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WACO, Texas (AP) — Waco leaders have cleared the way to help finance Baylor's planned $250 million on-campus football stadium.

The Waco City Council voted Tuesday night to award $35 million in special tax funds for the project.

Baylor regents last month approved building the 45,000-seat stadium along the Brazos (BRAZ'-uhs) River, contingent on the city adding public funds. The vote to use tax increment financing zone funds was considered a formality.

Baylor officials, in a statement following Tuesday night's vote, said the school is prepared to begin construction.

Baylor hopes to have the new stadium ready for the 2014 football season. The venue would replace Floyd Casey Stadium, which was built in 1950 and has maintenance issues.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Tyrann Mathieu plans to quit his frequent use of social media cold turkey when LSU's season starts, and coach Les Miles is very much in favor of that.

Miles placed a figurative muzzle on the play-making cornerback and Heisman Trophy finalist popularly known as the "Honey Badger" when LSU reported for August camp last week. LSU's annual media day on Tuesday, when every player is available, marked the first time Mathieu was permitted to talk to reporters about his starring role on a team that is widely expected to contend again for a national title.

One thing Mathieu made clear is that he is willing to tone down his public persona if that is what best serves the team.

"I respect Coach, and whatever decision he makes I go along with it," Mathieu said. "There's a lot of guys on this team who are deserving of the spotlight. I don't have to be in it all the time and I'm fine with that.

"Everything's going well right now and I've just got to watch what I put on Twitter," he added.

Generally, Mathieu reserves social media for philosophical musings and personal reflection, such as when he tweeted: "Common sense is not so common."

He could have been referring to a day in June when got into a bit of a Twitter spat with A.J. McCarron, quarterback of arch rival Alabama, against whom the Tigers will play on Nov. 3.

Mathieu essentially downplayed McCarron's role in the Crimson Tide's 14th national title last season, which came at LSU's expense, saying that defense wins championships. McCarron responded mockingly that Mathieu was right, and that the Crimson Tide's team concept is what made them great, and why they beat LSU in last season's title game in New Orleans.

Miles responded by leaving his 2012 Heisman contender behind when LSU took several players to Birmingham for Southeastern Conference media days.

"It's a week-by-week thing," Miles said of his approach to managing Mathieu's media exposure. "I really listen to Tyrann and try to determine what's best for him.

"I enjoy many times his representation, and as long as it doesn't become a distraction to him, he'll have some time to visit (with reporters)," Miles said. "So many times, he's such a pleasing guy, he wants to please everybody. ... Too many interviews, one after another, just doesn't tell him what he needs to do. What he needs to do is do well academically, finish this football season and have a long-range view of himself. Sometimes, even though the world wants today's quote, that's not necessarily what's important."

Mathieu, who dyes the top of his hair yellow, grew up in New Orleans, home to a culture where personal expression is generally encouraged and rewarded, as anyone who has ever attended a Mardi Gras parade or second line would see.

His coaches profess to love him as a person and a player. Defensive end Sam Montgomery calls him "a philosopher."

Defensive coordinator Jon Chavis calls him "a wonderful young man," but responded Tuesday to questions about Mathieu's knack for capturing the public's imagination by emphasizing how much more important the team concept is than any one star player.

"He's a very talented guy, but it is a team sport," Chavis said. "How many Heisman Trophy winners have you seen on losing football teams?"

Mathieu seems to have heard that message and taken it to heart.

When asked about his Heisman hopes, he responded, "In order to be a Heisman finalist, your team has to play national championship football. So I think, at the end of the day, winning postseason awards and a national championship puts everyone in a position to succeed."

Media day also marked the first time Penn State transfer Rob Bolden was made available to talk about his role as a reserve quarterback since he arrived on campus last week.

Bolden, an off and on starter at Penn State who has two years of eligibility remaining, said he has wanted to transfer to LSU since long before the Jerry Sandusky scandal that led to harsh sanctions against the Nittany Lions. He said the only way the scandal figured in was that it allowed him to get his release last month to play this season on whatever team he chose.

"Penn State was a great place, taught me a lot, I've been through a lot in that place and I appreciate everything they've done for me," Bolden said. "That coaching staff, they were great. (Late Penn State coach) Joe (Paterno) helped me out a lot. My (former) teammates, I love them. I'll always be friends with them."

Bolden came out of spring practice at Penn State with little hope of starting his junior season. He had been recruited by LSU coming out of high school and had maintained a good relationship with Miles, who saw the benefit of bringing in a backup quarterback with big-game experience to a team playing in the often brutal SEC.

For now, Bolden is so new to LSU that coaches say there is no telling when he will be ready to take meaningful snaps. Bolden also knows that LSU is set on junior Zach Mettenberger as its starter, but still sees LSU as a good fit for a quarterback like him who is as comfortable running as throwing.

