CFB notebook: Meyer's handling of allegations against ex-assistant questioned

Suddenly there is controversy surrounding Ohio State coach Urban Meyer. Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith placed Meyer on paid administrative leave on Wednesday while the university investigates claims that Meyer's wife knew about allegations of abuse against an assistant coach years before he was fired last week. College football insider Brett McMurphy produced a report earlier that suggested Meyer knew about domestic abuse allegations against former wide receivers coach Zach Smith in 2015. Last month, Meyer denied he knew about the incident. Smith was dismissed from the Buckeyes coaching staff on July 23, a few days after an Ohio judge declared he was an imminent danger to his ex-wife. Smith had been arrested for criminal trespassing in May. McMurphy reported at the time that this was the third allegation of domestic abuse against Smith, following allegations in 2009 and 2015. Meyer later admitted to having knowledge of the 2009 allegation, when he was head coach at Florida and Smith was an intern with the Gators. But Meyer specifically denied knowing about the 2015 incident. If it is shown that Meyer knew about the 2015 incident without acting upon it and then lying about his knowledge of the event, it could have consequences for the successful coach. --Apparently UNLV graduate transfer Tim Hough is heading to Arizona, not Oregon. In April, it was reported that the defensive back would be transferring from UNLV to Oregon. However, this week, the Arizona Daily Star reported that Hough will transfer to Arizona instead. Hough's name has since been added to the Wildcats' online roster. As a graduate transfer, Hough can play for Arizona immediately. --Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz confirmed that starting offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs will be suspended for the season opener against Northern Illinois. The announcement comes a few days after Wirfs was cited for driving while under the influence. Wirfs is the second Hawkeyes starter to be suspended one game. Starting defensive tackle Brady Reiff was suspended after he was arrested for public intoxication last month.