PSG pushing to sign top Real Madrid target at any cost, preparing huge offerReal Madrid are well and truly the biggest institution in the game, to the point that they have seemingly stolen away the reigning UEFA Champions League winners top transfer target for the summer.PSG were in pole position to sign RB Leipzigs Yan Diomande and even had personal terms agreed with the player.Los Blancos entry into the picture, however, has undone all of their progress and the player is now leaning towards a Real Madrid switch.PSG, needless to say, are fuming at the development and have now intensified their pursuit of Real Madrids top target Rodri, possibly to settle scores.A priority targetAs reported byDiario ASin a recent report, PSG want Rodri this summer and will further intensify contacts and negotiations in the coming days.Luis Enrique is pushing for Rodri. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)Luis Enrique is said to want the player in his dynamics no matter what it costs, and theParisiens will fight tooth and nail with Real Madrid in the hope of creating a last-minute upset.PSG are set to make the player and his entourage a huge offer that they hope cannot be rejected. In all probability, it will be a sum that Real Madrid will not even look to match, both in terms of salary and transfer fee.Finances do not concern the playerWhile PSG will indeed look to lure Rodri with a massive financial offer and an irresistible salary, Rodris move to Real Madrid has never really been about the money.Rodri wants to return to Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)As reported earlier this week, the Manchester City star is not concerned by the financial specifics of Real Madrids offer and is only looking for the club to reach an agreement. He is even willing to take a cut on his wages to secure the move.For Rodri, the transfer is more about returning home to Spain rather than securing a bigger role with a bigger payout. PSGs efforts, thus, may well go down in vain as it is not the players preference to move to France at this point in his career.As matters stand, Real Madrid are said to havean agreement in placewith Rodri on personal terms and are looking to conclude talks with Manchester City at the earliest. The player, however, will not join the squad soon as he is expected to undergo surgery.

Barcelona ready to renew the contract of Spanish World Cup star at all costs reportFerran Torres is currently enjoying an extended vacation after helping Spain win the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He is not expected to return to Ciutat Esportiva until August 10.But his future has remained the biggest talking point at Barcelona right now, as clubs look to take advantage of the fact that his contract expires at the end of next season.PSG have been primarily linked with a move for the Spanish international, who recently found himself in the middle of controversy after wearing a Make Spain Great Again hat during Spains celebrations in Madrid.Barcelona want to renew FerranAll eyes on Ferrans future. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona continue to count on Ferran and remain determined to hand him a new contract, despite the noise surrounding his future.The club still regard the 26-year-old as an important asset, and are willing to push ahead with a renewal even if it means paying the 8 million owed to Manchester City, as stipulated in the January 2022 transfer agreement.The plan is to get the deal done in September, once the summer transfer window has closed, for financial fair play reasons. Barcelona insist they have received no indication from anyone, neither the player, his representatives, nor PSG, that a departure is being considered.Will Ferran remain at Barcelona? (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)What is the exit strategy?Barcelonas stance is clear: if Ferran wants to leave this summer, the onus is on him to say so.The club will not push him towards the exit, and unless the player himself comes forward to request a move, their intention is simply to proceed with the renewal as planned. In other words, the ball is firmly in Ferrans court.For now, the forward remains on holiday following the best week of his career, and no formal talks over his future are expected until his return.A pivotal figure for BarcelonaIt is easy to see why Barcelona are so keen to keep him. Ferran has scored 65 goals in 207 appearances for the club, with last season proving his most productive yet in a Blaugrana shirt.The Valencian netted 21 goals in 49 matches, improving on his 19 from the previous campaign, and was decisive in key moments. A strong World Cup has only given rise to his stock.

