Reporters' Notebooks

Stephen Tsai and Ferd Lewis, Honolulu Advertiser: Greg McMackin has accepted an offer to become Hawaii's coach and will be introduced Wednesday morning at a news conference. The hiring of McMackin should help bring stability back to the program.

Gary Klein and Chris Foster, Los Angeles Times: Norm Chow, who was fired as offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans, could be headed for the same job with UCLA.

Seth Kolloen, Seattle Post-Intelligencer: the hiring of Slick Rick Neuheisel has unified the fan base, but not the UCLA fan base. Just look at the united front from Slick's former employer, Washington.

Samuel McKewon, Nebraska State Paper: College football hasn't been this meaningless in decades. Maybe ever. No, it isn't dying. It just needs a stint in rehab. Thanks to the Midwest Correspondent.

John Helsley, Oklahoman: Don't let the sunshine pumpers fool you. The defections of several Texas and Oklahoma players is a big-time concern and a big-time break for Missouri, Kansas and Texas Tech, the teams who stand to benefit the most from the Sooner and Longhorn puncture wounds.

Berry Tramel, Oklahoman: Don't blame players for leaving early for the NFL. College football is a business. A big business. The coaches drive home that point every day, never moreso than when they jump their team for another job.

Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman: Why does Major Applewhite want to leave as offensive coordinator at Alabama? It could have something to do with assistant head coach/offensive line assistant Joe Pendry.

David Paschall, Chattanooga Times Free Press: Nick Saban didn't establish himself as a media darling during his first season at Alabama. But that changes when he's on the recruiting trail. Thanks to the D&B Experience.

Tom Archdeacon, Dayton Daily News: Now it can be told. Ohio State players were fighting with each other at halftime of the Bowl Championship Series title game. Said Buckeye tackle Alex Boone: "You don't need to be fighting with your own teammates. We were here to play football, [but] some guys didn't get that."

Dennis Dodd, CBS Sports.com: Another outrageously early top 25 for 2008. Georgia again earns top billing.

Scott Dochterman, Cedar Rapids Gazette: The four largest cable companies in the Big Ten's eight-state area have yet to air the Big Ten Network. And with fewer games available on TV, radio stations that broadcast games have seen an increase in ratings.

Oklahoman: Ohio State and Oklahoma have agreed to a two-game series. Problem is, it doesn't start until 2016.

Maureen Fulton, Toledo Blade: A $250,000 donation to Toledo carries a lot of weight. It will go toward the construction of a weight room for the Rockets.