Team defenses are already a tricky position to predict from one season to the next. It’s not like gauging the value of a single player. There are 11 moving pieces on every defense. Those pieces change. Coordinators change. Schemes change. Surprises at the position are nothing new. But in 2024 the surprise-meter has launched into overdrive – largely because the …

Kalen DeBoer is still in the process of experiencing his Alabama football firsts: the first practice, the first win, the first road trip. Through those moments, he said, his goal is to simplify it, to know that what is coming next is bigger than what he’s just completed. But none of those firsts have been bigger than the next first …

The Packers lost starting quarterback Jordan Love near the end of a season-opening loss to the Eagles. They did not see their season go down the drain, though, winning both games backup Malik Willis has started in his stead. Still, the Packers are working to get Love back “as soon as possible,” coach Matt LaFleur said Monday, via Dominique Yates …

A fun Week 3 that featured several big upsets allowed two new teams to join the New Jersey Super 25 rankings. Seven ranked teams lost last week, including then-No. 10 Phillipsburg. The Stateliners lost to Ridge, which joins the rankings for the first time this season. Ridge’s ascension also vaulted St. Joseph (Metuchen) into the rankings thanks to a Week …

The Bills made it look easy on the first drive tonight against the Jaguars. James Cook ran for a six-yard touchdown to cap a 10-play, 70-yard drive to start the game for the Bills’ offense. The extra point was blocked, and the Bills lead 6-0. The most important play came when Bills head coach Sean McDermott made the smart call …

LAWRENCE — Cornell Wheeler has been a critical piece of Kansas football’s defense this fall. Wheeler, a redshirt senior linebacker, is the Jayhawks’ starting MIKE linebacker. He leads the team in tackles. He’s close to being the leader in tackles for loss and pass-breakups. But ahead of Kansas’ first Big 12 Conference home game on Saturday against TCU, it’s unclear …

Injuries have hit the 49ers hard this season. They played Sunday’s game without receiver Deebo Samuel, running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle and lost defensive tackle Javon Hargrave for the season with a torn triceps during the loss to the Rams. The 49ers finally got some good injury news: Quarterback Brock Purdy’s back soreness does not appear …

Sep. 23—PULLMAN — Here is a first look at Washington State’s road matchup against Boise State on Saturday evening. What is it? Coming off a 54-52 double-overtime win over San Jose State, a thriller that captured the attention of college football fans across the nation, Washington State heads south to take on a Boise State team also challenging for a …

Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. warms up before Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. James was suspended one game by the NFL on Monday for repeated safety rules violations. (Matt Freed / Associated Press) Already struggling with injuries to four key starters, including quarterback Justin Herbert, the Chargers will be without safety Derwin James Jr. against the Kansas City Chiefs …

Reggie Bush, the former University of Southern California (USC) star running back and 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, is suing the school, the Pac-12 Conference and the NCAA over using his name, image and likeness (NIL) without compensation, according to his lawyers. “This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush; it’s about setting a precedent for the fair …

Rams coach Sean McVay hugs quarterback Matthew Stafford after their 27-24 comeback win over the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium on Sunday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) Sean McVay braced himself. After receiving bad news about player injuries the day after the first two games of the season, the Rams coach arrived at the team facility Monday confident …

Sep. 23—Gonzaga athletic director Chris Standiford didn’t mince words in disputing a report on X that the Zags were leaving the West Coast Conference for the Pac-12. “That is not accurate reporting,” Standiford said. Standiford was responding to Action Network’s Brett McMurphy’s post Monday afternoon that GU was joining the Pac-12 and would receive a full conference revenue share despite …

The Lions have an injury to deal with, smack dab in the middle of their offensive line. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that starting center Frank Ragnow is week-to-week with a partially torn pec. Ragnow suffered the injury during Sunday’s win over the Cardinals. It happened early in the game. It’s not expected to be season ending. Michael Niese …

Sep. 23—PULLMAN — For at least one day, the dust around the Pac-12’s expansion seems to have settled. About a week after Washington State and Oregon State poached Mountain West Conference schools Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Colorado State to rebuild the conference, the new Pac-12 had itself a day on Monday. To wit, the conference… —Secured …

Josh Allen (centre) was seventh overall pick for the Buffalo Bills in the 2018 NFL draft. [Getty Images] Josh Allen threw four first-half touchdown passes as the Buffalo Bills thrashed the Jacksonville Jaguars 47-10 to maintain their perfect start to the season. Allen set up scores for Dalton Kincaid, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir and Ty Johnson, while James Cook had …