LSU message boards were not happy with head coach Brian Kelly after the team's season-opening 45-24 loss to Florida State.

Florida State made the first major statement of the 2023 season with an impressive win over LSU. The college football rankings should reward them.

With the first full weekend of the 2023 college football season underway, here is how much college football referees make in a year.

Brian Kelly is one of the highest-paid coaches in college football after signing a massive contract with the LSU Tigers.

Kyle Walker has revealed he was “close” to joining Bayern Munich in the summer but is now set to sign a new contract at Manchester City. The City right-back was the subject of strong interest from the German giants during the close season and, coupled with uncertainty over his future at the Etihad Stadium, he admits he was seriously tempted. The 33-year-old had a spell out of favour last spring and, although he regained his place towards the end of the treble-winning campaign, was left out of the starting line-up for the Champions League final in June. As he entered the final year of his contract, Bayern turned his head with an attractive package but, with City later offering what is understood to be a two-year extension, Walker opted to stay put. “It was close but in football things can happen,” Walker said. “Decisions can be made, things can turn. It wasn’t meant to be. “Would I have enjoyed the experience? Of course I would, but this is a great club and you can’t underestimate what this club has done in the last six or seven years. “Why should I walk away if I am going to get enough game time that’s right for me? That is all I want. “It was about who gave me the most years. It wasn’t like I was going to a worse club because Bayern Munich is a massive club and seeing what Harry (Kane) is doing there and will do, it wasn’t a step down. I have a contract with the club and I will play for the club until the contract (ends) or they sell me Kyle Walker “In the back of my head I always wanted to play for Manchester City but I had to do what was right for me and my future. It was just about which club gave me the years in my contract to play football at the highest level.” The speculation linking Walker with Bayern was at its most intense in July, just as City played the Bundesliga club during a pre-season friendly in July. To some surprise at the time, Walker not only started for City but took the captain’s armband. He said: “I am a Manchester city player. I am contracted to them so what do you want me to do? Turn round and say ‘I am not playing because I want to force a move to Bayern Munich’? “That is not me as a person. I have a contract with the club and I will play for the club until the contract (ends) or they sell me – and I wasn’t sold.” Walker, who joined City from Tottenham in 2017, says confirmation of the new deal which would commit him to the reigning Premier League champions was imminent. “The extension is coming,” said Walker, who has five title-winner’s medals. “It’s my seventh season here and I feel like one of the old ones. “I love the place. I’ve experienced things I only dreamt of here – especially the last season – so why would you want to leave a club like this?” Walker is also keen to take on the City captaincy full-time with manager Pep Guardiola planning to hold a squad vote to identify Ilkay Gundogan’s replacement in the coming weeks. He said: “The vote hasn’t been yet. They like to do it after the transfer window is closed. “It is an honour of privilege, of course I want it. If you can’t pass on your knowledge and life experiences on or off the field, I shouldn’t be playing at a great club like this.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Big-serving Ben Shelton storms into US Open quarter-finals Erik ten Hag frustrated by decisions in Manchester United’s defeat at Arsenal They really outplayed us – Jos Buttler credits New Zealand after England mauling

With private equity firms sniffing around college football and basketball opportunities, what does the potential influx of for-profit entities mean for college athletics?

