Jimmy Burch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Two stars from last season — Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh — combined to win nine national individual awards and consensus All-America recognition. Yet neither player cracked the newspaper's top 100 recruiting list in 2005, after their senior seasons in high school. Instead, they arrived in college with less hype than 18 more-heralded signees who joined Big 12 teams during the same recruiting year as top 100 recruits.
Kevin Scarbinsky, Birmingham News: There’s a big difference between the Bear Bryant statue on Alabama’s Walk of Champions and the Nick Saban statue that’s on rush order to be ready, if possible, by the April 17th spring game. Bryant’s never going to lose another game as Alabama coach. His statue is safe from disenchanted bettors and misguided bricklayers alike.
Andy Staples, SI.com: Forcing the Bowl Championship Series to change could give President Obama the politically popular win he desperately needs.Paul Finebaum, Mobile Press-Register: Barack Obama and Orrin Hatch should not mess with the BCS.
Ken Goe, Oregonian: Rich Brooks, 68, said he retired from coaching "to try to take advantage of the few years of good health I have left."
William Wilkerson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram: There's no secret that the Texas ground game of today is a far cry from when Cedric Benson, Ricky Williams and Jamaal Charles were on the team. The question from many Longhorns is "Why?"
Jon Solomon, Birmingham News: The expensive pursuit of athletes. In the span of three years, Alabama spent more on football recruiting alone than it had previously spent pursuing athletes in all sports combined. Alabama's situation is hardly unique.
John Maher, Austin American-Statesman: About 14,000 T-shirts and hats proclaiming Texas the winner of the Bowl Championship Series title game will be sent to earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
Robert DeWitt, Tuscaloosa News: Billboards with the message "Don't Mess With Texas" have been going up in Tuscaloosa. It's unclear exactly what the advertising campaign is about.
Business Wire: College football remains the sport of choice for young Southern Republicans. Thanks to Get The Picture.
John Hunt, Oregonian: Receiver Garrett Embry, accused in an alleged theft at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house, is one of three players leaving the Oregon team.
Scott Carter, Tampa Tribune: South Florida quarterback B.J. Daniels underwent surgery on his non-throwing shoulder and won't be fully available during spring practice.
Kristie Rieken, Associated Press: Representative Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) criticized the biggest conferences for failing to adopt policies on handling athlete concussions that go beyond what's required by the NCAA.
Kyle Swanson, Michigan Daily: Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman said she is not a candidate for the NCAA presidency.
David Climer, Tennessean: Latest buzz has recruiting aficionados all atwitter.
Cliff Kirkpatrick, Corvallis Gazette-Times: Oregon State is cutting the cost of some season tickets. Season seats in the upper east side of Reser Stadium can be had for $149.
Eugene Register-Guard: Oregon defensive end Matt Simms was cited on misdemeanor simple assault charges after an incident over the weekend. Simms allegedly assaulted a fellow student after accusing him of being involved in the beating of kicker Rob Beard the previous weekend.
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