Uncrowned has Edgar Berlanga vs. Steven Butler and Richardson Hitchins vs. Ricardo Salas live results, round-by-round updates, ring walks, highlights and start time for the Zuffa Boxing 9 fight card on Sunday night at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Edgar Berlanga faces Steven Butler in the super middleweight headliner, while Richardson Hitchins clashes with Ricardo Salas in the welterweight co-main event.Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) hasn't fought since being knocked out by Hamzah Sheeraz this past July in New York. The Nuyorican's other career defeat was a unanimous decision loss at the hands of Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in September 2024.Butler (38-5-1, 32 KOs) enters the fight riding a four-bout win streak. The Canadian was last in action when he knocked out Ramadan Hiseni in Round 2 this past March.Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs), a former IBF super lightweight champion, is making his welterweight debut on Sunday. Hitchins is coming off a career-best performance in an eighth-round stoppage victory over George Kambosos Jr. in June 2025.Salas (24-2, 18 KOs) is ranked in the top 15 of two of boxing's major governing bodies. The Mexican who enters the fight riding a five-year, 10-bout unbeaten streak is coming off a career-best win over Jesus Saracho this past March in Las Vegas.The Zuffa Boxing 9 prelims begin at 5 p.m. ET on Paramount+. The main card starts at 8 p.m. ET on Paramount+, with main event ring walks expected around 10 p.m. ET.Follow all of the action with Uncrowned's live results and play-by-play of the main card below.Main card (8 p.m. ET, Paramount+)Super middleweight: Edgar Berlanga vs. Steven ButlerWelterweight: Richardson Hitchins vs. Ricardo Adan Salas RodriguezMiddleweight: Jalil Hackett vs. Sergiy DerevyanchenkoPrelims (5 p.m. ET, Paramount+)Heavyweight: Otto Wallin vs. Vladyslav SirenkoWelterweight: Emiliano Moreno vs. Arnold GonzalezHeavyweight: Kashaun Davis vs. Mihai NistorFeatherweight: Troy Nash vs. Ethan PerezSuper featherweight: Dominique Francis vs. Andres Sosa

New Liverpool signing shares his first impressions after 60m moveJeremy Jacquet Settles at Liverpool as Jeremie Frimpong Makes Immediate ImpactJeremy Jacquet has only just arrived, but the early signs are clear. The new Liverpool defender is settling in quickly, learning the group, and doing what any sensible 21-year-old should do in a new dressing room, talk, listen and adapt.The France youth international completed his move from Rennes at the start of July after the deal had been agreed five months earlier. He is now with Andoni Iraolas squad in the United States for pre-season, and he could feature against Sunderland in Nashville.That matters, because first impressions at a club like Liverpool count. Pre-season is not only about fitness and tactics. It is about understanding personalities, habits and standards. Jacquet appears to have grasped that straight away.Jeremy Jacquet finding his placeAsked about life in the squad, Jacquet was direct. Im trying to take the time to get to know everyone, but I spend a lot of time talking with Trey [Nyoni] and Leo [Giovanni Leoni], I often chat to Hugo [Ekitike] too of course.Other than these guys, I chat to everyone a lot with Jeremie [Frimpong] too, whos off his head, by the way!Photo: IMAGOThat line will stick, because dressing rooms are built on details like that. Frimpong clearly has energy, personality and presence. None of this guarantees a successful season, of course, but chemistry matters, especially for defenders expected to work in tandem under pressure.Jeremie Frimpong role looks importantFrimpong is likely to have a major role early in the campaign. With Conor Bradley still recovering from a serious knee injury, Liverpool will need reliability at right-back. Iraola will want intensity, width and consistency from that side, and Frimpong has been brought in to provide exactly that.That puts Jacquet in an interesting position. If he earns minutes quickly, there is every chance he will share the same defensive unit as Frimpong. In pre-season, those partnerships begin before the stakes rise.Liverpool have seen talented young players arrive before and need time to adjust. New country, new language, new expectations, it can all drag on a player. Jacquet does not sound overawed. He sounds engaged, comfortable and self-assured.Andoni Iraola wants quick adaptationIraola will demand organisation and clarity from his back line. That means Jacquets adaptation has to be sharp. There is no point dressing it up. Liverpool need defenders who can absorb information quickly and execute it without fuss.So far, Jacquet seems to be doing the simple things well. He is integrating, building relationships and showing enough personality to hold his own. That is how a young centre-back gives himself a chance.If the bond with Frimpong carries from the training ground to the pitch, Liverpool may have the beginnings of a useful partnership. For now, that is all it is, a beginning. But it is a decent one.