Chris Dufresne on Penn State, BCS scenarios and more [Video]

Penn State got back to football on Saturday, but the cloud of the Jerry Sandusky scandal still looms large. The Times' Chris Dufresne tells CineSport's Noah Coslov that even though the Nittany Lions are bowl-eligible, we may not see them playing beyond the regular season.

Dufresne also discusses BCS championship scenarios, which may be a lot simpler than it appeared a couple weeks ago. As he wrote on Monday:

Louisiana State and Oklahoma State are, indisputably, the two top teams and headed for a quarrel-free collision in the BCS title game.

LSU and Oklahoma State are the only remaining undefeated schools from the six major conferences.

The Tigers and Cowboys were a rock-solid 1-2 in Sunday's release of the weekly BCS standings.

LSU needs only to beat Mississippi on the road and Arkansas at home and then win the Southeastern Conference title game to play for its third BCS title since 2002. The Tigers won the two previous title games played in New Orleans (2003 and 2007).

Oklahoma State needs a win at Iowa State this week and then to beat Oklahoma in Stillwater on Dec. 3.

Dufresne also discusses Andrew Luck's Heisman Trophy prospects after Stanford's loss to Oregon on Saturday.

ALSO:

USC turns its focus to preparing for Oregon

Big Ten removes Joe Paterno's name from trophy

A good week for Oregon, Houston in BCS standings

Penn State scandal: Joe Paterno news conference abruptly canceled

Penn State Coach Joe Paterno's weekly Tuesday news conference was abruptly canceled as writers from all over the country descended on State College, Pa., in the wake of an alleged sex scandal involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

The news conference was scheduled for 12:20 p.m. EST, but reporters were told they would only be allowed to ask football-related questions regarding Saturday's home game against Nebraska.

[Updated at 9:22 a.m.: Paterno's son, Scott, told the Associated Press that his father was prepared to take questions concerning the scandal but that university President Graham Spanier's office decided instead to cancel the news conference.

It would have provided the press its first opportunity to ask Paterno what he knew about the allegations against Sandusky, who was indicted on charges of sexually abusing eight boys over 15 years. Paterno is not a target of the investigation, but the state police commissioner has said the legendary coach and other school officials should have done more to try to stop the suspected abuse.]

Also canceled was Paterno's regularly scheduled segment on the Big Ten coaches' conference call.

The pressure continues to mount on the school in the wake of the scandal. A Harrisburg Patriot-News editorial Tuesday called for Penn State President Graham Spanier to resign immediately and for Paterno to resign at the end of the season.

"Paterno should be allowed to finish out the year and retire with the honor and admiration he has earned since taking over as head coach in 1966," the editorial stated. "It might always be honor with an asterisk, admiration with a shake of the head. Joe will have to live with that."

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Should Joe Paterno resign over the Sandusky scandal? [Poll]

Two Penn State officials face arraignment in Sandusky scandal

-- Chris Dufresne

chris.dufresne@latimes.com     

Photo: Joe Paterno. Credit: Jim Prisching / Associated Press

Chris Dufresne discusses LSU-Alabama, Stanford and more [Video]

 

Times' columnist Chris Dufresne looks back on Saturday's so-called Game of the Century between LSU and Alabama, which he says for the most part did not live up to the pre-game hype.

As he said in Sunday's column:

Neither bruising team Saturday could even bruise the end zone. There might as well have been a sign posted on the goal line: Keep Off The Grass.

The game had plenty of passion and drama, but it was more a throwback to "Leatherheads" than a modern-day keeper.

After losing the game, 9-6 in overtime, Alabama slipped just one spot in the BCS standings to No. 3, a ranking which Dufresne calls both fair and unfair. While the Crimson Tide did miss four field goals and lose a big game at home, it also lost that game in overtime to the top-ranked team in the country.

He also previews this week's big college matchup between Pac-12 rivals No. 4 Stanford and No. 7 Oregon, and talks about the Cardinal's chances of making it to the BCS championship game.

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The week ahead in college football

With the BCS, the defense never rests

Chris Dufresne previews Alabama-LSU showdown and more [Video]

 

 

In Friday's video mailbag, Chris Dufresne is surprised to learn that an Alabama fan actually agrees with his column from Thursday, in which he wrote:

Alabama will get its chance to beat LSU on Saturday, and LSU will get its chance to beat Alabama. Neither team should get a second chance.

The loser of Saturday's game, in the rematch scenario, would not have even won its division of the SEC. And although there is no BCS rule against a non-champion earning a title berth, there was outrage when Nebraska got to the 2001 title game without winning the Big 12 North and calls for inquiry in 2003 when Oklahoma ended up No. 1 in the BCS standings despite being shellacked by Kansas State in the Big 12 title game.

