The MLB playoffs have an opportunity to pull in casual fans with a loaded first-round schedule.
Bill Bender
Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr. make the headlines, but the Browns' success hinges on a 1-2 running game that dominated in Week 2.
The Browns were a bust in 2019. Will this year's new-look version deliver on its playoff potential?
Which quarterback will have more success in their new spot this season: Tom Brady in Tampa Bay or Cam Newton in New England?
Remembering a Michael Jordan-Kobe Bryant showdown that still resonates almost 20 years later.
The Tompa Brady factor will be real during the quarterback's first season with the Buccaneers and a couple games stand out above the rest.
Here's a guide to everything you need to know about the "Dream Team," which changed basketball forever with its run to the gold medal in the 1992 Olympics.
Will the spread of COVID-19 threaten the NFL season? Sporting News breaks down the important dates in the season.
Houston stayed unbeaten, but there is some movement in the middle of our XFL power rankings heading into Week 5.
Jalen Hurts flashed at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday. In which round will the QB land in the 2020 NFL Draft?
The first night of NFL Combine workouts was a positive for some and a negative for others. Here are the biggest winners and losers from the scouting event as the 2020 NFL Draft approaches.
There are only two unbeaten teams in the XFL. Which team is the better bet right now: D.C. or Houston?
Who has the best team in the XFL after Week 1? Sporting News has the power rankings heading into the second week.
Vince McMahon's reanimated football league didn't resemble the same cheap, salacious spectacle like in 2001. The XFL 2.0 just looked a lot like football, and that bodes well for the rest of the inaugural season.
This is the XFL, again. Everything from the team names and logos to player rosters are out for the 2020 football league reboot, so here's a guide to everything to know to watch post-Super Bowl 54.
What went wrong (and right) with the original XFL, and how it might be able to apply those lessons to make sure XFL 2.0 succeeds.
National Signing Day is not without its weird moments. Here are some that have stood out over the last 10-plus years:
A look at the eight franchises in the XFL, and a reason to watch each team as the new league takes off Feb. 8.
There are a number of historic considerations if the 49ers beat the Chiefs in Super Bowl 54.
LSU won the College Football Playoff championship in impressive fashion. What we learned from the dominant win over Clemson:
Should Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa stay at Alabama for one more season or turn pro, gambling that potential outweighs injury concerns in the 2020 NFL Draft? There are pros and cons to each side of the decision.
The 12 quarterbacks in the NFL's 2020 playoff field are separated by two decades. From a six-time Super Bowl champion to the seven QBs without a playoff win, each has something to prove.
Cleveland's next coach will be able to work with strong talent. Here are the Browns' best Kitchens replacement candidates.
Throughout the years, there have been several instances where we’re still not quite sure the Heisman Trophy voters got it right. Who should’ve won the award instead?
Urban Meyer to the Cowboys? It's not as wild as you think when you consider Jerry Jones' track record hiring hyper-successful college coaches, and Meyer has nothing left to prove at the collegiate ranks.
Sporting News ranks 23 regular-season "Game of the Century" chapters in college football history ahead of No. 1 LSU at No. 2 Alabama.
Green Bay and Dallas have played a handful of classic games over the years. Here are the best in this rivalry.
Too early for the 2020 NFL Draft? Never. Sporting News releases its 2020 mock draft, and what happens after Oakland takes Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 1 overall pick.
Ed Oliver was a dominant college player for three seasons. Now, he's a polarising first-round prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft. Why Oliver will deliver in the pros.
Kyle Murray is assumed to be the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. So what if he isn't? A look at all the ways Murray can shake up the draft.
If Dwayne Haskins falls to the Bengals in the 2019 NFL Draft, Cincinnati needs to understand its surroundings in the AFC North and make what would be a no-brainer pick.
More than a month without a game in Oakland? Who made this schedule?
The Jets' schedule in 2019 includes some of New York's biggest competition having to play at MetLife. SN pins the toughest tests and biggest breaks on the Jets' schedule, plus a record prediction for New York in 2019.