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 26: Errol Spence Jr of The United States and Tim Tszyu of Australia compete during the Middleweight bout between Errol Spence Jr and Tim Tszyuat Afterpay Arena on July 26, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesErrol Spence Jr. made his return to the boxing ring last night (Sat., July 25, 2026) after a three-year absence to square off against Tim Tszyu in a 12-round fight in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The last time we saw Spence Jr., he was suffering his first and only defeat up to this point against none other than Terence Crawford via ninth-round TKO in July 2023 (relive it here). After years on the sideline he wanted to return to prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. Unfortunately for The Truth, the ring rust was apparent.Spence Jr. did have some success with his jab and movement, but he looked hesitant compared with the relentless version we had seen early on in his career, especially during his welterweight title reign. Tszyu, meanwhile, pressed forward behind a high volume attack and rocked Spence Jr. early on. Tszyus pressure became the ultimate factor in the fight as consistently backed Spence Jr. up, landed the heavier shots including several body punches that slowed the former champion down. Tszyu closed the show strongly, continuing to outwork and outland Spence Jr. Rather than chasing a knockout which he probably could have had if he pressed late he boxed intelligently, controlled the pace, and cruised to a convincing unanimous decision victory, improving his record to 28-3.During his post-fight speech, Spence Jr. revealed that he would be retiring from the fight game after suffering his second straight defeat in order to spend his free time with his family. The Truth leaves the boxing game with a 28-2 record, once holding the WBA (Super), WBC, and IBF welterweight titles. Check out some of the highlights below: .@ErrolSpenceJr walks out to music celebrating the indigenous people of Australia, whom he's embraced during his time in Sydney. Order #SpenceTszyu now: https://t.co/dAHjP8kXP8pic.twitter.com/8jCFpLaZn3 Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 26, 2026.@Tim_Tszyu lands a big right hand. @ErrolSpenceJr responds with a big left. Which one was more impactful? #SpenceTszyupic.twitter.com/l13s4bOFVm Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 26, 2026.@ErrolSpenceJr left hand strikes with accuracy in RD2. #SpenceTszyupic.twitter.com/Fijyk7VvWK Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 26, 2026You can hear the support for @Tim_Tszyu every time he lands a punch. #SpenceTszyupic.twitter.com/pDhW7jVtHv Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 26, 2026Pressure. Timing. We're seeing it all this fight. #SpenceTszyupic.twitter.com/wsA4sbL5VL Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 26, 2026.@Tim_Tszyu finding a hole and capitalizing with his hand in RD9. #SpenceTszyupic.twitter.com/pOhXBFdtdV Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 26, 2026.@ErrolSpenceJr finds his distance and lands the left. #SpenceTszyupic.twitter.com/SI6YeF0aC1 Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 26, 2026#SpenceTszyu trade punches but @Tim_Tszyu lands the more impactful, eye-catching punches in RD11. Who do you have up going into the final round? pic.twitter.com/LoCwVgnxr2 Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 26, 2026After three years out of the ring, we get 12RDs of @ErrolSpenceJr and @TimYTszyu. #SpenceTszyupic.twitter.com/HcNVgcs0Fa Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) July 26, 2026For more boxing news and notes click here.

Sarah Heaney says about 70% of her students are female [BBC]Sarah Harney was in her 30s and a mother of five when she decided to give taekwando a try.She vowed not to quit until she had progressed to black belt - which is exactly what she did, along with her husband and all but one of her six children.In 2020, the 51-year-old founded Endeavour Taekwondo in Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, which has reached 200 members.About 70% of the students at Sarah's studio are female, and she says feels proud to be providing a safe space for women and girls who want to give the martial art a go.Sarah told the BBC the idea to launch Endeavour came after she began to learn taekwondo alongside her young children but had bad experiences at other clubs.She teaches multiple classes alongside two of her sons and tailors the sessions to her students.For her majority female classes, she focuses more on kicks instead of moves that use more upper body strength and power.Psychology lessonsAt clubs she has previously attended, Sarah said she felt periods were seen as "embarrassing," and "taboo," but at her club, she said the women and girls "support each other"."A girl came in one day, she was on her first period, it was a really stressful time for her," she said."We just hit things and ordered ice cream, that's the beauty of girl groups."If it's going to be one of those days, we just kind of put the word out there and come in black[uniforms] instead."Here, we have a safe space for us to train in, where we don't feel like we're competing with men, where we don't have to perform to somebody else's standards."Sarah says she also teaches lessons based around psychology, self-help measures and self defence."[Some clubs] don't look out for their members, which is really sad," she said. Aidan Heaney, Sarah's son and fellow instructor, said: "It is a male-dominated field. That sort of discourages a lot of women from joining because they feel they will be excluded."[Endeavour] has lots of wonderful high-ranking women. I think that helps, they feel safe seeing someone like them doing it."Two of Sarah's students have won world titles and the club picked up 11 medals at a competition in Germany in May.Kirsty Harrison, from Mansfield, said attending the club made her feel like she was "part of an extra family.""We can truly be ourselves, no awkwardness or feeling like you just aren't good enough," said the 39-year-old."I love that we have a large group of ladies who attend because it lets us train together in a safe place."The club goes that extra mile to make women feel comfortable and safe within."I honestly did not think I would get very far with it yet here we are, I've just achieved my first black belt last December."Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on Sounds and follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. More on this story Ex-Stoke City player, 76, in taekwondo title bid Olympian Jones using ADHD diagnosis to box clever

