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.

——————————

UPCOMING

——————————

___

FBC--T25-LSU-VANDERBILT

DESCRIPTION: NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 10th-ranked LSU Tigers visit No. 17 Vanderbilt with the Commodores coming off an open date after their loss at Alabama. By Teresa M. Walker. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game is underway.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 4:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

___

FBC--T25-OHIO ST-WISCONSIN

DESCRIPTION: MADISON, Wis. — No. 1 Ohio State puts a 10-game winning streak on the line when it visits Wisconsin, which has lost its last nine games against Power Four conference schools. By Steve Megargee. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 7:30 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

___

FBC--TEXAS A&M-ARKANSAS

DESCRIPTION: FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — No. 4 Texas A&M visits Arkansas, led by interim coach Bobby Petrino. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 7:30 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBC--T25-MICHIGAN ST-INDIANA

DESCRIPTION: BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — No. 3 Indiana tries to protect the highest ranking in school history when it hosts Michigan State. The Hoosiers are 6-0 and looking to retain the Old Brass Spittoon for the first time since the late 1960s. The Spartans have lost their first three conference games this season. UPCOMING: 500 words, more on merit, photos. Game scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 7:30 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBC--T25-MISSISSIPPI-GEORGIA

DESCRIPTION: ATHENS, Ga. — No. 5 Mississippi tries to retain its share of the Southeastern Conference lead when the Rebels visit No. 9 Georgia. By Charles Odum. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 7:30 p.m. EDT, DigitalPlans, Text

___

CAR--F1-US GRAND PRIX

DESCRIPTION: AUSTIN, Texas — Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will start from pole position for Saturday’s sprint race at the Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix ahead of McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Piastri leads Norris by 22 points in the title chase. Qualifying for Sunday’s main event will follow the sprint race. By Jim Vertuno. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Gualifying for Sunday’s race starts at 5 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBC--T25-TEXAS TECH-ARIZONA ST

DESCRIPTION: TEMPE, Ariz. — No. 7 Texas Tech could be without starting quarter Behren Morton for what could be one of its toughest tests of the season at Arizona State. By John Marshall. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 4 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 8:00 p.m. EDT, Text

___

SOC--INTER MIAMI-NASHVILLE

DESCRIPTION: NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami visit Nashville SC. Messi scored two goals to beat Nashville in Miami in July. UPCOMING: 300 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 6 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 9:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

___

FBC--T25-OREGON-RUTGERS

DESCRIPTION: PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Dante Moore and No. 8 Oregon try to bounce back from a loss at home to Indiana against Rutgers. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 10:30 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBC--T25-TENNESSEE-ALABAMA

DESCRIPTION: TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 6 Alabama hosts No. 11 Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference rivalry known as the “Third Saturday in October.” The Vols are trying to win back-to-back games in the series for the first time since 2004. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 11:00 p.m. EDT, Text, Photo

___

FBC--T25-USC-NOTRE DAME

DESCRIPTION: SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 13 Notre Dame gets another chance to beat a ranked team on its home field when it hosts No. 20 Southern California. The Fighting Irish have won four straight to climb back into the playoff picture. The Trojans head into this rivalry game with a 5-1 mark. UPCOMING: 500 words, more on merit, photos. Game scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 11:15 p.m. EDT, Text

___

FBC--T25-UTAH-BYU

DESCRIPTION: PROVO, Utah — No. 15 BYU and No. 23 Utah meet as ranked teams in the Holy War for the first time since 2009. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos. Game scheduled to start at 8 p.m. EDT.

UPCOMING: By 10/18/2025 11:45 p.m. EDT, Text

___

——————————

NEW AND DEVELOPING

——————————

FBC--PENN ST-FRANKLIN RESPONDS

James Franklin shocked at Penn State firing him months after playing for a chance at national title

SUMMARY: James Franklin says he was shocked when Penn State fired him hours after a loss in which the Nittany Lions also lost quarterback Drew Allar to a season-ending injury but that he cannot wait to coach again elsewhere. Franklin said Saturday on ESPN’s “College GameDay” that Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft visited him ahead of a practice last Sunday and told him the university was making a change. Franklin said he was surprised because Penn State was fighting to play for a national title six games ago and was a two-minute drive away from beating Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl last season. He said decisions were made that didn’t involve him.

WORDS: 435 - MOVED: 10/18/2025 1:14 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:799996346626091986b8ad72e76debdd&mediaType=text

___

CAR--NASCAR-TALLADEGA

Ryan Blaney channels ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage for Talladega inspiration

SUMMARY: Ryan Blaney faces a tough challenge in NASCAR’s playoffs after a crash in Las Vegas. He’s drawing inspiration from wrestling legend Randy Savage and his quote: “The cream will rise to the top.” Blaney is last among the eight remaining playoff drivers with two races left. He’s 31 points below the cutline. He aims to reach the championship four for the third straight season. Meanwhile, William Byron’s crash in Las Vegas led to fallout, including his spotter losing his job. The unpredictable Talladega could be crucial for both drivers as they fight for a spot in the finale.

WORDS: 880 - MOVED: 10/18/2025 1:11 p.m. EDT. Will be updated following qualifying.

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:9e5bc09b49007829f72170bbdb1893a5&mediaType=text

___

SOC--ENGLISH ROUNDUP

Postecoglou fired straight after Forest loss and Haaland scores 2 more for Man City

SUMMARY: It took around 20 minutes for Nottingham Forest to fire manager Ange Postecoglou after losing to Chelsea 3-0 in the Premier League. Erling Haaland needed five minutes in the second half to do his latest damage on Saturday. He scored twice for Manchester City in its 2-0 win over Everton to move to 11 goals in eight games in the league. Postecoglou departed after just 39 days in charge of Forest. The team didn’t win any of its eight matches under the Australian after he replaced Nuno Espirito Santo on Sept. 9. There were wins for Brighton, Burnley and Sunderland.

