Jake Trotter, Oklahoman: A comment made by a Fox announcer during last season's Bowl Championship Series title game sparked an NCAA investigation into the eligibility of Oklahoma linebacker Mike Balogun. "He played a little semi-pro ball, the Prince George Jets, the Maryland Marauders, before he went to Lackawanna," commentator Charles Davis said. An official from the Florida State compliance office heard the comment. He contacted the Big 12 and the investigation was launched.
Jeff Barker, Baltimore Sun: Maryland supporters have raised about $46,000 so the team can fly round trip to games at Wake Forest and North Carolina State instead of taking the bus one way.
Ken Tysiac, ACC Now: We'll leave the light on for you. North Carolina State spent $85,923.79 in 2008 to take its team to a hotel on the nights before home games. Also in 2008, Clemson paid $111,654.39, including $47,230 just to transport its team back and forth from the hotel in nearby Anderson, S.C. East Carolina spent $29,020.55 and South Carolina spent $70,474.
Eric Lacy, Detroit News: Michigan State is loading up its nonconference schedule with local creampuffs. The Spartans will play Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan over 10 seasons beginning in 2011. Thanks to the Midwest Correspondent.
Ken Belson and Tim Arango, New York Times: Examining the new media rules put in place by the Southeastern Conference.
Jon Solomon, Birmingham News: The SEC reversed a rule that would have banned fans from using Twitter and Facebook at games. YouTube videos shot at a game remain a no-no. Three leading media organizations affiliated with the Associated Press are protesting the SEC's media credential policy.
Kate Hairopoulos, Dallas Morning News: Southern Methodist's June Jones has decided to close practices to the public. He said his hand was forced when he saw spectators with video cameras at a recent session.
Brandon Marcello, The Slophouse: Arkansas' Bobby Petrino is worried about the swine flu. Running back Broderick Green has missed two practices because he's sick and several other players have a virus. So far, all tests for the H1N1 virus have come back negative.
Brett McMurphy, Tampa Tribune: The Sun Bowl vote unanimously to add the Atlantic Coast Conference to its next bowl cycle. The move was a blow to the Big East.
Andrew Carter, Orlando Sentinel: Florida State's Bobby Bowden says Charlie Ward was better than Tim Tebow.
Scott Nulph, Stillwater News-Press: Oklahoma State players and coaches will not have any contact with the media for the next 10 days. Thanks to Ben Maller.
Michael Lev, Orange Country Register: USC's Pete Carroll, the master of the practice-field prank, finally fell victim to one.
Associated Press: New Mexico's Mike Locksley has filed a defamation lawsuit against an Albuquerque lawyer, the latest round in a legal tug-of-war that is overshadowing fall workouts.
Dave Hooker, Knoxville News-Sentinel: The NCAA is investigating the eligibility of Tennessee freshman tailback Bryce Brown. An initial ruling has been handed down and the school is appealing. Wiz reaction: Is anybody surprised by this?
Matt Murschel, College Gridiron 365: Part 2 of the 15 games to you have watch this season.
Ken Gordon and Tim May, Columbus Dispatch: The man accused of hitting Ohio State linebacker Tyler Moeller in a Treasure Island, Fla., restaurant and bar acted in self-defense, his attorney says.
Gentry Estes, Mobile Press-Register: Alabama sophomore linebacker Courtney Upshaw has been arrested on a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence/harassment.
Donnie Webb, Syracuse Post-Standard: Greg Paulus was named Syracuse's starting quarterback.
Solid Verbal: An interview with Jed Williams of the ACC Sports Journal and ACC Sports Journal Magazine.
The Quad: Paul Myerberg's countdown continues with No. 17 Boise State and No. 16 Georgia Tech.
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You guys buried the lead, the bigger news about MSU playing the MAC schools is that they have agree to give the MAC schools a home game. MSU also recently set up a home and home with Alabama.
Posted by: William | August 21, 2009 at 09:20 AM
The Michigan Wolverines always have one Directional-Michigan team in a non-conference home game. Why is it any surprise MSU would do the same.
Posted by: tristan | August 21, 2009 at 10:59 AM