THURSDAY SPORTS:

*Clemson Athletic Director Dan Radakovich was announced Wednesday as a member of the selection committee, whose members have roughly 230 combined years of experience in college football. The four-team College Football Playoff will begin for the 2014-15 season, with the first semifinals set for Jan. 1, 2015 at the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl. The national championship game will be Jan. 12, 2015 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Former Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice is the most notable member of the playoff committee.

*Four University of South Carolina football players have been named to Phil Steele’s Midseason All-SEC squads. The Gamecocks had two players, running back Mike Davis and offensive guard A.J. Cann selected to the first-team unit. Defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles was a second-team selection, while defensive end Jadeveon Clowney earned third-team recognition.

*When the Furman Paladins and Appalachian State Mountaineers square off at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Paladin Stadium, it will mark the final clash between two of the Southern Conference’s most successful football programs. Appalachian State, a league member since 1971, will depart the SoCon at the end of the 2013-14 school year to take up residence in the Sunbelt Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Coverage of this Saturday’s game will begin on 96.3 WGOG with the Paladin Pre-game and Tailgate Show from the Barnes and Noble on the Furman campus at 12:00 PM.

*You won’t find the men’s basketball teams from Clemson or South Carolina anywhere near the top of the preseason conference polls just released. The Tigers were voted 14th in the 15 team ACC ranking, and the Gamecocks placed 12th in the 14 team SEC. Duke is the preseason #1 in the ACC and Kentucky is tops in the SEC.

*The Los Angeles Dodgers stayed alive in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday, beating the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 at home to cut the Cardinals’ lead to 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Adrian Gonzalez homered twice for the Dodgers, and closer Kenley Jansen held on to win the game after giving up two runs in the ninth inning, striking out pinch-hitter Adron Chambers with two men on base. Game 6 will be Friday in St. Louis.

*The Detroit Tigers defeated the Boston Red Sox 7-3 at home Wednesday to even up their best-of-seven American League Championship Series at 2-2. Boston starter Jake Peavey lasted just three-plus innings, with Detroit scoring five of its seven runs in just the second inning. Game 5 will be played Thursday night in Detroit.