Meadowlark Lemon

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It's been hard for me to decide whether to write about Meadowlark Lemon, who died on Sunday at age 83, on my sports blog or my entertainment blog.

In a sense, I suppose, all athletes are entertainers, and Meadowlark Lemon, as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters, was clearly an entertainer. But I'm including him on my sports blog because my earliest memories of him are in a sports context.

You see, I saw him play once when I was in elementary school. I grew up in a then–small town in Arkansas about 30 miles northwest of Little Rock, and the Globetrotters brought their act to Little Rock one night. I was probably 6 or 7 years old, and I don't remember now whether I asked my father to take me to see them play or if he surprised me with the tickets.

Either way, we were on hand when the Globetrotters took the court against whoever they were playing that night — the opposing team was merely a prop for the Globetrotters to make their magic, but I didn't know that. I thought it was a real game. I didn't know it was fixed.

And I was definitely entertained — when Meadowlark did his patented sky hook from midcourt. Swish! If he kept making that shot, I thought to myself, the Globetrotters would win for sure.

I began to suspect, though, that it wasn't a legitimate game when the opponents made no apparent effort to keep the Globetrotters from scoring — or doing much of anything else. And my memory is that the Globetrotters did win — handily.

As I understand it, the Globetrotters began as a somewhat legitimate basketball team in the first 15 years of their existence. They played exhibition games, sure, but the effort to win was always there. They were regulars in the World Professional Basketball Tournament, which was held from 1939 to 1948. They even won it once.

But after a fellow named Goose Tatum joined the Globetrotters, the emphasis shifted to entertainment. And no one exemplified that spirit better than Meadowlark Lemon, who was known as the "Clown Prince of Basketball."

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He had been with the Globetrotters for about 12 or 14 years when I saw him play, and he was featured prominently in the advertising for the game.

I can still remember the ads in the newspaper — "Come see Meadowlark Lemon and the Harlem Globetrotters," the ads urged. Notice that Meadowlark got top billing.

To those who are unfamiliar with their history, the Globetrotters, who will be celebrating their 90th anniversary in 2016, seem to be the definition of discrepancy.

A team that calls Harlem its home actually began half a continent away in Chicago, from which all the original players came. Many went to school together. Their coach picked Harlem as their hometown to give them a truly out–of–town–sounding name. Well, also because the players were black, and Harlem was regarded at the time as the epicenter of black American culture.

The Globetrotters didn't play their first home game in Harlem until almost 40 years after the team was formed.

The Globetrotters were also sharply criticized during the civil rights movement of the '60s. Because nearly all of their players were black and their show consisted mainly of slapstick skits, they were accused of "Tomming" for the team's Jewish owner/coach. But none other than Jesse Jackson defended them, saying, "I think they've been a positive influence. ... They did not show blacks as stupid. On the contrary, they were shown as superior."

And Pope Pius XII, after granting the Globetrotters a private audience and seeing them do their "Magic Circle" ballhandling exhibition, exclaimed, "My, how clever these men are. If I had not seen this with my own eyes, I would not have believed it could be done."

The current Globetrotters have met Pope Francis. They made him an honorary Globetrotter.

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Meadowlark wasn't on hand for the meeting with Pius XII or the one with Francis. John Paul II was named an honorary Globetrotter in 2000, and Meadowlark probably missed that one, too. Only nine people have been named honorary Globetrotters, and Meadowlark probably was on hand for the first two — Henry Kissinger in 1976 and Bob Hope in 1977.

Meadowlark played a huge role in the popular success of the Globetrotters, and I am supremely grateful for the memory of seeing him play that night when I was 6 or 7.

Ranked Teams Start Playing in Bowls Today

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This is always a bittersweet time of the year for me. I love college football, and I hate to see the season end, but I always enjoy the bowls. Some more than others, of course.

