I am willing to put my blue-and-white Whine back on ice for New Year's Day when you will see Florida and Nebraska in the sugar bowl and PSU in some dismal Outback bowl or outhouse bowl. We will discuss it further at that time.

I played in the toilet bowl...but Mom gave me a licking for it.

I would LOVE to have a team that wins all their games, but that the media does not respect. BYU fans have their own related blue and white blues--but I hate them. I don't hate Penn State. Their the Big Ten's (that's a misnomer now) best chance for even a little national respect.

and yes...I did mean "They're the Big Ten's" (ad on and on)

I posted my whine comment in telnet (via aloha.net and spring.net, so it was a double telnet - just wanted it see if I could do it successfully - and I did!). Out here in windows the stream of your comments is funny and ironic and very true. Big 11 is pretty mediocre this year...and everyone suffers for it - both in the conference and those they may play during the season. It is no honor to run rough shod over ill-prepared opposition (or disabled or whatever the cause). I appreciate your comments, as always.

See Spring Gallery for John's U of Hawaii halftime score. It is his school, so I will not post the score.

UT won a nail biter. What a great game. Right down to the wire against a tough Iowa State team. Kirk Bohl's: AMES, Iowa -- The laminated cardboard placards were plainly visible around the Texas practice field all week. Inscribed on them were the numbers 00:01 and the words of advice, ``Don't wait." When Major Applewhite called a timeout before Kris Stockton did his number on Iowa State, the scoreboard clock read 00:04. The Longhorns pushed it to the limit and barely heeded their head coach's cautionary message, but good things came to them anyway. When Stockton kicked an 18-yard field goal with no time remaining to give 12th-ranked Texas a heart-palpitating 44-41 victory over Iowa State on Saturday, it bore out several sage reminders, some of them having to do with the Cyclones' bomb-throwing quarterback, Sage Rosenfels. Among them were these: An ugly win beats an uglier loss. Iowa State could be the best 4-4 team in the country while 7-2 Texas is just one of the country's best teams. Period. And if it comes down to a final, game-turning drive, bet the farm on the Longhorns.

Great Comments, Terry. Ugly wins are wins in the final analysis, and people tend to forget the ugly part when the statistics go in the book. Wonder what bowl game is in store for the 7-2 Longhorns...any idea? My biggest nightmare is that Penn State would play them in some bowl...talk about being torn... Terry, who would you root for if it came to the Illini vs Longhorns? John, who would you in the case of U of Hawaii vs the Illini?

HAWAII 34 TCU 14

Better color green - "007700" "006600 would be darker and so on down the numbers in the center...!

Hawaii accepted me as a student, Illinois rejected my application. So it didn't hurt my feelings a big when the 1992 Holiday Bowl score turned out: HAWAII 27 ILLINOIS 17

Excellent! I did not remember that we had beaten a Big 10 team...Yippee!

Associated Press Top 25 College Football Poll The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll, with number of first-place votes and record in parentheses, total points and previous ranking: (Records through October 31, 1999) TEAM PTS PVS ---- --- --- 1. Florida St (55) (9-0) 1,732 1 2. Penn St (9) (9-0) 1,683 2 3. Virginia Tech (6) (7-0) 1,607 3 4. Tennessee (6-1) 1,507 4 5. Florida (7-1) 1,470 5 6. Kansas St (8-0) 1,417 6 7. Georgia Tech (6-1) 1,331 7 8. Mississippi St (7-0) 1,207 8 9. Nebraska (7-1) 1,155 8 10. Wisconsin (7-2) 1,087 11 11. Texas (7-2) 996 12 12. Alabama (6-2) 935 14 13. Marshall (8-0) 931 13 14. Georgia (6-2) 787 10 15. BYU (7-1) 734 16 16. Michigan (6-2) 691 15 17. Purdue (6-3) 602 18 18. East Carolina (7-1) 594 17 19. Michigan St (6-2) 472 19 20. Ohio St (6-3) 459 21 21. Texas A&M (6-2) 356 22 22. Miami Fla (4-3) 302 23 23. Mississippi (6-2) 262 25 24. Notre Dame (5-3) 112 NR 25. So Mississippi (5-3) 111 20 Dropped Out: No. 24 Oklahoma Others Receiving Votes: Arkansas 81, Washington 31, Boston College 30, Louisiana Tech 21, Minnesota 13, Arizona 7, Colorado 7, Utah 5, Kentucky 3, Oregon 3, Western Mich 3, Air Force 2, Syracuse 2, Oregon St 1, Stanford 1.

Games for this Saturday: Minnesota at Penn State Penn State favored to win Texas at Oklahoms State Oklahoma State favored to win Texas A&M at Nebraska Texas A&M favored to win Illinois at Iowa Illinois NEEDS this game but who is favored Hawaii at San Jose State no info - John, Help!

In a heart breaker for those with ties to Kentucky KENTUCKY 22 MISSISSIPPI STATE 23

I won't get to see the Texas game till 10:30 pm on Channel 24 in Austin, they're doing a tape delay, so I'll have to try and shield myself from scores all day Saturday. So please don't post the outcome of the Texas game on Saturday, deal?

DEAL I will not post any scores till Sunday... just in case! and I am Emailing John with the same message. Good luck!

Just the Texas score, as far as I'm concerned. This should be a tricky game for the Horns, with the difficulty they had last week. Is it safe to say that there are no "great" teams this year? I mean, Texas is either 10th or 11th depending on which poll you look at and they still can't be considered a dominant team and are prone to lose on any given Sunday. But they do have this way with Nebraska, the Cornhuskers know who mama is now.

MINNESOTA 24 PENN STATE 23

Dominant teams this year? It sure isn't Penn State. I am in shock!

Whew, no one posted a score and I still don't know the outcome. I had a close call, but shield my eyes just in time earlier today.

John and I are the only ones who do, and he and I agree in the spirit of fairness not to post the Texas score until you do yourself!

Marcia...I'm sorry Penn State lost, but posting the score in small black letters is unfortunately not going to change that. This one, unfortunately, PSU should have won. And the hated media will have a field day about the underachieving Lions. Meanwhile, in San Jose HAWAII 62 SAN JOSE STATE 41

Turning the font off

I just closed my eyes, in case, isince I fell asleep during the 4th quarter last night. I'll catch it on tivo this morning.

see what happens when you create a HTML nightmare and forget one of the tags when you close them out? Read and learn!!!

Notice that Hawaii got 2 votes??!! Is that a first for the UH concerning national rankings???

