CHICAGO Michigan football's first game in the 2025 season came against New Mexico, a relatively innocuous foe.But former safety Brandyn Hillman didn't see it that way. In fact, after spending all fall hitting people at practice that wore the same colors as he did, the defensive back couldn't wait to knock somebody else around, especially a team that looked like New Mexico, wearing cherry and silver not dissimilar to the scarlet and gray sported by the Wolverines' biggest rival."How I look at it is, they got the same colors as [expletive] Ohio State," he said of switching his mentality from hitting teammates to hitting opponents. "I just play it like that, to be honest."For decades, "The Game" has been the most important week on the schedule in both Ann Arbor and Columbus. After Jim Harbaugh lost the first five matchups to OSU in the rivalry (and then U-M bowed out of the sixth in 2020 after an outbreak of COVID-19 in the locker room), he went into 2021 saying the Wolverines were going to beat Ohio State "or die trying."U-M snapped a decade-long drought that year, which begun a four-year run, featuring two wins in each city. Fans want to hear that a coach is full of vitriol towards the Buckeyes, but when Kyle Whittingham spoke earlier this week at Big Ten Media Days, he didn't exactly play into the fans' emotions and match their energy for their rival."Hate's a strong word," Whittingham said of his feelings toward Ohio State. "But I want to win that game as badly as anybody in Ann Arbor ... Ijust think that a rivalry can be intense and emotional without the hatred factor.I don't think there's a place for that. Personally, I think Ryan Day is a good person. "To sit here and say I hate Ryan Day, I'd be making crap up because that's not true."THE TIME IS NOW: Bryce Underwood key to Michigan success Kyle Whittingham knows itWhittingham was head coach at Utah the past 21 years and on staff for 32 consecutive seasons prior to taking the job in Ann Arbor. His last role before taking over as head coach in Salt Lake City was to serve as defensive coordinator under Urban Meyer.Meyer, of course, went on to win national championships at Florida and Ohio State and went 7-0 against the Wolverines (2012-18) during his time in Columbus. Whittingham joked that Meyer would still be allowed to attend U-M practice before clarifying: "There's one week he can't come."Coming from the state of Utah which features "The Holy War" between Utah and BYU, Whittingham understands the importance of rivalries, but says it must start with respect, something that had seemingly been lost in recent years.Go back to Harbaugh's 2021 victory when he jabbed at Ryan Day and said some people were born on third base and thought they'd "hit a triple." Then there's the 2024 game, when U-M stunned OSU, 13-10, in Columbus, went to plant their flag at midfield and a melee ensued, which resulted in law enforcement pepper spraying people on the field.Whittingham never said the OSU game wouldn't be a priority, he knows it's the biggest game of the year in Ann Arbor, but he's not going to make it the ethos of his program. As he said, he's "old school" and that game will come when it comes."I haven't learned really much more than I already knew," Whittingham said when asked about the rivalry since arriving in Ann Arbor. "It's a national game. Everybody knows about it. It's 'The Game,' as we call it. It's of great importance to both sides, obviously. "But I'm an old-school coach. We've got 11 games that 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."Tony Garciais theWolverinesbeat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at@RealTonyGarcia.This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan's Kyle Whittingham says 'hate's a strong word' for Ohio State

