When No. 1 Is a Lot Better Than No. 2

By BY ADAM ZAGORIA from NYT Sports Gonzaga crushed U.C.L.A. in a marquee early season matchup, backing up its victory over the Bruins in last year’s Final Four.https://nyti.ms/3xlROQ7

A College Football Crash Course for Thanksgiving

By BY ALAN BLINDER from NYT Sports The rivalries on the field this weekend could resemble (and play into) some familial bickering at the dinner table.https://nyti.ms/3l0fIeX

Karim Benzema, French Soccer Star, Is Convicted in Sex Tape Scandal

By BY AURELIEN BREEDEN from NYT Sports The Real Madrid striker was found guilty of being part of an attempt to blackmail a fellow player, charges that had led to his being dropped from his national team for more than five years.https://nyti.ms/32unoQd

South Carolina Women’s Basketball Soars in Place, Atop the Rankings

By BY NATALIE WEINER from NYT Sports The Gamecocks were already ranked No. 1 when they beat Connecticut, but the victory elevated a sense that Coach Dawn Staley is building a perennial title contender.https://nyti.ms/3CMYMhV

‘I Can’t Just Quit’

By BY ALANIS THAMES from NYT Sports Sika Henry is the first African American woman to be recognized as a pro triathlete. But a horrible bicycle crash in 2019 nearly thwarted her lifelong dream.https://nyti.ms/3HOsB5l

Bill Virdon, Quiet Manager of Four M.L.B. Teams, Dies at 90

By BY RICHARD GOLDSTEIN from NYT Sports As a player, mainly for the Pirates, he was an outstanding center fielder and hit a catalytic ground ball in the 1960 World Series against the Yankees.https://nyti.ms/3l3rBkf

College Football Games to Watch This Week

By BY ALANIS THAMES from NYT Sports There are a handful of high-stakes games this week. Here are the rivalries we recommend watching.https://nyti.ms/3CJxvwT