Here are the AP’s top sports stories that have moved or are planned to move today. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan. Sports content can be found at http://newsroom.ap.org/page/APSports.
For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, including agate, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.
The New York sports desk can be reached at 800-845-8450, ext. 1630. Sports photos, ext. 1918; graphics, ext. 7636.
——————————
UPCOMING
——————————
FBC--T25-TEXAS A&M-TEXAS PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: AUSTIN, Texas — Texas A&M owes Texas an awful lot of payback over the course of a rivalry that dates back to 1894. This week looks like the perfect place to start. The Aggies come into Friday’s matchup with an eye on the Southeastern Conference title game and the College Football Playoff. And a win could finally stamp out Texas’ faint playoff hopes in a season the Longhorns started as No. 1. By Jim Vertuno. 700 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 11/26/2025 5:00 a.m. EST, Text
___
FBC--ACC THIS WEEK
DESCRIPTION: No. 13 Miami visits No. 24 Pittsburgh as the top game on the Atlantic Coast Conference’s weekly schedule. No. 17 Virginia and No. 25 SMU can clinch spots in the ACC title game with wins. By Aaron Beard. UPCOMING: 525 words and photos by 6 a.m.
UPCOMING: By 11/26/2025 6:00 a.m. EST, Text
___
FBN--INSIDE THE NUMBERS
DESCRIPTION: Jaxon Smith-Njigba already wrapped up the most prolific receiving season in Seattle history and is on pace to be the NFL’s first 2,000-yard receiver. Smith-Njigba isn’t alone in putting together a season that could end in the record book with Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett closing in on the single-season sacks record after accumulating 13 in the last four games. The calendar hasn’t even hit Thanksgiving and two NFL single-season records are in serious jeopardy of being broken this season. By Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow. 1000 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 11/26/2025 6:00 a.m. EST, Text
___
FBC--T25-WHAT TO WATCH
DESCRIPTION: When it comes to setting conference championship game matchups in the final week of the regular season, we can do it the easy way, or we can do it the hard way. The ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC and almost certainly the American are the leagues whose champions will get automatic College Football Playoff bids. Each has two teams set to advance to conference title games as long as they win Friday or Saturday. By College Football Writer Eric Olson. 825 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 11/26/2025 8:10 a.m. EST, Photo, Text
___
FBC--BIG TEN THIS WEEK
DESCRIPTION: There’s much at stake when Michigan hosts No. 1 Ohio State and No. 5 Oregon visits Washington for the Big Ten’s two biggest games of the final weekend of college football’s regular season. By Steve Megargee. UPCOMING: 600 words, with photos, expected by noon.
UPCOMING: By 11/26/2025 12:23 p.m. EST, Photo, Text
___
FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS
DESCRIPTION: AP College Football Writer Eric Olson makes his picks for Week 14 games involving Top 25 teams. By College Football Writer Eric Olson. 1,000 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 11/26/2025 1:00 p.m. EST, Photo, Text
___
FBC--TRADITION GLIMPSE-RIVALRY TROPHIES
DESCRIPTION: MINNEAPOLIS — Paul Bunyan’s Axe currently resides at the Minnesota football facility, after the Gophers took back the storied hardware by beating the Badgers in Wisconsin last year in the most-played rivalry in college football history. The two border-state teams originally played for the Slab of Bacon, a strange-but-true trophy that went missing for decades only to resurface in Wisconsin in the mid-1990s. No sport in the world can match the richness and quirkiness of these rituals around inanimate objects, whether it’s a red axe, a bronze pig, a little brown jug or an old oaken bucket. By Dave Campbell. 500 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 11/26/2025 2:00 p.m. EST, DigitalPlans, Photo, Text
___
FBC--T25-OHIO ST-MICHIGAN PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Top-ranked Ohio State plays rival and 15th-ranked Michigan on the road Saturday, desperately hoping to end a four-game losing streak in what’s known as The Game and keep the Wolverines out of the College Football Playoff. By Larry Lage. UPCOMING: 650 words, photos by 4 p.m.
UPCOMING: By 11/26/2025 4:00 p.m. EST, Text
___
FBN--BENGALS-RAVENS PREVIEW
FORMATS: Text
1. WITH: FBN--BENGALS-RAVENS PREVIEW
2. DESCRIPTION: Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson have had some memorable duels, but is either of them healthy enough for a big game when the Ravens and Bengals meet on Thanksgiving? By Noah Trister. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.