In a flawed, beauty pageant sport with no playoff, there is no room for second chances.

In a video interview with CineSport's Tara Petrolino, Dufresne goes on to reiterate his stance that a rematch may be desirable under certain circumstances, such as a classic showdown between the two SEC rivals on Saturday and losses by teams such as Oklahoma State, Stanford and Boise State.

Dufresne also discusses the chances of Stanford going to the BCS title game and the passion of college football fans.

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Stanford band does a number on the ordinary

College football on TV: What to watch on Saturday

Chris Dufresne: The biggest NCAA football game since ... [Video]

The Times' Chris Dufresne discusses the significance of Alabama vs. LSU and how Stanford's triple-overtime win over USC will affect Andrew Luck's Heisman Trophy hopes.

Chris Dufresne empties out the college football mailbag

Times college football columnist Chris Dufresne empties out the L.A. Times mailbag.

This week, Dufresne discusses a variety of topics, including:

Penn State.

Kansas State.

Utah.

You can watch Dufresne discuss all these topics in the video below:

 

 

Chris Dufresne recaps a wild weekend of college football [Video]

The Times' Chris Dufresne talks about a Hail Mary in East Lansing, a bad loss for Oklahoma and USC's trip to South Bend.

Chris Dufresne opens up the college football mailbag on the UCLA debacle

 

 

College football: Sizing up the first BCS standings [Video]

 

The Times' Chris Dufresne discusses what stands out in the first BCS standings and how injuries could affect the title race.

NCAA finds no major violations at Auburn

Anyone up for a second championship parade in Auburn?

The NCAA on Wednesday released a statement saying that, barring new evidence, no major violations could be substantiated against Auburn's football program.

The news pretty much assures this will not be a repeat of USC and Reggie Bush. Auburn will get to keep its 2010 BCS title and Cam Newton will keep his Heisman Trophy.

USC was forced to vacate its 2004 BCS championship after the school admitted to violations that made Bush an ineligible player that season. Bush was also stripped of his 2004 Heisman Trophy. USC received a two-year bowl ban and the loss of 30 football scholarships.

Last year, the NCAA determined Newton's father did break rules by shopping his son to Mississippi State, but there was no credible evidence Cam Newton or Auburn knew of the violation.

Here is the NCAA's statement on Auburn:

"After conducting more than 80 interviews, the NCAA has concluded its investigation into Auburn University. The NCAA enforcement staff is committed to a fair and thorough investigative process. As such, any allegations of major rules violations must meet a burden of proof, which is a higher standard than rampant public speculation online and in the media. The allegations must be based on credible and persuasive information and includes a good-faith belief that the Committee on Infractions could make a finding. As with any case, should the enforcement staff become aware of additional credible information, it will review the information to determine whether further investigation is warranted." 

— Chris Dufresne

chris.dufresne@latimes.com

twitter.com/DufresneLATimes

Arizona fires Mike Stoops

The first Pacific 12 Conference coach fired this year won't be UCLA's Rick Neuheisel. Instead, it was the coach of UCLA's next opponent.

In a somewhat surprising move, given that the season is only half over, Arizona announced Monday it had fired Mike Stoops six games into his eighth season. The school announced that defensive coordinator Tim Kish would be the interim coach for the rest of the season.

Arizona has been reeling of late, losing 10 straight games to Division 1opponents dating back to last season. The Wildcats fell to 1-5 this year after losing last weekend at previously winless Oregon State. Arizona's only win this season came against 1-AA Northern Arizona.

"We're appreciative of Mike's dedicated work for the Arizona Wildcats," Athletic Director Greg Byrne said in a statement. "Coach Stoops had many successes as our head coach over the last eight seasons. It was a difficult decision but I feel now is the time for new leadership and direction."

Stoops leaves with a 41-50 overall record and was 27-38 in conference games. Arizona stuck with Stoops through four straight non-winning seasons before he broke through with an 8-5 season in 2008. He followed with another 8-5 year and started 7-1 last year before losing five straight.

Arizona has faced a brutal stretch of late, losing twice each to Oregon, Stanford and Oklahoma State during the recent downturn.

Arizona's last win over a major college school was, ironically, at UCLA last Oct. 30. The Wildcats have a bye this week before hosting UCLA on Oct. 20.

 -- Chris Dufresne

chris.dufresne@latimes.com

Photo: Mike Stoops patrols the sideline during Saturday's loss to Oregon State at Reser Stadium. Credit: Jim Z. Rider / US Presswire

 

 

Chris Dufresne: BCS Dream or Nightmare? [Video]

The Times' Chris Dufresne talks about college football's 13 undefeated teams and what's in store when the BCS rankings are released.

