attend the annual Army-Navy Game in Philadelphia this weekend.

This will be the third time Trump will have attended the Army-Navy Game since being elected in 2016, although this will be the second time Trump will do so since being sworn into office. Trump attended last year’s Army-Navy Game in…

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Utah locks in defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley to new deal for "long-term" future

Utah locks in defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley to new deal for “long-term” future

One potential head coaching candidate for a handful of schools has been taken off the table. Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley agreed to a revised contract to remain a part of the coaching staff, Utah announced on Monday.

“We are excited to announce that Morgan Scalley will continue to be a part of Utah football for years to come,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said in a released…

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Report: Penn State OC Ricky Rahne to be next head coach at Old Dominion

Report: Penn State OC Ricky Rahne to be next head coach at Old Dominion

Old Dominion’s search for a head coach may have come to a close. Penn State offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne will be named the next head coach of the Monarchs, according to a report from FootballScoop.com.

Old Dominion has yet to officially announce the hiring the time of this post, but that could be coming shortly (in which case this post will be updated with the official confirmation from the…

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Playoff coaches, Fleck and Rhule named finalists for Maxwell Football Club's coach of the year

Playoff coaches, Fleck and Rhule named finalists for Maxwell Football Club’s coach of the year

All four coaches taking a team to the College Football Playoff and two more who saw dramatic turnaround seasons were named finalists for the George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award by the Maxwell Football Club on Monday. Ohio State’s Ryan Day, LSU’s Ed Orgeron, Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley, and Clemson’s Dabo Swinneyare all in the running for this particular coach of the year award after…

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Get ready for the best College Football Playoff yet

Get ready for the best College Football Playoff yet

Entering its sixth season of existence, this year’s College Football Playoff may have its deepest field of playoff participants yet. Oh yes, this one is going to be good.

A system that has yielded what appeared to be a definitive two-team race the last handful of seasons with continued dominance by Alabama and Clemson, this year’s field feels as wide open as it has been under this new format.…

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No. 3 Clemson wins fifth consecutive ACC championship as they return to College Football Playoff

No. 3 Clemson wins fifth consecutive ACC championship as they return to College Football Playoff

The defending national champions are back for some more. No. 3 Clemson (13-0, 8-0 ACC) locked up a fifth consecutive ACC Championship Game victory Saturday night with a 62-17 victory over No. 23 Virginia (9-4, 6-2 ACC), and with that all but officially submitted their R.S.V.P. for this season’s College Football Playoff. What’s not to respect?

Trevor Lawrencepassed for 302 yards and four…

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