Morning Playbook – Happy retirement Tom Osborne

Tom Osborne's legacy extends far past the football field.

One of the true icons of the sport of college football is heading to retirement. Nebraska's Tom Osborne announced yesterday he will retire as athletics director, leaving behind a storied legacy on and off the field. Most will recognize Osborne's football legacy, keeping Nebraska as a national power throughout most of his tenure on the sideline, and winning three national championships in the 1990s. But you also have to respect the way Osborne continued to serve after giving up the headset and seeking public office and eventually returning to Nebraska to serve as athletics director.

Under Osborne Nebraska's athletic success has continued in other sports besides football and the school has shifted conferences from the Big 12 to the Big Ten. Not only was Osborne good for Nebraska, but he was good for college football. His influence will be missed respectfully.

You want an early look at some BCS bowl projections? You got it.

Yesterday we also hosted the first Bloguin Heisman Poll for the 2012 season. Who is the favorite, as determined by an assortment of Bloguin bloggers?

The latest Crystal Ball Run Podcast discusses Urban Meyer with Ramzy Nasrallah from Eleven Warriors. Dave Bartoo from CFB Matrix also returns for the weekly betting tips segment.

Penn State lost another player, this time third string quarterback-turned-tight end Paul Jones. [Nittany Lions Den]

Is the fact that Ohio State is the standard-bearer for the Big Ten really that big of a problem for the conference? Dennis Dodd thinks so. [CBS Sports]

John L Smith has the support of Arkansas AD Jeff Long. [AP, via Sports Illustrated]

Texas A&M added fine print to some of their claimed championships. [Deadspin]

A new postseason game pitting a team from the Pac-12 or Big 12 against the best team from a pool of five other conferences could be in the works. [AP, via New York Times]

Memphis confirmed that leading rusher Jerrell Rhodes has left the team and is not expected to return. [College Football Talk]

Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen will appear during Thursday night's Colorado Rockies broadcast, for those in the viewing area. [Mountain West Conference]

Mississippi State has new alternate uniforms, with a helmet that looks to clone Boise State's concept. [No 2-Minute Warning]

Tweet of the Day

Here's an impressive stat about Tom Osborn, courtesy of the Big Ten Network…

Photo of the Day

Military appreciation uniforms are a relatively new fad across the country. Virginia Tech has their camouflage helmets, North Carolina has their USA flag logo. We see these type of military tributes all the time. Take a look at what FCS power Georgia Southern will be wearing October 13 in support of their new partnership with the Georgia National Guard.

HT: Nike Blog

Video of the Day

This Gangnam Style craze is everywhere it seems, including Madison, Wisconsin. So I guess this was bound to happen…

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About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.

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