Five-Step Drop: Former Ohio State QB Art Schlichter In the News Again

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1. Former Ohio State quarterback Art Schlichter finds himself in the crosshairs of yet another investigation. Schlichter, who was the Big Ten's offensive MVP in 1981, has served time for a number of crimes related to his long-standing gambling addiction. The latest investigation centers around a ticket-brokering operation Schlichter was promoting as an "investment opportunity." Sources told The Columbus Dispatch Schlichter was using investors' money to make large bets on sporting events. The facts are still coming in, and no official has said on the record that Schlichter is a target of any investigation, so we can still file this under "I hope it's not true."

2. It's one thing when independent media, new media or even the national media begin to take on the issue of oversigning. When even the local media begins to question the practice as it relates to nearby programs, that's turning a corner. Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News wonders why, if Alabama has nothing to hide, it will not release basic information, like the number of football players it actually has on scholarship. The university cites federal privacy laws for its tight-lipped stance. "If Alabama considers it a potential privacy violation to release the number of football players on scholarship," Scarbinsky writes, "why does the school announce the names of its signees every year?"

3. A 5-7 season at a school not accustomed to 5-7 seasons will tend to result in a staff shakeup. We've seen it happen already at Texas, but it's also happening at Cal. Jim Michalczik, the Oakland Raiders' offensive line coach, will take over as offensive coordinator. Michalczik, who was Jeff Tedford's OL coach from 2002 through 2008, takes over for Andy Ludwig, who left Berkeley to join Rocky Long's staff at San Diego State. Several other new faces will be on Cal's sidelines next season.

4. Tennessee defensive line coach Chuck Smith will not return next season. GoVolsExtra.com reports the Vols and Smith parted ways in what the school termed "a mutual decision." Smith will be replaced by linebackers coach Lance Thompson, while graduate assistant Peter Sirmon will be promoted to linebackers coach. Smith, who played nine seasons in the NFL, rejoined his alma mater last season.

5. Former Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier has narrowed his list of possible transfer destinations to five and will begin visiting them today. ESPN's Joe Schad says Forcier's final five are Arizona, Kansas State, Miami, Montana and Washington. If Forcier transferred to Montana, he could play next season since the Grizzlies play in the FCS. At the other schools he would have to sit out a year. That wouldn't be a problem at Arizona or Miami, where Nick Foles and Jacory Harris are already established as starters and will be seniors next season. At Kansas State and Washington, Forcier would run the risk of another underclassman establishing himself while he sits on the bench, though I'm sure he'll take that into consideration in making his decision.