Reporters' Notebooks

John Henderson, Denver Post: There comes a point in time when a coaching staff throws away the respect and courtesy it's given, when it appears to be picking up only paychecks and not clues. That's why Tom Osborne, Nebraska's, ahem, interim athletic director, must fire coach Bill Callahan and defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove, like, five minutes ago.

Steven M. Sipple, Lincoln Journal Star: Here are four core reasons that may help explain why Callahan soon will be again working as an NFL assistant coach.

Ferd Lewis, Honolulu Advertiser: An astrophysicist, a doctor specializing in infectious diseases, a constitutional law scholar, a businessman and some mathematicians. Just some of the people deciding which teams are eligible for Bowl Championship Series games.

Pete Thamel, New York Times: Breaking down the seven remaining title contenders and the likelihood of each reaching the BCS title game.

Joey Johnston, Tampa Tribune: Does BCS actually stand for Big Controversy Starting? Kansas could finish undefeated and be locked out of the title game.

Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times: Stay in this business long enough and you can type a sentence like this: "Oregon can win the national title this year, maybe by defeating Kansas, which just defeated Nebraska by 37 points on the same day Navy beat Notre Dame."

Evan Woodbery, Mobile Press-Register: Tommy Tuberville has no interest in commenting on speculation linking his name to Texas A&M and cut off a reporter who asked whether he would be willing to listen to an offer from the Aggies.

Tim Griffin, San Antonio Express-News: Is it time to start including Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel in the Heisman discussion?

Michael Murphy, Houston Chronicle: Southern Methodist dashed onto the field, stomped on the Houston logo at midfield, then lost to the Cougars, 38-28.

Wendell Barnhouse, Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Southeastern Conference games draw big crowds inside and outside stadiums. And for those who gather outside the stadium to party, here are two words you never hear: "Indulge moderately."

Mike Sorensen, Deseret Morning News: Mountain West Conference bowl berths are now coming into focus.

Brett McMurphy, Tampa Tribune: We hear Toronto is nice in January. South Florida might find out. It could be headed for the International Bowl.

Steve Luhm, Salt Lake Tribune: The referees at the Utah State-Fresno State game seemed to be making it up as they went along.

Adam Sparks, Tennessean: Possibly the wildest game of the weekend occurred at Monroe, La., where Middle Tennessee State needed an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to defeat Louisiana Monroe, 43-40.