College football is still months away, and while thats literally eating away at all of our souls, the sports gods have been pretty good to us lately. We just finished up one of the greatest NBA Finals ever, and the U.S. made a semifinal run in Copa America.Were also nearing the end of what has been a spectacular Euro 2016 over in France. Futbol -- I mean soccer -- is growing more and more in popularity over here in the States, and even college footballs best havent been strangers to showing their growing interest in the sport over the years.Like the SEC blog did with the World Cup two years ago, we thought itd be fun to figure out the college football equivalents to the Euros final eight.I wonder if college football will adopt the jersey swapping tradition.Germany Alabama: No matter what, deep down you feel like these are the teams to beat. Germany just won the World Cup and Alabama just won the national championship. Both are loaded with talent, their defenses are suffocating and they both have overcome slow starts to hit their offensive strides late. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (the best in the world at his position) can pretty much be linked to just about every middle linebacker Nick Saban has coached at Alabama. Germany has seven combined World Cup and Euro championships, while Alabama claims roughly 151 national championships.France Ohio State: Both of these squads have tons of talent all over the place, but that talent is young, and you arent really sure how far it can go. However, its tough not to get excited about two teams that have the pieces to win it all right now. France was a favorite coming into the tournament, and the Buckeyes will be a playoff favorite as well. Quarterback J.T. Barretts rise, importance and style of play at Ohio State essentially makes him Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet rolled into one.Portugal LSU: Both squads always have elite, championship-level talent. You just cant help but want to pick both to win something exceptional each year. However, with all that talent have come disappointing finishes. Total hype killers. Leonard Fournette and Cristiano Ronaldo are considered by many to be the best in their respective sports, but Fournette and his Tigers sank after his Heisman train was derailed in early November last season, and Ronaldo has zero Euro or World Cup championships with Portugal.Belgium Clemson: The Tigers own one of the most exciting, fast-paced offenses led by Heisman front-runner quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Wayne Gallman. Belgium also has one of the worlds most exciting, fast-paced offenses led by Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard. Both clearly have the talent to win a title this year, but both can struggle with defensive consistency. Remember, Clemson surrendered at least 5.7 yards per play in seven games last year, including a season-high 6.7 in the national championship loss to Alabama.Italy USC: Two storied programs with pasts full of titles, but heading into 2016, both are being overlooked as title contenders. Italys surprise run into the final eight -- and that 2-0 upset of Spain -- would resemble a Clay Helton-led USC run this fall. Like Italy, outside of a couple of stars (JuJu Smith-Schuster and Adoree Jackson), you arent sure if the Trojans have the talent to win a title, but its still hard to overlook them.Wales Ole Miss: Both teams have a few household names that people will recognize. Chad Kelly is the Gareth Bale for Ole Miss, while Aaron Ramsey could represent top defensive end Marquis Haynes. But what are really expecting from either this year? Hugh Freeze has certainly built up Ole Miss to a true SEC West contender, but are we ready to put the Rebels in the playoff in 2016? And is Wales really gonna win it all? Like, really?Poland Michigan State: Two tough, gritty teams that are more than happy to methodically grind it out until the bitter end. Neither gets a ton of respect (which Michigan State loves), but we kind of like what they are. However, not many really know a ton about either. Everyone knows Polands Robert Lewandowski, and everyone knew Michigan States Connor Cook. But outside of die-hard fans, can you seriously name more than five starters for either? No, yet they still have some solid guys who can carry them in crunch time.Iceland Georgia Southern: Cinderella. Iceland has the smallest population in the tournament and qualified for the first time ever, while knocking off some big boys in the process. The most recent is England, which would be 2013 Florida. Iceland winning it all would be like Georgia Southern, which is new to the FBS level, winning it all in a magical playoff run in 2016. Not gonna happen, but, man, it would be awesome. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . The visitors took a deserved lead in the 16th minute with midfielder Yohan Cabaye curling the ball beyond Adrian from inside the penalty area. Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. http://www.cheapjerseysonlinefromchina.com/ . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Wholesale Authentic NFL Jerseys . Ronaldo produced a spectacular individual performance on Tuesday, scoring all three goals and guiding Portugal into the next years World Cup in Brazil with a 3-2 victory in Sweden. The Real Madrid forward has scored 66 goals in 2013, but the last three may be the boost he needs to upstage Messi after FIFA unexpectedly extended the voting period for the Ballon dOr to Nov. Wholesale Jerseys . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. PHILADELPHIA -- As the tension of the game goes up, Isaiah Thomas calms down.Thomas scored 12 straight Celtics points late in the fourth quarter and tied his season high with 37 points to lead Boston to a 107-106 victory over the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.Avery Bradley added 20 points for Boston, which won its ninth straight game against the 76ers.I just love the fourth quarter, Thomas said. Some guys get a little tight, a little timid. I embrace it. I want to be great. I want to be somebody my teammates can call on when the game is close.The Celtics certainly know they can go to Thomas, who at 5-foot-9 can be described as a little big man. He entered ninth in the NBA in scoring (25.7 ppg) and now has five games of 30 or more points.Were a little bit like, `Thats Isaiah, Boston coach Brad Stevens said. But he has a special ability to score the ball. My advice to anybody is buy League Pass and watch him as much as he can because hes a fun guy to watch.Rookie Dario Saric tied his career high with 21 points while adding 12 rebounds for Philadelphia, which dressed just 10 players. The 76ers lost their sixth straight.Joel Embiid, who leads the 76ers in scoring (18.7 ppg) and rebounding (7.9 rpg), missed his seventh game as part of the teams rehab plan to not play him on consecutive nights after sitting out the last two seasons with a foot injury.Thomas scored six straight points to make it 98-91 with 3:05 left. The 76ers scored seven of the next nine to pull within 100-98 with just over a minute left. Thomas driving attempt was blocked by Jahlil Okafor and then Saric tied it at 100 with 34 seconds left on a layup that just beat the shot clock.After a timeout, Thomas blew by two defenders for an easy layup that put the Celtics up 102-100 with 30.2 seconds left.Thats what you see with All-Star point guards, Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said. Hes hard to guard.Hollis Thompson missed on a drive on Philadelphias ensuing posssession.dddddddddddd The Celtics got the rebound and Bradley made one of two free throws with 16 seconds left for a 103-100 lead. Sarics tying 3-point attempt fell short and Marcus Smart made a pair of free throws on the other end.PHILLYS FAST STARTThe 76ers led by as many as 11 points in the opening half before taking a 53-45 lead into the break. The key was 3-point shooting. Philadelphia was 9 for 18 from the arc in the opening 24 minutes while the Celtics were 3 for 11.SARICS SURGESaric had his best game as a member of the 76ers, who acquired him after Orlando selected him 12th in the 2014 draft. He played the last two seasons overseas.He was a man down there tonight, Brown said. Youd walk away and say thats a hell of a player for playing 20 games in the NBA.Saric provided the highlight of the night when he sent Bostons Jonas Jerebko tumbling to the floor with a behind-the-back dribble before pulling up and draining an 18-footer.NOT CONNECTINGThe Celtics entered fifth in the league in both 3-pointers made (11.3) and attempts (31.1) per game. But they struggled from the outside against the 76ers, finishing 8 for 26.TIP-INSCeltics: This was the first of four meetings between the teams. Boston will host the next two games, on Jan. 6 and Feb. 15, before returning to Philadelphia on March 19. ... Thomas career high is 38.76ers: Philadelphia wore throwback jerseys from 1966-67 in honor of the 76ers NBA champions from that season. Billy Cunningham, a player on that team who later coached the 76ers to the 1983 NBA title, rang the replica Liberty Bell during pregame festivities. And many members of the team were recognized in a halftime ceremony.UP NEXTCeltics: Look to end a four-game losing streak to the Rockets when they visit Houston on Monday night.76ers: Cap a four-game homestand by hosting Denver on Monday night. ' ' '