Hana Hou for the past weekend: This was not a good weekend for some of us... TEXAS A&M 0 NEBRASKA 37 TEXAS 34 OKLAHOMA STATE 21 ILLINOIS 40 IOWA 24 HAWAII 62 SAN JOSE STATE 41 Cannot find a score for UCLA for Nancy. The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll, with number of first-place votes and record in parentheses, total points and previous ranking: (Records through November 7, 1999) TEAM PTS PVS ---- --- --- 1. Florida St (66) (9-0) 1,746 1 2. Virginia Tech (4) (8-0) 1,656 3 3. Tennessee (7-1) 1,599 4 4. Florida (8-1) 1,523 5 5. Kansas St (9-0) 1,495 6 6. Penn St (9-1) 1,328 2 7. Nebraska (8-1) 1,296 9 8. Mississippi St (8-0) 1,288 8 9. Wisconsin (8-2) 1,206 10 10. Texas (8-2) 1,085 11 11. Alabama (7-2) 1,006 12 12. Marshall (9-0) 947 13 13. Georgia Tech (6-2) 853 7 14. Georgia (6-2) 825 14 15. BYU (8-1) 805 15 16. Michigan (7-2) 749 16 17. Michigan St (7-2) 680 19 18. Mississippi (7-2) 508 23 19. Miami Fla (5-3) 486 22 20. Minnesota (6-3) 357 NR 21. So Mississippi (6-3) 310 25 22. Purdue (6-4) 288 17 23. Washington (6-3) 213 NR 24. East Carolina (7-2) 99 18 25. Ohio St (6-4) 89 20 Dropped Out:No. 21 Texas A&M, No. 24 Notre Dame Others Receiving Votes: Texas A&M 70, Louisiana Tech 60, Boston College 55, Oklahoma 30, Virginia 20, Oregon 15, Stanford 11, Clemson 9, Oregon St 9, Syracuse 6, Arkansas 5, Western Mich 5, Utah 4, Fresno St 3, Louisville 3, Hawaii 2, Notre Dame 2, Arizona 1, Boise St 1, Miami Ohio 1, Wyoming 1.

I can't believe it...but I am not redoing it again. This report is jinxed!

Wow, Texas busts in to the top 10. I've never heard much about VA Tech, but they're up there at number two!

Va Tech is unbeaten but they also played nobody. Curious how little they respect Penn State's schedule and abilities. Some jealousy there? Texas and Penn State are closing in on one another. Oh my, to be in the same bowl together...! That was a knuckle-biter Texas played over the weekend. How could you fall asleep at the end?! (Sounds like a VERY tired Terry!)

I wuz tired. But I caught my tape the next morning.

...and all without having the ending spoiled for you? I hope so!!! Today we go through the same drill. MNFootball is tape delayed so we dodge all news and sports programming until we can tune in on the game at 6:30pm our time.

This Saturday: Michigan at Penn State Penn State by one point Texas Tech at Texas Texas by a bunch Fresno State at Hawaii Hawaii should win easily Illinois at Ohio State Ohio State is favored Texas A&M at Missouri Aggies favored Washington at UCLA Washington favored by a bunch

TEXAS A&M MISSOURI PENN STATE 27 MICHIGAN 31 ILLINOIS 46 OHIO STATE 20

TEXAS A&M 51 MISSOURI 14

UCLA 23 WASHINGTON 20

Texas 58 Texas Tech 7 Phil Simms had a nice final drive, then the third string qb came in and ran a scoring drive. Needless to say, the Major had a huge day.

Chris Simms, I meant to say. Penn State came so close.

Texas 58 Texas Tech 7 Phil Simms had a nice final drive, then the third string qb came in and ran a scoring drive. Needless to say, the Major had a huge day.

Tell me about it...I was delighted for you and am happy you posted your score. Did you see where Texas was in the standings and how far below you Penn State is??? *sob* Other splendid news is that for the first time ever, Hawaii wrapped up the WAC championship....They are going to their own bowl!!! HAWAII 31 FRESNO STATE 24 (OT)

USA Today/ESPN Top 25 College Football Coaches' Poll The USA TODAY/ESPN Coaches Top 25 college football coaches' poll, with number of first-place votes and record in parentheses, total points and previous ranking: (Records through November 13, 1999) TEAM PTS PVS ---- --- --- 1. Florida St (58) (10-0) 1,474 1 2. Virginia Tech (1) (9-0) 1,410 2 3. Florida (9-1) 1,347 4 4. Nebraska (9-1) 1,310 6 5. Wisconsin (9-2) 1,218 9 6. Texas (9-2) 1,104 10 7. Tennessee (7-2) 1,011 3 8. Alabama (8-2) 994 13 9. Kansas St (9-1) 982 5 10. Michigan (8-2) 918 15 11. Marshall (10-0) 859 11 12. Georgia Tech (7-2) 850 14 13. Penn St (9-2) 757 8 14. Michigan St (8-2) 753 17 15. Mississippi St (8-1) 752 7 16. Mississippi (7-2) 547 18 17. So Mississippi (7-3) 423 20 18. Minnesota (7-3) 407 21 19. BYU (8-2) 372 12 20. Texas A&M (7-3) 345 23 21. East Carolina (8-2) 283 24 22. Boston College (7-2) 260 25 23. Georgia (6-3) 241 16 24. Arkansas (6-3) 143 NR 25. Purdue (6-4) 108 NR Dropped Out: No. 19 Miami Fla, No. 22 Washington Others Receiving Votes: Stanford 71, Oklahoma 68, Miami Fla 33, Louisiana Tech 26, Oregon 25, Washington 18, Virginia 12, Colorado St 11, Illinois 11, Louisville 10,Hawaii 8, Clemson 6, Oregon St 4, Colorado 3, Wyoming 1.

Wow, if Texas beats Nebraska for the Big 12 title they would have to be in the hunt for the National title. What a huge game this is shaping up to be. Folks around these parts are ecstatic about this team. Both the Cowboys and the Longhorns really beat up on the other teams QBs this weekend. Texas Tech's QBs both took a beating, and the starter had to come out. Hodges had another great running game and the defense was awesome, they nearly had a shutout. The second string allowed the only TD of the game. Chris Simms looked impressive again, filling in at the end for Major Applewhite. So, the Aggies are next on Thanksgiving I believe. This game and the title game with Nebraska could make Texas a national champion or at least get them in the top 5.

This coming weekend Penn State loses to Michigan State Hawaii doesn't care against Navy Texas is idle Texas A&M is idle but they play each other on FRIDAY, November 26 for Spring Bragging rights or something like that. The AP poll has Texas and Penn State in the same place in the rankings, but has the Aggies 24th. What is it with polls and state Universities?! Terry, in a matchup between Penn State and Texas, who do you think would win - other than the team who wanted it the most...?

I don't know much about Penn State except the one game I saw, and, based on that, I'd have to give the nod to Texas. But I'm so biased! The rest will do Texas good. Texas is really starting to jell. But there is always the fear that they'll snatch defeat from the jaws of victory again. If they beat Nebraska and A&M, they have to be considered in the naitonal championship hunt.

In the beginning of the season, I would have called it differently. Right now, we are playing so erratically that it is anybody's guess, and if I had to put money on it, it would be on Texas, unfortuantely. I wish The 'horns all the luck in the world and I am rooting for them (except perhaps remaining neutral for the Aggie game out of loyalty to a very special friend)in the championship hunt. I think they are as deserving as any other team up there! (...and I am biased, as well. I never rooted for any hing from Texas until I became a member of the Spring and left my heart here.)

