Colorado Might Have Needed a Sixth Down : THE COLLEGES

The big question this weekend: When Colorado has the ball against Iowa State, will the Buffaloes gamble on fifth down? Whatever, there’s one thing you have to say about Colorado’s offense: It really gives a 125% effort.

Almost overlooked in the controversy, the Associated Press pointed out, is that although Colorado quarterback Charles Johnson’s fifth-down dive at the goal line was ruled a touchdown, the films showed he appeared to have been stopped short. (Some Colorado backers have pointed out there’s no way Missouri would have stopped Johnson on sixth down, though.)

A natural bowl matchup would seem to be Colorado vs. Auburn, which was accused by a Louisiana Tech aide of using an extra, illegal player on the field to help nip Tech, 16-14. Think of the TV buildup: The Fifth Down Offense vs. the 12th Man Offense!

Elsewhere, New Mexico State might have lost 22 games in a row but it can always boast it has something in common with the San Francisco 49ers: Both have been beaten by George Allen-coached teams.

RANKINGS

Team, Record Last Loss Next Loss 1. Big 8 Refs Def. Mo., 33-31 Idle 2. N. Mex. St. (0-5) 27-31, CSLB UNLV 3. Mich. St. (1-2-1) 7-12, Iowa Michigan 4. T. Tech (1-4) 24-28, T A$M Arkansas 5. Ore. St. (0-5) Idle Arizona 6. (Tie) N.D. (0-1*) 31-36, Stanford A.F. 6. Fla. St. (0-1*) 22-31, Miami Idle 6. Ohio State (0-1*) 20-31, Ill. Indiana 9. Columbia (0-4) 34-41, Lafayette Penn 10. UCLA (2-3) 21-28, Arizona S.D.St.

*Among those tied for worst record in October.

11. Arizona’s locker room etiquette; 12. Alabama (2-3); 13. Brown (0-4); 14. AP and UPI’s top 25 polls (both have USC ranked ahead of its 0-31 conqueror, Washington); 15. Washington State (2-4); 16. The TV networks (failed to carry Notre Dame-Stanford game, figuring it would be a rout); 17. Kentucky (1-4); 18. Idle; 19. West Virginia (2-3); 20. The national pastime (CBS scheduled no National League playoffs last weekend because they would have interfered with the televising of the sacrosanct pro and college football games.)

SPECIAL CITATION: To the San Diego State defense, which all but shut down Wyoming Saturday. Unfortunately, when the Aztecs scored late in the game, they failed on a two-point conversion try, losing, 52-51. How could they have passed up a chance for a 52-52 tie, possibly the first one ever? Pat Dye wouldn’t have.

THE PROS

New England (1-4) played so poorly that management banned the players from the locker room.

Green Bay (2-3), on the other hand, seems to have all the ingredients needed for a winning season, save one--a good quarterback.

Speaking of quarterbacks, ABC’s mercurial Dan Dierdorf raved about “what a treat” it was to watch Denver’s John Elway at one point Monday night. Then, like a vicious cur, Dierdorf turned on Elway, terming the Broncos’ failure to protect their lead late in the game “an ugly offensive series.”

The result was a 29-30 victory for Cleveland--and gutty QB Bernie Kosar. The little guy had three passes batted down at the line of scrimmage.

RANKINGS

WAIT ‘TIL NEXT YEAR DIVISION*

Team, Record Last Loss Next Loss 1. Minnehaha (1-4) 27-34, Detroit Phila 2. L.A. Lambs (1-3) 31-34, Cincy Chicago 3. Philadelphia (1-3) Idle Mi’haha 4. Denver (2-3) 29-30, Cleveland Pitt

WAIT ‘TIL NEXT CENTURY DIVISION

Team, Record Last Loss Next Loss 1. New England (1-4) 20-33, Seattle Idle 2. San Diego (1-4) 14-36, Pitt* Denver

*Allowed Pitt’s first, second, third and fourth offensive TDs of year.

CRUMMY MONDAY NIGHT GAME OF THE WEEK: Minnehaha (1-4) at Philadelphia (1-3).