Declan Rice has his first big moment in an Arsenal shirt, and their season may have lift-off. His 96th-minute goal to give Mikel Arteta’s side a late 3-1 win over Manchester United was all the more uplifting for the home crowd and all the better for him because neither he nor the home side had been at their best. It was an erratic game. None of that will now matter, as everything about their performance will feel so much better. Gabriel Jesus’s late breakaway strike to make it 3-1 made it look even better on paper. It also genuinely matters in the table, even as early as the 3rd of September. Had United hung on for the draw here, Arsenal would have found themselves four points behind Manchester City already, something that didn’t happen until May last season. That could have been it, even now. You could feel that weighing over the game in Arsenal’s raucous celebration, and how Arteta so vigorously enjoyed it. There was more here than beating a historic rival, even this late. There was also much more to Arsenal than United. They are so much further along in development, even allowing for injuries, although these also framed the game. Even Rice’s crucial goal came because United’s massed defence started to come apart for the first time. Whereas the match had been characterised by Arsenal barely having any space to move in the United box, late fatigue amid an injury crisis left Rice with five yards of space and the chance to collect himself after a heavy-chested ball. He did more than that, firing the ball through substitute Jonny Evans for a deflection to also take it past Andre Onana. It was all the more galling for United given that they’d gone from the relish of celebrating a late breakaway goal for Alejandro Garnacho, ruled out by the thinnest of margins, to the complete opposite emotion. There was even the irony of Jesus’ final late touch coming from the kind of counter United had been using as their only source of attack all game. Arsenal had the idea and the ball. United could only work around that, a side that still represent so much of a compromise to what Ten Hag wants. Arteta has this so much closer to what he wants from his own team, even if elements emphasised they are not there yet. They still cough up so many counter-attacks and chances. It did contribute to a strange match – you couldn’t take your eyes off but it wasn’t always pretty to watch. For a long time, the two earlier goals felt like an aberration in an otherwise erratic game, all the more so because they came in such quick succession. There were just minutes between the balls hitting either net but a mere 35 seconds in actual play. That feeling was all the more pronounced for the Rashford goal given it came out of nothing. It was not just their first shot of the game but their first attack of any note. The move did admittedly come from something that set the pattern of the game. Arsenal were completely imposing their game on United, but it meant there were often at least 10 players around Onana’s box. That made it very difficult for Arteta’s side to play through, all the more so when Kai Havertz totally mis-hit the best chance of the match. It was almost comic but represented a contradiction in the German’s game. He can go from a Dennis Bergkamp touch one moment to looking like he doesn’t know how to control a ball or even where to position himself. The United goal did come after a misstep from a player who has been much more reliable for Arsenal. With his side trying to rebuild an attack, Gabriel Martinelli played a ball straight to Christian Eriksen. The Dane suddenly had the space of the Arsenal half to play the ball into, a contrast from the other end which allowed the opportunity. Eriksen, of course, used that superbly. The through ball to Rashford was divine, exploiting a slight misstep from Ben White. Rashford then took it on superbly, both in terms of the aesthetic fluency of the move and his next touch. The forward cut inside to drive the cleanest strike in high off the post. The irony is that it was the bit of spark Arsenal needed. They had been the better team without actually looking that good themselves. What followed was pure quality. For one of the few times in the game, Arsenal worked their way around the massed defence with an exquisitely exact passing move, the extra focus no doubt elevating them. United didn’t even have time to know where to go. Odegaard knew exactly where he was putting it from Martinelli’s pass, powering the ball into the corner. This was to be the game now: Arsenal forced into more elaborate build-ups as United looked to break at pace. The numbers almost aided Arteta’s side again as Havertz got caught between Casemiro and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. He went down, but there was no contact, and a penalty was overruled by VAR. That did gradually evolve into an absorbing final spell, especially when Rasmus Hojlund came on for his United debut. They looked like they felt the benefit of having a reference, even if Arsenal’s greater development as a team meant that they still had much more of the ball. Bukayo Saka, who wasn’t at his best due to heavy attention from the United backline, should have had the ball in the net late on. Onana did superbly to deflect an effort from right in front of him, another rare moment which Arsenal worked through. It was the warning. United were tiring. Ten Hag tried to address it with subs. That initially seemed to work with Garnacho. But he’d gone that bit too early. It allowed Arsenal to claim it late, and ensure the title race doesn’t get away from them this early either. It might seem harsh to fixate on that so early in the campaign and with a finish like this. Arteta, more than anyone, will no doubt emphasise that these are the stakes. Rice has maybe now risen to them. Read More Late addition of an early target may have saved Man United’s transfer window Mikel Arteta hails Eddie Nketiah’s fight to play for England after first call-up Premier League summer spending exceeds £2bn for the first time Erik ten Hag frustrated by decisions in Manchester United’s defeat at Arsenal Arsenal vs Man Utd LIVE: Premier League result and reaction Erik ten Hag tips Rasmus Hojlund to have ‘very good impact’ at Manchester United