"It's the best place in the country, ranked No. 1 (in the USA Today coaches poll), great weather, great food, great people, why not?" Bolden said. "I bring a lot to the table. I've been through a lot. I don't think there's anything you could put in front of me that would surprise me at all.

"I understand the situation (with Mettenberger starting). I understand everything that's going on. I'm just here. I thought it was the best thing for me."

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Call it a quarterback controversy or a competition. Whatever it is, the Texas Longhorns remain unsettled at the position heading into the 2012 season.

The Longhorns reported to training camp Sunday with David Ash and Case McCoy still fighting to take control of the offense after a rocky 2011 in which both started several games in an 8-5 season.

Texas could have the best defense in the Big 12 and has a stable of potentially punishing running backs. If they produce a legitimate passing game, the Longhorns could be back in contention for a conference title — and maybe more.

Ash would seem the likely frontrunner after leading Texas to a Holiday Bowl win over California, a solid performance that earned him the games' most valuable player honors. But coach Mack Brown has so far refused to name Ash the starter for the Sept. 1 season opener against Wyoming and insists there's a spirited competition for the position.

So what's holding Ash back?

"You're asking the wrong guy," Ash said Sunday. He and McCoy sat about 20 feet apart and each was surrounded by reporters asking about the competition, their summer workouts and how they've tried to improve their play.

Ash, who was 3-3 as a starter last season as a freshman, said he's been reading and studying how to be a better leader, yet struggled Sunday to define what it means to be one.

"What is leadership? I don't know. People say it's a lot of different things. When you come down to it, it's a real abstract term that has a different meaning to a lot of people."

McCoy, who was 3-2 as a starter, said he's more confident after putting on an extra 15 pounds to get up to 200 and bulking up in the weight room. McCoy said not playing in the Holiday Bowl was motivation to challenge Ash for the job this season.

Both players struggled badly at times last season as the Texas passing game floundered to eighth in the Big 12. Ash appeared to be a calm and steady personality but he struggled to grasp a complex college offense as a true freshman. McCoy, the younger brother of former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, showed flashes of his brother's playmaking brilliance, but his swashbuckling approach also led to some critical errors. McCoy's fourth-quarter scramble set up the game-winning field goal against Texas A&M and a week later he had five turnovers in a loss at Baylor.

McCoy, who will be a junior this season, admits he's got to cut out the mistakes if he hopes to play.

"I've matured. David's matured. That's going to show," McCoy said. "I'm a whole lot more confident."

McCoy's mistakes came in bunches, but Ash had his share with eight interceptions compared to just four touchdowns.

Brown said Sunday he expects both players will be better this season. After a summer of player-led workouts, Brown said who starts will be determined over the next couple of weeks in practices closed to the media and public.

Brown said he's in no hurry to declare a starter.

"When they make the decision for us, then we'll make it," Brown said. "I'm not panicked when it's done. The worst thing you can do is make a decision when it's not ready."

Brown is no stranger to quarterback controversies in his 15th season at Texas.

In 2000 and 2001, the Longhorn fan based was divided over his decision to start Chris Simms over Major Applewhite. In 2003-2004, Chance Mock was still battling Vince Young until Young took over the role for good and led the Longhorns to the 2005 national title.

After Young left, most assumed talented recruit Jevan Snead would take over but Colt McCoy emerged as the starter as a redshirt freshman and won 45 games over the next four seasons.

But in each of those cases, the Longhorns still won a lot of games because the battles were between players with elite talent. Since Colt McCoy left, Texas is just 13-12 over the last two seasons with two straight losing seasons in the Big 12.

"Everybody needs to help us get that position back," Brown said.

The Southeastern Conference has lined up a few contenders for Lucky No. 7.

Defending national champion Alabama and last season's 13-game juggernaut LSU remain the headliners of a league that has won the last six BCS titles. And that's despite the Crimson Tide and the Tigers losing a combined six first-round NFL draft picks.

Other SEC — and national — powers are trying to catch up.

Arkansas, which ended last season ranked fifth, and Georgia return star quarterbacks. Steve Spurrier fields another formidable-looking South Carolina team. Plus, the Razorbacks and Gamecocks get star running backs back from injuries.

Even those suffering from SEC fatigue might not want to miss that prime-time Nov. 3 three-match in Baton Rouge. The Tide and the Tigers split last season with 'Bama grabbing Round 2, 21-0 in the BCS title game in New Orleans.

The rivalry carried over onto Twitter with sniping between Tide quarterback AJ McCarron and LSU Heisman finalist Tyrann Mathieu — in June.

"I can tell you that no game is won in a Twitter page," LSU coach Les Miles noted.

