Real Madrid cruised to a 3-1 win over Real Zaragoza. Barcelona drew 0-0 with Villarreal falling seven points behind. The Castilian lead is now commanding and, at the rate those clubs drop points, almost unassailable. This weekend was a sea change in what, on paper, is the most important competition, yet the overall picture has made it an afterthought…

Chip Kelly came very close to leaving Oregon for the NFL, but ultimately decided to stay. His “heart” may be with Oregon, but he proceeded far farther than he would have had the NFL not intrigued him. How this played out should raise questions for Oregon fans (and rival fans), Oregon players and potential Oregon recruits. Why did Chip Kelly consider leaving? Will those reasons tempt him again in the future?

Manchester City and Tottenham played an eventful, five-goal second half on Sunday. Guess who stole the scene? Mario Balotelli came on as a second-half substitute, giving a performance that was routine by his standards. He was the hero, both drawing and coolly converting the winning penalty to grant City a 3-2 win. He was also the goat, deliberately stomping on Spurs’ Scott Parker (referee missed it) which earned him a subsequent four-match suspension. The Italian continues to be a tragedy, wrapped in a comedy, wrapped in a farce. God bless him for it.

The University of Montana has been investigating at least five sexual assault cases that occurred on and off campus. At least two of the cases involve football players, and one of them was an alleged gang rape. Incidents suggest a disturbing pattern of normal underreporting the crime, combined with poor handling by university officials and special treatment for football players.

Normally assistant turnover is bad, though with Steve Sarkisian splashing Pac 12 TV cash at Washington on some big name assistants, Husky fans have reason to be optimistic. Very optimistic.

Derek Dooley’s 2011 at Tennessee was notable, not for wins but for weirdness. There was the Opportunity is Nowhere movement, the Orange Dog, and the bombastic celebration after barely beating Vanderbilt at home. His offseason, after a 5-7 finish, has been no less eventful.

Sally Jenkins interviewed Joe Paterno for the Washington Post, his first interview since being forced out at Penn State following the Sandusky scandal. Paterno’s narrative was crucial, indefinite and in need of clarification. After hearing his version of what happened, the narrative remains crucial, indefinite and in need of clarification.

BCS ratings have dropped considerably, enough for the fat cats to consider serious reform. Change is coming, and probably through the oft discussed “plus-one” game after the bowls. This game could be seeded in a final four format, or unseeded, selecting teams after the bowls.The latter option would be more palatable to troglodytes like Jim Delany concerned with “bracket creep.” That likely will be the choice…

We watched “The Game of the Century” on Nov. 5. It was defensive, intense and riveting. How much that entertained you came down to personal taste. To the chagrin of the now iconic “Bama Bro,” LSU left the field with a 9-6 overtime triumph. Though, it was piteous seeing such a contest decided by the concentrated, misleading artifice that is college overtime. The fairest result would have been leaving the score 6-6 at the end of the regulation. Viewed under that lens, this rematch would seem far more compelling.

After a plodding, 58-day search, the Nittany Lions have found their man. New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien will become the next Penn State head coach. O’Brien, calling plays for three seasons, has never finished below 8th in NFL total offense. He will take complete control after the Patriots’ playoff run (good luck recruiting).