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.
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UPCOMING
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FBC--CFP-CODY CAMPBELL-THE DISRUPTOR
DESCRIPTION: Texas Tech’s billionaire regent Cody Campbell is an oilman by trade and a disruptor at heart. In an interview with The Associated Press, he spells out his a distinct vision of where college sports is — and where it needs to go if it is going to survive past, say, 2030. By Eddie Pells. 1,170 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 12/31/2025 2:00 p.m. EST, Text
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FBC--CITRUS BOWL
DESCRIPTION: Michigan plays Texas in the Citrus Bowl with the Wolverines reeling from the firing of its coach and the Longhorns eager for offseason momentum after failing to make the playoff. By Doug Ferguson. 450 words, more on merit.
UPCOMING: By 12/31/2025 3:00 p.m. EST, Text
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FBN--RAVENS-JACKSON
DESCRIPTION: All eyes will be on Lamar Jackson’s status when the Ravens take the field for practice ahead of their showdown for the AFC North title at Pittsburgh. By Noah Trister. 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 12/31/2025 6:00 p.m. EST, Text
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FBC--CFP-ORANGE BOWL
DESCRIPTION: DANIA BEACH, Fla. — Dan Lanning is losing his two coordinators when Oregon’s season ends. And plenty of other teams in the College Football Playoff are dealing with some staffing turmoil as well. Lanning’s solution: change the schedule. By Tim Reynolds. 600 words, photos.
UPCOMING: By 12/31/2025 6:30 p.m. EST, Text
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FBN--PRO PICKS-WEEK 18
DESCRIPTION: The NFL’s final weekend features a winner-take-all game between the Ravens-Steelers and a fight for the NFC’s No. 1 seed between the Seahawks-49ers. By Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi.
UPCOMING: By 12/31/2025 7:00 p.m. EST, Text
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FBC--CFP-COTTON BOWL
DESCRIPTION: The 10th-seeded Miami Hurricanes play defending national champion Ohio State in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl. 650 words, photos, sidebars on merit.
UPCOMING: By 12/31/2025 7:30 p.m. EST, Photo, Text, DigitalPlans
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NEW AND DEVELOPING
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SOC--MBAPPÉ-INJURY
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé sidelined with knee injury
SUMMARY: Real Madrid says forward Kylian Mbappé has injured his left knee. He’s been diagnosed with a sprain and there’s no timeline for his recovery yet. French sports daily L’Equipe reports he might be out for at least three weeks. Mbappé has been dealing with a knee ligament issue for several weeks. An MRI has now revealed a lesion needing treatment and rest. The France striker has been in great form, equaling Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record for goals in a year. Mbappé joined Madrid in 2024 and has scored 29 times this season.
WORDS: 202 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 1:43 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c608a8e07886a49ddf6ccaed5b405e56&mediaType=text
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SOC--AFCON-ROUNDUP
Sudan advances at Africa Cup despite defeat and war at home
SUMMARY: Despite a 2-0 loss to Burkina Faso in its final group game Sudan has reached the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations after qualifying as one of the best third-place finishers. Both teams were already assured of advancing before their match on Wednesday. Sudan progressed despite the complication of playing all its qualification games away from home as the country contends with a brutal war and humanitarian crisis. Algeria, already assured of topping the group, signed off before its last-16 meeting with Congo with a 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea, which finished with three defeats.
WORDS: 347 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 1:37 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7fbc5136e4f776101c07fdb0e0c935e8&mediaType=text
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FBN--COLTS-RIVERS
Rivers’ brief comeback to end as Colts opt to start Leonard at QB against Houston
SUMMARY: Philip Rivers’ brief comeback is over — and apparently so is his career. Again. The 44-year-old quarterback who came out of retirement to try and lead the Indianapolis Colts back to the playoffs three weeks ago will not start Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans and has likely taken the final snaps of his 18-year NFL career. Coach Shane Steichen announced Wednesday, as expected, Rivers would be replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Riley Leonard in the Colts’ season finale Sunday at Houston.
