Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans Date: 8:45 p.m. ET, Jan. 1 TV: ESPN Line: Texas -4 Total: 63.5 What’s on the line Washington: The Huskies are looking for their first undefeated season since 1991. That’s the only time Washington has ever claimed a national title as Billy Joe Hobert and Mario Bailey led the Washington offense. Washington is also hoping for …

Referee Brad Allen’s officiating crew might be off the hook for the illegal touching penalty on the Lions, at least in the eyes of the league and Cowboys fans, because of the Lions’ intent to deceive the Cowboys. The penalty on left tackle Taylor Decker, who reported eligible but had extra lineman Dan Skipper confuse Allen, erased a two-point conversion …

Penn State saw just how important having depth in the defensive secondary can be in its Peach Bowl loss to Ole Miss. The Nittany Lions were missing a pair of starters due to opt-outs in the Peach Bowl, including Kalen King prior to his official declaration for the 2024 NFL draft. But with an eye on the future, Penn State …

NFL: Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants Week 18 is a different beast with teams resting starters and the waiver wire entirely picked over outside of those scenarios. This will be a lightened version of my normal waiver wire column, but it should give you the inside track to some of the biggest—and often most obscure—names to know for …

The 2024 Rose Bowl Game logo at midfield of the college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. This year’s Rose Bowl featured the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines (13-0) taking on the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (12-1) in the College Football Playoff semi-finals. Over the years, the Rose Bowl has become one of the most beloved traditions in all …

Getty Images The San Francisco 49ers will not have Christian McCaffrey when they wrap up the regular season with a Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that the star running back will not play in the finale after he suffered a mild calf strain in the win over Washington on Sunday. The …

J.J. McCarthy was far from perfect in the first half of the Rose Bowl, but he made a massive play against Alabama that indirectly led to a touchdown. On a first-down trick play featuring a backwards lateral, McCarthy hauled in a one-handed catch of an airmailed pass from running back Donovan Edwards. He then spun, reset his feet and — …

The Toronto Maple Leafs loaned veteran goaltender Ilya Samsonov to their AHL affiliate on Monday, the team announced. Samsonov, who will report to the Toronto Marlies, was placed on waivers Sunday, but cleared the 24-hour window without any claims from other NHL teams. Samsonov’s .862 save percentage and 3.94 goals-against average are each second-worst among goalies with at least 10 …

CMC to sit out Week 18 vs. Rams with mild right calf strain originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Coach Kyle Shanahan has a lot to consider this week as the 49ers put together their plan for their Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Rams. The 49ers clinched the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed with their 27-10 victory …

AUBURN — Auburn football has earned its second commitment in the Class of 2026. The Tigers picked up a pledge Monday evening from wide receiver Denairius Gray, who is unranked by three of the four major recruiting sites − 247Sports, ESPN and On3 − but has a four-star distinction from Rivals. Gray attends Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida. Gray, who …

Miami Dolphins pass rusher Bradley Chubb has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will miss the rest of the season, coach Mike McDaniel said Monday. Chubb suffered the injury in the final minutes of Sunday’s 56-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He went down after trying to make a tackle and grabbed at his right knee. …

Brett Maher is going to get another chance with the Rams. Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters on Monday that the team will sign Maher. Maher was the kicker for Los Angeles for the first seven games this season, but he was released after missing two field goals and an extra point during a loss to the Steelers. Lucas …

The Miami Dolphins had a chance on Sunday to wrap up the AFC East and further solidify their playoff positioning, giving themselves a chance to earn the No. 1 seed in the conference. All they had to do was defeat the Baltimore Ravens. Alas, that didn’t happen. Miami was blown out by Baltimore 56-19, with Lamar Jackson torching the Dolphins …

Oregon QB Bo Nix GLENDALE, Ariz. — Bo Nix threw for 363 yards and five touchdowns to cap a recording-breaking career, and No. 8 Oregon closed out a season that started with national title expectations by rolling over No. 18 Liberty 45-6 in the Fiesta Bowl on Monday. Nix played like a Heisman Trophy finalist after opting to join his …

The 49ers clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed on Sunday with their win over the Commanders and the Eagles’ loss to the Cardinals. That’s a good thing for one of their key players who has an injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that running back Christian McCaffrey has a mild calf strain and won’t play in Sunday’s regular-season …