Dec. 15—Journal staffer Sean Reider, who covers college football, talks with Journal columnist Rick Wright, a former Lobos beat writer, about the latest college football news in Albuquerque, including the head coaching change at UNM and the upcoming New Mexico Bowl, featuring New Mexico State vs. Fresno State. Watch Hear Read Share your feedback with Sean at sreider@abqjournal.com or on …

Will Josh Allen and the Bills run the table? (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Things are simple for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Win, and increase your chances at the NFL playoffs. Allen and the Bills offense could not possibly have a greater incentive to perform at a high level. That’s music to fantasy managers’ (who were led by …

Dec. 15—STATE COLLEGE — Seven Penn State players who could opt out of the Peach Bowl said Friday they plan to play against Ole Miss on Dec. 30 in Atlanta. Defensive end Adisa Isaac, tight ends Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren, linebacker Curtis Jacobs, cornerback and punt returner Daequan Hardy, defensive tackle Dvon Ellies and center Hunter Nourzad all committed …

Deebo Samuel has been on an absolute rampage the past few weeks. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) What an absolute tear Deebo Samuel is currently on, and at the perfect time, too. Samuel hasn’t scored less than 20 full-ppr fantasy points since Week 11. Oh, and the last two weeks? Just 30+ full-PPR points — not to shabby. The good …

Dec. 15—ALBUQUERQUE — Amid a sea of red, the preferred hue in Loboland this week is crimson. That of course is the color of New Mexico State’s football team, which along with a growing legion of fans have swarmed enemy territory for Saturday’s nationally televised Isleta New Mexico Bowl game against Fresno State. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. at …

Should fantasy managers feel nervous about T.J. Hockenson now that the playoffs are set to start in most leagues? Whatever nerves they may be feeling aren’t related to Hockenson’s individual talent or ability; far from it. Instead, they’re centered around his quarterback situation. With Kirk Cousins on the shelf, Hockenson has had to deal with the up-and-down (but often very …

Getty Images U.S. District Court Judge John Bailey’s temporary restraining order against the NCAA has been converted to a temporary injunction, set to last through the end of spring sports in 2024, Ohio attorney general David Yoast announced Friday.  The injunction halts an NCAA rule requiring multi-time transfers to sit out a season and makes all transfers sidelined due to …

The Falcons will not know if they have to account for Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns until closer to Sunday’s kickoff. Burns is listed as questionable for this weekend because of an ankle injury. He did not practice on Wednesday, but was a limited participant the last two days. The Panthers have six other players in the questionable category. Three …

Dec. 15—A little over a year ago, Jerry Kill strode off the bus on a blistering cold day in Detroit wearing a dark gray and white serape poncho. It was a gift, Kill made it clear at the time, from somebody he was sure didn’t think New Mexico State’s head coach would ever actually wear. So he did. He wore …

Fantasy football sit-and-start advice should always be relative and league-dependent. Note that some players are targeted for DFS. Good luck with your Week 15 lineups! Start: Ty Chandler Sit: Jake Browning Chandler saw 79% of the second-half snaps last week after Alexander Mattison exited with an ankle injury. Mattison is out Sunday, so Chandler figures to get 15-18 touches against …

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock responded Friday to Florida lawmakers seeking “full transparency” as to why Florida State was left out of the playoff by saying committee members “are confident they made the right decisions in ranking the best four teams in the country based on the protocol.” In a letter to U.S. Sen. Rick …

Coming off their Week 14 bye, the Commanders won’t have their leading rusher when they play the Rams on Sunday. Via multiple reporters, Washington running back Brian Robinson is out with a hamstring injury after he didn’t practice all week. Robinson has recorded 664 rushing yards with five touchdowns plus 29 catches for 326 yards with three TDs. With Robinson …

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers throws a pass against Mississippi in November. The SEC’s all-time No. 2 passer, Rogers announced Friday that he will transfer to Washington for the 2024, potentially replacing record-setting Husky quarterback Michael Penix. Washington has added another quarterback who could take over once Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr. says farewell. Former Mississippi State quarterback Will …

Dak Prescott is a favorite for the MVP award. Win it or not, his price tag has gone up. The Cowboys quarterback has a $59 million cap hit in 2024 in the final year of the four-year, $160 million contract he signed in 2021. The team will have to address his contract in the offseason to sign other players due …

Dec. 15—PULLMAN — Josh Kelly may have hit the portal and left Washington State’s football team, but the star wide receiver will be back in Pullman next season. That’s because in an announcement Friday, Kelly committed to Texas Tech, which travels to play WSU in September. The Cougars and Red Raiders will square off at Gesa Field on Sept. 7 …