How ‘Miracle on Ice’ team handled American turmoil during 1980 Olympics

SportsPulse: Mike Eruzione of the ‘Miracle on Ice’ hockey team spoke with USA TODAY Sports about the turmoil going on in American during their historic olympic run and whether or not it played a role on their psyche.

SportsPulse: Mike Eruzione of the ‘Miracle on Ice’ hockey team spoke with USA TODAY Sports about the turmoil going on in American during their historic olympic run and whether or not it played a role on their psyche.

Gerrit Cole impresses in first appearance and Yankee fans couldn’t be happier

What I’m Hearing: USA TODAY Sports’ Gabe Lacques tells us what he’s hearing from Yankees spring training following a strong first outing for Gerrit Cole.

What I’m Hearing: USA TODAY Sports’ Gabe Lacques tells us what he’s hearing from Yankees spring training following a strong first outing for Gerrit Cole.

Former Astro Will Harris in tough situation with Nationals

What I’m Hearing: USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale says former Astro Will Harris is having a hard time fitting in with his new Nationals teammates who have openly called the Houston cheating scandal “disgusting”.

What I’m Hearing: USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale says former Astro Will Harris is having a hard time fitting in with his new Nationals teammates who have openly called the Houston cheating scandal “disgusting”.

New All-Star format a success in creating a more competitive game

What I’m Hearing: USA TODAY Sports’ Mark Medina discusses the success of the new NBA All-Star format and we hear from Chris Paul who was instrumental in making it happen.

What I’m Hearing: USA TODAY Sports’ Mark Medina discusses the success of the new NBA All-Star format and we hear from Chris Paul who was instrumental in making it happen.

Colin Kaepernick ‘eager’ to tell all in upcoming memoir

What I’m Hearing: USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett Bell spoke exclusively with the former NFL quarterback who said he’s eager to reveal the many layers surrounding his public protests.

What I’m Hearing: USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett Bell spoke exclusively with the former NFL quarterback who said he’s eager to reveal the many layers surrounding his public protests.

Georgia football: Expectations for QB Jamie Newman keep growing

Georgia football is expecting big things for new QB Jamie Newman.

The graduate transfer from Wake Forest was a hot commodity when he made his decision to depart the Demon Deacons and take his talents to Athens. As if replacing three-year starter Jake Fromm isn’t difficult enough, Newman will be challenged to implement a new, more RPO- oriented attack and add some swagger to the UGA offense.

The Las Vegas oddsmakers, who are more right than wrong, believe he made the right decision in choosing the Bulldogs.

Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook now has Newman at 12/1 odds to win the Heisman Trophy. Just after his transfer announcement, Newman was listed as 16/1 odds, tied for sixth-best. He is now tied for third with Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger and Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler. Westgate still has former Georgia and current Ohio State QB Justin Fields and Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (Cartersville, GA) as the favorites at 4/1.

Newman was one of the top graduate transfers on the market. Miami, Oregon, Maryland and Washington, among others were seeking the services of the North Carolina native.

According to Pro Football Focus, Newman is the nation’s third-highest graded returning quarterback, behind only Fields and Lawrence.  He started all 13 games last season and led Wake to an 8-5 record. He completed 220 of 361 passes (60.9 percent) for 2,868 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He rushed for 574 yards and six touchdowns on 180 carries.

Being the starting quarterback at the University of Georgia always comes with high expectations and takes an extremely talented, confident and bright athlete to handle the pressure. Jamie Newman checks off all the boxes.

Top five NFL free agents (Hint: two of them are Cowboys)

SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes provides his opinion on the five most impactful players on the NFL free agency market and why they all deserve big pay days.

SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes provides his opinion on the five most impactful players on the NFL free agency market and why they all deserve big pay days.