Three months after Alabama narrowly squeaked into the College Football Playoff despite a Southeastern Conference title game loss, athletic director Greg Byrne is calling for an end to the 34-year tradition. "I think the ship has sailed. Its run its course," Byrne said in a recent interview with USA Today. Alabama lost to Georgia 28-7 in the SEC championship game in its poorest showing since a Week 1 setback against Florida State. With a 10-3 record, the Crimson Tide left Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the impression that their last game of the season could have already been played. "Its a great event," Byrne said. "I dont like the idea of it going away, but I think its reality with an expanded playoff." Expansion is likely coming, but the College Football Playoff will stay at 12 teams for the upcoming season. Last year, the selection committee turned to Alabama's regular-season success as evidence that the Tide were a playoff-worthy team. Alabama was ranked No. 9 and knocked off Oklahoma in the first round before losing in the second round to Indiana in the Rose Bowl. Byrne's opinion isn't necessarily an unpopular one. Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte suggested moving the playoffs up to the week of conference championship games. Lane Kiffin called the game "a pretty big risk" in 2024 while saying that coaches didn't want to play in it. [Cowherd on Fernando Mendoza: 'He's Peyton Manning. He's Exactly What I Want.'] Georgia coach Kirby Smart, who has led his team to an SEC title game victory in three of the past four seasons, said he can see both sides of the argument. "I'd want to know the parameters of it before we did anything," Smart said Thursday in an interview with On3. "Where we are right now with 12 teams, I don't necessarily agree that it needs to quit being played. But if it gets to 16 or 24 and we've got to move the end of the season up and we've got to get everything done by the second week of January, then I'd say it probably has to go." Smart went on to say that the most important thing is that something is gained from the removal of the game, whether that's an expedited timeline or an expanded playoff. But regardless of its future, being a four-time SEC champion is one of his proudest accomplishments. "I will never apologize for winning an SEC title," Smart said. "I think its the hardest thing to do in sports, winning the dang SEC title in almost any sport, because our conference is so hard." Reporting by the Associated Press

Jammu and Kashmir pace sensation Auqib Nabi says former South African speedster Dale Steyn's ability to swing the ball at a high speed inspired him to take up fast bowling.

Everything you need to know and how to watch Saturday's Final Four national semifinals

Timoney helped Ireland to Triple Crown glory in this year's Six Nations Championship [Inpho]Nick Timoney has had to show a lot of patience to prove he belongs at international level, finally making his Six Nations debut in Ireland's Triple Crown-winning campaign.The 30-year-old has been a squad member in the Irish set-up since 2021 but with huge competition in the back row he has had to bide his time for regular action in the green shirt.This year's tournament heralded a sea change not just for Timoney but for a number of his Ulster team-mates, including the impressive Stuart McCloskey, as they played a key role in Ireland's success and the Dublin-native is pleased to have made a contribution."For all these years when you've been waiting and hoping to play in the Six Nations games you tell yourself that if you did get your chance you'd be amazing and it would all go well, but until it actually happens you're kind of bluffing a little bit," he said."So it was great for me personally as I put an incredible amount of hard work into what I do, as does everyone else."To actually get the opportunity to prove that I belong at that level was amazing for me on a personal note and I feel for the most part I did a reasonable job at it."The Ulster back row came off the bench in the opening three rounds, including a try-scoring appearance in the opening night 36-14 defeat by France, before being handed a first tournament start in the win over Wales along with six other club mates.Timoney came off the bench again as Ireland secured the Triple Crown with a convincing home win over Scotland, and even though Thomas Ramos' last-gasp penalty meant title joy for France it failed to dampen the forward's spirits as he looks to carry that feel-good factor into Ulster's remaining games this season."It was an incredibly enjoyable few weeks although there would have been even more of an afterglow if the French didn't hit an 80th-minute winner against the English," he said."It was a great experience and great for us as a club with Stu looking like he's the star of things and Rob Baloucoune being amazing, as well as Tom O'Toole and the other lads getting a game."Having seven lads feature in the Wales game was fantastic too. That's got to be the most for a good few years and it's hard not to be buzzing with it."'We have a chance to show what we're about'After basking in Triple Crown glory with Ireland Timoney made his return in an Ulster shirt in last week's United Rugby Championship win over Zebre as they took a step closer to securing a play-off slot.The Challenge Cup takes centre stage on Saturday evening as Ospreys visit the Affidea Stadium (20:00 GMT) and Timoney is determined to step up to do all he can to help Ulster realise the opportunity they have this season."I've always thought that if you are an international player then there's got to be a notice on you to be one of the top performers and leaders at provincial level," he said."I'm certainly taking that incredibly seriously. This has been a whole rugby gig for me for most of my entire career and I don't ever take it for granted."We have a chance this season to hopefully go far in the competitions and show what we're about. We have an exciting young squad and it has been very enjoyable to be part of that this season."Our progress and that of the young players coming through has been amazing. We're into the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup and we're in a good position in the league as well. If we can win our next few games we'll be heading into the play-offs. It's exciting times."We've shown an incredible brand of rugby at times this year and we've played some nice attacking stuff and nice bits here and there, but when there is that jeopardy and the pressure is on it's about showing belief that if we keep playing this way, and do it properly and do it well then we'll win games."That's the main challenge, it's not going into our shell because there's a tournament on the line. We have to show that belief and really back ourselves. The win over Zebre at the weekend has kept it going so hopefully we'll keep some momentum into the Ulster season."