3. UPCOMING: By 11/26/2025 5:00 p.m. EST
4. WITH: FBN--BENGALS-RAVENS PREVIEW
5. DESCRIPTION: Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson have had some memorable duels, but is either of them healthy enough for a big game when the Ravens and Bengals meet on Thanksgiving? By Noah Trister. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.
6. UPCOMING: By 11/26/2025 5:00 p.m. EST
___
FBC--T25-NOTRE DAME-STANFORD PREVIEW
DESCRIPTION: STANFORD, Calif. — No. 9 Notre Dame wraps up the regular season with a visit to Stanford, hoping a win against the Cardinal will wrap up a playoff berth for the Fighting Irish. By Josh Dubow. 650 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 11/26/2025 5:00 p.m. EST, Text
___
SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-ROUNDUP
DESCRIPTION: Title holder Paris Saint-Germain hosts Tottenham in the Champions League in a repeat of their Super Cup game in August. Arsenal hosts Bayern Munich and Real Madrid is at Olympiakos among nine games on Wednesday. By Graham Dunbar. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos. EXPECTED: 2230 gmt
UPCOMING: By 11/26/2025 5:30 p.m. EST, Text
___
FBN--BILLS-OFFENSE
DESCRIPTION: ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bills coordinator Joe Brady keeps reiterating how he needs to be better overseeing Buffalo’s offense. Josh Allen was deflated after his latest multiple-turnover outing. And the Bills (7-4) are running out of room for error in the playoff race by having dropped four of seven and preparing to travel to play Pittsburgh (6-5) on Sunday. By John Wawrow. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos by 7 p.m. EST.
UPCOMING: By 11/26/2025 7:00 p.m. EST, Text
___
GREECE OLYMPIC FLAME
DESCRIPTION: 400 words planned.
UPCOMING: By 11/26/2025 6:00 a.m. EST, LiveVideo, Video, Photo, Text
——————————
NEW AND DEVELOPING
——————————
SUM--UKRAINE SUMO STAR
Ukrainian sumo wrestler Aonishiki nears the pinnacle of Japan’s national sport
SUMMARY: Ukrainian sumo wrestler Aonishiki is only 21 but has moved just one step from the top rank of Japan’s national sport. In an elaborate ceremony on Wednesday he was promoted by the Japan Sumo Association to the rank of ozeki, the rung just below the top. Only two now hold the top rank of yokozuna — grand champion in English: Japanese Onosato and Mongolia-born Hoshoryu. Aonishiki says “there is a higher rank, and that’s my next goal.”
WORDS: 521 - MOVED: 11/26/2025 12:59 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:069add73dc82f837aba918b47ce8e2ca&mediaType=text
___
BBO--RED SOX-CARDINALS TRADE
Red Sox acquire right-hander Sonny Gray from the Cardinals
SUMMARY: The Boston Red Sox have acquired right-hander Sonny Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals will receive righty Richard Fitts and prospect Brandon Clarke. Gray went 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA for the Cardinals last season. In a 13-year career with five teams, he is 125-102 with a 3.58 ERA and three All-Star appearances. Fitts turns 26 next month. Gray gives the Red Sox a dependable option behind ace Garrett Crochet to take some of the pressure off the rest of the rotation.
WORDS: 631 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 11:42 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b81e4a2613746f1fb3cecf6ecc757c3a&mediaType=text
___
BKC--T25-HOUSTON-SAMPSON
Houston coach Kelvin Sampson questions free-throw disparity after loss to Tennessee
SUMMARY: Houston coach Kelvin Sampson highlighted the free-throw disparity after the third-ranked Cougars lost 76-73 to No. 17 Tennessee. The Volunteers took 29 foul shots, making 23, while Houston was 8 of 11. Sampson frequently returned to the topic during the postgame news conference. He said both teams played aggressive defense and he questioned the difference in opportunities at the foul line. It was the Cougars’ first loss this season after opening 6-0. Sampson never directly criticized the officiating but made clear he wasn’t pleased with some calls. He emphasized the free-throw line was the difference in the game.
WORDS: 250 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 10:31 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0a17aa5e28d4c5196a4f9234cc189cba&mediaType=text
___
FBC--CFP RANKINGS
College football rankings start juggling act at 6-7, while top 5 remain the same
SUMMARY: A sleepy week filled with nonconference blowouts locked the College Football Playoff rankings into a virtual standstill, with Ohio State ranked first again and Oregon’s flip-flop with Ole Miss at Nos. 6 and 7 one of the few significant changes in the newest top 25. Oregon’s impressive victory over Southern California accounted for its move up one spot over Mississippi, which didn’t play last week. The other meaningful change was Miami’s move to No. 12, in a switch with Utah after the Utes gave up 472 yards rushing in a tight win over Kansas State.
