Steve Kornacki, Wall Street Journal: Why your coach votes Republican. During the 2008 campaign cycle, college and NFL coaches (and their wives) contributed $13,286 to John McCain and the Republican National Committee. From that same group, Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee received only $4,600 — half of it from Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears and the other half from Dick Tomey of San Jose State. Thanks to Ben Maller.
Associated Press: The Motor City Bowl is now the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. The Detroit-based pizza chain has become the event's title sponsor. It's the second bowl to be sponsored by a pizza chain, following the lead of the PapaJohns.com Bowl.
Eric Hansen, South Bend Tribune: Tim Reynolds, a former Notre Dame linebacker and retired college marketing professor, is behind the billboard posted in South Bend that takes a shot at Charlie Weis. Reynolds says he represents about 50 former Fighting Irish players who are like-minded in their opinion of Weis' 29-21 bottom line after four seasons. Plus, Weis says his knees are well enough for him to be on the sideline and not in the press box for Saturday's game against Nevada.
Brent Schrotenboer, San Diego Union-Tribune: The story behind the blitzing and unusual 3-3-5 defensive scheme that will be used by San Diego State. "You'll see more defense in one game [against Aztec defensive coordinator Rocky Long] than you'll see in an entire year," Texas Tech's Mike Leach said.
Drew Sharp, Detroit Free Press: The decision by Michigan State's Mark Dantonio to allow running back Glenn Winston to suit up for Saturday's game against Montana State is wrong. Winston was released last month from jail after serving four months of a six-month sentence for misdemeanor aggravated assault. He was a central figure in the campus incident last fall that left a Spartan hockey player seriously injured.
Teddy Greenstein, Chicago Tribune: Big Ten Conference officials have met with Yankee Stadium representatives to discuss a bowl game that would be played at the so-called "House that George Built." Plus, Big Ten coaches believe in practice limits. Iowa's players go through a light workout Sunday afternoon, "but we want them out of the building by 5 or 5:30 so they have the evenings off," Kirk Ferentz said.
Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press: Former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr won't comment on the allegations against Rich Rodriguez's program. "I think it's better that the people who are in charge of the process will speak for the University. I think that's the way it should be and certainly that’s what I want to do."
Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press: Michigan has hired an outside law firm to assist in the investigation of its program.
Adam Zuvanich, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech's athletic budget was about $12 million in 1996. Today it's $48 million, but the Red Raiders are falling behind Big 12 fat cats Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas A&M.
Bernard Fernandez, Philadelphia Daily News: Joe Paterno isn't sure if he will be able to run onto the field ahead of his players on Saturday or walk slowly behind them. "I don't know if I'm going to be able to run on the field,'' Paterno, 82, said. "I've been trying to do a little jogging out there on the practice field.''
Scott Nulph, Stillwater News-Press: Four separate incidents involving four players in the past week are reasons for concern at Oklahoma State, but don't expect any suspensions for Saturday's game against Georgia, the biggest opener in years for the Cowboys.
Ken Odegard, East Valley Tribune: Arizona State's Dennis Erickson has suspended "five or six" players for the opener Saturday against Idaho State. He would not identify the players.
Patrick Finley and Greg Hansen, Arizona Daily Star: Arizona plans to spend $378 million over the next 20 years or so to upgrade its sports facilities. Arizona Stadium, which turns 80 this year, has 127 women's bathrooms. The existing code, for the 21st century, suggests it should have 526.
Eric Weddle, Lafayette Journal & Courier: The maker of the Bud Light black and gold beer can has agreed to pull the promotional beverages from the Purdue campus area, according to a university official.
Jon Gold, Inside UCLA: Junior receiver and returner Josh Smith has officially transferred to UCLA. In 2008, he set a Colorado record with 1,987 all-purpose yards and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 acclaim as a return specialist.
Mike Morris, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Willie Williams was one of the nation’s top-rated recruits when he was signed by Miami in 2004 despite having been arrested nearly a dozen times before graduating from Miami’s Carol City High, was arrested last week on burglary and reckless conduct charges.
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