Jay Drew and Tony Jones, Salt Lake Tribune: It's a done deal. Brigham Young will become an independent in football and join the Western Athletic Conference in all other sports beginning in 2011.
Jared Eborn and Jeff Call, Deseret News: The move still needs approval from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Kurt Kragthorpe, Salt Lake Tribune: BYU's football independence is a bold and admirable move.
Michael Smith and John Ourand, SportsBusiness Journal: The Big Ten Conference is talking with numerous networks about televising its inaugural championship game in 2011, and the asking price could range from $15-20 million annually. ($)
Berry Tramel, Oklahoman: Arkansas radio reporter Renee Gork deserved to be fired for stupidity wearing a Florida hat to an Arkansas news conference. But the radio station's catering to Bobby Petrino's distaste for her hat is evidence of a partisan media.
Sports Radio Interviews: Gork and her old boss Dan Storrs discuss why Gork was fired, how much it had to do with "Hat-gate" and whether there were complaints from Arkansas officials.
Melanie Mason, Dallas Morning News: Texas is considering a proposal to sell vanity Oklahoma license plates to state residents.
Brian Christopherson, Lincoln Journal Star: Bo Pelini is at it again. He has closed Nebraska practices to not only the media, but former players and players' families.
Anita Debro, Birmingham News: A councilwoman who is running for mayor of Bessemer, Ala., claims she had secured the endorsement of Nick Saban, even printing campaign fliers that showed her and the Alabama coach smiling side by side on a golf course. Her campaign manager later acknowledged he lied about the endorsement.
Mark Wiedmer, Chattanooga Times Free Press: Tennessee should be embarrassed for canceling its two-game series against North Carolina.
Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press: Michigan's thin secondary lost its most experienced player when Troy Woolfolk suffered a leg injury at practice. Plus, a new way to raise money. The Michigan alumni association will offer tours of renovated Michigan Stadium on the six Sundays after home games. Cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members.
Jon Silver, Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce: Plans to upgrade Washington's Husky Stadium include selling naming rights to the facility.
Doug Lesmerises, Cleveland Plain Dealer: Ohio State ended practice by blaring Michigan's fight song "The Victors" over the sound system. It's called the Maize and Blue period of practice when position groups work on something to make them better for the annual game against the Wolverines.
Daniel Lyght, Fresno Bee: Pat Hill, 58, who was an all-conference center at UC Riverside back in the day, played center for part of Fresno State's practice.
Brian Murphy, Idaho Statesman: Can the NCAA legislate nonconference scheduling? Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier wants to try.
Jason Lieser, Gator Bytes: A high school recruit who was offered a scholarship by Florida said the Gators are now giving him the cold shoulder after he visited Florida State.
Mike DeArmond, Kansas City Star: Missouri's new battle cry: "Get Money!"
Kyle Ringo, Boulder Daily Camera: All signs point to Tyler Hansen being named Colorado's starting quarterback.
Alan Schwarz, New York Times: Scientists funded in part by the NFL say they have found evidence connecting head injuries in athletes to a condition that mimics Lou Gehrig's disease.
Scott Carter, Tampa Tribune: South Florida linebacker Sam Barrington has been arrested a second time for driving without a license.
Richard Sandomir, New York Times: Jim Gray's confrontational style has only deepened the reputation for his becoming the news instead of reporting it.
Paul Myerberg, Pre-Snap Read: At No. 16 is Louisiana State.
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Welcome back home to the WAC, Cougars!
Posted by: typemike | August 18, 2010 at 02:04 PM