UTEP prepares for OU

UTEP began Oklahoma preparation in earnest Wednesday as the team rotated two huddles for team scrimmage segments, then divided into scout work late in the practice.

“We got a lot of work done, this is the first day we were working on Oklahoma stuff,” UTEP coach Sean Kugler said. “We got lot of quality work in.”

Oklahoma has opened as a 44.5-point favorite at home against UTEP. The game is in Norman on Sept. 2.

Pitt names starting quarterback

Max Browne is the starting quarterback at Pitt.

Coach Pat Narduzzi officially named Browne as the team’s starter on Tuesday night, less than two weeks before the Panthers open the season against Youngstown State.

Oklahoma State travels to Pittsburgh on Sept. 16.

Browne, a graduate transfer from USC, spent most of spring drills and training camp competing with Ben DiNucci for the top spot on the depth chart.

Former Gophers coach defends himself

Former University of Minnesota football coach Tracy Claeys is defending himself after an outside review blamed “weak leadership” by the coaching staff for a threat by players to boycott the Holiday Bowl.

Claeys wrote a commentary that appeared online Wednesday. The review released last week found the university followed law and policy properly when it suspended 10 players last fall following an accusation of sexual assault.

Claeys backed the boycott, but players ultimately decided to play and beat Washington State 17-12. Claeys was fired a week later.

Claeys says in hindsight he would have refrained from using social media to support the team’s decision. But he says as a coach, he respected his team’s decision, “responsibly addressed the situation and quickly defused the boycott.”

Florida may use three QBs in opener

Florida coach Jim McElwain has yet to decide on a starting quarterback, but not because he’s unhappy with his situation under center.

McElwain actually is so pleased by the Gators’ heated competition he said he is pondering playing all three quarterbacks during next weekend’s season opener against Big Ten powerhouse Michigan.