General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: August 14, 2026, 11:45 PM ET

College Football

The 2026 college football season is on the horizon, and ESPN has released its tiered rankings of all 138 FBS teams. Bill Connelly's final preseason SP+ rankings offer insights into what projections and production numbers mean heading into the season. The SEC projections for 2026-27 highlight three potential champions and three teams unlikely to make the NCAA tournament. For those interested in the financial side, a Power 4 starter's earnings in 2026 can range significantly, with discussions involving general managers and agents to price each position. Alabama running back AK Dear is expected to miss approximately six weeks due to an ankle injury sustained in a preseason scrimmage. In a bizarre incident, a high school football player in Arkansas unknowingly wore a helmet containing a venomous snake for nearly an hour before discovering it.

Golf

LIV Golf is reportedly set to cancel its season-ending Team Championship, a move that will impact players later this month. Rory McIlroy expressed confidence in maintaining his PGA Tour status despite participating in only 14 events, aiming to reach the minimum of 15 required for dual membership.

Tennis

Elena Rybakina staged a comeback to defeat Naomi Osaka in their Canadian Open quarter-final match, winning in three sets after being a set and a break down.

Fantasy Sports

For fantasy football managers, Matt Bowen has outlined his top draft targets for the upcoming season, covering everything from early-round picks to late-round gambles. He has also provided his fantasy tight end tiers, helping identify value throughout the draft. In fantasy baseball, advice is available for setting Saturday lineups, and Tristan H. Cockcroft offers insights into potential late-season trade targets.

Track & Field

At the European Championships, Britain's Matthew Hudson-Smith made history by winning the 400m gold, becoming the joint most decorated man at the event. Amy Hunt also secured gold in the 200m, her second European title, and has her sights set on a quadruple. Keely Hodgkinson advanced to the women's 800m final, while rival Audrey Werro progressed despite a fall. In the men's 200m breaststroke, British teenager Filip Nowacki claimed a dramatic gold medal. Adam Ramsay-Peaty expressed confusion regarding his early exit from the 50m breaststroke event. Ruby Evans, a British gymnast, spoke about managing fame as she prepares for the European Artistic Gymnastis Championships.

Basketball

The Los Angeles Lakers' record 12.5 billion sale was finalized over a single weekend, surprising the NBA world. In WNBA news, power rankings indicate a tight race for playoff seeds as teams jockey for position. Fever coach Stephanie White defended her players amidst criticism and boos from fans, receiving support from Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham. The league has also revealed the group stage schedule for the 2026 NBA Cup, the fourth annual in-season tournament.

Boxing & MMA

UFC 330 is set to feature two championship bouts, with Ian Machado Garry facing welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. Garry was heavily booed at the UFC 330 press conference but stated fans would be chanting his name after the fight. Makhachev indicated that he "does not have much time" left in the UFC as he prepares for his title defense. Mackenzie Dern shared how her poker skills have helped her develop composure in the octagon as she prepares for her strawweight title defense. Sadly, boxer Prichard Colon, who suffered a severe brain injury in a 2015 fight, has died at the age of.

Cycling

Tragically, British cyclist Finlay Tarling died at the age of 19 following a serious accident during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal.

Rugby

Former Wales captain Jonathan Davies has called for the Welsh Rugby Union board to step down. The Ospreys have publicly responded to WRU plans, believing that four professional Welsh sides are the correct structure. England have handed out central contracts to five players, including Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Alex Coles, as part of a squad shake-up by Steve Borthwick. England's Red Roses are in pre-season training for the WXV Global Series, utilizing smaller balls.

Baseball

Legendary LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman, who led the Tigers to five Men's College World Series titles, has died at the age of. A Texas judge upheld a decision to remove a Tulsa, Oklahoma, team from the Southwest Region, preventing them from competing for a spot in the Little League Baseball World Series.

Cricket

Tanzid Hasan Tamim made history by scoring Bangladesh's first Test century in Australia, contributing to the team's dominance on day two of the match. Steve Smith benefited from an unusual reprieve, but Bangladesh otherwise controlled the first Test against Australia. Scotland secured a commanding 170-run victory over Canada in a World Cup League 2 match, with captain Richie Berrington and debutant Lyle Robertson starring. Notts and Durham have advanced to the One-Day Cup semi-finals, with Jack Haynes and Kyle Verreyne scoring centuries for Notts. England has scrapped its midnight curfew, with only wins now expected to repair their reputation. Moises Henriques sees helping Portugal qualify for their first T20 World Cup as "cricket nirvana" at the end of his playing career. Welsh Fire and MI London have been eliminated from The Hundred after losing their final group matches, though Birmingham Phoenix, led by Ellyse Perry's unbeaten, secured a victory over MI London.

American Football

Ty Gibbs will honor former NASCAR driver Kyle Busch by driving an M&M's paint scheme at Bristol Motor Speedway. ESPN has released its preseason All-America team, featuring top players from various programs. In a debate about college quarterbacks, Oklahoma's John Mateer has drawn attention for his physique.

Other Sports

Scottie Scheffler fired a 9-under, tying the course record and taking a three-stroke lead at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. He is battling for position alongside Sungjae Im. The Great Britain women's flag football team has advanced as group winners, aiming to secure an Olympic spot at the World Championships. The Great Britain dressage team has qualified for the 2028 Olympics by winning silver at the FEI World Championships. In a somber note, promising Australian golfer Jessica Bang died at the age of 18 after suffering a brain haemorrhage. The Irish League's European hopes now rest with Larne, as Northern Ireland has fallen outside the top 50 of Uefa's coefficient ranking. Efe Obada has retired from the NFL to pursue his "true calling" and launch a foundation. Former All Blacks star Ma'a Nonu performed a solo haka in South Africa before his side, the Sharks, played against New Zealand. Croke Park hosted its first association football match between two English teams when Manchester United faced Leeds. Arne Slot, former Liverpool head coach, confirmed talks for the Netherlands managerial role but said his next job will be in club football.