General Sports 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 18, 2026, 4:40 AM ET
College Football Upsets
Week 7 delivered chaos, with five top-seven teams losing on a day that reshaped the playoff picture. The committee's shuffle is already the central question as Miami, Ohio State and others jockey for position. Historic scenes from across the country captured the madness, while Jon Sumrall's cowboy hat celebration after Auburn's win became the day's best moment.
Auburn stunned No. 1 Georgia after Stockton's fumble doomed the Bulldogs, ending a 195-game streak of top-ranked teams never being toppled by unranked opposition. BYU upset No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24, with a final-play defensive stop sealing it. Miami survived two Hail Marys in a double-overtime win over FSU, with Darian Mensah throwing for 326 yards and three touchdowns. Texas was upset by Florida, and Steve Sarkisian said the program will "evaluate everything."
Big Ten Battles
Ohio State survived Indiana after a fourth-down misstep on a late score that appeared to be the go-ahead touchdown. Indiana, however, ended a 22-game losing streak against the Buckeyes, showing it is no longer a team content with moral victories. Ohio State also lost quarterback Julian Sayin for several weeks with a shoulder injury.
Pro Basketball & WNBA
Golden State took a 1-0 lead over Atlanta in the WNBA Finals with a 68-64 win, as Gabby Williams came up clutch in the closing minutes. ESPN ranked the top 15 players in the Finals, debating whether Reese or Williams deserves the top spot.
Boxing
Daniel Dubois retained his WBO title with a brutal second-round TKO of Fabio Wardley, his second win over the Briton in five months. The heavyweight outlook now turns to what comes next for the division.
Rugby
Munster held on to beat Racing 92 33-25 in a tribute-laden Champions Cup opener. Leinster beat Clermont 48-23, Connacht scored seven tries to beat Saracens, and Glasgow won bonus-point at Sale 47-27. Bath fell 32-14 to Montpellier, and Bristol lost 49-12 to the Stormers. Scarlets thrashed Newcastle 47-14, though fly-half Sam Costelow was injured, a worry for Wales. Ulster claimed a bonus point against Zebre, and Ospreys eased past Black Lion in the Challenge Cup. Lions and Sale Sharks paid tribute to Hyron Andrews before their matches.
Rugby League
New Zealand edged past Fiji in the Women's World Cup, a result that serves as a "wake-up call." England crushed Wales 70-6 on debut, while the men's side under Brian McDermott must fix errors after a Tonga loss that threatens their tournament.
Tennis, Golf & Other
Sonay Kartal beat Jelena Ostapenko to reach the Wuhan Open final. Alexander Zverev said he overachieved in reaching the Shanghai semi-finals despite fatigue. Eugenio Chacarra leads the India Championship as Rory McIlroy fades before play was halted. Billy Loughnane became the youngest champion jockey since 1923. Anna Morris completed a hat-trick of golds at the track worlds. The U.S. gymnastics team lost Rivera to an ankle injury ahead of the worlds. A service member was injured in a fall from the rafters during a UTSA pregame rappel. AFC Rushden Diamonds reached the FA Cup first round for the first time.
Realignment & Playoff Format
ESPN reached a handshake agreement to broadcast a 24-team College Football Playoff, a step toward expansion. Critics argue the expansion raises concerns, with bigger not necessarily better.
Coming Up
Ohio State's Julian Sayin will miss "several weeks," with the Buckeyes adjusting at quarterback. Florida starts Tramell Jones Jr. against Texas, tasked with ending a two-game slide.