RALPH D. RUSSO
Georgia fans celebrate their 41-17 win over Tennessee in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
College Football Picks: Fall cupcakes are back in the South

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 17, 2021 12:41 PM EST
While most of the country breaks out the sweaters and fleece jackets to embrace

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) looks to pass as he rolls out against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
CFP top 4 unchanged: Georgia, Alabama, Oregon and Ohio State

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 16, 2021 07:32 PM EST
Georgia, Alabama, Oregon and Ohio State held their places in the College

FILE - The NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis is shown in this Thursday, March 12, 2020. The NCAA on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, set the stage for a dramatic restructuring of college sports that will give each of its three divisions the power to govern itself. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Emmert says NCAA efforts to reform not motivated by fear

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 15, 2021 07:58 PM EST
The NCAA's move to restructure college sports is not being driven by fear, but

Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs down the sideline on a long pass reception against New Mexico State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Strange time for Bama to pass Cincy

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 15, 2021 02:31 AM EST
Timing is everything in life and this week was a strange-looking time for

Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs down the sideline on a long pass reception against New Mexico State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
AP Top 25: Alabama jumps Cincy to No. 2; OU falls to 12th

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 14, 2021 02:07 PM EST
Alabama jumped Cincinnati to No. 2 behind Georgia in The Associated Press

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) celebrates with teammates after his 13-yard touchdown run against South Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Oklahoma loss boosts Cincinnati's hopes

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 13, 2021 09:57 PM EST
The College Football Playoff selection committee's assessment of Oklahoma ended

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost walks off the field following his team's 28-23 loss to Purdue in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
AP Top 25 Podcast: Frost gets another shot; Week 11 preview

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 12, 2021 03:46 PM EST
Scott Frost is getting another chance at Nebraska. Dan Mullen's status at

Cincinnati safety Ja'von Hicks, center, recovers a fumble during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
AAC commish 'vigorously' opposed to P5 protection in CFP

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 12, 2021 12:36 PM EST
American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco said Friday he will

Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams (13) passes during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Norman, Okla. Oklahoma won 52-21. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Week 11 preview: 4 ranked matchups to sort conference races

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 12, 2021 05:28 AM EST
Four games matching ranked teams in Week 11 could start bringing some clarity

FILE - Southern California coach Clay Helton watches warmups on the field before the team's NCAA college football game against Stanford on Sept. 11, 2021, in Los Angeles. Former Southern California coach Helton was hired by Georgia Southern on Tuesday, Nov. 2, to lead the Eagles, seven weeks after he was fired by USC. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
College football coaching carousel spinning faster than ever

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 12, 2021 05:00 AM EST
Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt was trying to balance the needs of

FILE - UCLA head coach Jim Mora walks the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. On Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, UConn hired former UCLA coach Jim Mora, who also coached two NFL teams, to lead the Huskies. Mora has been out of coaching and has been working as a television analyst after spending six seasons (2012-17) leading UCLA to a 46-30 record.(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
UConn hires former UCLA coach Jim Mora to lead Huskies

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 11, 2021 10:12 AM EST
UConn on Thursday hired former UCLA coach Jim Mora, who also coached two NFL

Oklahoma tight end Austin Stogner (18) runs in for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Norman, Okla. Oklahoma won 52-21. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
College Football Picks: Sooners start pivotal Big 12 stretch

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 10, 2021 11:34 AM EST
The season is about to get serious for No. 4 Oklahoma and the Big 12.

MAC says no to expansion after MTSU decides to stay in C-USA

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 10, 2021 11:07 AM EST
The Mid-American Conference announced Wednesday it will stand pat with its

Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson (32) rushes against Nebraska's Myles Farmer (4) and Marquel Dismuke (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Ohio State defeated Nebraska 26-17. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Ohio St moves into CFP position; Cincinnati 5th in rankings

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 09, 2021 09:46 PM EST
No. 3 Oregon, No. 4 Ohio State and No. 5 Cincinnati all moved up one spot

FILE - The NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis is shown in this Thursday, March 12, 2020. The NCAA on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, set the stage for a dramatic restructuring of college sports that will give each of its three divisions the power to govern itself. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
NCAA rewrites constitution, sets stage for transformation

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 08, 2021 10:08 AM EST
The NCAA is setting the stage for a dramatic restructuring of college sports

FILE - Cedar Hill coach Joey McGuire, right, celebrates with his team after they defeated Cypress Falls to win the 5A Division II State Championship football game in San Antonio, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006. Cedar Hill won 51-17. Texas Tech is finalizing a deal to hire Baylor assistant and longtime Texas high school coach Joey McGuire as its next head coach. A person familiar with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Monday that Tech was planning to announce the hiring of McGuire soon. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of an agreement were still be completed. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Texas Tech names Baylor's Joey McGuire as coach

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 08, 2021 08:42 AM EST
Texas Tech named Baylor assistant and longtime Texas high school coach Joey

Cincinnati wide receiver Michael Young Jr. (8) celebrates with tight end Leonard Taylor (11) after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
AP Top 25: Cincinnati holds on to No. 2 as Tide closes in

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 07, 2021 02:07 PM EST
Cincinnati held on to the No. 2 ranking by just four points over No. 3 Alabama

Cincinnati defensive lineman Jabari Taylor (90) celebrates after securing a fumble in the end zone during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Surprise contenders Wake, MSU upset

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 06, 2021 09:41 PM EDT
When the first College Football Playoff rankings come out, it is tempting to

Liberty tight end Johnny Huntley (0) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Massachusetts at Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, Va. on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (Kendall Warner/The News & Advance via AP)
C-USA adding Liberty, Jacksonville St, Sam Houston St, NMSU

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 05, 2021 01:50 PM EDT
Conference USA announced Friday that it will add Liberty, Jacksonville State,

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young throws during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Week 10 Preview: Lopsided 'Bama-LSU; Hartman for Heisman

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 05, 2021 02:17 AM EDT
After a 14-year run of ranked-vs.-ranked matchups, the Alabama-LSU rivalry has