What's new this year is Big 12 Conference defectors Texas A&M and Missouri step into the SEC. They'll both try to show they belong.

"Only way you're going to get respect is winning games, OK?" Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. "That's the only way it's going to happen. I got no problem with that. You've got to prove yourself."

Here is an overall look at the conference:

EAST

GEORGIA — Key players: QB Aaron Murray, WR Tavarres King, DB Bacarri Rambo, LB Jarvis Jones. Returning starters: 6 offense, 9 defense.

Notes: RB Isaiah Crowell is gone. Cornerback Sanders Commings and cornerback Branden Smith — and perhaps Rambo — face suspensions. ... Malcolm Mitchell, last season's No. 2 receiver, opens at cornerback and will likely play both positions. ... Lightweight nonconference schedule includes Buffalo, Florida Atlantic and Georgia Southern.

SOUTH CAROLINA — Key players: QB Connor Shaw, RB Marcus Lattimore, DE Jadeveon Clowney, DE Devin Taylor. Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: A second straight Top 10 finish seems possible. ... If Lattimore returns to pre-knee injury form, it could more than make up for the loss of WR Alshon Jeffery. ... Pass rush remains formidable even minus NFL first-round pick DE Melvin Ingram.

FLORIDA — Key players: RB Mike Gillislee, WR Andre Dubose, LB Jon Bostic, DL Sharrif Floyd. Returning starters: 7 offense, 10 defense.

Notes: Gators try to rebound from mediocre season. ... Brent Pease replaces offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, and has the personnel to mount a more physical running attack. ... Defensive linemen Ronald Powell and Dominique Easley are trying to return from knee injuries.

MISSOURI — Key players: QB James Franklin, LT Elvis Fisher, WR Dorial Green-Beckham, CB E.J. Gaines. Returning starters: 6 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: The SEC's third group of Tigers enters the league hoping to prove skeptics wrong. ... Franklin is expected to be fully recovered from spring shoulder surgery after flirting with 3,000-yard passing, 1,000-yard rushing season. ... It's unclear if RB Henry Josey (knee) will play.

TENNESSEE — Key players: QB Tyler Bray, WR Da'Rick Rogers, LB A.J. Johnson, LB Herman Lathers. Returning starters: 10 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Derek Dooley's rebuilding project continues after one SEC win last season. ... Volunteers have dangerous receivers but must replace RB Tauren Poole. ... Tennessee reloaded with several JUCO transfers, including onetime Alabama defensive lineman Darrington Sentimore and WR Cordarrelle Patterson.

VANDERBILT — Key players: QB Jordan Rodgers, RB Zac Stacy, DT Rob Lohr, CB Trey Wilson. Returning starters: 9 offense, 8 defense.

Notes: The Commodores have adopted coach James Franklin's feisty attitude, but face uphill climb from 2-6 SEC mark that still marked solid progress. ... Rodgers, Aaron's younger brother, seems to have regained Franklin's confidence after bowl game benching.

KENTUCKY — Key players: QB Morgan Newton, OL Larry Warford, WR La'Rod King, S Martavius Neloms. Returning starters: 6 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: Coach Joker Phillips might be on the hot seat after 4-12 SEC mark in first two seasons. ... QB Morgan Newton was held out of contact in spring after having surgery on his right shoulder. ... Defense must replace SEC's two leaders in tackles per game, LB Danny Trevathan and S/LB Winston Guy.

WEST:

LSU — Key players: QB Zach Mettenberger, CB Tyrann Mathieu, DE Sam Montgomery, DT Bennie Logan. Returning starters: 7 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: Mettenberger, a former Georgia player, has drawn strong reviews from coach Les Miles and teammates and might represent a sizable upgrade at QB. ... Offense has runners galore, led by Spencer Ware and Michael Ford, and offensive line has five players who have logged 102 collective starts. ... Secondary loses Morris Claiborne, but returns stars Mathieu and Eric Reid. ... Ends Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo combined for 17 sacks. ... Tigers spent 11 weeks at No. 1 last season.

ALABAMA — Key players: QB AJ McCarron, C Barrett Jones, LB Nico Johnson, S Robert Lester. Returning starters: 6 offense, 4 defense.

Notes: Quest for third national title in four years faces daunting scheduling, including opener with Michigan in Arlington, Texas, and visits to LSU and Arkansas. ... New offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier is unlikely to change pound-before-pass philosophy. ... Defense that topped all four major categories nationally must replace seven starters with 188 combined starts.

ARKANSAS — Key players: QB Tyler Wilson, RB Knile Davis, WR Cobi Hamilton, LB Alonzo Highsmith. Returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: Coach John L. Smith trying to keep Bobby Petrino's offseason ouster from slowing program's momentum. ... All-SEC RB Knile Davis returns after ankle injury sidelined him in 2011. ... Razorbacks hosting LSU in Fayetteville for the first time since 1992. ... Six members of Smith's staff in new roles.

