JIMBO FISHER

Since becoming an FBS team in 2012, the Bobcats are 0-9 against Top 25 teams and lost those games by average margin of nearly 34 points. The ninth-ranked Wildcats, who rose 11 spots in the Top 25, play Youngstown State. The What to Watch rundown for this week of college football, presented by Regions Bank:BEST GAMENo. The Roadrunners, in only their 12th season of football, got in the Top 25 for the first time last year. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25 Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2022 The Associated Press.

There may be no reason to put second-ranked Alabama and No. 17 Baylor on upset alert even though both are playing Sun Belt Conference teams in Week 3.

Alabama and Georgia rolled to open the 2022 college football season. Brian Kelly, um, did not. Here's our updated SEC power rankings after Week 1.

Alabama coach Nick Saban is getting a new eight-year contract worth at least $93.6 million, eclipsing the recent megadeal of Southeastern Conference rival Kirby Smart.

ATLANTA – Three years ago, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey began touting the book “The Club,” the origin story of soccer’s wildly successful Premier League. The 2022 iteration of SEC Media Days lacked the seismic upheaval of last year’s version, when news broke that Texas and Oklahoma would be coming to the SEC in the coming years. We are confident in our collective strength.”That collective strength is what should have every conference that’s not the Big Ten concerned. “I’m competing all across the SEC, who host recruits at their biggest game,” Smart said on "SEC Now." When LSU and Alabama play, that’s where the biggest recruits want to go.

Jimbo Fisher closed out 2022's version of SEC Media Days by speaking roughly as many words in his allotted half hour as the previous 13 head coaches had during theirs, combined. One possible solution: a nine-game conference schedule, with three permanent opponents and six rotating conference opponents. The eight-game conference schedule would feature one permanent rival and a rotating schedule of seven opponents; the SEC has played an eight-game schedule since 1992. "I think that's the one thing we're trying to do in college football. To me it makes college football special, the rivalries of college football, trying to keep as many traditions as you can with the expanding world."

Texas A&M receiver Ainias Smith has been arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated, unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana.

Saban said Crimson Tide players have made more than $3 million in NIL money. “The biggest concern is how does this impact and affect recruiting?” he said Tuesday at the Southeastern Conference Media Days. And, by the way, there’s not going to be any salary cap or draft, you’re just going to have bidding wars,’” Leach said. SHANE'S STYLEShane Beamer didn’t let any of his fellow SEC coaches upstage him at media days, not even Alabama’s Saban. It was an easy ask.”VANDY’S WRIGHT MOVEMike Wright enters preseason camp as Vanderbilt’s starting quarterback.

Nick Saban has been vocal about his issues with the status quo in name, image and likeness deals and their use in recruiting.

SEC Meetings Fisher Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher addresses a new conference in Destin, Fla., Wednesday, June, 01, 2022. Even those in the conference who have generally been supportive of playing more league games acknowledge it's a move that comes with potential complications. The Big 12 and Big Ten are also considering how best to structure their conferences and determine a champion in future seasons. With a nine-game schedule, every other year teams would play more road conference games (five) than home games (four). Fisher also said he would welcome an annual game with former Big 12 and Southwest Conference rival Texas.

The Southeastern Conference’s slogan, “It just means more,” could soon refer to the number of football games the league schedules.

SEC Meetings Fisher Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher addresses a new conference in Destin, Fla., Wednesday, June, 01, 2022. (AP Photo/Ralph Russo) (Ralph Russo)DESTIN, Fla. — (AP) — The spat between Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher and Alabama's Nick Saban appears to be over -- at least publicly. Fisher said he and Saban had “normal conversations” during two days of meetings with the other 12 SEC football coaches. We're moving on to the future of what goes on and try to fix the problems that we have in college football," Fisher said. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.appodcasts.com___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25Copyright 2022 The Associated Press.

The public spat between Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher and Alabama’s Nick Saban appears to be over.

Nick Saban tried to put an end to his feud with Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher at the Southeastern Conference meetings.

And the parity in college football he’s been talking about? “I look at the betterment of college football. Maybe someone should have slapped him (Saban),” Fisher said. “So, why we’re the target, is that a threat to the power system of college football? He’s the magna cum laude of college football and that’s what it’s going to be because he’s earned that,” Sanders said.

And the parity in college football he’s been talking about? “I look at the betterment of college football. “I really wasn’t saying that anybody did anything illegal in using name, image and likeness,” the Alabama coach said. Maybe someone should have slapped him (Saban),” Fisher said. “So why we’re the target, is that a threat to the power system of college football?

The Southeastern Conference spring meetings will be held in person for the first time since 2019 in a little less than two weeks.

Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin spent Thursday on Twitter voicing his opinions about the ongoing war of words from Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher.