It's been more than a decade since Tiger Woods' last Masters win, so it's easy to forget he has given golf fans many memorable moments at Augusta. Here's a look back at his best finishes all time.
Forget all the other subjects in Green Bay, past and present. This is all about Aaron Rodgers now. Can the Packers quarterback re-write the stories that are being written of him now?
Nick Bosa and Montez Sweat were among the defensive linemen who showed out at the 2019 NFL Draft Combine. How will that impact the 2019 NFL Draft?
As the NFL Combine concludes, we now know more about the best players in the 2019 NFL Draft. Here are the winners and losers from Indianapolis.
Antonio Brown can learn lessons from the Terrell Owens saga of 15 years ago. Though AB's Steelers career is ending the same way TO's 49ers career did, Brown can avoid the late-career mess Owens created.
The Alliance of American Football, a new pro league aiming to fill the NFL void, enjoyed a surprising debut in Week 1. Here's what we liked from opening weekend — and a few things that need improving.
Football season is not over. Here is your guide to the Alliance of American Football, a new professional league that kicks off Saturday.
Who was the best high school football player you ever saw? Sporting News staff give their insights, including on a player who was chosen No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft.
Baker Mayfield noticed a strong Browns connection during Super Bowl week. The relationship between fan base and franchise quarterback figures to get much stronger in 2019.
Who is the best five-star quarterback of the last 10 recruiting cycles? Sporting News ranked those five-star quarterbacks based on their college and NFL success. Who is No. 1?
No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan are set for The Game this weekend, and it marks the 11th top-five showdown between the Buckeyes and Wolverines. We just had to rank those 10 games.
Will we ever see a masterpiece like the 2006 Rose Bowl between USC and Texas? Mack Brown shares his thoughts with Sporting News.
An in-depth look at the upgrades Cleveland made on offense for 2018 proves just how far the Browns have come in one offseason. The excitement at training camp is warranted.
Baker Mayfield walked into the media tent wearing a bucket hat with a Gatorade towel around his neck, but it was the full-go beard that drew attention on the first day of Browns training camp on Thursday.
Was this the end of LeBron James' second stint with the Cavs? A look at the complicated relationship that could lead to James leaving again.
How would the three-time champion Warriors fare against some of the greatest teams of all time? Let's take a closer look.
What would a Finals sweep mean for the NBA? We break down the good and bad ahead of Game 4 between the Warriors and Cavs.
Kevin Durant made the same shot in (nearly) the same spot for the Warriors in Game 3. That puts Golden State one step away from another championship.
How did the Bulls beat the Jazz by 42 points in the 1998 NBA Finals? Luc Longley tells SN why he still appreciates Chicago's defense more than anything.
The NFL's New Orleans Saints drafted Archie Manning with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1971 NFL Draft, and 47 years later, his impact on the community remains as strong as ever.
LeBron James averages 33.2 points per game with 9.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists in Game 7s. He’s going to bring it against the Celtics — we know that much.
Boston will host a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 30 years on Monday.
The value of LeBron James' 40-point games can't be understated. The Cavs wouldn't still be alive without them.
We don't know what we're going to see from Cavs star LeBron James in Game 5 against the Celtics, but it's certainly a moment we can't wait to witness.
The Cavs evened the Eastern Conference finals with the Celtics at 2-2, but Brad Stevens sees a three-minute fix for Boston in Game 5.
The Cavs find their stroke from three point range and get back in the series against the Celtics.
The Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate rages on. It's old and tired, but maybe take a different approach before it spins out of control.
LeBron James has the Cavaliers back in the Eastern Conference finals, but the path continues to produce unexpected, exciting results.
How will the Ohio State quarterback competition shake out? Sporting News looks at the battle between Dwayne Haskins and Tate Martell.
The harsh reality is the Raptors became the first No. 1 seed to be swept in the second round since 1969. Now Toronto must find answers to very difficult questions.
Michigan enters a pivotal fourth year under coach Jim Harbaugh, and the schedule won't be easy. How much help would Shea Patterson offer?