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Chris Dufresne answers reader questions about Michigan, college football [video]

Every week, CineSport's Noah Coslov empties out the L.A. Times mailbag with Times college football columnist Chris Dufresne. This week they talk MLB and Michigan football.

 

 

Big 12 authorizes move to invite Texas Christian

Wait a minute ... wasn't Texas Christian heading to the Big East?

Yes, but that was yesterday. A lot can change in the rapid-fire world of college football. The Big 12 Conference, seemingly on the brink of extinction only days ago, announced Thursday morning that it had authorized its board of directors to begin negotiations to make TCU its 10th member.

"The action of the board was without dissent," the Big 12 said in a statement. "On the advice of legal counsel The University of Missouri did not participate in the vote."

This really is an Abbott and Costello routine. Missouri did not vote because it is mulling a decision to join the Southeastern Conference. Texas Christian, which plays in the Mountain West Conference, agreed last year to join the Big East Conference in 2012.

But nothing lasts forever in the breakneck world of college football realignment. Sometimes, things never get started.

The TCU move, if approved, is a boon to the Big 12 and a blow to the Big East, which has already lost Syracuse and Pittsburgh to the Atlantic Coast Conference and now must scramble to stay solvent.

"We’re proud that TCU has been invited to join the Big 12," Texas Athletic Director DeLoss Dodds said in a statement. "Their commitment to academics and success on the field make them an excellent fit. With a solid budget and strong financial support, they have been proactive at improving facilities. Their close proximity to all conference institutions makes for a comfortable travel situation."

The Big 12, which lost Nebraska (Big Ten) and Colorado (Pac 12), will technically be back to 10 teams if TCU joins and Missouri stays.

If Missouri ends up becoming the SEC's 14th member, the Big 12 will need to add another team and might possibly add three more. The Big East will be down to six football-playing schools and will need to restock quickly to remain in the BCS rotation.

Ironically, the Big East may have to invite Temple back into the fold. The Owls were kicked out of the Big East after the 2004 season because of their lack of success in football. Temple is currently a member of the Mid-American Conference.

-- Chris Dufresne

chris.dufresne@latimes.com

Chris Dufresne discusses the week in college football [Video]

The Times' Chris Dufresne talks about Andrew Luck's under-the-radar season, Ohio State and the Red River Rivalry.

Chris Dufresne looks back at Week 3 in college football [video]

Times college football columnist Chris Dufresne discuss a controversial ending from Week 3, Wisconsin vs. Nebraska, and Texas A&M going to the SEC.

 

 

Chris Dufresne answers your college football questions [video]

Times college football columnist Chris Dufresne empties the L.A. Times mailbag to answer your college football questions:

 

 

Scott McKibben resigns as Rose Bowl executive director

 

The Tournament of Roses President Rick Jackson issued a statement Thursday to announce Scott McKibben, citing personal reasons, would be resigning as executive director.

"William B. Flinn, the Tournament's longstanding chief operating officer, will assume the role of interim executive director," the statement said. "With our excellent volunteers, our very capable management committee and Tournament of Roses staff support, we anticipate a smooth transition leading to a successful 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade and 98th Rose Bowl Game."

McKibben could not immediately be reached for comment.

McKibben was named Rose Bowl executive director in 2009, replacing Mitch Dorger. McKibben was previously executive vice president and chief revenue officer for the Los Angeles Times Media Group.

-- Chris Dufresne

 Photo: The UCLA Bruins take the field against Oregon State on Nov. 5 at the Rose Bowl. Credit: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times.

Commentary: College football turns itself in to authorities

Arrest warrants were issued Friday for two Louisiana State players, but these days, really, it could have been any school or anybody. Why pick on LSU?

The hope now, according to sources, is that there will be enough eligible coaches and players to kick off the season, which actually can't get here soon enough Thursday.

The Generic Campus Glee Club has deemed this year's theme "College Football's Lost Summer (and Spring)."

The Sept. 3 marquee match-up, LSU vs. Oregon in Arlington, Texas, has become a microcosm for a sad state of recent affairs.

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson and linebacker Joshua Johns turned themselves in to Baton Rouge, La., authorities Friday and are facing second-degree battery charges, a felony, stemming from an Aug. 19 bar fight that reportedly involved several players.

The players' status for next week's big opener has yet to be determined. Some LSU fans long disgruntled with Jefferson's erratic play might welcome a six-game suspension.

LSU, though, is already playing without star receiver Russell Shepard while the school and NCAA sort out his possible relationship with Willie Lyles. He's the scouting service provider also under scrutiny for his involvement with Oregon, which has hired outside counsel to battle its own NCAA inquiry.

