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July 9, 2008 11:22:41 AM CDT

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College Football Rife With Spies

Posted Oct 11, 07 10:16 PM CDT in Sports    Editor's Choice

(Newser) – While spying has only recently caused a scandal in the NFL, the practice is age-old in college football, reports the Los Angeles Times. The nation's big programs have put in place costly security systems designed to thwart intelligence gatherers, who come disguised as painters, priests, pro football scouts, and in countless other forms of camouflage.

Many close their practices completely to the public; these days friendly bloggers could unknowingly give descriptions of secret formations. "You could see where coaches get paranoid," said former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer, who himself was accused of "skunking" against Texas in the 1970s, as college football espionage is known.

Source Los Angeles Times

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Notre Dame takes on UCLA. The Bruins, who next play California at the Rose Bowl on Oct. 20, are taking special precautions to keep their playbook under wraps.   ((c) maveric2003)
When it comes to college football, spying on the other teams is an open secret.   ((c) maveric2003)
Passionate student spies have dressed as rival players, maintenance workers and in at least one case, priests to get behind the scenes and sabotage opponents.   ((c) maveric2003)
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