If the No. 1 team in the country wins on Saturday night, some might call it an upset. A rarity awaits when No. 1 and unbeaten Miami visits No. 4 and once-beaten Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish opened as a 4.5-point favorite on many boards, and after the injury to star Miami receiver Malachi Toney the spread has grown to somewhere around seven points according to most sportsbooks. The most recent instance of a No. 1-ranked team being an underdog by at least seven points is believed to have come in 2014, when Mississippi State was a touchdown underdog to then-No. 4 Alabama

Former NBA player Malik Beasley is negotiating a plea agreement with the Department of Justice after initially pleading not guilty to charges of altering his play in 2024 to benefit sports bettors and ease his debts. Beasley entered a not guilty plea in July in New York federal court. His attorney said Saturday that they expect an agreement soon. Beasley and sports agent Paolo Zamorano are among six people charged in a gambling scandal involving over three dozen arrests. Beasley is accused of fixing his performance in at least four games while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2024.

LeBron James shifted the NBA landscape by leaving the Los Angeles Lakers for the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers are now favorites in the East, even ahead of the defending champion New York Knicks. BetMGM Sportsbook reported significant betting interest in Philadelphia. James, at 41, remains a top player. But Joel Embiid's health is crucial for the team's success. The Knicks are also strong contenders. In the West, the Spurs and Thunder are co-favorites. Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton returns to boost the Pacers' hopes. The Jazz, with new talent, could surprise this season.

Prosecutors in Pennsylvania have announced that a man involved in rigging college basketball games has been sentenced to six years in prison. This marks the first penalty in an investigation that authorities said uncovered a network of gamblers and players profiting from fixed games. Jalen Smith, 30, was involved in fixing games during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 NCAA seasons. He recruited players to underperform in exchange for payment, allowing bettors to profit by wagering against their teams. The scheme affected nearly 30 games and resulted in over $3 million in fraudulent wagers. Smith must also pay $1.1 million in restitution.