The Week

First-place Texas Tech improved its SWC mark to 5-0 by overwhelming SMU 34-7. The game was delayed 90 minutes while an unseasonable six inches of snow was removed from the Tech field. Red Raider runners gained 401 yards, Quarterback Rodney Allison leading the way with 92 yards and two touchdowns. All of which set up this week's showdown against Houston, which did not play last Saturday and which is 5-1 in the SWC.

Like A&M, Texas also relied on a lefthanded quarterback. And, like Tech, the Longhorns played in the snow and won by exactly the same score, 34-7. Texas breezed past TCU behind the signal-calling of freshman Mark McBath, who hit on six of nine passes for 78 yards and one touchdown. Another freshman, Halfback Johnny (Lam) Jones, gained 95 yards rushing, 50 of them on a touchdown jaunt.

Mark Jackson of Baylor passed for 246 yards and one touchdown as he completed 17 of 26 tosses in a 38-6 rout of Rice.

1. TEXAS TECH (8-0)
2. TEXAS A&M (7-2)
3. HOUSTON (6-2)

SOUTH

Georgia warmed the hearts of its fans with a 28-0 drubbing of Auburn while Kentucky cold-shouldered Florida 28-9. That iced the Southeastern Conference title and a Sugar Bowl bid for the Bulldogs. Running Back Kevin McLee of Georgia bulldozed his way for 203 yards, Fullback Al Pollard for 158.

Kentucky Coach Fran Curci longed for a "field covered with snow" that would chill Florida's offense. He even switched benches so the afternoon shadows would give the Gators goose bumps. Curci did not get snow, but the 37� weather may have been sufficient. Whatever it was, the Gators gained just 154 yards while the Wildcats rumbled for 472.

Mississippi State jarred LSU 21-13, Tennessee smothered Mississippi in a 32-6 romp and Vanderbilt shot down visiting Air Force 34-10.

Although bad at acting, Maryland was adept at execution as it rolled to its second shutout in a row, 20-0 over Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Clemson. When the Terps lined up for a field goal the Tigers were not fooled, but they still could not keep Quarterback Mark Manges from taking the snap, rolling to the right and uncorking a 15-yard pass to Wide Receiver Vince Kinney, who ran the final 18 yards for a touchdown.

North Carolina overpowered Virginia 31-6, Duke surprised North Carolina State 28-14 and Wake Forest hung on to stop independent South Carolina 10-7. Mike Voight of the Tar Heels ran for 190 yards.