Theres a chance of rain in Chicago this afternoon, so heres the local radar for you to keep handy.Todays roster move: HereFriday notesHEADING FOR THE TOP: A win today will put the Cubs 16 games above .500 for the first time this year. They finished last season 22 above, at 92-70, with a high of 24, last at 88-64. (Courtesy BCBs JohnW53)BACK-TO-BACK: This is the first time of the season that the Cubs will play back-to-back day games on Thursday and Friday. They will do it only once more, Aug. 13-14, at Washington, then at home vs. the Cardinals. They have played a day game on Thursday, then a night game on Friday four times. They won both games of the first three pairs, then lost both of the last, July 9-10, at Baltimore, then at Cincinnati. That is the last time the Cubs dropped back-to-back games. (Courtesy BCBs JohnW53)MISCELLANEOUS TEAM MARKS: The Cubs are 10-2-1 in their last 13 series, but 3-2-1 at home while winning seven straight on the road. They are 27-22 in games against opponents that had a winning record going into the game. They are 13-7 at home. (Courtesy BCBs JohnW53)TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Jon Lesters walkoff bunt capped a Cubs comeback from a 6-0 deficit as they defeated the Mariners 7-6 in 12 innings at Wrigley Field. It happened 10 years ago today, Sunday, July 31, 2016.Cubs lineup: Our afternoon plans at @ofcwrigleyfield.Watch the game live on @WatchMarquee. pic.twitter.com/fLbhbmWAbi Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 31, 2026Yankees lineup:Wrigley Field#RepBXpic.twitter.com/Tus4Ded2pA New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 31, 2026Shta Imanaga, LHP vs. Will Warren, RHPIm just going to keep posting these Shta Imanaga numbers because they continue to amaze me.First nine starts: 2.32 ERA, 0.902 WHIP, only 5 HR in 54.1 inningsNext four starts: 10.80 ERA, 1.523 WHIP, 12 (!) HR in 21.2 inningsNext eight starts: 2.00 ERA, 1.133 WHIP, only 5 HR in 45 inningsSo thats two stretches of ace-like performance and a four-start run that screams DFA candidate.I cant explain that and neither can you.Last year against the Yankees, July 13 at Yankee Stadium, Imanaga threw seven innings and allowed two hits and one run, striking out six. Imanaga is currently on a 13-inning scoreless streak. Lets hope that continues.Will Warren has been a consistent, if unspectacular, starter for the Yankees for the last two seasons. He posted 0.6 bWAR last year and might do the same this year, though his bWAR is currently negative (-0.1).The Phillies hit him pretty hard in his last start, July 26 six runs in three innings. Warren was Imanagas opponent in that July 13, 2025 game at Yankee Stadium, which is his only career start vs. the Cubs. He allowed two runs in 5.1 innings, including a home run by Michael Busch.Here is the weather forecast for the area around Wrigley Field.Todays game is on Marquee Sports Network. Its also on MLB Network (outside the Cubs and Yankees market territories).Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.MLB.com GamedayBaseball-reference.com game previewPlease visit our SB Nation Yankees sitePinstripe Alley. If you do go there to interact with Yankees fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.Youll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads. It will contain every post related to that particular game.The Live! (formerly First Pitch) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats inthis section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.Discuss amongst yourselves.Join the conversation!Sign up for a user accountand get:Fewer adsCreatecommunity postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community postsNew, improved notifications system!

تُعد تعابير الوجه العفوية مثل الابتسامة المشرقة، والضحكات العميقة، وعلامات التركيز أو العبوس، دليلاً حياً على حيوية الإنسان ومشاعره الصادقة. ورغم جمال هذه اللحظات، إلا أنها تترك بمرور الوقت بصماتها الواضحة على شكل خطوط دقيقة وتجاعيد تعبيرية تؤثر تدريجياً على نضارة البشرة وإشراقتها. وفي ظل التطور المتسارع لعوالم الجمال والعناية الشخصية، برزت تقنية حقن البوتوكس في الرياض كواحدة من أبرز الحلول...

