ESPN College Football

Howard Schnellenberger has to do the honorary coin toss for this one, right?

Miami and Florida Atlantic will play each other three times between 2013 and 2016, the schools announced Saturday. Despite being roughly an hour apart, the schools have never met.

"I'm thrilled to death that FAU and UM are going to face-off on the gridiron," Schnellenberger said in a statement. "It is part of the big plan and may develop into a wonderful addition to south Florida football."

Schnellenberger coached the Hurricanes to their first national title in 1983. He started the Owls' program in 1998 and was its only coach before retiring at the end of this past season and becoming a school ambassador. Carl Pelini succeeded him as coach. Schnellenberger's career record is 158-151-3

FAU will travel to Sun Life Stadium on Aug. 31, 2013 and host Miami at FAU Stadium in 2015. Miami will host FAU again in 2016. The dates for the last two games have yet to be announced.

The 2013 game will be the first of four games Miami plays against in-state schools that season, as the Hurricanes will also travel to Florida State, host Florida and visit South Florida. The 2015 game will mark Miami's first in Palm Beach County and its first away game south of Tampa.

FAU's only game against an ACC school was a 54-6 loss at Clemson on Sept. 2, 2006.

"It's a great matchup," Pelini said in a statement. "Miami is a prestigious program of which we would like to emulate. It will be great for our players to challenge the names they played against in high school and for the fans to have a close away game to attend."

Nebraska defensive coordinator Carl Pelini has reached a verbal agreement to become Florida Atlantic's head coach, colleague Joe Schad and others are reporting.

Schad reports that Pelini is expected to be introduced at Florida Atlantic on Monday. Pelini will replace Howard Schnellenberger, who announced before the season that he planned to retire and will coach his final game Saturday when the 1-10 Owls host Louisiana-Monroe. Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne was among those who recommended Pelini for the job.

It will be interesting to see where Nebraska coach Bo Pelini looks to replace his older brother on staff. The Pelini brothers helped bring Nebraska's defense to prominence in 2009 and 2010, and the unit had its good moments this year but also dealt with some puzzling inconsistency.

Former Arizona coach Mike Stoops was among the candidates Carl Pelini beat out for the FAU job, Schad reports. Stoops confirmed he has had discussions with new Ohio State coach Urban Meyer about a position on the Buckeyes staff. It will be interesting if Bo Pelini makes a push for Stoops, his close friend, for the Huskers' vacancy.

Nebraska's offense should be very strong in 2012, and it will be the defense, Bo Pelini's specialty, which must makes strides after losing standouts Lavonte David and Alfonzo Dennard. This will be a very important hire for Bo.

The NCAA released its multi-year APR report Wednesday and two non-AQ football teams rank in the top 5 of all FBS institutions.

Air Force finished with an APR score of 988 and Rice finished third with an APR of 987. Only Rutgers (992) had a higher APR score in football.

According to the NCAA, an APR of 925 predicts a graduation success rate (GSR) of 50 percent. Football’s national four-year APR average is 944, up five points from the previous year.

Despite the good news for the non-AQs, there’s also some bad. Three programs were hit with immediate scholarship losses after failing to adhere to APR standards. Idaho lost six scholarships, Florida Atlantic lost two and New Mexico State was deducted one scholarship. However, in most cases these penalties already have been served.

In Conference USA, six programs finished above the average football APR. The MAC had three programs finish above the average, the Mountain West had four, the Sun Belt had three and the WAC had four. Navy and Army both finished above the average in football.

UAB and Florida Atlantic has moved their 2010 season opener to Thursday, Sept. 2.

The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 4.

The last time UAB opened a season with a non-Saturday game was in 2001 when the Blazers defeated Montana State at home.

Central Florida and South Florida have not yet closed the door on their football series.

BYU and Utah have an ally in Boise State and its president, which is contesting the fairness of the BCS once again.

Nevada coach Chris Ault talks about his seniors and his expectations for 2010.

The NCAA has said that it will no longer accept BYU online courses for eligibility.

SMU coach June Jones talks about the obstacles his team faces as it tries to repeat last year’s success.

Voting on the financial package for FAU’s new stadium has been delayed, meaning the stadium probably won’t open by the 2011 season.

Former BYU linebacker Coleby Clawson became one of the most influential players in college football a year ago.

ESPN has plans to film the documentary Pony Excess, which chronicles the SMU football scandal in the 1980s.

Marshall is expediting efforts to raise more money and awareness for its athletic department.

Scott Pierce of the Deseret News doesn’t think the TV market is a big selling point for Utah.

