1940 Michigan

Ok, I'm stealing from my work blog today because it's kind of fun and humorous.

I think it's safe to say that Nick Saban is getting sick of questions about facing LSU and would just assume play the game right now. Wednesday, in his final meeting this week with reporters (and this is after we gave him a birthday card for his 56th), Saban went off a little bit (and in a fun way) after a Louisiana reporter asked about LSU people who are staying at the Saban house this weekend.

"As much as you guys try and make it a fact that everyone hates my guts in Louisiana, everybody doesn't," he said. "I hate to say that, but we do have a few friends left, and they are lifelong friends that are probably, like us, us being me and Terry, like who we are, not what we do. We respect the fact that they went to LSU, like LSU and root for LSU. I don't have a problem with that.

"My neighbor in Michigan is a very, very good friend of line, was the biggest Michigan guy in the world and I was at Michigan State. We're good friends, we went to church together ...
"I know you guys want to make it like it's people want to blowup everyone's house. It sells newspapers and all that kind of stuff, but I don't feel that way about anybody."

Saban went on to say that all LSU and Alabama supporters are always welcome at his house, but for some reason didn't give the address. He also didn't invite reporters.

So happy birthday coach, and here's a picture for your old neighbor. Coach Fritz Crisler and “Ole’ 98” Tom Harmon hold up a torn jersey in 1940. Ranked third the Wolverines missed out on the national championship, but Harmon outdistanced Texas A&M’s John Kimbrough in voting for the Heisman Trophy. Courtesy the Bentley Historical Library (photo BL001067), the University of Michigan.

1919 Illinois

Ok, let's get away from Alabama-LSU for a bit, especially since the biggest stories so far have to do with suspensions.

Sophomore end Chuck Carney’s key reception set up the game-winning field goal as Illinois defeated Ohio State 9-7 to clinch the 1919 Big Ten title. Illinois (6-1) received national title consideration, but Harvard was the consensus choice. Courtesy Illinois Sports Information Archives.

1925 Alabama

So today was the primary media day for the Alabama-LSU game, and I can honestly tell you that the Crimson Tide is trying to to be as low-key as possible. It was 2-3 hours of "This is a big game, right?" followed by Nick Saban and the players answering, "Not really." Sure.

FYI, Alabama did this two weeks ago before it thumped Tennessee, 41-17. I guess it works for these guys, and figure LSU will be fired up enough as it us.

Yesterday I had a photo of LSU's most recent title, so here's one from the Tide's first, 1925. Coach Wallace Wade instructs his players on the sideline during the 1926 Rose Bowl, where Alabama defeated Washington, 20-19. Courtesy of the Paul W. Bryant Museum and the Tournament of Roses archives.

2003 LSU

What, like I wasn't going to use this photo to kick off this week?

First, some book news.

For some reason that I don't quite understand, the book is still on its way to various stores around the country, primarily because some big database somewhere had the release date listed as January, 2008 (and thus, it was either sitting in warehouses or waiting to be ordered -- like I said, I don't really understand the details). I've been told that this has been corrected and you all should start seeing the book all over the place very, very soon ... if not sooner (really, that soon).

One place that does have the correct release date listed is amazon.com, which not only reports good sales, but also of my book from last year, "Where Football is King: A History of the SEC." Go Amazon.

So, LSU vs. Alabama this weekend. Hmmmmm ....

Nick Saban holds up the national championship trophy after LSU defeated Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl, 21-14. Even though the Tigers wound up the BCS champion, it was still a split title with the Associated Press voters opting for Southern California. Photo by Steve Franz. Courtesy of Louisiana State University.

Bonus picture

Ok, so a few of you may have noticed that I didn't post for a couple of days. That's because I got my first vacation days of the year, and usually when that happens I don't just like to just leave the town, but the country.

Thank you Vancouver for your hospitality over the weekend. Thank you to the person who turned in my missing driver's license. Thank you to a certain airline (which for now will remain nameless) for losing my luggage.

I also made side trips to Whistler and Seattle, so it was a busy trip, but a nice break.

Ok, back to college football. I remember hearing something about Alabama vs. LSU this week ....

