Reporters' Notebooks

Kevin Manahan, Newark Star-Ledger: It appears many Rutgers fans made a stop in Las Vegas before heading to Phoenix for the Insight Bowl.

Matt Richtel, New York Times: Internet casinos are outlaw operations in the eyes of the federal government, but they look like solid investments to many of Wall Street's largest firms (registration).

Carl DuBois and Scott Rabalais, Baton Rouge Advocate: Louisiana State quarterback JaMarcus Russell didn't make the trip to Atlanta for the Peach Bowl. His left shoulder, which he separated Dec. 3, hasn't healed, so Matt Flynn will get the start.

Frank Dell'Apa, Boston Globe: Mathias Kiwanuka could have been cashing huge paychecks, but the Boston College defensive end says he has no regrets about coming back for a senior season (registration).

Mark Blaudschun, Boston Globe: So what's at stake for USC in the Rose Bowl besides the obvious? A chance to put this Trojan run among the all-time best (registration).

Steven M. Sipple, Lincoln Journal Star: The Alamo Bowl has plenty of ramifications for Bill Callahan and Lloyd Carr. Above all, you don't finish 7-5 if you happen to be the coach at Nebraska or Michigan.

Chadd Cripe, Idaho Statesman: Maybe it's time to raise the minimum number of victories to qualify for a bowl to seven instead of six.

Mike Malloy, Des Moines Register: It has been a long, hard ride for Quinn Sypniewski, the first Colorado player to receive a sixth season of eligibility.

Dirk Facer, Deseret Morning News: Utah is all business as it prepares to mix it up with Georgia Tech in the Emerald Bowl.

Tom Mulhern, Capital Times: Wisconsin players roll their eyes when the inevitable question comes up about Auburn's speed.

Chris Dempsey, Denver Post: If you're a coach and desire to live in Boise, get that resume polished up. New Colorado coach Dan Hawkins is taking most of his assistants with him after Boise State's bowl game against Boston College.

Jorge Milian, Palm Beach Post: Miami, already thin at receiver, will not have starter Ryan Moore in the Peach Bowl. He has been suspended. Moore is the third receiver lost since the end of the regular season.