J.T. Daniels
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones passes against Ohio State during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Wrapping up 2020, looking to 2021

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 12, 2021 12:29 PM EST

Buffalo wide receiver Antonio Nunn (41) is stopped by Ball State cornerback Antonio Phillips (21) during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Shrunken bowl season makes it more important to watch'em all

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 21, 2020 06:16 PM EST

Louisiana-Lafayette wide receiver Kyren Lacy (2) misses a reception under coverage from Appalachian State defensive back Shemar Jean-Charles (8) during an NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in Boone, N.C. (Andrew Dye/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP, Pool)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Sun Belt continues breakout season

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 14, 2020 02:25 AM EST

In this Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, photo, Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin reacts during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Arizona State in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona fired Sumlin on Saturday, Dec. 12, a day after a 70-7 loss to Arizona State extended the Wildcats' losing streak to a record 12 games over two seasons.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Top 25 Takeaways: Miami humiliated; Texas sticks with Herman

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 12, 2020 10:24 PM EST

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) runs while North Carolina linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel (44) misses the tackle during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Elite 8 gridlock for another week

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 30, 2020 02:25 AM EST

Georgia quarterback JT Daniels looks for a play call from the sideline during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
No. 13 Georgia, Daniels look to build on debut vs. Gamecocks

By The Associated Press Nov. 27, 2020 01:20 PM EST

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a catch against Kentucky defensive back Brandin Echols (26) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP)
College football picks: Football feast missing some dishes

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 25, 2020 01:56 AM EST

Ohio State defensive back Sevyn Banks, right, breaks up a pass intended for Indiana receiver Miles Marshall during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State beat Indiana 42-35. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Hints at what's to come from CFP

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 23, 2020 05:36 AM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart pauses during timeout against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia plays at Sanford Stadium for the first time in six weeks when it hosts Mississippi State Saturday night. Since its last home game, a 44-21 victory over Tennessee on Oct. 10, Georgia has taken double-digit losses to SEC powerhouses Alabama and Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
No. 13 Georgia no longer controls fate, hosts Mississippi St

By Paul Newberry Nov. 19, 2020 12:56 PM EST

Indiana running back Stevie Scott III rushes during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
College Football Picks: Indiana's big chance; FSU's big fall

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 18, 2020 03:20 PM EST

Georgia coach Kirby Smart leads the team onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Week 5 Preview: Top-25 matchups in SEC; ACC title rematch

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 02, 2020 02:52 AM EDT

Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) is sacked by Kansas State defensive end Bronson Massie (90) during an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)
College Football Picks: Another week of Big 12 upset alerts

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 30, 2020 01:42 PM EDT

FILE - This Sept. 31, 2019 photo shows Southern California quarterback JT Daniels in an NCAA football game against Fresno State in Los Angeles. Daniels has entered the transfer portal. He announced his plan Thursday, April 16, 2020. Coach Clay Helton says the door is still open for Daniels to stay at USC, where Kedon Slovis took advantage of Daniels' knee injury to become the Trojans' starting quarterback last season. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
USC QB Daniels enters transfer portal; lost job to Slovis

By Greg Beacham Apr. 16, 2020 04:11 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Southern California head coach Clay Helton, left, shakes hands with athletic director Mike Bohn at an NCAA college football game against UCLA in Los Angeles. Helton is 40-22 in four full seasons as USC coach. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
USC invests in supporting Helton rather than replacing him

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 09, 2020 03:05 PM EDT

USC keeps offensive coordinator Harrell with multiyear deal

By Greg Beacham Dec. 16, 2019 07:50 PM EST
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell is staying at No. 22 Southern California. Harrell and the Trojans (8-4) have agreed...

Southern California head coach Clay Helton signals to fans from midfield after a 52-35 win over UCLA in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
USC retains coach Clay Helton despite fan dissatisfaction

By Greg Beacham Dec. 04, 2019 05:43 PM EST

Southern California head coach Clay Helton, left, smiles at quarterback Kedon Slovis (9) after a 52-35 win over UCLA in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Slovis throws for record 515 yards, USC holds off UCLA 52-35

By Greg Beacham Nov. 23, 2019 07:30 PM EST

Southern California's Michael Pittman Jr. (6) can't make the catch as California's Camryn Bynum (24) defends during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
USC WR Pittman driven by TD drop against UCLA

By Dan Greenspan Nov. 21, 2019 07:04 PM EST

Notre Dame running back Avery Davis (4) makes a catch during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Bowling Green, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 52-0. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
USC's Helton under microscope heading to No. 9 Notre Dame

By John Fineran Oct. 11, 2019 02:12 PM EDT

Washington head coach Chris Petersen, left, shakes hands with Southern Cal head coach Clay Helton after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Seattle. Washington won 28-14. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Old rivals meet when USC comes calling at No. 9 Notre Dame

By The Associated Press Oct. 10, 2019 03:33 PM EDT