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Britton Banowsky and Gregory Sankey of the Committee on Infractions held a nearly 27-minute teleconference with reporters to discuss the findings and penalties of the North Carolina football program. Here's a roundup of what was said on the call:

• The committee repeatedly praised North Carolina for its job with the investigation.
• The NCAA was not going to impose a blanket duty on members to monitor social-networking websites, citing issues regarding privacy and where to strike a balance. If information was available and came to the attention of the school, that's one thing, but to expect every school to monitor all the social-networking sites of all of its student-athletes would be too much.
• The committee dealt with the particular circumstances of this case as it pertains to agents and was not looking to draw upon past cases.
• The postseason ban does include the ACC title game, in the event the Tar Heels win the Coastal Division. Also, the scholarship reduction is adding six to the already self-imposed total of nine over the next three years.
• The committee said John Blake's three-year "show cause" is not out of the ordinary and stressed to read the particulars of his penalty when comparing to other cases. Blake is prohibited from any recruiting activity.

It's been a revolving door on Tennessee's coaching staff ever since the season ended, and head coach Derek Dooley moved quickly to fill his latest opening.

The Vols announced on Thursday that Sam Pittman had been hired to coach the offensive line after Harry Hiestand bolted for the Notre Dame offensive line job.

Pittman was at North Carolina for the past five seasons and part of Butch Davis' original staff there in 2007. Just prior to the 2011 season, Pittman was promoted to associate head coach, replacing John Blake, who resigned one game into the 2010 season after being linked to NCAA allegations that triggered an investigation of the Tar Heels' football program. Pittman was named as one of the country's top 25 recruiters by ESPN.com in 2011. He was at Northern Illinois before joining Davis at North Carolina.

The Vols have seen five different assistant coaches to leave since the end of their 5-7 season. One of those, receivers coach Charlie Baggett, was not retained. Defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon left for the same jobs at Washington, while special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Eric Russell left to join Mike Leach's staff at Washington State.

Dooley is targeting Alabama linebackers coach Sal Sunseri and Navy defensive coordinator Buddy Green to replace Wilcox. Dooley has talked with both Sunseri and Green in the last two days. Dooley has offered the special teams coordinator's job, meanwhile, to San Diego Chargers assistant Rich Bisaccia, who just finished his first season as the Chargers' special teams coordinator. Bisaccia was previously the associate head coach and special teams coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dooley had already hired Jay Graham to coach the Vols' running backs. Graham, a former star running back at Tennessee, had been at South Carolina the past three seasons.

1. A few years ago, head coaches began bestowing exalted titles on their top assistants to make the program look good and make the assistants feel better. But I wonder if that came back and bit North Carolina. John Blake was more than Butch Davis’s top recruiter. Blake was “assistant head coach.” Blake got busted for lying to the university and to the NCAA, and for taking money from the late agent Gary Wichard. When your “assistant head coach” does that, it looks bad before the NCAA Committee on Infractions.

2. Temple coach Steve Addazio told me a nice story on the ESPNU College Football Podcast on Wednesday about his son Louis, a 6-3, 232-pound tight end who signed with Syracuse in January. When I asked Addazio how he let his son get away, he laughed. Turns out that when Addazio was an assistant at Syracuse a decade ago, eight-year-old Louis told him that someday he wanted to play for the Orange. What dad is going to mess with his kid’s dream?

3. ACC blogger Heather Dinich’s item this week about the large number of former FBS players now playing for Division II North Alabama coach Terry Bowden reminded me of a story that Terry’s dad loves to tell. When Bobby Bowden coached at Howard (Samford) some 50 years ago, he would get a call from Tuscaloosa to come watch Alabama practice. Bear Bryant had decided which players he couldn’t use. Bobby would watch practice, evaluate, and ask them to play for him. It’s almost Life Father, Like Son.

The unpaid parking tickets of several UNC football players pale in comparison to the 42-page document the NCAA just buried the University of North Carolina in.

This isn't just Butch Davis' problem. Consider it now a "major" problem for UNC's football program, athletic department and overall institution.

The NCAA wrote three separate letters to former UNC assistant coach John Blake, former UNC tutor Jennifer Wiley and UNC chancellor Holden Thorp, informing them of the allegations against the football program:

"You should understand that all of the allegations charged in the notice of allegations are considered to be potential major violations of NCAA legislation, unless designated as secondary violations."

