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Subjects in MS Auditor Shad White’s book on Welfare Scandal challenge portrayals

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Subjects in MS Auditor Shad White’s book on Welfare Scandal challenge portrayals


When State Auditor Shad White told the Clarion Ledger in early August that his new book, “Mississippi Swindle” a personal telling of the $100 million Mississippi Welfare Scandal, was going to create waves, he wasn’t kidding.

He may not have considered, however, that some of those waves might challenge the validity of their portrayals in the book.

In more than 230 pages, White takes shots at several key players within the drama that has led local and federal prosecutors, state agencies and officials scrambling to identify, stop theft of, reclaim and prosecute those guilty of stealing Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funds.

Throughout the book, he highlights the work of his office, himself and others he worked with, and at times throws cold water on claims that former Republican Gov. Phil Bryant is as connected to the scandal as some believe.

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White does not mention a Pulitzer Prize-winning series by Mississippi Today showing texts between Bryant and his former Mississippi Department of Human Services Director John Davis trying to influence and possibly broker a deal with a pharmaceutical company.

Of the people he calls out for bad behavior, animosity toward his office’s role, and alleged inaction in the case are most notably state GOP Chairman Mike Hurst and Attorney General Lynn Fitch.

Hurst and Fitch’s Chief of Staff Michelle Williams, who spoke to the Clarion Ledger about their portrayals in the book, both cast doubt on the accuracy of certain sections of the book, as well as question the motives and timing for the piece of work.

Below is what some of those mentioned in the “Mississippi Swindle” book have to say.

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Mississippi GOP Chairman Mike Hurst

In his book, White describes Hurst as an egotistically motivated U.S. attorney who questioned White’s decisions at almost every point of their working together. He recounts conversations the two had behind closed doors before a meeting of investigators in which Hurst was passive aggressive with White’s decision to hand the case off to Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens.

“Mike Hurst seemed more interested in re-litigating whether I should have given him the whole case in the beginning,” White writes in the book.

More on Mississippi Swindle MS Auditor releases book on welfare scandal. See what he says about Brett Favre, key players

The Clarion Ledger obtained text messages showing White’s efforts to set up a meeting with Hurt’s office to discuss what was at the time referred to as the “DHS case” in early 2020, before canceling the meeting and then bringing the case to Owens.

“The state auditor’s historical fiction novel may be entertaining, but it is certainly not truthful,” Hurst said in a written statement. “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. I have chosen over the last four years not to dwell on his decision to initially exclude the FBI and federal prosecutors from this investigation until after indictments were returned by the Hinds County District Attorney, thereby forgoing the great resources, experiences and tools of the U.S. Department of Justice and potentially limiting the scope and reach of the prosecution.”

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White has for years defended the decision by saying he thought federal prosecutors would simply redo all of the state auditor’s work to identify the TANF theft and that they would take too long.

“The most important factor in the decision was speed,” White writes in the book. “I knew if we handed the case to the feds, it would be at least a year before anyone was indicted.”

In response to Hurst’s comments, White said Hurst was “not a good U.S. attorney.”

“If Mike had had his way, he would have slow-walked a prosecution and cost taxpayers millions of additional welfare dollars,” White said in a written statement to the Clarion Ledger.

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch

In the book, White paints Fitch as unambitious in regard to the case and at times points to her potential connections to defendants in the lawsuit between MDHS and those who took TANF money as a roadblock. Her office said he dripped information to them, slowing progress.

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“I tried to quiet my mind when it was suggested the AG’s office was going light on Nancy because of a personal connection between New and Fitch,” White writes. “Fitch had spoken at the opening of one of Nancy’s facilities, so I knew they were acquainted.”

Read about Lee guilty plea Former Jackson Ward 2 Councilwoman Angelique Lee pleads guilty in federal court

White in more than five instances in the book calls out Fitch and her office for perceived delays or not taking action in the case, including to recoup property purchased with TANF dollars by the News, the family who misappropriated millions through the Mississippi Community Education Center.

Fitch’s office, through Williams, said in a written statement that White is not a serious auditor, made politically motivated decisions early on in the case and that White and Owens slowly shared evidence with the AG’s Office and others, pushing the case down the road.

