Briefly
Oklahoma’s opening day loss sent the Sooners tumbling from the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for the first time in almost four years, Auburn stumbled all the way out of the rankings while it only took Charlie Weis one game to get Notre Dame back in.
And of course, Southern California is still No. 1.
USC has been No. 1 for 20 straight polls dating back to late in the 2003 season, leaving the Trojans one short of the record set by Miami from 2001-2002. USC received 61 of 65 first-place votes in the poll released Tuesday. No. 2 Texas got the other four first-place votes.
The 18th-ranked Sooners dropped 11 spots in the AP media poll after a 17-10 loss at home to TCU. The last time Oklahoma wasn’t in the top 10 was Dec. 2, 2001.
Auburn, coming off an undefeated season and No. 2 final ranking, had its 15-game winning streak snapped by Georgia Tech, 23-14.
Weis’ first game as Notre Dame coach was a rousing success as the Irish beat Pittsburgh 42-21. They’ll go into this week’s game against Michigan ranked 20th. The Irish had two one-week stints in the rankings last season, both times at No. 24.
TCU and Georgia Tech were rewarded for their upsets by the pollsters.
The Yellow Jackets are No. 17 and the Horned Frogs are No. 22. Clemson also moved into the rankings at No. 25. The Tigers knocked Texas A&M out of the Top 25 with a last-second 25-24 victory.
Michigan is No. 3 and Ohio State, which hosts Texas on Saturday, is No. 4.
No. 5 LSU held steady as its opener with North Texas was postponed because of Hurricane Katrina.
No. 6 Tennessee dropped three spots after having trouble with UAB in a 17-10 win.
No. 7 Virginia Tech, is followed by Iowa, Georgia and Florida in the top 10.
Georgia’s 48-13 romp over Boise State sent the Broncos out of the rankings after they were in the preseason poll for the first time.
“The Alcorn State-Southeastern Louisiana football game scheduled for Thursday night in Hammond, La., has been moved to Saturday because of problems caused by Hurricane Katrina, Alcorn State said.
Officials said kickoff would be at 1 p.m. PDT.
“From what I hear, Hammond was hit harder than we were so it’s probably good we’re playing the game a couple of days later,” Alcorn State coach Johnny Thomas said. “It should give them more time to clean up. Considering everything that has happened with this hurricane, we’re just happy to be playing, regardless of what day it is.”
It’s the second straight hurricane-related postponement for Alcorn State. The Braves were scheduled to begin their season opener last Saturday against Grambling State, but that game was postponed until Dec. 3.
“Joe Paterno doesn’t like the media anymore.
“I can’t trust you guys anymore. I am just being honest with you. It is no fun,” the 78-year-old Penn State football coach said during his weekly news conference. “If I have to go and be guarded about everything I do, it is no fun.”
Paterno’s answer came in response to a question about whether he missed the informal relationship he once had with the media.
Cycling
Armstrong comeback possible
Lance Armstrong is still retired – for now.
After initially denying a report that the cycling great was thinking about making a comeback, Armstrong spokesman Mark Higgins said the “door is still open” for the seven-time Tour de France champion to come out of retirement.
Armstrong first hinted that he might ride again in comments to the Austin American-Statesman. After first calling the comments a joke, Higgins said Armstrong told him he was contemplating whether to ride again.
Armstrong was talking to the newspaper about his engagement when he said recent allegations that he used performance enhancing drugs during the 1999 Tour de France tempted him to return.
“I’m thinking it’s the best way,” to anger the French, he said. “I’m exercising every day.”
Hockey
Stevens announces retirement
New Jersey Devils defenseman Scott Stevens announced his retirement after more than two decades in the NHL, saying a year off showed him that he could live without hockey.
“I think the game is more mental than physical. You have to be in tremendous shape, but you have to want to do it in your head,” the 41-year-old player said. “At this point in my career I didn’t think I could put the mental parts there every day, and that’s a big part of playing this game.”
Stevens was a 13-time All-Star who won three Stanley Cups with the Devils and played more NHL games than any other defenseman during his 22 seasons.
“Los Angeles Kings draft pick Anze Kopitar has agreed to a contract. The 18-year-old Kopitar, a center taken with the 11th selection, is expected to rejoin Sodertalje of the Swedish Men’s League for the upcoming season, the Kings said.
Miscellany
Former ESPN reporter found dead
Adrian Karsten, a former college football sideline reporter for ESPN, was found dead at his home in Green Lake, Wis., just before he was scheduled to report to federal prison for tax evasion. He was 45. The coroner’s office was still investigating the death. There was no indication of foul play.
“Sacramento Monarchs guard Ticha Penicheiro sprained her left ankle during practice and the club isn’t certain whether she’ll be limited in the WNBA’s Western Conference finals against Houston.