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We've already learned who the top players, offenses and defenses are in "Madden NFL 27" this week. Now, it's time to find out the top teams in this year's game. EA Sports unveiled the top 10 teams in "Madden NFL 27" on Friday. The Seattle Seahawks cruised to victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX last season, but was that enough to give them the top spot? The Los Angeles Rams, meanwhile, have acquired multiple All-Pros this offseason after narrowly losing to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. Are they the top team in "Madden NFL 27?" Here are the top 10 teams in "Madden NFL 27." The Seattle Seahawks earned an 84 overall team rating following their historic Super Bowl LX win. The Seahawks were led by quarterback Sam Darnold and Offensive MVP Jaxon Smith-Njigba on offense, and a loaded defense that allowed just 17.2 points per game the fewest in the NFL. Now, the Seahawks look for more success in coach Mike Macdonald's second year at the helm. The Kansas City Chiefs earned an 84 overall rating. Kansas City returns its star quarterback Patrick Mahomes after a torn ACL in 2025, tight end Travis Kelce and have added Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III. While the Chiefs lost safety Trent McDuffie to the Rams, Kansas City retained star defensive tackle Chris Jones ahead of the 2026 season. The Buffalo Bills received an 85 overall team rating on "Madden NFL 27." The Bills made another strong run in the playoffs, but fell short in the AFC divisional round to the Denver Broncos. Now, they enter Year 9 with star quarterback Josh Allen and a new head coach in Joe Brady. The San Francisco 49ers received an 85 overall team rating. After playing their 2025 campaign with one of the most injured rosters in the league, the 49ers return and add stars on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Brock Purdy enters his third year as starting quarterback with rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, and defensive stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner are back from injury this season. Following the New England Patriots' impressive 2025 season, the Patriots received an 86 overall team rating in this year's game. After quarterback Drake Maye's second season as starting quarterback, he was the most efficient signal-caller in the league, finishing with a 72% completion rate. Now, adding wide receiver A.J. Brown and defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones this offseason, the Patriots bring a stacked roster to their 2026 season slate. The Denver Broncos also earned an 86 overall rating. After their playoff run ended in a loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship, the Broncos look to bounce back under a healthy Bo Nix after his injury. Denver brings back stars like running back J.K. Dobbins and linebacker Alex Singleton, and also acquired star receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins. The Baltimore Ravens received an 87 overall team rating. Next to veteran quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Ravens made multiple offseason moves, including drafting first-round wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane and adding new head coach Jesse Minter from the Chargers. With Minter's defensive background and veterans like Roquan Smith and Trey Hendrickson, the Ravens bring talent to both sides of the ball this season. The Detroit Lions received the third-best team rating with an 87 overall in "Madden NFL 27." Detroit finished the 2025 season with an 8-9 record and a second-straight season, missing the playoffs. However, the Lions returned key players on both offense and defense, like running back Jamhyr Gibbs and edge Aidan Hutchinson. The Philadelphia Eagles earned an 88 overall rating in "Madden NFL 27." With rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon and new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion on offense, and star defensive tackle Jalen Carter on defense, the Eagles return and add a star-studded roster for the 2026 season. The Los Angeles Rams earned another top-overall rating in "Madden NFL 27" with their 91 overall team rating. The Rams boast one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, with stars like Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua on offense, and Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie on defense. Los Angeles enters the 2026 season as heavy Super Bowl LXI favorites.

Scarlets finished 14th in the 2025-26 United Rugby Championship [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Scarlets say they intend to remain "at the heart of west Wales" after being plunged into in a battle for survival with Ospreys by Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) plans.Welsh rugby's governing body has given the timeframe for their plans to cut its four professional teams to three by 2028, and confirmed on Wednesday that Cardiff and Dragons will be given licences.That leaves Llanelli-based Scarlets and Swansea-based Ospreys fighting to be the side in the west, unless there is to be a merger."It is our mission, as it has always been, to be at the forefront of a strong, meaningful and sustainable future for rugby in west Wales. Our focus remains unchanged and unhindered," said Scarlets in a message to supporters."We head towards an exciting new season with confidence and purpose. We have made significant progress on and off the field and that momentum will continue at pace."Scarlets sign Wales fly-half Anscombe from BayonneHigh Court leaves rugby brain injury case in