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Big Red ... in college athletics - NYT The Midi Clue
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The answer "MOP" fits the clue "Cleaning tool with a long handle" because a mop is a common household tool used for cleaning floors. It consists of a long handle for easy grip and a head made of absorbent material to clean or soak up liquids, matching the description perfectly.
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The answer "JAMB" fits because it refers to the vertical sides of a doorframe that hold the door in place. In construction or carpentry terminology, "jamb" specifically identifies this structural part of a doorframe, making it the correct and precise choice for the clue.
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The answer is ARI because the name “ARI” can be found hidden within the word “chARIot.” This type of clue relies on spotting the name embedded directly in the provided word.
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The clue "West Coast sch. east of Topanga State Park" indicates a school (sch.) on the West Coast near Topanga State Park in California. UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) fits because it is a prominent West Coast university located east of Topanga State Park in Los Angeles.
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Pete Rose was nicknamed “Charlie Hustle” and played for the Cincinnati Reds, whose team color is red. As the face of the Reds, aka “Big Red,” his name neatly fits the theme’s baseball interpretation.
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The solution "SAVOR" fits "Greatly relish" because to savor something means to fully enjoy or appreciate it, often with intense pleasure. The verb conveys the act of deeply relishing a taste, experience, or moment, perfectly aligning with the clue's meaning.
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Cornell University’s athletic teams are called the “Big Red.” The answer directly matches the school most famously associated with that nickname in college sports.
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The clue references Roald Dahl, the famous author known for writing "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and other popular children's books. "Roald" directly points to the surname "Dahl," making it the correct solution based on knowledge of the writer’s full name.
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The clue "Low-___ (lite)" refers to something that is "low calorie," often abbreviated as "low-cal." "Cal" is short for "calorie," fitting the blank and the context of "lite," which is associated with reduced-calorie products. Thus, CAL is the correct answer.
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The answer is ALIVE because "People's Sexiest Man Alive" is an annual title awarded by People magazine to a male celebrity. The blank in the clue refers to this specific title, with "Alive" completing the familiar phrase.
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IPA stands for India Pale Ale, a type of beer known for its hoppy flavor. Describing it as "hazy" refers to the unfiltered variants of IPAs that appear cloudy. "For short" in the clue hints at the abbreviation IPA as the solution.
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The word "Mopey" describes someone who is gloomy, downcast, or sulky in demeanor. It directly aligns with "gloomy" as both convey a sense of sadness or dejection. The term fits as it's a straightforward synonym, making it the accurate answer to the clue.
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The clue "Big Red, ... in a candy aisle" points to a popular brand of cinnamon-flavored chewing gum called "Big Red." Since gum is often found in candy aisles, the answer "GUM" directly ties to the context.
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The clue "Circle around a star?" uses wordplay. A "posse" is a group or entourage that often surrounds or accompanies a celebrity (a "star"). The question mark signals the pun, with "circle" metaphorically referring to people rather than a physical shape. Hence, the answer is POSSE.
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The clue "Retreat where one might wear a robe" refers to a relaxing place often associated with pampering and treatments: a SPA. At spas, patrons commonly wear robes for comfort during massages or treatments, fitting the definition of both a "retreat" and associated attire.
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The clue "One might say 'X Marks the Spot'" refers to maps, where "X" is traditionally used to denote a specific location, such as treasure spots. The phrasing hints at the connection between "X" and a map's functionality, making MAP the fitting answer.
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A rockhound is a hobbyist who collects and studies rocks and minerals. ORES are naturally occurring mineral aggregates from which metals or valuable elements can be extracted. Since a rockhound's collection focuses on such geological materials, ORES logically fit as part of their collection.
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The clue "Crunchy snacks dipped in hummus" points to a common pairing. Pita chips are crispy, often made from baked pita bread, and are popular for dipping into hummus, a Middle Eastern spread. "Crunchy" describes their texture, and "dipped in hummus" hints at their typical use, confirming PITACHIPS.
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A courtroom panel typically refers to a jury, which is traditionally composed of 12 members. Each individual on the jury is called a juror, making "juror" the correct answer for "One of 12 on a courtroom panel." This reflects a common legal setup in trials.
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The clue "Nut for a squirrel" hints at a type of nut commonly associated with squirrels. ACORN is the correct answer because squirrels are well-known for collecting and eating acorns, which are the seeds of oak trees and a staple of their diet.
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The Philadelphia Union and Portland Timbers are professional soccer teams in the United States. "Org." refers to the governing organization they belong to, Major League Soccer, abbreviated as MLS. This league encompasses various professional soccer teams across the U.S. and Canada.
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The answer "BAE" is short for "before anyone else," a term of endearment commonly used in slang to refer to a romantic partner or someone deeply cherished. The clue specifies "in slang," signaling a colloquial or informal term fits, making BAE the correct solution.
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The clue "Changes over time" directly suggests a process of gradual transformation or development, which is captured by the word EVOLVES. To evolve means to change incrementally over a period, perfectly aligning with the concept of long-term change implied by the clue.
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The clue "Vaping devices, for short" asks for a shortened term for devices used in vaping. "ECIGS" is short for electronic cigarettes, which are widely used vaping devices. The abbreviation matches the "for short" hint in the clue, making ECIGS the correct answer.
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The answer "LAPUP" fits because cats drink by using their tongues to "lap up" liquid rather than sipping. The clue is literal, describing how cats consume liquids. The playful phrasing aligns with the natural action, making "LAPUP" an accurate and fitting solution.
