Reporters' Notebooks

Brett McMurphy, Tampa Tribune: Three weeks ago, South Florida was unranked and virtually unknown throughout the nation. That all changed Friday night. In a big way.

Mitch Vingle, Charleston Gazette-Mail: West Virginia’s national championship chances went out with the tide on Friday. Steve Slaton’s Heisman Trophy hopes were more than likely shipwrecked. Ditto those of Pat White, who left injured early.

Bart Pohlman, Arkansas Traveler: Arkansas fans deserve better than this. Razorback players deserve better than this. It's time for the Houston Nutt era to come to an end. It's time for a change.

Oklahoman: Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has something to say: "I want this to end."

Pete Bosak, Centre Daily Times: Former Penn State defensive end LaVon Chisley, who was kicked off the team in 2005, was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of the stabbing and slashing death of a woman.

Tucson Citizen: Arizona coach Mike Stoops went to the hospital Friday to be treated for kidney stones, but he is expected to be on the sideline Saturday against Washington State.

Adam Sparks, Tennessean: Is Vanderbilt trying to avoid scheduling Middle Tennessee State?

Adam Kilgore, Washington Post: The Atlantic Coast Conference has the status, but not the statement.

Jaymes Powell Jr., Raleigh News & Observer: A video game that promises to capture the experience of black college football will be released this fall. A link to the BCFX website.

Bryant-Jon Anteola, Fresno Bee: The new mascot for Fresno State, home of the Bulldogs, is getting bad reviews. The student newspaper said it "looks more like a cat and wears clothes that are maybe a little too tight for its own good."

Dave Reardon, Honolulu Star-Bulletin: Hawaii and quarterback Colt Brennan were treated like rock stars upon their arrival in Idaho.

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