While Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and the trio of players he took with him to Big Ten media days had their day in front of the media on Wednesday, Thursday was new Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham's turn. You knew it was coming, and that's exactly what happened when Whittingham was asked about what he's learned about the rivalry with Ohio State and how he's going to approach it.For his part, Whittingham seems ready to lower the temperature a bit and was nothing more than respectful and matter-of-fact about the rivalry with the Buckeyes being a huge one, but one taken into perspective."I haven't learned much more than what I already knew. I mean, it's a national game; everybody knows about it. It's "The Game" as we call it, and it's of great importance, obviously, to both sides," Whittingham said. "But I'm an old-school coach; we've got 11 games we play before that, so we're not going to get ahead of ourselves. But make no mistake, I understand the implications that it has."And it's true it's not like Whittingham is coming into arguably the greatest rivalry in sports blindly. After all, he is good friends with Urban Meyer, former Ohio State head coach who went 7-0 against the maize and blue. Whittingham pointed to his affiliation with Meyer and how it helped him understand more about the massive, annual tilt. "A friend of mine, Urban Meyer, he was at the other place for a few years, and we'd talk about the game over the course of that time span, so very well-versed in what it means and the intensity of it, the national allure that it has, and our players are the same," Whittingham continued. "Everybody knows that that game is looming out there, and I think the best-case scenario is it comes down to that game and it's for all the marbles in the Big Ten. I think that would be ideal, so hopefully that happens."Kyle Whittingham hopes Michigan's regular-season finale against Ohio State has the Big Ten on the line pic.twitter.com/U9NpbzR6FL Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 30, 2026The beginning of Whittingham's tenure will usher in a new era of The Game between Ohio State and Michigan, and one can only hope that it's still at the fever pitch it has been, but with a more respectable tone than the last few years. It pains me to say it a little, but with Whittingham there and the human being he appears to be, I think that will be the case. It's still going to be one whale of a rivalry, though, and it's going to be a lot of fun, and yes, still heated.Contact/Follow us@BuckeyesWireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. FollowPhil Harrison on X.This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham on learning about Ohio State rivalry

The first few days of training camp haven't exactly gotten off to a great start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.First of all, defensive tackle Vita Vea announced he wants to be traded, and now, quarterback Baker Mayfield feels like the team is disrespecting him.Mayfield is in the middle of negotiating a new contract, and he is not happy with their latest offer. I wanted a deal done, and set the deadline, and told them it was going to be all ball after that.And I did mean that, Mayfield said. And I dont know if they thought I was just going to take some of the offers that they gave. But Im at the point of my career and understanding what I brought to this franchise one, Im very, very grateful for the chance they gave me, do not get me wrong on that. But I also really know what Ive brought to this franchise leadership-wise and even play-wise. Its been some of the best years of my career. And I think its only going to trend upwards. Just feeling comfortable in feeling that."So, disappointing in that regard to not haveto feel disrespected a little bit. And thats really the disappointing part, to feel undervalued after thinking youve earned it," he added. This is not a poor me thing, Mayfield said. Theres a lot of other people who have it way worse off. But I can sit here and look at other quarterbacks and peers, and evaluate myself based on that and put myself in certain categories that, I deserve to be compensated for that. I think Im a franchise quarterback. Ive been told Im a franchise quarterback. Its been said publicly from ownership down, here. So to not have a deal done is very disappointing."Mayfield says despite that, his still behind his teammates and intends to play this season as negotiations continue."Its all team. Its all about winning here now and what were going to do.This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Baker Mayfield says he is a franchise quarterback

