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NoneTexas Crop and Weather Report November 26, 2024 - by Adam Russell Demand for Texas-grown Christmas trees continues to rise as acreage and entrepreneurial interest in farms expands, according to a Texas A&M Forest Service expert. Fred Raley, Ph.D., Texas A&M Forest Service director of the Western Gulf Tree Improvement Program, said Texas Christmas tree producers fared well this year after back-to-back seasons of drought for much of the state. He said consumers should expect higher prices for choose-and-cut and shipped cut trees this holiday season. “Demand is up, whether the previous seasons impacted supplies or supplies held steady, so there is a potential for price increases and limited selection,” he said. “The increased cost of shipping in fresh-cut trees from other states will also factor into prices.” Growers, farms diversify around Christmas trees Raley said the impact of drought depended on localized rainfall and growers’ access to irrigation. Some farms are supplementing their native tree stocks with more shipped trees this year. “If you want a live tree, my advice would be to get one early for the best selection,” he said. Raley said sales typically kick off the weekend following Thanksgiving. Farms have been busy ordering trees and preparing their farms for sales season. In North Carolina, tree damage and impassable roads were concerns regarding Christmas tree supplies following the flood damage from Hurricane Helene. However, there was limited damage following the storm to farms and roads have been restored. Texas producers continue to expand their acreage where they can, Raley said. Many choose-and-cut farms are also diversifying their operation with “experiential services” built around Christmas trees like hayrides, do-it-yourself decoration/wreath making and games. “They’re trying to build a complete seasonal experience,” he said. “We’re seeing some older generational farms closing, but we’re also hearing from younger entrepreneurs who want to do something in the green industry, and they are looking to start with Christmas trees.” Demand for replacement seedlings continues to rise Stan Reed, executive secretary of the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association , said the organization is seeing similar expansion and diversification trends in the industry across Texas. He estimates there are 85-95 tree farms in Texas that range from small “mom and pop” growers-sellers to 60-70-acre operations. “Texas doesn’t have any growers who serve the wholesale market, but there are two operations that are poised to enter that market, which will serve local-cut live-tree stands,” he said. Reed said new information and methods are helping growers increase production and limit setbacks like lost seedlings. There are four primary tree varieties that perform well in Texas growing conditions – Virginia and Afghan pines, and Leyland and Carolina sapphire cypresses. Christmas trees in Texas are typically grown in four-year rotations, he said. The association sells seedling Virginia pine trees started from seed banks created by the Texas A&M Forest Service at a discount to growers. Reed said growers have purchased around 130,000 seedlings so far for their upcoming replants. Growers have been encouraged to buy more trees than they will plant to replace the season’s harvest. Those excess trees are kept as potted trees and are available to replace seedlings that do not establish and survive. Over the years, Reed said some growers have begun taking advantage of keeping trees potted longer to expedite their growth and shorten their harvest time to three years. Raley said the seedling program started in the early 2000s, and research trials around the state have identified trees and varietal germplasm that are resilient and perform best. Seed from selected high performers grafted in seed orchards are used to create the seedlings supplied through the association. “That program is about continuous improvement, and our goal is to meet or exceed the demand of growers each season,” Raley said. “That’s become a challenge because those numbers keep going up every year, but we want to continue to see that trend.” AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries: Temperatures cooled off and the district experienced the first frost of the season. A few areas received scattered showers, but most of the district needed significant runoff for ponds and surface impoundments. Pastures were going dormant, and the cool-season grasses were in good shape. The pecan harvest looked good, but there were reports of dead trees. The second-crop corn silage harvest was nearing completion. Oats, wheat and other winter grasses needed rain to support growth. Ryegrass was trying to emerge. Some supplementation and hay feeding continued and expected to become more necessary in the coming weeks. Cattle, sheep and goat markets performed well amid strong demand. Conditions remained favorable for agricultural operations. Additional rains boosted soil moisture going into the winter. Wheat benefited greatly from the recent moisture. All counties reported healthy wheat stands and growth with no signs of rust or nitrogen issues. Livestock were benefiting from the rain as well. Drinking water sources were replenished, and the wheat pastures should be good for grazing soon. Dry conditions persisted in many areas. Some areas experienced a light, spotty frost, but daytime temperatures remained in the 80s and 90s. Soil moisture was critically low, halting most fieldwork. Some producers applied fertilizer, while others waited for moisture. Winter pastures were planted in some areas, but many have not germinated due to the lack of rainfall. Fires were becoming a concern, and burn bans were still in effect in some counties. Rangeland and pasture conditions were deteriorating, with standing forage drying out and quality declining. Hay supplies were good but of lower quality than usual. Ratoon rice harvest was 63% complete. Livestock were in good condition, though supplemental feeding of hay and protein was in full swing. Cattle remained in good condition, and sale barns were seeing large runs of calves sold at strong prices. Pecan harvest continued with fair yields reported. The region received some much-needed rainfall. Subsoil and topsoil conditions were adequate. Winter forages started to grow. Grasses were greening up, providing adequate grazing in some areas. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair. More moisture will be needed to continue the current progress. Cattle markets were strong. Livestock were doing fair to good with some supplementation taking place. Wild pigs were moving and causing an increasing amount of damage. Soil moisture levels were very short to adequate. Several counties received rain and reported cooler temperatures, which should benefit winter forages. One county lifted its burn ban. Winter wheat and ryegrass looked good. Livestock were in good condition, but many producers continued to feed supplemental feed/hay. Pasture and rangeland conditions had not changed significantly and were in poor to good condition. Cotton was harvested, and oats emerged in fair to good condition. Subsoil and topsoil moisture levels were adequate. Some rainfall halted harvests and fieldwork. Producers were trying to get their crops out as fast as possible when the weather allowed. Heavy dew in the mornings delayed harvest until mid-day and humidity was too high after sundown leaving a short window for harvest. Winter forage fields looked great after recent rains, and cattle were in good condition. The district experienced extremely wet conditions with record or near-record amounts of precipitation for November. Soil moisture levels were adequate to surplus. Topsoil in harvested fields continued to dry after the recent rains, and a few had dried enough for cover crop planting and fertilization. Cotton and silage harvesting resumed on a few fields, others needed more time to dry. Small grain crops were improving as were grasses in pastures and rangelands. Pasture and range conditions were fair to good. Overall, crop conditions were reported good to excellent. Topsoil and subsoil were short to adequate for the counties. Several counties reported scattered showers, and a few reported up to half an inch of rain, while most counties reported cooler temperatures with lows in the mid- to high-40s. Some areas reported a light frost.Pasture and range conditions were fair to poor for most of the counties. Feral hog activities increased. Pond levels improved. Summer grass growth had slowed due to lower temperatures, but pastures looked good. Livestock were in good to excellent condition. Temperatures fluctuated widely with some days starting in the upper 30s with highs reaching the upper 80s. The south-central and western portions of the district received 1.5-3.5 inches of rain. Fieldwork was delayed multiple days in those areas. Most parts of the district still needed rainfall. The pecan harvest should finish soon. Livestock were in fair condition, and rangeland conditions were very poor in many areas with little forage available. Water sources were drying up in some areas. In the Rio Grande Valley, Pima and upland cotton was being harvested with reports indicating production was slightly above average. Light freezes were helping remaining cotton bolls open. Some alfalfa growers will get a final cutting before colder temperatures arrive. Scattered showers and rainfall up to 1.5 inches were reported. Soil moisture levels were mostly adequate. Most areas received frost on cold mornings while days were mild. Pecan harvest continued. Most cotton was harvested or shredded with very few harvestable fields remaining. Wheat plantings were mostly complete, and earlier planted fields emerged and looked good. Small grain fields in drier areas needed rainfall to emerge and/or to progress. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair but improving with good moisture and growing conditions. Some areas had greened up well, and stock tank levels improved or were declining depending on location. Some stock tanks were at critical levels. Fall cattle work continued, and livestock looked good. Winter feeding continued, and producers were expecting grazing conditions to improve in most areas. Strong demand and prices continued at local sale barns with higher prices reported. Cooler temperatures and drought conditions persisted. Some areas experienced rain showers that supported the germination of cool-season grasses and forbs. River flows were above normal but were not replenishing dry areas. Wheat and oat fields designated for grazing benefited from the recent rainfall, though fields in drier areas were struggling. Despite the lack of significant moisture, cooler mornings and sunny days were favorable for forage growth. However, in drier areas, pastures continued to decline and rangelands remained very dry, prompting fire warnings. Winter crops irrigated by pivots were thriving. Pecan harvest concluded, and trees were beginning to enter dormancy. Livestock were in fair condition, with producers still providing heavy supplemental feeding. Cooler temperatures were providing relief to both livestock and wildlife, with whitetail deer becoming increasingly active during the cooler nights. Dry conditions continued throughout the district. Some counties reported rain, but soil moisture conditions continued to decline in most areas. Temperatures were cooler in the morning. Sesame was being harvested along with some forages. Peanut harvest continued and was complete in some areas. Some harvested peanut fields were being cut as forage. Strawberry plantings were