19th Hole: The Readers Take Over

ON TOP
Sir:
I applaud Joe Marshall, Mike DelNagro and Brooks Clark for their fine work on the College Football Issue (Sept. 1). I wouldn't have picked the Top 20 any differently—except for Ohio State, which I would have ranked No. 1 over Pitt, instead of No. 2.
BARRY FABYAN
Worthington, Ohio

Sir:
The Ohio State Buckeyes will march to the Big Ten title, a Rose Bowl victory and the national championship this year. And probably next year, too.
PHILIP A. GIBBS
Hillsboro, Ohio

Sir:
All I can say is Roll, Tide, Roll! Three in a row for 'Bama.
MICHAEL GANN
Hamilton, Ala.

Sir:
When Jan. 1 rolls around, you'll forget Pitt and the rest because Nebraska'll be the best!
ED THIEL
Omaha

Sir:
Oklahoma, the team of the '70s, will also be the team of the '80s.
KEVIN KOOPMEINERS
Melrose, Minn.

Sir:
There is a popular bumper sticker in South Bend that says: GOD MADE NOTRE DAME NO. 1. I think most people would go along with Him.
JIM KLIMEK
South Bend

AT MIZZOU
Sir:
Thanks for the wonderful and long-overdue article on Missouri football (Hold That Tiger—Big Came at Mizzou! Sept. 1). Something not readily apparent from the story is the far-reaching effect of a big game like Mizzou-Oklahoma. Here in Florida, the Tampa-Lakeland-Orlando chapters of the Missouri alumni association gather in Plant City each year to listen to the game over a local radio station. Similarly, other Mizzou alumni from coast to coast tune in to broadcasts, have them "piped in" by telephone or just stay glued to their radios for scores.

Today people rarely become involved with something bigger than themselves. Loyalty to an institution, fostered in large part by college football, is a value lost to most of society. It would be unfortunate if college football were nitpicked and legislated to death, although it is currently walking a tightrope between big business and integrity and self-restraint. Thank goodness many fine schools like Missouri have long had balanced programs.
ARTHUR W. SMITH
Lakeland, Fla.

Sir:
Thank you for pointing out that you don't have to be the winningest team to be the most spirited.
JAMES H. VORWALD
Florissant, Mo.

Sir:
I was mildly surprised to find that the Missouri fans consider Oklahoma their big game. Having been an undergraduate at OU and still being a diehard Sooner fan, I have witnessed or heard of no greater rivalry in the nation than the Sooners' annual meeting with the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl.