I don't know if anyone in the media has given this week's slate of college football games a special nickname, but it seems to me that "Showdown Saturday" would be appropriate.
Of 17 games involving at least one Top 25 team, six are matchups between two ranked teams. Some are traditional battles, like the games between Oklahoma and Texas in Dallas and USC and Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., but some of the games feature relative newcomers to the rankings, like #22 South Carolina, which may have a somewhat short stay in the rankings after its trip to Alabama.
Every game involving a Top 25 team is being televised somewhere. Consequently, some of the teams that are being televised have seldom been televised — like UCF and San Diego State.
Tenth–ranked LSU and #16 Oregon are idle.
Arkansas at #1 Florida, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on CBS — As an Arkansas graduate, I would love to see the Razorbacks win this game. The Hogs are coming off a 21–point win over Auburn, but I don't think they're quite at this level yet. On the other hand, if Tim Tebow gets knocked out of the game, who knows?
#2 Texas vs. #18 Oklahoma, 11 a.m. (Central) on ABC — Yes, OU has lost a couple of games, and its Heisman Trophy–winning quarterback has been struggling with injury. But this is a rivalry, and team records really are irrelevant. I'm going to pick Oklahoma.
#22 South Carolina at #3 Alabama, 6:45 p.m. (Central) on ESPN — I think Alabama will handle the surprising Gamecocks — even though rival Tennessee is next on the schedule.
#4 Virginia Tech at #20 Georgia Tech, 5 p.m. (Central) on ESPN2 — Virginia Tech has won its last two games against Georgia Tech. I'll take the Hokies, but I think it could be a close one.
#5 USC at #25 Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on NBC — When both of the teams in a tradition–rich rivalry like this one are in the Top 25, it adds a lot to the game's aura, but I am not sure it makes it any more intense for the participants. USC has won seven straight over Notre Dame, which I am sure is a source of motivation but I don't think it will produce a different result. I'll take USC.
#6 Boise State at Tulsa, tonight at 7 p.m. (Central) on ESPN — I think Boise State is too much for Tulsa.
#7 Ohio State at Purdue, 11 a.m. (Central) on Big Ten — The Buckeyes usually win against Purdue. They've won eight of the last 10. Sometimes Ohio State has won by wide margins. Sometimes OSU's defense has held Purdue to a single score. And sometimes it's been unexpectedly difficult for the Buckeyes. But I think they will win again, and this one is likely to be by a comfortable margin. That is the way Ohio State's games seem to be going this year.
Colorado State at #8 TCU, 3 p.m. (Central) on Versus — I think TCU has too much for Colorado State.
#9 Cincinnati at #21 South Florida, Thursday at 6:45 p.m. (Central) on ESPN — Of all the Top 25 showdowns I could have imagined before the season began, this one was way down the list. I'll take Cincinnati on the basis of what I've heard about its quarterback.
#11 Miami (Florida) at UCF, 6:30 p.m. (Central) on CBS CS — I don't see any way that this game can be competitive. I'll take Miami.
#12 Iowa at Wisconsin, 11 a.m. (Central) on ESPN — This is a tough one. The teams have split their last 10 games, but Wisconsin has lost two of its last three at home to Iowa. I'll give the edge to Iowa.
Minnesota at #13 Penn State, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on ABC — Minnesota last beat Penn State in 2004. But that game was at home. Minnesota's last win at Penn State was the year before that, but the Nittany Lions struggled in 2003. They're a different team now. And I'll pick Penn State to win.
#24 Missouri at #14 Oklahoma State, 8:15 p.m. (Central) on ESPN2 — Missouri hasn't lost at Oklahoma State since 1992. The two teams don't play every year, but, when they do, it's usually entertaining. I'll pick Missouri.
#15 Kansas at Colorado, 6 p.m. (Central) on FSN — USA Today says Colorado's Folsom Field is one of the 10 great places to watch a college football game. It didn't help Colorado against Texas last week. Will it help against Kansas? I'm going to say no. Give me Kansas.
