Grandson of Michigan coach dies
Five-year-old Chad Carr, the grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, died Monday after long battle with brain cancer.
Michigan helped launch a “#ChadTough” campaign with his parents, Tammi and Jason Carr, to raise money for research and treatment of pediatric brain tumors.
Michigan’s football team is wearing #ChadTough helmet decals.
“He was so full of life and love,” Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh said on his radio show. “But heaven got stronger. Heaven has another angel now.”
Seventy-one teams eligible for 80 bowl sports
There are 80 spots in the postseason with a record 40 bowl games. With two weeks left in the season, only 71 teams are eligible for one of those spots.
The NCAA held a teleconference Monday and a second Tuesday to discuss ways to fill any remaining vacancies. With some teams playing two more regular-season games, the prevailing thought is that the situation will work itself out, per CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd.
And if it doesn’t?
Get ready for a 5-7 team or three to get an extra whirl in December or January.
Virginia Tech, East Carolina, Tulsa, Indiana, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, Buffalo, San Jose State, Washington, Kentucky and Missouri are among teams with five wins.
Rangers replace Maple Leafs on Forbes’ most valuable list
The New York Rangers have ended a decade-long reign by the Toronto Maple Leafs as the most valuable franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL), according to an annual survey released by Forbes on Tuesday.
The Rangers, who return to the top of the rankings for the first time since 2004, were valued at $1.2 billion with the Montreal Canadiens ($1.17 billion) second on the list and the Maple Leafs ($1.15 billion) third.
The Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks ($925 million) and the Boston Bruins ($750 million) rounded out the top five.
According to Forbes, the financial strength of the Rangers is the result of a $1 billion renovation of their home venue, Madison Square Garden, along with the team’s run to the Stanley Cup finals in 2014 and the semi-finals last season.
Lincecum hopes to throw for scouts in January
Two-time National League Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum is ahead of schedule with his rehab from hip surgery that took place in September.
The 31-year-old Lincecum who has spent his entire career with the San Francisco Giants is a free agent this offseason.
He reportedly will be healthy enough to throw for scouts in January.
Last season, the right-hander made 15 starts and compiled a 7-4 record with a 4.13 ERA. He also recorded a career-low 7.1 strikeouts per nine innings.
His hip condition was linked to a drop in velocity.
Yahoo Sports reports Lincecum has been rehabbing in Arizona. Lincecum knows believes he can regain some of the missing velocity from years’ past and get back over 90 mph on his fastball.
In nine seasons with the Giants, his record is 108-83 record and he has thrown two no-hitters.
Michigan State QB starter uncertain
Michigan State lists two quarterbacks in the starting lineup for Saturday’s Big Ten regular-season finale against Penn State.
Senior quarterback Connor Cook did not start last week when No. 9 Michigan State upset No. 3 Ohio State at Columbus. Cook suffered a shoulder injury in the first half against Maryland and his status for Saturday against the Nittany Lions is unclear.
Junior Tyler O’Connor started and sophomore Damion Terry also played on the Spartans’ first possession against the Buckeyes.
Michigan State’s official depth chart lists Cook OR O’Connor with the first-team offense.