College Football 99

Thank you, Terry...! OK, Hana hou...One more time: PENN STATE 41 ARIZONA 7

I knew it! When USC beats Hawaii by an equally lopsided score this Saturday, will we find it as omnipresent as the dispatch from Happy Valley? (BTW, does Paterno ever age? He looks the same as he did when I was a kid 30+ years ago...he must use those cool shades to hide wrinkles somewhere!)

I still think that Dick Tomey is a better football coach than Larry Price...even if it does come across as sour grapes on my part for Price being a more successful (Hell, successful at all) radio personality than I was...

No one ever said Larry Price (with a PhD?!) was any good at coaching. That is why he is a morning talk show guy in Honolulu instead of a real college coach! (And, he is no way better at it than you are, John...they just pay him more and it is beyond me why!) OK, time to record Penn State's embarrassment of riches... Penn State 70 Akron 24 For Those of you who think we ran up the score intentionally, six Penn State players who had never made touchdowns did so yesterday. There was no way except for evacuating the field that we could NOT have had such a score. Paterno does not run up scores. (He looked that old when I first met him all those years ago...he started out looking like that! Maybe he has a painting in his attic...?!)

Thanks for the vote of confidence on what once passed as my "career." Somehow I knew that I the Penn State score would be here, but that it would be up to me to post the final tally of the Rainblows' (no, that's not a typo) debacle last night. Southern California 62 Hawaii 7

(closing John's html tags again Terry can be happy with his Longhorns win over stuffy Stanford!

The intelligence shines enough and humor posting is enough

Joh, Dear, we all do it, even after three years after having mastered it. Join the crowd!

I promise I did spell your name right...it is not one of my better days. There is a decided lack of domestic tranquility in the immediate surroundings... John....John....John....John...

The Horns travel to New Jersey this weekend. home of backup quarterback Chris Simms. Maybe he'll play again if the Major can rack up a big score.

Playing Rutgers, aren't they? Good season-spoilers, but I think the Horns wil do very well against them. Penn State plays their old nemesis, Pitt, who has never gotten ove the loss of Jackie Sherrill as head coach. Did not care for him, but he sure turned out some powerful teams and we were beaten with great regularity when he was at Pitt. Good luck to The Horns and the Nittany Lions...and don't get any season-ending injuries!

I just checked our UHHilo Baseball schedule, and we play Rice here and then travel there for another shellacking, then we do the same for TCU, amongst many other killers of the first division. Anyone want to see a really lop-sided game, pop up to Ft Worth and watch the, beat the bejeepers out of the local boys from Hilo.

Oh, and for the Hilo series, John will be doing the play-by-play over local radio. I never go to a game without my little radio in hand.

Rice would be the "Owls," Marcia. With any luck, it is possible that I might be travelling with the team to do statewide TV (I would take unpaid leave to do it). But I fear they will hire a better-looking, youthful upstart with the proper surname, such as Kanoa Leahey, who just quit as HPU's play-by-play man. For a laugh, check out poetic caricatures, but don't take it too seriously!

But, John, you would be so far superior to any Leahey...How could they even contemplate Kanoa?! So much for what I want...it has been that way for a while. Meanwhile, a score I am not proud of in a game which I could hardly stand to watch: Penn State 20 Pitt 17

The decision will be made in Honolulu, bu Oceanic Cable. UHH has input, but not control. Mr. Leahey is 21, ambitious, talented, much better-looking than I am, thin (unlike his father), and is named Leahey (like both his father and his grandfather). Have you seen or heard him? He's good. When I was his age, I was nine years away from calling my first game (I didn't take up the play-by-play mic until age 30). I fear it will be a no-brainer for them. And yes, today's Penn State victory over arch-rival itt was ugly, but to paraphrase Gertrude Stein: a win is a win is a win. BTW, the latest issue of The Sporting News rated PSU as the nation's #1 university for athletics. Their scorecard: Winning (football and men's basketball only sports considered): A- Graduation rate (again, football and men's basketball: A Do We Rock? (Attendance): A Do We Play Fair? (including gender equity): A GPA: 3.92 Terry's beloved Texas Longhorns were rated #35. Scorecard: Winning: B+ Graduation rate: C- Do We Rock?: A- Do We Play Fair: C GPA: 2.67 Our beloved Hawaii (Manoa) Rainbows were rated #65. Winning: F (0-12 football last year, 6-20 men's basketball) Graduation Rate: B+ Do we rock?: C+ Do we play fair: C+ GPA: 2.00 Unfortunately for the Bows, neither men's nor women's volleyball were considered in the winning or graduation categories.

Hawaii 31 E. Illinois 27 No doubt about it, a big win for my beloved Rainbow Warriors, but it does come against a Division I-AA school. When they finally win one against Div. I-A competition, then maybe I will stop saying that my beloved Bows stinketh like goatherds. Their next game is against Boise State, not a great team, but a decent one, who beat Southern Idaho today. Overall, it was a big day for sports. 17-year-old Venus Williams won the U.S. Open, becoming the first African-American woman to win a Grand Slam tennis event since Althea Gibson in 1958. Eric Milton pitched a no-hitter for the Minnesota Twins, only the fourth no-no in Twins history, as the Twinkies shut out the Anaheim Angels, 7-0. I wonder if Milton is a descendant John Milton--who, if he had been an American athlete instead of an apolgist for Cromwell--would have played for the Whittier College Fighting Poets.

Oops...that was Venus Williams' sister, Serena, who won the U.S. open. Wrong head of beaded braids!

John, thanks for putting the stats up on Athletics and Academics. Paterno has always said you cannot have a great university without a great library, and to that end his donation-funded (plus those donations from friends of his and fans) is due to open next year. All 8 Million of it. For all of the static Penn State has had to take for being "farmer's highschool" (its original name) it has turned out some pretty good scholars. It is too bad about their not counting Volleyball. Penn State ladies and Ma oa Wahine have always battled it out for first and second place standings. Curious!

UT didn't quite make the spread, but they won. This does not look like a predictable season.

I think Penn State is in the same position. One game at a time is the only way to deal with this season. Acute anxiety attacks are the name of the game. We are into the Big Ten now, and the rest of the games will be a battle.

Texas is a huge favorite over Rice.

I would imagine considering how Rice has fared this season up till now. On the other hand, it depends who wants the Miami game more, Penn State or them.

Penn State 27 Miami 21 They had to come from behind to do it, but they got that 79-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Thompson, who came off the bench to throw a strike. I've never seen Paterno sweat like that, but he came out smelling like a rose.

Thanks john! You beat me to it. I inhaled a big bag of popcorn and never even tasted it. That was the game we needed to win, and we kept shooting ourselves in the foot. But, we did win, and that is what will be remembered. Hail to the Lions! (I thought the score was 27-23)

PENN STATE 27 MIAMI 23 9/18/99 - In the blink of an eye, No. 3 Penn State found a way to stay in the national championship race. Kevin Thompson threw a 79-yard touchdown pass to Chafie Fields with 1:41 left and the Nittany Lions held off No. 8 Miami 27-23 in the rain-drenched Orange Bowl. http://www.ncaafootball.net/

other scores of interest: TEXAS A&M 27 TULSA 7 (5:24 left in the 2nd) TEXAS 15 RICE 6 (10:09 left in 4th) Texas A&M is ranked 7th, Penn State is 3rd, and Texas (don't know)

Sammy Sosa hit no 60

You were right on the score. It was rain, huh? I came in during the 3rd quarter after work and never heard it mentioned once, but that explains why Paterno looked so disheveled. Couldn't tell from the field or the players since it was artificial turf. Penn State showed a lot of character pulling this one out on the road in a place as loud and raucous as the Orange Bowl. It may have only been a four point victory, but unlike the "disappointing" edge over Pitt, there should be some happiness in Happy V lley with this.

Longsuffering Cubs Fan that I am, Lucille, I'd like to see Sammy hit 71 this year. I wish the andro-chugging McGwire no ill will, except that he plays for the Cardinals, but I'd love to see a little more glory for Sammy, an effervescent and gregarious young man who apparently pops nothing into his system more questionable than Flintstones vitamins.

Hi Lucie! Welcome to outer Spring...*smile* Yup! Joe sweats through a lot of games, but I never saw him get THAT wet!!! Too funny! Texas A&M is winning big time over Tulsa TEXAS 18 RICE 13 final

It's final now: TEXAS A&M 62 TULSA 13

A.P. TOP 25 SCOREBOARD SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18 FINAL Central Mich 16 #14 Purdue 58 FINAL Southern Miss 13 #6 Nebraska 20 FINAL #8 Wisconsin 12 Cincinnati 17 FINAL #3 Penn St 27 #9 Miami (Fla) 23 FINAL Ohio 16 #12 Ohio St 40 FINAL San Diego St 21 #19 USC (19) 24 FINAL #20 North Carolina St 11 #1 Florida St 42 FINAL Louisiana Tech 29 #18 Alabama 28 FINAL Ul Monroe 6 (no idea who these guys are, that's how it came down #15 Arkansas 44 FINAL Central Florida 10 #13 Georgia Tech 41 FINAL Rice 13 #22 Texas 18 FINAL Bowling Green 16 #25 Marshall 35 FINAL Texas El Paso 7 #16 Kansas St 40 FINAL #5 Michigan 18 Syracuse 13 FINAL #2 Tennessee 21 #4 Florida 23 FINAL Tulsa 13 #17 Texas A&M 62 FINAL New Mexico St 35 #23 Arizona St 7 FINAL Fresno St 21 #21 UCLA 35 00:24 left in 4th quarter (guess there'll be no doubt here, Tomey blasted again) Stanford 50 #17 Arizona 22

Thanks John. I see Texas is #18. but Texas A&M is #7 not 17!!!

Texas is #22. You are right about A&M. There are typos in this. I got it fom msn.com. #15 Arkansas's opponent was overmatched Louisiana-Monroe (never heard of them). I had three distant cousins (all brothers) who were All-Americans at Arkansas in the late 60s: Bobby Burnett (tailback, ran a 9.4 second 100-yard dash: was AFL rookie of the year in 1966 for the Buffalo Bills, broke a leg and was never the same, was traded to the Broncos and sat out the rest of his career behind Floyd Little), Tom Burnet (wide receiver: was drafted by the Jets, but never made it past the taxi squad, just a little too slow), and Bill Burnett (tailback--1st team All-American his junior season with the Razorbacks, suffered a career-ending knee injury his senior year). Texas A&M is the largest university in the U.S. Largest enrollment despite all the Aggie jokes!

Hawaii 34 Boise State 19 The Rainbow Warriors are now 2-1 on the season. It may not sound like much, but for longsuffering Hawaii fans, whose team started the season with the nation's longest losing streak (18 games), then lost the opening game to Southern Cal 66-7, WE'LL TAKE IT, thank you very much! Maybe they stinketh a little less like goatherds this season.

I thought you might have put that in Green letters for the occasion. Good game! The goats have been bathed and perfumed for the time being. When do we have the honor of playing dormat for Wyoming (our nemesis) and other teams of that ilk?

I feel great empathy for Texas A&M fans. They, like Penn State, are a land grant college, and whereas they are called the Aggies, we are called - but not within hitting distance - Farmer's HighSchool...and worse. Any of those Burnetts related to you? The Little is not related to me or David.

As I mentioned in the post, they are distant cousins (I believe 3rd cousins). Floyd Little was an African-American running back from Syracuse U., so I didn't expect that he might be related to your ex, although it would not be out of the realm of possibility.

...true...and interesting! When David was just out of college, a pro football player named David Little was big news. You would be amazed at how many people asked if he was my David's brother. This guy was African-American, also. Dave said "Yes, but we call him Bubba so we don't confuse the relatives."

That's funny.

Here is Rainbow schedule. No Wyoming, BYU, Utah. Remember, they left the WAC. September 4 USC 6:30 P.M. L 7-62 September 11 EASTERN ILLINOIS 6:05 P.M. W 31-27 September 18 BOISE STATE 6:05 P.M. W 34-19 September 25 at SMU * 2:05 P.M. -- -- October 2 UTEP * 6:05 P.M. -- -- October 9 RICE * 6:05 P.M. -- -- October 23 at Tulsa * 2:05 P.M. -- -- October 30 TCU * 6:05 P.M. -- -- November 6 at San Jose State * 12:35 P.M. -- -- November 13 FRESNO STATE * 6:05 P.M. -- -- November 20 NAVY 6:05 P.M. -- -- November 27 WASHINGTON STATE 6:05 P.M. -- --

They are playing Big 12 teams and coutd at some point play Texas and TGexas A&M. Fascinating! Out next outing is to SMU??!! That is gonna be some ugly game! Thanks for the schedule.

Many apologies, Aggies, that is Texas A&M, of course!

Wow , Texas is up at 22. But they didn't look like a number 22 team against the hapless owls in the game they just played. Victor Ike needs to learn to hang on to the ball. And they had 2 blocked punts again. But they won. Next week Is Nebraska I believe.

Nebraska did not look all that good this week, either. Just hope whatever is bothering them now is still annoying them this weekend, as well. Tennessee should have won, Penn State should have won by a bigger margain...perhaps we were all holding off our big stuff until we all play really dangerous teams. We play Indiana at home next week.

Actually, Baylor next week.

Sorry...! I mistyped. Actually, Texas does not play NewBraska this year in regularly scheduled games...Texas A&M does, though - later on. So the 'horns are at Baylor...and they have lost all of their games so far against some pretty good teams. Hmmm...what is the prognostigation for the outcome of this game? Don't know anything about Southern Mississippi...they are are Texas A&M this week. Indiana is at Penn State, and someone mean will clobber Hawaii this weekend, huh!

Oh yeah...SMU is gonna Kill the Rainbows at their home game. Aloha Oe! Auwe!

The SMU of Eric Dickerson and Craig James (the Pony Express) days would have. I'd still call them favorites, but I think we have an outside chance (I'd like our chances better at home). As for Southern Mississippi, the Golden Eagles always have a decent program. It is Brett Favre's alma mater.

oh dear...and whew...in reverse order...! What do you know about Indiana this year?!

Big Ten. Always a decent team...should pose no real threat to your beloved Nittany Lions, though.

PENN STATE 45 INDIANA 24

HAWAII 20 SMU 0

The SMU game was an important hurdle for my beloved Rainbow Warriors. It is their first road victory since 1995 and their first WAC road victory since 1992. It is also their first shutout victory since 1994, when they blanked my dad's alma mater S.E. Missouti St. (from Rush Limbaugh's hometown, Cape Girardeua). It could have been 27-0, but Coach June Jones wisely told QB Dan Robinson to take a knee on the final play of the game (at the SMU 2-yard-line) rather than to rub it in. The Bows are now -1 with their only loss coming at the hands of the nationally ranked USC Trojans.

DAMN. Closing HTML tag

Hawaii is 3-1.

I think we did it well enough to get national recognition. Do you think we will break into the top 25 this week? O'O and I were wondering how JJones accomplished this turn around so quickly...any idea?

TEXAS 62 BAYLOR 0

TEXAS A&M 23 SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI 6 New rankings according to AP are Penn State 2nd Texas A&M 5th Texas 22nd

Texas moved up to 15th in today's poll.

Alright, Texas! I thought that 62-0 win should do something positive for them. Of couse, there are as many polls as there are interest groups out there...Not sure where Penn State might be any given week...!

