MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / September 27, 2000

Parity – equality or equal status.

See college football.

Remember the old saying “On any given Sunday, any team can beat another?” Well, modify to include Saturday’s as well.

The college season is only about a month old and already the Top 25 has gone through numerous changes. Alabama, a third-ranked preseason pick,is 1-3 and nowhere to be found in the polls. There is no joy in Happy Valleyeither as Penn State, a preseason Top 25 pick, is off to a 1-4 start for the first time under Joe Paterno. Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Tennessee, Texas,Wisconsin, UCLA and Georgia already have one loss.

Who would have thought that in the first month of the season, Toledo would win at Penn State? Or that UAB would defeat LSU in Tiger Stadium? South Carolina, which went 0-11 in 1999, would be 4-0 with victories over Georgia and Mississippi State? The way the Gamecocks have been playing, school officials might want to invest in tear-away goal posts.

UCLA has defeated two teams ranked third in the polls, Alabama and Michigan, struggled to defeat Fresno State and lost on the road to unranked Oregon. Wisconsin survived a scare in overtime against Cincinnati, only tofall in double overtime the next week against Northwestern.

Nebraska struggled to get by Notre Dame in overtime. The Irish defeatedranked teams Texas A &M and Purdue, the latter coming on a last-second field goal, and lost to Michigan State on a 68-yard touchdown pass in the final two minutes.

Florida State looked sluggish in wins over BYU and Georgia Tech, then demolished North Carolina and Louisville. But daddy Bowden better watchout. Son Tommy’s Clemson team is off to a very impressive 4-0 start. TheNov. 4 matchup could be quite a show.Florida was unimpressive in wins over cupcakes Ball State and Middle Tennessee State to open the season then won at Tennessee on one of the most controversial calls of the season so far. Questionable calls alsodecided the Michigan-Illinois game this past weekend.

Virginia Tech and Michael Vick have survived a lightning storm that canceled the season opener against Georgia Tech to prove that 1999 was no fluke. Kansas State has feasted on a schedule of Iowa, Louisiana Tech,Ball State and North Texas. Those teams currently have a combined recordof 1-15. The Wildcats’ first test could come this weekend at Colorado. Ofcourse, the Buffaloes are also 0-3.

Ohio State is 4-0, including a 45-6 (yes, 45-6) whipping of Penn State.

The Buckeyes also have their first test coming up in two weeks at Wisconsin. Michigan State is also undefeated as are Washington and USCout west, Auburn in the SEC and Oklahoma in the Big 12. All those teamsstill have ranked opponents to get by before the end of the season.

Washington has the best shot of getting through unscathed with games at Oregon and home against UCLA to get through.

In this crazy season, it’s not crazy that the team with the best chance of going undefeated is Texas Christian. The Horned Frogs are 3-0 and none oftheir remaining opponents currently have a winning record.

A Washington-TCU Orange Bowl for the National Championship? I bet the executives at ABC are just salivating at that thought.

Return To Sports Stories

Copyright © #Thisyear# Wick Communications, Inc.Best viewed with 4.0 or higher