NCAA Football:
Big East Expansion: Villanova Moving Closer, USF Hates UCF - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
As we all know, the Big East wants to expand to ten teams. The easiest fix is Villanova (even though we all know adding Villanova does nothing for us). Whatever. If they want in, they can be in and we'll welcome them with open arms by the time they get here in 2083.
Lane Kiffin, USC skirting recruiting sanctions with appeal pending - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
Despite severe NCAA sanctions that many expect will cripple USC at some point in the near future, Kiffin is on the verge of landing his second straight top five recruiting class since returning to Heritage Hall. If there's a cloud surrounding the program, it didn't dissuade top-rated cornerback De'Anthony Thomas (Los Angeles) or All-American quarterbacks Cody Kessler (Bakersfield, Calif.) and Max Wittek (Orange County) from committing.
It is probably a good time for Jeff Hathaway to start updating his resume - The UConn Blog
There are exactly four constituent groups that an athletic director needs to appease to keep his job. They are, in increasing order of importance: the fans, the coaches, the press and the donors. As of this morning, UConn athletic director Jeff Hathaway is 0-4.
Mountain West Conference Expansion Not Happening; Sorry, Utah State And San Jose State - SBNation.com
The Board feels strongly the membership configuration already established going forward creates outstanding prospects for future success. In addition, we are continuing with our strategic initiatives related to our television partnerships and the MWC’s efforts to effect change in the BCS structure.
Tate Forcier Transfer Options Include Miami, Washington - SBNation.com
Former Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tate Forcier, who infamously sent out multiple tweets to announce he was transferring from the school, has announced a list that could include his next landing spot. Forcier is considering a wide range of schools that includes Washington, Miami, New Mexico, San Diego State, Middle Tennessee State and Baylor. Plus he is considering a few FCS schools in Montana, South Carolina State and Florida A&M.
Mike Leach's Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Against Texas Tech Thrown Out By Court - SBNation.com
Mike Leach's wrongful termination lawsuit filed against Texas Tech has been thrown out by the 7th Court of Appeals, essentially ruling that the school is "immune to Leach's attempts to receive monetary damages from the university." Leach can appeal.
MAC Football:
FalconBlog--Triumphs and Trials in the BGSU Falcon Nation: Falcons Pick up 2nd Ball State De-Commit
The Falcons have picked up their second player who de-committed to Ball State following the demise of the Parrish regime. They are both d-lineman. Bryan Baird was the first, and now NG Hunter Maynard has come into the Falcon fold.
UB Athletics:
Miami Tops in Women's Tennis Preseason Polls - MAC-Sports.com—Official Web Site of the Mid-American Conference
Returning Second-Team All MAC honorees from last year include Akron sophomore Angelika Jogasuria, Miami's junior Stephanie Danesis and senior Megan Martzolf, and Buffalo senior Alexsandra Petrova.
Smith Wins Third Wrestler of the Week Honor - Buffalo Athletics
Coming off a first-place finish at the New York State Collegiate Championships, redshirt junior Kevin Smith was named the Mid American Conference's wrestler of the week for January 17-23, the conference announced from its offices in Cleveland this morning. It was his third honor of the season.