Arizona
Arizona proves we don’t need to fear the teachers unions
“They wrote a invoice that advantages all college students,” stated Beth Lewis, head of Save Our Colleges Arizona, after
Arizona
legislators expanded the state’s
schooling
financial savings account program this yr.
Nevertheless, she didn’t imply that as a praise.
Lewis’s group has been preventing to cease Arizona’s schooling financial savings account growth for the previous a number of months in an effort to cease 1.1 million Arizona college students from accessing the schooling that greatest meets their wants. Not like the dad and mom throughout the state who had been thrilled, Save Our Colleges Arizona is afraid of shedding the institution monopoly on schooling.
For these of us who’ve fought for years to broaden
faculty alternative
, this was no shock. Some adults merely care extra about bricks and mortar than they do kids. However over the summer season, 1000’s of fogeys organized and fought again in opposition to particular curiosity opponents to ensure instructional freedom for his or her kids. This previous Monday, the dad and mom seem like victorious as we await the announcement from the secretary of the state.
Nevertheless, this wasn’t a straightforward battle. Simply final week, faculty alternative opponents boasted at a information convention that that they had collected 141,714 signatures to ship the state’s common schooling financial savings account laws to the poll. The ten,000-plus Arizonans who had already utilized for this system had been out of luck, this system was paused, and the unions started their victory lap. Mother and father had been left to attend and see what would occur subsequent.
But it surely turned out that simply over 8,000 petition sheets had been collected, which means there was no manner the opponents had the 118,823 signatures they wanted. Earlier than lengthy, opponents
admitted
that the overall numbers they claimed on Friday, those that stopped alternative in its tracks for at the least 10,000 college students, had been “essentially estimates.” Not lengthy after, they
conceded
that their efforts would probably find yourself quick, bringing the hope of common faculty alternative again after only one weekend.
The facility of this victory can’t be overstated. All through the years that our crew has labored alongside dad and mom and lawmakers in Arizona to broaden faculty alternative, we’ve got heard numerous
tales
of what it really means to households. Each single day, lives are modified due to the facility of faculty alternative. And now, each youngster in Arizona could have that chance.
Exterior of Arizona, the impression will probably be felt as nicely.
For starters, Arizona’s growth is one more signal that households need faculty alternative, and it’s a transparent political winner. Nationwide polling
persistently
proves this to be the case, as have the various major election races during which faculty alternative candidates
emerged
the clear winner. The resounding father or mother victory in opposition to well-funded opponents to schooling freedom in Arizona must be one other sign to leaders in different states that the father or mother military will not be going anyplace.
What’s extra, the victory in Arizona must be a intestine test to anybody nonetheless afraid to face up in opposition to the unions. Make no mistake: This worry continues to be all too frequent amongst legislators — however not in Arizona. The management proven by Gov. Doug Ducey (R), state Rep. Ben Toma (R), and plenty of different legislators has been important. These of us who work at school alternative coverage have misplaced depend of the instances we’ve heard political leaders with the facility to alter kids’s futures inform us quietly that they agree with us, that they actually would make that change, if solely the unions weren’t so highly effective. That’s why many assumed the unions would be capable of squash faculty alternative growth simply in Arizona. However what has occurred over the previous week ought to present a robust counterpoint to the concept that unions nonetheless management the talk.
Lastly, and most significantly, the remainder of the nation can now look to Arizona as a mannequin for the innovation and achievement that occurs when dad and mom are empowered to decide on an schooling that works greatest for his or her kids. It’s no secret that the system has failed too many kids,
particularly
within the wake of COVID, and alternate options are desperately wanted. In Arizona, all 1.1 million faculty kids will now qualify for roughly $7,000 in versatile schooling funding per yr that may go to help non-public tuition, home-based or on-line schooling, therapies, tutoring, faculty provides, transportation, and extra. Going ahead, no household in Arizona will probably be left with out wanted choices.
