Reporters' Notebooks

Larry Peterson, Athens Banner-Herald: A Georgia lawmaker says the state should not allow Florida boosters a special license tag. "A Gator tag will cause accidents. Gator fans cannot drive or read traffic signs. A car up on blocks cannot move. And it will lower our quality of life."

Brett McMurphy, Tampa Tribune: Despite hefty increases, salaries of South Florida assistant coaches still rank among the nation's lowest among Bowl Championship Series teams.

Neal McCready, Mobile Press-Register: Who is Seth Adams? He is likely Mississippi's starting quarterback.

Emily Badger, Orlando Sentinel: Why do some fans spend over a million dollars for a luxury condo close to their team's stadium?

And here is today's mystery link. Thanks to reader Ken!

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They Can Still Saw 'Em Off in College Station

The lawsuit involving the University of Texas against Aggieland Outfitters has been settled. The suit claimed Aggieland Outfitters manipulated the Texas Longhorn silhouette on its "Saw 'Em Off" merchandise. The "Saw 'Em Off" logo has been used on products since 1997 and nobody in Austin seemed to care until the Aggies defeated the Longhorns, 12-7, last Nov. 24. Days later, Texas officials filed the lawsuit.

The Daily Texan reported that Aggieland Outfitters spent more than $200,000 in legal fees before reaching a $25,000 settlement that included the addition of nostrils and a tuft or "blaze" of hair between the eyes of its longhorn logo. Thanks to SI On Campus.

Reporters' Notebooks

Adam Schmadtke, Orlando Sentinel: Dick Butkus is suing the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, which annually gives out the Dick Butkus Award to the nation's top linebacker.

Political Insider, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: The Atlanta Gator Club, the official organization for Florida graduates, has submitted its application to the state Department of Revenue for a special Georgia license plate.

Bryan Mullen, Tennessean: The tent-rent. Vanderbilt will rent two tents behind the north end zone for home games at a cost of $50 per person for SEC games and $35 for nonconference games. Each tent can accommodate 100 people.

Ferd Lewis, Honolulu Advertiser: Hawaii is preparing a DVD titled "A Colt Following" to promote the Heisman campaign of quarterback Colt Brennan.

Ray Melick, Birmingham News: The SEC will be keeping a close eye on the Big Ten Network, which is set to launch on Aug. 30.

Paul Finebaum, Mobile Press Register: It's Nick Saban and Alabama against the world.

Berry Tramel, Oklahoman: Bob Stoops' selection of a quarterback will go far past whether Oklahoma plays in the Fiesta Bowl again or have to spend Christmas in Shreveport.

Eric Hansen, South Bend Tribune: Former Notre Dame quarterback Zach Frazer is transferring to Connecticut.

Pat Dooley, Gainesville Sun: Florida offensive lineman Ronnie Wilson has been suspended for the 2007 season and running back Brandon James was suspended for the opener against dreaded Western Kentucky because of separate off-the-field incidents.

Here is today's mystery link.

Les Miles Is Talking All Kinds of Smack

Louisiana State coach Les Miles, whose team is a popular pick to play in this season's BCS title game opposite USC, is calling into question the strength of the Pacific 10 Conference, suggesting the Trojans should be a cinch to make it to the Jan. 7 game in New Orleans because of a suspect league schedule.

"I can tell you this, that they have a much easier road to travel," Miles said. "They’re going to play real knockdown drag-outs with UCLA and Washington, Cal-Berkeley, Stanford — some real juggernauts — and they’re going to end up, it would be my guess, in some position so if they win a game or two, that they’ll end up in the title [game].

"I would like that path for us. I think the SEC provides much stiffer competition."

Miles was just getting started.

"I can tell you that I would like nothing better than to play USC for the title," he said.

Miles made the comments during an interview last week on New Orleans radio station WWL. The comments were reported by Carl DuBois of the Baton Rouge Advocate.

Miles didn't limit his smack to the Pac-10 and USC. He also took this shot at the Big 12:

"The Big 12 is a conference that might have two really pretty good teams, maybe four. I think the Pac-10 may have one or two really good ones. The ACC certainly, arguably, has some quality teams.

"I don't think there's any conference out there that has as many quality teams as ours."

Miles, who played and coached at Michigan and is voter in the USA Today poll, also said he voted Florida over Michigan last season after the Gators defeated Arkansas in the SEC title game, helping to put Florida in the title game over the Wolverines. He talked with several friends in Michigan afterward.

"Guys who were at my wedding, college roommates, said, 'What the heck are you doing?' You had to do what was right. I really feel like I’d stand by that vote every time."

Miles also said that if there were an eight-team playoff to decide the national champion, "There'd probably be at least four SEC teams in the top eight."

