Two things:
1. That article - as usual with ESPN - seemed forced. Some of that was uncommon, but if you go back most years, you'll find many scandalous stories plaguing college football. It's a sport with too many silly rules, which makes it just right for media drama.
2. Fuck ESPN. All of that bullshit about scandals and not one peep about how Alabama despite losing a regular season game to LSU got to play LSU again in the national championship. Not one peep about Alabama not winning its own division but still being picked over numerous BCS conference champions. Not one peep about how Oklahoma State absolutely ass raped Oklahoma and was shrugged off like they were a Conference USA school. But I guess they can't mention that scandalous news story due to the fact that they were a great big part of causing that to happen.