Reporters' Notebooks

Jon Solomon, Birmingham News: The top athletic program in the first 75 years of the Southeastern Conference? It's the Florida Gators. The best rivalry? That belongs to Auburn and Alabama. Plus the criteria used and a searchable database.

Mario F. Cattabiani, Philadelphia Inquirer: Pennsylvania legislators are on the take, including tickets to Penn State games, paid for by the university. "If they want to put me in jail over this, then go ahead," said Camille "Bud" George, a plain-talking representative from rural Clearfield County. "I am tired of this goddamn place anyway." Thanks to Kevin of We Are Penn State.

Jay F. Marks, Oklahoman: A Texas fan is seeking more than $100,000 in damages from an Oklahoma city bar and a Sooner fan for injuries he suffered to his scrotum in a "vicious attack" last summer.

Ferd Lewis, Honolulu Advertiser: Hawaii and Southern Methodist are talking about a 2009 game at Aloha Stadium.

Paul Finebaum, Mobile Press-Register: Alabama abandon Kenny Stabler? Not in this hour of need.

Doug Smock, Charleston Gazette: Former Marshall defensive end Johnathan Goddard died from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident.

Let's Party Like It's 1999

The BCS Guru continues his review of what has gone right and what has gone wrong with the Bowl Championship Series by looking at the 1999 season. How could the BCS screw this one up? Florida State and Virginia Tech, both undefeated, finished atop the standings and met in the Sugar Bowl. The Hokies had a 29-28 lead entering the fourth quarter before the Seminoles turned on the afterburners and scored the last 18 points in a 46-29 victory.

But just like 1998 when unbeaten Tulane was left out of the party, a 12-0 Marshall team watched the big boys slug it out in the BCS bowls. And Kansas State, which lost only to Nebraska, was again passed up by the BCS.

All Things Heisman

If our math is correct, we're roughly six months from presenting the Heisman Trophy. Now it's never too early to think about that stiff-arm trophy, is it? And the Heisman Pundit has been busy preparing for the 2008 season with a redesign of his site. There are still a few tweaks to be made, but the majority of the heavy lifting is done. Check it out!

Sign of Things to Come?

Funny image from the gang at Losers With Socks. Alabama fans are getting all too familiar with the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, which has been the Crimson Tide's postseason destination three times since 2001, including the past two seasons.

Reporters' Notebooks

Dan Zeiger, East Valley Tribune: Dane Guthrie, projected as Arizona State's starting tight end, will not return for his senior season. No reason was given, but he missed part of spring drills because of academics.

Andrea Cohen, Oklahoman: In part because of a $20 million donation from alumnus Sherman Smith, Oklahoma State will soon become the 10th team in the Big 12 to have an indoor practice facility. Plus a look at other indoor practice facilities in the Big 12.

Yoon Kim, The Technique: Georgia Tech is switching to more earth-friendly lights in Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Andrew Carter, Orlando Sentinel: Florida State offensive line coach Rick Trickett, a native of West Virginia and former Mountaineer assistant, on recruiting kids from his home state: "If you sign five kids in West Virginia, that’s three too many.”

Detroit Free Press: Former Michigan State backup quarterback Connor Dixon is transferring to Duquesne.

FanBlogs: A look at the Orange Bowl, before, during and after.

College Baseball Blog: A preview of all the teams in the College World Series, which begins Saturday in Omaha.

Newshoggers: Bloggers beware: Associated Press is starting bogus copyright suits against those linking and quoting even the merest fraction of an AP news report.

To bypass registration, go to Bug Me Not.

Worst Fans in the ACC? Maryland

Joe Ovies and colleagues at 850 The Buzz in Raleigh have come up with a list of the five worst groups of fans in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The winner is Maryland, whose followers are described as "crude, disgusting, and at times dangerous."

Also making the list are Miami, Clemson, Duke and North Carolina State.

Clemson fans, according to Ovies, need to cleanse themselves of the past: "As cloning technology continues to improve, the dream of a second coming of Danny Ford is closer to reality. Tiger Fan doesn't even care that the cheating can’t be removed from his DNA."

Reporters' Notebooks

Mike Holtzclaw, Newport News Daily Press: Former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.

Ian R. Rapoport, Birmingham News: The newspaper obtains surveillance video of Alabama linebacker Rashad Johnson's arrest on disorderly conduct charges in February. The charges were dropped last week.

Matt Winkeljohn, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Jamaal Evans, listed as Georgia Tech's starting running back after spring practice, has left the team.

Sports By Brooks: Republican U.S. Senator Gordon Smith, who is running for re-election, has been accused of using a typeface on campaign literature that is strikingly similar to the lettering used on University of Oregon uniforms.

David Brandt, Clarion-Ledger: A recent decision to lower Southeastern Conference initial eligibility requirements for non-qualifiers could help defensive tackle Jerrell Powe's chances of playing this fall.

Luciana Chavez, Raleigh News & Observer: Duke coach David Cutcliffe made a recruiting trip to Knoxville — his previous place of employment — and got 22 people to purchase season tickets for the Blue Devils.

Justin D. Anderson, Charleston Daily Mail: Rich Rodriguez claims West Virginia coach Bill Stewart wanted to go with him to Michigan in December, only to later criticize the coaches who went to Ann Arbor.

Thomas O'Toole, USA Today: The cost for big-time programs looking to schedule games against inferior opponents continues to go up.

Austin American-Statesman: Texas projects its athletic budget at a whopping $125 million next school year.

Waco Tribune-Herald: Baylor announced several additions to its schedule, including a six-game series against Southern Methodist beginning in 2011.

Ethan Conley, Monroe News-Star: Receiver Cruz Williams appears to be bound for Louisiana Tech after originally signing with Arkansas.

Dwight Jaynes, Portland Tribune: Pixels or paper, the truth doesn't care.