No. 23 USC Trojans at Nebraska Cornhuskers Game Preview
Clash of styles awaits as Frank and Maresca face off in growing rivalry
Pragmatism meets dogmatism when Spurs host Chelsea, with both head coaches still trying to win fans over
A few managers were in the running when Chelsea were looking for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino in May 2024. It was an extensive process and involved the club talking to Thomas Frank before they settled on Enzo Maresca.
The feeling was that Maresca’s positional game and focus on possession made him most suited to Chelsea’s squad of technicians. Frank, who had performed brilliantly at Brentford, had to wait for his next opportunity. Overlooked by Manchester United after they fired Erik ten Hag, it arrived when Tottenham hired the Dane after sacking Ange Postecoglou last summer.
Continue reading...Women’s tennis thriving on the court as season wraps but WTA must catch up
Sabalenka and Swiatek head to Saudi finals after epic year yet organisers remain dire at marketing their product
The final weeks of the women’s tennis season showcased one last twist in the furious race to determine the qualifiers for the WTA Finals. Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, finally caught fire after a year of near misses, bulldozing through her opponents to win a title in Ningbo, China that solidified her spot in Riyadh among the eight best players in the world.
Just as significant as Rybakina’s qualification, though, was its consequences for the player she usurped. Mirra Andreeva, the 18-year-old prodigy who won WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells this year, had seemed like a sure bet to qualify in singles for the WTA Finals. Her failure to do so underscores the fact that this year has been the toughest and most competitive women’s tennis season in years.
Continue reading...SEC football Week 10 predictions: Texas, Oklahoma could be eliminated from CFP race
What's left for the CFP when SEC is done eating each other?
No. 18 Oklahoma at No. 14 Tennessee prediction: Odds, expert picks, team and player news, trends, and stats
No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners at No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers Game Preview
‘LSU is not broken:’ Latest on mess in the Bayou, who is handling coaching search
LSU announced interim athletic director Verge Ausberry will lead the Tigers' football coaching search after parting ways with Scott Woodward.
England looking for northern stronghold to relight Ashes fire after Wembley letdown
England will look to Australia-born AJ Brimson to turn their fortunes around in second Test at Hill Dickinson Stadium
All change. In truth, something had to give following the nature of England’s performance at Wembley last weekend but as Shaun Wane’s side look to send the Ashes to a deciding Test in Leeds next Saturday, there are wholesale changes that the hosts hope will provide a reaction both on and off the field.
Wembley was underwhelming last weekend on multiple fronts. England limped to a fairly miserable 26-6 defeat, in which they showed little of what had been promised in the build-up to a first Ashes series in 22 years. But the atmosphere felt flat, in part due to what Wane’s men delivered, but also due to the fact the stadium wasn’t full.
Continue reading...Ireland and All Blacks back in Chicago with memories of 2016 on the mind
Ireland’s Caelan Doris making comeback from injury
World champions South Africa play Japan at Wembley
It is back to where it started for Ireland. And by “it” we mean any kind of success against the All Blacks. With that, of course, comes credibility on the world stage, a status they still enjoy.
On Saturday night, UK and Ireland time, afternoon in the United States, Ireland take on New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago. Before any considerations of team news and vibes, the words Ireland, New Zealand and Soldier Field will transport many a rugby fan back not quite nine years. On 5 November 2016, Ireland, at the 29th time of asking, finally prevailed over the All Blacks, 111 years after their first shot at them. And how. No ugly scrap by a plucky underdog here, but an exhilarating 40 points and five tries under a Chicago sun.
Continue reading...Australia’s Harry Wilson rejects claims Wallabies use illegal breakdown tactics
Borthwick has highlighted entering rucks from the side
Wilson denies Wallabies use dangerous or illegal tactics
Australia’s captain, Harry Wilson, has rejected a claim made on the eve of their clash with England that the Wallabies use illegal breakdown tactics.
The Daily Telegraph reported that England head coach, Steve Borthwick, has highlighted Australia’s alleged ploy of deliberately entering rucks from the side when he met referee Nika Amashukeli before Saturday’s Twickenham showdown. Player welfare concerns were also raised over the tourists’ approach to clear-outs.
Continue reading...T20 international: Mitch Marsh hits quick-fire 46 as Australia beat India by four wickets
All-rounder helps hosts into 1-0 series lead in Melbourne
MCG holds minute’s silence for teenager Ben Austin
A lethal spell from Josh Hazlewood has propelled Australia to an emphatic four-wicket Twenty20 win over India in front of 82,438 fans at the MCG.
After the opening game of the five-match series in Canberra was washed out on Wednesday night, Australia went 1-0 up with a commanding performance.
Continue reading...USC vs. Nebraska: No. 23 Trojans embark on critical, and winnable, stretch of games
USC is looking to bounce back from its loss to Notre Dame and stay in the hunt for a playoff berth by winning a tough road game against Nebraska.
Ranking college football’s 10 scariest mascots, from Oski to Purdue Pete
In honor of Halloween, here's a look at USA TODAY's ranking of the 10 scariest mascots in FBS college football
Seven college football games with playoff implications you can’t miss in Week 10
There are several college football games on the first weekend of November to watch. Our breakdown of the biggest matchups of Week 10.
When college football season of coaching buyouts can’t get worse, Nebraska steps up
Nebraska extends coach Matt Rhule, willingly adds millions to potential buyout if it doesn't work (he's 18-15 in 33 career games).
Who is under pressure in college football Week 10? Let’s start with Hugh Freeze and Texas
The pressure is on players, coaches and teams in Week 10 of the college football season. We break down the biggest games to focus on.