It is no shock that the particular pursuits had been determined to guard their monopoly. However throughout the state, dad and mom stood up and made their voices heard, sharing what faculty alternative meant to their households and pushing again in opposition to the biased, deceptive narratives. Few believed the father or mother military may prevail in opposition to the percentages, however they proved each naysayer fallacious. This was really a case of David vs. Goliath.
Arizona has paved the trail for different states to comply with. All that it requires is the facility of brave dad and mom who’re keen to face up and make their voices heard. Limitless potential will comply with once they prevail.
Steve Smith is the Arizona state director on the American Federation for Kids.
An already crazy college football season got a whole lot crazier on Saturday.
And Arizona State was right in the middle of it.
The Sun Devils held off BYU 28-23 in a game that ended twice, creating a four-way tie for first place in the Big 12.
After it appeared Arizona State had run out the clock with a fourth down throw that sailed 50-plus yards down the sideline and landed in the stands, Sun Devils fans stormed the field and brought down the goalposts.
But the game wasn’t over. Officials determined that Sam Leavitt’s throw landed in the stands with one second on the clock. So they cleared the field, put the goalposts back up, and gave BYU one final play from midfield.
On the final play, BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff threw a Hail Mary pass that was caught short of the goal line, officially ending the game.
Then the fans stormed the field again.
“We won the football game,” Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said. “We beat another ranked team at Mountain America Stadium. So this is all about the guys. These guys battled, these guys fought and found a way to win. Whatever happened at the end, it happened.
“You know what? We got to rush the field twice, how about that?”
Losses Clear CFP Path For Arizona State
The upsets on Saturday started early and continued all day.
Seven Top 25 teams lost, including No. 5 Indiana, No. 7 Alabama and No. 9 Ole Miss, No. 15 Texas A&M and No. 16 Colorado.
Arizona State’s win over No. 14 BYU, coupled with Colorado’s 37-21 loss to Kansas, means the Sun Devils will be the highest-ranked Big 12 team in the next College Football Playoff Rankings.
So how high will the Sun Devils climb?
You can make a case that they should be in the top 10.
Indiana (10-1) has played a historically soft schedule and showed it has no business being in the top 10 with a blowout loss to Ohio State — the only ranked opponent they will play all season.
Alabama (8-3) was soundly beaten by an average Oklahoma team and now has three losses. Ole Miss (8-3) also has three losses, including a bad one to Kentucky.
All three teams should drop out of the top 10 — and Arizona State should move in.
Predicting the Next CFP Rankings
Arizona State easily had the best win of any Top 25 team on Saturday. And they have repeatedly showed they are one of the best college football teams in the country, with NFL talent all over the roster. What they have accomplished is not a fluke.
They’re better than Indiana and Boise State. The Broncos barely beat a Wyoming team that the Sun Devils blasted 48-7 earlier this season.
Here’s how the Top 13 of the next CFP Rankings should look:
1. Oregon (11-0)
2. Ohio State (9-1)
3. Texas (9-1)
4. Notre Dame (9-1)
5. Penn State (9-1)
6. Miami (9-1)
7. Georgia (8-2)
8. Tennessee (8-2)
9. SMU (9-1)
10. Arizona State (9-2)
11. Alabama (8-3)
12. Indiana (10-1)
13. Boise State (9-1)
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter where Arizona State is ranked because they just need to win two more games to get in — next week at Arizona, then the Big 12 championship game.
But the national respect for the Sun Devils — and the Big 12 — is long overdue.
More Arizona State & Big 12 Analysis
Here’s what you need to know about the University of Arizona
UA was established in 1885, and its main campus is in Tucson. The Wildcats once had a live bobcat named Rufus as a mascot.
The Republic
FORT WORTH, Texas — When Arizona trekked to Texas last year, the Wildcats celebrated a come-from-behind victory in the Alamo Bowl to cap a historic season.
The only celebratory moment in Arizona’s 49-28 loss to TCU at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Saturday was UA star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan setting the program’s all-time receiving yards record.
