Matt Krupnick, Contra Costa Times: California chancellor Robert Birgeneau is considering major cutbacks in the school's athletics department after a report criticizing out-of-control spending on the sports program. A committee of professors and alumni criticized what they called an explosion of the university's spending on intercollegiate athletics. The pressures of the intercollegiate athletics "arms race" has led to extravagant spending on coaching salaries, recruiting and travel. The report raised the possibility of trimming coaching staffs and rosters. The group also noted that Birgeneau could consider eliminating up to seven teams, but only as a last resort.
Zach Berman, Washington Post: The release of the updated version of the popular NCAA Football video game series by EA Sports is an annual milestone of summer, but a lawsuit filed by former Arizona State and Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller against the EA and the NCAA remains unresolved. Keller's issue with EA is the use of the likenesses of the players. His issue with the NCAA is that college sports' governing body made a deal with the video game manufacturer, turning a blind eye toward the use of the players' likenesses. "Something needed to change about how college football players were being taken advantage of with this game," Keller said.
Brian Murphy, Idaho Statesman: The trademark blue turf at Boise State is being replaced at no cost to the school by FieldTurf, which responded to complaints from fans and TV viewers about the turf's dull, uneven shade of blue.
Scott Dochterman, Cedar Rapids Gazette: A Big Ten-Southeastern Conference challenge? Here's what it might look like.NCAA: The list of shame. The 2010 games between Division I-A and I-AA teams.
M Victors: Not everybody is a fan of the renovated Michigan Stadium. John Pollack, the man campaigned to scale back the renovation, said the facility "looks like most other stadiums in the country now. And that's too bad."
Joe Person, Columbia State: Is South Carolina's Steve Spurrier abusing the system? He just got another one of his kids a job with the Gamecocks.
Dennis Dodd, CBS Sports: Texas Tech's Tommy Tuberville tells the truth about the Big 12 and pays.
Matt Baker, Tulsa World: Texas hopes to launch its network in 2011, and Oklahoma and Missouri might not be far behind.
Wes Rucker, Chattanooga Times Free Press: A least one other Tennessee player is likely to be charged before the investigation into the Vol Brawl is concluded.
Mike Carmin, Lafayette Journal & Courier: Robert Marve was named Purdue's No. 1 quarterback entering training camp.
Jeremy Fowler, Orlando Sentinel: An opposing school turned Florida into the SEC for improper use of Facebook as part of the program's four secondary NCAA violations committed in the last year.
Ken Tysiac, Charlotte Observer: North Carolina linebacker Quan Sturdivant, who led the team in tackles with 79 in 2009, has been charged with possession of marijuana.
Matt Tait, Lawrence Journal-World: Kansas offensive tackle Jeff Spikes injured his Achilles tendon during a non-contact, non-football accident and will miss the 2010 season.
Greg Auman, St. Petersburg Times: Former Notre Dame cornerback Spencer Boyd is transferring to South Florida.
Associated Press: Receiver Carlton Salters has left the Arkansas team and intends to pursue a baseball career.
Lost Lettermen: The 10 most powerful boosters in college football.
Paul Myerberg, Pre-Snap Read: The countdown continues with No. 52 Fresno State.
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