After starring in Twister, Bill Paxton apparently went on to star as a quarterback for Texas A&M. (Zac Ellis)

By Zac Ellis

EA Sports and the NCAA are clearly taking the Ed O’Bannon v. NCAA case very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that Johnny Manziel looks nothing like himself in a demo for EA Sports’ NCAA Football 14. Last season’s Heisman winner more closely resembles a middle-aged man than the quarterback who led Texas A&M to an upset over Alabama, a Cotton Bowl win over Oklahoma and an 11-2 record. He appears to be an odd, animated doppelganger for Bill Paxton.

Perhaps the days of video game players mirroring their real-life counterparts have now fallen by the wayside for good.

McCANN: Ed O’Bannon v. NCAA class certification hearing primer

STAPLES: What does Thursday’s hearing mean for NCAA, college athletes?

Assorted bits of light reading to speed you through your Friday.

• Fear the Fruit. Delta State’s “Fear the Okra” campaign continues to delight and horrify in equal measure.

• Welcome to the College Football Hall of Fame Tent, sponsored by Coca-Cola. We prefer to think this is just a power play enacted as sort of a protest movement against those who would block the enshrinement of Stephen Garcia’s hair.

• What, no Sam Bradford? Starting Monday, you can vote for RGIII’s EA Sports sidekick.

• All in the graven idol game. Auburn’s Heis-men statues will be unveiled at the Tigers’ spring game. We’re holding out for a statue of Pat Dye.

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