General Sports 8 Hours

Last updated: August 3, 2026, 2:32 PM ET

College Football and Rivalries

USC Notre Dame are set to revive their storied football rivalry beginning in 2030. This renewed series will feature a four-game stretch with back-to-back season openers. In early college football rankings, Texas has moved into the top five of the Way-Too-Early Top, while North Carolina has fallen out. UCLA is also being discussed in the context of these early rankings. Thirty-one teams are identified as having the best chance to make the College Football Playoff in 2026 due to their talent and schedules.

MLB Trade Deadline Moves and Fantasy Fallout

The Chicago Cubs have acquired right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays. In exchange for Gausman, the Blue Jays received Triple-A outfielder Brett Bateman and Class-A infielder Ty Southisene. Fantasy baseball is tracking the fallout from various key deals as the MLB trade deadline approaches on Monday.

WNBA Dynamics and Player Movement

The impact of the Kelsey Plum trade on the Phoenix Mercury and Los Angeles Sparks is being analyzed. A key question is whether Plum can help the Mercury secure a playoff spot, with their ultimate grade depending on retaining her beyond 2026. Elsewhere in the WNBA, Sophie Cunningham's comments regarding transgender women in sports have sparked further discussion and calls for other voices to be heard.

Cycling's Rising Stars and Grand Tours

Norway's Sigrid Haugset achieved a surprise victory in stage three of the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift after an impressive 68km solo breakaway. Experts are highlighting Emma Finucane as a "generational talent" in cycling, noting her achievements as an Olympic, world, and Commonwealth champion at just 23 years old. Tadej Pogacar five-time Tour de France champion, is set to compete in the Vuelta a Espana this month. Pogacar aims to win all three of cycling's Grand Tours with his participation in the Vuelta.

Cricket Preparations and International Matches

Ireland's upcoming five-game ODI series against Afghanistan this week signifies the beginning of their preparation for next year's World Cup qualifying tournament. Scotland's one-day international match against the United Arab Emirates was abandoned without a single ball being bowled due to persistent rain in Broughty Ferry.

Other Notable Sports News

Donovan Mitchell and Coco Jones recently exchanged vows in a ceremony held in Greenwich. Mitchell and Jones shared their first dance to Musiq Soulchild's "Love," as captured in a video shared on Instagram. UEFA has reportedly communicated to Gianni Infantino the possibility of legal action regarding his World Cup sell-off plan, according to sources. Top moments from Summer Slam included Chad Gable's title win and Roman Reigns successfully retaining the World Heavyweight Championship in a rivalry conclusion. Henry Pollock is reportedly seeking an annual salary of £1 million to remain with Northampton, according to his agent Eddie Hearn. PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov is expected to make a decision about his future very soon, as he is currently a free agent. The investment from Indian Premier League side Mumbai Indians has led to changes and considerations for MI London and Surrey.