Subscribe to Yahoo Fantasy ForecastApple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeAs fantasy draft season heats up, the Yahoo Fantasy staff completed its latest 15-round, 12-team, half-PPR, 1QB mock draft. Matt Harmon and Justin Boone go round by round, breaking down the best picks, biggest reaches and most interesting values from the Yahoo fantasy staff mock draft 2.0.(3:10) Fantasy Fallout: Ricky Pearsall injury update(11:30) Fantasy Fallout: Panthers rookie WR out for season(15:45) Round 1 takeaways: James Cook selected 1.07(21:30) Round 2 takeaways: Stacked, you can't go wrong(29:25) Round 3 takeaways: Rashee Rice & Josh Jacobs upside picks(39:00) Round 4 takeaways: RB picks getting riskier(44:10) Round 5 takeaways: Great WR value(51:30) Round 6 takeaways: RB talent starts to thin out(1:00:40) Round 7 takeaways: No more Jonathon Brooks discount(1:08:50) Round 8 takeaways: WR and QB value(1:15:45) Round 9 takeaways: Intriguing backup RBs(1:20:00) Round 10 takeaways: Late-round QB strategy pays off(1:24:50) Rounds 11-15 takeawaysAs fantasy draft season heats up, the Yahoo Fantasy staff completed its latest 15-round, 12-team, half-PPR, 1QB mock draft. Matt Harmon and Justin Boone go round by round, breaking down the best picks, biggest reaches and most interesting values from the Yahoo fantasy staff mock draft 2.0.Jason Jung Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out all episodes of the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

For years, Kyle Larson openly talked about eventually stepping away from NASCAR to pursue a full-time Sprint Car schedule.Today, that isnt the plan anymore.Instead, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion says the biggest influence on whatever comes next wont be another racing series at all. Itll be his family.Speaking to Motorsport.com ahead of next weekends Iowa Speedway race, Larson explained that his thinking has shifted dramatically since he first floated the idea of leaving NASCAR before turning 40 to chase another championship.Kyle Larson says his children will shape whats nextKyle Larson with children Owen Larson, Audrey Larson and Cooper Larson Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesLarson admitted that reaching age 40 remains an important checkpoint in his career, but not necessarily because he expects to retire.I started saying this last year, but 40 is my next milestone, Larson said. I want to get there and then evaluate if I want to keep going or be done. It all depends on where my kids are in their lives and interests.That marks a notable change from the vision Larson shared several years ago, when he hoped to devote himself to Sprint Car racing after his NASCAR career.Since then, Larson has built one of the most accomplished rsums in motorsports. Along with winning two Cup Series championships, he has continued racing dirt events while collecting victories in marquee races including the Knoxville Nationals, Kings Royal and Chili Bowl.With those accomplishments already on his rsum, Larson no longer feels the same urgency to pursue a full-time Sprint Car championship.The dream has changedLarson said he believes hes already achieved much of what he wanted outside NASCAR.As far as competing for a Sprint Car championship, I would say right now in 2026, that I have changed my mind on that, Larson said. I feel like I have accomplished a lot since I made those comments.He continued:I just dont know what a championship would add to my career so Im just not into the idea now. And like I said, I think my kids are going to be busy doing their own racing by that time, so do I really want to commit to an 80-to-90 race schedule?Larson laughed before adding: Thats way busier than I am now.His oldest son, Owen, is already competing in youth racing, while daughter Audrey has also begun racing. Youngest son Cooper is approaching the age where he could soon follow the same path.Rather than planning his own next chapter around another demanding racing schedule, Larson indicated hell likely spend those years supporting theirs.For one of NASCARs busiest drivers, the future no longer appears centered on squeezing more races into his calendar. Instead, it may revolve around standing on the other side of the pit wall as a father watching his own children chase racing dreams.

A newly restored Detroit Golf Club posed few problems for players on Thursday

Jeff and Cristina Ulbrich pictured before a game in 2024, while Jeff was the interim head coach of the New York Jets. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Elsa via Getty ImagesCristina Ulbrich, the wife of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, has died after a battle with cancer. The Falcons announced the news in a statement on Thursday.The Atlanta Falcons are heartbroken by the passing of Cristian Ulbrich, beloved wife of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, after her courageous battle with cancer, the statement read. Cristina was a devoted wife, mother, and friend whose strength, grace and resilience touched all who knew her. She was a constant source of love and support to Jeff, their family, and the broader Falcons community.A statement on the passing of Cristina Ulbrich, beloved wife of Jeff Ulbrich pic.twitter.com/vZiNl0AKoe Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) July 30, 2026The team did not say whether Ulbrich would be taking time off from the team, but asked for the Ulbrich familys privacy to be respected as they grieve this profound loss.The Ulbrichs have three children together, per the Falcons website: a daughter, Samantha, and two sons, Jax and Jace.Jeff Ulbrich joined Atlanta as their defensive coordinator ahead of last season, after spending five years in the Falcons defensive staff earlier in his coaching career. Prior to returning to Atlanta, Ulbrich coached four seasons with the New York Jets, including as their interim head coach to end the 2024 season.

