Kelly says job speculation not a problem

Coach Brian Kelly is so accustomed to hearing rumors about him leaving Cincinnati that he pays little attention to what he calls the "silly season" of college football. 1259105287

FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2009, file photo, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has a laugh with a fan prior to an NCAA college football against Florida International in Gainesville, Fla. There could be a blackout in Gainesville on Saturday, an eye blackout that is. Florida fans are urging everyone to wear eye black Saturday _ with or without Bible verses on them _ in honor of quarterback Tim Tebow's final game in The Swamp.

Black and blue affair for Tebow's home finale

There could be a blackout at Florida Field on Saturday. 1259105298

Vols safety Janzen Jackson reinstated to team

Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin says freshman safety Janzen Jackson will be allowed to return to team activities immediately and will start Saturday at Kentucky. 1259094288

USC, LSU, Miami alive for BCS at-large bids

Southern California, LSU and Miami are among eight teams that cannot earn an automatic BCS bid, but are still in contention for an at-large invite to a marquee bowl game. 1259105297

Nebraska's kicking star a dead-eye punter, too

Nebraska's Alex Henery says he always looks forward to kicking in the thin air at Colorado.

Weis focuses on Stanford

Charlie Weis tried to set the example for his Notre Dame players Tuesday by refusing to talk about his future or any other distractions at his weekly news conference, focusing instead on Stanford. 1259094279

North Carolina's Deunta Williams (27) hoists teammate Kendric Burney (16) into the air as they celebrate after Burney returned an interception 30-yard for a touchdown during the first half against Boston College in an NCAA college football game, on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 in Boston.

Defense still the key for No. 23 Tar Heels

From the start of the season, North Carolina's players and coaches knew their success largely would be determined by how well their talented defense carried the burden for a young offense. Photo Gallery Available

Cincy QB Pike expected to start against Illinois

Barring a problem in practice, quarterback Tony Pike will start for fifth-ranked Cincinnati against Illinois on Friday.

FILE - This is a Nov. 7, 2009, file photo showing Northeastern quarterback Alex Dulski geting sacked by Massachusetts' Anthony Monette during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Amherst, Mass. Northeastern University is dropping its football program after 74 years, saying it's too expensive to maintain. President Joseph Aoun and the board of trustees endorsed the move Friday, Nov. 20, 2009, after a two-year review of the Boston school's sports programs by athletic director Peter Roby.

Northeastern ends football after 74 seasons

Northeastern University is ending its football program after 74 seasons because the investment required to make it competitive was too high.

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow (15) enjoys a laugh with coach Urban Meyer during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Florida International in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Florida won 62-3.

Florida's Meyer: Notre Dame not a coaching option

Standing behind the same podium where quarterback Tim Tebow delivered his now-famous promise 14 months and 21 wins ago, coach Urban Meyer vowed Monday to be at Florida "as long as they'll have me." Photo Gallery Available

3 finalists chosen for Mackey Award for tight ends

Dorin Dickerson of Pittsburgh, Florida's Aaron Hernandez and Dennis Pitta of BYU are the finalists for the John Mackey Award presented to the nation's top tight end.

File - In this undated photo provided by Stanford University, assistant football coach Willie Taggart is shown. A person with knowledge of the decision says winless Western Kentucky has hired Taggart as its football coach Monday, Nov. 23, 2009. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the school has not announced the decision. A news conference is scheduled for later in the day.

WKU hires Stanford's Taggart as coach

Western Kentucky has hired Stanford assistant Willie Taggart as its football coach.

Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez reacts during a post-game news conference after losing 21-10 to Ohio State in a NCAA football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.

Rodriguez's job at Michigan seems safe _ for now

It seems unlikely Michigan will fire Rich Rodriguez after two awful seasons with an NCAA investigation looming, a search for a new athletic director under way and luxury boxes to fill at the Big House. Photo Gallery Available

Criminal charges dropped against Tennessee safety

Prosecutors have dropped attempted aggravated robbery charges against Tennessee freshman safety Janzen Jackson.

