1. With the suspension of Jeremiah Masoli and other off-field problems at Oregon, where does that put the Ducks going into next season?

DODD: After the shock wore off from Chip Kelly suspending his starting quarterback for the season, I started to think of this strictly in football terms. In football terms, this is a killer. I’m not saying Masoli shouldn’t have been suspended. He lied to his coach and the cops, that’s a deal breaker. I’m saying it was a bold step for Kelly knowing that this kind of move seriously jeopardizes the season. The coach chose character over wins. With Masoli, Oregon is top-10 team favored to win another Pac-10 title. Without him, the conference is in a jumble. The offense was tailored for him and Masoli brought that difference-maker factor. Remember when he bowled over that Oregon State defender late in the Civil War? Best guess: Kelly goes more conservati sophomores LaMichael James (suspended for the first game), Kenjon Barner and incoming five-star recruit Lache Seastrunk. While Oregon’s offense is complicated, it’s not a finesse scheme, it’s physical. There’s still 17 or 18 starters returning and the defense is good. This team could still win 10 games. The larger question is the quarterback position. Deep in his heart, I’m betting Kelly wouldn’t mind if Masoli left the program because Masoli’s situation complicates recruiting. Coaches like to target quarterback prospects as juniors (or before). What is Kelly telling quarterback recruits with Masoli due to come back in 2011 along with current third-year sophomore Darron Thomas? Without Masoli, Kelly would have an easier time targeting some of the nation’s top quarterback recruits. The battle to replace Masoli is now on. Thomas hasn’t played since 2008 while fifth-year senior Nate Costa has battled injuries and was a backup last season having started the UCLA game. No pressure, fellas. One of you is going to run a team that just went to the Rose Bowl. Yes, Oregon has run astray off the field. But it is nowhere near where Florida is in terms of law breakers. What happened at Oregon, Florida calls the month of May. OK, maybe that’s too harsh but you get the picture. If this keeps happening in Eugene, then we’ve got reason for concern. For now, I’m willing to move on.

DARST: A few months ago, I saw Oregon as the favorite in the Pac-10 but not anymore. In fact, with all the off-the-field issues this offseason, I think Oregon is in for a rough year. Having LaMichael James suspended for a game isn’t going to be that big of a deal, but suspending Masoli for the year is huge. Here is a guy who was going to be a Heisman contender. And now at quarterback? Nate Costa. Or does Chip Kelly start somebody like sophomore Darron Thomas. Costa started against UCLA and was 9 of 17 for 82 yards. Thankfully, James had 157 yards rushing and Oregon got a kickoff return for a TD and an interception return for a score in the win. The one positive is Costa or Thomas will get plenty of work leading up to the season. I commend Chip Kelly for suspending a kid who deserved to sit out the season. And Kelly didn’t let this linger on until August. He made the decision now, so the rest of the team can start looking forward. Sorry Ducks fans, I just don’t see it h at Tennessee, at USC, at California and at Oregon State.

2. Which spring game would you want to attend?

DODD: LSU, because Russell Shepard has embraced the move from quarterback to receiver. This could have been an ugly situation considering Shepard was recruited in 2009 as one of the nation’s top high school quarterbacks out of Houston. He practiced at quarterback, tailback and receiver last season and never seemed to find a position. Now that he has given up quarterback, Shepard could become the next Percy Harvin in the SEC. Shepard said he was inspired to move, in part, because Tim Tebow was called the best college player of all time but then was disparaged by NFL types. When he lined up at quarterback, it was in the Wildcat formation and Shepard didn’t attempt a pass. His mind was made up, he said, at halftime of the season’s biggest game against Florida. Jordan Jefferson threw for only 96 yards and the offense produced only a field goal in a 13-3 loss. Still, Shepard couldn’t get on the field. This makes things more comfortable for everyone. Jefferson can continue to improve at quarterback while Shepard can refine his receiving skills at slot receiver where he is listed No. 1. Here’s hoping that Les Miles shows him off in the spring game if for no other reason than to calm the masses.

