General Sports 24 Hours

Last updated: September 4, 2026, 3:12 PM ET

College Football Week 1 Preview

College football is officially back, and the opening weekend is packed with 34 games worth tracking.. The marquee matchup pits Lane Kiffin against Dabo Swinney when LSU hosts Clemson, a clash that could define both teams' early seasons. Beyond the headline act, fans should watch Arch Manning's next steps and Indiana's title defense as the Hoosiers look to prove their 2025 run was no fluke. The weekend also features a showdown at Lambeau Field, where Notre Dame's alternates lead the best jerseys of the week, pivoting from their classic looks for the neutral-site clash with Wisconsin.

For bettors, analysts are eyeing several key lines. Pamela Maldonado's picks highlight Notre Dame, Texas, and Michigan State as value plays, while the broader Week 1 slate includes several teams on upset watch. Meanwhile, in Blacksburg, the question looms: what does success look like for James Franklin at Virginia Tech? The coach, now closer to his family roots, aims to revive a program that has struggled for over a decade.

Thursday Night Results

The season opened with dramaon Thursday night. Colorado staged a late rally, as freshman QB Julian Lewis led a clutch two-minute drill, and the Buffaloes secured a 14-13 win by blocking Georgia Tech's 45-yard field goal attempt as time expired. In another upset, UMass ended a 16-game losing streak with a dominant 37-21 road win over Rutgers, as Pop Watson III passed for 197 yards and three touchdowns. The victory marked UMass' first win in over a calendar year, snapping a 1,104-day drought between wins against FBS opponents.

College Football Off-Field News

Off the field, the landscape shifted dramatically with legal and administrative battles. Michael Lombardi resigned as UNC's GM, the role he joined when Bill Belichick was hired in late 2024. In a major eligibility ruling, a Louisiana judge cleared pro athletes Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to return to LSU football after brief NFL stints, setting up a dramatic showdown. However, the SEC has filed suit against LSU over the school's "unequivocal intent" to utilize those players during the upcoming season. The ruling affects 42 athletes overall, with questions remaining about who's affected and what happens next in this ongoing eligibility battle.

In other news, former Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby expressed “a ton of remorse” over his history of sports betting in a new documentary series. Meanwhile, Heisman campaigns are evolving, with Ole Miss trying new promotional venuesfrom Times Square to the Sphere to boost their stars' profiles. Finally, Curt Cignetti's Indiana program is drawing attention for its uber-efficient practices, finishing an hour sooner than most CFB programs while maintaining intensity.

Women's Basketball World Cup

Team USA opened World Cup play with a resounding statement. Caitlin Clark and Rhyne Howard each scored 14 points as the United States cruised to a 33-point win over China. The tournament, held in Berlin, features 16 nations with Team USA and France as the clear front-runners. As the competition heats up, all eyes are on the young American core of Paige Bueckers, Clark, Angel Reese and others making their major event debuts. For a full breakdown of all 16 teams' chances, check out the complete World Cup power rankings.

WNBA & Basketball News

The WNBA will undergo a leadership change. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced her retirement, effective after the 2026 season, ending a tenure marked by massive league growth but also recent scrutiny over her handling of multiple issues. In college basketball, Dick Vitale released his annual Dazzling Dozen preview, highlighting key storylines, players, and early-season games plus a bonus top. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian player made headlines for a principled stand: Kate Koval quit LSU's basketball programbecause of the team's decision to sign a Russian player.

Tennis: US Open

The US Open continues to deliver drama, both on and off the court. Top seed Alexander Zverev survived another five-set scare, needing more than 4 1/2 hours to beat Quentin Halys, becoming the first top-seeded man to play back-to-back five-set matches to start a major. The match ended at 02:15 local time, another gruelling late finish for the German. Gael Monfils played his final Grand Slam match Thursday night, falling to Learner Tien in a second-round loss. Meanwhile, Coco Gauff showed grit, describing herself as “battle-tested”after overcoming Paula Badosa to reach the third round and keep her title defense alive.

Off the court, the tournament has sparked debate over “tennis etiquette”,with 100 influencers invited to the event causing disruptions during matches. The US Open's unique atmosphere—loud, smelly, and unapologetically New York—has been a topic of discussion among players and fans alike. For those hoping to sneak into the main draw, the uncertain days of a lucky loser involve nail-biting limbo during the first round. British interest in the singles ended in the second round as Harriet Dart and Francesca Jones both fell to seeded players.

