CFB

AP Sports WriterJustin Herbert, Troy Dye are back to complete Oregon's riseBy ANNE M. PETERSONEUGENE, Ore. (AP) Expectations are high for the Oregon Ducks this season, from both outside the team and from within.Quarterback Justin Herbert opted to stay at Oregon rather than bolt early for the NFL...

AP Sports WriterClay Helton embracing his make-or-break season at USCBy GREG BEACHAMLOS ANGELES (AP) Clay Helton is still in charge at Southern California after its first losing season in 18 years. The folksy head coach realizes he probably won't be for much longer if he can't get the...

AP Sports WriterPick Six: Top college awards could feature repeatsBy STEVE MEGARGEEThe race for the top individual awards in college football this season will have some standout players seeking repeats.Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor won the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back last season, while Alabama's Jerry Jeudy...

AP Sports WriterBoise State starts new chapter with same expectationsBy TIM BOOTHThe way last season ended for Boise State left a bad aftertaste.Losing the Mountain West Conference championship game on its home field, followed by a bowl game that was abandoned due to severe weather was a disappointing thud...

Vanderbilt to begin alcohol sales at home football gamesNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Vanderbilt plans to conduct alcohol sales for home football games this season.Athletic director Malcolm Turner announced the new policy Wednesday.Vanderbilt will sell beer in public areas of the stadium. Wine will be available to fans in premium...

AP Sports WriterAfter strong 2018 finish, Gophers enter pivotal seasonBy DAVE CAMPBELLMINNEAPOLIS (AP) The long-languishing football program at Minnesota has experienced plenty of potential breakthroughs over the last half-century, only to plateau or regress in the games and years that followed.Well, the Gophers have arrived at another pivotal...

Vols DB Buchanan's status uncertain due to spinal conditionKNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee defensive back Baylen Buchanan has a spinal condition that makes his status for this season uncertain.Buchanan started all 12 games for Tennessee last year but hasn't been participating in preseason practice. Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt said...

AP Sports WriterSecret's out on hard-hitting Air Force linebackerBy PAT GRAHAMAIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) Air Force senior linebacker Kyle Johnson did some mapping and data collecting during his confidential summer internship at a think tank in the nation's capital.Sorry, that's really all he can reveal. His work...

AP Sports WriterPitt eyes balance in bid to repeat as ACC Coastal champsBy WILL GRAVESPITTSBURGH (AP) Kenny Pickett knows his numbers in his first year as Pittsburgh's starting quarterback weren't great. He doesn't particularly care.What the numbers failed to show were all the times he would come to...

AP Sports WriterHokies look to rebound after first losing season since '92By HANK KURZ Jr.BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) Virginia Tech's first losing season since 1992 has coach Justin Fuente and the Hokies looking for a bounce-back campaign.If they can pull it off, they'll likely feature a balanced attack with...

AP Sports WriterPerkins, Virginia facing new challenge: ExpectationsBy HANK KURZ Jr.CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) The arrival of dual-threat quarterback Bryce Perkins helped Virginia exceed expectations last season. Now the Cavaliers face a new challenge: meeting higher expectations this season.The Cavaliers are the only team in the Atlantic Coast Conference's...

AP Sports WriterFocus for Syracuse's Dino Babers: prove last year no flukeBy JOHN KEKISSYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) Coach Dino Babers begins his fourth season at Syracuse with a big goal - to prove that last season was no fluke.Syracuse finished 10-3 in 2018 and was No. 15 in the...