Erik ten Hag was left bemoaning several decisions he felt went against his Manchester United side as they sank to a dramatic late defeat at Arsenal. Stoppage-time strikes from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus secured a 3-1 win for the hosts, who had equalised through Martin Odegaard just 110 seconds after Marcus Rashford had opened the scoring for United. The late double would have been even more galling for the away side as substitute Alejandro Garnacho thought he had won it with his own strike, only to see it ruled out by a close offside VAR call. That was just one of the close decisions ten Hag believes fell in Arsenal’s favour as the Red Devils slipped to a second defeat of the season in north London. The Dutchman also felt Kai Havertz should have been booked for diving after seeing a penalty award overturned by VAR and that Rice’s goal came about only because Jonny Evans had been fouled – while he called for debutant Rasmus Hojlund to have been given a spot-kick of his own. “The performance was right but the result was not on our side and definitely many decisions were against us,” he said. “Let’s start at the penalty given but rejected. Everyone can see it’s a simulation but he did not get booked for it. “Then the foul on Hojlund in the penalty area and I don’t think it was even noticed by the VAR. Then the disallowed goal from Garnacho. The performance was right but the result was not on our side and definitely many decisions were against us Erik ten Hag “I think they looked from the wrong angle and it’s onside. Then the final goal. How can they allow that? It’s a clear and obvious foul on Jonny Evans otherwise he would have blocked the shot from Declan Rice. So it’s a lot.” Despite the defeat ten Hag felt his team – without a number of injured first-team players and having also lost centre-back pairing Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof to injury and illness, respectively, during the game – put in a strong showing. “I also have a good feeling because our performance was very good,” he added. “I won’t say it was perfect because there is definitely room for improvement. But if we see our compactness, pressing, moving with the ball and making the counters, very calm, we never gave Arsenal an opportunity to press us. There were a lot of positives in this game but there is still a lot to do Erik ten Hag “The next stage is we could have done that better and the movement we could have done in the right moments. There were a lot of positives in this game but there is still a lot to do.” Arsenal have now won three of their opening four games as Rice once again shone following his £105million summer move from West Ham. He topped off a fine display with the important second goal as manager Mikel Arteta hailed the influence of the England midfielder. “I think, a tremendous performance,” he said. “When you look at how a holding midfielder needs to dominate his area, how he needs to break up play, how he glided the team together when they were stretched a bit. “Then he produced a magic moment to win us the game, so, (I’m) really happy with him. “He’s a great kid. I think he’s got a good mixture between being extremely demanding with everybody and himself, having a bit of banter and being around the staff and the boys in a really humble way. So I think he’s fitting in brilliantly.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live They really outplayed us – Jos Buttler credits New Zealand after England mauling Rugby codes unite with tributes for David Watkins Wolves claim player subjected to discriminatory abuse during Crystal Palace loss

In the biggest game of the weekend, No. 5 LSU will take on No. 8 Florida State in Orlando. Between the Tigers and the Seminoles, who can afford a Week 1 "neutral-site" loss more?

Wolves have alleged one of their players was subjected to discriminatory abuse during their Premier League game at Crystal Palace on Sunday. The club reported the matter to the officials and stadium authorities at Selhurst Park and a supporter was subsequently ejected from the ground. Police have also been informed. The player affected has not been named. A statement from Wolves read: “We are very disappointed to report that one of our players was the target of discriminatory abuse by an opposing fan during today’s game with Crystal Palace. “We reported the incident quickly to Crystal Palace, Premier League match centre and the matchday officials. “Crystal Palace security moved swiftly to remove the supporter in question and notified police at Selhurst Park. “We are offering our full support to the player involved and have provided a formal statement to the Metropolitan Police. “Racism or discrimination in any form is completely unacceptable and should never be left unchallenged.” The PA news agency has contacted the Metropolitan Police. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus fired Arsenal to a stunning 3-1 stoppage-time victory against Manchester United as a thrill-a-minute clash came to an unforgettable conclusion. Last year’s Premier League runners-up hosted the side that finished third on Sunday afternoon as these teams looked to kick on from more unconvincing starts than their respective points tallies suggested. Marcus Rashford brilliantly put Erik ten Hag’s United ahead in the first half at the Emirates Stadium, only for Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard to impressively level 110 seconds later. The match looked set to end in an absorbing draw after a penalty for a foul on Kai Havertz was overturned following a pitchside review, before the VAR ruled out substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s late winner for narrowly straying offside. United’s wholehearted celebrations were cut short and there was still time for more drama in a jaw-dropping ending. A deep corner found Rice to slam home his first Arsenal goal off the heel of Jonny Evans in the sixth minute of stoppage time, before substitute Jesus coolly added gloss for Mikel Arteta’s men. United left the capital shell-shocked at the end of an afternoon that began with their fans chanting for the Glazers to sell and their team surviving a scare. Havertz failed to get away a clean shot when Diogo Dalot’s headed clearance deflected off team-mate Anthony Martial, with Lisandro Martinez’s quick thinking then denying Eddie Nketiah. Arsenal looked emboldened by that moment. Rice headed over from a corner that followed some important interventions by under-the-cosh United, who did not manage a shot until the 27th minute. It proved worth the wait. Christian Eriksen cut out a pass from Havertz deep in United territory and burst forwards through the middle, before picking the perfect time to pass through to Rashford. The United forward showed skill and composure to cut inside away from Arsenal defenders and hit a right-footed drive that Aaron Ramsdale could only tip onto the inside of the post. Andre Onana celebrated wildly in front of the away end, but United’s goalkeeper was calling for calm after Arsenal struck straight back. Gabriel’s ball forwards was flicked on by Gabriel Martinelli, who continued down the left and got the ball back before cutting back for Odegaard to slam home from 16 yards. The Emirates erupted and it felt like a wild end to the half would unfold, yet it petered out as both sides had efforts without seriously threatening. Arsenal returned brightly from the break but United nearly scored against the run of play in the 54th minute, with Martial seeing a shot saved before Rashford’s follow-up was blocked. Arsenal appeared to have the ideal chance to capitalise on that let-off when referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot five minutes later. Havertz hit the deck as Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Casemiro closed in on him, but the decision was overturned after Taylor reviewed the pitchside monitor on the VAR’s advice. Ten Hag turned to summer signing Rasmus Hojlund for his debut as he looked to change the flow of the game, which was further altered when Martinez was hurt fouling Nketiah. The Argentina international was booked before being replaced by Harry Maguire, whose name was chanted by Arsenal fans as he came on for the visitors. Martinelli fizzed a first-time struck narrowly wide and Bukayo Saka fired straight at Onana, with Rashford and Hojlund causing a headache for Arsenal. Casemiro’s threaded ball put Garnacho in to coolly strike past Ramsdale and spark wild celebrations that eventually turned to nerves during a VAR review that ended up in an offside call. It was a gut punch for a United side that would soon be left reeling from a knockout blow. Saka’s deep corner was picked up at the far post by an inexplicably free Rice, who saw a drive go in via a slight Jonny Evans touch as Arsenal fans celebrated a killer blow in the sixth minute of stoppage time. The cherry on the cake was provided by Jesus in the 101st minute. The substitute run through on goal, cut away from a sliding Dalot and turned the ball past Onana. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool’s stance on keeping hold of Mohamed Salah will not waver He has got better and better – Roy Hodgson lauds improving Odsonne Edouard England need 203 to beat New Zealand at Edgbaston and wrap up T20 series