We (Hawaii) certainly aren't going to get ranked anytime this season (losing 62-7 to USC pretty much puts that out of the realm of possibility). But there is a new attitude on campus. Jones brings a positive "can do" spin to the place, while Von Appen just bitched about everything and it rubbed off on his players, who performed accordingly. Wait until most of the recruits are Jones' and then see what Hawaii can do!

There will be no stopping Hawaii then. JJ must have a pretty good recruiting pipeline set up, and only good things can come from that. I am excited about that...most impressed!

The best recruiting pipeline is winning, and word will get out that he is turning the program around. It also won't hurt that he is a former NFL QB and head coach.

...and it also does not hurt that the address of the University is Honolulu...!

That can actually be a downside. Not with the student-athletes, but with mothers, especially of black players, who want their boys as close to home as possible, so they can go to their games. In many families, making mom happy is a big priority in recruiting.

...and my son was into hiking volcanoes for which they did not care about Mom except they let me go on their field trips - that was truly memorable!

cool

...so cool that if one did not keep moving, one's Vibram soles would start smoking on the just recently congealed lava...! Ever spent the evening hot-footing it for real?! Cool, indeed!

The take on Texas recruiting tis that they got the best recruits in the nation, look at Chris Simms, their backup quarterback, he comes the game late on mop up duty and engineers a 70+ yard drive. If Texas has another recruiting year like this one, watch out!

They look pretty impressive now...it would be interesting to see Texas play Penn State for the national championship at the end of the year...or Texas A&M, if we (Penn State) get that far...!

If either team can make it to the national championship, it would be a great thing for their fans. As good as Penn State looks, and as often as they've been there, it is early and is not an easy thing. Not even for Mr. Paterno, who for my money, is arguably the greatest college football coach ever.

Penn State has the uncanny ability to lend their jerseys to some visiting boy scout troup and putting them on the field for a "big" game. I have no doubt that we will shoot ourselves in the foot at least once this year. It is w a y too early to think about the championship, but I was just wool-gathering for a moment...*sigh*

PSU always has a legitimate shot (and not the one to the foot).

Yeah...yeah...but we are the ones others love to hate and delight in seeing humiliated by our own lapses in judgement. I do not breathe easy until the end of the season, and I put on my class ring and all my other Penn State stuff plus the stuff I have from my Dad...just for luck (in which I do not believe)...! I leave nothing to chance!

Penn State is off this week so I offer the following from the latest Football Letter: Penn State was graded as having the #1 athletic program in the country by The Sporting News in the cover story of its Sept 13th issue. The publication based its ratings on standards that ranged from on-field success to academic performance and from fair play to fan support. State received a ccmposit grade of 3.92 out of 4.0 for its compehensive program which encompasses 15 men's ands 14 women's varsity sports and approximately 800 student-athletes. In the 10 years that NCAA has been conducting studies, 92% of the Penn State student-athletes who had exhausted their elegibility have graduated.

Ok, Joh, who's gonna win today? Hawaii vs UTEP? Texas vs Kansas State? Texas A&M vs Texas Tech? Hawaii, I think, should have this one easily, TAMU should win, also. Texas might be in for a real battle...! Penn State has a bye week.

That is John, of course, and Terry and whoever else might have an opinion on this and other college football matchups...

Man, Texas was in there till the Fourth Quarter, then the K State defense blew them out. Major took a major beating.

Sad, No?! I was hoping - they were leading, then KC pulled one point ahead of Texas...then more then more...*sigh* My sympathies, Terry!

Half time (can't believe this!) TEXAS A&M 10 TEXAS TECH 21

Might as well put this down for posterity: Final TEXAS 17 KANSAS STATE 35

Marica per your (understandable) self-congratulatory Nittany Lions post (#77), I had already posted that basic info in post #16--I guess when it comes to your beloved Lions, you are just not quite secure enough that other people respect them. As I said, the only time I dared put money against them, they won the national championship and broke me of my wagering habit. The Rainbows should win tonight at home against UTEP, but the Miners are dangerous because they're struggling, hungry, and have the fastest receivers in the WAC (track guys and UTEP is one of the 3 or 4 top track programs in the country).

Marcia per your (understandable) self-congratulatory Nittany Lions post (#77), I had already posted that basic info in post #16--I guess when it comes to your beloved Lions, you are just not quite secure enough that other people respect them. As I said, the only time I dared put money against them, they won the national championship and broke me of my wagering habit. The Rainbows should win tonight at home against UTEP, but the Miners are dangerous because they're struggling, hungry, and have the fastest receivers in the WAC (track guys and UTEP is one of the 3 or 4 top track programs in the country).

Sorry, John...it comes with the diploma when we graduate - after Richard Nixon gave away one national championship...we trust no one. I had forgotten (and I save these posts to file!)...and I note you compared them with Texas! I was just expanding and reiterating for new readers...or for my own edification...who knows?! Texas A&M is just 2 points behind Texas Tech now...perhaps they will win and So will Hawaii...the game starts at 6pm I note on the broadcast.com schedule.

Don't know who is doing the TAMU game for Texas A&M, but the play-by-play guy sounds exactly like Las Keiter!!!

It's over...so close yet so far... Texas A&M 19 Kansas State 21

I think that's TEXAS TECH 21, TEXAS A&M 19, is it not? K-STATE beat TEXAS 35-17 per your earlier post.

Les Keiter is a beautiful man, but he stayed on the air ten years too long. He was great when he was 40 and doing NYC and Philly sports, but when he was 70, he was a rambling, cliche spouting, parody of himself. He's 80 this year and of course, has a cushy political job, courtesy of old friends Joe Moore and Ben Cayetano.

The guy I was referring to was the intonation and inflexion and sound of his voice - a little nasal and gravelly...not the verbage. Les was magnificent in his prime! I placed my fav teams first when I put the scores down - not who won...! My peculiar way of doing things, I guess.

Les was magnificent in his prime. I hope I have high powered friends who will prop me up in a high paying cushy job when I can no longer perform. Hell, that will never happen. It is actually a testament to how much people love Les. It's also an indictment of the old boy network here.

It is lamentable that the old boy network exists at all...I thought it would have died years and years ago of natural causes. It is not A GOOD thing! I will he here for a long time...and I will help prop you one way or another!

I hope to have another 25 good years of work left in me. I can't afford to retire (apparently any more than Les can). His grandson, Kimo Keiter-Charles, is a star player on Hilo High's basketball team.

Really?! How neat...does he come and watch Kimo play? I trust I shall die happy with your golden tones in my ears...in the far future!

Great Game... HAWAII ve UTEP...huh, John?!

Les sometimes comes to Hilo High games, but I don't know if he can see Kimo or not. He's legally blind and close to completely blind now, which was the main thing which caused his career as a play-by-play man to go South.

HAWAII 33 TEXAS-EL PASO 3 final

Isn't that the prettiest score?! At least one of the teams I was rooting for yesterday won. You're getting good at this HTML stuff, John!

Thank you. How about them Bows? Lennie Klompus, executive director of the Aloha Bowl, said that Hawaii would be offered a berth if they could go 7-5 or better for the season. 50,000 people in Aloha Stadium on Christmas Day... wouldn't THAT be something?

Yup! The best Mele Kalikimaka present in the whole state. I hope it is a sellout because that is the only way I am going to see it.

Ok...who's gonna win this weekend. Hawaii is favored by 2 1/2 points over Rice Penn State favoreed by 28 points over Iowa (at Iowa) Texas by 5 over Oklahoma Texas A&M by 27 over Baylor

...even better than winning the game, if Texas beats Oklahoma they get to take home The Golden Hat (wait for Terry's description, I guess) mounted on a piece of wood - as it was described in Yahoo sports. Tonight's game: No.18 Syracuse 24, Pittsburgh 17

Penn State is a prohibitive favorite. Most bookies won't take a bet on Penn State this weekend, regardless of spread, so it would be foolish to bet against them (or even the spread). Texas-Oklahoma is one of the Southwest's longest running traditional rivalries, so throw out the spread and pick 'em with your heart (we know where Terry's heart is--hooking 'em, Horns)! A&M should have a relatively easy time with Baylor. Hawaii-Rice should be one of the most interesting games on the entire schedule this Saturday. Both are traditional doormats who have been given their wake-up calls by terrific new coaches: Hawaii by former San Diego Chargers head coach June Jones, and Rice by former Air Force head coach Ken Hatfield. Both run exotic offenses: Hawaii, the pass-happy run-and-shoot, which Neil Lomax and Jones both used as their tickets to become NFL quarterbacks out of Portland State; and Rice, the wishbone, a multi-faceted running attack that Air Force under Hatfield employed to become a WAC conference power without recruited athletes (all football players had to be Air Force cadets who got into school via the rigorous academic criteria). I predict Hawaii will win this one and it will be the Rainbows unheralded but staunch defense which will be the difference.

Bravo John....I was afraid you were to busy to get to Spring tonight and those who read this (who else but you and Terry and me???) stuff would have to rely on me and the Hawaii Tribune-Herald sports page and Robert Kekaula from the evening news (who provided the info on the Hawaii spread). Thanks! Geev'um Bows!!! Go Aggies!!! Hook'um Horns!!! (Who has that golden hat now?) Do not embarrass me Nittany Lions!!!

Right Hook em Horns, the Major is going to be looking to bounce back from the worst performance of his career (not helped by the offensive line) and the special teams are in the same boat.

PENN STATE 31 IOWA 7

TEXAS A&M 45 BAYLOR 13

TEXAS 38 OKLAHOMA 28

...lookin' good!!! Now, all we have to do is have Hawaii win for a clean sweep! Game starts in 4 hours and 20 minutes...!

GO BOWS!

Oh John!!! You learned how to blink, too. Bravo!!!

Why doesn't it blink on my monitor? I thought I had failed.

I have no idea...let it sit there a moment to see it it just needs to warm up or something. Btw, what browser are you using MsExp rather than Netscape? No wonder! If that is the case I will send you the url to download netscape and see what you have been missing!

I have netscape. It's just that IE is a toned-down, less B.S. operation.

Okay, I'm in Netscape and it's blinking. Bravo. Thanks, Dr. Marcia.

then it should blink...you do not need anything except the stand alone Netscape Navigator 4.0 - the rest is annoying and takes too long to load. IE (read pain in the okole) is an intrusive program that I had to hand pick to get off my computer. It kept regenerating each time I turned on the computer in the morning! BG and his thick head...(great bank account, though...!)

Excellent!!! (your post slipped in under my last one...) *happy smile*

If Billy G. could reproduce that trick with human amputees, he'd get the Nobel Prize for medicine and be as loved as he is reviled now.

This is true...He lost me when he wanted everyone off Lanai (residents included) for the duration of his honeymoon there. That takes some kind of arrogance which is alien to me.

Well, he couldn't quite do that, but he had anyone who got within a half-mile beaten by his hired goons.

SOB!!! Sweet Old Bill.... Money doesn't care who owns it, huh?!

Great play for Rice stopping the possible touchdown with 19 seconds left. Hannum misses chip shot. At the half: Rice 10 Hawaii 10

I'm checking out Rice's PhD program on the web. Looks interesting. But Houston?

How much do you like heat?

Am not in love with heat or humidity. But we have plenty of the latter here. BTW, Rice 31, Hawaii 13 fourth quarter. We can kiss this one goodbye.

Final Score HAWAII 19 RICE 38 I am a selfish being, John...I don't want you to leave me here in Hilo without anyone to talk to with the intelligence and wit to captivate my imagination...

Don't know where else to put this but Penn State Lady Lions (Ranked 2nd) hosted the Lady Longhorns (ranked 8th) in Volleyball recently and took it to four games to do it both nights of the matches. That runs the Lady Lions winning streak to 66.

Well, okay. The fourth ranked UH-Manoa Rainbow Wahine volleyball team cleaned Rice's clock in three games last night in Houston, while the Owls were over here preying on our stinking goatherds of the gridiron.

I don't want to leave, either, but have to get my doctorate at some point and that's not going to happen in Hilo.

...one could smell the stench over 200 miles away...and it was not volcano fumes this time. It was the JJ's Jocks which stinketh up the entire state! Perhaps the Rainbows need their own Screwed topic?!

...as to that doctorate...I will miss you, especially...but if you return I will be all the more delighted. No, it will not happen in Hilo, and you are far too talented intellectually to do it over the Internet, through the mail, or (heaven forbid) the cover of a matchbook! I shall not be selfish about this, but that does not mean I will not talk about how you broke my heart on screwed 163 *grin*

Well, I am a charter graduate of the Close Cover Before Striking School of Broadcasting and Heavy Equipment Operation! An internet doctorate would not be out of the question, if it had more credibility (it should). All I need are a computer, a fax, a phone, snail mail and a college library. I have all those things here in Hilo. But people still look down their noses at it, even though a PhD is basically a research degree. I've been reading Screwed 163.

(...and poems of loss and male babes, as well, for your reading pleasure...) Ah! A graduate of MBU (MatchBookUniversity)...you are not the first or last to get such a degree, but you are by far the smartest one I have ever met! I agree with you on the Internet degree...it will come, but it might take a while. Deborah then-Trumbo did hers that way and travelled a little, too. I guess it depends on what you want to do with it. Brain Surgery is probably out...! (btw, I posted in basketball here somewhere...about our really great new team!)

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 10, 1999) TEAM PTS PVS ---- --- --- 1. Florida St (63) (6-0) 1,743 1 2. Penn St (6) (6-0) 1,678 2 3. Nebraska (6-0) 1,595 4 4. Virginia Tech (1) (5-0) 1,497 5 5. Michigan St (6-0) 1,408 11 6. Tennessee (4-1) 1,398 6 7. Florida (5-1) 1,282 8 8. Georgia Tech (4-1) 1,258 7 9. Kansas St (5-0) 1,212 9 10. Michigan (5-1) 1,171 3 11. Alabama (4-1) 991 12 12. Mississippi St (6-0) 927 14 13. Texas A&M (4-1) 926 13 14. Georgia (4-1) 778 10 15. Marshall (5-0) 760 15 16. Syracuse (5-1) 715 18 17. Wisconsin (4-2) 606 20 18. Ohio St (4-2) 588 21 19. Texas (5-2) 454 23 20. Purdue (4-2) 366 17 21. BYU (4-1) 341 24 22. Mississippi (5-1) 218 NR 23. East Carolina (5-1) 205 16 24. Miami Fla (2-3) 161 19 25. So Mississippi (3-2) 124 NR Dropped Out: No. 22 USC, No. 25 Minnesota Others Receiving Votes: Air Force 67, Arizona 59, Minnesota 56, Notre Dame 51, Arkansas 33, Washington 25, Maryland 20, Kentucky 14, No Carolina St 5, Utah 5, Oklahoma 3, Pittsburgh 3, USC 3, Stanford 2, Wake Forest 1, Wyoming 1.

