Bo Says He Can’t Complain

If Brian Bosworth can do it, why not Jim Harbaugh? Last week, Bosworth predicted a shutout of Colorado, and Oklahoma got it. Now, Harbaugh is promising that Michigan will beat Ohio State in Saturday’s Rose Bowl decider.

Harbaugh, quarterback of the Wolverines, said Monday: “I think we’re smart enough to know that there’s too much at stake right now. Everything’s still out there for us. We can still win the Big Ten championship, we can go to the Rose Bowl, and we will.

“I guarantee you, we’ll beat Ohio State and be in Pasadena.”

What does Bo Schembechler think of that?

“I don’t tell him what to say. He’s 22 years old,” Schembechler said when told of Harbaugh’s remarks. “Now, if he’d criticized the coach! . . . “

Isn’t he afraid the statements will be pinned up on the Ohio State bulletin board?

“Well, those pin-ups don’t mean much in this game,” Schembechler said. “I would worry more if he’d predicted defeat.”

For What It’s Worth: Auburn, which will face USC in the Florida Citrus Bowl, has a 9-8-1 bowl record. Last season, it lost to Texas A&M;, 36-16, in the Cotton Bowl.

Auburn played its first bowl game Jan. 1, 1937 in Havana, Cuba, against Villanova in the Rhumba Bowl. In sweltering 86-degree heat, which caused players to lose an average of 10 pounds per man, the teams battled to a 7-7 tie.

The game also was known as the Rum Bowl or the Bacardi Bowl and was billed as the “Battle of the Palms.”

It was never played again.

Add Auburn: Although USC is famous for its tailbacks, Auburn lately has supplied the NFL with more talent. Said Georgia Coach Vince Dooley before last Saturday’ game against Auburn:

“Brent Fullwood is making everybody forget about Bo Jackson. When Herschel Walker came to Georgia, everybody talked about how lucky we were to get him. The fact is we deserved him. Look at all the backs Auburn has had: Joe Cribbs, James Brooks, William Andrews, Lionel James, Bo Jackson and now Fullwood.

“After watching all those guys come through Auburn, I think it’s time we got another Herschel to balance things out.”

Trivia Time: When’s the last time a college football team won a national championship on Jan. 2? (Answer below.)

From Peter May of the Hartford Courant: “Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach Del Harris relates this story from opening night against the Boston Celtics. As the Boston reserves were being introduced, Coach Don Nelson turned to Harris and said, ‘Now, there are five, pretty ordinary players.’ When Larry Bird joined them, Nelson turned to Harris and said, “Now, there are six great players.’ ”

What’s-in-a-name dept.: There’s a 2-year-old running in New York, out of the dam Indian Call, named My Teepee or Yours.

Trivia Answer: On Jan. 2, 1984, Miami defeated Nebraska, 31-30, in the Orange Bowl to win the national title.

Quotebook

Chicago Bear Coach Mike Ditka, on the team’s remaining games: “As long as we can hold our opponents to three points a game, we’ll be tough to beat.”