SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — No. 3 Notre Dame has emerged as a model of consistency in this ever-changing college football world. The storied program has won 15 straight games, all by double digits, putting the unbeaten Fighting Irish on the cusp of making more history. Army set the Football Bowl Subdivision record for most consecutive double-digit win margins with 21 from 1944-46. Miami is second at 17 from 2000 to 2001. Notre Dame can move within one of the Hurricanes when its hosts struggling Stanford on Saturday.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A hurricane is menacing the Gulf Coast, but President Donald Trump remains eager to attend a big college football game in Alabama on Saturday night. Trump hopes to visit Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Top 10 Alabama-Georgia matchup. Officials are still discussing how the storm might affect the game. Trump said on Wednesday that he doesn't want to do anything to strain resources. His love of sports and large crowds are often key factors in his travel plans, even close to the Nov. 3 midterm elections. The White House sees the games as a way to energize Republicans, but others say mixing sports and politics can be risky.
UNDATED (AP) — Wake Forest heads to N.C. State chasing a 5-1 start to headline the weekly slate in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Demon Deacons are coming off a blowout win against Stanford. They're visiting the Wolfpack in a long-running instate series. The schedule includes No. 25 Pittsburgh hosting North Carolina and Florida State visiting Louisville. Players to watch include Duke quarterback Walker Eget in a trip to Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer in a matchup with California.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Miami quarterback Darian Mensah's uniform was covered in Clemson turf after a tough game last weekend. Despite a 41-13 win, Mensah focused on improvement, not praise. Miami is 5-0, leading the Atlantic Coast Conference, and ranked No. 4 in the AP Top 25. The Hurricanes boast the top scoring defense and second-best scoring offense nationally. Coach Mario Cristobal emphasizes staying focused on the next game. Miami enters a bye week with injuries but remains strong. Mensah has thrown for 15 touchdowns with no interceptions, completing 84.2% of his passes.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Gerry McNamara, the former Syracuse basketball star, is now the coach tasked with reviving the fledgling program. Syracuse has missed the last five NCAA Tournaments, a stark contrast to its glory days under Jim Boeheim. McNamara, hired in March, is determined to bring the team back to national prominence. He emphasizes competitiveness and has already brought three players from the successful Siena team that nearly upset No. 1 Duke in the NCAA Tournament in March. McNamara's deep connection to Syracuse and his reputation are seen as assets in fundraising and recruiting. He believes his experience and understanding of the program can lead Syracuse back to success.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Virginia's Thijs De Ridder and Johann Grünloh adapted well to their first year as international pro players shifting to American college basketball. That transition was key in helping the Cavaliers win 30 games and play for an Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championship in coach Ryan Odom's first season. Grünloh said Wednesday during the ACC's preseason media days that the transition “worked out pretty well for us.” De Ridder is from Belgium and Grünloh is from Germany. Odom says the key is helping them feel comfortable “like they're part of a family.”
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Jordan Faison came to Notre Dame as one of the nation’s top lacrosse recruits. Football was more of an afterthought for the prep quarterback who played in a Wing-T offense. Now the roles are reversed. Once content with walking on to the football team, Faison gave up lacrosse so he could become a prime target on a national championship contender. Faison leads the third-ranked Fighting Irish with 25 catches, 371 yards and four TDs and heads into Saturday's game against Stanford coming off an eight-catch, 132-yard game in the rainy victory at North Carolina. Faison’s next test comes Saturday when the Irish take on Stanford (2-3).
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — California changed offensive coordinators at halftime of the Golden Bears’ loss to UNLV last week. Coach Tosh Lupoi confirmed that he stripped offensive coordinator Jordan Somerville of play-calling duties and promoted passing game coordinator Pat McCann to the role during the team’s 39-31 loss to the Rebels. Cal has gotten off to a rough start in Lupoi’s first season with the offense struggling outside of one game against FCS-level Wagner. Somerville was hired as coordinator despite having no experience in the role. He had been assistant quarterbacks coach and a passing game specialist for Tampa Bay in the NFL.
