As linebacker Derrick Malone streaked toward the end zone in Oregon's Alamo Bowl rout of Texas last December, his play punctuated one era of Ducks football with an exclamation point. Malone ran back an interception 38 yards to slam the door on the Longhorns' last-ditch rally effort. Oregon's 30-7 romp sent defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti into retirement with style. And while the Alamo Bowl closed a chapter for Oregon, that performance began a new one—a chapter that could end ...

Even tigers like birthday cake, especially when it's a meat cake. LSU's Mike the Tiger turned nine years old on Thursday, and he was lucky enough to get a meat cake for his birthday. That must have made for a great day. [Twitter, h/t SB Nation] Read more College Football news on BleacherReport.com

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — You don’t have to be a genius to figure out what the biggest story of Alabama’s offseason was. It wasn’t coach Nick Saban’s contract extension and raise. It wasn’t cornerback Eddie Jackson having major knee surgery that will keep him out indefinitely. It wasn’t even quarterback Jacob Coker transferring in from Florida State, giving the Crimson Tide a bonafide option under center after AJ McCarron’s departure. (Saban wearing a Luigi hat was pretty close, though.) No, ...

There are a couple of ways around the NCAA's transfer policy, which requires athletes sit out one season after switching colleges. Graduate students are granted immediate eligibility, as are certain players who apply for a hardship waiver. Unfortunately, there is no waiver for players we just want to see at a different program. There is no manual override for a trade that just makes sense on paper, that would make the upcoming season more entertaining to watch. Trades like ...

Do you smell that? It smells like football is in the air. SEC media days is in the books, and pads will start popping in just over a week when fall camps open around the country. So to hold you over until we have real, tangible practice reports to discuss, let's resume the Friday tradition of SEC Q&A after a week off recovering from Hoover. Who will take the snaps in College Station? What should you make ...

On one side is athletic director David Brandon, who has been nationally lauded for his business acumen and overseeing the transformation of the University of Michigan's athletic department. On the other is the Michigan Board of Regents, who thus far have been willing accomplices to Brandon’s dramatic reinvention of Michigan football tradition. The gap between the two sides became apparent last week when the regents rejected a request from the athletic department to have fireworks at two ...

Nebraska football fans are always looking for surprises as fall camp opens. While the established stars are well-known, fall camp provides an opportunity for new playmakers to arise and take the stage for the upcoming season. Therefore, while “sure to surprise” is a bit of a contradiction in terms (much like the advice from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy to “expect the unexpected”), here are five players who might be a bit under the radar ...

De'Andre Johnson is ready to show what he can bring to the Florida State Seminoles. This Florida native has been committed to Jimbo Fisher and the FSU program since 2012. Johnson took some time to talk to Bleacher Report about his recruitment and relationship with Jameis Winston.  How well do you think this stud will do in Tallahassee? Watch the video to see this future Seminole answer some questions at The Opening.   Rankings from 247Sports' composite rankings.  Read more College Football ...

Playing in a new scheme that utilizes his versatility and no longer hindered by injury, USC junior Leonard Williams is poised to be college football's premier defensive lineman in the coming season.Williams returns as the Trojans' defensive leader from a 2013 campaign in which he recorded 73 tackles, five sacks, four quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a blocked kick. It was enough to earn Williams All-American recognition—and he did it all with a lingering shoulder injury ...

To win a college football national championship, a strong quarterback is a must. Contenders must have someone who can handle the pressure, someone who isn’t afraid to face a fourth-quarter deficit and lead his team on a crucial drive with 80,000 hostile fans screaming in his ear. Teams need someone they can trust. Ideally, a veteran. This fall, some college football playoff contenders won’t have that luxury. While Jameis Winston proved in 2013 that experience isn’t a must ...