AP Photo/Al Behrman Will Notre Dame come calling for Cincinnati's Brian Kelly

*Can Notre Dame really, really wait until after Saturday's game to begin to make back-channel inquiries to potential coaches after missing out on Urban Meyer in a similar situation last time around? If I'm buddies with Urban Meyer, Bob Stoops, Brian Kelly, Jim Harbaugh or Pat Fitzgerald, I'm making sure my cell phone is fully charged.


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*As expected, Syracuse junior wide receiver Mike Williamswill enter the NFL draft, our Len Pasquerelli reports. Williams quit the team when he was told he might be suspended following a late-night car accident involving his teammates after a game earlier this season.

*The coaches under the most pressure today are Charlie Weis (Notre Dame), Kansas (Mark Mangino), Virginia (Al Groh), Louisville (Steve Kragthorpe), Colorado (Dan Hawkins), Maryland (Ralph Friedgen), Akron (J.D. Brookhart), Marshall (Mark Snyder), Hawaii (Greg McMackin) and Arkansas State (Steve Roberts).

Jobs being filled as we speak are UNLV, Memphis, San Jose State and Western Kentucky. As stated previously, LSU running backs coach Larry Porter the strongest candidate at Memphis and now Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino is a very strong candidate at Western Kentucky. As for the Friedgen situation, I'm told he won't resign and isn't eager to discuss any sort of settlement if Maryland elects to make a change. If that does happen, it seems most likely to me that they would stick with their plan to promote offensive coordinator James Franklin. If Louisville opens as expected, yes, Texas Tech coach Mike Leach would listen.

*BCS Playoff Structure? How about 1. Florida vs. 8 Ohio State; 4 TCU vs. 5 Cincinnati; 2 Alabama vs. 7 Oregon; 3 Texas vs. 6 Georgia Tech. Yes, in this scenario, Boise State would still get squeezed out. But how about the second round possibilities? Florida vs. TCU and Alabama vs. Texas. Wow. Imagine.

*Two high-ranking Kansas Regents told me Sunday night that they are concerned about allegations involving Coach Mark Mangino and student-athletes, but that they have confidence in an ongoing investigation at the direction of athletic director Lew Perkins. As for time line, one said: "Dragging it out does nobody any good. But we can't rush it... because of legal reasons." Those words don't sound encouraging for Mangino. If Mangino is fired without cause, some reports that have interpreted Mangino's contract suggest his attorney would be able to seek more than $6 million. If the Chancellor at Kansas and the AD pursue a dismissal with cause, they could cite language in his contract that states "dis-credible conduct that is inconsistent with the professional standards expected of a head coach" as grounds. But expect another legal battle if Perkins attempts to fire him with cause, because Mangino can appeal to a panel, made up in part, of people he helped select. Of course, a settlement between Mangino and the school is always possible if it is determined the damage done (recruiting ramifications, etc.) would lead it to be in the best interest of both parties to part ways. All that said, both Regents did also state that the investigation should be allowed to run its course.



AP Photo/Mary Schwalm

*Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich is having a titanium rod placed in his leg today. Herzlich is a cancer survivor, having taken this season off to fight Ewings Sarcoma. He told me on the sideline at Saturday's Boston College game that he will play next season. Herzlich has even told his coaches he would like to participate some in bowl practice this year, which may be a little overly ambitious, but telling.

*So, Charlie Weis isn't resigning. Can you blame him? You have to wonder if his public declaration on Sunday that he would understand if he was fired is the sign of a man who wouldn't really mind if he is. After all, there is believed to be a $15-$20 million buyout, a fairly nice parting gift.

*You could easily make the argument that Ryan Mallett is the best quarterback in the SEC. So, so much for South Carolina's preseason ballot being cast for Jevan Snead. It probably should have been cast for Mallett, who passed for 313 yards and five touchdowns on Saturday.

*Assuming he wants to be, UConn coach Randy Edsall should be a top candidate at Kansas and Virgnia, should they open up. He is the complete package as a coach.