Analyst Daire Carragher from Pro Football Focus predicts that the USC Trojans football team is likely to make their first College Football Playoff in 2026. The team has top recruits and showed progress last season despite some losses, and winning key games could put them in contention for a national title.
Key Facts
USC is considered one of eight teams most likely to make their first College Football Playoff in 2026.
USC has the highest-ranked recruiting class in college football for 2026.
The Trojans had the highest explosive pass play rate (19.6%) among Power Four teams last season.
Head coach Lincoln Riley led the team to an 11-3 record in 2022, with quarterback Caleb Williams winning the Heisman Trophy.
USC moved to the Big Ten conference recently and finished 9-4 overall in the last season.
The team won important close games against Michigan and Iowa, showing growing strength.
Key upcoming games against Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana will be vital for Playoff chances.
Carragher notes the Trojans have a strong potential to compete for a national title if they secure two wins in those key matchups.
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Joshua Dobbs, a former New England Patriots quarterback, recently signed with the Detroit Lions as their backup quarterback. Dobbs said he was frustrated with how the Patriots handled his release, which prevented him from joining a new team early in the offseason.
Key Facts
Joshua Dobbs joined the Detroit Lions as their second-string quarterback behind Jared Goff.
Dobbs expressed frustration about the timing and process of his release by the New England Patriots.
Because of the late release, Dobbs missed offseason training activities (OTAs) with a new team.
Dobbs played in four games for the Patriots last season but never started.
He has played for other NFL teams including the Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, and Arizona Cardinals.
Dobbs started eight games for the Cardinals with a 1-7 record and four games for the Vikings with a 2-2 record.
The Detroit Lions’ first preseason game is against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday, August 17.
Dobbs’s role will be as an experienced backup in case the starter, Jared Goff, cannot play.
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The WNBA anti-hate task force said there are no current problems with transgender player eligibility in the league. They rejected attempts to use transgender issues to spread hate or division and said the league will continue discussing the matter carefully.
Key Facts
The WNBA task force spoke out against false claims about transgender players in the league.
The league’s agreement says only women can play, but it does not clearly define gender identity or birth sex.
Two former NBA players recently said they identify as women and plan to enter the WNBA draft next year.
No transgender woman has ever played in the WNBA, though some players came out as transgender or nonbinary after joining.
The task force was created last year to fight hateful online comments aimed at players and the league.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced plans for more talks and listening sessions on transgender topics with team leaders and players.
Some WNBA players and coaches support transgender athletes, while others have expressed concern about their participation.
The league wants to handle the issue thoughtfully and in line with its values.
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Jayden Daniels, quarterback for the Washington Commanders, had a tough 2025 season due to injury, playing only seven games with modest stats. The team added wide receiver Stefon Diggs to improve their offense, and Daniels praised Diggs’ skills and leadership after practicing together.
Key Facts
Jayden Daniels played seven games in 2025 because of injury.
In 2025, Daniels completed 60.6% of passes for 1,262 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.
The Washington Commanders had a 5-12 record in 2025, down from 12-5 in 2024.
Stefon Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowl receiver, joined the Commanders to strengthen their offense.
Daniels and Diggs showed good chemistry during practice sessions.
Daniels called Diggs “a dog,” praising his ability to make plays and lead the team.
Previously, Diggs had seven 1,000-yard receiving seasons and played for the Patriots in 2025.
Terry McLaurin remains the Commanders’ top receiver, with Diggs expected to add reliable support.
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College football teams on the West Coast have to travel much farther during the 2026 season than most other teams. The Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors will travel the most, followed by several California teams affected by being in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Teams in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) generally have the shortest travel distances.
Key Facts
The Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors will travel over 37,000 miles during the 2026 season, the most of any team.
Stanford, a California team in the ACC, will travel nearly 22,000 miles.
Sacramento State and North Dakota State also travel high distances, just under 21,000 and 19,000 miles respectively.
Arizona State had the biggest increase in travel distance from last season, more than doubling to about 18,000 miles.
California schools fill half of the top 12 teams with the most travel miles, including USC, San Jose State, and UCLA.
