CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The Big 12 has seen plenty of upsets and close games this season. Parity makes for fierce competition and games that are fun to watch. It also presents a quandary about the league’s chances of making the College Football Playoff.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas coach Bill Self knew it was important to fill the majority of his upcoming recruiting class during the early signing period, given the uncertainty that surrounds the Jayhawks when it comes to potential NCAA violations. The school was hit with a series of allegations earlier this year, the majority of them tied to recruiting violations, and Self was personally fingered for supposedly failing to monitor the program.
UNDATED (AP) — No. 10 Oklahoma plays at No. 12 Baylor in a potential Big 12 championship game preview. They are the top two teams in the league. Baylor has an 11-game winning streak and is 9-0 this year. The Sooners are playing on the road for the first time since losing at Kansas State three weeks ago. Oklahoma has won the last four Big 12 titles since Baylor was part of consecutive league championships.
UNDATED (AP) — No. 22 Texas still has an outside chance at the Big 12 title game. But the Longhorns need to win out, starting with Iowa State, and get help from Baylor and Oklahoma. Fourth-year Iowa State coach Matt Campbell is still seeking his first win over Texas.
National Headlines
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers’ four-game winning streak is over after Baker Mayfield threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in the Cleveland Browns’ 21-7 victory over their AFC North rival. Mayfield was 17 of 32 passing for 193 yards and no interceptions to help Cleveland win its second straight and improve to 4-6. Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph was intercepted four times and was just 23 of 44 for 221 yards and a TD.
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns’ 21-7 win over the Steelers last night was marred by a brawl sparked by Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett with just a few seconds to play. Garrett ripped off Rudolph’s helmet and hit him in the head with it in the final seconds. Garrett faces a likely suspension for his actions, and Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey will likely be disciplined for kicking Garrett in the head.
NEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout has become the sixth player to win at least three American League MVP Awards, joining Alex Rodriguez and Hall of Famers Jimmie Foxx, Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. The 28-year-old Trout had another outstanding season, batting .291 with a career-high 45 home runs, 104 RBIs and 27 doubles while leading the league in on-base percentage, slugging and OPS. Trout got 17 of 30 first-place votes in balloting. Astros infielder Alex Bregman was second with the other 13 first-place votes.
NEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Cody Bellinger is the National League MVP for the first time, collecting 19 of 30 first-place votes to outdistance 2018 MVP Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers. Bellinger batted .305 with 47 home runs, 115 RBIs and a 1.035 OPS while helping the Dodgers post the league’s best regular-season record. He’s the 10th different Dodger to win MVP and first since Clayton Kershaw in 2014.
Thursday Scores
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Final Cleveland 21 Pittsburgh 7
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (15)Florida 66 Towson 60
Final (19)Arizona 87 San Jose St. 39
Final (3)Michigan St. 76 (12)Seton Hall 73
Final (18)Saint Mary’s (Cal) 81 Long Beach St. 63
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final Miami 108 Cleveland 97
Final Milwaukee 124 Chicago 115
Final New Orleans 132 L.A. Clippers 127
Final New York 106 Dallas 103
Final Phoenix 128 Atlanta 112
Final Denver 101 Brooklyn 93