OU tight end Eric Mensik speaks Wed. Dec. 16, 2009 at the OU football team's last availability press conference before they leave for El Paso. Photo by Jaconna Aguirre, The Oklahoman.

NORMAN — The “Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel” segment on the relationship between academics and athletics at major universities airs tonight at 9 p.m. on HBO.

The report investigates the decreased admission standards and higher graduation requirements that have allegedly led to many schools pushing players through the system with diplomas.

The Oklahoman was provided an advance copy of the report, in which former OU offensive lineman Eric Mensik describes his multidisciplinary studies degree as a “football degree” and said it hasn’t helped him find a job.

My beat partner Ryan Aber talked with Mensik this weekend, and while he didn’t back off what he said, he did say he doesn’t blame OU for anything.