DARST: Not a big fan of spring games, but how crazy is it going to be at Alabama’s spring game this year? Two years ago, 92,000 people showed up at Bryant-Denny Stadium to watch Nick Saban. What kind of attendance are they going to have this year coming off a season where the Tide won the national title? Tuscaloosa’s population is a little more than 90,000, so everywhere else but the stadium is going to be a ghost town. From a media stand point, Ohio State is the place to be. Even though this game is just a scrimmage, let’s see if the Buckeyes run their offense like they did in the Rose Bowl. To me, that is one of the biggest questions entering 2010. Ohio State is going to be ranked in everybody’s Top 3 and the pressure is going to be on Jim Tressel and Terrelle Pryor to deliver a national title. So let’s see real quickly if Pryor is going to be a lesser version of Troy Smith or will he go back to just handing the ball off and completing 8 of 17 passes a game. I want to be there to find out. That is, of course, if Tressel shows anything during the game or if Pryor even plays or faces contact after undergoing minor knee surgery in March.

3. You get to control college football for one day. What is the one thing you are doing with all this alignment talk?

DODD: This is too easy. It has to be Notre Dame to the Big Ten. The fact that Jack Swarbrick mentioned it last week at the Big East hoops tournament shows that ND’s independent status has become a front burner issue in South Bend. Swarbrick has to know that if the expansion dominoes fall right, Notre Dame could be boxed out financially and athletically. As an independent, it gets more than $10 million a year from NBC. As a Big Ten member it would more than double that take. What’s to figure out? All this tradition stuff gets old. ND is special as an independent. It would be special as a Big Ten member. Does Swarbrick want to keep playing neutral site games against the likes of Washington State or play for the Rose Bowl each year? I’m told any mating dance would have to be handled very delicately. ND rejected the Big Ten 11 years ago. On the other side, Notre Dame’s ego won’t let it go crawling to the Big Ten. Something has please pick up.

DARST: One thing? I only get to choose one? Well, I would force Notre Dame to join a conference too, but I’ll incorporate in my wish. No more BCS. Seriously, I’m so tired of this nonsense. How can every other sport have a playoff system, but college football still likes to determine its national champion by using biased humans to vote? There are a handful of ways to make 11 conference champions and f win your conference, you get a chance to play for the title. If you don’t, you have to be picked by the selection committee. Yes, the SEC isn’t the same as the Sun Belt, but guess what, we have 11 conferences in one division. In college basketball, the Big East isn’t equal to the SWAC, but guess what, both champions get in. Under my scenario, the team most likely that would have been left out of our 16-team playoff would have all with three losses. Have a complaint? Win more games. No more nonsense about kids can’t play because of exams or it will be hard for fans to travel or the bowl system will be ruined (Yeah, it’s not ruined now). I don’t hear these complaints in other sports or divisions, so I don’t want to hear it here. And on that note, sorry Notre Dame, I know the BCS has all these special rules for you to get to a major bowl, but not in my system … join a conference to be taken seriously.

4. Now that we have the bowl game in Yankees Stadium on Dec. 30, which city that doesn’t have a bowl game should have one?

DODD: Is Poughkeepsie taken? The question should be, what cities have bowl games? will be certified by the NCAA in 2010. NCAA research shows that an average of 70-72 teams have been bowl eligible in recent years. We’re getting dangerously close to a 5-7 record team having to apply for a special waiver to play in a bowl game. That’s good news for Vanderbilt, not so good for the quality of the game.

DARST: There are too many bowls to begin. I could easily think of a few places that would probably support a bowl game with the right affiliations. Let’s think logically. It has to be easy to get to with a strong airport, it has to have a good base of hotels/resorts and there has to be things to do. The two cities that jump out to me are Indianapolis and Denver. Indianapolis has the new stadium. You can get there from just about anywhere and if you tie in the game with a Big Ten team, you are sure to get at least 40,000 people. Denver could work too if it had a Big 12 vs. Mountain West/WAC tie in. But please, no more bowl games.

The nine-year coach of the Buckeyes had his original contract, signed in 2006 and amended twice more, extended through the 2014 season on Tuesday.

“We wanted to reward Jim for his exemplary work with our football program and lock him in as our coach for an additional two years,” athletic director Gene Smith said.

Tressel, who is 94-21 at Ohio State, makes about $3.5 million a year, depending on incentives and additions. He will be 62 years old when the new extension ends.

He has said that he wants to coach as long as he enjoys it and feels he is effective. The Buckeyes are coming off an 11-2 season which was capped by a victory over Oregon in the Rose Bowl.

One portion of the new contract addendum provides Tressel with a university job as an associate athletic director if he steps down as football coach on good terms before his contract ends. He would be paid $150,000 a year.

His old contract offered him a faculty position upon retirement.

A paragraph in the new addendum also provides that when Tressel retires as football coach, he will receive six press along with two season tickets to all home men’s and women’s basketball games.

