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Asmussen: What I learned this week

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Former Illini defensive lineman Moe Gardner is on the 2010 ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame. If the voters do a little research, Gardner will be one of this year's choices. A two-time All-American and Big Ten defensive player of the year, Gardner dominated his position. And when it comes to Halls of Fame that's what voting should be all about. Was the player the best defensive lineman during his era? Yes. The decision on who goes in starts with the 12,000 members of the National Football Foundation. From there, the 77 players and seven coaches under consideration will be reviewed by the NFF's Honors Court. The class will be announced on May 27 and the inductions will be in December. The last Illini to go in was receiver David Williams. The school is due and Gardner should be followed in the coming years by Dana Howard and Kevin Hardy.

They really like him

No surprise, Ohio State added two years to Jim Tressel's contract. Without a raise. That's not a knock on Tressel, who has the Buckeyes positioned to win another national title in 2010. With troubled economic times at the university, Tressel didn't ask for an increase. Part of the new deal includes an administrative job for Tressel when he decides to retire as head coach. But there is no hurry. With the success Tressel has had, even the most jaded Ohio State fan wants him to stay as long as he is able. Recruiting continues to go well for Ohio State, the school getting commitments from top recruits long before signing day. And don't feel bad about Tressel not receiving a raise. He already makes $3.5 million, which ranks him among the nation's elite.

Not so Ducky

What is going on at Oregon? The football program has the backing of Nike czar Phil Knight. First-year coach Chip Kelly turned around the season after the ugly opener against Boise State, reaching the Rose Bowl. Still, there is all sorts of trouble in Eugene. Why would quarterback Jeremiah Masoli get involved in the robbery of laptops and a guitar? His guilty plea forced Kelly to suspend him for the 2010 season. Some thought the coach should kick him off the team, but instead the player will be allowed to redshirt and try to return in 2011. That won't be easy for Masoli, who will certainly be the target of fans at away games. Masoli isn't the only Duck in trouble. Star running back LaMichael James will have to sit out the 2010 opener against New Mexico after pleading guilty to a harrassment charge involving a former girlfriend. At least Mike Locksley catches a break with his Lobos facing short-handed Oregon.

Smart scheduling

If you want to get your games on television and you aren't one of the BCS leagues, here's some advice: be flexible. The WAC has learned the lesson, willingly playing its games any day of the week for the benefit of television. The payoff comes in 2010, with 10 league games already announced for national telecasts on ESPN or ESPN2. It's the best television arrangement for any of the non-BCS leagues. You'll get to see News-Gazette All-State Player of the Year Kyle Prater make his Southern Cal debut at Hawaii on Sept. 2. The biggest game of the WAC season might be Boise State's game at Virginia Tech on Sept. 6. Also, Cincinnati plays at Fresno State on Sept. 4, which will be carried by ESPN2. Still to be announced: television plans for the Dec. 4 Illinois-Fresno State game.