Following two successful scrimmages, Warriors star Stephen Curry is expected to get official clearance for a Sunday return to the lineup after missing the previous 27 games with a persistent right knee issue, league sources told ESPN.

The global Rack-Ready Luminaires Market is undergoing a transformative growth phase, with its valuation expected to skyrocket from USD 4.0 billion in 2026 to USD 12.9 billion by 2036. This surge, representing a high-impact CAGR of 12.4%, marks a significant pivot in precision agriculture where lighting is no longer just a utility, but a mission-critical component of production architecture. As...

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sportsbetting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more aboutSports Betting on FOX Sports. The Final Three games of college basketball are upon us and only the national championship game is yet to be decided. New users can jump in with the Fanatics Sportsbook Promo to bet $5 and get $200 in FanCash. The spotlight shines on the mens Final Four matchups, with UConn taking on Illinois in the first matchup. The winner will await the winner of Michigan vs. Arizona, two of the best squads all year fighting for the last spot in the national championship. Every possession matters and the games promise high drama and edge-of-your-seat action. Claim your $200 in FanCash after a $5 bet with Fanatics Sportsbook and get in on all of this weekends Final Three college basketball games. Fanatics Sportsbook How to Sign Up and Claim the Fanatics Sportsbook Bonus Code Illinois Fighting Illini vs. UConn Huskies Game Details Top Performers Last 10 Games Michigan Wolverines vs. Arizona Wildcats Game Details Top Performers Last 10 Games

Jitesh Sharma had played a massive role in RCB's maiden IPL triumph last year during which Dinesh Karthik had also contributed as a batting coach and mentor.

The Commander-in-Chief is advocating for limiting transfers, capping eligibility and NIL reform

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will not face discipline under the NFL's personal conduct policy amid an ongoing civil lawsuit accusing him of domestic assault.The NFL announced April 3 it had concluded its investigation into the accusations made against Rice by his former girlfriend, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reports."There was insufficient evidence to support a finding that he violated the personal conduct policy," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement.Sean Lindsey, an attorney representing Rice, addressed the news with a statement of his own."Mr. Rice wants to thank the NFL for their thorough investigation, and looks forward to the start of the 2026-27 NFL season," Lindsey said.LERNER: The NFL is investigating Rashee Rice here's what happens nextRice was named in a civil lawsuit filed by his ex-girlfriend in the Dallas County (Texas) court system on Feb. 16, 2026. The lawsuitalleged Rice assaulted the womanmultiple times over a 19-month period. Police have not filed criminal charges related to the allegations against Rice.The complaint alleged that the Chiefs wide receiver had "grabbed, choked, strangled, pushed, thrown, scratched, hit, and headbutted" his ex-girlfriend. She also alleges Rice threw things at her, "destroy[ed] property, punch[ed] walls, [broke] furniture" and locked her out of their shared home "in the middle of the night."Rice's former girlfriend, who is also the mother of their two children, shared an Instagram post on Jan. 7 alleging she had been the victim of domestic violence for several years. She did not mention Rice by name in that post, which featured a picture of her with a bloody lip. The post has since been deleted."It's been nothing but hell," she wrote, adding, "I've protected his image too long and I'm done doing that. It's time to protect my peace, protect my children and stand up for myself."According to the lawsuit, Rice's ex-girlfriend was pregnant during much of the alleged abuse. She is seeking more than $1 million in damages in the civil suit.The lawsuit remains open, according to Dallas County court records.USA TODAY Sports' Jack McKessy also contributed to this report.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL concludes Rashee Rice investigation, will not discipline Chiefs WR