INDIANAPOLIS, In (AP) — The first College Football Playoff rankings of the season are unveiled Tuesday night. Even before the selection committee finishes its work, the teams with a chance to be reach the final four are clear. They are all in the Power Five. Sorry, there will be no Cincinnati-style interloper from the Group of Five this season. From Clemson and North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference to Southeastern Conference powerhouses Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama, as assessment of the 14 CFP contenders.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Nick Chubb rushed for two touchdowns and Myles Garrett and Cleveland’s defense frustrated Joe Burrow as the Browns thrashed Cincinnati 32-13, keeping the Bengals star quarterback winless against them. Garrett, who came to FirstEnergy Stadium wearing a Halloween costume, led a scary defense that sacked Burrow five times and held the Bengals to 229 total yards — 100 in the first half. Burrow has already been to the Super Bowl in just three NFL seasons. However, the Ohio native has yet to beat Cleveland, dropping to 0-4 in four career starts against Cincinnati’s AFC North rival. The Browns ended a four-game losing streak, and in the process saved their season from slipping away. Jacoby Brissett had a TD run and pass for Cleveland.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Game 3 of the World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros has been postponed because of rain with the matchup tied 1-1, pushing the entire Fall Classic schedule back one day. The rainout moved Game 3 to Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park, when the weather was supposed to be all clear. Game 4 will now be played Wednesday and Game 5 is set for the scheduled travel day on Thursday night. Game 5 will compete with the NFL game that has, of all teams, the Philadelphia Eagles in Houston against the Texans. There will now be a travel day Friday, with Game 6 has been rescheduled for Saturday and Game 7 would be Sunday. All games will start at 8:03 p.m. ET.
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn has fired coach Bryan Harsin after less than two full seasons, ending a rocky tenure in which the Tigers struggled to compete in the Southeastern Conference. Harsin went 9-12 overall and 3-5 this year. Auburn has lost four straight games while struggling against Power Five opponents, including a 41-27 loss to Arkansas on Oct. 29. Auburn will owe Harsin 70% of his remaining contract, which adds up to more than $15 million. Half of that must be paid within 30 days. Harsin was hired away from Boise State in December 2020 and Auburn gave him a 6-year, $31.5 million deal. He never came close to replicating his past success.
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — A person with knowledge of the deal says the Chicago Bears have agreed to trade linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade has not been announced. Smith is the NFL leader in tackles so far this season. He joins a Baltimore team that has won two in a row and sits atop the AFC North. The Ravens have had their issues defensively this season, but they’ve improved in that area and now add a second-team All-Pro to their linebacking group.
MONDAY SCORES
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Final Cleveland 32 Cincinnati 13
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
Houston at Philadelphia 8:03 p.m. (Postponed)
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Philadelphia 118 Washington 111
Final Sacramento 115 Charlotte 108
Final Toronto 139 Atlanta 109
Final Brooklyn 116 Indiana 109
Final Milwaukee 110 Detroit 108
Final Utah 121 Memphis 105
Final L.A. Clippers 95 Houston 93
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Buffalo 8 Detroit 3
Final SO Carolina 3 Washington 2
Final Los Angeles 5 St. Louis 1