Romano: Roma-Bologna talks for Castro at final stages, deal to be completed in next hoursRoma is rapidly closing in on Santiago Castro. A basic agreement worth 30 million plus bonuses has been reached, and the details of the deal are being worked on. According to Fabrizio Romano in his latest video, Roma is rapidly closing in on Santiago Castro, Bolognas 2004-born striker. The Argentine has already said yes to the Giallorossi, who are offering a contract worth around 2 million per season. The turning point in the deal is due to the difficulty in securing Nicol Tresoldi, for whom Club Brugge is demanding a very high fee.The basic deal is worth 30 million plus 5 million in bonuses. Details are still being discussed and ironed out, but Roma want to act quickly so the player can join the squad when they leave for Wales. The deal could also include Dovbykthe latters deal could be unrelatedor Robinio Vaz on loan.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JULY 25: Kieran Morrison #68 of Liverpool dribbles the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at GEODIS Park on July 25, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty ImagesLiverpools preparation for the upcoming Premier League season began in earnest today as the club took on Sunderland in their first pre-season match. If youre feeling a bit of whiplash given that were merely one week removed from the World Cup, then youre not alone; Id forgotten that we had a match coming up, myself.Like any pre-season match, the result is probably secondary though, happy days, the Reds won taking a backseat to observations on the state of the club. More importantly, given the changeover from Arne Slot to Andoni Iraola, this is the first real look at how we can expect the team to play this season. On that front, while its early days and the squads were incredibly mixed given many of Liverpools first teamers are still on holiday after participating in the World Cup, theres a lot to be happy about. Theres also the opportunity to see who might join the likes of Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni in terms of making the jump from the academy to the first team.On that front, weve got some take aways from the match.The Kids Are AlrightThis probably tracks for the entire team but its worth noting that there were plenty of performances from the Young Reds to laud on this day. In particular, Kieran Morrison was rather bright coming off of the right-hand side. And while there is something owed to the fact that there were a high number of other academy players in the team, it must be said that he looked more than capable on the ball. Other young players that acquitted themselves on the day were Trey Nyoni and James McConnell. Probably cheating because both players have more or less graduated to the first team, but they looked great. Lastly, Josh Abe looked really good. I know Koumas got a goal but the young winger showed pace, inventiveness, and strength on the ball. I know folks watching the academy rated him but I hadnt had a chance to watch his matches. What I saw today has me excited to see more.Dominik Szoboszlai Can Really Hit ItThe equalizer came from a moment of pure brilliance as Szobo rocketed a ball on the half volley (after controlling it with his chest). Honestly, that goal was worth the price of admission itself. Given that it came after what looked like a scoring opportunity that had been frittered away made it feel that much sweeter.Liverpools Playing Style Looks CogentWhat I mean by that is that while it wasnt all pretty (more on that in a moment), it eventually was clear how Liverpool planned to pull the Sunderland defense apart and find space. Which, when you consider that slow rotation of the ball last year, feels like a breath of fresh air. I cant tell you how often I would watch us hold the ball at about the 30 yard line and look more or less confused as to how the patterns would create space. Not saying this was a dominant performance by any means, but its nice to feel like the instruction and execution seem to match.Playing Out of the Back Was a RollercoasterPerhaps the only real negative mark I can give is that Sunderlands press seemed to get the backline into trouble a few times. Mostly taking place in the first half, so potentially something Iraola noticed, it was a bit nervy for me as an observer. That being said, it feels important to note that the play itself didnt quite feel panicked, which means the team on the pitch felt like it had an understanding of what they were seeing and trying to solve the problem in real time. But the result was a bit sketchy in terms of decision making. Itll certainly be something that the club will want to sort before the new season.All told, its great to have club football to talk about. Lots of positives, generally, but still a lot of uncertainty given the number of folks still not involved due to extended holidays. Itll be interesting to see how Iraola looks to fold in the likes of Florian Wirtz, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and new signing, Victor Munoz. Itll also be interesting to see if Nyoni who I am absolutely enjoying as a 6 for the team can finally challenge for more minutes this season. Bring on the new year!