The Orlando Sentinel breaks down Florida Atlantic during its college football preview.

BYU coaches are on the recruiting trail looking for their next big star or diamond in the rough.

The Idaho Statesman breaks down the Mountain West TV contract in preparation for a Boise State move.

The Sun Belt Conference is moving up in the bowl world.

After being the only conference with just one automatic tie-in for the past nine years, the Sun Belt secured two for the next four seasons with the New Orleans and GMAC bowls. The conference also has three secondary tie-ins.

So there are more opportunities for the Sun Belt, which will make for a more interesting race to the postseason.

Here’s a look at where I see the Sun Belt’s bowl bids going:

Count on it

Troy: The Trojans lost star quarterback Levi Brown to graduation, but they had a great competition this spring and should pick up right where they left off. Almost all of the key pieces of the offense return. The questions are on defense. The Trojans are still deciding between a 3-4 and a 4-3 and will tailor to their personnel.

Middle Tennessee: There are some folks out there who are predicting a down year for the Blue Raiders. I’m not one of them. Yes, they have two new coordinators, but I think the ideas will stay the same. Quarterback Dwight Dasher will have some help with the return of Phillip Tanner, and the defense should be strong once again.

Outside shot

Louisiana-Lafayette: In four of the past five years, the Ragin’ Cajuns have achieved the six-win bowl threshold only to be denied a postseason berth. That ends this year. With more bowl opportunities for the Belt, the Ragin’ Cajuns finally get to the postseason and keep coach Rickey Bustle’s job.

Arkansas State: I expected Arkansas State to not only be in the bowl picture a year ago, but also challenge for a conference title. That didn’t happen and the Red Wolves managed just four wins. But this spring was productive, especially on offense, and Arkansas State could make a surprising run to the postseason.

Florida Atlantic: Last season was a surprise considering the Owls were picked to challenge for the conference title. They lost six of their first eight and then lost quarterback Rusty Smith. A lot of the talent from last year returns and quarterback Jeff VanCamp will be better for his playing experience a year ago. I’d expect the Owls to give Troy and Middle Tennessee a run for their money.

Louisiana-Monroe: Todd Berry spent much of the spring assessing talent, teaching his system and trying to make his team tougher, and all of that might pay off in the end. This ULM team won six games last year and returns a lot of the talent from a year ago. It’s possible that they could make another run to six wins, but will it be enough for a bowl game?

Better luck next year

Florida International: Last season, I thought the Golden Panthers were going to turn a corner after their five-win season in 2008, but they actually regressed, which makes me a little gun-shy this year. FIU will be playing with a lot of emotion this season, but I’m not sure whether that will help or hurt in the long run.

North Texas: This is the decisive year for head coach Todd Dodge and it doesn’t help that his starting quarterback is now a receiver. Since Dodge took over, the problem has been with the defense more than the offense and that’s not going to change overnight. UNT will be better, but not yet good enough to make a bowl.

Western Kentucky: First-year head coach Willie Taggart has been charged with turning the Hilltoppers around, but it's going to take some time. He doesn’t quite have the players to contend with the top teams in the conference, and right now the Hilltoppers just need to know what it's like to win a game.

WAC commissioner Karl Benson, who was in Las Cruces, N.M., on Thursday for the WAC softball tournament, gave his thoughts on conference expansion.

North Texas athletic director Rick Villarreal had his contract extended through 2015.

Ted Hutton of the Sun Sentinel continues to explore possibilities of Florida Atlantic leaving the Sun Belt Conference.

Boise State’s guarantee game against Ole Miss provides a good model for Hawaii, which is looking for similarly lucrative contracts.

Florida Atlantic has added a 12th member to its 2010 recruiting class.

Eric Minemyer, an offensive lineman who played at Bishop Carroll High School (Ebensburg, Penn.), becomes the first player from the state of Pennsylvania to sign with the Owls and third out-of-state player in the 2010 class. His addition marks the highest percentage of out-of-state recruitment in the program’s 11 classes.

During his final three seasons at Bishop Carroll, Minemyer played on both sides of the ball. He amassed 98 career tackles, 20 for a loss including seven sacks and 26 hurries. He also had 12 catches for 205 yards. As a senior, Minemyer had 39 tackles, nine for a loss including three sacks. He had 10 hurries and seven receptions for 123 yards.

Minemyer will join FAU for fall camp in early August.

TCU quarterback Andy Dalton shares his thoughts on his upcoming senior season and the potential of the Horned Frogs.