That goes back to my childhood, I guess. There weren't nearly as many bowls then as there are now, and being in a bowl was special. It was a reward for a great season, and most were played on New Year's Day. What a great way to start a new year. And there was often a real mystery as to who would end up being the national champion. If certain things happened, a group of football players who woke up on New Year's Day with no expectation of being judged the best team in the land could go to bed that night with a legitimate hope that the pollsters would rank them #1 the next day.

I have seen it happen.

In those days, not every team in the then–Top 20 got a bowl bid. Many did, but many did not. There are so many bowls now that all the teams in the Top 25 and nearly five dozen more will be playing an extra game. There are so many bowls now that even teams with losing records are being permitted to play in some.

I grew up in Arkansas, and I can recall many years when the Razorbacks had seasons that would have qualified them for a bowl today — but for which they were not rewarded with a bowl bid at the time. It seems to me we've gone from one extreme to another. There must be a happy middle ground where an appropriate number of teams are rewarded for a good season but aren't simply rewarded for participating. For being there.

In the meantime, though, the Razorbacks have been back in bowl games the last two seasons, and I enjoy watching them play, even if I am not convinced that they deserve to be playing in the postseason.

Today

• Las Vegas Bowl, Las Vegas: Brigham Young vs. #20 Utah, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on ABC: Until about five years ago, these two teams were conference rivals, and this will be the 90th time they have faced each other. Utah holds the all–time advantage and has won five of the last six meetings.
  
  If one judges by the schools' national rankings in total offense, though, the edge in this game belongs to BYU, #47 nationally while Utah is #86. BYU holds a slender advantage in total defense as well. The Cougars are #36 nationally while Utah is #41.
  
  But it is important to remember that Utah plays in the Pac–12 while BYU is an independent. Both teams are 9–3. Utah started the season strongly but kind of fizzled near the end. BYU started slowly but finished with wins in seven of their last eight games.
  
  I'm guessing it will be a good game. Seven of their last nine meetings were decided by a touchdown or less. Momentum is with Brigham Young, and I'm picking the Cougars to win in an upset special.

Monday, Dec. 21

• Miami Beach Bowl, Miami: #25 Western Kentucky vs. South Florida, 1:30 p.m. (Central) on ESPN: These teams have met twice before, and South Florida won both games.
  
  However, Western Kentucky wasn't 11–2 in those years (2009 and 2010) as it is this year. In fact, Western Kentucky was the exact opposite — a combined 2–22 in those two seasons.
  
  Besides, Western Kentucky is sixth in the nation in total offense (South Florida is 46th). South Florida has the edge in total defense (#37) while Western Kentucky is #88.
  
  I'm guessing that defensive deficiency will hurt Western Kentucky in this game, and that South Florida, playing what amounts to a home game, will be enough to lift unranked South Florida to an upset victory.

Tuesday, Dec. 22

• Boca Raton Bowl, Boca Raton, Fla.: Toledo vs. #24 Temple, 6 p.m. (Central) on ESPN: This will be the 10th time these teams have met, and Toledo has won two–thirds of the time.
  
  Both teams have been better on defense than on offense this year; of the two, Toledo (9–2) has the edge over Temple (11–3) in the national rankings on defense. For that matter, the Rockets have been more productive on offense, too.
  
  I pick Toledo in yet another upset special.

Monday, Dec. 28

• Military Bowl, Annapolis, Md.: Pittsburgh vs. #21 Navy, 1:30 p.m. (Central) on ESPN: These are familiar rivals, having played each other 39 times before. Pitt holds the advantage in the all–time series, winning about 60% of the time.
  
  And Pitt has won six of the last eight meetings — but Navy won the last meeting.
  
  Statistically, Navy's offense has been better than Pitt's, but Navy is only ranked 61st nationally in total offense. In total defense, Pittsburgh is ranked #23, and Pitt is ranked #42 — so this game figures to be more defensive than offensive.
  
  If that turns out to be the case — and I think it will — I pick Pittsburgh in an another upset special.