A little levity in what has been a disnal month so far for Penn State (Thanks Barbara): Four SEC Alumni were climbing a mountain one day. Each was from a different SEC school and each proclaimed to be the most loyal of all fans at their alma mater. As they climbed higher, they argued as to which one of them was the most loyal of all. They continued to argue all the way up the mountain, and finally as they reached the top, the Georgia Bulldog hurled himself off the mountain, shouting "This is for the Dawgs!" as he fell to his doom. Not wanting to be out done, the Auburn Tiger threw himself off the mountain proclaiming "this is for the War Eagles!" Seeing this the Tennessee Volunteer walked over and shouted "This is for everyone" and pushed the Florida Gator off the side of the mountain.

Good idea on that Leonid livecam, what's that url again?

http://www.live-leonids.org/en/live.html

Kirk Bohls column: Texas will need an act of Congress to move ahead of Rose Bowl-bound Wisconsin, whose regular season is finished. But should a team that lost to Cincinnati really be a candidate for the BCS championship game? At least North Carolina State has won six games this season and plays in a real conference. Speaking of which, for the impossible to become possible, top-rated Florida State would have to stumble against Florida, which in turn would have to fall in the Southeastern Conference title game. Well, we can dream can't we?

One of us has to uphold the Spring's honor...amd it sure isn't gonna be Penn State. I get to listen to the game on the Internet - again!!! Boring! We won 9 and were not "blown out" by anyone. We played poorly, but did not lose dismally. Why are we so far down the rankings?! (I know, but I think that is a really no-class excuse!) This upcoming intrastate Texas game is one on which I am a fence-sitter. I wish they both could win!

*sigh* Penn State 28 Michigan State 35 We fall to 9-3 and Michigan State goes to 9-2 *sob*

I guess that means we play in Texas for the bowl game which will accept us (according to the Penn State Football Letter)...would that be the Alamo Bowl? I rather thought it might be the "Little House Out Back of the Outback Bowl bowl" to be played in a waste pit near ???...

I am sure everyone is asleep, but if anyone sees this tonight, the Rainbow (U of Hawaii vs Navy) game is being broadcast in live streaming video http://www.broadcast.com/sports/ncaa/Hawaii/football/listenpage_83_64_10655.html Choose the lower of the two purple buttons.

HAWAII 34 NAVY 27 How sweet it was. We were presented with the WAC trophy before the game for being champions of the Western Athletic Conference. How sweet that is!

(Shoulda chosen 00cc00 rather than 00ff00....) This means Hawaii will get to play in their own Bowl, The Aloha Bowl on Christmas Day probably against Oregon State.

UT just slipped to 7th in the polls and Nebraska went up to 3rd (UT beat Nebraska, remember?) and Nebraska must win one more time to face the Horns in the Big 12 Championship game. If this happens, the Horns will be going for their fourth straight win over Nebraska.

Associated Press Top 25 College Football Poll The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll, with number of first-place votes and record in parentheses, total points and previous ranking: (Records through November 21, 1999) TEAM PTS PVS ---- --- --- 1. Florida St (66) (11-0) 1,746 1 2. Virginia Tech (4) (10-0) 1,681 2 3. Nebraska (9-1) 1,607 4 4. Wisconsin (9-2) 1,474 5 5. Florida (9-2) 1,380 3 6. Tennessee (8-2) 1,339 7 7. Texas (9-2) 1,326 6 8. Alabama (9-2) 1,303 8 9. Kansas St (10-1) 1,253 9 10. Michigan (9-2) 1,125 10 11. Michigan St (9-2) 1,071 15 12. Marshall (10-0) 1,021 11 13. Minnesota (8-3) 826 17 14. So Mississippi (8-3) 642 18 15. Penn St (9-3) 616 13 16. Georgia (7-3) 591 21 17. Arkansas (7-3) 583 22 18. Mississippi St (8-2) 576 12 19. Purdue (7-4) 452 19 20. Georgia Tech (7-3) 415 14 21. East Carolina (9-2) 382 23 22. Boston College (8-2) 379 25 23. Mississippi (7-3) 266 16 4. Texas A&M (7-3) 225 24 25. Louisiana Tech (8-2) 131 NR Dropped Out: No. 19 BYU Others Receiving Votes: Stanford 105, BYU 47, Oregon 47, Illinois 38, Miami Fla 38, Wyoming 21, Utah 16, Colorado St 9, Hawaii 6, Clemson 4, Virginia 4, Oklahoma 2, Washington 2, Boise St 1.

Fingers crossed for Texas and anyone else who can beat Nebraska!

Although . . . And it's a big although. They could face Kansas State which could even be more interesting since they lost to them in a blowout. That would be an opportunity for redemption. In a way, I'd rather see this matchup.

I would, as well...but who would you play in that case? I do not trust Nebraska except to mess up a perfectly good year...!

What do you mean, who would you play?

In response 261 you commented that "they" could play Kansas State (meaning Nebraska, I thought.) In that event, would that mean Texas had been eliminated or that Texas would play someone else for the Big 12 championship? (I am almost afraid to post this because I think it means Texas would be eliminated in that case...)

Texas will play no matter what. But it could be either K State or the Corn Huskers. Friday's the A&M game, it starts early.

Yes, I know about the A&M game. I guess I will have to tape it because it will be Monday before I can watch it unless I can get a modem port in the media room (fat chance of that) during the tournament... Who would you rather play? Nebraska has been spotty this year despite their 9-1 record. I hope you play Kansas State since I have known what Nebraska can to to Penn State in a bowl game. If PSU cannot win this thang, Texas MUST!!!

A K State game would provide Texas a chance to prove themselves, they've already beat Nebraska the last three times out, so they've been there, done that.

At this point I think I'd choose the easy way out, and you seem to know what it takes to beat Nebraska. Is it necessary to play K-State? I think I have changed my mind!!!

I just think it would bring more completion and finality to their season. Since K State whupped up on 'em pretty bad first time out this year. It would be better closure.

I'll be taping this game, is this the one you'll be romping around on the sidelines, Marcia? Cinncinnati vs. Cleveland State Friday 11/26 "Big Island Invitational" Are there other games and what are the gametimes? (cst)

Yes..I'll be there for all of them...See http://uhhilo.rivals.com/ for the entire scoop and a webcast of the games. Big Island Invitational is the name of the event. Other games are: 11/26 4pm - Cincinnati vs Cleveland (All times Austin time) 6:30pm - Rhode Island vs Santa Clara 9pm - Arkansas vs Washington 11:30pm - Iowa State vs UHHilo 11/27 Game times (teams depending on the outcome of the previous day's play) 4pm 6:30pm 9pm (televised by Fox Sport West) 11:30pm 11/28 12:30 pm 3:30 pm - Consolation game 6pm - Third place game 8:30pm - Championship game (televised on all Fox sports networks

I set TIVO to record these times: 11/26 5:30 - 7:30 pm Cinn vs Cleve 11/27 6:30 - 7:00 pm 8:00 - 8:30 pm 11/28 8:30 - 10:00 pm Championship game It's on channel 637 on DirectTV

The Battle of Texas for 1999 is history: TEXAS A&M 20 TEXAS 16

Penn State plays in the Alamo Bowl. Anyone know who we play?