“He says he wanted a show of bipartisanship, but perhaps it was because he didn’t see a Democrat district attorney who just left his job suing the State as a threat to his ambitions,” Williams writes in the statement. “When Shad White finally shared the evidence, it was in the kind of slow drip that makes successful litigation more complicated. Being methodical and strategic may seem boring to him, but to those of us who take our work seriously, it’s the only way that demonstrates respect for the people and the law.”

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In response, White said her office is playing damage control.

“She knows the book tells the truth about how she failed to prosecute a soul, failed to seize any property bought with stolen welfare money, and forced the state to hire private attorneys to get the welfare money back because she won’t do her job,” White said.

Background on the Welfare Scandal

In 2020, White released an audit report showing gross misuse of TANF spending totaling more than $100 million. Since then, MDHS has filed a lawsuit to reclaim those misspent funds from people, including former Southern Miss and NFL football player Brett Favre, more than three dozen other individuals, companies and groups.

Two other defendants in the case, Nancy and Zachary New, pleaded guilty in 2022 to several charges, including bribing a public official, fraud against the government and wire fraud, among others.

Most of the crimes relating to the welfare scandal have a five-year statute of limitations for prosecution.

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Clarion Ledger reporters Mary Boyte, Ross Reily and Hattiesburg American Lici Beveridge contributed to this story.

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335. 



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Photos: Touring the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion at Christmas

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Photos: Touring the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion at Christmas


The Mississippi Governor’s Mansion’s 2025 Christmas decorations celebrate Mississippi’s K-12 students and educators with the theme, “A Season of Success.”

“We chose this theme to highlight our state’s historic and nation-leading educational gains that are the envy of America,” a note from the family of Gov. Tate Reeves in a pamphlet explaining the holiday decorations says.

Here is a collection of photos showcasing many of the decorations throughout the mansion.

Two gold nutcrackers stand guard at the entrance to the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
A Christmas tree is decorated with the pages of books to represent the importance of literacy in the foyer of the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
Pages of books adorn a Christmas tree in the foyer of the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Pres
The sounds of holiday tunes fill the room as a pianist plays a baby grand piano near a staircase in the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
A Christmas tree features a Santa theme in Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
A garland on a doorway at the entrance to the Gold Parlor displays ornaments made by students from schools across the state at the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
Stockings hang on the chimney in the Gold Parlor at the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
A Christmas tree stands in the Gold Parlor of the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025.. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
The Rose Parlors feature the only live Christmas tree in the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., seen here on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
The Rose Parlors feature the only live Christmas tree in the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., seen here on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
Garlands featuring magnolias and bookcases decorate the main staircase of the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
A gingerbread house is seen on the second-floor landing of the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
Nutcrackers stand on a stable on the second-floor landing of the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
A gingerbread house, cupcakes, a train made of sweets and a Santa Claus doll stand on a table on the second-floor landing of the governor’s mansion. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
A Christmas tree on the second-floor landing celebrates Mississippi’s musical heritage, surrounded by art pieces made by students at Choctaw Central Middle School, Neshoba Central art classes and the Winston Academy Elementary art class at the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. A vintage band uniform stands nearby. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
Artwork made by students displays Mississippi’s diversity, seen here at the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
The Green Bedroom features decorations celebrating Mississippi’s colleges and universities, seen here at the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
The Green Bedroom features decorations celebrating Mississippi’s colleges and universities, seen here at the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
A Christmas tree in the Green Bedroom celebrates Mississippi’s colleges and universities, seen here at the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
Nutcrackers stand on a mantle in the Cream Bedroom, decorated to celebrate Mississippi’s status leading the nation in 4th-grade math gains and achieving a ranking of No. 16 in the nation in education, seen here in the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
A Christmas tree in the Cream Bedroom features poinsettias and cards with mathematical equations in the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
Literary elements in the Gold Bedroom’s Christmas decorations are a tribute to Mississippi’s historic reading gains, seen here Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
Books and candles adorn a table in the Gold Bedroom of the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
Books by celebrated Mississippi author William Faulkner sit on a table in the Gold Bedroom of the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
A Christmas tree is decorated with open books in the Gold Bedroom of the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
The Pumpkin Bedroom’s Christmas decorations celebrate Mississippi’s young learners, seen here in the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
A glass of milk sits atop a copy of “The Night Before Christmas” on a bed in the Pumpkin Bedroom in the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
A nutcracker stands next to pencils and crayons on a bedside table in the Pumpkin Bedroom of the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press
Trees and Christmas lights are visible from the windows of the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion in Jackson, Miss., on Dec. 4, 2025.. Photo by Ashton Pittman, Mississippi Free Press