Tuesday, Dec. 29

• Russell Athletic Bowl, Orlando, Fla.: #10 North Carolina vs. #18 Baylor, 4:30 p.m. (Central) on ESPN: This should be one of the more interesting bowl games to be played before the national semifinals in which, until recently, the Baylor Bears hoped they would be participants.
  
  The North Carolina Tar Heels probably never had such hopes even though they ran the table in the ACC until coming up against top–ranked Clemson in the ACC championship game — which North Carolina might well have won had it not been for some bad officiating. Most likely, the Tar Heels couldn't have leaped past enough teams in the rankings to claim a spot in the Final Four if they had won — but they certainly would have deprived the Tigers of a berth in the semifinals, which would have been almost as good.
  
  That didn't happen, though, so North Carolina finds itself playing Baylor. The Bears spent most of the season ranked well ahead of just about everyone, but they stumbled badly down the stretch. Even so, Baylor is ranked second nationally in total offense. North Carolina is pretty good on offense, too. The Tar Heels are ranked 11th.
  
  Neither team finished in the top 50 in total defense so I am inclined to think that offense will rule in this game. And North Carolina's defense has been so weak this year that I expect Baylor to get back into that 50–plus–points–a–game mode the Bears were in for first six games of the season.
  
  I pick Baylor.
• Texas Bowl, Houston: Texas Tech vs. #22 LSU, 8 p.m. (Central) on ESPN: These teams met twice in the '50s, but this will be their first encounter in nearly 60 years.
  
  Still, it doesn't seem that much has changed. LSU won those first two encounters and seems likely to win this one.
  
  But, as Lee Corso would say, "Not ... so ... fast."
  
  Texas Tech had the #4 offense in the land this season (LSU was #74). LSU's defense was #10. Will that be enough to contain the Red Raiders? I don't know, but it looks like it could be kind of ugly on both sides of the scrimmage line when LSU has the ball. Tech's defense is ranked #100 in the nation.
  
  The marquee matchup will be Tech's offense against LSU's defense, but I expect the other matchup to be the one that generates headlines. I pick LSU.

Wednesday, Dec. 30

• Holiday Bowl, San Diego: Southern Cal vs. #23 Wisconsin, 9:30 p.m. (Central) on ESPN: It has been nearly 50 years since these teams faced each other. In all they have played each other six times — twice in Rose Bowls — and Southern Cal has won every time.
  
  Like most Pac–12 schools, the emphasis is on offense at Southern Cal, and the Trojans rank #22 nationally in total offense whereas Wisconsin is #84. But I am one of those who believes that defense wins championships — and bowl games — and Wisconsin's is second in the nation (Southern Cal is 94th in total defense).
  
  San Diego may be a short trip for the Trojans, but I believe Wisconsin will prevail.

Thursday, Dec. 31

• Peach Bowl, Atlanta: #14 Houston vs. #9 Florida State, 11 a.m. (Central) on ESPN: What a blockbuster game this would have been in the Guy Lewis basketball era at Houston. It might even have been a blockbuster in the Bill Yeoman days in football.
  
  But Houston, frankly, plays a lower–caliber schedule now than it did then. The quality of Florida State's competition hasn't changed much.
  
  There was a time (1960–78) when these schools faced each other just about every year, and Houston won more than 80% of the time.
  
  But their last meeting was in 1978 so that doesn't have a lot of relevance to the modern teams, does it?
  
  Speaking of the modern teams, Houston's offense was tied for #11 with North Carolina while Florida State was #50. Of course the quality of the respective leagues' defenses had lot to do with that. And speaking of defense, Florida State finished #16 while Houston was #77.
  
  Both offenses look like they will probably be able to score. Houston's defense has been much weaker than Florida State's, which makes me think that Florida State will prevail.
• Orange Bowl (national semifinal), Miami: #4 Oklahoma vs. #1 Clemson, 3 p.m. (Central) on ESPN: The first of college football's semifinals matches two very good teams in a rematch of last year's Russell Athletic Bowl.
  
