The Reds, after losing 100 games a year ago, begin a a 10-game home stretch at Great American Ballpark that could determine their playoff fate.

​http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~/791389424/0/usatodaycomsports-topstories~These-kids-are-good-Young-Reds-in-pursuit-of-a-pennant-stretch-to-remember/ 

Iran’s weightlifting federation calls Mostafa Rajai’s actions – shaking hands with Maksim Svirsky of Israel on the podium at a meet – “unforgivable.”

​http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~/791380811/0/usatodaycomsports-topstories~Iran-bans-weightlifter-for-shaking-hands-taking-photo-with-Israeli-competitor/ 

The unpredictability of college football is one of its best attributes. Our staff tries to make sense of it with picks for the playoff, Heisman, more.

​http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~/791359526/0/usatodaycomsports-topstories~USA-TODAY-Sports-staff-makes-college-football-picks-Check-out-the-predictions-for/ 

Are the Colorado Buffaloes all hype and noise this year under Deion Sanders? Or will they be surprisingly good? Five keys will show the way.

​http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~/791353919/0/usatodaycomsports-topstories~Why-Deion-Sanders-Colorado-Buffaloes-team-could-surprise-the-nation-or-not/ 

Hall of Famer Deion Sanders is trying to revive a sagging Colorado program. Can his sizzle and swagger work at a Power Five school?

​http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~/791351132/0/usatodaycomsports-topstories~Behind-the-scenes-with-Deion-Sanders-Colorados-uberconfident-football-czar/ 

Nearly half of baseball’s hardest throwing pitchers this season have had reconstructive Tommy John surgery in their careers.

​http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~/791350019/0/usatodaycomsports-topstories~Velocity-at-what-cost-MLBs-hardest-throwers-keep-succumbing-to-Tommy-John-surgery/ 

Eleven of the 13 draft picks made the team, along with three undrafted rookies, an Irish punter, an ex-college Division II player and Jonathan Owens.

​http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~/791321351/0/usatodaycomsports-topstories~Green-Bay-Packers-roster-Meet-new-players-on-the-team-from-rookies-to-veterans/ 

Nebraska volleyball set a women’s sports attendance record Wednesday night as 92,003 fans descended on Memorial Stadium to watch the match vs. Omaha.

​http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~/791232434/0/usatodaycomsports-topstories~LOOK-World-record-fans-watch-Nebraska-volleyball-match-at-Memorial-Stadium/ 

The Giants’ Jihad Ward gave his perspective on the confrontation with Jets QB Aaron Rodgers that was shown on “Hard Knocks.”

​http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~/791226557/0/usatodaycomsports-topstories~Jihad-Ward-gives-his-perspective-on-viral-confrontation-with-Aaron-Rodgers/ 

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are back on the pitch Wednesday night and their opponent, Nashville SC, is in search of some revenge.

​http://rssfeeds.usatoday.com/~/791179520/0/usatodaycomsports-topstories~Lionel-Messi-Inter-Miami-host-Nashville-SC-in-Leagues-Cup-final-rematch-Live-updates/