Edition: U.S. / Global

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

College Football

Quarterback Dak Prescott of Mississippi State, which has quality victories over Auburn and  Louisiana State but still has games at Alabama and Mississippi.
David Stephenson/Associated Press

Quarterback Dak Prescott of Mississippi State, which has quality victories over Auburn and  Louisiana State but still has games at Alabama and Mississippi.

The 12-person selection committee, which met Monday and Tuesday to debate the merits of each team and determine its top 25, revealed a top 4 that differed from The Associated Press’s.

Roundup

Georgia Running Back Todd Gurley Suspended Until Nov. 15

Gurley acknowledged violating N.C.A.A. rules by accepting money for autographs, but those rules are under increased fire by critics who say athletes are being exploited. Georgia said it would appeal.

Girlfriend of Florida State’s Karlos Williams Seeks End to Abuse Inquiry

Miranda Wilhelm will ask the Tallahassee police to stop investigating a domestic battery complaint against Williams, her lawyer said on Tuesday.

Colleges’ Shift on Four-Year Scholarships Reflects Players’ Growing Power

The one-year scholarship has come to be viewed as similar to an employment contract, while four-year awards are seen as more in the spirit of amateurism.

Penn State Trustees Decide Not to Review Sandusky File

The board voted against a resolution that would have set up a group to comb through the 2012 university-commissioned report into how the Jerry Sandusky molestation scandal was handled.

Karlos Williams, Florida State’s Top Rusher, Is Accused of Domestic Abuse

Williams, a senior, is the third Seminoles starter to face an abuse claim in the past two years.

On College Football

Providing a Peek at What Matters in a New Era of Rankings

The selection committee for the College Football Playoff is set to release its first rankings on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., and the era of good feelings will most likely end at 7:31.

College Football Spotlight

This Motif May Go Overboard: Only Thing Missing Is the Plank

Steve the Pirate is a professional actor who leads East Carolina’s entrance at home games.

East Roundup

Clemson Overcomes Its Offense and Syracuse

Cole Stoudt threw for 209 yards and a touchdown, Ammon Lakip had three field goals and No. 21 Clemson won its fifth straight with a 16-6 victory over Syracuse at home on Saturday.

Top 25 Roundup

Interception in Final Seconds Helps L.S.U. Topple No. 3 Mississippi

As they lined up to attempt a tying field goal, the Rebels were called for a delay-of-game penalty. Bo Wallace then threw his first interception in an SEC game this season.

Yale Running Back Confounds Opponents (and His Teammates, Too)

Tyler Varga has appeared, at times, to be unstoppable, and he attributes part of what makes him special to his sometimes odd diet and workout habits.

N.C.A.A. Fan Map: How the Country Roots for College Football

We’ve published maps showing where fan support for one team begins and another ends for baseball and basketball. Now we’re pleased to offer another one: the United States according to college football fans.

The 2014 Heisman Watch

A look at the top players in contention for college football’s highest honor.

Editors' Picks

Memories of Johnny Manziel Hang Over Texas A&M as It Seeks an Identity

As the Aggies head to Alabama on Saturday, questions remain about the identity of the program, which is growing in prominence and trying to maintain its momentum.

At Florida State, Football Clouds Justice

Police and court records and interviews with witnesses show that the Tallahassee police on numerous occasions have soft-pedaled allegations of wrongdoing by Seminoles football players.

Rekindling That Old Tulane Spirit

The unveiling of Yulman Stadium, and the departure from the Superdome, has brought out an enthusiasm that has not been associated with the university’s once-proud football program in decades.

Big Score for Georgia Tech, After Alumnus Wins Bid for a Relic

Ryan Schneider, who paid $40,388 for the ball from Georgia Tech’s 220-0 rout of Cumberland 98 years ago, plans to present it to the university.

As Big Ten Declines, Homegrown Talent Flees

The Big Ten is no longer the center of the football universe, as shifting demographics mean member states produce fewer top players and the area’s top recruits are drawn to powerhouses like the Southeastern Conference.

Head Injury Reverberates Beyond Field at Michigan

Michigan acknowledged allowing Shane Morris to briefly return to the field with a “probable mild concussion,” highlighting a quirk of Coach Brady Hoke’s: He does not regularly wear a headset.

Boxing Is in Elijah Holyfield’s Blood, but Football Is in His Future

Evander Holyfield’s son Elijah has emerged as a highly recruited running back coveted by many of the nation’s top programs.

Interactive Graphic: Tracing the History of N.C.A.A. Conferences

A frenzy of realignment has transformed college athletics: about one in four schools has switched conferences since 2010.

College Football Preview
B.C.S. Makes Way for College Football Playoff (and New Debates)

A new playoff system this season will include four teams, an increase from the B.C.S.’s two. Most people view that as an improvement, but there is still plenty to argue about.

Schedule and Results

Video Highlights