College Sports 101

By Ed McGranahan

CLEMSON – Clemson University reached an agreement in principle Sunday to name Dabo Swinney the 25th head football coach at Clemson University.

An announcement is expected in the next couple of days.

Swinney, 39, was selected after athletic director Terry Don Phillips conducted a national search that began within days of Tommy Bowden’s resignation Oct. 13.

Hired by Bowden in 2003 to coach receivers, Swinney was promoted last year to assistant head coach when University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban attempted to bring him back to his alma mater, where he lettered three seasons and served as an assistant.

After being named interim head coach, Swinney galvanized a fractured team by challenging players to "go all in" and encouraging the fan base to embrace the team despite its disappointing start.

Consensus favorites to win the ACC championship and preseason No. 9 in the national polls, the Tigers lost their first game to Alabama and had a 3-3 record when Bowden stepped down.

Clemson decides on Swinney....

By BETH RUCKER

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Lane Kiffin will become Tennessee's next coach, two days after Phillip Fulmer's 17-season tenure ended with a grand and victorious send-off.

Kiffin, the former Oakland Raiders coach, will be introduced at a news conference Monday.

"We have had unbelievable interest from great coaches," athletic director Mike Hamilton said Sunday. "When it was all said and done, we felt like Lane Kiffin was a perfect fit for Tennessee. He's energetic, charismatic, consumed with recruiting and has had a lifelong love affair with football."

Kiffin, 33, replaces Fulmer, who was forced out after 17 seasons as Vols coach. Fulmer won a national championship in 1998 and two Southeastern Conference titles but had two losing seasons in the last five years, including a 5-7 mark this year.

Kiffin was the youngest coach in the NFL's modern history when hired to lead the Raiders in January 2007 at age 31 after spending two seasons as Southern California's recruiting and offensive coordinator.

The former backup Fresno State quarterback had a rocky relationship with Oakland owner Al Davis, who fired him Sept. 30 for what he said was insubordination after going 5-15 with the Raiders.

Kiffin to be introduced as Vols coach on Monday....

• 1. Alabama 12-0
• 2. Oklahoma 11-1
• 3. Texas 11-1
• 4. Florida 11-1
• 5. USC 10-1
• 6. Utah 12-0
• 7. Texas Tech 11-1
• 8. Penn State 11-1
• 9. Boise State 12-0
• 10. Ohio State 10-2
• 11. TCU 10-2
• 12. Ball State 12-0
• 13. Cincinnati 10-2
• 14. Oklahoma State 9-3
• 15. Georgia Tech 8-3
• 16. Georgia 9-3
• 17. Boston College 9-3
• 18. BYU 10-2
• 19. Oregon 9-3
• 20. Missouri 9-3
• 21. Michigan State 9-3
• 22. Northwestern 9-3
• 23. Pitt 8-3
• 24. Florida State 8-4
• 25. Virginia Tech 8-4

• 1. Alabama 12-0
• 2. Florida 11-1
• 3. Texas 11-1
• 4. Oklahoma 11-1
• 5. USC 10-1
• 6. Penn State 11-1
• 7. Texas Tech 11-1
• 8. Utah 12-0
• 9. Boise State 12-0
• 10. Ohio State 10-2
• 11. Oklahoma State 9-3
• 12. TCU 10-2
• 13. Ball State 12-0
• 14. Cincinnati 10-2
• 15. Georgia Tech 9-3
• 16. Oregon 9-3
• 17. Georgia 9-3
• 18. Missouri 9-3
• 19. Boston College 9-3
• 20. Brigham Young 10-2
• 21. Mississippi 8-4
• 22. Michigan State 9-3
• 23. Pittsburgh 8-3
• 24. Northwestern 9-3
• 25. Oregon State 8-4

Others Receiving Votes
Tulsa, Virginia Tech, Iowa, Florida State, California.

• 1. Alabama (58) 12-0 1,521
• 2. Oklahoma (2) 11-1 1,397
• 3. Texas 11-1 1,396
• 4. Florida (1) 11-1 1,385
• 5. USC 10-1 1,298
• 6. Penn State 11-1 1,176
• 7. Utah 12-0 1,153
• 8. Texas Tech 11-1 1,116
• 9. Boise State 12-0 1,044
• 10. Ohio State 10-2 999
• 11. TCU 10-2 836
• 12. Cincinnati 10-2 770
• 13. Ball State 12-0 765
• 14. Oregon 9-3 658
• 15. Oklahoma State 9-3 613
• 16. Georgia Tech 8-3 590
• 17. Missouri 9-3 470
• 18. Brigham Young 10-2 461
• 19. Georgia 9-3 440
• 20. Boston College 9-3 435
• 21. Michigan State 9-3 414
• 22. Northwestern 9-3 333
• 23. Pittsburgh 8-3 154
• 24. Oregon State 8-4 127
• 25. Mississippi 8-4 126

Others Receiving Votes

Virginia Tech 41, Iowa 31, Tulsa 21, Florida State 15, Nebraska 11, Kansas 10, Connecticut 5, North Carolina 5, Rice 5, California 4.

Dropped From Rankings

Florida State 24, West Virginia 25.

• 1. Alabama (62) 12-0 1,620
• 2. Florida (3) 11-1 1,516
• 3. Texas 11-1 1,488
• 4. Oklahoma 11-1 1,480
• 5. USC 10-1 1,355
• 6. Penn State 11-1 1,257
• 7. Utah 12-0 1,216
• 8. Texas Tech 11-1 1,197
• 9. Boise State 12-0 1,103
• 10. Ohio State 10-2 1,069
• 11. TCU 10-2 885
• 12. Ball State 12-0 834
• 13. Cincinnati 10-2 824
• 14. Oklahoma State 9-3 798
• 15. Georgia Tech 8-3 708
• 16. Oregon 9-3 630
• 17. Georgia 9-3 495
• 18. Boston College 9-3 482
• 19. Missouri 9-3 479
• 20. Brigham Young 10-2 385
• 21. Michigan State 9-3 312
• 22. Mississippi 8-4 280
• 23. Pittsburgh 8-3 241
• 24. Northwestern 9-3 190
• 25. Oregon State 8-4 122

Others Receiving Votes

Iowa 66, Virginia Tech 47, Tulsa 13, Florida State 12, California 7, West Virginia
4, Rice 3, Connecticut 3, Nebraska 3, North Carolina 1.