Saban NIL Football FILE - Alabama coach Nick Saban watches players warm up for the College Football Playoff championship NCAA football game against Georgia on Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. Saban called out Texas A&M on Wednesday night for “buying” players. But I don’t know if we’re going to be able to sustain that in the future, because more and more people are doing it. It’s tough.”Less than 24 hours later, Fisher called an impromptu news conference Thursday and did not hold back with his displeasure with his former boss when the two were at LSU. Maybe someone should have slapped him (Saban),” Fisher said.

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher is firing back at Alabama coach Nick Saban.

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher called Nick Saban a “narcissist” Thursday after the Alabama coach made “despicable” comments about the Aggies using name, image and likeness deals to land their top-ranked recruiting classes. Saban called out Texas A&M on Wednesday night for “buying” players. “I know the consequence is going to be difficult for the people who are spending tons of money to get players,” Saban said while speaking at an event in Birmingham, Alabama, to promote the World Games being held there in July.

Alabama coach Nick Saban called out Texas A&M, saying the school was “buying” players with name, image and likeness deals.

Alabama coach Nick Saban is concerned about the current state of college football.

After Texas A&M added yet another blue-chipper to the highest-rated recruiting class in college football Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022 coach Jimbo Fisher went off about rumors that booster-funded NIL deals were fueling the Aggies' success. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning, File) (Thomas Graning)After Texas A&M added yet another blue-chip prospect to the highest-rated recruiting class in college football Wednesday, coach Jimbo Fisher went off about rumors that booster-funded endorsement deals were fueling the Aggies' success. In four years under Fisher, A&M is 34-14 but this is its fourth straight top-10 recruiting class. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.appodcasts.com___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher is angry about rumors that booster-funded NIL deals are fueling the Aggies’ recruiting success.

Jimbo Fisher says Texas A&M lacks “scholarship players” now? That ignores history. | Opinion

Gator Bowl Texas A M Out Football FILE - Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher speaks to reporters during the NCAA college football Southeastern Conference Media Days in Hoover, Ala., July 21, 2021. “It is unfortunate, but we just don’t have enough scholarship players available to field a team,” Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said in a news release. 23 Texas A&M won’t play in the Gator Bowl against No. The NCAA uses Academic Progress Rate to rank 5-7 teams for bowl eligibility. “It is unfortunate, but we just don’t have enough scholarship players available to field a team,” Aggies Jimbo Fisher said in a news release.

23 Texas A&M won’t play in the Gator Bowl against Wake Forest on Dec. 31 because of COVID-19 issues and season-ending injuries, the team announced Wednesday. “It is unfortunate, but we just don’t have enough scholarship players available to field a team,” Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said in a news release. The team did not provide any details on the COVID-19 issues or injuries on the team. “It is heartbreaking for our players, coaches, staff and fans that we are not able to play in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl,” athletic director Ross Bjork said. “Our players poured their heart and soul into this season and we appreciate their dedication as Aggies.

No. 23 Texas A&M won’t play in the Gator Bowl against No. 20 Wake Forest on Dec. 31 because of COVID-19 issues and season-ending injuries, but the Demon Deacons might still get a game.

I mean, we have free agency in college football. “Free agency has been created in college football — except you can’t lock people into a contract. BEARCATS BOUNTYCincinnati's run to the College Football Playoff isn't all that helped Luke Fickell sign what's shaping up to be the Bearcats' highest-ranked class. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25Copyright 2021 The Associated Press.

Texas A&M holds the lead in the race for the national recruiting title in college football.

Wilson, ranked No. 4 on the USA Today Florida Network's top 100, wrote a first-person story to preview his college decision.

A person familiar with negotiations says new Florida coach Billy Napier agreed to a seven-year, $51.8 million contract that makes him the fifth-highest-paid coach in the Southeastern Conference.

Southern California has hired Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley to be its next coach in a stunning and rare move of one traditional college football powerhouse swiping the another’s highly accomplished head coach.

In-state rivals Florida and Florida State have bowl eligibility at stake this weekend.

Florida was added to the lengthy list of schools looking for a head football coach that already includes LSU and USC.

Top-ranked Georgia and No. 3 Alabama appear headed for a showdown in the Southeastern Conference championship game.

Seth Small made a 28-yard field goal as time expired and Texas A&M stunned top-ranked Alabama 41-38 to end the Crimson Tide’s winning streak at 19 games.

(AP Photo/Sam Craft) (Sam Craft)COLLEGE STATION, Texas — (AP) — Desperate for a boost after consecutive close losses, Mississippi State found a huge one by knocking off the 15th-ranked Texas A&M on Saturday night. Will Rogers threw for 408 yards and three touchdowns and Nathan Pickering sacked Zach Calzada in the end zone late for a safety in Mississippi State's 26-22 victory. Makai Polk had 13 receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns to help Mississippi State (3-2, 1-1) snap its two-game skid. Rogers found Jaden Walley for a 1-yard score later in the first to put Mississippi State on top 10-7. “You play every week to be a good football player, a good team and to win the game," Fisher said.

