Why did Bill Belichick go to UNC? Bill O’Brien gives interesting take originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston No one is surprised that Bill Belichick has taken another head coach job after mutually parting ways with the New England Patriots back in January. The eight-time Super Bowl champion loves to coach, and a lot of people assumed that, eventually, he’d …

The Arizona State fan base was disappointed Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo didn’t get invited to New York for this weekend’s Heisman Trophy festivities. But the senior dynamo was close. Four players invited to New York were odds-on favorite Travis Hunter of Colorado, running back Ashton Jeanty of Boise State and quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel of Oregon and Cam Ward …

Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) is expected to make his 2024 debut next week against the Jets, coach Sean McVay said Friday. “We haven’t made that move official, but all things that have gone on over the last couple weeks, we’ve kind of had the expectation and the anticipation that that will be something that would be a move …

ATLANTA — Jackson State football will have its starting quarterback for the Celebration Bowl. Jacobian Morgan will be available and starting for the Tigers, coach TC Taylor announced Friday. “It’ll be Jacobian,” Taylor said when asked who the starting quarterback will be. “He’s healthy.” Jackson State (11-2) plays South Carolina State (9-2) on Saturday (11 a.m., ABC) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium …

Some have suggested, now that the Rams are closing in on a division title, that defensive tackle Aaron Donald should come out of retirement for a potential Super Bowl run. Regardless of whether it does or doesn’t make sense for the Rams, or whether Donald would or wouldn’t be ready to go without much practice, it’s too late. The Rams …

The 2024-25 college football bowl schedule begins on Dec. 14 and continues through January, culminating with the College Football Playoff title game on Jan. 20. This year’s bowl schedule features the inaugural 12-team CFP bracket, with four first-round games taking place on Dec. 20 and Dec. 21. No. 7 seed Notre Dame is a 7.5-point favorite against No. 10 seed …

Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore (hamstring) remained out of practice Thursday, putting his availability for Monday night’s game against the Bears in doubt. Gilmore was inactive in Sunday’s win over the Falcons after not practicing last week. Fabian Moreau is expected to start opposite Shaquill Griffin if Gilmore doesn’t play. Running back Aaron Jones (back) returned to a full practice Friday …

Navonn Barrett, a junior college defensive back, announced his commitment to Missouri State football. Barrett is the third defensive back to commit to the Bears’ 2025 recruiting class. He’s a 6-foot-1, 190-pounder from Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Missouri State has emphasized adding to its secondary since the transfer portal opened on Monday. It appears the Bears will lose starters …

Despite all the mindshare-gobbling distractions of an election year and the ongoing erosion of TV usage, the NFL is on pace to put up its strongest ratings since 2015. And while the league’s stranglehold over our screens shows no sign of slackening, the season-long viewership boost may seem like a bit of a head-scratcher, as it coincides with year-over-year declines …

The 2024-25 college football bowl schedule begins on Saturday, so there is not much time to craft a winning college football bowl confidence strategy. South Alabama is a 7.5-point favorite against Western Michigan in the Veterans Bowl on Saturday. Using the latest college football odds is one tool to consider when you lock in your 2024-25 college football bowl confidence …

The Texans will have defensive end Denico Autry (knee) in Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. He returned to full participation Thursday after being limited Wednesday, and Autry remained a full participant Friday. The Texans ruled out left guard Juice Scruggs (foot) after he did not practice this week, but they could see the return of left guard Kenyon Green (shoulder) …

While the four finalists have yet to learn their Heisman Trophy placement, college football’s most prestigious award announced the fifth-through10th-place finishers on Friday night. Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Miami quarterback Cam Ward will finish in the top four for the award as finalists who will attend the award ceremony …

De’Vondre Campbell isn’t the first player to quit on his team and walk off the field. Actually, he’s not the first this month. Twelve days ago, Ravens receiver Diontae Johnson refused to play in a game against the Eagles. He was suspended for one game for conduct detrimental to the team. Ten years ago, Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount did …

The West Virginia Mountaineers are bringing Rich Rodriguez back to Morgantown after a 17-year hiatus after announcing him as Neal Brown’s replacement on Thursday. Brown was fired after a six-year stint, finishing with a 37-35 recover overall. Rodriguez coached the Mountaineers from 2001-07, winning four Big East titles while amassing a 60-26 record. He led the program to a pair …

The Cowboys have some concerning injuries on defense. Again. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (knee) is out for the season and headed for injured reserve, and the team ruled out safety Juanyeh Thomas (knee). Starting cornerbacks Trevon Diggs (knee) and Jourdan Lewis (hamstring) are questionable. Diggs returned Monday night after missing two games, and he did not practice Friday after limited practices …