Tebow, McCoy finalists for Maxwell, O'Brien honors

Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy are set for at least one showdown off the field. Photo Gallery Available

Arizona head coach Mike Stoops, center, tries to calm the crowd against Oregon in the second half of an NCAA college football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Oregon won 44 - 41 in overtime.

Arizona coach Stoops wants his Wildcats to finish

Arizona is out of the Pac-10 race, and it's easy to see why.

Oregon's starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) passes for a touchdown against Arizona's Xavier Kelley (15) in the first half of an NCAA college football game at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.

No. 11 Oregon tops Arizona; on track for Rose Bowl

Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli watched as red-clad Arizona students ringed the sidelines as time ticked down, ready to rush the field. Photo Gallery Available

Mississippi all purpose running back Dexter McCluster runs low into the line of scrimmage against LSU during their NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. McCluster ran for 148 yards, passed a 27-yard touchdown and received three passes for 18 yards as Mississippi defeated No. 10 LSU, 25-23.

Ole Miss, Cal, UNC back in AP Top 25

Mississippi, California and North Carolina, teams that started the season with lofty expectations before stumbling, have surged back into the AP Top 25 college football poll. Video Available Photo Gallery Available

Southern Mississippi beat Tulsa 44-34

Martevious Young threw a career-high four touchdown passes and Southern Mississippi beat Tulsa 44-34 on Saturday night.

Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis walk off the field following a 33-30 loss in double overtime to Connecticut in an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.

At 6-5, Weis would have hard time arguing firing

Charlie Weis wouldn't blame Notre Dame for firing him. Photo Gallery Available

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz blows a bubble as he watches senior day introductions before an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 12-0.

BCS at-large bids up for grabs in final weeks

Iowa and Penn State ended their seasons eligible for an at-large BCS bid, and Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech are also in position to be eligible for invites to the four big-money bowl games even though they have no shot to win their conferences. Photo Gallery Available

Nevada's Luke Lippincott (7) threads his way through the New Mexico State defense Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces, N.M., during the first quarter of the NCAA college football game.

Nevada grabs records, beats New Mexico State 63-20

Nevada rushed for 575 yards - and shattered some NCAA record in the process - as the Wolf Pack beat New Mexico State 63-20 Saturday night.

Miami quarterback Jacory Harris prepares to pass against Duke during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Miami, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.

No. 21 Miami rallies late to beat Duke 34-16

Jacory Harris threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns, Darryl Sharpton capped his final home game with a 73-yard interception return for a score, and No. 21 Miami staved off a Duke challenge for the fourth straight year in a 34-16 win Saturday. Photo Gallery Available

DeMarco's 5 TDs lift Old Dominion over VMI 42-35

Thomas DeMarco rushed for three touchdowns and passed for two more as Old Dominion won its sixth straight game, beating Virginia Military Institute 42-35 on Saturday to complete its first season of football.

Middle Tennessee beats Arkansas State 38-14

Dwight Dasher threw four touchdown passes to lead Middle Tennessee to a 38-14 victory over Arkansas State on Saturday.

Iowa's Brandon Wegher (3) dives into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, in Iowa City, Iowa.

No. 15 Iowa blanks Minnesota 12-0

With a bronze pig on the line, No. 15 Iowa put a new twist on winning ugly - this time by taking a game that featured more punts than points. Photo Gallery Available

Georgia Southern edges The Citadel 13-6

Adrian Mora kicked two field goals and Georgia Southern had two interceptions and recovered a fumble for a 13-6 season-ending victory over The Citadel on Saturday.

Ohio holds off Northern Illinois 38-31

Theo Scott threw three touchdown passes to lead Ohio to a 38-31 win over Northern Illinois on Saturday, keeping the Bobcats' Mid-American Conference title hopes alive.

Delaware State defeats Howard 30-20

Jaashawn Jones ran for two touchdowns and Delaware State defeated Howard 30-20 on Saturday.

College Football

AP source: Clausen has a black eye after punch