A couple of outlets weigh in on the fate of Florida Atlantic when conference expansion and realignment shakes out. FAU athletic director Craig Angelos said the school is enhancing its facilities in anticipation of expansion, but Ted Hutton from the Sun-Sentinel thinks an FAU invite is unlikely.

BYU junior left tackle Matt Reynolds talks about being named to the 2010 Lombardi watch list.

Marshall will induct nine new members into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in September.

Starting a freshman quarterback seems to be the norm around the Mountain West these days.

Tonight’s San Jose State spring game hopes to show a new era of San Jose State football.

Ted Hutton of the Sun-Sentinel writes that he thinks Florida Atlantic’s new stadium will be done by 2011.

Memphis feels like this week’s BCS talks might have inched it closer to joining a BCS league.

Utah athletic director remains vague about advances from the Pac-10.

BCS commissioners will meet today to discuss expansion, which could have an effect on several nonautomatic qualifying schools.

Add Houston to the list of possible targets for expansion. FOX 26 sports in Houston is reporting that the BCS hired an outside firm to scout potential BCS candidates.

Florida Atlantic running back Alfred Morris was named his school’s male athlete of the year.

Expansion could have a bad effect on Hawaii athletics.

Arkansas State’s defense is trying to keep up with its up-tempo offense.

The last big group of non-AQ teams begins spring practice this week (two start next week) with hopes of being better than the year before.

Only three of the seven teams opening spring practice this week went to bowl games, while the rest will be looking for ways to rectify that.

Here’s a look at the teams opening spring practice this week:

Navy, March 29

Biggest issue: Linebacker used to be one of the deepest positions for the Midshipmen, but after losing five to graduation, including four starters, the competition to find replacements will be heated this spring.

Arkansas State, March 29

Biggest issue: Quarterback will be an interesting battle this spring with Ryan Aplin returning after starting three games last season. However, Phillip Butterfield, who was supposed to be in the mix last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury, will challenge for the top spot.

SMU, March 29

Biggest issue: The Mustangs are looking for a new starting strong safety this spring after Rock Dennis graduated. Dennis led the team with four interceptions and had 57 tackles. Last year’s backup, Tyler Jones, will be a candidate to start, but he’ll face some stiff competition.

Ohio, March 30

Biggest issue: Iowa State transfer Phillip Bates will get his shot at quarterback this spring as he tries to assert himself as starter. Senior Boo Jackson, who received a medical redshirt, is limited this spring while still nursing a shoulder injury.

Marshall, March 31

Biggest issue: Marshall has a couple of issues, the least of which is learning a new coaching staff, but the key to this season will be getting more players involved in the passing offense. Departed tight end Cody Slate was the main weapon before a season-ending injury. Antavious Wilson stepped in nicely, but now it’s time to get some of the other receivers in the mix to make the Thundering Herd a more versatile offense.

Florida Atlantic, March 31

Biggest issue: The Owls lost seven starters from last year’s defense, including four from the offensive line, and six of the team’s top seven receivers are also gone. Quarterback Jeff Vancamp will be tasked with holding things together as the Owls try to find an offensive rapport this spring.

Hawaii, April 1

Biggest issue: The pass rush was a big concern last season after the Warriors ranked near the bottom of the country in sacks and pass efficiency defense. Paipai Falemalu will move to right end to provide more speed off that edge, and Kamalu Umu could be the starter on the other side of the line.

Boise State did a tour of the Big 12 this offseason to learn about various offensive and defensive schemes.

Army cornerback Richard King is back on the field despite reoccurring concussions.

Defensive end Sean Harvey is joining Central Florida’s 2010 class as a preferred walk-on.

FAU presidential candidate said that he supports the building of a football stadium.

The Utah attorney general sent a 90-page brief to the Department of Justice detailing his gripes with the BCS.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel is reporting that Florida Atlantic safety Austin Jensen is headed home.

Jensen was released from the hospital on Friday after spending more than three weeks recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident.

Jenson, offensive lineman Max Karrick, punter Mickey Groody and student trainer Kevin Thorton, were driving to the FAU football banquet when Groody's SUV collided with another car and rolled. Jensen was thrown from the vehicle and suffered a fractured pelvis, a fractured skull and a brain bruise.

The other three were treated for minor injuries and released.

Jensen’s mother, Kim, told the Sun-Sentinel that her son would continue to need 24-hour care despite his release. He’s using a walker to get around and he’s still having trouble with his speech due to the swelling in his brain. However, doctors are expecting a full recovery.

Jensen was a part-time player for the Owls last season. He made 11 tackles, including one tackle for loss.