Dropped From Rankings

Florida State 23.

Sam Bradford threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns, ran for another, and Oklahoma made a case for a BCS bump with a 61-41 win Saturday night against No. 11 Oklahoma State.

Tim Tebow threw three touchdown passes, ran for 80 yards and another score, and the Florida Gators thumped No. 23 Florida State 45-15 in sloppy conditions Saturday.

JACKSON, Miss.: Sylvester Croom resigned from Mississippi State on Saturday, five years after becoming the Southeastern Conference's first black head football coach.

Croom announced the decision after meeting with athletic director Greg Byrne. It came less than 24 hours after an embarrassing 45-0 loss to No. 25 Mississippi in the most lopsided Egg Bowl in 37 years.

Croom, who took over the team while it was under NCAA sanctions, won 2007 SEC coach of the year honors after leading the Bulldogs to an 8-5 finish and the Liberty Bowl. But the team struggled this season.

Croom came under immediate fire from fans after a season-opening loss to Louisiana Tech of the Western Athletic Conference. The criticism only intensified as the offensively inept Bulldogs stumbled to a 4-8 finish.

Sylvester Croom resigns at Mississippi State....

By Chris Low

Tennessee has reached an agreement with former Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin to take over as the Volunteers' next coach, with an announcement planned for Monday, barring any snags, according to multiple sources.


Kiffin, 33, will be making his college head coaching debut in succeeding Phillip Fulmer, who will coach his last game for the Vols on Saturday.

Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton denied reports on Wednesday that Kiffin had been offered a contract. But Kiffin has been at the forefront of the Vols' search for some time.

Part of the holdup is that Tennessee didn't want to do anything officially this week that would take away from Fulmer's final game Saturday against Kentucky. Fulmer was fired by Hamilton on Nov. 2 and allowed to finish out the season. He's been at Tennessee as a player, assistant coach and head coach for 35 years.

The university has dubbed Saturday's game "Phillip Fulmer Appreciation Day" at Neyland Stadium in celebration of his 17-year tenure.


Kiffin was 5-15 in a year and a half with the Oakland Raiders before being fired earlier this season by team owner Al Davis.

Sources: Tennessee could announce deal with Kiffin on Monday....

Second-ranked Florida is aiming for its' second national championship in three years. This week the Gators take on longtime rival Florida State.

Top-ranked and undefeated Alabama takes on heated rival Auburn this week. This is regarded by many as the most intense rivalry in college football.

Florida State safety Myron Rolle is now one of 32 Americans entitled the opportunity to study at the University of Oxford. Rolle earned his scholarship on Saturday. He then flew to FSU's game, entering the game just before halftime.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said he's had enough of the politicking that has turned the national title race into a campaign. His Sooners are ranked third in the nation, just behind Texas.

• 1. Connecticut (31) 3-0 775
• 2. North Carolina 5-0 736
• 3. California 3-0 677
• 4. Oklahoma 3-1 653
• 5. Texas A&M 3-0 606
• 6. Stanford 3-1 601
• 7. Baylor 4-0 598
• 8. Louisville 3-0 580
• 9. Texas 5-0 484
• 10. Notre Dame 3-0 464
• 11. Rutgers 2-2 440
• 12. Tennessee 3-1 410
• 13. Duke 3-1 406
• 14. Maryland 3-1 367
• 15. Virginia 3-1 355
• 16. Auburn 4-0 324
• 17. Vanderbilt 4-1 281
• 18. Oklahoma State 2-1 196
• 19. Arizona State 2-1 183
• 20. Old Dominion 3-1 144
• 21. Ohio State 3-1 142
• 22. Iowa State 3-0 122
• 23. Purdue 3-0 89
• 24. TCU 4-0 63
• 25. Xavier 2-2 50

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES

Florida State 45, Kansas State 41, Marist 40, Marquette 38, Hartford 29, Michigan State 29, Pittsburgh 18, Gonzaga 14, Texas Tech 12, Nebraska 11, Georgia 9, Syracuse 8, East Carolina 7, LSU 6, Georgia Tech 5, Minnesota 5, Montana 4, Michigan 3, DePaul 2, Liberty 1, North Carolina A&T 1, South Dakota State 1,

• 1. Connecticut (44) 3-0 1124
• 2. North Carolina (1) 5-0 1070
• 3. California 3-0 971
• 4. Oklahoma 3-1 943
• 5. Stanford 3-1 925
• 6. Baylor 4-0 845
• 7. Louisville 3-0 836
• 8. Texas A&M 3-0 741
• 9. Tennessee 3-1 716
• 10. Maryland 3-1 704
• 11. Texas 5-0 664
• 12. Duke 3-1 626
• 13. Rutgers 2-2 583
• 14. Notre Dame 3-0 579
• 15. Auburn 4-0 469
• 16. Virginia 2-1 444
• 17. Vanderbilt 4-1 352
• 18. Oklahoma State 2-1 318
• 19. Purdue 3-0 303
• 20. Ohio State 3-1 258
• 21. Arizona State 2-1 257
• 22. TCU 4-0 211
• 23. Old Dominion 3-1 186
• 24. Michigan State 5-0 79
• 25. Iowa State 3-0 67
• 25. Xavier 2-2 67

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES

Marist 59, Pittsburgh 40, Marquette 30, Florida State 29, Hartford 24, Kansas State 18, LSU 18, Georgia Tech 15, Arkansas 9, DePaul 8, Syracuse 8, Georgia 6, Coastal Carolina 4, Michigan 4, South Dakota State 4, Florida 3, Gonzaga 3, Utah 3, Montana 2,

