Columnists' Corner

Bob Kravitz, Indianapolis Star: By now, Indiana coach Terry Hoeppner knows a little bit too much about mortality, having lost friend Randy Walker, seeing Ben Roethlisberger injured in a motorcycle accident and now facing a second round of brain surgery.

Steve Dilbeck, L.A. Daily News: It has come to this for USC: Nonconference games have become more important than Pac-10 games.

John Hunt, Oregonian: If Oregon is ever going to beat Oklahoma, this would appear to be the year.

Pete DiPrimio, Fort Wayne News-Sentinel: Will somebody please bad-mouth the Notre Dame defense? Ask them to wear dresses, bring up last season's Fiesta Bowl.

Paul Finebaum, Mobile Press-Register: Alabama has defeated Don Ho U. and Vandy, but the Crimson Tide's 2-0 record is misleading.

Wally Hall, Northwest Arkansas Times: What's this? James Street and Bob McKay, two of the main players in Texas' 15-14 victory over Arkansas in 1969, getting a standing ovation in Little Rock?

Mitch Vingle, Charleston Gazette: Big East teams are creating quite a buzz with their flashy play in nonconference games.