WORDS: 563 - MOVED: 10/18/2025 12:11 p.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:36b890a59b1777c0244ec779757aed22&mediaType=text

___

BBO--DODGERS ADVANCE

The champion Dodgers are dominating October again. There’s more behind their success than money

SUMMARY: During the Los Angeles Dodgers’ October rampage to the NL pennant, the defending World Series champions have actually been the dark eminence that many baseball people have long feared they would become. The Dodgers are 9-1 in the postseason, with near-flawless starting pitching and a deep, resilient lineup producing key hits and electrifying highlights. They swept the Milwaukee Brewers out of the NL Championship Series with a 5-1 victory featuring an iconic three-homer, 10-strikeout performance by Shohei Ohtani. Naysayers think the Dodgers’ success is bad for baseball, but the players and coaches wearing the uniform simply don’t care.

WORDS: 1106 - MOVED: 10/18/2025 11:35 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:e2d09450d49cb9f3cc9ef652c7544d14&mediaType=text

___

FBC--T25-MIAMI-BECK

Miami’s perfect season hopes are dashed as Beck throws 4 interceptions in loss to Louisville

SUMMARY: Carson Beck and the Miami Hurricanes are dealing with a loss for the first time. Miami’s hopes for a perfect season vanished Friday night when it lost 24-21 to Louisville. Beck, who had never thrown four interceptions in a college game, took the blame. He became the first Miami quarterback in 12 years to be intercepted four times. Despite completing 71.4% of his passes for 271 yards, those interceptions proved costly. Louisville didn’t score off Beck’s mistakes, but Miami couldn’t overcome the wasted drives. Coach Mario Cristobal emphasized learning from the loss. Beck remains optimistic, noting there are six more games to play this season.

WORDS: 643 - MOVED: 10/18/2025 11:27 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:614b6960a0cb5a1793be4e93efc2a27a&mediaType=text

___

BBO--NLCS-DODGERS-OHTANI PITCHES

Ohtani puts on 2-way Sho for the ages with 3 homers and 10 Ks to lead Dodgers back to World Series

SUMMARY: Shohei Ohtani hit three home runs and pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning for the Los Angeles Dodgers, putting on a spectacular two-way show in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. With 10 strikeouts on the mound and three homers that traveled a combined 1,342 feet at the plate, Ohtani made history in both of his dual roles for the defending champion Dodgers, who returned to the World Series with a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers that completed a four-game sweep. After striking out three batters in the top of the first, Ohtani hit the first leadoff homer by a pitcher in major league history. He hit a second titanic drive in the fourth and launched a third solo homer in the seventh.

WORDS: 1217 - MOVED: 10/18/2025 9:31 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1622bc3201e482ae505a8c1233f2ca1a&mediaType=text

___

FBC--T25-POLL PREVIEW

AP Top 25 shuffle on the way with No. 2 Miami going down before SEC showdowns take the spotlight

SUMMARY: The AP Top 25 college football rankings are headed toward a shake-up. Unranked Louisville upset No. 2 Miami 24-21 to start things off. Louisville, a 13.5-point underdog, intercepted four passes from Miami’s Carson Beck. Minnesota defeated No. 25 Nebraska, 24-6. The Southeastern Conference had three of the five AP Top 25 matchups this week. No. 5 Mississippi faces No. 9 Georgia, while No. 11 Tennessee takes on No. 6 Alabama. No. 10 LSU will play No. 17 Vanderbilt. These games could impact the rankings significantly.

WORDS: 725 - MOVED: 10/18/2025 9:10 a.m. EDT. Will be updated throughout the night.

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:0e1b176e76bb411bb948647a8bb32a76&mediaType=text

___

BBO--NLCS-BREWERS ELIMINATED

Brewers outclassed by Ohtani and big-money Dodgers as rousing season ends with NLCS sweep

SUMMARY: Turned out the National League Championship Series was indeed a mismatch, just as Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested. But not only in payroll and star power. On the baseball field, too. Where it really matters. After compiling the best record in the majors during the regular season, the scrappy Brewers appeared capable of beating anybody — until they ran into Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers in October. Milwaukee mustered only four runs and 14 hits in a four-game Dodgers sweep that left the Brewers steps short of the World Series once again. The team’s only pennant came in 1982, when Milwaukee was in the American League.

WORDS: 739 - MOVED: 10/18/2025 4:48 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:d3b8709f46b8095ec4c92727126c498a&mediaType=text

___

FBC--NORTH CAROLINA-BELICHICK

Belichick’s North Carolina tenure hit by heartbreaking loss to Cal after late fumble

SUMMARY: Bill Belichick’s tenure at North Carolina has been challenging, with the team still seeking its first victory against a power opponent. The Tar Heels suffered a heartbreaking 21-18 loss to California on Friday night. Nathan Leacock’s fumble at the goal line late in the fourth quarter turned a potential go-ahead touchdown into a defining moment. Despite improvements, turnovers have been costly for the team. Belichick, in his first year with a lucrative contract, faces scrutiny both on and off the field. The team’s only wins have come against lower-level opponents, adding pressure to the NFL-style approach.

WORDS: 643 - MOVED: 10/18/2025 3:29 a.m. EDT

https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:1adc91b15293a9d38dabe344f4f7e1e6&mediaType=text

___

——————————

MOVING TOMORROW

——————————

FBC--T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL POLL

The Associated Press releases its latest Top 25 college football poll at 2 p.m. Eastern.

___

BBO--ALCS

TORONTO — The Seattle Mariners try to advance to their first World Series when they visit the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series. Game starts at 8:03 p.m. EDT.

___

FBN--WEEK 6: 12 NFL games.