In the statement announcing the new extension, Tressel said it was an honor to work at Ohio State.

Tressel, Smith, Ohio State senior vice president for business and finance William J. Shkurti and Jeff Kaplan, special assistant to Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee, all signed the contract extension this month.

Smith said Tuesday that Tressel told him he was satisfied with his salary and is aware of the financial problems facing the school’s athletic department and has not sought additional compensation.

Ohio State has raised football ticket prices $7, to a face value of $70, and has added another $1 to most men’s basketball tickets to offset substantial losses in the athletic department.

Smith said at the time that the ticket-price increases were needed to offset increases in operating costs and losses caused by a flagging economy. He said concessions revenue was down nine percent and merchandise revenue another 26 percent, with payroll and other expenses rising 10 percent.

S ranked among the top 10 in the natio would lose around $350,000 again this season for the second year in a row.

Tressel’s extended contract is subject to the approval of the Ohio State board of trustees at its May meeting.

At No. 12 overall, McClain is the highest rated linebacker by NFLDraftScout.com, which lists four outside linebackers among first-round prospects and eight in the top two rounds, as opposed to only four insider ‘backers in the first three rounds.

McClain is a team-leader, a thinker and a thumper, but where he is selected may be determined by the NFL’s need for speed to defend against those wide open offenses.

Last year, USC’s Rey Maualuga and Ohio State’s James Laurinaitis waited until the second round, largely because of clocked times no better than 4.76 seconds in 40 yards. By contrast, Patrick Willis was taken No. 11 overall by San Francisco in 2007 after being timed at 4.51 seconds in the 40 and Jared Mayo was taken No. 10 by New England after running a 4.54.

McClain, a huge force at 6-feet-4, 254 pounds, did not run at the Indianapolis Scouting Combine, but was timed in the high 4.4-second range by scouts at his March 10 pro day.

The top outside linebackers expected to join McClain in the first round are Bran and versatile Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri. Here is a closer look at this year’s top linebacker prospects:

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

Rank/Player/School/Height/Weight/Projected Round (*Underclassman)

1. Brandon Graham, Michigan, 6-2, 268, 1 Before straining a hamstring at the Scouting Combine, Graham displayed the speed and agility to make the transition to outside linebacker. The No. 5-rated defensive end by NFLDraftScout.com due to his lack of prototype size for the position, Graham could be the first outside linebacker off the board if he performs well at his April 8 workout. Graham finds a way to overcome larger opponents with a relentless attack. He uses just enough speed and surprising power that comes from his understanding of using leverage from his 6-1 frame. Despite only average footwork, he shows enough awareness to help in underneath zone coverage. After leading the nation with 26 tackles for loss and recording 10.5 sacks in 2009, Graham was the most dominating player on the field during Senior Bowl week.

2. Sergio Kindle, Texas, 6-3, 250, 1 Instinctive, athletic big-play maker at outside linebacker in the 3-4, but might be a terror as a 4-3 pass-rushing defensive end if he adds about 20 pounds. He is tightly wound and competitive, yet has natural balance and athleticism to play under control. He started 24 games in his career, including 13 at defensive end in 2009. Kindle is a two-time All-Big 12 selection with career stats that include 168 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 39 tackles for loss, 56 pressures, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He has a history of nagging injuries and some off-field issues, including being treated for a concussion last year after crashing his car into an apartment building while texting in July.

3. Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri, 6-1, 239, 1 The “Spoon” plays bigger than he measures and his impact includes motivating teammates with his infectious enthusiasm. He impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl with his play and leadership, and his engaging personality didn’t hurt. As a freshman he led Missouri in special teams tackles, then became a starter on the weak outside as a sophomore, where he collected 127 tackles (9.5 for a loss). In 2008 Weatherspoon had 155 tackles, including 17 in his MVP performance in the Alamo Bowl. Last year he had 104 tackles, including 14.5 for a loss and 4.5 sacks. He has the athletic ability to run around and make things happen, but he will need to show he has the strength to be a consistent defender in the NFL.

4. Daryl Washington, TCU, 6-2, 230, 1-2 If his production ever catches up to his potential he can be special. However, he just doesn’t appear to be instinctive. Washington manages to get in on more than his share of plays with sheer aggression and sideline-to-sideline speed. After playing behind Jason Phillips for most of his career, Washington became a starter for the first time last year and made the most of it. He helped TCU repeat as the top-rated defense in terms of total yardage allowed, leading the team with 109 tackles, 11 for loss, two sacks and three interceptions. To maximize his positives in the NFL, a team may need to restrict his assignment to a simple attack mode.