Until Terry makes us a Collegiate Volleyball topic: Rank School Total Points 1999 Record Last Week 1 Pacific (34) 1455 5-0 6 2 Penn State (8) 1364 4-1 1 3 Hawai'i (9) 1359 2-0 4 4 Long Beach State (8) 1332 4-0 5 5 Nebraska 1242 4-2 3 6 Florida 1190 4-2 8 7 Stanford (1) 1162 1-1 2 8 Texas 1059 2-0 13 9 UC Santa Barbara 1005 2-0 11 10 UCLA 1004 2-0 10 11 Pepperdine 842 2-0 12 12 BYU 778 2-1 7 13 Wisconsin 656 3-1 9 14 Ohio State 597 1-0 17 15 Arizona 595 4-1 15 16 Arkansas 467 5-0 20 17 Texas A&M 465 3-1 16 18 Clemson 462 4-0 NR 19 Colorado State 440 4-0 24 20 USC 396 1-1 21 21 Univ of San Diego 369 2-1 18 22 Illinois 229 0-2 14 23 Colorado 192 2-1 19 24 Kansas State 148 3-1 23 25 Michigan 133 3-0 NR Others receiving 30 or more points: North Carolina (81), Michigan State (56), Loyola Marymount (55); Northern Iowa (41), Notre Dame (37), Indiana (35), Minnesota (30).

Hmmm...don't seem to see the Vulcans mentioned anywhere...*smirk*

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 10, 1999) TEAM PTS PVS ---- --- --- 1. Florida St (63) (6-0) 1,743 1 2. Penn St (6) (6-0) 1,678 2 3. Nebraska (6-0) 1,595 4 4. Virginia Tech (1) (5-0) 1,497 5 5. Michigan St (6-0) 1,408 11 6. Tennessee (4-1) 1,398 6 7. Florida (5-1) 1,282 8 8. Georgia Tech (4-1) 1,258 7 9. Kansas St (5-0) 1,212 9 10. Michigan (5-1) 1,171 3 11. Alabama (4-1) 991 12 12. Mississippi St (6-0) 927 14 13. Texas A&M (4-1) 926 13 14. Georgia (4-1) 778 10 15. Marshall (5-0) 760 15 16. Syracuse (5-1) 715 18 17. Wisconsin (4-2) 606 20 18. Ohio St (4-2) 588 21 19. Texas (5-2) 454 23 20. Purdue (4-2) 366 17 21. BYU (4-1) 341 24 22. Mississippi (5-1) 218 NR 23. East Carolina (5-1) 205 16 24. Miami Fla (2-3) 161 19 25. So Mississippi (3-2) 124 NR Dropped Out: No. 22 USC, No. 25 Minnesota Others Receiving Votes: Air Force 67, Arizona 59, Minnesota 56, Notre Dame 51, Arkansas 33, Washington 25, Maryland 20, Kentucky 14, No Carolina St 5, Utah 5, Oklahoma 3, Pittsburgh 3, USC 3, Stanford 2, Wake Forest 1, Wyoming 1.

October 16 (Week 8) Penn State at Ohio State Kansas at Texas A&M Texas idle

Wishful thinking category: From The Sporting News. (15) Ohio State at (1) Penn State Saturday, October 16, Noon ET By Kyle Veltrop/The Sporting News The game: Ohio State (4-2, 1-1 Big Ten) at Penn State (6-0, 2-0). Site: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa. Date/time: Saturday, Noon ET. TV: ABC. Why you should watch: Two of the nation's perennial big boys meet, and though Ohio State isn't having a typical season by its standards, this still is a dangerous team that could end -- or severely harm -- Penn State's national title hopes. The Buckeyes are coming off a three-point win over Purdue after Boilermakers kicker Travis Dorsch had a potential game-tying field goal blocked with less than a minute to play. Penn State was a bit sluggish against overmatched Iowa, but the Nittany Lions eventually pulled away. Ohio State beat Penn State 28-9 in Columbus a year ago. When the Buckeyes have the ball: Sophomore quarterback Steve Bellisari still is growing on the job; he completed just 10-of-26 and was intercepted twice against Purdue. He also fumbled and was shaky on some of his reads, causing Cooper to have backup Austin Moherman warm up. But Bellisari, though unpredictable, continues to show promise. Bellisari's 10 completions averaged 17 yards, and his 68-yard run on the game's final drive iced the win. He also has shown an ability to throw the deep ball. But he clearly is not a finished product. Ohio State faithful will just have to ride out his rocky moments. Helping to ease Bellisari's growing pains are an emerging duo at receiver. Ken-Yon Rambo (6-1) and Reggie Germany (6-2) have nice size, can get behind secondaries and are capable of acrobatic catches. They combined for 129 yards receiving against Purdue and have combined for 51 catches in '99. They will be matched against the Penn State corner duo of David Macklin (5-9) and Anthony King (5-8). Look for Ohio State to attack downfield with Rambo and Germany. The big play is the one thing that's been rather consistent in this offense, and the Nittany Lions rank only 58th in the nation in pass defense. The Buckeyes never were able to establish a consistent ground game against Purdue. Michael Wiley carried only eight times but for 67 yards. Wiley also contributed by throwing a 7-yard TD pass and by running in a two-point conversion for the game's final points. But Ohio State needs to stick to its ground game, easing the pressure on still-raw Bellisari. If Cooper doesn't want to saddle Wiley with too many carries, Derek Combs and Jonathan Wells can carry a heavier load. Those two combined for 11 carries against Purdue. There is talent in the Buckeyes backfield. Penn State is allowing 118 yards per game on the ground. The linebacker trio of Mac Morrison, LaVar Arrington and Brandon Short can make it tough on any ground game. Short is coming off a monster game against Iowa; he recorded 10 tackles with a sack and tipped a punt. Key matchup: Penn State defensive end Courtney Brown and outside linebacker LaVar Arrington vs. Ohio State quarterback Steve Bellisari. Brown -- he of the school-record 54 career tackles-for-loss -- is a playmaker off the end. Arrington makes life miserable for quarterbacks. Bellisari, who was rattled against the Boilermakers, must know Brown and Arrington will try and get inside his head. Bellisari likes to roll out of the pocket, so it will be up to Brown and Arrington to contain him. When the Nittany Lions have the ball: The Nittany Lions will have to improve their offensive showing dramatically from a year ago, when Ohio State limited them to 179 yards total offense. The Lions used big plays to defeat Arizona and Miami (Fla.) this season. At other times, this offense is methodical and conservative. Now that the schedule stiffens, look for Penn State coaches to be more creative. Against Iowa, Penn State rolled up 341 yards rushing. Sophomore Eric McCoo gaining 130 yards on 13 carries, the first Lion to top the century mark in '99. That could spell trouble for an Ohio State run defense that ranks 83rd out of 114 teams. Wisconsin's Ron Dayne shredded this defense two weeks ago, and pass-oriented Purdue ran 30 times for 163 yards. With its stable of running backs, look for Penn State to run often. The quarterback tandem of Kevin Thompson and Rashard Casey has clicked for the most part, but they both struggled against the Hawkeyes. Combined, Thompson and Casey completed 16-of-33 passes for 159 yards and two interceptions. Casey is more mobile and gives the offense a different dimension. In fact, he is the Lions' second-leading rusher (after McCoo). Casey also has improved his passing, but Thompson probably will get more snaps. Key matchup: Penn State wide receiver Chafie Fields vs. Ohio State's secondary. A week after facing Purdue's fine receiving corps, the Buckeyes have to face one of the nation's more dangerous players. Fields leads the Lions with 20 catches and averages 20 yards per catch. He also is dangerous on reverses. Fields has come up the biggest in Penn State's two major showdowns -- Arizona and Miami (Fla.). Against Arizona in the ballyhooed season opener, Fields ran for 110 yards and a touchdown and had 76 yards receiving and another score. Against Miami, Fields had 177 yards receiving and two touchdowns, including a 79-yard game-winning scoring grab with less than two minutes to play. It seems as if Fields saves his best for the biggest games, and Ohio State will have to keep the big-play/big-game man in check. Look for a good deal of that responsibility to fall on cornerback Ahmed Plummer. Outlook: Bellisari's performance is critical. He can't come unglued like he did several times against Purdue or this opportunistic Penn State defense will end this game quickly. The Lions bring a lot of pressure, and Bellisari will have to take care of the ball while mixing in the big gains that define him. Penn State hasn't coasted like some think it should have in all of its games, but the Nittany Lions -- along with Florida State -- are playing on a different level. It's not always perfect, but it's better than nearly everyone else. That, and a home-field advantage, will be enough to derail a Buckeyes team still defining itself.

PENN STATE 23 OHIO 10

TEXAS A&M 34 KANSAS 17

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 17, 1999) TEAM PTS PVS ---- --- --- 1. Florida St (62) (7-0) 1,742 1 2. Penn St (6) (7-0) 1,678 2 3. Nebraska (6-0) 1,580 3 4. Virginia Tech (2) (6-0) 1,561 4 5. Tennessee (4-1) 1,419 6 6. Florida (6-1) 1,368 7 7. Kansas St (6-0) 1,297 9 8. Georgia Tech (5-1) 1,247 8 9. Michigan (5-1) 1,157 10 10. Alabama (5-1) 1,089 11 11. Michigan St (6-1) 987 5 12. Mississippi St (6-0) 976 12 13. Texas A&M (5-1) 934 13 14. Georgia (5-1) 813 14 15. Marshall (6-0) 758 15 16. Purdue (5-2) 754 20 17. Wisconsin (5-2) 717 17 18. Texas (5-2) 532 19 19. BYU (5-1) 446 21 20. East Carolina (5-1) 301 23 21. So Mississippi (4-2) 282 25 22. Ohio St (4-3) 220 18 23. Miami Fla (2-3) 186 24 24. Minnesota (5-1) 162 NR 25. Mississippi (5-2) 126 22 Dropped Out: No. 16 Syracuse Others Receiving Votes: Notre Dame 108, Syracuse 95, Arizona 61, Kentucky 52, Arkansas 38, Utah 32, Stanford 11, Air Force 9, Virginia 6, Wyoming 3, Boston College 2, Iowa St 1.

This Saturday's schedule: PENN STATE at PURDUE NEBRASKA at TEXAS TEXAS A&M at OKLAHOMA HAWAII at TULSA Don't have any idea who is favored in which games, but with Texas playing at home it still might be their toughest game so far. The rest of us play away games...

Current lines from Bally's Vegas: Penn State by 3.5 over Purdue Nebraska by 9 over Texas Texas A&M by 5 over Oklahoma Hawaii by 3 over Tulsa (which, spelled backwards is "a slut")

Thanks, John - I have no idea where to look for stuff like that...so we went odds-less last week. If their odds prove true it should be good for all but Texas and Terry, not surprisingly...!

Is someone you know an Aggie?

...no...but it is a state land grant college like Penn State in my Home state away from Home state...(where spring lives)

...and...yes.

Oh. Gee Hawaii is a land grant state college as well (although the land granted it is understandably limited).

...Yes, it is, and I erred in not including Hawaii in that statement (but explained in Email.) I was thinking of the land grand colleges inaugurated in 1855 by Abraham Lincoln. U of Hawaii is not that old, is it???

No. The University of Hawaii is a toddler as far as universities go, established in 1907, and our own UH-Hilo (my alma mater) was established in 1947 (originally University of Hawaii, Hilo Branch, and then Hilo College before becoming the University of Hawaii at Hilo). The first building constructed on the Manoa (Honolulu) campus, Hawaii Hall (1907) is still there despite several proposals from the powers that be to raze it. Each time students--who amazingly are the ones who wish to protect history the e--have stepped in and saved the grand old lady.

Thanks for the update on the UH history. I did know the UHH one (including the Hilo Campus designation which I hated) I am having to listed to Penn State play Purdue on Broadcast.com because our ABC affiliate is showing the Cal game...!

TEXAS 24 NEBRASKA 20

PENN STATE 31 PURDUE 25

HAWAII 35 TULSA 21

TEXAS A&M 6 OKLAHOMA 51

Hawaii is now 5-2 on the season. Former Rainbow coach Fred von Appen (1996-98) presided over 5 wins during his 3-year tenure. Coach June Jones has now won 5 games in his first season, basically using von Appen recruited personnel, plus a can-do attitude. Here's to keeping up with the Joneses!

That is so funny!!! GREEN writing to celebrate UH's victory. Amen to keeping up with the Jonses. That is not going to be as easy as once the saying implied!

Ah...Next week.... TCU is at Hawaii Penn State is at Illinois(who knocked off Michigan State today) Oklahoma State is at Texas A&M Texas is at Iowa State The two Texas teams I have been following should win next week. Illinois and Penn State...don't know. Also do not know anything about TCU, but I say we take them to the beach and sit them out in the hot sun all day before they play...! It used to work in the middle of winter with visiting basketball teams!

Actually it was Michigan my beloved Illini upset today. I can't believe it! JOHN'S SCORE OF THE DAY: ILLINOIS 35 (#9) MICHIGAN 29 Although I still love you, I can't root for the Nittany Lions next week, Marcia. If it's any comfort, I sincerely doubt it will matter. There's no chance that your beloved Lions will take my beloved Illini lightly, now.

Thanks, John...I understand. There is no chance (as you could see by my "predictions" for next Saturday) that any Nittany Lion will take the Fighting Illini for granted. Both Michigan AND Michigan State lost today. What is happening...and Nebraska, too!!! (My late brother-in-law received his Master's from Illinios...his pennant hung over my bed for many years...!) And, I still love you, too *smile*

They turned me down for admission after I got out of the Navy, as did Michigan, UCLA, and USC. The only two four-year schools who accepted me were UH-Manoa and San Diego State. But I still grew up loving the Illini.

...and what a scholar you proved to be. Their loss was Hilo's gain - for that I am eternally grateful, selfish wretch that I am...

There's no way they could have known then. If I turned out to be a scholar, I didn't see it coming, either.

Truly??? (They did not offer placement tests and diploma equivalency tests in those days?!) I do not know how you could not have known you were more intelligent than the general Navy inlistee...unless you are like me and think everyone is at least as smart as I am...! I gather public school did nothing for you, in the "keeping you coming back for more" category!

Bally's Vegas early lines for Sat. Oct. 30: Penn State by 18.5 over Illinois Texas Christian by 6.5 over Hawaii Texas by 11.5 over Iowa State Texas A&M by 36 over Oklahoma State

The Naval test battery I took in boot camp told me what I now know. That I have a gift for language, that I am slightly better than average at math, and that I have no clue where mechanics are involved.

Bummer for HAWAII... (I don't believe that PSU over IU by anything like that big of a margain) Thanks for posting them, John. (You do not need to have a clue as to mechanics. You are a thinker and will pay those who cannot to do your mechanical stuff). The Navy stood you in good stead if what you say is the case!

Look at the Aggie line. They should be plenty PO'd this week, though. Many sports book operations--legit or otherwise--would not take a bet on that large a line.

I have no idea how lousy OK State is this year, but that is a HUGE point spread!

Anyone know where the Horns ended up in the polls this week?