North Carolina has officially joined much of the college football world in the summer of discontent.

After a yearlong investigation into North Carolina's football program, the university on Tuesday released a 42-page document detailing the allegations, and it's not pretty:

Page 20: It was reported that during the 2009-10 academic year and August 2010, Jennifer Wiley, former academic support center tutor, provided approximately $3,500 in impermissible extra benefits to football student-athletes. ... Wiley paid $150 for an airline ticket in May 2010, and $ 1,789 in parking violation expenses on August 20, 2010, for then football student-athlete ...

Page 23: It was reported that during 2009 and 2010, seven football student athletes received $27,097.38 in benefits from individuals, some of whom trigger NCAA agent legislation.

Page 33: It is alleged that from 2007 to 2010, then assistant football coach John Blake partnered with Gary Wichard, National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) certified agent, and Pro Tect Management to represent individuals in the marketing of their athletic abilities in violation of NCAA legislation. Specifically, Blake was employed and compensated by Pro Tect Management to influence football student-athletes to hire Wichard to represent them in marketing their athletic abilities and reputations.

Page 35: It is alleged that from May 2007 to October 2009, then assistant football coach John Blake did not report $31,000 in athletically related outside income from Pro Tect Management, a sports agency representing athletes competing in the National Football League, National Basketball League and Major League Baseball.

Davis loyalists will be happy to know that no letters were specifically addressed to him, and that his name is mentioned only once in the entire document, in the context that the NCAA would like him to appear before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions on Oct. 28.

There were, however, allegations that the "institution" failed to properly monitor the conduct of Chris Hawkins, who was allowed access to the facilities and participated in one-on-one drills with the players. And the "institution" failed to monitor the social networking of the players in 2010. And here's the kicker ... the "institution" did not follow up on information that "indicated a risk of improper benefits being provided when reported by [a student athlete] to administrators within the football program."

Somebody knew something was going on and "the institution" let it continue.

North Carolina has 90 days to respond to this, and considering the massive, overwhelming amount of information the NCAA is seeking -- documents, transcripts, receipts, former players' previous tweets, phone records, Blake's credit reports -- odds are the university is going to need every one of them.

It's far from over. The NCAA wants answers. Lots of them.

How much Davis really knew now seems like only part of the equation.

This is bigger than Butch Davis.

Welcome to your Instant Replay of Week 1 (in HD, of course), and a sneak peek at Week 2. Yes, there are still two games to be played in the ACC – biggies – so consider this an abbreviated version of what you’ll see next week.

The good: ACC quarterbacks. Granted, most of these top performances came against less-than-stellar competition, but most of the signal callers in the league proved worthy of the preseason hype. Florida State’s Christian Ponder, Miami’s Jacory Harris, and NC State’s Russell Wilson all put up eye-popping numbers. UNC’s T.J. Yates showed dramatic improvement and leadership in the loss to LSU, and Duke’s Sean Renfree proved more than capable of taking over for Thaddeus Lewis. Virginia’s Marc Verica also got away from the interceptions that had plagued him in 2008.

The not-so-bad: Georgia Tech quarterback Joshua Nesbitt. Wow. He averaged 8.1 yards on 16 carries and rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns. All but 12 of the Jackets’ 372 total yards came on the ground. But Nesbitt was only 1 of 6 passing for eight yards and an interception.

The ugly: John Blake’s resignation. It’s only the first week of the season, and UNC has already suffered another repercussion from the NCAA’s investigation into possible improper contact with agents. The team lost its defensive line coach and its recruiting coordinator.

Top three games to watch in Week 2:

1. Miami at Ohio State (3:40 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN3): This is the can’t-miss game of the week nationally, too. If the Hurricanes pull the upset in the Shoe, they should be considered national-title contenders. Quarterbacks Jacory Harris and Terrelle Pryor are coming off impressive performances against lesser opponents and will be one of the hot topics all week.

2. Florida State at Oklahoma (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC): We’ll know a lot more about where Jimbo Fisher and his program stand after this one. The Sooners looked beatable, but a road trip into Big 12 territory is never easy. The Bowden Bowls are over, but the Stoops Bowl is just beginning.

3. Duke at Wake Forest (Noon, ET, ESPN3): It’s the first conference game of the season, and don’t snooze on it – it means something. If either one of these programs is going to make it to a bowl game this season, this game is a must-win. It will feature new quarterbacks for both programs.