• 1. North Carolina (31) 3-0 775
• 2. Connecticut 4-0 730
• 3. Louisville 2-0 697
• 4. Pittsburgh 4-0 635
• 5. Duke 6-0 625
• 6. Michigan State 2-0 615
• 7. Texas 2-0 576
• 8. Notre Dame 2-0 551
• 9. Purdue 4-0 516
• 10. Gonzaga 2-0 481
• 11. UCLA 3-1 437
• 12. Tennessee 3-0 434
• 13. Oklahoma 4-0 415
• 14. Arizona State 3-0 343
• 15. Marquette 3-0 284
• 16. Georgetown 2-0 251
• 17. Memphis 4-1 246
• 18. Florida 3-0 238
• 19. Wisconsin 4-0 171
• 20. Xavier 5-0 166
• 21. Miami (FL) 2-1 146
• 22. Villanova 3-0 143
• 23. Kansas 2-0 125
• 24. Wake Forest 2-0 123
• 25. Davidson 3-1 100

Others Receiving Votes

UNLV 58, Saint Mary's 43, Ohio State 29, Baylor 27, West Virginia 19, Washington State 15, Syracuse 14, Siena 10, Creighton 8, Texas A&M 7, Brigham Young 6, USC 4, UAB 3, Clemson 3, Michigan 3, Oklahoma State 2, Washington 1.

• 1. North Carolina (72) 3-0 1,800
• 2. Connecticut 4-0 1,694
• 3. Louisville 2-0 1,646
• 4. Pittsburgh 4-0 1,423
• 5. Michigan State 2-0 1,402
• 6. Texas 2-0 1,355
• 7. Duke 6-0 1,330
• 8. Notre Dame 2-0 1,291
• 9. Gonzaga 2-0 1,222
• 10. Purdue 4-0 1,161
• 11. Oklahoma 4-0 1,094
• 12. Tennessee 3-0 1,005
• 13. UCLA 3-1 916
• 14. Arizona State 3-0 767
• 15. Marquette 3-0 735
• 16. Xavier 5-0 600
• 17. Florida 3-0 535
• 18. Memphis 4-1 500
• 19. Wake Forest 2-0 414
• 20. Villanova 3-0 356
• 21. Georgetown 2-0 349
• 22. Miami (FL) 2-1 272
• 22. Kansas 2-0 272
• 24. Davidson 3-1 238
• 25. Wisconsin 4-0 214

Others Receiving Votes

Baylor 170, Syracuse 115, Saint Mary's 111, UNLV 107, Ohio State 52, Clemson 49, Michigan 42, LSU 25, Texas A&M 25, USC 18, Siena 18, Brigham Young 16, Washington State 13, UAB 12, West Virginia 10, Creighton 6, Missouri 6, Rhode Island 5, Seton Hall 2, Georgia Tech 2, Illinois 2, Mercer 1, Oklahoma State 1, Virginia Military 1.

By MICHAEL MAROT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA has placed Indiana University on three years' probation for a telephone recruiting scandal that decimated the once-storied basketball program.

The governing body on Tuesday imposed stiff penalties on former coach Kelvin Sampson and an assistant.

Sampson made more than 100 impermissible phone calls to recruits made while still on probation for a similar phone-call scandal at Oklahoma. The former assistant is Rob Senderoff, now an assistant at Kent State.

The penalties cap a 20-month saga that began with Sampson's hiring in March 2006. The NCAA faulted the university for inadequate monitoring when Sampson was hired but acknowledged the former coach's conduct was "unprecedented."

NCAA gives Indiana probation over Sampson calls....

• 1. Alabama 11-0
• 2. Florida 10-1
• 3. Texas 10-1
• 4. Texas Tech 10-1
• 5. USC 9-1
• 6. Oklahoma 10-1
• 7. Penn State 11-1
• 8. Utah 12-0
• 9. Boise State 11-0
• 10. Ohio State 10-2
• 11. Oklahoma State 9-2
• 12. Missouri 9-2
• 13. Georgia 9-2
• 14. TCU 10-2
• 15. Ball State 11-0
• 16. Cincinnati 9-2
• 17. Oregon State 8-3
• 18. Georgia Tech 8-3
• 19. Oregon 8-3
• 20. Boston College 8-3
• 21. Brigham Young 10-2
• 22. Michigan State 9-3
• 23. Florida State 8-3
• 24. Mississippi 7-4
• 25. Northwestern 9-3

Others Receiving Votes

West Virginia, Iowa, Pittsburgh, LSU, California.

• 1. Alabama 11-0
• 2. Texas 10-1
• 3. Oklahoma 10-1
• 4. Florida 10-1
• 5. USC 9-1
• 6. Utah 12-0
• 7. Texas Tech 10-1
• 8. Penn State 11-1
• 9. Boise State 11-0
• 10. Ohio State 10-2
• 11. Georgia 9-2
• 12. Oklahoma State 9-2
• 13. Missouri 9-2
• 14. TCU 10-2
• 15. Ball State 11-0
• 16. Cincinnati 9-2
• 17. Oregon State 8-3
• 18. BYU 10-2
• 19. Michigan State 9-3
• 20. Florida State 8-3
• 21. Boston College
• 22. Georgia Tech 8-3
• 23. Oregon 8-3
• 24. Northwestern 9-3
• 25. Pitt 7-3

• 1. Alabama (56) 11-0 1,518
• 2. Oklahoma (4) 10-1 1,412
• 3. Florida (1) 10-1 1,401
• 4. Texas 10-1 1,370
• 5. USC 9-1 1,288
• 6. Penn State 11-1 1,157
• 7. Utah 12-0 1,153
• 8. Texas Tech 10-1 1,073
• 9. Boise State 11-0 1,033
• 10. Ohio State 10-2 994
• 11. Missouri 9-2 896
• 12. Oklahoma State 9-2 858
• 13. Georgia 9-2 842
• 14. TCU 10-2 695
• 15. Ball State 11-0 673
• 16. Cincinnati 9-2 572
• 17. Oregon State 8-3 544
• 18. Oregon 8-3 397
• 19. Brigham Young 10-2 321
• 20. Northwestern 9-3 310
• 21. Michigan State 9-3 296
• 22. Boston College 8-3 290
• 23. Georgia Tech 8-3 241
• 24. Florida State 8-3 204
• 25. West Virginia 7-3 83

Others Receiving Votes

Pittsburgh 43, OLE MISS 40, LSU 30, Iowa 26, WESTRN MICHIGAN 20, Connecticut 15, Maryland 9, Tulsa 6, South Florida 3, Nebraska 3, South Carolina 2, Miami (FL) 2, California 2, Virginia Tech 2, Wake Forest 1.

