Oregon gets top billing in College Football Playoff's opening rankings, Ohio St 2nd and Georgia 3rd
Undefeated Oregon got top billing in the first set of rankings on the road to college football's new, 12-team playoff. A 13-member selection panel released its first top-25 list, and saw what most of the country has seen this year -- that with a 9-0 record, five wins in the Big Ten by three touchdowns or more, and a key victory over Ohio State, coach Dan Lanning's Ducks are the best in the country. Ohio State was ranked second, Georgia third and Miami fourth in the first of six weekly polls the committee will release.
Which move is better when down 1 late? Kick the extra point or go for 2?
Whenever a team is trailing by seven points late in an NFL game and driving, the talk quickly turns to whether it will go for 2 and the win if it happens to score a touchdown. Tampa Bay, New England and Seattle all opted against it in Week 9 and ended up as overtime losers. The situations weren't entirely identical, with the Seahawks scoring with 51 seconds left, the Patriots on the final play with an exhausted Drake Maye and the Buccaneers with 27 seconds left and Patrick Mahomes on the other side. But the decisions and the outcomes were the same.
Browns GM says it's possible QB Deshaun Watson will play for team again after season-ending injury
BEREA, Ohio (AP) -- Browns general manager Andrew Berry hasn't ruled out quarterback Deshaun Watson returning to play for Cleveland again despite another significant injury, three disappointing seasons and a divided fan base. Watson suffered a season-ending ruptured Achilles tendon on Oct. 20 in a loss to Cincinnati. The setback has led to speculation about his future with the Browns, who made a franchise-altering trade to acquire him. Berry said "that's always possible," when asked directly if Watson will play for Cleveland again. Watson hasn't come close to living up to expectations since being acquired in 2022. The Browns sent three-first round draft picks to Houston and signed the 29-year-old Watson to a fully guaranteed, five-year $230 million contract.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has surgery to repair labrum tear in shoulder after World Series injury
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Shohei Ohtani had arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday to repair a labrum tear in his left shoulder, following an injury the Los Angeles Dodgers star suffered during Game 2 of the World Series on Oct. 26. The Dodgers say the Japanese two-way player is expected to be ready for spring training in February. Ohtani injured his nonthrowing shoulder while sliding into second base on a stolen base attempt, which resulted in a shoulder dislocation. He returned to play the next three games, helping the Dodgers beat the Yankees in five games to win the championship. The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.
Faking It? SEC teams warned by league about a practice to slow down high-tempo offenses
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A real injury or a fake? It's almost always hard to tell these days in college football. That's why Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey recently sent around a memo to his membership that if they're feigning injuries to cause a time out, knock it off. Coaches throughout the league have backed Sankey's stance even if they've been accused of their players faking it on the field. Mississippi acknowledged critics who complain they use the tactic and have shared relevant information with the SEC for review.
College football picks: Hoosiers, fourth among Big Ten teams in playoff rankings, biding their time
One of the nitpicks about the first College Football Playoff rankings was that the committee undervalued unbeaten Indiana. The Hoosiers' No. 8 ranking puts them fourth among Big Ten teams. The Hoosiers have won all nine of their games by at least 14 points and they've outscored their opponents by a combined 419-123 amid criticism that their schedule is somewhat lightweight. First-year coach Curt Cignetti appears content to bide his time. He said it would be the kiss of death to worry about the conversation around his program. The Hoosiers host Michigan on Saturday before playing at Ohio State.
College football Week 11: 'Bama-LSU, Georgia-Mississippi carry high stakes for SEC and playoff races
The first College Football Playoff rankings are out and now the jockeying for position begins. Two SEC teams just outside the top 12 can enhance their chances of appearing on the bracket. Mississippi is No. 16 in The Associated Press poll and CFP rankings. The Rebels host Georgia. The Bulldogs are No. 2 in the AP poll and No. 3 in the CFP. LSU hosts Alabama in a rivalry that heated up over their time together in the old SEC West. LSU is No. 14 in the AP poll and No. 15 in the CFP. Alabama is No. 11 in both.
76ers' Joel Embiid is suspended by the NBA for three games for shoving a newspaper columnist
NEW YORK (AP) -- Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been suspended by the NBA for three games without pay for shoving a member of the media. Embiid's suspension will begin with the next regular-season game for which he is eligible and able to play. The 2023 NBA MVP has yet to play this season because of what the 76ers call left knee management. Embiid shouted at and eventually shoved a newspaper columnist in a locker room altercation Saturday night. He took issue with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who mentioned the seven-time All-Star's late brother and his son -- both named Arthur -- in columns questioning Embiid's professionalism and effort not being in shape after playing in the Paris Olympics.
NASCAR levies $600,000 in fines and suspends 9 team members for race manipulation ahead of finale
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR has issued $600,000 in fines and suspended nine team members from three different teams for alleged race manipulation at Martinsville Speedway. The penalties came down after a contentious final battle Sunday at the Virginia track in which Christopher Bell initially qualified for the championship final four, but his move to hit the wall and use it for momentum violated a banned safety rule and was disallowed. That gave the final spot in this week's winner-take-all finale at Phoenix Raceway to William Byron. NASCAR has since ruled that Chevrolet drivers Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon intentionally helped Byron during the race, and Bubba Wallace faked a flat tire to help Bell.
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy apologizes after lashing out at critics
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy apologized on social media for comments he made about his team's critics during a media session. Oklahoma State was one of the favorites to contend for the Big 12 title this season, but the Cowboys are alone in last place heading into Saturday's game at TCU. Gundy is in unfamiliar territory. He has 169 wins in 20 seasons, and his team has 18 straight bowl appearances. The Cowboys have lost six in a row and must win out to avoid a losing season.