RALPH D. RUSSO
Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) runs the ball as Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott (14) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Michigan joins Ohio St. in 900-club

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 21, 2022 05:58 AM EST
Moving toward the latest monumental matchup between Michigan and Ohio State, the Big

Southern California defensive end Korey Foreman, right, celebrates with defensive back Bryson Shaw, second from left, and defensive lineman Brandon Pili after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
AP Top 25: USC moves into top 5 for 1st time in 5 years

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 20, 2022 01:47 PM EST
Southern California moved into the top five of The Associated Press college football

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) is tackled by South Carolina defensive back Marcellas Dial (24) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
Top 25 Takeaways: Contenders live on edge, where TCU thrives

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 19, 2022 09:30 PM EST
College Football Playoff contenders lived on the edge in Week 12, with the top four

The exterior of the stadium is seen before the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game between Utah and Ohio State Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. Flipping the current college football playoff from four-teams to a 12-teams for the final two years of the current television contract will give those in charge of the postseason a look at how it works before committing to anything long term. But, The Granddaddy of Them All wants the CFP management committee to assure game organizers that their game will continue to be played annually on New Year's Day. (AP Photo/John McCoy, File)
Column: Why CFP expansion can't work around the Rose Bowl

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 17, 2022 02:45 PM EST
When considering College Football Playoff expansion, think of implementing a new

Memorial flowers and stuffed animals line walkway at Scott Stadium after three football players were killed in a shooting on the grounds of the University of Virginia Tuesday Nov. 15, 2022, in Charlottesville. Va. Authorities say three people have been killed and two others were wounded in a shooting at the University of Virginia and a student suspect is in custody. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Universities focus on athletes' mental health after crises

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 16, 2022 05:18 PM EST
Police awoke Indiana State athletic director Sherard Clinksdale early on Aug. 21 with

Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) celebrates a touchdown against Washington during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
College Football Picks: 2 high-stakes showdowns in Pac-12

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 16, 2022 04:41 PM EST
The Pac-12's big weekend turned out to be not quite as big as it could have been

Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison, right, waits on the ball for a catch in front of Indiana defensive back Jaylin Williams during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. Harrison scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Hold steady: UGA, Ohio St, Michigan, TCU remain CFP top 4

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 15, 2022 10:16 PM EST
Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan and TCU held on to the top four spots in the College

Utah's quarterback Cameron Rising (7) and running back Tavion Thomas (9) celebrate after their NCAA college football game against Stanford Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: How to rank Pac-12 contenders?

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 14, 2022 05:59 AM EST
Oregon beat UCLA, which beat Washington, which beat Oregon. UCLA beat

Oregon wide receiver Kris Hutson (1) kneels in the end zone after the final play fell short against Washington during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
AP Top 25: No. 1 UGA leads unchanged top 5; Ducks, UCLA slip

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 13, 2022 01:43 PM EST
No. 1 Georgia led an unchanged top five in The Associated Press college football poll

Alabama defensive backs DeMarcco Hellams (2) and Brian Branch (14) celebrate after an incomplete fourth-down pass intended for Mississippi wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Alabama won 30-24. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Tide out; Fab frosh; Ducks can't close

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 12, 2022 08:35 PM EST
No reason to hedge anymore: Alabama is out of the College Football Playoff race.

Western Kentucky quarterback Austin Reed (16) throws a pass against Middle Tennessee State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Grace Ramey/Daily News via AP)
New C-USA TV deal to shift October games to weeknights

Ralph D. Russo Nov. 10, 2022 02:28 PM EST
Conference USA's new media rights deal with ESPN and CBS steals a page from the Mid

Alabama head coach Nick Saban reacts to a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. LSU won 32-31 in overtime. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
College Football Picks: Tide try to avoid rare 2-game skid

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 09, 2022 12:53 PM EST
The year was 2007 and Alabama was still looking more like a college football has-been

Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) scrambles away from Vanderbilt linebacker CJ Taylor (13) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)
Georgia is new CFP No. 1, followed by Ohio St, Michigan, TCU

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 08, 2022 07:26 PM EST
Georgia was the new No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings Tuesday night,

Baylor running back Craig Williams carries the ball against Oklahoma in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: ND is back; Who else can return?

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 07, 2022 01:01 PM EST
No. 20 Notre Dame is back in The Associated Press college football poll after

LSU running back John Emery Jr. reacts after scoring a touchdown against Alabama in an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. LSU won 32-31 in overtime. (Scott Clause/The Daily Advertiser via AP)
AP Top 25: Georgia has No. 1 on lock, 'Bama drops to No. 10

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 06, 2022 01:56 PM EST
Georgia tightened its hold on No. 1 in The Associated Press college football poll

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, left, fumbles as he is hit by Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) in the end zone during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Athens, Ga. Tennessee recovered the ball and avoided a safety. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Georgia now college football's standard

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 05, 2022 08:56 PM EDT
Georgia has aspired to be Alabama. Not just a national champion. The

A Georgia cheerleader runs a flag across the end zone after a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Brett Davis)
Smart plan: How Georgia unlocked a college football goliath

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 03, 2022 12:52 PM EDT
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Dressed for success in sports jackets, suits and even some ties,

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) rolls out to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
College Football Picks: Top-ranked teams hold edge in 1 v. 2

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 02, 2022 02:08 PM EDT
The College Football Playoff and the Bowl Championship Series before it made No. 1 vs

Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) escapes Michigan State safety Angelo Grose (15) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
CFP's first top 4: Tennessee, Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 01, 2022 02:03 AM EDT
Tennessee, Ohio State, Georgia, and Clemson were the top four teams in the first

Georgia running back Daijun Edwards (30) runs for a 22-yard touchdown past Florida cornerback Avery Helm (24) and defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen (33) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Pair of 2s sets up 1 vs. 2 matchup

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 31, 2022 02:33 AM EDT
The chances of having a 1 vs. 2 matchup go up if there are two No. 2s in The