Making the morning rounds.
? So, how do you feel about Michigan, guys? Defying ominous forecasts, Ohio State students staged their annual end-of-semester mosh pit Tuesday night in and around Mirror Lake, the first time since 2004 they've invaded its freezing, urine-tinged waters as underdogs against Michigan. Of course, neither the weather nor the point spread nor the imminent prospect of landing in the Ticket City Bowl at 6-6 could dampen the spirit of wasted 20-year-olds at the beginning of a five-day break, though presumably someone was alert enough to eradicate a certain tag. [The Lantern, TheColumbusDispatch, Associated Press, MGoBlog]
? Trouble in paradise (maybe). Honolulu Police have looked into allegations of point-shaving by Hawaii football players, based on an anonymous letter received by the university earlier this month. And that's about all we know, really: As of late Tuesday night, the Who, How, When, Why and To What Extent have not been answered ? it's not certain whether the allegations involve current players, or whether the anonymous letter even went into that much detail ?�and police said they're not pursuing an investigation because of a lack of evidence. At 5-6 with losses to UNLV, San Jose State and Utah State, Hawaii has been one of the more disappointing teams in the nation, and has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six.
"Recognizing the seriousness of these allegations, UH leadership acted promptly and responsibly by immediately alerting the Honolulu Police Department and providing the letter to them," the university said in a statement. "UH has alerted the NCAA about the anonymous letter and its contents and, in discussions with them, has been informed that it is 'doing exactly what you need to be doing' in this situation." [Honolulu Star Advertiser, USA Today]
? It's not me, it's you. Flirtations between the Big East and BYU have hit a dead end, thwarting the league's latest attempt to add a natural travel partner to go with another expected addition, Boise State. The deal-breaker, predictably, was television rights: BYU wants to keep its current deal with ESPN, which calls for all but one Cougar home game per season to be broadcast by the Worldwide Leader at a benefit to the university of somewhere between $1 million and $2 million per game. The rest of the conference's reaction to that: "Yeah... no."
The Big East already has pending invitations to six other schools ?�Air Force, Boise State and Navy in football and Central Florida, Houston and SMU in all sports ? to bring membership in football to eleven after current members Pittsburgh, Syracuse and West Virginia leave for their respective destinations (whenever that may be), and now shifts its focus for a 12th member to San Diego State. That's right, San Diego State. Do the math, UConn fans. [Associated Press, San Diego Union-Tribune]
? Garrett Uekman update. According to a coroner's report, the sudden death of Arkansas tight end Garrett Uekman on Sunday morning was caused by a fatal heart condition that had gone previously undetected. Uekman, 19, was found his dorm room around 11:15 a.m. Sunday, roughly an hour after a teammate last saw him playing video games. The report found no indication of substance abuse. [Associated Press]
? Getting to know you. Rich Rodriguez's first move as Arizona's new head coach? Meeting his new players where they live, literally: "I want all our coaches to sit down with them where they live ? go to their apartment or their house or their dorm room ? and see if they're living the right lifestyle," Rodriguez told the Tucson Citizen. "I don't know these guys. I want to get to know them and their families. And that takes a process." He'll also continue his old habit of beginning morning meetings by quizzing coaches on players' names and hometowns.
Oh, and he'll be making a little under $2 million a year, which frankly ? for a 48-year-old offensive innovator with a pair of BCS bowls to his credit ?�is kind of a bargain. [Tucson Citizen]
Quickly? Jerry Sandusky's bail could go up if he's hit with new charges, possibly forcing him back into prison. ? Nevada boots its leading rusher ? who is also its leading kick returner ? for an undisclosed violation of "team rules and protocol." ? A new Ohio State commit "hopes" and "expects" to play for Urban Meyer next year. ? UCLA confirms alternate uniforms are in the works for Saturday's trip to USC. ? And hey, look, another report that Urban Meyer has agreed to become Ohio State's next coach.
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Matt Hinton is on Facebook and Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.
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