1992 Southern California

Here's hoping the fires in California get under control, and then are completely put out, in the very near future, without any more loss of life.

After Pasadena financed and built a 57,000 seat stadium in Arroyo Seco for $272,198, Southern California defeated Penn State in the 1923 Rose Bowl. The 14-3 contest attracted 52,000 spectators. Courtesy of Tournament of Roses archives.

1987 Miami

I made a crack last week about how Florida State was playing Miami and no one seemed to noticed. Well, apparently, the Hurricanes won 37-29 (seriously, they did. I looked it up and everythying). So here's a Miami photo to mark the victory.

Running back Cleveland Gary, here playing against No. 1 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, helped lead Miami to its first undefeated season and the national championship in 1987. Jimmy Johnson’s Hurricanes beat six ranked teams, including Oklahoma 20-14. Courtesy of the University of Miami.

1932 Michigan

Since the Wolverines are in the Top 25 again, does that mean we have to stop with the Appalachian State jokes? No? Ok, good. I didn't think so.

But hey, Michigan now has company with Minnesota losing to North Dakota State. Maybe it's a good thing my dad isn't around to see it. He went to Minnesota. Besides, most of the Gophers I know at least saw this one coming.

On a much more serious note, Willis Ward was the first black football player to play for Michigan in 40 years. He helped the Wolverines win two national titles and in 1933 was honorable mention All-American at right end. In 1934, Georgia Tech refused to play against a black player and despite numerous protests Michigan benched Ward. The Wolverines won anway, 9-2. Courtesy the Bentley Historical Library (photo BL001108), the University of Michigan.

1975 Arizona State

Unfortunately, I can't get the picture of the 1970 Sun Devils playing North Carolina in the snow at the Peach Bowl, where they won 48-26, to work, but feel the need to give ASU some love today -- and not just because I used to work in Phoenix.

(Actually, like most other people, I can't understand why Arizona State isn't a regular college football power. Maybe that corner has finally been turned).

The 1975 Sun Devils topped an 11-0 season with a 17-14 upset of Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl. Although the Sporting News proclaimed Arizona State its national champion, Associated Press voters weren’t swayed by a 12-0 team from the Western Athletic Conference, and had it at No. 2. Courtesy of Arizona State University.

1935 Southern Methodist

The joys of having to do a story about a possible textbook scandal (emphasis on the word "possible," please), might have triggered something in my brain, which is really a shame because so few people know just how good SMU used to be.

The 1935 SMU-TCU game became known as the Game of the First Half of the Century, when the Mustangs came back from a 14-point deficit to win 20-14. With the victory, SMU was named national champion by more than one service and received an invitation to the Rose Bowl. Courtesy of Southern Methodist University.

1992 Alabama

Geez, it's hard to believe that the Third Saturday in October is already here, and the Tennessee-Alabama game is a morning game.

To me, that may be the strangest thing of the season, so far. That and nobody seems to care that Miami and Florida State play today too.

Speaking of the Hurricanes (nice transition, huh?), here David Palmer eludes Miami defenders during the 1993 Sugar Bowl as Alabama went on to win 34-13. The following year, “The Deuce” finished third in Heisman Trophy voting, the highest finish ever by an Alabama player. Courtesy of the Paul W. Bryant Museum.

1924 Notre ... I mean Vanderbilt

Sorry I couldn't post yesterday, something came up and distracted me. But I had planned to post this picture specifically, because on October 18, 1924, Grantland Rice penned the most famous passage in sports journalism: “Outlined against a blue, gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley and Layden …

So where did Rice go to school? Vanderbilt.

Anyway, Notre Dame went 10-0 and outscored the opposition 285-57. Photo courtesy of the University of Notre Dame.

Another bonus shot

Ok, this one isn't as good, or nearly as controversial, but I took this at last year's game in Knoxville.

Even though some prominent people are suddenly showing up in Tuscaloosa for the Third Saturday in October, it doesn't feel like Tennessee week.

I mean, the game is on at 11:30 a.m. Very strange.

Anyway, the Vols are coming. Personally, I think it's going to be a heck of a game.