5. Ricky Sapp, Clemson, 6-4, 252, 2 Moved from defensive end to standup linebacker last year and responded with career highs in tackles (60), tackles for loss (15) and sacks (5.0) to go along with a forced fumble. That became even more impressive when he revealed at the Combine that he played the entire season on a right knee that was “at 60 percent strength” stemming from a torn ACL in November of 2008. He did have surgery to repair the injury. Whether he plays outside linebacker in a 3-4 or defensive end in a 4-3, Sapp’s promise is as a pass rusher. A high school track sprinter and basketball star, Sapp’s overall athleticism is more striking than his football ability. If he learns to harness all his talent he can become an elite pass rusher in the NFL.

6. Koa Misi, Utah, 6-3, 251, 2 He is a pick-your-poison type athlete who is powerful enough to take on and shed a blocker on the spot and fast enough to run around you and chase down his victim. Put that together with excellent instincts, a high-rev motor and team-leader type personality, and this prospect should fit well into somebody’s roster. A standout in his one year at Santa Rosa (Calif.) Junior College, Misi then moved on to terrorize opponents for three more years with the Utes. Misi impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl with his overall ability.

7. Eric Norwood, South Carolina, 6-1, 245, 2-3 The only player in South Carolina history to earn first-team all-SEC honors three consecutive years, Norwood was a productive college player at defensive end, inside and outside linebacker. He is far better going forward, especially as a pass rusher, than he is going laterally or backward, so he is expected to be moved to defensive end or pass-rush outside linebacker in the NFL. His athletic ability is not obvious, but his production shows his well-honed instincts and a high-rev motor. Team captain in 2009, his hard-work ethic is reflected in a Criminal Justice degree he earned in 3 1/2 years.

8. *Thaddeus Gibson, Ohio State, 6-2, 243, 2-3 As a college defensive end he had 10 career sacks and 25 tackles for a loss, but he may be more productive as an outside rush linebacker in the pros. When the NFL Advisory committee projected him as a second-round prospect in January he said he opted to enter the draft in order to help pay family medical bills. His natural athletic ability is obvious, but scouts wonder how quickly he will be able to diagnose and react properly when confronted with complex NFL offenses. His strong point is as a fluid, hard-to-hit athlete in open space as a pass rusher, but needs to show the ability to disengage when a blocker gets on him.

9. *Jason Worilds, Virginia Tech, 6-1, 254, 3 Although he may lack the bulk to be an every-down defensive end in the NFL, Worilds should be able to help some team immediately on special teams as a situational pass rusher. He will need to add at least 15 pounds to stay at defensive end or he might be able to parlay his tremendous athletic ability, quickness and agility into a job as an every-down outside linebacker. Worilds underwent shoulder surgery in January 2009 and sat out spring training before earning his second All-ACC selection last season with 49 tackles, including 11 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one pass breakup and a team-leading 32 quarterback hurries.

10. *Navorro Bowman, Penn State, 6-1, 242, 3 On the field, Bowman may be short in stature but he is long in production. He is especially impressive coming off the edge, where he is both quick and agile, although he can take on a blocker with a decent bull rush. Off-field issues have been a concern as he was suspended two games and received one year of probation and 100 hours of community service following a fight in October 2007, and then received another year of probation for violating the terms of the original sentence by admitting he didn’t complete the 100 hours of service and smoked marijuana. But last year he changed his jersey number (to No. 11) and possibly his life style. Last summer he became a father and in December he graduated with a degree in Crime, Law and Justice.

11. Dekoda Watson, Florida State, 6-2, 240, 3-4 Watson is fast and athletic enough to find a role in the NFL. Although he is one of the most impressively built athletes in the draft, his sculpted body has not resulted in consistent production and he had durability issues. He missed time last season with a groin injury and had problems with his left elbow, left hamstring and a three-game suspension for his role in the infamous Florida State academic scandal. Despite the limitations last year, he played in all 13 games and had career highs in tackles (65), tackles for loss (13) and sacks (6). An outstanding week of Senior Bowl practices was noticed by scouts.