Not every college football program has to deal with a brutal gauntlet of nasty games. Some have lighter conference seasons, others avoid road games for long stretches, and many miss most of the top teams altogether.These are the 26 easiest schedules going into the 2026 college football season.If the season doesn't work out for these teams, they won't be able to blame the schedule.26 for '26, No. 18: The 26 Easiest College Football Schedules for 2026Oct 4, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; FIU Panthers running back Anthony Carrie (6) runs the ball against the UConn Huskies in the second quarter at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field.Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn ImagesNo, you won't see Ohio State or Alabama or Miami - the Florida version - on here. An easy schedule is relative to your conference. If you play in the Sun Belt, or Conference USA, or the MAC, your league schedule will be full of teams who rank among the lowest in our CFN Preview 2026 Preseason Rankings.How We Ranked the Easiest College Football SchedulesEvery opponent is assigned points based on our preseason rankings - face the No. 40 team, bank 40 points. Road games, though, are half the value, so over the course of a 12-game regular season, the teams with the lightest loads will have the highest point totals.26 Key Questions for the 2026 Season26: Winningest Programs Yet To Make the CFP25: ACC Key Questions24: Big 12 Key Questions23: Big Ten Key Questions22: Top 2027 NFL Draft Prospects21: SEC Key Questions20: What's Next in Realignment?19. Ranking all 30 New Head CoachesCFN Preview 2026: All 138 Team Previews26. Missouri StateThe Conference USA teams aren't amazing, and Missouri State gets some of the projected worst teams in the country coming to Springfield.The Bears should roll through their home games against Lindenwood, Sam Houston, and New Mexico State.Just two road games in a row - SMU and Western Kentucky - and they're split by a week off.Close with two home games in the final three weeks.Missouri State Football Preview 202625. DelawareThe Blue Hens are just ahead of Missouri State for the easiest schedule because they get the Bears at home, and it helps to start out against Merrimack from the FCS.There's a week off before a second half run of three road games in the last four.There are just two road games - Vanderbilt and Virginia - before mid-October.Three good Conference USA teams - FIU, Liberty, and Jacksonville State - are at home.Delaware Football Preview 202624. Miami UniversityIt's a good enough RedHawk team to be deep in the mix for the MAC Championship, and it has the schedule to help.The two road games against Kent State and Western Michigan close out the regular season, but ...There are just two road games between September 26 and November 10.Getting UConn as a non-conference game is tough, but it's at home.Miami University Football Preview 202623. South AlabamaThere's a lot to love about the South Alabama season, but it's not higher here, technically, because so many of the mid-level Sun Belt teams are home games - that's not a bad deal.There aren't road dates in back-to-back weeks.Missing James Madison, Old Dominion, and Coastal Carolina is huge.Going to Kentucky and Tulane are tough early, but SE Louisiana, Ohio, and ULM are the first three home games - USA can win them all.South Alabama Football Preview 202622. Coastal CarolinaThe reboot of the Chanticleers starts tough (at West Virginia) and ends tough (at Louisiana, at James Madison), but everything in between is more than manageable.From September 12th until November 14th, there are just three road games spread out over a ten-week span.A trip to Marshall is the only road game in a five-week run.Fordham, at Delaware, Liberty - those aren't bad non-conference games after starting at West Virginia.Coastal Carolina Football Preview 202621. Eastern MichiganThe Eagles have to go to Michigan State and Wisconsin in back-to-back weeks, but it's an interesting schedule with enough good pockets to put together something nice.Sacramento State has to start life as an FBS school in Ypsilanti. EMU begins the season with the Hornets and San Jose State - two teams taking long trips.There are just two road games after October 10th, and Ohio is the only time the team leaves Michigan.The two MAC road games at Akron and UMass are about as easy as possible.Eastern Michigan Football Preview 202620. USFThe new era of USF football under Brian Hartline couldn't be nicer, with the easiest slate in the American Conference.FIU, Delaware State, at Bowling Green, Kent State - that's the non-conference run. No Power Four games.The team leaves Florida once - at East Carolina - from October 8th to the finish.Getting Tulane and Memphis in Tampa is a huge help.USF Football Preview 202619. ULMTwo road games at Mississippi State and UAB get two of them out of the way right out of the gate, and then it's all good from then on.And