Reporters' Notebooks

Dan Zeiger and Scott Bordow, East Valley Tribune: After naming Sam Keller his starting quarterback, Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter changed his mind 48 hours later and gave Rudy Carpenter the job. The switch in plans appears to have come about after 19 players came forward to express their preference for Carpenter.

Chip Alexander, Raleigh News & Observer: Another piece on the controversial 3-2-5-e rule designed to shorten games. Again, the problem is not the game, it's too many dang commercials (registration).

Marcus Nelson, Palm Beach Post: Florida Atlantic, which opens against Clemson, should have a terrific scouting report on the Tigers. Tight end Paul Muse, who left Clemson on Wednesday, is transferring to Florida Atlantic.

Jason King, Kansas City Star: A key figure in the academic-fraud charges dogging Kansas said coach Mark Mangino had no knowledge that violations were taking place (registration).

Susan Miller Degnan, Miami Herald: Former Miami linebacker Willie Williams appears headed to College of the Sequoias in California. It's the same junior college that former Tennessee and current Mississippi quarterback Brent Shaeffer attended last season (registration).

Doug Hensley, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech is talking about moving its 2007 game against Texas A&M to Dallas.

Iliana Limon, Albuquerque Tribune: Sorry New Mexico fans. You won't be able to go to your car for halftime tailgating and then re-enter University Stadium.

Mike Knobler, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: A group of parents of Georgia Tech players has formed a $upport group for players (registration).

David Brandt, Clarion Ledger: Marcel Frost, the tight end who was suspended last week by Ohio State, has packed his bags and transferred to Jackson State. He follows running back Erik Haw, who left the Buckeyes last month and transferred to Jackson State.

Robert Andrew Powell, New York Times: Terrific piece on Noel Devine, a hotshot running back entering his senior season at North Fort Myers High (registration).

Joseph Person, Columbia State: Lou Holtz, in the midst of a promotional tour for his book, said he overstayed his welcome at South Carolina.

Bob Thomas, Jacksonville Times-Union: Three members of Florida State's team are veterans of the United States military (registration).

Burnt Orange Nation/John Lopez Blog: Ever wonder how a Houston Chronicle sportswriter gets interested in blogging? It started with a party at his house. Two links, same story: Burnt Orange link and Lopez link.

Sunday Morning Quarterback: Bad, bad Wiz. We earlier said that we were the first to find cfbstats. Not the case. Check out this piece from SMQ.

Tim Rutten, Los Angeles Times: Journalist special: Who is calling the shots in newsrooms these days? Not corporate officers. It's fund managers and investors.