The Week

USC Coach John Robinson, whose team is favored to win the national championship, said before playing at Texas Tech, "I'm scared to death we won't get a first down. But I believe we will." Although the Trojans had 21 first downs and won 21-7, their title hopes may have been damaged by injuries to three starters, including Tailback Charles White, who hurt his right shoulder in the second period.

A statistical oddity resulted from a tie between Utah State and host San Jose State. With two seconds to go, Steve Steinke of the Aggies missed a 39-yard field-goal try. However, San Jose was offside. So with no time left, Steinke tried again and made a 34-yarder to tie the score, 48-48, the highest-scoring stalemate in NCAA history.