COLLEGE FOOTBALL : TODAY’S COLLEGE GAMES TO WATCH

GAME OF THE DAY Iowa (5-0) at Michigan (5-0) TV: Channels 2 and 8, 11:30 a.m. PDT

Iowa Coach Hayden Fry earned his degree in psychology and has never let anyone forget it. Last season, when these Big Ten rivals put their undefeated records on the line at Iowa City, Fry had Michigan’s dressing room painted pink. “It’s a mental thing,” Fry said. Although Michigan Coach Bo Schembechler, whose idea of psychology is altogether different, had the walls hastily papered white, the Wolverines lost. Their hormones were obviously upset by the color scheme. Now, for this year’s meeting, Psychologist Fry is whining about his injury list. He says 15 first- or second-string players are injured. Obviously, there is no way Iowa could ever win. Right? This, apparently, is the regard Fry has for Schembechler’s intelligence. Hayden, the man’s not stupid. Schembechler knows full well that, no matter who is banged up, quarterback Mark Vlasic is back. Even if he isn’t, backup Tom Poholsky is just as good. And fullback David Hudson and wide receiver Quinn Early are back from season-long injuries. Iowa has beaten Michigan the last two times and three out of five. But this game looms bigger than most. Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh says: “This game has Big Ten and national implications.” Only Ohio State, in the season finale, could prevent No. 4-ranked Michigan from gaining the Rose Bowl if it turns back No. 8-ranked Iowa. And you have to think Michigan has the tools. Anyway, Bo is catching on. He said he was going to paint Iowa’s dressing room lavender.

THE MIDWEST Air Force (5-1) at Notre Dame (1-4)

TV: Channel 13, USA, WGN, 9:30 a.m. PDT

The Irish have lost two games on last-minute missed field goals, just to give you an idea of their luck. Seems as if they should upset somebody. Someday. The Falcons, with their wishbone offense, have been averaging 324 yards and 28 points a game. They’re going for a fifth straight bowl invitation, and what better way to impress? What to say about Notre Dame? The team actually has outgained its opponents by more than 50 yards a game on offense. The team’s 209-yard passing average, if it holds up, will be its best since 1970, when Joe Theismann was there. But it has been like this every year recently. Air Force has beaten Notre Dame four times in a row.

THE SOUTH Alabama (6-0) at Tennessee (2-3)

TV: Channels 7 and 10, 12:30 p.m. PDT

The Tide hasn’t rolled over Tennessee since 1981. This would be a good year to do it. Tennessee, obviously down as it is, will be without fullback William Howard, the nation’s leading scorer and the Southeastern Conference’s No. 2 rusher. He has a knee injury. Still, No. 2-ranked Alabama has its doubters. The schedule hasn’t been world-beater quality. Only Ohio State, among the six victims, has a winning record. “We’ll have to be very fortunate to win the ball game,” Volunteer Coach Johnny Majors said. “Yet, stranger things have happened in this crazy game.”

Georgia Tech (2-2-1) at Auburn (5-0)

Georgia Tech is 5-2-1 against ranked teams the last two seasons. And No. 7-ranked Auburn hasn’t had a test yet. Talk about Alabama’s record, Auburn hasn’t played a winning team yet. This from Auburn Coach Pat Dye: “It’s hard to maintain a high level of concentration when you’re three or four touchdowns ahead. For all practical purposes, all but one of our games thus far have been over at the half, and the Tennessee game was over five minutes into the third quarter.” Make of that what you will.

THE WEST BYU (4-2) at Wyoming (4-2)

Wyoming, uncharacteristically, leads the Western Athletic Conference. A win here puts the Cowboys on the way to a league title and drops out BYU, which has been involved in the championship the last 10 years. Anything is possible, although last season’s 59-0 drubbing by BYU is still fresh in local memory. Both teams average more than 400 yards in offense. BYU just gives up less.

TODAY’S COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE, PAGE 20