Ohio State has secured the top position in the first set of College Football Playoff rankings for the current season, followed closely by Indiana, Texas A&M, and Alabama. All four teams head into the final month of the regular season with undefeated records. Notably, BYU, representing the Big 12, is ranked seventh with no losses to date. Georgia stands in fifth place, while Mississippi rounds out the top six. This ranking reflects a familiar dominance by teams from either the Big Ten or Southeastern Conference, despite the unpredictability of this season.
In a significant move, the New York Jets executed blockbuster trades involving star players Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. Gardner, a two-time All-Pro cornerback, has been traded to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for two first-round draft picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. The Jets are set to receive the Colts” first-round selections for 2026 and 2027. Meanwhile, Williams has been sent to the Dallas Cowboys for a second-round pick in 2026, a first-round pick in 2027, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
In women”s basketball, the top-ranked UConn team opened its season with a solid 79-66 victory over No. 20 Louisville. Sarah Strong led the way with 21 points and nine rebounds. This matchup marked the first time women”s teams participated in the Armed Forces Classic, originally scheduled to take place at Ramstein Air Base in Germany but relocated to the Naval Academy due to a government shutdown. Azzi Fudd contributed 20 points to UConn”s win, extending their streak of season-opening victories to 28 years.
The Duke Blue Devils commenced their season with a 75-60 win over Texas at the Dick Vitale Invitational. Following a slow start, Isaiah Evans shone with 23 points, and Cameron Boozer recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. The Blue Devils” strong defensive play restricted Texas to just 32% shooting and forced 16 turnovers. This game also marked the debut of Texas coach Sean Miller, who saw his team led by Dailyn Swain with 16 points.
As the MLB free agency period opens, notable players such as Alex Bregman from the Boston Red Sox, Lucas Giolito of the New York Mets, and Pete Alonso have opted out of their contracts, joining the ranks of free agents. The list includes Edwin Díaz and Cody Bellinger from the New York Yankees. In total, 153 players are now free agents following the conclusion of the World Series, with more expected to follow as options are exercised leading into the deadline.
In an effort to bolster their struggling defense, the Cowboys acquired defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the Jets, marking a major move as the NFL trade deadline approaches. This trade follows the earlier acquisition of linebacker Logan Wilson from Cincinnati. In exchange for Williams, the Cowboys are providing a 2027 first-round draft pick, a 2026 second-rounder, and Mazi Smith, aiming to enhance their defensive capabilities.
Coaches are under fire following injuries to key players during games that were already decided. Jayden Daniels, the franchise quarterback for Washington, suffered a dislocated elbow late in a loss to Seattle, with coach Dan Quinn acknowledging he should have protected his star player. Similarly, Marvin Mims Jr. of the Denver Broncos sustained a concussion in a late-game situation, prompting criticism of coaching decisions regarding player management.
In golf, Johnny Keefer is making notable progress since graduating from Baylor 17 months ago. After his last college tournament, he moved up to the PGA Tour Americas and has now earned a spot on the PGA Tour in Mexico, competing on a sponsor exemption. Keefer”s impressive rise has positioned him just outside the top 50 in the world rankings, putting him on the verge of earning an invitation to the Masters.
To expand its reach to female fans, the NFL is collaborating with media outlets such as Betches and The Gist. These partnerships aim to create relatable content and engage young women through authentic storytelling, emphasizing personal narratives about players and their experiences. By granting these outlets access to significant events like the Super Bowl and the draft, the league seeks to deepen connections with its female audience.
In the Champions League, Bayern Munich handed Paris Saint-Germain its first defeat in the tournament, while Liverpool edged out Real Madrid with a 1-0 victory. Luis Diaz scored twice for Bayern before receiving a red card for a foul that sidelined PSG”s Achraf Hakimi. Despite a late goal from Joao Neves for PSG, Bayern secured the win, joining Arsenal at the top of their group with maximum points.