Miles, a native of Elyria, Ohio, was asked if it's a matter of upbringing to hold the position that "something must be done about USC," the most frequent Big Ten opponent in the Rose Bowl.

"Should something be done about SC?" Yeah. It might just have to be the system, first, though."

Reporters' Notebooks

Terry Wood, Northwest Arkansas Times: The controversies surrounding the Arkansas football program the past six months have clouded the national perception of the team, which is capable of winning 10 or 11 games.

Jeff Carroll, South Bend Tribune: A concussion ended the playing career of Notre Dame defensive tackle Andy Wisne. Now he's trying to make it in Hollywood.

Teddy Greenstein, Chicago Tribune: With Notre Dame deciding to dump Westwood One as its radio partner, could longtime play-by-play voice Tony Roberts be set to return in 2008?

Jon Wilner, San Jose Mercury News: Don't try this at home. Picking the best Pac-10 quarterbacks of the past 20 years.

Dave Matter, Columbia Tribune: When you line them up, it's slim pickings for quality linemen in the Big 12.

Darnell Mayberry, Oklahoman: Former Oklahoma quarterback and U.S Representative J.C. Watts talks about his playing days and whether or not Sooner coach Bob Stoops will leave for the NFL.

Chadd Cripe, Idaho Statesman: Fat City! The Western Athletic Conference mailed Boise State three checks last week totaling more than $5.2 million — mostly for playing in the Fiesta Bowl.

Brian Murphy, Idaho Statesman: A look at the top 10 season openers, from Florida State at Clemson to Oklahoma State at Georgia.

Brandon Mellor, Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State rover Myron Rolle is back on campus after a summer semester's worth of classes studying abroad in London.

And here is today's mystery link.

The High Price of Glory

Earl Campbell, the 1977 Heisman winner from Texas, was the baddest man on the field in his day. If he didn't run you over with his bullish style, then he ran away from you. The only thing that could stop him? Campbell estimates he went through 20 to 25 tearaway jerseys a game at Texas. "I lost more yardage changing into new jerseys than anything else," he said.

Today, Campbell uses a walker. And when that becomes too much work, he uses a wheelchair. This weekend, at a Heisman Winners Association outing in Austin, it took Campbell roughly six minutes to cover 40 yards — a distance he used to breeze through in less than five seconds.

Campbell is not alone. George Rogers, the 1980 Heisman winner from South Carolina, can't raise his right arm higher than his chest. Archie Griffin ('74 and '75, Ohio State) said, "My neck bothers me quite a bit, like every time I turn my head either way." John Huarte ('64, Notre Dame) had a neck twitch that lasted about 19 years. John David Crow ('57, Texas A&M) has had both knees replaced.

Does it seem possible that 50 years have passed since Crow won the award?

"It does sometimes," he said. "When I get up in the morning, sometimes it feels like it's been more than 50 years."

But Campbell's deteriorating condition is most alarming. He stands at a 45-degree angle, unable to straighten at his lower back. He can no longer straighten his knees, either.

"I stay focused and prayerful that I won't have to deal with the situation of Earl Campbell one day," said Eddie George, who won the Heisman at Ohio State in 1995.

Reporters' Notebooks

Eric Hansen, South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame is ending its 40-year relationship with Westwood One radio after this season and is expected to join ISP Sports in 2008.

Mick McGrane, San Diego Union-Tribune: Rumor no more. San Diego State quarterback Keven Craft is leaving to join his dad, former Aztec coach Tom Craft, at Mt. San Antonio Community College.

Kyle Ringo, Daily Camera: Colorado coach Dan Hawkins says his program is moving from "survive" to "thrive" mode.

Mickey Furfari, Beckley Register-Herald: With an assist from ESPN, West Virginia and Colorado will meet in 2008 and 2009.

Paul Finebaum, Mobile Press-Register: Six months after he was hired, Nick Saban remains the biggest story in Alabama.

Jenni Carlson, Oklahoman: Former Oklahoma quarterback Steve Davis' life changed when his brother died of Lou Gehrig's disease.

Idaho Statesman: A first for the blue turf at Boise State's Bronco Stadium. A Boise State athletic department employee and his fiancee were married on the field.

Brian Murphy, Idaho Statesman: Boise State coach Chris Petersen punishes players who miss class by taking away their complimentary tickets.

Joe Gerrety, Lafayette Journal and Courier: Former Purdue linebacker Kyle Williams was sentenced to 37 years in prison.

Daniel Lyght, Fresno Bee: Fresno State linebacker Quaadir Brown, a projected starter, was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism.

And here is today's mystery link. Thanks to the Midwest Correspondent.

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