Reporters' Notebooks

Luciana Chavez and Caulton Tudor, Raleigh News & Observer: New Duke coach David Cutcliffe says "we have to win this coming year." And a look at what Cutcliffe plans to do to turn around college football's great wasteland.

Bryan Mullen, Tennessean: Phillip Fulmer says Cutcliffe will "do a great job at Duke." Cutcliffe is more than quadrupling his salary. He made $340,000 at Tennessee this year, but will have an annual salary of approximately $1.5 million in Durham.

Rob Keys, Northwest Arkansas Times: Bobby Petrino's agent had some reassuring words for Arkansas fans. "Arkansas has its guy, and he's happy. His family is happy. Brighter days are ahead." Plus, Petrino named his brother, Paul, the Razorback offensive coordinator.

Scott Rabalais, Baton Rouge Advocate: Chances are Petrino's stay at Arkansas won't last.

Kyle Tucker, Norfolk Virginian-Pilot: Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster turned down an offer to become defensive coordinator at South Carolina.

Newy Scruggs, Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Texas Christian would be wise to get cracking on improvements to Gary Patterson's contract or risk losing the coach in 2008.

Ed McGranahan, Greenville News: Tommy Bowden said he wasn't sure if he'd have his three starting linebackers for Clemson's bowl game with Auburn, and was awaiting word on the status of one starting offensive lineman.

Blaine Newnham, Seattle Times: Washington's Jake Locker has a chance to be better than Heisman winner Tim Tebow.

Brett Vito, Denton Record-Chronicle: North Texas will receive a $250,000 buyout from Air Force, which backed out of a contract to play the Mean Green in 2009. The Falcons will face Minnesota in its first game at TCF Bank Stadium.