Texas Tech at #17 Nebraska, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on ABC — Tech isn't the team it was last year, and neither is Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are on their way up, and they're playing at home. I'll take Nebraska.
#19 BYU at San Diego State, 5 p.m. (Central) on MTN — BYU should have no trouble.
#23 Houston at Tulane, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on CBS — I pick Houston to prevail.
Part of the college experience for most people is Saturday afternoon football games.
This Saturday will be the anniversary of one of the most memorable games of my college days — and I hope it turns out to be every bit as memorable for those who are students now on the campus of my alma mater.
It isn't the kind of thing that can be duplicated for succeeding generations. But my college experience would have been completely different without it.
I graduated from the University of Arkansas. And it was on October 17 in 1981 that the Razorbacks defeated their arch rivals, the Texas Longhorns, who were ranked #1 in the nation, by the lopsided score of 42–11. I went to many Razorback games when I was in college, and I don't think I ever heard the home fans cheer as loudly as they did on that day.
Maybe that's because the whole thing was such an astonishingly unexpected event.
Arkansas wasn't ranked. Two weeks earlier, the Razorbacks lost to perennial Southwest Conference doormat TCU for the first time in my lifetime. To lifelong Razorback fans, it was embarrassing. Things are different now, but back then, it was a disgrace for a team that was usually a contender for the conference title, as Arkansas was, to lose to a team in the lower tier of the SWC. And TCU definitely occupied the lower tier.
The Hogs bounced back with a 26–14 victory over Texas Tech the next week, but the unbeaten — and seemingly unbeatable — Texas Longhorns were next on the schedule.
I was living off campus in those days, and the girl who was going to the game with me was living in one of the dorms. I remember calling her and telling her that I didn't think I would go to the game that day. Like most Arkansas fans, I thought the Hogs were going to lose to the powerful Longhorns.
But she told me to come on over to the dorm and we would see how we felt when the 2:30 kickoff drew near. So I agreed to come over, although I still didn't think I would go to the game. But we talked about it and, in the end, we decided to go.
If it turned into a blowout, we agreed, we would leave. Her dorm, after all, wasn't too far from the stadium. And I admit that I was far from certain that we would stay past halftime. It turned out our seats were just across the aisle from where the huge University of Texas marching band was seated. I made a mental resolution: If the score was as out of hand as I expected and I wasn't deaf from hearing repeated playings of "The Eyes of Texas" in the first half, I should leave and count my blessings.
Well, we didn't leave the stadium at halftime. The score was out of hand, but not in Texas' favor. The Razorbacks had taken a commanding lead, and the fans were raucous. The band had been mostly quiet in the first half, and my hearing was still intact.
So we stayed. And I am glad we did. It was an experience I wouldn't trade for anything.
I found the attached clip of game highlights, and it brought back some memories of that afternoon. It's interesting, though, that whoever compiled that YouTube clip chose Michael Jackson's "Beat It" as the background music. Fact is, that song wasn't recorded until the following year so, even though it may be an energetic theme, it really isn't an appropriate one. The jubilant Razorback fans in Fayetteville that day couldn't possibly have listened to it at their victory parties that night since it didn't exist yet.
Perhaps a better tune would have been Christopher Cross' "Arthur's Theme," which was the top–selling song on Billboard's charts at the time. It might be a more subdued melody, but it is more representative of what people were listening to.
A few memories stand out from that day:
Through most of the time I was growing up, Southwest Conference schools ran the ball. Throwing the ball was something you did if you were way behind. And some coaches apparently had too much pride to throw the ball even if they were far behind. Frank Broyles, for example, was coach of the Razorbacks until I was in high school, and I have few memories of the Razorbacks throwing the ball — even when they trailed by huge margins.
