1.  Almost immediately, Barton wanted to follow Neuheisel, even though Colorado hired successful Northwestern coach Gary Barnett to succeed him.

2.  -- Northwestern coach Gary Barnett, the hottest name in the business who may be considering the Georgia opening.

3.  Northwestern coach Gary Barnett is the leading candidate to replace John Mackovic at the University of Texas, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

4.  Northwestern coach Gary Barnett, who rejected a chance to leave for UCLA after last season, appears to be the leading candidate to replace Holtz.

5.  Northwestern coach Ricky Byrdsong is, to put it gently, eccentric.

6.  That was Gary Barnett, the Northwestern coach, one year ago.

7.  Former Northwestern coach Ricky Byrdsong died Saturday, the victim of one of three drive-by shootings in suburban Chicago.

8.  Northwestern coach Randy Walker and his Wildcats players expected to be in a bowl game this season, and they were probably alone in thinking that.