Oregon can be relieved Shepard is not playing because the Ducks will be without top cornerback Cliff Harris, suspended after a DUI charge that involved Harris and his car allegedly being clocked at 118 mph. Oregon quarterback Darren Thomas was in the car, but said he basically slept through the entire incident.

LSU vs. Oregon could be called "The Embarrassment Bowl." Updates in The Great LSU Bar Fight came the same day Miami ruled several players, including starting quarterback Jacory Harris, ineligible while the school sorts out their connections to Ponzi-schemer Nathan Shapiro.

When will it ever end? USC announced it wouldn't fight the NCAA appeal it lost over rules it admitted to violating. Even though the chair of the infractions committee that presided over the Trojans' case was the former athletic director at ... Miami.

It's also, apparently, cause for celebration these days when a coach, Lane Kiffin of USC, won't face major NCAA sanctions for his misdeeds at Tennessee.

Should you get "Employee of the Month" for that?

Texas A&M this week also formally notified the Big 12 it is exploring options pertaining to conference affiliation. Gee, what conference might A&M being interested in joining? We're going to guess Southeastern, fully prepared to issue a retraction. What happens after Texas A&M bolts to the SEC is anyone's guess, but hold onto your thigh pads.   

Southern Methodist, the only major school to receive the NCAA's "Death Penalty" in football, is petitioning to replace Texas A&M in the Big 12.

SMU's argument: "Hey, we've done our time and it's about half the time Miami should do. Aren't we now mainstream?"

And the answer is, well, yeah. In fact, held in today's light, SMU is now a model program.

--Chris Dufresne

Photo: Louisiana State University football players Jordan Jefferson, right, and Jarvis Landry leave State Police headquarters in Baton Rouge on Tuesday after meeting with Baton Rouge Police. Credit: Arthur D. Lauck / Associated Press.

Commentary: College Football turns itself in to authorities

Arrest warrants were issued Friday for two Louisiana State players, but these days, really, it could have been any school or anybody. Why pick on LSU?

The hope now, according to sources, is that there will be enough eligible coaches and players to kick off the season, which actually can't get here soon enough Thursday.

The Generic Campus Glee Club has deemed this year's theme "College Football's Lost Summer (and Spring)."

The Sept. 3 marquee match-up, LSU vs. Oregon in Arlington, Texas, has become a microcosm for a sad state of recent affairs.

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson and linebacker Joshua Johns turned themselves in to Baton Rouge, La., authorities Friday and are facing second-degree battery charges, a felony, stemming from an Aug. 19 bar fight that reportedly involved several players.

The players' status for next week's big opener has yet to be determined. Some LSU fans long disgruntled with Jefferson's erratic play might welcome a six-game suspension.

LSU, though, is already playing without star receiver Russell Shepard while the school and NCAA sort out his possible relationship with Willie Lyles. He's the scouting service provider also under scrutiny for his involvement with Oregon, which has hired outside counsel to battle its own NCAA inquiry.

Oregon can be relieved Shepard is not playing because the Ducks will be without top cornerback Cliff Harris, suspended after a DUI charge that involved Harris and his car allegedly being clocked at 118 mph. Oregon quarterback Darren Thomas was in the car, but said he basically slept through the entire incident.

LSU vs. Oregon could be called "The Embarrassment Bowl." Updates in The Great LSU Bar Fight came the same day Miami ruled several players, including starting quarterback Jacory Harris, ineligible while the school sorts out their connections to Ponzi-schemer Nathan Shapiro.

When will it ever end? USC announced it wouldn't fight the NCAA appeal it lost over rules it admitted to violating. Even though the chair of the infractions committee that presided over the Trojans' case was the former athletic director at ... Miami.

It's also, apparently, cause for celebration these days when a coach, Lane Kiffin of USC, won't face major NCAA sanctions for his misdeeds at Tennessee.

Should you get "Employee of the Month" for that?

Texas A&M this week also formally notified the Big 12 it is exploring options pertaining to conference affiliation. Gee, what conference might A&M being interested in joining? We're going to guess Southeastern, fully prepared to issue a retraction. What happens after Texas A&M bolts to the SEC is anyone's guess, but hold onto your thigh pads.   

Southern Methodist, the only major school to receive the NCAA's "Death Penalty" in football, is petitioning to replace Texas A&M in the Big 12.

SMU's argument: "Hey, we've done our time and it's about half the time Miami should do. Aren't we now mainstream?"

And the answer is, well, yeah. In fact, held in today's light, SMU is now a model program.

--Chris Dufresne

Photo: Louisiana State University football players Jordan Jefferson, right, and Jarvis Landry leave State Police headquarters in Baton Rouge on Tuesday after meeting with Baton Rouge Police. Credit: Arthur D. Lauck / Associated Press.