AUBURN — Key players: QB Kiehl Frazier, WR Emory Blake, DE Corey Lemonier, LB Daren Bates. Returning starters: 7 offense, 9 defense.

Notes: Frazier is the odds-on favorite to claim starting job over Clint Moseley. ... Tigers have new coordinators in Scot Loeffler (offense) and Brian VanGorder (defense). ... Two-time 1,000-yard rusher Mike Dyer is gone, and so is Gus Malzahn's no-huddle offense.

TEXAS A&M — Key players: LT Luke Joeckel, RB Christine Michael, WR Ryan Swope, LB Sean Porter. Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense.

QB Jameill Showers is apparent leader in race to replace Ryan Tannehill, the No. 8 NFL draft pick. ...Coach Kevin Sumlin, whose Houston offenses twice led the nation in total, passing and scoring, brings a fast-paced attack to College Station. ... Top pass rushers Sean Porter and Damontre Moore return from team that led nation in sacks per game.

MISSISSIPPI ST — Key players: QB Tyler Russell, LG Gabe Jackson, CB Johnthan Banks, LB Cameron Lawrence. Returning starters: 5 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Bulldogs have won back-to-back bowl games for first time since 1999-2000 — not to mention three straight Egg Bowls with rival Mississippi. ... Coach Dan Mullen predicts "a huge year" from Russell. ... Mississippi State 0-12 under Mullen against SEC West teams other than Ole Miss.

MISSISSIPPI — Key players: WR Donte Moncrief, RB Jeff Scott, DB Charles Sawyer, LB Mike Marry. Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.

NOTES: Randall Mackey has moved from QB to WR with emergence of Barry Brunetti, JUCO transfer Bo Wallace. ... WR Nickolas Brassell has left the team because of academics, and four others had work this summer to assure eligibility.

Case Keenum seemed like he was at Houston forever while he set all those NCAA passing records.

Keenum played in five seasons, getting a medical redshirt after tearing an ACL early in 2010. He finally finished his college career last season by becoming the first FBS quarterback with three 5,000-yard passing seasons, throwing for 5,631 yards and 48 touchdowns as the Cougars won 13 games.

Conference USA had five 3,000-yard passers last season. But all of them are gone — Keenum, Austin Davis at Southern Miss, Tulsa's G.J. Kinne, East Carolina's Dominique Davis and SMU's J.J. McDermott.

That means a lot of new names this season at the most visible position. A year after a season dominated by quarterbacks, the only signal caller to attend C-USA media day this time was UTEP's Nick Lamaison, an eight-game starter in 2011.

"We may not know their names now, but I bet by next season you will see some quarterbacks here," Rice coach David Baliff said. "Some of those guys really rise up and make a difference for the program. Just the parity in Conference USA, it's going to boil down to who can take care of the football, who can make the big plays and who can tackle."

SMU, Houston, Central Florida and Memphis are in their final C-USA seasons before moving to the Big East. They will be replaced next season by North Texas, Louisiana Tech, Florida International and Texas-San Antonio.

While losing the most prolific passer, Houston may also have the most ready replacement.

When Keenum got hurt two years ago, David Piland was a true freshman who threw for 2,641 yards and 24 touchdowns in eight games. The Cougars redshirted him last year preparing for post-Keenum.

"I told him this word for word — Case Keenum, I physically saw him months earlier leave the locker room after he was done playing and he took his shoes with him," said Cougars coach Tony Levine, one of C-USA's five new head coaches. "There are no shoes to fill for David Piland. He's got his own shoes, he wears a different size. ... He's young, but he does have eight games of starting experience under his belt."

A look at C-USA:

EAST

MARSHALL — Key players: WR Aaron Dobson, RB Tron Martinez, QB Rakeem Cato, SS Devin Arrington. Returning starters: 8 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: Won four of last five games last season, including a bowl victory over future C-USA foe Florida International. ... Four of their wins were by six points or less, and another was a seven-point overtime victory. ... Cato threw for 2,059 yards with 15 touchdowns as a freshman last season. ... Among six departed defensive starters are all three linebackers.

SOUTHERN MISS — Key players: RB Tracey Lampley, LB Jamie Collins, CB Deron Williams, Returning starters: 6 offense, 4 defense.

Notes: Set school record with 12 wins last season, winning the C-USA title with 49-28 victory over previously undefeated Houston in league championship game. It was their fifth conference title, but first since league went to divisional play in 2005. ... New coach Ellis Johnson was Southern Miss defensive coordinator in 1988-89 and head coach at his alma mater, The Citadel, from 2001-03. ... Lampley is an all-purpose player who ran 91 times and caught 47 passes last season.

