Overall, the league won only eight of 31 FBS out-of-conference matchups (12-19 ATS) as opposed to its 14-21 SU record two seasons ago (18-17 ATS). Take away Fresno State, and the other eight clubs ended up 9-18 ATS outside the league and 4-11 ATS vs. BCS schools.

Amazingly enough, the Bulldogs have never won the WAC title, but have an excellent chance this year as 17 starters return to a team that rolled over Georgia Tech in the Humanitarian Bowl. Nevertheless, their season finale is a date in Boise and the Broncos have won the last three meetings on the blue turf by an average score of 48-19.

Last season was a down year for the league, as the 13 clubs were just 10-42 SU against FBS schools. The MAC also went 15-27 ATS vs. the top six conferences as opposed to 20-13-1 two seasons ago. However, a major turnaround is expected as 11 of the 13 teams bring back at least 15 starters. Only five clubs returned that amount in '07.

WEST DIVISION 1) BALL STATE - Last season's 7-6 mark was its first winning season since 1996.

Solich has spent the past three years with the Bobcats, guiding the school to a record of 19-18. The team was just 6-6 last season following a 9-5 campaign that ended with a bowl appearance in 2006.

"I want to thank [athletic director] Jim Schaus and President [Roderick J.] McDavis for continuing their support, not only to me, but our entire football program," said Solich. "I am very excited about the present and future of Ohio football, but I also look forward to helping our student-athletes realize their dreams on and off the field for a long time to come." The Bobcats were just 4-7 in Solich's first season, but rebounded to win the MAC East title in 2006. Ohio received an invitation to the GMAC Bowl, earning its first bowl bid since 1968.

"Zeke Knight has been medically disqualified based on a medical condition that we cannot disclose due to student privacy laws," said Saban. "He has had extensive medical evaluations by numerous physicians, all of which concluded that it was in his best interest to no longer play football." Knight played in all 13 games for the Tide last season with 11 starts at outside linebacker. He finished sixth on the team with 64 tackles, adding two interceptions and three sacks.

"Zeke is a fine young man and we appreciate all that he has done for this program," said Saban. "Zeke did a great job for us as a starter last year and, more importantly, is on track to graduate in August. I would like nothing more than to have him with us for one more season on the foo

"This is a heartbreaking situation for Todd's family, friends, teammates and classmates," University of Oregon president Dave Frohnmayer said. "We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone touched by this terrible accident." Doxey, who was 19, was with several teammates, many of who were floating down the river on inner-tubes. Doxey, however, jumped off the Marcola Road Bridge, according to Lane County Sheriff's reports. With most of his teammates already downriver, Doxey started experiencing difficulty swimming around 3:15 p.m.

He was picked up by another boat coming down the river and taken to the McKenzie-Williamette Hospital at 3:55 p.m. before being transferred to Sacred Heart Medical Center at 6:25 p.m., where he was pronounced dead shortly after 8 p.m.

Mangino, entering his seventh year at Kansas, was the consensus national coach of the year last season after guiding the Jayhawks to a 12-1 record, including a 24-21 victory over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, Kansas' first BCS bowl victory.

"This is an appropriate reward for someone who has done a terrific job with the Kansas football program," said KU Athletics Director Lew Perkins. "Chancellor Hemenway and I think it's important that we not only reward Mark for the job he's done, but also give him the support and stability he needs to keep this football program a successful and nationally respected program. We think the Orange Bowl championship is just the beginning." In the past five season

With that bit of shameless self-promotion behind us, let's begin this year's conference previews with the Sun Belt Conference.

It's very trendy to bad-mouth this league, as most folks have been doing for years. However, three different clubs - Louisiana-Monroe, Troy and Florida Atlantic) posted victories over teams from the SEC, Big 12 and Big Ten last season.

Rodriguez had filed for a $1.5 million letter of credit, acknowledging that was the maximum that he owed the university after leaving for Michigan, where he was introduced on Dec. 17 as he replaced the retiring Lloyd Carr.

The $4 million agreement settles West Virginia's lawsuit against Rodriguez that was set to go to trial in the fall. The deal was approved by the WVU board of governors on Wednesday.

Doctors have told the redshirt sophomore that he will likely be sidelined for six months due to his medication.

"I want to thank all the Seminole fans who have sent me e-mails and cards," Bellamy said in a statement. "I appreciate it very much. I want everyone to know I will do everything I can to get back out on the football field as soon as possible."

Fulmer's new deal is worth $2.4 million for the 2008 season and escalates to $3.3 million in 2014 for an average of $2.99 million over the length of the agreement.

It also includes a $1 million longevity bonus in December 2012 to reward him for his 20 years as the school's head coach.

According to the Birmingham News, Johns was arrested by the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force on Tuesday morning and was taken to Tuscaloosa County Jail.