#12 both AP and ESPN/USA Today

Sorry - I though I had posted this 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 24, 1999) TEAM PTS PVS ---- --- --- 1. Florida St (55) (8-0) 1,733 1 2.Penn St (10) (8-0) 1,684 2 3. Virginia Tech (5) (6-0) 1,603 4 4. Tennessee (5-1) 1,515 5 5. Florida (6-1) 1,456 6 6. Kansas St (7-0) 1,412 7 7. Georgia Tech (5-1) 1,329 8 8. (tie) Mississippi St (7-0) 1,180 12 8. (tie) Nebraska (6-1) 1,180 3 10. Georgia (6-1) 1,072 14 11. Wisconsin (6-2) 1,010 17 12.Texas (6-2) 992 18 13. Marshall (7-0) 921 15 14. Alabama (5-2) 805 10 15. Michigan (5-2) 649 9 16. BYU (6-1) 634 19 17. East Carolina (6-1) 545 20 18. Purdue (5-3) 511 16 19. Michigan St (6-2) 446 11 20. So Mississippi (5-2) 434 21 21. Ohio St (5-3) 388 22 22. Texas A&M (5-2) 264 13 23. Miami Fla (3-3) 244 23 24. Oklahoma (4-2) 174 NR 25. Mississippi (5-2) 171 25 Dropped Out: No. 24 Minnesota Others Receiving Votes: Notre Dame 119, Stanford 67, Utah 59, Syracuse 57, Minnesota 47, Arkansas 25, Illinois 10, Clemson 3, Louisiana Tech 3, Maryland 3, Air Force 2, Oregon 2, Washington 1.

Wow, Texas is in striking distance of the top 10. And Nebraska is still ranked above Texas even though they lost to Texas (sure, might as well rub it in).

The TCU Horned Frogs arrived in Honolulu today featuring the nation's leading rusher, Ladainan Tomlinson, who sports both a diamond earring and a gold tooth. The Frogs (3-4) are 4-and-a-half point favorites with the illegal bookies on Honolulu's Hotel Street to beat the homestanding Rainbow Warriors (5-2). The Owls run a triple-option offense that is related to the wishbone that Rice used to smash the Bows a couple of weeks ago.

I need an editor. What I meant to type is that the Horned Frogs run a triple-option running offense similar to the wishbone that the Rice Owls used to fly over the Bows a couple of weeks ago. Sheesh!!!!!

I edit, but only if it is sent to me before you hit the submit button! Terry, may I join you in "rubbing it in" to Nebraska? Is there a Penn Stater who likes that place?! They stole our national championship!!!

Refresh my memory. Was that the infamous "fifth down"?

No...it was more recent than that. The first time was when we were tied for first place and unbeaten during Nixon's regime. Someone told him Nebraska was unbeaten and forgot to mention us - Nixon proclaimed Nebraska national champs on the spot and no one dared to tell him otherwise. Then a few years ago they just awarded it to Nebraska on the "strength" of their schedule, supposedly. Who makes up those matches 10 years in advance?!

I'm sorry, I wasn't the matchmaker for that bout!

It must be late in the day for me - I had forgotten that 5th down! How could I?!

(John)I'm sorry, I wasn't the matchmaker for that bout! Yeah...me too!!!

The 5th down as a the game where Colorado won the title, now that I am thinking clearly. It was their coach, the Bible beating yet philandering Bill McCartney who tried to convince a disbelieving public that he was an innocent victim and had the high moral ground. How much did he pay the refs to have collective amnesia???

Don't think you want to know...(Hell fire and Damnation often works, too)

Auwe, John...our much anticipated Penn State - Illinois game is on ABC subject to regional coverage. That means we will not get to see it and will have to listen to broadcast.com for it - me to the Penn State coverage with George Paterno (who sounds just exactly like his brother Joe) and you to whomever is covering it for the Fighting Illini...may the best team win!!!

I wouldn't get to see it anyhow. I'll be working. I do feel for you, however.

George Paterno calling Penn State football. Sounds like an objective broadcast to me...

Oh, he is *lol* And I shall feel for you... I can listen to you and George at the same time...!

Wow. That is multitasking multitalented. I'm impressed!

I'm definitely pulling for the Fighting Illini in that one, being and Illinois grad and all.

Being a Penn State grad is a lonely business out here...*sigh* TEXAS 44 IOWA STATE 41

At the half: PENN STATE 7 ILLINOIS 7

at the end of the 3rd PENN STATE 24 Illinois 7

TEXAS A&M 21 OKLAHOMA STATE 3

Final: PENN STATE 27 ILLINOIS 7

sorry, John and Terry...

I just popped into the living room to see what other games were on and the CBS guys were berating Penn State for not dominating the game. There is never enough that PS can do to satisfy those guys. If we win big they accuse us of rolling up the score. If we win modestly they attack us for not being worthy of a national championship. I can feel it already. Somehow, someone will, no matter the outcome of the remaining games, will declare someone OTHER than PS as national champions ...Just Because...! am sick and tired of being the cinderella - I want to go to the ball, too!

Sorry to sound unsympathetic, but do you want some cheese to go with that whine? Try being a lifelong Illini football or Chicago Cubs fan.

Just in case you missed my intended tone: ;) (not trying to be vicious, just ironic)

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!

Ya know, speaking of testosterone, recent studies have shown that a guys testosterone level can go up as much as 30% right after his team wins a game, or correspondingly down if his team loses.

I am not surprised. I thought guys would be too tired to rape and pillage after a battle, but that rise in levels of testosterone would make all that possible!

I wonder if that would spice up the half-time coach's talk. Tell the guys if they don't win they won't be as good at entertaining the ladies. That is scary stuff to ponder. Our basketball team should be impotent by now with all their loses and no wins...!

Well, it could get interesting at UT football. Coach Brown is going to start a quarterback competition and he's announced that both the Major and Chris Simms are going to get playing time in the Bowl game. I'd like to see them alternate plays. That would really mix up the opposition.

I heard through my pillow speaker in the groggies of pre-dawn that Chris Sims was going to be the starting QB with MajorApp coming in later to see if he can manage ok. I think that would be a splendid idea, and several schools had great success early on using rotating QB's.

I had heard that Major was going to start, but that report is over a week old. Maybe there's been a strategic change.

I suspect that there is more conjecture out there without solid facts than there is factual reportage. I also think that wise coaches do not make up their minds until the final practice is in the books and accessments made. We will only really know at kickoff.

The Horns are practicing indoors today.

That cold, is it? Or to keep spies from watching?

Probably some of both. Mostly cold, I imagine.

According to John's sources tomorrow's Oahu Bowl between the University of Hawaii and Oregon State University has the oddsmakers picking OSU by 9.

Today all both of the Bowl Games are being played in Honolulu. In the Aloha Bowl: Wake Forest 23 Arizona State 3

Oahu Bowl Results Hawaii 23 Oregon State 17

Hawaii Holds on to Beat Oregon State in Oahu Bowl HONOLULU (Reuters) - In a mistake-filled game, Oregon State's 14th penalty proved most damaging. An illegal procedure penalty negated a successful onsides kickoff with just over a minute remaining as Hawaii held on for a 23-17 victory over the Beavers in the Oahu Bowl Saturday, completing the best one-year turnaround in NCAA history. Oregon State's offense came to life late in the fourth quarter as Ken Simonton scored on a 13-yard draw play with 1:27 to play, trimming the deficit to 23-17. Ryan Cesca, who missed two field goals and had a third blocked, executed a perfect onsides kick that was recovered by the Beavers at the Hawaii 48-yard line. But a controversial procedure penalty forced Oregon State to try again, and the Rainbow Warriors took possession after Cesca's next attempt bounced out of bounds. ``We missed a couple of field goals but I don't know how much of a difference that would have made,'' first-year Oregon State coach Dennis Erickson said. ``We're happy with the season. We went 7-5 and we're happy we ended the year in a bowl game. Obviously, we're not very happy with what happened in the bowl game, that's very disappointing to us.'' Dan Robinson threw a pair of touchdown passes to Channon Harris for Hawaii (9-4) and first-year coach June Jones, who took over a program that went 0-12 last season. ``It's been just an awesome year,'' Jones said. ``I'm happy for the fans and the players. It's just awesome.'' Robinson was 9-of-13 for 125 yards in the third quarter, hitting Harris for a 30-yard score with 6 1/2 minutes left to put the Rainbow Warriors ahead for good, 17-10. Eric Hannum kicked three short field goals to help Hawaii avenge Pineapple Bowl losses to Oregon State in 1940 and 1949. ``It's just amazing,'' said Hawaii running back Avion Weaver, a junior. ``After going 0-12, the coaching staff came in and gave us the schemes. And we just believed.'' Simonton had 157 yards on 18 carries against one of the nation's worst run defenses. A sophomore, he needs only 39 yards to become Oregon State's all-time leading rusher. Simonton went up the middle from one yard to give the Beavers a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. But Oregon State failed to convert several chances to extend the lead as Cesca missed field goal attempts of 42 and 31 yards. In between, Hannum kicked a 26-yarder to put the Hawaii on the board. The Rainbows grabbed their first lead on Robinson's nine-yard TD toss to Harris with just over six minutes left before halftime. Cesca kicked a 37-yarder on the final play of the second quarter for a 10-10 tie. Jonathan Smith completed 19-of-40 passes for 269 yards but was sacked six times for Oregon State. He was only 8-of-24 for 132 yards in the second half. ``They got us with a four-man rush and blitzing but sometimes they got us even with a three-man rush,'' Erickson noted. ``I don't know if it was our assignment or what it was, but they mixed up their schemes well.'' ``We did a great job with our zone blitz,'' Jones said. ''(Defensive coordinator) Greg McMackin did a great job. We said we were going to go after them and we did. We probably should have gone after (Smith) even more.'' Hawaii receiver Attrice Brooks was ejected in the final minute of the first quarter after drawing a personal foul for kicking defensive end DeLawrence Grant.

All of our teams we were following this year made bowls. That is pretty remarkable. Hawaii won theirs and the payout was $800,000. Illinois is in the Micronpc.com bowl vs Virginia on Thursday the 30th of December($750,000.) Alamo Bowl has Penn State vs Texas A&M on December 28th ($1.2 million) and the Cotton Bowl on January 1st (if our tv's still work) has Texas vs Arkansas($2.5 million) Guess we call can't win. Too bad. One of the teams I rooted for all season has to lose.

Congratulations, Marcia, I have been reading about the game in eht Ledger

I learned something very interesting in church this morning. Paul Gruber's great, great, great, great grandfather wrothe the music for Silent Night. Gruber plays for the Tampa Bay Bucs

Franz Gr�ber wrote Silent Night. I had no idea his descendant would be playing in the NFL. Wow! Tampa Bay, no less. Your team! Thanks, Lucie!

Alamo Bowl Result: Penn State 24 Texas A&M 0

Folks here aren't yet too excited about the Cotton Bowl, maybe Friday folks will start to get in to it. What bowl games most interest folks?

For me, after the Alamo Bowl and Cotton Bowl, I guess the Sugar Bowl and the Rose Bowl plus the other two BCS bowls to determine the best of the best (as they see it) I really want Texas to win their game. ******** From John Burnett LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - A 270-pound University of Kansas football player got stuck in the drive-thru window of a Taco Bell when he tried to charge employees who left the chalupa out of his order, authorities said. Dion Rayford*, a 6-foot-3 senior defensive end, was suspended for the game against Iowa State, the last game of his college career. He was released on his own recognizance after appearing in court on charges of disorderly conduct, having an open container of alcohol and misdemeanor damage to property.

John Burnett's note: you'll see this drunken, chalupa dropping moron in the NFL next year...imagine him on steroids...at ONLY 270 pounds it's unlikely he's on them already.

Re the question of Terry's about favorite bowls, John Responded: Outside of the Oahu Bowl here in Hawaii (won by Hawaii 23-17 over Oregon St.,) the Sugar Bowl is the PRIMO matchup in the nation: #1 Florida St. vs. #2 Virginia Tech for the national championship. All other bowls (Oahu Bowl included outside of the 50th state) pale in comparison. BTW, Hawaii opens its season at home next year by hosting none other than the Texas Longhorns. We here in Hawaii are hoping the only hooking the Horns will be doing during their stay here will be soliciting the "ladies" in Waikiki at 2 a.m.

Those aren't Ladies, John!

Wow! Maybe I'll book a flight to Hawaii then if the rates are ok!

That would be fantastic!

Texas Suspends Four for Saturday's Cotton Bowl DALLAS (Reuters) - Following a team meeting Thursday night, 18th-ranked Texas has suspended four players for the Cotton Bowl against Arkansas on Saturday for violating team rules. Receiver Kwame Cavil, linebacker Jamal Joyner and defensive ends Aaron Humphrey and J.J. Kelly learned their fates tonight from coach Mack Brown. ``We have just held a team meeting, which was one of the most emotional that I have experienced,'' Brown said. ``The four young men involved in violating team rules are great young men and have done a tremendous job for our football team and the University of Texas.'' Cavil's loss figures to be the biggest for the Longhorns. The junior led the team with 100 receptions for 1,188 yards and six touchdowns. He had 74 catches for 1,091 yards and four scores in 19 games before this season. Ryan Nunez, who caught 56 passes for 600 yards, will be Texas' most prolific receiver available for Saturday's game.

Ok, has anybody gotten excited about the game yet? Of course no one is gonna read this until next century sometime or next year, anyway. *sigh* It is a lonely vigil waiting to see if my computer still works at midnight and Ihave been talking to myself for hours already and it is only 3:45 pm in 1999!

A few scores of interest: PEACH BOWL Results: ILLINOIS 63 VIRGINIA 21 COTTON BOWL Results: TEXAS 6 ARKANSAS 27

Congratulations to the Rainbow Warriors. It's been fun following their surprise progress here this season.

The National Championship was a hell of a game between Florida State Seminoles or 'noles and the VA Tech team. Peter Warrick can catch just about anything, return punts and carry the team. And Michael Vick rolled himself out as the next Heisman trophy winner, they might as well start engraving his name on it. That guy danced, ran, passed, and magiced his way play after play. He did unbelievable stuff that you're not used to seeing. He's a human highlight reel on almost every play. And this is against Florida, not Little Sisters of the Poor.

Thanks, Mark! That was a knuckle biter yesterday and kept us in our seats snacking impulsively as the score went back and forth. Michael Vick was awesome! | agree about engraving his name on that trophy! Keep him healthy!!! Final AP poll standings of college football teams 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 January 4, 2000) TEAM PTS PVS ---- --- --- 1. Florida St (70) (12-0) 1,750 1 2. Virginia Tech (11-1) 1,647 2 3. Nebraska (12-1) 1,634 3 4. Wisconsin (10-2) 1,519 4 5. Michigan (10-2) 1,406 8 6. Kansas St (11-1) 1,402 7 7. Michigan St (10-2) 1,357 9 8. Alabama (10-3) 1,236 5 9. Tennessee (9-3) 1,168 6 10. Marshall (13-0) 1,136 11 11. Penn St (10-3) 1,038 13 12. Florida (9-4) 941 10 13. Mississippi St (10-2) 923 15 14. So Mississippi (9-3) 788 16 15. Miami Fla (9-4) 678 23 16. Georgia (8-4) 640 21 17. Arkansas (8-4) 575 24 18. Minnesota (8-4) 452 12 19. Oregon (9-3) 358 NR 20. Georgia Tech (8-4) 345 17 21. Texas (9-5) 340 14 22. Mississippi (8-4) 281 NR 23. Texas A&M (8-4) 272 18 24. Illinois (8-4) 201 NR 25. Purdue (7-5) 198 19 Dropped Out: No. 20 East Carolina, No. 22 Stanford, No. 25 Boston College Others Receiving Votes: Stanford 168, East Carolina 97, Colorado 75, TCU 45, Syracuse 21, Utah 20, Hawaii 19, Washington 7, Wake Forest 5, Boise St 3, Oklahoma 3, Colorado St 2. updated at Wed Jan 5 09:54:17 2000 PT

From a 'Noles grad in Drool: A 'Noles fan in a bar leans over to the guy next to him and says, "Wanna hear a joke about Gator fans?" The guy next to him replies, "Well before you tell that joke you should know something. I'm 6' tall and 220 pounds and I'm a Gator fan. The guy sitting next to me is 6'2" tall, 240 pounds and he's a Gator fan, and the guy sitting next to him is 6'5", 280 pounds and he's a Gator fan too. Now, do you still wanna tell that joke?" The 'Noles fan says, "Nah, not if I'm gonna have to explain it three times."

