http://www.toledoblade.com The Latest News from Toledoblade.com (v5) Wed, 11 Nov 2026 05:00:58 GMT en-us hourly 1 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/09/college-football-playoff-doubles-up-expands-to-24-teams-beginning-next-season/stories/20261109077 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/09/college-football-playoff-doubles-up-expands-to-24-teams-beginning-next-season/stories/20261109077#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2026 16:40:35 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/09/college-football-playoff-doubles-up-expands-to-24-teams-beginning-next-season/stories/20261109077 The College Football Playoff will double in size to 24 teams beginning next year, bringing an end to a three-decade era of conference title games that used to be among the marquee events of the season. Fans storm the field after an NCAA college football game between Southern California and Ohio State, Oct. 31, in Los Angeles. Georgia linebacker Chris Cole (9) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Oct. 31, in Los Angeles. Southern California quarterback Jayden Maiava celebrates with fans on the field after the team's win against Ohio State in an NCAA college football game Oct. 31, in Los Angeles. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/08/no-4-notre-dame-winno-1-miami-solidifies-position-cfp/stories/20261108081 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/08/no-4-notre-dame-winno-1-miami-solidifies-position-cfp/stories/20261108081#comments Sun, 08 Nov 2026 21:14:45 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/08/no-4-notre-dame-winno-1-miami-solidifies-position-cfp/stories/20261108081 No. 4 Notre Dame had Saturday night's game against No. 1 Miami circled on its calendar for a year, and it was well worth the wait. Notre Dame running back Aneyas Williams (22) runs with the ball against Miami during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Nov. 7 in South Bend, Ind. Georgia wide receiver Talyn Taylor (1) celebrates his 58-yard touchdown pass reception against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., on Nov. 7. Tennessee defensive lineman Mariyon Dye (9), defensive back Dejuan Lane (10), and defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam (2) celebrate a fumble recovery during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky on Nov. 7 in Knoxville, Tenn. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/07/briggs-updated-ranking-mac-s-best-football-stadiums/stories/20261107093 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/07/briggs-updated-ranking-mac-s-best-football-stadiums/stories/20261107093#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2026 17:07:10 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/07/briggs-updated-ranking-mac-s-best-football-stadiums/stories/20261107093 SACRAMENTO — Some people climb mountains. Others sail the seven seas or visit the Seven Wonders.   I go to Mid-American Conference football stadiums.  With my trip last week to cover Toledo at Sacramento State, I’ve now checked all 13 current venues off the bucket University of Toledo Rockets take the field to play the Missouri Tigers at the Glass Bowl, Sept. 6, 2014. Snow falls during a Mid-American Conference college football game between the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University at UT’s Glass Bowl in Toledo in 2022. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/06/briggs-picks-can-ryan-day-and-ohio-state-stop-the-sky-from-falling-in-columbus/stories/20261106087 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/06/briggs-picks-can-ryan-day-and-ohio-state-stop-the-sky-from-falling-in-columbus/stories/20261106087#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2026 16:42:13 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/06/briggs-picks-can-ryan-day-and-ohio-state-stop-the-sky-from-falling-in-columbus/stories/20261106087 The calendar says November. The schedule says buckle up. We’ve got a monster weekend of college football, so let’s get right to the picks … Massachusetts (5-4, 2-3) at Toledo (7-2, 4-1), 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, CBS Sports Network  Line: N/A This isn’t your older Ohio State head coach Ryan Day walks on the field before an NCAA college football game against Southern California, Oct. 31 in Los Angeles. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/06/wr-malachi-toney-injury-miami-notre-dame/stories/20261106050 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/06/wr-malachi-toney-injury-miami-notre-dame/stories/20261106050#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:23:19 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/06/wr-malachi-toney-injury-miami-notre-dame/stories/20261106050 SOUTH BEND, Ind. — For Notre Dame, this season comes with a mantra of “leave no doubt.” Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, left, has a discussion with sideline judge Chris Junjulas, right, Oct. 17 in Provo, Utah. Miami quarterback Darian Mensah, left, looks to pass the ball against North Carolina on Oct. 31 in Chapel Hill, N.C. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/05/line-matchup-determining-factor-miami-notre-dame/stories/20261105099 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/05/line-matchup-determining-factor-miami-notre-dame/stories/20261105099#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2026 16:27:37 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/05/line-matchup-determining-factor-miami-notre-dame/stories/20261105099 SOUTH BEND, Ind. — When Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman studies the defensive tape of No. 1 Miami, he sees a lot of similarities to the unit that powered the Hurricanes to last season’s national championship game. Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, front right, runs the ball as he is tackled by BYU safety Faletau Satuala, second from front right, Oct. 17 in Provo, Utah. Notre Dame running back Jonaz Walton (20) runs with the ball against Stanford on Oct. 10 in South Bend, Ind. North Carolina running back Demon June (0) is tackled just short of the goal line by Miami defensive lineman Marquise Lightfoot (8) on Oct. 31 in Chapel Hill, N.C. Miami defensive lineman Justin Scott (5) tackle North Carolina quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) on Oct. 31 in Chapel Hill, N.C. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/04/miami-gets-top-spot-in-first-cfp-rankings-ohio-state-1st-team-out-following-loss/stories/20261104095 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/04/miami-gets-top-spot-in-first-cfp-rankings-ohio-state-1st-team-out-following-loss/stories/20261104095#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2026 11:53:12 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/04/miami-gets-top-spot-in-first-cfp-rankings-ohio-state-1st-team-out-following-loss/stories/20261104095 It’s been a confusing college football season so far. Nobody felt that more deeply than the College Football Playoff selection committee, which raised eyebrows aplenty in its first attempt of the season to make sense of it all. Miami quarterback Darian Mensah, left, looks to pass the ball against North Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game Oct. 31 in Chapel Hill, N.C. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/03/toledo-volleyball-reverse-sweeps-bgsu-in/stories/20261103127 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/03/toledo-volleyball-reverse-sweeps-bgsu-in/stories/20261103127#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2026 03:58:56 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/03/toledo-volleyball-reverse-sweeps-bgsu-in/stories/20261103127 BOWLING GREEN — With sole possession of the Mid-American Conference’s top spot on the line, the Toledo volleyball team rallied for a reverse sweep over Bowling Green State University in a dramatic Battle of I-75 on Tuesday. Toledo celebrates a point during a MAC volleyball game Nov. 3 at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green. Bowling Green’s Avery Hobson lunges for the ball. Toledo celebrates a point during a MAC volleyball game. Toledo’s Maddy Bach dives for the ball. Toledo’s Kayla Ozanich’s hit is blocked by Bowling Green’s Avery Hobson and Cecily Waynar. Toledo’s Maddy Bach hits the ball. Bowling Green’s Syndie Hernandez and Avery Hobson hit the ball. Bowling Green’s Sydnie Hernandez hits the ball. Bowling Green’s Sydnie Hernandez celebrates a point. Bowling Green’s Sydnie Hernandez hits the ball. Toledo’s Lilly Merk and Ava Siefke hit the ball. Toledo celebrates a point during a MAC volleyball game. Toledo’s Janelle Green hits the ball. Toledo’s Grace Freiberger dives for the ball. Toledo’s Jessica Costlow hits the ball. Toledo’s Grace Freiberger hits the ball. Bowling Green’s Anastasija Bozic hits the ball. Bowling Green celebrates the first set win. Toledo’s Avery Adamski hits the ball. Toledo’s Jessica Costlow hits the ball. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/01/briggs-the-campaign-ads-that-stumbling-ohio-state-and-michigan-football-deserve/stories/20261101103 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/01/briggs-the-campaign-ads-that-stumbling-ohio-state-and-michigan-football-deserve/stories/20261101103#comments Sun, 01 Nov 2026 21:34:24 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/11/01/briggs-the-campaign-ads-that-stumbling-ohio-state-and-michigan-football-deserve/stories/20261101103 Is it just me, or have you seen so many political ads on TV lately that even your inner monologue has started to sound like a campaign commercial? OK, maybe it’s just me.  But with both election season and our area Big Ten teams stumbling toward the finish line, I figured it was time Ohio State head coach Ryan Day walks on the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California on Oct. 31 in Los Angeles. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/31/carr-passes-2-tds-james-adds-pair-rushing-scores-no-5-notre-dame-win/stories/20261031096 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/31/carr-passes-2-tds-james-adds-pair-rushing-scores-no-5-notre-dame-win/stories/20261031096#comments Sun, 01 Nov 2026 03:01:43 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/31/carr-passes-2-tds-james-adds-pair-rushing-scores-no-5-notre-dame-win/stories/20261031096 FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — CJ Carr passed for 210 yards and two touchdowns, and Nolan James Jr. added TD runs of 52 and 23 yards to help No. 5 Notre Dame pull away for its ninth straight victory over Navy 35-13 Saturday. Notre Dame running back Nolan James Jr. (2) runs in for a touchdown. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/30/briggs-picks-ohio-state-california/stories/20261030093 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/30/briggs-picks-ohio-state-california/stories/20261030093#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2026 18:06:29 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/30/briggs-picks-ohio-state-california/stories/20261030093 California, here Ohio — State and Toledo — comes.  Let’s get right to the weekly picks … Toledo (6-2, 3-1) at Sacramento State (1-7, 0-5), 7 p.m., Wednesday, CBS Sports Network Line: N/A What is college football in 2026? It’s Toledo playing in California on a Ohio State quarterback Luke Fahey plays against Kent State during an NCAA college football game on Sept. 19 in Columbus. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/30/ohio-supreme-court-keeps-two-dozen-basketball-players-eligible-with-season-openers-looming/stories/20261030088 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/30/ohio-supreme-court-keeps-two-dozen-basketball-players-eligible-with-season-openers-looming/stories/20261030088#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2026 11:50:46 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/30/ohio-supreme-court-keeps-two-dozen-basketball-players-eligible-with-season-openers-looming/stories/20261030088 COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Supreme Court filed an order Thursday that will keep the two dozen players involved in an eligibility case in that state available to play for teams across the country, with the start of college basketball season beginning next week. Xavier's Filip Borovicanin, right, drives on UConn's Jayden Ross (23) during second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Big East basketball tournament March 12 in New York. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/30/no-5-notre-dame-seeks-a-reset-against-navy-after-a-controversial-loss-at-byu-1-1/stories/20261030085 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/30/no-5-notre-dame-seeks-a-reset-against-navy-after-a-controversial-loss-at-byu-1-1/stories/20261030085#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2026 11:25:26 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/30/no-5-notre-dame-seeks-a-reset-against-navy-after-a-controversial-loss-at-byu-1-1/stories/20261030085 FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Notre Dame spent its bye last week recovering from the sting of losing its first game of the season to then-No. 8 BYU in controversial fashion. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, left, has a discussion with sideline judge Chris Junjulas, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU, Oct. 17, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate) Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU Oct. 17 in Provo, Utah. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/28/briggs-mac-hoops-coaches-anonymously-dish-on-league-s-best-tacticians-first-mill/stories/20261028098 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/28/briggs-mac-hoops-coaches-anonymously-dish-on-league-s-best-tacticians-first-mill/stories/20261028098#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2026 17:55:38 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/28/briggs-mac-hoops-coaches-anonymously-dish-on-league-s-best-tacticians-first-mill/stories/20261028098 Sneakers squeaking. Nets swishing. Coaches dishing. College basketball is back! Well, almost.  The games tip off Monday.  Until then, it’s still talking season, and Mid-American Conference coaches have plenty to say about a sport changing faster than a three-on-one break.  Toledo’s Sonny Wilson floats for the short fade away against BGSU in a quarterfinal MAC tournament men’s college basketball game at Rocket Arena Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Cleveland. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/23/briggs-picks-toledo-western-michigan/stories/20261023095 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/23/briggs-picks-toledo-western-michigan/stories/20261023095#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2026 16:26:19 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/23/briggs-picks-toledo-western-michigan/stories/20261023095 Straight to the picks for another big week …  Western Michigan (5-2, 3-0) at Toledo (5-2, 2-1), noon, Saturday, CBS Sports Network Line: Toledo by 3.5 First things first, I asked Rockets coach Mike Jacobs how we should report Western Michigan’s record: 6-1 or 5-2? University of Toledo quarterback John Alan Richter throws against Buffalo on Oct. 10 at Glass Bowl Stadium. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/21/perrysburg-watkins-earns-scholarship-spot-with-michigan-state-mens-basketball/stories/20261021029 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/21/perrysburg-watkins-earns-scholarship-spot-with-michigan-state-mens-basketball/stories/20261021029#comments Wed, 21 Oct 2026 15:09:42 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/21/perrysburg-watkins-earns-scholarship-spot-with-michigan-state-mens-basketball/stories/20261021029 EAST LANSING, Mich. — Matthew Watkins’ ascent with the Michigan State University men’s basketball program has reached another level, as the Perrysburg native received a full scholarship spot for the 2026-27 season. Michigan State University men's basketball player Matthew Watkins, right, celebrates during an exhibition game against Incarnate Word. Michigan State University men's basketball player Matthew Watkins dribbles the ball during the team's media day. Michigan State University's Matthew Watkins drives the ball in a men's basketball exhibition game against Incarnate Word. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/20/where-toledo-bowling-green-rank-in-the-mac-basketball-preseason-polls/stories/20261020090 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/20/where-toledo-bowling-green-rank-in-the-mac-basketball-preseason-polls/stories/20261020090#comments Tue, 20 Oct 2026 15:50:35 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/20/where-toledo-bowling-green-rank-in-the-mac-basketball-preseason-polls/stories/20261020090 The Mid-American Conference released its men’s and women’s basketball preseason polls Tuesday with voting coming from the league’s 12 head coaches. Toledo’s Austin Parks, right, attempts to rebound the ball during a University of Toledo men’s basketball team practice at John F. Savage Arena in Toledo, Sept. 21. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/16/briggs-picks-ohio-state-indiana-pat-mcafee-bowling-green/stories/20261016109 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/16/briggs-picks-ohio-state-indiana-pat-mcafee-bowling-green/stories/20261016109#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:18:09 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/16/briggs-picks-ohio-state-indiana-pat-mcafee-bowling-green/stories/20261016109 The leaves are falling, the stakes are rising, let’s make some picks ...  Toledo (4-2, 1-1) at Eastern Michigan (4-3, 3-0), 3:30 p.m., Saturday, ESPN+ Line: Toledo by 6.5 In 11 seasons as a head coach at the Division I and II levels, Mike Jacobs has lost consecutive regular-season Ohio State's Julian Sayin throws against Indiana's Stephen Daley during the second half of the Big Ten championship game Dec. 6, 2025 in Indianapolis. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/16/ncaa-sues-ohio-governor-over-his-executive-order-allowing-schools-to-ignore-new-eligibility-rule/stories/20261016108 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/16/ncaa-sues-ohio-governor-over-his-executive-order-allowing-schools-to-ignore-new-eligibility-rule/stories/20261016108#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:39:51 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/16/ncaa-sues-ohio-governor-over-his-executive-order-allowing-schools-to-ignore-new-eligibility-rule/stories/20261016108 The NCAA sued the governor of Ohio on Friday, three days after he signed an executive order giving the state’s universities the option of allowing athletes who graduated from high school in 2022 to play a fifth year of college ball in defiance of the NCAA’s new eligibility rule. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, right, leads the team onto the field for the start of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Sept. 26 in Columbus. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/16/no-2-notre-dame-no-8-byu-top-10-clash/stories/20261016026 https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/16/no-2-notre-dame-no-8-byu-top-10-clash/stories/20261016026#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/college/2026/10/16/no-2-notre-dame-no-8-byu-top-10-clash/stories/20261016026 PROVO, Utah — Both Notre Dame and Brigham Young were denied at-large berths to the College Football Playoff a season ago. Now the two teams face one another in a top-10 matchup with a huge opportunity to build a case for a CFP bid this season. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and the team recognize their fans at the end of a game against North Carolina on Oct. 3 in Chapel Hill, N.C. BYU running back Journee Tonga (20) blows a kiss to the crowd after scoring a touchdown against Iowa State on Oct. 9 in Provo, Utah. Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, right, looks to pass against North Carolina behind the block of offensive lineman Sullivan Absher on Oct. 3 in Chapel Hill, N.C. BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier looks to pass the ball against Iowa State on Oct. 9 in Provo, Utah.