Teams in the Southeastern Conference tend to travel the least, with Alabama and Auburn traveling under 2,500 miles each.
The travel distance differences are mainly due to conference alignments and road game locations.
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Travis Kelce, a football player for the Kansas City Chiefs, said his wedding to singer Taylor Swift in early July was the best night of his life. The couple held the wedding at Madison Square Garden in New York, with around 1,000 guests, but few details or pictures have been shared publicly.
Key Facts
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift got married on July 2 and 3 at Madison Square Garden.
About 1,000 people attended the wedding, including many celebrities.
The ceremony was led by comedian and actor Adam Sandler.
The couple paid $160,000 to the city of New York to cover costs from street closures and police presence.
Taylor Swift wore shoes by Louboutin, and both dressed by Jonathan Anderson for Christian Dior.
The wedding was confirmed afterward by Swift's spokeswoman and messages shown at the venue.
The couple made their relationship public two years ago and got engaged in August 2025.
Journalist George Stephanopoulos described the event as personal and intimate despite the large venue.
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The San Francisco 49ers have signed Eli Apple, a cornerback who was a first-round draft pick in 2016. Apple played most of last season on the 49ers' practice squad and has moved between several NFL teams in recent years.
Key Facts
Eli Apple was the 10th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.
He played mostly on the 49ers' practice squad in the 2025 season, appearing in two games with one tackle.
Apple was waived by the 49ers in early August 2026 and re-signed 10 days later.
He has also played for the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, and Los Angeles Chargers.
Throughout his career, Apple has made 384 tackles, 61 passes defensed (when a defender stops a pass), and six interceptions.
Injuries and disciplinary issues have affected his playing time in previous seasons.
The 49ers are adding depth to their defensive secondary as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season.
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Bangladesh is leading against Australia in the first Test cricket match of their series. After both teams completed one innings each, Australia is currently batting in their second innings and trails Bangladesh by 67 runs with 6 wickets still left.
Key Facts
The match is a five-day Test cricket game between Australia and Bangladesh.
Bangladesh scored 426 runs in their first innings and were all out after 138 overs.
Australia scored 198 runs in their first innings and were all out after 53 overs.
Australia is currently batting their second innings at 161 runs for 4 wickets after 53 overs.
Australia trails Bangladesh by 67 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the match.
Key bowlers for Bangladesh include Mahmud and Hazlewood who took several Australian wickets.
The game is in progress on Day 3 of the Test match.
Several Australian batsmen have been dismissed by Bangladesh bowlers such as Mahmud and Ebadot.
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The San Francisco 49ers signed Zamir White, a running back formerly with the Las Vegas Raiders, to help with injuries at the running back position. Several 49ers players, including Christian McCaffrey, have been sidelined, prompting the team to add depth before the season starts.
Key Facts
The 49ers have multiple running backs injured: Christian McCaffrey (muscle tightness), Jordan James (rib fracture), Kaelon Black (adductor injury), and Isaac Guerendo (pectoral tear).
Zamir White signed a one-year contract with the 49ers after visiting the team.
White was a fourth-round draft pick in 2022 and played four seasons with the Raiders.
At Georgia, White ran for 856 yards and 11 touchdowns in his junior year, helping win a national championship.
White was behind other running backs like Josh Jacobs on the Raiders and had limited playing time due to injuries.
The Raiders did not re-sign White after his rookie contract ended, leaving him a free agent before signing with the 49ers.
White could see significant playing time in the preseason while the injured players recover.
The 49ers aim to keep McCaffrey rested for the regular season by using White in preseason games.
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The Detroit Tigers have placed their star outfielder Riley Greene on the 10-day injured list due to a right hamstring sprain. To cover for Greene, they called up outfielder Corey Julks from their Triple-A minor league team.
Key Facts
Riley Greene injured his right hamstring during a game against the Cleveland Guardians.
He left the game after rounding the bases and was also hit by a pitch earlier.
Greene will be on the 10-day injured list, meaning he cannot play for at least 10 days.
The Tigers are currently 2.5 games behind the Chicago White Sox for first place in their division.
