TCU has accepted a bid for full membership to become the 17th member of the Big East Conference, effective July 1, 2012. "Having BCS automatic-qualifying status was a priority for our football program and a great reward for the success we've had the last decade," TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte said in a statement. The conference change allows TCU to play in an automatic BCS-qualifying league beginning in the 2012-13 school year.

Stanford and Wisconsin all but locked up bids to the Bowl Championship Series, and Oklahoma earned a spot in the Big 12 title game by outpointing Oklahoma State and Texas A&M on Sunday, as reported by ESPN.com. Auburn and Oregon also switched places at the top of the standings, with the Tigers slipping by the Ducks by .0002 into first place.

Nevada roared back from a 17-point halftime deficit Friday night, beating No. 3 Boise State 34-31 in overtime in a wild game for the Wolf Pack?s biggest win ever. The loss snapped Boise State?s winning streak and ended any hopes the Broncos would play in the BCS title game.

USC defensive tackle Jurrell Casey os among the top five juniors at his position, according to ESPN.com and NFLDraftScout.com. USC coach Lane Kiffin said Casey "has probably been the most consistent player on our team" this season. Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron said Casey "has not had a bad game this year." Casey said he has thought about the NFL draft but won't make that call until after the season, which concludes Dec. 4. "My main focus is the last two games we've got coming up," Casey said Thursday. "When it's over, I'll sit down with my parents and the coaches and see what's the best situation for me.

Despite months and months of planning for the Wrigleyville Classic, Big Ten officials announced Friday?less than 36 hours before kickoff?that the schools had agreed to run all offensive plays toward the west end zone because of safety concerns. The west end zone got lots of action as Illinois beat Northwestern 48-27 on Saturday in the odd-looking game, according to an Associated Press report.

Tyler Eifert caught a touchdown pass a few steps away from the home dugout, Darrin Walls returned an interception 42 yards for a score and Notre Dame beat Army 27-3 Saturday night in the first football game at the new Yankee Stadium, according to an Associated Press report.

Kellen Moore shook off an interception and fumble in the first quarter to throw for 333 yards and four touchdowns, two each to Titus Young and Austin Pettis, and No. 3 Boise State used a smothering defense to rout Fresno State 51-0 on Friday night, as reported by the Associated Press.

Only one end zone will be used for offense Saturday at Wrigley Field for the Illinois-Northwestern game because of safety concerns, the Big Ten announced Friday, and the Chicago Cubs said the decision caught them by surprise. Whichever team is on offense Saturday will head toward the west [left] end zone, according to an ESPN.com report. The east end zone is just feet away from the right-field wall, and although there is padding, there still were concerns that players could be injured there.

College of Sequoias defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson, one of the top JUCO players in the country, has committed to USC. ?After the relationships that you build it?s kind of hard to de-commit, but it?s worth it,? Richardson said. ?I feel like USC is two or three players away from having a great team. ?I went there, had a great experience and want to be part of the team.?

Prior to Cam Newton's commitment to Auburn, one recruiter said Cecil Newton told him it would take "more than a scholarship" to bring his son to Mississippi State, a request the source said the school would not meet. Cam Newton also spoke openly about his hope for a pay-to-play plan. Cecil Newton also referred the recruiter to a third person that would provide more specifics, the source said. Cecil Newton, who previously has denied any wrongdoing, did not respond to an e-mail request for comment Tuesday night. Newton began his college career at Florida before transferring to Blinn Junior College in Texas.