CFB

Big 12 to bring back football championship in 2017IRVING, Texas (AP) The Big 12 is bringing back its football championship game in 2017, regardless of whether the conference expands from its current 10 members.Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said Friday that university presidents and chancellors unanimously voted to approve ''in...

AP College Football WriterSTAT WATCH: E. Carolina's Zay Jones nears receptions recordBy ERIC OLSONEast Carolina's Zay Jones has the nation's top four games for receptions after making 19 catches in a win over UConn, and he's on track to break the Bowl Subdivision career receptions record.Jones passed former Oklahoma...

AP Sports WriterStout defenses push Oklahoma, Baylor into Big 12 title gameBy CLIFF BRUNTNORMAN, Okla. (AP) During the first half of a showdown with Baylor last month, Oklahoma’s defense looked a lot like the unit that ranked among the worst in the nation a year ago.Similar struggles during...

AP Sports WriterTennessee knows it needs more energy to beat No. 7 GeorgiaBy STEVE MEGARGEEKNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee can't quite explain the reasons for its lack of emotion in its last game, but the Volunteers understand they must not let it happen again.The Vols (3-1, 0-1 SEC) showed...

Auburn's All-SEC LB K.J. Britt will undergo thumb surgeryAUBURN, Ala. (AP) Auburn All-Southeastern Conference llinebacker K.J. Britt will undergo thumb surgery.Team spokesman Kirk Sampson said Thursday that Britt is scheduled to undergo surgery on Friday, a day before the 13th-ranked Tigers host Arkansas. It wasn't immediately clear how...

AP Sports WriterNo. 7 Auburn rides defense while offense gains footingBy JOHN ZENORAUBURN, Ala. (AP) The Auburn Tigers have successfully navigated one-third of the season largely because of one of the Southeastern Conference's better defenses.The seventh-ranked Tigers (4-0) have climbed the rankings with a strong start while breaking...

STATS FCS Senior Editor=Top 25 roundup: JMU holds off UNHBy CRAIG HALEY(STATS) - James Madison's 42-39 win at New Hampshire on Saturday underscored how winning the CAA Football title won't be easy for any of the top teams.The seventh-ranked Dukes (6-1, 4-0) are undefeated midway through their conference schedule,...

AP Sports WriterWoody eager to install attacking 3-4 defense at Georgia TechBy PAUL NEWBERRYATLANTA (AP) Nate Woody isn't looking for guys who sit back and react.He's all about being in attack mode.Georgia Tech formally introduced its new defensive coordinator on Tuesday, hoping he can instill the same sort...

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - As the ball came bouncing out of Gunner Kiel's hands, the Cincinnati quarterback - and any hope the Bearcats had of winning the Military Bowl - crashed hard onto the artificial turf.A woozy Kiel left the game after the last of his three turnovers, and...

Associated PressUSC RB Ware pushing for expanded role as seniorBy DAN GREENSPANLOS ANGELES (AP) Southern California running back Aca'Cedric Ware is ready to make a name for himself, even if it comes as part of a committee.Ware spent his first three seasons with the Trojans as the ''other''...

AP Sports WriterHomecoming: Karl Dorrell returns to Boulder as head coachBy PAT GRAHAMBOULDER, Colo. (AP) Scratch house hunting off the priority list for Karl Dorrell.The newly appointed Colorado head coach already has one in the area. He and his family built it about 1 1/2 years ago because,...

No. 13 UCF expects stern test against PittsburghORLANDO, Fla. (AP) No. 13 UCF expects a stern test against Pittsburgh, which has had a knack for upsetting teams with hopes of making the College Football Playoff.The Panthers surprised eventual national champion Clemson on the road two years ago. They...