Without casting any judgment on North Carolina assistant John Blake, who has reportedly been involved in the NCAA's investigation into possible improper misconduct with agents, his resignation will help coach Butch Davis keep his job, and it will help the team move forward with more focus.

For a staff member to be held in question throughout the season in what has become a public relations nightmare would only further damage the program's credibility and continue to be a distraction.

And somebody at North Carolina has to show accountability.

This isn't a secondary violation or minor infraction. These are serious allegations that have called into question the character and integrity of those within the program. Guilty or not, somebody within the football program would eventually have to answer to that. By resigning today, John Blake became the first.

John Blake, North Carolina’s associate head football coach, has resigned effective today, the school announced this evening. Blake was in his fourth season as a member of the Tar Heel coaching staff.

John Blake statement:

“While I have enjoyed my tenure at the University of North Carolina, it has become apparent to me over the course of the past few weeks that my presence has become a distraction to my family and to this great University, too. Consequently, I have determined that it is in the best interests of my family, the University community at large, and the Football Program for me to step down from my position as associate head football coach effective today, September 5, 2010.

“I thank the Lord for the opportunity I have had to work with Butch Davis while at the University of North Carolina. I have grown to love and respect the school, my fellow coaches, and the young men who have worked so diligently to improve both as students and as football players. That love and respect has led me to the conclusion that the best decision for all involved is for me to step aside at this time. I wish the players, the coaches, and the University all the best.

“I thank the Tar Heel Nation for the overwhelming support I have received. The memories I have made here will last a lifetime. May God bless you all.”

UNC coach Butch Davis statement:

“Knowing John as I have over the years, it is clear that this was a difficult decision for him to make. I know how much John loves the players, coaching and the game of football. I am grateful for all of his hard work and effort in helping build this program. As difficult as this situation is, I have accepted his resignation. Throughout his career, I know he has worked hard to help young men become better people and football players. He and his family have made positive contributions to our football program.

“The Tar Heel family has tremendous passion for the University and everything it represents. It’s one of the things that made me want to be a Tar Heel four years ago. All of us who are part of the football program have been both disappointed and embarrassed by recent events. Our student-athletes, coaches and I are committed to working every day, both on and off the field, to build a better football program, one that everyone associated with the University of North Carolina can and will be proud of.”

UNC director of athletics Dick Baddour statement:

“Coach Blake had indicated to me in previous conversations that he would step down if he felt his presence with the football program would become a distraction. I appreciate and respect his decision to do what is best for the University and our football program. I know the young men he coached are tremendously disappointed, but Coach Davis and his staff will help and support them as the season moves forward.”

Blake’s employment agreement with the University provided him an annual base salary of $240,000 and would have expired June 30, 2011. He will receive $74,500, which approximates the salary he would have received had he completed the football season. This will be entirely paid using football revenues.

Oklahoma fans can rest a little bit easier after Florida coach Urban Meyer was offered and accepted an indefinite leave of absence to reclaim his old job.

It means that Bob Stoops will remain at Oklahoma for the immediate future -- and probably well beyond it.

Stoops was mentioned among the favorites if Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley needed to find a permanent replacement for Meyer.

But when Meyer told reporters Sunday in New Orleans he would like to still coach the Gators, it will mean he'll have to keep his list of replacements unchecked.

Along with Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen, Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino, Boise State coach Chris Petersen and maybe even former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan or Arizona coach Mike Stoops, the Oklahoma coach would have been a likely candidate to be interviewed for the Gators' head coaching position.

Stoops is familiar with the program after serving as defensive coordinator for three seasons under Steve Spurrier from 1996 until he was hired by the Sooners in 1998 to replace John Blake.

The Oklahoma coach still keeps his condominium in Crescent Beach, Fla., and visits there often with his family.

But Meyer's leave of absence quashes any need for an immediate replacement to coach the Gators.

Sooner fans can be thankful for that announcement.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

Not a lot of these guys have national reputations, but somebody has to lure in the players to win these games. Here’s a quick look at the top closers in the ACC:

1. Randy Shannon, Miami: His resume speaks for itself when it comes to recruiting, as the Canes have brought in some of the country’s top talent under his direction, and he doesn’t have to leave his area code to get it. He does have to beat the likes of Florida, Florida State and dozens of other top programs who raid the state to get it, though.