Clemson is looking for a fourth straight ACC championship, not to mention another trip to the College Football Playoff. Who'll lead the way in 2018?
Notre Dame has another quarterback battle heading into Brian Kelly's ninth season with the program. Here is a preview of the Irish.
What are fair expectations for LSU in Ed Orgeron's second full season? A preview of the Tigers heading into 2018.
Bryce Love is back at Stanford. Will he lead the Cardinal back to the Pac-12 championship game in 2018?
The Buckeyes' quarterback race is part of the drama for the defending Big Ten champions. Can Urban Meyer get Ohio State back to the Playoff?
Chip Kelly is back in college football. So how long until the UCLA Bruins are in the hunt for a Pac-12 championship? Here's an early preview for their 2018 season.
Memphis is ranked 24th heading into 2018. The quarterback battle adds to the intrigue for Mike Norvell and the Tigers.
Mark Richt led Miami to 10 wins and to the ACC championship game in 2017. What's next for 'The U?'
Wisconsin is coming off its best season in history, and its second straight trip to the Big Ten title game. Can Paul Chryst lead the Badgers to the next step in Year 4?
How much more noise can UCF make after finishing undefeated in 2017? Sporting News previews the No. 21 team in our way-too-early Top 25.
Washington's standards have changed under Chris Petersen, but Jake Browning should have the Huskies in the hunt for the Pac-12 title and perhaps more in 2018.
Trace McSorley is back to lead a high-flying Penn State offense in 2018. Will that help the Nittany Lions take the next step to the College Football Playoff?
Michigan State's Mark Dantonio leads the Spartans into another heated Big Ten East race. The program has the pieces to make some noise, including QB Brian Lewerke.
Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State are tied for the most NFL Draft picks through three rounds. The Crimson Tide, Bulldogs and Buckeyes all have five picks apiece.
Imagine a scenario in which Baker Mayfield plants a Cleveland Browns flag at Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Baltimore or anywhere else after a big victory.
The 2018 NFL Draft is just hours away, and its arrival will end months of speculation about what the Browns will do with the No. 1 overall pick.
CBS's Jim Nantz and Nick Faldo are in agreement that a Tiger Woods win at this year's Masters would be one of the "epic moments" in sports.
How bad has the Tennessee coaching search spiraled out of control? Here is a closer look at the bungled coaching search from top to bottom.
Tennessee's coaching search took a series of bizarre turns Sunday, and it ended with a disaster involving Greg Schiano. So what comes next?
Sporting News ranked the 55 greatest first-round upsets of the expanded bracket era. Here's a look at the Top 20.
There is a considerable amount of debate about whether Cleveland should take Saquon Barkley in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. SN explains why the Browns should make the pick.
Track the 32 automatic bids for the 2018 NCAA Tournament here.
With spring football coming, Sporting News looks at the big games, big names, Heisman and Playoff hype that's coming.
Need a potential middle-round gem to watch at the NFL Combine? Keep an eye on Oklahoma State's Tre Flowers.
Michigan's quarterback competition will help define Jim Harbaugh's fourth year in Ann Arbor. Sporting News breaks down the competition and what to expect this spring.
How do you separate a bad criticism from a good question about a first-round QB prospect? Sporting News looks ahead of the 2018 NFL Draft.
How will all the shake-ups on Michigan's offense fit in 2018? It's the key to taking some heat off fourth-year coach Jim Harbaugh.
Will schools choose to play the players mentioned in a Yahoo! Sports report? That's the big question as Selection Sunday nears.
Louisville had two Final Four appearances vacated under Rick Pitino. At least the Cards have company when it comes to tourney runs that 'never happened.'
Vacating wins doesn't work, and the NCAA proved that once again with Notre Dame.
Scott Frost is back at Nebraska, and it will be interesting to see how the Huskers manage heightened expectations in 2018.
Purdue can learn from back-to-back losses in Big Ten play, but the question still stands for Matt Painter and a balanced team heading into March.
