General Sports 24-Hour Briefing

Last updated: October 14, 2026, 11:42 PM ET

College Football

The SEC is opposing LSU's bid to dismiss the conference's lawsuit, arguing the dispute remains live and that the school lacks institutional control. Texas is taking a major fall after a single loss dropped the Longhorns onto ESPN's dubious Bottom 10 list.

Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith continues to draw comparisons to the sport's greatest, with Larry Fitzgerald and Jaxon Smith-Njigba among those endorsing the Buckeyes' standout. Bill Connelly weighed in with a ranking of the best receivers of the last 50 years as Smith's career takes shape. Bettors may also want to study the betting picks Pamela Maldonado highlighted, including a wager on Smith ahead of the Indiana matchup.

Women's College Basketball

UNC's Kate Harpring leads ESPN's list of ten freshmen to watch this season, with two USC newcomers also expected to make an immediate impact.

Men's College Basketball

ESPN's offseason review examines which programs came out ahead after the summer's key player and coaching moves, with Texas and Illinois among the winners. Fixer Jalen Smith was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in a scheme to rig college basketball games.

WNBA

The Valkyries and Dream will meet for the title, guaranteeing a new champion this season. Valkyries' rapid rise from expansion team to Finals contender has come just two years after their debut. The league has moved Games 3 and 4 to State Farm Arena to accommodate more fans. Allisha Gray's minor procedure leaves her day-to-day ahead of the Finals opener after she missed the Dream's past two playoff games.

Mixed Martial Arts

Britain's Lone'er Kavanagh could make a breakout leap into the spotlight with a strong showing at UFC, as the flyweight division heats up again. Aline Pereira misses out on a UFC contract, the sister of former two-division champion Alex.

Rugby League and Union

Kallum Watkins has been called up as a late replacement in England's Rugby League World Cup squad. Great Britain's men are on the back foot after Matt Richardson's withdrawal, though the women's side secured silver. England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso should be fit for next month's Nations fixtures. The Lions women will face France in a history-making first game at Cardiff's Principality Stadium. Saracens have parted ways with Totoa Auvaa after a chaotic 14 months marked by two punch-ups and two red cards.

Athletics, Tennis and Other Sports

South African sprinter Sinesipho Dambile says comparisons to Usain Bolt are a privilege. Scottish swimmer Archie Goodburn will meet the prime minister over cancer funding after his tearful appeal about his inoperable brain tumours. In tennis, Briton Sonay Kartal upset Belinda Bencic to reach the Wuhan Open third round.

NFL

The fallout from the Los Angeles Rams' defeat by the Buffalo Bills continues, with a player suspended for a punch and the club cutting its kicker.