  The all–time series is tied at 2–2, but the last two games were bowl games. Oklahoma won the first two games, which were played in Norman.
  
  And, appropriately for a college football semifinal, both teams have good offenses and defenses, although Clemson has the edge in both categories. It is particularly close in the national rankings — Clemson's offense is #8 while Oklahoma's is #10. The Sooners scored at least 30 points in each game they played — except the one they lost to Texas. Clemson was held under 30 points three times. That sounds like offenses will be the postgame story, no matter who the winner is.
  
  And I think it will be Clemson.
• Cotton Bowl (national semifinal), Arlington, Texas: #3 Michigan State vs. #2 Alabama, 7 p.m. (Central) on ESPN: This might very well be the game of the postseason.
  
  Alabama has the #3 defense in the land, but Michigan State has a kind of a sneaky defense. The Spartans are only ranked #46 in defense, but, other than Nebraska, no team scored more than 28 points against Michigan State. In fact, five of Michigan State's foes were held under 20 points.
  
  Alabama won their only previous meeting — the 2011 Capital One Bowl — and won it by six touchdowns. I wouldn't expect such an easy time in this one. Alabama's defense is ranked 34th while Michigan State's is 43rd. Alabama does have the Heisman Trophy winner. Ironically, the 2011 Capital One Bowl was the last time that Alabama had a current or former Heisman Trophy winner in the lineup. That was Mark Ingram, who scored two touchdowns in his final collegiate game.
  
  I don't think the score will be nearly as lopsided this time, but I do think the same team will win. I pick Alabama.

Friday, Jan. 1

• Outback Bowl, Tampa, Fla.: #12 Northwestern vs. Tennessee, 11 a.m. (Central) on ESPN2: These teams met once before — in the '97 Citrus Bowl — and Tennessee won that one. Peyton Manning was the game's MVP.
  
  The Vols could probably use Manning in this game. Even at his age, it couldn't hurt.
  
  The stats don't really clarify things. Northwestern had one of the best defenses in the land this year — #8 nationally — but one of the worst offenses — #117. Tennessee was around #50 in both categories.
  
  Northwestern opened the season impressively with a win over Stanford (who can be seen in the Rose Bowl) and won its first six games but stumbled in the middle of the season against Michigan and Iowa (who will be playing Stanford in the Rose Bowl). Tennessee had high hopes when the season began but lost three conference games before Halloween. The Vols come into this game riding a five–game winning streak, which sounds better than it is. None of those wins came against a team with a winning record.
  
  I'm an SEC boy, and I pull for Southern teams whenever I can, but I have to be honest and say that Northwestern probably will win.
• Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Fla.: #17 Michigan vs. #19 Florida, noon (Central) on ABC: This will be the third time these teams have met, and each game was played on New Year's Day. Their most recent encounter was in this same bowl — only it was called the Capital One Bowl in those days.
  
  Neither team was impressive on offense this year, but Michigan was impressive on defense, ranking fourth in the land. Florida was pretty good on defense, too, with a #12 ranking.
  
  It looks like this game will be a defensive struggle. Michigan's offense was anemic at #72, but Florida's was positively pedestrian at #98. All things considered, I have to pick Michigan to win.
• Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, Ariz.: #8 Notre Dame vs. #7 Ohio State, noon (Central) on ESPN: If you want to see a game between two really big names, this is it. It really doesn't get much bigger than a game between Notre Dame and Ohio State.
  
  They have only played five times before — and never during Woody Hayes' tenure. Isn't that remarkable? Well, maybe not. For most of Hayes' time at Ohio State, the Big Ten would not permit any members other than the league champion to play in a bowl. Since the Big Ten champion always went to the Rose Bowl and faced the champion of the Pac–8 or Pac–10 conference, that meant the schools would have had to schedule a nonconference game.
  