WORDS: 1050 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 9:41 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:67dc8b1f1874f5ee3139e1beb78fac11&mediaType=text
___
BKC--T25-HOUSTON-TENNESSEE
Ja’Kobi Gillespie’s clutch free throws lift No. 17 Tennessee to 76-73 win over No. 3 Houston
SUMMARY: Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored 22 points, including six free throws in the final 35 seconds, to lead No. 17 Tennessee to a 76-73 victory over No. 3 Houston in the Players Era Championship. Jaylen Carey added 13 points and Bishop Boswell scored 10, including two late free throws. Kingston Flemings paced Houston with 25 points. Milos Uzan, playing in his hometown, missed a halfcourt shot at the buzzer that would have forced overtime. Houston struggled in the second half, missing 11 straight shots. Tennessee capitalized on free throws to secure the win.
WORDS: 341 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 8:47 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7e770f076f07b16378e853dbbdbf8fe3&mediaType=text
___
FBC--OKLAHOMA STATE-MORRIS
Oklahoma State to hire North Texas’ Eric Morris as new football coach
SUMMARY: Oklahoma State is hiring Eric Morris from North Texas as its new football coach. Morris has led North Texas since 2023, turning a 5-7 team into a 10-1 contender for a conference championship. The hire is pending board approval. Morris replaces Mike Gundy, who was fired in September during his 21st season. Interim coach Doug Meacham is 0-8, with Oklahoma State at 1-10. North Texas leads the nation in scoring and total offense. Morris will finish the season with North Texas before transitioning to Oklahoma State.
WORDS: 499 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 8:44 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:02da9789faf4def4225c1664e48f4c4e&mediaType=text
___
SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-ROUNDUP
Chelsea beats 10-man Barcelona 3-0 as Guardiola’s much-changed City loses in Champions League
SUMMARY: Defensive lapses cost Manchester City and Barcelona dearly as both teams slumped to notable losses in the Champions League on Tuesday. Bayer Leverkusen upset City 2-0 and Barcelona had an own goal and a red card in its 3-0 loss at Chelsea. José Mourinho has picked up his first Champions League win with his new club Benfica as Samuel Dahl’s early goal set the stage for a 2-0 win over troubled Ajax. Scott McTominay scored the opening goal as Napoli won 2-0 against Azerbaijan’s Qarabag.
WORDS: 713 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 6:38 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ed5e8c8c1ae7b2a0f72e9872185075ff&mediaType=text
___
FBN--BENGALS-BURROW
Bengals QB Joe Burrow excited for long-awaited return and Thanksgiving stage against Ravens
SUMMARY: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow confirms he’ll return Thursday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Burrow had surgery for a turf toe injury on Sept. 19 and is returning nearly a month early. The Bengals have a 3-8 record, but coach Zac Taylor emphasized Burrow’s readiness over the team’s record. Burrow says he’s eager to play, not wanting to sit out if healthy. He looked sharp in practice last week. Burrow missed last week’s game against the Patriots, but he’s excited to play on Thanksgiving, especially against division rivals such as the Ravens.
WORDS: 735 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 6:16 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:4cb9ae39ecd1be3018fc8467daa5be2c&mediaType=text
___
US--FOOTBALL COACH-CHARGES
Football coach who went missing before undefeated team’s playoff game is wanted on criminal charges
SUMMARY: Virginia State Police say a high school football coach who disappeared days ago before his undefeated team’s playoff game is being sought on charges of possessing child sexual abuse material and using a computer to solicit a minor. Police say warrants were obtained Monday for 46-year-old Travis Turner, of Appalachia, Virginia. They didn’t share details about what prompted the charges. They say the Union High School coach has been missing since Thursday, when agents headed to his home, not to arrest him but as part of an investigation, but learned he was no longer there. They say the search nearby has included drones, dogs and rescue teams.
WORDS: 473 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 5:50 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:a1f7d08a9452f80313ba303924ed18cb&mediaType=text
___
FBN--BILLS-COOKS
Bills provide QB Josh Allen another veteran option by signing receiver Brandin Cooks
SUMMARY: The Buffalo Bills provided Josh Allen and their inconsistent passing attack yet another veteran option by signing free agent wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Cooks joins the Bills after the New Orleans Saints granted the player’s wish by waiving him last week. And his signing comes two weeks after Buffalo added veteran wideout Mecole Hardman, who landed on injured reserve because of a calf injury sustained in his Bills debut. Cooks is in his 12th NFL season and brings a downfield threat to a Bills passing game that has experienced difficulty pushing the ball deep this season.
