Reporters' Notebooks

Jon Solomon, Birmingham News: Nice piece of work here. A ranking of NFL players from 1 to 500 shows that the NFL's best players are cultivated in the Southeastern Conference. Plus a look at the best NFL players by college conference.

Brent Schrotenboer, San Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego State, once again facing financial shortcomings in football, has refused requests from the Union-Tribune to disclose this year's season ticket sales. Thanks to Mike!

Wendell Barnhouse, Fort Worth Star-Telegram: The excellent college football insider. Notes, quotes and anecdotes.

Sara Ganim, Centre Daily Times: More than 60 tents fill the area in front of Penn State's Beaver Stadium, two days before the Nittany Lions' game against Notre Dame. Police say the tent city could grow even larger on Friday.

Lauren Boyer, Daily Collegian: The NHL's Phoenix Coyotes nearly blacklisted Penn State's use of the term "White Out." Thanks to Kevin of We Are Penn State.

Tom D'Angelo, Palm Beach Post: Teams from Division I-AA are now eligible to be included in the Associated Press' poll as long as they have competed against a team from Division I-A.

Heather A. Dinich, Baltimore Sun: Ineligible Maryland quarterback Josh Portis, accused of copying off another student during a pop quiz in the spring semester, is not planning to transfer, according to his mother.

Dan Shaw, Lafayette Journal and Courier: Purdue receiver Selwyn Lymon has been charged with operating a vehicle while being intoxicated, battery, disorderly conduct, false informing and illegal possession of alcohol in connection with a March fight in which he was stabbed.

Scott Dochterman, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Dish Network and the Big Ten Network agreed to a contract, giving the infant network 10 million more national subscribers under its umbrella.

Tony Barnhardt, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Five burning questions as we head for Saturday.

Andrea Cohen, Oklahoman: Oklahoma State will have a reseating plan in 2008. In other words, get ready to pay more for your seats.

Scott Cacciola, Commercial Appeal: The NCAA denied two appeals made by Mississippi that sought to overturn a ruling that prohibits Jerrell Powe from playing for the Rebels this season.

Baton Rouge Advocate: Louisiana State has released a letter to Tiger fans relating to Saturday’s game against Virginia Tech. In other words, be nice to the visitors.

Andrew Logue and Rob Gray, Des Moines Register: Here are 13 reasons Northern Iowa beating Iowa State would not be an upset.

Ken Murray, Baltimore Sun: It is Navy's relentless triple-option offense against Rutgers' suffocating, quick defense.

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