Bobby Bowden, Steve Spurrier and a Cub Scout were on a plane that ran into serious trouble over the Florida Georgia border. The pilot rushed from the cockpit and announced the bad news. The plane was going down. The pilot went on to explain that the plane was equipped with only three parachutes, not enough for the four people. But, the pilot said he deserved one, and out the door he went. Spurrier immediately stood up and said he deserved one of the remaining two parachutes for a number of reasons. He was a Heisman Trophy winner who went on to play professional football. He also returned to his alma mater, leading the program to three SEC titles and one National championship. Spurrier went on to say that some people call him the smartest coach in America. Out Spurrier went. Bowden looked over to the boy and told him to take the last parachute. Bowden explained that he had lived a good life, had a large family, won a national championship, even played University of Miami. Bowden said he was at peace. The Cub Scout, with a wide smile, said he already had a parachute. Stunned, Bowden asked how that could be. The Cub Scout answered: "The smartest coach in America just jumped out with my knapsack."

Barbara, when you come out of lurkdom you really did it in style...and without your feet touching the ground yet, I'll bet! Congratulations! I remember how it feels when the old Alma Mater is Number One...

Good one Barbara, what are your personal feelings about the Gators and the 'Noles?

That's a good one, Terry!!! Actually, I am still at the point of being so happy that we won the big one, the undisputed big one, that I have no personal feelings about the Gators! I am glad that their coach has decided to stay in Gainesville. I used to have a lot of respect for Coach Spurrier (sp.) when he coached the Tampa Bay Bandits of the U.S.F.L. but I really don't think a whole lot of him at this point in time. All kidding aside, there are many wonderful Gators in the state of Florida and there's a great one in Johnstown, PA, who just coincidentally happened to live across the street from us when we lived there!

When I sent that story above to John he responded that the best part was Spurrier saying he was the greatest coach in the world and jumping out with the kid's backpack...*grin*

I think in sports, it pays to have a high opinion of your abilities!!! That's probably true out of sports, also. (back to the Dolphin game...)

...but they should be realistic, don't you think?! Do the Dolphins stand a chance???

Paterno signs 5-year extension and plans to fulfill it Posted: Monday January 24, 2000 04:33 PM STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Joe Paterno signed a five-year contract extension Monday, and the 73-year-old Penn State coach said he has every intention of staying through 2004. "I enjoy coaching and would like to continue as long as my health will permit," Paterno said in a statement. "I look forward to fulfilling this contract and, deep down, to going even longer because I'm excited by all of the positive things that are happening at Penn State." The university would not release the terms of the contract. The extension should quiet ongoing speculation about his retirement. Many considered his 1999 team a last, best shot at a third national title. But he said after Penn State's appearance n the Alamo Bowl that he is staying. "I have absolutely no plans to retire," he said. "I am going to coach until I feel I can't do a good job." As recently as 1998, he had said he would coach "at least four more years." Penn State's 24-0 victory over Texas A&M in the Alamo Bowl was his 20th in the postseason -- the Division I record. He has 317 victories at Penn State, six short of the Division I record set by Bear Bryant. He could break the record as early as Oct. 21 against Illinois. Paterno is entering his 51st year on Penn State's staff, his 35th as head coach.

From THE SPORTING NEWS How is it that everyone has forgotten about Penn State? Do you think that because Lavar Arrington, Courtney Brown, Brandon Short, David Macklin and Co. are gone PSU will be a non-contender? Consider the fact that Rashard Casey is as close to Michael Vick as anybody in terms of arm strength, agility and speed. The backfield is intact, and 29 incoming freshman will fill the voids. What you get is a contender. No. 1? Maybe not, but with a rather easy non-conference schedule this year, the Nittany Lions should be in prime shape for the Big Ten conference battles. Give me Casey, Eric McCoo, Eddie Drummond, Bryant Johnson and a top five recruiting class, and I�ll show you what college football is all about.

From THE SPORTING NEWS: Forced to rebuild, Buckeyes try to bounce back by Mark Blaudschun You could hear the sighs and the whispers and the grumbling from Columbus to Cleveland. Ohio State, 6-6. The only bowling the Buckeyes were going to be doing over the holiday season was at the local lanes. Blasphemy. Yes, it was. Under the tenure of John Cooper, Buckeye fans had expected more than that. Some of the cynics will tell you they expect less from Cooper-coached teams, but that is an argument for another arena. The bottom line is that the Buckeyes had an off-year. Hey, it happens. Not too often at Ohio State, which is why this season's recruiting campaign was looked at with concern as well as interest. It was vital for Ohio State to climb back into the top 10. Consider the first goal accomplished. With the recruiting season just concluded, the consensus opinion among the experts is that Ohio State had a top 10 season. Can the top 10 in the polls be far behind? Maybe yes, and maybe no. Ohio State has been a prime provider of National Football League talent for years. Last season, 31 former Buckeyes were on NFL rosters. Cooper uses that as a recruiting tool. He also knows that whatever talent he does get probably won't stick around for the full four-year term. The joke was that Ohio State never really rebuilt, it simply restocked and kept on trucking. But after last season, Cooper has been forced to rebuild. The Buckeyes signed 24 players. Half were from out of state, which is a concern to some people, although Cooper downplays that. "We were able to not only get most of the top football players from Ohio, but go outside the state and secure some very good football players," Cooper said. "The best thing about this class is we were able to get the numbers we needed at different positions." Cooper also felt he got the kind of football players he wanted. "There are certain kids out there that looked at the depth chart and wanted to play and there are kids out there who want to play for the national championship next year," he said. Consider running back Sam Maldonado, whom Cooper got out of New York, and linebacker Marco Cooper, whom he plucked out of Detroit, as two of those type of players. Cooper would have liked to have grabbed offensive lineman Michael Munoz, the son of former Cincinnati Bengal All Pro tackle Anthony Munoz, from Cincinnati's Moeller High School, but Munoz chose to go to Tennessee. A loss to be sure, but Cooper feels he has enough talent to get the Buckeyes back in the fast lane of the Big Ten quickly. Most people thought only Penn State really beat the Buckeyes in the recruiting wars this winter, and if that's the case, OSU should be just fine. Enough talent is back from last season. Enough talent is coming in, and Cooper knows how to mesh the two. And while winning the national championship is still a stretch, competing for the Big Ten title sounds reasonable. And if you can do that, you have a chance to do more. Maybe much more. INSIDE DISH Changes could be brewing in the SEC next season in terms of scheduling. The athletic directors are considering tinkering with the schedule of SEC opponents. Right now, each conference team plays five games against teams in its own division and three from the other division. Two from the other division are designated as "permanent" opponents, who are on the schedule each year, while one is a floating opponent. The athletic directors want to make only one team from the other division a "permanent" fixture, and make two floating, which they feel would increase exposure for all schools in the league against other conference opponents. Florida, for example, which is in the SEC East, has Auburn and LSU as its "permanent" opponents from the SEC West. Under the new structure, only LSU would be a "permanent" opponent. The idea makes sense because it freshens the rivalries of conference schools. . . . Long-time fans of Pittsburgh football, who had hoped against hope that somehow a way would be found to preserve Pitt Stadium, can now give up the hope. Demolition of the stadium is well under way. The Panthers will play next season at Three Rivers Stadium before moving into a new stadium that will be their permanent home as well as that of the Steelers. . . . Stanford is having quite a year. Not only is the Cardinal the current No. 1 team in basketball, but the football team made its first Rose Bowl appearance since 1971 last season, and recruiting has gone well, with Stanford signing 14 players who are listed in the Top 100 of high school recruits.

Texas is continuing to get some great recruits. They should be awesome next year with this years recruiting class.

According to reports I have seen, Texas has the best recruiting class of the 2000-2001 college football season. Penn State is gonna lose some really good seniors and would-be seniors to the NFL draft...sigh...

Can you provide more details, specifics? Please.

Havta dig it out of my email stuff or wherever I stashed it. Will post tomorrow ASAP... You are keeping most of your starters who arw pivotal anyway - Texas should RULE the Big 12 this year!!!

Cool. I'll look forward to reading that tomorrow.

Spring Practice begins Monday. Chris Simms will be starting at QB. It is his job to lose, according to 'Horns head coach Mack Brown. Hook'em In for the long haul By Suzanne Halliburton American-Statesman Staff Posted: Feb. 2, 2000 The first sign that Texas football coach Mack Brown would put together another star-studded recruiting class came on a balmy June afternoon last summer. That's when a high school quarterback, who was such a die-hard fan of Texas A&M that he kept an Aggies screensaver on his computer, made a fact-finding trip to Austin to check out the Longhorns football camp. Chance Mock, the top-rated quarterback in the state and one of the best in the country, told friends before he drove to Austin that Texas would have to ''wow'' him to change his mind about the Aggies, his lifelong favorite college football team. After he returned to his home in The Woodlands, Mock's family sent out a brief press release saying that the quarterback would sign with the Longhorns. Mock was so wowed by Brown and his staff that he took two trips to Austin during the official recruiting process in December and January. One was an official trip, paid for by the UT athletic department. He paid for the other, which he took two weeks ago, so he could mix with the prospects and entice any of the undecided the Longhorns' way. On Wednesday, Mock was one of 23 high school seniors who signed binding national letters of intent with the Longhorns. UT coaches were holding a scholarship open for Las Vegas defensive lineman Lynn McGruder, who initially had committed to Tennessee but changed his mind at the last minute. McGruder, formerly of Palestine, could not be reached for comment late Wednesday. Experts rated UT's class as tops in the Big 12 Conference and among the elite in the country. Even Aggies Coach R.C. Slocum, who lost several top-name recruits, including Mock, to Texas, was complimentary of the Longhorns. ``I can't believe how well (Texas) has done,'' Slocum said. ``It looks to me like they just had a tremendous year. Last year they supposedly had the top recruiting class in the nation, and this is supposed to be a top-five class. Anytime a Texas team has that kind of talent, it presents you with a problem." He wasn't the only one praising Brown's class which, star-wise, falls just short of last year's group, which was the consensus choice as tops in the country. Anthony Gimino, college football editor of CBS sportsline.com, said: ``This we do know: Texas indisputably had the No. 1 class in the nation last year, and there's everything to like about the 2000 Longhorns freshmen, whether the group finishes first or second . . . or anywhere else.'' Brown said, ``As we look at this class, we feel like this class has the makings of being as good as last year's class but it will take us a year or so to really determine. We feel like even though we will have to wait and see on this class, everything that we were looking for coming into this recruiting class, to some extent we were able to bring home today.'' Brown said Texas brought in 30 recruits on official visits. It offered 27 of them scholarships, and 23 accepted. McGruder would be the 24th. What about this class looks so good, at least on paper? � It includes 13 members of the Austin American-Statesman's Fabulous 55. Of the 13, six were members of the top 10, including three of the top four in wide receivers B.J. Johnson (No. 1); Roy Williams (No. 2) and Sloan Thomas (No. 4). The other top 10 members were Lanier defensive lineman Sonny Davis (No. 7) tight end Brock Edwards (No. 8) and Mock (No. 9). � Four of the signees -- Johnson, Mock, Davis and running back Sneezy Beltran -- made the prestigious Parade magazine All-America team. � Six of the prospects were included in SuperPrep's list of the top 50 prospects in the country, while seven earned spots on Rivals100 national 100 rankings. Nine of the prospects were included in some publication's national 100 list. � Six of the group earned All-America honors from USA Today. Last year's group had four Parade and 10 USA Today All-Americans and 16 members of the Fab 55, including 10 members of the top 20. ``It won't be the top class in the country, but it's definitely comparable to last year's,'' said Bobby Burton, editor of Rivals100.com. Burton ranked Texas fifth nationally. His top 10, subject to change pending late signees, was Florida, Tennessee, Penn State, Ohio State, Texas, Alabama, Florida State, Michigan State, Nebraska and Arizona State. Allen Wallace, editor of SuperPrep, ranked the Longhorns second to Florida. Rounding out spots three through 10th were Florida State, Penn State, Tennessee, Alabama, Ohio State, Southern California, Miami and Michigan State. Brown's third group of signees is heavy on receiving talent with Johnson, Williams and Thomas. In addition, Texarkana's Nathan Vasher and Tony Jeffery of Klein Forest likely will be tried at receiver and defensive back. The class also is loaded with defensive line talent with Davis, Texas City's Marcel Moses (No. 23 on the Fab 55) and Dallas St. Mark's Kalen Thornton (No. 31). Stevie Lee, a defensive lineman from Shreveport, La., already is enrolled at Texas. Lee was considered the top defensive prospect in his home state and was a consensus national 100 selection. Brown said he thinks recruiting rankings probably are an accurate prediction of things to come. "Unless we win the recruiting wars, we don't win on the field,'' Brown said. ``I've tried it both ways. I tried it with bad players, and I've tried it with good players. I've found out you win a lot more games with good players.'' http://www.austin360.com/sports/hookem/stories/2000/02/03texas.html

Look at your schedule for this year. Note your first game. We're gonna get killed! You can bet John and I will be watching! 09/02 at Hawaii 09/09 La.-Lafayette 09/16 at Stanford 09/23 Houston 09/30 OSU 10/07 vs. OU 10/14 at Colorado 10/21 Missouri 10/28 Baylor 11/04 at Texas Tech 11/11 at Kansas 11/24 Texas A&M

That top game on your 'Horns schedule might be a no-show: From The Sporting News UTex keepin' one eye on the Benjamins by Caught on the Fly Aloha means adios: UTex wants no part o' paradise and will chuck its game next season vs. Hawaii. Why? Fly's spies say Big 'Horns've decided there's no pot-o-gold at Rainbows' end. Savin' coin rather than makin' chump change is plenty o' motivation for stayin' home. Why pay 350 G's to make this date and get half that from the gate? .

Texas makes it official Its decision not to play continues a troubling trend for UH football There are a lot of different issues, and we have had serious conversations about all of them. The bottom line is, we have to do what is in the best interest of our football program." Under the terms of the contract, if Hawaii does not find "an opponent of similar stature" to replace the game, Texas will pay UH $100,000 for opting out. "I'm sorry this didn't work out, and for any inconvenience it causes Hawaii and our fans who had looked forward to the trip," said Dodds. "We enjoyed playing in Hawaii in 1995. "There were just too many factors working against this trip for it to happen." "The game was on the schedule when I came here, and we had looked forward to the trip and competing against Hawaii,'' Brown said. "This isn't a personal issue between coaches, or an issue between two teams. It is simply a matter of what's best in the long term for our athletics department and our football program.'' What's best for Hawaii is to find a replacement and fast. Alabama-Birmingham is a possibility. UH has open dates on Sept. 2, Sept. 16 and Dec. 2. WAC associate commissioner Jeff Hurd said Yoshida had the backing of the league's athletic directors, who discussed the situation at yesterday's meetings. Brown is scheduled to coach in the 2001 Hula Bowl in Maui. Bowl Games Hawaii officials said last night the decision will be left up to the American Football Coaches Association - which selects the players and the coaches - as to whether it is appropriate for Brown to take part in next January's game.

oops !