In other tennis news, Nick Kyrgios is eligible to returnto the sport after accepting a one-month ban for testing positive for cocaine. And in doubles, fans are eagerly anticipating the Williams sisters' return,as Serena and Venus will play together for the first time in four years later this week.

Formula 1 & Motorsport

In Formula, Pierre Gasly has lost his Monaco podium—again. McLaren and Red Bull won their appeals against the race result,and Gasly's penalties were reinstated 89 days after the event, meaning he lost the podium to Isack Hadjarfor a second time. At Monza, Mercedes' George Russell topped Friday practice,edging Ferrari's Charles Leclerc for the fastest lap at the Italian Grand Prix.

Boxing & MMA

Katie Taylor's farewell fight week is upon us,and the emotion is palpable. Ireland's most beloved fighter gets one last walk at a packed Croke Parkwith 80,000 fans cheering her on Saturday night in Dublin. The buildup has been marked by tears and tricoloursas the nation prepares to salute its boxing icon. In the middle of it all will be Belfast's David Irving, who says refereeing this historic bout against Flora Pili represents the fulfilment of a dream. Meanwhile, in MMA, Michael 'Venom' Page acknowledges he “hasn't delivered”and needs to remind the UFC why they signed him,with his contract set to end after his UFC Paris bout on Saturday. And in British boxing news, London Mayor Sadiq Khan says he is “really keen”to host the proposed Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua fight at Wembley Stadium.

Cricket

In cricket, Somerset boosted their title hopeswith a dominant innings and 64 run victoryover Glamorgan,moving top of the Division One table in the County Championship. India's Smriti Mandhana became the all-time leading women's run-scorer,surpassing former captain Mithali Raj's tallywith her 10,880 runs in all formats. England named the uncapped Aneurin Donald and Henry Crocombein their squads for the white-ball series against Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Vaughan warns that Ashes ticket price risesare"pricing a lot of people out of the game." In Pakistan cricket, interim coach Mike Hesson says his players are used to “chaos”after the tourists dropped seven playersand called up seven others for the final Test against England.

Rugby Union & League

In rugby union, Cardiffare hopeful that Taulupe Faletauwill be fit for the start of the URC season,having returned to non-contact training,though head coach Corniel van Zyl believes he will still want to play for Wales. Jack Singleton hopes to return to rugby unionand is looking for a new club,a year after suffering a heart attack. Beno Obano will put his England career on holdafter agreeing to join French side Pau at the end of the forthcoming season.

In rugby league, Leedsand Wiganare set for a “winner takes all” showdownfor the League Leaders' Shield at Headingleyon Saturday. Bradford Bulls endeda seven-match losing streakwith a 32-22 win over Castleford Tigersin the battle to avoid the Super League wooden spoon. England wing Noah Caluori revealed he played with a torn wrist ligamentduring his break-out season for Saracensand England.

Other Sports News

In golf,the Walker Cup—dubbed the "Ryder Cup for amateurs"—is approaching,with Midlanders Ben Boltonand Sam Easterbrook reacting to being picked for the GB & Ireland team at Lahinch. In triathlon, former Olympic champion Jonny Brownlee announced his retirement,saying"it's over for professional sport"after a career that included six world championships. In snooker, teenager Stan Moody knocked four-time champion John Higginsout of the British Open with a 4-2 victory in the last.In the PLL playoffs,the winners of Archers-Outlawsand Waterdogs-Cannonswill square off for the championshipon Sept. 20.And in an inspiring story, meet Callum Russell,the GB handcyclistand modelproving there can be"an amazing life after injury."

In football (soccer),Brian Barry-Murphyis set to become Cardiff's longest-serving bosssince Neil Warnock,taking charge of his 63rd gamewhen they face Portsmouthon Saturday. Finally,in a legal matter involving the WNBA,Enes Kanter Freedomis suing the Chicago Skyandthe owners of Wintrust Arena,alleging his First Amendment rights were violated when he was removed from a game.And in college football food news,fans can look forwardto new concession stand offeringsfrom UCF's"Pretzel Sword"to Wisconsin's"Badger Bakers"this season.