Reporters' Notebooks

Mark Snyder, Detroit Free Press: Are Michigan practices too intense? Wolverine offensive lineman Justin Boren, who was projected to be a starter this fall, has left the team. He complained about the intensity of drills after the first practice this spring. Plus, Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman, provost Teresa Sullivan and athletic director Bill Martin issued a statement in response to the Ann Arbor News' series on academic practices for athletes.

Brett McMurphy, Tampa Tribune: ESPN submitted a bid to the NCAA bowl certifying board to launch the St. Petersburg Bowl. The game would feature a matchup of Conference USA and Big East teams and would become the sixth bowl run and operated by ESPN. Other ESPN bowls: Las Vegas, Hawaii, Armed Forces, Papajohns.com and New Mexico.

Bryan Mullen, Tennessean: Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer on his backup offensive linemen: "They're soft. That group of guys, they're soft 300-pounders. They should be big, ugly tough guys. Right now they're not very tough."

San Antonio Express-News: The Alamo Bowl has landed a prime TV slot — Dec. 29 on ESPN and unopposed by any college or NFL game on other networks.

Rick Scoppe and Bart Wright, Greenville News: South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia has been suspended from all team activities until Aug. 15 after been charged with underage drinking last weekend. Trouble is becoming commonplace with the Gamecocks, going back to Lou Holtz and continuing with Steve Spurrier.

Corey Clark, Tallahassee Democrat: For $50, you can hear Holtz and Bobby Bowden talk football on Saturday in Tallahassee.

Dave Reardon, Honolulu Star-Bulletin: Despite an appearance in a Bowl Championship Series game, Hawaii's athletic department could finish with a budget deficit.

Kyle Hightower, Orlando Sentinel: Central Florida officials say that the offseason workout before Ereck Plancher's death complied with NCAA rules.

Randy King, Roanoke Times: Count Frank Beamer among the injured at Virginia Tech. He had a full replacement surgery on his left knee 27 days ago. "Other than a knee that won't bend, I'm doing good," he said on the eve of spring drills.

Doug Lesmerises, Cleveland Plain Dealer: Heisman Trophy candidate Beanie Wells, recovering from surgery to his left hand, should be healthy when Ohio State begins spring drills on Thursday.

Marc Morehouse, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Iowa has much work to do. The Hawkeyes, a pedestrian 19-18 the past three seasons, are looking to revive an offense that was last in the Big Ten in scoring in 2007.

Andrew Logue, Des Moines Register: Sophomores Austen Arnaud and Phillip Bates are the leading contenders to become Iowa State's quarterback.

Don Markus, Baltimore Sun: Chris Turner, who took over last season when Jordan Steffy was sidelined because of a concussion, and Josh Portis, who was suspended after getting caught cheating on a quiz, will battle to become Maryland's starter at quarterback this spring.

Bryant-Jon Anteola, Fresno Bee: Five questions facing Fresno State as it prepares for spring drills.

Mick McGrane, San Diego Union-Tribune: Could be tough times ahead for San Diego State, coming off its ninth non-winning season in a row. The Aztecs must replace eight starters on offense, including quarterback Kevin O'Connell.

Brandon C. Williams, Houston Chronicle: San Houston State's Rhett Bomar — the former Oklahoma quarterback — is still recovering from a knee injury suffered last fall.

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