Reporters' Notebooks

Chip Brown, Dallas Morning News: We can't even begin to explain the tie-breaking formula in the Big 12 South, but Oklahoma, Texas and Oklahoma State — by the slimmest of margins — are still alive.

Ron Musselman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Dept. of Facts: Penn State continues to be a second-tier Big Ten program, with a 32-32 record in conference play since the 2000 season. Only once in the past decade have the Nittany Lions finished higher than fourth in the Big Ten standings.

Robbi Pickeral, ACC Now: Dept. of Leverage: First-year North Carolina coach Butch Davis, whose name has been associated with the possible opening at Arkansas, would not comment Sunday on whether he wants a contract extension, or is negotiating one with the Tar Heels.

Kevin Scarbinsky, Birmingham News: In the last two weeks, Nick Saban may have done more than lose two games he was expected to win. Alabama's coach may have lost his team.

Andy Staples, Tampa Tribune: The limited television exposure given to Florida's game against Florida Atlantic may have helped Tim Tebow's Heisman campaign. Even Gator coach Urban Meyer called the game "not Tim’s best."

David Brandt, Clarion Ledger: This from Mississippi Madman Ed Orgeron's team: Twenty Rebel players are on probation for twice stealing pillows and radios from team hotels. About 25% of the roster has been hit with some sort of punishment during the current season.

Brian Dohn, L.A. Daily News: The Pacific 10 will not be able to fill its allotment of bowl tie-ins unless UCLA or Arizona can win another game.

Bruins Nation: It's clear reporters and columnists are now playing the race card in defending UCLA's Karl Dorrell.

Larry Brown Sports: Arizona State officials will not allow turkey fryers for tailgaters cooking Thanksgiving dinner in the parking lot of Sun Devil Stadium. Officials are worried about the dangers involved with vats of hot grease.

Caulton Tudor, Raleigh News & Observer: Although there is nearly universal conviction that the coach doesn't make any difference at Duke, it's time to dump Ted Roof.

Barry Jackson, Miami Herald: Miami's Randy Shannon, whose team has been outscored, 92-14, the past two weeks, acknowledged the learning curve as a rookie head coach has been ''steeper'' than expected.

Pat Harty, Iowa City Press-Citizen: How can Iowa and its $3-million-a-year coach, Kirk Ferentz, field a team that was physically overmatched against a 3-7 team from the Mid-American Conference that had nothing to play for?

Brian Davis, Dallas Morning News: Although Mike Singletary is the top choice for the Baylor job, his lack of experience is a concern for some. Arkansas' Houston Nutt, Houston's Art Briles and Texas Christian's Gary Patterson also are being mentioned.

Craig Smith and Bob Condotta, Seattle Times: It appears Bill Doba's coaching future at Washington State rides on Saturday's Apple Cup game against Washington.

Steve Ellis, Tallahassee Democrat: Expect Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher's name to be brought up if Auburn or Louisiana State have to go looking for a head coach.

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