2. Jimbo Fisher/Bobby Bowden, FSU: The head-coach-in waiting has an advantage over everyone else in that he’s essentially a head coach who can recruit when others can’t. He’s done a great job of building for the future and has become more proactive. Bowden is one of the few coaches in the ACC who have developed a national reputation as a closer. He's made a name for himself for getting those top-notch players at the last minute.

3. Billy Napier, offensive coordinator, Clemson: Napier used to be the recruiting coordinator before he assumed the play-calling duties, but he’s a major reason the Tigers have lured in the kind of talent capable of contending for the ACC title.

4. Butch Davis/John Blake, UNC: They're a tandem when it comes to recruiting, and they've already made a difference since arriving in Chapel Hill. In 2009 they brought in the No. 13-ranked class by ESPN.com, and within a week after he was hired, Davis brought in a player named Quan Sturdivant, and Marvin Austin committed on signing day.

TIE: 5. Jim Grobe, Wake Forest/Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech: The Deacs have started a pipeline into the talent-rich state of Florida, and hit the heart of it in Pahokee. Recruiting coordinator Ray McCartney and the staff have done a great job of finding smart players with good character who can still win. Beamer and his staff evaluate the same way Tommy Tuberville did at Auburn. Some are great players, but most are good players whom they develop into great players.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

While Colorado strength coach Jeff Pittman's comments weren't nearly as widely reported as Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin's blast at Florida, I imagine that his recent remarks for Colorado fans probably caught some notice around other Big 12 teams.

Pittman appeared at a post-signing day recruiting wrapup for Colorado fans and was excited about his team's recent progress at conditioning. And like Kiffin, he played to his crowd.

But in the process, Pittman probably raised the hackles of a few Big 12 foes.

"The last two weeks have been the best two weeks I've had here by far," Pitman told the group in a story reported by the Boulder Camera's Kyle Ringo. "I'm definitely excited. I think we're going to road-grade some people next year."

Here are some other stories from around the Big 12 today.

• The San Antonio Express-News' Mike Finger writes that Mack Brown is always going to hear about Texas-based recruits who were snubbed in recruiting by the Longhorns.
• Alabama recruit Dre Kirkpatrick explains to the New York Times' Thayer Evans that a woman at a gas station helped convince him to attend Alabama over Texas.
• Tulsa World columnist John Klein catches up with former Oklahoma coach John Blake, now the top recruiter at North Carolina on Butch Davis' staff.
• Texas will be charging $95 for a single-game ticket against Texas Tech in 2009 -- the highest ticket price the school has ever charged for one game, John Maher of the Austin American-Statesman reports.
• DeMarco Cobbs, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound wide receiver from Tulsa Central High School and a prime Oklahoma target, is ranked as the No. 1 prospect of the 2010 recruiting class by the Sporting News' Brian McLaughlin.
• Former Texas A&M offensive coordinator Les Koenning and defensive coordinator Carl Torbush have resurfaced in the same roles on Dan Mullen's new staff at Mississippi State, Kyle Veazey of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger reports.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Bowl action returns tonight when Texas and Ohio State meet in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. I'm expecting an entertaining game between two traditional powers who are meeting for only the third time in history, but also for the third time in the last four years.

Here are some links about what's happening around the conference.

• Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops is ready to claim a national championship with players solely recruited by him. Thayer Evans of the New York Times reports that on Stoops' 2000 national championship team, half of the starters were recruited to the program by former Oklahoma head coach John Blake.
• Texas coach Mack Brown discusses the bowl games so far this season, including some unexpected Big 12 South struggles, on Dallas Morning News Big 12 reporter Chuck Carlton's blog.
• Bill Haisten of the Tulsa World reports that Oklahoma State assistant coach Trooper Taylor appears headed to Auburn to join Gene Chizik's staff. And the Dothan Eagle's Andrew Gribble reports that Chizik has hired former Iowa State assistant Jay Boulware as his new special teams coordinator.
• John Finneran of Gatorcountry.com writes that contrary to some prevailing opinions, teams do play defense in the Big 12.
• Only the Cotton Bowl among five Texas-based bowls showed an increase in attendance this season, illustrating a national trend of declining attendance for bowl games, writes Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle.
• Bob Hamar of the Grand Island Independent admits to having a sportswriter's man-crush on Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Here are some trends I'll be following across the Big 12 in Saturday's games.