having to go to UAB isn't that bad. There aren't two road games in a row the rest of the way after Week 2.At South Alabama on October 3rd is the only road trip in an early five-week span.Getting Louisiana and Louisiana Tech at home are big for the rivalry aspect.ULM Football Preview 202618. LouisianaThe Ragin' Cajuns get a paycheck game at USC, but other than that, they start the season with a relative breeze.Louisiana doesn't have to deal with James Madison or Old Dominion from the Sun Belt East.Lamar, UAB, at Charlotte, Arkansas State - those are part of the first five games, along with at USC.The team leaves Louisiana just once from October 3rd to the season finale at Georgia State.Louisiana Football Preview 202617. Sam HoustonThe Bearkats come into the season as one of the teams that need the most work. The schedule should help, outside of the date at Texas Tech.Back-to-back road games against Missouri State and Jacksonville State hurts, but that's it in a six-week run.Getting Kennesaw State and Western Kentucky at home helps.At Troy, Tulsa, and Nicholls is about as nice as possible to get a season going.Sam Houston Football Preview 202616. James MadisonThe run of six road games in nine weeks isn't easy, but after the Sun Belt opener against Old Dominion, the Dukes should rip through the rest of the conference schedule.Liberty and Wagner open the season, and a week off, and Coastal Carolina close it.There shouldn't be any problem with the four Sun Belt home games.Getting two extra days off before going to UConn helps.James Madison Football Preview 202615. Bowling GreenBowling Green has to get past the first half of the schedule, and then it should have a whole lot of fun. What's keeping this from being even higher? Two Power Four road games at Nebraska and Iowa State.Tarleton State is a good way to open things up. That should be a win before the tough four-game slate of at Nebraska, at Iowa State, USF, at Miami University, and then ....Sacramento State and Ball State. There are just three more road games the rest of the way.The Falcons only leave Ohio twice after September 19th.Bowling Green Football Preview 202614. Arkansas StateIt helps to miss a slew of the top Sun Belt teams, and it's made easier with the trip to TCU as the only Power Four game.Not playing James Madison, Old Dominion, and Georgia Southern helps.There's just one road game from October 8th to November 14th.The week off comes at a wonderful time - Halloween - before the finishing kick.Arkansas State Football Preview 202613. App StateLooking to turn into a player in the Sun Belt again, App State has the schedule to do it with winnable conference home games helped by a few likely non-conference wins.The Sun Belt showdowns with James Madison and Old Dominion are at home.The Mountaineers don't leave North Carolina until the middle of October.Home games against Maine and Charlotte help ease the way into the season.App State Football Preview 202612. Kennesaw StateThe Owls should like their conference season with four road games over the final nine weeks, and there's a chance to build up a few wins before going to Tennessee and Arkansas State.West Georgia and Georgia State are one of the easiest two-game season starts in all of college football.Liberty, Jacksonville State, and Delaware are three of the toughest CUSA teams - they're all at home.A week off on October 3rd before the Conference USA season starts is a bit early, but the team should be rested for the Sun Belt title rematch with Jacksonville State.Kennesaw State Football Preview 202611. TroyThe schedule has tough road dates - like at James Madison and Missouri - but the home games need to all be wins.The Trojans will almost certainly be favored in six home games.Opening up with Sam Houston and Alabama State at home eases the team into the season.There are a few extra days off late in the season between the trip to James Madison and the home date with Louisiana Tech.Troy Football Preview 202610. Sacramento StateIn its first season at the FBS level, Sacramento State was given several breaks to help ease the travel concerns a bit.There aren't any games against Power Four teams.The travel to Sacramento will be long for most programs, especially Hawaii, Mississippi Valley State, and UMass.After October 24th, the Hornets have just one more road trip - Central Michigan - in the final five weeks.Sacramento State Football Preview 20269. Middle TennesseeAfter a few tough seasons, Middle Tennessee has to bounce back with a schedule to roll through and get to a bowl game again.Kansas is the only Power Four game, at Marshall isn't an awful non-conference date, and Nevada has to come to Johnny Red Floyd Stadium.The CUSA opener is at Jacksonville State, and then there's the trip to Kansas. After that, there are just two road games in the next seven weeks.Delaware, Kennesaw State, and Western Kentucky are good, but those are all home games.Middle Tennessee Football Preview 20268. BuffaloThere's