Big Ten expansion is all about television

With Black Friday just around the corner, the Walmart-ization of college athletics is stepping into high gear. In another example of why public universities owning sports-television networks creates a slippery slope, the Big Ten reportedly is poised to announce that Maryland and Rutgers will be …

Notre Dame fans asked for it, now they’ve got it

Notre Dame fans are myopic. Then again, that really describes most college football fans. Look at Ohio State’s fan base. Those people actually believe that if the Buckeyes — who are ineligible for postseason play because of NCAA sanctions — beat Michigan on Saturday, they …

Fantasy football: Chiefs’ Jamaal Charles among those with prime playoff matchups

Remember when Jamaal Charles was . . . good? I’m not even talking about Charles from 2010, when he totaled 1,935 rushing and receiving yards. I’m talking about Charles from Weeks 3-5 this season, when he totaled 560 rushing and receiving yards.

He has combined for 223 …

Ben Roethlisberger has sprained shoulder

PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger left Heinz Field on Monday night with his sprained right shoulder in a sling. When he walks back in ready to play is anybody’s guess. Tomlin called Pittsburgh’s franchise quarterback “questionable” but otherwise offered little detail Tuesday, less than 24 hours …

Alex Karras, NFL great, actor, dies at 77

Alex Karras, a Gary, Ind., native who was one of the NFL’s toughest defensive tackles and a popular TV sitcom dad, died Wednesday morning at his home in Hollywood Hills, Calif., from complications related to from Alzheimer’s disease and stomach cancer. He was 77.

Fantasy football: Steelers having success running with anyone

Pick a Steelers running back, any Steelers running back, and you’ll get production. In the Steelers’ last five games, a rusher has scored in double digits. Rashard Mendenhall had 15 points in Week 5 in his first game back from a knee injury. After he …

Man arrested with fake Bears-Titans tickets

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Metro Nashville Police are holding a Decatur, Ga., man in jail after arresting him with phony Tennessee Titans tickets and $100 bills that appear counterfeit. An undercover officer approached 46-year-old Tony McKibben on Sunday in downtown Nashville before the Titans-Bears football game. …

Could Eli Manning square off against Peyton Manning in the Super Bowl?

There’s this little gathering of football folks planned for early February in New Orleans. The Super Bowl. And there are these two guys from the Big Easy, Peyton and Eli, who just might find their way into that game with the way they’re playing. A …

Police: $100,000 bet on game in youth football gambling ring

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. — Authorities said Tuesday they uncovered a massive gambling operation targeting youth football games in South Florida, leading them to arrest nine men, including several coaches with extensive criminal backgrounds who they say exploited kids to turn a profit. The 18-month long …

Fantasy football: Running backs have veered greatly from expectations

So have I been right or not completely wrong?

Now that we’re about halfway through the season, let’s look back at my preseason top 10 at quarterback, running back and wide receiver and see who’s still there, who never belonged (in hindsight, of course) and …

Nine arrests in youth football gambling ring

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. — Authorities have arrested nine people, including several coaches, they say were gambling on youth football games and setting point spreads. Broward Sheriff’s officials searched two alleged gambling houses Monday where they say people were betting on professional, college and youth games. …

Legends Robinson, Aaron hand it to Cabrera, Posey

DETROIT — Standing just steps from home plate at Comerica Park, Frank Robinson presented Miguel Cabrera with a navy crown — complete with a gold-plated, old-English ‘‘D’’ for Detroit and topped with a golden baseball — to honor the Tigers slugger for winning baseball’s first …

Packers’ Greg Jennings to have groin surgery

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings will have surgery next Tuesday to repair the groin injury that has limited him to three games this season. Jennings didn’t give a timetable for his return Thursday, but says the recovery won’t end …

Fantasy football: Keep rappin’ with Raiders RB Darren McFadden

Run DMC is illin’.

Not the good kind of illin’, either. Like when someone says, ‘‘That was sick!’’ after a great play.

Darren McFadden is actually sick — at least from a fantasy perspective. And some owners might think it’s tricky how they should proceed. …

Packers’ Charles Woodson out 6 weeks

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers safety Charles Woodson has a broken collarbone and will be out approximately six weeks. Coach Mike McCarthy confirmed the severity of the injury Monday, a day after the team’s 30-20 win at St. Louis. The 36-year-old Woodson broke …