Reporters' Notebooks

Michael Wallace, Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom, who lashed back at critics, has been reprimanded — by his wife.

Collin Mickle, Opelika-Auburn News: So, ESPN's "GameDay" is headed to L.A. instead of Auburn. It wouldn't have anything to do with the fact CBS has the rights to the LSU-Auburn game?

Ira Berkow, New York Times: Terrific piece on Clemson's Ray Ray McElrathbey, who received a rare waiver from the NCAA that will allow him to get assistance in raising his 11-year-old brother (registration).

Chip Alexander, Raleigh News & Observer: It has gone from bad to worse for North Carolina State. A water pipe burst in the building that houses the coaches' officies, weight room, meeting room and main locker room (registration).

Kevin Van Valkenburg, Baltimore Sun: West Virginia's Steve Slaton, who was stood up by Maryland, is ready to make the Terrapins pay (registration).

Brett McMurphy, Tampa Tribune: Three South Florida starters have been suspended and won't play in Saturday's game at Central Florida.

Patrick Finley, Arizona Daily Star: Different strokes for different folks. Pac-10 coaches talk about their logic behind scheduling nonconference games.

Bob Clark, Eugene Register-Guard: Discontent is growing on The Farm, where Stanford has stumbled and tumbled to an 0-2 start.

Robin Washut and Dirk Chatelain, Omaha World-Herald: Nebraska cornerback Andre Jones says the Cornhuskers will beat USC, and 300 season tickets to Trojans games were sold to people with Nebraska zip codes.

Natalie Meisler, Denver Post: Quarterbacks in the Mountain West Conference are having trouble staying healthy.

Dave Reardon, Honolulu Star-Bulletin: Hawaii has decided against renewing its rivalry with Brigham Young in favor of a home game against Oregon State.

Brian Murphy, Idaho Statesman: Boise State might be on its way to a 12-0 season, but the Broncos are not impressing voters in the Associated Press poll.