Links and videos from recent happenings around the sporting world. If you come across good articles, videos, etc. – please pass them along, I’d love to take a look.

College Football:

Heisman Power Rankings 2011, Week Four: Kellen Moore Should Be Your Leader – Ty Duffy [TheBigLead] Can’t say I disagree!

The Dash looks back at September and makes bold predictions for October – Pat Forde [ESPN]

Florida has opportunity to thwart Alabama and LSU in SEC race (On The Mark) – Mark Schlabach [ESPN] I might actually have to cheer for the Gators over the next few weeks.

Fast, focused Ducks are winning the mind game – George Schroeder [RegisterGuard]

Boise State defense hopes to correct late-game struggles that have been an issue this season and vs. Nevada – Chadd Cripe [IdahoStatesman] They better get that fixed.

ASU LB Vontaze Burfict - I had to put this picture up again because it's that awesome

Tracing the roots of Vontaze Burfict’s appetite for destruction – Matt Hinton [DrSaturday] This gives a little insight into Burfict’s upbringing which undoubtedly played a role in making him the person he is today.

Pac-12 reprimands USC’s Matt Barkley for calling opponent “dirty” [USAToday] Funny that Barkley gets in trouble for that when Burfict only ever receives 15 yard penalties for his actions.

Bit by bit, College football is imploding before our eyes – Tony Barnhart [CBS Sports]This is from last Wednesday but it certainly seems like Mr. College Football is right.

Should college athletes be paid? Why, they already are – Seth Davis [SI] This is a response to Taylor Branch’s article last week. I tend to agree more with Davis’ argument on this topic.

OU ultimately sought Big 12 reform, not Pac-12 move – Jenni Carlson [newsok] I don’t believe that for a second but whatever you say Oklahoma… (HT Andy Staples)

Pac-12 slows the college football expansion train for now – Chris Dufresne [LATimes] This side of the story seems a little more believable.

Even when Big 12 comes together, it cannot keep its story straight – Andy Staples [SI] That sounds about right.

ESPN: Don’t blame us for college football realignment [USAToday] Umm.. Sure, whatever you say world wide leader.

Brigham Young has Big 12 offer – Brett Hein [TheUpsetBlog] You may have missed this but congrats to any Cougar fans reading – I’m a little jealous.

Big 12 expansion options (Boise State, BYU) Missouri to the SEC (?) and more on realignment – Jon Wilner [Mercury News] It sounds like the Big 12 could be interested in Boise State. *crosses fingers*

Boise State needs to play realignment game – Brian Murphy [IdahoStatesman] I couldn’t agree more and was concerned the school wasn’t doing anything but it seems they could be talking with the Big 12.

Stop superconferences, start a football playoff – Dan Wetzel [Yahoo] Wetzel brings the hammer like he always does.

Is this heaven? No, it’s a Boise State corn maze – Graham Watson [DrSaturday] Well maybe it’s heaven?

First football game means father-son bonding and high fives – George Schroeder [RegisterGuard] Reading this brought back memories of going to football games with my Dad. Good stuff.

Mike Leach: College football’s most honest man – Jen Floyd [FoxSports] Not only is he honest, but he’s one of the most interesting people in college football (HT LoqueBSU)

AP voting regional biases (interactive map) – [CBSSports] This is a pretty cool.

Boise State to appeal football penalties levied by the NCAA – Chadd Cripe [IdahoStatesman] I don’t think appeals are very successful but it can’t hurt to try.

BCS: The Money. The Games. An Arizona Republic Investigative Series [Arizona Republic] More articles and information about the BCS than you could ask for.

High School Football:

Pulaski Academy scores 29 points before opponent touches football – Jon Wertheim [SI] A football team that only onside kicks and never punts? That’s what I’m talking about! (HT BadWillHunting)

Get Familiar: Tanner Mangum – Jon Mahoney [ESPN] An interview with Eagle H.S. QB and BYU commit Tanner Mangum (HT murphsturph)

Soccer:

Jack Wilshere after surgery

Jack Wilshere faces ‘four to five months’ out after ankle surgery [Guardian] This is pretty much the last thing Arsenal needed after losing Fabregas & Nasri this summer.

Owen Hargreaves: “It felt like I was made out of glass” – Daniel Taylor [Guardian] The Man City midfielder talks about the shoddy medical treatment he received back at Manchester United – very interesting.

Red Bull’s investment in Rafael Marquez proves to be a huge mistake – Grant Wahl [SI] Why a person would throw his teammates under the bus like that, I’ll never know.

Arsenal face another contract saga as Robin van Persie ponders future [Guardian] More good news for the Gunners!!

Arsenal injury crisis threatens to derail season, says Arsene Wenger – David Hytner [Guardian] I laughed when I read the title but didn’t realize so many players were injured for the Gunners right now. Not good for today’s Champions League match after a good win last Saturday.

Surfing:

Slater beats Wright at the Hurley Pro – Jake Howard [ESPN Surf]

Hawaiians surfing in Puerto Escondido (photos) [Surfline]

National Hockey League:

Brent Severyn: My life as an NHL enforcer – Brent Severyn [SI] It’s a fascinating look at enforcers’ roles in the NHL and the pressure and emotion they face on a nightly basis.

Emotional Mike Modano retires from NHL after 21 seasons – Richard Durrett [ESPN] Growing up as an Avs fan I never liked the Stars but always respected the smooth skating Modano.

Lacrosse:

Why Don’t Some People Understand Zone Defense In Lacrosse? – Connor Wilson [LaxAllStars] Connor breaks down zone defense like nobody else.

Top 25 College Football Schools: Do They Offer Lacrosse? – Connor Wilson [LaxAllStars]

Any good articles or videos I missed? Happy Humpday Everyone!