Move over, brand recognition. Welcome, most-deserving team. The selection committee’s decision to sidestep Alabama (9-3) in favor of SMU (11-2) in the final College Football Playoff Rankings was a brave call — and the right decision — on Selection Sunday. The report card’s final grade is satisfactory after the committee avoided a disruptive precedent that would’ve been set had the three-loss …

The 49ers are dealing with yet another injury to a running back, which could be significant as the team gets ready to play the Rams on Thursday night. Isaac Guerendo had to exit Sunday’s win over the Bears with a foot injury. While the club called him questionable to return, there was no reason to put him back in the …

For some college football players, bowl games aren’t holding the same appeal as they used to. Teams have had to get used to players opting out or going in the transfer portal before the game, leaving some squads with depleted rosters. That’s especially true for SEC teams in lower-level bowl games, where the stereotype is that the teams don’t want …

Justin Herbert walked off the field following an injury scare, but returned to Sunday’s game against the Chiefs. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Justin Herbert is back after an injury scare vs. the Chiefs. The Chargers quarterback grabbed his left thigh after the hit and remained on the ground as trainers tended to him. He eventually got up and limped off the …

CBS Sports design The sixth and final edition of the College Football Playoff Rankings were released Sunday afternoon looking the same at the top as they have all season. Oregon ultimately went wire-to-wire maintaining its spot at No. 1 as has been the case in every set of rankings during this initial year of the expanded 12-team field. The only …

Hufanga details emotions after return in 49ers’ win over Bears originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Talanoa Hufanga is happy to return to the field for the first time in two months. The San Francisco safety expressed gratitude after a 38-13 thumping of the Chicago Bears. “It was great,” Hufanga told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Laura Britt. “Grateful for …

COLUMBIA — Shane Beamer revealed that athletic director Ray Tanner walked into his office on Sunday and said: “Get ready for Disney World.” Beamer gave him a bear hug in response. South Carolina football wanted to go to the Citrus Bowl if it didn’t make the College Football Playoff, and it got it. The Gamecocks will face Illinois on Dec. …

Week 14 of the NFL didn’t have the most exciting slate of games, but the Los Angeles Rams and Buffalo Bills made up for it with a 44-42 slugfest that was arguably the game of the year. Josh Allen may have put himself as the front-runner for MVP (even in the loss) while the Rams remained alive in the wild …

The first 12-team College Football Playoff field is set as the selection committee unveiled their final rankings Sunday afternoon, one day after an eventful slate of conference championship games. Oregon went wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team and, subsequently, earned the top overall seed after downing Penn State in its Big Ten Championship Game debut.  Elsewhere, some of the top …

Where 49ers would pick in 2025 NFL Draft after blowout win over Bears originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area The 49ers returned to their winning ways, walloping the Chicago Bears 38-13 on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, snapping a three-game losing streak in the process. While the 49ers remain on the fringe of the NFC playoff picture with a 6-7 …

. Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Miles McVay is reportedly set to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal when it opens, according to reports Sunday. McVay, a redshirt freshman offensive tackle, is currently in his second year in Tuscaloosa where he has been a reserve along Alabama’s offensive front each of the last two years. This season, McVay has been a …

Shanahan forcefully squashes trade rumors, wants to remain with 49ers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Coach Kyle Shanahan is one season shy of matching legendary Bill Walsh as the longest-tenured coach in 49ers history. And he made it clear on Sunday that’s exactly what he hopes and expects to happen. “I don’t want to be any place in …

Marshall has hired NC State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson as its next head coach, the team announced Sunday.  Gibson replaces Charles Huff, who left for Southern Miss.  Gibson is a natural replacement at Marshall with strong ties to the state of West Virginia. He worked at in-state schools for 15 years between Glenville State, West Virginia Tech and West Virginia, including as a member of …

Getty Images Josh Allen became the odds-on favorite to win NFL MVP ahead of Sunday’s Week 14 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. The Buffalo Bills quarterback may have secured his place in the pecking order despite his club falling to Matthew Stafford and Co., becoming the first player of the Super Bowl era to log three passing touchdowns and …

Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt during the Michigan Wolverines game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt released his top 10 college football rankings after conference championship weekend. Since the bowl games …