Pete Thamel, New York Times: Syracuse has taken a step toward firing Greg Robinson as coach. The university has hired a search firm run by Chuck Neinas to help find Robinson's replacement. Connecticut's Randy Edsall is said to have been contacted by Neinas.
Ray Fittipaldo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Mike Ditka, a former All-American at Pittsburgh, is critical of rules that take legal but violent hits out of the game. "I said a long time ago if you want to change the game take the mask off the helmet. It will change the game a lot. If you want to change the game and get it back to where people aren't striking with the head and using the head as a weapon, take the mask off the helmet. A lot of pretty boys aren't going to stick their face in there. If you're going to take hitting out of football, you might as well just call it soccer. That's what I believe."
Mick McGrane, San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego State athletic director Jeff Schemmel said Chuck Long will remain the school's football coach through at least the 2009 season. Long, in his third season, is 8-23. His team is coming off a 70-7 loss at New Mexico.
Jeff Call, Deseret News: Texas Christian's Gary Patterson has banned the use of certain three-letter words that start with the letter B.
Don Williams, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: A student who kicked a 30-yard field goal during a promotion at a Texas Tech game earlier this month could be the Red Raiders' kicker in Saturday's game against Kansas.
Brian Murphy, Idaho Statesman: Boise State's Chris Petersen is already being linked to the expected opening at Washington.
Gentry Estes, Mobile Press-Register: Former Alabama quarterback Ken Stabler was found not guilty of the DUI charge that created an uproar this summer.
Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times: Don't look now. Ohio State will be right back in the thick of the Bowl Championship Series hunt with a victory over Penn State.
Brendan Stiles, Daily Iowan: Iowa students are trying to organize a "Greene Out" for the Nov. 8 game against Penn State to honor bruising running back Shonn Greene.
Ken Tysiac, Charolotte Observer: North Carolina State's lost class: Only seven of the 20 players signed in the Wolfpack's recruiting class of 2006 are available to play in Saturday's game at Maryland.
Evan Woodbery, Mobile Press-Register: Former Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin broke his silence about his firing, saying he was "befuddled" by the move. He did not shed light on the circumstances of his ouster.
Steve Ellis, Tallahassee Democrat: Bert Reed, Florida State's third-leading receiver, has been suspended for the game against Virginia Tech because he has missed too many classes.
Paul Schofield, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Fans in Terrelle Pryor's hometown of Jeannette, Pa., are divided on who to cheer for in the Penn State-Ohio State game. Said one resident: "My heart is with Penn State, and I hope we sack him 15 times. I'll root for Terrelle other weeks."
Michael Abramowitz, Daily Reflector: East Carolina running back Jonathan Williams has been charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with an incident on Sunday.
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