Morning Six Pack: December 30, 2012

It’s so cold, even the beer is shivering. Warm up with these six college football stories from around the country.

Tuiasosopo returning to Washington as QBs coach

One of the greatest players, let alone quarterbacks, in the history of the Washington football program is coming home.

Pagano endorses candidate for FIU

Even during his recovery from leukemia, Indianapolis head coach Chuck Pagano still found time to try and help one of his peers.

UF defense faces yet another dual-threat challenge

Florida's dominant defense has done many good things this season. One thing it has done best is disarm explosive quarterbacks.

Texas tight end commits to Tigers

Jason Reese, a tight end from Euless, Texas, pledged a verbal commitment to Missouri on Friday, he told several outlets Saturday.

Crimson Tide may depend on air attack again to win another title

Alabama had to throw to beat LSU for the national title a year ago, and if it worked once, maybe it can work again.

Quotable:

"We've got some good guys on this team, even the ones who didn't play that much this year," Smith said. "We've had All-Americans like Jarvis Jones playing, so there really isn't room for other people to get in. We have guys who will step up.

"That's why they're on scholarship, too, so I think we're going to be all right."

Herrera is tied for fourth on the team with 67 tackles, while Smith is sixth with 55. Swann is ninth with 47 tackles and has two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Rebuilding the defense will be foremost as a spring-practice priority, and those who are returning already are dealing with the "weak link" talk.

"I'm hearing that, and a lot of people have told me that I need to leave and run out with this great class of defensive guys we've got and go to the NFL," Smith said. "The way I look at it is that it's just another opportunity and another way for me to step up. We've got our whole offense coming back, so I think we've got a good chance of doing some good things next year."

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