Longhorns dreaming of national titles again by Mark Blaudschun Texas football. Remember when that used to mean something? When the Longhorns were a fixture in the Top 10, or, at the very worst, Top 20? Remember when Texas-Oklahoma had as much pop as Florida State-Florida, Auburn-Alabama, Michigan-Ohio State or any other rivalry you could name? Folks, those times are coming back, sooner rather than later. All you have to do is walk around Austin, Texas these days and you can feel it. People can't wait for the fall. Spring football is once again a coming out party for the Longhorns, who expect, dare we say it, to contend for the . . . national championship. Talk to coach Mack Brown, who has put together two teaser seasons of nine wins. Check out the spring drills where Chris Simms, still in only the spring of his freshman year, is dazzling people through the early drills. Why, the lefthander from Jersey completed 16 straight passes the other day in a controlled scrimmage. Check out a lineup, which returns nine offensive starters and eight defensive starters. Look at that schedule, even without Hawaii, and other teams you don't see on it -- Nebraska and Kansas State, strike you. You see a home game against Texas A&M. Look at the recruiting grades of the past two seasons. No. 1 a year ago with a class that produced four Parade and 10 USA Today All Americans. And a class this year that is ranked in the top five. Listen to A&M coach R.C. Slocum, who sort of had things his own way for almost a decade as Texas searched for its past glory. "I can't believe how well Texas has done," said Slocum, looking at the latest recruiting class which includes such potential future stars as wide receivers B.J. Johnson and Roy Williams, quarterback Chance Monk and defensive end Marcel Moses. It all seems to fit. Oh, there is still some potential season-ruining pot holes out there. Nebraska, which has designs on winning a national championship, will probably be around when the Big 12 title game arrives next December. And if not the Huskers, then Kansas State shows no signs of losing much of its luster of the past few years. And Brown could have a potential quarterback controversy if and when Major Applewhite fully recovers from the knee injury he suffered in the Cotton Bowl which has sidelined him through the spring drills. But look at Mack Brown's track record. In 10 years at North Carolina, he upgraded facilities and really upgraded the football program to Top 20 status. But Brown was harnessed at North Carolina. Say what you want, but no matter what Brown did, Carolina was still a basketball school. Say what you will about the recent success of the Texas basketball program under Rick Barnes, but Texas is, after all is said and done, a football school. Always was, always will be. Sure, the slump is now close to two decades and Texas has gone through coaches like David McWilliams and John Mackovic trying to find a formula that brought out the "Hook 'Em Horns" pride, Texas had under Darrell Royal and for awhile, Fred Akers. But Brown seems to be the right fit. He knows how to talk corporate for the high rollers in Dallas and Houston. He knows how to talk Texan for the good old boys out in places like Odessa and Victoria. It's still early. So much can happen. And you have to be lucky as well as good to go through even an easy schedule unbeaten. But if you walk around Austin these days, you get the feeling that it is not only possible, but probable. INSIDE DISH People at Tennessee are breathing easier since an NCAA inquiry into possible academic fraud in the football program has been ended without any significant findings. The report which surfaced last fall was just one of the distractions which seem to be par for the course for a team which has won the national championship the year before. . . . Give credit to South Carolina coach Lou Holtz. His team is in the middle of a record 21-game losing streak, but the former Notre Dame coach is still working on new schemes and still has maintained his sense of humor. Holtz's latest scheme is a spread offense, which would disguise some of the weaknesses in his offensive line. After going 0-11 last season, Holtz is willing to try anything as long as it works. "I'll be honest," said Holtz. "We should have forfeited some gems. But we wouldn't have got the gate receipts." As to the spread offense, Holtz again has maintained his sense of humor. "We're committed to this at least until the second game," he said. . . . The operative word at Nebraska is defense. The Huskers have only five defensive starters returning from last season's 12-1 club, which crushed Tennessee in the Fiesta Bowl. That unit held opponents to 252 yards and 12.5 points per game. Said Huskers coach Frank Solich when asked about his plans for the spring, "I don't want to look too far down the road. We'll have time as we get into summer and the early part of next fall when we're setting our goals to determine exactly what all we want to get accomplished.". . . . The NCAA has come down on Georgia Southern for its unruly fan behavior during two home playoff games last December. Fan behavior during playoff victories over Massachusetts and Illinois State were deemed unacceptable by the NCAA, which could deny Georgia Southern, which won the Division I-AA national championship last season, any home playoff games in the future. You can also find this article at: http://www.sportingnews.com/voices/mark_blaudschun/20000326.html

http://www.sportingnews.com/voices/mark_blaudschun/20000402.html Big East football beginning to thrive by Mark Blaudschun A year ago it was all gloom and doom talk. Miami was being courted by the Atlantic Coast Conference. A television contract was in limbo. Ratings were down. People, even within the confines of the league offices in Providence, Rhode Island, wondered about the future of Big East football. Fast forward the time line to this spring. Look at what the landscape reveals. Virginia Tech came within a quarter of going unbeaten and winning the national championship. Quarterback Michael Vick should be the front runner to win the Heisman Trophy next season. Miami, after rejecting any overtures from the ACC, reaffirmed its desire to stay within the confines of the Big East, which, it should be pointed out, was the league that gave Miami a home in the first place when the Hurricanes were looking to end their status as an independent. The 'Canes, thanks to steady recruiting efforts have climbed back into the national picture as a top-20, maybe even top-10 team. Television? Consider some of these numbers. The conference announced a new contract with ABC and ESPN that will pay the conference and its members $105 million during the next seven years. Folks, the Big East is alive and very much healthy. No, we're not talking about the SEC, where having a top-5 team is taken for granted, or the Big Ten, where the overall quality of the competition during the season produces five, six or sometimes even seven high quality post season teams. Nor are we talking about the Big 12, where a team like Nebraska, and lately Kansas State, can flex its muscles and be a player in the national championship race. Big East football is what it is. The top half of the league -- Virginia Tech, Miami, Syracuse and lately, Boston College -- plays some pretty competitive, quality football. Virginia Tech has moved into a new role as Beast of the East, but Miami is definitely showing signs of life and who knows which Syracuse team will show up on any given Saturday. But remember this. The Big East has eight teams. It has four bowl commitments and is looking for a fifth spot, maybe in Hawaii. That's a pretty good ratio, generally meaning that if you qualify with six wins, you go to a bowl game. Much was written about the BCS putting in a "Big East" rule which stated that the conference champion would have to maintain a certain poll ranking each year for four consecutive years or it could lose its automatic berth. Those days appear to be over. The Big East has spots in the BCS, in the Gator Bowl, in the Insight.Com Bowl and in the Music Bowl and just signed a deal for a fifth team at one of the bowls in Hawaii against a Pac-10 team. The television deal makes sense because it puts the best of the Big East under one umbrella. "I think it's good for all of us," said Boston College athletic director Gene DeFilippo. "It give ESPN and ABC the best games and it brings a steady stream of income into our schools." Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese says he thinks the crisis has passed. "I think Big East football is in the best shape its ever been," said Tranghese, who has had to guide the league through the growing pains of its first few years and the crisis involving Miami. "The gloom days of the past three years are over and I think the perception nationally of us has changed for the better." Miami, of course, is one of the keys. The Hurricanes are still the main marquee team in the conference, although Virginia Tech has made tremendous strides. "Every league needs at one and probably two teams that are very good every year," said Tranghese. "For us, Miami is vital and Virginia Tech's success in the past couple of years gives us two strong anchors." We're not suggesting that the Big East is going to rule college football. But it's also a year removed from when obituaries were being prepared. Big East football is doing just fine, thank you.

http://www.sportingnews.com/voices/mark_blaudschun/20000330.html No end in sight for Bowden, Paterno by Mark Blaudschun They are dinosaurs, of course. Their time has passed and we will not see their likes again. And that is a shame, because it is a show that is worth watching and watching and watching. We're talking about Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden, the Lion in Winter and the Good Ole Boy in Tallahassee, Fla. who are still working with the same enthusiasm they did 30 years ago. Both are septuagenarians now. Bowden is 70, Paterno will be 74 at the end of the next college football season. Yet both show no signs of slowing down. Bowden just celebrated his first unbeaten season and his second national championship in January with a Sugar Bowl victory over Virginia Tech. And here's the fun part. Both are in a race to see how many games they can win before it is finally time to retire. Right now, Paterno leads with 307 victories. He also has a pair of national championships. Bowden is right behind at 304. Both men say they will coach until . . . who knows. Bowden just signed a contract extension that caries through 2003, but that is only a number. As long as Bobby is feeling fine, he's going to keep coaching. "After you retire, there's only really big event left and I'm not quite ready for that," said Bowden. Paterno has a similar long term pact that will take him through the next six years, which means that he will be coaching when he's 80 when its up. Don't bet against it. Take a look at Joe and the black hair, which shows only the slightest hint of aging. Listen to the words. He likes what he does. And he does it well. That is not to say they don't need new challenges. When you reach the status of Paterno and Bowden, success is measured in degrees. Paterno's latest challenge is in rebuilding his staff, which started when long-time assistant Jerry Sandusky retired at the end of last season. He has two new "coordinators" in Tom Bradley and Fran Ganter. Of course, they are not called coordinators in Joe Pa's system. Assistant head coaches and lots of people think that Ganter is the heir apparent. "People read too much into Fran being my successor," said Paterno. "I think that would be a mistake (to make such an assumption). Certainly, Fran would be a strong candidate." Of course, anyone who follows Paterno is going to have a tough time in meeting expectations. The same goes for Bowden. Bowden had to deal with more controversy a year ago than a man of 70 would like, most if it involving wide receiver Peter Warrick's discount shopping episode. Yet, he rolls on. He's having fun. Each year his battery gets run down a little and each spring he recharges himself. He's finishing up spring drills now with a team that should again compete for the national championship. He'll tee it up for real in August when Florida State hosts Brigham Young in the Pigskin Classic. Paterno will follow suit with a Kickoff Classic appearance against Southern California. And that's the way it should be. In the first season of the new century, college football should showcase its gems. People like Bowden, Paterno and BYU's Lavell Edwards, another lion in winter. In this era of instant gratification when permanency is measured sometimes in months, the Patterns and the Bowdens of the world are indeed a rarity. They will be gone all too soon. Enjoy them -- appreciate them -- while you can. INSIDE DISH Another Division 1A school in Texas? Could happen. The Texas State University System Board of Regents recently voted to allow Southwest Texas State to pursue the move from 1-AA to 1A. Of course, it's not as simple as that. First of all, the Bobcats have not even been a 1AA power in recent years. Last season's 3-8 record marked the 13th time in 16 seasons, Southwest Texas has been under .500. Yet it's Texas and the talent is there. The question, like most schools wanting to make the jump to 1A is what league will they join. Other than Notre Dame, no one can really survive as a 1A independent and even the Irish are having a tough time of late. But then again, maybe the rising Sunbelt Conference would want a nice Texas anchor. . . . Bowden and Florida State recently visited the White House as one of the perks of winning the national championship. Naturally, Bowden was in rare form in his talks with President Clinton. "The reason we are here, Mr. President is that we simply had a better year than you did. We won all 12 of our battles. You didn't quite win all of yours."

Well Texas should have an interesting year with it's opener against Hi..., er, oops.

Got that right. Who was considered a worthy season opener for the 'horns? I think LSU finally agreed to bask in Hawaii for the opener here.

Playing Hawaii must be scary stuff, for the Horns to back out so suddenly, what terrors are you unleashing over there?

Nuthin that I know about...I'll ask John and see what sort of inside information he has as to why...

From John Burnett,who knows of what he speaks: Here is my admittedly pro-Hawaii biased view of it, Terry. Texas is going to likely be a pre-season Top-Five pick next year. This game was scheduled several years ago, when Hawaii was still in the "down cycle" and UT, while still an excellent program, did not have the national championship prospects or aspirations that they do now. The official line from the Texas athletic department, as I'm sure you've heard, is "budgetary considerations." I consider the validity of that statement highly unlikely, because with whatever guarantee they would get for travelling here, it is highly unlikely they would lose the $100,000 they must contractually pay UH (Hawaii, not Houston) for pulling out of the game. A more plausible scenario is that the interest alone on the main UT football endowment account is larger than the entire yearly budget of Hawaii athletics. The real reason as I see it is: there is nothing for Texas to gain from winning this game, and everything to lose from losing. And this IS a game they could lose. Three or four years ago, the thought that Hawaii could beat Texas--even at home--was virtually unthinkable. Texas would and should, be the favorite, perhaps by as many as 14 points. But who would have thought that the new coach, former NFL quarterback June Jones, who was hired quite late in the 1998-99 school year, would take an 0-12 team and bring them to 9-4 with a bowl victory over a legitimate Pac 10 school? He didn't have a recruiting year. Jones' wizardry was basically done with the same athletes former Coach Fred vonAppen recruited--which shows me he recruited good players--but they were given a more positive environment and attitude. Jones tried to challenge Coach Mack Brown's manhood, to no avail. He said that Brown couldn't be a Texan because he'd never known of a Texan to run away from a fight. (Not true, of course, Brown is from Cookeville Texas, although he may have diluted that Texas bloodline by playing at Florida St. and getting his Masters at Mississippi St.) Hawaii will probably be unranked going into the season, but will no doubt get some votes. I'm certain that a win over them would be absolutely expected and anything less than a decisive victory could hurt UT's rankings. Make no mistake. Our guys, while not perennial ranked powers like yours, or Marcia's Nittany Lions, are dangerous and comport themselves as winners. That has to be of concern to anyone who plays them, especially here on their home turf.