The NFL's top shutdown corner was once an Oregon Duck, and it will be tough to put up video game numbers against him, both in real life and in the upcoming edition of the Madden NFL video game series.New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez received a 98 overall rating in the upcoming Madden NFL 27 video game, making him the highest-rated cornerback in the game. He is rated one spot higher than Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain III, who was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2024.Although Gonzalez didn't intercept a pass in the regular season last year, he still managed to rack up 69 tackles and 10 pass deflections in 14 games with the Patriots. He did record an interception in the AFC Championship against the Broncos, helping New England reach the Super Bowl. Gonzalez also received his first Pro Bowl nod.Gonzalez has routinely followed the opponent's top receiver in his first three seasons in the NFL, shouldering a lot of responsibility for the Patriots' defensive success. After missing most of his rookie season with an injury, Gonzalez earned All-Pro second-team honors in 2024.0 Christian Gonzalez is CB1. Your Top 10 Cornerbacks in #Madden27 pic.twitter.com/CaoldNuBdL Madden NFL 27 (@EAMaddenNFL) July 30, 2026The Ducks only had Gonzalez for one season after he transferred from Colorado, but he left a big impact on the program. Gonzalez was an All-Pac-12 first-team selection in 2022 after tallying 50 tackles, 11 pass deflections and four interceptions. That led to Gonzalez being selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Patriots, No. 17 overall. He was the first Oregon defensive back to be selected in the first round since Alex Molden went No. 11 overall to the New Orleans Saints in 1996.Now, entering his fourth season with the Patriots, Gonzalez is hunting a new contract with the team. The Patriots are prepared to make the former Duck the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history, but the clock is ticking with training camp underway, and the goal is to get a deal done before the start of the regular season.For now, Gonzalez is the top corner in Madden NFL 27, shutting down wideouts in the video game and on the field in training camp.Contact/Follow@Ducks_Wireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Ex-Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez rated top corner in Madden NFL 27

CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 16: Cal Adomitis #48 of the Cincinnati Bengals warms up prior to a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at Paycor Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesSports Illustrateds Bill Huber is reporting that the Green Bay Packers will be signing long snapper Cal Adomitis and also confirmed a report that the team has signed receiver Kaden Prather on Thursday. The Packers roster was full on Thursday, so general manager Brian Gutekunst now needs to make two corresponding moves just days into training camp. Keep an eye out for those transactions before tomorrows practice.As we mentioned in our story covering the Packers workouts today, the team brought in three long snappers following head coach Matt LaFleurs comments that the team was planning on working out players at the position later on Thursday. On Wednesday, Gutekunst stated that Green Bay doesnt believe that the injury to long snapper Matt Orzech (calf) is going to be a long-term problem, but that the team would search for a short-term stopgap while Orzech heals. In practice on Thursday, the emergency long snapper was center Sean Rhyan, for what thats worth.Cal Adomitis is a LS prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 7.92 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 26 out of 120 LS from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/lZOxJFbmyW#RAShttps://t.co/pyQmDG3fqPpic.twitter.com/D0iCPvHWVq RAS.football (@MathBomb) May 1, 2022It looks like Adomitis, who has previously played in 58 games over the last four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles, beat out John Ferlmann, an undrafted rookie out of Ohio State, and Brent Matiscik, whose brother is a First-Team All-Pro at the position, in their tryouts with the team.Adomitis started for the majority of the 2022 to 2024 seasons for the Bengals, immediately coming out of Pittsburgh, where he was a college All-American. His first start was in Week 2 of 2022, following an injury to the teams then-preferred long snapper Clark Harris. In 2025, he joined the Eagles after roster cutdowns, where he played nine games before being waived by the team in December.10 days after his release from Philadelphia, he landed with his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad and signed a reserve-futures contract with the team after the season. He remained on the offseason roster until June 11th.Here is what our sister site covering the Eagles, Bleeding Green Nation, said about Adomitis release at the time:Adomitis hasnt noticeably struggled with snapping the ball but its fair to point out that Jake Elliott hasnt been kicking at his best in recent weeks.Elliott misses with Adomitis as long snapper: 6Elliott misses with Hughlett as long snapper: 0Im trying to think of the last time the Packers had two veteran long snappers on the team with starting experience and cant remember it happening recently, so this might be a nice change of pace. Maybe Adomitis will push Orzech a little more than Gutekunst led on yesterday.Update:As part of this, they have released kicker Lenny Krieg. He could return when theyre back down to one snapper. https://t.co/RERz1lkZKw Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) July 30, 2026Huber is now reporting that the team will be releasing kicker Lenny Krieg, who was signed earlier this week after a successful tryout. The Packers still need to clear one more roster spot before tomorrow.

