The Wiz of Odds

Reporters Notebook

Associated Press: A Tennessee fan who happens to be a Nashville lawyer is suing the university in a dispute over prime box seats at Neyland Stadium. In his lawsuit, Thomas Luck wants the seating rights that were given to his father in 1961. The school is trying to move his seats, and require him to donate an additional $6,000 to the university and pay face value for the tickets.

Paul Finebaum, Mobile Press-Register: Is Lane Kiffin in over his head? The Tennessee coach, who was called "a flat-out liar" after he was fired by Al Davis, has been displaying a bizarre and infantile behavior the past few weeks.

Rob Moseley, Eugene Register-Guard: Oregon will announce the receipt of signed letters of intent Wednesday by using its Twitter feed.

Pete Pelegrin, Miami Herald: Florida International is dropping a game this fall against South Florida in order to schedule one with Rutgers. The Bulls, who reportedly were paying the Golden Panthers only $200,000 for the game in Tampa, are now left with an opening on the schedule.

Eric Hansen, South Bend Tribune: Is Crewcut Charlie Weis interested in adding former Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel to his staff?

Couple File Claim Over Taser Incident at Badger Game

Margaret and Roman Hiebing were among the 81,524 fans who packed into Camp Randall Stadium on Oct. 11 to watch Wisconsin play host to Penn State. When the couple arrived at their seats in Section U, Margaret could not sit in her regular seat in row 69 because it had already been taken. She sat at the end of the row, partially in the aisle, and it wasn't long before University of Wisconsin police officer Tamara Kowalski arrived.

When Kowalski told Margaret to get in her seat, Roman stepped in and asked the officer to check tickets in row 69 because some people were in the wrong seats.

According to the couple's complaint filed against the state, Kowalski "did not check the tickets." Instead, the officer grabbed Margaret's hair, pulled it backwards, and threatened to spray her with pepper spray. Kowalski called for backup and six other officers arrived and started hauling the 54-year-old woman up the stairs.

Reporters Notebooks

Bruce Feldman, ESPN: Want to know what's wrong with recruiting? Check out this piece on Brian Butler, the mentor of Bryce Brown, a running back prospect from Wichita. Brown, who is not expected to sign until after the signing date, is turning into this year's version of Terrelle Pryor.

Marc Morehouse, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Calling the Kinnick Stadium drainage system "obsolete," the University of Iowa athletic department wants to spend $2 million to replace drainage and add synthetic turf for the 2009 season. Kinnick has had a grass field since 1986.

Mike McCall and Evan Drexler, Independent Florida Alligator: Tim Tebow or Percy Harvin? Which player is more important to the well-being of the Florida Gators?

Charles Goldberg, Birmingham News: How does Gene Chizik plan to get top talent to the Plains? "We're at Auburn. I think that says it all. We're going after the best in the country — no matter when, what, where, how. That's how we're going to do it." Plus a look at the price tag for Tiger assistants.

Lisa Waananem, Student Press Law Center: Misdemeanor charges have been re-filed against a Penn State student for taking photographs for the student newspaper during a riot near campus that broke out after the Nittany Lions' victory over Ohio State last fall. Thanks to Kevin of We Are Penn State.

Rice a Candidate for Pac-10 Job?

And the new Pacific 10 Conference commissioner is ... Condoleezza Rice?

Two sources told the Seattle Times that Rice, who spent the last four years as U.S. secretary of state, has thrown her name into the pool of candidates to replace Tom Hansen, who will retire July 1.

Rice was provost of Stanford from 1993 to 1999, during which time she was active in athletic affairs. Under her watch, the school hired Tyrone Willingham as coach.

Rice is scheduled to return to Stanford as a political science professor.

Coach Tyranny's Football Camp

It's a good day for some football ... and doing calisthenics. Welcome to Camp Tyranny, the latest animation by Grey Blackwell.

Here Is One We Missed

A follow to our post earlier this week on the cheapest shots of the 2008 season.

Despite our best efforts, we always miss a cheapie or two. Here is one that certainly deserved to be included on our list. Iowa State's Leonard Johnson flattens Omar Clayton after the Nevada Las Vegas quarterback scored a touchdown. Johnson was ejected and later issued an apology.