http://www.sportingnews.com/voices/mark_blaudschun/20000426.html NCCA bowl games are out of hand by Mark Blaudschun The announcement was made with a minimum of fanfare last week. The NCAA certified two more bowl games for the 2000-2001 season. Joining the fray next winter will be the galleryfurniture.com Bowl in Houston and the Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose, California. Isn't that nice. Now we have 25 bowl games, meaning 50 teams will extend their I-A season for one more game. Guess what folks? there aren't 50 teams bowl worthy. There weren't 46 teams last season. And next year we will be adding another bowl in New Orleans to make it 52. Why stop now? Let's add five or 10 more. Let's get the number up to an even 50, making 100 of Division I-A's 114 teams will be playing in bowl games. Let's make the criteria that if you win at least one game a month during September, October and November, you can play in a bowl game. After all, if some team goes 3-8, it really could be a competitive 3-8 and someone will want to sponsor a bowl game and match up the Pac-10 No. 9 team vs. the Big 12 No. 8 team. When is this nonsense going to stop? The cry against a playoff system is that it would harm the bowl system, which has been so good for college football. Harm the bowl system? How can you hurt something that's already dead? Oh, sure, we expect to hear from schools and bowls saying what a great experience it was for their kids to play a December game in some place like Boise or Pontiac. And the local organizers who put on these games do mean well and try and make the whole experience entertaining. But the law of supply and demand is going to kick in here some time folks. Let's go over this one more time. There aren't enough good teams out there to fill all these bowl slots. There aren't enough average teams. Whatever happened to the philosophy that a bowl was a reward for a good season? We're not talking about a BCS type of season with one or two losses and when a team is contending for the national championship. We're talking about teams that barely win half of their games. "We reviewed the 1999-2000 bowl operations, and we're confident the current bowl system structure will work well for years to come," said John Kasser, chair of the NCAA Football Certification Subcommittee as well as the athletics director at the University of California-Berkeley. Excuse me? What Kasser did not say was that the committee was petrified that a rejection of any of these bowl-wannabes would result in litigation. "We're a litigious society," said Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese. "Are there too many bowl games? Yes. But there's not a whole lot we can do at this time in terms of certification. If bowls meet the criteria, they're going to get certified." Maybe it's time to change the requirements. Maybe it's time to raise the bar, instead of lowering the bar, by making teams win a minimum of seven games to become bowl eligible. That won't happen, of course, because the commissioner's know their members won't stand for it. So let's have eight of the 11 Big Ten teams play in bowl games next year. Let's have nine of 12 SEC teams play in games. Let's put in a rule that says two-thirds of the teams of each major conference can play in bowl games, no matter what. So what if a team like Ohio State has had an off year and is 6-6. It's Ohio State. Television will love it. And everyone knows when the regular season ends, everyone is 0-0. So what if nobody watches on television or there are thousands of empty seats in the stadium and the game has absolutely no meaning. It's the Bowl System. It's good for college football. Why would we want a playoff, whose payoff could dwarf the entire bowl system? Why would we want to crown a regular season national champion on the field instead of in some computer driven polls? What it is is malodorous and the stench is spreading. INSIDE DISH The decision to end the "doubleheader" of bowl games in Hawaii on Christmas Day was a sound one. While the two-year experiment to play the Oahau Bowl and the Aloha Bowl on the same day might have sounded as a nice way to boost attendance on bowl day in Honolulu it didn't work. The crowds weren't there and it was unfair to the teams involved. But the compromise isn't a whole lot better. The Aloha Bowl will be played on Christmas Eve (8:30 in the East) and the Ohau Bowl will be played on Christmas afternoon. For better or worse, the Christamas afternoon slot works. People are used to seeing in on their holiday slate. But playing a bowl game on Christmas Eve afternoon makes no sense. Commercialism has taken over the world, and Christmas and now Christmas Eve is no longer sacred. . . . Michigan played in the Orange Bowl, beat Alabama on New Year's night, was paid $1.4 million and lost money? Here's part of the reason. The Wolverines spent $350,000 to charter jets to take their traveling party and fans down and back and spent $600,000 on lodging. One of the reasons Tom Goss is the ex-athletic director at Michigan.

Clemson Lineman Dies of Heart Attack Clemson, SC (Sports Network) - Clemson reserve lineman Brandon Rouse died of a heart attack Saturday night. He was 20 years old. Rouse was at a movie theater when he suffered a cardiac arrhythmia, according to Pickens County Deputy Coroner Phillip A. Snow. He was taken to Oconee Memorial Hospital but could not be revived. Rouse, 6-foot-3, 275-pounds, took part in spring drills for the Tigers and played in the spring game on April 15. He was a redshirt sophomore and had not played for the Tigers in a regular-season game.

That loud thud was Penn State falling off the College Football Polls USA TODAY/ESPN TOP 25 COACH'S POLL 1. Nebraska (0-0) 2. Florida St (1-0) 3. Alabama (0-0) 4. Michigan (0-0) 5. Wisconsin (0-0) 6. Miami Fla (0-0) 7. Florida (0-0) 8. Texas (0-0) 9. Kansas St (1-0) 10. Virginia Tech (0-0) 11. Georgia (0-0) 12. Tennessee (0-0) 13. USC (1-0) 14. Purdue (0-0) 15. Washington (0-0) 16. Ohio St (0-0) 17. Mississippi (0-0) 18. Clemson (0-0) 19. Oklahoma (0-0) 20. Illinois (0-0) 21. TCU (0-0) 22. Michigan St (0-0) 23. Texas A&M (0-0) 24. So Mississippi (0-0) 25. Colorado (0-0) ASSOCIATED PRESS TOP 25 1. Nebraska (0-0) 2. Florida St. (1-0) 3. Alabama (0-0) 4. Wisconsin (0-0) 5. Miami Fla (0-0) 6. Michigan (0-0) 7. Texas (0-0) 8. Kansas St (1-0) 9. Florida (0-0) 10. Georgia (0-0) 11. Virginia Tech (0-0) 12. USC (1-0) 13. Tennessee (0-0) 14. Washington (0-0) 15. Purdue (0-0) 16. Ohio St (0-0) 17. Clemson (0-0) 18. Mississippi (0-0) 19. Oklahoma (0-0) 20. TCU (0-0) 21. Illinois (0-0) 22. So Mississippi (0-0) 23. Colorado (0-0) 24. Michigan St (0-0) 25. Texas A&M (0-0)

Date: Mon, 4 Sep 2000 - College Football Polls USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches' Poll 1. Nebraska 1-0 2. Florida St 1-0 3. Michigan 1-0 4. Miami Fla 1-0 5. Florida 1-0 6. Wisconsin 1-0 7. Kansas St 2-0 8. Texas 0-0 9. Virginia Tech 1-0 10. Georgia 1-0 11. Tennessee 1-0 12. USC 1-0 13. Purdue 1-0 14. Alabama 0-1 15. Washington 1-0 16. Ohio St 1-0 17. UCLA 1-0 18. Mississippi 1-0 19. Clemson 1-0 20. Oklahoma 1-0 21. Illinois 1-0 22. TCU 0-0 23. Michigan St 0-0 24. So Miss. 0-1 25. Notre Dame 1-0 Associated Press Top 25 College Poll 1. Nebraska 1-0 2. Florida St 1-0 3. Michigan 1-0 4. Miami Fla 1-0 5. Wisconsin 1-0 6. Texas 0-0 7. Kansas St 2-0 8. Florida 1-0 9. Georgia 1-0 10. VA Tech 1-0 11. USC 1-0 12. Tennessee 1-0 13. Alabama 0-1 14. Purdue 1-0 15. Washington 1-0 16. UCLA 1-0 17. Clemson 1-0 18. Ohio St 1-0 19. Mississippi 1-0 20. Oklahoma 1-0 21. Illinois 1-0 22. TCU 0-0 23. Notre Dame 1-0 24. Michigan St 0-0 25. So Miss. 0-1

I think I shall change my login name for this conference... USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches' Poll 1. Nebraska (2-0) 2. Florida St (3-0) 3. Florida (3-0) 4. Virginia Tech (3-0) 5. Kansas St (3-0) 6. Wisconsin (3-0) 7. Washington (3-0) 8. UCLA (3-0) 9. USC (2-0) 10. Michigan (2-1) 11. Clemson (3-0) 12. Ohio St (3-0) 13. Tennessee (1-1) 14. Miami Fla (1-1) 15. Texas (1-1) 16. Oklahoma (2-0) 17. Illinois (3-0) 18. Notre Dame (2-1) 19. TCU (2-0) 20. Michigan St (2-0) 21. Purdue (2-1) 22. Auburn (3-0) 23. So Mississippi (1-1) 24. Georgia (1-1) 25. Mississippi St (2-0) Associated Press Top 25 Poll 1. Nebraska (2-0) 2. Florida St (3-0) 3. Florida (3-0) 4. Kansas St (3-0) 5. Virginia Tech (3-0) 6. UCLA (3-0) 7. Wisconsin (3-0) 8. Washington (3-0) 9. USC (2-0) 10. Michigan (2-1) 11. Clemson (3-0) 12. Miami Fla (1-1) 13. Tennessee (1-1) 14. Ohio St (3-0) 15. Texas (1-1) 16. Notre Dame (2-1) 17. Oklahoma (2-0) 18. TCU (2-0) 19. Illinois (3-0) 20. Auburn (3-0) 21. Purdue (2-1) 22. So Mississippi (1-1) 23. Michigan St (2-0) 24. Georgia (1-1) 25. Mississippi St (2-0)

No one I know made the lists: Associated Press Top 25 1. Nebraska (6-0) 2. Virginia Tech(6-0) 3. Oklahoma(6-0) 4. Miami Fla (4-1) 5. Clemson (7-0) 6. Florida St (6-1) 7. Oregon (5-1) 8. Florida (6-1) 9. Washington (5-1) 10. Kansas St (6-1) 11. TCU (5-0) 12. Georgia (5-1) 13. Mississippi St (4-1) 14. Ohio St (5-1) 15. So Mississippi (5-1) 16. Michigan (5-2) 17. Purdue (5-2) 18. South Carolina (6-1) 19. Oregon St (5-1) 20. Notre Dame (4-2) 21. Arizona (5-1) 22. Minnesota (5-2) 23. UCLA (4-2) 24. No Carolina St (5-1) 25. Northwestern (5-2) USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches Poll 1. Nebraska 6-0 2. Virginia Tech 6-0 3. Clemson 7-0 4. Oklahoma 6-0 5. Miami (Fla.) 4-1 6. Florida State 6-1 7. Florida 6-1 8. Kansas State 6-1 9. Washington 5-1 10. Texas Christian 5-0 11. Oregon 5-1 12. Georgia 5-1 13. Ohio State 5-1 14. Mississippi State 4-1 15. Southern Mississippi 5-1 16. Michigan 5-2 17. Purdue 5-2 18. Oregon State 5-1 19. South Carolina 6-1 20. Arizona 5-1 21. Texas 4-2 22. Notre Dame 4-2 23. Minnesota 5-2 24. UCLA 4-2 25. North Carolina State 5-1

Wow, Texas 21 in USA Today but not even in the top 25 in the AP, well at least Oklahoma has shot up after their blowout of the Horns.

This is definitely a bad year for college football in the traditional Spring sense of the word. Even my Florida State grad friends are grumbling...! Wait'll next year...

How's Hawaii faring?

Hawaii is faring worse, if that is possible, than Penn State. Hawaii won their first game last week and are 1 - 7 in the WAC. I asked John about what was their problem. He suggested they believed their own press clippings and were not driven to succeed as they were last year. I cannot figure why such an expemsive coach does not motivate better. ost of the time, they guys are just not playing. The drop passes which I could hold onto... Their minds seem not on the game!

...and my fingers are not on all keys, apparently. Sorry about that... There are many who are unhappy with the former Rainbows name change to Warriors and the green and white school color being changed to black!!! Even the tickets are black. A lot of empty seats this year, too...

PENN STATE 39 ILLINOIS 25

Sorry...there has been so little to cheer about this year...

* Rice cooks Warriors, 38-13 * * The Owls took an early lead and maintained control * HOUSTON -- It wasn't the kind of record University of Hawaii quarterback Timmy Chang ever imagined setting. But his five interceptions resulted in Rice University securing a 38-13 victory today in a Western Athletic Conference game at Rice Stadium.... Full story at http://starbulletin.com/database/breaking/ -- *sigh*

Associated Press Top 25 1. Nebraska(7-0) 2. Virginia Tech (7-0) 3. Oklahoma (6-0) 4. Miami Fla (5-1) 5. Clemson (8-0) 6. Florida St (7-1) 7. Oregon (6-1) 8. Florida (6-1) 9. Washington (6-1) 10. Kansas St (7-1) 11. TCU (6-0) 12. Ohio St (6-1) 13. Georgia (6-1) 14. So Mississippi (5-1) 15. Michigan (6-2) 16. Purdue (6-2) 17. South Carolina (7-1) 18. Oregon St (6-1) 19. Notre Dame (5-2) 20. Mississippi St (4-2) 21. No Carolina St (5-1) 22. Texas (5-2) 23. Northwestern (5-2) 24. Arizona (5-2) 25. Auburn (6-2) USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches Poll 1. Nebraska 7-0 2. Virginia Tech 7-0 3. Oklahoma 6-0 4. Clemson 8-0 5. Miami (Fla.) 5-1 6. Florida State 7-1 7. Florida 6-1 8. Kansas State 7-1 9. Washington 6-1 10. Oregon 6-1 11. Texas Christian 6-0 12. Georgia 6-1 13. Ohio State 6-1 14. Southern Mississippi 5-1 15. Michigan 6-2 16. Purdue 6-2 17. Oregon State 6-1 18. South Carolina 7-1 19. Notre Dame 5-2 20. Texas 5-2 21. Mississippi State 4-2 22. North Carolina State 5-1 23. Arizona 5-2 24. Colorado State 6-1 25. Auburn 6-2

WHAT'S A NITTANY LION? Penn State's athletic symbol, chosen by the student body in 1906, is the mountain lion which once roamed central Pennsylvania. H.D. "Joe" Mason, a member of the Class of 1907, conducted a one-man campaign to choose a school mascot after seeing the Princeton tiger on a trip with the Penn State baseball team to that New Jersey campus. A student publication sponsored the campaign to select a mascot and Penn State is believed to be the first college to adopt the lion as a mascot. Since Penn State is located in the Nittany Valley at the foot of Mount Nittany, the lion was designated as a Nittany Lion. In regional folklore, Nittany (or Nita-Nee) was a valorous Indian princess in whose honor the Great Spirit caused Mount Nittany to be formed. A later namesake, daughter of chief O-Ko-Cho, who lived near the mouth of Penn's Creek, fell in love with Malachi Boyer, a trader. The tearful maiden and her lost lover became legend and her name was given to the stately mountain. Blue and White Penn State's student-athletes are instantly identified by their blue and white uniforms - but those weren't the original school colors. A three-member committee representing the sophomore, junior and senior classes was appointed in October of 1887 to develop color options from which the student body would select the school's official colors. Dark pink and black was the unanimous choice of the student body after considering the color combinations presented by the committee. Soon many students and the baseball team were sporting pink and black striped blazers and caps. However, problems arose when the pink faded to white after several weeks of exposure to the sun. The students then opted for blue, rather than black, and white. The official announcement of the new choice was made on March 18, 1890.

Fight Fight Fight for the Blue and White... What on earth do you cheer about using Dark Pink and black? ASttack Attack Attack??? It just does not have the same ring to it!

Wow, Texas slipped back in on their Mizzou trouncing, the second not televised game in a row. We have to settle for post game highlight shows around here these days. Maybe this will get them back on the tv radar screen.

We got the Texas Tech game here on a religions tv station, but that is it. We usually get west coast teams games unless there is a really big game on in which case all of the network affiliates carry it. Frustrating! The Aggies seem to be doing ok this year...

