National University Catalog

What if Notre Dame were to do the unthinkable? With all the college football expansion talk centered around the potential for adding a team or more to the Big 10, what if the biggest fish of all, Notre Dame football, decided to follow its basketball program and join the Big East? Over the past two days, reports have circulated that Notre Dame might be reconsidering its position as one of college football's last bastions of independence. That the Irish might actually be entertaining the thought of joining a conference for football, too. And with that talk has come the most obvious possibility, i.e., that Notre Dame will join the Big Ten, the conference it spurned not so long ago. Apparently, Notre Dame has what's been described as an "open invitation" to join the Big Ten. And many think that would be the most obvious choice for ND should they decide to change their thinking on their independent status. But what if there were another alternative? One that would allow them to, in a way, maintain a sort of "independence." By joining the Big East, Notre Dame would immediately become the linchpin of the conference's football fortunes. They wouldn't have to play second fiddle to anyone. And that would be the case from the day they might make that choice. On the other hand, if they were to join the Big Ten, would their relevance be even further watered down? Playing alongside the Big Ten's big ...

When spring practice starts up, Oklahoma Sooners coach Bob Stoops typically gives his upperclassmen a light load, looking instead to find out where the youngsters stand. Heralded newcomers start to prove whether they're buzz-worthy or not, while the veterans take a backseat. With spring practice starting this week, here are the 10 story lines for OU fans to keep an eye on.   1. Donald Stephenson's Development After the 2009 season, the OU coaches let Sooner Nation in on a little secret that was equal parts encouraging and irritating: One of the team's most talented offensive lineman spent the entire year on suspension. If Stephenson really is that good, he would've helped during last season's 7-5 debacle. And if Stephenson really is that good, it's yet another reason to expect OU's O-line will show significant improvement in 2010.   2. Jermie Calhoun's Spot in the Backfield Rotation Position coach Cale Gundy clearly prefers a two-headed monster at tailback, and with Chris Brown out of the picture, it leaves a hole for someone to share time with senior DeMarco Murray. Promising freshman Jonathan Miller will miss spring workouts rehabbing a knee injury, and Murray—a known commodity already—likely won't see much action. That should leave plenty of opportunities for the highly touted Calhoun to stake his claim to a spot in the rotation. Heading into his third year in the program, it's time for Calhoun to make a move.   3. Justin Chaisson's Big Move The cat is finally out of the bag: ...

After almost a month and a half, Oregon Ducks QB Jeremiah Masoli and ex-WR Garrett Embry each were charged with one count of burglary in the second degree today. The charges stem from accusations that the two players stole two computers and a guitar from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house near the Oregon campus Jan. 25. Because of the length of time it took police to charge them—probably because they wanted to make sure they had enough evidence to convict—we say they’re guilty. So now, the question is: How long will Oregon head coach Chip Kelly suspend Masoli? Oregon LB Kiko Alonso got a DUI earlier this year, and he was suspended for the entire 2010 season—so you figure a straight jacking has got to get you at least half that. That is if the coach doesn’t play favorites—which he totally should. We aren’t going to talk about jail time because we figure Masoli can get off with some community service. We’ll have updates on Friday, when he is set to be arraigned and enter his plea. FratHouseSports - The Coolest College Sports Destination Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

By now we are all well aware that former Texas Longhorn’s quarterback Colt McCoy didn’t work out (throwing) at the combine as he is waiting for his pro day to show NFL scouts what he can do.  McCoy says that his arm is fully healed from the nerve injury he suffered in the National Championship game and he is ready to impress those that are looking for a quarterback. McCoy’s combine numbers were decent enough.  He came in at 6’1” weighing 216 pounds.  His hands weren’t as big as you might like to see but they are adequate for a quarterback (9’ 3/8”) and his 40 time was respectable at 4.79 for a quarterback.  He also did the broad jump and got that in 9’6”. As mentioned, McCoy didn’t do any other drills at the combine and is saving them for his Pro Day. However, other big name quarterbacks didn’t throw either (guys like Sam Bradford and Jimmy Clausen), so had McCoy chosen to throw that day he could have stole the show.  Perhaps he could have significantly improved his draft stock at the combine if he would have thrown in absence of the other guys (who are rated ahead of him).  Still, perhaps it was best decision knowing his injury status. McCoy has to do very well at his Pro Day in order to improve his draft position.  Right now, many experts have him going in the middle-second to early-third round but with a solid ...

You can't tell me that with all the recent talk of expansion in college football, especially surrounding the Pac-10 and the Big 10, that the SEC is content to remain on the sidelines. You just can't. I mean, c'mon. If you and I know about this stuff, can you imagine what's going on behind closed doors at SEC headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama? Or what's being whispered into the cell phones between SEC member school athletic directors, presidents, boosters, and mascots? The SEC was pretty much out in front of things back in 1991 when they expanded to their present 12 team format. But that was 20 years ago. Can you believe it? Almost a quarter century! Now what? Now that the cat's out of the bag (or should I say, the Irish are in the bag?), who's going to tell the emperor that the flaps are open on the robe? And that we're all downwind? There are a million and one permutations and opinions as to what school is going to join which conference, and when and why. But what if one of the biggies leaking oil and getting a little loose in the corners expand to, say, a 14 or more member league? What if one of those conferences that wants to be a bigger big-leaguer does an end-around, drops an extra ExtenZe tablet, and "out-SECs" the SEC? What then? What now? Do you really think the SEC power pups haven't contemplated this yet? Like they're just sort of hanging ...