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted the club’s stance would not waver on Mohamed Salah, despite speculation of a potential world-record bid for the forward arriving this week. The club rejected a £150million deal for the 31-year-old from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad on Friday and said at the time, they considered the matter closed. That has not prevented suggestions the Pro League champions are prepared to return with a bid of around £200m but Klopp said even though the Saudi transfer window remained open until Thursday, the position of owners Fenway Sports Group would not change. “I didn’t realise a little bit of a distraction in the whole week, besides answering questions about it – not from people inside (the club) but people outside,” said Klopp after his side’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa in which Salah scored the third after Dominik Szoboszlai’s first goal for the club was followed by Matty Cash putting through his own net. “I have no clue, nobody came to me and told me something could happen or whatever. I’m pretty sure I would have got a call but I didn’t. “And Mo didn’t look for a second like he thought about anything else other than about Aston Villa, being involved in all the goals. “He has unbelievable numbers but it’s not a surprise that he has the numbers. And he had chances on top of that and (is) involved in creating and setting up and all these kind of things. “He’s a world-class player, no doubt about that and I’m really pleased he is in my team.” Szoboszlai said in a post-match television interview to that Salah wanted to stay. “You know it is football, everyone is talking. We are really happy that he has stayed,” said the Hungary captain. “We are of course speaking between each other but he wants to stay, he wants to be here and be with us. We are really happy – we need people in the team like him.” Klopp was asked whether Salah had conveyed that message to him. “No. He didn’t tell me, but he didn’t have to. He speaks with his training and performances and behaviour,” he added, after admitting the only downside to the afternoon was a hamstring injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold which was likely to rule him out of England duty in the coming international break. “We had meetings this week and the meetings were not about what we did in the past, it was about what we will do in the future. “Mo was with the players’ (leadership) committee and had his moments where he was talking and it was nothing like ‘By the way, this is only until next week’ or whatever. “He is completely here and if Dom said that, fine. Mo doesn’t have to come into my office and tell me ‘By the way, boss… (I’m not going)’. “For me it wasn’t a subject for one second, to be honest, besides the questions (from the media).” Villa were never really in the game after Cash’s 22nd-minute own goal, and head coach Unai Emery admitted – after conceding three in the last half-hour at Newcastle on the opening weekend – he was conscious of getting torn apart at Anfield. “It is difficult to win here and first half was the key. We had chances, we were not clinical and 2-0 was not really the result we deserved for the first half,” he said. “Second half we stuck to our gameplan and they scored the third goal and it was match finished. “We tried to be focused because here, like in Newcastle, we lost the last 30 minutes and we didn’t want it today. I can’t accept to let them have more goals.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live He has got better and better – Roy Hodgson lauds improving Odsonne Edouard Ryder Cup place ‘would mean the world’ to European Masters winner Ludvig Aberg England need 203 to beat New Zealand at Edgbaston and wrap up T20 series