I vividly recall listening to radio coverage of Arkansas' season opener when Lou Holtz took over for Broyles. On the first offensive play, Holtz called a deep pass. The sharp intake of breath from the capacity crowd was clearly audible.
On that afternoon in 1981, Holtz was able to run a more conservative offense, but, because of the score, Texas was forced to abandon its running game, eventually setting a school record for pass attempts in a game. Many of those passes were incomplete, which stopped the clock and prolonged the game.
It was starting to get dark by the time the game ended. Visibility was restricted for everyone, including the TV audience. In those days, Razorback Stadium had lights that were adequate only for practice sessions, not for illuminating a field for TV cameras.
Here in the 21st century, it may be hard to imagine a stadium that isn't equipped with lights that make it possible to play there at night. But they were still around in 1981, and Razorback Stadium was one of them.
I don't think I have ever been to a game that had as many shifts in the weather conditions. If you watch the clips, you'll see that, at some points, the field was bathed in sunlight. At other times, when clouds — and even some rain — went through, it got a little dark.
There were even times when the area was under a tornado watch.
It was never announced over the P.A. system, and the fans who didn't have radios with them didn't know that at the time. But the ones with radios weren't exactly making their way to the exits.
This was Razorback football. The opponent was the hated Texas Longhorns, who were the top–ranked team in the nation that day. TV cameras were broadcasting the game to the outside world.
And the Hogs were winning.
For Razorback fans, no better conditions could be imagined for one's last moments. I can only assume that those who did know we were under a tornado watch decided it was worth the risk.
When I was growing up, Texas was the source of a lot of frustration for Razorback fans. Nearly every year, the Longhorns beat the Razorbacks, often decisively — and that win over Arkansas usually gave Texas the conference title.
In the years leading up to that memorable afternoon in 1981, Texas had run off a streak of seven straight wins over Arkansas. The Razorbacks ended that skid with a three–point win over Texas in Little Rock two years earlier, but then they seemed to resume their old ways when the series returned to Austin in 1980, giving Texas eight wins over Arkansas in the 10 years prior to that memorable afternoon in Razorback Stadium.
So, on that afternoon, Arkansas fans were ready to celebrate. They tried to tear down one of the goal posts, but they couldn't quite manage it. The goal post apparently was made of metal, and the fans only managed to distort it into a bizarre dangling wishbone shape that I could see for several days as I walked past the dorms that stood at the top of the hill looking down on the stadium.
This Saturday, there will be a few clear differences between the game Arkansas will play against #1 Florida and the game the Razorbacks played against Texas in 1981.
For one, the Florida game is a road game for Arkansas. The Texas game was played at home.
For another, the top ranking in the nation hasn't been the revolving door in 2009 that it was in 1981. By mid–October of that year, Texas was the fourth team to be ranked #1. Unless I have missed something, the Gators have been ranked #1 all along.
Yet another difference is that, while Arkansas lost to a lightly regarded foe two weeks before the Razorbacks played Texas in 1981, Arkansas' two losses this year have been against teams that were ranked — Georgia and Alabama.
One more noteworthy difference: In 1981 — and this could be the most important factor for Razorback fans — Texas brought a healthy squad to Fayetteville. The Gators are led by a quarterback who has won a Heisman Trophy and two national titles in his collegiate career — but he suffered a concussion against Kentucky weekend before last and played in spite of it against LSU this past weekend.
That flew in the face of what modern authorities on sports injuries tend to recommend for concussion victims. They usually recommend that football players who have had concussions sit out the next game.
Will that affect Tim Tebow's performance against the Razorbacks? That remains to be seen. Arkansas' defense hasn't been particularly impressive this season, but I don't think it has been panned as much as it was after the TCU loss in 1981.
And, if Arkansas' explosive offense isn't held in check by Florida's defense, that may put more pressure on Florida to be productive.
Florida certainly has shown that its offense can put points on the board. And, if Tebow is 100%, beating Florida may prove to be too great a challenge for the Razorbacks.
