One of the more fascinating subplots in the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff is how all of these realigned and suddenly crowded conference races are factoring into that Playoff picture. Sure, Tennessee–Georgia is a massive game for the 12-team bracket, but so is LSU–Florida. And Arizona State–Kansas State. And Clemson–Pitt. And a…

Real Madrid thrashed Osasuna 4-0 last weekend but the game summed up their misfortunes this season. Yes, it got Madrid back to winning ways after their third defeat of the season a few days earlier against AC Milan, and this was important given they only lost two in the whole of the 2023-24 campaign. But…

A federal lawsuit filed Wednesday in Colorado against the Mountain West and its commissioner, Gloria Nevarez, seeks emergency injunctive relief that would declare a transgender San Jose State women’s volleyball player ineligible for the upcoming conference tournament in Las Vegas on Nov. 27-30. The plaintiffs include San Jose State co-captain Brooke Slusser, assistant coach Melissa…

The Quarterback Betrayal Index is back, with a surprise new standard bearer: Lamar Jackson. The Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback for years benefited from elite defense/special teams support, but not in 2024. His ability to overcome poor play in those areas during a 7-3 start enhances his MVP credentials. Introduced before the 2022 NFL season, the Betrayal…

After Atlanta United’s stunning win over Inter Miami on November 9, an Atlanta staffer approached the team’s charter bus outside Chase Stadium with a box full of Michelob Ultra beer cans. They were for the players, he said, a deserved reward after eliminating Lionel Messi and his teammates from the playoffs. Among the last players…

Despite the New York Jets’ struggles in 2024, Aaron Rodgers implied Wednesday he was planning on returning to play next season. “I think so, yeah,” Rodgers said when asked. Rodgers, who turns 41 on Dec. 2, said the Jets’ disappointing season hasn’t changed his thought process for the future. “Not really, not for the negative…

Joel Embiid’s postgame media gaggle went off without issue Tuesday night in New York, following the Philadelphia 76ers’ loss to the Knicks. There was no emotional confrontation between him and a reporter, unlike the previous week when he cursed and shoved a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist for writing a piece he viewed as crossing the line…

The Tampa Bay Rays, for the first time in their history, will actually play their home games in Tampa. The team’s home slate will take place at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees. Tropicana Field, the Rays’ home facility, was “significantly damaged” during Hurricane Milton on Oct. 10,…

Georgia was the overwhelming preseason No. 1 team. Texas is the highest-ranked SEC team in the College Football Playoff at No. 3. Alabama has more Top 25 wins this season than the CFP’s top five teams combined. But the SEC team that no one wants to play right now is one that isn’t even in…

Colorado coach Deion Sanders says he’ll do his part to steer his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and Buffaloes’ receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter to better situations in next year’s NFL Draft. During an appearance on Fox Sports 1’s “Speak,” Deion Sanders was asked by co-host Keyshawn Johnson if he would step in during the draft process if…