underway. Winter vegetables, including leafy greens, cabbage and onions were being harvested. Farmers continued to prepare fields for winter plantings. Pecan and citrus harvests continued. Citrus yields have been good in some varieties. Wheat and oat fields continued to progress under irrigation. Some small grain fields remained unplanted due to dry conditions. Fall corn was in good condition and close to harvest. Rangeland and pasture conditions were declining, and some grasses were going dormant. Forage quality was declining, and producers were providing supplemental feed, hay and cubes. Many producers were culling their herds deeper. The sale volumes at some barns was decreasing though prices remained strong. Wildlife conditions were good. Burn bans continued to be implemented.The establishment media launched a massive psychological operation to convince people that President-elect Donald Trump is dangerous, according to podcaster Joe Rogan. During Thursday’s episode of his The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, he spoke about how the media used to be friendly towards Trump but has increasingly become hostile to him, Fox News reported on Friday. When talking about the media, Rogan said, “What you’re seeing with Trump, regardless of his flaws, is a massive concentrated psy-op. They’ve distorted who he is to the point where most people think that way. Most people think that way. They’ve had narratives.” In a social media post on Friday, Elon Musk shared the clip of Rogan’s show and said, “It was a coordinated sychological operation”: Rogan then gave his definition of “sychological operation,” adding that it was “where they’ve decided to distort people’s perceptions of things.” Prior to Election Day, when Trump won in a landslide after campaigning against Vice President Kamala Harris (D), Trump appeared for a three-hour interview on Rogan’s show. However, the episode was buried in search results on Google’s YouTube once it surpassed 34 million views within less than 72 hours after it was posted, Breitbart News reported on October 29. The outlet, which deemed the action to be election interference, continued: On Monday night, Breitbart News searched “Rogan Trump” in the YouTube search bar, which returned results for videos about the podcast episode and other similar political videos — but not the actual interview itself. Similar searches, including the full names of both Rogan and the former president had similar results. In our test, Breitbart News scrolled down the YouTube page to review more than 50 videos and did not successfully find Rogan’s interview with Trump on Friday’s episode of The Joe Rogan Experience . It is interesting to note that Gallup polling found in October that Americans’ trust in the establishment media hit a record low in 2024, per Breitbart News.KYIV, Ukraine — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile. escalating the nearly 33-month-old war. The conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday’s Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks Friday during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense, representatives of the military-industrial complex and developers of missile systems at the Kremlin in Moscow. Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads, each releasing six submunitions. Speaking Friday to military and weapons industries officials, Putin said Russia will launch production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said. “Sooner or later, other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development. “We have this system now,” he added. “And this is important.” Putin said that while it isn’t an intercontinental missile, it’s so powerful that the use of several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe and be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin’s claim that even with conventional warheads, “the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons.” In this photo taken from a video released Friday, a Russian serviceman operates at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow’s talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement. “These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.” Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick ... there will be consequences,” he said. Czech Republic’s Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky speaks to journalists Friday during a joint news conference with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha in Kyiv, Ukraine. Evgeniy Maloletka, Associated Press Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday’s missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.” At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.” He said the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine. Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv. In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who said it's not the first time such a threat has been received. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad. We're all going to die someday. Still, how it happens—and when—can point to a historical moment defined by the scientific advancements and public health programs available at the time to contain disease and prevent accidents. In the early 1900s, America's efforts to improve sanitation, hygiene, and routine vaccinations were still in their infancy. Maternal and infant mortality rates were high, as were contagious diseases that spread between people and animals. Combined with the devastation of two World Wars—and the Spanish Flu pandemic in between—the leading causes of death changed significantly after this period. So, too, did the way we diagnose and control the spread of disease. Starting with reforms as part of Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s, massive-scale, federal interventions in the U.S. eventually