Dropped From Rankings

LSU 18, Pittsburgh 19, Maryland 23.

• 1. Alabama (63) 11-0 1,622
• 2. Florida (2) 10-1 1,512
• 3. Oklahoma 10-1 1,486
• 4. Texas 10-1 1,482
• 5. USC 9-1 1,352
• 6. Penn State 11-1 1,238
• 7. Texas Tech 10-1 1,212
• 8. Utah 12-0 1,206
• 9. Boise State 11-0 1,064
• 10. Ohio State 10-2 1,043
• 11. Oklahoma State 9-2 997
• 12. Missouri 9-2 917
• 13. Georgia 9-2 874
• 14. TCU 10-2 750
• 15. Ball State 11-0 731
• 16. Cincinnati 9-2 640
• 17. Oregon State 8-3 604
• 18. Georgia Tech 8-3 339
• 19. Oregon 8-3 320
• 20. Boston College 8-3 309
• 20. Brigham Young 10-2 309
• 22. Michigan State 9-3 274
• 23. Florida State 8-3 214
• 24. Northwestern 9-3 145
• 25. OLE MISS 0-0 127

Others Receiving Votes

West Virginia 120, Pittsburgh 108, Iowa 54, LSU 35, California 11, Tulsa 8, WESTRN MICHIGAN 8, South Carolina 5, CENTRL MICHIGAN 5, Connecticut 2, Nebraska 1, Rice 1.

Dropped From Rankings

LSU 18, Pittsburgh 20, Maryland 22, Miami (FL) 23, North Carolina 25.

The fifth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners scored five touchdowns in the second quarter in their win over number two Texas Tech. The Sooners won, 65-21 at Norman, Oklahoma.

Third-ranked Florida easily defeated The Citadel, 70-19 Saturday. Tim Tebow threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 passes.

Penn State earned a trip to the Rose Bowl Saturday. The seventh-ranked Nittany Lions crushed Michigan State, 49-18.

After 18 major-league seasons, Mike Mussina announced his retirement Thursday. A 270-game winner with the Yankees and Orioles, the 40-year old right hander ranks 32nd on baseball's career win list.

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA says the men's basketball Final Four will be played at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington in 2014.

It's also awarded the 2016 men's Final Four to Houston. Those games will be played at Reliant Stadium, home of the Houston Texans.

The 2012 Final Four will be played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, with finals awarded to Atlanta's Georgia Dome in 2013 and the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in 2015.

They were chosen from 10 bids submitted in June. Also competing to host the tournaments were Detroit, Minneapolis, Phoenix and St. Louis.

Houston, Arlington among cities awarded upcoming Final Fours....

Undefeated Utah takes on BYU Saturday. A victory would send the Utes to a BCS bowl game.

Number two Texas Tech travels to Norman Saturday to face the fifth-ranked Sooners. If the Red Raiders win, they clinch a spot in the Big 12 championship game.

ESPN.com

The Bowl Championship Series is coming to ESPN starting in January 2011 (following the 2010 regular season).

ESPN and the BCS announced the deal on Tuesday. It includes exclusive television, radio, digital, international and marketing rights for the Fiesta, Orange and Sugar Bowls. ESPN already had the rights to the Rose Bowl from an earlier agreement

ESPN is currently available in 98 million American homes. The current BCS deal with Fox Sports expires after the 2010 games.

This means the Fiesta, Orange and Sugar Bowls, plus the National Championship Game, will be televised in prime time each January. The schedule has not been released. There will also be a BCS show on ESPN every Sunday to unveil the current rankings.

The games will also be carried on ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes Radio. Digital Media rights include operation of the official BCS Web site and the opportunity to simulcast the games online at ESPN360.com and on ESPN Mobile TV for mobile devices.

ESPN International will distribute and televise the BCS matchups around the world through networks and syndication, including on the re-branded ESPN America in Europe (known as NASN until Feb. 2009). In addition, ESPN has the right to televise BCS games on ESPN Deportes, the U.S. Spanish-language sports network.

ESPN, BCS agree to four-year deal for television, radio, digital rights....

• 1. North Carolina (30) 1-0 774
• 2. Connecticut (1) 1-0 722
• 3. Louisville 0-0 702
• 4. UCLA 2-0 652
• 5. Duke 3-0 587
• 6. Pittsburgh 1-0 585
• 7. Michigan State 1-0 581
• 8. Texas 1-0 571
• 9. Notre Dame 1-0 530
• 10. Purdue 1-0 484
• 11. Gonzaga 1-0 462
• 12. Memphis 1-0 430
• 13. Tennessee 1-0 402
• 14. Oklahoma 1-0 357
• 15. Arizona State 1-0 329
• 16. Miami (FL) 1-0 238
• 17. Marquette 1-0 236
• 18. Georgetown 0-0 234
• 19. Florida 2-0 192
• 20. USC 1-0 173
• 21. Davidson 1-0 160
• 22. Wisconsin 1-0 140
• 23. Villanova 1-0 104
• 24. Kansas 1-0 103
• 25. Wake Forest 1-0 99

Others Receiving Votes

UNLV 48, Saint Mary's 40, Ohio State 27, Xavier 27, Baylor 15, Syracuse 15, West Virginia 15, Virginia Tech 10, Texas A&M 8, Washington 4, Arizona 4, Brigham Young 4, Washington State 3, Clemson 2, Siena 2, Oklahoma State 1, Creighton 1, Tulsa 1, Vanderbilt 1.

