RALPH D. RUSSO
FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson looks to pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Piscataway, N.J. The NCAA quietly made a big change last year that helped quarterback Shea Patterson play for Michigan and will determine whether Justin Fields is eligible this fall at Ohio State.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Revamped NCAA waiver policy helps transfers play right away

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 23, 2019 05:23 PM EST
Last year, a high-profile overhaul of NCAA transfer rules stopped short of creating

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson looks to pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Piscataway, N.J. The NCAA quietly made a big change last year that helped quarterback Shea Patterson play for Michigan and will determine whether Justin Fields is eligible this fall at Ohio State.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Top 25 Podcast: Telling the tale of College football at 150

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 23, 2019 05:11 PM EST
Veteran sports writer Ivan Maisel of ESPN has taken on the task of telling the tale

David Smoak interviews University of Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray during the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award at the Willow Brook Country Club in Tyler, Texas, on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019. Six exceptional college athletes were selected as finalists for this year's award. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph via AP)
AP Top 25 Podcast: Kyler's choice, Alabama's staff turnover

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 18, 2019 09:43 AM EST
Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray is considering a football career instead of

Clemson's Travis Etienne celebrates after the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Alabama, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. Clemson beat Alabama 44-16. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Clemson blowout draws lowest TV ratings for CFP title game

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 08, 2019 12:42 PM EST
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Clemson's blowout victory over Alabama in the College

Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa throws during the first half the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Clemson, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Top 25 Heat Check: Wrapping up 2018 with eye toward 2019

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 08, 2019 12:30 PM EST
Clemson beat Alabama for the national championship, but can the Tigers keep the

Clemson's Will Swinney walks off the field after the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Alabama, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. Clemson beat Alabama 44-16. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Clemson is No. 1 for 3rd time in AP poll; 'Bama 2, Ohio St 3

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 08, 2019 01:18 AM EST
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Clemson finished No. 1 in The Associated Press poll for

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney kisses the championship trophy after the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Alabama, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. Clemson beat Alabama 44-16. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Orange Crush: Clemson topples No. 1 'Bama for national title

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 07, 2019 11:51 PM EST
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Dabo Swinney kissed the championship trophy and proclaimed

FILE - In this June 8, 1993, file photo, Raghib Ismail poses at the Los Angeles Raiders training facility in El Segundo, Calif. Texas quarterback Vince Young and Notre Dame speedster Raghib Ismail have been selected, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, along with 11 other players and two coaches. (AP Photo/Chris Martinez, File)
Vince Young, Rocket Ismail highlight Hall of Fame class

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 07, 2019 09:00 AM EST
Texas quarterback Vince Young and Notre Dame speedster Raghib Ismail have been

Alabama head coach Nick Saban and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney pose with the trophy at a news conference for the NCAA college football playoff championship game Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Alabama-Clemson IV: Can Saban's dynasty reach new heights?

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 06, 2019 04:23 PM EST
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Alabama coach Nick Saban and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney went

Alabama head coach Nick Saban speaks during media day for the NCAA college football playoff championship game Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
At Alabama, Clemson everything matters in building champs

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 05, 2019 07:12 PM EST
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — At Alabama and Clemson, being the best at one thing means

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2018, file photo, Troy head coach Neal Brown watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State, in Troy, Ala. West Virginia and Troy's Neal Brown are completing a deal to make him the next coach of the Mountaineers, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Friday, Jan. 4, 2018. The people spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because the contract was not yet final.(AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
West Virginia hires Troy's Brown for 6 years, $19.05 million

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 05, 2019 01:58 PM EST
West Virginia hired Troy's Neal Brown on Saturday to coach the Mountaineers, landing

Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa answers questions during media day for the NCAA college football playoff championship game Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Alabama QB Tagovailoa says sprained ankle feeling good

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 05, 2019 12:03 PM EST
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Alabama quarterback and Heisman Trophy runner-up Tua

FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2018, file photo, Clemson's Clelin Ferrell (99) rushes into the backfield during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Georgia Southern in Clemson, S.C. Clemson’s defensive line came into the season with a ton of hype after Christian Wilkins, Austin Bryant and Ferrell all bypassed the chance to go to the NFL after 2017. Ferrell, an explosive pass rusher, has the most NFL upside. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File)
Bama-Clemson loaded with NFL draft picks along D-line

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 05, 2019 02:40 AM EST
Quality defensive linemen are just about the toughest find in football.

AP sources: West Virginia, Troy's Neal Brown close to deal

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 04, 2019 01:45 PM EST
West Virginia and Troy's Neal Brown are completing a deal to make him the next coach

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2018, file photo, Georgia wide receiver Mecole Hardman (4) misses the catch in the end zone against Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta. Alabama’s excellent pass rush has helped bring a long a secondary that relies on talented but inexperienced corners such as freshman Surtain. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
Matchups that could determine Alabama vs Clemson Part IV

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 04, 2019 03:30 AM EST
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Clemson and Alabama are playing in the College Football

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2016, file photo, Alabama's Marlon Humphrey catches an onside kick during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Clemson, in Glendale, Ariz. When thinking of Alabama coach Nick Saban, a gambler or risk taker isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But when the time is right, the coach has stepped outside the box. In January 2016, Saban's fourth-quarter onside kick call propelled Alabama on to a 45-40 win over Clemson by not only setting up a touchdown drive but keeping Deshaun Watson & Co. off the field. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Podcast: Previewing Bama-Clemson, reviewing bowl season

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 03, 2019 02:39 PM EST
No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Clemson meet in the College Football Playoff for the fourth

FILE - This is a Nov. 4, 2015, file photo showing College Football Playoff executive director Bill Hancock speaking during a press conference, in Rosemont, Ill. When talking about possible College Football Playoff expansion, the word momentum gets tossed around a lot as those who cover and follow the sport search for insight from experts and hints about what is next from power brokers. The postseason system is not quite halfway through a 12-year contract with ESPN that runs through 2026. The fifth College Football Playoff national champion will be crowned Monday night when No. 1 Alabama faces No. 2 Clemson at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Expansion seems inevitable. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
A bigger college football playoff faces series of obstacles

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 02, 2019 04:23 PM EST
When talking about the possibility of expanding the College Football Playoff, the

FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2018, file photo, West Virginia head coach Dana Holgorsen calls out to his team during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Texas, in Austin, Texas. Houston has hired West Virginia’s Dana Holgorsen as its coach, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, ending his eight-year run with the Mountaineers. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas, File)
Houston hires coach Dana Holgorsen away from West Virginia

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 02, 2019 03:11 PM EST
Houston hired West Virginia's Dana Holgorsen as its coach Wednesday, ending his eight

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is throws confetti in the air after winning the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Alabama defeated Oklahoma 45-34. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Column: With Alabama-Clemson set, get ready for part 5

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 30, 2018 08:00 AM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Before Alabama-Clemson IV is even played, know that part five

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) celebrates after their 30-3 win against Notre Dame in the NCAA Cotton Bowl semi-final playoff football game, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Lawrence lights up Notre Dame, No. 2 Clemson cruises 30-3

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 29, 2018 07:49 PM EST
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — When Clemson's Dabo Swinney entrusted a team with