Just checked the Official site of the Alamo Bowl - we will play a team from the Big 12. Wanna bet it is someone I have been rooting for all season...*sigh* http://www.studiogallo.com/alamobowl2/home.asp The SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl will once again feature teams from the Big Ten and Big 12 Conferences. SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl VII is scheduled for Tuesday, December 28, 1999 at 6:30 p.m. (CST) in San Antonio's 65,000-seat, state-of-the-art Alamodome. The SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl owns the third selections from both conferences after the Bowl Championship Series (Sugar, Fiesta, Orange and Rose Bowls) makes its selections. In 1999 the SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl will also serve as the official local host organization for the Fourth Annual Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship Game, scheduled for Saturday, December 4 in the Alamodome. That game will match the champions of the Big 12's North and South Divisions, with the winner earning the conference's automatic invitation to one of the four BCS bowls. The 1999 Dr Big 12 Championship Game marks the second time San Antonio and the Alamo Bowl have played host to this marquee event. On December 6, 1997, No. 2 Nebraska defeated No. 14 Texas A&M 54-15 in front of an Alamodome record crowd of 64,842 on its way to a share of the national championship. For more information on either game please contact the SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl at 210.226.BOWL (2695). Detailed information concerning both games and its ancillary events are also available on this web site.

Horns lost but you can't feel bad about A&M winning, it will help their healing process. Colorado! Man, oh, man, oh, man, man, man. Did they come close to a spectacular come behind win against Nebraska, they were an easy field goal away and blew it. But what a gutty performance by the Colorado quarterbook, who took a beating but kept on coming back to tie it in regulation with three unawnswered scores. Chris Simms did well against A&M, he played three quarters and they put the ailing Major in for the fourth quarter. Shoulda stuck with Chris. But woulda, coulda, shouda doesn't count. Give credit to the Aggies, they deserved a win. Man that Colorado game was a heartbreaker, well, it's the Huskers and Horns in the Big 12 showdown next weekend. Can the Horns fourpeat?

The Aggies really wanted that game. It is hard to defeat an emotionally determined and motivated team who can also play a mean game of football. It sure doesn't help that your QB was so sick. You are right - they shoulds stuck with Chris Simms! I was also pulling for Colorado. I thought they just might pull it out. Alas, it is up to your Horns to get them next weekend!

BCS Standings List Associated Press Through Games of Nov. 27 Associated Press expanded Top 25 AP poll week-by-week ESPN / USA Today poll Poll Comp Schedule AP U-E Avg. Avg. Str Rank L Tot. 1. Florida St. 1 1 1.00 1.00 6 0.24 0 2.24 2. Virginia Tech 2 2 2.00 2.00 54 2.16 0 6.16 3. Nebraska 3 3 3.00 2.86 21 0.84 1 7.70 4. Florida 5 5 5.00 6.00 12 0.48 2 13.48 5. Tennessee 6 6 6.00 5.57 14 0.56 2 14.13 6. Kansas St. 8 7 7.50 4.57 63 2.52 1 15.59 7. Alabama 7 8 7.50 7.00 1 0.04 2 16.54 8. Wisconsin 4 4 4.00 7.71 74 2.96 2 16.67 9. Michigan 9 9 9.00 8.57 3 0.12 2 19.69 10. Michigan St. 10 10 10.00 7.86 10 0.40 2 20.26 *11. Texas 12 12 12.00 13.00 24 0.96 3 28.96 12. Marshall 11 11 11.00 14.71 98 3.92 0 29.63 *13. Penn St. 14 17 15.50 11.14 9 0.36 3 30.00 14. Minnesota 13 13 13.00 16.71 52 2.08 3 34.79 *15. Texas A&M 18 14 16.00 15.43 28 1.12 3 35.55 RB DI KM NYT DR JS S-H ST 1. Florida St. (1) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2. Virginia Tech 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 (3) 3. Nebraska 3 3 3 (4) 3 3 3 2 4. Florida 6 (10) 7 8 4 7 5 5 5. Tennessee (8) 6 5 5 6 5 4 8 6. Kansas St. 4 5 4 (6) 5 4 6 4 7. Alabama 7 8 (11) 3 7 11 7 6 8. Wisconsin 9 4 6 9 9 6 11 (13) 9. Michigan (10) 9 9 7 10 9 9 7 10. Michigan St. 5 7 (10) 10 8 8 8 9 *11. Texas 14 11 (15) 13 13 14 14 12 12. Marshall (33) 25 8 11 11 12 20 16 *13. Penn St. 11 12 12 (22) 12 10 10 11 14. Minnesota 15 19 17 (21) 14 16 15 21 *15. Texas A&M 13 15 16 (17) 17 17 16 14

Texas 11th, but they're playing the Nebraska powerhouse again. Who your moma, Nebraska?

I will root for anyone in Texas over Nebraska who has been our nemesis more than once. Since we (Penn State) have embraced the "shoot yourself in the foot" defense and offense, I would prefer to give Texas the win over Nebraska! Any Day! Please win this one for Marci in Hilo who once had visions on National Championships dancing in her head...

My worst nightmares have come true... 1999 SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl The No. 17 Penn State Nittany Lions (9-3) and the No. 14 Texas A&M Aggies will represent the Big Ten and Big 12 Conferences in this year's SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, December 28 at 6:30 p.m. (CST).

But...before that can happen...this afternoon the Big Twelve Championship game: DR PEPPER BIG 12 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Texas amd Nebraska will play in the fourth annual Dr Pepper Big 12 Conference Football Championship Game in front of a record crowd of over 65,000 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, December 4, 1999. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (CST) and will again be televised nationally by ABC Sports. The winner of the contest receives the Big 12 Conference�s automatic invitation to the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), which consists of the Nokia Sugar Bowl, FedEx Orange Bowl, Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and the Rose Bowl. Last season, No. 6 Texas A&M defeated No. 1 Kansas State 36-33 in double overtime in the third annual contest before more than 60,000 fans and a national television audience at the Trans World Dome in St. Louis, Mo. The Alamodome is the home of the SYLVANIA Alamo Bowl and the NBA�s San Antonio Spurs. It was the site for the 1997 NCAA Division I Men�s Basketball Midwest Regional and 1998 NCAA Men�s Final Four, and will host the NCAA Division I Men�s Midwest Regional Tournament in 2001, the NCAA Women�s Final Four in 2002, the NCAA Men�s South Regional in 2003 and the NCAA Men�s Final Four in 2004. The 1999 game marks the second time the Alamodome and San Antonio will host the Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship Game. The largest football crowd in Alamodome history -- 64,824 -- watched No. 2 Nebraska defeat No. 14 Texas A&M 54-15 in the 1997 Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship Game.