But a lifetime of watching the Razorbacks has taught me never to count them out — even if the foe is the top–ranked team in the nation.
Common sense says Florida probably will win. But I'll be watching, anyway.
New England isn't going to repeat 2007 and go undefeated this year. But I think the Patriots will see to it this afternoon that the Denver Broncos don't go undefeated, either.
I made the Broncos my upset special last week, and they came through for me. But now, at 4–0, I think their streak will come to an end. They may go on to win the AFC's wimpy West, but they won't have a perfect record.
There are a few exceptions, but mostly, this is something of a lackluster week in the NFL.
Cincinnati (3–1) at Baltimore (3–1) — Are the Bengals for real? We may get something of an answer to that question this week when they travel to Baltimore. I believe Baltimore will win this battle of the 3–1 teams.
Oakland (1–3) at New York Giants (4–0) — Is there even a chance that the Raiders can beat the Giants? Umm, nope.
Dallas (2–2) at Kansas City (0–4) — I correctly predicted the Cowboys would lose to the Broncos last week. But I really can't see Dallas losing this week. The Chiefs are pathetic.
Washington (2–2) at Carolina (0–3) — Will the Panthers win their first game this week? Even though they haven't won a game yet, they're 3½–point picks over the Redskins, who lost to Detroit a couple of weeks ago. I'll go with Carolina.
Minnesota (4–0) at St. Louis (0–4) — This should be a sure thing. I see no way that the Rams can beat the Vikings.
Tampa Bay (0–4) at Philadelphia (2–1) — This one should also be a sure thing. The Eagles should be rested and ready for the Bucs.
Pittsburgh (2–2) at Detroit (1–3) — I really can't see the Lions, who only recently won a game for the first time since 2007, beating the defending world champions ... even if the game is in Detroit. I'll go with the Steelers.
Cleveland (0–4) at Buffalo (1–3) — Cleveland ought to cover the 6–point spread ... but not by enough to win the game. I'll take Buffalo.
Atlanta (2–1) at San Francisco (3–1) — A couple of years ago, this would have been an unappealing game. But both teams are better now, and it should be fairly entertaining. I'll take the 49ers, but if I was betting on the spread, I'd be tempted to take the 2½–point underdog Falcons.
Houston (2–2) at Arizona (1–2) — I'll take Arizona, but only because the Cardinals are at home.
New England (3–1) at Denver (4–0) — Some people are already getting worked up about the Broncos. They beat a Cowboys team that isn't as good as a lot of people thought, and now they're playing a Patriots team that is probably better than a lot of people are thinking. Keep in mind, folks, it's October. And I'll take the Patriots, who are favored by 3 points.
Jacksonville (2–2) at Seattle (1–3) — I think the Jaguars are capable of winning this game.
Indianapolis (4–0) at Tennessee (0–4) — This was a more appealing matchup before the season began. I think the Titans are better than their record indicates, but they continue to live down to expectations.
MONDAY
New York Jets (3–1) at Miami (1–3) — This was a more interesting matchup last year. I'll take the Jets.
Fifty–three years ago today, Don Larsen of the New York Yankees pitched the only perfect game in World Series history — so far.
It came against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the fifth game.
The 1956 series itself went seven games so Larsen's perfect game did not clinch the title. And it was the last World Series in which the Dodgers represented Brooklyn. When they returned to the World Series in 1959, they had relocated to the West Coast.
But the dominant image from that postseason classic is of catcher Yogi Berra leaping into Larsen's arms.
Both men, now in their 80s, are still living, by the way. And Larsen, who had a dismal two–inning outing in the second game of the series, was named MVP in recognition of his perfect game.
The baseball playoffs began yesterday so we're still a few weeks away from learning who will be in this year's World Series.
But I've been quite pleased with my predictions to this point.