UCF — Key players: RB Latavius Murray, WR Quincy McDuffie, FS Kemal Ishmael, SS Clayton Geathers, WR J.J. Worton. Returning starters: 8 offense, 8 defense.

Notes: Return top three rushers from last season, all who rushed for more than 400 yards. ... The Knights have played in three of the seven C-USA championship games. They have also had three losing seasons in that same span, including last year's 5-7 with a three-game losing streak in November. ... Worton had 41 catches last season, a new school record for freshmen.

EAST CAROLINA — Key players: DB Damon Magazu, RB Torrance Hunt, LB Jeremy Grove, WR Justin Hardy. Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Coach Ruffin McNeil is starting his third season. ... Magazu, who had 80 tackles and four interceptions last season, is the only returning starter in the secondary. ... Have to replace record-setting quarterback Dominique Davis, who in only 25 games set school records for completions (727) and TD passes (62).

MEMPHIS — Key players: LB Akeem Davis, QB Jacob Karam, P Tom Hornsey. Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: New coach Justin Fuente spent past five seasons as an assistant at TCU, where he was co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach the last three years. ... The Tigers were outgained 491 total yards to 274 last season. ... Davis is a nickel back who had 78 tackles last season and led the team with three interceptions and four fumble recoveries.

UAB — Key players: Returning starters: QB Jonathan Perry, RB Greg Franklin, WR Jackie Williams, WR Patrick Hearn, LB Marvin Burdette. 7 offense, 4 defense.

Notes: Garrick McGee spent the past four seasons as an Arkansas assistant before becoming UAB's fourth head coach. ... Blazers haven't had a winning season since 2004. ... Jonathan Perry started last six games at quarterback last season. He threw for 2,042 yards and 10 TDs in eight games.

WEST

HOUSTON — Key players: QB David Piland, RB Charles Sims, LB Derrick Mathews, LT Jacolby Ashworth. Returning starters: 5 offense, 6 defense.

Notes: Houston's 54 wins since 2005 are the most in Conference USA. ... Ashworth has started 25 games at left tackle the past two seasons for an offensive line that allowed only 1.3 sacks per game for the nation's top passing offense. (682 pass attempts). ... Sims ran for 821 yards and nine TDs last season. .... Coach Tony Levine spent the past four seasons as a Houston assistant. He took over when Kevin Sumlin left after the C-USA championship game, and the Cougars won their bowl game over Penn State.

TULSA — Key players: RB Trey Watts, RB Ja'Terian Douglas, WR Willie Carter, WR Bryan Burnham, S Dexter McCoil, LB Shawn Jackson. Returning starters: 6 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: McCoil has 13 career interceptions, matching school record. ... Junior Cody Green went into fall practice as the starter to replace departed quarterback G.J. Kinne. Green will have the benefit of Tulsa's top two rushers (Watts, Douglas) and top two receivers (Carter, Burnham) being back from last season. ... After a brutal early stretch with games against three top-10 teams, Golden Hurricane won their first seven C-USA games before a loss in the regular season finale to Houston.

SMU — Key players: RB Zach Line, WR Darius Johnson, LB Taylor Reed, LB Ja'Gared Davis. Returning starters: 3 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: Garrett Gilbert, who as a freshman played for Texas in the BCS national championship game in January 2010, will likely be the starting quarterback. Gilbert transferred to SMU and completed his undergraduate degree to be eligible to play this season, instead of having to wait another year. ... Mustangs have been to three consecutive bowl games. They have won seven games in three straight seasons for first time since 1980-84, before the NCAA death penalty. ... Johnson has been the MVP in the Mustangs' last two bowl games. ... Will have five new starting offensive linemen.

UTEP — Key players: QB Nick Lamaison, WR Michael Edwards, S DeShawn Grayson, P Ian Campbell. Returning starters: 7 offense, 4 defense.

Notes: The Miners haven't had a winning record since 2005, when they went 8-4 in their first C-USA season. ... UTEP returns eight player who had multiple touchdown catches last season. ... Coach Mike Price is going into his ninth season in El Paso.

RICE — Key players: TE Luke Wilson, K Chris Boswell, WR Vance McDonald, LB Cameron Nwosu, CB Bryce Callahan. Returning starters: 5 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: Since winning 10 wins in 2008, coach David Bailiff's second season, the Owls have won only 10 games combined the last three seasons. ... Callahan led all FBS freshmen with six interceptions last season. He had as many interceptions (three) as completions against him over the last four games (12 attempts).

TULANE — Key players: Returning starters: QB Ryan Griffin, RB Orleans Darkwa, WR Wilson Van Hooser, LB Trent Mackey, LB Darryl Farley. 7 offense, 7 defense.

