Reporters' Notebooks

Tim Griffin, San Antonio Express-News: Because of the decline of the Big 12 North, Saturday's Missouri-Nebraska game is about as meaningless as some of those campaign promises we'll hear during the next few days.

Michael Pointer, Indianapolis Star: The Big Ten is the only power conference to mandate that its teams complete regular-season play by Thanksgiving, a rule most coaches dislike.

Ron Higgins, Commercial Appeal: Big money, big stress. There has been an increase of heart attacks and surgeries among coaches in their mid-40s to early 50s, especially in Division I-A (registration).

Jeff Carroll, South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn's quest for the Heisman appears doomed because of one misstep against Michigan.

Scott D. Pierce, Deseret Morning News: CBS couldn't care less about Mountain West Conference telecasts.

Ted Lewis, Times-Picayune: An Ohio-based trucking company is the new title sponsor of the New Orleans Bowl.