Perhaps another venue than the Alamodome should be used when Texas teams play Nebraska. Today's result sends Texas to the Cotton Bowl and Nebraska to the Sugar Bowl... Final score NEBRASKA 22 TEXAS 6 Earlier, in the Army-Navy game (I am an Air Force fan) NAVY 19 ARMY 9

Big 12 pencils in bowl teams DALLAS (AP) -- The Big 12 announced a preliminary bowl lineup Wednesday, contingent on the Bowl Championship Series releasing Kansas State as an at-large team Sunday. "We are still in a holding pattern related to the absolute release of Kansas State," commissioner Kevin Weiberg said. "But we have developed a plan in case we only move one team into the BCS picture." The winner of Saturday's Big 12 championship game in San Antonio between Nebraska and Texas probably will earn an automatic spot in the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz., on Jan. 2. The runner-up will represent the conference in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on New Year's Day. Kansas State, if not selected by the BCS, will play in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego on Dec. 29. Nebraska, third in the BCS poll, remains a possible selection for the national championship game and the Sugar Bowl. Texas A&M will face Penn State in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Dec. 28; Colorado is set to play in the Insight.com Bowl in Tucson, Ariz., on Dec. 31; and Oklahoma will fill the remaining slot in the Dec. 31 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La. Texas Tech, one of seven bowl eligible teams in the Big 12, received no invitation but was under consideration by both the Insight.com and Independence bowls. The Red Raiders would receive an invitation if the conference lands two teams in the BCS.

Associated Press Top 25 College Football Poll The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll, with number of first-place votes and record in parentheses, total points and previous ranking: (Records through November 28, 1999) TEAM PTS PVS ---- --- --- 1. Florida St (64) (11-0) 1,744 1 2. Virginia Tech (6) (11-0) 1,685 2 3. Nebraska (10-1) 1,599 3 4. Wisconsin (9-2) 1,488 4 5. Florida (9-2) 1,428 5 6. Tennessee (9-2) 1,385 6 7. Alabama (9-2) 1,320 8 8. Kansas St (10-1) 1,299 9 9. Michigan (9-2) 1,175 10 10. Michigan St (9-2) 1,132 11 11. Marshall (11-0) 1,042 12 12. Texas (9-3) 957 7 13. Minnesota (8-3) 871 13 14. Penn St (9-3) 717 15 15. So Mississippi (8-3) 707 14 16. Mississippi St (9-2) 685 18 17. Georgia Tech (8-3) 652 20 18. Texas A&M (8-3) 581 24 19. Purdue (7-4) 485 19 20. East Carolina (9-2) 432 21 21. Georgia (7-4) 316 16 22. Stanford (8-3) 267 NR 23. Miami Fla (7-4) 140 NR 24. Arkansas (7-4) 134 17 25. Boston College (8-3) 114 22 Dropped Out: No. 23 Mississippi, No. 25 Louisiana Tech Others Receiving Votes: Mississippi 112, Oregon 81, BYU 68, Illinois 42, Colorado St 24, Oklahoma 22, Utah 13, Clemson 8, Louisiana Tech 7, Virginia 7, USC 5, Washington 4, Colorado 2. updated at Sun Nov 28 14:50:29 1999 PT

