It’s a massive weekend at USC. In addition to the men’s basketball team beating No. 7 Michigan State on Saturday afternoon, Lincoln Riley and the football staff will host their junior day. Riley met Magic Johnson — a Michigan State alumnus — at the MSU-USC game, certainly a way of making his program more visible and attractive. Riley had a …

“What starts bad, ends bad.” That was the simple message from Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo following the Spartans’ disappointing loss at USC on Saturday afternoon. Michigan State trailed the entire game, and never was able to overcome a poor start in a 70-64 defeat to the Trojans. The loss to USC on Saturday snapped a 13-game winning streak …

Sep 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) talks with offensive coordinator Liam Coen against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images At the Pro Bowl, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was asked about that initial Facetime call with now Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam …

The Oregon Ducks had one of their best seasons in program history a year ago. They were ranked the No. 1 team in the nation for almost half of the 2024 season and went on to earn the No. 1 seed in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff. In their first year as members of the Big Ten Conference, Dan …

Auburn football had several bright moments in 2024, but the season was otherwise a disappointment. After earning six wins and a bowl bid in Hugh Freeze’s first season, the Tigers regressed in 2024 by finishing 5-7 and a 2-6 mark against SEC foes. Auburn has now finished each of its last four seasons with seven losses and has failed to …

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver commitment Vance Spafford visited the USC Trojans over the weekend. Spafford, who has been committed to Georgia since November, is an elite wide receiver recruit in the class of 2026. Spafford is a four-star wide receiver and plays football for Mission Viejo High School. He’s put up some monster numbers in high school and projects as …

Nebraska football coach Matt Rhule discussed why the program will not be having a spring game in 2025.  It was first brought up by athletic director Troy Dannen earlier this week. Nebraska has traditionally hosted the Red-White game throughout the program’s history. However, this is set to change in 2025, with thetransfer portal being cited as a primary factor in …

Florida A&M football is confident that having key returning players in important position groups will help it succeed in 2025. On top of that, the Rattlers have recruited pieces for added depth and competition. FAMU head coach James Colzie III said most of the Rattlers’ talent lies at wide receiver and in the trenches on the offensive and defensive lines …

The February national signing day figures to be an afterthought for the Texas Tech football program. In December, as they finished up an 8-5 season, the Red Raiders signed 18 high-school players and 17 veterans in a highly regarded transfer-portal class. The Red Raiders have done so much roster building, in fact, they face a good bit of roster trimming …

While Notre Dame football defeated the Indiana Hoosiers in the first round of the College Football Playoff in December, it looks like the other in-state power is reaping the benefits of the Irish’s success. The Hoosiers have already added one former Notre Dame offensive lineman in Pat Coogan, and could be on their way to adding another. According to On3’s …

Class of 2026 running back recruit Ezavier Crowell has set four official visits this May and June. The four-star running back recruit plans to visit the Georgia Bulldogs from May 30-June 1, the Texas Longhorns from June 6-8, the Auburn Tigers from June 13-15, and the Alabama Crimson Tide from June 20-22. Crowell plays for Jackson High School in Jackson, …

The Texas football 2025 transfer class includes five players, three defensive linemen, two players born outside the United States and zero offensive players. There’s still time to add, of course, with some players still available and a fresh act of transfer drama set to take center stage at the conclusion of spring practice. But, among the group committed to play …

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule made headlines following his comments on the future of Nebraska’s spring football game. While speaking to reporters on Saturday, Rhule said that he was highly doubtful that the Huskers would hold the annual Red-White Game, and he had one specific reason why… the transfer portal. “I hate to say this, but last year we were …

Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity. On Ohio State football To the editor: Ages ago — from 1957 to 1963 — one of the Westerns on TV as I was growing up was called “Have Gun – Will Travel.” It featured a “gentleman gunslinger/investigator” named Paladin, who roamed the badlands working …

With the Texas football program now in the offseason, the American-Statesman is breaking down each position group. Who’s gone from the 2024 squad that went 13-3 and fell a win short a national title-game appearance? Who’s back? And what portal arrivals and freshmen from the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class have joined the team? The Longhorns are coming off an impressive season that includes …