Bottom 10

Rumors continued that the NCAA had devised a bail-out program for the rapidly weakening Pacific 10 Conference that would have the league’s various flowerhouses taken over by the more solid Mountain West Conference. Or perhaps by the Ivy League.

The calamity suffered by USC against Oregon State proved the wisdom of UCLA’s marketing slogan: “The football monopoly in L.A. is officially over.” Yes, the new power in town is indisputably Occidental (2-0), which just notched a 38-28 win over the men of Menlo College.

USC hasn’t played Oxy since 1934 and it’s easy to see why. The Trojans obviously haven’t gotten over some of the beatings they suffered against the Tigers, including shutouts by Oxy in 1895, 1903 and 1905.

Elsewhere, Rutgers (1-3), San Diego State (1-3), Florida International (1-3) and the University of Texas at Overthrown Paso (1-3) all recorded victories, ending their dreams of winless seasons. The No. 1 position was taken over by Virginia. Imagine a school bad enough to lose to Duke and USC in the same season.

*--* Wreck, Record Last Loss Next Loss 1. Virginia (1-3) 3-31, Duke Maryland 2. Washington (0-4) 28-35, Stanford Arizona 3. Washington St. (1-4) 14-63, Oregon UCLA 4. Idaho (1-4) 17-45, San Diego St. Nevada 5. Hawaii (1-3) 17-20, San Jose St. Fresno St. 6. Tennessee (1-3) 12-14, Auburn Northern Illinois 7. San Diego St. (1-3) def. Idaho, 45-17 TCU 8. Florida Inter.* (1-3) def. Toledo, 35-16 North Texas 9. Syracuse (1-4) 24-34, The Pitts W. Virginia 10. Troy (2-2) 24-55, Oklahoma St.** Florida Atlantic *--*

*Not an airport; **A bad week for both Troys.

* 11. The SMUs (1-4); 12 Alabama Birmingham (1-4); 13. Ole Miss State (1-4); 14. UCLA (1-3); 15. Utah State (1-3); 16. Rutgers (1-3); 17. Wyoming (2-3); 18. N.C. State (2-3); 19. On sabbatical; 20. The Top Ten’s top five last week (2-3).

* Crummy game of the week: Washington State (1-4) vs. UCLA (1-3).

* Rout of the week: TCU (4-1) over Idaho (1-4).

* Special citation: When Fresno State’s offense shifted into one formation against UCLA, three of its players crashed into each other, falling down. “Not aesthetically pleasing,” commented broadcaster David Norrie. “Like bowling pins,” said partner Terry Gannon.

steveharvey9@gmail.com