Making the morning rounds.• They're baaa-ack, part one. Oklahoma State lost offensive mastermind Dana Holgorsen to West Virginia, but start in the top 10 in the fall, anyway, after quarterback Brandon Weeden and All-American receiver Justin Blackmon announced their return to Stillwater for another go at a Big 12 championship. Weeden (who turns 28 in October) said the decision was a package deal – "Justin Blackmon is coming back to Oklahoma State, and so am I" – and will be expected to reprise their breakout turns as the most prolific pass-catch combo in the nation. Now if you'll excuse him, Weeden is going to hit the links as a walk-on to the OSU golf team. [Oklahoman, Tulsa World]
• They're baaa-ack, part two. Blackmon is certain to rejoin Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles on the preseason All-America lists at wide receiver, but they may have company in Notre Dame's Michael Floyd, whose decision to return to South Bend for his senior season is probably at least as shocking as Andrew Luck's return to Stanford, and instantly improves the Irish's prospects of returning to the polls. Finally healthy for an entire season, Floyd pulled down 79 catches for 1,025 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior – capped by a dominant 109-yard, two-touchdown effort against Miami's chart-topping secondary in the Sun Bowl – and should pass Golden Tate as Notre Dame's career receiving leader in the first or second week of the season. [South Bend Tribune]
• Ciao, Chow. Technically, venerable quarterback guru Norm Chow still appears to be employed as UCLA's offensive coordinator, but only until the Bruins finalize talks with outgoing San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Johnson for Chow's position. Some reports out of L.A. Wednesday said the deal is done, and Chow – a longtime hand at BYU, where he molded the likes of Jim McMahon, Steve Young and Ty Detmer – is reportedly in serious talks to join the Cougars' rival, Utah. [L.A. Times, Orange County Register, Salt Lake Tribune]
• Loyal Les. It was a mutual love fest Wednesday at LSU, where coach Les Miles met with the press to express his loyalty to the Tigers after a hot 'n heavy flirtation (or, in his words, "a very substantial talk") with Michigan, and LSU reciprocated with a three-year contract extension that locks up Miles through 2017 and sweetens the incentives for postseason success. "I could not have met with Michigan without the potential of a different outcome," Miles said. "I always allowed for that, but it kept comfortably returning to the people and the commitment. I enjoy this community." Aw. [Baton Rouge Advocate, Associated Press]
Meanwhile, both Miles and offensive coordinator Gary Crowton doused a report that Crowton had been fired, much to the chagrin of Tiger fans who have watched the offense dwindle at the bottom of the SEC three years running. Crowton admitted that he'd interviewed with Maryland about joining new coach Randy Edsall's staff when it looked like Miles may be on his way to Ann Arbor, but with Miles' return, Crowton said "I'm still a Tiger and plan on being one next year." [Baton Rouge Advocate]
• Uh, good luck with that, part one. Two players did announce their intentions to enter the draft Wednesday, though you almost certainly haven't heard of either of them, and it's not clear that pro scouts have, either: Georgia Tech offensive lineman Nick Claytor and Utah defensive tackle Sealver Siliga will probably go undrafted. When you're ready, you're ready, I guess. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Salt Lake Tribune]
• Uh, good luck with that, part deux. USC's post-probation transfers continued Wednesday with backup tight end Blake Ayles, who's following former position coach Brennan Carroll to Miami to "get that starting spot and fulfill my dream of winning a national title." He'll be immediately eligible what coach Lane Kiffin dubs "the free agency rule," allowing upperclassmen to transfer without the usual penalty season on the bench in the wake of last summer's major sanctions. [L.A. Times]
Quickly... San Diego State officially introduces Rocky Long as its new head coach, replacing Michigan-bound Brady Hoke. ... Like regular season ratings, viewership for 2010-11 bowl games was significantly down compared to 2009-10. ... Gary Pinkel's agent would like the world to know that Gary Pinkel turned down an interview at Michigan. And maybe a little more love from Missouri will help him say "No" to the next suitor, too, hmmm? ... Washington and Boise State will renew their series with a home-and-home in 2013 and 2015. ... The NFL pedigree paid off for Stanford's coaching staff, but not really anyone else's. ... On the outrageous increase in salaries for bowl executives over the last decade. ... At least Nike still loves you, Oregon. ... And it seems like yesterday, but Wednesday was Lane Kiffin's one-year anniversary at USC.
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Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.
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