Notes: New coach Curtis Johnson spent the previous six seasons as receivers coach for the New Orleans Saints. He has been part of a Super Bowl title and an NCAA national championship, as an assistant coach at Miami in 2001. ... Green Wave had one of the league's most experienced quarterbacks with third-year starter Griffin. ... Mackey had 145 tackles even while missing the season finale last year. ... Tulane's last winning season was in 2002.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M is entering a new conference with a new coach. At some point, the Aggies will have a new quarterback, too.

As Texas A&M prepares for its first season in the Southeastern Conference under former Houston coach Kevin Sumlin, the biggest question is who will replace Ryan Tannehill, the eighth overall pick in this year's NFL draft.

The top three options to run Sumlin's high-powered offense are sophomores Jameill Showers and Matt Joeckel or redshirt freshman Johnny Manziel. Showers is the only one of the three to have thrown a pass for the Aggies, but his experience is extremely limited. He appeared in three games last season where he was 4 for 5 for 40 yards.

Sumlin insists that there isn't a frontrunner.

"Our competition is wide open," he said.

So when will he decide on his starter?

"Whenever we feel like somebody has clearly surfaced," he said.

Tannehill took over at quarterback for Texas A&M midway through the 2010 season and threw for 3,744 yards and 29 touchdowns last year in his only full season.

The good news for whoever gets the nod at quarterback is that he'll play behind an experienced line led by left tackle Luke Joeckel and a pair of senior receivers in Ryan Swope and Uzoma Nwachukwu.

Swope led the Aggies last season with 89 receptions for 1,207 and 11 touchdowns and Nwachukwu added 639 yards receiving with two scores.

"Tannehill was a great quarterback and it's obviously big shoes to fill, but I've got a lot of confidence in the guys competing for that spot right now," Swope said. "I just hope for the best. I've seen a lot of talent in those guys in 7 on 7 this summer. They're working hard. The more they compete the better. It will be exciting to see who gets that spot."

A boost to the offense will be the return of Christine Michael, who has seen his last two seasons end prematurely after breaking his leg in 2010 and tearing an anterior cruciate ligament last season. He ran for 899 yards and eight touchdowns last season before the injury.

Sumlin was hired at Texas A&M after Mike Sherman was fired following a 6-6 regular season. Though Sumlin is known for the offenses he led at Houston, he knows that he'll have to shore up Texas A&M's defense if he hopes to succeed in the SEC. He has just five returning defensive starters this season.

He said he believes his players want to live up to the storied history of past defenses at the school including the "Wrecking Crew" heyday of the late 1980s and early '90s.

"Anytime you're playing defense at Texas A&M you have a standard," Sumlin said. "From where I sit, I think that you have to have some sort of motivating factor based on the tradition of excellence on defense in the past. Everybody since the '80s and '90s has tried to meet that standard. That's a bigger motivational standard than anything. That's a huge goal and there's been a lot of people that have tried to do it here recently and I don't know that that's happened."

The Aggies are switching from 3-4 scheme to the 4-3 under first-year defensive coordinator Mark Snyder. A leader of the group will be senior linebacker Sean Porter, who led the team with 9 1/2 sacks last season.

"I don't think we're going to struggle in the first year at all," Porter said. "I think we're a pretty good defense. From what I can see we have a solid defense and we're going to be able to compete in the SEC."

The Aggies open the season Aug. 30 against Louisiana Tech and play their first SEC game when they host Florida on Sept. 8.

Sumlin isn't focusing on A&M's opponents right now.

"I think the biggest thing that we have to try to deal with is not Louisiana Tech, is not the schedule, we have to deal with us," he said. "Before we start talking about opponents, we need to start talking about what kind of things we have to do to get better."

He said he is most concerned with improving the team's turnover margin after the Aggies finished last year 106th in the country. Texas A&M was also one of the most penalized teams in the country in 2011.

"Those are things that we can deal with internally," he said. "Those are things that we need to address before we get going and talking about other people."

Four of Texas A&M's six defeats last year were by a combined 10 points, including a 53-50, four-overtime loss to Kansas State. Sumlin wants to teach his team how to handle playing in close games.

"We have to deal with our mental edge," he said. "Where we are right now as a team, as a program coming out of last year and the expectation level ... of this football team. (Teach them) how to prepare, how to play and how to close out football games."

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M is entering a new conference with a new coach. And Wednesday night, the Aggies decided on a new quarterback, too.

Former Houston coach Kevin Sumlin said Johnny Manziel will start Texas A&M's opener against Louisiana Tech on Aug. 30 as the Aggies prepare for their first season in the Southeastern Conference. He'll replace Ryan Tannehill, the eighth overall pick in the NFL draft.

