College Football Playoffs

By GUERRY SMITH Associated Press NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Locked in a defensive struggle in which neither team gained 300 yards, Georgia coach Kirby Smart made an aggressive but ill-fated decision late in the first half of the Sugar Bowl.Right after Notre Dame took a 6-3 lead on a 48-yard …

By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Flags were at half-staff outside the Superdome and at nearby state buildings on Thursday as fans arrived a day later than scheduled for the Sugar Bowl — a game serving this season as a College Football Playoff quarterfinal between Notre …

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — Oregon withstood many challenges en route to being the only unbeaten team and the top seed in the College Football Playoff. However, Ohio State’s opening flurry on offense and defense in the first half was too much to overcome as …

By PAUL NEWBERRY AP National Writer ATLANTA (AP) — Texas avoided the first big upset of the College Football Playoff, hitting a fourth-and-long touchdown pass to keep the game going and beating Cam Skattebo and Arizona State 39-31 in double overtime when an interception by Andrew Mukuba finally ended a …

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Sports Writer GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Football coaches, perhaps more than other sports, are huge proponents of structure, routine, consistent messaging. Since the early days of his time in Happy Valley, Penn State’s James Franklin has adhered to the philosophy of 1-0. Yes, it’s a cliche. …