Reporters' Notebooks

Chuck Bausman, Philadelphia Daily News: If Joe Paterno were serious about discipline, he would sit his "expelled" players not only for the Sept. 1 opener against Florida International, but for the Sept. 8 game against Notre Dame.

Joe Vardon, Toledo Blade: Harvey "Scooter" McDougle, the Toledo running back who is suspended from the team because of his alleged connection to a point-shaving scandal, has been ruled academically ineligible for the 2007 season.

Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press: Now a politician is involved. A congressman sent a letter to Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany to express his concern over the fight between the conference's fledgling TV network and cable giant Comcast. The congressman has a history of such grandstanding.

Tania Ganguli, Orlando Sentinel: Georgia's policy of fining athletes for missing class might eventually become policy in the Southeastern Conference.

Tom Witosky, Des Moines Register: Iowa State should be allowed to have a volunteer religious adviser on its football staff so long as that individual does not lead religious activities at mandatory team functions, an Iowa State faculty athletic panel recommended.

Dave Reardon, Honolulu Star-Bulletin: A state review of the Hawaii athletics budget, which remains $4.2 million in the red, has been requested.

Mike DeArmond, Kansas City Star: Ticket sales are brisk for the Nov. 24 Missouri-Kansas game at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium, the first Tiger-Jayhawk game in K.C. since 1945.

Seth Emerson, Columbia State: The prognosis is good for South Carolina recruit Quintin Richardson, who remained hospitalized after a stabbing.

Jake Schaller, Colorado Springs Gazette: Think you are busy this summer? Take a look at what some football-playing Air Force cadets go through.

Casper Star Tribune: Wyoming will play Boise State, Missouri and Oregon in three home-and-home series in coming years.

Chip Brown, Dallas Morning News: Earl Campbell, the 1977 Heisman winner from Texas, was taken to a hospital with back pain after being forced off the road by an 18-wheeler making a sudden lane change near Tyler.

And here is today's mystery link.