Manziel, a redshirt freshman and sophomores Jameill Showers and Matt Joeckel had been vying for the chance to lead Sumlin's high-powered offense. Showers is the only one of the three to have thrown a pass for the Aggies, but his experience is extremely limited. He appeared in three games last season and was 4 for 5 for 40 yards.

But he was edged by Manziel, a Parade All-American after throwing for 3,609 yards with 45 touchdowns and only five interceptions as a senior at Kerrville Tivy.

"Johnny has performed the best at this stage and we will proceed until the season opener with him getting the first-team reps," Sumlin said. "My policy is simple really; the best player plays. Competition is a great thing and we need more competition at all of our positions. All of our quarterbacks have competed well, and I expect them to continue to push Johnny."

Tannehill took over at quarterback for Texas A&M midway through the 2010 season and threw for 3,744 yards and 29 touchdowns last year in his only full season.

The good news for Manziel is that he'll play behind an experienced line led by left tackle Luke Joeckel and a pair of senior receivers in Ryan Swope and Uzoma Nwachukwu.

Swope led the Aggies last season with 89 receptions for 1,207 and 11 touchdowns and Nwachukwu added 639 yards receiving with two scores.

A boost to the offense will be the return of Christine Michael, who has seen his last two seasons end prematurely after breaking his leg in 2010 and tearing an anterior cruciate ligament last season. He ran for 899 yards and eight touchdowns last season before the injury.

Sumlin was hired at Texas A&M after Mike Sherman was fired following a 6-6 regular season. Though Sumlin is known for the offenses he led at Houston, he knows that he'll have to shore up Texas A&M's defense if he hopes to succeed in the SEC. He has just five returning defensive starters this season.

He said he believes his players want to live up to the storied history of past defenses at the school including the "Wrecking Crew" heyday of the late 1980s and early '90s.

"Anytime you're playing defense at Texas A&M you have a standard," Sumlin said. "From where I sit, I think that you have to have some sort of motivating factor based on the tradition of excellence on defense in the past. Everybody since the '80s and '90s has tried to meet that standard. That's a bigger motivational standard than anything. That's a huge goal and there's been a lot of people that have tried to do it here recently and I don't know that that's happened."

The Aggies are switching from 3-4 scheme to the 4-3 under first-year defensive coordinator Mark Snyder. A leader of the group will be senior linebacker Sean Porter, who led the team with 9 1/2 sacks last season.

"I don't think we're going to struggle in the first year at all," Porter said. "I think we're a pretty good defense. From what I can see we have a solid defense and we're going to be able to compete in the SEC."

After opening with Louisiana Tech, the Aggies play their first SEC game when they host Florida on Sept. 8.

Sumlin isn't focusing on A&M's opponents right now.

"I think the biggest thing that we have to try to deal with is not Louisiana Tech, is not the schedule, we have to deal with us," he said. "Before we start talking about opponents, we need to start talking about what kind of things we have to do to get better."

He said he is most concerned with improving the team's turnover margin after the Aggies finished last year 106th in the country. Texas A&M also was one of the most penalized teams.

"Those are things that we can deal with internally," he said. "Those are things that we need to address before we get going and talking about other people."

Four of Texas A&M's six losses last year were by a combined 10 points, including a 53-50, four-overtime loss to Kansas State. Sumlin wants to teach his team how to handle playing in close games.

"We have to deal with our mental edge," he said. "Where we are right now as a team, as a program coming out of last year and the expectation level ... of this football team. (Teach them) how to prepare, how to play and how to close out football games."

PHOENIX (AP) — College football is in for some big and, some say, much-needed changes with the switch to a four-team playoff.

Before we get to that, there's still a couple more seasons under the current system; the playoffs don't begin until 2014.

And this one will be worth watching.

There's plenty of interesting story lines, from Penn State trying to rebuild in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal to Urban Meyer's return to coaching with Ohio State.

There's no shortage of great players, either.

Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley skipped the NFL for the chance at a national title, Michigan's Denard Robinson is a blur even without his shoelaces tied and Wisconsin's Montee Ball is like trying to tackle a wrecking ball.

Great teams? Could be a few of those, too. USC, LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon — the BCS could be under a lot of strain this season with those teams all bidding for No. 1.

So to get you ready, we've got a rundown of some of the things to watch out for this season.

Enjoy.

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TOP TEAMS

USC. Barkley is back. So is his top target, Robert Woods. Former Penn State running back Silas Redd was a nice addition. Postseason eligible again, the Trojans aren't aiming for just any bowl; they want a trip to Miami and national championship.

Alabama. The Crimson Tide have won two of the past three national championships. They figure to be contenders for another.

