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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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)

Associated Press Associated Press NFL Rewind, C4