Dave Hickman and Mitch Vingle, Charleston Gazette: The NCAA alleges that West Virginia committed five major rules violations. If true, there is plenty of blame to go around.
Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press: The allegations against the Mountaineers raise more questions about Rich Rodriguez and Michigan's case against the NCAA.
Colin Dunlap, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: West Virginia's Bill Stewart said he received a death threat last season after a 17-9 victory against Louisville. "I got death threats, a guy e-mailed me death threats," he said. "And I know it was because we didn't beat [the point spread]. I turned it over to the authorities, but that bothered me. I mean, you have to be kidding me. That's not what this is supposed to be about."
Kyle Ringo and Brittany Anas, Boulder Daily Camera: Receiver Travon Patterson was not able to participate in the first practice of Colorado fall camp after his former school, USC, and the Pacific 10 Conference raised questions about his transfer to Boulder. Plus, Dan Hawkins had all the Buffalo emblems removed from players helmets. It is unclear whether players will get them back as a group or on an individual basis, but Hawkins made it clear they won't come easy. Last add: Colorado officials have busted up a cyber scam in which Georgia fans fraudulently used the promotional code "1990" to secure special tickets to the Oct. 2 game between the teams in Boulder.
Jeremy Repanich, Wired: Michael Princip, whose day job is as a designer for B/E Aerospace, has developed a new helmet called the Bulwark. The design features a shock-absorbing layer of pre-molded foam. "It's like an industrial-grade bubble wrap," Princip said. That padding layer would then be covered by four separate sections that comprise the outer shell. Link to the Bulwark site. Thanks to Ben Maller.
Brian Murphy, Idaho Statesman: Boise State will seek a waiver from the NCAA so that its coaches can contact the family of recruit Emil Smith, who died in a car accident last month in California.
Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times: USC cornerback T.J. Bryant had cheekbone surgery as the result of an altercation last week with senior fullback Stanley Havili. Bryant is expected to be sidelined three to four weeks.
Dick Harmon, Deseret News: Jan Jorgensen, a former Brigham Young defensive lineman who was hired by sports talk 1280 the Zone in Salt Lake City, was removed from Utah's first practice. Ute officials apparently were not comfortable with a former Cougar showing up at practice.
Heisman Pundit: The most overrated players by conference.
Sports Media Watch: Beth Mowins becomes the second female play-by-play announcer on ESPN's lineup. She will call midweek games for ESPN and ESPN2.
Brian Lowry, Fox Sports: The idea of allowing TV networks greater leeway in scheduling start times for games seems laughable for those who actually attend the games.
Jon Wilner, College Hotline: Guidelines for voting in the Associated Press top 25 poll.
Daniel Lyght, Fresno Bee: The three-year deal Pat Hill signed this week to remain Fresno State's coach through 2013 could effectively cut his total cash compensation by about 28%, saving the athletic department about $310,000 per year.
Steve Campbell, Houston Chronicle: Sales of season tickets for Houston Cougar games are up 47% over 2009.
Randy Riggs, Austin American-Statesman: A billboard in San Marcos featuring former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy was taken down after complaints from several Texas State fans.
David Teel, Newport News Daily Press: Without a credible running game, Virginia has no chance of a winning season.
Mark Tupper, Decatur Herald-Review: This week marked the start of the Joe Paterno farewell tour.
Jeff Rabjohns, Indianapolis Star: Having the inaugural Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis should bring in thousands of visitors and millions of dollars.
Rick Cleveland, Clarion-Ledger: Houston Nutt's decision to take Jeremiah Masoli has become a national story, a national controversy. But Nutt is simply doing what he must do to win.
David Climer, Tennessean: During a 32-year period, Tennessee had a total of two coaches. Now there have been three in three seasons. Hollywood marriages have nothing on the Volunteers.
Larry Josephson, Covers.com: The move to legalize sports wagering in New Jersey has had many stops and starts since the idea was first proposed, but now many are saying the time is ripe to revisit the issue.
Tommy Deas, Tuscaloosa News: Alabama's expanded Bryant-Denny Stadium now seats 101,821, making it the fifth-largest stadium in college football.
Jim McKinnon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Jabaal Sheard, the Pittsburgh defensive end who had faced felony charges in connection with a fight last month, was reinstated to the team after a plea deal.
Gregg Krupa, Detroit News: Boubacar Cissoko, a former starting cornerback for the Michigan Wolverines, was sentenced to 19 months to 15 years in prison for his admitted involvement in four robberies earlier this year.
Paul Myerberg, Pre-Snap Read: Taking a look at No. 29 Pittsburgh and No. 28 Arkansas.Follow Jay Christensen on Twitter and join the Wiz on Facebook. To bypass registrations, go to Bug Me Not. Interested in sponsoring the site, have a tip, complaint or idea? Perhaps you would like to have the Wiz as a guest on your radio show or podcast. Contact: jayzuma (at) gmail.com.
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