Joe Paterno hasn't ruled out coaching from the sideline.
AP

Brian Dohn, Los Angeles Daily News: UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker has emerged as the leading candidate for the New Mexico State head coaching job. He will meet with administrators and tour the campus on Monday.

George Alfano, Philadelphia Daily News: Penn State's Joe Paterno still hasn't decided whether he'll coach from the sideline in the Rose Bowl. "The biggest thing is that I don't want to be a distraction or have people worry about me. The other question is standing 3 1/2 hours. I want to be careful."

Scott Wright, Oklahoman: Coaches and players from Oklahoma State and Oregon are expressing concern over the condition of the grass surface at Qualcomm Stadium, site of the Holiday Bowl. Recent rains and three games in eight days could leave the field soggy and slippery.

Dick Harmon, Deseret News: The spread offense is coming to the Mountain West Conference in a big way. Wyoming, New Mexico and San Diego State all hired coaches who will be running the spread in 2009.

Lya Wodraska, Salt Lake Tribune: Utah could lose as much as $405,000 if it has to cover the loss of 3,000 Sugar Bowl tickets.

Marc Morehouse, Cedar Rapids Gazette: Iowa and South Carolina players and coaches at the Outback Steakhouse welcome dinner consumed 950 pounds of bloomin' onions.

Indianapolis Star: Indiana offensive lineman Dennis Zeigler has been indefinitely suspended from the team after a recent arrest.

Eric Hansen, South Bend Tribune: Former Notre Dame cornerback Darrin Walls, who left school last summer, is expected to re-enroll in January.

Dave Fairbank, Newport News Daily Press: Virginia's Al Groh appears to have made a smart hire in Gregg Brandon as offensive coordinator.

Andrew Lougue and Tommy Birch, Des Moines Register: Another tragedy for Iowa State involving a former player. Justin Ellers, who was the Cyclones' second- leading tackler in 2001, was shot and killed in Idaho.