The Sports Inquirer attended the presser of Georgia State men's basketball head coach Rob Lanier following the team's 70-63 home loss to UT Arlington in its Sun Belt Conference opener Jan. 6. Topics included the team's physical struggles playing its first contest since Dec. 21 due to games being cancelled due to Covid-19, the return of Eliel Nsoseme to the Panthers' lineup, how playing a zone defense hurt the team's defensive rebounding and using the next seven days preparing for its next contest against South Alabama Jan 13.

In this edition of the Gridiron Blitz we pay tribute to the late John Madden, discuss the turnaround success of the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys, the MVP prospects of Tom Brady and Jonathan Taylor, the offensive production of Cooper Kupp, the antics of Antonio Brown and more.

The Sports Inquirer attended the presser of Georgia State football player Aubry Payne following the team’s 51-20 win over Ball State in the Camellia Bowl Dec. 25. The senior tight end caught a career-high eight passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Topics included the victory, his connection with quarterback Darren Grainger, concluding his career with the Panthers and preparing for his wedding next week.

The Sports Inquirer attended the presser of Georgia State football player Darren Grainger following the team's 51-20 win over Ball State in the Camellia Bowl Dec. 25. The sophomore quarterback was named the Bart Starr Most Valuable Player of the contest after accounting for four touchdowns, throwing for 203 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for a career-high 122 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown run. Topics included the victory, connecting with tight end Aubry Payne on several TD passes and his growth from starting the season as the backup to starter.

The Sports Inquirer attended the presser of Georgia State football head coach Shawn Elliott following the team's 51-20 win over Ball State in the Camellia Bowl Dec. 25. Topics included the victory, the play of quarterback Darren Grainger who was named the Bart Starr Most Valuable Player of the contest, the Panthers' defense forcing multiple turnovers, taking control of the contest with 28 unanswered points in the third quarter and the impact the victory will have on the program.

The Sports Inquirer attended the presser of Georgia State football player Shamarious Gilmore Dec. 20 ahead of the team’s contest against Ball State in the TaxAct Camellia Bowl. Topics with the senior offensive lineman included bowl preparation, balancing celebrating the bowl appearance with preparing for a football contest, anticipation for his final game with the Panthers’ program, being selected to the All-Sun Belt team for the fifth time of his career and a health update heading into the Ball State game.

The Sports Inquirer attended the presser of Georgia State football player Chris Moore Dec. 20 ahead of the team’s contest against Ball State in the TaxAct Camellia Bowl. Topics with the senior safety included bowl preparation, balancing celebrating the bowl appearance with preparing for a football contest, anticipation for his final game with the Panthers' program and a scouting report on Ball State.

The Sports Inquirer attended the presser of Georgia State football head coach Shawn Elliott Dec. 20 ahead of the team's contest against Ball State in the TaxAct Camellia Bowl. Topics included bowl preparation, balancing celebrating the bowl appearance with preparing for a football contest and a scouting report on Ball State.

The Sports Inquirer spoke with Georgia Tech volleyball head coach Michelle Collier for an exclusive interview Dec. 10. The Yellow Jackets won its round-of-16 contest against Ohio State 3-0 in the NCAA Tournament Dec. 9, putting them in the Regional Final/Elite Eight for the first time since 2003. Topics with Collier included the victory over the Buckeyes, advancing to the Elite Eight, being one of four female head coaches in the Louisville Regional and what it means for the sport and Georgia Tech preparing to face undefeated and fellow ACC foe Louisville for a spot in the Final Four Dec. 11.

In this edition of the Gridiron Blitz, we preview Week 14 of the NFL season.

NFL predictions

Season-to-date

Week 1: 6-9-1

Week 2: 3-13-0

Week 3: 9-7-0

Week 4: 9-7-0

Week 5: 7-8-1

Week 6: 7-7-0

Week 7: 7-5-0

Week 8: 4-11-0

Week 9: 5-7-1

Week 10:  not available

Week 11: 12-2-0

Week 12: 7-8-0

Week 13: 7-7-0

Season: 85-92-3

This week’s picks (home team in CAPS)

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (-3) Pittsburgh Steelers

Baltimore Ravens (+2.5) CLEVELAND BROWNS

TENNESSEE TITANS (-8.5) Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders (+9.5) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

NEW YORK JETS (+5) New Orleans Saints

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (+4) Dallas Cowboys

Atlanta Falcons (+2.5) CAROLINA PANTHERS

HOUSTON TEXANS (+7.5) Seattle Seahawks

DENVER BRONCOS (-7.5) Detroit Lions

New York Giants (+10.5) LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

San Francisco 49ers (+1) CINCINNATI BENGALS

TAMPA BAY BUCS (-3) Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears (+12.5) GREEN BAY PACKERS

Los Angeles Rams (+2.5) ARIZONA CARDINALS