Nothing particularly interesting I suppose, but Nebraska uses field turf as its playing surface. It has since 1999. They are putting a new field turf in and doing it in two tones of green. It is supposed to be evocative of the way they used to have the field look in the 60s and so, before they went to astro-turf. The fans seem quite divided on the issue as you can read in the comments (more pictures, as well).

Just a thought, when it is an appearance/style-thing and pioneered at Oregon, it’s usually not a good thing.

The USA Today Coaches Poll has released its preseason top-25. No shock that USC is #1.

Pitt is ranked #25.

Other teams to note. Louisville was #14. BC #22 (huh?). Penn St., ND and WVU all received some votes but were far outside serious top-25 consideration. Duke received its customary vote from Steve Spurrier.

UPDATE: Here’s the Pitt press release on the ranking.

Fox Sports just might be gearing up for another run at ESPN.

Scout Media, Inc., the parent company of Scout.com, the country’s No. 1 independent online sports network, and Scout Publishing, producer of 47 of the most widely read local sports magazines in the U.S. today announced that Fox Interactive Media has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Scout and its assets.

The deal will bring to PantherReport.Com users video, stats, Associated Press game stories and other content from FoxSports.com, proprietary FOX team-specific video for Scout.com subscribers, and increased visibility of Scout experts and publishers on Fox Sports Television and Radio, among other major benefits.

“Fox is a dream partner for our network of team sites and publications because of its dominance in team broadcast rights,” said Jim Heckman, Scout founder and CEO. “When you consider Fox’s massive online reach, proprietary video infrastructure and the power of the worldwide brand, I couldn’t imagine a better combined product for sports fans. I think it will immediately revolutionize the online sports industry.”

The addition of Scout.com gives Fox Interactive Media (FIM) one of the web’s stickiest sites with a loyal user base of more than two million unique users. Fox is already a leader in the world of sports coverage with the national broadcast programming of FOX Sports and the regional and national programming of Fox Sports Net’s 20 regional sports networks, as well as cable channels SPEED, Fox College Sports and Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports Radio and the highly trafficked FOXSports.com. FOXSports.com, which is now operated by FIM, has become one of the top three sports websites in the country since its launch a year ago as the primary sports destination on the MSN network with 11.2 million unique visitors per month.

The battle has increasingly come over college athletics. With Fox using and emphasizing area colleges and their shows to fill the programming on their regional channels. By that I mean Fox Sports Atlantic, Pacific, etc., not Fox Sports Ohio, Pittsburgh and such.

ESPN countered with ESPNU, and expanded their Scouts, Inc. component on ESPN.com.

A lawsuit has to be coming between the two over the names andconfusionn regarding Scout.com and Scouts, Inc.

Chris Taft has signed a deal with the Golden State Warriors (hat tip Joe). Prior to signing, Taft could still have been cut by the Warriors. 2nd round picks are not guaranteed anything. Now, he is under contract with them for a few years. He could still be loaned to an NBDL team, but that seems less likely.

Antonio Bryant is shining in Cleveland Browns training camp. He is benefiting from having worked with Trent Dilfer during the offseason, having the same offensive coordinator he had as a rookie in Dallas (and is running the same offense), and WR Braylon Edwards the Browns 1st round pick is still not in camp.