In the American League, I correctly predicted which four teams would be in the playoffs. I predicted the Minnesota Twins would win the Central (although I did not anticipate that they would need a one–game playoff to clinch their division). And, technically, I was correct when I predicted the Yankees and Red Sox would be in the playoffs, but I had them reversed. I picked Boston to win the division and New York to be the wild card.
In the National League, I got all three division winners correct — Los Angeles, St. Louis and Philadelphia — but I was off the mark on the wild card. I predicted the New York Mets would be the wild card team. It turned out to be Colorado.
Still, seven out of eight ain't bad.
Briefly revisiting my predictions for the postseason, I said Boston and St. Louis would meet in the World Series. That could still happen. Boston hasn't begun its ALDS series with the Los Angeles Angels yet (it starts today), but St. Louis got off to a rocky start last night with a 5–3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
We seem to be mostly into conference play now, although there are a few nonconference games.
I'm predicting that seven ranked teams will lose this weekend. Some are to be expected, with ranked teams squaring off in four games. But I'm also predicting that three unranked teams will beat ranked teams in results that will probably be considered upsets.
Whether they are or not will be a matter of opinion — if they come to pass.
Four teams in the Top 25 are idle this week — Boise State, USC, Cincinnati and South Florida.
#1 Florida at #4 LSU, 7 p.m. (Central) on CBS — In a week that features four head–to–head matchups between teams in the Top 25, this is the cherry on the parfait, although, if LSU wins, that may well set the stage for 1 vs. 2 or 2 vs. 3 when the Tigers travel to Alabama on Nov. 7. The big question is whether Tim Tebow should play after suffering a concussion. Common sense says no. And, acting on the assumption that Tebow won't play, I will pick LSU.
Colorado at #2 Texas, 6:15 p.m. (Central) on ESPN or ESPN2 — Texas will just be warming up for next week's grudge match with Oklahoma.
#3 Alabama at #16 Ole Miss, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on CBS — I think Ole Miss is a good team, but the Rebels aren't good enough to beat Alabama.
Boston College at #5 Virginia Tech — The Hokies are home, and they should prevail.
#25 Wisconsin at #8 Ohio State, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on ABC — The Buckeyes seem to have rebounded from their loss to USC. I'll take Ohio State.
#9 TCU at Air Force, 6:30 p.m. (Central) on CBS CS — I think Air Force is capable of the upset, but I think TCU will escape with a win.
Florida A&M at #11 Miami (Florida) — This should be an easy win for Miami. But the Hurricanes are certainly due for one.
Eastern Illinois at #12 Penn State, 11 a.m. (Central) on ESPN Classic — Joe Paterno is just going to keep adding to his victory total as long as the Nittany Lions get fed a steady diet of non–conference creampuffs.
#13 Oklahoma State at Texas A&M — I've been wondering if there is a chance that the Aggies might pull off the upset. They've got the real deal at quarterback. But I don't think their defense can close the deal.
Michigan at #14 Iowa, 7 p.m. (Central) on ABC/ESPN — I think this one might be close, but I'm going to take Michigan as my upset special.
Iowa State at #15 Kansas, 11:30 a.m. (Central) on Versus — I just don't see Iowa State beating Kansas on the road.
#17 Oregon at UCLA, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on ABC — This should be an entertaining game for West Coast viewers. I'll take Oregon, barely.
#22 Nebraska at #18 Missouri, tonight at 8 p.m. (Central) on ESPN — This game will answer a lot of questions about both teams. Some observers will call this an upset, but I pick Nebraska to win on the road.
#19 Auburn at Arkansas — Is this a new Auburn, or is this the same Auburn as last year? I'm not convinced that Auburn is that much better. Still, you have to respect a 5–0 record. But things will get tougher for Auburn, with LSU, Georgia, Ole Miss and Alabama yet to come. I think Arkansas needs this one more than Auburn does. I pick Arkansas.