12. *Rennie Curran, Georgia, 5-11, 235, 4 Curran opted to enter the draft after his junior season because there was nothing another year in college could do to improve his most obvious shortcoming. He is short at 5-11. But he is not short on athletic ability, instinct or intensity. Gets in on far more than his share of plays, evidenced by his SEC-leading 130 tackles last year and 115 in 2008. He will probably do the same in the NFL if he manages to get a spot on somebody’s defense. If not, some team will get a hellacious special teams player, especially on kickoff coverage.

MIDDLE LINEBACKERS

Rolando McClain’s size and speed numbers are only part of the impressive pro package. (US Presswire) 1. *Rolando McClain, Alabama, 6-4, 254, 1 McClain was to national champion Alabama’s No. 1 defense what Ray Lewis is to a leader who commands respect and leads by example. Some scouts wonder how much he benefited from playing in coach Nick Saban’s hyper-aggressive, 3-4 defense that kept him free to roam behind the likes of huge nose tackle Terrance Cody. McClain won the Butkus Award as the top linebacker in the country. He collected 105 tackles, including 14.5 for a loss, four sacks and two interceptions. McClain’s quiet demeanor in combine interviews was curious to some, but teammates say he is more a man of action than words. He was unable to finish his pro day March 10, and revealed after the workout that he has been battling Crohn’s disease for the past seven years. NFL teams were aware of the condition, which is controlled through medication and diet, and multiple NFL sources told NFLDraftScout.com that it won’t affect McClain’s draft status.

2. Brandon Spikes, Florida, 6-3, 249, 2 Spikes has the instincts, quickness and aggression to be consistent against the run and very good against the pass despite a lack of elite speed. That said, he is alert and opportunistic, evidence by the fact that since 1996, he is one of only three linebackers in the nation to have four interceptions returned for touchdowns. Gained negative notoriety last season for attempting to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey, for which he was suspended for the first half of the Vanderbilt game. He excused himself from the entire game so as not to become a distraction. He is the cousin of San Francisco linebacker Takeo Spikes.

3. Sean Lee, Penn State, 6-2, 236, 2-3 Lee tore his right ACL in spring 2008, forcing him to redshirt his fourth season at Penn State rather than taking over for Dan Connor at middle linebacker. After a year spent acting as a coach from the sideline and in practice, the team captain earned second-team all-conference honors in 2009 with 86 tackles, 11 for loss, and seven pass breakups. Doesn’t have great speed, but has that combination of anticipation, instinct and aggressiveness that is common among successful journeyman NFL linebackers.

4. Donald Butler, Washington, 6-1, 245, 3 Butler’s stock has been rising quickly the past few months, especially after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl workouts. Based on that he became a late addition to the invitation list for the combine, where he put up a position-best 35 bench reps at 225 pounds. Because of injuries to others, Butler moved between inside and outside linebacker in 2008 and did it well enough to be voted most improved defender on the team. He was then selected team captain in 2009, going on to lead the Huskies with 94 total tackles, 15.5 for a loss. He added two interceptions, a fumble recovery and three forced fumbles.

5. Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State, 6-1, 242, 4-5 Chaney started at both inside and outside linebacker in college and was just beginning to show outstanding pro potential when his progress was interrupted in 2008 with a fractured leg. He returned in 2009 to lead the team with 90 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles. After making the Senior Bowl with a late invitation, Chaney impressed some scouts in practice and was named defensive MVP after collecting eight tackles and fumble recovery.

6. Phillip Dillard, Nebraska, 6-0, 245, 4-5 After missing the first two games of the season, Dillard made a conspicuous ascent into the consciousness of teammates, opponents and scouts with a series of take-charge performances. This really began before the 2009 season when he worked off extra weight and got into the best shape of his life. A heady, intense team leader, Dillard finished last season with 83 tackles, second on the team only to All-American defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, including 11 for a loss. His nine starts was one more than he had total entering the season due in part to injuries (ACL in 2006, ankle 2008).

7. Pat Angerer, Iowa, 6-0, 235, 5 With anger in his name, he must be a linebacker, right? Well, he was in college, and a pretty good one considering that his 135 tackles was among the top five in the nation last year. But now pro scouts aren’t sure how well he will fit into the NFL. In college he was able to rely on exceptional instincts and physicality to get the job done. But he didn’t look fast enough in game tapes and sure enough he ran in the mid-4.7-second area at the Combine. That’s not bad, but it certainly isn’t good if you’re only a hair taller than 6-feet and weigh under 240 pounds. Everybody loves his attitude, but college overachievers have a difficult time in the pros.

