French President Francois Hollande has argued that Mali could become a "terrorist state" that could threaten the rest of Africa and Europe if the rebel advance is not halted.

BBC: Mali: No UK army boots on the ground - Cameron

But this week's "unprecedented" NCAA sanctions against Penn State for its handling of a child sex abuse scandal threaten to shake that very bedrock and raise questions of whether Paterno will be removed from its ranks.

CNN: July 28, 2012 -- Updated 1425 GMT (2225 HKT)