Greene has played 117 games this season with 16 home runs, 54 runs batted in (RBIs), and a .273 batting average.
He was selected to the MLB All-Star Game for the third straight year.
The Tigers promoted Corey Julks from their Triple-A team, Toledo, to fill in for Greene.
Julks has hit 15 home runs, with 54 RBIs and a .273 batting average in 86 games this season.
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The New England Patriots signed veteran running back Hassan Haskins to add depth to their running back group before their preseason games start. Haskins previously played under Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel with the Tennessee Titans and has experience as a backup running back in the NFL.
Key Facts
The Patriots’ main running backs are Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson, both productive players last season.
Backup running backs Terrell Jennings, Lan Larison, and Jam Miller have limited NFL experience.
Myles Montgomery, an undrafted rookie, was waived due to injury.
Hassan Haskins was drafted in 2022 by the Tennessee Titans, where Vrabel was head coach.
Haskins played 44 NFL games with 229 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns in his career.
He was with the Los Angeles Chargers for the last two seasons before signing with the Patriots.
Coach Vrabel often brings players from his previous teams to the Patriots.
The Patriots’ preseason games start against the Indianapolis Colts, followed by games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns.
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Rashee Rice, a Kansas City Chiefs receiver, will not face further NFL suspension despite violating parole by testing positive for THC. After serving jail time and undergoing knee surgery, Rice has returned to full training and is set to play in the upcoming season.
Key Facts
Rice violated his parole by testing positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a substance found in marijuana.
He was jailed on May 19 but released in June after receiving treatment.
Rice underwent knee surgery before entering jail to clean up his right knee.
The NFL decided not to suspend Rice further, allowing him to play this season.
Rice had a previous six-game suspension related to a car crash that injured multiple people.
Last season, Rice played eight games with 571 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Rice is focused on improving his performance and contributing to the team’s passing game.
He is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Travis Kelce, a player for the Kansas City Chiefs, praised the team’s current offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and compared him to the former coordinator Matt Nagy. Kelce said Bieniemy brings more intensity and accountability to the team, which many fans agree has improved the Chiefs’ offense and overall performance.
Key Facts
Travis Kelce complimented Eric Bieniemy’s intensity and accountability during this year’s training camp.
Kelce suggested the team missed these qualities during Matt Nagy’s time as offensive coordinator.
Andy Reid remains the Chiefs’ head coach and play-caller, but Bieniemy and Nagy helped with game planning and offensive strategies.
Under Bieniemy, the Chiefs’ offense ranked mostly in the top 6 in the league, while under Nagy, rankings dropped to between 9th and 20th.
Bieniemy’s offense averaged about 406 yards and 30 points per game; Nagy’s offense averaged about 333 yards and 22 points per game.
Patrick Mahomes’ performance declined during Nagy’s time, with fewer yards, touchdowns, and a lower passer rating compared to Bieniemy’s years.
Bieniemy served as offensive coordinator for five seasons; Nagy served for three seasons before moving to the New York Giants.
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Major League Baseball has returned to play a regular-season game at the Field of Dreams site in Dyersville, Iowa, where a permanent ballpark has been built amid cornfields. This location, inspired by the 1989 movie, hosts special games that combine baseball nostalgia with a unique rural setting.
Key Facts
MLB held games at a temporary ballpark near the Field of Dreams movie site in 2021 and 2022.
A permanent baseball stadium has now been constructed at the site to continue hosting games.
The Minnesota Twins hosted the Philadelphia Phillies for a game in this new permanent stadium.
The venue is located in Dyersville, Iowa, a small town with a population of about 4,477.
Local workers have maintained the cornfields around the ballpark, which cover 67 acres.
The first planned game in 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Previous games at this site included the Chicago White Sox playing the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs playing the Cincinnati Reds.
Funding for the permanent stadium came from state tourism grants, federal pandemic relief money, and local donors.
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Brian Madjo, a 17-year-old striker, made his first competitive appearance for Aston Villa after an eight-month wait due to registration issues. He scored a goal in the UEFA Super Cup match against Paris Saint-Germain, showing promise in a 2-1 loss.
