CFB

AP Sports WriterMiddle Tennessee hopes QB Brent Stockstill stays healthyBy TERESA M. WALKERMURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) Protecting a quarterback in bubble wrap isn't possible no matter how much a coach might want to keep his player safe. The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders can only hope Brent Stockstill stays healthy...

Memphis ready to cement its new status as winning programMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Memphis wants to continue providing evidence that its resurgence is more than a phase.The Tigers made their case by posting a third straight winning season last year despite dealing with a coaching and replacing a quarterback...

AP Sports WriterMora, Rosen eager to lead UCLA back from miserable seasonBy GREG BEACHAMLOS ANGELES (AP) Several months later, UCLA's collapse last season is no easier to understand.A talent-laden program that had become a perennial winner under coach Jim Mora crumpled into a 4-8 also-ran with an ill-conceived...

AP Sports WriterVanderbilt looking to expand offense with Webb, ShurmurBy TERESA M. WALKERNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Vanderbilt offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig has been very busy this offseason trying to take full advantage of having the Commodores' all-time leading rusher back for a senior season.Ralph Webb ranks 20th all-time in...

AP Sports WriterJack Cichy's injury puts Wisconsin's LB depth to quick testBy GENARO C. ARMASMADISON, Wis. (AP) Wisconsin's once-enviable depth at inside linebacker will quickly be tested.The loss of Jack Cichy to a season-ending right knee injury deals a defensive blow to a team with designs on another...

AP College Football WriterNew-look Nebraska is out to atone for awful finish in 2016By ERIC OLSONLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) Unpleasant as it is to look back, Nebraska's Mick Stoltenberg isn't ready to put the second half of the 2016 season in the rearview mirror quite yet.''Some of the things...

AP Sports WriterOklahoma would have to face Big 12 rematch for another titleBy STEPHEN HAWKINSEither Oklahoma or Texas won the last seven Big 12 championship games.When the conference title game resumes this season after a six-year hiatus, the Red River rivals could be facing each other for the second...

STATS FCS Senior Editor=Bulldogs-Hornets PreviewBy CRAIG HALEY(STATS) - Everybody remembers what Grambling State did last season - the Tigers won the SWAC title, captured the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl and were crowned as the black college football national champions.Ah, but few might remember Alcorn State nearly writing a...

AP Sports WriterArizona State vying to get back on trackBy JOHN MARSHALLTEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Arizona State coach Todd Graham received contract extensions after each of the past four seasons, keeping his contract length at the original five years.This summer, Arizona State President Michael Crow and athletic director Ray...

Associated PressLeach believes Washington State has no glaring deficienciesBy NICHOLAS K. GERANIOSWashington State coach Mike Leach, fresh off two consecutive bowl game seasons, says his Cougars appear to have no glaring deficiencies this season.In other words, the Cougars are more than just quarterback Luke Falk, who returns for his...

AP Sports WriterNobody's laughing at Buffaloes' lofty goals this timeBy ARNIE STAPLETONENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) Just like last year, Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre has declared that the Buffaloes' goal is to play in the Pac-12 title game.Only this time, nobody laughed.A year ago, the Buffaloes were picked as cellar...

AP Sports WriterAuburn Tigers trying to live up to those 2013 comparisonsBy JOHN ZENORAUBURN, Ala. (AP) The Auburn Tigers have stockpiled highly rated recruiting classes and built what coach Gus Malzahn deems his deepest, most experienced team.Now, the Tigers are hoping for a corresponding rise in on-the-field fortunes...