Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said he just couldn’t bring himself to spend big money on a transfer portal quarterback this offseason. After watching Payton Thorne throw four interceptions in a 21-14 loss to Cal inside Jordan-Hare Stadium, maybe he should have! Rather than upgrade a position that clearly held Auburn back during Freeze’s 6-7 first season on the Plains, Freeze, …

Bills defensive end Dawuane Smoot was added to the practice report Friday as a non-participant with a toe injury. The team listed him as questionable. On Saturday, the Bills downgraded Smoot to out. Casey Toohill is expected to see increased reps in the rotation. The Bills also announced two roster elevations: Defensive end Kameron Cline and offensive lineman Will Clapp …

Yahoo Sports’ Caroline Fenton, Jason Fitz and Adam Breneman discuss what another disappointing loss means for the Fighting Irish. Hear the full conversation on the “College Football Power Hour” podcast – and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript Part of the culture of Notre Dame, part of the culture of Marcus Freeman …

Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase wanted his new contract yesterday, literally. (He actually wanted it two days ago.) On Sunday, the Bengals play the Patriots. That’s when we’ll all find out whether Chase will take the field, at a total fourth-year compensation package of $4.8 million. The Bengals reportedly are proceeding as if Chase will play, according to Jeremy Fowler of …

Getty Images In his first career start against Samford, Florida quarterback DJ Lagway showed why he was such a highly touted recruit coming out of high school. Lagway completed 18 of 25 passes for 456 yards — the most in a single game for a freshman QB at Florida and 28 yards from the most all time — and three …

Alex Smith and Aaron Rodgers. As recently detailed in the new Rodgers biography, they competed for the privilege of being the first overall pick in the 2005 draft. Monday Night Football will include during the pregame show an interview of one by the other. Smith, who now works for ESPN, sat down with Rodgers. The interview comes nearly 20 years …

The best big-man touchdown of the year may have happened in the Mississippi State-Arizona State game on Saturday. At 6-foot-1, 295 pounds, C.J. Fite proved to be athletic and agile. The Bulldogs’ Blake Shapen tried to do too much as he was about to be sacked. The football went airborne and took some crazy twists before Fite wound up with …

Why Shanahan chose Allen over Dobbs as 49ers’ backup QB originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Kyle Shanahan finally sided with Brandon Allen as the 49ers’ backup quarterback over Josh Dobbs after an extensive training camp battle. Though Dobbs appeared to play better during the preseason, Shanahan revealed why Allen — San Francisco’s No. 3 quarterback behind Sam Darnold …

Sunday gets us back into the normal rhythm of the AP Top 25 poll release after the extended Week 1 action over Labor Day. As we put a bow on Week 2 and begin to advance the conversation to Week 3, we are once again seeing how fluid things can be in the college football rankings early in the season.  …

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson aggravated his calf injury during practice this week. Not surprisingly, he wants to play. Via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, Wilson “has told the team that he can play.” However, “team doctors are being more cautious.” A final decision will be made on Sunday. This meshes with our report from Friday night that Wilson has a “chance” …

STATE COLLEGE – Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen both enjoyed 100-yard rushing games Saturday for the second time in their Penn State careers. Allen said there’s more to come. “We can do it for all of our games,” he said. “Are you kidding me? I love to see my brother win. I love to see him get in that zone. …

Warner credits Saleh’s role for his development into 49ers star originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Fred Warner realizes that without Robert Saleh, his NFL career might have panned out differently. Days prior to the 2024 season opener, the 49ers All-Pro linebacker shared with reporters how the New York Jets coach – then San Francisco’s defensive coordinator – positively …

First Down This is the danger of overreaction, of penciling in favorites and roaming blissfully unaware through the minefield that is the college football regular season. A week ago, Notre Dame had a clear path to the College Football Playoff. Now there’s wild uncertainty under the Golden Dome after a 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois. A week ago, Irish quarterback …

Bills quarterback Josh Allen could be among the most popular NFL DFS picks for Week 1. Combining his passing and rushing scores, Allen has finished with between 42 and 45 touchdowns the past four regular seasons. Last year, Allen threw for 4,306 yards and 29 touchdowns while also finishing with 15 rushing scores. However, NFL DFS players will have to …

Deion Sanders is used to doing what’s considered conventionally impossible. Play in the NFL and MLB on the same day? Sure, he can do that. Become the greatest cornerback of all time? Done. Win as a head coach with zero college ore even high school head coaching experience? Yep. Did that at Jackson State. But he can’t challenge every convention. …