Fast Break
FOOTBALL
Longhorns land No. 1 ranking
Texas was supposed to be a year away from challenging for No. 1. There were just too many questions: Could Colt McCoy cut down his interceptions? Could the Longhorns find a running game?
And after five straight blowouts against a soft early schedule, could they trade punches with Oklahoma?
The answers keep coming up yes and the Longhorns (6-0, 2-0 Big 12) are a surprise No. 1 after knocking off the previously top-ranked Sooners 45-35 Saturday. Texas is ranked No. 1 in the regular season for the first time since 1984.
The big question now is whether Texas can hold on to No. 1 against a brutal schedule. The Big 12 is playing at its highest level since its creation in 1996, with five teams ranked in the top 11. Texas dispatched Oklahoma but now faces No. 11 Missouri on Saturday, No. 8 Oklahoma State a week later, No. 7 Texas Tech on Nov. 1 and a trip to No. 16 Kansas after that.
BASKETBALL
Payton has wishful thinking
Within three years, former Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton believes the NBA will be returning to the city where he became a star.
Payton raised the “12th Man” flag at Qwest Field on Sunday before the NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers. Payton said there has been talk among former players to revive a campaign to renovate KeyArena and to land a new team in Seattle.
“I think before 2011 a team will be here,” Payton said. “A lot of things and speculation … a lot of teams that want to move, so I think Seattle’s got a good shot at it.”
Payton said he recently spoke with James Donaldson, a former Washington State and Sonics player who plans to run for City Council in 2009, and hopes to develop a strong player support group before going to the business community for support.
NFL
Sunday’s results
Falcons 22, Bears 20
Texans 29, Dolphins 28
Vikins 12, Lions 10
Saints 34 Raiders 3
Rams 19, Redskins 17
Jets 26, Bengals 14
Colts 31, Ravens 3
Buccaneers 27, Panthers 3
Jaguars 24, Broncos 17
Packers 27, Seahawks 17
Cards 30, Cowboys 24 (OT)
Eagles 40, 49ers 26
Chargers 30, Patriots 10
Today’s game
Giants at Browns, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)