Miles Bridges' buzzer-beater encapsulated all the emotions at Michigan State. It's something the Spartans can build on moving forward.
Michigan did not have a high-profile class on National Signing Day, but it's OK to wait one more year before a full-fledged freakout on Jim Harbaugh.
North Carolina leads the all-time series, but this rivalry is incredibly even.
Sporting News breaks down the top 10 classes from the college football recruiting cycle — and one big thing to watch from each.
A look at the top remaining recruits heading into National Signing Day on Feb. 7. Where will the remaining five-star recruits go to school?
Georgia's impressive recruiting run continued on National Signing Day, and shows why Kirby Smart has built the Bulldogs to last.
The rich got richer on National Signing Day, so who is going to catch the five major powers in the FBS in 2018?
National Signing Day is Wednesday. Here are five things to watch, starting with the battle for No. 1 between Ohio State and Georgia.
New England's dynasty isn't dead, but there are signs it could be in disarray as Oakland loads up.
With the Patriots making yet another Super Bowl run, conspiracy theories are out of control. Few seem willing to accept the realities of New England's dynasty.
Terrell Owens is in the Hall of Fame once and for all, and that should end a needless debate, even from the haters.
JuJu Smith-Schuster talks about his fun rookie season, "recruiting" LeBron James for the Black and Gold and lessons learned while playing in the AFC North.
The appointment of John Engler by Michigan State's board of trustees added another layer of controversy to discontent in the university.
Ohio State's Chris Holtmann has engineered an impressive one-year turnaround with the men's basketball team. How contagious will that winning be for the Buckeyes in March?
It's early to make a call about the first-year coaches leading the Hoosiers and Buckeyes, but the two men should make the rivalry between Indiana and Ohio State good again for years to come.
New year, same debate. Who will start for the Cleveland Browns at quarterback in 2018? Sporting News sizes up all the options ... again.
We ranked New England's eight Super Bowl runs during the Belichick-Brady era in terms of difficulty. Turns out the Patriots have seen tougher opponents than those they faced on their way to Super Bowl 52.
'HBO Real Sports' chronicles the three star receivers of the St. Brown family, all of whom could fulfill NFL dreams.
Michigan State's lack of leadership enabled Larry Nassar and failed victims of the sexual assault scandal. True leadership will be the key to the healing process. So who will step up?
Which players should Vince McMahon target in the XFL reboot for 2020? Sporting News brainstorms 30 names that would attract a lot of attention.
UCF went undefeated in 2017. Which Group of 5 schools will do it this year? A look at the biggest games and names from the Group of 5 for 2018.
There are some interesting comparisons from this year's AFC championship to the one the Patriots and Jaguars played in 1996. Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin are at the front again.
Minnesota tight end Kyle Rudolph shares his thoughts on the 'Minneapolis Miracle' and more heading into NFC championship game.
Kansas City's Kareem Hunt isn't resting on his Rookie of the Year debut in 2017. He's looking to get better, and the Chiefs will need it.
An early look at the Pac-12 heading into 2018; will Bryce Love be able to lead a Heisman run while carrying Stanford to a College Football Playoff berth?
An early look at the Big Ten heading into 2018. Scott Frost and Jim Harbaugh stay in the headlines, but who's best bet to take down Ohio State?
Will the 2019 NFL Draft class, led by Houston's Ed Oliver, be the best defensive line class of all time? We can't wait to find out.
Who were the biggest winners and losers from the NFL Draft's deadline?
An early look at the ACC heading into 2018. Will anybody stop Clemson in its bid for a fourth straight conference title?
Sporting News ranked the college football coaching hires. Did Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher or Nebraska's Scott Frost land the top spot?
Keith Jackson's voice was the soundtrack for so many college football memories, and that lives on forever.
Keith Jackson was the definitive voice of college football for an entire generation. Here are some of his greatest calls, from Alabama's goal-line stand to Vince Young's mad dash to the pylon.
