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(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

(AP) -- Gonzaga carried a No. 1 ranking all last season before falling a win short of becoming college basketball's first unbeaten national champion in 45 years.

Mark Few's Bulldogs start this season in the same position, hoping to complete that final step this time around.

The Zags were the runaway top choice in The Associated Press Top 25 men's college basketball preseason poll released Monday. They earned 55 of 63 first-place votes to easily outdistance No. 2 UCLA, which earned the other eight. Kansas, Villanova and Texas rounded out the top five, while reigning national champion Baylor checked in at No. 8.

Browns' Hunt out 'weeks' with hurt calf
CLEVELAND (AP) Browns running back Kareem Hunt will likely miss more than a month with a "significant" calf injury sustained in Sunday's loss to Arizona, one of numerous injuries to key players on Cleveland's roster. The Browns (3-3) were already missing star running back Nick Chubb with a calf injury and then lost Hunt in the fourth quarter. (MORE)

Prescott says calf injury not an issue

FRISCO, Texas (AP) Dak Prescott promised not to miss any time after straining his right calf on the touchdown pass in overtime that gave the Dallas Cowboys their first win at New England since 1987.

The star quarterback believes he can deliver on that vow because the team is going into its open week. Even with the break, recent history with his teammates suggests Prescott's view is optimistic. (MORE)

Cam says he's vaccinated, wants to play
Cam Newton says he has been vaccinated against contracting COVID-19 and is ready to return to the NFL. The quarterback who was cut by New England just before the season began published a video on his YouTube channel saying it's time to get back into pro football. He is a free agent. (MORE)

Astros-BoSox shifts to Fenway tied at 1
J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers put on a grand display of power on Saturday to help the Boston Red Sox even their American League Championship Series with the Houston Astros at one game apiece. Now the Red Sox will return home to Fenway Park with momentum on their side as they host the Astros for a pivotal Game 3 in their best-of-seven showdown on Monday night. (MORE)

Bills visit Titans looking to stay hot
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Social media and video have made it impossible for the Buffalo Bills to forget their last game against the Tennessee Titans. Derrick Henry stiff-arming Bills cornerback Josh Norman off his feet through the air literally was everywhere as a highlight, gif or meme. (MORE)

Braves again win on walkoff to go up 2-0
ATLANTA (AP) More late-night magic has the Atlanta Braves just two wins away from the World Series. Eddie Rosario delivered Atlanta's second straight walk-off hit in the ninth inning, giving the Braves a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday and a commanding 2-0 lead in the NL Championship Series. (MORE)

Steelers survive to top Seahawks in OT
PITTSBURGH (AP) Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin insists there is nothing "mystical" to the way outside linebacker T.J. Watt goes about his business. The perennial All-Pro is talented. He's focused. He's relentless. And as of last month, he's also one of the highest-paid defenders in the NFL. (MORE)

LSU, Orgeron to part ways after season
For Ed Orgeron, LSU's Cajun coach, a dream job is coming to an end. LSU and Orgeron have agreed to part ways after this season, 21 months after he coached the Tigers to a national championship with what is considered one of the greatest teams in college football history. (MORE)

Cardinals batter Browns to move to 6-0
CLEVELAND (AP) As loud music blasted inside Arizona's locker room, players danced and could be heard shouting "undefeated" while coach Kliff Kingsbury smiled at the wild scene via a FaceTime call from home. The Cardinals survived - undaunted and perfect. (MORE)