1916 Oregon

I kind of feel like the guy being chased in this photo after yesterday's bonus post, but, to steal the line Simeon Rice used at least three times a day when I covered him with the Arizona Cardinals, "It's all good."

In an effort to get as far away from the SEC as possible today, this is from the 1917 Rose Bowl. Even though Washington State defeated Brown 14-0 the year before, Oregon’s upset of Penn by the same score helped established West Coast football as suitable competition for the East Coast powers. Courtesy Tournament of Roses archives.

Bonus picture!

This really bad photo is taken from the key controversial play in the Alabama at Ole Miss game, which was the subject of my previous post (the overturn by replay officials). My apologies for the quality because it's taken off a TV from the crucial frame.

If you look closely, you can tell that Ole Miss receiver Shay Hodge touches the ball first, just before Alabama cornerback Lionel Mitchell. The reason why this is important is because Hodge had been out-of-bounds, thus ineligible to make a play on the ball until after it was touched by either an opponent or an official.

In short, the replay officials got it right.

If you look even closer, you can see a small horse and rider between a cheerleader's legs. That's actually a reflection of a lamp -- you aren't seeing things, unless the horse is moving. If so, you're on your own.

1965 Michigan State

I have to admit today that I don't get some of the reaction from Ole Miss after Saturday's loss.

Trut me, you should hear some of the phone message left for me at work. It's almost as if they want the rule to be changed or ignored because, well, because it didn't go their way.

In case you missed it, Alabama was up 27-24 when on fourth down, Ole Miss quarterback Seth Adams chucked a long pass to receiver Shay Hodge for appeared to be a 41-yard reception at the Alabama 4 with 7 seconds left.

However, the play was reviewed, and overruled. After looking at the play myself and taking to people in the know, here's what I wrote Monday:

Officials were essentially looking for three things:
· Did Hodge catch the ball? Yes.
· Did he step out of bounds before catching the ball? Yes. [Note: I had elsewhere that officials ruled he wasn't forced out of bounds] At this point, the play was essentially overruled. Now for the tricky part.
· Did the receiver touch the ball before the defender, junior Lionel Mitchell? This was important because a receiver who steps out-of-bounds may re-enter the field of play and make a play on a ball only if it’s touched first by a defender or official. In this case, replay officials decided it was all but impossible to determine who touched the ball first. The only way the call could have gone in Ole Miss’ favor was if replay showed Mitchell had clearly touched it before Hodge.

However, slowing down the replay, it appears that Hodge, who had his left shoulder over Mitchell’s right shoulder, did reach up and touch the ball first with his left hand. But is it conclusive? No. Incidentally, aided by Alabama’s time out, it took officials 5 minutes and 50 seconds to go through the entire process.

"I'm sick, but I have to deal with it," Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron said. "There's nothing I can do about it. It's very, very unfair. This is not about me. It's about my team. We should've been allowed to play that last 7 seconds and let the best team win."

But they did they get the call right? Yes.

Ok, enough of that.

Under Daffy Daugherty, pictured here from the 1956 Rose Bowl, the Spartans were able to make strong claims for the national championship in both 1965 and 1966. The 1965 Spartans were 10-0-0 before a 14-12 loss to UCLA in the Rose Bowl, and the 1966 team went 9-0-1, with the tie against Notre Dame. Courtesy of the Tournament of Roses archives.

1957 Ohio State

It's time to give the Buckeyes some love, because, well, they are No. 1 this week. Yes, really they are, even though just about everyone thinks this is a down year for the Big 10. That and Ohio State's biggest wins so far are against Washington and Purdue, teams that wouldn't exactly be called world beaters.

No. 2 is South Florida. Congrats to the Bulls, and to No. 3 Boston College.

I'm going to do a column about all this later this week, so for now I'm going to bite my tongue. The teams at the top should enjoy their rankings, and for at least one more night we should all let them and not mention things like five of the 11 remaining undefeated teams lost last week. Besides, it's a good photo.

Despite being out-gained, Ohio State pulled out a 10-7 victory against Oregon in the 1958 Rose Bowl. Frank Kremblas of Ohio State and Jim Shanley of Oregon scored the touchdowns. Courtesy the Tournament of Roses archives.

