Dennis Dodd, CBS Sports.com: The Pacific 10 is looking at a conference title game, even if it doesn't expand to 12 teams. NCAA bylaws state that a league must have 12 members to stage a championship game, and that rule would have to be changed. Officials at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Rose Bowl and Qwest Field in Seattle have expressed interest in playing host to a Pac-10 championship game.
Craig Harris, Arizona Republic: The Fiesta Bowl wants a refund of at least $600,000 from Glendale for overpayment of taxes on ticket sales for three years at University of Phoenix Stadium.
Lya Wodraska, Salt Lake Tribune: The toughest ticket for fans of a road team this fall? Try Utah's trip to Notre Dame on Nov. 13. The Utes, who were given 5,000 tickets to sell for the game, already have taken more orders than they have tickets available, forcing the school to implement ticket limits for season-ticket holders.
Orrin G. Hatch, Deseret News: Utah's senior senator writes a column taking on the Bowl Championship Series. "Few organizations have been met with more public scorn and condemnation over the past several years than the Bowl Championship Series. In fact, I think it could be said that, on most days, even Congress has higher approval ratings."
Tom Twentyman, Detroit News: Michigan State's Keith Nichol is moving from quarterback to receiver. The move coincides with the development of Andrew Maxwell at quarterback.
Luke Brietzke, Decatur Daily: It seems like everybody is on the Auburn gravy train. The school has paid out $7.1 million in buyouts the past 18 months. Even former offensive coordinator Tony Franklin ($280,000) and defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads ($305,000) are included.
Don Kausler Jr., Birmingham News: Alabama president Robert Witt expressed disappointment after learning the NCAA had denied the school's request to have 21 football victories reinstated from the 2005-07 seasons. The penalty was part of the student-athlete textbook scandal.
Tom Witosky, Des Moines Register: Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard says his department continues to reduce its need to use state money. The amount of general fund money contributed to Iowa State athletics has dropped from $3.4 million in the 2004-05 academic year to $1.6 million this year.
John Hunt, Oregonian: Oregon coach Chip Kelly said he does not know whether suspended quarterback Jeremiah Masoli will take part in spring practice, which begins Tuesday.
Bill Plunkett, Orange County Register: Washington quarterback Jake Locker is expected to play for one of the Los Angeles Angels' minor-league teams this season.
Bryan-College Station Eagle: Texas A&M revealed that quarterback Jerrod Johnson had surgery on his throwing shoulder in the offseason and his activities will be limited during spring drills.
Idaho Statesman: Idaho, which hasn't played a non-Saturday regular-season game since 1960, will play two this fall.
Thayer Evans, New York Times: It's official: Seantrel Henderson, an offensive lineman considered by most analysts to be the nation’s top high school football recruit, finally signed with USC.
Dan Collins, Winston-Salem Journal: Cornerback Dominique Tate has been declared academically ineligible by Wake Forest. He played in eight games last season.
Shannon Shelton, Detroit Free Press: Six of the 15 Michigan State players present at the altercation at Rather Hall last year have returned to the team.
Jamie Satterfield, Knoxville News-Sentinel: Tennessee defensive back Nyshier Oliver plead guilty to shoplifting a polo shirt from Dillard's at West Town Mall last November, hours before a game.
Free Press: Mark Ingram Sr., a former receiver at Michigan State and in the NFL and father of Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram Jr., was sentenced to more than two additional years in federal prison for jumping bail in an attempt to see his son play in the 2009 Sugar Bowl.
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HAtch and all other elected representatives meddling with this issue need to get their heads out their rear ends and focus on the critical issues facing the USA...college football is certainly not one of the problems they need to worry about. Good grief!
Posted by: Will Smithrock | March 24, 2010 at 08:57 PM