CFB

AP Sports WriterLSU and Alabama defenses gearing up to slow down offensesBy JOHN ZENORAlabama and LSU still play defense, too.Overshadowed by prolific offenses and star quarterbacks, both defenses still have NFL talent, playmakers and rising stars.Something will have to give when the top-ranked Tigers visit No. 2 Alabama next...

AP Sports WriterIllinois has shot to earn bowl bid for 1st time under SmithBy LARRY LAGELovie Smith inherited outdated football facilities, among the worst in college football, when he was hired at Illinois in 2016 and he knew it.The former Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach took on...

Michigan St's Bachie declared ineligible after positive testEAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) Michigan State linebacker Joe Bachie has been declared ineligible by the Big Ten after testing positive for a banned supplement.The school said Thursday it will appeal. Bachie made the second team on the AP's list of midseason...

AP Sports WriterCan anyone stop No. 7 Oregon at this point? Trojans up nextBy ANNE M. PETERSONHere are some things to watch this week in the Pac-12 Conference:GAME OF THE WEEK: Seventh-ranked Oregon continues its march toward the Pac-12 championship game with a road game against USC. The Ducks...

NCAA coordinator of football officials retiring after seasonBy The Associated PressNCAA coordinator of football officials Rogers Redding will retire after this season after holding the position since 2011.Redding began his college officiating career in the Southwest Conference in 1988 and later served as coordinator of officials for the Southeastern...

Auburn tree poisoner fails to appear in court for hearingOPELIKA, Ala. (AP) The University of Alabama fan convicted of poisoning Auburn University's oak trees failed to attend a hearing on why he hasn't paid court-ordered restitution.The Opelika-Auburn news reports Harvey Updyke didn't show up for a hearing before...

AP College Football WriterCollege Football Picks: High stakes even as top teams restBy RALPH D. RUSSOInstead of focusing on the teams that are off this weekend in college football - and there are a lot of good teams not playing - let's enjoy the ones that are in action.No....

AP College Football WriterAP Top 25 Podcast: Looking ahead to 1st playoff rankingsBy RALPH D. RUSSOLSU is the new No. 1 in the AP Top 25 and the College Football Playoff rankings are about a week away from debuting.On the latest AP Top 25 College Football Podcast presented by...

Malzahn: Auburn backup QB Joey Gatewood is transferringAUBURN, Ala. (AP) Auburn backup quarterback Joey Gatewood has left the team and plans to transfer.Tigers coach Gus Malzahn said Wednesday Gatewood opted to enter the NCAA's transfer portal to give himself more time to find a school to compete for...

Saban: Tua may be game-time decision, Forristall out 6 weeksTUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is returning to practice, but tight end Miller Forristall could be out for the next six weeks.Coach Nick Saban says that Tagovailoa could be ''a game time decision'' with a sprained right...

AP Sports WriterTua, Burrow, Fromm may give SEC a 2020 NFL draft to rememberBy CHARLES ODUMSEC quarterbacks finally are on track for their day to shine in the NFL draft.The Southeastern Conference, which regularly shows its strength in the draft at other positions, has never had more than one...

FCS trio among Campbell Trophy finalists(STATS) - Three seniors from FCS schools were named Wednesday among the 12 finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes the best football scholar-athlete in the nation.Eastern Washington center Spencer Blackburn, Montana linebacker Dante Olson and Cornell safety Jelani Taylor were chosen...