a lot to like about a schedule with plenty of early home games, but three of the last four games are on the road.Yes, November has three road games in the final four dates, but there's a week off before, and an extra day to rest between trips to Miami University and Ball State.Two FCS games against Albany and Robert Morris help ease the Bulls into the season.The Bulls are at home for every game but one from September 26th to November 3rd.Buffalo Football Preview 20267. MarshallIt's a rebuilding year, and the Herd could use the schedule break. Everything eases up fast after starting the year at Penn State.Back-to-back road games against Old Dominion and Georgia Southern are tough, but that's it for road games for two months.Missouri State and ULM are winnable away dates.The three-week midseason stretch without a road date is a massive break.Marshall Football Preview 20266. OhioOverall, it's technically one of college football's easiest schedules, but that's partly because of all the easy-looking home games.Three road games in four dates are broken up by a week off.MAC road dates against Kent State, Sacramento State, and Akron more than make up for the trip to Miami University.Ohio doesn't leave Ohio after October 17th.Ohio Football Preview 20265. ToledoThe Rockets have a funky non-conference slate, but two of the interesting games are at home. The MAC schedule is the type you win titles with.The opener at Michigan State is on the road, but good Temple and San Diego State games are at home.Getting Western Michigan at home is a huge break.Six of the eight MAC games are against teams that didn't go bowling last year.Toledo Football Preview 20264. Jacksonville StateOne of the best teams in Conference USA catches several breaks to make a push to get back to the championship game.There aren't any games against Power Four programs - but the trip to North Dakota State won't be easy.There aren't two road games in a row all season.Not having to play a good-looking Liberty team in CUSA play is a huge break.Jacksonville State Football Preview 20263. UMassThe Minutemen continue to try breaking through, and they have just the schedule to potentially do it.Not playing Western Michigan, Ohio, and Central Michigan in the MAC helps.Two games against FCS teams - Sacred Heart and Stonehill - are both at home.There's just one road game after September 3 to October 17.UMass Football Preview 20262. FIUFIU has the second-easiest schedule in college football, but the road games against Jacksonville State, Liberty, Delaware State, and Kennesaw State are challenging.All the home games against the projected worst CUSA teams make the slate rank among the lightest.There aren't any games against Power Four programs.The Panthers don't leave Florida until October 13.FIU Football Preview 20261. LibertyThe Flames not only get to face all the mediocre Conference USA teams, but they miss one of the stars, Jacksonville State. This is a slate for a big bounce-back season.Missing Jacksonville State makes the already not bad conference slate easier.Going to James Madison won't be easy, but there aren't any Power Four games on the slate.There aren't two conference road games in a row.Liberty Football Preview 2026Related: Hardest College Football Schedules for 2026

Jonathan Chin found weightlifting accidentally after a running injury [Team England]An NHS doctor is trading his stethoscope for a weightlifting belt to compete in his first Commonwealth Games.Jonathan Chin, from Chapel Brampton, Northampton, will be competing in the 71kg category at 9:00 BST on Monday.The 32-year-old works between 50 and 70 hours a week in Nottingham, training with whatever time he has left.He said: "I chose to be a doctor and I chose to be a weightlifter, so I knew I had to be resilient.""There are days when I just don't want to train, and obviously, like most people, I just don't want to go to work," he said."But being really, really disciplined and knowing I made these choices, I want to be here. I've got really, really great opportunities ahead of me."Chin is accustomed to having his hands full. In 2023, he flew to India to win a major medal just days after his university exams finished.He told BBC Radio Northampton presenter Annabel Amos that he weighed 71.5kg (158lbs), and had to lose another 500g (1lb).Chin did a student placement at the University of Bristol [University of Bristol]Chin explained that he stumbled across the sport accidentally."I used to be a sprinter and a long jumper. Got injured doing that. Went to a gym near me to rehab my injuries and it just happened to be that, in the back of that gym, they had a weightlifting area. "[I] made really good friends with some of those weightlifters, tried out weightlifting and realised I was much better at weightlifting than I was sprinting. So, I made that transition." Related to this story Commonwealth Games daily scheduleCommonwealth Games medal table and resultsWhat are the Commonwealth Games?