WORDS: 812 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 1:30 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:add3ed3755f5b7059979fe052e3401b4&mediaType=text
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OLY--HKO-CANADA-OLYMPIC ROSTER
Celebrini joins McDavid, MacKinnon, Crosby on Team Canada’s Olympic hockey roster
SUMMARY: Macklin Celebrini, the 19-year-old star for the San Jose Sharks, is heading to the Winter Olympics. Celebrini is among 19 players named to Canada’s 25-player men’s hockey roster for the NHL’s return to the Olympics in Milan, Italy, in February. Celebrini ranks third in league scoring behind Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. Other new forwards include Nick Suzuki, Bo Horvat, and Tom Wilson. Canada plays its first game on February 12 against Czechia. The NHL is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 2014, with Sidney Crosby and Drew Doughty as the only players with past Olympic experience.
WORDS: 379 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 12:57 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:3bfee519e2003eb338a8aad95da06f83&mediaType=text
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SOC--ROBERTO CARLOS-HOSPITALIZED
Roberto Carlos reportedly undergoes heart surgery while on vacation in Brazil
SUMMARY: Spanish newspaper Diario AS has reported that former Brazil and Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos has undergone heart surgery. While vacationing in Brazil, an examination revealed a heart dysfunction. He initially sought tests for a small blood clot in his leg. However, a full-body MRI showed heart issues. He was admitted to hospital for surgery to insert a catheter. The procedure was expected to last 40 minutes but extended to almost three hours due to complications. The surgery was successful and Carlos is out of danger. He remains under observation for 48 hours to ensure recovery.
WORDS: 377 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 10:02 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:450bbf3b2d2a46bf67617e6cb9759e37&mediaType=text
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BKW--WOMEN’S POLL AT 50-TOP PLAYER
Poll era G-O-A-T? Current USA Basketball players say it’s Breanna Stewart, others might disagree
SUMMARY: No one will ever top what Breanna Stewart did in college at UConn, winning four national championships and the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament each time. Her success sets her apart as the Greatest Of All Time, at least in the eyes of nearly a dozen players and coaches at a USA Basketball camp this month. When asked who they believe tops their list of college players during the last 50 years of the women’s poll era, Stewart was their choice. As part of its season-long coverage of the 50-year anniversary of the poll, a panel comprised of former players, coaches and AP journalists voted on the greatest college players during the poll era. Stewart, Cheryl Miller and Diana Taurasi headlined the list along with Caitlin Clark.
WORDS: 729 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 6:00 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:7be07bdcd4e9ad275fd20e38b05437ac&mediaType=text
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FBN--INSIDE THE NUMBERS
NFL’s fourth-down revolution and new rules lead to record-low punts in 2025
SUMMARY: The NFL is seeing a decline in punts, with the 2025 season on track to set a record for the fewest punts per game. This trend is driven by new kickoff rules, K-balls, and increased fourth-down aggressiveness. Teams are attempting more long field goals, with 104 tries from at least 55 yards, the most in history. The Packers have become the first team to lose three games in a season without punting. Meanwhile, Green Bay benefits from the expanded playoffs, securing the seventh seed in the NFC for the third time. The Colts and Texans have experienced remarkable turnarounds, highlighting shifting dynamics in the league.
WORDS: 958 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 6:00 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:65b7ab8e2ae3558e8049c9f1d66a7933&mediaType=text
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FBC--ALAMO BOWL
Seals and Payne rally TCU past No. 16 USC for 30-27 overtime victory in Alamo Bowl
SUMMARY: Ken Seals passed for 258 yards and the game-winning touchdown in overtime as TCU rallied to beat No. 16 Southern California 30-27 in the Alamo Bowl. After being sacked for a 10-yard loss on second down, Seals was facing third-and-20 from the 35 when he found running back Jeremy Payne with a short toss in the left flat. Payne caught the ball at the line of scrimmage and wriggled past four defenders, breaking multiple tackles as he bolted down the sideline into the end zone. A sixth-year senior completing his collegiate career, Seals was named Offensive MVP for leading his hometown team to victory. Payne had six catches for 50 yards and the game-ending score. He also rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
WORDS: 761 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 2:49 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search?query=itemid:c13a023707c3c3458bda1146771840c9&mediaType=text
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MOVING TOMORROW
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FBC--CFP-ORANGE BOWL
Oregon plays Texas Tech in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Orange Bowl. Game starts at noon EST.
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FBC--CFP-ROSE BOWL
Alabama plays Indiana at the Rose Bowl in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal. Game starts at 4 p.m. EST.
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FBC--CFP-SUGAR BOWL
Ole Miss plays Georgia in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl. Game starts at 8 p.m. EST.
