NEWS » emarcus Ayers at Houston. Expect

SEATTLE -- Baltimore selected the contract of left-handed reliever Ariel Miranda from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned right-handed pitcher Tyler Wilson to Norfolk.To clear room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles moved left-handed pitcher Brian Duensing to the 60-day disabled list.Miranda was to provide a needed arm after short starts from Wilson and Chris Tillman. Wilson allowed eight runs and nine hits Saturday, failing to get an out in the fourth inning.Miranda did not allow a run in his last 19 innings in three starts for Norfolk.The Orioles may not fill Wilsons spot in the starting rotation until after the All-Star break. With an off-day Thursday, the rotation can remain on normal rest until the break.Duensing was placed on the disabled list on June 20 with left elbow inflammation and is eligible to return Aug. 19.Florida Panthers Store . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Wholesale Panthers Jerseys . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. https://www.panthersjerseycheap.com/ . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves. Panthers Jerseys 2020 . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Florida Panthers Gear . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games.HOUSTON -- Coach Tom Herman has spent all offseason downplaying the importance of Houstons opener against No. 3 Oklahoma.The high-profile matchup at NRG Stadium, the home of the NFLs Texans, on Saturday wont decide a conference championship nor will it pave the way to a spot in the College Football Playoff for the winner.Just going in with the mindset that its just another game that we will be prepared for, said Cougars cornerback Brandon Wilson, toeing the company line.So, yes, there is still almost a whole season to play and the opener only counts for one. All the cliches apply. But a victory by 15th-ranked Houston unquestionably opens up a world of playoff possibilities for the much-hyped Cougars, the American Athletic Conference and maybe the Group of Five conferences in general. A loss by the Cougars and they can focus on defending that league title.The Cougars capped a 13-1 season with a 38-24 victory against Florida State in the Peach Bowl in January. The buzz in Houston for the Coogs hasnt been this high since the late 1980s and early `90s. Back then it was star quarterbacks Andre Ware and David Klingler run-and-shooting their way into the record books.That era ended abruptly. Houston started the 1991 season ranked No. 12, and went into its second game of the season against No. 2 Miami ranked 10th. Instead of a breakthrough, Klingler and the Cougars got buried 40-10 by the Hurricanes.Houstons preseason ranking this year is its best since `91, but the Cougars are trying to hold on to the underdog intensity they had last year when they werent even favored to win their division.Weve tried to keep that chip on our shoulder. That kind of made us who we are, tight end Tyler McCloskey said.What will it take for Houston or any Group of Five team to reach the playoff? The playoff has only been around for two years and there hasnt been a test case yet for the selection committee. An undefeated record is probably a good start. At least one big nonconference win will be important because the quality wins the committee looks for are tough to accumulate outside Power Five leagues.A big season by the Cougars has the potential to be the story of the playoff race when the rankings start coming out in early November. Thats why of all the compelling matchups in a great first weekend of the season, the stakes are hhighest in Houston.ddddddddddddThings to know about the third meeting between Oklahoma and Houston:HEISMAN WATCHTrying to follow in the footsteps of Ware, Houstons only Heisman Trophy winner, is Greg Ward Jr. He was one of two FBS quarterbacks to pass for more than 2,000 yards and run for more than 1,000 last season. He accounted for 38 touchdowns.The biggest thing he does is take advantage of blitzing teams or D-ends running up field. Hes just going to step up and try to get down field or get a scramble drill going, Oklahoma cornerback Dakota Austin said.Defending Big 12 champion and playoff semifinalist Oklahoma has its own Heisman contender quarterback in Baker Mayfield, who passed for 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns last year and finished fourth in the Heisman voting.Both give you trouble scrambling around with their legs, Sooner coach Bob Stoops said of Mayfield and Ward. Just talented players, I think, is the number one thing you can say about them both.GO-TO RECEIVERSBoth teams enter the season looking for new No. 1 receivers to emerge after the departures of Sterling Shepard from Oklahoma and Demarcus Ayers at Houston. Expect the Sooners to get tight end Mark Andrews more involved after he caught seven touchdowns as a redshirt freshman. Penn State transfer Geno Lewis steps into a starting role at wide receiver. The Cougars will be looking for some inexperienced players to emerge and Chance Allen, who had 56 catches and 752 yards last season, to take a bigger role.FRESHMENHouston landed one of the best defensive line recruits in the country this year in Ed Oliver. The freshman is expected to make an immediate impact. With Oklahoma retooling at linebacker, freshman Caleb Kelly will likely see some time and Stoops said Mykel Jones will be part of the receiver rotation.EXPANSIONHouston is in the process of trying to gain an invitation to the Big 12. The conference has narrowed down the field of expansion candidates to 11, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation. One game wont be a deciding factor, but Houston fans would certainly like to see their team prove it belongs in the Power Five conference.---Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP ' ' '