Reporters' Notebooks

Bob Hertzel, Times West Virginian: Rich Rodriguez's decision to give the revered No. 1 jersey at Michigan to a defensive back comes as no surprise. He controlled everything at West Virginia, except the line of scrimmage against Pittsburgh.

Pat Harty, Iowa City Press-Citizen: Have Iowa officials gone too far by approving a social networking policy that will force student-athletes to adhere to guidelines on public networking sites?

Bernard Fernandez, Philadelphia Daily News: Joe Paterno on his future and how it impacts recruiting: "If a kid asks, 'Are you going to be there?,' I tell him exactly how I feel. I say, 'Look, I don't know if I'm going to be here the three, four or five years you're going to be here. But I feel great and I intend to coach as long as I feel good.' ''

Greg Stoda, Palm Beach Post: The "head coach in waiting" arrangement at Florida State might not go as smoothly as advertised should Bobby Bowden decide to coach beyond 2008.

Jake Trotter, Oklahoman: Former Oklahoma coach John Blake is hoping he'll be offered another shot to lead a college program.

Kevin Scarbinsky, Birmingham News: Is Louisiana State better without quarterback Ryan Perrilloux? Maybe one day, but in the short-term, the Tigers are in for a world of hurt.

Mitch Vingle, Charleston Gazette: Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese explains why he was opposed to the plus-one system for the Bowl Championship Series. "Our view is we're open to talking about anything. But the plus-one idea is just a disguise for a playoff."

Gutty Little Bruins: UCLA's Rick Neuheisel is reportedly using a profanity-laced video featuring Brennan Carroll, the son of USC coach Pete Carroll, as a recruiting tool against the Trojans.

Smoking Trees in Belize: When it comes to redesigning uniforms, perhaps old school is best.