Sports

AP pro picks: Look for Los Angeles Rams to edge Buffalo Bills in potential Super Bowl preview

National Sports October 9, 2026

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills vs. Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. Sounds like a potential Super Bowl preview. The Bills visit the Rams (-2.5) on Monday night fresh off a home loss to Drake Maye and the Patriots. The Rams were a play or two away from a 1-3 start, but overcame a 10-point deficit at Philadelphia in the fourth quarter. Pro Picks likes the home team in a close one. Rams, 27-24 Elsewhere: PHILADELPHIA vs. JACKSONVILLE (-7.5), in London: Lane Johnson’s abrupt retirement is a crushing blow for an offense dealing with injuries to Saquon Barkley, DeVonta ...

Eagles’ Sirianni, Hurts to face their toughest test

Guest Columns October 9, 2026

Injuries are piling up for the Philadelphia Eagles. Key starters are gone. A new offensive coordinator is off to a rough start. The head coach is hearing more criticism. It’s a familiar story the Eagles hope has a similar ending. It was at this point of the NFL season two years ago that ...

PSU faces reality vs. expectations

Sports October 9, 2026

NIL not withstanding, Penn State fans don’t appear to see the reality of a football program that has only won two national championships in its existence, and a 9-3 or 10-2 season might be really all that can be expected. Granted, this may be a sit back and wait season, but last year’s “recruiting” (ie. shell out NIL money) was doomed to be a failure, and so give the new guy wiggle room to spend $20-30 million to buy a decent team. And that might just be two or three losses. Face up to college football reality, enjoy the pageantry, the tailgating and the game itself. ...

Football great Ditka dies at the age of 86

Local Sports October 9, 2026

Mike Ditka, the legendary Pitt All-American whose toughness and talent carried him from Aliquippa to the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, died this week, his family announced. He was 86. Known throughout the football world as “Iron Mike,” Ditka was one of the most accomplished ...

Lions should use White Out atmosphere to its advantage

Andy Stine's Commentary October 9, 2026

It might not be the most anticipated White Out in the history of the annual event, but it will still likely be an outstanding crowd later tonight. Here are five keys to a much-needed victory for Penn State over USC: 1. Use the advantage: It shouldn’t matter if West Shore Home Field at ...

Penn State needs its quarterback to lead it back to winning side

Neil Rudel's Commentary October 9, 2026

UNIVERSITY PARK — There have been Penn State quarterbacks in the recent past who conveniently haven’t been available to the media in midweek interview windows after a tough loss. Rocco Becht is not among them. Becht arrived at Beaver Stadium on Tuesday well aware of his and the Nittany ...