The A List

By Adam Duerson

Freddy Adu Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Anyone catch "Miscasting Saturday" on ESPN? Enough about Tom Sizemore as Pete Rose. (Brian Dennehy wasn't available?) How 'bout Virginia Tech as an ACC team? Wisconsin's ex-fourth string fullback Matt Bernstein's gaining 100 yards against Penn State? And then scarfing turkey and oranges on the sideline during the game as he broke his Yom Kippur fast? Reminded me of Brian Dennehy a little.

Did You Hear ...?

Freddy Adu parties at Maryland The 15-year-old D.C. United baller popped up at UM parties this month, according to The Diamondback, the school's independent student paper. Overheard by College Park keg-go'ers: "This is Freddy Adu's cup, get out of the way." The response of D.C. United officials: Adu's behavior was "not at all inappropriate." Texas's Cedric Benson really, really wants the Heisman The running back told ESPN Radio he'd rather get the personal accolade than beat Oklahoma. The same Benson who was suspended for a game in '03 for kicking down an apartment door to look for his missing plasma TV? Shocked, I say.

Penn State cheerleaders allegedly commit sticker assault After declining a sticker giveaway, a student claims that a group of cheerleaders covered her in PSU stickers and then hit her in the face, according to The Daily Collegian. Shocked. Minus the sarcasm. (Charges are pending.)

Godfather of Soul visits Harvard James Brown showed up to receive an award and take part in a ceremony in which a chair would be crushed by a monster truck. "I'd like to drive the truck," he said, "but I have a little problem driving." Driving, among other things, my friend.

Iowa coaches place toilet in weight room after 37-point loss to Arizona State on Sept. 18 It was supposed to symbolize "flushing" the game from their system. Or being dumped on by Michigan seven days later.

Quote of the week Purdue linebacker George Hall after a 59-7 win over Ball State: "Coach tells us all the time, if someone gives you a pat on the back, punch them in the face."

5 Money Picks: October 2

ARKANSAS AT FLORIDA, noon, CBS
The Gators can run the ball. The Gators can pass the ball. The Gators just can't seem to do both in the same game.
Arkansas 24, Florida 16

TEXAS TECH AT OKLAHOMA, 12:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net
OU will make the classic first-half slip and look ahead to Texas ... then drop 50 in the second.
Oklahoma 53, Texas Tech 35

PURDUE AT NOTRE DAME, 2:30 p.m., NBC
Look for Kyle Orton to pass at least 50 times against an on-the-rise Irish squad that has only its overambitious schedule working against it.
Purdue 42, Notre Dame 20

LSU AT GEORGIA, 3:30 p.m., CBS
Desperation goes a long way, and the Tigers get a little more out of their sorry excuse for an offense.
LSU 13, Georgia 7

AUBURN AT TENNESSEE, 7:45 p.m., ESPN
Good to see the SEC back on top.
Auburn 24, Tennessee 23

All times eastern

LAST WEEK'S RECORD: 4-1    SEASON RECORD: 7-3

2 Must Haves

NBA Live 2005 (Sept. 29 release)
Simply put, NBA Live has multiplied itself using some freaky-deaky Mogwai trickery: a slam dunk contest, three-point shootout, yada yada yada.

Dawson's Creek -- The Complete Fourth Season (Oct. 5)
Omigod, omigod, omigod, this DVD set has that episode where Dawson thinks Joey and Pacey slept together and Pacey lets Dawson think that, which is totally not cool because Joey tells Dawson they didn't.

Issue date: September 30, 2004

SI ON CAMPUS Sports Illustrated On Campus, a new magazine covering college sports and collegiate lifestyles, is available as an insert in 74 major college newspapers across the country every Thursday throughout the school year. Click any of the links below to see selected content from the latest issue. • Cover Story: The greatest playlist of all time • The Edge: Wali Lundy pimps your iPod • The A List: 5 money picks • Road Trip: University of Georgia • The Vibe: Which tradition is cooler? • Top 10: Campus Indie Music Stores • The Final: March Madness • Previous issue: September 23, 2004