Will Rogers threw for 408 yards and three touchdowns and Nathan Pickering sacked Zach Calzada in the end zone late for a safety to lead Mississippi State to a 26-22 win over No. 15 Texas A&M Saturday night.

For about 45 minutes late Saturday afternoon, college football was on overload.

Coach Jimbo Fisher certainly wasn’t congratulating his team for a job well done after the seventh-ranked Texas A&M Aggies blanked New Mexico 34-0 Saturday. “We’re playing very average,” Fisher said. “We’ve got to get better in all aspects and we’ve got to grow up across the board in everything we do and play with much more consistency as a team and learn to play off each other.”

Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King is out indefinitely after having surgery to repair his broken right leg, suffered early in the seventh-ranked Aggies' 10-7 win at Colorado over the weekend. Coach Jimbo Fisher said Monday that King’s surgery to repair a broken tibia went well but that there is no timeline for his return. “When you’re healed, you’re healed," Fisher said.

After slogging through an uninspired first half, Texas A&M needed a spark to get going. The Aggies found it in Leon O’Neal Jr., whose 85-yard interception return for a touchdown helped sixth-ranked Texas A&M pull away in 41-10 win over Kent State on Saturday night. “He’s an Energizer Bunny,” coach Jimbo Fisher said.

The preseason AP Top 25 college football is out and Alabama will pick up where it left off as No. 1 in the country.

Alabama is No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 preseason college football poll for fourth time in the past six seasons.

Bobby Bowden may have been known across the country for winning two national championships at Florida State, but the coach was eulogized Saturday as a man with three guiding principles: faith, family and football.

Texas and Oklahoma have had discussions with the Southeastern Conference about leaving the Big 12.

Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher jabbed Alabama coach Nick Saban on Wednesday, claiming the Aggies would defeat Saban's Crimson Tide in 2021.

(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)AUSTIN, Texas – Fresh off a national title with Alabama, Steve Sarkisian plans big changes to Texas' football program. Sarkisian said that while discussion about "The Eyes of Texas "and other issues are welcome, “'The Eyes of Texas' is our school song. Texas, without a conference championship since 2009, is itching to see if Sarkisian can produce similar results in Austin. Texas expects quick results from Sarkisian, recent winner of the Broyles Award given to college football’s top assistant coach. Asked about scheduling A&M again, Sarkisian said “I would love to play that game.”Sarkisian is Texas’ fourth head coach since 2009.

Texas A&M head coach Jumbo Fisher raises his hands during the trophy presentation at the Orange Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Texas A&M defeated North Carolina 41-27. 14 North Carolina 41-27 on Saturday night — capping a winless bowl season for the Atlantic Coast Conference. North Carolina: The Tar Heels gave up 24 points in the fourth quarter, after allowing just 17 points in the first 45 minutes. North Carolina still could finish ranked for only the fourth time in the last 27 seasons. North Carolina: An ACC opponent likely awaits in Week 1 next season.

13 CFP) in the 87th edition of the Orange Bowl. “I always say this: The Orange Bowl is as good as it gets,” Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said Friday. Thing is, neither of those running backs — Michael Carter and Javonte Williams — chose to play in the Orange Bowl. “That’s 4,000 yards worth of offense and our leading tackler on defense and two captains,” North Carolina coach Mack Brown said. With them gone, it means even more pressure will be on North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell.

An Orange Bowl spot against North Carolina will be its consolation prize. It will be North Carolina’s first time in the Orange Bowl, and the first meeting between the schools. This will be just the seventh January bowl game for North Carolina. BOWL WINNERSThe Orange Bowl coaches certainly know how to end seasons with victories. WELCOME BACKFor Fisher, it’s a return to a stadium where he’s gone 6-0 — including a pair of Orange Bowl victories.

Notre Dame was picked Sunday over Texas A&M for the final spot, ending what little drama there had been. Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson and Ohio State have also held the first four spots in the AP Top 25 since Oct. 25. The Atlantic Coast Conference is the second league to have two teams in the playoff, joining the SEC in 2017. After sitting second in the CFP rankings for a month, Notre Dame was blown out 34-10 by Clemson in the ACC championship. Barta said the disparate number of games played by contenders — along with far fewer cross-conference games than usual —- was a challenge for the committee all season.

5 Texas A&M closed its case for inclusion in the College Football Playoff by mauling Tennessee by three touchdowns. Texas A&M, ranked third in the nation in third-down conversion percentage (55%), didn't punt in the first half. Texas A&M's advantage went to 17-7 when the Aggies turned a Bailey fumble into a 23-yard field goal by Seth Small. Tennessee: After the second game of the season, the Vols were tied with Notre Dame for the longest winning streak among FBS teams. A victory over winless Vanderbilt ended the skid, but the loss to Texas A&M ended the regular season on a sour note.

