1954 Ohio State

I walked into a Books A Million store today and found the book, so I'm two-for-two, and pleased that it's finally getting out there. Now everyone, please go buy it (subtle, huh?).

Having already been named the national champion by the Associated Press, Woody Hayes made a successful debut at the Rose Bowl with a 20-7 victory against Southern California, 20-7. The 1954 Buckeyes were led by quarterback Dave Leggett, while Hopalong Cassady, Bob Watkins and Dick Harkrader all scored a touchdown. Courtesy of the Tournament of Roses archives.

It's out!

True story.

For those who don't know, this is my fourth book, and after the first three I celebrated by opening a bottle of champagne. I'm not sure why, but this time I didn't ... until last night.

If you haven't noticed, the book has been a little slow getting to stores, primarily because the big database they use listed it as a January 2008 release. So none of them ordered it and the college football season is already beginning to wind down (hey stores, it's available and a perfect holiday gift!).

In order to end the jinx, some friends (Patrick, Carrie, Leah and Ian) helped me kill a bottle of Barefoot Bubbly before watching a movie. Sure enough, today I walked into a Barnes & Noble and there it was, the bright yellow cover I could see all the way across the room.

The champagne worked!

By the way Barefoot Wines, I'm available for endorsements.

Also, thank you Books A Million for updating your website and saying that the book is in stock. Much appreciated.

Although the 1966 Crimson Tide finished a perfect 11-0, neither the Associated Press nor the coaches’ poll awarded Alabama its third consecutive national title, instead ranking it behind both Notre Dame and Michigan State, which tied 10-10. Courtesy of the Paul W. Bryant Museum.

1945 Army

Hmmmm ... the talk today on the SEC coaches' conference call was if the six-win minimum for bowl games should be raised. It's a worthwhile question, but no one jumped out and said yes. Can't say I blame them, especially when the question was asked to Vanderbilt's Bobby Johnson (what's he going to say, no?).

So for anyone who thinks the Darren McFadden-Felix Jones backfield at Arkansas might be the best in college football history, I present “Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside.”

Doc Blanchard (right) and Glenn Davis (left) became the only members of the same backfield to both win Heisman Trophies, and be named three-time consensus All-Americans. Blanchard won the Heisman in 1945, Davis In 1946. Davis finished second for the award in both 1944 and 1945. Courtesy of the United States Military Academy.

1927 Illinois

A quick book update: Things appear to be progressing nicely now, so if the book isn't in a store near you already it should be very, very soon. Sorry about any delays, and hopefully I can get on with some book signings soon.

Illinois was 7-0-1, with the lone tie against Iowa State, 12-12. However, with Georgia, Notre Dame and Yale all sustaining a loss, Illinois is considered the consensus national champion. Courtesy Illinois Sports Information Archives.

1940 Stanford

Here's something to mull over during the final three weeks of the college football regular season:

Houston became the 49th team to become eligible for postseason play after Sunday's win over SMU. Twenty-six other squads are just one victory away from achieving the necessary six wins in a 12-game regular season to play in a bowl game.

There's just one problem, there are only 32 bowl games, with obviously 64 teams. The SEC alone has nine teams with six wins or more, with two more at five. In short, some teams are going to be left out.

Remember, you heard it here first.

With Clark Shaughnessy’s new innovation, the T-formation, Pete Kmetovic had 141 rushing yards and returned a punt for a touchdown to lead Stanford’s 21-13 victory against Nebraska in the 1941 Rose Bowl. Stanford received national title consideration, but Minnesota was the consensus choice. Courtesy of the Tournament of Roses archives.

1931 Southern California

Southern California coach Howard Jones led the Trojans to five appearances in the Rose Bowl and won them all, including the 21-12 victory against Tulane to help secure the 1931 national championship. Courtesy of Tournament of Roses archives.

Bonus picture

This is actually a photo I took last year, but you have to give props to the Tigers for pulling out last night's game, even though they all but tried to give it away at times.

Overall, I have to say that LSU-Alabama was one of the more entertaining games I've seen in a long time, and considering the Tide has already had five games go down to the wire this season that's really saying something.

So congrats to LSU.

1992 Alabama

Well, I severely doubt we're going to see anything like this today, but it still should be an interesting day.

Coach Gene Stallings is carried off the field at the 1993 Sugar Bowl after Alabama (13-0) became the first team to win the national championship under the new Bowl Coalition. Courtesy of the Paul W. Bryant Museum.

1966 Notre Dame

The October poll is obviously over, and here are the results:

For the question, which Notre Dame title (or non-title) is the most controversial?
1966: "Tie one for the Gipper" 56 (84%)

1946: The most famous tie in college football history 6 (9%)
1947: The vote that didn't count 3 (4%)
1993: "But we beat Florida State" 1 (1%)

Basically, you're all in line with the book, which does include a top 10 list of all-time.

Nick Eddy (No. 47), here making a move with Rocky Bleier just below him (No. 28), was Notre Dame’s leading rusher and finished third in Heisman Trophy voting, but didn’t play in the biggest game of the year, the 10-10 tie against Michigan State. He slipped getting off the train at East Lansing and aggravated his shoulder injury. Courtesy of the University of Notre Dame.

Bonus picture

So yes, I did take off from the blog yesterday, but primarily because it was one of those days I left home and didn't come back until incredibly late. It's also because I went and saw Cowboy Mouth last night - excellent show, had a great time. FYI, a lot of CBS people were there as well.

Tuscaloosa is being invaded by Alabama, LSU and college football fans in general. I'm having a quiet night to rest up for what should be a heck of a big day Saturday. I'm looking forward to it.