• 1. North Carolina (72) 1-0 1,800
• 2. Connecticut 1-0 1,674
• 3. Louisville 0-0 1,635
• 4. UCLA 2-0 1,475
• 5. Michigan State 1-0 1,362
• 6. Pittsburgh 1-0 1,355
• 7. Texas 1-0 1,304
• 8. Notre Dame 1-0 1,243
• 9. Gonzaga 1-0 1,185
• 10. Duke 3-0 1,176
• 11. Purdue 1-0 1,116
• 12. Oklahoma 1-0 1,028
• 13. Memphis 1-0 968
• 14. Tennessee 1-0 941
• 15. Arizona State 1-0 653
• 15. Marquette 1-0 653
• 17. Miami (FL) 1-0 591
• 18. Florida 2-0 460
• 19. USC 1-0 398
• 20. Wake Forest 1-0 349
• 21. Davidson 1-0 339
• 22. Georgetown 0-0 265
• 23. Villanova 1-0 261
• 24. Kansas 1-0 207
• 25. Wisconsin 1-0 187

Others Receiving Votes

Baylor 125, UNLV 116, Saint Mary's 108, Xavier 102, Syracuse 97, Ohio State 49, Clemson 33, Texas A&M 32, LSU 23, Brigham Young 17, Washington State 13, West Virginia 10, Virginia Commonwealth 8, Virginia Tech 8, Siena 7, Vanderbilt 6, Rhode Island 5, Alabama 3, Mercer 3, Creighton 2, UAB 2, Southern Illinois 1, Holy Cross 1, Arizona 1, Cal State Northridge 1, Washington 1, Virginia Military 1.

There was very little movement in the AP College Football Top 25 Poll. The top ten teams remain the same from last week. Alabama is still the top-ranked team in the nation.

• 1. Alabama 11-0
• 2. Texas Tech 10-0
• 3. Texas 10-1
• 4. Florida 9-1
• 5. Oklahoma 9-1
• 6. USC 9-1
• 7. Utah 11-0
• 8. Penn State 10-1
• 9. Boise State 10-0
• 10. Ohio State 9-2
• 11. Georgia 9-2
• 12. Oklahoma State 9-2
• 13. Missouri 9-2
• 14. BYU 10-1
• 15. Michigan State 9-2
• 16. TCU 9-2
• 17. Ball State 10-0
• 18. LSU 7-3
• 19. Cincinnati 8-2
• 20. Pitt 7-2
• 21. Oregon State 7-3
• 22. North Carolina 7-3
• 23. Miami 7-3
• 24. Oregon 8-3
• 25. Maryland 7-3

• 1. Texas Tech 10-0
• 2. Alabama 11-0
• 3. Florida 9-1
• 4. Texas 10-1
• 5. Oklahoma 9-1
• 6. USC 9-1
• 7. Penn State 10-1
• 8. Utah 11-0
• 9. Boise State 10-0
• 10. Oklahoma State 9-2
• 11. Ohio State 9-2
• 12. Missouri 9-2
• 13. Georgia 9-2
• 14. Ball State 10-0
• 15. TCU 9-2
• 16. Brigham Young 10-1
• 17. Michigan State 9-2
• 18. LSU 7-3
• 19. Cincinnati 8-2
• 20. Oregon State 7-3
• 21. Pittsburgh 7-2
• 22. Miami (FL) 7-3
• 23. Maryland 7-3
• 24. Oregon 8-3
• 25. North Carolina 7-3

Others Receiving Votes

Boston College, Northwestern, Georgia Tech, Central Michigan, Western Michigan.

• 1. Alabama (45) 11-0 1,508
• 2. Texas Tech (15) 10-0 1,465
• 3. Florida (1) 9-1 1,373
• 4. Texas 10-1 1,322
• 5. Oklahoma 9-1 1,305
• 6. USC 9-1 1,245
• 7. Utah 11-0 1,113
• 8. Penn State 10-1 1,093
• 9. Boise State 10-0 1,023
• 10. Ohio State 9-2 957
• 11. Missouri 9-2 894
• 12. Oklahoma State 9-2 838
• 13. Georgia 9-2 832
• 14. Brigham Young 10-1 690
• 15. Michigan State 9-2 654
• 16. Ball State 10-0 613
• 17. TCU 9-2 533
• 18. LSU 7-3 429
• 19. Pittsburgh 7-2 406
• 20. Cincinnati 8-2 358
• 21. Oregon State 7-3 321
• 22. Oregon 8-3 169
• 23. Maryland 7-3 140
• 24. Northwestern 8-3 117
• 25. Boston College 7-3 97

Others Receiving Votes

Miami (FL) 74, North Carolina 70, Georgia Tech 67, Florida State 43, West Virginia 19, WESTRN MICHIGAN 16, Connecticut 12, Virginia Tech 7, Iowa 6, Air Force 4, South Carolina 4, Wake Forest 3, CENTRL MICHIGAN 3, Nebraska 2.

Dropped From Rankings

North Carolina 17, Florida State 19, Tulsa 24.

• 1. Alabama (42) 11-0 1,601
• 2. Texas Tech (21) 10-0 1,574
• 3. Florida (2) 9-1 1,476
• 4. Texas 10-1 1,437
• 5. Oklahoma 9-1 1,369
• 6. USC 9-1 1,310
• 7. Penn State 10-1 1,178
• 8. Utah 11-0 1,158
• 9. Boise State 10-0 1,098
• 10. Ohio State 9-2 1,017
• 11. Oklahoma State 9-2 987
• 12. Missouri 9-2 913
• 13. Georgia 9-2 864
• 14. Ball State 10-0 714
• 15. TCU 9-2 659
• 16. Brigham Young 10-1 656
• 17. Michigan State 9-2 612
• 18. LSU 7-3 526
• 19. Cincinnati 8-2 413
• 20. Pittsburgh 7-2 406
• 21. Oregon State 7-3 389
• 22. Maryland 7-3 161
• 23. Miami (FL) 7-3 139
• 24. Oregon 8-3 126
• 25. North Carolina 7-3 115

Others Receiving Votes

Boston College 79, Northwestern 44, Georgia Tech 34, CENTRL MICHIGAN 13, WESTRN MICHIGAN 12, Florida State 11, Iowa 8, West Virginia 6, South Carolina 5, OLE MISS 4, Nebraska 3, Air Force 3, Connecticut 2, California 2, Virginia Tech 1.