1964 Alabama

Ok, sorry I didn't post yesterday, but I didn't make it back from Ole Miss in time. Still, for the fifth straight week Alabama's game essentially came down to the last play, this time with an instant-replay overturn that had the Rebels steaming mad. FYI, it was the correct call, and if you want to know why check out Monday's edition of the Tuscaloosa News.

Otherwise, I'll probably spend a lot of this week blogging about how crazy this season is, especially with the first Bowl Championship Series rankings.

But more about that later.

Quarterback Joe Namath shakes hands with Ray Perkins during the 1964 season when at 10-0 Alabama was awarded the national championship by the Associated Press prior to its controversial 21-17 loss to Texas in the Orange Bowl. Courtesy of the Paul W. Bryant Museum.

1960 Ole Miss

So it's Friday, and I'm getting ready to head over to Oxford, Mississippi to see Alabama at Ole Miss in the morning. I have to say I really, really hate morning games because it doesn't give you a chance to soak up the atmosphere beforehand, and by the time we get done everyone's cleared out. Trust me, if there's one place in college football you want to enjoy before a game, it's The Grove.

Although John Vaught’s 1959 team may have been better, the No. 2 Rebels were 9-0-1 after they defeated Rice in the 1961 Sugar Bowl, 14-6, while No. 1 Minnesota (8-1) lost to No. 6 Washington in the Rose Bowl. Courtesy of the Southeastern Conference.

1928 Georgia Tech (and Cal)

If you don't know this play, or this photo, you should. The most famous play in Rose Bowl history occurred in the 1929 game when Cal center Roy Riegels recovered a fumble and ran 65 yards the wrong way. “Wrong Way” Riegels was tackled by teammate Benny Lom on the 1-yard line, setting up a Georgia Tech safety on a blocked punt en route to an 8-7 victory. Courtesy of Tournament of Roses archives.

1914 Illinois

I don't think a lot of people are surprised that Illinois appears to have turned things around, but that it's happened so fast has certainly raised some eyebrows.

Down year for the Big Ten? Maybe. Definitely for Minnesota, where my father went and I took some summer classes. How long until the Gophers get out of the dome? It's not soon enough.

The 1914 Illini coached by Bob Zuppke, center, finished 7-0 and outscored opponents 224-22. Although Army’s considered the consensus national champion, Illinois and Texas also received consideration. Courtesy Illinois Sports Information Archives.

2004 Auburn

You have to give Auburn a lot of credit for the way it's bounced back this season. The Tigers barely beat Kansas State (which now doesn't look that bad), lost at home to South Florida (which now doesn't look that bad), and lost to Mississippi State (which ... ah, never mind. I like Sly Croom a lot), before beating Florida and crushing Vanderbilt.

Saturday is a huge game against Arkansas before visiting LSU, so we're about to find out what this team is all about. But 3-4 weeks ago there was serious talk that Auburn might not get enough wins to play in a bowl game. Too bad it doesn't play Tennessee this season, because that could be an incredible game.

Of course, nothing ever seems to come easy to the Tigers. Despite a 12-0 regular season in 2004, Auburn was only able to celebrate the SEC championship after the BCS rankings paired Oklahoma and Southern California in the national championship. Auburn defeated Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl, 16-13, to finish No. 2. Courtesy of the Southeastern Conference.

1921 Washington & Jefferson (and Cal)

I'm in a weird mood today, somewhere between emotionally fried, neurotic and a little freaked out.

Granted, a lot of that had to do with the weekend (trust me, don't ask, you don't want to know), but maybe it had to do with how close Cal came to becoming No. 1, the thought of someone actually voting USF second, and Notre Dame ended its worst start ever with a win at UCLA.

"When you're 0-5, everyone in the country is laughing at you," Charlie Weis said. "The only thing you can do is do something about it on the field. I'm really happy for the kids.
"We never had a better week of practice since I've been here. I said good things will happen, and it happened."

I guess beating a walk-on quarterback counts as a good thing.

Anyway, a weird day means a weird photo (maybe Tuesday I'll get some color back on this page). Coming off its national championship season, Cal was again undefeated entering the 1922 Rose Bowl, but held to a 0-0 tie by Washington & Jefferson, which never made a substitution. Cal doesn’t complete a pass in the mud in the final Rose Bowl played at Tournament Park. Courtesy of Tournament of Roses archives.

