Jake Curtis (San Francisco Chronicle) -- Welcome to the sport where holdouts, trade talk and letters of re-instatement are not part of the preseason discussion, leaving us to seek out the issues worth watching as college football teams across the country open camp over the next few days: -- LSU quarterback competition: A guy who could not make the Harvard varsity could end up starting pharmacy online for the defending national champion. After dismissing Ryan Perrilloux, who since has transferred to Jacksonville State ... Read More

By Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland.com) -- My appreciation for Quinn Pitcock grew measurably last year as Ohio State's defensive line didn't do some things that obviously were done when Pitcock was on that line in 2006. Tying up blockers to keep them away from your linebackers isn't a glamorous job, but if you're looking for one unsung reason why James Laurinaitis burst on the scene as a sophomore in 2006, Pitcock might be it. He also provided the type of inside pass rush that ... Read More

By Tom James (Tribune-Star) -- TERRE HAUTE — The mystery surrounding the training camp absence of Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock appears to be solved. According to a statement released to various media outlets late Tuesday evening by agent Brad Leshnock, Pitcock has decided to end his brief National Football League career after one season with the team. “After much deliberation and careful thought, Quinn resolved to retire from the NFL. He notified the Colts of this decision last week. Quinn is grateful ... Read More

By JON SPENCER (The Newark Advocate) -- CHICAGO -- Anita Williams doesn't count sheep to fall asleep. She counts offensive plays (16), third-down conversions (three) and storybook quarterback sneaks (one), all engineered by her son in last year's game-clinching drive by Illinois in its upset of No. 1 Ohio State. With Juice Williams under center, the Illini held the ball for the final 8:09 to hand the Buckeyes their only loss in their past 30 regular-season games and snap their 20-game Big Ten winning ... Read More

By: ALEX SMART (Covers.com) -- The Buckeye's start their 2008 campaign in search of completing at least one hat-trick but not wanting to complete another. Back-to-back losses in the BCS Championship games obviously hurts and a repeat visit for the third consecutive year will head the agenda. Clearly the one hat-trick Tressel won't want on his CV will be three consecutive BCS Championship losses. So is all the hype coming into the 2008 season valid. Are the Buckeyes capable of returning to ... Read More

By JOSH KATZOWITZ (New York Times) -- CHICAGO — Lest anyone forget, Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman had a good season last year. He led the Big Ten in passing efficiency, completed 63.9 percent of his attempts, and recorded 25 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. He led the Buckeyes to their third straight conference crown and their second consecutive trip to the Bowl Championship Series title game. But Boeckman is not the only Ohio State quarterback receiving attention in Columbus these days. ... Read More