Terry Lefton, SportsBusiness Journal: The University of Texas has signed a six-year deal with Dallas-based Branded Retail Energy, which will likely be the first of a number of deals with the company that will see some of the country’s most powerful collegiate sports brands sell consumers electricity and natural gas in deregulated markets. Consequently, Texas Longhorns Energy will be available to consumers in mid-August.
Ron Higgins, Memphis Commercial Appeal: Mississippi continues to look into the troubled past of Jeremiah Masoli, with coach Houston Nutt calling everyone around the quarterback, including coaches from his community college days at City College of San Francisco and Oregon. Another hurdle: Masoli would have to enroll and be accepted into Mississippi's graduate school, and the deadline to enroll was April 1. According to a university website, "Last minute submissions are strongly discouraged."
Paul Finebaum, Mobile Press-Register: It's time to kick Vanderbilt out of the Southeastern Conference. Thanks to Eric!
Idaho Statesman: Boise State president Bob Kustra has no love for in-state rival Idaho. "I frankly don't care whether we ever play 'em again as long it goes. I don't see any reason to do it in Boise, but if somebody sees a reason to do it in Boise, fine." He adds this about games in Moscow: "It's a culture that is nasty, inebriated and civilly doesn't give our fans the respect that any fan should expect when visiting an away team."
Doug Lesmerises, Cleveland Plain Dealer: Ohio State reported four secondary NCAA violations in the recruitment of Seantrel Henderson, including former Buckeye receiver Cris Carter recruiting Henderson before the Buckeyes' game last fall against USC. Former players can't recruit, and the incident was caught on video. Minnesota also reported a violation.
Evan Woodbery, Mobile Press-Register: Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads is not a fan of the tackling technique taught by his predecessor, Gene Chizik.
Phil Miller, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Minnesota's home-and-home series with Texas, which was to begin in 2015, has been canceled because of "a contract impasse concerning video rights."
John Adams, Knoxville News Sentinel: Running back Bryce Brown left Knoxville without a face-to-face request for a transfer from Tennessee coach Derek Dooley.
Rainer Sabin, Dallas Morning News: How the Internet has reshaped recruiting, including a look at Play Next Level, a website developed by former Arkansas and Samford quarterback Alex Mortensen, the son of ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortensen.
Dennis Dodd, CBS Sports.com: How Nebraska developed its hatred of Texas.
Brian Christopherson, Lincoln Journal Star: Big 12 coordinator of officials Walt Anderson is still answering questions about the decision to put one second on the clock in the league title game last December.
Jon Wilner, San Jose Mercury News: Why the Pac-10's decision to rebrand itself the Pac-12 is a bad move. Plus, three potential starters, including leading tackler Tanner Burns, a safety, have left the San Jose State team since the conclusion of spring practice. Burns is transferring to Kansas State.
WTAJ-TV: Season tickets aren't the only thing that is going up at Penn State. The cost for a single-game parking pass on gameday is rising from $20 to $40.
KITV: Former Hawaii quarterback Timmy Chang, college football's all-time passing-yardage leader, has reached a plea deal on charges of taking a video camera from a woman. Thanks to Ben Maller.
Stephen Tsai, Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Hawaii, in a cost-cutting move, is eliminating team movie outings on the eve of games.
Daily Reflector: East Carolina assistant coach Mark Nelson, who joined Ruffin McNeill's initial staff in February, has resigned. Nelson, who served as the defensive ends coach and special teams coordinator, and McNeill agreed to the decision after possible NCAA violations were uncovered regarding the illegal observation of voluntary summer workouts.
Ken Tysiac, Charlotte Observer: A judge has dismissed drug charges against three North Carolina State players after ruling that police conducted an illegal search of an apartment where marijuana was found.
Randy Peterson, Des Moines Register: Iowa State defensive back David Sims was charged with unauthorized use of a credit card stemming from a July 17 incident.
Vince Grippi, Spokesman-Review: Washington State's Dan Spitz, a redshirt sophomore defensive tackle, was ruled ineligible for the first nine games after failing an NCAA-mandated drug test.
Joe Posnanski: The former Kansas City Star columnist writes about Mitch Albom: "Albom has been awfully cold to me personally. I've heard horror story after horror story about the way he has treated people. And, like most of my journalism friends, I've had an issue with some of the things he has done as a sportswriter. Still, it just feels like a part of the story isn't being told."
Paul Myerberg, Pre-Snap Read: A look at No. 37 Michigan.
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