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Ashton Pittman

Award-winning News Editor Ashton Pittman, a native of the South Mississippi Pine Belt, studied journalism and political science at the University of Southern Mississippi. Previously the state reporter at the Jackson Free Press, he drove national headlines and conversations with award-winning reporting about segregation academies. He has won numerous awards, including Outstanding New Journalist in the South, for his work covering immigration raids, abortion battles and even former Gov. Phil Bryant’s unusual work with “The Bad Boys of Brexit” at the Jackson Free Press. In 2021, as a Mississippi Free Press reporter, he was named the Diamond Journalist of the Year for seven southern U.S. states in the Society of Professional Journalists Diamond Awards. A trained photojournalist, Ashton lives in South Mississippi with his husband, William, and their two pit bulls, Dorothy and Dru.

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Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025

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Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025


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The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 19, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

06-11-22-30-32

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Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 1-3-7, FB: 8

Evening: 1-0-0, FB: 9

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 3-6-7-5, FB: 8

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Evening: 4-2-1-2, FB: 9

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 10

Evening: 04

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

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Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Story continues below gallery.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:

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Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.

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Mississippi Lottery Headquarters

1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100

Flowood, MS

39232

Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.

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When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?

  • Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
  • Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
  • Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
  • Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Our College Football Playoff picks: Can Oregon reach the National Championship?

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Our College Football Playoff picks: Can Oregon reach the National Championship?


With the College Football Playoff finally here, the Oregonian/OregonLive sports staff returns with its final predictions for the 2025-2026 season.

No. 5 Oregon starts its CFP campaign with a matchup against 12-seed James Madison on Saturday, in what will be the first-ever playoff game held at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks are a heavy favorite, and many of our experts predict them to make a deep playoff run after beating the Dukes.

In addition to UO hosting JMU, this weekend’s first-round CFP slate includes showdowns between No. 9 Alabama and No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 10 Miami and No. 7 Texas A&M, as well as No. 11 Tulane and No. 6 Mississippi.

Our staff has made predictions for all playoff games from now until the championship on Jan. 19. Check out the picks below.

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No. 9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma

Game details: 5 p.m. PT Friday at Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma

TV channel and live stream: ABC and ESPN

Latest line: Sooners by 1½

Over/under: 40½

Ryan Clarke: Alabama 31, Oklahoma 20

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James Crepea: Alabama 28, Oklahoma 21

Nick Daschel: Oklahoma 27, Alabama 23

Aaron Fentress: Oklahoma 27, Alabama 24

Sean Meagher: Alabama 28, Oklahoma 26

Joel Odom: Alabama 27, Oklahoma 20

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Bill Oram: Oklahoma 28, Alabama 21

No. 10 Miami at No. 7 Texas A&M

Game details: 9 a.m. PT Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas

TV channel and live stream: ABC and ESPN

Latest line: Aggies by 3½

Over/under: 48½

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Ryan Clarke: Miami 21, Texas A&M 20

James Crepea: Miami 21, Texas A&M 14

Nick Daschel: Miami 31, Texas A&M 27

Aaron Fentress: Texas A&M 31, Miami 30

Sean Meagher: Texas A&M 35, Miami 24

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Joel Odom: Texas A&M 23, Miami 21

Bill Oram: Miami 42, Texas A&M 35

No. 11 Tulane at No. 6 Mississippi

Game details: 12:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi

TV channel and live stream: TNT, HBO Max and truTV

Latest line: Rebels by 17½

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Over/under: 56½

Ryan Clarke: Mississippi 35, Tulane 13

James Crepea: Mississippi 35, Tulane 14

Nick Daschel: Mississippi 38, Tulane 24

Aaron Fentress: Miss 40, Tulane 17

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Sean Meagher: Mississippi 38, Tulane 21