8. Darryl Sharpton, Miami, 5-11, 236, 5-6 To be precise, Sharpton measured 5-feet, 11 3/8 at the Combine. Other than that, he seems to measure up as an excellent pro prospect whose exceptional athletic ability was used at several positions in college. However, scouts are not sure that his obvious athleticism translates to football well enough to consider him an elite candidate. He appears to be inconsistent diagnosing plays, is suckered by fakes and then there’s the size issue. Regardless, he managed to lead Miami with 106 tackles last year.

Sports Xchange.

The Buckeyes football coach had his original contract, signed in 2008, extended through the 2014 season.

Tressel, who is 94-21 in his nine years in Columbus, makes around $3.5 million a year, depending on incentives and additions.

Athletic director Gene Smith said Tuesday that Tressel told him he was satisfied with his salary. He is aware of the financial problems facing the athletic department, and not sought additional compensation.

Ohio State has raised football ticket prices $7 to a face value of $70, and added another $1 to most men’s basketball tickets to offset losses in the athletic department.

The Ohio State board of trustees needs to approve the contract in May.

Jeremiah Masoli will miss the season while LaMichael James is suspended for the season opener. (Getty Images) Masoli, who had been mentioned as a potential Heisman candidate, will remain on scholarship with the Ducks.

“He does have a redshirt season available to him if he chooses to do that,” Kelly said.

Kelly announced the suspension just hours after Masoli appeared in Lane County Circuit Court to answer to the burglary charge.

Kelly, who has come under fire for some of his disciplinary decisions, also meted out punishment for running back LaMichael James and placekicker Rob Beard.

James was suspended for the season opener after he pleaded guilty early Friday to a misdemeanor harassment charge stemming from an altercation with his former girlfriend.

Beard was also suspended for the opener Sept. 4 at home against New Mexico after pleading guilty last week to a misdemeanor harassment charge for his role in a street fight that left him seriously injured.

“I am extremely disappointed anytime any of our players fall short of our expectations that have been clearly outlined for them in advance on numerous occasions, and this is especially true regarding their roles within the community,” Kelly said. “Their accountability for their actions is paramount and any tainting of the reputation of the University of Oregon and this football program will not be tolerated.”

Masoli pleaded guilty as part of a deal that reduced his charge from a felony to a misdemeanor. Former Ducks receiver Garrett Embry pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of second-degree burglary as well.

Both were sentenced to 12 months of probation and 140 hours of community service. Together they must also pay $5,000 restitution.

In the same courtroom hours earlier, James entered his plea and was sentenced to 10 days in jail and 24 months of probation. He reported to jail on Friday afternoon but was quickly released and instead put on electronic surveillance for the duration of his sentence.

Deputy District Attorney Alex Gardner had said earlier that it was unlikely James would serve jail time because of overcrowding, and because his offense was relatively minor and he was considered low-risk.

James, who set a Pac-10 freshman record with more than 1,500 yards rushing last season, originally faced five misdemeanor charges, including strangulation, harassment and assault. All but one harassment charge were dropped.

In a statement that was included in court documents related to the case, James apologized to the victim, a former girlfriend. She claimed he grabbed her neck and pushed her to the ground during an argument on Feb. 15.

“I hope to put this matter behind me now and learn from it. I have made a mistake and accept the consequences,” the statement said. “I look forward to demonstrating to my University, to my team and to the community that I am a better man than recent events suggest.”

James rushed for 1,546 yards last season as a freshman, the ninth-highest total in the nation. He had seven consecutive 100-yard games before Ohio State limited him to 70 in Oregon’s 26-17 loss in the Rose Bowl.

Masoli threw for 2,147 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 668 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The two helped lead Oregon to a remarkable comeback from a season-opening loss to Boise State. The Ducks won their first Pac-10 title since 2001 and earned their first trip to the Rose Bowl since 1995.

Kelly’s action was the latest twist to the Ducks’ offseason of disarray.

Beard was placed on probation after entering his plea.

Linebacker Kiko Alonso pleaded not guilty to drunken driving charges in Eugene Municipal Court last week. Kelly suspended Alonso for the 2010 season upon learning of the arrest.

Defensive end Matt Simms was dismissed by Kelly after he was cited on assault charges last month. Simms pleaded guilty to physical harassment for striking a man he thought had beaten Beard.

Receiver Jamere Holland was dismissed from the team after posting vulgar comments and criticizing Kelly on the Facebook social networking site.

Kelly, who made his debut as a head coach last season, was questioned after he brought back running back LeGarrette Blount early from a season-long suspension.

