We've already discussed the opportunities available to young buck Brandon Williams this spring. Here are five other Sooners to keep an eye on as Oklahoma opens spring camp this week:

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Heading into the 2004 season, the Oklahoma Sooners had nearly all of the pieces in place for another run at a national title – a Heisman-winning quarterback, the best receiver in school history, an experienced offensive line, a talented defense.

The big question: Who was going to carry the water in the running game?

Freshman phenom Adrian Peterson answered that one pretty quickly, running for nearly 2,000 yards on the season when all was said and done.

In 2007, redshirt freshman running back DeMarco Murray took Sooner Nation by storm. Last year, it was rookie runner Roy Finch.

Now, it's Brandon Williams' turn to turn some heads in Norman.

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*Have to hand it to Roger Goodell – he knows how to write a polished letter. The NFL commissioner's little communique to the players yesterday certainly makes the owners' position sound reasonable. It's not, but credit Goodell for some effective PR work.

*S.M Oliva of the Mises Institute points out that at least one group is thrilled about going to the legal mattresses: the lawyers. And, of course, the pols won't let a good crisis go to waste.

*The Skinny reports back that Tulsa is jamming this weekend.

*So Jim Tressel wants his suspension lengthened so that the he and the Tattoo Five "can handle this adversity together?" If I read one column about the Ohio State coach stepping up to do the right thing...

Sweater Vest may have just saved his job. That's it. There's nothing more to this.

*The Dagger helps you navigate your daily course of March Madness. Speaking of which, while I love having every game available, it is confusing as hell. It's just sensory overload.

*And we got this going for us.

*Confession: I have yet to watch the "Fab Five" documentary. Still, it appears pretty clear to me that Jalen Rose was talking about how he felt at a specific moment in time when he said Duke only recruited "Uncle Toms." Seems like Grant Hill used the opportunity to grandstand in his New York Times article admonishing Rose. Jason Whitlock, on the other hand, probably loved Hill's take.

*Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight explains the advantage of being in some of the the lower-seeded positions in the NCAA Tournament.

*Slate offers up six teams to hate in this year's Big Dance.

*My favorite bets in today's action, which seems pretty tight: Morehead State (+10), Michigan State (-1.5) and Utah State (+3).

*If you're in Tulsa for this weekend's games and don't plan on going to Ron's, what is wrong with you?

*E-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you're interested in getting in on the annual NCAA Tournament Pick-6 Challenge. Three hours left to enter.

*Great financial writer James Surowiecki of The New Yorker delves into the NFL labor situation.

With the recent smattering of articles chronicling the annual rite of big-time spending at the largest bowl games – Connecticut, Virginia Tech, Auburn and Oregon – the usual criticisms have come out:

"The bowls are a sham."

"The bowls are deep-pocketed conspirators that are trying to keep a playoff out of college football."

"Schools can't say no to the bowls because they have a monopoly."

"The bowls are only in it for TV ratings and profits."

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Quick group of links today:

*Our buddy Aaron Torres has a nice primer podcast up for the NCAA tournament with Jameson Fleming of CBSSports.com.

*Esteemed college football blogger Dr. Saturday unveils his much anticipated college football playoff plan.

*College Football Matrix discusses trends in recruiting during the last decade.

*Smooth move, Gottlieb.

Yes, Blatant Homerism is a college football blog. We love March Madness and college hoops, too. For the next few days, we'll breaking down the Big Dance in all its glory for your edification.

Leading up to Thursday's tip-off, The Skinny and Homerism will be previewing each region. We've already covered the West, Southeast and Southwest regions. Last up we have the loaded East region.

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Yes, Blatant Homerism is a college football blog. We love March Madness and college hoops, too. For the next few days, we'll breaking down the Big Dance in all its glory for your edification.

Leading up to Thursday's tip-off, The Skinny and Homerism will be previewing each region. We've already covered the Southeast and Southwest regions. Next up is the West, where Duke and Coach K are looking for their 67th Final Four.

(Continue...)

Yes, Blatant Homerism is a college football blog. We love March Madness and college hoops, too. For the next few days, we'll breaking down the Big Dance in all its glory for your edification.

Leading up to Thursday's tip-off, The Skinny and I will be previewing each region. We've already covered the Southeast. Next up is the Southwest, where Kansas is a heavy favorite to advance.

(Continue...)

This morning news came out through the Sports Business Journal about the Big 12 (10?) being close to signing a new TV deal with FOX Sports for a reported $60 million a year. This is up substantially from the $20 million the league currently receives.

Coupled with the current deal from ABC/ESPN, annual revenue for the league would total about $130 million beginning in the 2012-2013 school year.

Break it down and it works out to about $11.8 million per share when split 11 ways (assuming the league will take a share). Of course, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M were promised an annual cut of $20 million during the conference meltdown last summer.

So where will the additional money come from?

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