Kellen Mond passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third and the fifth-ranked Aggies scored 17 points in the fourth quarter of a come-from-behind 31-20 victory over Auburn on Saturday. Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher wasn't interested in speculating on how the win might affect his team's playoff chances. He completed 18 of 23 for 196 yards, highlighted by two TDs to Jalen Wydermyer, and ran for 60 yards. The Aggies ran for a season-high 313 yards and held a 16-minute advantage in time of possession. Auburn: Was outgained 168-21 in the fourth quarter.

The number of games across major college football scheduled for this weekend that have already been called off is up to six, after three went down Monday, including Mississippi at No. So we can complain about this and this and that but, listen, we’re still getting to play football,” Fisher said. Major college football conferences have been tweaking policies to provide their schools flexibility to schedule games on short notice. That probably won't work for LSU-Alabama, which was among four SEC games postponed last week. __Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at https://westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

Among the three SEC games still on for this Saturday, Arkansas will visit No. Orgeron said he expects most of his players in quarantine due to contact tracing back next week. Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said his team only had two positive cases as of Wednesday afternoon, but contact tracing had taken a toll. “Candidly, the numbers around contact tracing have emerged as one of our biggest challenges to playing. “The contact tracing has the potential to magnify even one positive test,” Sankey said.

The conference on Monday postponed Saturday’s game between No. 20 Auburn and Mississippi State because of positive COVID-19 cases and quarantining within the Bulldogs’ program. 5 Texas A&M paused in-person activities after a player and a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from a win at South Carolina. LSU is battling an outbreak that could put Saturday's game against No. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25.

(AP Photo/Michael Woods)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo has tested positive for COVID-19. 20 Auburn and Mississippi State because of positive COVID-19 and quarantining within the Bulldogs’ program that the school says left the team below the minimum threshold of 53 available scholarship athletes. 5 Texas A&M paused in-person activities on Monday after a player and a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 after the team returned from its weekend trip to South Carolina. ___Arkansas football coach Sam Pittman has tested positive for COVID-19 and could miss the Razorbacks’ game at No. Pittman was tested Sunday as part of the team’s regular protocol and learned Monday that his test came back positive.

“Now I want to see what do you follow up with?”Isaiah Spiller rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns, and No. 21 Texas A&M beat fourth-ranked Florida 41-38 on Seth Small’s 26-yard field goal as time expired Saturday. Spiller helped get the Aggies get into position for Small’s decisive kick, sending A&M to its first win over a top-five team since a 41-38 victory over No. Florida led 28-24 early in the fourth when Spiller struck again, running 19 yards for a touchdown on a fourth-and-2 play. Spiller bounced off several defenders before waltzing into the end zone and then hitting the Florida fan section with a Gator chomp.

At the top of USA Today's most recent revenue rankings for college athletic departments are Texas and Texas A&M. Texas and Texas A&M have everything needed to put out a national championship-level football program. The Aggies and Longhorns refuse to play each other but combine to form an Axis of Underachievers in the Lone Star State. In three games against Alabama under Fisher, the Aggies are 0-3 by a combined 144-75. For now, though, Texas and Texas A&M continue to prove the adage that money can't buy happiness.

Briefly threatened early, Jones and the Crimson Tide (2-0) flexed their considerable big-play muscle in the passing game to put away the Aggies (1-1). “Our guys stayed the course and kept competing in the game,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “We won, so it's a good game,” Jones said, when asked if it was his best performance. Smith, a converted receiver, emerged as another needed threat in the passing game. Alabama: Any questions about production of the Tide's passing game after Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III have been answered.

Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher, left, talks with quarterback Kellen Mond (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

including the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry, highlights the fifth week of the college football season. 4 Georgia on Saturday night as the second month of the season starts, but only the second week of SEC play. The first of three games that decide the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy might have sneaked up on college football fans. The Falcons will play six conference games to go along with Navy and Army. ___Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and listen at http://www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/ap-top-25-college-football-podcast/___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

TALLAHASSEE, Florida (CNN) - Florida State University fired head football coach Willie Taggart on Sunday, one day after the struggling Seminoles lost 27-10 to its in-state rival, the University of Miami. "I spoke to Coach Taggart this afternoon to let him know of our decision," said Florida State athletics director David Coburn. He was head coach there from 2010-2012 after serving as an assistant from 1999-2006. Florida State had only two full-time coaches from 1976 to 2017 -- Fisher from 2010 to 2019, and legendary coach Bobby Bowden, who served 37 years as head coach. Defensive line coach Odell Haggins, a 26-year veteran of the FSU coaching staff, will serve as the interim head coach for the rest of 2019.