Associated Press
The college football notebook …
WASHINGTON ó President-elect Barack Obama says he still thinks there needs to be a playoff system for determining the country’s college football champion.
Obama, asked what he thought about Florida’s 24-14 victory Thursday night over Oklahoma in the BCS championship game, congratulated the Gators and said he’d sent a message to a friend whose son plays for the team.
At the same time, he said, “If I’m Utah, or if I’m USC or if I’m Texas, I might still have some quibbles. … “That’s why we need a playoff.”
GOING PRO
DALLAS ó Michael Crabtree’s father says the Texas Tech receiver is going to the NFL, according to a newspaper report.
His father, also named Michael Crabtree, told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal on Friday that draft projections in the top 10 were too good to pass up. His dad says a nagging ankle problem in 2008 raised concerns about bigger injuries next season.
The receiver’s father declined to comment to The Associated Press on Friday, saying his son was planning a Tuesday news conference to discuss his future.
Crabtree is the two-time Biletnikoff winner as the nation’s top receiver. He had 3,127 yards receiving and 41 touchdowns in two seasons with the Red Raiders.
– TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ó Alabama running back Glen Coffee will skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft after a breakout season with the Crimson Tide.
Coffee announced his decision Friday, following star offensive lineman Andre Smith into professional football.
Coffee ranked second in the SEC with 1,383 yards this season after starting only three games in his first two seasons. He gained 218 yards against Kentucky.
– COLUMBIA, Mo. ó Missouri All-American Jeremy Maclin has decided to turn pro after two record-breaking seasons with the Tigers.
The wide receiver and return specialist announced his widely expected decision Friday. The two-time All-American led the nation in all-purpose yardage as a sophomore. His 2,833 all-purpose yards were the fifth-most in NCAA history.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Maclin scored 17 touchdowns and caught 102 passes for Missouri this season, helping elevate the Tigers to national prominence.