Reporters' Notebooks

Fred Girard, Detroit News: Rich Rodriguez has agreed to pay West Virginia a $4 million buyout clause, ending an ugly court fight. Metro News says the settlement, which had been negotiated over two days, was sparked in part because of pressure brought by West Virginia to depose Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman and athletic director Bill Martin. Thanks to Brian at the Business of College Football.

Alan Schmadtke, Orlando Sentinel: Miami's move to the Atlantic Coast Conference is beginning to pay off. Florida State has benefited financially but not as much. Other winners in the ACC-Big East realignment: Louisville, Virginia Tech, South Florida and Central Florida. Losers: West Virginia and Syracuse.

Associated Press: San Jose State linebacker Ryne Gonzalez has been sentenced to 45 days in jail in Auburn, Calif., for punching a friend in the face three years ago.

Bryan Strickland, Durham Herald-Sun: At the urging (orders?) of David Cutcliffe, more than 70 members of the Duke team and numerous coaches spent a couple of hours cleaning up the campus.

Shandel Richardson, South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Officials at Dolphin Stadium did not plan to put Miami's "U" logo at midfield during Hurricane games, but dozens of fans complained and officials have changed their stance.

Corey Clark, Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State left guard Evan Bellamy is expected to miss the season because of a blood clot in a leg. The loss of Bellamy means Florida State will enter 2008 with only 10 scholarship players on the offensive line and one of those is expected to miss the first three games because of a suspension stemming from last year's academic scandal.