1935 Stanford

So how many of you didn't believe it Saturday night when you heard that Southern California had lost to Stanford.

Yeah, me neither. I mean Stanford? No offense to fans of the Cardinal .. ah, never mind. I think you all know what I mean and I'll take this opportunity to try and not stick my foot in my mouth. But here's a photo in honor of the upset:

After two straight losses, Stanford finally won a Rose Bowl in 1936 for coach C.E. Thornhill by shutting out Southern Methodist, 7-0. With it, the “Vow Boys” make good on their promises to never lose another Rose Bowl Game and never lose during the regular season to Southern California. Courtesy of Tournament of Roses archives.

1925 Alabama

I like this photo a lot, in part because there's so much in it. The player without a helmet, the way the play was developing, the stands. I keep wondering where the guy who took it was standing.

Johnny Mack Brown, with helmet, comes around for a reverse while Pooley Hubert steps forward to be his lead blocker in the 27-0 victory against Georgia. Courtesy of the Paul W. Bryant Museum.

1919 Harvard

Big weekend coming up for college football, and it's homecoming here at Alabama, where last night I ran into a bunch of former players after watching South Carolina handle Kentucky.

At one point, someone asked me about about Ivy League schools and how long it's been since they dominated the game. At one point I asked him if he knew that Harvard had played in the 1920 Rose Bowl.

The Crimson made its lone appearance and defeated Oregon, 7-6. At 7-0-1, Harvard was considered the consensus national champion. Courtesy Tournament of Roses archives.

1930 Notre Dame

I've been saving this one specifically for today.

On this day in 1930, Notre Dame Stadium was dedicated and celebrated with a 20-14 victory against Southern Methodist. Now that part is nice and impressive, but consider the following:

The Fighting Irish played the entire 1929 season on the road, with home games at the neutral sites of Chicago and Baltimore, and played Army at Yankee Stadium in New York. Despite that, Notre Dame went 9-0 to win the national championship, and then came back to go 10-0 in 1930 to defend the title. Incidentally, it was the last championship for Knute Rockne (105-12-5), who died soon after in a plane crash.

Photo courtesy of the University of Notre Dame.

Ben-Hur rocks (1903-15)

The book is here!

The book is here!

The book is here!

Ok, maybe I'm a little excited, but seeing your book for the first time never gets old, I don't care how many you've written (FYI, this is my fourth). Seeing it for the first time in a store is also pretty cool, which could happen by the weekend. At least I can stop going nuts about when they would get here, and hearing from various people "Hey, my copy got here. It looks great."

Anyway, my copies arrived this morning, 10 months to the day Nick Saban was hired, and on the day the NHL season opens on this continent (there were two games played in London last weeked. Wish I could have been there). Good day for me. Think I'll do something different, like not post a football photo.

From 1903-15, the Tournament of Roses held chariot races as a feature attraction. Even though this race on January 1, 1915 attracted 25,000 fans, dwindling interest and economic factors led organizers to bring football back at the end of the 1915 season. Courtesy Tournament of Roses archives.

1901 Stanford

Ok, a quick little book update. I'm hearing that they're very, very close to going out.

Yeah, I know I sound a little like a broken record. I'm anxious too.

Speaking of old-time technology (record, get it?),
here Stanford players relax in front of the Green Hotel before the first Tournament Roses football game, Jan. 1, 1902. They were promptly creamed by Michigan, 49-0. Courtesy Tournament of Roses archives.

1902 Michigan

I'm going with a theme this week : Old school (or would that be olde school?). That means lots of black-and-white, but interesting, photos that I hope you enjoy. I'm starting with Michigan because, as promised, the Wolverines received the most votes in last month's poll. Oh, and the new poll is up.

Coming off their impressive Rose Bowl victory, the Wolverines went 11-0 and outscored opponents 644-12, including a 119-0 victory against Michigan State and 107-0 vs. Iowa. Courtesy the Bentley Historical Library (photo BL006457), the University of Michigan.