TV ratings dipped for this year's BCS title game, Alabama's 21-0 win in a rematch against Southeastern Conference rival LSU. The Crimson Tide went up, 15-0, late in the third quarter on five field goals while the Tigers' offense struggled to even cross midfield. Monday's game on ESPN earned a 14.0 rating, down 8 percent from last year. It's the third-lowest rating of the 14 BCS title games, beating only a 13.9 for Miami-Nebraska in 2002 and a 13.7 for Southern California-Oklahoma in 2005.
A person familiar with the decision says Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III has decided to bypass his senior season at Baylor and enter the NFL draft. ESPN, citing an anonymous family source, reported that Griffin is going pro and is in the final stages of picking an agent. Along with Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, he is projected to be one of the top picks in April.
Temple right guard Wayne Tribue and safety Kevin Kroboth will play in a showcase for seniors, the Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game in Tucson, Ariz., on Monday. Kroboth was the Owls' second-leading tackler. The 6-4, 324-pound Tribue started all 13 games this season on an offense that produced 3,335 rushing yards.
SOCCER: Former world champions Brazil and Argentina will face each other in a friendly at the new Meadowlands stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on June 9. The match, which could feature Lionel Messi, the Argentine who was named world player of the year for the third time in a row, takes place on a designated FIFA slot for international games, so both teams will be able to call on their top players based in Europe.
WINTER SPORTS: Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke was seriously injured while training and airlifted to a Salt Lake City hospital.
HONORS: Three former athletes and a head coach will be inducted into the La Salle Hall of Athletes. Former men's and women's cross country and track and field coach Charles Torpey and athletes Jenna Darcy '05 (track), Bob Moore '66 (swimming), and Karo Isajan '07 (diving) will be recognized at halftime of the men's basketball game Feb. 11. A reception and the induction program will follow on La Salle's campus at about 4:30 p.m. - Staff and wire reports
