NO CFB

expansion

(AP) The College Football Playoff will remain at 12 teams after the commissioners of the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten couldn’t come up with a compromise for expansion. The CFP Management Committee announced Friday the 12-team format would stay the same for the 2026-27 season.

The decision provides additional time for evaluation and discussion on the current format and potential changes in the future. The CFP went from four teams to 12 teams for the 2024 season, and the two most powerful conferences favored further expansion but could not agree on a number.

Bills interview

Philip Rivers

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Philip Rivers has interviewed with the Buffalo Bills for their head coaching job. It’s the latest twist in a busy couple of months for one of the most prolific passers in NFL history. The 44-year-old Rivers has no previous NFL coaching experience, having worked since his initial retirement from the league as a high school coach in his native Alabama. Last month, he ended his five-year retirement and finished the season with the Indianapolis Colts.

Rivers was the fourth candidate to interview since the Bills launched their search on Wednesday. Sean McDermott was fired Monday after going 98-50 and reaching the playoffs eight times in nine seasons.

Sean McVay turns 40 with a new perspective on football and the same dreams for his Los Angeles Rams

John Brodie

dies at 90

(AP) — One-time NFL MVP and longtime San Francisco 49ers quarterback John Brodie has died at the age of 90. The 49ers said Brodie’s family said he died Friday.

Brodie had a stroke in 2000. Brodie played for the 49ers from 1957-73 after breaking every major passing record at Stanford. He later played on the Senior PGA Tour and won the 1991 Security Pacific Senior Classic.

Brodie’s 17 seasons still represent a 49ers franchise record and his 31,548 yards passing rank second to Joe Montana on San Francisco’s career passing list.

When Brodie retired after the 1973 season, he trailed only Johnny Unitas and Fran Tarkenton in yards passing.

Mendoza declares

for NFL draft

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock, and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is officially available. Mendoza formally declared for the NFL draft and could be headed to the Raiders with the No. 1 pick in April. Mendoza led Indiana to a 16-0 season and its first national championship with a 27-21 victory against Miami on Monday night.

The junior completed 72% of his passes this season for 3,535 yards, with 41 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for seven scores. He played some of his best football in the College Football Playoff.