Tuscaloosa police told the newspaper that the senior from Brookhaven, Mississippi was charged with seven "drug-related" charges, including selling. Police allege that cocaine and marijuana were involved, and when police searched Johns' residence, they also found ecstasy.

The new deal will keep the Fighting Irish on NBC through 2015, extending the partnership for 25 years. NBC has televised Notre Dame home games since 1991.

"The innovative partnership between Notre Dame and NBC has been a valuable relationship for both the university and the network, and we are delighted that it will be extended by another five years," said Notre Dame's president, Reverend John I. Jenkins. "Our fans and student-athletes have benefited, of course, but, most importantly, it is the general student body that has realized the greatest gains. In a collaboration unlike any other in higher education, revenue derived from the NBC contract has provided millions of dollars in financial aid to thousands of deserving students at Notre Dame, and we are pleased tha

According to a report in the Syracuse Post-Standard, Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson confirmed that Williams is not currently enrolled at the university, but made no further comment as to the junior's status for the 2008 season and beyond.

Williams is coming off one of the most productive seasons ever for a Syracuse receiver, leading the Orange with 60 receptions for 837 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Centre Daily Times reports both players entered their pleas for the October 7 on-campus fight in which the two stomped and kicked a man. The two players were ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and were ordered to pay a combined $586 to the victim, plus $200 to the school, according to the newspaper.

Taylor,a juniordefensive tackle, and Bowman, a redshirt sophomore linebacker, had more serious charges dropped against them in exchange for the guilty plea. Both players have since been dismissed from the team.

Parker also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession and has agreed to serve 12 months of probation, which will include substance abuse evaluation within 30 days, periodic drug tests at his own expense, 50 hours of community service, $243 in court costs and one day in jail that was satisfied with time served.

The junior was also forced to forfeit his firearm but still has the right to carry a firearm in the future.

The Centre Daily Times reports Paterno was taken to the hospital after complaining of nausea, weakness and fatigue.

A school spokesman told the newspaper tests were taken to rule out heart and other problems.

LSU head coach Les Miles dismissed the oft-troubled quarterback from the football team on May 2 for numerous violations of team rules.

"Basically, I just see this as a second opportunity to be successful," Perrilloux told The Birmingham News.

The announcement was made Monday by head football coach Bronco Mendenhall.

Tonga will redshirt the 2008 season. He was suspended from the school and may re-apply for admission in October for the winter semester in 2009.

Notre Dame will be the home team for the contest, which will be televised by NBC Sports.

The new stadium, which will have a capacity of 80,000 fans that can expand to 100,000 for major events, is under construction and is scheduled to open in the summer of 2009.

Hamilton, who took the job under new head coach Paul Johnson on April 28, resigned a day after he was charged with possession of marijuana, driving under the influence and hit-and-run.

"Today, I sadly accepted Joe's resignation," Johnson said.

The Stone Mountain, Georgia native registered a career-high 24 total tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery in nine games last season.

Ball, the younger brother of former Georgia Tech quarterback Reggie Ball, played four games in his freshman season of 2006 before suffering a knee injury.

"I am disappointed that the NCAA has declined to grant a waiver in my case," Mallett said in a statement released after the decision. "My family and I were hopeful that I would be eligible to play for the University of Arkansas in the upcoming season." Mallett appeared in 11 games as a true freshman for the Wolverines in 2007, filling in at times for injured starter Chad Henne. He completed 61-of-141 passes for 892 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions.

However, NCAA rules state that any student-athlete who transfers to a different school must spend one year of residence at that institution before resuming their athletic career.

Miles had suspended Perrilloux in February for failing to follow team rules. He would not elaborate on the reason for the dismissal in a statement on Friday.

"Ryan was given every opportunity to be a part of this football team," Miles said. "In the end, he didn't fulfill his obligation as an LSU student-athlete. We hope that a new beginning will benefit him.

A total of 13 players and two coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) were selected for this year's Hall of Fame class.

Joining Aikman, Cannon and Holtz for enshrinement will be Virginia offensive tackleJim Dombrowski, Northwestern linebacker Pat Fitzgerald, Florida linebacker Wilber Marshall, Washington State running back Rueben Mayes, Arizona State guard Randall McDaniel, Syracuse quarterback Don McPherson, Wyoming tight end Jay Novacek, Texas Tech end Dave Parks, Florida State nose guardRon Simmons,Oklahoma State running back Thurman Thomas, Army quarterback Arnold Tucker and coach John Cooper.

The proposed changes, which would have created a four-team playoff using two BCS bowl games as national semifinals, was rejected by a consensus among the 11 Football Bowl Subdivision conferences and Notre Dame.

The decision keeps the current system in place until at least the start of the 2014 season. Negotiations with Fox to renew the BCS television contract from 2010 to 2013 are slated to begin in the fall, and any changes to the BCS structure would have needed to come from this year's meetings.