Reporters' Notebooks

Bob Smizik, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penn State received the "Outside The Lines" treatment from ESPN on Sunday, and it made the once-admired program look like a renegade outfit with its revered coach seemingly out of touch with his team and its players. The numbers were damning but no more so than the responses from Joe Paterno.

George O'Leary, Orlando Sentinel: That's right. The Central Florida coach tells his side of the Ereck Plancher story in an op-ed piece and takes a few swings at the paper in the process. "I believe it is beneath the Sentinel to sensationalize this tragedy as it has. All of this has led me to discontinue conversations with the paper for the time being." Thanks to Losers With Socks.

Jorge Milian, Palm Beach Post: Time to adjust those recruiting rankings. As many as seven freshmen from Miami's class may not be on hand Thursday when players report to school.

Ray Melick, Birmingham News: The attorney for Phillip Fulmer said that he will fight to prevent the Tennessee coach from having to give a deposition in a civil lawsuit filed against the NCAA and others by disassociated Alabama booster Wendell Smith.

Brian Bennett, Louisville Courier-Journal: Louisville receiver Trent Guy, who was shot in the lower back this month, intends to play this season, coach Steve Kragthorpe said.

Brett McMurphy, Tampa Tribune: Gator Bowl president Rick Catlett wants South Florida to play a neutral-site game in the Jacksonville stadium and has had several discussions with Bulls athletic director Doug Woolard about the possibility.

William Weathers, Baton Rouge Advocate: Attention Southeastern Conference teams: The big, bad Sun Belt Conference is coming for you.

Marc Morehouse, Cedar Rapids Gazette: The Big Ten and Mid-American conferences will combine their instant replay programs, with administration of the program being handled by the Big Ten.

Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times: College football has its "watch-out" games on opening weekend.

Katie Kennedy, Daily Reveille: Louisiana State may over-sell tickets for non-Southeastern Conference games (Appalachian State, Troy, North Texas and Tulane) in an effort to increase student attendance. (Or is nobody interested in seeing games against inferior opponents?)

Alex Abrams, Springdale Morning News: Arkansas defensive tackle Ernest Mitchell is facing charges of improper display of tags on his vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm.

The Bowlology Code: More realistic than a playoff. More sensible than the current bowl mess. Check it out!

Here are today's mystery links, here and here. Thanks to Gordon Keith.