Reporters' Notebooks

Jerry Hill, Waco Tribune-Herald: Baylor has started a "national search" to replace the fired Guy Morriss. Speculation centers on Mike Singletary getting the job.

Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press: Michigan's Lloyd Carr, 62, made it official. He is retiring after the Wolverines' bowl game.

John Rohde, Oklahoman: With a resume like this, Oklahoma has no business being anywhere near Louisiana during bowl season. Well, Shreveport maybe, but not Nawlins.

Jenni Carlson, Oklahoman: Classless act candidate: Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy sent out his offensive starters with his team leading Baylor by 31 with five minutes remaining.

Tom Murphy, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: Arkansas' Houston Nutt denied media reports that he will not return for an 11th season and criticized what he termed “foolish” rumors after the Razorbacks’ 45-31 victory over Mississippi State.

Bud Withers, Seattle Times: Washington State drew more students to its basketball game Friday night than Saturday's football game against Oregon State.

Tom Wyrwich, Seattle Times: Last month, California was within a whisker of being the nation's No. 1 team. Now it has lose five of six.

Paul Strelow, Columbia State: Construction of Clemson's first Atlantic Coast Conference title since 1991 has been delayed for another year.

Mark Berman, Roanoke Times: Miami is looking quite ordinary these days. "We've got good athletes all over. ... Certain people [are] not doing their jobs," Hurricane receiver Sam Shields said.

David Climer, Tennessean: Tennessee might look back on a roughing the kicker penalty as the biggest play in its season.

Rusty Hampton, Shreveport Times: Mississippi Madman Ed Orgeron made a curious quarterback decision in the Rebels' loss to No. 1 Louisiana State.

Mike Sorensen, Deseret Morning News: Utah's victory over New Mexico has all but assured the Utes a spot in the Poinsettia Bowl opposite Navy.

Jack Schaller, Colorado Springs Gazette: The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl wants Air Force.

Idaho Statesman: Idaho coach Robb Akey on his calling Boise State Broncos "donkeys" before Saturday's 58-14 loss. "Get over it ... It's college football."

Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette: You want bad football? Get your hands on the tape of Iowa's loss to Western Michigan.

Tom Witosky and Erin Jordan, Des Moines Register: Regents president Michael Gartner is demanding answers over Iowa's handling of allegations of the sexual assault of a female student by three football players and whether university policies are adequate or were being followed.

Tom Powers, St. Paul Pioneer Press: They have no jug, no pig, no bell and no axe. But the good news is that with all that extra room in the football building, maybe Minnesota can add a few plastic palm trees and a rose-covered trellis. You know, to help them get acclimated for when it finally makes that trip to Pasadena.

Terry Feinberg, Las Cruces Sun-News: Utah State ended its 16-game losing streak — second longest in Division I-A — with a 28-17 victory at New Mexico State.

Pete Pelegrin, Miami Herald: Florida International scored a season-high 28 points, but could not overcome untimely penalties and was dealt its 22nd consecutive loss, longest skid in the land.