Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach is scheduled to appear Friday in Lubbock to testify under oath about his ongoing legal battle with the university.
Ray Melick, Birmingham News: If calling Auburn University the University of Auburn was meant to be a put-down by Nick Saban, it was pretty weak.
Ken Tysiac, Charlotte Observer: North Carolina State linebacker Nate Irving, who survived a brush with death last June in a one-car accident, is hoping to be at full strength this fall.
Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel: The attorney for the family of Ereck Plancher questioned whether Central Florida told the player he had a medical condition that could lead to his death under extreme stress.
John Ourand and Michael Smith, SportsBusiness Journal: The Atlantic Coast Conference and ESPN entered into a 60-day exclusive window March 1 to negotiate the conference’s next media deal. However, the sides are not expected to reach a deal by the time the window closes. The league has reached out to Fox, Versus and the NFL Network for possible purchase of some of its games. The ACC reportedly gets $70 million per year for its football and basketball rights. The league is hoping to get $120 million in a new deal (pay site).
David Jones, Patriot-News: The most intriguing candidate for Big Ten expansion is Rutgers.
Austin Ward, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Junior college transfer Matt Simms, the son of former NFL standout Phil Simms, talks about his chances of becoming Tennessee's starting quarterback.
Justin Verrier, Hartford Courant: Connecticut quarterback Zach Frazer has been keeping busy in the weight room, much to the delight of coach Randy Edsall.
Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald: Zach Mettenberger, one of three players battling to become Georgia's starting quarterback, was arrested early Sunday and faces five misdemeanor charges: underage consumption/possession of alcohol, disorderly conduct, obstruction and two counts of possession of false identification.
Baton Rouge Advocate: Louisiana State receiver Terrance Toliver was cited for "disturbing the peace by fistic encounter; disturbing the peace by public intoxication and resisting an officer" in a scuffle at 2 a.m. Sunday outside a local bar. Toliver caught 53 passes for 735 yards and three touchdowns as a junior last season.
Eric Hansen, South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame announced a Nov. 12, 2011 game against Maryland at FedExField, continuing a trend of the Fighting Irish scheduling off-site "home" games.
Andrea Adelson, College Gridiron 365: Notre Dame is no longer going to play a neutral site game at the Florida Citrus Bowl in 2011 and a proposed game for 2014 is up in the air because planned renovations to the stadium are on hold.
Brian Hamilton, Chicago Tribune: Notre Dame is trying to line up a 2012 game at Chicago's Soldier Field.
Shannon Shelton, Detroit Free Press: Receivers B.J. Cunningham and Mark Dell were the first Michigan State players to be sentenced for their role in the Rather Hall altercation. Each will not serve jail time and could avoid a permanent criminal record under a first-time offender program. The players remain suspended from the team. A update on where the cases of the Michigan State 11 stand.
Deseret News: Brigham Young assistant Barry Lamb will take a leave of absence for health-related reasons. The length of the leave has not been determined, but Lamb will not participate in spring drills.
Barbara Anderson, Fresno Bee: The widow of Fresno State defensive coordinator Dan Brown, who died last year of brain cancer, is on a crusade to warn about cell phone radiation.
Seattle Times: Washington running back Curtis Shaw, buried on the depth chart, will transfer.
Associated Press: The Clemson board of trustees has recommended raises for coach Dabo Swinney and his staff. Swinney is expected to have $1 million added to his original salary of $800,000.
John Radcliff: Admiral Ackbar's Theme.
The Big Lead: Newspapers continue to make insanely bad decisions. The latest is to partner with Bleacher Report for content, something many blogs refuse to do (including this one).
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