  They could have done that. Hayes coached in nonconference games against Oklahoma and Penn State — and, for all I know, he tried to arrange for a game with Notre Dame, but a point or two could not be resolved. Anyway, they never played each other when Hayes was at Ohio State, and that is a shame. It could have been fun, especially when Ara Parseghian was still coaching at South Bend.
  
  Ohio State has a huge edge on defense. The Buckeyes are #7; Notre Dame is #37, which isn't bad unless you're facing a team that is in the Top 10. The Irish have the advantage on offense (#28 to #45), but I doubt that it can get the best of Ohio State's defense enough to put a reasonable number of points on the board. After all, the Buckeyes held opponents under 20 points in 75% of their games this season.
  
  I've always believed in the saying, "Defense wins championships," and I think defense will win the Fiesta Bowl for Ohio State.
• Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.: #5 Stanford vs. #6 Iowa, 4 p.m. (Central) on ESPN: These teams have never faced each other before, but both teams have faced Northwestern this season, as I mentioned earlier. Stanford lost in the opener; Iowa prevailed in midseason.
  
  Based on that comparison, the logical conclusion would be that Iowa will win this game. But I learned a long time ago that comparing outcomes against common opponents wasn't a good way to predict future games.
  
  The teams really reflect the priorities in their conferences. Iowa comes from the more defensive–minded Big Ten and is ranked 36th in the nation (Stanford is #71). The Pac–12 favors offense, and Stanford is ranked #27 in that category (Iowa is #48).
  
  It looks pretty even to me, but I'm usually inclined to favor the more defensive–minded school when it looks like a draw, especially in bowl games. So I'll take Iowa.
• Sugar Bowl, New Orleans: #13 Oklahoma State vs. #16 Ole Miss, 7:30 p.m. (Central) on ESPN: This will be the third meeting between these schools. Their first two encounters were in the Cotton Bowl. The change of scenery can't hurt.
  
  But will it change the outcome? Ole Miss won those first two games, and statistics suggest the Rebels have the edge again.
  
  According to the rankings, this should be an offensive game. Ole Miss is ranked #14 in total offense while Oklahoma State is ranked #20. Ole Miss also has the edge on defense, which isn't saying much. The Rebels are ranked #53; Oklahoma State is ranked #90.
  
  I expect a lot of scoring, but, in the end, Ole Miss will win.

Saturday, Jan. 2

• Alamo Bowl, San Antonio: #15 Oregon vs. #11 TCU, 5:45 p.m. (Central) on ESPN: Historically, these teams have played twice — in the late '70s. Each won on the other's home field.
  
  This game is being played on a neutral site — although Fort Worth, Texas, is much closer to San Antonio than Eugene, Oregon, is.
  
  Both teams are in the Top 10 in offense. TCU is #4, and Oregon is #9. Neither team was particularly impressive on defense — but Oregon was spectacularly bad, ranking #115. I pick TCU to prevail.

Last week: 5–1

Upset specials last week: 1–0

Season: 188–52

Upset specials overall: 8–14

And Now, The End Is Near ...

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The chances that Baylor would be able to play for a national title were always rather slim — but they are nonexistent now following the Bears' loss to the Frogs on a cold, rainy night in Fort Worth, Texas, last weekend.

There is no championship game in the Big 12 these days. There aren't enough conference members to qualify for one. Since the conference is not divided into divisions anymore, it's hard to imagine who would be playing in a Big 12 championship game if there was one. The conference was once divided into North and South divisions; if we can assume that the conference would use that same geographical determination, it is fairly easy to guess which teams, based on their performances this season, would be likely to be playing for the conference crown. We know that #3 Oklahoma would be involved, but the Sooners' opponent would be one of two (currently), probably three (after today's games are over) teams.

Of course, if the Big 12 had a championship game, it would be played today, when the other major conference championship games are being played. We would already know the outcome of the Baylor–Texas game (and the Sooners would certainly warn the Bears not to take the Longhorns lightly); consequently, we would know which of the three teams would be playing Oklahoma for the Big 12 title.

