Governor ready to broker WVU-Marshall deal

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin sees the West Virginia-Marshall football series as a matter of critical importance. That’s why he is prepared to drop his duties (as outlined in the state constitution) to become a mediator of sorts if talks to extend the annual matchup breakdown. The issue between the schools is a matter of whether or not the Mountaineers deserve to get the continued benefit of a weighted deal. The current seven-year contract includes five home games for WVU and just two for Marshall. The Thundering Herd are seeking a home-and-home arrangement going forward. This would not be Manchin’s first foray into the world of college football — as he played a role in the Rich Rodriguez saga. – Gazette-Mail

Jim Harbaugh in line at Michigan?

A red flag is flying at full mast in Ann Arbor. Ask yourself this question: Is there anything Rich Rodriguez has done at Michigan — not in the past at West Virginia or Tulane or Glenville State — to suggest he is going to lead the Wolverines to the upper rung of college football, let alone atop the Big Ten again? Sure. Logic dictates Rodriguez will not lose his position following this season, that he will get a third year. The person who hired him, athletic director Bill Martin, has one more year before he retires. The person who approved Rodriguez’s appointment as head coach, university president Mary Sue Coleman, has said publicly she will be patient with Rodriguez. There is a difference, however, between being patient and banging their collective heads into a brick wall. There is also the matter of waiting — and how much further it sets a program behind when a change is eventually made. You also might lose the ideal coaching candidate for the position. And for Michigan, that label is starting to fit former Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh. Anybody in Ann Arbor notice what Harbaugh is doing at Stanford? Last week, his team defeated Oregon, a week after Oregon crushed Southern California. Stanford is 6-3, and earlier in Harbaugh’s stint pulled off one of the biggest upsets in college football history when it beat USC on the road as a six-touchdown underdog. Harbaugh inherited a no-win situation at Stanford — a combination of high standards academically when it comes to recruiting, to tremendous competition in the Pac 10, to apathy. Harbaugh has won anyway. – The Morning Sun

Dan Hawkins on Hot Seat at Colorado

Fourth-year coach Dan Hawkins, 13-26, is showing up on national coaching “hot seat” lists after opening with losses to Colorado State and Toledo, games most CU fans had chalked up as victories before the season. Saturday, Colorado hosts a Wyoming team no doubt brimming with confidence after leading Texas late in the first half last week. Then the meat of CU’s schedule arrives, with a trip to West Virginia followed by Big 12 opponents. CU was favored in its first two games but fell behind early and never recovered. The Buffs couldn’t stop the pass, or the run, and didn’t show much firepower on offense until falling far behind in the 54-38 loss to Toledo last Friday. There’s much to be done — in a hurry. Team captains have called for a players-only meeting this week. And Hawkins said Tuesday the defense will be simplified for Saturday’s game. “You get tied up in knots a little bit with trying to do too much,” Hawkins said. – Denver Post

Colorado Likely to Fire Dan Hawkins

Leaving a successful mid-major for a wobbling traditional power is not a lock. For every Urban Meyer, there is a Hawkins. Just two weeks in, he is looking the least likely to make it home before the clock strikes 12. In two games of year 4, they’ve been outscored and mind boggling 43-6 in the first half. It’s hard for fire hydrants to give up that much offense. That was against Toledo and Colorado St. With road dates with West Virginia, Texas, and Oklahoma St, the Buffs appear headed for their fourth straight losing season, giving Hawkins the ignonimous quinella. This is one Cinderella story that won’t end happily. – AC

Al Groh on Short Leash at Virginia

Now here comes TCU, which despite what we’ve seen from Boise State and BYU, could be the best non-BCS team. This game is a beatdown if there ever was one, right? These are also the type of games Groh’s teams have won in the past, including upsets of West Virginia (2002), Virginia Tech (2003), Florida State (2005) and Georgia Tech (2008). Lose Saturday, and the Cavs may not win again until October—and by that time, Richmond coach and former UVa defensive coordinator Mike London, will be the clear favorite for the job. – Sporting News

Groh, Kragthorpe Begin 2009 on Hottest of Seats

Steve Kragthorpe, Louisville - School record: 11-13, third season - Why he’s in trouble: Kragthorpe has a recipe for disaster at Louisville, leading a young and inexperienced team through a brutal schedule that includes road games at rival Kentucky, Utah, Cincinnati, West Virginia and USF. Cardinals fans have been loudly voicing their discontent. – Orlando Sentinel

Al Groh, Virginia - School record: 56-44, eighth season - Why he’s in trouble: Virginia Athletics Director Craig Littlepage said it all when he wrote in a letter to boosters in January, “Many of our fans have voiced their frustration and I am frustrated as well. … Improvements in football and men’s basketball are a priority.” If Virginia doesn’t win early, there is little doubt Groh will go. – Orlando Sentinel