balanceMounting questions for Wales after Durban defeatScarlets endured a tough 2025-26 season in which they finished 14th in the United Rugby Championship (URC), just sneaking above Dragons, and had a change at the top with Nigel Davies taking over from Dwayne Peel.Davies has been confirmed as director of rugby for the next two seasons and has spearheaded a recruitment drive that includes Wales internationals Corey Domachowski and Gareth Anscombe plus New Zealanders Cullen Grace, Tom Allen and Isaac Murray-Macgregor."We are bolstered by the support and engagement we consistently receive from an established and growing network of supporters, partners and stakeholders both at home and across global rugby nations," continued the statement."People who share in our passion for our region and unite in our vision to ensure the Scarlets remain at the heart of west Wales."WRU chiefs have stated the process to decide the framework for the final decision will begin in December and finish before the end of the 2026-27 season.Swansea Council to resume legal battleOspreys have won four league titles [Huw Evans Picture Agency]Meanwhile, Swansea Council is poised to resume its legal proceedings with the WRU.The council has been given advice by Blackstone Chambers and Nick De Marco KC, a leading sports lawyer who recently represented Middlesbrough in the Spygate football scandal in which Southampton were thrown out of the Championship play-offs.Swansea Council said in a statement that the "prospect of a single professional licence in west Wales has not been adequately justified and that key questions remain unanswered".The stay in legal proceedings - a temporary pause - was set to end this week and Welsh rugby's governing body's defence is due in a fortnight."We were given assurances by the WRU during our on-going legal case that this would be a fair and transparent process, which is why we agreed to pause our legal case," said Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart.In February the council called on the United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate the proposed takeover of Cardiff by Ospreys owners Y11, a deal that collapsed in April.Swansea Council is helping Ospreys redevelop St Helen's with a 5.2m investment, with their first home game scheduled for Saturday, 24 October against Dragons.Welsh rugby's ins, outs and re-signings for 2026-27Ospreys finished 11th in the URC last season and were knocked out in the last 16 of the Challenge Cup.Mark Jones' side were impacted by uncertainty, with fans protesting against the WRU and Y11 at fixtures in Bridgend.The unsettling situation was a factor in Wales captains Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan opting to join Gloucester for the coming season.Signing the Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA) with the governing body offers some level of security until 2028, but the latest development will provide more challenges for both Scarlets and Ospreys."Is it really a surprise? We just had a little bit of a break from the debacle," said former Ospreys and Wales wing Shane Williams on Radio Wales Breakfast."The conversation has always been that everyone believes there will be a region cut, that players' welfare and jobs will be put on the line again."It's no real shock to me, we just have to start the conversation again and the uncertainty hits us again."There is the prospect of a tender process to be the western club, or the possibility of reviving the merger that almost happened in 2019."It's easier said than done," said Williams, who is from Carmarthenshire. "There is huge rivalry and the Ospreys are in the process of rebuilding St Helen's and there is Parc y Scarlets, which is barely used by anyone else."For the fans, there has been a huge rivalry and it would take some job to get those two sets of supporters together to support one entity."

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 29: Logan Webb #62 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Oracle Park on July 29, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brandon Vallance/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesWhile Astros GM Dana Brown has publicly maintained that acquiring an outfield bat is his top priority, the buzz in inner circles for the last few weeks has been that the Astros are very focused on adding a starting pitcher. While the price for a starter will undoubtedly be very high in a clear sellers market, could the Astros swing big for a starter?It appears they are at least trying.According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Astros are among several teams that have called on San Francisco Giants SP Logan Webb:The Houston Astros and other teams keep asking aboutSan Francisco Giantsace Logan Webb.And they keep being told hes not going anywhere.Nightengale further went on to report on the Giants plans at the deadline and who they plan to keep and trade:The Giants plan to keep outfielder Jung Hoo Lee and trade Heliot Ramos. They also are telling teams they are willing to eat part of starter Robbie Rays $25 million contract in a trade.Ramos is a right-handed left fielder batting .267 with 9 HR and 34 RBI. He has a .306 OBP and .739 OPS. He will be entering his first year of arbitration at age 27.Ray, a former Cy Young winner in 2021, is now 34. He is a free agent at the end of the season. He is 10-6 this season with a 3.08 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. He has 107 K in 122.2 IP. He also leads the NL with 57 walks.While Webb isnt currently available, it does lend credence to the Astros looking to make a big move for a pitcher.