helped stave off disease transmission. It took comprehensive government programs and the establishment of state and local health agencies to educate the public on preventing disease transmission. Seemingly simple behavioral shifts, such as handwashing, were critical in thwarting the spread of germs, much like discoveries in medicine, such as vaccines, and increased access to deliver them across geographies. Over the course of the 20th century, life expectancy increased by 56% and is estimated to keep increasing slightly, according to an annual summary of vital statistics published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2000. Death Records examined data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see how the leading causes of death in America have evolved over time and to pinpoint how some major mortality trends have dropped off. Smith Collection/Gado // Getty Images According to a report published in the journal Annual Review of Public Health in 2000, pneumonia was the leading cause of death in the early 1900s, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 deaths. By the time World War I ended in 1918, during which people and animals were housed together for long periods, a new virus emerged: the Spanish Flu. Originating in a bird before spreading to humans, the virus killed 10 times as many Americans as the war. Many died of secondary pneumonia after the initial infection. Pneumonia deaths eventually plummeted throughout the century, partly prevented by increased flu vaccine uptake rates in high-risk groups, particularly older people. Per the CDC, tuberculosis was a close second leading cause of death, killing 194 of every 10,000 people in 1900, mainly concentrated in dense urban areas where the infection could more easily spread. Eventually, public health interventions led to drastic declines in mortality from the disease, such as public education, reducing crowded housing, quarantining people with active disease, improving hygiene, and using antibiotics. Once the death rates lagged, so did the public health infrastructure built to control the disease, leading to a resurgence in the mid-1980s. Diarrhea was the third leading cause of death in 1900, surging every summer among children before the impacts of the pathogen died out in 1930. Adopting water filtration, better nutrition, and improved refrigeration were all associated with its decline. In the 1940s and 1950s, polio outbreaks killed or paralyzed upward of half a million people worldwide every year. Even at its peak, polio wasn't a leading cause of death, it was a much-feared one, particularly among parents of young children, some of whom kept them from crowded public places and interacting with other children. By 1955, when Jonah Salk discovered the polio vaccine, the U.S. had ended the "golden age of medicine." During this period, the causes of mortality shifted dramatically as scientists worldwide began to collaborate on infectious disease control, surgical techniques, vaccines, and other drugs. Death Records From the 1950s onward, once quick-spreading deadly contagions weren't prematurely killing American residents en masse, scientists also began to understand better how to diagnose and treat these diseases. As a result, Americans were living longer lives and instead succumbing to noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs. The risk of chronic diseases increased with age and, in some cases, was exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles. Cancer and heart disease shot up across the century, increasing 90-fold from 1900 to 1998, according to CDC data. Following the post-Spanish Flu years, heart disease killed more Americans than any other cause, peaking in the 1960s and contributing to 1 in 3 deaths. Cigarette smoking rates peaked at the same time, a major risk factor for heart disease. Obesity rates also rose, creating another risk factor for heart disease and many types of cancers. This coincides with the introduction of ultra-processed foods into diets, which plays a more significant role in larger waistlines than the increasing predominance of sedentary work and lifestyles. In the early 1970s, deaths from heart disease began to fall as more Americans prevented and managed their risk factors, like quitting smoking or taking blood pressure medicine. However, the disease remains the biggest killer of Americans. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death and rates still indicate an upward trajectory over time. Only a few types of cancer are detected early by screening, and some treatments for aggressive cancers like glioblastoma—the most common type of brain cancer—have also stalled, unable to improve prognosis much over time. In recent years, early-onset cancers, those diagnosed before age 50 or sometimes even earlier, have seen a drastic rise among younger Americans. While highly processed foods and sedentary lifestyles may contribute to rising rates, a spike in cancer rates among otherwise healthy young individuals has baffled some medical professionals. This follows the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020. At its peak, high transmission rates made the virus the third leading cause of death in America. It's often compared to the Spanish Flu of 1918, though COVID-19 had a far larger global impact, spurring international collaborations among scientists who developed a vaccine in an unprecedented time. Public policy around issues of safety and access also influences causes of death, particularly—and tragically—among young Americans. Gun control measures in the U.S. are far less stringent than in peer nations; compared to other nations, however, the U.S. leads in gun violence. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens (around 2 in 3 are homicides, and 1 in 3 are suicides), and deaths from opioids remain a leading cause of death among younger people. Globally, the leading causes of death mirror differences in social and geographic factors. NCDs are primarily associated with socio-economic status and comprise 7 out of 10 leading causes of death, 85% of those occurring in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization. However, one of the best health measures is life expectancy at birth. People in the U.S. have been living longer lives since 2000, except for a slight dip in longevity due to COVID-19. According to the most recent CDC estimates, Americans' life expectancy is 77.5 years on average and is expected to increase slightly in the coming decades. Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Death Records and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Canva
