Back home, Riley has Beavers riding tough road to respectability
It's Nike U. vs. Lunch Pail U. in the most important game in Civil War history. Dennis Dodd puts the spotlight on Mike Riley, whose Beavers look to ride their trademark grit past Oregon and to the Rose Bowl.
Tide closing in on title, but must first close out Gators
Last season, Alabama panicked. The Gators stunned Nick Saban's team in the final 15 minutes on the road to victory. Now the battle-tested Tide are out to finish what they started, Dennis Dodd says.
Texas' forethought gives Muschamp little reason to look too far ahead
Not wanting to lose another defensive coordinator, Texas gave Will Muschamp a carrot -- the chance to succeed Mack Brown. It might be a while before Brown departs, but Muschamp stays in the present, Dennis Dodd says.
Bowden's departure harbinger of doom for Penn State's Paterno
Joe Paterno should pay close attention. With FSU nudging Bobby Bowden out, the same could happen to Penn State's coaching legend. Even with the career wins record in hand, Paterno can't be happy, Dennis Dodd says.
Onus is on Notre Dame brass to finally luck out in coaching search
Charlie Weis is out at Notre Dame after a disappointing five-year tenure. Now the focus turns to the school's administration and its coaching search. The Irish can't afford to fumble this time, Dennis Dodd says.
For all its flaws, BCS walking right path
True, we're looking at a Texas-Florida/Alabama BCS title game. But all isn't lost for the underdogs, Dennis Dodd says. With two mid-majors likely to play in BCS bowls, the system is working out well this season.
Firing line: Welcome to Black Sunday, Monday ...
A week of reckoning is coming for many coaches, for better or worse. Dennis Dodd looks at what might be coming as early as Sunday.
