Columnists' Corner

Rick Maese, Baltimore Sun: A powerful piece about three former members of the Navy team who are among the 2,000-plus American casualties since the war in Iraq began. If you have time to read only one story today, please read this (registration).

Randy Kennedy, Mobile Register: Look who is coming back to Alabama? None other than Mike Price, whose Texas El Paso unit will get a bid Saturday to the GMAC Bowl.

Tim Brando, Shreveport Times: Yes, that Brando, not the Marlon guy. He says scrap the title games and add a playoff.

David Barron, Houston Chronicle: Four of the first nine Big 12 title games have been won by underdogs.

Mike Harris, Richmond Times-Dispatch: This is not the Florida State of old. In fact, the Seminoles have never lost four in a row under Bobby Bowden, who has been coach since 1976.

Terry Price, Hartford Courant: Connecticut has never defeated a ranked team, but a victory against No. 16 Louisville would make the Huskies bowl eligible.

Andrew J. Beckner, Charleston Daily Mail: Here's a twist for you. West Virginia, which beat Pittsburgh in 19-degree conditions, is worried about playing in warm weather.

Jim Kleinpeter, New Orleans Times-Picayune: The loser of the SEC title game drops into a pool of four teams vying for three New Year's Day games.

Paul Finebaum, Mobile Register: No one is more deserving to be SEC coach of the year than LSU's Les Miles.

David Lee Morgan Jr., Akron Beacon Journal: The Motor City Bowl might not be the most desirable of postseason destinations, but don't tell that to the Akron Zips (registration).

Eric Hansen, South Bend Tribune: How dare these people criticize Crewcut Charlie Weis and Notre Dame's strength of schedule.