Dropped From Rankings

Florida State 20, South Carolina 24.

Javier Arenas returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown as top-ranked Alabama defeated Mississippi State, 32-7 Saturday night. Arenas returned another punt 46 yards to set up an Alabama touchdown.

Third-ranked Florida easily defeated South Carolina, 56-6 Saturday in Gainesville. Percy Harvin ran for a career-high 167 yards in the win.

By STEVE HERMAN

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Minorities are getting more interviews but are still not getting enough jobs in college football, according to the Black Coaches and Administrators.

The study released Wednesday by the group said almost a third of the candidates interviewed last year were minorities, but only four were hired among the 31 openings in the NCAA's two levels of Division I football.

The recent firings of Ty Willingham at Washington and Ron Prince at Kansas State — both effective at the end of the season — left the Bowl Subdivision, the NCAA's top division, with only four blacks, one Latino and one Pacific Islander as head coaches.

"In the world of college football, the facts and statistics reflect an unmistakable bias and a systemic problem that has yet to be fixed. My deep concern is, `Why are the college football hiring practices out of synch?'" said BCA executive director Floyd Keith, who did not have an answer to that question.

"The message in this report is the process is being followed, but the poor hiring results continue," he said.

Among the 31 schools in the FBS and Championship Subdivision, formerly I-A and I-AA, that hired head coaches in the past year, 16 received overall grades of A, which is up from 11 that received the highest grade in the 2007 report, 12 in 2006 and just four in 2005.

BCA: Not enough minorities hired in football....

ESPN.com

The Bowl Championship Series games could be moving to cable television as early as 2010, according to media reports.

The Walt Disney Co., the parent company of ESPN, is among the bidders for the five BCS games -- and according to reports in USA Today and SportsBusiness Daily, the company has bid about $25 million per year more than its closest competitor for the new BCS deal.

Fox's four-year deal with the BCS ends after the 2009 season. If Disney's bid for the new deal is accepted, then the BCS games and the national championship would be aired on ESPN starting in 2010, according to USA Today.

Reports: BCS games might air on cable starting in 2010....

• 1. North Carolina (31) 0-0 775
• 2. Connecticut 0-0 707
• 3. Louisville 0-0 694
• 4. UCLA 0-0 650
• 5. Duke 0-0 578
• 6. Pittsburgh 0-0 576
• 7. Michigan State 0-0 572
• 8. Texas 0-0 538
• 9. Notre Dame 0-0 525
• 10. Purdue 0-0 465
• 11. Gonzaga 0-0 437
• 12. Memphis 0-0 425
• 13. Tennessee 0-0 408
• 14. Oklahoma 0-0 387
• 15. Arizona State 0-0 304
• 16. Miami (FL) 0-0 233
• 17. Marquette 0-0 219
• 18. Georgetown 0-0 175
• 19. Florida 0-0 161
• 20. Davidson 0-0 158
• 21. USC 0-0 153
• 21. Wisconsin 0-0 153
• 23. Kansas 0-0 130
• 24. Wake Forest 0-0 129
• 25. Villanova 0-0 122

Others Receiving Votes

UNLV 60, Saint Mary's 59, Ohio State 54, Baylor 47, Xavier 27, Syracuse 23, Texas A&M 19, LSU 19, Arizona 18, Virginia Tech 15, Brigham Young 13, West Virginia 10, Washington 8, Siena 8, Kentucky 7, Vanderbilt 7, Oklahoma State 4, Clemson 2, Washington State 1.

• 1. North Carolina (72) 0-0 1,800
• 2. Connecticut 0-0 1,661
• 3. Louisville 0-0 1,638
• 4. UCLA 0-0 1,487
• 5. Pittsburgh 0-0 1,319
• 6. Michigan State 0-0 1,311
• 7. Texas 0-0 1,259
• 8. Duke 0-0 1,250
• 9. Notre Dame 0-0 1,243
• 10. Gonzaga 0-0 1,162
• 11. Purdue 0-0 1,099
• 12. Oklahoma 0-0 987
• 13. Memphis 0-0 977
• 14. Tennessee 0-0 920
• 15. Arizona State 0-0 645
• 16. Marquette 0-0 592
• 17. Miami (FL) 0-0 570
• 18. USC 0-0 414
• 19. Florida 0-0 403
• 20. Davidson 0-0 347
• 21. Wake Forest 0-0 312
• 22. Georgetown 0-0 311
• 23. Villanova 0-0 256
• 24. Kansas 0-0 233
• 25. Wisconsin 0-0 196

Others Receiving Votes

Xavier 154, UNLV 143, Baylor 128, Saint Mary's 112, Syracuse 83, Kentucky 75, Ohio State 64, LSU 31, Texas A&M 30, Washington 19, West Virginia 17, Virginia Tech 16, Brigham Young 16, Alabama 16, Siena 13, Washington State 11, Vanderbilt 11, Clemson 11, Arizona 11, Temple 10, Virginia Commonwealth 8, Creighton 7, Butler 7, New Mexico 3, Cleveland State 2, UAB 2, Stanford 2, San Diego 1, American University 1, Cal State Northridge 1, Saint Joseph's 1, Drake 1, Miami (OH) 1.

North Carolina was voted the top team in the AP's preseason poll. The Tar Heels return all five starters, including star Tyler Hansbrough. The Big East may be the nation's best conference. The three-point line was moved back one foot.

USC meets Stanford this week. The Cardinal ruined SC's national title hopes last year with a big upset win.

