The Wiz of Odds

Reporters Notebooks

Tom Shatel, Omaha World-Herald: Texas said no to an opportunity to move its Oct. 16 game against Nebraska in Lincoln to Thursday night, Oct. 14. Cornhusker athletic director Tom Osborne said Texas refused because there were concerns about "missing class time."

John Hunt, Oregonian: Investigators from the Eugene police department continue to collect evidence in the reported theft of two laptops and a guitar from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Chuck Hare, owner of Taylor’s Bar & Grille, gave investigators video allegedly showing Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli at his establishment shortly after midnight — about the time he and receiver Garrett Embry allegedly made off with the goods from the SAE house. Taylor's is across the street from the fraternity.

Willis Jacobson, Key West Citizen: Former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach has moved his family to Key West.

Sports By Brooks: The 2010 Lubbock phone book features a cover photo of Leach.

Bodog: Yes, you can now get odds on the Tim Tebow Focus on Family commercial. Will CBS air the commercial during the Super Bowl? Yes is minus-500. No is plus-325. Thanks to Jimmy Shapiro.

Are Police on the Oregon Trail?

It was a wild weekend in Eugene.

First came the savage beating of Oregon kicker Rob Beard late Saturday night. Beard was in a fight involving at least 20 people and lost consciousness after being kicked in the head by several people. He suffered multiple facial fractures and was rushed to a local hospital, which initially listed his condition as critical.

The good news is that Beard is expected to be released from the hospital this week.

Shortly after midnight and only a few blocks away, a theft of two MacBook Pro computers and a guitar were reported from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

That's where the confusion (coverup?) begins.

The Oregonian first reported the possible involvement of standout quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and receiver Garrett Embry in the heist. Fraternity member Max Wolfard accused the players of making off with the goods.

They Said It

Maybe a little bit of Lane Kiffin has rubbed off on his dad, Monte, pictured above.

Frostproof (Ga.) High athletics director Charles Loveless had this to say about USC's efforts to secure Nickell Robey, a cornerback at the school: "Monte Kiffin has been very persistent. He's probably been in here more than is legal. Of course they don't pay attention to the rules."

Thanks to John.

Ducks' Masoli, Embry Named in Police Report

Update: KMTR in Eugene is reporting that Jeremiah Masoli and Garrett Embry are not considered suspects in the theft case, even though their names were mentioned in the police report.

Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, right, and receiver Garrett Embry are named in a police report involving an alleged theft from a fraternity house early Sunday, according to the Oregonian.

The newspaper reported that four Eugene police officers responded to a reported theft of two MacBook Pro computers — one valued at $2,000, the other at $1,500 — and a $900 guitar from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house at 12:48 a.m. Sunday.

Fraternity member Max Wolfard, who filed the report, identified the players.

"The minute I stepped on the staircase I said to myself, 'Wow, Masoli and Embry are in our house right now,' " Wolfard told the Oregonian. "Masoli has a very distinctive face, very distinctive facial hair — not to mention I see him on TV all the time."

The Rules of Recruiting

True or false: Coaches may provide transportation for a recruit to attend a home athletics contest during an unofficial visit?

Or how about this? Email color attachments are allowed, but only if the information is of a non-recruiting nature.

These are two of the 20 questions in an online quiz of NCAA recruiting rules posted by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Check it out and see if you know more than Lane Kiffin!

Reporters Notebooks

Winston Ross, Eugene Register-Guard: Oregon kicker Rob Beard was hospitalized in critical condition after he took a beating on the streets of Eugene, according to police.

Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune: Northwestern's Pat Fizgerald is moving up. He purchased a newly built, six-bedroom mansion in suburban Northfield for $2.3 million and has listed his three-bedroom house in Evanston for $599,000.

Pat Dooley, Gainesville Sun: Urban Meyer said he plans to be coaching Florida on the first day of spring practice.

Dave Flessner and Wes Rucker, Chattanooga Times Free Press: Tennessee's coaching shuffle put Volunteer athletics in the red last year. The department reported a loss of nearly $3.2 million.

Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star: As the Big Ten considers expansion, Missouri mulls its options.

Ron Bellamy, Eugene Register-Guard: Terrifying story involving Oregon fans encountering a life-and-death situation on the drive home from the Rose Bowl.

Jack McElroy, Knoxville News Sentinel: Robin Kiffin, the mother of Lane Kiffin, said her daughter-in-law Layla received 1,200 hateful emails after Lane announced he was leaving Tennessee for USC.