Tua Tagovailoa or Jalen Hurts? And which Ohio State quarterback wins the three-way competition? Don't forget about Kelly Bryant and Trevor Lawrence at Clemson. SN looks at QB battles for 2018.
Who wants Alabama now? Sporting News sizes up the landscape in 2018 looking for a true contender to the Crimson Tide's throne.
Georgia lost to Alabama in the College Football Playoff championship game, but the Bulldogs are ahead of schedule under Kirby Smart. More battles with Alabama are in the cards.
The 2017 season is in the books, but Sporting News already has 18 questions for 2018.
Nick Saban is the greatest college football coach of all time, and he proved that one more time with a message that resonated throughout the victory against Georgia in the College Football Playoff.
Tua Tagovailoa said hello to college football with a game-winning touchdown pass against Georgia in the College Football Playoff. Nick Saban's gamble paid off.
What did they say after Tua Tagovailoa's game-winning touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith? Here's a look at the reactions from the College Football Playoff championship.
Here is a way-too-early look at some of the best September games on the 2018-19 college football schedule.
Nick Saban and Bill Belichick could sweep the college football and NFL titles this year. And if not this year, they'll be right back at it in 2018-19.
Georgia would be the 15th team to win a national championship in its home state if it beats Alabama in Atlanta. What were the others?
Georgia and Alabama are similar teams; here are the numbers that will make the difference in the College Football Playoff championship.
Alabama vs. Georgia might not be for the whole nation, but chill out and embrace this College Football Playoff. It is, after all, a matchup between the two best teams.
When and where are the College Football Playoff semifinals and national championship games? Here is everything you need to know.
Sporting News' college football staff picks the winner of the College Football Playoff championship game between Alabama and Georgia.
Bill Hancock confirmed that a switch to an eight-team playoff is not in the cards through the current 12-year College Football Playoff agreement.
Jake Fromm continues to show uncommon poise as a freshman, and that could end in championship fashion for Georgia on Monday.
Alabama coach Nick Saban passed along some timely advice when Kirby Smart took the Georgia job after a national championship run in 2015.
Two-time Butkus Award winner Brian Bosworth weighed in on Big 12 defense and Baker Mayfield's future ahead of the national championship game.
Jalen Hurts is dealing with the expectations at Alabama the only way he knows how heading into the Tide's championship matchup with Georgia.
UCF won't move any closer to a College Football Playoff spot with its claims for an eight-team expansion, but we have a few solutions for the Group of 5.
Scott Frost begins his new job at Nebraska full time 20 years to the day he led the Huskers to their last national championship under Tom Osborne.
Sporting News dishes out the winners and losers from the 2017-18 bowl season, which included College Football Playoff winners Georgia and Alabama.
Alabama's defense dominated the third installment of the rivalry with Clemson at the Sugar Bowl, and Nick Saban is in position for a national title.
Georgia and Oklahoma played the perfect game in the perfect place, and it took the four-team College Football Playoff to the next level at the perfect time.
Michigan's offense hit a full-fledged meltdown in the Outback Bowl, and there are no easy fixes heading into a pivotal fourth season.
Track all the 2017-18 bowl matchups. Where is your favorite school playing in the postseason?
The Big Ten fell just short of bowl perfection with Michigan's loss. But the conference's performance as a whole will go a long way in the 2018 College Football Playoff discussion.
How do you fix the Cleveland Browns? Here are 16 fixes that could turn around this 0-16 team.
Tim Tebow shares his thoughts on how Alabama QB Jalen Hurts can beat Clemson in the Sugar Bowl on Monday.
Miami lost its third straight game of the season in the Orange Bowl, and it will be interesting to see what Mark Richt and the Hurricanes learn from that in 2018.
Miami's Mark Richt bumped an official during the Orange Bowl but was not ejected. See what made him so angry.
Penn State won the Fiesta Bowl in impressive fashion, and the Nittany Lions are the kind of team that props up the call for an eight-team playoff.
Sam Darnold's turnovers surfaced against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, and that's a problem that needs to be fixed before he moves on to the NFL.