After a relatively quiet spring and summer, Matt Rhule kicked off the final day of Big Ten Football Media Days by taking the main stage at 11:30am CST and, as expected, said all the right things. But unlike many other coaches, he spends most of his 15 minutes off script. Let me explain.The way it works is over the three days, the six head coaches of that days teams spend the lunch hour taking their turn at the main podium for 15 minutes each. This is the part televised live on the Big 10 Network. Then after a break, the coaches and three players brought by each team take turns breaking off into 10 or 12 smaller podiums for 30-45 minutes each of additional interviews.The way the big podium works is the head coaches have a firm 15 minutes with the next coach going right up to start his clock when the first is done TV schedules and all. In theory, they are supposed to do an intro and then field some questions from the main floor. What many choose is to filibuster their way through most of their time, thus leaving only enough time for one, maybe two, questions.P.J. Fleck is a prime example with last year taking the cake. In addition to killing off all except a minute or two of his time, last year in Vegas he got a couple minutes in and just started, well, yelling. Diplomatically, I guess I could call it strongly emphasizing every point, but whatever the description, it was loud. It felt we, the press, were in trouble or something, and I had to work not to smile. But eat most of his time, he did.Rhule, on the other hand, talks for about three minutes and then opens it up for questions. This year, it took several beats for someone to fire off the first one, maybe stunned that someone was done so quickly.Coach didnt disappoint, but still managed to sound more subdued than in seasons past, while still exuding confidence. A 7-6 season which ends with three trouncings may be somewhat responsible, but this was definitely a more businesslike persona and one who understands exactly what is expected of him and that he has not delivered it yet. But he is well aware of what they have to do to take the next step.Here were my biggest takeaways from his session:We didnt come to Nebraska to go seven and six.He said this right out the gate after talking about chipping away at many of the major black marks of the last 11 years or so. Preceding the above quote was, I stood up here a few years ago and said, before we can talk about doing great things, weve got to earn back the respect. And these guys, they kind of erased the narratives. You know, Nebraska cant win a close game. Theyve erased that (Note: 5-2 in one-score games in 25 & I counted Michigan State). Nebraska, theres a bowl drought. Theyve erased that. They went to back-to-back bowl games last year but we know thats not enough.When the questions came, he continued on that tack."We didn't come to Nebraska to go 7-6." Matt Rhule on raising the standard at @HuskerFootball pic.twitter.com/6lRL9tygbP Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) July 30, 2026We have to be better in November. You know, weve gotten off to good starts, but champions are made in those winning moments in the cold, on the road, late in the season. Those are championship moments, and, for us, we have to excel in those.We understand the expectation. Thats why we came to Nebraska.Matt Rhule may not have quoted the record but he is well aware of being a combined 2-10 in November in his first three seasons in Lincoln, with the 28-21 victory over UCLA being the other victory after the aforementioned Wisconsin win to secure bowl eligibility in 24. Fans were thrilled but, really, the 28 points scored on the Bruins before the offense checked out for the night with just under 12 minutes left in the 3rd quarter should have been a red flag as to what lay ahead.In a 5-game losing streak to finish their year the Bruins gave up 56-28-48-48-29. It was brutal stretch for them with Indiana, Huskers, Ohio State, Washington and USC, but still. The Raiola-less offense managed only 10-16-22 in next and final three games with 15 of those 48 points coming in garbage time.If November games are eating at you? Youre not alone.Rhule: We have to be better in November.Champions are made in those winning moments in the cold, on the road, late in the season. Those are championship moments..we have to excel in those. pic.twitter.com/Ag5LoMGvyA Corn Nation (@CornNation) July 30, 2026Yes, they were missing Raiola and, yes, John Butler called out the need for talent and size help on the D-line prior to Penn State before the Blackshirts got throttled for 37-40-44 points down the stretch, but the November record isnt just 2025. The 2026 run of Illinois, Rutgers, Ohio State and Iowa needs to be no worse than 2-2 or the mood will continue to darken.And speaking of quarterbacks:You cant tell people what it is, but you can feel it. And I said, well know within the first five minutes of