#20 BYU at UNLV, 9 p.m. (Central) on MTN — BYU should have a wide margin of victory.
Baylor at #21 Oklahoma, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on ABC — I have friends who went to Baylor. I always hope, for their sakes, that Baylor wins. But I don't expect Baylor to upset Oklahoma on the road.
#23 Georgia Tech at Florida State, 7 p.m. (Central) on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 — I guess I just can't see Florida State losing three in a row. Give me the Seminoles.
I often hear football fans complain that a game they went to was a "blowout."
But I can only imagine how the fans in Lebanon, Tenn., must have felt on this date in 1916 — when Cumberland College traveled to Atlanta and was handed the worst beating in football history.
The final score that day was 222–0.
Aside from the lopsided nature of the score, there were a few noteworthy points:
The name of Tech's coach lives on in college football today. He was John Heisman, for whom the most prestigious trophy given to an individual player in college football is named.
Cumberland already had discontinued football, but it couldn't cancel its game with Tech for financial reasons. The schools had a scheduling agreement, and Cumberland would have had to pay $3,000 to Tech if it didn't play. In those days, $3,000 was the equivalent of nearly $60,000 in today's money so Cumberland apparently assembled a team just for the occasion.
I have heard that Heisman was motivated to run up the score because Cumberland's baseball team whipped Tech earlier in the year.
In the 93 years that have passed since that day, a few teams have scored 100 points in a game, but none have come close to matching Tech's output.
Twenty years ago, it was believed by many that the University of Houston, with its "run and shoot" offense under the guidance of coach Jack Pardee, might exceed the century mark — and the Cougars came close with their 95–21 triumph over SMU (which was coming off the NCAA–imposed "death penalty").
But it was actually Pardee's predecessor, Bill Yeoman, who presided over the last triple–digit scoring performance in major college football. In 1968, Yeoman's Cougars beat Tulsa, 100–6.
A few teams have a bye week, about half a dozen game are being played between division rivals, but the game that everyone wants to see is Minnesota vs. Green Bay on Monday night.
The game will be played in Minnesota so Brett Favre will have to wait awhile before his homecoming at Lambeau Field. But it will be interesting to see what happens. If the Vikings win, they will be 4–0 and in charge of the NFC North. But if the Packers win, Green Bay will have the tiebreaker over the Vikings, as well as the Bears, who are likely to beat Detroit today.
With a few exceptions, today's games are warmup acts for tomorrow night's game:
Detroit (1–2) at Chicago (2–1) — I really can't imagine the Bears losing this game.
Cincinnati (2–1) at Cleveland (0–3) — In spite of the Bengals' start, I'm not convinced yet that they are headed for the playoffs. But I feel pretty confident that the Browns won't be in the playoffs. I take Cincinnati.
Oakland (1–2) at Houston (1–2) — The Texans are favored by nearly 10 points. I don't have any confidence in the Raiders, either. Houston should prevail.
Seattle (1–2) at Indianapolis (3–0) — I think the Colts should win fairly easily in this game.
Tennessee (0–3) at Jacksonville (1–2) — The Jags are favored by three at home, but I think the Titans are better. I pick Tennessee.
New York Giants (3–0) at Kansas City (0–3) — Unbeaten Giants vs. winless Chiefs? I think this is a no–brainer. Giants by a wide margin.
Baltimore (3–0) at New England (2–1) — This should be a pretty good game. And, while I know a lot of people think the Patriots are still the team that nearly went 19–0, these are not the 2007 Patriots. And the Ravens are pretty good. I think Baltimore will win.
Tampa Bay (0–3) at Washington (1–2) — The Redkins are favored by a touchdown. In spite of the fact that they lost to the woeful Lions last week, I think they might have enough firepower to win this game by more than the spread.
Buffalo (1–2) at Miami (0–3) — I don't know what to think of this one. I will take Buffalo. Can't say I have much of a reason for it, though.
