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The 2020 season was tumultuous, one that saw several games rescheduled (such as Alabama-LSU) or outright canceled (such as Michigan-Ohio State) as the coronavirus made its way through the country with no vaccine to speak of. One season later, the vaccine is widely available, meaning teams will assume significantly more responsibility if they’re unable to play a game due to the virus. That is reflected in each of the Power 5 conference’s forfeiture and rescheduling guidelines in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic....

We have four games between ranked teams, all of which have could have some bearing on the College Football Playoff. Those games are No. 12 West Virginia at No. 15 Texas, No. 14 Penn State at No. 5 Michigan, No. 6 Georgia at No. 11 Kentucky and, the headliner, No. 1 Alabama at No. 4 LSU. MORE: Week 10 bowl projections Like we said, it’s a doozy — and Sporting News will try to make sense of it with our Week 10 picks....

The traditional top-25 rankings have diminished importance at this point of the season, as college football faithful hang on to every decision of the CFP selection committee. But they’re still worth monitoring, as it gives an early indication of how the committee could order its final top 25 and, more importantly, its top four. MORE: College Football Playoff Picture for Week 15 Four games from Saturday will order the top of the rankings of the AP and Coaches polls: No....

MORE: 18 predictions for 2018 So who’s the preseason No. 1? Sporting News released its preseason top 25, but we wanted to get a sense of what other publications are thinking. We checked out CBS Sports, the USA Today Amway Coaches Poll, ESPN and Sports Illustrated. The AP preseason poll, released on Monday, tops our list. Those five polls to get a feel for what a true Top 25 might look like....

Week 12 features three games between ranked opponents, starting with No. 3 Notre Dame vs. No. 12 Syracuse in Yankee Stadium. Then, No. 13 Texas takes on No. 18 Iowa State in a pivotal Big 12 matchup while No. 11 UCF and No. 19 Cincinnati vie for Group of 5 supremacy. MORE: Sporting News’ Week 12 Power Rankings Sporting News has highlights, scores and updates for all those games, plus more....

The Fresno State College Republicans ignited a firestorm after retweeting and making disparaging about a video from comedian Patrick Loller, who is a disabled U.S. combat veteran. In the video, Loller provoked those who refuse to wear masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic, calling them “cowards” with “fragile” egos that are “taking people’s lives.” Loller originally posted the video to TikTok in February. It was discovered and more widely circulated by a group of outraged conservatives earlier this week....

College baseball’s final four is set. Coastal Carolina continued its improbable postseason run Thursday, clinching a final spot in the College World Series semifinals with a 7-5 win against No. 5 Texas Tech in an elimination game at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. The Red Raiders were the final national seed remaining in the tournament. MORE: MLB trade rumors The upstart Chanticleers built a 7-3 lead on a group of Texas Tech fielding errors, as six of their seven runs were unearned....

After a two-year absense because of the COVID-19 pandemic, eight college baseball teams are back in Omaha, Neb., for a shot at a national championship. Several teams are looking to add another banner to their home ballpark. Texas (six), Arizona (four), Stanford (two), Vanderbilt (two), Virginia (one) are attempting to pick up another title, while Mississippi State, N.C. State and Tennessee are hoping to pick up their first natoinal championship....

The rule, announced in February, says a catcher can’t block the plate if he doesn’t have the ball. There have been several disputed calls, including a pair of decisions in the last 5 1/2 weeks that led to runners being called safe after video review. The guidelines sent to teams Tuesday say the catcher’s positioning shouldn’t change the call when the throw clearly arrives ahead of the runner. They also say if the catcher is entirely in fair territory, he should not be considered to have blocked the plate....

It’s been used for centuries and has been studied for medical uses since the 1950s. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially lists colloidal oatmeal as a skin protectant. This article explains what colloidal oatmeal is, how it works, its uses and types, its risks and benefits, and how it’s made. What Is Colloidal Oatmeal? Colloidal oatmeal is finely ground oats (Avena sativa) mixed into lotions, creams, other skin care products, or bathwater....

Blount said that Colonial Pipeline consulted with experts who were familiar with Darkside, the group who attacked the pipeline, prior to paying the ransom. The FBI does not recommend that victims of ransomware attacks pay off the attackers as it may encourage further attacks. “I know that’s a highly controversial decision,” Blount said to the Wall Street Journal. “I didn’t make it lightly. I will admit that I wasn’t comfortable seeing money go out the door to people like this....

Dozens of influencers paid by the state to share vaccine information and their experiences getting the shot include a police sergeant, fashion bloggers, moms, religious leaders and African refugee advocates. The state’s #PowertheComeback social media initiative is targeted towards combating rising summer COVID-19 cases. Carlos Cornejo, 32, a police sergeant with 650,000 people following his Spanish language Facebook page, is one of the influencers paid by the state to discuss the vaccine....

Line: Colorado -3, Total: 60 Line movement: The Buffs opened between -2.5 to -3.5 back in late July, and the line has settled at -3 at most shops. As of Tuesday, MGM Resorts is dealing -2.5. The total opened as high as 64.5 but has declined to 60; most of that movement has come this week, as the total sat at 63 on Sunday. For updated spreads and totals, visit our live odds page ....

Brennan died in May following an accidental overdose. He consumed a lethal concoction of powerful stimulants and opioids. A toxicology screening and autopsy report revealed Brennan had methamphetamine, amphetamine, ethanol, and fentanyl in his body when he died. However, there is no information about whether the drugs were prescribed to him. Brennan was 37 years old when he died. He had attempted to enter a detox center hours before ingesting fentanyl (which led to his death) but was turned away because there were no open beds available....

Jones, who went down with a left ankle injury in Saturday’s preseason win over the Rams, has been diagnosed with torn ligaments and will need surgery, NFL Media reports. MORE: Indispensable players | Explaining mental struggle of season-ending injuries The team is holding out hope Jones might be a candidate for injured reserve with a designation to return, which would allow him to return to game action after eight weeks....

Cole, who played in Philadelphia for 10 seasons, was released March 4. He played defensive end for the Eagles but will likely switch to outside linebacker in the Colts’ 3-4 scheme. MORE: SN’s free agency tracker | Reggie Wayne wanted one more year in Indy The Colts appear to be targeting veteran leadership this offseason. The team will also bring in running back Frank Gore and likely wide receiver Andre Johnson....

Notre Dame jumps into our College Football Playoff after a thrilling 47-40 double-overtime victory against Clemson on Saturday. The Tigers are squeezed out for the time being, but a potential rematch in the ACC championship with Trevor Lawrence still looms. Alabama, Ohio State and Oregon remain in our four-team Playoff. Florida replaced Georgia in our New Year’s Day Six after beating the Bulldogs 44-28. MORE: College Football Playoff Picture...

With four games matching top-15 teams, including No. 1 Alabama at No. 4 LSU, the stakes are high, the story lines intriguing and the playoff ramifications plentiful. Both Southeastern Conference divisions could be settled if Alabama wins because the winner of No. 6 Georgia at No. 11 Kentucky in the SEC undercard will be East champions. No. 12 West Virginia is at No. 15 Texas in a matchup of Big 12 contenders....

This week alone, we have seven games between top-25 opponents, including three in the top 10. No. 3 Notre Dame travels to No. 7 Miami, No. 2 Georgia takes on No. 10 Auburn in The Plains and No. 5 Oklahoma takes on No. 8 TCU in a game that likely decides half the Big 12 championship game. WEEK 11 PICKS: Against the spread Sporting News offers picks for those games and more this week, including several key matchups in the Big Ten and SEC....