1. Can Texas keep running the top-12 gauntlet? -- The Longhorns have already subdued No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 11 Missouri and No. 7 Oklahoma State in successive weeks and is now set to face No. 7 (BCS) Texas Tech on Saturday. With a win, the Longhorns will become only the second team in college football history to beat a top-12 squad four weeks in a row. Notre Dame did it in 1943. Easier said than done -- especially in its first true road test during the streak.

2. Nebraska's emerging ball-control attack -- Joe Ganz and the Cornhuskers have used a safe and effective strategy that has enabled them to control the ball, running off 101 more offensive plays than its first four Big 12 opponents. Can they employ a similar strategy on Saturday to keep the ball away from explosive Oklahoma? They might need to, considering that Nebraska ranks second in total defense in conference games (362.8 yards per game) but last in average yards per play allowed (6.8 ypp).

3. Missouri's Mac attack -- Missouri wide receiver/kick returner Jeremy Maclin needs only 98 yards to set the school record for all-purpose yards that was set by former quarterback Brad Smith in 2005. The way Maclin has been involved in the Tigers' offense the record might be broken in the first quarter of Saturday's game against Baylor.

4. Oklahoma State's response to its first loss -- The Cowboys played well but still lost last week at Texas. OSU can keep alive its slim hopes for its first South Division title and first BCS appearance by beating Iowa State. A key will be the performance of the Cowboys' defense, which has limited its last three opponents (Missouri, Baylor and Texas) to season-low totals in points. To do that against the Cyclones will be a challenge, considering the Cyclones scored only five points against UNLV earlier this season.

5. How much will Texas A&M's defense improve simply by playing Colorado? -- The Aggies' young defense has been gashed for an average of 567.5 yards in their last two games, including a season-worst total of 574 last week by Iowa State. How will the Aggies respond to facing a less-than-imposing Colorado offense unit that ranks 11th in the conference in rushing and last in passing, total offense and scoring?

6. Todd Reesing's response after his worst game of the season -- The diminutive Kansas quarterback passed for a season-worst 154 yards and was picked off three times during a five-play nightmare stretch last week against Texas Tech. A strong rebound will be key if the Jayhawks hope to stay alive in the Big 12 North title hunt with a victory over Kansas State. Reesing has a chance to break the school passing record of 6,410 set by Frank Seurer with 245 passing yards on Saturday.

7. Texas Tech's defense on third-down plays -- The biggest struggles during Tech's two most recent losses have been stopping Texas' offense on critical plays. Texas clicked on 17 of 27 third-down plays and was 5 for 5 on fourth-down plays against the Red Raiders in those two games. Tech's improving defense has to do a better job Saturday night in order to spark an upset performance.

8. Oklahoma's struggling defense -- The Sooners defense has been rudderless since losing middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds against Texas, sparking a collapse that has seen them allow 111 points in their last three games -- the most since the 1997 season coached by John Blake. If the Sooners allow 30 points or more Saturday against Nebraska, it will be the first time in program history they've allowed 30-plus points in four straight games.

9. Which team emerges this week in the North Division -- Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska all are tied for first place heading into Saturday. The Tigers appear to have the easiest route to the title and already have a tiebreaker in place over Nebraska. Can the Tigers continue their domination against the North Division after struggling with Big 12 South power teams? And how will Kansas and Nebraska fare Saturday in tougher games than the Tigers appear to be facing?

10. Kansas' reaction to the 'Sunflower Showdown' smack -- Kansas State might have provided some inspiration to its cross-state rival with its lively pregame discussion. Such talk was a little bold for a team that has lost three of its last four games and allowed at least 500 yards in five of its last six games. Maybe it was for inspiration, but it also likely served as a wake-up call for a Jayhawks team that has allowed 108 points in its last two games.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

1. That maybe Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin could struggle to make the All-Big 12 team this season. Before the season started, Crabtree and Maclin were mortal locks on most All-Big 12 teams as the two wide receivers. But as good as their seasons have been, both players need big finishes to cement their first-team status. The idea might not be as far-fetched as you might think, considering the play of Jordan Shipley and Dez Bryant this season. Shipley has come up with his biggest games when the Longhorns have needed them. And Bryant is simply one of the most productive players at his position in college football.

2. Want to know how wacky the offensive binges have been in the Big 12 this season? Consider that Oklahoma has been gashed for 111 points in the last three games. It's the worst three-game stretch in terms of points allowed since the Sooners allowed 150 points under John Blake in 1997. But as bad as those struggles have been, the Sooners have won two of those games and came pretty close to winning the third. It probably won't make Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables feel any better, but it's just indicative of how football is being played in the Big 12 these days.