meeting these guys who our quarterback is. And I remember Anthony got out of the car, watching him shake everybodys hands and the way he carried himself and the way he did things, and I was like, Thats our guy, and hes a great yin to my yang.One thing which became clear was that T.J. Lateef probably wouldnt be the answer in 2026 and to the portal Rhule quickly went. He zeroed in on Notre Dames Kenny Minchey who orally committed then quickly flipped to Kentucky. Anthony Colandrea was then targeted and he quickly agreed to be a Cornhusker.Only time will tell, but currently, its a question of which you prefer the superior athleticism, arm and measurables, but inexperience which come with Minchey? Or the smaller Colandrea, whose has plenty of athleticism as well as 31 career starts?Folks who remember Jeff Sims may fear a similar result from Anthony, who earlier battled turnovers. But all we can do is wait for Big 10 play to see if the former Virginia and UNLV QB can deal with the heat.Rhule loves his calllers How many teams in the country can say they have 3 guys in their QB room who started an FBS game last year?But after seeing Colandrea get out of the car & meet everyone?Thats our guy & hes a great yin to my yang. pic.twitter.com/IYDV1XhIHn Corn Nation (@CornNation) July 30, 2026We understand that we have to take a step this year. Were excited to do that. But I hope you can hear in my voice, I believe we will because of the young men in our program and what theyve done.One thing you can count on from Matt Rhule is unconditional love and belief in his players and you COULD hear it in his voice when he talked about Justin Evans, Luke Lindenmeyer and Andrew Marshall, the three seniors who accompanied him to Chicago. He spoke about how difficult it was to choose which players would come. He emphasized the coast-to-coast build of the roster (the three are from New Jersey, Nebraska and California, respectively). He emphasized how Evans and Lindenmeyer were there before he arrived and stuck with it, and how Marshall chose the Huskers for his final seasons.Some coaches start losing belief when things go south think Scott Frosts body language right out of the gate in 2022 in Dublin and only getting worse until the plug was pulled. Who knows where we land in 2026, but Matt Rhule still speaks of loving to go battle with his boys. It seems like a small thing, but, believe me, it matters.Andrew Marshall picks it off and gives @HuskerFootball the ball back : NBC pic.twitter.com/ON7gonPFI2 Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 2, 2025College football is as great as its ever been.Just throwing this out there, but Coach brought up the narrative that college football is broken and said this in response. And I just happen to agree with it. A book could be written on why this is, but as Coach Rhule said, just a few years into an open portal, NIL and revenue-sharing, the sport is as competitive as its ever been without, say, an Alabama winning the bagman battles and hording talent strangled from leaving and maybe one to three other teams having a chance at winning it all.2024-5 and 2025-6?In the 12-team playoff, of the 24 teams selected in those two years, only four made it both seasons Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana. 16 others only made one appearance each. The 2026 title game? The two teams featured were the Miami Hurricanes whose last NCAA title was won 24 years ago in 2002 (Ugh, and thats the last well speak about THAT) and the Indiana Freakin Hoosiers who had never Yeah, you know the story. Just saying, if parity is what you truly crave, then things are on the right track. And it probably is since this years was the 2nd highest rated championship game since the BCS Era.

A trio of Spartans are reportedly no longer with the football program.Michigan State football released their official preseason roster for the upcoming 2026 campaign earlier this week, which no longer included three players from the spring. According to Emmett Matasovsky of Spartan Shadows, cornerback Dorian Davis, edge rusher Luke DeJager and wide receiver Atticus Carridine are no longer with the football program.All three players were primarily reserves for the Spartans, with only Davis recording game action this past season. Davis had one tackle during the 2025 campaign.It's unclear why the three players are no longer with the program moving forward. But it also doesn't appear to be a notable impact to Michigan State given the lack of previous game action and on-field production experienced by the trio.I have confirmed with a university spokesperson that Dorian Davis, Luke DeJager, and Atticus Carridine are no longer with the program. https://t.co/yN2ESmmhJv Emmett Matasovsky (@E_Matasovsky57) July 29, 2026Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWireon X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Trio of Spartans reportedly no longer with football program