Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sports media:

Readers of this space know of my campaign to get baseball to speed up the game. Well, it isn’t just baseball. College football is having similar pace problems, reports Richard Deitsch of SI.com.

Where were you at 1:26 a.m. ET on September 20?

If you are a college football fan, chances are you were parked in front of some device watching Ole Miss clinch a thrilling 43-37 win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The game kicked shortly after 9:15 p.m. ET on Saturday night and lasted longer than some marriages, finally concluding at 1:26 a.m. on Sunday morning.

It also highlighted a growing trend: The length of Football Bowl Subdivision games has dramatically increased over the past 10 years. Last year FBS games averaged 3 hours and 23 minutes, up six minutes from 2013 and 16 minutes from 2006. This year’s games are currently tracking at 3 hours and 20 minutes. You can see the numbers in this terrific piece on the subject from CBS Sports football reporter Jon Solomon.

That didn’t take long. In his first podcast since leaving ESPN, Bill Simmons rips his former employer for its coverage of Deflategate.

Illinois is the first NCAA team to have their football games broadcast in Chinese, reports Shannon Ryan of the Chicago Tribune. It is an interesting move to connect with the high number of Asian students on campus.

Muhammad Ali made his 39th appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week. This link features all of his other covers.

Who is going to replace Vin Scully?

ESPN’s Ivan Maisel addresses his son’s death at an appearance in Montgomery.

Gordon Edes writes about Don Orsillo’s last day in Boston.

Classic Shirley Povich columns on Yogi Berra.

Ron Darling isn’t going to the Boston Red Sox booth.

A review of Jalen Rose’s new book.