All I need to know I learned in college football DECEMBER 4, 1999 College Football Blitz By Will Leitch The Sporting News Must admit, folks, I'm pretty sad today. It's been a wild, nutty college football season, full of intrigue, scandal, gossip and surreal moments Salvador Dali would have shaved his mustache for. And now it's over, except for the bowls, of course. And so is this column. So forgive me, but it's time to wax nostalgic about the 1999 season. So here's what I learned from college football this year, and whom I learned it from. From NCAA referees: If you smile, you are taunting the other team and need to be punished. From John Cooper: Columbus seems like the huge city it is when everyone there wants to strangle you. From Keith Jackson: If you retire and then change your mind about it, even after getting tributes every single week, you get banished to covering Pac-10 games all season as punishment. From LaVar Arrington: Attacking kickers is easy. . . . and fun! From Brent Musberger: It is fun to watch a football game while listening to something else. (By the way, I've decided to come up with a fun drinking game. Whenever Musberger does a Texas game, like he did Saturday, and calls Major Applewhite "The Major" -- which no one else on the planet seems to do -- you have to drink. The good news is that you'll be passed out by the end of the first quarter and won't have to listen anymore). From Penn State: You can make a trip from New Orleans to the Alamo Bowl in three short weeks. From Michael Vick: If you're the nation's leader in pass efficiency and the lightning rod for an undefeated national championship contender, you can't even be considered for the Heisman Trophy if you're a freshman. From Barry Alvarez's head: Just because you are a good football coach and have led your team to two straight Rose Bowls doesn�t mean you're not ugly. From Carl Torbush: It is important that if you ever get fired, don't tell off your bosses just yet. They could always take you back. From Mike DuBose: If you win games, nobody cares what you do in your personal life (I also learned this from Peter Warrick, Bobby Cox, Charles Barkley and, heck, just about everybody). From Chris Weinke and Josh Booty: Life begins at 25. From Ricky Williams: Records that last only one year really aren't that cool. From Ron Dayne: Even Heisman Trophy winners have unfortunate facial hair. From Baylor coach Kevin Steele: When you have the chance to kneel on the ball to win, kneel, dagnabit! Steele's stupid decision to run a play with the Bears up 24-21 over UNLV with 20 seconds left and the Rebels having no timeouts ended up a disaster, as Baylor's Darrel Bush fumbled into the hands of UNLV's Kevin Thomas, who took it 99 yards for the winning touchdown as time expired. Think Greene would have appreciated the win? Baylor finished 1-10. From June Jones: It's amazing what one man can accomplish when he doesn't have to deal with Ryan Leaf anymore. From Plaxico Burress: Having a first name like an evil corporation in a Bond movie won't stop you from being one of the best receivers in college football. From J.R. Redmond: Well, don't trust women, of course. From Lou Holtz: Some jobs just suck. From Chris Simms: Signing with a team that has an excellent quarterback just one year above you will not do wonders for your playing time. From soccer fans with email: Don't make fun of soccer in your columns. From Bob Davie: Gerry Faust was, in fact, pretty smart. From Kansas State fans: It is not smart to insult Kansas State fans. From the BCS: Even a blind monkey can hit a home run every once in a while (wait. . . . is that how the phrase goes?). MY LOOK AT THE BOWLS I don't know if anyone else here at TSN is planning on doing a game-by-game prediction of each bowl game -- I know our buddies at MSNBC are planning some kind of computer simulation -- but if they are, well, I just usurped them, because I'm doing one. Sorry guys. Not all the bowl matchups are set, so I'm doing some educated (?) guessing here (including a projected win by Florida over Alabama tonight, which is just too late for my blood). If I have the wrong matchup, I'll just go back and change it. This is the Web, you know; you can do that. Las Vegas Bowl: Utah (8-3) vs. Fresno State (8-4). The Utes strung together season-ending wins over New Mexico and BYU to sneak in a bowl, but Fresno State has a powerful offense, led by super-accurate QB Billy Volek, a guy who thankfully helped Bulldogs fans forget Trent Dilfer. The bowl season's first game will likely be a blowout Fresno victory. Mobile Alabama Bowl: Texas Christian (7-4) vs. East Carolina (9-2). LaDainian Tomlinson, a guy who would be a Heisman contender next season if he didn't play for Texas Christian -- which lost to Northwestern this year, for cripes sake -- will find little room to run against the Pirates, a very underrated team that beat Miami (Fla.) earlier this year. By the way, I'm confused; who exactly is the sponsor of this bowl? Aloha Bowl: Arizona State (6-5) vs. Wake Forest (6-5). The Sun Devils slipped in the back door of the bowls by beating Arizona in their season finale, and like pretty much everybody else in the Pac-10, 1999 has been mostly a disappointment. The Demon Deacons, on the other hand, are tickled silly to even be playing in a bowl, let alone in Hawaii, let alone on Christmas. You would think Wake would be much more pumped to play this game, but as long as J.R. Redmond doesn't get married again right before gametime, ASU will simply have too much. Oahu Bowl: Oregon State (7-4) vs. Hawaii (8-3). You can have your Sugar Bowl, you elitist; this is my personal favorite bowl, featuring two teams you would have never, ever imagined to have any chance at a bowl at the beginning of the season. Oregon State? The Beavers haven't been to a bowl since 1965. Hawaii? Heck, the Rainbow Warriors -- I've always felt the nickname should be the Rainbow Coalition -- were 0-12 last year. How fun will it be to watch June Jones and Dennis Erickson face off without having to look at Ryan Leaf or Warren Moon? I almost feel like a scrooge picking a loser in this game, since, as Martin Scorsese might say, it's just an honor to be nominated, but I'll go ahead and pick Oregon State, if just because of the home-field advantage. OK, that doesn't make any sense, but I'm going with the Beavers anyway. Motor City Bowl: Marshall (12-0) vs. Brigham Young (8-3). The Thundering Herd might still be quaking after almost missing this bowl all together (see note in Random Musings, you big stud), and this is actually a really fun matchup of awesome quarterbacks, Chad Pennington and Kevin Feterik. The optimist in me wants to go with that scrappy Herd, and since I like to think of myself as the type of person with a positive outlook on life, I think I'll pick BYU. Alamo Bowl: Penn State (9-3) vs. Texas A&M (8-3). Want to see the opposite of the Oregon State-Hawaii game? How about this one, in which two teams that should have been competing for the national title try to pretend they care. Logically, the Nittany Lions should just destroy the Aggies, but they should have destroyed Minnesota, Michigan State and Michigan as well. Here's guessing LaVar Arrington intercepts a pass in the waning seconds, takes it for a game-winning touchdown and then, to celebrate, eats the ball. Music City Bowl: Syracuse (6-5) vs. Kentucky (6-5). This bid for the Wildcats isn't secure, but they're likely going to get it. This game, however, stinks; the Orangemen have been awful for the last couple of months, and even though Kentucky is kinda fun to watch, they're not very good either. I think they'll win, though, since nobody that loses a game 62-0 has any business winning a bowl game. Holiday Bowl: Washington (7-4) vs. Kansas State (10-1). Woe is the K-State fan, whose team once again has to settle for a crappy bowl rather than playing in the BCS, where it belongs. Fortunately, for them, the Wildcats will get to destroy the Huskies and wipe that dung-eating grin off Rick Neuheisel's stupid face. This one shouldn't be close (and don't email me if it is). Humanitarian Bowl: Boise State (9-3) vs. Louisville (7-4). In a message of peace apt for the bowl in which they are playing, the players for Boise State will not tackle a single Cardinal. This is Chris Redman's final collegiate game before he sets out for his real career, writing columns. Micronpc.com Bowl: Ever been to micronpc.com? Yeah, me neither. Virginia's Thomas Jones will trample through an Illini team that's just happy not to have to spend the holidays freezing while standing in line for Kam's (Champaign joke). Peach Bowl: Clemson (6-5) vs. Mississippi State (9-2). It's been quite a job by Tommy Bowden to get the Tigers back to a bowl -- especially since they're the only team to play all three undefeated Division I-A teams -- but they could be outmatched by a scrappy Bulldogs team that actually had a chance of being undefeated itself at one point. Georgia might also play in this game, by the way; well, I mean, Georgia might take Mississippi State's spot, rather than all three teams playing at once. You know what I meant. Insight.com Bowl: Boston College (8-3) vs. Colorado (6-5). Nope, never been to insight.com either. What Tom O'Brien has done with this once scandal-ridden Golden Eagles program is nothing short of remarkable. Choosing between the valiant Eagles and Johnny Smug Gary Barnett is not a choice at all; go BC. Sun Bowl: Oregon (8-3) vs. Minnesota (8-3). This bowl is sponsored by the large heated orb that our planet revolves around. Minnesota must be playing well, because Glen Mason's eye is already roaming elsewhere -- kinda like Sammy Davis Jr.'s -- and the Gophers' decided physical advantage should spell deep trouble for the Ducks. Liberty Bowl: Colorado State (8-3) vs. Southern Mississippi (8-3). Trivia question: When's the last time anybody gave a flying phooey about the Liberty Bowl? Answer: 1982, when Alabama beat Illinois 21-15 in Bear Bryant's final game. I guess Southern Miss will win this, because of that Nix guy. Independence Bowl: Oklahoma (7-4) vs. Mississippi (7-4). Oh, yeah, I'm sure all you East Coast people are going to be watching this game, which starts at 8:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve. If it goes into overtime and Y2K hits, knocking out all the lights in the stadium, will anybody notice? Here's thinking Sooners QB Josh Heupel will make sure it doesn't go that far. Outback Bowl: Purdue (7-4) vs. Georgia (7-4). Hey, what's Australian for killer hangover? An 11 a.m. ET start on New Years Day will make this game a blurry one for anyone who watches, but for those of us not holed up in our bunker, it should be fun to see Drew Brees make mince meat of the Bulldogs secondary. This could be a different SEC team, by the way, but it gives me a headache to think about it. Cotton Bowl: Arkansas (7-4) vs. Texas (9-3). These two teams could only play in the Cotton Bowl. The Razorbacks didn't collapse after last season's crushing finish, but the Longhorns and "The Major" will be way too much. Gator Bowl: Georgia Tech (8-3) vs. Miami (Fla.) (8-4). Should be a really fun offensive battle, though Kenny Kelly -- loved his book on Nancy Reagan. . . . wait, I already used that joke -- won't be playing. Joe Hamilton, who is going to make a great quarterback for the Toronto Argonauts next year, will have a rip-roaring good time in his last collegiate game. Citrus Bowl: Michigan State (9-2) vs. Alabama (9-3). The Spartans have been a most pleasant Big Ten surprise -- even if Nick Saban couldn't cash that LSU check fast enough -- but Lamar Alexander (wait, is it Shaun? Which is the guy without the turtlenecks?) will have one last game to show off for the pro scouts behind that beefy line. At least this game doesn't have Tennessee again. Rose Bowl: Wisconsin (9-2) vs. Stanford (8-3). You would think this would be a ridiculous rout, with Ron Dayne leaving hoofprints on every Cardinal helmet. You would think the Pac-10 "champion" would have no business on the same field as a team that ended the season as perhaps the hottest team in the country. You'd be right. But those cheese hats are still really moronic. Orange Bowl: Michigan (9-2) vs. Florida (10-2). This one should be fun. The Wolverines' defense really came on both before and after those nasty losses to Michigan State and Illinois, but they might be spun right dizzy by Florida's quarterback Tilt-A-Whirl. Steve Spurrier might just spontaneously combust -- burst into flames -- if the Gators lose their third game of the season. That would be kind of cool to see, so I'm picking Michigan. Fiesta Bowl: Nebraska (11-1) vs. Tennessee (9-2). Dirty little secret, sports fans; the Cornhuskers aren't really all that great. The Vols aren't either -- nor were they last year -- but they did prove they like playing in Tempe last season. Tee Martin's leadership and experience should pull this one out. Sugar Bowl: Florida State (11-0) vs. Virginia Tech (11-0). Yep, it's a great story, the Hokies rising from the depths of Blacksburg -- a city whose whereabouts I'm still unfamiliar with -- and riding a impenetrable defense and a wild freshman quarterback to the national championship game. Unfortunately, they have to play Florida State when they get there. The Seminoles are the best team in the country by far, and Bobby Bowden will finally get his first undefeated season, evening him up with his dorky son. If any of these are wrong, somebody else wrote this column. RANDOM MUSINGS Wow, did you see that Marshall-Western Michigan game on Friday? Have to admit, I tuned in kinda late, and when I came in, it was 20-0, Western Michigan. Now, I figured the Broncos and quarterback Tim Lester were relatively underrated, but this was ridiculous. But then the Herd took off, and I'll be darned if they didn't find a way to win. Say what you want about Marshall's schedule, but it showed a ton of heart in coming all the way back, heart a team like, say, Penn State doesn�t have. I think I like this team even more than I liked Tulane. . . . Think Nebraska is feeling a little bit better about itself today, BCS or no BCS? . . . Army and Navy played for the 100th time on Saturday. That's about all the information you need, I think. . . . If Michael Vick were a senior, would there be any doubt as to whether or not he would win the Heisman Trophy? . . . I was out really late last night and did something to my wrist (it was one of those nights where I'm not really sure what I did to hurt it). So I just want you to know that sportswriters can overcome injuries and give heroic performances as well. . . . Well, this is my final column for The Sporting News, so I bid you, readers, a fond adieu. Thank you for letting me write about college football this year; it has been a honor.

