Reporters' Notebooks

Stewart Mandel, SI.com: Is the Bowl Championship Series giving us the best matchups? It appears not. How a proposed Orange Bowl matchup between Oklahoma and Virginia Tech was busted by the BCS.

Barry Saunders, Raleigh News & Observer: What a crock. Duke had a chance to do the right thing last week, but instead it did the white thing.

Carl DuBois, Baton Rouge Advocate: Because Michigan’s search for a coach is over and won’t drag on through Louisiana State’s preparations, there is nothing to prevent the Tigers from handing Ohio State a second consecutive defeat at the hands of a Southeastern Conference team in a BCS title game.

Jake Trotter, Oklahoman: A look at how interim coaches have fared in bowl games after the head coach leaves.

Brent Zwerneman, San Antonio Express-News: Did Dennis Franchione keep his hands off the play-calling in Texas A&M's victory over Texas? The evidence suggests that might have been the case.

Sports By Brooks: High-definition television sales in Hawaii have hit the roof thanks to the Warriors' 12-0 season and upcoming appearance in the Sugar Bowl.

Dave Matter, Columbia Tribune: Missouri senior receiver Greg Bracey was suspended for the Cotton Bowl after after an arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana and failure to signal a turn.

Molly Yanity, Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Washington's Tyrone Willingham fired defensive coordinator Kent Baer and tight ends/special teams coach Bob Simmons. Baer spent 13 seasons working under Willingham, including the past three at Washington.

Jake Schaller, Colorado Springs Gazette: One team that plans to be in tip-top shape for its bowl game is Air Force.

Jeff Potrykus, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: It now appears Wisconsin will have its top tailback, P.J. Hill, available for the Outback Bowl against Tennessee.

Bryan Mullen, Tennessean: The uncertain future of Tennessee's offensive coaches has at least one player saying there are doubts concerning the focus of the staff entering the Outback Bowl.

Paul Strelow, Columbia State: Senior linebacker Tramaine Billie and senior right tackle Christian Capote have been all but ruled out by Clemson coaches as academic casualties in the run-up to the Chick-fil-A Bowl against Auburn.

Jeff Shain, Miami Herald: Bobby Bowden has a $1 million bonus waiting when he decides to no longer coach Florida State.

Manny Navarro, Barry Jackson and Susan Miller Degnan, Miami Herald: Miami's Randy Shannon fired his defensive coordinator, Tim Walton.

Bill Koch, Cincinnati Enquirer: Brian Kelly reached agreement on a new contract at Cincinnati.

Michael DiRocco, Florida Times-Union: Florida linebacker Ryan Stamper will have a new role for the Capital One Bowl: part-time fullback.

Randy Peterson, Des Moines Register: Three Iowa players, including receiver Dominique Douglas, are leaving the team.

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