Blount was suspended for punching a Boise State defensive end following the season-opening loss. He missed eight games before he was reinstated for meeting certain academic and behavioral criteria set down by Kelly.

University president Richard Lariviere issued a statement late Friday in support of Kelly’s actions.

“I am confident that Coach Kelly has carefully and fairly considered the disciplinary actions he is imposing,” Lariviere said. “I know that he understands the high expectations of Oregon’s faculty, students and fans.”

Considering the league’s labor uncertainty, Bradford’s camp didn’t want to squeeze the timeframe. It also affects other Sooners prospects, as tight end Jermaine Gresham told NFLDraftScout.com that he and several other teammates will also participate in what had previously been touted as a “personal” workout for Bradford.

Bradford and defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska and Oklahoma teammate Gerald McCoy are believed to be the three players St. Louis is seriously considering with the No. 1 overall pick in April. Bradford attended the scouting combine in Indianapolis, but has yet to throw in front of scouts since undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in October. He did not take part in the Sooners’ official pro day on Tuesday, which was attended by representatives from 31 of 32 NFL teams.

Friday’s pro day notes:

• Boston College had 12 athletes represented at their pro day, which was moved to Harvard due to weather, according to NFL.com. Nineteen smaller-school athletes joined the workout held in front of representatives from 14 NFL teams. Matt Tennant, the No. 2-rated center by NFLDraftScout.com, measured in at 6-feet-4 and 3/8 and 296 pounds, but did not participate in the athletic testing after participating at the combine. He did do positional drills, as did Mike McLaughlin (6-0, 241), the No. 11-rated inside linebacker by NFLDraftScout.com.

• TCU’s pro day featured defensive end/linebacker Jerry Hughes and outside linebacker Daryl Washington, who are both rated as potential first-round picks by NFLDraftScout.com. Twenty-four teams were on hand, according to NFL.com, with Hughes measuring in at 6-2 1/4, 254 pounds and Washington at 6-2, 229. Washington did run the 40-yard dash, but the two defenders were both at the combine and limited the rest of their participation to positional drills.

• LeGarrette Blount did not attend Oregon’s pro day Thursday, but his agent said the running back was never scheduled to work out. Blount is expected to work out at Oregon’s second pro day March 18.

The Sports Xchange. .

Run but not likely.

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick is a lawyer by trade with a deep background in business. The NCAA consulted with the man on its move from Overland Park, Kan. to Indianapolis.

Jack Swarbrick would be wise to realize the Big Ten’s money potential is greater. (AP) When the AD of the most influential school in college athletics even hints that it might be time for ND to join a conference, he’s not doing it for effect.

Swarbrick essentially pulled the pin, telling reporters covering the Big East tournament in New York on Tuesday that if conference realignment is “seismic” enough, the Irish might have to rethink the whole independence thing.

Translation: Indiana and Purdue already make more than us as it is. If the Big Ten is going to be paying out $25 million per school, what the hell are we waiting for?

The tipping point, then, may have finally come for the Irish. Their new contract that begins with NBC next year reportedly will pay it more than $10 million per year.

Again, what the hell would they be waiting for? With superpowers forming on its borders, Notre Dame might be forced into a conference. How do you leave that much money on the table?

It’s no secret that the only two slam dunks in conference realignment are Texas and Notre Dame. For Texas, there are geographical as well as political hurdles too big to overcome. Even if Texas AD DeLoss Dodds was suddenly enthralled with the idea of flying his volleyball team from Austin to State College, Pa., Texas wouldn’t come alone. Texas A&M, at least, would have to accompany the ‘Horns.

If the Big 12 seems like a shotgun marriage, Texas to the Big Ten would be an awkward long-distance relationship. Besides, Texas is on track to create its own network. The school already enjoys a favorable (to Texas) imbalanced revenue-sharing plan in the Big 12.

Notre Dame in the Big Ten is such an obvious fit, it’s like the sexual tension between Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis in You just wanted to scream, “Do it, already!”

When they did get together, it was anti-climatic and the show went downhill. Not so in a marriage between the Big Ten and Notre Dame. A new day of college athletics would be dawning. Think of Notre Dame playing in a conference championship game. Think of Notre Dame playing in the Rose Bowl. Think of Notre Dame competing for a national championship again.

That’s what playing in a conference gets you, especially one as potentially powerful as the new Big Ten.

