ERST LESEN! » Friday at instructional league in Tampa, Flor

NEW ORLEANS -- While Appalachian State will always be remembered for its stunning upset of Michigan in the Big House in 2007, the Mountaineers are setting a new standard now.Since moving to the Sun Belt Conference in 2014, Appalachian State has proved it was primed for a quick transition up to the NCAAs top-tier Football Bowl Subdivision.Last season, Scott Satterfield coached the Mountaineers to the first 11-win season in Sun Belt history, capped by a Camelia Bowl victory over Ohio. The two losses came against Clemson, the 2015 national runner-up, and Arkansas State, which won the Sun Belt by virtue of that victory.This season, conference coaches have picked Appalachian State as the preseason favorite, surprising no one -- especially not the Mountaineers.There are a lot of high expectations, but for us at Appalachian State we have always had high expectations, Satterfield said. When we first arrived (in the Sun Belt) a few years ago, there were questions as to whether or not we could compete in this league and compete at the FBS level. We have been able to answer those questions over the last year and a half. So our guys expect to win every game.That means the Mountaineers expect to win at Tennessee and also to beat what will arguably be the most prominent program to visit Appalachian States Kidd Brewer Stadium, the Miami Hurricanes.Certainly, victories in either of those games raise the profile of the Sun Belt, which has enjoyed steady increases in bowl tie-ins (now up to five) and television revenues in recent seasons.But the 16-year-old league still has yet to see one of its members qualify for an elite New Years Day bowl game.All our indicators are trending upward, Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson said recently. Why not 2016 becoming the year that the Sun Belt champion plays in Dallas (on) Jan. 2 in the Cotton Bowl?THE FAVORITESIn addition to Appalachian State, defending champion Arkansas State could have a say in who wins the league. However, the Red Wolves lost their starting quarterback, making it tougher to project how effective their offense will be this season.We have never been picked to win the league, but we have found a way to win it in four out of the last five years, said third-year Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson, who is 13-3 in the league through his first wo seasons. However, the conference schedule doesnt match Arkansas State against Appalachian State.Georgia Southern, meanwhile, was picked to finish third in the preseason coaches poll, but is adjusting to a new coaching staff after Willie Fritzs departure for Tulane.TOP PLAYERSAppalachian State junior Taylor Lamb has been named preseason all-conference quarterback and could be one of the Sun Belts most prolific players, given hell be running a spread option offense. Last season, he passed for 2,387 yards and 31 TDs while rushing for 436 yards and five scores. The league also has a slew of productive running backs including Georgia Southerns Matt Breida, Appalachian States Marcus Cox, Louisiana-Lafayettes Elijah McGuire and New Mexico States Larry Rose III. On defense, Arkansas State lineman JaVon Rolland-Jones is coming off a nine-sack season, while defensive backs Savion Brown of Louisiana-Lafayette and Cody Brown of Arkansas State were both among the league leaders in pass breakups and interceptions in 2015.NEW FACESAnthony Jennings, who was LSUs starting quarterback in 2014, is a graduate transfer to Louisiana-Lafayette, meaning he could start immediately for a Ragin Cajuns squad looking to bounce back from a 2015 campaign that saw them post their first losing record in five years. Louisiana-Monroe has a new coach in Matt Viator, who has enjoyed a long run of success in the second-tier Football Championship Subdivision with McNeese State. Tyson Summers is Georgia Southerns third new coach in four seasons. Summers also is in his first season as a Division I coach after serving as Colorado States defensive coordinator the past two seasons. He takes over an experience-laden squad that has gone 18-7 in its first two years at the FBS level.ON THE HOT SEAT?Idaho coach Paul Petrino?, the brother of Louisville coach Bobby Petrino, is 6-29 in three seasons with the Vandals. New Mexico State coach Doug Martin is 7-29 in three seasons.PICKSAppalachian State wins its first Sun Belt crown. Arkansas State winds up with a bowl bid, as do Georgia Southern, Louisiana-Lafayette and Georgia State.---AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.orgHarrison Butker Womens Jersey . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". Tyreek Hill Jersey . Jeff Green scored 13 points and Kris Humphries 12 for the Celtics, who nearly blew an 18-point, second-half lead. Sullingers 20-20 was the first by a Celtics player since Kevin Garnetts first game in Boston in 2007. Garnett was dealt -- along with Paul Pierce -- to Brooklyn during the off-season. http://www.prochiefsauthentic.com/Youth-Harrison-Butker-Elite-Jersey/ . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. Derrick Thomas Jersey . Three came down to the fourth quarter while quarterbacks continued to shine in all four games; so important to the overall quality of the game. Tyreek Hill Womens Jersey . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg.TORONTO -- One playoff avenue closed for the New York Yankees. Their second may soon slide shut, as well.Francisco Liriano and three relievers combined on a three-hitter, Troy Tulowitzki had four RBI and the Toronto Blue Jays routed the Yankees 9-0 Friday night to maintain a one-game lead in the AL wild-card standings.New York lost for the ninth time in 12 games, following a seven-game winning streak, and was eliminated from contention in the AL East.The Yankees are four games behind Detroit for the second wild care with nine games left.Things are kind of slipping away at this point, outfielder Brett Gardner said. Were not out of it, but were definitely not in a good position.Josh Donaldson hit a two-run homer and Edwin Encarnacion got his 124th RBI, tied with Bostons David Ortiz for the AL lead, as the Blue Jays won their sixth straight home game over New York.Toronto has won five of eight after going 3-9 starting September.Gary Sanchez had two hits for the Yankees, who were shut out for the second straight night and the fifth time this month. New York has gone 0 for 12 with runners in scoring position in their last two games and stranded 17 runners.Its not what you want, manager Joe Girardi said. Its frustrating.Girardis frustration was plainly evident. He cut short his postgame media session and angrily walked out of his office following a question about bullpen usage.Liriano (8-13) escaped a bases-loaded jam by striking out Chase Headley to end a 27-pitch first inning, then left runners at the corners after the first two batters reached in the third. That was the start of a stretch that saw the left-hander retire nine straight.Liriano allowed three hits, walked two and struck out six for his second win with Toronto.Liriano was was really, really good, manager John Gibbons said. Hes got one of the better arms in baseball.Reliever Joaquin Benoit walked Aaron Hicks to begin thee seventh but pinch-hitter Brian McCann grounded into a double play.dddddddddddd Brett Cecil worked the eighth and Danny Barnes finished.Tulowitzki opened the scoring with a two-out, bases-loaded single off Bryan Mitchell (1-2) in the first and Encarnacion made it 3-0 with a bases-loaded walk in the second.Mitchell allowed three runs -- one earned -- and six hits in six innings.Jose Bautista hit a two-run double off Blake Parker in the seventh and Tulowitzki added a second two-run single.Donaldson homered off Ben Heller in the eighth, his 36th.DECISION PENDINGGirardi said he has not decided who will start in place of RHP Masahiro Tanaka (strained forearm) in Mondays series finale. Tanaka leads the American League with a 3.07 ERA.HAL AND THE BABY BOMBERSYankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner watched some of New Yorks top prospects work out Friday at instructional league in Tampa, Florida. Steinbrenner also looked at the on-going multi-million renovation project at the Yankees minor league complex, which includes new indoor hitting and pitching cages, and clubhouse improvements.FALL LEAGUEThe updated list of Yankees set to play in the Arizona Fall League are RHPs Dillon Tate, Brody Koerner and J.P. Feyereisen, INFs Greg Bird, Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres, and OF Tyler Wade.TRAINERS ROOMYankees: 2B Starlin Castro (right hamstring) hit in the cage before the game and plans to run on the field Saturday. Manager Joe Girardi said he does not expect Castro to return during the series against Toronto.UP NEXTNew York LHP CC Sabathia (8-12, 4.19) faces RHP Marcus Stroman (9-9, 4.50) Saturday. Sabathia, who will start on five days rest, is 3-8 with a 5.49 ERA in his past 17 starts. Stroman has lost his past four starts and is winless since Aug. 14. ' ' '