New York Jets (3–0) at New Orleans (3–0) — All eyes are on the Packers and Vikings, but this one is a matchup of two undefeated teams. I think the Saints are better — but not so much better that they can cover the seven–point spread.
Dallas (2–1) at Denver (3–0) — Still, records can be deceiving. The Cowboys have won two games against weak teams. Undefeated Denver hasn't really impressed me, either. Dallas is favored by three. I'm taking Denver as an upset special.
St. Louis (0–3) at San Francisco (2–1) — The Rams are huge underdogs to the 49ers. Deservedly so. I'll take San Francisco.
San Diego (2–1) at Pittsburgh (1–2) — I think the Steelers will win, but not by enough to cover a 6½–point spread.
MONDAY
Green Bay (2–1) at Minnesota (3–0) — And that brings us to Monday night's marquee matchup. All eyes are on Favre, but the focal point of the game will be Minnesota's running game and Adrian Peterson. Can the Packers stop him? If they can, they will win. If they can't, they won't. The numbers suggest they won't. So I'll take Minnesota.
I was 12–4 last week, making my season record 38–10.
If you're a baseball fan, surely you have heard a recording of the radio broadcast of Bobby Thomson's game–winning home run in the National League playoff game between Thomson's New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers.
It happened 58 years ago today. Thomson's home run gave the Giants a 2–to–1 triumph in the playoff series nearly 20 years before the National and American Leagues began divisional play. The Dodgers appeared to be on their way to the National League title most of the season, but the Giants caught and tied them in September, forcing the playoff.
I'm a Dodgers fan. I was still many years away from being born when that happened, but the story is still painful for me.
But it is also a source of amusement for me. Whenever I hear the audio in which the announcer repeatedly exclaims, "The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant!" I am reminded of one of my favorite episodes from the M*A*S*H series.
A couple of years before the show's landmark final episode, "A War for All Seasons" followed the staff through the year 1951. A number of stories were woven together, but the unifying story, I guess, was how Klinger, in his never–ending quest for an easy dollar, persuaded the well–to–do Charles to finance some bets on the streaking Dodgers.
But even Klinger was hesitant for Charles to give in to his greed to the extent Charles appeared prepared to do. "Major, we stand to win a lot of loot," Klinger cautioned. "Let us not be piggish."
"This is not piggish, Klinger, this is bullish," Charles replied. "How do you think we Winchesters amassed our huge family fortune?"
But the Giants' late–season rally took its toll on the unlikely partnership. When the Dodgers' collapse was complete and announcer Russ Hodges was celebrating the Giants' triumph in his jubilant broadcast, the camera showed Charles unconscious on the ground, apparently overwhelmed by his losses.
From what I have been told, Charles wasn't the only one who was shocked.
It's kind of a quiet weekend in the Top 25. Florida, Texas, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska all are idle, and five games featuring ranked teams are not scheduled to be televised.
But the Oklahoma–Miami game should be interesting. Based on the rankings, USC–Cal should be as well. As should LSU–Georgia.
But I can't help wondering what could possibly entice anyone in El Paso to go to the Sun Bowl to watch UTEP, which was hammered by Texas last week, play the Houston Cougars. I anticipate another massacre. Thank God the game isn't being televised.
#3 Alabama at Kentucky, 11:21 a.m. (Central) on SEC — Kentucky lost pretty handily to Florida last week. Even though the Wildcats are playing at home again, I don't expect them to be able to put up much of a fight against the Crimson Tide.
#4 LSU at #14 Georgia, 2:30 p.m. (Central) on CBS — I guess this qualifies as an upset, but I'll take Georgia at home.
UC–Davis at #5 Boise State — This is another game that should be a foregone conclusion. Boise State by a wide margin.
#6 Virginia Tech at Duke — The rankings suggest Tech should roll over Duke. In spite of the weak opponent, I think this week will say a lot about the Hokies. I'll take Tech, but I don't think the margin will be as wide as many do.