Ohio State's Denzel Ward sat out the Cotton Bowl Classic on Friday, which pushes the trend of skipping bowls to the next level.
Peach Bowl CEO Gary Stokan is thrilled to have the last unbeaten team in UCF face off against Auburn.
True freshman running back J.K. Dobbins evokes images of some fantastic Ohio State running backs. And he looks like he can only get better in 2018.
Sporting News has split predictions for the Rose Bowl between Oklahoma and Georgia and the Sugar Bowl between Clemson and Alabama.
The College Football Playoff lacks parity, and the combination of Georgia, Clemson, Alabama and Oklahoma will be a reason why in coming seasons.
Which numbers will decide the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Sugar Bowl between Alabama and Clemson? Sporting News breaks those numbers down.
Which numbers will decide the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl between Oklahoma and Georgia? Sporting News breaks those numbers down.
Sporting News makes its picks for all 40 bowl on the 2017-18 schedule, including the College Football Playoff championship game.
The early Signing Day returns are in, and here's a look at the winners and losers from Day 1.
Nick Saban and Urban Meyer have dominated Signing Day for years. The early returns, however, showed some stiff competition.
The Bengals and Browns haven't been right at the same time for 30 years, and that's because of the coaches. It's time for a different approach for both franchises.
How do you solve Alabama's defense? These 12 quarterbacks beat Nick Saban-led Bama since 2010. This is how they did it.
Green Bay won't make the playoffs this season, but that could provide the change needed to get Aaron Rodgers help in the future.
Which College Football Playoff championship game would be the best one? Sporting News takes a look at those possibilities and ranks them 1-4.
Angry Bender unleashes on those who call bowl games meaningless.
The 2017 consensus All-America team, led by Sporting News Player of the Year Baker Mayfield, was released on Thursday. See who made the team.
How do we fix the bowl season? These five huge debates are a good place to start:
Shea Patterson will transfer to Michigan. Here's why that makes perfect sense in 2018.
Georgia's Kirby Smart is Sporting News' 2017 pick for Coach of the Year in college football.
Watch these hilarious Heisman Trophy campaign ads for contenders Baker Mayfield, Bryce Love and Lamar Jackson.
Common sense finally won out when Tennessee athletic director Phillip Fulmer hired Jeremy Pruitt to be the program's next head coach.
Micah Kiser is more than ready to make an impact long after his playing days are over. The Campbell Trophy winner should succeed, too.
Ohio State meets USC in the Cotton Bowl Classic on Dec. 29. Get Sporting News prediction for the Big Ten-Pac-12 showdown here.
Wisconsin meets Miami in the Orange Bowl as part of the New Year's Day Six. Get Sporting News prediction for the big game at Hard Rock Stadium.
Georgia and Oklahoma meet in the Rose Bowl in the first College Football Playoff semifinal on Jan. 1. Get Sporting News' prediction here.
Who are the best candidates to replace Willie Taggart at Oregon? Keep these coaches in mind.
Jimbo Fisher and Florida State both needed a fresh start. Fisher's leaving for Texas A&M should work out for all parties in 2018.
Florida State's Willie Taggart will be a hit at Florida State if he does the two things he's done at every single stop.
Ohio State and the Big Ten can prevent another playoff snub with a lights-out bowl season heading into 2018.
How would an expanded playoff look in 2017? Here is how a six-, eight- and 16-team playoff would have looked this season.
The College Football Playoff committee made the right call by picking Alabama over Ohio State.
When are the College Football Playoff rankings announced? A look at the important release dates, and new members on this year's CFP committee.
Here's a look at all the New Year's Day Six matchups on the road to the College Football Playoff championship game in Atlanta.
Which four teams look like the best bets to reach the College Football Playoff heading into the selection show? Bill Bender answers the burning questions.
Tennessee can end this excruciating search by hiring Les Miles. Just do it, and get this over with.
Georgia made a playoff statement with Kirby Smart, and that SEC championship performance is good enough to vault the Bulldogs in to the College Football Playoff.
