Michigan fourth in CFP ranking

Michigan moved into the fourth spot of the College Football Playoff rankings, behind Alabama, Clemson and Notre Dame.

Georgia was next at five, followed by Oklahoma.

The playoff picture cleared up after a weekend where several contenders asserted themselves. The top-four teams in the final rankings on Dec. 2 will play in the national semifinals.

The Crimson Tide easily dispatched LSU from the top four, beating the Tigers 29-0. LSU, though, only dropped to No. 7 after its second loss, ahead of Washington State, West Virginia and Ohio State all with only one loss.

Unbeaten Notre Dame moved up one spot to No. 3 and Michigan jumped a spot after a 42-7 victory against Penn State.

MLB

and 14 rebounds to lead No. 1 Kansas past No. 10 Michigan State, 92-87, in the season-opening Champions Classic.

Michigan State was led by Joshua Langford with 18 points and Kenny Goins with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

CSU DROPS OPENER» Kellan Grady made five 3-pointers and scored 24 points to help Davidson open the season with an 83-63 win over Cleveland State.

Grady, who begins the season on the Wooden Award watch list, made 5 of 11 from 3-point range and grabbed seven boards for the Wildcats.

Jon Axel Gudmundsson added 16 points and seven assists, and Luke Frampton and Luka Brajkovic scored 10 points each.

YSU LOSES TO PITT» Trey McGowens scored 17 points, fellow freshman Xavier Johnson added 16 points, six assists and five rebounds and Pittsburgh opened the Jeff Capel era with a 69-53 victory over Youngstown State on Tuesday night.

Naz Bohannon (Lorain) had three points, 10 rebounds and three assists for the Penguins.

DUKE HAMMERS KENTUCKY» R.J. Barrett scored 33 points and Zion Williamson scored 28 as fourth-ranked Duke hammered secondranked Kentucky, 118-84.

The Blue Devils had a 59-42 lead at the half and never looked back. Cam Reddish added 22.

College football

BUFFALO TOPS KENT» Jaret Patterson rushed for 187 yards and two touchdowns and Buffalo beat Kent State 48-14 on Tuesday night to run its record to 9-1 for the first time in school history.

The nine wins are the most in the Bulls’ FBS history, dating to 1999. Buffalo is 6-0 in the MidAmerican Conference for the first time.

While the freshman Patterson was posting a career-high yardage total, Tyree Jackson threw his 45th career touchdown pass for Buffalo.