Bowl Championship Series Rankings 1. Nebraska 2. Oklahoma 3. Virginia Tech 4. Miami (Fla.) 5. Florida State 6. Florida 7. Clemson 8. Oregon 9. Washington 10. Kansas State 11. Ohio State 12. Georgia 13. TCU 14. Southern Mississippi 15. Purdue Associated Press Top 25 1. Nebraska(7-0) 2. Virginia Tech (7-0) 3. Oklahoma (6-0) 4. Miami Fla (5-1) 5. Clemson (8-0) 6. Florida St (7-1) 7. Oregon (6-1) 8. Florida (6-1) 9. Washington (6-1) 10. Kansas St (7-1) 11. TCU (6-0) 12. Ohio St (6-1) 13. Georgia (6-1) 14. So Mississippi (5-1) 15. Michigan (6-2) 16. Purdue (6-2) 17. South Carolina (7-1) 18. Oregon St (6-1) 19. Notre Dame (5-2) 20. Mississippi St (4-2) 21. No Carolina St (5-1) 22. Texas (5-2) 23. Northwestern (5-2) 24. Arizona (5-2) 25. Auburn (6-2) USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches Poll 1. Nebraska 7-0 2. Virginia Tech 7-0 3. Oklahoma 6-0 4. Clemson 8-0 5. Miami (Fla.) 5-1 6. Florida State 7-1 7. Florida 6-1 8. Kansas State 7-1 9. Washington 6-1 10. Oregon 6-1 11. Texas Christian 6-0 12. Georgia 6-1 13. Ohio State 6-1 14. Southern Mississippi 5-1 15. Michigan 6-2 16. Purdue 6-2 17. Oregon State 6-1 18. South Carolina 7-1 19. Notre Dame 5-2 20. Texas 5-2 21. Mississippi State 4-2 22. North Carolina State 5-1 23. Arizona 5-2 24. Colorado State 6-1 25. Auburn 6-2

Texas 22 and 20. Not bad.

I'd be happpy with that... *sigh* Wait'll next year...!

Associated Press Top 25 1. Oklahoma (7-0) 2. Virginia Tech (8-0) 3. Miami Fla (6-1) 4. Florida St (8-1) 5. Nebraska (7-1) 6. Florida (7-1) 7. Oregon (7-1) 8. Washington (7-1) 9. TCU (7-0) 10. Clemson (8-1) 11. Purdue (7-2) 12. Michigan (6-2) 13. So Mississippi (6-1) 14. Oregon St (7-1) 15. Notre Dame (6-2) 16. Ohio St (6-2) 17. Georgia (6-2) 18. Mississippi St (5-2) 19. Kansas St (7-2) 20. Texas (6-2) 21. Northwestern (6-2) 22. South Carolina (7-2) 23. Auburn (7-2) 24. Texas A&M (6-2) 25. Georgia Tech (6-2) ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll 1. Oklahoma 2. Virginia Tech 3. Miami Fla 4. Florida St 5. Florida 6. Nebraska 7. Washington 8. Oregon 9. TCU 10. Clemson 11. So Mississippi 12. Michigan 13. Purdue 14. Oregon St 15. Kansas St 16. Notre Dame 17. Georgia 18. Mississippi St 19. Ohio St 20. Texas 21. Colorado St 22. Auburn 23. Northwestern 24. South Carolina 25. Texas A&M

I hate football!!! USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches' Poll 1. Oklahoma(8-0) 2. Miami Fla (7-1) 3. Florida St (9-1) 4. Florida (8-1) 5. Nebraska (8-1) 6. Washington (8-1) 7. Oregon (8-1) 8. Virginia Tech (8-1) 9. Purdue (7-2) 10. Oregon St (8-1) 11. Kansas St (8-2) 12. Notre Dame (6-2) 13. Georgia (6-2) 14. Ohio St (7-2) 15. Clemson (8-2) 16. Mississippi St (6-2) 17. TCU (7-1) 18. Northwestern (7-2) 19. Texas (7-2) 20. Colorado St (8-1) 21. Michigan (6-3) 22. So Mississippi (6-2) 23. Auburn (7-2) 24. Texas A&M (7-2) 25. South Carolina (7-2) Associated Press Top 25 1. Oklahoma(8-0) 2. Miami Fla (7-1) 3. Florida St (9-1) 4. Nebraska (8-1) 5. Florida (8-1) 6. Oregon (8-1) 7. Washington (8-1) 8. Virginia Tech (8-1) 9. Purdue (7-2) 10. Oregon St (8-1) 11. Notre Dame (6-2) 12. Northwestern (7-2) 13. Ohio St (7-2) 14. Georgia (6-2) 15. Mississippi St (6-2) 16. Kansas St (8-2) 17. Clemson (8-2) 18. TCU (7-1) 19. Texas (7-2) 20. Michigan (6-3) 21. South Carolina (7-2) 22. Auburn (7-2) 23. Texas A&M (7-2) 24. Georgia Tech (6-2) 25. Southern Miss (6-2)

Sheesh... when does LaCrosse season start?? USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll 1. Oklahoma (9-0) 2. Miami Fla (8-1) 3. Florida St (10-1) 4. Florida (9-1) 5. Washington (9-1) 6. Oregon (9-1) 7. Virginia Tech (9-1) 8. Oregon St (9-1) 9. Kansas St (9-2) 10. Nebraska (8-2) 11. Notre Dame (7-2) 12. Ohio St (8-2) 13. Mississippi St (7-2) 14. Clemson (8-2) 15. Texas (8-2) 16. TCU (8-1) 17. Purdue (7-3) 18. Michigan (7-3) 19. Auburn (8-2) 20. So Mississippi (7-2) 21. Georgia (6-3) 22. Georgia Tech (7-2) 23. Texas A&M (7-3) 24. Northwestern (7-3) 25. Tennessee (6-3) Associated Press Top 25 1. Oklahoma (9-0) 2. Miami Fla (8-1) 3. Florida St (10-1) 4. Florida (9-1) 5. Oregon (10-1) 6. Washington (9-1) 7. Virginia Tech (9-1) 8. Oregon St (9-1) 9. Kansas St (9-2) 10. Nebraska (8-2) 11. Notre Dame (7-2) 12. Ohio St (8-2) 13. Mississippi St (7-2) 14. Texas (8-2) 15. TCU (8-1) 16. Clemson (8-2) 17. Purdue (7-3) 18. Auburn (8-2) 19. Michigan (7-3) 20. Georgia Tech (7-2) 21. Texas A&M (7-3) 22. Georgia (6-3) 23. Northwestern (7-3) 24. So Mississippi (7-2) 25. South Carolina (7-3) Bowl Championship Series 1. Oklahoma (9-0) 2. Miami Fla (8-1) 3. Florida St (10-1) 4. Florida (9-1) 5. Washington (9-1) 6. Virginia Tech (9-1) 7. Oregon (10-1) 8. Nebraska (8-2) 9. Oregon St (9-1) 10. Kansas St (9-2) 11. Notre Dame (7-2) 12. Mississippi St (7-2) 13. Ohio St (8-2) 14. Texas (8-2) 15. Texas A&M (7-3)

Bowl Championship Series 1. Oklahoma (10-0) 2. Florida St (11-1) 3. Miami Fla (9-1) 4. Washington (10-1) 5. Oregon St (10-1) 6. Virginia Tech (9-1) 7. Florida (9-2) 8. Nebraska (8-2) 9. Kansas St (10-2) 10. Oregon (9-2) 11. Notre Dame (8-2) 12. Texas (8-2) 13. Clemson (9-2) 14. TCU (9-1) 15. Michigan (8-3) USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches' Poll 1. Oklahoma (10-0) 2. Miami Fla (9-1) 3. Florida St (11-1) 4. Washington (10-1) 5. Virginia Tech (9-1) 6. Oregon St (10-1) 7. Kansas St (10-2) 8. Nebraska (8-2) 9. Florida (9-2) 10. Notre Dame (8-2) 11. Oregon (9-2) 12. Clemson (9-2) 13. Texas (8-2) 14. Purdue (8-3) 15. TCU (9-1) 16. Michigan (8-3) 17. Auburn (9-2) 18. Georgia (7-3) 19. Georgia Tech (8-2) 20. Ohio St (8-3) 21. Northwestern (8-3) 22. Texas A&M (7-3) 23. Mississippi St (7-3) 24. Tennessee (7-3) 25. Colorado St (9-2) Associated Press Top 25 1. Oklahoma (10-0) 2. Miami Fla (9-1) 3. Florida St (11-1) 4. Washington (10-1) 5. Oregon St (10-1) 6. Virginia Tech (9-1) 7. Florida (9-2) 8. Kansas St (10-2) 9. Nebraska (8-2) 10. Oregon (9-2) 11. Notre Dame (8-2) 12. Texas (8-2) 13. TCU (9-1) 14. Purdue (8-3) 15. Clemson (9-2) 16. Michigan (8-3) 17. Auburn (9-2) 18. Georgia Tech (8-2) 19. Georgia (7-3) 20. Northwestern (8-3) 21. Ohio St (8-3) 22. Texas A&M (7-3) 23. Mississippi St (7-3) 24. LSU (7-3) 25. Tennessee (7-3)

Here are the final polls from USA Today and the Associated Press: January 4, 2001 USA Today/ESPN Top 25 College Football Coaches' Poll 1. Oklahoma(13-0) 2. Miami Fla (11-1) 3. Washington (11-1) 4. Florida St (11-2) 5. Oregon St (11-1) 6. Virginia Tech (11-1) 7. Nebraska (10-2) 8. Kansas St (11-3) 9. Oregon (10-2) 10. Michigan (9-3) 11. Florida (10-3) 12. Texas (9-3) 13. Purdue (8-4) 14. Clemson (9-3) 15. Colorado St (10-2) 16. Notre Dame (9-3) 17. Georgia (8-4) 18. TCU (10-2) 19. Georgia Tech (9-3) 20. Auburn (9-4) 21. South Carolina (8-4) 22. Mississippi St (8-4) 23. Iowa St (9-3) 24. Wisconsin (9-4) 25. Tennessee (8-4) Associated Press Top 25 College Football Poll 1. Oklahoma (13-0) 2. Miami Fla (11-1) 3. Washington (11-1) 4. Oregon St (11-1) 5. Florida St (11-2) 6. Virginia Tech (11-1) 7. Oregon (10-2) 8. Nebraska (10-2) 9. Kansas St (11-3) 10. Florida (10-3) 11. Michigan (9-3) 12. Texas (9-3) 13. Purdue (8-4) 14. Colorado St (10-2) 15. Notre Dame (9-3) 16. Clemson (9-3) 17. Georgia Tech (9-3) 18. Auburn (9-4) 19. South Carolina (8-4) 20. Georgia (8-4) 21. TCU (10-2) 22. LSU (8-4) 23. Wisconsin (9-4) 24. Mississippi St (8-4) 25. Iowa St (9-3)

Since Washington beat Miami, I still think they should be second. Even though I live in Floria I'm glad Oklahoma is in first. They played a good game.

Even though I live in Floria I'm glad Oklahoma is in first. They played a good game. Thank you ...of course I'll agree since I live in Oklahoma.Hee, hee... Hey, in Sept.those guys came into the season #20! And clawed their way up.A hardworking bunch of kids ,with a tremendous coach. They deserved that trophy.

OKLAHOMA!!! CONGRATULATIONS ON A GRAT WIN. Evelyn I thought of you! As for my Penn State, ....wail'll next year...!!!

Marcia)OKLAHOMA!!! CONGRATULATIONS ON A GRAT WIN. Evelyn I thought of you! As for my Penn State, ....wail'll next year...!!! Thank you, Marcia. LOL... I'm a Nittany Lion fan too Marcia...#1 son graduated from Penn State. Joe Paterno is The Great One in my books:-))

I knew there was a reason I loved you so much! I am posting the Dave Kindred column which appeared in my email this morning. How harsh do you think he is being? Barbara, I did not send this to you for obvious reasons (FSU grad that you are...) Once again, things aren't as they appear by Dave Kindred We'll get to Marty Schottenheimer, who is as much a public fool today as are those "experts" (hahaha) who liked Florida State over Oklahoma. Let's start with this: The Downtown Athletic Club, right now, today, not a minute later, should cast a new sculpture of 11 tacklers bending that straight-arm back into Mr. Heisman Chris Weinke's nostrils. This new trophy done in gold and diamonds should be overnighted to America's heartland bearing the inscription "Abandon Hope, All Ye Who Dare the Sooners." Goodness, what Oklahoma did to poor Weinke and Florida State. For all that Heisman-hype talk about the Sooners' quarterback, Josh Heupel, he may be the seventh or eighth or 15th most important player on that team. Oklahoma's defensive unit was not only amazing, which most any decent defense can be, it was amazing not for a quarter or a half but ALL NIGHT LONG. If Weinke plays 10 years in the NFL (and this game suggests he should be happy with three or four seasons as a backup), he'll never see a defense that good again. Even when Weinke completed a pass, the receiver was tackled so quickly with such force that it was a small wonder as the night wore on that Florida State's receivers, made wary, dropped passes otherwise catchable. Some folks, such as the one attached to this typing machine, foresaw a Florida State victory that would throw the Bowl Championship Series into confusion even greater than that which attends it naturally. The idea was that Oklahoma couldn't score against the Seminoles, and the Seminoles could score against anybody. Well, half-right. Oklahoma scored a touchdown and two field goals, which, as everyone knows, is like not scoring at all because 13 points won't beat Florida State. In fact, if Oklahoma had scored 13 points in every game this year, it would have won four times instead of 13 times. But on this night, 13 points were much more than enough because Oklahoma's defense was so good that the frustrated Weinke even tried to lumber/scramble for a critical first down late - and fumbled when hit by one of the Sooners' careening linebackers. As long as we're admitting fallibility, one might also say the BCS produced a true national champion after all. The system's computers told us Oklahoma was No. 1, and while Miami, Florida State and Washington believed they had legitimate claims at the national championship, they didn't, really. Only Oklahoma won 'em all. Here's really all we need to know: Oklahoma beat Nebraska by 17 and Nebraska then went to the Alamo Bowl and beat one of the Big Ten's champions by 49. Now, Marty Schottenheimer. When the Redskins fired Norv Turner with three games left in the season, Schottenheimer, former Browns and Chiefs coach, said he could never work for an owner such as Mr. Daniel M. (Call Me Mister) Snyder, the 36-year-old twerp with no football experience who made critical football decisions last year that helped produce the highest NFL payroll in history ($92.2 million) and another of the league's zillion 8-8 records. Quoth Schottenheimer back then: "I don't have any interest (in the Redskins job) because it wouldn't work for (Snyder), or me, and most important, the team. If a player has a sense that the head coach is not the one they're ultimately accountable to, if they feel there's an alternative in the owner's box, it becomes very difficult to manage and coach that player." Now Schottenheimer says he spoke too quickly about Snyder, that he spoke as an outsider, and that he spoke with insufficient information. Part of that information, perhaps, is that Snyder was willing to pay him $10 million for four years. That kind of information might cause an out-of-work coach to reconsider his criticism. It might even move that coach to say, "Mr. Snyder, do you like cream with your coffee?" Dave Kindred is a contributing writer for The Sporting News. E-mail him at kindred@sportingnews.com.

I don't really keep up with football stats or players. LOL...Im just a rural Okie who is so proud of our lil ole farm team that ranked 20th in Sept. and came into the Orange Bowl as the underdog by 12 points. Las Vegas odds and every sports announcer was ready to give it to Florida before the game was even played. Perhaps that taught everyone a lesson in fair play. Oklahoma is a small state. LOL. Today's paper announced that the trophy would be exhibited at the Sear's stores in Okla. City and anyone could have a free photo made with the trophy. Doesn't that tell you something about how close we feel to those guys!!