#7 USC at #19 California, 7 p.m. (Central) on ABC — This is a big Pac–10 showdown. I think it may be close, and I'll take USC. Even though the Trojans lost to Washington, I still think they are the top team in the Pac–10.
#8 Oklahoma at #21 Miami (Fla.), 7 p.m. (Central) on ABC — OU coach Bob Stoops says Heisman Trophy–winning quarterback Sam Bradford won't start. Instead, a freshman will play. I will take Miami.
#9 Ohio State at Indiana, 6 p.m. (Central) on Big Ten — Ohio State should win. But the Hoosiers may be dangerous. They narrowly lost to Michigan in their last game.
SMU at #10 TCU, 7 p.m. (Central) on The MTN — SMU has never recovered from the "death penalty" in the late 1980s. I don't think the Mustangs will win this game.
#11 Cincinnati at Miami (Ohio) — Cincinnati ought to cruise against Miami (Ohio).
#13 Penn State at Illinois — I expect Penn State to win, but it might be close.
#15 Houston at UTEP — Will UTEP do better against Houston than it did against Texas? You'd think the Miners would almost have to do better than they did against the Longhorns. And UTEP is at home. When the Miners went to Houston last year, they only lost by five points. But that was a different Cougar team. This year, I expect Houston to win by a wider margin.
Arkansas State at #17 Iowa, 11 a.m. (Central) on ESPN2 — Both teams will get what they want. Arkansas State will get the financial windfall from playing in a 70,000–seat stadium on TV, and Iowa will get an easy win.
#18 Ole Miss at Vanderbilt, 6 p.m. (Central) on ESPNU — Ole Miss has had more than a week to lick its wounds after losing to South Carolina. Vanderbilt shouldn't be a threat to the Rebels, unless they've become absorbed in self–pity. I pick Ole Miss.
#20 Michigan at Michigan State, 11 a.m. (Central) on Big Ten — It's a rivalry. And it's a road game. But I think Michigan should be too much for Michigan State.
Utah State at #21 BYU, tonight at 8 p.m. (Central) on The MTN — I think BYU should win with no trouble.
Washington State at #25 Oregon, 9:30 p.m. (Central) on ESPNU — Oregon was dealt a setback in its opener against Boise State, but the Ducks have won three in a row, including two wins over ranked opponents. I'll take Oregon in this one.
Last week, I was 16–7. There were quite a few surprises last week &mdash South Carolina's win over Ole Miss, unbeaten USF's triumph over Florida State, Georgia Tech's victory over North Carolina, Virginia Tech's rout of Miami, Oregon's win over Cal and Iowa's triumph over Penn State. I'm not sure if #17 Houston's victory over unranked Texas Tech qualifies as an upset, but it certainly surprised me.
A "tomato can" is a fighter who is believed to be past his prime and an "easy" or "guaranteed" win for an up-and-coming fighter who wants to pad his record.
Sometimes, though, the "tomato can" doesn't cooperate. For example, in 1990, undefeated heavyweight champion Mike Tyson lost the title to a 42-to-1 underdog named Buster Douglas.
Another heavyweight champion, Muhammad Ali, almost lost his title to lightly regarded Chuck Wepner in 1975. Wepner nearly went the distance against Ali and inspired the original "Rocky" movie.
I got my bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas, and I got my master's degree in journalism from the University of North Texas. Most of my adult life has been dedicated to writing and editing in one form or another. Most recently I have taught writing (news and developmental) as an adjunct journalism professor at Richland College, where I advise the student newspaper staff. Go, Thunderducks!
Of 17 games involving at least one Top 25 team, six are matchups between two ranked teams. Some are traditional battles, like the games between Oklahoma and Texas in Dallas and USC and Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., but some of the games feature relative newcomers to the rankings, like #22 South Carolina, which may have a somewhat short stay in the rankings after its trip to Alabama.
