Exams Could Stop TCU’s Bowl Plans

Texas Christian Athletic Director Eric Hyman is concerned about the possibility of the Horned Frogs getting an invitation to the GMAC Bowl because the game conflicts with the school’s final exams.

The No. 19 Horned Frogs (10-1) have not been asked to play in the Dec. 18 game in Mobile, Ala., but GMAC officials get the second pick from Conference USA.

Southern Mississippi defeated TCU, 40-28, last week and can clinch the C-USA title and Liberty Bowl berth with a victory Saturday at East Carolina.

“This is pure and simple an academic issue,” Hyman said Thursday night. “They want you down there on the 13th. It’s a disservice to our student-athletes.”

Final exams at TCU are Dec. 15-19.

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Louisiana State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher withdrew from consideration for the coaching position at Mississippi State, leading to speculation that Green Bay Packer assistant Sylvester Croom would replace Jackie Sherrill.

The Bulldogs (2-10, 1-7 Southeastern) closed their season Thursday night with a 31-0 loss to rival Mississippi.

A Memphis television station, citing unidentified sources, reported that Croom would be hired by Mississippi State. Croom, who was with the Packers in Detroit, declined to comment on the report.

If hired, Croom would become the first African American head coach in the SEC.

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Arkansas (8-3, 4-3 Southeastern) can give USC’s Sugar Bowl hopes a boost today when it travels to Baton Rouge, La., to play No. 3 Louisiana State (10-1, 6-1).

In other key games today:

Colorado (5-6, 3-4 Big 12) plays host to No. 25 Nebraska (8-3, 4-3) amid reports that Cornhusker Coach Frank Solich has been asked to resign.

Texas A&M; (4-7, 2-5 Big 12) will try to ruin No. 6 Texas’ plans for a bowl championship series game. The Longhorns (9-2, 6-1) have struggled at College Station in recent years, losing seven of the last nine games.

Arizona (2-9, 1-6 Pac-10) and Arizona State (4-7, 1-6) play in the battle for the Territorial Cup at Tempe. The loser will finish last in the Pacific 10 for the first time in school history.

Miami (Ohio) tries to run its win streak to 11 when it plays at Central Florida (3-8, 2-5 Mid-American). The No. 15 Redhawks (10-1, 7-0) already have accepted an invitation to play in the GMAC Bowl.

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The Ann Arbor News reported that Michigan junior cornerback Markus Curry was ticketed Tuesday in Ypsilanti, Mich., for passing a school bus with its lights flashing and for driving with a suspended license.

According to police reports, Curry was driving his brother’s 2004 Hummer when the incident occurred. After Curry was pulled over, police discovered he was driving with a suspended license. Police said Curry’s license has been suspended five times.

Driving with a suspended license after two or more offenses is punishable by up to a year in jail and $1,000 fine. Curry’s brother Julius is a former Michigan player who is on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad.

This is not Curry’s first brush with the law. In February 2002, he paid a $125 fine to settle charges of possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license.

In January 2002, he pleaded no contest to assault and battery for pushing and shoving his girlfriend and then preventing her to call for help. He was sentenced to a year of probation and fined $250.

Wolverine Coach Lloyd Carr was unavailable for comment.