Baylor and Texas are playing today, though, and the Sooners are idle.

But we have five conference championship games featuring ranked teams on the schedule this weekend, and at least three are likely to have some bearing on who gets invited to participate in college football's Final Four.

It appears that #3 Oklahoma is already in. The Sooners, as I just observed, aren't playing this weekend, but they — and the rest of us — will learn which teams made the Final Four when the pairings are announced after today's games are in the books.

Right now logic would say that Clemson, Alabama and Iowa or Michigan State will join the Sooners in the Final Four, but if one (or more) of those teams stumbles, things could take a dramatic turn.

This will be my last prediction column of the regular season. Once the bowl pairings have been announced, I'll write a column predicting the outcomes of the bowl games involving ranked teams — and, of course, the Final Four. My guess would be that my column will run in a couple of weeks. I'll follow that column with a column about the national championship game, once we know who will be playing in that one.

Enjoy the championship games.

Idle: #3 Oklahoma, #6 Ohio State, #9 Notre Dame, #10 Florida State, #11 TCU, #13 Northwestern, #14 Oklahoma State, #15 Oregon, #16 Ole Miss, #19 Michigan, #21 Utah, #22 Navy, #23 LSU, #25 Wisconsin

Saturday

• ACC Championship: #8 North Carolina vs. #1 Clemson at Charlotte, N.C., 7 p.m. (Central) on ABC: In the history of this series, Clemson has won about two–thirds of the time. The Tigers have done even better than that since 1999. The teams have played nine times in the last 16 years, and Clemson has won seven of those games.
  
  Clemson holds the advantage on both campuses historically — but if there is one glimmer of hope for the Tar Heels, it is that the teams have split their two previous games on neutral fields — never mind that Teddy Roosevelt was president when one of those games was played, and Woodrow Wilson was president when the other was played.
  
  This season's statistics suggest an entertaining game. Clemson is #14 in the nation in total offense, and North Carolina is #16. Both offenses appear to be pretty balanced in terms of their yardage production. North Carolina has been averaging 41 points per game; Clemson is averaging 38.
  
  It is on defense where Clemson has been most impressive this year. The Tigers are #8 in the land while North Carolina is #70. Those numbers suggest that North Carolina may struggle to move the ball. Clemson, it would seem, will have an easier time of it.
  
  But that's why they play the game, isn't it? It isn't played on paper but on a field 100 yards long and 50 yards wide. And one thing those numbers don't tell you is that North Carolina gave up a lot of yards this season but not a lot of points. Their opponents averaged just under 21 points per game.
  
  The Tigers were stingy as well but not as stingy as one might think from their gaudy national ranking in total defense. Clemson allowed an average of 18.8 points per game — which is higher than all the other Top 10 total defenses but one — Georgia Southern.
  
  Don't get me wrong. I expect Clemson to win. But I am saying that it is quite possible that North Carolina will pull off an upset and throw the college football playoff field into a tizzy.
• SEC Championship: #18 Florida vs. #2 Alabama at Atlanta, 3 p.m. (Central) on CBS: This will be the eighth time these teams have played for the SEC title. The Gators are 4–3 in the title tilts.
  
  Overall, Alabama has won about 64% of the time. Florida hasn't beaten Alabama since Dec. 6, 2008, when the Gators beat the Tide for the SEC title. Since then Alabama has won four in a row.
  
  If Alabama wins and advances to the college football playoffs, as expected, the Crimson Tide will have the worst–rated offense of the bunch. Alabama is 48th in the nation. Florida is even worse at #102, but the 10–2 Gators have no hope of being in the Final Four. They can only deprive Alabama of a spot in the Final Four.
  
  I don't think they will. I pick Alabama.
• Big Ten Championship: #5 Michigan State vs. #4 Iowa at Indianapolis, 7 p.m. (Central) on Fox: This will be the 46th meeting in what has been a pretty competitive series over the years — and there is every reason to believe that this year's edition will go down to the wire.
  