Will Leitch of the Sporting News has been writing entertaining and relevant articles all year. Back articles are available at http://www.sportingnews.com/voices/college_football_blitz/archive.html His picks for awards this year: Offensive Player of the Year: Ron Dayne, Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Year: Corey Moore, Virginia Tech Coach of the Year: June Jones, Hawaii (who, for some reason, we don't have listed as an option; go ahead and write it on your monitor) Freshman of the Year: Michael Vick, Virginia Tech Surprise of the Year: Hawaii Disappointment of the Year: Arizona, followed closely by Ohio State, Penn State and Notre Dame

Texas loss to Nebraska may cause some slippage. Interesting that both the basketball and football teams were (till now) right around the top ten in both polls.

I know... *sigh*

Ladies' Volleyball and perhaps Ladies Basketball are the only teams Penn State can hope to see in the top 25 from now on. Oh yes, and Field Hockey! Big deal...

Associated Press Top 25 College Football Poll The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll, with number of first-place votes and record in parentheses, total points and previous ranking: (Records through December 4, 1999) TEAM PTS PVS ---- --- --- 1. Florida St (64) (11-0) 1,744 1 2. Virginia Tech (6) (11-0) 1,685 2 3. Nebraska (11-1) 1,606 3 4. Wisconsin (9-2) 1,482 4 5. Alabama (10-2) 1,450 7 6. Tennessee (9-2) 1,412 6 7. Kansas St (10-1) 1,336 8 8. Michigan (9-2) 1,226 9 9. Michigan St (9-2) 1,193 10 10. Florida (9-3) 1,095 5 11. Marshall (12-0) 1,047 11 12. Minnesota (8-3) 935 13 13. Penn St (9-3) 772 14 14. Texas (9-4) 746 12 15. Mississippi St (9-2) 727 16 16. So Mississippi (8-3) 722 15 17. Georgia Tech (8-3) 672 17 18. Texas A&M (8-3) 632 18 19. Purdue (7-4) 504 19 20. East Carolina (9-2) 431 20 21. Georgia (7-4) 298 21 22. Stanford (8-3) 270 22 23. Miami Fla (8-4) 224 23 24. Arkansas (7-4) 121 24 25. Boston College (8-3) 112 25 Others Receiving Votes: Mississippi 88, Oregon 72, BYU 47, Illinois 39, Colorado St 18, Utah 12, Oklahoma 10, Virginia 7, USC 5, Clemson 4, Colorado 3, Washington 3.

Wow, see our two teams are nestled up together in the standings! That's togetherness for ya!