3. Please, no more punch lines about Mike Gundy anymore. This guy can coach. His Oklahoma State team might have had a coming-out party on the national stage yesterday in Austin. It gave the Longhorns everything they wanted for 60 minutes. There's no way the Cowboys should be dropped out of the top 10 after the loss -- at least by anybody who really watched the game in detail. And with only eight senior starters, including the expected return of Zac Robinson, Kendall Hunter and Bryant, OSU will be loaded next season.

4. For all the big numbers that Colt McCoy and the Texas offense rang up against Oklahoma State, the Texas defense was the story of the tight victory. A critical fourth-quarter stand and fourth-down stop wrapped up the victory and added to the legend of Will Muschamp. That memory is nice but won't last long. The Longhorns' defense will face its biggest challenge of the season next week in Lubbock against Texas Tech.

5. Colorado was the victim of the schedule Saturday, taking an inexperienced quarterback and banged-up offensive line into a Tiger's lair at Missouri. And it didn't help that the Tigers had been humiliated last week at Texas, were reeling after a two-game losing streak and wanted to take it out on somebody. The result was a 58-0 blowout that ranks as the low point of Dan Hawkins' coaching tenure at Colorado. But even with those struggles, I'm betting that Hawkins and Colorado fans will long remember how Gary Pinkel reinserted his first-string defense back into the game in the final minutes to get a late stop that preserved the shutout.

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

	AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez
	Bob Stoops is one half of the Red River Rivalry, making it one of the most anticipated games on the college football calendar.

DALLAS -- Tomorrow amongst the ferris wheels and corn dogs, we'll celebrate the kind of coaching rivalry that used to mark college football.

In the Big Ten, the legendary "Ten-Year War" involved Woody Hayes vs. Bo Schembechler. Barry Switzer vs. Tom Osborne was almost as big as the Big Eight Conference itself. The SEC had Bear Bryant against Shug Jordan. And the Southwest Conference celebrated the annual grudge game between good friends Darrell Royal and Frank Broyles.

But after surveying the landscape of college football today, those matchups look about as quaint as dollar-a-gallon gasoline. We likely won't see many like those again.

That's what makes tomorrow's game at the Cotton Bowl so special and intriguing.

Mack Brown and Bob Stoops are that rare breed today of rock stars with coaching whistles, arguably bigger than their respective programs. Both have won national championships and are headed towards induction one day in the College Football Hall of Fame.

And their yearly battles in the Red River Rivalry will one day be remembered as one of the greatest coaching rivalries in college football history.

Saturday's game will be the 10th time that Stoops and Brown have hooked up. Stoops holds a 6-3 edge, including a five-game winning streak from 2000-04. But Brown has claimed two of the last three games between the two South Division rivals.

When each arrived at their respective schools, both programs were perceived to be downtrodden dinosaurs that had seen better days. Just look back to the coaching tenures of John Blake and John Mackovic and remember how far both schools have risen since their swoons a decade ago.

After their arrivals, Brown and Stoops elevated the stature of both programs, turning them into two of a handful of national powers who are national championship threats almost every season in the new millennium.

Since Stoops arrived in 1999, either Oklahoma or Texas has won the Big 12 South Division championship every year. The Sooners have accounted for five Big 12 titles and the Longhorns one during the nine-year period. During that same period, every Big 12 North team has claimed at least a share of the title.

Brown realizes how the Big 12 has changed the dynamics of their rivalry.

"I remember when we got here, everybody said the luster was gone," Brown said. "This game wasn't important anymore and nobody really cared about it and it wasn't even a national TV game and it was so sad that the Texas-OU game was unimportant.

"It was important to the players, it was important to the coaches, but it's back now to where it has national implications, and that's been fun."

The Stoops-Brown rivalry might not be as bitter as some of those other coaching matchups. But that doesn't mean that either coach doesn't want to beat the pants off his coaching rival tomorrow afternoon.

Stoops said he might run into Brown three or four times a year -- including their 3 ½-hour yearly shindig at the Cotton Bowl.

Brown has always spoken reverently about his respect for Stoops.

"What I've gotten is a great respect for Bob and what he's done over the last 10 years," he said. "He'll be remembered like Barry Switzer and (former Oklahoma coach Bud) Wilkinson. He's done exactly for them what they've asked him to do.

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