  Iowa (12–0) is 22nd in total defense, 58th in total offense. Michigan State (11–1) is 29th in total defense, 66th in total offense. Those numbers would suggest that Iowa will dominate on both sides of the ball in what would figure to be a low–scoring game, but hold on just a minute. Iowas has faced only two ranked teams all season — Wisconsin and Northwestern — and beat them both, but the highest ranking either achieved prior to playing Iowa was #19. Michigan State faced and defeated three ranked teams, two of whom were in the Top 10.
  
  As I say, it should be entertaining, but I will pick Michigan State in an upset special. I think the Spartans are more accustomed to the pressure of the big game spotlight this season.
• Pac–12 Championship: #24 Southern Cal vs. #7 Stanford at Santa Clara, Calif., 6:45 p.m. (Central) on ESPN: The Trojans are solidly in the driver's seat in their all–time series with Stanford, and they had won the last two meetings, but Stanford snapped USC's streak earlier in the season 41–31 at Los Angeles. The conference championship game will be played much closer to home for the 10–2 Cardinal.
  
  The Pac–12 has always been an offense–oriented conference, and Southern Cal has a slight edge on Stanford in that category, #29 to #34. In total defense, Stanford has a more decisive advantage, #56 to #73. Crunch the numbers, and it comes out about even.
  
  I just think Stanford, playing in what amounts to a home game, will be too much for the 8–4 Trojans.
• Texas at #12 Baylor, 11 a.m. (Central) on ESPN: As recently as 1993–2009, Texas beat Baylor 16 out of 17 times, and it was usually pretty decisive.
  
  That's about how it was in the days of the Southwest Conference. Texas routinely beat up Baylor in those days. Well, everyone did, really. TCU wasn't very good in those days. Nor was Rice. And SMU was good occasionally but usually occupied the cellar with the other three. Ordinarily, Baylor was the worst team in the conference.
  
  But times have changed. Baylor would have to win every game for nearly half a century to pull even with the Longhorns in the all–time series, but the Bears have won four of the last five against Texas — and appear likely to make it five of the last six.
  
  Texas' defense is ranked 86th in the nation — and that's the good news. The Longhorns are #104 in total offense.
  
  Baylor's defense is adequate — certainly it should be sufficient to stifle the UT offense — but the Bears really shine on offense, where they are ranked third in the land, averaging 616 yards and about 51 points per game.
  
  I fully expect Baylor to win.
• American Athletic Conference Championship: #20 Temple at #17 Houston, 11 a.m. (Central) on ABC: In their four previous meetings, Houston emerged victorious every time.
  
  And, based on their rankings, it is tempting to pick the 11–1 Cougars to beat the 10–2 Owls for a fifth time.
  
  Houston has a huge advantage in total offense. The Cougars are ranked 15th while the Owls are 93rd. While I would probably be inclined to give Houston the edge in total offense, that's a much bigger gap than I would have expected, given that Temple has never been held to less than 20 points in a game this season (in fact, the Owls have scored at least 30 points in half of their games).
  
  Temple holds the edge in total defense, but it isn't as decisive as Houston's advantage in total offense. Temple ranks 19th in total defense; Houston ranks 59th. And it is true that Houston has had some problems on defense this year. The Cougars went through a stretch in the middle of the season when it appeared they would emerge as a dominating defense, allowing a total 17 points in three consecutive games, but the rest of the time it was like a watching a video game.
  
  Temple averaged a respectable 368 yards per game in total offense; the Cougars gave up an average of 381 yards in total defense. When Houston has the ball, the Cougars, with an average of 499 yards in total offense per game, will be facing a stingy defense that allowed an average of only 329.
  
  Should be interesting. When that final whistle blows, though, I expect Houston to prevail.

Last week: 13–5

Upset specials last week: 2–1

Season: 183–51

Upset specials overall: 7–14