Key Facts
Brian Madjo joined Aston Villa from Metz in January for £10 million.
FIFA initially blocked his registration because he is under 18 and international transfer rules apply.
Villa won an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, allowing Madjo to play.
Madjo is 17 years old, 6ft 4in tall, and an England Under-17 international with 4 goals in 9 games.
He scored Aston Villa’s equalizing goal against PSG in the UEFA Super Cup.
Madjo impressed by holding off a defender and creating scoring chances in his debut.
Manager Unai Emery praised his work ethic, tactical discipline, and performance beyond just scoring.
Villa may change their striker options before the Premier League season starts on August 23.
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The Monster Jam summer series has returned, featuring both experienced drivers and new competitors. Tyler Menninga, who drives the famous Grave Digger truck, talks about how he started in motorsports and shares his favorite career memory.
Key Facts
Monster Jam's summer series is happening again this year.
The event includes veteran drivers and newcomers.
Tyler Menninga is a driver known for controlling the Grave Digger truck.
Menninga shared stories about his entry into motorsports.
He also talked about his favorite moments driving Monster Jam trucks.
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Football player Travis Kelce shared his first detailed thoughts about his wedding to singer Taylor Swift, saying their event at New York’s Madison Square Garden was the best night of his life. The couple got married on July 3 in a private ceremony attended by many famous guests, including actors and models.
Key Facts
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift were married on July 3, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The ceremony was private, with no official photos released.
Comedic actor Adam Sandler officiated the wedding.
Many Hollywood celebrities, like Hugh Grant, Jason Sudeikis, Benson Boone, and Gigi Hadid, attended the event.
Kelce described the wedding as the best night of his life and thanked guests and Madison Square Garden owners for their support.
Taylor Swift attended the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals Game 4 during the same period, sitting courtside as the Knicks won a close game.
Kelce noted the heat inside the venue was high due to a heatwave during Independence Day weekend.
Kelce is focusing on returning to football training after the wedding and is unsure if this will be his last NFL season.
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Many new NFL players are using their first paychecks to buy things they have wanted for a long time. Common purchases include new cars, houses, and helping out their parents.
Key Facts
NFL rookies are in their first year playing in the league.
After earning money from football, they spend on personal priorities.
Popular purchases include cars and homes.
Some rookies use money to support their families.
This spending shows their financial goals after joining the NFL.
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Deshaun Watson will start as quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in their first preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Saturday, marking his first game since 2024. Shedeur Sanders will play the second half and is scheduled to start the next preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.
Key Facts
Deshaun Watson will start the Browns' exhibition opener against the Chicago Bears.
This will be Watson’s first game action since October 2024, after injuries and an NFL suspension.
Shedeur Sanders will take over in the second half of the game and start the following preseason game against the Bills.
Browns coach Todd Monken announced the plan after practice without explaining the reasoning.
Watson was signed by the Browns in 2022 with a $230 million guaranteed contract.
Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023 and two Achilles tendon ruptures afterward.
The Browns hope to decide their starting quarterback before the regular season begins on September 13 against Jacksonville.
Watson has been improving during training camp and aims to show his best form despite past setbacks.
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The Tampa Bay Rays finished a perfect 9-0 trip on the West Coast by beating the Oakland Athletics 8-4. This makes them only the second East Coast team in major league history to win nine straight games on a West Coast trip, joining the Boston Red Sox.
Key Facts
The Rays swept three games in Colorado, Seattle, and then three against Oakland, scoring 30 runs in the final series.
Tampa Bay’s pitcher Drew Rasmussen won his fifth straight start, pitching five innings.
Liam Hicks hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning and went 3 for 5 at bat.
The Rays improved their road record to 33-28 with this win.
Oakland’s pitcher Jack Perkins allowed seven runs and has lost seven of his last 11 starts.
Tampa Bay’s 9-0 West Coast trip matches the longest road winning streak in the franchise’s history.
The Boston Red Sox were the first East Coast team to accomplish a 9-0 West Coast trip back in 1977.
The Rays are currently the best team in the American League.
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