[naviga:h3]No change among college grid top 4[/naviga:h3]

Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and Notre Dame remained at the top of the College Football Playoff selection committee rankings, marking the first time in two seasons the top four was unchanged from the previous week.

Iowa stayed at No. 5 and Oklahoma State moved up to No. 6, one spot ahead of Big 12 rival Oklahoma.

Florida is eighth, Michigan State, which plays Ohio State on Saturday, is ninth and Baylor dropped to No. 10 after losing for the first time this season.

Clemson, Alabama and Ohio State seem to have control of their playoff hopes. If those three win out they should be in, with the final spot coming down to the Big 12 contenders or Notre Dame. Oklahoma State has the advantage of being unbeaten and has chances to pad its resume over the next two weeks with home games against Baylor and Oklahoma.

[naviga:h3]Raiders LB Smith suspended a year[/naviga:h3]

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith was suspended by the NFL for one calendar year because of violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy.

The penalty is effective immediately and Smith will be eligible to apply for reinstatement no sooner than 60 days before the end of the suspension.

Smith, 26, was released by the San Francisco 49ers in August after several run-ins with the law and then landed across the bay with the Raiders.

[naviga:h3]Manziel starting for rest of season[/naviga:h3]

BEREA, Ohio — There was no formal presentation or fanfare. No torch passing ceremony.

Browns coach Mike Pettine simply pulled Johnny Manziel aside and told him he would be Cleveland’s starting quarterback for the remainder of this season.

No longer just a celebrated bad-boy backup, Manziel joined an elite class.

[naviga:h3]Giants, Crawford sign 6-year deal[/naviga:h3]

SAN FRANCISCO — Fresh off his Gold Glove award last week, San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford signed a new $75 million, six-year contract that takes him through the 2021 season.

The team announced the deal and scheduled a news conference on Wednesday at AT&T Park. Crawford’s new contract covers his two remaining years of arbitration and four years of free agency — and also provides some stability for his young family right at home in the Bay Area. Crawford and his wife, Jalynne, have two young daughters and a son on the way.

Crawford has a full no-trade clause. He is slated to receive a $1.2 million signing bonus, a salary of $5.8 million next season and $8 million in 2017.

[naviga:h3]Angels, Pennington agree on contract[/naviga:h3]

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Veteran infielder Cliff Pennington became the first free agent to switch teams this offseason when the Los Angeles Angels signed him to a two-year, $3.75 million deal.

Pennington will make $1.5 million in 2016 and $2.25 million in 2017 with the Angels.

Pennington began last season with Arizona and moved to Toronto in a trade in August. The switch-hitting utilityman batted .210 with three homers and 21 RBIs in 105 total games, making multiple starts at five positions.