Third-ranked Florida takes a five-game win streak into this week's contest against South Carolina. Gamecocks' head coach Steve Spurrier led Florida to the national title in 1996.

By ERIC TUCKER

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The Big East conference has promoted John Marinatto to commissioner. He replaces Mike Tranghese, who announced his retirement in June after 18 years as commissioner.

Marinatto is currently the league's senior associate commissioner and he'll begin his new job July 1. He becomes the league's third commissioner.

The appointment was announced Wednesday by Rutgers president Richard McCormick.

Marinatto oversees the conference's finances and has been with Big East for seven seasons. Before joining the conference he was athletic director at Providence College.

Big East promotes Marinatto to commissioner....

By Reid Cherner & Tom Weir

New Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick has broken with his school's tradition of saying little about the job security of coaches, and for Charlie Weis that's a good thing.

Swarbrick, appointed in July, says Weis and his struggling football program won't be evaluated until the season ends. In remarks to ESPN.com's Joe Schad, Swarbrick said flatly that a coaching change is "not under consideration at this time."

Notre Dame is 5-4 this year and 27-19 overall in Weis' four seasons. Weis' predecessor, Tyrone Willingham, was fired after compiling a 21-15 record in three seasons.

Notre Dame AD says Weis is safe for now....

• 1. Alabama 10-0
• 2. Texas Tech 10-0
• 3. Texas 9-1
• 4. Florida 8-1
• 5. Oklahoma 9-1
• 6. USC 8-1
• 7. Utah 10-0
• 8. Penn State 9-1
• 9. Boise State 9-0
• 10. Georgia 8-2
• 11. Ohio State 8-2
• 12. Missouri 8-2
• 13. Oklahoma State 8-2
• 14. Ball State 9-0
• 15. Michigan State 9-2
• 16. North Carolina 7-2
• 17. BYU 9-1
• 18. TCU 9-2
• 19. Florida State 7-2
• 20. LSU 6-3
• 21. Pitt 7-2
• 22. Cincinnati 7-2
• 23. Tulsa 8-1
• 24. Wake Forest 6-3
• 25. South Carolina 7-3

• 1. Texas Tech 10-0
• 2. Alabama 10-0
• 3. Texas 9-1
• 4. Florida 8-1
• 5. Oklahoma 9-1
• 6. USC 8-1
• 7. Penn State 9-1
• 8. Utah 10-0
• 9. Boise State 9-0
• 10. Oklahoma State 8-2
• 11. Ohio State 8-2
• 12. Georgia 8-2
• 13. Missouri 8-2
• 14. Ball State 9-0
• 15. TCU 9-2
• 16. Brigham Young 9-1
• 17. Michigan State 9-2
• 18. North Carolina 7-2
• 19. LSU 6-3
• 20. Florida State 7-2
• 21. Pittsburgh 7-2
• 22. Cincinnati 7-2
• 23. South Carolina 7-3
• 24. Oregon State 6-3
• 25. Tulsa 8-1

Others Receiving Votes

California, Virginia Tech, Air Force, Georgia Tech, Arizona.

• 1. Alabama (44) 10-0 1,508
• 2. Texas Tech (17) 10-0 1,469
• 3. Florida 8-1 1,348
• 4. Oklahoma 9-1 1,314
• 5. Texas 9-1 1,300
• 6. USC 8-1 1,268
• 7. Utah 10-0 1,104
• 8. Penn State 9-1 1,074
• 9. Boise State 9-0 1,028
• 10. Ohio State 8-2 936
• 11. Missouri 8-2 883
• 12. Georgia 8-2 842
• 13. Oklahoma State 8-2 808
• 14. Brigham Young 9-1 679
• 15. Michigan State 9-2 660
• 16. Ball State 9-0 590
• 17. North Carolina 7-2 543
• 18. TCU 9-2 475
• 19. Florida State 7-2 426
• 20. LSU 6-3 409
• 21. Pittsburgh 7-2 311
• 22. Cincinnati 7-2 183
• 23. South Carolina 7-3 155
• 24. Tulsa 8-1 144
• 25. Oregon State 6-3 71

Others Receiving Votes

California 50, Oregon 49, Georgia Tech 38, Virginia Tech 34, Air Force 25, Wake Forest 13, Northwestern 13, Arizona 11, Kansas 11, Maryland 9, Connecticut 8, Minnesota 8, Boston College 7, Iowa 6, Miami (FL) 5, West Virginia 5, WESTRN MICHIGAN 5.

Dropped From Rankings

Georgia Tech 20, Maryland 21, California 22, West Virginia 23, Northwestern 25.

• 1. Alabama (44) 10-0 1,604
• 2. Texas Tech (21) 10-0 1,574
• 3. Florida 8-1 1,467
• 4. Texas 9-1 1,437
• 5. Oklahoma 9-1 1,375
• 6. USC 8-1 1,311
• 7. Penn State 9-1 1,161
• 8. Utah 10-0 1,157
• 9. Boise State 9-0 1,110
• 10. Ohio State 8-2 1,009
• 11. Oklahoma State 8-2 963
• 12. Missouri 8-2 913
• 13. Georgia 8-2 880
• 14. Ball State 9-0 677
• 15. TCU 9-2 623
• 16. Brigham Young 9-1 602
• 17. North Carolina 7-2 597
• 18. Michigan State 9-2 584
• 19. LSU 6-3 552
• 20. Florida State 7-2 380
• 21. Pittsburgh 7-2 318
• 22. Cincinnati 7-2 269
• 23. Oregon State 6-3 124
• 24. South Carolina 7-3 117
• 25. Tulsa 8-1 84

Others Receiving Votes

California 73, Virginia Tech 44, AIRFORCE 40, Georgia Tech 29, Arizona 7, Oregon 6, WESTRN MICHIGAN 6, West Virginia 5, CENTRL MICHIGAN 5, Iowa 5, Miami (FL) 5, Northwestern 3, Boston College 3, Maryland 3, South Florida 1, Wake Forest 1, Kansas 1.

