Joe Paterno's prognosis was somewhat less optimistic than that expressed earlier in the week in a Penn State news release that predicted he would resume work on Tuesday and coach his team on Saturday. A Penn State doctor left open the possibility that Paterno could view the remaining games from a private coaching box at the stadium but said it was important for he keep his leg elevated to prevent blood clots.
-- New York Times

Several of Florida's juniors soon will begin mulling early entry into the NFL Draft. The Gators could be hit extremely hard because safety Reggie Nelson, linebacker Brandon Siler and defensive end Jarvis Moss are projected to be high picks if they decide to leave.
-- Miami Herald

Cal signed two players for next season Wednesday, but it was a player Cal did not sign that was the most newsworthy. Drew Viney, a 6-foot-7 senior forward at Orange County's Villa Park High School who was rated the 61st best prospect in the country by rivals.com, switched his commitment from Cal to Oregon over the weekend.
-- San Francisco Chronicle

The Miami Hurricanes will play Saturday against Maryland with decals on their helmets bearing Bryan Pata's No. 95. Coach Larry Coker waited to assess his players' feelings before going ahead with practice.
-- New York Times

Miami sophomore quarterback Kirby Freeman will get his first start Saturday at Maryland in place of Kyle Wright, who fractured the thumb on his right (throwing) hand in last week's loss to Virginia Tech. Larry Coker said Wright, whose cast was removed Wednesday, practiced lightly and would be available if needed.
-- Miami Herald

Blake Mitchell will be South Carolina's starting quarterback against Florida on Saturday afternoon. But don't be surprised to see Syvelle Newton, too.
-- Florida Times-Union

Notre Dame accepted letters of intent Wednesday for all four of its available scholarships for next season: 6-foot-8-inch, 205-pound Carleton Scott of San Antonio; 6-7, 210-pound Tim Abromaitis of Farmington, Conn.; 6-7, 215-pound Tyrone Nash of Queens, N.Y.; and 6-4, 193-pound Ty Proffitt of London, Ky. Coach Mike Brey said there was a chance the Irish would redshirt one of the four, adding he had discussed the possibility with Abromaitis, who is young for his class.
-- Chicago Tribune

Pitt freshman Nate Byham will replace junior Darrell Strong in the starting lineup and will likely have to play a majority of the snaps because he and senior Steve Buches are the only two scholarship tight ends available after coach Dave Wannstedt suspended Strong indefinitely for making an obscene gesture to the crowd in the loss at South Florida last week.
-- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Arizona State received signed letters-of-intent from three basketball prospects and got a verbal commitment from a fourth in a recruiting class that might be among the best in ASU history.
-- Arizona Republic

Wisconsin officials, bolstered by the success of the Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic in February, are trying to move UW's 2007 football game against Nevada-Las Vegas to Lambeau Field. According to the Las Vegas Sun, UNLV athletic director Mike Hamrick declined two offers.
-- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

National power Cal State Fullerton was expected to sign three players who were key members of the U.S. junior national team that won the silver medal in September in Cuba. They are third baseman Matt Dominguez of Chatsworth, infielder Christian Colon of Anaheim Canyon and power hitter Freddy Freeman of Orange El Modena.
-- Los Angeles Times