LSU. The Honey Badger is gone. All those other NFL prospects — such as defensive end Sam Montgomery and safety Eric Reid — should keep the Tigers from missing him.

Oklahoma. The Sooners have a record-setting QB in Landry Jones, a brick wall of an offensive line and with the return of Mike Stoops, Bob's feisty little brother, they should be good on defense, too.

Oregon. LaMichael James and Darron Thomas are gone? Big deal. The Ducks have plenty of other players who can fly in those new winged unis.

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KEEP AN EYE ON

Arkansas. QB Tyler Wilson and RB Knile Davis are back, coach John L. Smith has calmed the storm after Bobby Petrino's motorcycle crash and subsequent firing. All Arkansas has to do now is get by Alabama and LSU — its only two losses a year ago — which isn't as farfetched as you might think. Both visit the Natural state, one early (Alabama on Sept. 15) the other late (LSU the day after Thanksgiving)

Florida State. The Seminoles' return to prominence has been rumored for years. Under coach Jimbo Fisher, it may actually happen this season.

Wisconsin. The Badgers are hungry after consecutive Rose Bowl losses and they have Ball, one of the nation's best running backs.

Michigan State. Behind RB Le'Veon Bell, the Spartans could be on the verge of breaking a Rose Bowl drought that goes back to 1988.

Texas. Mack Brown's crew appears to be headed back to the big stage behind a helmet-rattling defense.

West Virginia. The Mountaineers could make their first season in the Big 12 championship worthy.

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TOP PLAYERS

Barkley, USC. Projected as a high NFL draft pick, Barkley became an instant Heisman Trophy front-runner when he announced he was coming back for his senior season.

Ball, Wisconsin. The Badgers' star running back changed the pronunciation of his name from Mon-tee to Mon-tay. Whatever you call him, dude's good.

Robinson, Michigan. The Wolverines' electric quarterback has churned out more than 8,000 yards in his career, most of those the past two seasons. Imagine what he could do if he tied his shoes.

Geno Smith, West Virginia. The Mountaineers' QB set multiple school records as a junior and more could be on the way in his final season in Charleston.

Barkevious Mingo, LSU. Been known to train wreck offensive linemen.

Jones, Oklahoma. He's been around since Barry Switzer was coach. OK, maybe not that long, but the four-year starter will leave as the most prolific passer in OU history.

De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon. Spectacular as a freshman last season and will likely get more touches this season now that James is in the NFL.

Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina. Back from a torn ACL last season, he should be one of the nation's top running backs this year.

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BIG GAMES

Sept. 1, Michigan vs. Alabama at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas. The annual opener at Jerry Jones' funhouse has had some great matchups in the past. This one could be the best of the bunch.

Sept. 15, Alabama at Arkansas. Winner could get the inside track on a national-title run.

Sept. 22, Michigan at Notre Dame. Last season's epic finish makes this a must-watch.

Oct. 13, Oklahoma vs. Texas in Dallas. The Red River rivalry continues after all the conference shuffling and could become epic again with these two teams on the rise.

Oct. 27, Notre Dame at Oklahoma. A rare meeting between power programs.

Nov. 3, Alabama at LSU. We may not get sucked into calling it the Game of the Century again, but it still figures to have national-title implications.

Nov. 3, Oregon at USC. Triple digits in combined points is a possibility with all those playmakers on the field.

Nov. 24, Michigan at Ohio State. Meyer is running the Buckeyes and Michigan appears to be back. This rivalry could be heating back up.

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THE NEW GUYS

There was quite a bit of turnover in the coaching ranks over the offseason, with some pretty big names landing in new places. Here's a few:

Bob Davie, New Mexico. Away from coaching for a decade, Davie tries to turn around a program plagued by embarrassments on and off the field under Mike Locksley.

Todd Graham, Arizona State. The fast-talking Texan has done everything right in Tempe so far, soothing concerns about bouncing around while building excitement for the program. All that's left is to win some games.

Mike Leach, Washington State. His offenses are always entertaining. So's his mouth.

Meyer, Ohio State. Burned out no more, the two-time national champion coach returns to the sideline with one of the country's premier programs — and too many references to an Urban renewal.

Bill O'Brien, Penn State. The former o-coordinator of the New England Patriots might have the toughest job in the country.

Rich Rodriguez, Arizona. RichRod's three-year run at Michigan didn't go so well, but he has Tucson buzzing about football again with his suped-up offense.

Smith, Arkansas. The Razorbacks needed someone to smooth over the ugliness of Bobby Petrino's firing. The even-keel Smith should be a good fit.

Charlie Weis, Kansas. Weis' first stint as a head coach petered out at Notre Dame. The Jayhawks are hoping he can turn around a program that languished under Turner Gill.

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