Dropped From Rankings

West Virginia 20, California 21, Georgia Tech 22, Maryland 23.

The second-ranked Red Raiders of Texas Tech crushed eighth-ranked Oklahoma State 56-20. Texas Tech scored touchdowns on seven straight drives.

Top-ranked Alabama remained undefeated after beating LSU in overtime, 27-21. Crimson Tide quarterback John Parker Wilson scored the game-winning touchdown in the extra session.

(Sports Network) - Longtime Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer announced at a Monday afternoon press conference that he will not return as head coach next season.

Fulmer, a Tennessee alum, is in his 17th year as head coach of the Volunteers, who are a dismal 3-6 this season. The Vols are also just 1-5 in SEC play.

"This 2008 season has not gone as well as anyone would like," said Fulmer, whose voice trembled with emotion while reading a statement.

"Many fans have been supportive, some have been angry. All of us are disappointed. Tennessee has the highest expectations for its football team...

"Our Tennessee family is united in its goals, but divided in the right path to get there. I love Tennessee too much to let her stay divided. That is why I have accepted the university's decision that this will be my last as head coach ... I'm more than confident that our assistants and staff will turn this program around.

"I love this university, and hope everybody knows that beyond the shadow of a doubt."

Fulmer done as Tennessee head coach after 2008....

• 1. Alabama 9-0
• 2. Texas Tech 9-0
• 3. Penn State 9-0
• 4. Texas 8-1
• 5. Florida 7-1
• 6. Oklahoma 8-1
• 7. USC 7-1
• 8. Utah 9-0
• 9. Oklahoma State 8-1
• 10. Boise State 8-0
• 11. Ohio State 7-2
• 12. TCU 9-1
• 13. Georgia 7-2
• 14. Missouri 7-2
• 15. BYU 8-1
• 16. LSU 6-2
• 17. Ball State 8-0
• 18. Michigan State 8-2
• 19. North Carolina 6-2
• 20. Georgia Tech 7-2
• 21. California 6-2
• 22. Florida State 6-2
• 23. Maryland 6-2
• 24. Northwestern 7-2
• 25. West Virginia 6-2

• 1. Alabama 9-0
• 2. Penn State 9-0
• 3. Texas Tech 9-0
• 4. Florida 7-1
• 5. Oklahoma 8-1
• 6. Texas 8-1
• 7. USC 7-1
• 8. Oklahoma State 8-1
• 9. Utah 9-0
• 10. Boise State 8-0
• 11. Georgia 7-2
• 12. TCU 9-1
• 13. Ohio State 7-2
• 14. LSU 6-2
• 15. Missouri 7-2
• 16. Brigham Young 8-1
• 17. Ball State 8-0
• 18. Michigan State 8-2
• 19. Florida State 6-2
• 20. Tulsa 8-1
• 21. Minnesota 7-2
• 22. North Carolina 6-2
• 23. California 6-2
• 24. Maryland 6-2
• 25. West Virginia 6-2

Others Receiving Votes

Oregon, Kansas, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Connecticut.

• 1. Alabama (40) 9-0 1,498
• 2. Penn State (14) 9-0 1,437
• 3. Texas Tech (6) 9-0 1,409
• 4. Oklahoma (1) 8-1 1,290
• 5. Florida 7-1 1,268
• 6. USC 7-1 1,232
• 7. Texas 8-1 1,227
• 8. Oklahoma State 8-1 1,066
• 9. Utah 9-0 1,018
• 10. Boise State 8-0 958
• 11. TCU 9-1 862
• 12. Ohio State 7-2 843
• 13. Missouri 7-2 794
• 14. Georgia 7-2 693
• 15. LSU 6-2 683
• 16. Brigham Young 8-1 591
• 17. Michigan State 8-2 516
• 18. Ball State 8-0 503
• 19. North Carolina 6-2 359
• 20. Georgia Tech 7-2 289
• 21. Maryland 6-2 243
• 22. California 6-2 192
• 23. West Virginia 6-2 172
• 24. Florida State 6-2 150
• 25. Northwestern 7-2 120

Others Receiving Votes

Kansas 101, Tulsa 99, Pittsburgh 91, Minnesota 52, South Carolina 18, Oregon State 9, Connecticut 9, Illinois 8, Cincinnati 8, Arizona 5, Miami (FL) 4, South Florida 3, Oregon 3, Kentucky 2.

Dropped From Rankings

Tulsa 18, Minnesota 20, South Florida 23, Oregon 24.

• 1. Alabama (46) 9-0 1,600
• 2. Texas Tech (12) 9-0 1,528
• 3. Penn State (6) 9-0 1,525
• 4. Florida (1) 7-1 1,398
• 5. Texas 8-1 1,353
• 6. Oklahoma 8-1 1,324
• 7. USC 7-1 1,250
• 8. Oklahoma State 8-1 1,198
• 9. Boise State 8-0 1,030
• 10. Utah 9-0 1,028
• 11. TCU 9-1 958
• 12. Ohio State 7-2 898
• 13. Missouri 7-2 830
• 14. Georgia 7-2 808
• 15. LSU 6-2 746
• 16. Ball State 8-0 594
• 17. Brigham Young 8-1 536
• 18. Michigan State 8-2 456
• 19. North Carolina 6-2 418
• 20. West Virginia 6-2 303
• 21. California 6-2 288
• 22. Georgia Tech 7-2 286
• 23. Maryland 6-2 242
• 24. Florida State 6-2 128
• 25. Pittsburgh 6-2 96

Others Receiving Votes

Northwestern 88, Tulsa 72, Kansas 60, Minnesota 23, Cincinnati 16, Oregon State 16, South Carolina 10, Louisville 8, Air Force 6, Arizona 3, CENTRL MICHIGAN 1, South Florida 1.

Dropped From Rankings

Tulsa 19, Minnesota 20, Oregon 23, South Florida 24.

Quarterback Tim Tebow accounted for five touchdowns as No. 5 Florida beat No. 8 Georgia 49-10.