Published 5:39 pm Thursday, December 26, 2024 By Data Skrive As they get ready to meet the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-14) on Friday, December 27 at Toyota Center, with tip-off at 8:00 PM ET, the Houston Rockets (20-9) have two players currently listed on the injury report. The Timberwolves’ injury report has three players on it. Watch the NBA, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up. Get the latest news sent to your inbox The Rockets are coming off of a 114-101 victory against the Hornets in their last outing on Monday. In the Rockets’ win, Jabari Smith Jr. led the way with a team-high 21 points (adding 11 rebounds and two assists). In their most recent outing on Wednesday, the Timberwolves claimed a 105-99 victory against the Mavericks. In the Timberwolves’ win, Anthony Edwards led the team with 26 points (adding eight rebounds and five assists). Sign up for NBA League Pass to get live and on-demand access to NBA games. Get tickets for any NBA game this season at StubHub. Catch NBA action all season long on Fubo. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .Immigration, Social Security, abortion rights: Gov. addresses Idahoans' key questionsSAN DIEGO (AP) — Syracuse coach Fran Brown and Washington State acting coach Pete Kaligis shared a heartfelt hug after their Holiday Bowl news conference on Thursday. Kaligis can certainly use all the support he can get, especially an embrace and some encouraging words from the opposing coach. No. 22 Syracuse (9-3, No. 21 CFP), led by national passing leader Kyle McCord, is a 17-point favorite according to BetMGM in Friday night's Holiday Bowl against the depleted Cougars (8-4), whose season has nosedived since mid-November. After beating future Pac-12 opponent San Diego State 29-26 on Oct. 26 at Snapdragon Stadium, coach Jake Dickert, quarterback John Mateer and the rest of the Cougars were 7-1 and about to jump into The Associated Press Top 25. Now the Cougars are barely recognizable as they return to Snapdragon. Dickert was hired away by Wake Forest, Mateer transferred to Oklahoma and running back Wayshawn Parker left for Utah. Numerous coaches, including the offensive and defensive coordinators, are gone, and more than 20 players have entered the transfer portal. The Cougars, who lost their last three games, are a prime example of how college football's rapidly changing landscape can dramatically affect a program. “Going into the ins-and-outs of the game tomorrow doesn’t matter,” Kaligis said. “We are who we are, we have what we have. I know that’s for both of us.” Kaligis said players who entered the portal after Dickert left can suit up Friday night. “I know we came here with 98 guys. That's who we’re going to show up on the field with.” Kaligis said relationships between players and coaches are more important than ever, even if there's less time to develop trust “and coach them the right way.” “When a staff (member) leaves and guys get in the portal, it’s because of the relationships they have garnered with their position coaches. When that position coach isn’t guaranteed he’s going to be there, that’s who that young man trusts,” Kaligis said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time," he added. "What’s been hard for me, I spent 13 years at Wyoming, I saw three graduating classes. I remember I was the longest-tenured coach there. To see them all the way through. When I came to Wazzu, I was their fourth D-line coach." The Cougs improved to 8-1 by beating Utah State 49-28 on Nov. 9 but then lost three straight, including to Oregon State in the de facto championship game between the two teams left in the Pac-12. They also lost to New Mexico and Wyoming, two of the Mountain West teams that weren't invited to join the reconstituted Pac-12 starting in 2026. McCord, who transferred from Ohio State, rewrote the Orange's record book this season with 4,326 yards passing, 29 touchdowns and 367 completions. He's well within range of breaking Deshaun Watson's ACC single-season record of 4,593, which he set in 15 games in 2016. A win will give Syracuse 10 wins for the first time since 2018 and just the third time since 2000. Brown can become the second Syracuse coach since World War II to record 10 wins in his first season, joining Paul Pasqualoni, who did it in 1991. In their final regular-season game, the Orange rallied from a 21-0 deficit for a 42-38 win against then-No. 6 Miami that knocked the Hurricanes out of ACC title contention and ended their College Football Playoff hopes. McCord threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns. “We want to go out and have a good game,” Brown said. “We have an opportunity of winning 10 games, which means you’re starting to become a successful program, right? Our players haven’t had a chance of winning a bowl game. So there’s a lot of things that are on the line for us to really be able to build our program and being able to move forward.” This will be the teams' second meeting. Syracuse beat Washington State 52-25 in 1979. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