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The answer is LLAMA because llamas are commonly used as pack animals due to their ability to carry loads in mountainous regions, especially in South America. Their distinctive, long ears curve slightly outward, resembling the shape of bananas, perfectly matching the clue’s description.
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The term "DAMP" perfectly aligns with the clue "Mildly wet" as it describes something that is slightly wet or moist, but not soaked or dripping. The word directly conveys the subtle degree of wetness implied by "mildly."
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"ALOO" is the Hindi word for potatoes, commonly used in Indian cooking. Many Indian dishes, such as "aloo paratha" or "aloo gobi," feature potatoes. The clue directly references the Indian term for potatoes, making "ALOO" the correct answer.
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The phrase "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is a well-known proverb, meaning that perceptions of beauty are subjective and vary from person to person. The blank in the clue directly fits "eye," completing the familiar saying. This makes EYE the solution.
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Solving today’s NYT Midi Puzzle and stuck on the 7-letter answer to the Big Red ... in college athletics clue? Don’t worry—Lady Puzzle Pro has you covered! Whether you want the answer right away, revealed letter by letter, or if this wordplay seems too puzzling, keep reading for the explanation.
Big Red ... in college athletics Answer Explained
The answer is CORNELL.
Cornell University uses “Big Red” as the official nickname for its athletic teams, making this one of the most straightforward theme entries. Competing in the Ivy League, Cornell’s teams, from hockey to lacrosse, are widely known as the Big Red, with the color serving as a unifying identity across sports. In the puzzle’s context, this clue highlights how “Big Red” isn’t just a casual phrase but an established institutional nickname. It complements the other themers by showing the phrase’s reach beyond pro sports into college athletics, reinforcing the puzzle’s idea of one phrase connecting multiple domains.
Now that you've cracked the 13A Big Red ... in college athletics clue, you're one step closer to completing today’s Midi Puzzle! If you're still stuck on other clues, don't worry, we've got you covered. Explore more NYT The Midi crossword answers right here, or check out our tools for solving the NYT Crossword, NYT The Mini puzzle, Connections, or Strands.
Today’s NYT Midi Highlights
Ian Livengood’s Big Red theme clicked for me in that satisfying “aha” moment once I spotted PETE ROSE, CORNELL, and GUM, all playful references to different “Big Reds.” It’s a clever idea: the same nickname stretching across totally different domains: baseball legend Pete Rose, an Ivy League school Cornell University, and that unmistakable cinnamon chewing gum.
What I liked most is how approachable the puzzle felt. The fill is smooth and entry-level friendly, but the theme still teaches us how “Big Red” pops up in culture in surprising ways. Clues like POSSE (“circle around a star?”) added a nice touch of wordplay without slowing things down too much.
Overall, it’s a clean, lively grid with a unifying idea that’s simple but smart, exactly what I want from a Tuesday Midi.
Here’s what caught our attention today:
About The Midi
The Midi is a daily crossword puzzle designed to sit between the quick satisfaction of The Mini and the depth of the full Daily Crossword. It offers a compact but more layered solving experience, giving players a new step in the New York Times Games lineup.
While officially launched as a daily puzzle in February 2026, the concept was tested earlier through special puzzle packs and more recently in newsletter editions. Those experiments helped shape what is now a permanent daily feature available exclusively online through the New York Times Games app and website.
Format and Structure
Most Midi puzzles use a 9×9 grid (larger than The Mini but smaller than the traditional crossword), allowing for richer wordplay and themed construction without requiring a long solving session. Toward the end of the week, grids may expand up to 11×11, and occasionally the puzzle appears in non-square formats, with different numbers of rows and columns.
Unlike The Mini, every Midi includes a title, offering a subtle hint at the puzzle’s theme or solving trick. These titles add an extra layer of discovery while keeping the experience approachable.
A Digital-First Puzzle
The Midi is built specifically for digital play. It does not appear in print, and it is available through the New York Times app and website only for subscribers.
Designing the puzzle for screens allows for occasional visual effects and interactive moments that enhance the solving experience in ways print cannot. Even with these innovations, the philosophy remains consistent: puzzles are still handcrafted by human constructors and editors, preserving the editorial voice and thoughtful construction that define New York Times Games.
Editorial Approach
The Midi is edited by Ian Livengood, who also oversees Pips. He creates about three Midi puzzles each week while collaborating with a rotating group of approximately fifteen contributors whose submissions are carefully edited before publication.
This editorial model mirrors the structure used across The New York Times crosswords, where dedicated editors maintain quality and style (like Will Shortz for The Daily and Joel Fagliano for The Mini).
New Rules and Creative Flexibility
The Midi introduces several notable changes to traditional crossword conventions, like:
- Each puzzle features a title. Before, only Sunday NYT puzzles had a title. In Midi, this is meant to give a clue about the theme without needing a distinct clue to play the role of a theme revealer.
- Grids may occasionally break from square symmetry, which is something also happening in the Mini, especially those made by Sam Ezersky.
- Two-letter answers are allowed - this is a feature borrowed from cryptic puzzles, allowing Scrabble (and NYT Crossplay) fans to bank on their skills.
Daily Availability
Puzzles are accessible the evening before the publish date. Weekday and Saturday puzzles: 10 p.m. EST the previous day. Sunday puzzles: 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.