Must be a 'sign' of some sort *smile* NCAA Bowl Schedule S A T U R D A Y , D E C E M B E R 1 8 Las Vegas Bowl ESPN2 --/36 Fresno St (8-4, WAC 1) vs 31/36 Utah (8-3, Mountain West 2) 6:00 pm Las Vegas, NV Sponsor: EA Sports Audio: Fresno St | Utah W E D N E S D A Y , D E C E M B E R 2 2 Mobile Alabama Bowl ESPN2 --/32 TCU (7-4, WAC 2) vs 20/19 East Carolina (9-2, Conference USA 2) 7:30 pm Mobile, AL Audio: TCU | East Carolina S A T U R D A Y , D E C E M B E R 2 5 Aloha Bowl ABC --/36 Wake Forest (6-5, ACC 5) vs --/-- Arizona St. (6-5, Pac-10 4) 3:30 pm Honolulu, HI Sponsor: Jeep Audio: Wake Forest | Arizona St. Oahu Bowl ESPN --/35 Hawaii (8-4, at large) vs --/-- Oregon St. (7-4, Pac-10 5) 8:30 pm Honolulu, HI Sponsor: Jeep Audio: Hawaii | Oregon St. M O N D A Y , D E C E M B E R 2 7 Motor City Bowl ESPN 28/25 BYU (8-3, at large) vs 11/11 Marshall (12-0, MAC 1) 1:30 pm Pontiac, MI Presented by The Big Three Audio: BYU | Marshall T U E S D A Y , D E C E M B E R 2 8 Alamo Bowl ESPN 13/17 Penn St. (9-3, Big Ten 5) vs 18/13 Texas A&M (8-3, Big 12 4) 7:30 pm San Antonio, TX Sponsor: Sylvania Audio: Penn St. | Texas A&M W E D N E S D A Y , D E C E M B E R 2 9 Music City Bowl ESPN --/-- Syracuse (6-5, Big East 4) vs --/-- Kentucky (6-5, SEC 7) 4:00 pm Nashville, TN Sponsor: HomePoint.com Audio: Syracuse | Kentucky Holiday Bowl ESPN 7/ 7 Kansas St. (10-1, Big 12 3) vs 36/-- Washington (7-4, Pac-10 2) 8:00 pm San Diego, CA Sponsor: Culligan Audio: Kansas St. | Washington T H U R S D A Y , D E C E M B E R 3 0 Huminatarian Bowl ESPN2 --/-- Louisville (7-4, USA 3) vs --/-- Boise St. (9-3, Big West 1) 3:00 pm Boise, ID Sponsor: Crucial.com Audio: Louisville | Boise St. Micron PC.com Bowl TBS 29/30 Illinois (7-4, Big Ten 7) vs 33/-- Virginia (7-4, ACC 4) 7:00 pm Miami, FL Audio: Illinois | Virginia Peach Bowl ESPN 15/16 Mississippi St. (9-2, SEC 6) vs 35/33 Clemson (6-5, ACC 3) 7:30 pm Atlanta, GA Sponsor: Chick-Fil-A Audio: Mississippi St. | Clemson F R I D A Y , D E C E M B E R 3 1 Insight.com Bowl ESPN 25/22 Boston College (8-3, Big East 3) vs 36/-- Colorado (6-5, Big 12 5) 1:30 pm Tucson, AZ Audio: Boston College | Colorado Sun Bowl CBS 12/12 Minnesota (8-3, Big Ten 6) vs 27/26 Oregon (7-4, Pac-10 3) 2:00 pm El Paso, TX Sponsor: Wells Fargo Audio: Oregon Liberty Bowl ESPN 30/27 Colorado St. (8-3, Mountain West 1) vs 16/14 Southern Miss (8-3, Conference USA 1) 5:00 pm Memphis, TN Sponsor: AXA/Equitable Audio: Colorado St. | Southern Miss Independence Bowl ESPN 26/29 Mississippi (7-4, SEC 8) vs 32/31 Oklahoma (7-4, Big 12 6) 8:30 pm Shreveport, LA Sponsor: Samford Audio: Oklahoma | Mississippi S A T U R D A Y , J A N U A R Y 1 Cotton Bowl FOX 24/28 Arkansas (7-4, SEC 4) vs 14/18 Texas (9-4, Big 12 2) 11:00 am Dallas, TX Sponsor: Southwestern Bell Audio: Arkansas | Texas Outback Bowl ESPN 19/21 Purdue (7-4, Big Ten 4) vs 20/24 Georgia (7-4, SEC 5) 11:00 am Tampa, FL Audio: Purdue | Georgia Gator Bowl NBC 23/23 Miami Fla (7-4, Big East 2) vs 17/15 Georgia Tech (8-3, ACC 2) 12:30 pm Jacksonville, FL Sponsor: Toyota Audio: Miami | Georgia Tech Citrus Bowl ABC 9/ 9 Michigan St. (9-2, Big 10 3) vs 10/10 Florida (9-3, SEC 3) 1:00 pm Orlando, FL Sponsor: Ourhouse.com Audio: Michigan St. | Florida Rose Bowl ABC 4/ 4 Wisconsin (9-2, BCS/Big 10 1) vs 22/21 Stanford (8-3, BCS/Pac-10 1) 5:00 pm Pasadena, CA Presented by AT&T Audio: Wisconsin | Stanford Orange Bowl ABC 8/ 8 Michigan (BCS/at large) vs 5/ 6 Alabama (BCS/SEC 1) 8:30 pm Miami, FL Sponsor: FedEx Audio: Alabama S U N D A Y , J A N U A R Y 2 Fiesta Bowl ABC 6/ 5 Tennessee (9-2, BCS/at large) vs 3/ 3 Nebraska (11-1, BCS/Big 12 1) 8:00 pm Tempe, AZ Sponsor: Tostitos Audio: Tennessee | Nebraska T U E S D A Y , J A N U A R Y 4 Sugar Bowl ABC 2/ 2 Virginia Tech (11-0, BCS/Big East 1) vs 1/ 1 Florida St. (11-0, BCS/ACC 1) 8:00 pm New Orleans, LA Sponsor: Nokia Audio: Virginia Tech | Florida St. all times eastern numbers at left are rankings: AP/Coaches updated at Mon Dec 6 05:26:19 1999 PT

Ron Dayne of Wisconsin was named the AP Offensive player of the Year and Florida State's Sebastian Janikowski defended his title as the Lou Groza Award winner, given to the top kicker in college football. SMU fired their coach and imposed their own sanctions More at http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/ The All-American teams were announced but was not pastable to here (is that a word?)Catch them at http://www.sportingnews.com/cfootball/allamerican/teams-p.html

Looks like either one or two teams will end up undefeated. We still need a playoff system.

We need equity in scheduling as well as a good play-off system. There is much to be done before a real "Championship" team can be chosen. However, 'tis the season for finals and mid-season graduation and all that entails a college life. That is gonna come first no matter what else they think they need, unless we do end up paying the athletes to compete and they become semi-pro players rather than student athletes. That is a whole nuther can of worms. Any way, there is just not enough time to prepare for all of these playoff games and scholastic endeavors at the same time as the semester schedules now stand.

Penn State's Arrington wins Butkus Award ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Penn State's LaVar Arrington won the Butkus Award on Friday night as college football's top linebacker. Arrington, a junior, beat out teammate Brandon Short, Kansas State's Mark Simoneau and Tennessee's Raynoch Thompson for the award presented by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando. "I wish I could spilt the award with them," Arrington said. "I don't think you could have a better list of finalists." The award was the second in as many days for Arrington. He won the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player Thursday. Arrington had 72 tackles, nine sacks and 20 tackles for a loss this season. He also blocked two kicks, including a field goal attempt with four seconds left in Penn State's 20-17 victory over Pittsburgh. Short topped the Nittany Lions with 103 tackles. The fifth-year senior also had four sacks and 12 tackles for a loss. Thompson anchored a Tennessee defense that allowed just three rushing touchdowns and limited opponents to 2.7 yards per rushing attempt. The senior had 85 tackles and three interceptions. Simoneau, also a senior, had a Kansas State-best 91 tackles. He had 17 tackles for a loss and 61/2 sacks. Bob Breunig, the former Arizona State and Dallas Cowboys linebacker, won the Butkus Silver Anniversary Award winner. The awards are named for Dick Butkus, the former Illinois and Chicago Bears star.

I went to college with Butkus and Butz, Illinois and Mizzou players of days past. One of them lived in the dorm and yanked off the door of some poor kid who tried to pull one on him one time. The story has faded with the years. I have always confused these two players, I wasn't as big in to football then as I am now.

Interesting! I stayed as far from the testosterone poisoned football players as a student as I could. I shared very little in common with them and I did not relish a wrestling match from one so endowed. However, football has been "a good thing" since I was in High School. Don't think I ever missed a home game either there or in College. Great stuff, football!