Arizona’s setback officially puts the Wildcats out of bowl contention. Arizona (4-7) won’t participate in the postseason for the sixth time in seven seasons. Brent Brennan is the third straight Arizona head coach to miss out on a bowl game in his first season at the helm.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita’s pass attempt to McMillan running an out route was intercepted on the first play from scrimmage on Saturday. TCU running back Trent Battle scored a 4-yard rushing touchdown to give the Horned Frogs a 7-0 lead; he scored again on TCU’s opening drive of the second half.
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, the Big 12’s leading passer, was pressured by UA defensive end Lance Keneley and threw an interception on the Horned Frogs’ second drive. Arizona free safety Jack Luttrell intercepted the pass for his third pick of the season, which tied sophomore Genesis Smith for a team-high this season.
Despite the first-quarter interception, the Wildcats failed to reach TCU territory on the first three drives and fell behind 14-0.
Arizona clawed its way back to a one-possession deficit after Fifita connected with tight end Sam Olson, who ran a seam route, for a 51-yard gain to the red zone. UA redshirt sophomore wide receiver Chris Hunter completed the drive with a 17-yard touchdown catch, stretching out his body and tapping his toes to stay in bounds. Since becoming a starter last month, Hunter has emerged as the Wildcats second-best pass-catcher behind McMillan.
Arizona’s dime defense used a similar tactic it used last week against Houston, showing blitz with multiple defensive backs in the box and two defensive linemen in a two-point stance. The Wildcats either pressured Hoover or dropped back in coverage against TCU’s high-powered passing attack. Arizona forced back-to-back three-and-out possessions, but failed to convert TCU’s empty possessions into touchdowns. Arizona kicker Tyler Loop made a 53-yard and 43-yard field goal and trimmed the deficit 14-13.
With a chance for more momentum just before halftime, TCU converted on three third-down plays, including a third-and-18 and third-and-25. The Horned Frogs also had an intentional grounding that knocked them out of field goal range, but Hoover’s 24-yard pass to wide receiver JP Richardson set up TCU receiver-converted-running back Savion Williams for a 20-yard touchdown run to take a 21-13 lead.
Williams’ touchdown was the first of a five-touchdown streak for TCU. Arizona’s only offensive touchdown of the second half was Hunter’s goal-line catch in the back of the end zone. Hunter had eight catches for 45 yards. Third-year defensive end Sterling Lane II returned a fumble 68 yards with a minute left.
McMillan’s 8-yard catch with just under 10 minutes left in the game officially put him as Arizona’s all-time leading receiver with 3,335 yards. McMillan passed current UA wide receivers coach Bobby Wade for the record.
Arizona will now face red-hot in-state rival Arizona State for the Territorial Cup. The Wildcats have won the last two Territorial Cups.
Extra points:
- Saturday was TCU’s first win over Arizona in Fort Worth. The Wildcats beat the Horned Frogs Fort Worth in 1999.
- Arizona had 38 net rushing yards on Saturday. TCU, ranked near the bottom of the Big 12 in rushing defense, gave up an average of 190.1 rushing yards in the three games preceding Saturday.
- Second-year defensive lineman Julian Savaiinaea, the younger brother of Arizona star offensive tackle Jonah Savaiinaea, recorded his first-career sack at the UA on Saturday. Jonah Savaiinaea limped off the field in the fourth quarter.
- Arizona cornerback Emmanuel Karnley was ejected in the fourth quarter for spitting at a TCU player. Karnley will be suspended for the first half of the Territorial Cup game.
- Arizona senior nose tackle Chubba Ma’ae, who has been out most of the season with a leg injury, participated in pregame warmups but sat out. Ma’ae can play in the Territorial Cup game on Saturday and medically redshirt to preserve another year of eligibility.
- Arizona safety Gunner Maldonado, who is out with a season-ending leg injury, was one of the captains for the pregame coin toss. Maldonado was the Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP last season.
The Arizona State football team is 5-0 at home this season.
