Football, Ncaa | featured news

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Clear sailing on the field, but NCAA storm clouds are gathering again. Chased by demons of past sins, pursuing the ghosts of past greatness, the top-ranked USC football team began the 2012 season by swathing the rollicking Coliseum with one chilling word.

Oklahoma is No. 1 in The Associated Press preseason college football poll for the 10th time, edging Alabama for the top spot.

Terrelle Pryor will have an opportunity to pursue his NFL dreams, with one significant caveat: The former Ohio State star must still pay for breaking NCAA rules while he was in college....

Jim Tressel, who guided Ohio State to its first national title in 34 years, resigned Monday amid NCAA violations from a tattoo-parlor scandal that sullied the image of one of the country's top football programs.

The NCAA decision rejecting USC's appeal means penalties imposed against the school's football program, including a two-year bowl ban and the loss of 30 scholarships over three years, remain in place.

Oregon managed just fine without offensive stars Jeremiah Masoli and LaMichael James in its season opener Saturday. Kenjon Barner scored five touchdowns in place of the suspended James, and Darron Thomas threw two touchdowns in place of the dismissed Masoli as the Ducks blew out New Mexico, 72-0, in Eugene, Ore. Barner ran for four touchdowns and caught a TD pass in the Ducks 59-point first half. He compiled 225 yards of total offense.

Southern California has received a two-year bowl ban and a sharp loss of football scholarships in a report on the NCAA's four-year investigation of the school.

The NCAA infractions committee intends to uphold sanctions against Florida State that would take away wins in 10 sports, including as many as 14 by football coach Bobby Bowden.