Overseas Division to Oregon

THE COLLEGES

In separate, highly unsuspenseful finishes, New Mexico State (1-10) won the Bottom Ten U.S. title while Oregon captured the Bottom Ten Overseas Ltd. crown with the worst international record (0-1).

Tulane (1-10) had needed a 56-point loss Saturday to finish on top of the U.S. division but fell by a shockingly respectable 19-31 to LSU and wound up No. 2. Tulane supporters later bitterly accused LSU of using mostly farmhands called up late in the season, rather than starters, to keep the score down.

No. 1 New Mexico State, whose otherwise perfect season was marred by a 22-20 win over the University of Texas at El-Up-and-Out-Paso, was plagued by fumbles and interceptions this year--a traditional problem. But you’d be nervous, too, if you had to play just west of the White Sands Missile Range, as the Aggies do.

Meanwhile, USC’s 20-6 win over Oregon at Tokyo gives the Trojans (6-5) the chance to become the first (and worst) team ever to win three bowl games in one year: Rose, Mirage, and (Dec. 28) Aloha. (And, please, no jokes about a Probation Bowl appearance.)

The Rankings:

Team, Record Last Week Bowl Bid 1. N Mex St (1-10) Idle None 2. Tulane (1-10) 19-31,LSU None 3. K State (1-10) Idle None 4. Columbia (0-10) Idle None 5. Missouri (1-10) Idle None 6. UTEP (1-9) Idle Down-Under* 7. Wyoming (2-8) Idle Down-Under* 8. New Mex (3-8) Idle None 9. N Dame (5-6) 7-58, Miami None 10. Boston Coll (4-8) Idle None

11. Dartmouth (2-7-1); 12. Northwestern (3-8); 13. Pentagon (at sea) (3-7); 14. San Jose State (2-8-1); 15. Houston (4-7); 16. Indiana (4-7); 17. Cornell (3-7); 18. Cal (4-7); 19. Rice (3-8); 20. (Tie) (together again!) Oregon (5-6) and Oregon State (3-8).

*Down-Under Bowl ( way down under) Saturday at Melbourne, Australia.

ROUT OF THE WEEK: BYU (10-2) over Hawaii (4-5-2).

CRUMMY GAME OF THE YEAR (traditional): Army (8-2) vs. Navy (3-7).

POSITIVE ATTITUDE: Stan Parrish, new head coach at Kansas State (1-10), says his offensive philosophy is “pass, pass, pass and then punt.” (No need for placekickers on this team.)

THE PROS

His never-say-live team, blowing a 23-0 lead with eight minutes left, had lost, 23-28, to Minnesota. Still stunned, Philadelphia Coach Marion Campbell said: “Our team is capable of beating anyone, but . . . it’s obvious that we’re also capable of losing to anyone.”

That was encouragement enough for the Bottom Ten selectors who voted the Beagles (6-7) into the top spot. The vote reflected support for Philadelphia’s knack for coming from ahead--the Beagles also frittered away a 17-0 fourth-quarter lead against Atlanta, though winning in overtime.

Elsewhere, taking a cue from Denver fans, Mother Nature pelted No. 3 Tampa Bay with snowballs in Green Bay before she was forcefully ejected by stadium guards. In drowning 0-21, the Buccaneers set an NFL record that may never be broken--Most Yards Given Up in a Snowstorm (512).

And the No. 9 Ram quarterback Dieter Brock once again had trouble throwing long in New Orleans, failing to connect even once with receiver Bobby Duckworth, who was wide open in San Diego.

The Rankings:

Team, Record Last Week Next Loss 1. Philadelphia (6-7) 23-28, Minnesota Washington 2. Buffalo (2-11) 7-40, San Diego N.J. Jets 3. Tampa Bay (2-11) 0-21, M. Nature Minnesota 4. Kansas City (4-9) 6-24, Seattle Atlanta 5. Atlanta (2-11) 24-34, Oakland Kansas City

6. St. Louis (4-9); 7. Indianapolis (3-10); 8. Washington (7-6)*; 9. Rams (9-4) (losers of four of last six); 10. Chicago (12-1) (losers of one of last one).

*In latest Skins Game, Washington picked up 8 points, San Francisco, 35.

CRUMMY GAME OF THE WEEK: Atlanta (2-11) at Kansas City (4-9).

THE SHAME LIVES ON: Hot-selling T-shirt in Denver stores bear the claim: “I Did Not Throw the Snowball.”

MORE PROOF OF THE SUPREMACY OF THE USFL: Cleveland’s Kevin Mack, who just broke Jim Brown’s club record for most yards rushing in a season by a rookie, was a third-string back at one point with the Express last season.

ROUT OF LAST WEEK: No-shows (including one high school band) edged out the shows, 36,586 to 19,856, at Green Bay.