Dec. 31—The last time Washington State wasn’t a member of a full and functioning Pac-12 Conference, the school was known as Washington State College, Pullman’s population was a paltry 2,500 and World War I was well into its brutal fourth year. Then known as the Pacific Coast Conference, the Cougars joined the University of California Berkeley, the University of Washington, …

ARLINGTON, Texas —  With a 1:41 to go Saturday at AT&T Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys led the NFC North champion Detroit Lions 20-13 while the Lions were out of timeouts.  That’s a situation anyone who is a part of Cowboys nation would take in a heartbeat since they would assume 99 times out of 100 with their NFL-best pass rush …

ARLINGTON, Texas —  The Dallas Cowboys knew they were getting an electric playmaker when they drafted wide receiver CeeDee Lamb 17th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. That’s why they made him wear jersey No. 88, a number worn by Dallas’ greatest wide receivers: Pro Football Hall of Famer Drew Pearson (1973-1983), Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin (1988-1999) …

SAN ANTONIO — After Thursday’s 38-24 loss to Arizona in the Alamo Bowl, OU coach Brent Venables’ mind kept flashing back to one play. It wasn’t Jalil Farooq’s fumble which led to a Wildcats’ defensive touchdown or any of the other five turnovers the Sooners committed. It wasn’t to Jacob Cowing’s 57-yard touchdown reception with 5:28 remaining to break a tie …

LOS ANGELES − If you’ve seen Jalen Milroe’s miracle touchdown pass against Auburn, or you’ve seen other mind-bending highlights from Alabama’s starting quarterback, you’ve also probably seen his megawatt smile. It also serves as a mask. “That is something my mama said to me growing up, always keep a smile on your face,” Milroe told USA TODAY Sports Saturday. “Never …

The Commanders announced this week that they were benching quarterback Sam Howell in favor of Jacoby Brissett. And now Howell is likely to start anyway. Brissett is dealing with a hamstring injury and likely won’t be able to play today against the 49ers, according to multiple reports. That would leave Howell as the starter. Jake Fromm, who was called up …

LOS ANGELES — When it was time for Jim Harbaugh to get onto his podium at the Rose Bowl’s media day, there was an immediate problem. The black leather chair that had been placed on the stage for him was too low. He wanted to be higher. As Michigan staffers scrambled to find something they could use to prop up …

The Kansas City Chiefs offense is struggling like never before in the Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes era. There’s no one from the outside that’s going to come in and rescue the 9-6 Chiefs. But expect some players to get larger roles in the offense while others will see their roles diminish. The receiver group has obviously struggled in 2023, but Rashee …

Without help from the rest of the NFC South, the 7-8 New Orleans Saints are very likely to miss the postseason for the third straight year. Head coach Dennis Allen is finishing his second year at the helm in post-Sean Payton New Orleans. And quarterback Derek Carr has had an injury-filled first season as the signal caller. Sources tell CBS …

Life is a peach for the Ole Miss Rebels. They trounced Penn State on Saturday in Atlanta for their first bowl victory since the 2020 season. Their 11 wins are a single-season program record. Lane Kiffin, their one-time vagabond coach, is growing roots in Oxford. And the best part? The Rebels’ ceiling could be higher in 2024. The nation’s No. …

Another big name is likely to miss today’s big game for the Dolphins. Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert is unlikely to play against the Ravens, according to NFL Network. Mostert is dealing with knee and ankle injuries. The Dolphins have already ruled out wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, so that’s two offensive skill position starters who need to be replaced. Mostert …

INGLEWOOD, Calif. − Free Press sports writer Tony Garcia breaks down Michigan football’s College Football Playoff semifinal matchup in the Rose Bowl on Monday: Fast facts Matchup: No. 1 Michigan (13-0) vs. No. 4 Alabama (12-1), Rose Bowl/College Football Playoff semifinal. Kickoff: 5:10 p.m. Monday; Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California TV/radio: ESPN; WXYT-FM (97.1), WTKA-AM (1050). Line: Wolverines by 1½. REPORT: Jim Harbaugh reportedly hires Tom …

Friday night, Ohio State scored only three points in a high-profile Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri. Saturday afternoon, another prominent Big Ten football program stumbled. Penn State allowed 38 points to Ole Miss and lost to the Rebels by 13 in the Peach Bowl. Nittany Lions Wire has more: “Both teams scored twice in the second quarter with Penn State …

Jayvan Boggs FLORIDA TODAY Offensive Football Player of the Year Jayvan Boggs is on a short list of the best receivers to have played high school football in Brevard County, and his statistics back that up. The junior Cocoa High player is the FLORIDA TODAY Offensive Football Player of the Year for the 2023 season. His reputation, earned by his …

MIAMI GARDENS – Calling the Orange Bowl painful to watch from the Florida State football perspective is an understatement. We watched the two-time defending national champion and arguably the best team in college football with a nearly full roster play the junior varsity team for the Seminoles on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. The result, FSU football took its worst …