Joel Odom: Mississippi 35, Tulane 16

Bill Oram: Mississippi 38, Tulane 17

No. 12 James Madison at No. 5 Oregon

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon

TV channel and live stream: TNT, HBO Max and truTV

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Latest line: Ducks by 20½

Over/under: 47½

Ryan Clarke: Oregon 45, James Madison 7

James Crepea: Oregon 35, James Madison 7

Nick Daschel: Oregon 45, JMU 10

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Aaron Fentress: Oregon 41, JMU 16

Sean Meagher: Oregon 42, James Madison 17

Joel Odom: Oregon 38, James Madison 19

Bill Oram: Oregon 40, JMU 13

Quarterfinals

Cotton Bowl: Miami-Texas A&M winner vs. No. 2 Ohio State

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

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TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 31, Miami 17

James Crepea: Ohio State 35, Miami 14

Nick Daschel: Ohio State 34, Miami 17

Aaron Fentress: OSU 33, Texas A&M 20

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Sean Meagher: Ohio State 35, Texas A&M 24

Joel Odom: Ohio State 31, Texas A&M 21

Bill Oram: Ohio State 31, Miami 24

Orange Bowl: JMU-Oregon winner vs. No. 4 Texas Tech

Game details: 9 a.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

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Ryan Clarke: Oregon 27, Texas Tech 20

James Crepea: Oregon 28, Texas Tech 21

Nick Daschel: Oregon 30, Texas Tech 24

Aaron Fentress: Oregon 27, Texas Tech 24

Sean Meagher: Oregon 37, Texas Tech 35

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Joel Odom: Oregon 30, Texas Tech 24

Bill Oram: Oregon 38, Texas Tech 30

Rose Bowl: Alabama-Oklahoma winner vs. No. 1 Indiana

Game details: 1 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Indiana 34, Alabama 24

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James Crepea: Indiana 35, Alabama 28

Nick Daschel: Indiana 34, Oklahoma 24

Aaron Fentress: Indiana 29, Oklahoma 20

Sean Meagher: Indiana 33, Alabama 23

Joel Odom: Indiana 28, Alabama 17

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Bill Oram: Indiana 10, Oklahoma 7

Sugar Bowl: Tulane-Mississippi winner vs. No. 3 Georgia

Game details: 5 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 1 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Georgia 20, Mississippi 10

James Crepea: Georgia 28, Mississippi 21

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Nick Daschel: Georgia 30, Mississippi 7

Aaron Fentress: Georgia 30, Mississippi 22

Sean Meagher: Georgia 28, Mississippi 20

Joel Odom: Georgia 25, Mississippi 22

Bill Oram: Georgia 45, Mississippi 35

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Semifinals

Fiesta Bowl: Cotton vs. Sugar winners

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Thursday, Jan. 8 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 23, Georgia 20

James Crepea: Ohio State 28, Georgia 21

Nick Daschel: Georgia 29, Ohio State 23

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Aaron Fentress: Ohio State 27, Georgia 26

Sean Meagher: Ohio State 28, Georgia 21

Joel Odom: Georgia 31, Ohio State 21

Bill Oram: Ohio State 42, Georgia 41

Peach Bowl: Orange vs. Rose winners

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT Friday, Jan. 9 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia

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TV channel and live stream: ESPN

Ryan Clarke: Indiana 30, Oregon 24

James Crepea: Indiana 35, Oregon 24

Nick Daschel: Oregon 31, Indiana 23

Aaron Fentress: Indiana 30, Oregon 23

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Sean Meagher: Indiana 27, Oregon 24

Joel Odom: Oregon 34, Indiana 24

Bill Oram: Oregon 30, Indiana 20

National Championship

Semifinal winners

Game details: 4:30 p.m. PT on Monday, Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

TV channel and live stream: ESPN

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Ryan Clarke: Ohio State 25, Indiana 21

James Crepea: Ohio State 28, Indiana 24

Nick Daschel: Georgia 28, Oregon 17

Aaron Fentress: Ohio State 22, Indiana 20

Sean Meagher: Ohio State 33, Indiana 31

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Joel Odom: Georgia 30, Oregon 27

Bill Oram: Ohio State 32, Oregon 31



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