WORDS: 387 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 5:35 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:ef4cec6a725787f456d236ad9ef5ac8d&mediaType=text
___
FBC-T25--TEXAS A&M-NEW HEIGHTS
Texas A&M on the verge of historic season with undefeated record and SEC title hopes
SUMMARY: No. 3 Texas A&M is on the verge of reaching heights the Aggies often tease but usually squander. They are undefeated. They could reach the Southeastern Conference title game and the College Football Playoff for the first time. Quarterback Marcel Reed is a Heisman Trophy contender and the school has rewarded coach Mike Elko with a blockbuster contract extension. Aggies faithful are hopeful that their program has finally taken a great leap forward. Reed says it feels amazing. He says, “It feels like I’m giving back to a lot of these fans for what they haven’t had.”
WORDS: 959 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 5:17 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:89420f2435684614c10881580dd87092&mediaType=text
___
FBN-- MOEHRIG-SUSPENDED
Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig suspended 1 game for punching 49ers’ Jauan Jennings
SUMMARY: Carolina Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig has been suspended one game without pay for punching San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings in the groin during Monday’s game. Moehrig may appeal the suspension under the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. A hearing would be heard by Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, or Jordy Nelson, the hearing officers jointly appointed and compensated by the NFL and NFLPA to decide appeals of on-field player discipline. Moehrig will be eligible to return to the Panthers’ active roster next Monday.
WORDS: 98 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 3:58 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3a30d60f867c157d63943c4595bbe3b1&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WCUP-RONALDO BAN
Cristiano Ronaldo set to avoid ban at World Cup after FIFA red-card verdict offers probation
SUMMARY: Cristiano Ronaldo will likely avoid missing any Portugal games at the World Cup despite his red card in a qualifying game last week for elbowing an Ireland opponent. FIFA has published a disciplinary verdict that imposed a three-game ban yet with two of those games deferred for a one-year probation period. Ronaldo served a mandatory one-game ban when Portugal won its final qualifying game to seal its place at the World Cup in north America. The superstar was expected to be banned for at least one more game and start his record sixth World Cup on the sidelines.
WORDS: 494 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 3:45 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3d9e7b4eeeff0d4f93f21813869c5ed7&mediaType=text
___
FBN--ON FOOTBALL-TUESDAY TAKEAWAYS
Rams QB Matthew Stafford’s season could end up ranking among the best in NFL history
SUMMARY: Matthew Stafford is having one of the best statistical seasons in NFL history. The 37-year-old quarterback has thrown 27 touchdowns since his most recent interception in Week 3. Overall, he has 2,830 yards passing, 30 TDs, 2 interceptions and a 113.7 passer rating while leading the Los Angeles Rams to a 9-2 record and the current No. 1 seed in the NFC. Stafford is playing at an MVP level despite missing one month in training camp and the entire preseason because of a back injury. Stafford is on pace to finish with 4,374 yards passing, 46 TDs and three picks. That would rank among one of the greatest seasons ever.
WORDS: 912 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 2:16 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:42715821770b20fbf7cc4ec5b646cf97&mediaType=text
___
SOC--WCUP-DRAW
2026 World Cup draw can separate top-ranked Spain, Argentina, France and England until semifinals
SUMMARY: The 2026 World Cup draw next week will reward the four highest-ranked teams who are Spain, Argentina, France and England with being placed in separate sections of a new tennis-style seeded tournament bracket. FIFA says the top four teams in the latest men’s rankings can avoid each other until the semifinals of the June 11-July 19 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. They will avoid each other if they finish top of their respective round-robin groups. The draw ceremony for the first 48-team World Cup is Dec. 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend.
WORDS: 523 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 1:49 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:58e794471760ea366c8d1f524fea4151&mediaType=text
___
FBN--BEHIND THE CALL
Chiefs overcame bad calls on Travis Kelce and Jawaan Taylor to salvage their season
SUMMARY: Referee Alex Moore’s crew made a mistake by penalizing Kansas City Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor for a facemask violation, erasing a game-tying touchdown by Travis Kelce in Week 12. CBS analyst Tony Romo also erred by suggesting Andy Reid could have challenged the call. The NFL expanded facemask calls for replay assist this season, but it wasn’t used here, so the errant call went uncorrected. The Chiefs overcame both the bad call and an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit in winning in overtime to salvage their season.
WORDS: 831 - MOVED: 11/25/2025 1:48 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:b29495ffbd9ebc29a2d29c5e3e2d20f3&mediaType=text
___
