Give a nice warm welcome to contributor NDRange, our resident college football expert.  Periodically, he’ll be writing “Two Point Conversions”,  focusing on college football previews, recaps and other insights on the games that matter. His first effort follows.

#2 South Florida at Rutgers
Time: Tonight, 7:30 PM
TV: ESPN

After big early season wins against Auburn and West Virginia, paired with a chaotic series of events in the top 10, the South Florida Bulls (6-0) find themselves ranked #2 in the newly-released BCS standings and in position to play in the BCS title game.

Before the Bulls can start thinking about a trip to New Orleans, they’ll need to get past their first big conference road game tonight as they travel to Piscataway, NJ to take on a talented Rutgers (4-2) team led by running back Ray Rice.

More after the jump »

A broadcast report on ESPN News states that New York Yankees manager Joe Torre is in Florida for a Yankees meeting.

More in a bit as things become more available…

***UPDATED at 2:52 PM ET***

The Associated Press has the full details on manager Joe Torre’s visit to Legends Field for face-to-face discussion.

***UPDATED at 3:12 PM ET***

Jon Heyman of SI.com is reporting that the Yankees have offered Torre a guaranteed contract for one year and an option for a second.

***UPDATED at 4:00 PM ET***

On a live conference call with many of the big wigs on the line, Yankees team president Randy Levine announced that it was unanimously approved by the board to offer Joe Torre a contract of one-year, $5 million contract with post-season incentives pushing it to $8 million.  Torre decided to turn that deal down and he will not return to the club.

Watchdog: Dan Patrick joins Sports Illustrated (Newsday)

Neil Best of Newsday reports that former ESPN Radio host Dan Patrick has inked a deal with Sports Illustrated to write a weekly column and have his weekly radio show streamed daily on the company’s website, SI.com.

Tip o’the cap to The Big Lead for the information.

News and notes while Joe Buck finds a way to drop “J-U-B, J-U-B” during World Series play-by-play…

Indecision to move on Torre makes clear that Boss era is over (Newsday)  John Harper writes that the dragging of feet in Tampa sends a clear message: ‘The Boss’ is done.

Hunter interested in Nationals (MLB.com) Free agent outfielder Torii Hunter wants to play with close friend, Dmitri Young.

Bills seek approval for game in Toronto (TSN.ca) The Bills on Thursday announced they are seeking approval to play a pre-season and at least one regular-season game in Toronto.

Kimmel responds to MNF ban (SI.com) ABC host Jimmy Kimmel isn’t all that concerned with the move. Folks in the booth laughed at the joke, too.

An interview with Eric Fisher, Sports Business Journal (Biz of Baseball) BoB sits down — trades emails? — with SBJ business editor Eric Fisher.

Head games? Tonight’s anthem singer is Beckett’s ex (Cleveland.com)

The great folks at Deadspin uncovered this little gem: as most post-season series go, a “celebrity” singer is selected to perform the national anthem before each contest.

For Thursday’s festivities, the Indians selected singer Danielle Peck, a country singer that apparently dated Thursday’s starter for the Red Sox.

You need to see what she looks like, right? Click for more!

More after the jump »

Olympic officials in China don’t want ‘fat chicks’ (100% Injury Rate)

Officials at the Beijing Games of 2008 have put their collective feet down: they have no interest in overweight folks serving guests and working events next summer.
More after the jump »

News and notes while we continue to wait for the Cardinals to hire a GM….

No way Yankees will negotiate (Newsday) Kit O’Brien of Newsday writes that the club re-affirmed their position that should slugging third baseman Alex Rodriguez opt out of his deal, they won’t participate in the bidding.

Manny: Losing ALCS not ‘end of the world’ (AP/ESPN) Will Red Sox fans just chalk this up to “Manny being Manny?”

Bills’s Everett takes first steps, says lucky to be alive (Reuters) Kevin Everett suffered a horrific spinal injury making a tackle on a kickoff against the Denver Broncos in the first game of the 2007 season for the two NFL teams in September and underwent spinal surgery.

Overnight sensation South Florida a title contender (USA Today) South Florida Bulls fever — Catch it!

Lenny Kravitz to perform at Grey Cup (TSN.ca)  It’s time to face it: come on in and join the CFL party. Dig in.

Co-defendant: Orenthal James wanted men armed (AP/FOX Sports) Tells co-defendant ‘Hey, just bring some firearms.’