But they have yet to play in front of a crowd like the one expected at Mountain America Stadium on Saturday afternoon vs. BYU.
“We’ve already sold out [for the BYU game],” Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham said during his Monday press conference. “There’s like a thousand person wait line for tickets. For The Valley to be able to experience what they get to experience, which is an unbelievable college football environment on Saturday, is what we need to get people bought back into here. That there’s nothing that can replicate it. We haven’t had one like this yet since I’ve been here.”
In the biggest game for Arizona State (8-2) in more than a decade, they are 3.5-point favorites over BYU (9-1). The winner will have a great shot at a berth in the Big 12 football championship game. The loser will be all but eliminated.
Quarterback play will be a huge factor on Saturday. Over the last three weeks Arizona State redshirt freshman QB Sam Leavitt has arguably been the best quarterback in the nation. In wins over Oklahoma State, UCF and Kansas State, Leavitt completed 65% of his passes for 740 yards and 9 touchdowns, with no interceptions. He also rushed for 69 yards.
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff, a senior, has had a big season, throwing for 2,283 yards and 19 touchdowns, and rushing for 312 yards and 4 TDs. But he has struggled in the passing game the last two weeks. He completed just 45.5% of his passes and didn’t throw a TD pass in BYU’s 22-21 road win over rival Utah. In last week’s 17-13 home loss to Kansas he passed for just 192 yards, with one TD and one interception.
Which QB will rise to the occasion on Saturday? Stay tuned. Here are the details on how to watch and follow Arizona State’s Big 12 showdown vs. BYU on Saturday:
Arizona State vs. BYU TV Channel, Live Stream, Betting Odds
Who: Arizona State (8-2, 5-2) vs. BYU (9-1, 6-1) in a Big 12 football game
When: 1:30 p.m. MST | Saturday, November 23
Where: Mountain America Stadium | Tempe, Arizona
Live Stream: Stream Arizona State-BYU live on fuboTV (Start your free trial)
TV Channel: ESPN
Our Prediction: Arizona State 30, BYU 27
Betting Odds: Arizona State is favored by 3.5 points per FanDuel Sportsbook
Live Updates, Highlights: Follow the game on Arizona State On SI for live updates and big-play highlights throughout Saturday’s matchup
More Arizona State & Big 12 Analysis
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25749796/installer_61.png "Two new tech documentaries you really need to see")
Two new tech documentaries you really need to see
Israel confirms death of missing Abu Dhabi rabbi: 'Abhorrent act of antisemitic terrorism’
Fred Harris, former Democratic senator from Oklahoma and presidential candidate, dies at 94
4 holiday nutrition tips from Dr. Nicole Saphier: 'Everything in moderation'
Max Verstappen wins 4th straight F1 world championship as George Russell wins Las Vegas Grand Prix
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Fred Harris, former Democratic senator from Oklahoma and presidential candidate, dies at 94
‘Optical illusion’: Key takeaways from COP29
With talks teetering, climate negotiators struck a controversial $300 billion deal
Trump administration takes shape: President-elect completes top 15 Cabinet picks
Thousands march across Europe protesting violence against women
-
Business1 week agoColumn: Molly White's message for journalists going freelance — be ready for the pitfalls
-
Science4 days agoTrump nominates Dr. Oz to head Medicare and Medicaid and help take on 'illness industrial complex'
-
Politics6 days agoTrump taps FCC member Brendan Carr to lead agency: 'Warrior for Free Speech'
-
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25739950/247386_Elon_Musk_Open_AI_CVirginia.jpg "Inside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI")
Technology6 days agoInside Elon Musk’s messy breakup with OpenAI
-
Lifestyle7 days agoSome in the U.S. farm industry are alarmed by Trump's embrace of RFK Jr. and tariffs
-
World6 days agoProtesters in Slovakia rally against Robert Fico’s populist government
-
News6 days agoThey disagree about a lot, but these singers figure out how to stay in harmony
-
News6 days agoGaetz-gate: Navigating the President-elect's most baffling Cabinet pick