>>Michigan State Hoping To Keep Up With Ohio State In Big Ten East

Michigan State has played in two of the three Big Ten title games, is the defending Rose Bowl champion and on the best run in program history with 42 wins in four years.

Yet the Spartans cling to an underdog mentality. It's the product of being overshadowed historically by Michigan and Ohio State. Coach Mark Dantonio never wants his team to stop playing with that edge.

The Spartans likely will have to beat the Buckeyes to win the East Division. They also have a major September test with a road game against Oregon.

Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin are the top contenders in the West.

>>South Carolina Football Avoids Violation

(Columbia, SC) -- No NCAA violations for South Carolina football is icing on the cake. ESPN reports the NCAA decided one of the 22 self-reported potential infractions by the Gamecocks, which involved cookie cakes given to recruits visiting campus, will not be processed as a violation. USC thought it might be in violation of a bylaw that includes the use of "decorative items" and special additions to any location that recruit is visiting. Prospects have been known to tweet out pics of various cookie cakes and sweets from their different visits.