It’s the money, stupid. It always is. Notre Dame basically set us on this road to the BCS by breaking away from the College Football Association 20 years ago to sign with NBC. The money was too good.

Now with the Big Ten Network fueling expansion, the money might be too good again. It’s refreshing to at least hear Swarbrick admit it.

“You can each come up with a scenario that would force our hand,” he said.

While the Irish have been scheduling neutral site games against Washington State and Army, the SEC has signed a $3 billion deal with CBS and ESPN. The Big Ten is the big dog trying at all costs to increase the value and reach of its network.

Meanwhile, Irish football is struggling for relevance. It’s been 22 years since the last national championship. Fanhouse.com pointed out that Notre Dame was on the first in 1993 but hasn’t appeared in five years.

It wouldn’t make much sense for Notre Dame to stay stubborn and independent while everyone around it is a superconference raking in money. It’s almost a case of NBC being too small for Notre Dame.

This current round of realignment speculation is fueled by one simple fact. The SEC and Big Ten have 50 percent of the nation’s population in their “footprints” (basically regions where schools are located).

It’s up to the rest of college football to carve up the other 50 percent. No matter what happens, the Big 12 is going to remain No. 3 in revenue. The Pac-10 is going to struggle finding television value among its far-flung schools with or without expansion.

“You have two conferences [Big Ten and SEC] that have separated themselves economically and you’ve got all the other conferences lined up for their [TV] renegotiations,” Swarbrick told those reporters. “The bar has been set so high and the media market is so tepid that it creates a lot of tension.”

The only variables are Texas and Notre Dame. Texas isn’t going anywhere. Notre Dame just told the world it is open to discussion.

And filling its bank account.

Leach didn’t answer reporters’ questions Friday as he walked into a small basement conference room in his attorney’s office building in Lubbock, Texas.

The university fired Leach on Dec. 30, two days after suspending him amid allegations he mistreated a player who had a concussion. Adam James, the son of ESPN analyst and former NFL player Craig James, said his coach twice ordered him to stand for hours while confined in a dark place during practice.

Leach has denied he mistreated James. His lawsuit includes allegations of libel and slander and breach of contract.

The Lane Country district attorney’s office says Masoli and former Oregon receiver Garrett Embry were each charged Wednesday with one count of burglary in the second degree.

Masoli and Embry were scheduled to be arraigned in Lane County Circuit Court on Friday afternoon.

The district attorney’s office did not respond to a phone call seeking further comment on the case. In a statement Wednesday evening, Oregon coach Chip Kelly said he was “carefully considering the latest news” concerning Masoli and would make a decision about disciplinary action on Friday.

A fraternity member reported that Masoli and Embry stole two computers and a guitar from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house on Jan. 25.

Police were tightlipped about the alleged theft, claiming it was under investigation.

The Ducks announced in early February that Embry had been dismissed from the team a month before for violating team rules unrelated to the alleged theft.

Masoli, who came to the Ducks as a junior college transfer out of Daly City, Calif., threw for 2,147 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 668 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Oregon made a remarkable comeback from a season-opening loss to Boise State to win its first Pac-10 title since 2001 and earn its first trip to the Rose Bowl since 1995. Oregon came up short in Pasadena, losing 26-17 to Ohio State.

Embry appeared in 11 games last season, mostly on special teams.

James previously pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of menacing, strangulation and assault. A woman who says she is James’ girlfriend says he grabbed her neck and pushed her to the ground during an argument outside his apartment on Feb. 15.

Details about the hearing, including whether James has entered into some kind of plea agreement, were not known. James could also change his plea to no contest, which means he does not admit guilt but will not fight the charges.

Court documents show he is scheduled to appear in Lane County Circuit Court. Deputy District Attorney Patricia Perlow would not comment on the matter.

“We’re not going to talk about what he might or might not do until after the hearing on Friday,” she said.

Phone calls placed to James’ attorney, Michael Buseman, for comment were not immediately returned.

James, 20, was released from jail after his arrest but was required to wear an electronic monitoring device around his ankle.

The 22-year-old victim, whose name has not been released, sustained an abrasion in the alleged assault but did not require hospitalization.

James rushed for 1,546 yards last season as a freshman, the ninth-highest total in the nation and the most ever by a Pac-10 freshman. He had seven consecutive 100-yard games before Ohio State limited him to 70 in Oregon’s 26-17 loss in the Rose Bowl.

Oregon coach Chip Kelly did not take any action against James at the time of his arrest, preferring to wait until the outcome of the case.