Ben Maller's college sports rumors
by FOXSports.com
Sooners QB Nichol headed to Mich State or Mich?
Oklahoma QB Keith Nichol is not ruling out any schools, but said Michigan State -- which he made an oral commitment to in high school before switching and signing with Oklahoma -- and Michigan are possibilities. The factors of style and coach are not obstacles. He knows MSU coach Mark Dantonio from when Dantonio recruited him as Cincinnati's coach and has watched U-M coach Rich Rodriguez. College coaches cannot comment on a transfer until he is officially released. "Michigan State runs the style like OU did, and the Michigan (spread offense) style I did in high school," Nichol said. "After a year in the pro style at Oklahoma and three of the spread in high school, so I am comfortable with both." -- Detroit Free Press
Former Oklahoma coach Blake hopes to lead another football program
Quietly and with far less fanfare, former Oklahoma head coch John Blake has too revived his career by developing a reputation as a top-notch position coach. For that reason, Blake is hoping one day he'll be offered another shot to be a head coach in college football. "I will be a head coach again, there's no doubt in my mind," said Blake, who just completed his first season coaching the defensive line at North Carolina. "There's a lot of things I have learned as an assistant coach these past 10 years. Lots of coaches like Bill Belichick and Mike Shanahan have had success with second opportunities. I learned a lot as a young coach." Indeed, Blake was young, 34 to be exact, when he was hired by OU in 1995 after coaching defensive line for the Dallas Cowboys under Barry Switzer. ... Blake said he can afford to be patient for now, since he's enjoying himself as an assistant. After stints at Mississippi State and Nebraska, Blake was hired to UNC last year by Butch Davis, whom he got to know while both were assistants together at Dallas. It didn't take long for Blake to make an impact in Chapel Hill. -- Oklahoman
Bowden facing building pressure at Clemson
Clemson showed clear confidence in Tommy Bowden by extending his contract after Arkansas came calling last fall. But, if he can't get the job done with this group, many will wonder why. -- Anderson Independent Mail
Bama's McCain okay after motorcycle accident
That, as much as anything, is what kept Alabama sophomore linebacker Rolando McClain from being injured when, on his first day with his new motorcycle, he skidded under another vehicle. McClain came away with scrapes and bruises, but no broken bones. Keeping priorities straight here, let's say first that it is great news for the McClain family, just another of the narrow scrapes that happen with teenagers. Second, it is also good news for the Alabama football team. It is possible for off-season events to have big in-season ramifications, and it is hard to think of any occurrence that would impact the Crimson Tide defense more significantly than an event that limited McClain's availability. -- Tuscaloosa News
Former sportswriter throws USC's Mayo under bus?
The NCAA is expected to launch an investigation into allegations USC basketball star O.J. Mayo received thousand of dollars in money and gifts from an agent's representative, athletic department sources said Sunday. The investigation follows Sunday's ESPN report that Mayo took about $30,000 in cash and other gifts from his mentor, Rodney Guillory, on behalf of sports agent Bill Duffy, who eventually signed Mayo last month. The allegations were made by Louis Johnson, a former sports writer at the Long Beach Press- Telegram, who was part of Mayo and Guillory's inner circle. Johnson told ESPN that Mayo received illegal benefits from Guillory, an omnipresent figure around USC since Mayo enrolled last summer. The gifts included a flat-screen TV, cell phone, clothes, shoes, meals and airline tickets. Guillory personally received $200,000 from Duffy's sports agency, Johnson said. Johnson gave ESPN receipts for many purchases, including the cell phone. Although Johnson regularly attended USC games and pickup games at the Galen Center, he said there was a falling out with Guillory in March that led to his going public with his information. Johnson said he did not think USC officials were aware of the cash and gifts Mayo received. But USC's had a contradictory relationship with Guillory since Mayo expressed an interest in playing for the Trojans. Guillory and Johnson were present in the locker room at USC games the year before -- LA Daily News
Gators dump alleged credit card thief off team
Urban Meyer has officially kicked Jamar Hornsby off of the University of Florida football team. Hornsby was going to be a star in the UF secondary coming out of Sandalwood High School, but has turned into nothing more than a problem. His latest incident landed him in an Alachua County Jail, and could leave him with prison time. The only certain thing is he will not be with the UF football team this fall. Honsby is charged with using a dead girl's credit card for up to $3,000. Ashley Slonina was killed last fall in a motorcycle accident with another former UF football player Michael Guilford, who was also killed in the accident. -- North Florida NewsDail
Notre Dame's Weis appointed by President Bush
Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis has been appointed to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities by President George W. Bush. Weis was one of 13 people appointed to the committee; he begins a two-year term today. "I'm honored to have been appointed a member of the President's Committee," Weis said in a statement. "On behalf of my wife, Maura, our son, Charlie, and daughter, Hannah, who is globally developmentally delayed, I look forward to using my voice to help raise awareness and doing some good for individuals with special needs that may not have that ability to do so on their own. "I'm very appreciative to President Bush for this appointment and am excited about the opportunity." -- Detroit Free Press
How About That?
For the second time in three years since the ACC expanded to 12 schools, just four of its teams were selected for the NCAA tournament. Despite having the highest conference RPI for 2007-08, the ACC received fewer NCAA bids than the Big East, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC. The RPI, or Ratings Percentage Index, ranks teams and conferences based on winning percentages and schedule strength. The ACC has led the RPI four times in the past five years. -- Charlotte Observer
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